This press release was directed to retailers, but I thought readers of BIONICLE might appreciate reading it. Who knows, maybe you can assist your local comic book store and share the prizes!

The retailers who create the best displays supporting the graphic novels based on the LEGO® BIONICLE toy line (one of the top boys’ game and action-figure series) will win prizes from books’ publisher, Papercutz.

BIONICLE #1 comes to comic-book shops in May 2008 (and bookstores in June). For booksellers, comic-book retailers, and other storekeepers, Papercutz offers two $250 gift certificates, good for orders from Papercutz’s backlist, to the stores with the best displays promoting the BIONICLE comics. Retailers who want to enter the contests can contact Papercutz at papercutz@papercutz.com point-of-purchase display materials. (Retailers need not use the materials to win the contest.)

Retailers may enter the contest in one or both of two categories: window displays and point-of-purchase displays. The deadline for submitting entries is July 1. Send photos or videos to papercutz@papercutz.com (put “Papercutz Bionicle Contest” in the subject field) or to Papercutz Bionicle Contest, 40 Exchange Place, Suite 1308, New York, NY 10005. Include your name, address, phone number, and e-mail address on the entry. All entries become the property of Papercutz and The LEGO Group.

BIONICLE editor Jim Salicrup and publisher Terry Nantier will judge the contests along with BIONICLE experts at The LEGO Group. Papercutz will announce the winners at the San Diego Comic-Con (July 24-27). Papercutz and The LEGO Group will post the results on their websites. See www.papercutz.com for complete rules and regulations.

In novels, video games, and of course the LEGO toys where it began, the BIONICLE story centers on the Toa, six heroes who are part machine and part living creatures. In Papercutz’s BIONICLE #1, the Toa arrive on a tropical island guarded by the Great Spirit Mata Nui, only to find it under siege. The powerful and evil Makuta has cast the Mata Nui into an unending sleep and is attacking the island’s villagers, the Matoran. The armored Toa, who wear Masks of Power and can control the elements, attack Makuta. During the fight, the Toa become the Toa Nuva, with new armor, weapons, and Masks of Power. But will all of that be enough to defeat Makuta?

The writer of the BIONICLE comics is the main creator of the BIONICLE universe, Greg Farshtey. The artists of Papercutz’s BIONICLE #1 are Carlos D’Anda (DC Comics’ Outsiders), Aliens vs. Predator storyboard artist Richard Bennett, and Randy Elliott (Marvel’s Spider-Woman). The series reprints stories created for the BIONICLE club, which has over a million members. The stories have not appeared in print for several years.

Each quarterly Papercutz volume -- 112 pages in full color with a trim size of 5” x 7 1/2” -- will appear in two formats: hardcover for $12.95 and paperback for $7.95. The release of BIONICLE #1 dovetails with plans to release all-new Toa Nuva figures. The LEGO Group is planning a huge promotional effort, including a partnership with McDonald’s.

The BIONICLE world is the hottest LEGO toy line since the original LEGO blocks.

• It’s a favorite among boys age 7 through 12, earning more than $150 million in annual revenue.
• The website BIONICLE.com attracts two million unique visitors per month.
• BIONICLE characters appear on apparel, bedding, stationery, board games, and other products.
• Scholastic has sold more than 1.5 million copies of BIONICLE chapter books.
• Universal Studios is planning a DVD release of a BIONICLE movie for the end of 2009.


Bionicle GN Vol. 1
Bionicle GN Vol. 2