Darth Vader, zombies, and Riverdale's Archie are featured in our latest round-up, in which we take a look at the first trailer and release details for Star Wars Battlefront, the Wizard World Minneapolis variant cover for The Walking Dead #1, and release details for the Archie vs. Sharknado one-shot.

Star Wars Battlefront: The long-awaited Star Wars Battlefront will be released on November 17th, about one month before the debut of Star Wars: The Force Awakens:

Press Release -- "REDWOOD CITY, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--DICE™, an Electronic Arts Inc. (NASDAQ:EA) studio, and Lucasfilm announced today that Star Wars™ Battlefront™ will be released beginning November 17, 2015 in North America (November 19 in Europe) as the first full-length trailer for this highly anticipated title premiered to thousands of fans at Star Wars™ Celebration. Combining an unprecedented collaboration with Lucasfilm and the award-winning Frostbite™ game engine, Star Wars Battlefront will deliver an incredibly authentic and immersive interactive entertainment experience featuring photorealistic visuals and epic action in iconic Star Wars™ locations. See how this comes to life in-engine by experiencing the newest trailer for Star Wars Battlefront at http://starwars.ea.com/battlefront.

“Like so many others around the world, everyone at DICE is a tremendous fan of the Star Wars universe,” said Sigurlina Ingvarsdottir, Senior Producer of Star Wars Battlefront. “To be working on a Star Wars project and knowing we are helping to represent the universe we love to our generation and a legion of new Star Wars fans is truly an honor. Thanks to the access and knowledge shared with us by Lucasfilm, and the passion and talent of our team, we plan to deliver an amazing game that puts you right in the middle of the Star Wars battles you always imagined playing.”

Star Wars Battlefront will allow fans to live out a wide range of heroic moments and intense battle fantasies of their own – firing blasters, riding speeder bikes and snow speeders, commanding AT-ATs and piloting TIE fighters and the Millennium Falcon. These battles will take place on some of the most iconic planets in the Star Wars universe, including Endor, Hoth, Tatooine and the previously unexplored planet, Sullust. Gamers will be able to play as some of the most memorable characters in the original trilogy such as Darth Vader and Boba Fett. Star Wars Battlefront will feature a wide range of modes tailored for different types of battles, from larger 40-person competitive multiplayer to crafted missions that are played solo, with a friend via split-screen offline or co-operatively online.

Fans who pre-order Star Wars Battlefront will be among the first players to experience the Battle of Jakku*, the pivotal moment when the New Republic confronted key Imperial holdouts on a remote desert planet on the Outer Rim. Taking place in the aftermath of the Rebel victory in the Battle of Endor, players will experience the events that created the massive, battle-scarred landscape of Jakku shown in Star Wars™: The Force Awakens™. Players who pre-order Star Wars Battlefront can fight the battle one-week early starting on December 1, 2015. All other players will get access to this free† content on December 8, 2015.

Star Wars Battlefront will be available in North America on November 17 and starting November 19 in Europe for the PlayStation®4 computer entertainment system, Xbox One™, the all-in-one games and entertainment system from Microsoft and on Origin™ for PC. To join the Star Wars Battlefront conversation please visit www.facebook.com/EAStarWars, follow us on Twitter® at www.twitter.com/EAStarWars or sign up for the official EA Star Wars newsletter at http://starwars.ea.com/newsletter.

About Electronic Arts

Electronic Arts (NASDAQ: EA) is a global leader in digital interactive entertainment. The Company delivers games, content and online services for Internet-connected consoles, personal computers, mobile phones and tablets. EA has more than 300 million registered players and operates in 75 countries.

In fiscal year 2014, EA posted GAAP net revenue of $3.6 billion. Headquartered in Redwood City, California, EA is recognized for a portfolio of critically acclaimed, high-quality blockbuster brands such as The Sims™, Madden NFL, FIFA Soccer, Need for Speed™, Battlefield™, Dragon Age™ and Plants vs. Zombies™. More information about EA is available at www.ea.com/news.

EA, EA SPORTS, Battlefield, Frostbite, Origin, The Sims, Dragon Age and Plants vs. Zombies are trademarks of Electronic Arts Inc. and its subsidiaries. John Madden, NFL and FIFA are the property of their respective owners and used with permission. PlayStation is a registered trademark of Sony Computer Entertainment, Inc. Xbox One is a trademark of Microsoft Corporation in the United States and/or other countries. Twitter is a registered trademark of Twitter, Inc."

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The Walking Dead #1 Wizard World Variant Cover: Press Release - "MINNEAPOLIS, April 17, 2015 -- Wizard World, Inc. (OTCBB: WIZD) and Skybound, Robert Kirkman’s imprint at Image Comics, today announced that Ghost Rider and X-Force artist Clayton Crain has drawn the eighth in a yearlong series of Limited Edition Exclusive Variant Covers of The Walking Dead #1 comic, to be provided free to all full-price attendees at Wizard World Comic Con Minneapolis, May 1-3. Skybound’s The Walking Dead created by Kirkman, the groundbreaking, Eisner Award winning comic book series, continues to captivate audiences worldwide.

The exclusive The Walking Dead #1 edition will be produced in extremely limited quantities and is available at registration to fans at the Minneapolis Convention Center only while supplies last. VIP attendees will receive an additional black & white sketch version of the comic.
Crain, who primarily uses digital painting, is also well known for his work with Todd McFarlane as well as with Marvel on Carnage, covers for DC and his unique sketch cover acrylic paintings. He is currently working for Valiant Comics on the popular comic Rai , with writer Matt Kindt. He also continues to develop his painting techniques with acrylic and oil sketchbook covers and commissions.

The artists for future books will be announced as they are selected. A similar series in 2013 featuring exclusives of The Walking Dead #1 proved to be wildly popular with fans. The full schedule of 2015 Wizard World shows is available at www.wizd.me/PRSchedule2015 .

Stars of “The Walking Dead” TV series scheduled to attend Wizard World Comic Con Minneapolis include Christian Serratos ("Rosita Espinosa"), Alanna Masterson ("Tara Chambler") and Michael Rooker ("Merle Dixon"). Other standout celebrities attending include Karl Urban (Star Trek, The Bourne Supremacy ), Gillian Anderson (“The X-Files,” The Last King of Scotland), Debby Ryan ("Jessie," "The Suite Life on Deck") , WWE® Divas The Bella Twins™, Kevin Conroy (“Batman, The Animated Series,” “Justice League”), Buffy The Vampire Slayer), Finn Wittrock (“American Horror Story,” “Masters of Sex”), Sylvester McCoy ("Doctor Who," The Hobbit) and more.

In addition to Crain, Artist Alley in Minneapolis will feature Steve Fastner (“Kiss of Death,” “Demon Baby”), Rich Larson (“Haunted House of Lingerie,” “Alien @ Large”), Bill Willingham (“Fables,” “JLA”), Phil Ortiz (“The Simpsons,” “Muppet Babies”), Neal Adams (“Batman,” “X-Men,”), Michael Avon Oeming (“Superman,” “Guardians of the Galaxy”), Dan Jurgens (“Green Arrow,” “The Mighty Thor”), Michael Golden (“Spider-Man,” “Daredevil”) and many others.
Wizard World Comic Con events bring together thousands of fans of all ages to celebrate the best in pop-fi, pop culture, movies, graphic novels, cosplay, comics, television, sci-fi, toys, video gaming, gaming, original art, collectibles, contests and more. Wizard World Comic Con Minneapolis show hours are Friday, May 1, 3-8 p.m.; Saturday, May 2, 10 a.m.-7 p.m., Sunday, May 3, 11 a.m.-5 p.m.

For more on the 2015 Wizard World Comic Con Minneapolis, visit http://wizd.me/MinneapolisPR."

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Archie Vs. Sharknado: Slated for release on Wednesday, July 22nd, the same day Sharknado 3: Oh Hell No! debuts on the Syfy channel, Archie vs. Sharknado will see the Riverdale gang go up against a storm with a serious bite:

Press Release -- "'Shark-tacular’ extra-sized issue hits same day as SHARKNADO 3: OH HELL NO!
 premieres on Syfy Wednesday, July 22 at 9PM

This summer, just in time for Syfy’s SHARKNADO 3: OH HELL NO!, fans will see an unexpected, jaw-dropping twist to the Sharknado saga – in Riverdale USA!
 Just when Archie and the gang think they can kick back and enjoy a few months of beaches, naps and sun, they’re faced with a storm of sharknados – heading straight for their hometown of Riverdale. 

Archie and his friends have to battle the incoming pop culture storm as it creeps up the “Feast” coast to Riverdale – and then try to save what’s left of their hometown. Who lives? Who dies? Read the book!

Written by SHARKNADO trilogy director Anthony C. Ferrante with art by Archie legend Dan Parent, the “shark-tacular” extra-sized 48-page issue serves as a nice appetizer to SHARKNADO 3, which debuts on Syfy the same day the book is released in comic shops and digitally: Wednesday, July 22.

“Having a chance to crossover the Archie comics with our Sharknado universe has been a dream come true,” Ferrante said. “Riverdale will never be the same and I know fans are going to get a thrill out of seeing Archie, Betty, Veronica and the rest of the gang unleash their inner Fin Shepards.”

“I can’t tell you the thrill of working on Sharknado. I might be the biggest Sharknado fan, watching multiple airings of the movies, going to theatrical screenings. attending the Riff Trax versions and then buying the DVDs,” Parent said. “So to be able to bring Sharknado into the world of Archie is a dream come true. And to be working on it with Sharknado director Anthony C. Ferrante is the icing on the cake! I promise to put my all into this project to make all the Sharknado – and Archie – fans proud!!!”

“Sharknado has become a worldwide merchandise and cultural phenomenon that has thrilled young and old alike,” said David Garber, who negotiated this deal on behalf of The Asylum with Archie Comics. “Archie’s comics and his adventures have always been fun and exciting. The fusion of these two properties is part of the social media and fan explosion that continues to grow. We are pleased to combine these historic IP’s in one consumer experience.”

“The Sharknado franchise has soared in popularity due partly to the variety of great celebrities, who bravely encounter this unnatural menace,” said Jeff Li, Vice President, Syfy Ventures. “Sharknado survivors come in all forms. It’s only natural that Archie and the gang will get a chance to save their town from flying sharks.”

Sharknado 3: Oh Hell No! stars Ian Ziering as Fin, Tara Reid as April and Cassie Scerbo as Nova. Joining them will be David Hasselhoff as Fin’s father, Gil; Bo Derek will play April’s mother, May; Ryan Newman will play April and Fin’s daughter, Claudia Shepard, and Jack Griffo will portray Claudia’s friend, Billy.

Additional cameo roles include Mark Cuban as the President of the United States; Ann Coulter as the Vice President; Michele Bachmann as herself; Jerry Springer as Mr. White, a manic tourist; Washington Redskins tackle Tom Compton as a reporter; *NSYNC singer Chris Kirkpatrick as a pool lifeguard, and Chris Jericho, who will portray Bruce the roller coaster ride operator.

A production of The Asylum, Sharknado 3 is directed by Anthony C. Ferrante from an original screenplay by Thunder Levin.

ARCHIE VS. SHARKNADO #1 (ONE SHOT)

It’s that time of year in Riverdale! The end of the school year. Time for beaches, barbecues, fun in the sun and… SHARKNADOS!?! That’s right, get ready as Archie and the gang brave the storm of a tornado full a sharks that riffs off the pop culture phenomenon known as Sharknado! The story unfolds as sharknados are spotted on the “Feast” Coast! Our heroines have to figure out how to get back to Riverdale, where the storm is about to hit next. Soon Archie and the gang go, go, go as they battle the Sharknado-ravaged Riverdale! Who will live? Who will die? Will this take a BITE out of the end-of-the-year prom? Uh….probably! The comic book action is also concurrent with the plot of SHARKNADO 3 and hits stands right before the film’s premiere in July on Syfy. Written by the SHARKNADO trilogy director Anthony C. Ferrante with Dan Parent.

Script: Anthony C. Ferrante with Dan Parent
Art: Dan Parent, Rich Koslowski
Archie vs. Sharknado #1 CVR A Reg: Dan Parent
Archie vs. Sharknado #1 CVR B Variant: Francesco Francavilla
Archie vs. Sharknado #1 CVR C Variant: Robert Hack
On Sale Date: 7/22
48-page, full color comic
$4.99 U.S."

  • Derek Anderson
    About the Author - Derek Anderson

    Raised on a steady diet of R.L. Stine’s Goosebumps books and Are You Afraid of the Dark?, Derek has been fascinated with fear since he first saw ForeverWare being used on an episode of Eerie, Indiana.

    When he’s not writing about horror as the Senior News Reporter for Daily Dead, Derek can be found daydreaming about the Santa Carla Boardwalk from The Lost Boys or reading Stephen King and Brian Keene novels.