AUSXIP Spartacus News


 

        23 July 2009

Spartacus' Cast and Creators to Conquer San Diego Comic-Con..


Received the following press release from Starz about the cast and creators Comic Con apperances...News Release Issued: July 23, 2009 10:00 AM EDT

Spartacus' Cast and Creators to Conquer San Diego Comic-Con on July 24

New Starz Original Action Series 'Spartacus: Blood and Sand,' Coming to Premier Fan Event with Panel Discussion, Ultimate Fan Pack Giveaways, Sneak Peek and More

First Look at Upcoming Official "Spartacus: Blood and Sand" iPhone/iPod Touch Game, Motion Comic

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SAN DIEGO, July 23 /PRNewswire/ -- Fans will be able to enter the arena of the eagerly anticipated Starz original series "Spartacus: Blood and Sand," at the 2009 San Diego Comic-Con July 24 from 12:45 PM - 1:45 PM PT (room 6BCF). Starz is bringing some of the leading creative and on-air talent for fans and critics to meet in person to the leading industry fan event. Set to debut exclusively on Starz in January 2010, the violent and epic gladiator tale will have a graphic novel look and style unlike any other series on TV.

Join Lucy Lawless ("Xena: Warrior Princess," "Battlestar Galactica"), actor Peter Mensah (300, Avatar), Executive Producers Rob Tapert (Evil Dead 1-2, Drag Me To Hell) and Steven S. DeKnight ("Angel," "Smallville, "Buffy the Vampire Slayer"), and actress Erin Cummings ("Dollhouse"). They will discuss the fresh narrative approach to the ancient legend and offer exclusive first look footage at the ground-breaking series. Andy Whitfield, who plays the title character, will deliver a video message and Comic-Con greeting from New Zealand.

Ultimate "Spartacus: Blood and Sand" Fan Packs to first 2,000 Fans at Comic-Con Panel

The first 2,000 fans attending the "Spartacus: Blood and Sand" panel will be treated to complimentary "Ultimate Spartacus: Blood and Sand Fan Packs," which will include:

  • Limited edition copy of "Spartacus: Upon The Sands of Vengeance, " issue #1 in the "Spartacus: Blood and Sand" comic book mini-series with an exclusive Comic-Con cover
  • Autographed 8X10 headshots, featuring 1 of 10 randomly selected autographed photos from a member of the cast of "Spartacus: Blood and Sand"
  • "Spartacus: Blood and Sand" trading cards
  • "Spartacus: Blood and Sand" USB flash drive featuring cast/unit photos, graphics, poster art, cast and series biographical background information, and more.
  • "Spartacus: Blood and Sand" poster with mailing tube
  • "Spartacus: Blood and Sand" collectible t-shirt (one of four being created)
     

"Spartacus: Blood and Sand" iPhone Game, Motion Comic Details

Starz Digital Media also revealed plans to jointly develop the official "Spartacus: Blood and Sand" mobile game designed for iPhone and iPod touch with Artificial Life, Inc (OTCBulletinBoard: ALIF). The games will utilize the touch screens and motion sensitive features of the popular mobile devices and bring to life the action, violence and sex soon to be seen in the series.

Also, in association with Double Barrel Motion Labs, Starz Digital Media will bring to market a four-part "Spartacus: Blood and Sand" motion comic series. These action-packed videos will feature gladiators battling for eternal glory in a gore fest derived from Devil's Due Publishing (DDP)'s official upcoming "Spartacus: Blood and Sand" comic book mini-series, to which DeKnight contributed. "Spartacus: Upon The Sands of Vengeance" is the first in the four-part comic book mini-series. A sneak preview of the "Spartacus: Upon the Sands of Vengeance" motion comic episode will be available after the "Spartacus" Comic-Con panel at www.starz.com/spartacus.

"'Spartacus: Blood and Sand" is the most ambitious project ever undertaken at Starz," said Bill Hamm, executive vice president, originals production and development for Starz Media. "Comic-Con offers a terrific stage to introduce the series to fans and we are delighted to have such a strong lineup for our debut appearance in San Diego."

"We look forward to working with a number of key production and distribution partners in bringing 'Spartacus: Blood and Sand' to life across multiple platforms and media," said Marc DeBevoise, senior vice president, digital media, business development and strategy for Starz Media and lead executive for Starz Digital Media. "The projects we're developing around this franchise offer a tremendous opportunity for us to reach mobile gamers, comic book fans and online video viewers with incredibly unique and compelling content, all prior to the series' premiere of "Spartacus: Blood and Sand" on Starz."

On July 24, DeKnight, along with the comic book's editorial consultant R.H. Stavis, will sign limited edition copies of issue No. 1 in the "Spartacus: Blood and Sand" comic mini-series, with an exclusive Comic-Con cover. The autograph session will be from 3:30 PM to 4:30 PM at the DDP booth (#2229).

Comic-Con attendees can swipe their electronic credentials at Starz' Anchor Bay/Manga booth (#3345) and "enter for a chance to win a one-of-a-kind shield; an authentic prop from the battlefield of "Spartacus: Blood and Sand.

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