IDW Publishing Reaches New Sales Plateau with The TRANSFORMERS #0
San Diego, Calif. (October 5, 2005) — A new era for TRANSFORMERS is set to begin this October, with the release of IDW Publishing’s all-new THE TRANSFORMERS #0 issue! And that debut issue, which hits comic shops across the land on October 19, brings with it more than just a new take on the �Robots in Disguise.� THE TRANSFORMERS #0 has also already become the top-selling title in IDW�s 5-year history. TRANSFORMERS is under license from the Hasbro Properties Group, the intellectual property development arm of Hasbro, Inc. (NYSE HAS).
Initial orders for The TRANSFORMERS #0 are right at the 100,000 copies mark, a publishing milestone for IDW.
�A new TRANSFORMERS series from a new publisher is a bit of an unknown, so I�d like to thank comic retailers for the faith they�ve shown in us and the new book,� said IDW�s Publisher and Editor-in-Chief Chris Ryall. �Retailers and the fan community have been amazingly supportive of our early efforts, and come October 19, they�ll be rewarded for their support in the form of an exciting new generation of TRANSFORMERS comics.�
THE TRANSFORMERS #0, written by fan-favorite TRANSFORMERS writer Simon Furman and featuring the stylized renderings of artist E.J. Su, presents the �Prelude to Infiltration,� a 16-page set-up for the first 6part arc. The book also features interviews with the creators and a look at artist Su�s approach to the title. This $0.99 premiere issue will then be followed by the monthly title, beginning with THE TRANSFORMERS #1, a 32-page, $2.99 comic launching in January 2006.
Retailers who attended the recent Diamond Retailer Summit in Baltimore were treated to the first published copies of the #0 issue, which was further noted by its special Summit-only cover. And the faithful TRANSFORMERS fans who attended BotCon 2005 in Frisco, Texas, likewise had the chance to check out the special issue. Soon, fans the world over will be able to do the same. And thanks to the support from comics retailers and fans alike, they�ll be able to do so every month for years to come.
The TRANSFORMERS #0 debuts October 19, 2005 at the special introductory price of $0.99. Issue #0 will feature two covers by artist E.J. Su, and variant covers from James Raiz and Milx, all shipped in equal quantities. In addition, there will be two special wraparound incentive covers, one by Ed McGuiness and one for the BotCon convention by Hasbro�s design team. Finally, E.J. Su provided special covers for both Diamond Retail Summits (both by E.J. Su).
The TRANSFORMERS #1 will launch in January 2006 with a cover price of $2.99.
About IDW Publishing
IDW PUBLISHING is a division of Idea + Design Works, LLC, a revolutionary creative service company with a wide range of clients. Among their best-selling titles are CBS�s CSI Crime Scene Investigation; Konami�s Metal Gear Solid; and Fox�s Angel. IDW has films in development at Sony Pictures, Dimension Films, and Paramount Pictures.
ABOUT THE HASBRO PROPERTIES GROUP
The Hasbro Properties Group (HPG), the intellectual property development arm of Hasbro, Inc., (NYSE HAS), translates one of the industry�s richest portfolios of brands into a world of fun and excitement for children and adults globally. Through a host of publishing, lifestyle and entertainment platforms, HPG is able to surround fans worldwide with consumer products that expand Hasbro�s core brands, such as G.I. JOE, TRANSFORMERS, MY LITTLE PONY, DUEL MASTERS, MONOPOLY and CANDY LAND, beyond the toy and game aisle, creating rich lifestyle experiences.
