Warner Premiere Continues To Lead The Motion Comics Category With The Debut Of “Superman: Red Son,” “Batgirl: Year One” And “Batman: Black And White” Collection 2
(July 23, 2009 – San Diego – Comic Con) – Warner Premiere and Warner Bros. Digital Distribution today announced three new additions to the best-selling Warner Premiere Motion Comics slate. Classic graphic novels “Superman: Red Son” and “Batgirl: Year One,” as well as graphic album “Batman: Black and White” Collection 2 entered the digital age as Warner Premiere Motion Comics on the iTunes Store (www.itunes.com). Also announced today comrades everywhere, for a limited time, can download the first glorious episode of “Superman: Red Son” for free and see how Stalin’s most powerful weapon swayed the balance of power during the Cold War (http://tinyurl.com/SmanRedSonPR).
Continuing to lead the motion comics experience, Warner Premiere’s Motion Comics connect comic fans to authentic DC characters through short-form content. The Motion Comics slate draws on a deep reservoir of source material to bring a visually engaging experience to life through the use of subtle movements, voice-overs, sweeping music scores and stunning comic book artwork.
“Last year we debuted our Motion Comics slate and saw the voracious appetite graphic novel fans had for this digital content,” said Diane Nelson, president, Warner Premiere. “One of the reasons for our success is Warner Premiere working closely with DC Comics to determine if a story naturally lends itself to becoming a motion comic. Another key is the process we use to select the studios that ultimately create these motion comics. They are very passionate comic book fans so creating these motion comics really are a labor of love. We’re very proud of our success and look forward to bringing more titles to comic fans in the future.”
“Superman: Red Son”
Warner Premiere Motion Comics is proud to bring “Superman: Red Son” to its Motion Comics slate. Based on the Eisner Award-winning graphic novel written by Mark Millar and drawn by Dave Johnson and Kilian Plunkett “Superman: Red Son” takes viewers back in time to the Cold War between the United States and the Soviet Union where Superman is fighting for the Communists. In this alternate universe, Superman lands in Russia rather than the United States and Soviet Union's greatest weapon as the world is transformed into a communist state opposed only by a crumbling capitalistic America Lex Luthor. Now as Superman stands on the brink of ultimate power, three heroes, Batman, Wonder Woman, and Green Lantern, each make a valiant stand to destroy the reign of the Man of Steel. The Superman: Red Son Motion Comic was animated by New Zealand-based Karactaz.
For a limited time, the first episode of “Superman: Red Son” is now available on iTunes for free. To download, visit www.itunes.com or (http://tinyurl.com/SmanRedSonPR). Future episodes will debut once a week and fans are encouraged to sign up for a Season Pass to automatically receive future episodes.
“Batgirl: Year One”
Barbara Gordon comes to the digital age with “Batgirl: Year One” Motion Comics, based on the popular series. The story begins with our heroine having an internal monologue while batting Killer Moth and his henchmen. Wearing a female version of Batman’s costume, she makes an appearance at The Gotham City Police Department’s “Million Dollar Masquerade Ball.” Soon after arriving she rushes to aide her adoptive father Police Commissioner James Gordon who has been attacked by a villain. While the Chief lies unconscious, she prevents Bruce Wayne from being hit with the same energy weapon that injured her father. Flashbacks within her mind retell the series of events which have lead to her first battle with a super villain.
Created by Perpetual Notions, the complete “Batgirl: Year One” Motion Comics series is now available on iTunes.
“Batman: Black & White” Collection 2
The second series of Warner Premiere Motion Comics slate, “Batman: Black & White” is taken from three award-winning collections of short stories starring the Caped Crusader. The Motion Comics reflect the original and diverse visions of various artists and writers as they tell stories in the now-infamous world of Gotham City.
The “Batman: Black & White” stories are told from the perspective of Batman and range in theme from the unsettling drama of solving a brutal murder to the light comedy of fighting bad guys with a broken nose. These short episodes also touch on elements of romance, mystery and even the supernatural. And like any exciting Batman story, classic villains such as The Joker, Harley Quinn and Two-Face make heralded appearances. It’s Batman as seen through the prism of some of today’s most eloquent graphic artists and writers.
“Batman: Black & White” Collection 2 Motion Comics series includes the following titles:
“I’ll Be Watching”
Written by: Ed Brubaker
Illustrated by: Ryan Sook “The Call”
Written by: Mark Schultz
Illustrated by: Claudio Castellini “Monsters In The Closet”
Written by: Jan Strnad
Illustrated by: Kevin Nowlan “A Game of Bat and Rat”
Written by: John Arcudi
Illustrated by: John Buscema “Hands”
Written by: Scott Peterson
Illustrated by: Danijel Zezelj “Sunrise”
Written by: Alex Garland
Illustrated by: Sean Phillips “In Dreams”
Written by: Andrew Helfer
Illustrated by: Liberatore “Heroes”
Written by: Archie Goodwin
Illustrated by: Gary Gianni “Legend”
Written by: Walter Simonson
Illustrated by; Walter Simonson “Blackout”
Written by: Howard Chaykin
Illustrated by: Jordi Bernet The complete second collection of “Batman: Black & White” Motion Comics are now available on the iTunes Store. About Warner Premiere Warner Premiere is a Warner Bros. Entertainment production company focused on the development, production and marketing of feature-length-DVD and short-form digital content for this growing space. Warner Premiere is committed to being at the creative forefront in the evolution of quality product in the direct-to-consumer business, creating material that exemplifies the commitment to story, production and brand equity for which Warner Bros. is known. About Warner Bros. Digital Distribution Warner Bros. Digital Distribution (WBDD) was founded in October 2005 to manage Warner Bros. Home Entertainment Group’s electronic distribution over existing, new and emerging digital platforms, including pay-per-view, electronic sell-through, video-on-demand, wireless and more. WBDD also oversees the WBHEG’s worldwide digital strategy, partnerships in digital services and emerging new clients and business activities in the digital space. About Warner Bros. Home Entertainment Group Warner Bros. Home Entertainment Group brings together Warner Bros. Entertainment's home video, digital distribution, interactive entertainment/videogames, direct-to-DVD production, technical operations and anti-piracy businesses in order to maximize current and next-generation distribution scenarios. WBHEG is responsible for the global distribution of content through DVD, electronic sell-through and VOD, and delivery of theatrical content to wireless and online channels, and is also a significant worldwide publisher for both internal and third party videogame titles. About DC Comics DC Comics, which has been in continuous publication for more than 70 years, is the world’s largest English-language publisher of comics and the home of some of the world’s most recognized icons, including Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman and Sandman. DC Comics has a long history of innovative publishing and is a unique asset in the media world for both Warner Bros. Entertainment and parent company Time Warner. DC characters permeate pop culture around the world through comic books, graphic novels, blockbuster feature films, live-action and animated television series, direct-to-video releases, online entertainment and consumer product licensing and marketing agreements. DC SUPER HEROES and all related characters and elements are trademarks of and © DC Comics.# # #
Written by: Ed Brubaker
Illustrated by: Ryan Sook “The Call”
Written by: Mark Schultz
Illustrated by: Claudio Castellini “Monsters In The Closet”
Written by: Jan Strnad
Illustrated by: Kevin Nowlan “A Game of Bat and Rat”
Written by: John Arcudi
Illustrated by: John Buscema “Hands”
Written by: Scott Peterson
Illustrated by: Danijel Zezelj “Sunrise”
Written by: Alex Garland
Illustrated by: Sean Phillips “In Dreams”
Written by: Andrew Helfer
Illustrated by: Liberatore “Heroes”
Written by: Archie Goodwin
Illustrated by: Gary Gianni “Legend”
Written by: Walter Simonson
Illustrated by; Walter Simonson “Blackout”
Written by: Howard Chaykin
Illustrated by: Jordi Bernet The complete second collection of “Batman: Black & White” Motion Comics are now available on the iTunes Store. About Warner Premiere Warner Premiere is a Warner Bros. Entertainment production company focused on the development, production and marketing of feature-length-DVD and short-form digital content for this growing space. Warner Premiere is committed to being at the creative forefront in the evolution of quality product in the direct-to-consumer business, creating material that exemplifies the commitment to story, production and brand equity for which Warner Bros. is known. About Warner Bros. Digital Distribution Warner Bros. Digital Distribution (WBDD) was founded in October 2005 to manage Warner Bros. Home Entertainment Group’s electronic distribution over existing, new and emerging digital platforms, including pay-per-view, electronic sell-through, video-on-demand, wireless and more. WBDD also oversees the WBHEG’s worldwide digital strategy, partnerships in digital services and emerging new clients and business activities in the digital space. About Warner Bros. Home Entertainment Group Warner Bros. Home Entertainment Group brings together Warner Bros. Entertainment's home video, digital distribution, interactive entertainment/videogames, direct-to-DVD production, technical operations and anti-piracy businesses in order to maximize current and next-generation distribution scenarios. WBHEG is responsible for the global distribution of content through DVD, electronic sell-through and VOD, and delivery of theatrical content to wireless and online channels, and is also a significant worldwide publisher for both internal and third party videogame titles. About DC Comics DC Comics, which has been in continuous publication for more than 70 years, is the world’s largest English-language publisher of comics and the home of some of the world’s most recognized icons, including Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman and Sandman. DC Comics has a long history of innovative publishing and is a unique asset in the media world for both Warner Bros. Entertainment and parent company Time Warner. DC characters permeate pop culture around the world through comic books, graphic novels, blockbuster feature films, live-action and animated television series, direct-to-video releases, online entertainment and consumer product licensing and marketing agreements. DC SUPER HEROES and all related characters and elements are trademarks of and © DC Comics.