Broken Frontier

Many comic book readers missed the original release of the stunning PAKKINS' LAND, an all-ages fantasy story about a boy who found his way into a magical world of talking animals and warring kingdoms. Yet since its publication in 1996, this beloved black and white comic book has been considered one of the best kept secrets of the independent comic scene - enough that it was nominated for a Harvey Award, an Eisner Award and a Russ Manning Award in 1997.

Fortunately, comic book fans are about to get a second chance with a new edition of PAKKINS' LAND being published by Alias Comics this April, which will reprint the original story in color with a "fresh coat of paint" -- several tweaks and edits by Gary and Rhoda Shipman, the original creative team, meant to bring the book more in line with the style of the present day.

"It's a whole new vision of PAKKINS' LAND -- I'm looking at it as a new version of how the story should have been told the first time," said creator Gary Shipman, noting that none of the changes will significantly alter the story. "I'm trying to streamline it so it won't look 10 years old-- I want it to have a new look and feel, with some adjustments to the pacing."

Fans of the series should also enjoy the new edition, added Shipman, because it will retell the story they've known and loved with an excitingly fresh feeling.

"Now's the time to read it," Gary said. "If someone has heard of PAKKINS' LAND and never read it, this is the time to give it a try. The color and the adjustments we've made tell the story the way it should be told."

New readers will also finally discover why those who have read PAKKINS' LAND consider it to be such a great comic.

"The first part of the story is about a boy named Paul who stumbles upon an entranceway to another world where the animals are intelligent and there aren't a lot of humans," explained Shipman. "He finds himself caught in a struggle between different powers that are warring with one another. He's also caught in the decision of whether or not he should stay and help or go home where it's safe."

Mike S. Miller, Executive Director for Alias Comics, said he was extremely excited to have a title like PAKKINS' LAND as a part of the publisher's April, 2005 launch.

"When you talk to people about great comic books that are appropriate for all ages, there are three titles most people know," said Miller. "One is ARCHIE. One is Jeff Smith's BONE. And one is Gary Shipman's PAKKINS' LAND."

"At Alias Comics, we're very interested in having a healthy line of all-ages books, which is why we're bringing out titles like THE IMAGINARIES, LULLABY, and LIONS, TIGERS AND BEARS. We feel very lucky that we'll be publishing these books to be placed on shelves alongside a title as well-loved and incredible as PAKKINS' LAND, and we look forward to continuing to work with Gary and Rhoda Shipman to bring the new edition of this story to comic book stores in April."

PAKKINS' LAND will be published by Alias Comics and distributed through Diamond Distributors, order code FEB052491. For more information about the new edition of PAKKINS' LAND, please visit the official Alias Comics website at http://www.aliasenterprises.com.