2010JanFrontCover.jpgMedia Release -- Helping comic and collectible fans start off the New Year, January's PREVIEWS arrives the second week in January. The front cover of the month's catalog features DC Comics/Vertigo's AMERICAN VAMPIRE #1, an all-new story from horror guru Stephen King.

For this new ongoing series for mature readers, King teams with up-and-coming writer Scott Snyder and artist Rafael Albuquerque to redefine the way readers think of vampires. The first, extra-sized issue introduces readers to an outlaw that'll cross paths with an old foe-turned-vampire, and then a young actress of the 1920s gets much more than her big break when she comes face-to-face with an eternal creature of the night.

Also solicited in January is Image Comics' HAUNT TRADE PAPERBACK VOLUME 1, staking claim to the catalog's back cover and collecting the first story arc of the series from Todd McFarlane and Robert Kirkman. Fans familiar with McFarlane's work on Spawn and Kirkman's on The Walking Dead and Invincible can familiarize themselves with Haunt, a new super-hero in the Image Universe.

2010JanBackCover.jpgPlus, don't miss these January PREVIEWS editorial features:

Free Comic Book Day 2010: Here's your chance to see and order the Gold and Silver titles available for FCBD10! Over 40 projects in all, there's a comic for almost anyone's discerning taste. Plus, more FCBD10 merchandise including the new commemorative artist t-shirt and eco-friendly canvas and polypropylene store bags for order.

Women in Comics Month: This month, PREVIEWS is spotlighting the strong female characters, creators, and readers that add so much to the comic community. In addition to a recommended reading list of titles that feature the adventures of great female characters or the work of celebrated female creators, this month's catalog will also feature a special, extensive interview with Wonder Woman and Secret Six writer Gail Simone, which will be presented in full on PREVIEWSworld.com.

FLIPside Featured Theme: "PREVIEWS Has Free Comic Book Day Covered" – 2010's Free Comic Book Day (FCBD) will see the release of the First Annual FCBD Commemorative Artist T-Shirt, with a new artist to provide artwork for the special design each year. This year's shirt features artwork from a fan-favorite creator, and PREVIEWS gives readers a look at that artwork, additional information about the artist and his creative process, and more.

IndieEdge: Alex Ross – This month's creator feature spotlights the masterful painter and storyteller known for, among other works, Kingdom Come and Earth X, and currently busy on Dynamite Entertainment's Project Superpowers and related projects.

Sneak Peeks: In January, comic fans are given a glimpse of Dark Horse Comics' The Guild #1, Image Comics' Fade to Black #1 and Shuddertown #1, Vertigo's The Executioner Hardcover, and WildStorm's Sparta U.S.A. #1.

Plus: Staff Picks, Our Top 100 Comics and Bestseller Charts, and much more!

January PREVIEWS' Gems of the Month

In January, the PREVIEWS Gem of the Month include: Dark Horse Comics' The Guild #1 and Terminator #1, DC Comics' First Wave #1 and Vertigo's American Vampire #1, Image Comics' Image United Interlude #1 and McFarlane Toys' Halo Series 7 Action Figures, Marvel Comics' Ultimate Comics: New Ultimates #1, and Wizard Entertainment's Wizard #223.

All this and more is waiting in the January issue of PREVIEWS, which hits your local comic shop on Wednesday, January 6th at a cover price of $4.50. Ask your comic shop retailer on how you can qualify for a free issue, and remember that orders are due to your comic shop by January 18th for merchandise in this issue. To find a shop near you, visit www.comicshoplocator.com.

ABOUT DIAMOND COMIC DISTRIBUTORS—the world's largest distributor of English-language comic books and pop-culture related merchandise, Diamond is based in Baltimore, MD, and services more than 4,000 specialty retailers worldwide. For more information, visit Diamond on the web at www.diamondcomics.com.