AniboomMedia Release -- Aniboom, the world's first virtual animation studio, announced today that 5 finalists have been selected for the motion comic competition in partnership with Marvel Entertainment, one of the world's most prominent character-based entertainment companies. A staggering number of original motion comics – more than 10 hours in total - were submitted in a 6 week period from Aniboom's community of nearly 8,000 animators from across the globe. Marvel's blue ribbon panel of judges has narrowed it down to the best of the unique motion comic interpretations of comic book stories starring renowned Super Heroes Wolverine, the Incredible Hulk, and Nova.

The 5 finalists come from Los Angeles, New York, New Hampshire and Australia, and each will receive $2,000 to expand their motion comic into a full-length story. These five, plus one additional "Wildcard" finalist, will compete for the grand prize of $10,000 and the opportunity to showcase their work across Marvel's digital network. Beginning the week of October 26th, the motion comics created by the 5 finalists will be the featured animations on Aniboom's YouTube Channel. The Winner will be announced November 16, after a one-week viewing and voting period on Aniboom.com.

"Aniboom's community has brought Marvel's iconic figures to life with these striking motion comics," said Uri Shinar, founder and CEO of Aniboom. "We have a talented pool of animators that are consistently demonstrating their versatility, creativity, and prolificacy, generating more than 10 hours of motion comics. Their body of work has significantly increased the number of motion comics that exists today."

John Dokes, Vice President, Sales and Marketing for Marvel Entertainment, added, "We have some remarkable submissions that reflect the combination of some of Marvel's treasured characters and stories and some of the world's best animation talent. We look forward to presenting the winning submission to Marvel fans."

In addition to showcasing the Incredible Hulk, Wolverine and Nova characters, this motion comics creation project also provides Marvel a high profile promotion for its newest digital initiative. Now one of Marvel's hottest new entertainment categories, Motion Comics refashion the world's most popular comic book content into brand-new entertainment that remains true to the heritage of panel-by-panel graphic storytelling. With groundbreaking graphics, top-rate voice talent, and sensational soundscapes all set within the explosive Marvel Universe, Marvel Motion Comics inject new life into favorite comics, authors and artists in a never-before-seen way.

Throughout the contest, members of Aniboom's community have submitted their unique motion comic interpretations based upon classic Marvel Universe stories Hulk vs. Wolverine, written by acclaimed film, television and comic book writer Jeph Loeb ("Heroes", "Lost" and Marvel's The Ultimates and Captain America), with eye-popping art by fan-favorite artist Ed McGuinness (Hulk, TheUltimates, Deadpool). Fan-favorite series Nova, Aniboom users' other Motion Comic option, was written by Dan Abnett and Andy Lanning (War of Kings, Annihilation) with art by Kev Walker (Marvel Zombies, Exiles, The Eternal).

The Top 50 motion comic submissions – as voted on by the Aniboom community – will each receive a free one-year subscription to Marvel Digital Comics Unlimited, which features online versions of your favorite Marvel Comics that are created from the original artwork used to print them. This easily accessible online library has over 6,000 comics, and new comics are being added each month.

About Aniboom
Aniboom (www.aniboom.com) is the premier virtual animation studio that partners with untapped talent around the world to create, produce and distribute high-quality animation. Aniboom utilizes the web as a tool for mass collaboration and inspiration in an effort to seek out the best global talent. Aniboom's vibrant community of world class animators and animation enthusiasts cultivates and develops content intended for commercial application across the realms of TV, Film, Advertising, Gaming, Web, and Mobile. With investors such as Draper Fisher Jurvetson, DFJ Tamir Fishman Ventures, and Evergreen Venture Partners, experienced entertainment and new media executives, and a global community of professional animators, Aniboom's unique virtual studio model has set a new standard on how animated content is created, fostered, and distributed. Aniboom is based in Israel and has offices in New York and San Francisco.

ABOUT MARVEL ENTERTAINMENT
Marvel Entertainment, Inc. is one of the world's most prominent character-based entertainment companies, built on a proven library of over 5,000 characters featured in a variety of media over seventy years. Marvel utilizes its character franchises in licensing, entertainment (via Marvel Studios and Marvel Animation) and publishing (via Marvel Comics). Marvel's strategy is to leverage its franchises in a growing array of opportunities around the world, including feature films, consumer products, toys, video games, animated television, direct-to-DVD and online.