CROSSGEN LAUNCHES
Comics On The Web 3.0
New Version Debuts America Online Keyword: CrossGen,
New Front End, Language Translations and New Features
TAMPA, FL, October 6, 2003
Just a year and a half after the initial launch of CrossGen's Comics on the Web online subscription content service, CrossGen has launched the second enhanced version that has generated thousands of members, dozens of Web partner sites and companion sites in Spanish and in Korean.
CrossGen has also signed an agreement with America Online, the world's leader in interactive services, which establishes an AOL Keyword for CrossGen. America Online Keyword: CrossGen will drive more traffic to CrossGen's site while at the same time provide hundreds of pages of comics content for free use by AOL's members.
Comics on the Web Version 3.0 features an easier-to-use front end, while also providing translated front ends in other languages, such as Spanish, French, German, Italian and Japanese. The service features comics translated in all those languages, as well. A key shift from one-bit to two-bit language support enabled CrossGen to incorporate character-sets from Asian languages into its online service. Other features include:
* Alternate audio track support including voice-overs and creator commentary
* Asian language support e.g., Japanese/Korean
* Automatic balloon movement synced with audio track
* New Code 6 titles, including Brian Pulido's Lady Death and R.A. Salvatore's DemonWars
* Shortened movement from stand date to online release, reduced from six to three months
CrossGen has also established a partnership with ecomix, the most popular online comics portal in South Korea: <
https://https://www.ecomix.co.kr/fantasy/genre/?section=fantasy>
Finally, CrossGen also has established a Germany-based portal, as well: <
https://www.comicsontheweb.com/cow/cow.frameset.asp>
"With sites ringing the world, a partnership with AOL and a whole new site fueled by nearly 350 issues, we're honored to help bring comics to new audiences," said Courtland Whited, CrossGen's Director of Information Technology. "The key to making it all work is quality comics, and no matter the medium, that will always be at the center of CrossGen."
About CrossGen Entertainment, Inc.
CrossGen Entertainment is based just outside of Tampa, Florida. Since its 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, 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 service,
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, Intec Interactive released 10 Digital Comic Books featuring CrossGen series.
Additional information about CrossGen Entertainment can be found at
www.crossgen.com.
