EL CAZADOR #1 SOLD OUT!
2ND PRINTING ON THE HORIZON!
Debut Of Acclaimed Pirate Adventure Series Is
CrossGen's Fastest Selling Issue Ever!
TAMPA, FL, September 17, 2003
EL CAZADOR #1, CrossGen Entertainment's fastest selling issue ever, is sold out from Diamond Comics Distributors. With positive reviews and reader enthusiasm still increasing, CrossGen has sent the debut issue back to press. EL CAZADOR #1 Second Printing (AUG035066), including no interior ads or additional editorial back matter, will feature a new cover showcasing an iconic image that captures the exotic setting of the pirate adventure. The 32-page Second Printing of the debut issue by writer Chuck Dixon, artist Steve Epting and colorist Frank D'Armata will reach stores on October 8th, the same day that EL CAZADOR #2 (AUG032093) goes on sale.
"We overprinted EL CAZADOR #1 by quite a bit, but thanks to the readers' enthusiasm, we blew through those extra copies in short order," said Chris Oarr, CrossGen Vice President of Sales. "That's in addition to the 25% extra copies most retailers received free of charge for hitting their incentive levels. We're thrilled to see so many books sold by our retailing partners, and with Diamond's help we're going to get even more copies onto shelves as soon as possible."
"The creative team is extremely gratified by the response to EL CAZADOR," stated Dixon. "We suspected there was a comics audience out there for this kind of period adventure, but we thought we'd have to hunt longer for it. Instead, the audience found us and sales have forced us back to press. Steve, Frank, and I worked hard to nail the Golden Era of Pirates, and the response by readers and retailers is the greatest thanks we could receive!"
In addition to strong sales, the debut issue has also generated overwhelmingly positive critical response:
"A thrilling, beautifully illustrated grand adventure. Grade: A" -Comics Buyer's Guide
"A sweeping pirate epic!" -Wizard
"There's a stunning level of realism at play here. Epting captures a sense of the historic with seeming ease... (and) I love the sexy but tortured tone he brings to the book's heroine." -TheFourthRail.com
"Tremendous artwork...every character is beautifully rendered, and action sequences crackle." -MediaSharx.com
"It's rare to find such intensity and grab-you-by-the collar enchantment...Gorgeous art and historically authentic writing combine to make EL CAZADOR one of the strongest comics debuts of the year." -HeroRealm.com
"EL CAZADOR has intrigue, historical accuracy, and enough action to make any comic fan walk the plank with anticipation of next month's issue." -BrokenFrontier.com
"Captures the gritty reality of nautical adventure. The result just may be the most attractive comic in CrossGen history." -Comic Shop News
"Incredible storytelling and amazing art...EL CAZADOR really looks to be a hit for CrossGen." -PaperBackReader.com
"Chuck, Steve, and Frank proved they're righteous rogues of savage skill," added Bill Rosemann, CrossGen Director of Marketing & Communications. "And now that their bloody book has built up so much buzz, we expect to see increasing demand for additional issues. So if retailers want to avoid angry buccaneers storming their stores, we urge them to look at their orders for upcoming issues and send in any increases now."
EL CAZADOR #1 Second Printing (AUG035066) and EL CAZADOR #2 (AUG032093) are available for order and are scheduled to arrive in stores on October 8 with a cover price of $2.95 U.S. each. Retailers may place orders by contacting their Diamond Customer Service Representative.
About CrossGen Entertainment, Inc.
CrossGen Entertainment is based just outside of Tampa, Florida. Since its initial publication launch on May 24, 2000, CrossGen has grown into the comic industry's fourth largest print publisher, with its entire line of stories represented in 34 countries and 12 languages, and multiple imprints - including CrossGen Comics and Code 6 Comics -- expanding the scope and reach of the worldwide comics marketplace. The company has a long-term exclusive development deal with Branded Entertainment, a film and television production company helmed by long-time Batman film and animated feature executive producer Michael Uslan. The CrossGen comics Brath, Crux, El Cazador, The First, Meridian, Mystic, Negation, The Path, Route 666, Ruse, Scion, Sigil, Sojourn, Solus and Way of the Rat, and Code 6 comics The Crossovers, DemonWars and Lady Death, are available as comic books and graphic novels in comic book specialty stores and bookstores everywhere, with a different title on sale each Wednesday. CrossGen has launched its landmark Internet publication, www.comicsontheweb.com, with partners including Lycos, Ifilm, Clear Channel Radio Interactive, ucomics.com, and many others. Recently, CrossGen announced 11 film and television deals that will see many of its properties developed over the next few years by such talent as Oscar® winning director Robert Zemeckis, Wes Craven (Scream, Nightmare on Elm Street), Chuck Russell (The Mask, Eraser, The Scorpion King), Frank Darabont (The Shawshank Redemption, The Green Mile), Bob Gale (Back to the Future), Threshold Entertainment (Mortal Kombat) and many others. Most recently, it was announced that Intec Interactive will be publishing a CrossGen Digital Comic Book Series on DVD, with 10 DVDs scheduled for release fall of 2003.
Additional information about CrossGen Entertainment can be found at
www.crossgen.com.
