Butterfinger® Debuts Online Graphic Novel Starring Pop Culture TV Icons Erik Estrada, Lou Ferrigno and Charisma Carpenter

GLENDALE, Calif., July 22 /PRNewswire/ -- Butterfinger® today unveiled the limited edition Butterfinger Defense League graphic novel – an online, interactive comic book series starring pop culture TV icons Erik Estrada, Lou Ferrigno and Charisma Carpenter. The first-of-its-kind, customizable graphic novel features three action-packed chapters with tales of the League defending Butterfinger from would-be thieves. Available online at Facebook.com/Butterfinger and ButterfingerDefenseLeague.com, the graphic novel offers fans an entertaining interactive experience starring the beloved trio of Butterfinger classic defenders.

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In response to an outbreak of Butterfinger thefts earlier this year, the iconic TV stars were announced as the official Butterfinger Defense League, established to protect Butterfinger against would-be thieves and promote the tagline-turned-mantra, "Nobody's Gonna Lay A Finger On My Butterfinger!"

"Most superheroes make the leap from comic book pages to the silver screen, but our twist takes the Butterfinger Defense League stars and makes them the heroes of a gripping graphic novel," said Tricia Bowles, spokesperson, Nestle USA Confections & Snacks.

The Butterfinger graphic novel includes personalization options, sophisticated technology, and interactive experiences. It consists of three suspenseful chapters, each providing a customizable experience that can be tailored to the reader. After successfully passing each chapter's challenge, the reader can advance to the next chapter of the story. Chapter two of the Butterfinger novel will be available on July 28, 2010 and the third and final chapter will be available on August 4, 2010.

"Butterfinger fans now can play along with us in defending our favorite candy bar," said Estrada, who co-starred in the hit TV series "CHiPs" from 1977-1983. "Each chapter of the graphic novel delivers a unique, fun, interactive experience – you'll even get a chance to use my sexy signature crime-fighting moves as you choose your adventure with the Defense League."

Ferrigno, best known for playing the title role in the "The Incredible Hulk" from 1978-1982, added, "I've been around the finest comic books and graphic novels throughout my career, and this is the real deal – a captivating story and incredible graphics."

Carpenter, a popular celebrity draw at Comic-Con due to her many supernatural starring roles, including on the hit TV series "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" (1997-2003) and its spin-off "Angel" (1999-2004), added, "We're so excited to meet Butterfinger fans face-to-face, and share in their enthusiasm at Comic-Con, and we can't wait for them to experience our newest adventure online through the Butterfinger Defense League graphic novel."

Ferrigno, Estrada and Carpenter will make a special appearance at Comic-Con International 2010 on July 23-24, where they will meet with fans and also announce the name of one lucky winner who will become the fourth member of the League. Through the Butterfinger Defense League Video Contest, sponsored by G4 TV, fans submitted their video entries demonstrating why they should be chosen as the fourth member of the Butterfinger Defense League. The top two finalists earned a VIP trip to Comic-Con, where one will be named the winner and fourth member of the Defense League and take home the grand prize of $20,000. As an added bonus, he or she will appear with the Butterfinger Defense League on G4's "Attack of the Show!" broadcasting live from the Comic-Con convention floor on Saturday, July 24.

The Butterfinger Defense League graphic novel is available only through the Butterfinger Facebook page at Facebook.com/Butterfinger or on ButterfingerDefenseLeague.com for those without a Facebook account. More information about the Butterfinger Defense League, the graphic novel, and the League's exclusive appearance at Comic-Con International in San Diego also can be found online at ButterfingerDefenseLeague.com.

About BUTTERFINGER®

BUTTERFINGER® is a one-of-a-kind candy bar with the crispety, crunchety, peanut-buttery taste people love. No other candy bar comes close to the intense flavor and texture of a Butterfinger. Keep up with the latest news about Butterfinger at Facebook.com/Butterfinger or follow its sweet tweets at Twitter.com/ButterfingerMmm. Butterfinger has one of the largest Facebook fan pages for a confections brand, with more than 500,000 Facebook users connected to the beloved candy bar.

About Nestle USA

Named one of "The World's Most Admired Food Companies" in FORTUNE magazine for 13 consecutive years, Nestle provides quality brands and products that bring flavor to life every day. From nutritious meals with Lean Cuisine® to baking traditions with Nestle® Toll House®, Nestle USA makes delicious, convenient, and nutritious food and beverage products that enrich the very experience of life itself. That's what "Nestle. Good Food, Good Life" is all about. Nestle USA, with 2009 sales of $10.4 billion, is part of Nestle S.A. in Vevey, Switzerland — the world's largest food company with a commitment to Nutrition, Health & Wellness — with 2009 sales of $99 billion. For product news and information, visit Nestleusa.com or NestleNewsroom.com.

SOURCE Nestle USA