Robert Kirkman's Blog, page 69

April/May 2016 Books Announced! Solicits!

It’s that time of the month! We’ve submitted our April/May books for retailers to check out/order and that means we’re sharing them with you too!




INVINCIBLE #127



STORY: ROBERT KIRKMAN

ART: CORY WALKER

COVER: RYAN OTTLEY

APRIL 20

24 PAGES | Full Color | Teen+

$2.99

NEW STORY ARC

Mark has returned from the past… to a very different future. Now he has to pick up the pieces of his life and try to put them back together. INVINCIBLE co-creator CORY WALKER returns to the book to set the stage for the next chapter of Invincible’s life!

OUTCAST BY KIRKMAN & AZACETA #18



STORY: ROBERT KIRKMAN

ART/COVER: PAUL AZACETA & ELIZABETH BREITWEISER

APRIL 27

32 PAGES | Full Color | Mature

$2.99

END OF STORY ARC

Kyle’s actions have been tolerated up to this point, but that time is over. The forces of evil are all around him and they are closing in. Kyle will soon learn that there is no escape.

TECH JACKET VOL. 4: ALL FALLS DOWN



STORY: JOE KEATINGE

ART/COVER: KHARY RANDOLPH & EMILIO LOPEZ

MAY 25

136 PAGES | Full Color | Teen+

$16.99

In order for the entire freakin’ galaxy to survive, Tech Jacket must join forces with his greatest enemies…which, face it, is no fun to do. But neither is the destruction of everyone and everything he holds dear, so…

Collects TECH JACKET #7-12.

THE WALKING DEAD #153



STORY: ROBERT KIRKMAN

ART: CHARLIE ADLARD, STEFANO GAUDIANO & CLIFF RATHBURN

COVER: CHARLIE ADLARD & DAVE STEWART

APRIL 6

32 PAGES | Black & White | Mature

$2.99

Heavy hangs the head.

THE WALKING DEAD COLORING BOOK



MAY 4

96 PAGES | Black & White | Mature

$15.99

This oversized adult coloring book features art from throughout the long-running series, to be enjoyed like never before. Sure, The Walking Dead has never had color, but don’t let that stop you from coloring in all your favorite survivors and zombies! Just make sure to stock up on plenty of red…

[UPDATE] OXENFREE is Out NOW! Our Newest Partnership!

UPDATE: Oxenfree is out NOW! We’re so excited! Go get it! STEAM (PC/MAC)! XBOX ONE!



Oxenfree is an astoundingly beautiful, mysterious, narrative-driven game that’s already getting a ton of praise and attention, and it’s out THIS FRIDAY—January 15th—on Xbox One, Windows 10, and Steam (for PC/Mac). You definitely have to play it! But why are we telling you this? Because we’ve partnered with creators Night School Studio to not just explore other channels for the story, but also to help get this game into as many hands as possible!

When we got our look at an early build, we knew immediately that Oxenfree and Night School Studio were a great match for Skybound. They’re small team of artistically-minded people putting story first and maintaining control of their property from concept to execution. So the question was how could we help?

Skybound has become a truly transmedia company, from movies to TV to online series to live streaming to VR and more. When we see a great property in ANY form we immediately want to see if there are ways to build on the story and bring it to other mediums. We’ll be exploring these opportunities with the Night School team. And short term we’re already working on merch, doing a live stream this Friday (starts at 11am PT on our TWITCH CHANNEL), and creating a web series about the making of Oxenfree! In fact, here’s the first episode:









We’re really, REALLY excited! We can’t wait for players to get their hands on the final game (again, THIS Friday!) and let us know what they think. Stay tuned for more on the game and what sort of hi-jinx we’ll be getting up to with our partners at Night School! And now, THE PRESS RELEASE!

ROBERT KIRKMAN’S SKYBOUND ENTERTAINMENT TO BRING NIGHT SCHOOL STUDIO’S OXENFREE TO ADDITIONAL MEDIUMS

Indie Video Game Developer Night School Studio Inks Co-Branding Agreement with Skybound Entertainment for the Upcoming Game Oxenfree

Los Angeles – Jan. 11, 2016 – Night School Studio, the indie game developer behind Oxenfree, has partnered with Skybound Entertainment, Robert Kirkman and David Alpert’s multiplatform entertainment company, to produce multifaceted content for Oxenfree in a co-branding franchise agreement. In this agreement, Skybound plans to work with Night School Studio to build the Oxenfree brand and to bring their story to additional mediums such as film, a web docuseries, merchandise, and more. Oxenfree, due out January 15th for Xbox One, Windows 10 and Steam (PC  and Mac), is a single player game that’s equal parts coming-of-age tale and supernatural thriller.

 

Players will take on the role of Alex, a bright and rebellious teenager, as she brings her new step-brother Jonas to an overnight high school party gone horribly wrong. Rites of passage and senior year traditions set the stage for a group of friends sneaking off to Edwards Island, a decommissioned military outpost with no phone service. Inspired by classic cult films like “Stand by Me” and “Poltergeist,” Oxenfree is a narrative-driven adventure game that has surprising twists and an emotional outcome for players.

 

“Skybound is kicking off the New Year in a big way. As soon as we got our hands on Oxenfree and experienced this unique narrative driven game we knew that the IP had huge potential and that the Skybound team needed to be a part of it,” said Robert Kirkman, creator of “The Walking Dead” and CEO, Skybound Entertainment. “Creating multiplatform entertainment in the thriller genre is in our wheelhouse, and it’s great to partner with the passionate developers at Night School to delve deeper into the Oxenfree realm.”

 

In addition to the creator-focused Oxenfree co-branding agreement, the Skybound Entertainment team has a number of special events and exclusive assets planned to celebrate the release of the title. Some of these include:

“All-Day Live Stream of Oxenfree ” with Skybound & Friends on January 15th @ 11am PT

    ○ Fans are invited to tune in to twitch.tv/skybound starting at 11am PT where we will be playing and discussing the game throughout the day!

 

An Official Oxenfree Making of Webseries called “The Story of Oxenfree ”

    ○ The Story of Oxenfree videos will be released daily on youtube.com/user/Skybound starting January 11th – January 14th, leading up to the Friday “Skybound and Friends” Twitch stream

    ○ “The Story of Oxenfree” episodes will focus on: Story & Narrative, Art, Gameplay & Mechanics and Characters & Voices

    ○ The Episodes were produced by Genevieve Jones and directed by Michael Cruz, Shot by Collin Brazie and Charles Gibson, Edited by Ron Babcock and Michael Cruz, with music from the game composed by SCNTFC

 

Skybound and Night School have also commissioned Outcast comic artist Paul Azaceta to create a limited edition Oxenfree poster

 

“We are beyond excited to be working with Robert Kirkman and Skybound to expand the Oxenfree world,” said Sean Krankel, co-founder and CEO, Night School Studio. “Skybound have shown time and again that they know how to take weird, creepy, cool stories and bring them to various media in super authentic ways. Oxenfree has been a labor of love for Night School, and it’s clear to us that Skybound will treat our story and characters with respect in games, film, and beyond. We’re looking forward to creating awesome content together and offering fans a deeper dive into the world of Oxenfree!”

 

Oxenfree will launch on January 15, 2016 for $19.99 on Xbox One, Windows 10 and Steam (PC and Mac). To learn more about Night School Studio’s Oxenfree and pre-order the game, please check out the official website at http://nightschoolstudio.com/oxenfree/ and follow on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.

 

 

About Skybound Entertainment

Founded in 2010, Los Angeles-based Skybound Entertainment is a multiplatform entertainment company specializing in television, film, digital content, interactive, gaming, and merchandise. The company is led by The Walking Dead creator Robert Kirkman and his longtime producing and business partner David Alpert.

About Night School Studio

Founded in 2014 by cousins Sean Krankel and Adam Hines, Night School is an independent studio focused on the intersection of story and interactivity. The team of Telltale and Disney alumni are applying their extensive experience to create a game filled with wonder, danger, and humor. Oxenfree is its first game.

 

 

Out This Week: Birthright #13 & The Walking Dead #150!

We have the monumental TWD #150 (with variants!) out this week and we also have an awesome issue of BIRTHRIGHT (with variant!) out!

BIRTHRIGHT #13

   

STORY: JOSHUA WILLIAMSON

ART/COVER A: ANDREI BRESSAN & ADRIANO LUCAS

COVER B: DANIEL WARREN JOHNSON

32 PAGES | Full Color | Teen+

$2.99

The battle between Mikey and the deadly Sameal erupts in Chicago, while the remaining war criminals of Terenos close in on the Rhodes family.

Plus a new “Hero’s Journey” variant by Daniel Warren Johnson!

   

THE WALKING DEAD #150




         

STORY: ROBERT KIRKMAN

ART: CHARLIE ADLARD, STEFANO GAUDIANO & CLIFF RATHBURN

COVER A: CHARLIE ADLARD & DAVE STEWART

COVER B: BLANK SKETCH VARIANT

40 PAGES | Black & White | Mature

$2.99

Special EXTRA-sized anniversary issue.

In our 150th issue, Rick Grimes finds himself… BETRAYED.

OXENFREE is Out This Friday! Our Newest Partnership!

Oxenfree is an astoundingly beautiful, mysterious, narrative-driven game that’s already getting a ton of praise and attention, and it’s out THIS FRIDAY—January 15th—on Xbox One, Windows 10, and Steam (for PC/Mac). You definitely have to play it! But why are we telling you this? Because we’ve partnered with creators Night School Studio to not just explore other channels for the story, but also to help get this game into as many hands as possible!

When we got our look at an early build, we knew immediately that Oxenfree and Night School Studio were a great match for Skybound. They’re small team of artistically-minded people putting story first and maintaining control of their property from concept to execution. So the question was how could we help?

Skybound has become a truly transmedia company, from movies to TV to online series to live streaming to VR and more. When we see a great property in ANY form we immediately want to see if there are ways to build on the story and bring it to other mediums. We’ll be exploring these opportunities with the Night School team. And short term we’re already working on merch, doing a live stream this Friday (starts at 11am PT on our TWITCH CHANNEL), and creating a web series about the making of Oxenfree! In fact, here’s the first episode:









We’re really, REALLY excited! We can’t wait for players to get their hands on the final game (again, THIS Friday!) and let us know what they think. Stay tuned for more on the game and what sort of hi-jinx we’ll be getting up to with our partners at Night School! And now, THE PRESS RELEASE!

ROBERT KIRKMAN’S SKYBOUND ENTERTAINMENT TO BRING NIGHT SCHOOL STUDIO’S OXENFREE TO ADDITIONAL MEDIUMS

Indie Video Game Developer Night School Studio Inks Co-Branding Agreement with Skybound Entertainment for the Upcoming Game Oxenfree

Los Angeles – Jan. 11, 2016 – Night School Studio, the indie game developer behind Oxenfree, has partnered with Skybound Entertainment, Robert Kirkman and David Alpert’s multiplatform entertainment company, to produce multifaceted content for Oxenfree in a co-branding franchise agreement. In this agreement, Skybound plans to work with Night School Studio to build the Oxenfree brand and to bring their story to additional mediums such as film, a web docuseries, merchandise, and more. Oxenfree, due out January 15th for Xbox One, Windows 10 and Steam (PC  and Mac), is a single player game that’s equal parts coming-of-age tale and supernatural thriller.

 

Players will take on the role of Alex, a bright and rebellious teenager, as she brings her new step-brother Jonas to an overnight high school party gone horribly wrong. Rites of passage and senior year traditions set the stage for a group of friends sneaking off to Edwards Island, a decommissioned military outpost with no phone service. Inspired by classic cult films like “Stand by Me” and “Poltergeist,” Oxenfree is a narrative-driven adventure game that has surprising twists and an emotional outcome for players.

 

“Skybound is kicking off the New Year in a big way. As soon as we got our hands on Oxenfree and experienced this unique narrative driven game we knew that the IP had huge potential and that the Skybound team needed to be a part of it,” said Robert Kirkman, creator of “The Walking Dead” and CEO, Skybound Entertainment. “Creating multiplatform entertainment in the thriller genre is in our wheelhouse, and it’s great to partner with the passionate developers at Night School to delve deeper into the Oxenfree realm.”

 

In addition to the creator-focused Oxenfree co-branding agreement, the Skybound Entertainment team has a number of special events and exclusive assets planned to celebrate the release of the title. Some of these include:

“All-Day Live Stream of Oxenfree ” with Skybound & Friends on January 15th @ 11am PT

    ○ Fans are invited to tune in to twitch.tv/skybound starting at 11am PT where we will be playing and discussing the game throughout the day!

 

An Official Oxenfree Making of Webseries called “The Story of Oxenfree ”

    ○ The Story of Oxenfree videos will be released daily on youtube.com/user/Skybound starting January 11th – January 14th, leading up to the Friday “Skybound and Friends” Twitch stream

    ○ “The Story of Oxenfree” episodes will focus on: Story & Narrative, Art, Gameplay & Mechanics and Characters & Voices

    ○ The Episodes were produced by Genevieve Jones and directed by Michael Cruz, Shot by Collin Brazie and Charles Gibson, Edited by Ron Babcock and Michael Cruz, with music from the game composed by SCNTFC

 

Skybound and Night School have also commissioned Outcast comic artist Paul Azaceta to create a limited edition Oxenfree poster

 

“We are beyond excited to be working with Robert Kirkman and Skybound to expand the Oxenfree world,” said Sean Krankel, co-founder and CEO, Night School Studio. “Skybound have shown time and again that they know how to take weird, creepy, cool stories and bring them to various media in super authentic ways. Oxenfree has been a labor of love for Night School, and it’s clear to us that Skybound will treat our story and characters with respect in games, film, and beyond. We’re looking forward to creating awesome content together and offering fans a deeper dive into the world of Oxenfree!”

 

Oxenfree will launch on January 15, 2016 for $19.99 on Xbox One, Windows 10 and Steam (PC and Mac). To learn more about Night School Studio’s Oxenfree and pre-order the game, please check out the official website at http://nightschoolstudio.com/oxenfree/ and follow on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.

 

 

About Skybound Entertainment

Founded in 2010, Los Angeles-based Skybound Entertainment is a multiplatform entertainment company specializing in television, film, digital content, interactive, gaming, and merchandise. The company is led by The Walking Dead creator Robert Kirkman and his longtime producing and business partner David Alpert.

About Night School Studio

Founded in 2014 by cousins Sean Krankel and Adam Hines, Night School is an independent studio focused on the intersection of story and interactivity. The team of Telltale and Disney alumni are applying their extensive experience to create a game filled with wonder, danger, and humor. Oxenfree is its first game.

 

 

A Walking Dead Miniatures Game is Coming!

We’ve been fans of Mantic Games and their Kickstarters for a while, so when we talked with them about doing something with The Walking Dead we were interested. When they showed us some mock-ups we were over the moon! Today we’re proud to announce that Mantic Games is going to produce a brand new tabletop game for The Walking Dead! HIT THIS LINK for more from Mantic Games or read the announcement below!



   

Mantic Games – Press Release – 1/5/15

Mantic Games is pleased to announce it has entered into a licensing partnership with Skybound Entertainment for the worldwide rights to produce miniatures games set in The Walking Dead comic book universe.

“The Walking Dead is overflowing with tension, drama and atmosphere,” said Mantic CEO Ronnie Renton. “It provides a deep well of exciting content around which to design immersive, fast-paced games which will let players step into the roles of key characters from their favorite comic book.”

“We’re excited to be partnering with Mantic,” said Robert Kirkman, CEO of Skybound. “This game will introduce our fans to a whole new way of experiencing the world of The Walking Dead.”

Set to release towards the end of 2016, The Walking Dead Miniatures Game will be a tactical, two-player game set in the walker-strewn Atlanta cityscape, with each player controlling a small band of human survivors vying to achieve dominance. It can also be played solo thanks to an AI system developed specifically for this game to ensure walker behaviour is menacingly authentic.

Featuring stunningly detailed plastic miniatures that capture comic accurate likenesses and poses, the gameplay will recreate the desperate struggle for survival that makes the series so popular.

With a target price of £35/$50 the core game will feature Rick, Carl and other heroes and villains ripped straight from the pages of the hit comic book, plus a host of walkers, a selection of scenarios and everything else needed to play. A series of expansions are scheduled for release in the months following the launch, introducing additional fan-favorite characters such as Shane, Michonne and Glenn.

“For us, part of the greatness of The Walking Dead is the tough decisions that must be made to keep your group alive against overwhelming odds,” added Ronnie. “How would you handle the kind of crazy situations Rick and his crew were so often faced with?”

About Mantic Games:

In the 6 years since launch, Mantic Games have released several complete tabletop gaming systems including Kings of War®, DeadZone®, Mars Attacks® and DreadBall™. Their obsession for making detailed miniatures, simple but challenging games and great value-for-money products has seen Mantic become a global presence in the tabletop gaming arena. Mantic Games has a strong relationship with its community, and crowd funding has raised extra development money for recent product launches – allowing bigger ranges in plastic for the retail launch. To date, backers have pledged over $5m to help new projects come to life, making Mantic one of Europe’s most funded companies on Kickstarter. Mantic has sales offices in the USA and UK, supplies 20 countries, has a complete design studio team, a global supply chain with production facilities based in Nottingham, England.

To find out more, please visit www.manticgames.com

About Skybound Entertainment:

Since opening its doors in 2010, Skybound Entertainment has grown into a multiplatform entertainment company. CEO Robert Kirkman is creator of the award-­‐winning The Walking Dead comic book series, the inspiration for the hit TV show of the same name where he serves as creator and executive producer. To date The Walking Dead is the #1 show on television among the coveted 18-­‐49 demographic. Kirkman and Skybound President David Alpert also serve as executive producers on the companion series, Fear the Walking Dead, which premiered in August 2015 and set records by becoming the #1 rated cable television series launch of all time.

Skybound Entertainment recently produced its first feature film, AIR, starring The Walking Dead’s Norman Reedus and Academy Award-­‐nominated actor Djimon Hounsou. The film was released in August 2015. Kirkman and Alpert serve as producers on the post-apocalyptic sci-­‐fi film.

Skybound released Kirkman’s newest comic, Outcast, in June 2014 which recently received a series pickup for CINEMAX with Fox International attached as the studio. Outcast, starring Patrick Fugit as Kyle Barnes and Philip Glenister as Reverend Anderson, will begin production this summer. Kirkman and Alpert will serve as executive producers on the series.

Skybound Entertainment has also entered the world of digital content production with Disney-owned Maker Studios. The pair recently launched Nerd Court, a play on the classic People’s Court show, where nerds can bring their foes before a judge to settle their fandom-­‐ related disputes. The series was created by Book of Eli’s Gary Whitta. The company has also partnered with Samsung to develop virtual reality content for Milk VR.

Other comic book titles published by Skybound include The Walking Dead, the superhero comic Invincible, fantasy adventure comic Birthright, the revenge drama Dead Body Road, and heist comic Thief of Thieves.

Skybound also creates a wide range of merchandise, including its first tabletop card game Superfight, apparel, board games, and action figures.

For more information, please visit Skybound online at www.skybound.com and www.thewalkingdead.com.

Out This Week: Outcast by Kirkman & Azaceta #14

Santa came early! Wednesday brings a brand new issue of OUTCAST by KIRKMAN & AZACETA!

OUTCAST BY KIRKMAN & AZACETA #14

STORY: ROBERT KIRKMAN

ART/COVER: PAUL AZACETA & ELIZABETH BREITWEISER

DECEMBER 16

32 PAGES | Full Color | Mature

$2.99

Get behind me Satan.

Happy Holidays!

We wanted to take this opportunity to wish you and your loved ones very happy holidays from all of us here at Skybound! We’re constantly amazed at how lucky we are to do what we do and none of it would be possible without our fans, partners, and friends, so THANK YOU for an awesome 2015!

Best wishes,

Robert, DA, and the entire Skybound crew!

Out This Week: Invincible #126, Tech Jacket #12

This week we’ve got the THIRD and final installment of the INVINCIBLE reboot and we’ve got TECH JACKET #12! Will this be the end of Zack Thompson?!

INVINCIBLE #126

STORY: ROBERT KIRKMAN

ART: RYAN OTTLEY, CLIFF RATHBURN & JEAN-FRANCOIS BEAULIEU

COVER: RYAN OTTLEY & JEAN-FRANCOIS BEAULIEU

24 PAGES | Full Color | Teen+

$2.99

“REBOOT?” part three!

CONCLUSION! Invincible’s world comes crashing down around him leaving him with the same question we all have… where do we go from here?

TECH JACKET #12

STORY: JOE KEATINGE

ART & COVER: KHARY RANDOLPH & EMILIO LOPEZ

$2.99

The war is over. The battle has ended. Does Zack Thompson even need to be Tech Jacket anymore? After last issue, would YOU want that job?


SEE YOU AT THE COMIC SHOP!

March/April 2016 Books Announced! Solicits!

It’s that time of the month! We’ve submitted our March/April books for retailers to check out and that means we’re sharing them with you too!





BIRTHRIGHT #15

     

STORY: JOSHUA WILLIAMSON

ART / COVER A: ANDREI BRESSAN & ADRIANO LUCAS

COVER B: JAMES STOKOE

MARCH 10

32 PAGES | Full Color | Teen+

$2.99

END OF A STORY ARC

Has the Rhodes family been reunited for sinister reasons? Their biggest family secret REVEALED this issue!

Plus a killer “Hero’s Journey” variant by James Stokoe (ORC STAIN)!

BIRTHRIGHT Volume 3 Trade Paperback



STORY: JOSHUA WILLIAMSON

ART/COVER: ANDREI BRESSAN & ADRIANO LUCAS

APRIL 20

112 PAGES | Full Color | Teen+

$12.99

As Mikey and Brennan’s quest to hunt Terrenos’ worst war criminals intensifies, their parents make deals with new and dangerous allies to protect their sons… but a mysterious foe debuts, threatening to destroy the Rhodes family forever.

Collects BIRTHRIGHT #11-15

OUTCAST BY KIRKMAN & AZACETA #17



STORY: ROBERT KIRKMAN

ART/COVER: PAUL AZACETA & ELIZABETH BREITWEISER

MARCH 24

32 PAGES | Full Color | Mature

$2.99

The Damage Done.

Megan has to come to grips with the horror of what she did while possessed by a demon.

THE WALKING DEAD #152



STORY: ROBERT KIRKMAN

ART: CHARLIE ADLARD, STEFANO GAUDIANO & CLIFF RATHBURN

COVER: CHARLIE ADLARD & DAVE STEWART

MARCH 3

32 PAGES | Black & White | Mature

$2.99

United in Fear.

Our VR Project GONE is Here!

In case you didn’t hear, we’ve made a VR thriller with WEVR and Samsung for Milk VR called GONE! Our Media Development team, headed up by Rachel Skidmore, has been killing themselves getting this production wrapped up and we’re super excited that you can see it for yourself TODAY.

GONE allows the viewer to experience the dread and panic of a couple whose child vanishes. Explore the scenes in complete 360-degree freedom, looking for active clue points as the story unfolds around you. Finding these hotspots (which are only active for a limited time) will allow you to see events at different times and different perspectives. In short, exploring your environment will shape the way you experience the story. Miss a hotspot and you might miss an aspect of the story.

It also presented a unique challenge for writer/director JT Petty. Filming in 360 is hard enough, but add to that the interactive element, the shifting perspectives, the timing aspects… it’s an amazing accomplishment that required working hand-in-hand with WEVR and Samsung on the software aspects as they shot.

Congrats to JT, Rachel, and everyone at Skybound, WEVR, and Samsung that worked so hard on this project. It’s awesome!



If you have Samsung Gear VR, head into the Milk VR app to check out the first of eleven episodes!



Check our the Story featurette to learn about some of the unique challenges shooting in 360 VR presents: