Urbana, IL – Avatar Press, Inc. announced today that it will launch its first wave of debut titles in December 1996. Titles which are part of the December premiere include Pandora, featuring the modern-day adventures of the character of myth; Silent Rapture, a sword and sorcery tale of revenge; and Donna Mia, the story of a demoness wandering the world of man. Pandora and Silent Rapture had previously been solicited through Brainstorm Comics, but will instead ship directly from Avatar in December.
At a time when much of the comic industry is in the midst of dramatic changes (Diamond’s acquisition of Capital City foremost among them), Avatar has experienced explosive growth as a company. “The core group of writers, artists, and staff we have put together here are really outdoing themselves.” says Avatar Editor-in-Chief William A. Christensen. “The outstanding work they are turning in and their enthusiasm has in turn attracted other creators and properties to Avatar. It has quickly become evident that it is in the best interest of Avatar – along with retailers, distributors, and fans – to begin publishing as an independent company and carve out an identity of our own right from the outset.”
“The fans, retailers, trade press, and distributors I have spoken to about our projects at Avatar have been enthusiastic and incredibly supportive of what we are doing,” Christensen continues. “We intend to repay them for that support by publishing quality comics. Top notch stories, artwork, production, and timely delivery are our primary concerns – because they are the marketplace’s concerns. By starting out as an independent company we are letting the marketplace know that we will be responsive to its needs and that we intend to earn a reputation as one of the industry’s premiere publishers of quality comics.”
Donna Mia #1, Silent Rapture #1, and Pandora #1 will be solicited in October’s Diamond Previews Catalog for December release. In January 1997 Avatar will debut Lookers, featuring detective agency action with liberal doses of espionage and science fiction mayhem. Additional titles to be published in early 1997 will be announced.
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