Robot 13 Co-Creators To Bring Exclusives To Phoenix Comicon

Source: Blacklist Studios

This Memorial Day weekend, comic creators Thomas Hall and Daniel Bradford (collectively known as Blacklist Studios) return to the site where their greatest creations were born. Appearing at Phoenix Comicon 10, the duo will offer two exclusive items for fans of R-13 (aka Robot 13) and KING!

“KING! first debuted at the Phoenix Con, and we unveiled our plans to do Robot 13 there as well,” noted writer Hall. “Both the convention organizers as well as the Phoenix fans have been behind everything we do at Blacklist. Doing exclusives for the Phoenix Comic Con seems natural to us given that history of support.”

The Phoenix Comicon is the signature pop culture event in the Southwest. Started in 2002 as the “Cactus Con” with 432 attendees, it has since grown to boast more than 7,000 people in attendance. This year’s convention marks the first time the event will be held at the Phoenix Convention Center. For operating hours and directions fans are encouraged to visit the convention’s original website at http://www.phoenixcomicon.com

R-13 tells the story of a skull-headed robot with an irresistible instinct to battle mythological creatures. It has captured the imaginations of comic book fans and fantasy pros the world over, including none other than legendary sci-fi author Harlan Ellison.

The first three-issue R-13 mini-series, “Colossus” was critically acclaimed, with MTV citing it as the “Best Under-the-Radar Comic Series” on the stands today.

Fans at Phoenix Comicon 10 will get a taste of what the next R-13 mini-series brings with a thrilling print by artist Bradford depicting the robot’s pulse-pounding battle with Medusa. Limited to 100 pieces, Blacklist is offering the print to convention goers for $10.

A huge hit with fans in the Arizona area, the original KING! comic book told the story of a former pro wrestler with a striking resemblance to a certain “king of rock ‘n roll” and a penchant for killing monsters to rival R-13 itself! Blacklist plans to re-launch the KING! comic series this summer.

KING! fans can wait in anticipation for the return of the king while sporting their very own KING! t-shirt. Featuring a full color image on charcoal, 100% cotton shirts, this striking piece of apparel is limited to 100 pieces at a price of $17 each.

Issues of the original R-13 comic book are still available for sale. The print editions of R-13 #2 and #3 can be ordered directly from Blacklist Studios (www.blackliststudios.com). The 32-page, full color comics retails for $3.99 US. Distributors and retailers are encouraged to contact Blacklist Studios for wholesale rates.

The R-13 “Colossus” series can also be ordered in a digital edition from Robot Comics (www.robotcomics.net) and Panelfly (www.panelfly.com) for Apple, Google, Amazon and Android mobiles. The digital editions are priced at $0.99 each.

See Also: The Third Issue Of Robot 13 Arrives Amidst Media Praise / Robot-13 Returns For An Action Packed Second Issue / A Modern Look A The Frankenstein Mythos In Blacklist Studios Robot-13

The Third Issue Of Robot 13 Arrives Amidst Media Praise

Source: Paul Castiglia (Press Release)

2009 was another memorable year for the comic book industry. When it came time for journalists to reflect on the year gone by, several mentioned R-13 as being one of the standout comic books of 2009.

Among R-13’s many champions is MTV’s Rick Marshall, an editor of the station’s movie, pop culture and comic book news site, “The Splash Page.” Rick calls R-13 the “Best Under-the-Radar Comic Series” on the stands today.

This March, readers will get another chance to discover what all the excitement is about with the release of R-13 #3 (aka Robot 13). The thrilling issue from Blacklist Studios concludes the “Colossus” storyline and will be simultaneously released in the digital format for the Apple and Google mobile markets via special arrangements with Robot Comics and Panelfly.

The story of a skull-headed robot with an irresistible instinct to battle mythological creatures has captured the imaginations of comic book fans the world over. The reaction has been so widespread that the comic book’s co-creators, writer Thomas Hall and artist Daniel Bradford have fielded publishing offers from other countries and will soon be announcing their first international trade paperback collection.

“It’s really taken on a life of its own,” said Hall. “We have been interviewed by reporters from websites in Germany and Australia, seen our book raved about by Spanish and Portuguese comic reviewers and magazines in Canada and the UK have done pieces on Robot 13.”

The comic has also become a favorite among some famous folks in the realm of fantasy.

“We have gotten feedback from world renowned authors, top Hollywood executives and established comic book artists alike and all of it has been pretty positive,” added Hall.

Now, R13 returns with its third thrilling issue, packed with even more action and intrigue! The print edition of R-13 #3 can be ordered directly from Blacklist Studios (www.blackliststudios.com). The 32-page, full color comic retails for $3.99 US. Distributors and retailers are encouraged to contact Blacklist Studios for wholesale rates.

R-13 #3 can also be ordered in a digital edition from Robot Comics (www.robotcomics.net) and Panelfly (www.panelfly.com) for Apple, Google and Amazon mobiles. The digital editions of R-13 #2 and R-13 #1 are also still available priced at $0.99 each.

Packed with action, intrigue and poignancy, the “Colossus!” storyline concludes with some amazing revelations about the skull-headed robot warrior. While convalescing under the care of an old man and his dog, R13 discovers more about his past than ever before…and not a moment too soon, as he may need to draw upon this newfound knowledge to battle the most fearsome monster yet! Now that he knows more about himself, R13 is one step closer to learning the identity of the one who keeps sending monsters to destroy him… clues that will lead him directly into his next awesome epic!

Writer Thomas Hall and artist Daniel Bradford continue the saga of their creation, and as an added bonus for their fans, this issue includes pulse-pounding pin-ups from fan-favorite artists including Tegaki blog artist Kim Low, animator-illustrator Jeffrey Cheung, action figure designer and trading card artist Bobby Vala, multimedia artist Kevin Olson and a thrilling new artist on the scene, Maur Cobb.

See Also: Robot-13 Returns For An Action Packed Second Issue / A Modern Look A The Frankenstein Mythos In Blacklist Studios Robot-13

Robot-13 Returns For An Action Packed Second Issue

Source: Paul Castiglia / Blacklist Studios

“’Robot 13’ continues to trek forward with the same original vigor and excitement that was set into motion in the first issue. Hall and Bradford allow themselves full liberty in borrowing from Greek mythology, providing a buffet for the imagination.” - Steven Surman, Comics News.Info

“This self-published series is just as impressive as the adventures of ‘Hellboy,’ and does deserve just as wide an audience. I can sum up this series in two words: must buy.” - Kris Bather, Broken Frontier

One of the most talked-about indy comics of the year is back with the release of R-13 #2 (aka ROBOT 13) by Blacklist Studios. The second issue of this acclaimed series is also being released in the digital format for the Apple and Google mobile market via a special arrangement with Robot Comics.

The story of a skull-headed robot with an irresistible instinct to battle mythological creatures has captured the imaginations of comic book fans the world over. The widespread reaction has gone well beyond the expectations of its co-creators, writer Thomas Hall and artist Daniel Bradford.

“It’s really taken on a life of its own,” said Hall. “We have been interviewed by reporters from websites in Germany and Australia, seen our book raved about by Spanish and Portuguese comic reviewers and magazines in Canada and the UK have done pieces on Robot 13.”

The comic has also become a favorite among some famous folks in the realm of fantasy.

“We have gotten feedback from world renowned authors, top Hollywood executives and established comic book artists alike and all of it has been pretty positive,” added Hall.

Now, R13 returns with a second thrilling issue, packed with even more action and intrigue!

The print edition of R-13 #2 can be ordered directly from Blacklist Studios (http://www.blackliststudios.com/). The 32-page, full color comic retails for $3.99 US. Distributors and retailers are encouraged to contact Blacklist Studios for wholesale rates.

R-13 #2 can also be ordered in a digital edition from Robot Comics (http://www.robotcomics.net/) for iPhone, iPod and Android mobiles in late 2009. R-13 #1 will be offered for free with subsequent issues priced at $0.99 each.

In “Colossus Part 2,” Robot 13’s quest to discover who he is goes on as he continues his journey with the fishermen who found him. Seeing only fragments of his past, the robot warrior desperately tries to remember where he came from and why he feels compelled to battle mythological creatures of destruction. With R13 aboard, you can be sure there’s rough sailing ahead… and this time, it’s in the form of a Phoenix! This ravaging battle provides just a taste of what’s ahead for our intrepid hero, as a diabolical figure watches from the shadows… and isn’t happy that monsters keep dying!

Writer Thomas Hall and artist Daniel Bradford continue the saga of their creation, and as an added bonus for their fans, this issue includes pulse-pounding pin-ups from fan-favorite artists Tom “Cemetery Blues” Boatwright, A.P. “Heavy Metal” Furtado, Daniel “Monster Commute” Davis and Todd “Robot Frank’s Life” Webb. Also included are not one but two covers – the front cover by Daniel Bradford and a bonus fully-painted back cover by Jeff “Mecha Manga Bible Heroes” Slemons!

See Also: A Modern Look A The Frankenstein Mythos In Blacklist Studios Robot-13

A Modern Look A The Frankenstein Mythos In Blacklist Studios Robot-13

Source: Paul Castiglia (Blacklist Studios)

It was the most unusual catch the fisherman had ever seen: a robotic creation with a skull for a head!

ROBOT-13 has no idea what or who it is, nor where it came from. All it knows is that it has an instinctual and irresistible drive to protect mankind from mythological creatures of destruction.

Two people who do know something about the creature are Thomas Hall and Daniel Bradford, the creators of this new comic book series from Blacklist Studios set to debut at this year’s Museum of Comic & Cartoon Art (MoCCA) Festival.

As fantastical and imaginative as the premise of ROBOT-13 is, it all came together organically for Hall and Bradford.

“Daniel had this robot design he was working on, and I had been reading Mary Shelley’s ‘Frankenstein’ at the time,” explains writer and co-creator Hall. “I thought there could be a connection. Frankenstein was really a product of its day. People wondered if science had any limits and whether it should have them,” he continues.

Hall decided it would be fun to play with a main conceit of the Frankenstein legend. “If something is created that can think and reason, what would that creation think about itself?”

The original Frankenstein novel was subtitled, “A Modern Prometheus,” as a nod to the titan of Greek mythology who stole fire to give to mortals. Mythology plays a role in ROBOT-13 as well.

“There’s a very Ray Harryhausen-feel to something mechanical with a skull for a head,” notes Hall, referring to the man who created the special effects behind such mythological fantasy films as “Jason and the Argonauts,” “Clash of the Titans” and the Sinbad movies. “Naturally, we decided our robot should fight giant monsters from mythology, just like the ones in the movies we grew up with!”

The monster mash-up of the Frankenstein creature and Greek mythology goes beyond mere battles between behemoths, however.

“In Greek mythology, there’s always the journey where the hero goes to find himself. Having our “creature” follow that hero’s path, looking for who he was, gives me as a writer some great stuff to use. And who doesn’t love a giant monster fight?” explains Hall.

Working together since 2003, Hall and Bradford front Blacklist Studios. Other projects include their first series together, a moody, supernatural tale of serial killers and the apocalypse called “Enlightenment,” and the raucous action-comedy “KING!,” about a certain side-burned, peanut butter-and-banana-sandwich-eating rocker turned monster killer.

Now, striking the balance between “Enlightenment” and “KING!” comes ROBOT-13 #1. The full-color comic book with 24 action-packed story pages retails for $3.00. Readers can choose between two covers: a photo-realistic painted cover by fan-favorite Jeff Slemons or an edgy, frenetic cover done in signature style by series co-creator Daniel Bradford. Don’t miss Robot-13’s pulse-pounding debut, as he is dredged from the depths to battle a terrifying Kraken in the epic adventure, “Colossus!”

More information about ROBOT-13 and other Blacklist Studios titles can be found on the internet at www.blackliststudios.com. Readers can also visit the ROBOT-13 MySpace page at www.myspace/robotthirteen.

The MoCCA Festival, held each June since 2002, offers a unique venue to see and purchase comics, mini-comics, web comics, graphic novels, animation, posters, prints, original artwork, and much more. Thousands of people who love cartoons and comics, from hardcore collectors and enthusiasts to the merely curious, come to the festival each summer to meet, talk to, and purchase works from some of today’s best cartoon and comics artists, writers, editors, and publishers.

Each year, the festival also invites dozens of well-respected creators, scholars, and other experts to participate in a two-day slate of lecture/discussion panels on a wide range of comics and cartoon topics. This year’s MoCCA Festival takes place on June 6 and 7th at the 69th Regiment Armory at Lexington Avenue and 25th Street in New York City from 11AM to 6PM.