Filip Sablik talks Berserker, Fusion
Matt Price interviews Top Cow Publisher Filip Sablik at the ComicsPRO Annual Meeting in Memphis, Tenn.
Top Cow to launch Milo Ventimiglia’s Berserker
MEMPHIS, Tenn. – Norse warriors are loosed on the modern world in “Berserker,” a new Top Cow series spearheaded by actor Milo Ventimiglia.
Top Cow Publisher Filip Sablik said the violent series should appeal to fans of “Wanted.” In the story, the two lead characters discover they have incredible strength when they become filled with rage.
“It’s all about these ordinary people who find out that they’re descended from Norse berserkers, these fierce warriors,” Sablik said at the ComicsPRO annual meeting. “But at this point, it’s so underneath, they have no control over it. It’s an uncontrollable rage, and they basically fly off the handle like we all do, but when they fly off the handle, things and people break.”
A special signed variant-cover edition of “Berserker” No. 1 will be distributed to comic-book retailers who sign up to support the Comic Book Legal Defense Fund through Diamond Comics. The Comic Book Legal Defense Fund was is a non-profit organization dedicated to the preservation of First Amendment rights for members of the comics community.
The issue will be signed by Ventimiglia and the writer and artist of the book. Retailers can sign up in the April Previews magazine.
Ventimiglia brought the project to Top Cow; the team creating “Berserker” is made up of writer Rick Loverd (“Friday Night Lights”), artist Jeremy Haun (“Civil War: Iron Man/Captain America”) and cover artist Dale Keown (“PITT”).
“Berserker” started as a screenplay from Loverd, a staff writer on “Friday Night Lights.” Ventimiglia, who portrays the superpowered Peter Petrelli on “Heroes,” and his producing partner Russ Cundiff both loved the script. But they thought the violence could make it a hard sell.
“They found this screenplay. They read it. They loved it; and they said, no one in their right mind is going to make this as a TV show or a movie – we should totally buy this,” Sablik said. “Both Russ and Milo are comics fans, so they said this would be perfect for comics fans.”
The preview issue of “Berserker” is available now; the first issue is set to ship in June.
– Matthew Price
From Wednesday’s The Oklahoman
Signed “Berserker” comic will benefit CBLDF
MEMPHIS, Tenn. — A special signed edition of the “Berserker” comic will be distributed to comic-book retailers who sign up to support the Comic Book Legal Defense Fund through Diamond Comics. The promotion was announced by Top Cow Publisher Filip Sablik at the ComicsPRO annual meeting of direct-market retailers.
The issue will be signed by Milo Ventimiglia (“Heroes”) and the creative team. Ventimiglia brought the project to Top Cow; the team creating “Berserker” is made up of writer Rick Loverd (“Friday Night Lights”), artist Jeremy Haun (“The Leading Man”) and cover artist Dale Keown (“PITT”).
The preview issue of “Berserker” is available now; the first issue is set to ship in June. Sablik said the violent series should appeal to fans of “Wanted.” In the story, the two lead characters discover they have incredible strength when they become filled with rage.
– Matt Price
Embedded below is a “Berserker” promo video, which debuted at New York Comicon.
Top Cow promotes direct-market initiatives
MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Top Cow Publisher Filip Sablik outlined several of Top Cow’s initiatives at the ComicsPRO annual meeting of direct-market retailers. First and foremost among Sablik’s points was the company’s promise to hold the price point of its regular books at $2.99 through 2009.
The trade dress of the books has been redesigned to highlight the price. Sablik said any book at a higher price would have more pages or extras included.
Sablik also reminded retailers of the direct-market exclusive pricing on the first volumes of the Ron Marz “Witchblade” and “Darkness: Accursed,” which retail through comic shops at just $4.99. These each collect six issues. Volume 2 of “Darkness: Accursed” is set for April release at $9.99.
Sablik reminded retailers to sign up for Top Cow’s “Let Us Win You Over” campaign, in which selected retailers will receive free books to give away to consumers. It will feature 25 stores per month, and is a yearlong campaign to attract new readers. More information is available at www.topcow.com/freecomics.
– Matt Price
Comics vodcast: Darkness 75, Thor 600, Batman 686 and X-Men Origins: Sabretooth
It’s a week of anniversaries! Darkness celebrates 75 issues, Thor celebrates 600, Batman attends a funeral, and Sabretooth has a violent way of saying “Happy Birthday” in this week’s comics, as discussed by Matt Price and Kyle Roberts.
“The Darkness” reaches milestone
WORD BALLOONS
A hitman with supernatural abilities celebrates an anniversary – and invites some old friends.
Top Cow’s “The Darkness” celebrates its 75th issue on Wednesday, with an oversized issue featuring art from former series artists Dale Keown, Joe Benitez, and co-creator Marc Silvestri.
“There are not many characters that are independently created characters that have had 75 issues come out,” said Top Cow Publisher Filip Sablik. “We wanted to celebrate that fact. It’s a big deal for us. We think on some level, it’s a big deal for comics.”
The Darkness series stars mob hit man Jackie Estacado. On Estacado’s 21st birthday, the terrible powers of the Darkness awaken within him and put him in the midst of a supernatural war.
“The Darkness is one of my favorite properties that we’ve ever created at Top Cow,” Silvestri told The Oklahoman in a 2006 interview. “Not only just in concept, but quite frankly to draw. … Jackie’s kind of an alter-ego for me and a lot of other guys. We get to act out our frustrations through this guy; it’s a lot of fun.”
In addition to the former artists, the series’ current artists, Michael Broussard and Jorge Lucas, will contribute, as will artists Ryan Sook and Steve Firchow. Sablik said Top Cow is also showcasing some new talent on the book, Matt Timson and Lee Carter.
Series writer Phil Hester is making this oversized issue a jumping-on point.
“Jackie Estacado, who is the bearer of the Darkness – this power that is both a blessing and a curse – goes to a fortune teller and gets a look at his future,” Sablik said. “The entire issue is a look at a future where Jackie has given into the Darkness, and to his darker impulses, and the things that result from that, the world that results from him becoming the worst version of himself.”
“The Darkness” No. 75 retails for $4.99.
– By Matthew Price
From Friday’s The Oklahoman
This cover rocks my face off
The Dale Keown cover to the upcoming “Darkness” #75. (If you’re worried that you accidentally missed a lot of issues, don’t fret — Top Cow is returning to the original series numbering with issue #75.) Keown, Lee Bermejo, Stjepan Sejic and Michael Broussard provide covers.
– Matt Price
DVD review: Wanted
James MacAvoy stars as Wesley, a put-upon loser who discovers he’s meant for something different in “Wanted,” based on the graphic novel by Mark Millar and J.G. Jones. Wesley meets the Fox (Angelina Jolie), who tells him his father was part of a secret cabal of assassins, and that Wesley himself must join with them to fulfill his destiny.
The Fraternity, led by Sloan (Morgan Freeman) lives by the credo, “Kill one, save a thousand.” An ancient loom tells them the people who must be removed from the wheel of fate to keep society running smoothly. Wesley has been chosen to find the man who killed his father, the Fraternity says – but the society also has its dark secrets.
Directed by Timur Bekmambetov, the film removes the superhero dressing of the source material, but manages to improve on it.
“Wanted” is visually stunning, and looks sharp on DVD. There are special features including an extended scene, a featurette about adapting “Wanted,” with Millar; and additional featurettes primarily focus on the film’s visual style and effects. The two-disc special edition also comes with a code for a digital copy of the film.
– Matthew Price
From Friday’s The Oklahoman
Comics vodcast: Action Comics 870, Deadpool 3, Dragon Prince 2, X-Men Original Sin
Kyle Roberts and I hit on some of the week’s biggest comics, including Action Comics 870, Deadpool 3, Dragon Prince 2 and X-Men Original Sin.
I’m aware that as I post this, the date is wrong on the vodcast.
– Matt Price
Top Cow reveals David Finch “Dragon Prince” #1 cover
Dragon Prince is a five-part miniseries written by Ron Marz with art by Lee Moder. It stars teenager Aaron Chiang, who discovers he’s the Dragon Prince, heir to the bloodline of all dragons. This martial arts fantasy epic begins shipping in September.
– Matt Price
