POW! Entertainment's Stan Lee, Music Superstar Yoshiki, and World Renowned Comic Book Artist Todd McFarlane to Unveil New Comic Book Series "Blood Red Dragon" at Comic-Con 2011

LOS ANGELES, June 29, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Stan Lee, Chief Creative Officer of POW! Entertainment (OTCQB: POWN), music superstar and humanitarian Yoshiki, and world renowned comic book artist Todd McFarlane will unveil the debut issue of the highly anticipated comic book series Blood Red Dragon at Comic-Con International on Thursday, July 21, 2011.  Lee, McFarlane and Yoshiki, on whom the comic's central superhero is based, will present the first installment of Blood Red Dragon, which features a surprise and first-of-its-kind publishing innovation that combines the unique skills of these three world-renowned artists. Lee, McFarlane, and Yoshiki will join established and respected comic book writer Jon Goff in a panel discussion at the Hilton San Diego Bayfront hotel in the Indigo room on Thursday, July 21st from 1pm-2pm, followed by press interviews from 2-3:30pm.

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For press interview consideration, please e-mail both [email protected] and [email protected].  

Blood Red Dragon Issue #0, the first in the series published by Todd McFarlane Productions, focuses on the origin of an ancient and benevolent force, locked in an epic battle with the dark armies of Oblivion. Creative expression and destiny collide, as once in a generation an individual is born with the potential to unlock the awesome might of the Blood Red Dragon, thus channeling a power beyond comprehension and assuming the mantle of Earth's protector. When agents of Oblivion discover that the key to accessing the Blood Red Dragon's energy lays in music—the melodic heart of the human spirit, they launch a series of violent attacks on musicians across the globe.  As he performs in front of a large crowd during the opening show of a massive world tour, drummer and keyboardist Yoshiki comes face-to-face with his destiny, experiencing a transformation that will forever change his life—and possibly the fate of the world.

"I am extremely excited about Blood Red Dragon," said Lee. "Yoshiki's exceptional musical abilities, visual flair and passionate humanitarianism make him an amazing and inspiring collaborator and I think readers will experience every bit of that in the comics."

Added Yoshiki, "Working with the one-and-only Stan Lee has been an incredible experience for me. He is truly a genius and one of the best storytellers living today. I'm excited with the results of our efforts and look forward to the response from readers and music lovers around the world."

"Being able to collaborate with creators on a global level is always a thrill," said McFarlane.  "Working with two big names, like Yoshiki and Stan Lee, I hope I'm able to add a little bit of my touch to a book that my, Stan's, but most importantly Yoshiki's fans will enjoy.  At the same time, I hope this book helps introduce Yoshiki to fans that don't know him on American shores."

About Stan Lee

Stan Lee is the founder, chairman and chief creative officer of POW!  Entertainment (OTCQB:POWN). Widely acknowledged as the originator of the modern day superhero, Lee created or co-created the vast majority of Marvel® Comics' most recognized and beloved characters including Spider-Man®, The Incredible Hulk®, X-Men®, The Fantastic Four®, Iron Man® and countless others. Lee first became publisher of Marvel Comics in 1972 and is presently the chairman emeritus of Marvel Enterprises. In 1977, he introduced "Spider-Man" as a syndicated newspaper strip that went on to become the most successful of all syndicated adventure strips, appearing in more than 500 newspapers worldwide. More than 2 billion of his comic books have been published in 75 countries and in 25 languages and numerous blockbuster movies and dozens of successful television series have been based on characters he created. Lee formed POW! (Purveyors of Wonder) Entertainment with producer Gill Champion and attorney Arthur Lieberman. The company, unrelated to Marvel, creates franchises for theatrical release, television, DVD's, video games, merchandising and related ancillary markets.

About Yoshiki

The heart of X Japan is Yoshiki - songwriter, drummer, and classically trained pianist who also plays guitar, bass and trumpet.  Yoshiki, who has been referred to by his first name only throughout his entire professional career, is arguably Asia's most influential musical artist and biggest rock icon.  According to one industry insider, "Yoshiki is to Japan what Bono is to the UK."  His double-record classical album, Eternal Melody (1993), was co-produced and arranged by the legendary George Martin, recorded with the London Philharmonic Orchestra, and remains Japan's biggest-selling classical release.  For KISS My Ass:  Classic KISS Regrooved, the 1994 KISS tribute album, Yoshiki arranged and produced "Black Diamond" as a piano concerto, prompting Rolling Stone magazine to comment in its CD review, "the ingenuity award must go to Yoshiki..."  Yoshiki has produced some of Japan's most influential bands, including Dir En Grey and Glay.  At the request of the Japanese government in 1999, Yoshiki composed a piano concerto and performed it with a 77-piece orchestra to celebrate the tenth year of the Emperor of Japan's reign.  In 2005, he was named the Music Director for the 2005 World Expo, composed its theme song, and conducted the orchestra at the opening ceremonies.  Yoshiki also wrote the X Japan song "I.V." for the 2007 international blockbuster horror film "Saw IV," which played over the film's closing credits.

Beyond music, Yoshiki is an entrepreneur and a true renaissance man.  He has overseen the development of a premiere line of Yoshiki jewelry, collaborated with the California Mondavi family to develop his own wine, "Y," the Bank of Japan has issued a Yoshiki Visa Card and, for the first time in history, a Hello Kitty product line was named after a person - "Yoshikitty" - that became available in Japan in May 2010.  In March 2011, Yoshiki co-produced an East-meets-west/fashion-meets-music event, "Asia Girls Explosion," showcasing top fashion brands, and debuting his own line of kimonos, "Yoshikimono."  U.S. celebrities such as rocker Marilyn Manson and stars from the hit television series "90210." Yoshiki has graced the covers of more than 200 music, business and trade media outlets in Asia.

In July, 2010, Yoshiki launched the Yoshiki Foundation America, a California non-profit, 501(c) public benefit corporation that has already helped organizations including The Grammy Foundation, Make-a-Wish, and St. Vincent Meals on Wheels.  With the devastating March 2011 earthquake in Japan, YSA is focusing all of its efforts on Japan relief, and has partnered with the Japan America Society of Southern California in those efforts.

About Todd McFarlane

Grammy-and Emmy-winning producer/director Todd McFarlane became a true comic book superstar in the 1980s as a result of his work on Marvel Comics' Spider-Man franchise. In 1992, he launched his own comic title, Spawn, creating one of the most popular heroes of the 1990s. The title's hugely popular 1992 debut sold an amazing 1.7 million copies – an unprecedented feat in independent comics.

The comic became an Emmy Award-winning animated series on HBO and a live-action feature film from New Line Cinema that grossed $100 million.  A whirlwind of growth and expansion followed: more comics, action figures, and award-winning entertainment projects.

After garnishing prominent success in the comic industry, McFarlane founded the international award-winning McFarlane Toys. Now one of America's top action figure manufacturers, McFarlane Toys produces figures of HALO: Reach as well as the officially licensed teams of the NFL, NBA, MLB and NHL. McFarlane Toys has become a leader and redefined the standards within the action figure industry.

The breadth of McFarlane's awards span from two Emmy Awards, a pair of MTV Video Music Awards, and a Grammy Award, to hundreds of international awards for his work in the arts and action figure industry. Todd McFarlane Entertainment continues to develop projects in the video game, film, television and music industries.

About Jon Goff

Jon Goff has developed content for comic books, action figures, video games, entertainment properties while working with many of the top companies across entertainment industry, including The McFarlane Companies, 343 Industries, Microsoft Game Studios, Marvel Comics, MEGA Brands, Gentle Giant Studios, WETA Workshop, ABC Studios, Tor Books, DK Publishing, Prima Games and more. Jon's credits include Tor Books' Halo-themed anthology, Halo Evolutions, which features four poems (Beyond, Acheron-VII, ICON, Connectivity), as well as a short story (Headhunters), The Adventures of SPAWN online comic (McFarlane Toys/Todd McFarlane Productions), and the creator-owned comic titles, BIG HITTERS (with artist/co-creator Travis Sengaus) and Jack Rabbit (with artist/co-creator Jim Hanna). Jon is currently providing plots and additional scripting for Todd McFarlane's monthly Spawn comic book, while working on a pair of novels—one horror, the other sci-fi/noir. Jon can be found online at:

ABOUT POW! (PURVEYORS OF WONDER) ENTERTAINMENT, INC.

POW! Entertainment, Inc. (OTCQB: POWN), a multi-media and entertainment company, was founded by noted comic book and entertainment figure Stan Lee, together with award-winning producer Gill Champion and intellectual property specialist Arthur Lieberman. POW!'s principals have extensive backgrounds in the entertainment industry encompassing the creation, production and licensing of original intellectual properties, including some of the most successful entertainment franchises of all time. POW! is capitalizing on this combined expertise, specializing in creating and developing both the legacy and digital media components of the entertainment industry. This includes animation and live-action feature films, plus television, DVDs, multi-media, merchandising and related ancillary markets, all of which contribute to global expansion. POW! partners with other individuals and entities of entertainment's top echelon, including studios and networks in the creation, licensing and distribution of new POW! character franchises. www.powentertainment.com.  

About Todd McFarlane Productions

Todd McFarlane Productions (TMP) is the company behind the monthly comic book Spawn. Created by Todd McFarlane, Spawn debuted in May 1992, selling 1.7 million copies, making it the best-selling independent comic book of its time. Spawn is published in nine languages and distributed in more than 32 countries. Now in its 20th year, the comic recently published its 208th issue.

SOURCE POW! Entertainment