Okay not quite, but they just made some pre-con announcements regarding these two cultural icons:
¶ The second Grumpy Cat collection is coming out, with the series alreayd having sold some 500,000 copies. THAT IS A LOT OF GRUMPINESS. The first collection sold 100,000 units, and the second will have a 140,000 print run! I believe the boo is sold at Scholastic Book Fairs, doubtless art of these stellar numbers. The second book contains stories by Ben McCool (Captain America and the Korvac Saga), Royal McGraw (Detective Comics), Ben Fisher (of the upcoming The Great Divide), and Elliott R. Serrano (Army of Darkness), and featuring art from Ken Haeser (The Living Corpse), Steve Uy (Avengers: The Initiative), and My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic artists Agnes Garbowska and Michelle Nguyen.
“The success of our Grumpy Cat comics has been unprecedented,” says Nick Barrucci, Dynamite CEO and Publisher. “We have heard tremendous feedback from both our retail partners and fans of all ages. We’ve sold an incredible number through retailers in and out of the comics market, as well as special softcover collections for Scholastic, and hardcovers for the direct market, bookstores, and libraries. This second volume is another perfect addition to the collections of Grumpy Cat fans and comic book readers everywhere.”
¶ As for James Bond, Dynamite has signed Delcourt, Panini and Splitterto publish international editions of VARGR! their James Bond graphic novel by Warren Ellis and Jason Masters.
“Dynamite continues to grow and celebrate great success with other countries and editions around the world,” says Dynamite CEO/Publisher, Nick Barrucci. “We have been very fortunate to work with the right partners to bring our books to comics fans everywhere. With Ian Fleming Publications, we are thrilled to be working with our first three licensees — Delcourt, Panini, and Splitter, covering multiple territories the world over — to likely make James Bond one of our greatest international success stories yet. We cannot wait to have Warren and Jason’s story shared with fans around the world!”
Italy’s Panini Group has been granted rights to:
• Italy (including Italian speaking Switzerland, San Marino, Vatican City)
• Spain, Andorra
• Mexico
• Spanish speaking South and Latin America
• Russia and Russian speaking countries
• Turkey
• Poland, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Serbia, Croatia
“Panini Comics is the leading publisher of American comics in the world and we are proud to be publishing and representing the new Bond comics in Italy, Spain, and Mexico,” says Panini Publishing Director, Marco Lupoi. “Bond is the archetypal hero for the complex times we live in, and Dynamite’s new comics capture this aspect to perfection.”
Germany’s Splitter will be publishing the world’s most well known Secret Service agent in all German-speaking territories.
Dynamite Entertainment proudly presents VARGR, the debut storyline in the all-new James Bond comic book series, as crafted by masterful writer Warren Ellis (Transmetropolitan, The Authority) and artist Jason Masters (Batman Incorporated, Guardians of the Galaxy). The English language edition of James Bond Volume 1: VARGR is currently available in fine comic shops, and will debut in bookstores everywhere on July 5.
¶ AND Dynamite will publish GN adaptations of the original Iam Fleming novels, starting with Casino Royale.
The first book in the newly announced series will be adapted by Van Jensen (The Flash, Green Lantern Corps) and Matt Southworth will do the honors — A fine team!! The book comes out in November.
“There’s a very obvious reason why I wanted to tackle the adaptation of Casino Royale: because it’s James damned Bond! Also, when I cracked open Ian Fleming’s first 007 novel (I had read it years before), it also immediately appealed to me as a great creative challenge,” says writer Van Jensen. “Fleming’s prose is powered by his descriptive punch, an eye for detail that captures the post World War II time period in full color, from decadent meals to the intricacies of baccarat to the sinister machinations of Le Chiffre. It’s a heady book, diving deep into the character of Bond. Adapting it into comic book form meant creating some fun new approaches to storytelling, to recast a familiar tale as something that hasn’t been seen before. Also, it’s James damned Bond!”
“When we first announced Warren Ellis’ breakout original James Bond series, we teased that this would only be the beginning of our relationship with the character and the Fleming family, who have been very generous,” says Dynamite CEO and Publisher, Nick Barrucci. “To announce that we have been granted the rights to adapt the original presentation of 007? It’s incredibly rewarding as it’s the treasured story that any publisher would wish to add to their library. We have been very fortunate to be granted the rights to do so. Combining Van Jensen’s storytelling talent with Matt Southworth’s beautiful artwork, theCasino Royale graphic novel will stand out to fans for years to come.”
