Press Release
mage Comics is proud to present a collection of whimsical, colorful illustrations by JM Ken Niimura. The esteemed artist’s gestural, emotionally affective work with writer Joe Kelly on the critically acclaimed miniseries I KILL GIANTS helped ensure that book was nominated for an Eisner award in 2009, won IGN’s Best Indy Book of 2008, and was listed as one of the Top 10 YA Library Association picks of 2010. Niimura’s work did not start nor stop with I KILL GIANTS, though.
Prior to his collaboration with Kelly, Niimura worked on a variety of international titles, including UNDERGROUND LOVE, CLOCKWORLD, VACIO ABSOLUTO, and OSTRAS JUALAS. The Spanish-born Niimura has won more than 30 awards in recognition for his art in his home country, showcased his work in exhibitions all across Madrid, and worked on advertising campaigns for clients like Cartoon Network.
“I’m really happy to share these illustrations I did during the period I worked on I KILL GIANTS with American readers,” said Niimura. “They show the other aspect of my career — that of an illustrator, dealing more solely with composition and color, and I’m really looking forward to hearing people’s reaction to the book’s design!”
“Few things have made me as proud as the ongoing success of I KILL GIANTS, and the understated brilliance of Ken’s artwork is undoubtably as important a component and Joe’s powerful script, so it’s real pleasure to further highlight Ken’s skills in ZERO,” added Image Publisher Eric Stephenson. “And as great as his work in I KILL GIANTS was, I guarantee there’s still plenty here that will both surprise and impress Ken’s growing legion of fans.”
This gorgeous paperback art book with die-out cover showcases many of Niimura’s works of richly colored illustrations, which were previously published in magazines, books and advertisements between 2007 and 2009, none of which have been published in the US until now. ZERO: JM KEN NIIMURA ILLUSTRATIONS ’07-’09 displays a varied retrospect of the artist’s recent career that both art lovers and comic book readers can easily appreciate.
ZERO: JM KEN NIMURA ILLUSTRATIONS ’07-’09 (FEB110425), a 96 page full-color art book, will be on sale in stores April 27, 2011 for $12.99.
