July 14, 2005 - San Diego, Calif. - Disney Publishing Worldwide (DPW) is teaming up with Slave Labor Graphics Publishing (SLG) to produce four new Disney-inspired comics series. The first series is scheduled for release in Fall 2005. Each series will be issued bi-monthly.
Launching in October 2005, Haunted Mansion is a 32-page black-and-white anthology inspired by the Classic Disney theme park attraction. Each issue will reveal the stories behind the 999 happy haunts who reside there. Haunted Mansion will feature work from a number of SLG Publishing creators including Roman Dirge (Lenore), Jon "Bean" Hastings, Serena Valentino and Darren Frydendall. The series will retail for $2.95.
Tron, a full-color comic written by Landry Walker and Eric Jones (Kid Gravity, Little Gloomy) and illustrated by Louie DeMartinis will be available in January 2006 at $2.95. This 32-page comic builds upon the story that originated within the Tron 2.0 videogame.
Gargoyles is a full-color, comic series written by Greg Wiseman with art direction by Greg Guler. It will retail for $2.95.
Wonderland is a full-color comic by Tommy Kovac and illustrated by Sonny Liew that provides a new interpretation of the classic Walt Disney animated feature, picking up where the film Alice in Wonderland left off. This series also retails for $2.95.
"Slave Labor Graphics has a reputation for publishing entertaining and cutting-edge comics," said Margie Chan, vice president, English Language Licensing Worldwide, DPW. "They have used these talents once again to bring an entirely new vantage point to our classic properties."
"I can't begin to tell you how excited I am to be working with Disney Publishing," said Dan Vado, president and publisher, SLG. "We already have a huge wish list of comics we would like to develop as a second wave. I really feel we can bring an interesting sensibility to these projects without feeling the need to re-invent them."
Roman Dirge is the creator of Lenore, a comic about a cute little dead girl that has garnered him three Eisner award nominations. He also currently works as a writer for a Nickelodeon animated series. Jon "Bean" Hastings is the creator of Mad Science, featuring kids trying to save the world in a fight against good and evil. He has also previously been nominated for an Eisner award for his critically acclaimed Smith Brown Jones: Alien Accountant. Darren Frydendall is a newcomer to SLG but not a newcomer to Disney, as he works within the company doing illustration and other work for the mobile phone division. Serena Valentino is the co-creator and writer for GloomCookie and Nightmares & Fairy Tales - both published quarterly by SLG. She is currently working on a graphic novel called 1140 Rue Royale as well as some other various writing projects.
Landry Walker and Eric Jones are the creators of Kid Gravity, about a fifth-grade boy looking to become one of the leading heroes of the galaxy, published monthly in Disney Adventures, and Little Gloomy, a kid-friendly goth-comic published simultaneously by Disney Adventures and SLG. Louie DeMartinis is another newcomer to SLG. He currently he works in Canada as an animator.
Writer Greg Weisman was the co-creator and co-supervising producer of the Gargoyles series. He supervised the development of the series and the writing and voice work on the first 66 episodes. Artist director Greg Guler was one of the original development artists on Gargoyles, creating inspiration designs for Goliath, Demona and Elisa. He was also the series' lead character designer during its second season.
Tommy Kovac is the creator of Autumn, a comic about a mysterious and powerful girl and her shape-shifting squirrel companion. Sonny Liew is an illustrator/painter whose clients include Marvel Entertainment, Morgan Stanley Asia and the Singapore Sikh Society. He is also currently working on a mini-series for DC Vertigo.
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About Disney Publishing Worldwide
Disney Publishing Worldwide (DPW) is the largest children's publisher in the world, with 274 million copies of children's magazines sold worldwide and 120 million children's books sold each year. A leading comics publisher, Disney Publishing has been producing comics since 1930, with over 390 regular titles read in more than 85 countries around the globe. DPW is based in New York City.
Slave Labor Graphics Publishing
SLG Publishing is a San Jose, Calif.-based publisher of comic books, graphic novels and specialty publications. In addition to books, SLG also produces merchandise based on its publications including T-shirts, toys and postcards. Owned and operated by Dan Vado, SLG Publishing is entering into its 20th year of publishing.
