Extras >> Dabel Brothers Wild Cards Comic

DABEL BROTHERS UNLEASH AN ACE WITH WILD CARDS: THE HARD CALL THIS APRIL

The world of Wild Cards returns to comics with a brand new adventure... and appearances from some old favorite characters.

 

In the late 1980s, a group of science fiction authors released a novel that changed the history of the world – literally. In this book, an alien virus was accidentally unleashed on the Earth in 1946, killing most who were exposed to it, turning most of the survivors into monstrously deformed “jokers,” and giving a few lucky “aces” strange and unique powers. The series was edited by George R. R. Martin, and called Wild Cards. It went on to produce seventeen anthologies, novels and mosaic novels, a comic book adaptation, and several RPG adaptations.

Over twenty years later, Wild Cards is returning to comic books, but this time, with a brand new story set in the present day where the Wild Card virus strikes again at a high school in Colorado. The survivors are rushed to New York City's clinic for those affected by the virus. And while one student has drawn the joker, two more have discovered that they are Aces – one with the power to release electricity from his body, and another with the ability to travel through mirrors. Meanwhile, Croyd Crenson, the ace known as “The Sleeper,” has been framed for murder in the New York City slum known as Jokertown... and he's not going to rest until he clears his name.

The series, titled George R. R. Martin's Wild Cards: The Hard Call, will be six issues long, with the first issue available in April, 2008.

“Wild Cards is one of those series in science fiction that many comic book fans have read, because it's really a sci-fi take on superheroes,” explained Ernst Dabel, President of Dabel Brothers Publishing. “And that's excellent news, because this story feels right at home in the format. It's a great way for old fans to enjoy the story in a new way, and it's also a wonderful introduction to the world of Wild Cards for those who've never had a chance to read the books before.”

"The Wild Cards series has its roots in comics, and I'm thrilled hat it will be returning to comics once again, after too long a hiatus... and not just with adaptations of the books, but with brand new stories and brand new characters, and a few old favorites too,” said George R. R. Martin. “Daniel Abraham is one of the hottest new writers in the world of fantasy, and has done a fabulous job with the script, and Eric Battle is bringing his story to vivid and vibrant life. Old Wild Cards hands and brand new ones should both be thrilled by Wild Cards: The Hard Call.

“I know I am."

With millions of fans worldwide, George R. R. Martin's Wild Cards: The Hard Call is a title that is sure to be a success with new fans and old fans alike. Retailers can order the book through Diamond Distributors, Inc via the Previews catalog. Fans interested in following the series are encouraged to place a pre-order at their local comic book retailer as soon as possible.

For more information on George R. R. Martin's Wild Cards: The Hard Call comic book series,Dabel Brothers Publishing, its products and its partners, please visit http://www.dabelbrothers.com.

 

About Wild Cards

Wild Cards was first published in 1987 as an anthology of short stories written by a group of science fiction writers about a world where the release of alien disease called the “Wild Card Virus,” alters history, turning some people into hideously deformed “jokers” and others into super-powered “aces.” Since its launch, the series has produced seventeen anthologies, novels and mosaic novels, as well as a comic book series and several RPG adaptations.

On January 22, 2008, Tor Books will continue the series with the release of Wild Cards: Inside Straight, a brand new entry in the Wild Cards universe set in 2007 edited  by New York Times Bestselling author George R. R. Martin. The book is the first in a planned triad and will include a series of interconnected stories about a new group of “aces,” while also featuring appearances from several characters from the first generation of Wild Cards.

In April, 2008, Dabel Brothers Publishing will release a six-part original comic book series entitled George R. R. Martin's Wild Cards: The Hard Call, edited by Martin, written by Daniel Abraham, and illustrated by Eric Battle.

About Dabel Brothers Publishing

Dabel Brothers Publishing, LLC is a comic book studio dedicated to bringing many of the best and most popular novels in the world of fantasy to the comic book medium. With a passion for authenticity and a firm respect for the original text, the Dabel Brothers work hard to ensure that their adaptations build upon and enhance the worlds of popular works in a manner that longtime fans and new readers alike can enjoy.

The Dabel Brothers first became known for their stunning adaptation of George R. R. Martin’s The Hedge Knight in 2003. Since then, they have produced over a dozen different titles that have adapted novels by major, bestselling authors, including Orson Scott Card, Raymond E. Feist, Robert Jordan, Tad Williams, Richard A. Knaak and Robert Silverberg. The Dabel Brothers also produced the first six issues of Laurell K. Hamilton’s Anita Blake: Vampire Hunter, which they published through Marvel Comics. The hardcover graphic novel collecting these issues went on to become the bestselling graphic novel of 2007 with only a single month’s worth of sales.

In 2008, the Dabel Brothers will produce and publish several more comic book adaptations of novels by major bestselling authors, including Dean Koontz’s Frankenstein: Prodigal Son, George R. R. Martin’s Wild Cards and Jim Butcher’s The Dresden Files. All of these titles will be collected into graphic novel collections in conjunction with Del Rey Books, an imprint of Ballantine Books.

More information about Dabel Brothers Publishing can be found at http://www.dabelbrothers.com.

 

Update:

Les Dabel of Dabel Brothers Publishing has just posted a never-before-seen preview of George R. R. Martin's Wild Cards: The Hard Call, available at the following link:

http://www.captaincomics.us/forums/index.php?topic=35161.msg385738#msg385738

This six-part comic book miniseries features a brand-new story written by Daniel Abraham and illustrated by Eric Battle that brings the long-running Wild Cards series into the 21st century, introducing many new characters while featuring the return of a few old favorites. Wild Cards: The Hard Call starts out with a bang as Croyd Crenson, the ace known as "The Sleeper," is framed for a murder in Jokertown. But as Crenson escapes the police and works to clear his name, a group of high school students at a science fair in a small town in Colorado accidentally unleash the wild card virus on their classmates. Most draw the Black Queen, and die horribly. One draws the joker, and becomes hideously deformed. But two more draw the ace... one with the power to travel through mirrors, and the other with the ability to shoot lightning from his body!

The Dabel Brothers are also encouraging fans to visit their website and print off a Wild Cards: The Hard Call order form, which fans can fill out and take to their local comic book retailer to pre-order the book!

http://www.dabelbrothers.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?p=8648#8648

The first issue arrives on shelves in April at a cover price of $2.99.

Those who aren't sure where their closest local comic book retailer is should visit http://csls.diamondcomics.com, or call 1-888-COMICBOOK.

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