Women Wednesday: Princeless Relaunch

Princess Adrienne returns as Princeless is relaunched from Action Lab Entertainment with an encore edition for only a dollar:

Action Lab: Danger Zone Ad

Action Lab: Danger Zone is an imprint from Action Lab Comics intended for mature readers. The first wave will be released in May and include Ehmm Theory, Ghost Town and The Trip. The second wave will be released in June and include The Final Plague, Night of the 80's Undead and Double Jumpers. More titles will be coming after that. Check out this cool Action Lab: Danger Zone ad:

Action Lab Merges With SR Graphics To Take Comics To The Danger Zone

I received the following press release in my inbox earlier so I thought I would post it here for all to enjoy:

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Action Lab Entertainment
Canonsburg, PA
http://www.actionlabcomics.com

ACTION LAB merges with SR GRAPHICS to take comics to…THE DANGER ZONE!

December 17, 2012
Action Lab Entertainment is excited to announce that Super Real Graphics publisher Jason Martin has accepted a position to spearhead its new mature readers line, Action Lab: Danger Zone, and merge his SR Graphics with the new brand.

While Action Lab is known more for its high-profile all-ages friendly properties, including the Eisner-nominated Princeless, the upcoming Molly Danger from Jamal Igle, and various licensed properties from toys and animation, it reinforces its dedication to publishing a full spectrum of comic book content. The creation of the Danger Zone imprint allows it to continue to seek out the best projects for any audience, and as the newly-appointed publisher for the brand, Martin can use his experience running a mature readers line of books to help ALE achieve bigger and better things.

In merging the two creator-owned publishing companies, Action Lab now also brings the existing Super Real Graphics properties to their new Danger Zone catalog, including the cult indie hit Zombie Tramp from Dan Mendoza. A fan favorite since its release in late 2010, Zombie Tramp’s sold-out graphic novel will be getting both a new printing, as well as a sequel series in 2013. Additionally, all of Action Lab’s current projects that qualify as 'mature' will move over to the new line, including the trade paperback collection of Dave Dwonch’s just-concluding critically acclaimed video game raunch-fest, Double Jumpers.

"Bringing Jason Martin, and Super Real Graphics, into the Action Lab family is quite the coup," says Action Lab President Kevin Freeman. "Not only do we get a proven talent in Martin to ply his trade with us, but this move also allows us to look for and publish quality work of all kinds--not just kid-friendly fare. This lets us expand our horizons, and Action Lab undoubtedly will be better for it."

“I have been a fan of Jason’s SRG brand for many years, and I’m thrilled that he will be extending his talent, positive energy, and dedication to the craft to the Action Lab stable of books,” says ALE Creative Director Dave Dwonch.

“I’m incredibly excited to take my efforts at showcasing boundary pushing, genre redefining material to an even larger audience with the backing of the talented folks at ALE,” exclaims Martin. “I’m as passionate for comics as a person can be, especially the creative and quirky ideas born from creators with a story to tell in this graphic medium, and truly love working with them to share their visions.”

In 2013 the line will launch with several new books--both from new talent (with titles like the horror-tinged desert-baked graphic novel The Trip, the viral-outbreak survival saga The Rabid, and the mind-bending genre-blending exploits of a boy and his talking kitten in Ehmm Theory), and from previously- published creators (including Tony Fleecs and Tone Rodriguez’s poetry-powered American Goth Chick, Dave Dwonch and Rob Ruddell’s time-hopping rogue nuke mythology Ghost Town, and Martin’s own Regan-era zombie lovefest Night of the 80’s Undead). There are more titles in store as well, including the aforementioned SR Graphics title Zombie Tramp, and Grant Gould’s Norse mythology by-way-of Tolkien The Wolves of Odin saga. Overall, this is a truly inspired line-up for fans of graphic fiction that will see release in print via comic book shops, as well as online via ComiXology and all major digital providers.

Action Lab received two Eisner nominations in 2012 for its critically-acclaimed all-ages comic Princeless, and has been praised for its diverse library of titles, including Pirate Eye, Fracture, and works like the upcoming Skyward and Odin Jones. Be sure to visit the Action Lab website http://www.actionlabcomics.com for more information, including links to social media outlets and submission information.

ABOUT ACTION LAB ENTERTAINMENT
Action Lab Entertainment was founded in 2010 by a group of independent comic creators with the sole intent to bring the world the most action packed, thought-provoking, entertaining comics available, thereby ushering in a new age of world peace under the dominating, yet benign control of the Action Lab. Action Lab Entertainment is the public front for all the activities of the Action Lab and its members. Although most of the Action Lab’s activities remain classified, Action Lab Entertainment can disclose that two of its many functions are the marketing of comic books through various sales outlets, and the expansion of their domination into other mediums.

The Order of Dragonet #1

The Order of Dragonet #1 (September 2012) is an ongoing series written by Jeremy Whitley, drawn/lettered by Jason Strutz and published by Action Lab Comics. When Britain's mythical creatures return to the modern world, Merlin calls upon three celebrities to protect the crown. Unfortunately, they include a B-movie actor, a wash-up rock star and a writer of children's books. I enjoyed the story especially the scenes with Sir Tottington, the aging gay actor. The issue is forty-four pages priced at $4.99 and is currently in Previews. Overall, I give The Order of Dragonet #1 a solid B.

Comic Review: Double Jumpers #2

Action Lab Entertainment's Double Jumpers #2 is just as good as the first issue if not better. Kane Darkheart and his band of adventurers hit a casino for coin of the land and Peepers for food. Meanwhile, Jason and his friends try to figure out how they can get out of the "game". While there are jokes aplenty, there is some seriousness too. One of my favorite moments in Double Jumpers #2 is after the fight at Peepers: The artwork and story continue to be great so I give Double Jumpers #1 an A+ also. I highly recommend this mini-series to everyone but especially to those cosplay and gamer fans.

Now Reading: Jack Hammer: Political Science

I'm currently reading a review copy of Jack Hammer: Political Science from Action Lab Entertainment that collects issues one to four. This superhero/crime novel story is not light reading but I'm greatly enjoying it so far. Imagine if Power Man retired from being a superhero and became a private investigator like Mike Hammer. Jack Hammer: Political Science is now available for pre-order from Diamond (APR120744) with a June 2012 release in comic book shops and elsewhere.

Comic Review: Double Jumpers #1

Double Jumpers #1 (May 2012) is the first issue of a four part mini series from Action Lab Entertainment. Dave Dwonch did the story, script and letters while the art and colors where done by Bill Blankenship. The story is a twist on gamers getting stuck in their favorite fantasy video game. In this case, the group consists of the designers and programmers. There is drama with relationships such as Danielle Miyamoto being the daughter of the original game along with humor. The colorful art is crisp and the text is easy to read. The characters are unique with their own quirks. Be warned that there are some naughty words and adult situations. I enjoyed the first issue of Double Jumpers enough to want to the read the rest of the mini series. The art and story are enough for me to rate this issue an A+ so I highly recommend picking a copy up.

Comic Review: Princeless #3

Princeless #3 (December 2011) from Action Lab Entertainment picks up where the previous issue left off with Princess Adrienne being carried upside down with her bloomers showing by her dragon, Sparky. She believes that it is time to find a blacksmith and get some armor that fits her. Instead of finding the smith, she finds his daughter, Bedelia Smith, who shows off her women warrior's collection that includes the sonya, the diana and the warrior princess. The scene and conversation that the two girls have is hilarious. Princess Adrienne convinces her to make something less revealing and more practical for her. After she gets measured, she steps out to get some gold to pay for the armor so she puts on the diana armor that only comes with a rope. Wearing the skimpy armor draws some unwanted attention. Sparky gives her some treasure and on the way back runs into two soldiers that are looking for her. Princess Adrienne manages to defeat the two armed with only a rope before running back into the smith's building, where her new specially made armor is waiting for her. I have to say that the new armor is very cool looking. Princeless #3 gets an A+ just for the introduction of Bedelia Smith and her women warrior's collection of armor.

Comic Review: Space-Time Condominium Season One

Space-Time Condominium Season One is a collection of Dave Dwonch's webcomic published by Action Lab Entertainment. Basically, the story is about a reality show with the contestants being the same person but from parallel worlds tossed together on condo outside of the space time continuum. The Gatekeeper is a scientist that brings them all together. The humor is a mixed bag since there is a "normal" Griffin from 1985, Griffin the uptight computer programmer, Griffin the white trash alcoholic, Griffin the flamboyant aerobics instructor and Griffin from a world where white people think they are black. My favorite part is when the tough female version named Griffine is introduced to the rest of the contestants. Overall, I give Space-Time Condominium Season One a solid C since most of the jokes fall flat for me and Griffene is just not enough to keep me interested and the cow version of Griffin was really lame.

Comic Review: Princeless #2

Princeless #2 (November 2011) will be available in stores and on Graphicly on November 30, 2011. This issue picks up right after the events of Princeless #1 with Davin sparring with his father when news that his twin sister, Adrienne, was killed by a dragon arrives. He is more upset than his father is and the dragon arrives soon after with a mysterious rider. I will not go into much detail here so not to spoil Princeless #2. I will say that this issue was also worth reading and I give it an A just like I did the first issue.

Comic Review: Princeless #1

Princeless #1 (October 2011) is the first issue of a four part mini series that will wrap up by year’s end. Another four part mini series will start shortly after that. Jeremy Whitley is the writer while Mia Goodwin provided the art and colors. Letters and “Mr. Froggy” colors was done by Jung-Ha Kim while the “Mr. Foggy” art was provided by D. E. Belton. Princeless #1 will be published by Action Lab Entertainment and Firetower Studios. The book will be available through Diamond, local comic book shops and at conventions this fall. A preview copy should be made available in time for the San Diego Comic Con.

The issue starts with a young princess named Adrienne finding fault with fairy tale that her mother reads her. She then finds herself in a tower guarded by a female dragon named Sparky about ten years later. She insults a young prince coming to her rescue before the dragon shows up. While the pair battle, Adrienne finds a sword under her bed. She decides to rescue her five older sisters from their towers with Sparky’s help.

The prince that Sparky was fighting with earlier finds his way back to Adrienne’s father, who is not happy with his failed rescue attempts. He claims that he has seven daughters in seven towers guarded by seven mythical beasts. The king even says that Sparky was chosen in hopes that she would be easily slain. He calls his own son, Devin, not worthy to be king since he would rather play dress up. There is more but I do not want to give everything away in this review.

I really like the art and story of Princeless #1 but the characters are what really shine. There are several amusing moments with Adrienne but my favorite are the scenes with Sparky, who has an appetite for princes. This comic book is suitable for all ages and fans of Disney-like fairy tales will get a kick out of it. I give Princeless #1 a solid A.