Elflord Volume 1 Now Available on Drivethru Comics

ELFLORD VOLUME 1:

The Elflord series was Aircel’s most popular title. To this day 20 plus years later it’s still the most highly regarded and internationally acclaimed of all of Barry Blair’s Aircel titles. Elfsong captured the hearts of fans with very unique artwork for the time that was very different from the likes of Marvel and DC.

Series 1 chronicled the lives of Hawk and Windblade, Elven warriors of Greenhaven. The stories are filled with adventure, battles, angst and fantasy.

Elflord is available now for digital download on Drivethru Comics. A series of Trade Paperbacks are also in the works.

AN EXCERPT FROM ELFLORD #1
Sit back, open your mind and enter into a world where dreams are born. A land of fantasy beckons you to explore its hidden secrets. Travel the roads and winding wooded trails into the dark depths of the unknown while narrow eyes follow your every step.

A fortress stands boldly against the dying light of day and you struggle through waves of tall grass flowing in the evening breeze. Night sounds haunt you from the darkness that creeps ever closer. You see the open gate and the warm glow within reaches out to you.  Your legs are heavy from travel, your brain works to push you on, your muscles cry in pain but you inch forward not daring a glance. Is it the sound of your breathing that fills the night air or that of something else? Something evil.

At last the high arch of the fortress keep opens its mouth and mercifully swallows you into its safe stone walls. The guard smiles comfortingly as your boots tap a hallow rhythm on the wooden drawbridge. You smile back and your heart returns to its rightful place, its wild beat slowing to normal.

Through the gate, the soft glow of the torch-lit courtyard brings warmth to your body relaxing your tense muscles, across the yard a tavern awaits, bright light shining through its windows and cheerful song calling form within. Go now and listen to the stories.

The tales of ELFLORD.

Aircel comics, one of the first independent comic book companies of the late 1980’s is back! In August, Nifty Comics acquired the rights to the Aircel comics publishing library and is bringing the work of Barry Blair and his crew of talented creators to a new generation of readers.

As one of the leading black and white comic book publishers, Aircel introduced the world to such gifted comic creators such as Barry Blair, Dale Keown, Pat McEown and Guang Yap.

Aircel published hundreds of comics, including the critically acclaimed Elflord, Warlock 5, Gun Fury, Samurai, Dragonring–Dragonforce, the Walking Dead, Maelstrom, Leather & Lace, Warlocks and much more. These titles were popular in the American indie circle as well as Europe for their stylized artwork and intense storylines.

Nifty comics is restoring and reprinting a bunch of the Aircel Comics titles for sale as digital downloads, (for mobile and web) as well as publishing trade paperback compilations of the most famous series.

From December 28^th-January 3^rd, you can download for FREE issue number 1 of these classic Aircel titles: Dragonring, Elflord, Warlock 5, Samurai and Gun Fury series on Drivethru Comics.

You can access the free downloads on Drivethru Comics HERE

This will begin a monthly publication to Drivethru comics for these specific titles.

Nifty has also partnered up with Panelfy for the Iphone and the entire Dragonring Volume 1 is available on there right now.

www.panelfly.com

www.niftycomics.com

-Mat Nastos, Publisher

http://www.NiftyComics.com

In addition to our recent announcement on picking up rights to the Aircel Comics library of material, Nifty Comics will have its very own feature in BNA Magazine here in the San Gabriel Valley of California.  Beginning in September 2009, BNA Magazine will be bringing its 40,000+ readership the “Nifty Corner,” a kid-friendly column with art, games, puzzles and whatever else we can come up with — all starring Nifty Comics characters and put together by Nifty Comics creator, Mat Nastos.

Check out the first installment below!

Until next time, it’s back to the drawing board.

-Mat Nastos, Publisher
http://www.NiftyComics.com

With all that being said, I have decided to pick the publishing back up and get it going full bore again.  Later this year the Cadre will pick back up with a regular series (either quarterly or bi-monthly, I haven’t decided yet).  The next six issues are in the can and ready to go, so we’ll see some nice consistency for a while.  We’ll have at least one new trade out and ready early next year.

On top of that, Nifty Comics will be heading into the realm of fantasy comics with a book written by my good friend (and former Marvel Comics Bullpen Artist), Marc Morrell, and draw by the fantastic Will Perkins.   We haven’t nailed down the final title for the comic, but it stars a different sort of wizard named Rhemmiel.  It’s good stuff and the art by Will is cool as hell.

Finally, and this is probably the biggest news for the company.  I’m announcing it first here for those long-time Nifty Comics fans and will be following up with a proper press release later in the week.  Nifty Comics has acquired the rights to the Aircel Comics publishing library.  For those of you who weren’t around comics in the 80s or early 90s, Aircel was one of the leading black and white comic book publishers and introduced the world to the first work of such gifted comic creators as Barry Blair, Dale Keown, Pat McEown and Guang Yap.  Over their time in the industry, Aircel published hundreds of comics, including Elflord, Warlock 5, Samurai, Dragonring/Dragonforce, Gun Fury, the Walking Dead, Maelstrom, Leather & Lace and Warlocks.

We’re going to be restoring and reprinting a whole slew of the Aircel Comics material and will also be producing new material.  The most exciting news, at least for me, is the chance to get to work with my good friend and mentor, Barry Blair, on some of that new material.  We’re going to be putting out Barry’s first US comic work in a long time and it’s looking to be some amazing stuff.

Keep an eye on this space in the upcoming weeks for more information and on how to be a part of the fun here at Nifty Comics.

-Mat Nastos, publisher
http://www.NiftyComics.com

The Comic Book Art Institute, located in San Gabriel, California, is an education institute with a hardcore focus on the art of comic books.  It will be made up of some incredibly gifted and experienced comic book creators and publishers, including Hal Hefner (Gates and Night Huntress) and Mat Nastos (Nifty Comics, Elfquest, ElfSong), and will feature one of the most extensive set of comic book art courses found anywhere in the world.

The school is launching a “beta test” first set of classes in October 2009 and will begin its full sessions in January 2010.  Drop by the Comic Book Art Institute website for more information on courses, instructors and registration.  Also keep an eye on in this space and at http://www.MatNastos.net for more news as updates are announced.

-Mat Nastos, publisher of Nifty Comics
http://www.NiftyComics.com

Seb’s reviews said “It’s a great read, about great characters, with great art” and “If you remember when the X-Men were great, or WILDCATS were fresh, then you’ll love THE CADRE!”  Check out the full reviews at the links below:

Cadre #1
http://www.projectfanboy.com/vb/showthread.php?t=1713

Cadre #2
http://www.projectfanboy.com/vb/showthread.php?t=1714

Cadre #3
http://www.projectfanboy.com/vb/showthread.php?t=1715

Cadre #4
http://www.projectfanboy.com/vb/showthread.php?t=1716

Cadre #5
http://www.projectfanboy.com/vb/showthread.php?t=1717

Origins of the Cadre #1
http://www.projectfanboy.com:80/vb/showthread.php?t=1754

Thanks to Seb and the Project Fanboy guys for the great reviews!  Check out ProjectFanboy.com for cool reviews on all things Geek-related.

-Mat Nastos, head honcho
Nifty Comics
http://www.NiftyComics.com

The Cadre takes a breather this month as the action focuses on the White Dwarf. What is the link between a crime spree in Empire City and the beautiful but mysterious woman known only as Nemesis? Pick up the issue to find out!

Check out what Diamond Comic Distributors says about the Cadre: “It’s just the sort of saga that got you hooked on comics in the first place.”

Written by Mat Nastos and Cary Kelley, with art by indy art sensation, Tim Rees. Cover by Johnny Saturn creator, Scott Story.

“If you remember when the X-Men were great, or WILDCATS were fresh, then you’ll love THE CADRE!”
–Project Fanboy

“Cadre is a thrilling tale of danger and adventure. An edge-of-the-seat, can’t-put-it-down comic book with potential for classic status!”
– Jazma Online

Title: Cadre #6, 32 pgs. B&W, with a full color cover
Created By: Mat Nastos
Written By: Mat Nastos & Cary Kelley
Art By: Tim Rees
Cover By: Scott Story
Price: $3.50
Ship Date: December 31, 2008

CLICK FOR LARGER IMAGES


 

Check it out and stay tuned to this website for upcoming Cadre release information.

Cadre #6 Cover Art Preview

-Mat Nastos
www.NiftyComics.com

I am very happy to announce that Nifty Comics will be returning to active comic book publishing in December 2008 with the release of Cadre #6, the first all-new issue of the Cadre since the end of 2007.  With issue 6, the Cadre will be going back to a bi-monthly release schedule with Cadre #7 following up in February 2009. 

Cadre #6 is written by Mat Nastos, with scripting by Cary Kelley, fantastic artwork by Tim Rees, lettering by Shane Woodis and an amazing cover by Johnny Saturn creator, Scott Story.  Issue 6 focuses on the White Dwarf and a new love interest for the Tiny Titan.  Check back here at Nifty Comics online in the next couple of weeks for full solicitation information for Cadre #6, along with preview pages and some other Nifty stuff.  For now, check out the image below for a sneak peek at Scott Story’s cover for the issue.

Check out the incredible cover artwork for Cadre #6 by Scott Story.

Until next time, Stay Nifty!

-Mat Nastos
http://www.niftycomics.com