Wondercon’16: IDW Plans to Publish a Plethora of Books

By Nicholas Eskey

San Diego publisher IDW have grown steadily beyond their beginnings of comics. Though comics are still their main focus, the company in recent years has expanded beyond that and into other forms of entertainment. At this year’s Wondercon, IDW Entertainment represented by Dirk Wood, Vice Present of Marketing,  David Hedgecock, Managing Editor, Scott Dunbier, Special Projects Editor, and Greg Goldstein, President and COO, discussed some of their projects, both printed and non, that they are most excited about.

Dirk Wood first mentioned that the company will be releasing comics based on four animated movies: Star Trek: Manifest Destiny, The Angry Birds Movie, Ghostbusters, and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Enemies Old, Enemies New all will be releasing sometime this year.

Speaking of Ninja Turtles, IDW will be coming out with a TMNT comic that will tie back into the main series; TMNT: Bebop and Rocksteady Destroy Everything. After the bumbling duo is shunned by their latest defeat at the hands of the gang of teenage turtles, the pair get their hands on a time traveling device where “the world is open to them again.” It will be a five week event that again will tie back into the main TMNT series.

For a Wondercon exclusive reveal, IDW showed off the well done artist selected edition of The New Mutants. Their artist selected editions are print wise what the company excels in. “I like big book and I cannot lie,” joked David Hedgecock. He added, “they run 400 to 450 pages.” With such a large book, let’s hope its buyer has some pretty steady shelves.

As for more new comic releases, some hot titles were announced. Back to the Future: Citizen Brown will be based off of the video game. Kevin Eastman, one of the original creators, is signed on to help on this project. The X-Files will see a first issue release this month. Micronauts will see a free comic book day release, and will feature a new storyline. “Many of the things you remember from the cartoon might make it in,” said Scott Dunbier. Strawberry Shortcake will also see a new release on free comic book day. “IDW has built the best editorial team for kids in the universe… passionately committed to kids of all ages. And if [a comic] does well, it will transcend all ages,” said Greg Goldstein.

A more serious natured release, March: Civil Rights Book 3 will be due out this summer. “This is the first time we’ve done this in a comic version.” Scott Dunbier added, “Of March, let alone every comic we do, everyone on this panel is passionate on the work that we produce.”

Greg Goldstein then spoke of the creator driven books that will be releasing under the IDW name: Books like Archangel, Satellite Falling, Hot Damn, and Brutal Nature. Also, from Joe Hill and Gabriel Rodriguez, creators of Locke and Key, will be coming out soon with a Tales from the Darkside anthology. The five issue anthology is due to first release in June of this year.

If you’re a fan of artist editions, some exciting news regarding them. Al Williamson’s Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back will be coming soon, featuring a well sized gallery section and a velum overlay. The 50 year old Thor by Jack Kirby will be released with six full books and a gallery section.

And lastly in IDW news, a new release from an old favorite will be hitting shelves; Bloom County. It will be the first printed new editions of this comic in 25 years. So far, the comics have only been shown on the creators Facebook page.

Many great and exciting things are coming from IDW this year. It’s obvious how much passion the comic book publisher and creator holds regarding what it does. Don’t miss on any of these works. And if you’re ever in the San Diego area, stop on by at the IDW Gallery.

Correction: A previous version of this story misstated that IDW would be producing four movies; they are producing comics based on four upcoming movies. The Beat regrets the error.