New publishing venture to publish time-toggling series of original graphic novels

MARCH 28, 2006 (LOS ANGELES, CA) – Publisher Elizabeth James announced today that her new maxi-media company, Citizen Press, plans to deliver its first dose of “Entertainment for the People” in July 2006 with the release of Johnny Repeat, a 96-page black-and-white graphic novel.

A sprawling mystery woven into an intense human drama packaged into a non-linear narrative, Johnny Repeat is a story of second chances that debates the eternal question:

If you woke up one day in your past remembering everything leading up to the present, would you make a new future?

Fumbling for enlightenment and redemption in the damnedest of places, this clue-riddled scavenger hunt features an ensemble of broken souls led by Johnny Repeat, a mysterious could-be prophet harboring a dark secret, an overflow of strange knowledge, and a mind blowing agenda.  His associates include a sexaholic with a grudge, an immortal femme fatale, and a cowardly bum who may have played a game of Dungeons & Dragons too many.

Intended as the first in a series of graphic novels, Johnny Repeat is written by Elizabeth’s husband, creator Jason James.  “Jason originally introduced me to Johnny, Nate, The Woman with No Name, and the rest during a two hour drive in L.A. traffic,” said Elizabeth.  It took the entire trip.  “The way Jason has thrown together this recipe of characters, chronology, and themes, it’s like Lost, Dune, and 100 Bullets had a lovechild with Sergio Leone all signed-up to be the godfather.”

Johnny Repeat also boasts an incredible mix of distinguished and up-and-coming artists, featuring a wraparound cover by the legendary Tim Sale (Batman: The Long Halloween) and Dave Stewart (Catwoman: When in Rome), with interior art by Paul Azaceta (Grounded), Fabio Cobiaco (Gunned Down), Bruno D’Angelo (Prey), Mark Dos Santos (Western Tales of Terror), Geof Isherwood (Conan), and Noel Tuazon (Elk’s Run).  “Yeah, we’re packing a pretty serious punch,” said Elizabeth.  A team effort, each artist is illustrating a chapter or group of related chapters. 

“Knowing that my wish list was pretty lofty and already busy working on other projects, I wrote Johnny Repeat in distinct chapters so high-caliber artists could contribute without having to make a 100-page commitment,” said Jason.  The strategy paid off.  However, with all of these different artists, the creator promises there is a stylistic theme tying the talent and story all together.  “I’m calling it ‘cosmic noir.’  I can’t wait for everyone to see it!”

Johnny Repeat will premiere at the San Diego Comic-Con this July with a cover price of $12.95.

COVERAGE LINKS:
Broken Frontier
Buzzscope
Comic Book Resources
ICv2
Newsarama
Pulse
Universo HQ
The Great Curve

CITIZENS!  The website got a major overhaul about an hour ago, courtesy of  fordyceDESIGN.  As a matter of fact, if it wasn’t for them, I wouldn’t even be talking to you on this blog right now.  If you are looking to do any type of branding, web presence, or print work, fordyceDESIGN’s kung-fu is buffer than most.  Thanks, Graeme.  I definitely owe you one.

So, welcome to the new digs, citizens!  Stretch out and enjoy yourselves.

JJ

CITIZENS!  Elizabeth and I apologize for our absence of late, but we’ve been busy planning the revolution.  Over the coming days, look here for announcements and sneak peaks regarding:

JOHNNY REPEAT
SAN DIEGO COMIC-CON 2006
UPCOMING INTERVIEWS

This is just the beginning.

Prepare yourselves.  Entertainment for the People is almost upon us!

JJ

CITIZENS!  Eight weeks.  Eight chapters. 

Every Monday for the next two months, Citizen Press will be unveiling a sneak peak of JOHNNY REPEAT right here for your reading pleasure.  That’ll be 40 pages of sparkling Entertainment for the People when all is said and done.

First up, Citizen Press proudly presents “Deus Ex Machina” (1.25 MB) written by Jason James and illustrated by Cuban superstar Paul Azaceta (Grounded, Talent).  It’s the prologue of the book, or the epilogue… depending on your perspective.

For those of you just tuning in, JOHNNY REPEAT is a 104-page black-and-white graphic novel due in stores September 2006 with a cover price of $12.95 USD. 

 You have been warned.

EJ

CITIZENS!  It’s that time again.

Next up in our weekly series of sneak peaks, we have “Team Meeting - Part 1” (900 KB) written by Jason James and illustrated by the legendary Mr. Geof Isherwood of Conan and Spider-Man fame.  Geof’s chapter is actually an action-packed series of interstitial pauses spread throughout the book, taking us on wild subway chase that strings the entire JOHNNY REPEAT conspiracy together.

And for those of you just joining us, you can still read last week’s sneak peak preview below. 

JOHNNY REPEAT is a 104-page black-and-white graphic novel due in stores September 2006 with a cover price of $12.95 USD.  Look for our full-page ad in the July issue of Previews!

See you next week.

EJ

CITIZENS!  Big chapter this week…

“Dopamine” (1.11 MB) is written by Jason James and illustrated by rising star Brazilian artist Fabio Cobiaco (Gunned Down).  Sorry, but anything more would be telling. 

The first and second installments of our weekly sneak peaks can still be read below.

JOHNNY REPEAT is a 104-page black-and-white graphic novel due in stores September 2006 with a cover price of $12.95 USD.  Look for our full-page ad in the July issue of Previews!

Same Bat-Time.  Same Bat-Channel.

EJ

CITIZENS!  Newsarama shows its love for the revolution this week, featuring an interview with Elizabeth and me and the “Who the F#$% is Johnny Repeat?” contest!  John Parkin lifted the name for this thing from a line in the book and I chuckle everytime I read it.  Nice work, JP.

So, get over to Newsarama and win yourself a copy of JOHNNY REPEAT before it hits stores in September.  The deadline for entries is Wednesday, July 5th.

THE JAMES GANG ON JOHNNY REPEAT INTERVIEW
WHO THE F#$% IS JOHNNY REPEAT? CONTEST

It’s “Entertainment for the People!”

JJ

CITIZENS!  Happy Monday!  We’re back in the subway this week with “TEAM MEETING - PART 2″ (535 KB), written by Jason James with Geof Isherwood (Conan) on art.

The Woman with No Name critiques Nate’s unique style of gunplay.  Jeronimus Stormcrow holds fast to his one word of English.  And Nate plays chicken with a train.

For those of you just joining us, the three previous installments of our weekly sneak peaks can still be read below.

JOHNNY REPEAT is a 104-page black-and-white graphic novel due in stores September 2006 with a cover price of $12.95 USD.  Look for our full-page ad in the July issue of Previews!

EJ

Cosmic Noir epic is “Certified Cool” and scheduled to hit stores September 2006

JUNE 28, 2006 (LOS ANGELES, CA) – Citizen Press Publisher Elizabeth James announced that JOHNNY REPEAT, her company’s first dose of Entertainment for the People, has been “Certified Cool” by Diamond Comic Distributors and is now available for pre-order in their July edition of PREVIEWS.  “As a first time publisher, I’m completely blown away by the final product and have no problem telling readers that JOHNNY REPEAT is worth every penny of its $12.95 cover price.”

To back her claim, the publisher has been posting sneak peaks of JOHNNY REPEAT every Monday at www.citizenpress.net and letting the fans decide for themselves.  “Eight weeks.  Eight chapters.  Forty pages of Entertainment for the People risk free!”  Already four chapters in, Elizabeth said her website has witnessed a significant and steady rise in traffic.  “The proof is definitely in the pudding.  This has been a labor of love for the entire JOHNNY REPEAT team, who has crafted a sprawling and powerful story overflowing with second chances, existential overtones, Machiavellian machinations, and ultimately, passion.”

Intended as the first in a series of graphic novels, JOHNNY REPEAT is written by Elizabeth’s husband, creator Jason James and features a wraparound cover by Tim Sale and Dave Stewart (Catwoman: When in Rome).  Each of its chapters drawn by a different artist, the moody 104-page black and white graphic novel is illustrated by superstar talents Paul Azaceta (Talent), Fabio Cobiaco (Gunned Down), Bruno D’Angelo (Prey), Mark Dos Santos (Western Tales of Terror), Geof Isherwood (Conan), and Noel Tuazon (Elk’s Run).

If you can’t wait until September, JOHNNY REPEAT will be making its convention season debut in July with an exclusive and extremely limited San Diego Comic-Con edition.  “We’re talking about a print run of a couple hundred copies tops,” said Elizabeth.  Citizen Press will be on the move throughout the show, appearing at other companies’ booths during a series of guerrilla signing sessions to promote the book.  “Everyone has been extremely gracious and supportive of the idea.”  Comic book impresario Larry Young (who also provides JOHNNY REPEAT with an introspective Afterword) will be hosting signings at the AIT/Planet Lar booth, as will the folks at Komikwerks and Masterminds.  Tim Sale will also have copies on hand during his scheduled appearances at Richard Starking’s Active Images booth.  “We’ll be announcing the final schedule of when, where, and who very, very soon.”

JOHNNY REPEAT is a 104-page black and white graphic novel with a cover price of $12.95.  Available for pre-order in the July edition of PREVIEWS, the book will arrive in stores September 2006.  For more information, visit www.citizenpress.net.

COVERAGE LINKS:
Around Comics
Broken Frontier
Comic Book Resources
Newsarama
Silver Bullet Comics

CITIZENS!  In addition to deeming JOHNNY REPEAT “Certified Cool” in their July edition of Previews, Robert Randle over at Diamond Comic Distributors says, “JOHNNY REPEAT is one of the freshest new titles I’ve seen all year.  It’s slick, clever and extremely hip.”

A Brand Manager and one of JOHNNY REPEAT’s earliest champions, Robert adds in his monthly Staff Picks write-up:

“You read it once to get a taste for the mystery — and the little joys of discovery it affords you — then you read it again, and again, each time learning something new; each time getting an additional level of enjoyment out of the book.”

Thanks for the love, Rob.  You can check out the full article here.

JOHNNY REPEAT is a 104-page black and white graphic novel with a cover price of $12.95 USD.  Available for pre-order in the July edition of Previews out now (Page 248, JUL063025), the book will arrive in stores September 2006.  Look for our full-page ad!

JJ