MAIN NEWS HEADLINES
August 31 – September 7, 2006 Edition
Pocket To Publish
Blokhedz Graphic
Novels in 2007
NEW YORK, NY/08/23/06—Louise Burke, Executive Vice President and Publisher of Pocket Books, has announced that Pocket Books has acquired world rights from Street Legends Ink to two graphic novels based on the critically-acclaimed urban comic series, BLOKHEDZ. Pocket Books Editor Ed Schlesinger will edit both graphic novels, the first of which will be published in March 2007.
The brainchild of illustrating twins Mark and Mike Davis, Blokhedz, the street-adventure comic featuring a 17 year-old hip-hop superhero, has continuously sold out since it debuted its first issue in December 2003. The series chronicles the story of young Blak, an aspiring rapper, who is blessed with a mystical gift to turn his rhymes into reality. Living in the projects of the fictional Empire City, billed as “Manhattan on steroids”, Blak must struggle to survive the violence and temptation of the streetsno small feat when he must contend with the tragic death of his brother as well as his own hot-headed temper, which constantly threatens to get the best of him. With the support of his crew, the G-Pak, Blak makes life’s toughest decisions while dodging underworld boss Bloko, his archnemesis Vulture, and bitter gang rivalries. Can he remain true to himself and his gift? The fate of Empire City hangs in the balance.
Said Louise Burke, “We are very excited to enter into this venture with the amazing talent of Street Legends Ink, whose creativity and vision shine in their remarkable series. The cross-generational and multiplatform appeal of BLOKHEDZ already has everyone talking.”
“The team at Pocket Books has been incredible because they understand our core fanbase are not only comic heads, but also the entire hip-hop generation,” said Brandon Schultz, President of Street Legends Ink. “We couldn’t ask for better partners in expanding our outreach by marketing in non-traditional and traditional methods.”
The unique Blokhedz characters have been praised by the likes of rap mogul Russell Simmons, rapper Nas, and Wu Tang Clan’s RZA; the series has received widespread media attention from CNN, NBC, FOX, San Diego Comic-Con, and magazines including XXL, The Source, and SCRATCH. A line of t-shirts and toys has been sold through their website, streetlegendsink.com, and the team is hard at work on an animated feature film adaptation of BLOKHEDZ, produced by ImajiMation Studios and Reuben Cannon Productions. The comic book series, as well as the merchandise, represented by DKE Toys and International Enterprise, has been exceptionally well-received overseas.
As to what the creators have in store for the novels, Mark and Mike Davis say, “Our older fans can expect more fire with the new installments of BLOKHEDZ. Vol. 1 is the tip of the iceberg, Vol. 2 is going to change the way the game is played…stay tooned!"
The Blokhedz comic series and toys are produced by Street Legends Ink (SLI) a wholly owned subsidiary of ImajiMation Studios inc. ImajiMation Studios is an animation concept and design house that specializes in products relevant to global youth culture. To learn more visit www.imajiMation.com.
Simon & Schuster, a part of the CBS Corporation, is a global leader in the field of general interest publishing, dedicated to providing the best in fiction and nonfiction for consumers of all ages, across all printed, electronic, and audio formats. Its divisions include Simon & Schuster Adult Publishing, Simon & Schuster Children’s Publishing, Simon & Schuster Audio, Simon & Schuster Digital, and international companies in Australia, Canada, and the United Kingdom. For more information, visit our website at www.simonsays.com
