BOOK: MYSTERIES OF THE DIOGENES CLUB BY KIM NEWMAN

Coming from MonkeyBrain Books in December is the third volume of Kim Newman's wonderful Diogenes Club stories. In his seminal vampire epic ANNO DRACULA, Kim Newman reinvented the Diogenes Club similarly to how it was presented in Billy Wilder’s The Private Life of Sherlock Holmes, which is to say as a top-secret government organization involved with strange doings. In essence a sort of X-Files outfit, founded by Mycroft Holmes, keeping England’s shores safe from supernatural, psychic and alien oddities over the last 100 years or so.

 

MYSTERIES OF THE DIOGENES CLUB

By Kim Newman

Publisher: MonkeyBrain Books

Format: Trade Paperback 320 Pages

ISBN-10: 1932265309

ISBN-13: 978-1932265309

From the 1860s to the present day, these are the accounts of the Diogenes Club, whose agents solve crimes too strange for Britain's police, protecting the realm-and this entire plane of existence-from occult menaces, threats born in other dimensions, magical perfidy and the Deep Dark Deadly Ones. Kim Newman continues the series began in The Man From the Diogenes Club, revealing more mysteries of the British Empire's most secret service.

This volume collects the novellas 'Sorcerer Conjurer Wizard Witch', 'Kentish Glory: The Secrets of Drearcliff Grange School', 'Moon Moon Moon' and 'Organ Donors' as well as the serial novel 'Seven Stars'.

Order your copy of MYSTERIES OF THE DIOGENES CLUB today via Amazon USA by clicking here. 

Kim Newman's ANNO DRACULA is being re-released, with new bonus material, in May 2011 by Titan Books with the rest of the series following soon after.

ANNO DRACULA

By Kim Newman

Publisher: Titan Books

Format: Trade Paperback 320 Pages

ISBN-10: 0857680838

ISBN-13: 978-0857680838

It is 1888 and Queen Victoria has remarried, taking as her new consort Vlad Tepes, the Wallachian Prince infamously known as Count Dracula. Peppered with familiar characters from Victorian history and fiction, the novel tells the story of vampire Geneviève Dieudonné and Charles Beauregard of the Diogenes Club as they strive to solve the mystery of the Ripper murders.

Anno Dracula is a rich and panoramic tale, combining horror, politics, mystery and romance to create a unique and compelling alternate history. Acclaimed novelist Kim Newman explores the darkest depths of a reinvented Victorian London.

This brand-new edition of the bestselling novel contains unique bonus material, including a new afterword from Kim Newman, annotations, articles and alternate endings to the original novel.

Pre-order your copy of  ANNO DRACULA today via Amazon USA by clicking here. 

For more on Kim Newman visit his website http://www.johnnyalucard.com/

AUDIO CD: PETER CUSHING READS THE RETURN OF SHERLOCK HOLMES

In 1971 actor Peter Cushing recorded a fully unabridged reading of Arthur Conan Doyle's THE RETURN OF SHERLOCK HOLMES for the Royal National Institute for the Blind. The recording has previously only been available to registered blind users of RNIB audio recordings. In February 2011 Cosmic Hobo Productions will be releasing the first volume (of the massive 13 hour collection) to the general public. The release has been digitally re-mastered from the original recording, and includes new sleeve notes by Holmes expert David Stuart Davies.

Cushing gives a masterful and highly dramatic performance that showcases his talent for mimicry and various accents making this far more than a standard reading. At times he seems to almost be channeling his BBC Sherlock Holmes co-star Nigel Stock's voice when playing Watson. Highly recommended!

Volume 1 will be released on February 7, 2011. To pre-order via Amazon UK click here. Alternately, order direct from Cosmic Hobo before January 31 and use the discount code 'moriarty' at checkout to receive a 25% discount.

For more info on the release and to hear a sample visit the Cosmic Hobo Productions site by clicking here.

If you have an interest in actor Peter Cushing, you might also enjoy Cushing's reading of his second autobiographical book PAST FORGETTING, which is currently available from Cosmic Hobo Productions. Originally released in 1988, Cushing’s own reading of Past Forgetting has long been out of print. Now on CD for the first time, this edition includes a bonus documentary featuring some of those who worked with Cushing, and new sleeve notes by The League of Gentlemen’s Mark Gatiss.

To order PAST FORGETTING via Amazon UK click here.

For more info on the release and to hear a sample visit the Cosmic Hobo Productions site by clicking here.

COMIC: VICTORIAN UNDEAD II: SHERLOCK HOLMES VS. DRACULA IN SHOPS NOV. 10

VICTORIAN UNDEAD II: SHERLOCK HOLMES VS. DRACULA #1 (OF 5)

Written by IAN EDGINTON; Art by DAVIDE FABBRI; Cover by RYAN SOOK
A year after the defeat of Professor Moriarty's revenant horde and the fire-bombing of London, restoration is well under way. Yet, from across the sea, ancient eyes cast their hungry gaze upon the still vulnerable capital…Dracula is coming!

Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson investigate the wreck of the ship, the Demeter – its crew missing, the corpse of its Captain lashed to the ship's wheel – and soon realize this is merely the opening salvo of war from beyond the grave! Don't miss this start to a bloodthirsty new 5-issue miniseries!

On Sale November 10, 2010

To view preview pages visit the Wildstorm News Blog by clicking here.

TV: BBC SHERLOCK THE GREAT GAME AIRS ON PBS SUNDAY, NOV. 7

The US broadcast of the third episode - THE GREAT GAME - in the new updated BBC series SHERLOCK airs Sunday, November 7th at 9PM EDT (8 Central) on PBS as part of the MASTERPIECE MYSTERY series. For details visit the PBS MASTERPIECE MYSTERY SHERLOCK page.






To see the original unaired pilot be sure to pick up the DVD release. Also featured on the DVD are commentary tracks featuring creators Moffat and Gatiss as well as Cumberbatch and Freeman. Click here to order the DVD via Amazon.

COMIC: SHERLOCK HOLMES YEAR ONE

In January, the origin of one of the world's most iconic heroes - Sherlock Holmes - is revealed by writer Scott Beatty with art by one of Dynamite's new "finds" Daniel Lindro.  Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's dauntless detective returns in an all-new series of adventures exploring the sleuth's untold origins! Join Dr. John Watson as he meets young Sherlock Holmes in a fateful encounter that will forever shape both men's destinies! Mysteries and murders most foul abound as we discover clues that reveal just how Holmes became the world's most famous detective!  Discover more about the beginnings of the iconic Sherlock Holmes this January!

"Here's the deal: Sherlock Holmes and Dr. John Watson are the ORIGINAL partners-in-crimefighting," says writer Scott Beatty. "Sherlock Holmes: Year One is no mere ‘Year One' story. For both Watson and readers, Sherlock Holmes IS the mystery. Who is he? Where does he come from? What drives him? Watson is compelled to find out. And it'll take more than deductive reasoning to solve the most important case of the detectives' careers, a dozen murders laid squarely at their feet!"
"We were very proud how our first Sherlock Holmes mini-series performed, both critically and commercially, and when collected, we were fortunate in that the Hardcover and TPB both exceeded our expectations in sales." says Dynamite Entertainment President Nick Barrucci.  "Our fans wanted more Sherlock Holmes comic books, but we did not wish to rush a series out, and we waited to strive for the best possible creative team for the origin of Sherlock Holmes.  The story that Leah (Moore) and John (Reppion) told in the first issue received praise from fans to contemporary comic book writers from Ed Brubaker to Joe Michael Straczynski, Damon Lindenolf and other luminaries.  We wanted to wait till we had just the right story, and have with  Scott Beatty - who did a fantastic job on Ruse -  as writer and new found artist Daniel Lindro as artist.  To top it off, we have covers by Aaron Campbell who rendered the art on our premiere Sherlock Holmes series as well as drawing Green Hornet: Year One with Matt Wagner, and Francesco Francavilla who is currently drawing Marvel's Man Without Fear.  Sherlock Holmes: Year One will not disappoint!"
"It's my privilege to be associated with such a venerable and influential character," says cover artist Aaron Campbell.   "Dynamite's Sherlock Holmes stories, which I was fortunate to draw the interiors of the last series, can be just as exciting and relevant today as they were 100 years ago!"

"I have been a Sherlock Holmes fan since I was a kid, watching Basil Rathbone's movies and reading Doyle's novels," adds cover artist Francesco Francavilla. "So it's no surprise I am very happy to be part of Dynamite's new Sherlock series as a cover artist."

Sherlock Holmes is a fictional detective created by Scottish author, Arthur Conan Doyle in 1887. As a brilliant London-based detective, Holmes is famous for his astute logical reasoning, his ability to take almost any disguise, and his forensic science skills to solve difficult cases.


For art and more information, please visit: www.dynamiteentertainment.com

ABOUT DYNAMITE ENTERTAINMENT:

DYNAMITE ENTERTAINMENT, the publishing division of DYNAMIC FORCES, INC., was founded in 2004 and is home to several best-selling comic book titles and properties, including Red Sonja, Green Hornet, Project Superpowers, The Boys, Army of Darkness, Battlestar Galactica, The Lone Ranger, Zorro and more!

In addition to their critically-acclaimed titles and best selling comics, Dynamite works with some of the most high profile creators in comics and entertainment, including Alex Ross, John Cassaday, Garth Ennis, Michael Turner, Jim Lee, Michael Avon Oeming, Brian Reed, Mel Rubi, Marc Guggenheim, Stephen Sadowski, Mike Carey, Jim Krueger, Greg Pak, Brett Matthews, Matt Wagner and a host of up and coming new talent and fan favorite creators!

DYNAMITE is consistently ranked in the upper tiers of comic book publishers and several of their more recent launches - including Alex Ross and Jim Krueger's PROJECT SUPERPOWERS - have debuted in the Top Ten lists produced by Diamond Comics Distributors. In 2005 Diamond awarded the company a GEM award for Best New Publisher and another GEM in 2006 for Comics Publisher of the Year (under 5%). The company has also been nominated for several industry awards, including the prestigious Eisner Award.
Aside from their monthly periodical comic book series, DYNAMITE also produces new and classic material, including Tim Truman's SCOUT, Carlos Trillo and Eduardo Risso's BORDERLINE and TALES OF TERROR, Jim Starlin's DREADSTAR, as well as reprint editions of classic RED SONJA material.

TV: BBC SHERLOCK US BROADCAST SUNDAY, OCTOBER 24 ON PBS

The US broadcast of the new updated BBC series SHERLOCK begins Sunday, October 24th at 9PM (8 Central) on PBS as part of the MASTERPIECE MYSTERY series. For details visit the PBS MASTERPIECE MYSTERY SHERLOCK page.



Benedict Cumberbatch (Small Island, Starter For Ten) and Martin Freeman (The Office, Hitchhiker's Guide To The Galaxy) star in Sherlock, a thrilling, fast-paced update of Arthur Conan Doyle's classic detective, set in present-day London, for BBC One.

Sherlock is co-created by the hugely talented partnership of Steven Moffat (Doctor Who, Coupling) and Mark Gatiss (The League Of Gentlemen, Crooked House, Doctor Who) and produced by Sue Vertue (Coupling, The Cup).

The three, 90-minute films, written by Steven Moffat, Mark Gatiss and Steve Thompson (Whipping It Up, Mutual Friends) are directed by Paul McGuigan (Lucky Number Slevin, Gangster No. 1, The Acid House) and Euros Lyn (Doctor Who, Torchwood).

In this unique adaptation, the iconic details from Conan Doyle's original books remain. They live at the same address, are only interested in the bizarre and, somewhere out there, Moriarty is waiting for them.

COMIC: VICTORIAN UNDEAD SPECIAL JEKYLL AND HYDE

As a lead-in to the forthcoming second series of VICTORIAN UNDEAD (Coming in November) this week sees the release of Wildstorm's VICTORIAN UNDEAD SPECIAL #1.

The critically acclaimed series returns! London is recovering from the frightful destruction at the hands of Moriarty's undead army, and like their neighbors, Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson set about rebuilding their lives. But a rash of murders leads them to believe that a zombie might have survived the quarantine and the hunt begins...leading them to the doorstep of one Dr. Jekyll!

Written by IAN EDGINTON
Art by HORACIO DOMINGUES
Cover by ETHAN VAN SCIVER

Size: 40 Pages


Also coming from Wildstorm in November...

VICTORIAN UNDEAD II: SHERLOCK HOLMES VS. DRACULA 

Written by IAN EDGINTON; Art by DAVIDE FABBRI; Cover by RYAN SOOK

A year after the defeat of Professor Moriarty's revenant horde and the fire-bombing of London, restoration is well under way. Yet, from across the sea, ancient eyes cast their hungry gaze upon the still vulnerable capital…Dracula is coming!

Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson investigate the wreck of the ship, the Demeter – its crew missing, the corpse of its Captain lashed to the ship's wheel – and soon realize this is merely the opening salvo of war from beyond the grave! Don't miss this start to a bloodthirsty new 5-issue miniseries!

On Sale November 10, 2010

FILM: STEPHEN FRY CAST IN RITCHIE SHERLOCK HOLMES SEQUEL

On The Danny Baker radio show of September 25, 2010 actor Stephen Fry casually mentioned that he's been cast as Mycroft Holmes in Guy Ritchie's sequel to the Robert Downey Jr starring SHERLOCK HOLMES film.

Also confirmed for the sequel are returning stars Robert Downey Jr and Jude Law, as well as newcomer Noomi Rapace. The film is currently in pre-prodcution with an expected release date of November 16, 2011.

DVD: BBC SHERLOCK R1 DVD NOVEMBER 9, 2010

The first season of the BBC series SHERLOCK, starring Benedict Cumberbatch and Martin Freeman, receives a North American (Region 1) DVD and Blu-Ray release on November 9, 2010. Click here to pre-order SHERLOCK at Amazon.com. The DVD will feature the three 90-minute episodes as well as the unaired original pilot and a couple commentary tracks.

TV: 2ND SERIES OF SHERLOCK CONFIRMED

BBC PRESS RELEASE - August 28, 2010

Jay Hunt, Controller of BBC One, confirmed at the Edinburgh Television Festival today that two of the nation's most talked about dramas – Sherlock and Luther – have been recommissioned.

Jay Hunt says: "Sherlock was the hit of the Summer. Luther the most memorable new detective on the block. I am delighted they will both be returning to BBC One."

Sherlock, starring Benedict Cumberbatch as Sherlock Holmes and Martin Freeman as John Watson, became a national phenomenon, being discussed in the House of Commons, Tweeted across the globe and even inspiring the next Autumn men's collections. It will return for another series of three 90-minute feature length episodes.

Co-creators Mark Gatiss and Steven Moffat says: "We've been overwhelmed by the warmth of response to our new Sherlock Holmes and John Watson and can't wait to take them on three new adventures next year. There'll be baffling new puzzles, old friends and new enemies – whether on two or four legs. And we might well be seeing the cold master of logic and reason unexpectedly falling. But in love? Or over a precipice? Who can tell?"