For those of you who preorder your comics from your local shop each month, preorders for June-shipping releases are coming due in many stores on or around this Saturday, April 10.  Check with your local retailer, as his due-date could be different.  Please consider supporting your local stores and Avatar by stopping by or calling your retailer over the next few days and preordering or otherwise letting him know you're going to buy some of our June releases -- and of course, many retailers will still be able to preorder these items for you after this date as well.  It is very important for independent publishers that retailers hear that the readership is going to support upcoming releases so they can gauge their orders accordingly.  Here's a complete list of all items your retailer can now preorder from our distributor for June, along with the order codes he needs to order them:

APR04 2357 STARGATE SG1 POW READY FOR ACTION #3 (Of 3) $5.99
APR04 2358 STARGATE SGI 2004 CONVENTION SPECIAL PRISM FOIL $12.99
APR04 2435 STARGATE SG1 2004 CONVENTION SPECIAL GOLD FOIL CVR $5.99
APR04 2359 LANSDALE & TRUMANS DEAD FOLKS TP (MR) $9.99
APR04 2360 TIM VIGILS WEBWITCH TP (MR) $10.99
APR04 2361 HELLINA VS PANDORA CONNECTING ADULT CVR #0 (MR) (C: 3) $6.00
APR04 2362 HELLINA VS PANDORA CONNECTING ADULT CVR #1 (MR) (C: 3)  $6.00
APR04 2363 HELLINA VS PANDORA CONNECTING ADULT CVR #2 (MR) (C: 3)  $6.00
APR04 2364 BRIAN PULIDOS BELLADONNA PREVIEW $1.99
APR04 2365 BRIAN PULIDOS BELLADONNA PREVIEW SIQUIERA CVR $2.99
APR04 2366 BRIAN PULIDOS BELLADONNA PREVIEW AMORIUM CVR $2.99
APR04 2368 NIGHTJAR HOLLOW BONES #1 (MR) $3.99
APR04 2369 NIGHTJAR HOLLOW BONES WRAPAROUND CVR #1 (MR) $3.99
APR04 2371 NIGHTJAR #4 (Of 4) (MR) $3.50
APR04 2372 NIGHTJAR WRAPAROUND CVR #4 (Of 4) (MR) $3.50
APR04 2373 WARREN ELLIS STRANGE KILLINGS NECROMANCER #3 (Of 6) (MR) $3.50
APR04 2374 WARREN ELLIS STRANGE KILLINGS NECROMANCER WRAP CVR #3 (Of 6) (MR) $3.50
APR04 2375 JOE LANSDALES BY BIZARRE HANDS #2 (Of 6) (MR) $3.50
APR04 2376 JOE LANSDALES BY BIZARRE HANDS WRAP CVR #2 (Of 6) (MR) $3.50
APR04 2378 RICH JOHNSTONS HOLED UP #2 (Of 3) (MR) $3.50
APR04 2379 RICH JOHNSTONS HOLED UP HOMELAND SECURITY ED #2 (Of 3) (MR) $3.50
APR04 2380 ALAN MOORES THE COURTYARD #1 & #2 WRAP SIGNED SET (MR) (C: 4) $22.99
APR04 2381 JUNGLE FANTASY #1/2 AL RIO JUNGLE GREEN FOIL (MR) $5.99
APR04 2382 SHI POISONED PARADISE ANGEL OF DEATH ED #1 (O/A) $5.95
APR04 2383 FAUST BOOK OF M #1 (Of 3) (O/A) (MR) $3.95
APR04 2384 COVEN TOOTH & NAIL ADRIAN CVR #1 (O/A) $4.95
APR04 2385 JUNGLE FANTASY ADRIAN IVORY NUDE CVR #2 (O/A) (MR) (C: 3 & 4) $6.00
APR04 2386 WARREN ELLIS SCARS TP (DEC032186) (MR) $17.99
APR04 2387 ALAN MOORES THE COURTYARD TP (OCT032121) (MR) $6.95
APR04 2388 ALAN MOORES THE COURTYARD COMPANION (OCT032122) (MR) $9.95

You can get more information on our upcoming June releases at http://www.avatarpress.com/2004solic/06/

Avatar Press is pleased to announce that its participation in Free Comic Book Day 2004 will feature the work of Lady Death creator and Chaos! founder Brian Pulido in a preview of several of his upcoming Avatar Press titles. The fcbd comic is called Back in Black: Brian Pulido Unleashed at Avatar Press, and it will be available free from retailers participating on Free Comic Book Day 2004 -- July 3.

Free Comic Book Day is a single day when participating comic book shops across North America and around the world are giving away comic books absolutely free to anyone who comes into their stores. Now entering its third year after very successful days in 2002 and 2003, the event takes place on July 3 in 2004.

"Black in Black" is ground zero for my my new dark material," says Pulido. "Avatar cut me loose and gave me complete creative license to do whatever the hell I pleased. If you're hungry for the dark stuff, here's your three course meal. Take a bite."

"Free Comic Book Day has quickly become one of the premiere events for our industry's retailers, creators, and publishers to work toward bringing new audiences to comics," says Avatar Press editor in chief William Christensen. "I'm proud to be contributing to that effort by putting Brian Pulido's upcoming work into the hands of a new readership. Throughout his professional career, Brian has become well known for his own efforts to reach out to both readers and retailers, so a showcase for his upcoming projects at Avatar are the perfect choice for Avatar's 2004 FCDB entry, and a great followup to our Frank Miller's Robocop / Stargate SG-1 fcbd book last year. With Brian's involvent in FCBD this year, Avatar hopes to work with Diamond and the retail community to build new audiences by showing them the best of what comic books have to offer."

"Here's a chance for fans to check out my new comics for free," Pulido adds. "Meet three dangerous ladies and get the buzz you got on Chaos! stuff."

Free Comic Book Day is on Saturday, July 3 this year. Be sure to ask retailers in your area to carry Back in Black: Brian Pulido Unleashed at Avatar Press. For more information, contact Avatar Press editor in chief William Christensen.