LOS ANGELES, Calif., January 29, 2008 – Top Cow Productions, Inc. announced today that their “Let Us Win YOU Over” initiative would begin in February and the inaugural title in the program would be highly anticipated anniversary issue – The Darkness #75.
The “Let Us Win YOU Over” initiative is a yearlong campaign by Top Cow Productions to give out free copies of its regular comics to potential fans in the U.S. and Canada through participating comic book stores. Each month, a different set of stores, each month a different free comic. The stores vary by geography and demographics. Top Cow has partnered with ComicsPRO to bring this promotion to fans and all of February’s retailers are members of ComicsPRO.
The publisher decided to launch the program with a special celebratory anniversary issue of one of their flagship titles, The Darkness #75. The issue, which is an over-sized 48-page comic, commemorates the 75th overall issue of the series regardless of volume. The list of artists includes: Michael Broussard (current series artist), Jorge Lucas (Pilot Season: Ripclaw), Dale Keown (Pitt), Joe Benitez (Justice League of America), Ryan Sook (Superman/Batman), Steve Firchow (Ultimatum), Frazer Irving (Silent War), Lee Carter (2000 AD), Stjepan Sejic (Witchblade) and Matt Timson (Impaler). The story, which will examine what a possible future would be like for current Darkness bearer Jackie Estacado, will be penned by current series writer Phil Hester. The issue will be in comic shops on Wednesday, February 11th, 2008 and normally retails for $4.99.
“This initiative our most ambitious attempt yet to recruit new readers,” explained Filip Sablik, Publisher of Top Cow. “We wanted to kick it off in a big way and what better way than one of our biggest books of the year, both literally and figuratively. This is a great jumping on point for new fans as it is a standalone story, featuring the best art we have to offer, and an awesome value.”
“I’m looking forward to getting the Top Cow ‘Let us Win You Over’ promotion started. This is one of the more innovative ways a publisher has chosen to work with our membership,” said Joe Fields, President of ComicsPRO and owner of Flying Colors Comics & Other Cool Stuff in Concord, CA, “Our goal is nothing short of more readers for Top Cow’s cool comics and more customers for ComicsPRO member stores.”
“We are so excited about this opportunity to bring Top Cow comics to more readers! Top Cow is at the top of their game and we cannot think of a better time to bring new people to their titles! We are ready to win over some more readers,” added Norah Curry, Promotions Director, Laughing Ogre Comics in Columbus Ohio.
A list of the participating retailers during the month of February (listed alphabetically by state) is included below. Additional information can be found at the official online home of the “Let Us Win YOU Over” initiative – www.topcow.com/freecomics. Customers who currently purchase The Darkness at the stores below will be able to purchase an extremely limited “All Beef” Edition (limited to just the stores listed below) at the regular cover price. Fans are encouraged to contact the specific retailer they wish to visit for specific details:
The Comic Book Store
9307 Treasure Hill
Little Rock, AR 72227
501-227-9777
www.thewildstars.com
Atomic Comics
1120 S. Country Club Dr #105
Mesa, AZ 85210
480-649-0807
www.atomiccomics.com
4 Color Fantasies
7172 Archibald Ave
Rancho Cucamonga, CA 91701
909-563-8751
www.4colorfantasies.com
Earth-2 Comics
15017 Ventura Blvd
Sherman Oaks, CA 91403
818-386-9590
www.earth2comics.com
Flying Colors Comics & Other Cool Stuff
2980 Treat Blvd
Concord, CA 94518
925-825-5410
www.flyingcolorscomics.com
Happy Harbor Comics
10112-124 St
Edmonton, AB Canada T5N 1P6
780-452-8211
www.happyharborcomics.com
Time Warp
3105 28th St
Boulder, CO 80301
303-443-4500
www.time-warp.com
Tate’s Comics
4566 North University Dr
Lauderhill, FL 33351
954-748-0181
www.tatescomics.com
Dr. No’s Comics & Games
3428 Canton Rd
Marietta, GA 30066
770-422-4642
www.drnos.com
Clem’s Collectibles
4201 Coldwater Rd
Ft. Wayne, IN 46805
260-480-7087
www.clemscollectibles.com
Comicopia
464 Commonwealth Ave #13
Boston, MA 02215
617-266-4266
www.comicopia.com
Alternate Worlds
72 Cranbrook Road
Cockeysville, MD 21784
410-795-5510
Muse Comics
2100 Stephens #107
Missoula, MT 59801
406-543-9944
www.musecomics.com
The Hobby Shop
1501 Ward Blvd Ste #245
Wilson, NC 27893
252-291-3384
www.thehobbyshopofwilson.com
Krypton Comics
2819 S. 125th Ave Ste #261
Omaha, NE 68144
402-391-4131
www.kryptoncomicsomaha.com
Jetpack Comics
112 Portland St
Rochester, NH 03867
603-330-9636
www.jetpackcomics.com
Comic Oasis
3121 N. Rainbow Blvd
Las Vegas, NV 89108
702-212-8885
www.comicoasis.com
Jim Hanley’s Universe
4 West 33rd St
New York, NY 10001
212-268-7088
www.jhuniverse.com
Laughing Ogre Comics
4258 N. High St
Columbus, OH 43214
703-435-6682
www.laughingogrecomics.com
Brave New Worlds
45 N. 2nd St
Philadelphia, PA 19106
215-925-6525
www.bravenewworldscomics.com
Comics & Paperbacks Plus
201 E. Main St
Palmyra, PA 17078
717-838-4854
www.comicsandpaperbacksplus.com
New Dimension Comics
3075 Clairton Rd #940
West Mifflin, PA 15213
412-655-8661
www.ndcomics.com
Dragon’s Lair Comics & Fantasy
6111 Burnet Rd
Austin, TX 78757
512-454-2399
www.dlair.net
Titan Comics
3701 W. Northwest Hwy #125
Dallas, TX 75220
214-350-4420
www.titancomics.com
Zanadu Comics
1923 3rd Ave
Seattle, WA 98101
206-443-1316
www.zanaducomics.com
