Doktor Sleepless #4 should be in stores next week.

The upcoming Gravel series has gotten a lot of coverage around the industry lately, including this Mike Wolfer interview at Diamond Comics Distributors, and this Warren Ellis interview at Newsarama.

Gravel #0 should hit comic stores next week.

A woman who can cloud men’s minds, unerringly fire twin automatic pistols in the most insane conditions, and disappear in a crowded room, according to rumor in the recent Lying in the Gutters column from Rich Johnston at CBR. Oh… and she’s the lead in an upcoming title from Warren Ellis. What else is known about her? Find out what Rich has seen and heard, including some cover art by FreakAngels artist Paul Duffield.

As for further details on this mysterious little story, keep your eyes open in the usual places, you never know where something might come up if you stay in contact.

As of November 28, 2007, the rumored new Warren Ellis community makes its debut at www.freakangels.com/whitechapel. Initially conceived as a place to discuss the upcoming webcomic FreakAngels by Ellis and artist Paul Duffield, Whitechapel has since grown into Ellis’ new home on the net. Conceptualized by Ellis, Whitechapel is funded and hosted by Avatar Press, and its construction and continued maintenance are the workings of Ariana Osborne, with assistance from Avatar Creative Director Mark Seifert.

“My website, warrenellis.com, is where I work and speak,” says Ellis. “But Whitechapel is now where I live. If the place looks a bit weird, especially in comparison to my previous online communities, it’s because I wanted this one to reflect my interests, rather than just force you to buy stuff or attempt to take over your mind. Frankly, mind control is easy. It’s having to look at all that weird crap in your head that’s hard.”

Whitechapel is a precursor to the much-anticipated FreakAngels webcomic by Ellis and Duffield, coming to FreakAngels.com beginning in February, 2008. It is also the newest community Ellis has developed, following such boards as the immensely popular site The Engine which closed its doors early this year. Speaking about Whitechapel’s branching functionality Ellis says, “I’m not especially interested in a comics-centric board like the Engine. Which tends to beg the question of what a message board/online community should do. The Engine was originally raised for serious purpose. The new place, not so much. For me, it’s more of an overlook: a place to live and watch the world go by.”

WHITECHAPEL is now open for viewing and registration at www.freakangels.com/whitechapel. It uses a new system (Vanilla) that supports such options as a Member Map and linking Flickr photo feeds to profiles. Open to people of all interests, the message board will alsowork in part as a 10 week lead into the launch of the long form webcomic FreakAngels by Ellis and Duffield, which debuts in February, 2008.

Avatar Press is a comic book publisher that continues to push the boundaries between mainstream and independent with current and upcoming work from creators such as Alan Moore, Frank Miller, Warren Ellis, Garth Ennis, Brian Pulido, George A. Romero, George R.R. Martin, Joe R. Lansdale, John Russo, Mike Wolfer, Juan Jose Ryp, Jacen Burrows, and numerous others. The company has published a wide range of comic books including creator-owned titles like Garth Ennis’ 303 and Brian Pulido’s Lady Death, company-owned comics such as Pandora and The Ravening, licensed hits like Frank Miller’s Robocop and George A. Romero’s Night of the Living Dead, and numerous other titles. A publisher that has established itself as one of the cornerstones of the American indy comic book scene over the past decade, Avatar has published some 500 comic books since 1997.

If you haven’t checked out the data shadow for the Warren Ellis regular series Doktor Sleepless yet, now’s a good time to take a look. Doktorsleepless.com has been completely redesigned, and it still contains all of the reader contributions documenting the facts, science, and mysteries of the series. Check the site out for a glimpse behind the scenes of a comic book unlike any other on the stands today. Special thanks to Ariana Osborne for site design.

Black Summer’s John Horus is featured on the cover of the current issue of U.S. political magazine The American Prospect. On stands now, I believe. Speaking of, you can catch up on one of the most talked-about comic series of the year and get the entire Black Summer saga to date at your local comic shop. Story by Warren Ellis, art by Juan Jose Ryp, color by Mark Sweeney.

The talented Mr. Mike Wolfer lends his time to avatarpress.com to talk about GRAVEL, his upcoming series with Warren Ellis and Crecy artist Raulo Caceres. Based on William Gravel, the lead character from Ellis’ Strange Killings epic with Avatar Press, this ongoing series launches with the specially priced GRAVEL #0 in January available for only $1.99. Both #0 and the full-size monthly, which begins in March, feature the talents of creator Warren Ellis and co-writer Mike Wolfer, and the artwork of Raulo Caceres (Crecy, 2001 Maniacs.)

Here’s Mike with more details:

William Gravel was originally the lead character in a one-shot mini-series, STRANGE KISS. To tell the horrific tale of a bizarre Elder God and its intended domination of the Earth, the story’s “villain” needed a worthy foil, thus, the Combat Magician, William Gravel was born. It was a tale of irony, hidden agendas and paranoia, a quick-and-dirty little shocker. But Gravel himself became a lightning rod of fan interest; he was far too intriguing to be disposed of after only three issues. Over the course of five years, Gravel continued to sporadically appear on store shelves, each time bringing with him new and disturbing adventures, but even so, we still know very little about the man. I suppose that is part of his allure, so we won’t be exposing everything about him in the GRAVEL ongoing series, just providing tantalizing new details and new mysteries on a more consistent shipping schedule.

It seemed like a natural evolution, launching an ongoing monthly GRAVEL series, based on the incredible response the character’s previous tales generated with both fans and critical reviewers. Maybe it was all about timing, a proper alignment of the stars, or available breathing room in all of our schedules… Or maybe it was Garth Ennis’ suggestion. Whatever the impetus, everything fell into place with surprising ease. William Gravel has been around for years, and has generated quite a following of die-hard fans, who have eagerly awaited the next disturbing chapter in the STRANGE KISS/KISSES/KILLINGS series. They have been loyal, and quite vocal and at last Warren Ellis, Raulo Caceres and I are able to deliver what the fans have asked for, for the first time in full color and with no punches pulled. This is the Gravel we all know, the same lovable bastard, only delivered in monthly installments.

I’m thrilled to once again be working with Warren Ellis, to assist with the refinement of Gravel’s tales. As co-writer, I take Warren’s 7 to 8-page, detailed plot breakdowns that include key passages of dialog and expand upon that, fleshing it out for artist Raulo Caceres. It’s an exhilarating experience, to receive these incredible story pitches and add my own artistic sense of visual pacing, to take what Warren has provided and polish it into a finished product with Raulo’s help. It’s a unique co-mingling of creative energies that results in stories that take the best of what each of us can provide; we build on each other’s strengths to produce a unique comic that, in my opinion, stands apart from everything else on the shelves.

I don’t think we could have chosen a better replacement for me than Raulo Caceres. His attention to detail is extraordinary and it is that sort of immersive environment that I tried to instill in my art when I was working on the previous series. I have to admit: I’m a bit protective of William Gravel when it comes to his visual representation, as until now I have been the only artist to draw him on covers or interiors. But Raulo’s got the goods and he draws an excellent Gravel, full of the same grimness that is his trademark and the heaviness of Raulo’s inking provides the perfect, dark mood that has pervaded Gravel’s adventures through all of the various mini-series.

In the past, we’ve concentrated on showing how William Gravel interacts with the world around him, utilizing his Combat Magic to bring about desired results that, at the end of the day, usually only benefits himself. In the GRAVEL ongoing monthly, we’re going to more closely examine that world of magic of which we’ve only seen glimpses in previous mini-series. We know what Gravel can do, but we don’t necessarily know why or how he does it. Although GRAVEL #0 is not the beginning of some drawn-out origin story, it is the starting point of a new perspective, a side of Gravel that has remained hidden since his first appearance in STRANGE KISS.

For more information about Strange Kiss and other collections featuring William Gravel, the new ongoing series, and the creative team behind GRAVEL follow the links below:

A talk with series artist Raulo Caceres.

GRAVEL Gallery.

GRAVEL Press Release.

Original Strange Killings epic (6 TPBs.)

Local comic retailers are now preparing their orders for GRAVEL #0 and Avatar’s January 2008 releases. When visiting your store this week please use our handy checklist to let your retailer know of what Avatar comics you are interested in purchasing.

Warren Ellis’ next ongoing series will launch in January with GRAVEL #0 published by Avatar Press. GRAVEL features the combat magician Sgt. Major William Gravel in his own monthly series, beginning with the specially priced #0 issue which is available for only $1.99. Like the launch of Ellis’ hugely popular Black Summer series, Gravel #0 is not a preview, but is actually the opening part of this new Gravel saga. The full-size regular series will follow with issue #1 in March. Mike Wolfer (Streets of Glory) will co-write the title with Ellis, and the full-color first issue and regular series will feature interiors from the artist of Ellis’ critically-acclaimed graphic novel Crecy and Doktor Sleepless wraparound covers, Raulo Caceres.

“Black ops, blacker magic, cold-blooded slaughter and ruthless betrayal: the ongoing adventures of Warren Ellis’ biggest bastard to date,” says fellow creator Garth Ennis, who has been a fan of Gravel’s early saga in the Strange Kiss/Kisses/Killings series. “It’s like someone made a comic just for me.”

“Every time the weird bastard steps into the daylight, people come out to see what he’s up to for some reason,” says GRAVEL creator Warren Ellis. “It’s funny how a character created for a single story, STRANGE KISS, has hung around. I’m creating a whole new mythology and Occult Cosmology for GRAVEL, the series. And also having some fun with The Sigsand Manuscript, the preferred Ancient Occult Text of Thomas Carnacki, the supernatural detective created by William Hope Hodgson (who was a great influence on Lovecraft — go on, google them all).”

“William Gravel has generated quite a following of die-hard fans, who have eagerly awaited the next disturbing chapter in the STRANGE KISS/KISSES/KILLINGS series,” notes series co-writer Mike Wolfer, “They have been loyal and quite vocal, and at last Warren Ellis, Raulo Caceres and I are able to deliver what the fans have asked for, for the first time in full color and with no punches pulled.” Sgt. Major Gravel first appeared in Ellis’ mini-series Strange Kiss in late 1999, and the combat magician working deniable-op’s would later be the focus of six collected editions. Gravel’s missions, and the occasional cash-in-hand work, bring him to toe-to-toe with the most profane and brutal depths of the criminal world. Thank Britain this military trained sorcerer is ready to blast the hell out of the blokes. All 6 original TPB’s are in print, they are: Strange Kiss, Stranger Kisses, Strange Killings, Strange Killings: Body Orchard, Strange Killings: Strong Medicine, and Strange Killings: Necromancer. Wolfer promises readers, “This is the Gravel we all know, the same lovable bastard, only (now) delivered in monthly installments.”

Creator Warren Ellis launched the first Gravel saga, Strange Kiss, at Avatar almost a decade ago as his first project with the publisher. Since then, Avatar has published several other of his properties including Black Summer, Doktor Sleepless, and multiple titles under his Apparat imprint. Now back by popular demand, this landmark creator-owned character is making his return in a full-color, ongoing series.

Artist and collaborator from the original run Mike Wolfer will be assisting Ellis in co-writing this ongoing monthly, relinquishing the artistic responsibilities to a revolving art team. “Mike Wolfer is a great professional,” says artist Raulo Caceres. “He is one of those designers that know that to make comics is more than to just draw well… I value his perspective, the collaboration of the minds, and their (Ellis and Wolfer’s) talented visual language.”

Wolfer admits, “I’m a bit protective of William Gravel when it comes to his visual representation, as until now I have been the only artist to draw him on covers or interiors. But Raulo’s got the goods and he draws an excellent Gravel, full of the same grimness that is his trademark, and the heaviness of Raulo’s inking provides the perfect, dark mood that has pervaded Gravel’s adventures through all of the various mini-series.” Artist Raulo Caceres will draw #0 and the start of the full-size regular series. Caceres is best known for his work on Ellis’ immensely popular Apparat graphic novel, Crecy, and his wraparound covers for the ongoing series Doktor Sleepless.

GRAVEL launches its full-color ongoing run with #0 in January, specially priced at only $1.99. The full-size monthly begins in March and will be available for $3.99. Written by creator Warren Ellis and co-writer Mike Wolfer, GRAVEL revives a must-read indy character, and will be drawn by Crecy artist Raulo Caceres.

Avatar Press is a comic book publisher that continues to push the boundaries between mainstream and independent with current and upcoming work from creators such as Alan Moore, Frank Miller, Warren Ellis, Garth Ennis, Brian Pulido, George A. Romero, George R.R. Martin, Joe R. Lansdale, John Russo, Mike Wolfer, Juan Jose Ryp, Jacen Burrows, and numerous others. The company has published a wide range of comic books including creator-owned titles like Warren Ellis Black Summer, Garth Ennis’ 303 and Brian Pulido’s Lady Death, company-owned comics such as Pandora and The Ravening, licensed hits like Frank Miller’s Robocop and George A. Romero’s Night of the Living Dead, and numerous other titles. A publisher that has established itself as one of the cornerstones of the American indy comic book scene over the past decade, Avatar has published some 500 comic books since 1997.

For additional information, any interview requests or general press requests, please contact David Marks. For Gravel artwork, check out www.avatarpress.net/v/gravel/.

Collecting the first two issues of Warren Ellis’ acclaimed masked hero series, BLACK SUMMER ALPHA will be available October 24th for only $2.99. Issues #0 and #1 are brought together in this new edition featuring brand new covers by series artist Juan Jose Ryp. This full color book written by Warren Ellis, drawn by Juan Jose Ryp, and colored by Mark Sweeney captures the beginning of one of this year’s most talked about new series.

“Black Summer has been an amazing seller for us,” says Avatar Editor-in-Chief William Christensen. “The unbeatable team of Warren Ellis and Juan Jose Ryp has been delivering one perfect issue after another. Both the #0 and #1 are over 30,000 total copies sold and we still can’t fill demand. We did huge over-printings on #2 and #3 and with Black Summer Alpha getting #0 and #1 back in print, we are looking forward to keeping all issues of this powerhouse book available for retailers for as long as we can.”

ALPHA features three brand new covers from series artist Juan Jose Ryp. The standard cover is ready and will ship immediately from Diamond. The Wraparound cover and special Poster Edition will be available in January 2008. The Poster Edition comes bagged with a 24 x 36 poster of #0’s original cover and is priced at $5.99.

Hailed by press and fans alike as a raw and provocative take on the superhero genre, the first two issues of 2007’s most controversial series are available again in a new book. BLACK SUMMER ALPHA hits stores October 24, and copies are available to retailers for immediate shipment from Diamond — order code AUG078104. The Wraparound cover and Poster Edition will ship in January 2008. Readers interested in getting the standard cover immediately or preordering the Wraparound and Poster Edition should ask their local retailer about them. These editions feature the full color artwork by fan-favorite Avatar artist Juan Jose Ryp and colorist Mark Sweeney, and are priced starting at only $2.99.

Avatar Press is a comic book publisher that continues to push the boundaries between mainstream and independent with current and upcoming work from creators such as Alan Moore, Frank Miller, Warren Ellis, Garth Ennis, Brian Pulido, George A. Romero, George R.R. Martin, Joe R. Lansdale, John Russo, Mike Wolfer, Juan Jose Ryp, Jacen Burrows, and numerous others. The company has published a wide range of comic books including creator-owned titles like Garth Ennis’ 303 and Brian Pulido’s Lady Death, company-owned comics such as Pandora and The Ravening, licensed hits like Frank Miller’s Robocop and George A. Romero’s Night of the Living Dead, and numerous other titles. A publisher that has established itself as one of the cornerstones of the American indy comic book scene over the past decade, Avatar has published some 500 comic books since 1997.

For additional information or general press requests, please contact David Marks or visit www.avatarpress.com .

Spanish artist Raulo Caceres might not have had much exposure to the US market a year ago, but his work on such projects as CRECY and DOKTOR SLEEPLESS has turned the spotlight on this up and coming artist. And with his rising popularity comes his biggest project to date from Avatar Press, an ongoing series by creator Warren Ellis. GRAVEL features the lead character from Ellis’ original Strange Killings epic, in which Sgt Major William Gravel has appeared in 6 TPBs.

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