Welcome back to the Avatar Press newsletter. We're just going to do a quick hit this time around to close out the year and get everybody ready for Avatar's 10th anniversary onslaught in 2007.

That's right, it's been 10 years since Avatar started with a little black and white book featuring our girl of myth, Pandora. The comics business has changed a lot since then, and I think Avatar itself has changed even more. In 2007 we're going to continue that evolution. We're going to put the Avatar spin on a genre you never thought you'd see from Avatar. We're going to do licensed comics that walk the tightrope between being faithful to the original and being good comics in their own right. We're going to bring back some classic Avatar favorites. And we're going to do more of the things we do best -- like unleashing creator-owned comics from some of the best creators in comics.

If you had asked people in 1997 where the indy comics scene was heading in the next 10 years, I think you'd have gotten some answers questioning whether the indy scene would even exist. But the indies refused to go away. Quite the contrary -- there are indy companies out there putting out great books and doing well with them. Thanks for making Avatar one of those companies. I guarantee we're going to continue to surprise you in 2007.

William A. Christensen
Avatar Press

// Garth Ennis' Chronicles of Wormwood

One of the major releases in Avatar's immediate future is Chronicles of Wormwood from Garth Ennis and Jacen Burrows. Comicbookresources.com has a nice pair of articles on this tale of the Armageddon and the Anti-Christ from the creator of Preacher.

Garth Ennis interview: http://www.comicbookresources.com/news/newsitem.cgi?id=8805
Jacen Burrows interview: http://www.comicbookresources.com/news/newsitem.cgi?id=8815
Chronicles of Wormwood ordering & preview: www.wormwoodcomics.com

// Pandora, Jungle Fantasy Help Commemorate Avatar's 10th

We haven't done much in recent years with some of the characters like Pandora who gave us our start, but in February 2007 we have three releases for fans of the classic Avatar zeitgeist: Pandora Annual #1 featuring art by Paulo (Birds of Prey) Siqueira and Rafa Lopez, Jungle Fantasy #1 by Richard Ortiz, and Threshold: Mythic Sirens Pinups featuring art by a veritable who's-who of Avatar history, including Marat Mychaels, Bill Maus, Al Rio, Ron Adrian, Juan Jose Ryp, Matt Martin, and many others.

See the February 2007 release page for more information:
http://www.avatarpress.com/2007solic/02/index.html

// Lady Death / Shi Launches in February

You've seen the stunning preview art, now it's time to get down to business with two indy comics icons. Lady Death / Shi begins in full color with issue #0 in February, written by Brian Pulido with art by Juan Jose Ryp.

Here's the blurb: The fan-demanded femmes fatale showdown finally begins here! Kyoto, Japan. The Dark ages. Shi – she who walks in shadow - is a folk hero to her people: the single force willing to strike at Yamada’s iron-fisted leadership. Lady Death: a lost soul desperate to save her mother from the grip of the warlock, Sagos. When Lady Death is offered her mother’s freedom in exchange for Shi’s life, two forces from two different worlds collide in a battle for the ages. Written by Lady Death creator Brian Pulido and featuring art by the masterful Juan Jose Ryp, this full-color catfight is one that you don’t want to miss! This book features these stunning covers: Regular by Shi creator Billy Tucci, Ryp by super-star Juan Jose Ryp, Premium by Matt Martin, Wraparound by Rafa Lopez, and a special Jewel Edition (limited to 350 copies) by Ryp.

Get more info on Lady Death / Shi #0 and the rest of our February lineup here:
http://www.avatarpress.com/2007solic/02/index.html
Lady Death / Shi preview ordering & artwork:
http://www.avatarpress.net/v/ladydeath/shi/

// George A. Romero's Night of the Living Dead: Just a Girl

Speaking of indy icons, here's a tale about an indy film icon who literally became the face of modern horror. She's Karen, the infamous little zombie girl from Night of the Living Dead, and Night of the Living Dead: Just a Girl is the rest of her story.

The blurb sets the table for you: One of the true icons of horror lives! The story of Karen, the little zombie girl from the Night of the Living Dead film, can finally be told! Picking up at the end of the film, this special issue continues her zombie tale and also fills in her tumultuous history. Can a little girl zombie survive long in a dangerous world or has this girl been living in danger her whole life? Written by John Russo, co-writer of the original film, and featuring art by talented newcomer Edison George, this is a horror story for the ages! As well as the Standard cover by Jacen Burrows, this issue is available with Wraparound, and Gore covers by Burrows, a painted cover by Matt Busch, a painted cover by Lucio Rubira, Rotting by Sebastian Fiumara and a special Sticker Set edition that comes packaged with 2 limited edition Night of the Living Dead trading card size stickers!

Get more info on Night of the Living Dead: Just a Girl and the rest of our February lineup, which includes Chronicles of Wormwood #2, Lady Death / Shi #0 and much more here:
http://www.avatarpress.com/2007solic/02/index.html
Night of the Living Dead ordering & artwork:
http://www.avatarpress.net/v/nightofthelivingdead/

// What's Up With... ?

Brian Pulido's Lady Death: Lost Souls #2 - heading for the printers the week of Dec 8 and should be in stores by the beginning of January.
Warren Ellis' Wolfskin #2 - Also heading for the printers the week of Dec 8 and should be in stores by the by the beginning of January.

That's it for this time. Stay tuned in a few weeks for more news about our 2007 plans.

// links of note:
main site: www.avatarpress.com
gallery site: www.avatarpress.net

Please support your local comic shop and Avatar by asking for or preordeirng Avatar Press comics at your local retailer. If you can't find them locally, you can order them from our direct sales agent at
www.avatarstore.net