Media Release -- Oni Press, Portland's premier independent comic book publisher, is excited to announce the Pocket Editions of BAD MACHINERY, the widely acclaimed series by Eisner-nominated writer John Allison (Giant Days). Allison's witty series about English schoolchildren solving mysteries is re-releasing in a new, easier-to-read (and easier to shelve) size.

Allison spoke with School Library Journal's "Good Comics for Kids" about the decision to re-release Bad Machinery in a new, smaller format: "The large format is divisive. They're great-looking library books. Kids love the big books, adult readers don't so much, and Bad Machinery has something for both groups. I've met readers aged six, and aged 70. I think smaller versions will play well with a large part of that range."

Originally printed as large 9" x 12" books, these smaller 6" x 9" books will contain the same content as the larger editions, and will feature brand new covers illustrated by Allison. Bad Machinery will continue to print in both the original larger format and as the Pocket Editions.

The Pocket Edition of BAD MACHINERY VOLUME 1: THE CASE OF THE TEAM SPIRIT goes on sale March 15, 2017, and will be priced at $10.00. It will be available to order through Diamond, Ingram, and Baker & Taylor.

The Case of the Team Spirit introduces readers to Jack, Linton, Sonny, Shauna, Charlotte, and Mildred: six kids navigating the treacherous waters of school and adolescence while also exploring the strange mysteries that abound in their peculiar English town of Tackleford. Jack, Linton, and Sonny look for cures to their football club's unexplainable woes, while Shauna, Charlotte, and Mildred try to find a way for compassion and justice to triumph in the face of die-hard sports fanaticism. But all of them should probably be more concerned with keeping on the good side of their history teacher, Mr. Bough. That is, if he has a good side...

Awards and Selections

British Comic Awards—Best comic (whole series), 2012
Publishers Weekly's Best Children's Books of 2013
CYBILS (Children's and Young Adult Bloggers' Literary Awards) Finalist—Teen/Young Adult Graphic Novels, 2013
Great Graphics Novels for Teens TOP TEN, 2015
Great Graphic Novels for Teens, 2014, 2016
Maverick Graphic Novel Reading List, 2015

Praise for BAD MACHINERY

"Unique in both story and tone, this title is perfect for graphic-novel fans looking for something a bit different." School Library Journal

"Allison is a triple threat: he plots deftly, draws confidently, and writes dead-on adolescent dialogue... Dark, fast-paced, and riotously, funny entertainment." Publishers Weekly

"[F]ans of the online strip and its predecessor, as well as teens and adults who like a bit of snark and sass. will appreciate Allison's unique humor and offbeat story as well as the Kate Beaton-like (though full-color) art." Booklist

"Anyone not reading it is missing out on one of the great achievements in contemporary comics." The A.V. Club

"In the conversation about young superheroes, John Allison should be right up in there with the very best writers and artists that comics has to offer. I think I've recommended every volume of Bad Machinery as part of 'Best Comics Ever' thus far, but there's a dashed good reason—it's a blinding good comic." ComicsAlliance

"When people ask me what my favorite comic is, I don't even let them finish the sentence before I'm attempting to push some form of Bad Machinery into their life. For me, this comic will always be the one to beat, I don't see many contenders." Kate Beaton, Eisner Award-winning creator of Hark! A Vagrant

"John Allison is a master storyteller—Bad Machinery deftly balances fiendish mystery plotting, slyly hilarious characters and a lived-in setting. You will love this!" Bryan Lee O'Malley (Scott Pilgrim, Seconds)

"My favorite things in the world are friendship and mystery, and John Allison produces—apparently effortlessly—my favorite versions of my favorite things. John's art is impossibly charming and his writing is laugh-out-loud hilarious." Ryan North (The Unbeatable Squirrel Girl, Adventure Time)

"John Allison really can do it all—brilliant dialouge, mysterious plots, properly funny jokes...and art that just sings. A master of the comics form at his very best." Stephen Collins, creator of the Eisner Award-nominated The Gigantic Beard That Was Evil

About Oni Press, Inc.:
Oni Press is a premier comic book and graphic novel publisher located in Portland, Oregon. Founded in 1997, Oni Press is run by Founder and Publisher Joe Nozemack and Editor-in-Chief James Lucas Jones. Oni Press's curated line includes a variety of best-selling, award-winning, original and licensed comic books and graphic novels, including: [adult swim]'s Rick and Morty, Nickelodeon's Invader ZIM, Scott Pilgrim, Queen & Country, Courtney Crumrin, Wasteland, The Sixth Gun, Stumptown, Wet Moon, Letter 44, The Bunker, The Life After, The Coldest City, and Kaijumax.

Bad Machinery is ™ & © 2016 John Allison. All rights reserved.

Oni Press logo and icon ™ & © 2016 Oni Press, Inc. Oni Press logo and icon artwork created by Keith A. Wood.