Virgin Comics Blog

YES, YOU READ RIGHT! We’re extremely honored to announce that Stan Lee, the living legend of comics, and creator of titles such as Spider-Man, Fantastic Four, X-Men, and Hulk has found a new home to create his next epic universe of superheroes. No one has created perennial superheroes and defined global popular culture like Stan so be sure to hear him talk in person about his groundbreaking plans with Virgin Comics that will change the world of comic books.

LA TIMES Article

Meet Stan tomorrow — Saturday, 4/19/08: 11:00AM - 12:00PM in Room 1E10-1E11

Also, the other one you’ve been waiting for. Garth Ennis (The Boys, Preacher, John Woo’s Seven Brothers) will be making his first U.S. public appearance in many years to discuss the brilliance of Dan Dare’s enduring legacy and why he needed to write this quintessential British story for readers in the U.S. In Garth’s own words, “He’s our Captain America, our Superman, our Batman, he’s all of them rolled into one. He’s the original and the best.” Joining Garth is Peter Hampson, whose father, Frank, created Dan Dare in 1950 and Larry Lieberman, Chief Marketing Officer of Virgin Comics.

Saturday 4/19 1:30pm - 2:30pm Room 1E12-13-14: DAN DARE: BRITIAN’S GREATEST HERO - What Americans Need to Know!

TALL TALES OF VISHNU SHARMA: PANCHATANTRA - ON SALE 2/13

Written by Samit Basu
Art & Cover by Ashish Padlekar

SOME OLD STORIES NEVER LOSE THEIR BITE…

The tales of Vishnu Sharma have barely begun and already he’s been kidnapped by talking animals, had a near-death experience with a homicidal boy wizard, and now he’s expected to walk INTO a book called the Panchatantra, the ancient collection of Indian fables of which Vishnu is supposedly the guardian. If that weren’t enough, when Vishnu is pulled inside the pages of folklore and fantasy, death and oblivion seem all too real. This fairytale is more like a nightmare, where “THE END” is something he desperately wants to avoid.

 

JOHN WOO’S SEVEN BROTHERS #5 - ON SALE 2/13

Created by John Woo
Written by Ben Raab & Deric A. Hughes
Art by Edison George
Cover by David Mack

Don’t miss this heart-pounding final chapter of JOHN WOO’S SEVEN BROTHERS!

Having tapped the very essence of the Seven Brothers’ powers, Li Jiao has become a seemingly unstoppable force. But the Brothers’ secret weapon, Ronald and his Dragon alter-ego, are still missing. As Jiao uses his newfound aptitude for destruction to settle a score, can the Seven Brothers bring down the renegade monk before he makes good on his promise to avenge his father’s death?

 

RAMAYAN 3392AD RELOADED #4 - ON SALE 2/13

Written by Shamik Dasgupta
Art& Cover by Jeevan Kang
Variant Cover by Luke Ross

 

Captured by a violent tribe, Rama and his brother Lakshman are thrown into the dungeons, whileSeeta is imprisoned in a harem. Facing almost certain death, Rama is offered a chance to escape but does he dare trust an enemy with his life and the lives of his comrades? Plus, a Seeta backup story by Ron Marz and Luke Ross!

 

JENNA JAMESON’S SHADOW HUNTER #1 - ON SALE 2/20

Created by Jenna Jameson
Written by Christina Z.
Art by Mukesh Singh
Cover by Greg Horn

 

From the mind of Jenna Jameson, NY Times Bestselling author and iconic entertainer and written by Christina Z (WITCHBLADE) comes a dark talef one woman’s struggle with forces beyond ordinary perception. In this Special Oversized issue, star artist Mukesh Singh (GAMEKEEPER) illustrates the beginning of the saga. A young, orphaned, beautiful woman attempts to make a life for herself in the big city. As she grapples with mundane problems like making rent and a creepy manager at work, something deeper brews; a nagging suspicion that her life is not her own. Seeking answers (not to mention extra cash) she enrolls in a past life regression experiment which seems to ignite visions of a demonic past that no one can explain.

Then comes the titillating and strangely dangerous power she’s not sure she can control, and a mysterious guy with the sword who just won’t leave her alone. It’s one hell of a day for our heroine, especially when she discovers who her real father is.

SPECIAL 40 PAGE OVERSIZED ISSUE FEATURING 32 STORY PAGES.

JONATHAN MOSTOW’S THE MEGAS #1 - ON SALE 2/27

Created by Jonathan Mostow
Written by John Harrison
Art & Cover by Peter Rubin

ALL MEN ARE NOT CREATED EQUAL!

From the visionary director of Terminator 3, Jonathan Mostow, we enter the world of The Megas. Beautiful. Powerful. Better. They’re everything you’ve ever wanted to be. But at the heart of this dystopic society lies a regime struggling for control over a populace that may just be tired of being inferior. Agent Jack Madison finds himself in the middle of a maelstrom as he struggles to solve a crime and come to terms with a truth he’s not ready to face. Not to mention a mysterious symbol and the seeds of rebellion.

THE STRANDED #2 - ON SALE 2/27

Written by Mike Carey
Art by Siddharth Kotian
Cover by
Variant Cover by Christopher Moeller

Continuing the first book in the groundbreaking new Virgin/SciFi line, created and written by acclaimed novelist/comics writer Mike Carey (X-MEN, The Devil You Know)!

What if your past, everything you knew, was a lie? A mysterious assassin called Janus knows…and he’s determined to kill the Stranded one by one before they can learn of their true, extraterrestrial origins. Now Tamree, their protector, races against time to awaken them to their true nature and powers. But Janus holds a secret weapon: his inhuman companion, Dzin — whose connection to Tamree may doom the protector’s mission before it’s even truly begun.

Featuring a painted cover by fan-favorite artist Christopher Moeller (LUCIFER, Magic: The Gathering, IRON EMPIRES).

 

DAN DARE #4 - ON SALE 2/27

Written by Garth Ennis
Art by Gary Erskine
Cover by Garry Leach
Variant Cover by Glenn Fabry

It’s the last stand on Port Napier as Dan Dare and the colonists find themselves nearly overrun by the onslaught of Torr, vicious killing beasts. Trying to hold them off until they can be rescued, what they don’t know is that the entire royal navy has been thrown into disarray by the disappearance of the Prime Minister back on Earth. As Peabody attempts to piece together the puzzle—and the government—Dan and Digby brace themselves for total annihilation, hoping for a miracle.

 

SADHU: THE SILENT ONES #5 - ON SALE 2/27

Written by Saurav Mohapatra
Art By Manikandan
Cover by Jeffrey Spokes

The second Sadhu saga reaches its stunning climax! James Jensen, the British soldier who became a mystic warrior, and his mysterious ally Trishanku launch an all-out attack on the stronghold of the Silent Ones in a desperate effort to save Jensen’s son. But even as they breach the outer defenses of the cult’s fortress, Jensen and Trishanku realize that the devious Grand Mistress has sprung a trap that might forever change the very fabric of this world and beyond!

DEEPAK CHOPRA PRESENTS INDIA AUTHENTIC #10 - ON SALE 2/27

Created by Deepak Chopra
Written by Saurav Mohapatra
Art by Virgin Studios
Cover by Siju Thomas

 

“At first, I shed tears at the massacre of my kin at the hands of a ruthless king. The Axe mocked me. I felt the anger well up in my heart, screaming to be unleashed. The Axe encouraged me. I tried to veer myself away from the path of vengeance. The Axe whispered in my ears. Once, I was a scholar, a man at peace with his soul. But now who I am is long gone. I have vowed to rid the earth of my enemies. The man I used to be is dead, his identity washed away in a deluge of retribution. Once, there was a hermit named Rama, now there is only The Axe.”

Virgin Comics and Deepak Chopra present as part of the INDIA AUTHENTIC series, a look at the metamorphosis of a peace loving hermit named Rama into one of the most feared warriors on the planet. When a tyrant massacres his family, Rama picks up the Axe and vows to rid the earth of Kings.

Witness the rage and fury of a man pushed too far as he embarks on a bloody campaign and the thirst for vengeance transforms him into the very thing he set out to fight.

Jenna Jameson’s Shadow Hunter #0

SPECIAL PREVIEW ISSUE
ONLY 25 CENTS!

01/02/08

Created by Jenna Jameson
Written by Christina Z.
Art by Mukesh Singh
Cover by Greg Horn

Demons. Slaying. Sex.

What else would you expect from a comic conceived by Jenna Jameson and realized by Witchblade co-creator Christina Z.? In a tale dripping with epic destinies, dangerous creatures and dark passions, one woman will rise from the ashes of her “normal” life to discover a fate she never imagined.

Before a tragic accident that sets our heroine on a quest that will change the world as we know it, she has an encounter with a mysterious figure who claims to know of her “true” potential. Secret origins, strange conspiracies, and a connection to a mythological feminine force as old as time will all be revealed.

This special preview issue features a cover by Greg Horn, prequel story, preview of pages from issue #1, sexy pin-ups, and a revealing interview with Jenna Jameson and Christina Z.

Sadhu: The Silent Ones # 4

Written by Saurav Mohapatra
Art by Manikandan
Cover by Jeffrey Spokes

01/16/08

Once he was a soldier for the British Empire. Now, James Jensen is a sadhu, a mystic warrior, and he searches for the son he had believed to be dead. Joining forces with the legendary hermit king of Limbo, Trishanku, James ventures deep into the Central Indian forest to free his son from the clutches of the Silent Ones. But a lost tribe of warriors waits in ambush for James and Trishanku!

The Tall Tales of Vishnu Sharma: Panchatantra #1

Written by Samit Basu
Art & Cover by Ashish Padlekar

01/16/08



Some old stories never lose their bite…

Something’s invading the stories of our childhood, leaving death and oblivion in its wake. Now, a motley crew of animal heroes from ancient Indian fables must unite to survive. But first they must find the boy destined to save them, the chosen guardian of the Panchatantra. Thing is… he has no idea they even exist.

Vishnu Sharma, would be boy-hero, is too busy playing in online tournaments to care about fighting storybook wars. But when a none-too-fictional talking lion, monkey and bull arrive at his doorstep, Vishnu must choose between protecting the tales of the Panchatantra, or silently standing by as they disappear into storybook history.

With naughty boy wizards, cuddly anime-sociopaths, and a not-so-frightful King of the Jungle, this ain’t your Mother Goose’s story.

Ed Burns’ Dock Walloper #2

Created by Ed Burns
Written by Jimmy Palmiotti
Art & Cover by Siju Thomas

01/23/08

New York City becomes a blood-drenched battleground as each player forcibly takes what they think is theirs. As John “The Hand” Smith and Bootsy move up in the crime-world, having earned the favor of Irish mob boss Mad-Dog Madden, there are still threats that loom among rival mob organizations… and within Madden’s own. Gentleman Jim’s openly racist disfavor of Bootsy is causing strife among Madden’s people, but the real peril comes from Diamond Jack—the gangster with the diamond-studded teeth—who seems to have an unquenchable taste for Smith’s blood. They don’t call this the roaring 20’s for nothing!

THE STRANDED #1

Written by Mike Carey
Art by Siddharth Kottian
Covers by Mark Silvestri and Greg Horn

01/23/08

Over the past two years, Virgin Comics has become the hottest new destination for graphic storytelling. At the same time, SciFi has established itself as THE brand name for fantasy and speculative television, with hit series like EUREKA and BATTLESTAR GALACTICA. Now, for the first time, these two companies join forces for a new imprint designed to change the face of science fiction entertainment.In THE STRANDED, the first Virgin/SciFi book, five ordinary people must face a terrifying question: What if your entire world — your childhood, your family, all your memories — was a lie? For The Stranded, it’s true; they’re all, secretly, from another world. And now a deadly, otherworldly force has returned to try and kill them, operating through a twisted, altered human called Janus. Their only hope: Tamree, a dark, mysterious woman sent to Earth as their protector. One by one, Tamree must awaken the buried memories of The Stranded — along with their powerful, unique psychic and physical abilities. But even if they can defeat Janus, they must also deal with a deadly threat from one of their own.

THE STRANDED is created by acclaimed comics writer and novelist Mike Carey (X-MEN, LUCIFER, The Devil You Know). The first issue features alternate covers by Marc Silvestri (WITCHBLADE, X-MEN) and Greg Horn (SPIDER-MAN, X-BOX MAGAZINE, ELEKTRA). With THE STRANDED, Virgin and SciFi take a giant leap into the future. Join us — the best is yet to come!

Dan Dare #3

Written by Garth Ennis
Art by Gary Erskine
Covers by Garry Leach and Brendan McCarthy

01/23/08

As a brutal threat bears down upon the mining colony of Port Napier, Dan Dare whips the local detachment into a modest—but effective—defensive force. Together with the colonists who were unable to escape, they abandon the settlement to make a final stand in what will most assuredly be a battle of attrition. Meanwhile, back on Earth, the increasingly suspicious Peabody follows a hunch—and what she finds out may have finished the battle for Earth before it’s even begun.

Deepak Chopra Presents India Authentic #9: KARTHIKEYA

Created by Deepak Chopra
Written by Saurav Mohapatra
Art by Virgin Studios

01/30/08

“I was born with a fiery halo that threatened to undo the universe. Thus, Ganga the mighty mother-river bore me away far from the earth deep into the uncharted heavens. I grew to manhood in the care of the six maidens of the stars, the Kritika (Pleidas) of the night sky. Then, I returned to claim my rightful place in Svarga as heralded by an ancient prophecy. I am the slayer of demons and commander-in-chief of Heaven’s army, I am Kartikkeya, the son of Shiva.”

Deepak Chopra and India Authentic bring you a story that tells of the birth and rise of one of heaven’s most formidable warriors, Kartikkeya, the god of eternal youth.

Shekhar Kapur’s Devi #17

Created by Shekhar Kapur
Written by Saurav Mohapatra
Art by Chandrashekhar
Cover by Luke Ross

01/30/08

Tara Mehta, the young woman from Sitapur who was chosen by the gods to host the essence of Devi, celestial warrior supreme, has fought renegade gods, apsara assassins, ruthless crime lords and even the darkness lurking inside her own soul. With the help of a fallen priest, a burnt-out cop and a smart aleck journalist, she has somehow managed not only to survive, but to harness her divine abilities to become the protector of Sitapur. But everything’s about to change.When a mysterious vigilante starts killing criminals in Sitapur, Devi finds herself blamed for the murders. As she tries to piece together the identity of the vigilante, Tara uncovers a secret that goes all the way back to her own childhood. The journey of the girl who became a goddess takes a new twist, as she comes face to face with something that will change her life forever.

http://www.pulpsecret.com/episode/PSR_20070611

Trapped in a cycle of reincarnation since the early 18th century, Snake Woman is the story of one woman and sixty-eight men struggling with their own karmic bonds, all triggered by the curse of an angry Naga, or Snake Goddess. As punishment for the murder of the Snake Goddess’ consort, the King Cobra, these 68 men—part of a British fortune hunting expedition, plundering the Kabini jungles of India—are cursed to eternal reincarnation, to be hunted by a woman imbued with the powers of the Snake Goddess. Only once this woman—the Snake Woman—is able to kill all sixty-eight of them within a single lifetime, will the cycle of reincarnation end.

In the intervening three centuries, the 68 have become a powerful secret organization. They conspire only to destroy the Snake Woman and to propagate their incarnate selves. It is into this mix that Jessica Peterson—the current incarnation of the Snake Woman—is thrown. She is blindsided by her lethal new abilities—and, perhaps, more disturbingly, her violent impulses. Yet, as internal politics threaten to tear the 68 apart, other characters come to the fore, including the reincarnation of the King Cobra, and the surreptitious Snake Charmer.

The end of Snake Woman #10 saw our eponymous heroine clearing out of 68-ridden Los Angeles, searching for the simple life, the words of James Harker still ringing in her ears… “none of us can seem to stay away from each other. It’s just how it works…” Still, Jess does her best, heading to Mexico, then South America, and finally ending up six months later in Goa, India, attempting to keep the goddess at bay with various illicit substances. But greater cosmic and karmic forces are in effect than the chemicals of man can control, and it is not only the 68 who will follow Jess and the Snake Goddess back to the country where the Snake Woman saga began. There are other powers awakening, some good… and some more evil than either Jess or Harker has reckoned with before now.

Snake Woman: Tale of the Snake Charmer promises to be the most exciting chapter yet in this pioneer Virgin Comics series. So do yourself a favor and pick up Snake Woman: Tale of the Snake Charmer #1, on-sale June 2007!

See you on the inside…

VC Editorial Team

Exclusive sneak peeks at initial pages straight from Vivek Shinde’s drawing board (click to see full image):

So while browsing blogs that posted about VC this weekend, I came across this page from Walk In #6 that has caught some attention of fans. It would be great if our fans can help us create some buzz around Walk In and our other stories.

You can check out the aforementioned page here:
http://community.livejournal.com/scans_daily/3564643.html

Also, please DIGG the page so we can get more people to hear about VC.

The link for Digg: http://digg.com/celebrity/Love_amongst_the_squirrels

Thanks,
Doppleganger594

Devi # 12

She is Tara Mehta, avatar of the DEVI, a celestial warrior who hosts the essence of an entire pantheon. Forever torn between the divine and the human, she has found some semblance of peace in devoting herself to making a better world. But all that is about to change. As ancient specters of Armageddon awaken from their slumber, and the countdown to a final cataclysm begins, Tara comes face to face with her most formidable opponent: herself.

Sadhu – The Silent Ones # 1

In the 19th century, when the sun did not dare set on the British Empire, James Jensen went to India as a soldier in Her Majesty’s Army. Losing his family to betrayal and brutal violence, Jensen became a SADHU, a mystic warrior who must walk the spiritual path to salvation. As the latest chapter of the saga begins, emptiness rules James Jensen’s heart, and he wanders aimlessly. His travels bring him to the Kumbh Mela, an epic gathering of mystics, where deadly enemies and shadowy allies lie in wait. But an even bigger surprise awaits James, as he learns that a loved one might still live!

Shekhar Kapur’s Snakewoman: Tales of the Snake Charmer #1

Jessica Peterson’s life used to be ordinary. And then, suddenly, it wasn’t. In the blink of an eye, she went from dive-bar waitress to reincarnated goddess, the “Snake Woman”. Since then, things have never been more different. She hunts and is simultaneously hunted by the 68, a secret society composed of the reincarnated souls of the British explorers who desecrated the snake-goddess’ temple in the jungles of India over 300 years ago. James Harker, head of the 68, has been secretly mentoring Jessica, but now she rejects him and his world, hoping to escape her murderous tendencies and reclaim the direction of her life. But as the modern-day incarnation of her ancient mate comes to the fore, will she be able to turn her back on destiny? Don’t miss the beginning of this NEW MINISERIES. Perfect for new readers!

Ramayan 3392 A.D. Reloaded #1

The epic tale Ramayan 3392 A.D. has just been reloaded! The quest of the hero Rama, his loyal brother Lakshman, and the beautiful Seeta has just begun, with the original creative team now guided by comic impresario Ron Marz. This issue marks a jumping-on point for readers, and sees the beginning of a regular series of character-driven back-up features, penned by Marz and drawn by a series of superstar comics artists. In this issue, Marz and Michael Avon Oeming (Powers, Red Sonja) tell the tale of Rama himself, while in the lead feature the wounds Rama has suffered in battle have left him at death’s door, and only a miracle can save him. If Rama perishes … so does the world’s hope.

Deepak Chopra’s INDIA AUTHENTIC #2: KALI

Virgin Comics presents as part of Deepak Chopra’s INDIA AUTHENTIC, the story of the most primal and feared aspect of the Indian Mother Goddess, the legend of Kaali.

She was born in a crimson haze. She bathed in the blood of a thousand hearts, devoured a million creations and smeared on herself, the ashes of infinity…and then she slept.

When Rakta Veej the Blood Demon and his unstoppable army of bloodspawns lay siege to Amaravati, the City of Gods, the Gods desperately invoke the slumbering Vampiric spirit of Kaali the Destroyer to fight their battle. But once the battle is done, will Kaali stop there? Or will her primal instincts cause her to turn on the Gods themselves.

Guy Ritchie’s Gamekeeper #1: Extended Edition

Enhance your experience of Guy Ritchie’s Gamekeeper with this special extended edition of Gamekeeper #1! As Brock’s past comes back to haunt him, he is sucked into a web of politics, science, money and death… Will his animalistic instincts be enough for him to survive? Go behind-the-scenes and get an exclusive look at the making of Gamekeeper #1, including original script pages from Andy Diggle and artist layouts of key scenes. With a special variant ink cover by John Cassaday, you won’t want to miss out on this extraordinary special edition!

For those new to Virign Comics, it is a partnership between Sir Richard Branson’s Virgin Group, author Deepak Chopra, filmmaker Shekhar Kapur and the company our CEO Sharad Devarajan co-founded in 1997, Gotham Entertainment Group (www.gothamcomics.com).

Similar to the success of Japanese anime and manga, our mission is to define a new wave of Indian character entertainment and permeate this style and vision to audiences from Boston to Beijing to Bangalore.

Guided by Deepak Chopra and Shekhar Kapur, our studio of artists and writers are sparking a creative renaissance in India—leading the country’s transition from outsourcer to a source of innovative and dynamic creations and creators. With a unique creative and cultural identity, the 500 million youths of India today are sparking a transition in thinking for their country and for their world.

Our Shakti line of comics collects stories based on ancient Indian mythologies but re-imagined for a global audience.

The Director’s Cut brings together iconic filmmakers and the best comics writers, including Shekhar Kapur + Zeb Wells, John Woo + Garth Ennis, Guy Ritchie + Andy Diggle.

The Virgin Voices imprint collects comics created by innovative minds from artists of different media like Dave Stewart and Nicolas Cage.

For more info visit www.virgincomics.com