Dracula vs. King Arthur Continued

Adam and Christian Beranek's Dracula vs. King Arthur continues to spread out into other media. The series is now a web comic--with individual pages posted several times a week--on DraculavsKingArthur.com and some of the posts include annotations by Adam Beranek. Enthusiasts can also find the series as an iPhone app from Comixology and a motion comic from Comflix Studios (click menu and scroll to your left). These manifestations are of course in addition to the original comic book series, the collected editions, and digital comics released previously.

I append below a trailer for the webcomic as found on YouTube:


There are also a number of interviews available from the various creators (such as Adam Beranak and artist Chris Moreno), and these can be conveniently accessed from our links menus in the sidebar.

Lilly's The Adventures of Wiglaf and Mordred

I recently came across the webcomic The Adventures of Wiglaf and Mordred drawn and written by Lilly since October 2005. The About section of the website includes the following details on the series:

Summary:

Join Wiglaf and Mordred as they try to maintain their friendship through world domination plots, jealous siblings, employees with more secrets than they let on and of course the lies that the two tell each other. With a cast of colorful and unique characters, you’re sure to be entertained.

Or so says the Advertising Campaign if you wanted a nutshell summary. If you want something a bit longer:

The Adventures of Wiglaf and Mordred (aka WaM) follows the story of a lonely hero and an apathetic villain who find out they have more in common than they thought as they explore their relationship with each other and the people around them. They”ll meet up with friends, parents, siblings, rivals and all sorts of other interesting characters as Wiglaf and Mordred try to get along in a world that allows Dragons to stand side-by-side with Super Intelligent AI Computers- But that’s just the tip of the ice berg:

They also have a tendency to run into talking swords, floating orbs, zombies, serial killers, bystanders, genetic engineers, ax crazy psychopaths, obsessive older brothers, total monsters, jealous lovers, crazy siblings, imprisoned CEOs, teen genius, and concert pianists (complete with manager) - just to name a few. (If you don’t believe me, check out the cast page some time. ^_-)

Snark is their friend.
So dive in, read, laugh, smile and get to know their world. Most importantly, however, make sure to watch out for the Security.

Because he’s definitely watching you.

Christina Francis on Arthur, King of Time and Space

Christina Francis has an essay in in the latest issue of Arthuriana on the webcomic Arthur, King of Time and Space. The essay can be accessed in Project MUSE. The complete reference is as follows:

Francis, Christina. "Playing with Gender in Arthur, King of Time and Space." Arthuriana 20.4 (Winter 2010): 31-47.

Abstract:
By developing characters with unstable and changeable sex identification, Paul Gadzikowski creates an Arthurian world with fluid gender boundaries in his webcomic Arthur, King of Time and Space. The effect of this fluidity is a cast of Arthurian characters that continuously confronts sex and gender stereotypes, inviting audiences to reconsider their own assumptions about sex and gender.

Listserv Updates (Cross-Posted)

It is with deep regret that I write to inform readers of the demise of the following listservs sponsored by the Society: The Society for the Study of Popular Culture and the Middle Ages Discussion List, The Medieval Studies at the Movies Discussion List and The Medieval Comics Project Discussion List. The three have been disbanded due to lack of interest by the members. Archives for these lists will remain online for the time being, but further items of interest on these topics can be found instead on the various blogs currently sponsored by the Society, including Studies of Popular Culture and the Middle Ages and The Medieval Comics Project Blog.

Michael A. Torregrossa
Blog and Listserv Editor
Co-Founder

Comics Get Medieval 2011 Update

A belated update on the status of The Comics Get Medieval 2011 sessions for the upcoming Popular Culture Association/American Culture Association's annual meeting this spring:

The session has been cancelled due to lack of interest.

Please consider submitting a proposal for The Comics Get Medieval 2012 sessions to convene at PCA/ACA in Boston and (pending approval) at Kalamazoo. 2012 is the 75th anniversary of Prince Valiant, and it would be great to make ourselves visible as we commemorate this landmark event.

Michael Torregrossa

Blog and Listserv Editor
Co-Founder

King Arthur Forever Returns

The Society is pleased to announce the relaunch of KingArthurForever.org as a blog dedicated to study and debate of the representations of the Matter of Britain in post-medieval popular culture produced from the close of the Middle Ages through tomorrow.

Spidey in King Arthur's Court Redux

Last summer and fall, I begin an exhaustive search for Arthurian comics featuring Spider-Man, and I had thought I had found everything. However, a recent post on Marvel.com reveals that an episode from 1970 of the 1967 Spider-Man cartoon also included an Arthurian-themed episode. The episode can be viewed below.

Michael

CFP: 23rd International Arthurian Congress (10/1/10; Bristol, UK 7/25-30/11)

Arthurian Congress 2011
XXIIIrd Triennial Congress of the International Arthurian Society - Bristol, 25-30 July 2011
(complete details at http://www.bris.ac.uk/medievalcentre/arthur/english/index_html)

Conference Location

We are pleased to announce that the 23rd International Congress of the International Arthurian Society will be hosted by the University of Bristol, 25 - 30 July 2011.

Bristol is a thriving city in the South-West of England with a rich medieval history. It has many attractions, medieval and modern, and is ideally located for excursions to places associated with the Arthurian legend, and also to major tourist attractions such as the cities of Bath, Wells and Hereford.

All congress lectures and papers will take place in the University’s imposing Wills Memorial Building, right in the middle of Bristol’s bustling city centre. In addition to a wide range of nearby hotels and a YHA Youth Hostel, cheap single-room accommodation (not en-suite) is available in Clifton Hill House, an attractive student hall of residence in the picturesque area of Clifton, within easy walking distance of the university’s Wills Memorial Building.

Conference Themes and Call for Papers

The conference themes are as follows:

Arthurian ideals and identities.
Late Arthurian romance.
Narrative techniques and styles.
Arthurian manuscripts and early printed editions.
Arthurian images and iconography.
The supernatural and spirituality in the Arthurian world.

If you would like to present a paper on one of the conference themes, please send a brief title and a summary not exceeding 250 words to reach the organisers by 1 October 2010 at the latest; indicate which of the conference themes you wish to address by assigning it the number of the corresponding theme (nos. 1-6). Papers should if possible fit one (or more) of the themes, but if your proposal does not, please assign it the number 7. We also ask you to provide the following personal information: name; affiliation; postal address; e-mail address; number of people accompanying you; where you are thinking of staying (hotel/ youth hostel or University student accommodation).

We also invite proposals for organised sessions and Round Tables linked to the conference themes, both restricted to 90 minutes in length. To propose a Round Table, please send us a brief description of the topic you wish to explore, along with the names and personal details (as above) of at least two members of the society who have already agreed to offer short introductory contributions, and the number of the relevant conference theme.

To propose a session, please send us a brief rationale for the session, the number of the relevant conference theme, and the names and personal details (as above) of those members of the society who have agreed to contribute a paper to the session, and summaries of each of the papers. Sessions should consist of either two or three papers. Proposals for both Round Tables and organised sessions should be submitted to the organisers by 1 September 2010 at the latest.

Please send all proposals for papers, Round Tables, and organised sessions by e-mail to Arthur-2011@bristol.ac.uk

If you do not use e-mail, please send your proposal by post either to Professor Elizabeth Archibald or to Professor Ad Putter, English Department, University of Bristol, 5 Woodland Road, Bristol, England, BS8 1TB, marking your envelope with the phrase ‘Arthur2011’.


Sessions and Excursions

The conference will feature five plenary lectures, given by a truly international range of leading Arthurian scholars:

Bart Besamusca (University of Utrecht)
Siân Echard (University of British Columbia)
Christine Ferlampin-Acher (University of Rennes)
Helen Fulton (University of York)
Andrew Lynch (University of Western Australia)

There will be excursions to sites of Arthurian and medieval interest including Caerleon, Glastonbury, and Hereford.

In addition, we will be holding several masterclasses for postgraduate students, including one on publishing, and one on Arthurian texts in need of further study.

Help with Hellboy

I am seeking the assistance of someone who would be willing to read and provide a summary of 2 essays in Spanish devoted to the Hellboy comic. The summaries will be included the bibliographic guide to medieval comics scholarship designed to accompany The Medieval Comics Project/The Arthur of the Comics Project. 

The two articles can be accessed at the following links:

Hernández, Santiago Cortés. "de Roberto el Diablo narrativa de un héroe de la Edad Media al cómic"

http://rlp.culturaspopulares.org/textos/16/07-Cortes.pdf

López, Jose Luis Cardero. "Hellboy y las Presencias de Otros Mundos.(El Chico del Infierno frente a los Dioses Primordiales)"

http://serbal.pntic.mec.es/AParteRei/cardero61.pdf

Lucid Solicitations Nos. 3 and 4

Here are the solicitations for Lucid Nos. 3 and 4 from Things from Another World:

Lucid #3 (of 4)
By:   Michael McMillian, Anna Wieszcyk
Type:   Comics
Genres:   Fantasy
Publisher:   Archaia Entertainment LLC
Pub. Date:   October 27, 2010
Availability:   Pre-Order
UPC:   81151401072600311
Page Count:   24
Details:   Full color

Lucid barrels toward an explosive climax as Agent Dee is pulled deeper into a dark conspiracy fraught with bold, unbridled evil!

After a dangerous Magical Artifact created by Matthew's infamous ancestor disappears from the archives of The School of Black, Matthew travels to London to team up with England's Combat Mage, the beautiful and enchanting Wren, to hunt it down before all Hell breaks loose.



Lucid #4 (of 4)
By:   Michael McMillian, Anna Wieszcyk
Type:   Comics
Genres:   Fantasy
Publisher:   Archaia Entertainment LLC
Pub. Date:   November 24, 2010
Availability:   Pre-Order
UPC:   81151401072600411

(W) Michael McMillian (A) Anna Wieszcyk The first Lucid miniseries comes to a shocking climax as Agent Matthew Dee and Wren confront the New Pendragon! Can they stop his terrible kingdom from rising before it is too late? What insane new weapon threatens mage-kind? What does fate hold in store for President Monday? What horrible secret lurks in the bowels of Tintagel Castle? And just what is up with Matthew's girlfriend? Don't miss the spectacular conclusion!

Caliber: First Canon of Justice Comic Trailer

I came across the following via a link from Alan Stewart's excellent Camelet in Four Colors website. He also links to a lengthy interview on Comic Book Resources. From Radical Publishing, Caliber: First Canon of Justice (2008), written by Sam Sarkar and illustrated by Garrie Gastonny, is a recasting of the Arthurian legend in the American Old West. It was originally published in five issues and later collected into both a hardcover and paperback edition. There are links to further interviews (under "News/Reviews") at Radical's site for the series.

Here's Radical's introduction to the series:

The Arthurian Legend of Excalibur is reborn in the Old Pacific Northwest. A world in which Shamans replace Wizards, gunfighters walk where knights once stood, and in which a mystical gun will change the world in place of the sword of legend. It is here that Caliber is revealed as a tattooed six gun imbued with supernatural power. A land where lawlessness runs rampant, and Arthur will have his chance to set balance to the scales of justice.

CFP: Comics Get Medieval 2011 (12/1/10; PCA 4/20-23/11 San Antonio)

THE COMICS GET MEDIEVAL 2011: 
A CELEBRATION IN ANTICIPATION OF THE 75TH ANNIVERSARY OF PRINCE VALIANT
CALL FOR PAPERS (PCA: SAN ANTONIO, TX 4/20-23/11)
SPECIAL SESSIONS OF THE COMICS & COMIC ART AREA
ORGANIZED BY MICHAEL A. TORREGROSSA AND JASON TONDRO 
PROPOSALS DUE TO ORGANIZERS BY 1 DECEMBER 2010

Celebrating our sixth year in 2011, proposals are now being considered for inclusion at “The Comics Get Medieval 2011,” a series of panels and roundtables sponsored by the Society for the Study of Popular Culture and the Middle Ages and to be hosted by the Comics & Comic Art Area of the Popular Culture Association (PCA) for the 2011 Joint Conference of the National Popular Culture and American Culture Associations to be held from 20-23 April 2011 at the San Antonio Marriott Rivercenter & Riverwalk Hotels, 101 Bowie Street , San Antonio,TX 78205.

The goal of these sessions is to foster communication between medievalists, comics scholars, and specialists in popular culture studies in general.  The organizers define “medieval comics” as any aspect of the comics medium (panel cartoons, comic strips, comics books, comics albums, band dessinée, graphic novels, manga, webcomics, comics to film/film to comics, etc.) that feature medieval themes either in stories set during the Middle Ages or in stories presenting some element of the medieval in the post-medieval era.  We are also interested in papers looking at medieval comics from a pedagogical perspective.


Completed papers should be delivered in 15-20 minutes (depending on the number of presenters). All proposals will also be considered for inclusion in an essay collection to be edited by the panel organizers beginning in late 2011.  (Individuals only interested in submitting for the collection should also send proposals by 1 December 2010 deadline and indicate their preference in the email.)

In addition, a select list of potential topics and a bibliographic guide to medieval comics will appear as part of THE MEDIEVAL COMICS PROJECT web site available at <http://MedievalComicsProject.org> and THE ARTHUR OF THE COMICS website available at <http://Arthur-of-the-Comics.org/>, both organized by the Society for the Study of Popular Culture and the Middle Ages.


No later that 1 December 2010, interested individuals (who must be members of PCA or ACA or join for 2011) should submit full contact information (name, address, phone/cell, and email), titles, and abstracts of 300-500 words to the sessions’ organizers, who will then forward them to area chair. Address all inquiries and proposals to the organizers at the following address: <Medieval.Comics.Project@gmail.com> and include “Comics Get Medieval 2011” in the subject line.

CFP: Dave Sim Cerebus Book (11/30/10)

http://www.h-net.org/announce/show.cgi?ID=174541

Dave Sim Cerebus Book
Call for Papers Date: 2010-11-30
Date Submitted: 2010-03-02
Announcement ID: 174541
EADLINE: November 30, 2010

Call for papers for a collection of critical essays on various aspects of or approaches to Dave Sim's comic book Cerebus, both a scholarly and popular, though coherent, companion (and introduction) to the series.

Any subject matter is welcome, so long as it pertains to Dave Sim and/or Cerebus.

Some recommendations:

Discussion of 1970's comics scene in which Dave first started to contribute together with a discussion of the various influences on Cerebus (Howard the Duck, Conan the Barbarian, Red Sonja)

Cerebus as satire of the comics medium (The Roach, "reads," etc)

Cerebus as social satire (political and religious satire)

The shift in tone from earlier and later Cerebus as a result of Dave's conversion

The influence of Cerebus on the comics industry

Cerebus and the graphic "Novel"

Dave Sim as self-publisher and his feud with Gary Groth and the Comics Journal

Dave Sim and the CBLDF

Comics fandom and Aardvark Comment (& the Yahoo Group)

Narrative structure in Cerebus

"Mind Games"

"Something Fell"

Dave Sim as magpie (Barry Windsor-Smith, Mort Drucker, etcetera)

Gerhard's impact on Cerebus

Sim's use of literary characters (Wilde, Fitzgerald, Hemingway, etc)

Sim's use of public personas (Elrod, Mick and Keef, Lord Julius, Konigsberg, The 3 Stooges, etc)

Meta-narrative in Cerebus (Viktor Davis/Reid in Reads, Sim in Minds and Guys)

Cerebus and Religion (both pre-and post-conversion)

Cerebus as a critique of feminism

Gender issues in Cerebus (male/female light/void, he/she/it, YHWH, God,
"Tangent," "10 Impossible Things," etc)


Eric Hoffman
860-328-0988
Email: lily_anselm@yahoo.com

Graphic Engagement: The Politics of Comics and Animation (conference: 9/2-4/10)

Unfortunately, this is now past the date for submissions. A draft of the schedule was posted 24 July.

http://www.h-net.org/announce/show.cgi?ID=177086

UPDATE- Extended deadline: Graphic Engagement: The Politics of Comics and Animation (conference: 2-4 Sept. 2010, EXTENDED deadline: 09 July 2010)
Location: Indiana, United States
Call for Papers Deadline: 2010-07-09
Date Submitted: 2010-06-23
Announcement ID: 177086

The Purdue Comparative Literature Program presents the 2010 Conference
Graphic Engagement: The Politics of Comics and Animation

Purdue University – West Lafayette, IN

September 2-4, 2010

The Purdue University Comparative Literature Program welcomes papers that explore the ways in which comics and film animation engage us politically and profoundly influence the way we define gender, race, religion, class, and nationhood. “Political” can be defined broadly, relating not only to affairs of state, but also the praxis of visual narrative and ways it affects individual identity and community dynamics. Possible paper topics may include, but are not limited to:

The appropriation of national myths and folktales in animated film

Dynamics of humor and subversion in syndicated comic strips

Imaging the ethnic/racial other in comics and other forms of visual narrative

Representations of gender and sexuality in anime and manga

The Franco-Belgian comics tradition and its political import

The language of comics as a form of rhetoric

Superheroes as defining, or complicating, communal and national identity

The use of graphic novels and animation in the classroom

Socio-political issues surrounding graphic novels and library cataloging

The links between comic/animated images and the gaming industry

Visual representations of conflict in such places as Israel, Korea, and Germany

Political cartooning and its social impact

Representations of trauma in comics and animation

Journalism, biography, and memoir in comics
Keynote Speaker

Kim Deitch got his start in the late 1960s, working at The East Village Other and Gothic Blimp Works. An Eisner Award-winning writer with experience in both comics and animation, he is the author of such works as All Waldo Comics, The Boulevard of Broken Dreams, Alias the Cat, Shadowland, and The Search for Smilin’ Ed

For up-to-date information on the event, including details on the keynote speaker and registration, visit the conference website: http://graphicengagement.wordpress.com

**EXTENDED DEADLINE FOR SUBMISSION IS JULY 9, 2010**
Email abstracts of 250 words, with a brief author biography, to: graphic.engagement@gmail.com

Please include “Graphic Engagement Conference 2010” in the subject heading.

Hotel rooms have been set aside at the Union Club Hotel, Purdue Memorial Union
 101 N Grant Street | West Lafayette, IN 47907 | (800) 320-6291
 http://www.union.purdue.edu/HTML/UnionClubHotel/

Graphic Engagement Conference Organizers

Email: graphic.engagement@gmail.com
Visit the website at http://graphicengagement.wordpress.com/

August Updates

July was a rough month, and I've fallen very far behind on things. But, I'm going to try and upload a series of posts today on this blog and our related blogs in the interests of catching up a little bit.

Also, the hotel details for the PCA/ACA conference in San Antonio next April have finally been settled, and I will be posting a call for the "Comics Get Medieval 2011" later in the month.

More on Lucid

Here an another interview on Lucid from last October with more information on the series:

Lucid by Michael McMillian and Anna Wieszczyk

Here's another Arthurian-themed book from Archaia Comics. My information comes from a variety of sources as noted below. The hero of the series is Matthew Dee, a descendant of occultist John Dee, and the series has a number of Arthurian connections.

LUCID

Welcome to the world of LUCID, the highly anticipated, action-packed, pop-fantasy, four-issue miniseries that draws inspiration from the spy genre, Arthurian legend and 21st-century folklore! Dark forces are conspiring to prevent humankind from reaching its true potential. Thankfully, as newly appointed “Protector of the Realm,” Agent Matthew Dee uses his skills as a covert spy and Combat Mage to ensure America’s freedom from the grip of evil.

From the Before the Door website at http://www.beforethedoor.com/:

PR: FINAL COVER TO ‘LUCID’ #1 UNVEILED

ARCHAIA AND BEFORE THE DOOR UNVEIL FINAL COVER TO ‘LUCID’ #1

FIRST TITLE FROM PARTNERSHIP BETWEEN ARCHAIA AND ZACHARY QUINTO’S COMPANY TO DEBUT IN AUGUST

Los Angeles, CA (July 2, 2010) – With fans eagerly anticipating the debut of Archaia Entertainment and Before the Door’s first joint comic project, the two companies proudly unveiled the final cover to the first issue of LUCID, which will debut in August in comic book shops, with advance copies available at Comic-Con International in San Diego, Calif., July 22-25, 2010.

Lucid is a four-issue miniseries written and illustrated by newcomers Michael McMillian and Anna Wieszczyk, who also drew the cover. McMillian is a longtime comics fan and no stranger to the entertainment industry, having recently appeared on the hit HBO series “True Blood” and as a recurring regular on the Amanda Bynes CW television series, “What I Like About You.” McMillian is the creator of Lucid and this is his first written comic work. Wieszczyk is based in Poland and her short story, “Acid Sunset,” was recently published in Popgun Anthology Vol. 4. She is also currently working on Halo8’s Godkiller motion comic.

“We’ve been lucky at Archaia to help usher new creative entities into the comics industry, and one of our most rewarding partnerships has been working with Before the Door to develop Lucid,” said Archaia Editor-in-Chief Stephen Christy. “In Lucid, Michael McMillian and Anna Wieszczyk dove not only into the world of modern magic, but this history of magic throughout western culture as well, all wrapped up in a day-glo, über-pop comic book that looks unlike anything else on the stands today. I’m very proud we’re finally able to share this fantastic comic with readers!”

Lucid follows the adventures of Matthew Dee, a Combat Mage and covert spy whose skills earn him the appointment of “Protector of the Realm” by the President of the United States. Dee’s mission is to protect America from the grip of dark forces that are conspiring to prevent humankind from reaching its true Magic potential.

“Lucid is my attempt to exorcise a lifelong love affair with comics, swashbuckler action adventures and an unhealthy fixation with fantasy,” shared McMillian, who developed the idea over the course of two years. “Matthew Dee is a pulp hero for the 21st century and I’m very excited Archaia and Before the Door have given me the opportunity to create a new world for him to explore.”

“Michael’s intense passion for comics dovetails perfectly with our mission to tell moving and engaging stories,” said Zachary Quinto (“Heroes,” “Star Trek”). With Before the Door producing partners Corey Moosa and Neal Dodson, Quinto recruited Michael to work with them on their first comic book project. “Lucid was born from Michael’s imagination and developed organically though his collaboration with Before the Door. Along with the enthusiasm and commitment of Archaia, we are proud to present Lucid to comic book fans worldwide.”

Lucid #1 (full color, 24 pages, $3.95, Diamond Order Code JUN10 0745) debuts in comic shops in August 2010.

Solicitations from ThingsFromAnotherWorld.com:

Lucid #1 (of 4)

By: Michael McMillian, Anna Wieszcyk

Type: Comics

Genres: Fantasy

Publisher: Archaia Entertainment LLC

Pub. Date: August 25, 2010

Availability: Pre-Order

UPC: 81151401072600101

Page Count: 24

Details: Full color

Dark forces are conspiring to prevent humankind from reaching its true potential.

As the newly-appointed 'Protector of the Realm,' Agent Matthew Dee uses his skills as a covert spy and Combat Mage to ensure America's freedom from the grip of evil. Who is Waylan Gheely, and what forbidden power has he stolen? What ancient evil, banished two millennia ago by Merlin himself, threatens to consume our dimension? What presence lurks in the shadows behind it all? And just who is The Secretary of Secrets?

Produced in association with Star Trek's Zachary Quinto and written by True Blood actor Michael McMillian!

A preview of this issue on the publisher's website includes the following reference to the legend from page 1 (the other two pages appear to be part of a flashback):

Lucid #2 (of 4)

By: Michael McMillian, Anna Wieszcyk

Type: Comics

Genres: Fantasy

Publisher: Archaia Entertainment LLC

Pub. Date: September 29, 2010

Availability: Pre-Order

UPC: 81151401072600211

(W) Michael McMillian (A) Anna Wieszczyk. Things are heating up at the House at Dupont Circle! What is the Prophecy of the Pendragon? What Occult weapon threatens the fate the United States... for the second time? And what exactly is an Astral Amplifier?! Lucid #2 takes you one more giant leap into the strange world of Matthew Dee as the novice Combat Mage races against the clock to prevent President's Day from becoming a National Day of Mourning! Written by True Blood actor Michael McMillian and illustrated by newcomer Anna Wieszczyk, Lucid is Archaia's first title published in association with Zachary Quinto (Heroes, Star Trek) and his production company, Before the Door Pictures.

More to Read:

TRUE BLOOD Actor Preaches Love of Comics & Joins the Ranks (20 August 2009)

Zachary Quinto and Archaia Join Forces (27 July 2009)

So Zachary Quinto Called Comic Vine Last Week... (25 July 2009)

Jean-Pierre Pécau's The Secret History

Originally published in French, Jean-Pierre Pécau's The Secret History features the Grail as one of four talismans that have impacted human history from the dawn of man to the twentieth century. The English editions are published by Archaia Comics in fourteen prestige-format books and two hardcover collected editions (volume one is out now and volume two follows in November).

Here are the details from Amazon on the collected editions:

The Secret History Volume 1 (The Secret History Omnibus) [Hardcover]

Jean-Pierre Pecau (Author), Igor Kordey (Illustrator), Leo Pilipovic (Illustrator), Goran Sudzuka (Illustrator), Geto (Illustrator), Carole Beau (Illustrator), Manchu (Illustrator), Olivier Vatine (Illustrator)

$34.95 (978-1932386783).

Four immortal brothers and sisters are entrusted with ivory cards in the dawn of prehistory by a dying shaman, and told never to use the cards together. Four immortal brothers and sisters, four archons, leaping through time, consumed in an epic struggle to influence and shape the history of Western civilization. From Moses' challenge to the Pharaoh to the origin of the Grail myth; from the Pope's extermination of the Cathars to Nostradamus' travels in Italy; from the Spanish Armada and the Great Fire of London to Napoleon's conquest of Egypt; and finally to the Angel of Mons appearing over the trenches of World War I. A secret occult history of the world told in seven chapters. Collects the first SECRET HISTORY series in preparation for the second, coming in 2010.

The Secret History Omnibus Volume 2 [Hardcover]

Jean-Pierre Pecau (Author), Igor Kordey (Author)

$34.95 (978-1932386912).

Four immortal brothers and sisters are entrusted with ivory cards in the dawn of prehistory by a dying shaman, and told never to use the cards together. Four immortal brothers and sisters, four archons, leaping through time, consumed in an epic struggle to influence and shape the history of Western civilization. But now, a fifth Archon is attempting to bring about Armageddon! This volume collects Books Seven through Fourteen and covers the period from World War I to the end of World War II.

The Grail features predominantly in books two and three of the series, where the writer Chrétien de Troyes plays an important role. Archaia does not have any information on the individual books, but I found the following at the website of Lone Star Comics:

BOOK TWO: The Castle of the Djinns, 1176 AD. Two millennia have passed since the four Archons abandoned Egypt and each other and scattered into the world. But now events in the Holy Land draw them together once again. From Antioch to sacred Petra, a knight and a mysterious young woman joined by a writer named Chrétien de Troyes embark on a dangerous quest for the runestone used by Moses, and the origins of the Holy Grail.

BOOK THREE: 'The Grail of Montségur': At the end of the 12th Century,

the Archon Reka uses her influence over the Pope to extend her power over the whole of Christianity. She subverts the Holy Inquisition with a secret aim of seizing the Grail and using the lost runestone of Dyo to gain dominion over her brother. But Erlin and Aker join forces with the Holy Roman Empire of Frederic II, determined to counter her plans!

Robin Hood and King Arthur from Tony Lee and Sam Hart

Last year, Walker Books and their US distributor Candlewick Press initiated the "Heroes and Heroines" imprint and published a graphic novel inspired by the story of Robin Hood, Outlaw: The Legend of Robin Hood (look inside at Amazon), written by Tony Lee and illustrated by Sam Hart and Artur Fujita and marketed for middle-school-aged readers. An Arthurian book, Excalibur: The Legend of King Arthur, from two of the same creators will be released in March 2011 and it also sounds to be a completely original story. Both books can be found at Amazon.com, though only the Robin Hood book can be found at Walker's and Candlewick's sites. Details on both books from Amazon follow.

Outlaw: The Legend of Robin Hood

Tony Lee (Author), Sam Hart (Illustrator), Artur Fujita (Illustrator)

Hardcover $21.99 (978-0763643997).

Paperback $11.99 (978-0763644000).

How did Robin of Loxley become Robin Hood? Why did he choose to fight injustice instead of robbing for his own gain? Expressive and gritty, this graphic novel whisks readers back to Crusades-era England, where the Sheriff of Nottingham rules with an iron fist, and in the haunted heart of Sherwood Forest, a defiant rogue--with the help of his men and the lovely Maid Marian--disguises himself to become an outlaw. Lively language and illustrations follow the legendary hero as he champions the poor and provokes a high-stakes vendetta in a gripping adventure sure to draw a new generation of readers.

Excalibur: The Legend of King Arthur

Tony Lee (Author), Sam Hart (Illustrator)

Hardcover $21.99 (978-0763646448).

Paperback $11.99 (978-0763646431).

In a dramatic and moving tale of trickery and betrayal, forgiveness and hope, the legend of King Arthur, his loves and losses, the fall of Camelot, his Knights of the Round Table, the secrets of his past and mysteries of his future, all come to bear in this visually stunning portrait of a man. Before Arthur's father, Uther Pendragon, was murdered by Ulric, as a final act, Uther thrust his sword, Caliburn, into a rock. Only a man true of heart would be able to draw and wield the weapon once more. Until that time, Ulric would become King of the Britons, raining terror over all the land. And the people of Albion would wait for a beacon of hope. The wizard Merlin knows just who that person is destined to be. If Ulric is to be overthrown, then it is Arthur, son of Uther, who must pull out the sword and become the rightful leader of the Britons. So, until Arthur comes of age, Merlin hides the future King - in so doing he strikes a dangerous bargain with the dark Unseelie Fae. As the day approaches when Arthur will come of age, there are strong powers at play. Not everyone wishes for Arthur to succeed - for it was Morgana, Arthur's half-sister, who Merlin traded to the Unseelie, in place of her brother, all those years ago. And now the witch has a vengeful score to settle.

Tony Lee has been a writer for over twenty years. He has worked for a variety of publishers including Marvel Comics, IDW Publishing, Markosia, Rebellion, Panini and Titan. He has contributed to many popular and high-profile properties such as X-Men, Doctor Who, Spider Man, Starship Troopers, Wallace & Gromit and Shrek. In 2008 Tony was nominated in the category for "Best Newcomer Writer" at the prestigious Eagle Awards. He lives in London. Sam Hart is a comic book artist and magazine illustrator, having worked on Starship Troopers and Judge Dredd and for publishers Markosia and DC Comics, amongst others. Born in England, he now lives and teaches comic art in Brazil. Artur Fujita is an illustrator and colorist who has colored sequential art for Markosia and Marvel Comics. He lives in Brazil.

Smurfs Movie Teaser (MCP)

Columbia has just released a teaser for the upcoming Smurfs feature film set to be released in the summer of 2011. The Smurfs appears to have been transplanted--rather like in Enchanted--from their original medieval setting to present-day New York City.