Urbana, IL – Avatar Press, Inc. announced today that the publisher has reached agreements with Snowman creator Matt Martin and Nira X creator Bill Maus to publish the two highly regarded independent titles. Nira X will re-launch under the Avatar banner in August with Snowman scheduled for a Fall 1997 premiere at Avatar.
“I have been impressed by the work of these two creators for some time,” says Avatar Press Editor-in-Chief William A. Christensen. “It’s a pleasure to have them at Avatar, and I think their titles complement our existing line extremely well. We are going to really unleash these guys and give them the support and resources they need to do their best work. The Nira X and Snowman books have been outstanding in the past, but now they’re going to be better than ever.”
“With Avatar taking care of all publishing and promotional chores, I will be free to concentrate on the story and art,” explains Snowman creator Matt Martin. “Being with Avatar allows me to focus on putting out the very best comics I can,” adds Nira X artist/scribe Bill Maus. “I’m also very happy with the creative freedom they are allowing me.” Longtime friends and colleagues Maus and Martin will be forming an imprint called Southpaw under the Avatar Press banner. Snowman, Nira X, and any other creator-owned titles these writer/artists produce will be published by Avatar and bear the Avatar/Southpaw imprint.
Bill Maus is a veteran artist/writer with a long track record of successful projects from publisher Entity Press. Matt Martin, one of the brightest new stars in the industry today, got his start at Hall of Heroes with Snowman and his other creator-owned character Vortex. Both creators are coming to Avatar after stints at Entity Press.
Nira X: Exodus #0 will be available for order in June 1997 for products shipping in August. Snowman #0 is currently scheduled for a Fall 1997 release. Avatar will support the launch of both titles with advertising in Previews, house ads, targeted promotional mailings, and extensive coverage on its web site at http://www.avatarpress.com. The projects will also receive major marketing support from comics-related merchandise manufacturer Bolt Entertainment in late 1997 and beyond.
###