As you are aware Markosia will be releasing two brand new graphic novels in March - Freeman of the Armed Services by Huw-J and The Dark by Chris Lynch and Rick Lundeen - and you can pre-order them from our friends at Ace Comics right now!
Go to http://www.acecomics.co.uk/ and place your order now.
Both books are being offered at a discounted price plus free shipping!

March will see the introduction of two new graphic novels from UK-based publisher AAM/Markosia, following hot on the heels of recent successes ‘From the Pages of Bram Stoker’s Dracula: Harker’, ‘Serpent Wars’ and ‘Kong: King of Skull Island’.

‘The Dark’, written and created by the prolific Chris Lynch with art by Rick Lundeen, is a super-hero sci-fi thriller that challenges the reader’s very perceptions of reality versus fiction. It is the story of Daniel Abbot, a brilliant young scientist on the fringes of the establishment and the creator of Memetech - a technology that encodes information and memories into a liquid form, allowing anyone to literally "drink" the encoded knowledge. Terrified that his invention will be used for military purposes he decides to destroy his research, but not before he takes one last trip ... with disastrous results.

Two years on and the genie is out of the bottle. Abbot, having perfected his own version of the technology, fights a one-man war against the spread of his own invention and the collapse of our information culture in the guise of ‘The Dark’. Aided by an artificial intelligence nicknamed Howard Hughes, Abbott creates ‘The Baffler’ - a coat made of Memetech that gives his the edge over his enemies. Capable of injecting information directly into this brain and firing Memetech flechettes to hit others with bursts of pure information, The Baffler is both weapon and disguise in Daniel Abbot's war against his own creation.

Mixing high-octane super-hero action with hard science in a world of overlapping realities and fantasies, the story offers the reader the opportunity to solve the mystery of just what is real in the world of The Dark before even the hero can.

“We've hidden lots of coded messages throughout the book,” explains Lynch, “Both in the dialogue and in the artwork. From the symbol on The Dark's chest to adverts in the background, everything is there for a reason. Hopefully people will get a kick out of trying to solve the mystery, or at least from looking back after they've read the book for the first time to find all the clues they missed. Either way, we wanted to create something with enough depth to bring people back to re-read the story time and again.”

The Diamond order code is:  JAN10 0699 THE DARK GN

Click here for an 18-page preview of The Dark:
http://www.myebook.com/index.php?option=ebook&id=12805

Also shipping in the same month is ‘Freeman of the Armed Services’, written and drawn by industry veteran Huw-J. Freeman is a true archetypal British hero of old, a cross between James Bond, Doc Savage and Captain Britain without the spandex!

Action and adventure throughout as our hero takes us back to the good old days where the spirit of adventure and good old-fashioned action reigned supreme. You join Captain Freeman in his search of a mysterious Viking treasure in the frozen north and battling an evil Chinese drug lord alongside Irish gangs in prohibitionist era New York, in a non-stop action-packed adventure akin to the old Saturday morning pulp shows.

“When I decided to take the successful ‘Garth’ strip down from the Daily Mirror website it was with both sadness and excitement,” explains Huw-J, “The stories had been exceptionally well received so I knew I was doing the right thing. Re-branding the character as "Freeman" was easy as I wanted the character to be 'a homage' to all the creators who went before me, so buckle up and enjoy the ride!”

The Diamond order code is:  JAN10 0698 FREEMAN OF THE ARMED SERVICES GN

Click here for a 28-page preview of Freeman of the Armed Services: http://www.myebook.com/index.php?option=ebook&id=24152

 

Over a century ago, Bram Stoker brought the Vampire Count Dracula to the printed page, affecting the hearts and minds of millions and starting a century of adaptations, prequels and sequels. A hundred years later the Vampire has never been stronger, with books like Twilight hitting the bestseller lists and shows like True Blood showing alternate takes of the popular mythos.

But in November AAM/Markosia will return to the source material itself, when it releases FROM THE PAGES OF BRAM STOKER’S ‘DRACULA’: HARKER, the first ever graphic novel sequel to receive an active endorsement from a member of the Stoker family itself, a book announced to a standing ovation at the San Diego Comic Con in July.

Written by British comic writer Tony Lee (Doctor Who, Pride & Prejudice & Zombies) and drawn & coloured by the acclaimed South African art team of Neil Van Antwerpen and Peter-David Douglas (Starship Troopers), FROM THE PAGES OF BRAM STOKER’S ‘DRACULA’: HARKER is a faithful return to the original characters, set six months on from the Count’s grizzly death, and six months before the birth of Jonathan and Mina’s son, Quincey.

For although his body is destroyed, Dracula’s dark spirit still lives – and only his last remaining ‘Bride of Dracula’, the Countess Dracule can avenge and save him as she arrives in London to take brutal vengeance against the Hunters and their families. With un-living allies including the late Renfield beside her, the countess is ready for war – but her opposition is fragmented, with Seward in love again yet addicted to morphine, Arthur distracted by visions of his dead love Lucy Westenra on a London street, Van Helsing haunted by memories of his son, Mina finding herself alone with Dracula in her dreams – and Jonathan visited by the ghost of Quincey Morris, warning him of dangers yet to come. As the devious plans of the vampire Countess and her allies come to pass, Harker and his friends must find strength to fight back from the brink of despair, taking on a quest that forces them through a variety of familiar locations and ending with fire and blood on the Borgo Pass, the very place that Bram Stoker’s novel began.

FROM THE PAGES OF BRAM STOKER’S ‘DRACULA’: HARKER has three introductions – one from noted Sherlock Holmes and Vampire Scholar Leslie S. Klinger, author of the New Annotated Dracula, and two more from Ian Holt and Bram Stoker’s Great-Grand Nephew Dacre Stoker, authors of the official Dracula sequel, “out of respect for Bram Stoker, Tony brings his readers back to where Bram left off, which not only sharpens the reader’s perspective, but gives honor where it is due; to Dracula’s creator, Bram Stoker.” Dacre explains. “This book is further testimony to the fact that, as he has since his genesis in 1897, Dracula the shape shifter accommodates many forms and returns again and again.  Under Tony Lee’s pen, he will fascinate and frighten anew.”

With AAM/Markosia already in discussions with major film studios, FROM THE PAGES OF BRAM STOKER’S ‘DRACULA’: HARKER is proof that Bram Stoker’s Count Dracula is bigger and badder than ever.

A 22-page preview of FROM THE PAGES OF BRAM STOKER’S ‘DRACULA’: HARKER is available for viewing at: http://www.myebook.com/index.php?option=ebook&id=15225

FROM THE PAGES OF BRAM STOKER’S ‘DRACULA’: HARKER isa 128 page, full colour graphic novel, available from November 2009,and can be ordered from all good comic and book stores. Its Diamond Order Code is SEP09 0564 and it can be found on page 186 of September’s PREVIEWS Magazine. Alternatively you can use ISBN-10: 1905692358 or ISBN-13: 978-1905692354.

AAM/Markosias long awaited Kong: King of Skull Island trade paperback will ship in October 2009, on the back of the news that the Joe DeVito and Brad Strickland story - of what has been described as the sequel AND prequel of the much-loved classic - is to be made into a movie.

The announcement was made at the Ray Bradbury panel at the San Diego Comicon amidst much excitement and enthusiasm that the great simian is making a comeback.

Also shipping in the same month is Serpent Wars, written by Christoff Rodriguez and Chris Campanozzi, and features art by Antonio Rojo.

Set in the 1800s, a young scientist's apprentice stows away onto the war ship of a British Lord, in order to prove that there are sea creatures downing ships off the shores of South America. His voyage leads to the discovery of a mysterious hidden island where an ancient race is witness to the epic serpent gods who are now locked in a battle that could decide the fate of mankind.

"We are very excited about these two books", said publisher Harry Markos, "discussions about the Kong: King of Skull Island movie have been going on for some time now and it was amazing to hear the announcement at the Ray Bradbury panel at Comicon. We have spent the last six months or so working on some significant improvements to art and colors and it looks great. Artist Scott Larson in particular has done an amazing job."

On Serpent Wars, Markos adds, "Serpent Wars is an absolute must-read. The story is based closely around South American myths and legends so youll see some fantastic characters. Monsters, magic and mayhem all round! Were also delighted that industry legend Howard Chaykin will be writing an introduction, which speaks volumes for the project all round."

The Diamond order codes for both books are:
AUG09 0603 KONG KING OF SKULL ISLAND TP
AUG09 0604 SERPENT WARS GN

Contact your local shop and give them these codes for them to order for you. As ever, many thanks in advance for your support.

Available now:

RITUAL

Andy Briggs (writer)
Shawn McCauley (Art/Colors)
Thomas Mauer/Ian Sharman (letters)
Full Colour 100 pages
9.95p/$15.95
ISBN: 978-1-905692-33-0

A series of ritualistic murders in the small town of Black Root all have one thing in common: they're reminiscent of ancient witch trials. The FBI are on the case and soon realize that a supernatural killer is on the prowl - condemning his victims to diabolical ordeals.

REYA

Sergei and Morag Lewis (writers)
Morag Lewis (Art)
B&W Manga 184 pages
5.99p/$8.99
ISBN: 978-1-905692-32-3

A fantasy story about a young and cheerful mage-in-training who is forced to learn all too soon that, in her world, where magic is needed most is on the battlefield. In a time of military and political unrest, young talents are being recruited faster than schools of magic can teach them, and Reya will soon find herself caught up in a war that will shatter not only the lives of those involved, but the very foundations of what she believes in.

Available for OCTOBER:

SERPENT WARS

Christian Rodriguez/Chris Campanozzi (writers)
Antonio Rojo (Art)
Clonerh! (colors)
Jason Arthur (Letters)
Full Colour 128 pages
$17.95/12.95p

This original Graphic Novel is set in the mid-1800s where a young scientist smuggles himself aboard the war ship of a British Lord bound for South America only to discover a land filled with serpent gods destined to rule mankind. With the aid of a spiritual goddess the brave adventurer must battle to free the island and humanity from the tyranny of these giant creatures.

ISBN: 978-1-905692-31-6

KONG: KING OF SKULL ISLAND

Andy Briggs/Chuck Satterlee (writers)
Dan O'Connor/Scott Larson (Art)
Kris Johnson (colors)
Thomas Mauer (Letters)
Full Colour 144 pages
$18.95/13.95p

Collecting issues 1-5 of the acclaimed mini series for the first time with new art never before seen. In 1933, Carl Denham returned from a mysterious, hidden island with a priceless treasure. A treasure not gold or jewels, but the island's barbaric god, a monstrous anthropoid called "Kong." The savage giant escaped and wreaked havoc in Manhattan, but within hours of the giant ape's death his body and Carl Denham disappeared. 25 years later, his son makes a shocking discovery that leads him back to the site of his father's greatest adventure and to the answers that will unlock the century's greatest mystery and history's greatest miracle.

ISBN: 978-1-905692-34-7

Hope Falls, the five-part miniseries that AAM/Markosia released in 2007/2008 is an enigma. In many ways, it's known as the 'little train that could', beating all expectations and finishing 2008 as one of the few monthly creator owned books not from Image, Dark Horse or IDW that actually made it to the end of its run, gathering critical acclaim from fans, reviewers and even fellow professionals in the process.

Telling the story of Helen Gane, a small-town waitress who, twenty years after she is murdered and buried in a shallow grave returns to the town, seemingly alive and having not aged a day, Hope Falls weaves a tale of supernatural vengeance and of religious conspiracy. Helen's reason for returning is simple - she's here to claim back a debt of vengeance on the three men who in their various ways allowed her to die that cold evening two decades ago - and the one man, McClusky, who performed the deed.

And some debts can only be paid in blood.

As the bodycount rises, you discover that not only is Helen a free-falling Angel, plummeting towards Hell, but that another Angel, Michael has arrived in the town of Hope Falls with an intent of stopping her bloodthirsty revenge - for there is a secret tied into her murder that runs back all the way to Jesus Christ, and Heaven won't allow her killer to die just yet. As Helen learns the true reasons for her murder, Michael learns of an Angelic conspiracy in Heaven and McClusky calls in a Voodoo priest to save his soul. And Hope Falls as a town will never be the same again as every secret hidden for twenty years come together in an explosive conclusion.

Will Helen be able to kill all of her personal demons - including a man beloved of God? And what happens when she tries? Will the killing change her - or stop her?

Created by writer Tony Lee (Doctor Who, Spider Man, The Prince Of Baghdad, 2000ad, Midnight Kiss) and artist Dan Boultwood (Dopple Ganger Chronicles, Phonogram: The Singles Club, The Prince Of Baghdad, The Gloom) and with stunning painted covers by Szymon Kudranski (Scatterbrain, Zombie Cop, 30 Days Of Night) , Hope Falls is a tale that has been described as The Crow meets Twin Peaks, and writer Tony Lee has on many occasions named it as 'The best book I have ever written.'

For over a year now, fans of the book have asked Markosia when Hope Falls would be released as a trade, but due to the ever changing economy, the release date has always been tentative. Until now.
 
'This is a great year for Tony Lee.' Harry Markos, publisher of AAM/Markosia explained. 'With his announcement as the ongoing writer of Doctor Who for IDW and his upcoming Graphic Novel with us - Harker, Tony is going to exceed all expectations. And with Dan finally gaining credit with his Phonogram work and his stellar art in G.P Taylor's The Doppleganger Chronicles, we decided that no matter what, we had to find a way to release this book.'