Broken Frontier

Ape Entertainment and KiZoic announced today that the all-new young readers title SCRATCH9 will enjoy an early debut at Comic-Con International in San Diego this week.

Created by writer Rob M. Worley and illustrated by Harvey Award nominee Jason T. Kruse, SCRATCH9 is a four-issue series which features the adventures of a rascally house cat who gains the ability to summon any of his nine lives to his side to aid him in his adventures.

Issue #1 arrives in comic shops this August, but fans who stop by the KiZoic booth (#1703) at the convention will be able to pick up an advance copy of the fun-filled new title, complete with a cover by superstar artist Mike Kunkel.

"SCRATCH9 has been a dream project of mine for so many years. We've gotten such a positive response to the previews and I'm so excited that people will actually be able to see the completed first issue for the first time at Comic-Con," Worley said.

Here's what people are already saying about SCRATCH9:

"An adventure for all ages, Scratch9 is what we need more of in comics." -- Jimmy Palmiotti, writer of Supergirl and Power Girl.

"Scratch9 is a book to get behind not only for its lovable nature but also for its wit and upbeat attitude." -- Avril Brown, Comics Waiting Room

"The art is lively, the characters have a lot of personality, and this looks like it will be a really fun series" - Brigid Alverson, Robot 6 at Comic Book Resources

"Scratch9 Rocks!" -- Art Baltazar, writer and artist of Tiny Titans

"Adult readers will enjoy a level of sophistication that kids won’t realize exists. Kruse’s animation-style art is playful and sweet." -- Karen O’Brien, Comics Buyer’s Guide

"Scratch9 is a perfect 'read-together' comic for both child and parent." -- Eric Anderson, The PullBox.com

Convention Activities:

Worley and Kruse will be signing copies of issue #1 at the KiZoic booth (#1703) on Thursday from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm, Friday from 12:00 pm to 2:00 pm and Saturday from 3:00 pm to 4:15pm. Kruse will also be signing at the booth on Sunday from 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm

The creative team is also conducting a "How To" panel on Saturday at 4:30pm in Room 18

Finally, the New Children's Museum of San Diego is hosting a week-long exhibit of artwork from Ape Entertainment's KiZoic titles, including original art from Scratch9. The museum is located at 200 West Island Avenue, just a few blocks from the convention center and the exhibit is free to anyone carrying a comic-con pass.

Interested readers who can't make it out to this year's Comic-Con are encouraged to ask their local comics retailer to make sure they have copies of the book in August. The Diamond Distribution ordering code is JUN10 0739 (for issue #1) and JUL10 0753 (for issue #2).