A Moment of Silence for Jeremy Dale

It is with a heavy heart that we share the unfortunate news of the passing of writer and artist Jeremy Dale from Action Lab.  Please take a moment to extend your thoughts and prayers to his family and the Action Lab team.  We also encourage you to help the Dale family by following the link below to the campaign raising funds for medical expenses.

We, the members of Action Lab Entertainment are mourning the passing of one of our own. On Monday, November 3rd, 2014, Jeremy Dale, Creator of SKYWARD passed away.  Jeremy was a friendly, energetic and enthusiastic presence to everyone he met. Jeremy was an incredibly talented writer and artist, well liked by the entire comics community, and an example to the spirit of creation and innovation on which Action Lab was founded.

Our thoughts and prayers go out to our fellow Action Lab associate, Co- Director of Marketing Kelly Dale and their family, friends and fans in this time of great sorrow. A campaign to help the Dale family with the medical expenses has been established by Stephanie Cooke on GoFundMe.com http://www.gofundme.com/jeremydale. Artists and contributors interested in helping out be on the look out for information as plans come together.

(The above text and photos were taken from the Action Lab post which can be found here.)

Action Lab Entertainment at Comic Con International: San Diego 2014.

Action Lab creators barnstorm the biggest pop culture show of the year with exclusives,

signings and panels.

ACTION LAB ENTERTAINMENT BOOTH #2006
Show Exclusives:

Zombie Tramp #1 Dan Mendoza Cover Comic-con Exclusive; Limited to 1000 copies

Nutmeg #1 Comic Con Edition; Limited to 1000 Copies

Vamplets: The Nightmare Nursery Book Two Comic-Con Exclusive; Limited to 1000 copies

SKYWARD #8 Comic -Con Sketch cover edition; Limited to 1000 copies

Signing Schedule:

Thursday:   Emily Martin (PRINCELESS)   11:00am - 1:00pm

                 
                    Jeremy Dale (SKYWARD) 1:00pm - 3:00pm

                   
                    Ray Height (MIDNIGHT TIGER)    1:00pm - 3:00pm
 

Friday:  Dave Dwonch (VAMPLETS, DOUBLE JUMPERS)   12:00pm - 1:00pm

              Jeremy Dale   (SKYWARD)  2:00pm - 3:00pm

               Emily Martin  ( PRINCELESS)    4:00pm - 5:00pm

Saturday:  Michael Hunau (CRIMSON SOCIETY)    11:00am - 1:00pm

                   Emily Martin  (PRINCELESS)    1:00pm - 2:00pm

                   Dan Mendoza (ZOMBIE TRAMP)  2:00pm - 5:00pm

                  Ray Height    (MIDNIGHT TIGER)      5:00pm - 6:00pm 
 

 

Sunday:  Jeremy Dale (SKYWARD) 1:00pm - 3:00pm

               
                 Ray Height (MIDNIGHT TIGER)    1:00pm - 3:00pm  
 

Action Lab Creators locations

Jeremy Dale (SKYWARD): artist alley BB-18

Jamal Igle (MOLLY DANGER): artist alley GG-21

Dave Dwonch( VAMPLETS): small press L-14

Lea Hernandez (THE GARLICKS): AA-19

Jason Martin (ZOMBIE TRAMP): small press L-16

And on Saturday  Action Lab staffers Kevin Freeman, David Dwonch, and Jason Martin team up with creators Jamal Igle (Molly Danger), Jeremy Dale (Skyward), and R. A. Height (Midnight Tiger) to discuss recent and future releases of the critically-acclaimed publisher in both their all-ages and mature readers Danger Zone lines, followed by a Q&A session.

Saturday July 26, 2014 6:00pm - 7:00pm
Room 28DE

Comic-Con International: San Diego 2014 takes place July 24-27 and is being held in the San Diego Convention Center located at 111 W. Harbor Drive in San Diego, California. 

 For more information, retailers can contact Kelly Dale at kdale@actionlabcomics.com. For press and conventions you can reach Jamal Igle at jigle@actionlabcomics.com.

ABOUT ACTION LAB ENTERTAINMENT- Formed in 2010 with the purpose of pooling their collective talents into a single, powerful entity, the members of Action Lab Entertainment have countless years in multimedia publishing, design, and business.  Their first release, Fracture, was successfully funded through Kickstarter and since then they have continued their mission to produce high quality, genre-spanning entertainment.  Since its formation, the accolades for A.L.E continue to build on a daily basis.  Among its more popular titles are all ages material like the Eisner, Glyph, Shel Dorf Award nominated series PRINCELESS, NFL RUSHZONE (based on the Nickelodeon Television series), Jamal Igle's MOLLY DANGER, Artist/ Writer Jeremy Dale’s hit series SKYWARD, and Gale Middleton’s (My Little Pony, The Littlest Pet Shop) monstrously adorable VAMPLETS. Action Lab’s Mature Readers imprint ACTION LAB DANGER ZONE continues to push the envelope of comics entertainment with titles as varied as EHMM THEORY and Dan Mendoza’s over the top horror-comedy ZOMBIE TRAMP, THE FINAL PLAGUE and BO, PLUSHY GANGSTA.

Action Lab Entertainment Announces San Diego Comic Con 2014 Exclusives

Skyward, Vamplets, Nutmeg and Zombie Tramp convention variants abound.

 

PITTSBURGH, PA- Action Lab Entertainment, your new favorite comic book company returns to the Mecca of American pop culture, Comic-con International: San Diego. This year, Action Lab will have a plethora of show exclusive limited editions available for purchase at their booth.

 Jeremy Dale’s amazing all ages fantasy series SKYWARD, a hit with the young and young at heart will release it’s eighth issue with a show exclusive sketch cover.

Gayle Middleton’s Vamplets, the adorable ghouls from Gloomvania, return with the second hardcover album of the popular series.  Written by Middleton and Dave Dwonch (Cyrus and The Haunted Taxi Cab, Double Jumpers) with art by Amanda Coronado, Action lab will have a convention variant limited to 1000 copies.

Dan Mendoza’s relaunched Zombie Tramp series, now one of Action Lab’s monthly offerings will feature a show exclusive variant cover of the new issue #1 limited to 1000 copies.

And in the tradition of bringing something new to the table, Action Lab will debut their newest creator-owned series, Nutmeg.

Written by James F Wright and illustrated by Jackie Crofts, Nutmeg is the story of two suburban junior high girls who bond when through a twist of fate; a prank on a pompous rival finds them building a criminal empire with their irresistible brownies. It’s sugar and spite and everything not so nice as Poppy and Cassia navigate the world of middle school politics and shady dealings.

All four books, along with the rest of Action Lab Entertainment’s offerings will be available for purchase at Booth 2006 in Hall B all week long.

 For more information, retailers can contact Kelly Dale at kdale@actionlabcomics.com. For press and conventions you can reach Jamal Igle at jigle@actionlabcomics.com.

ABOUT ACTION LAB ENTERTAINMENT- Formed in 2010 with the purpose of pooling their collective talents into a single, powerful entity, the members of Action Lab Entertainment have countless years in multimedia publishing, design, and business.  Their first release, Fracture, was successfully funded through Kickstarter and since then they have continued their mission to produce high quality, genre-spanning entertainment.  Since its formation, the accolades for A.L.E continue to build on a daily basis.  Among its more popular titles are all ages material like the Eisner, Glyph, Shel Dorf Award nominated series PRINCELESS, NFL RUSHZONE (based on the Nickelodeon Television series), Jamal Igle's MOLLY DANGER, Artist/ Writer Jeremy Dale’s hit series SKYWARD, and Gale Middleton’s (My Little Pony, The Littlest Pet Shop) monstrously adorable VAMPLETS. Action Lab’s Mature Readers imprint ACTION LAB DANGER ZONE continues to push the envelope of comics entertainment with titles as varied as EHMM THEORY and Dan Mendoza’s over the top horror-comedy ZOMBIE TRAMP, THE FINAL PLAGUE and BO, PLUSHY GANGSTA.

Solicitations: Action Lab Entertainment for June 2014

The following titles will be available for purchase in comic shops everywhere! 

 

JACK HAMMER #4 (of 4)

Writer(s): Brandon Barrows
Artist Name(s): Ionic
Cover Artist(s): Ionic
The conclusion to the “Political Science” storyline! Jack McGriskin may be down, but he’s not out. The Black Smile is confident he’s won, and that might just give Jack the edge he needs to bring one of Boston’s most-notorious killers to justice at last! But he’ll need a little help--okay, a lot of help--from his friends! Variant cover by Rafer Roberts.
32 pgs./Teen / FC                        $2.99 / $3.99 Variant



PRINCELESS: THE PIRATE PRINCESS #1 (of 4)
Writer: Jeremy Whitley
Artists: Soojin Paek
Cover Artists: Soojin Paek

So far Adrienne has focused on saving her sisters, but when she comes across a mysterious young woman named Raven trapped in a tower, she can't resist saving her! What she doesn't know is that this girl has a dangerous past and deadly enemies. Now Adrienne and Bedelia are about to get pulled into the adventures of the Pirate Princess.
32 pgs. /All Ages / FC                                          $3.99

  

SCUM OF THE EARTH #1 (Bi-Monthly)
Writer(s): Mark Bertolini
Artist Name(s): Rob Croonenborghs
Cover Artist(s): Rob Croonenborghs

Meet Laura and True–-two bourbon-toasted gunslingers caught between hardcore scores and soul-depraved rehab! Dirty, violent and simple, or so it seems.... The pair's desert road trip of carnage and courtship may just take a cosmic turn when a mysterious figure begins to tail them on their explosive journey. Features a variant cover edition by Allen Byrnes!
32 pgs. / Mature Readers / FC                                          $3.99 / $4.99 Variant


  

SKYWARD #10
Writer(s): Jeremy Dale
Artist Name(s): Jeremy Dale
Cover Artist(s): Jeremy Dale (reg), David Petersen (var)

As the smoke clears from the massive attack on Three Rivers last issue, Quinn finds a new path with a new, unexpected ally!  This issue serves as a GREAT JUMPING-ON POINT for new readers as a new chapter begins in the lives of our heroes--and to celebrate, it's only a buck!  Not to be missed.
From rising star creator Jeremy Dale (GI Joe, Marvel Kapow!), this issue also features an incredible RETAILER INCENTIVE variant cover by David Peterson (Mouse Guard)!
32 pgs. /All Ages / FC                                          $1.00 / $2.99 Variant

  

ZOMBIE TRAMP ACTION PACK TPB
Writer(s): Dan Mendoza
Artist Name(s): Dan Mendoza
Cover Artist(s): Dan Mendoza

The entire run of Dan Mendoza’s critical hit ZOMBIE TRAMP in one handy
two-volume package just in time for the new ongoing series! Follow the adventures of everyone’s favorite street-walking dead, Janey, as she engages in all the fetish, gore, and grindhouse mayhem that can be dished out—in style! Collects Zombie Tramp #1-4 and Zombie Tramp Volume 2 # 1-4
256 pgs. /Mature Readers / FC                                    $19.99
  

ACTION LAB ROARS INTO FREE COMIC BOOK DAY 2014!

Company announces Midnight Tiger/SKYWARD, ZOMBIE TRAMP/EHMM THEORY Silver level books.

Pittsburgh P.A.- Action Lab Entertainment, The most exciting new comic book publisher to hit the scene is proud to announce their FREE COMIC BOOK DAY offerings for 2014. The company, dedicated to world class, genre- bending entertainment will release two “Silver level” books for FCBD, MIDNIGHT TIGER/ SKYWARD and from their Danger Zone imprint, ZOMBIE TRAMP/EHMM THEORY.  Free Comic Book Day, scheduled for Saturday, May 3rd, 2014 at participating comic book shops.


Created by Artist/Writer Ray-Anthony Height (Spider-Girl, Power Man: Shadowlands) and Co-written by DeWayne Feenstra (The Adventures of Aero-Girl), Midnight Tiger stars high school senior Gavin Shaw, who after attempting to save the life of the gravely injured hero known as Lionsblood finds himself waking up in a hospital bed days later with amazing new super human abilities. The FCBD Book will, like last year’s MOLLY DANGER/PRINCLESS offering, lead into a four issue miniseries of the same name, shipping in May 2014. Joining Height will be SKYWARD, the runaway hit series by Writer /Artist Jeremy Dale (G.I.Joe, NFL RushZone), The story of a young boy named Quinn, The son of a legendary warrior named Corin. Living in the Idyllic countryside with not a care in the world his life is turned upside down when an old friend of his father manages to track them down. Now, Quinn and his dog Jack are on the run, headlong against a threat more terrible and a world more fantastic than they ever imagined.

If you like your comics on the risqué side, Action Lab is also proud to announce their second FCBD offering ZOMBIE TRAMP/EHMM THEORY.

Brockton McKinney’s EHMM THEORY has been called “ A heavy hitter in an already blood-and-guts saturated market, while carving its own niche one issue at a time.” By Fangoria Magazine. The story of Gabriel Ehmm, a normal guy who has awoken to a world where zombie ‘little people’ rise from graves, someone calling himself Saint Peter offers bargains, and his pet kitten can now talk. Connected by blood and straddling the afterlife, Gabe and Mr. Whispers (the aforementioned talking cat) begin a universe-spanning adventure in the first issue of this mind-bending and genre-blending new series. Ehmm Theory shares it’s space with ZOMBIE TRAMP, Dan Mendoza’s tale of a high priced Hollywood call girl, Janey, gets set up on a bad date by her transvestite Madame. Bitten by a zombie, Janey seeks out vengeance on those who wronged her. Cartoon grindhouse action abounds -- with voodoo queens, zombie convicts, and crooked LAPD!!

FCBD 2014 marks the largest ever FCBD event with 60 books to choose from. The comics include incredible titles from forty publishers featuring fan-favorite, and new comic book characters that encourage readers to explore the fun and excitement that comics have to offer.
Chosen by retailers on the FCBD Committee, there’s a free comic book for everyone’s taste from the Silver Sponsors: from Sonic the Hedgehog and Teen Titans Go! to Scratch 9, Rocket Raccoon, The Smurfs, Grimm Fairy Tales and more!
A complete listing of all sixty FCBD titles, including the twelve Gold and forty-eight Silver comic books, can be found in the January issue of Diamond Comic Distributors’ PREVIEWS catalog, on sale at all comic book shops December 31, 2013 or by visiting the comics section of the Free Comic Book Day website.


ABOUT ACTION LAB ENTERTAINMENT- Formed in 2010 with the purpose of pooling their collective talents into a single, powerful entity, the members of Action Lab Entertainment have countless years in multimedia publishing, design, and business.  Their first release, Fracture, was successfully funded through Kickstarter and since then they have continued their mission to produce high quality, genre-spanning entertainment.  Since its formation, the accolades for A.L.E continue to build on a daily basis.  Among its more popular titles are all ages material like the Eisner, Glyph, Shel Dorf Award nominated series PRINCLESS, NFL RUSHZONE (based on the Nickelodeon Television series), Jamal Igle's MOLLY DANGER, Artist/ Writer Jeremy Dale’s hit series SKYWARD, and Gale Middleton’s (My Little Pony, The Littlest Pet Shop) monstrously adorable VAMPLETS. Action Lab’s Mature Readers imprint ACTION LAB DANGER ZONE continues to push the envelope of comics entertainment with titles as varied as EHMM THEORY and Dan Mendoza’s over the top horror-comedy ZOMBIE TRAMP, THE FINAL PLAGUE and BO, PLUSHY GANGSTA.

Sold-Out Skyward #1 Goes to Second Printing

The first issue of Skyward, the breakaway sold-out hit from Action Lab Entertainment, will return to stores with a second printing at the end of September.  

“All of us were blown away with the immediate success of Skyward,” says Action Lab President Kevin Freeman.  “The book got some fantastic early press and flew off the shelves as a result.  We know there are a number of readers who are anxious to get their hands on this book, and our re-release of the title gives them that chance.”

Skyward was recently announced as the first ongoing series for Action Lab, which has published limited series, one-shots, and original graphic novels to date. 

The book retails for $2.99

Action Lab’s Skyward Becomes Ongoing Series, Features Alternate covers

Action Lab Entertainment is happy to announce that Jeremy Dale’s Skyward will become the first true ongoing title for the independent publisher.  Scheduled to debut at this year’s San Diego Comic Con, Skyward was originally envisioned as a six-issue mini-series, but it was decided, given the grand story that Dale wants to tell with the book, that an ongoing, sequentially-numbered title would be the best option.

In addition, each issue of Skyward, beginning with issue #3, will feature an alternate cover produced by some of the more popular and well-known artists in the industry.  Confirmed guest cover artists include Stephane Roux (Witchblade, Zatanna) for issue 3, Mike Norton (The Answer!, Battlepug)  for issue 4, Khary Randolph (Fanboys vs. Zombies) for issue 5, Randy Green (Teen Titans) for issue 6, Phil Noto (Infinite Horizon) for issue 7, and Chris Giarrusso (G-man, Mini Marvels) for Issue 8.

There are number of other artists already lined up for future issues, including Brandon Peterson, Tim Seely, Todd Nauck, Cully Hamner, Gene Ha, and more.

Issues 1 and 2 will also feature alternate covers, but these will be available only at San Diego Comic Con.  The issue 1 alternate has art by series creator Jeremy Dale, while issue 2’s alternate is a blank white sketch cover.

"I'm thrilled to announce that Skyward, my new creator-owned series, is now ongoing,” says series creator Jeremy Dale.  “We are simply overwhelmed at all the amazing feedback from the fans!  This will allow me to tell more stories with these amazing characters, as well as tell them in the manner they deserve."  Dale adds that, "We have a lot of amazing plans on the horizon for Skyward, and we can't wait to share them with everyone!"

Action Lab President Kevin Freeman added, “We’ve been talking about the idea of adding ongoing series for some time, but it can be difficult for independent publishers to maintain numbers.  But with Jeremy Dale’s Skyward, we see the perfect opportunity not only to break into the ongoing market, but to also showcase a grand story without the confines of compartmentalizing story arcs.  It’s a win-win situation.”

Beginning with issue 3, Skyward, and all Action Lab regular titles, will cost only $2.99, down from $3.99.

Action Lab has published numerous series of some of its titles, most noted being the Eisner-nominated Princeless, which has been released as two four-issue mini-series plus a handful of one-shots and other supplemental stories.  More Princeless stories are on the horizon.

ABOUT ACTION LAB ENTERTAINMENT
Action Lab Entertainment was founded in 2010 by a group of indie-maverick comic creators with the sole intent to bring the world the most action packed, most thought-provoking, most entertaining comics available, thereby ushering in a new age of world peace under the dominating, yet benign control of the Action Lab. Action Lab Entertainment is the public front for all the activities of the Action Lab and its members. Although most of the Action Lab’s activities remain classified, Action Lab Entertainment can disclose that two of its many functions are the marketing of comic books through various sales outlets, and the expansion of their domination into other mediums.  Visit their website athttp://www.actionlabcomics.com.

Action Lab Entertainment Announces SDCC Events and Exclusives

Official Press Release

 

Critically-acclaimed independent publisher Action Lab Entertainment kicks off its 2013-2014 season with a bang at this year's San Diego Comic Con, held July 17-21 at the San Diego Convention Center.  This marks the company's second appearance at the show, and this year will be marked with special announcements, exclusive books, and a constant stream of well-respected industry professionals.

Confirmed creators to appear at the Action Lab booth include:

 

Jeremy Dale (Skyward)

David Dwonch (Ghost Town)

Kevin Freeman (SubCulture)

Tony Guaraldi-Brown (The Final Plague)

Lea Hernandez (The Garlicks)

Jamal Igle (Molly Danger)

Jason Martin (Night of the 80s Undead)

Gayle Middleton (Vamplets)

Mike Norton (Molly Danger Cover Artist)

Stan Yan (SubCulture)

 

A more detailed guest list, including signing times and additional creators, will be provided as the convention approaches.  The Action Lab booth is located in the Independent Press Pavilion, Table 2202.

In addition to having a number of featured creators, Action Lab will be offering a number of limited-edition convention exclusives available at SDCC.    Among the offerings:

·         A limited edition sneak preview of the upcoming Molly Danger, with two exclusive SDCC covers by fan-favorites Mike Norton and Jamal Igle

·         A limited edition hardcover premier of Vamplets:Nightmare Nursery with exclusive Ghost Pony cover by Gayle Middleton

·         A variant cover of Skyward #1 by Jeremy Dale

·         A white sketch cover of Skyward #2 by Jeremy Dale  

·         A special edition of The Garlicks by Lea Hernandez

·         The premier of Bo Plushy Gangsta with special convention-exclusive cover.

Each of these books will be available in limited quantities while supplies last and most can be signed by their respective creators.  All of the books will also be available in a bundle for a total of $75!

Finally, Action Lab, led by President Kevin Freeman, will be hosting its own panel, "What's New at Action Lab Entertainment," scheduled for Saturday, July 20th at 6:00 PM in Panel Room 28 D-E.  The Action Lab staff and creators will be there to talk about everything that is in store for Action Lab for the next year--including some big announcements, and to answer all of your questions.  Attendees will receive a special NFL Rush Zone Button which they can redeem for a special prize at the Action Lab table in the convention hall.

For more information about Action Lab Entertainment, visit their website at http://www.actionlabcomics.com.

Skyward

The new creator-owned series from creator/artist Jeremy Dale follows the thrilling tale of Quinn, left orphaned by an invasion of his homeland.  Quinn and the other lost villagers of his homeland will now run headfirst into a conflict and world that is much bigger and fantastic than they could possibly ever imagine.  Prepare for a world of fantasy, danger, adventure and excitement.

With everything I’ve already checked out from Action Lab, it’s no wonder my next adventure would truly be just that - an adventure.  I’ve always had a soft spot for fantasy settings that hark back to my early Final Fantasy days.  The story we join within the world of Skyward is yet another hash mark in that collection.

Although at first it might seem like you’ve found yourself in another run of the mill sword and sorcery tale, that will soon enough change.  Granted, this first issue does primarily feature the stereotypical brawny adventurer at first.  By the end though, the so to speak “hero” looks like it turns out to be his young son.  It’s early to say how he’ll fare with the road ahead, but there’s a lot of room for all sorts of challenges for him to prove himself.

Taking on the roles of both writer and artist, Jeremy Dale illustrates this story as wonderfully as he writes it.  Having both responsibilities may be double the work, but it proves to be an advantage as well by allowing him to show us exactly what he wants us to see visually.  Closing out the deal, Steve Downer brings such vibrant colors to the artwork and gives it the fantasy look it needs.

This is one of those perfect books for readers of all ages that can be shared with everyone.  With so much more that we can look forward to as it goes on, I’d definitely suggest grabbing this early.  I’m already anxious to see how our young hero grows and follows in his father’s footsteps as his journey continues.

For more information on Skyward or other Action Lab titles, check out Action Labs.

Geek-o-Rama received a copy of this book for the purpose of this review. All thoughts, comments and opinions are those of the individual reviewer.

Saturday Surprise! : Free Comics!

Did you miss out on Free Comic Book Day and you're bummed that you didn't get to check out Action Lab's books? Have no fear! Geek-o-Rama in partnership with Action Lab Comics has found a way to bring the books to you! Simply click on the links below and you can download your own copies of Molly Danger/Princeless and NFL Rushzone/Skyward! How's that for a fun Saturday Surprise?