Broken Frontier

Wednesday, December 30, 2009, is the beginning of a unique week for comic book and graphic novel fans.  On that day, Diamond Comic Distributors, Inc., the world's largest distributor of English-language comics, graphic novels, and related pop-culture merchandise, will not be shipping new comics and graphic novels to North America's network of specialty comic book retailers.  Instead, Diamond will resume shipping new titles to stores on Wednesday, January 6, 2010.  Seizing the opportunity that this week presents, independent comic book publishers and creators have created a week-long event called Indy Comic Book Week, working with retailers to showcase titles that readers may otherwise miss.  Von Allan, a Canadian graphic novelist, is participating with his recently published graphic novel “the road to god knows...”

“Regardless of the merit of a particular title or story, it can be difficult for it to stand out from the plethora of mainstream titles published by Marvel Entertainment, Inc. and DC Comics,” says Allan.  “With Wednesday developing into the primary release day for comics over the past 15 years or so, there is a great deal of competition for both shelf space and reader attention.  Titles from smaller publishers can often be missed as a result of this.  Indy Comic Book Week is a unique opportunity to present small press titles to readers without competition from the likes of “Superman,” “Green Lantern,” “Iron Man” or “X-Men.”  I'm pleased to be a part of it and I hope that readers of all ages go out to their local comic book store this week to take a look at some comics they might otherwise have missed.”

Participating retailers include Jim Hanley's Universe and Midtown Comics in New York City; Atlantis Fantasyworld in Santa Cruz, California; Coast City Comics in Portland, Maine; Green Brain Comics in Dearborn, Michigan; Speeding Bullet Comics in Norman, Oklahoma; Larry's Comics in Lowell, Massachusetts; Third Eye Comics in Annapolis, Maryland; Dragon's Lair Comics & Games in Austin, Texas; and Boomerang Comics in Lewisville, Texas.

“The road to god knows...” is the story of Marie, a teenage girl coming to grips with her Mom's schizophrenia.  As a result, she's struggling to grow up fast; wrestling with poverty, loneliness, and her Mom's illness every step of the way.  At the start of the story, we see a scared young girl, uncertain and overwhelmed but, as her mom collapses into a full nervous breakdown, Marie is forced to examine herself and her life and come to a decision:  does she continue to be a child, reacting to what's happening around her?  Or does she take control of her life, come what may?

“the road to god knows…” has an ISBN of 978-0-9781237-0-3, a suggested retail price of $12.95 US/$13.99 CDN and is 148 pages in length.

About Von Allan:  Von Allan was born red-headed and freckled in Arnprior, Ontario, just in time for “Star Wars: A New Hope.”  The single child of two loving but troubled parents, Von split most of his childhood between their two homes.  Additional information about the graphic novel can be found at http://trtgk.vonallan.com/

About Indy Comic Book Week: Indy Comic Book Week is not only an event but a call to action. Diamond Comic Distributors announced to comic shops that Diamond will not be shipping new comics for the last week of December.  We challenge writers and artists to self publish new material for this week, and offer it to their local stores.  We ask for retailers to take this as an opportunity to showcase local independent talent on the new release shelves.  We encourage fans to break from their buying habits and try something new.   More information about the event can be found at http://indycomicbookweek.com/