Michel
Gagné Releases Two New Hardcover Books
Burbank,
CA, June 2002 - Gagné International Press just released
the first volume collecting Michel Gagné's acclaimed series
ZED, as well as a new color edition of his sold out graphic
storybook A Search for Meaning: The Story of Rex.
Michel
Gagné is a versatile animator / artist / writer who has
made his mark in films such as The Iron Giant, Osmosis
Jones, Prelude to Eden and many others, earning him
4 Annie Awards nominations (the animation industry's highest honor).
He has written, illustrated and published several hardcover books
and comics including the best-selling Insanely Twisted Rabbits
and Frenzied Fauna. His visionary style and unique artwork
have earned him a worldwide following.
ZED:
Volume One collects issues #1 through #4 of ZED, an
intense sci-fi series that follows the story of a cute little
alien who inadvertently causes the galaxy's worst disaster. The
series is unique for its fluid, animation like illustrations combined
with an edgy, weirdly mature storytelling. The trade edition also
features an introduction by Brad Bird, director of The
Iron Giant, as well as an early sketch gallery. "I'm very
proud of how the book turned out," says Michel. "ZED was
my first venture into comics, and it was quite a learning experience
putting those first four issues together. The reviews for the
series have been very positive and I'm hoping that the trade edition
will result in a wider audience discovering ZED."
When
A Search for Meaning: The Story of Rex was released in
1998, it quietly made a niche for itself within the comic stores
community. Without publicity and helped only by positive word
of mouth, the book became an instant hit and set the wheels in
motion for Gagné International Press. The first black and
white edition priced at $24.95 was limited to only 1000 and quickly
sold out. Since then, the tale of a little fox searching for life's
answers in a surreal, dreamlike landscape, has garnered a fan
following that has far exceeded its initial print run. "We've
had so many requests, that it just became logical to do a new
printing," says Michel. "The original edition was my very first
book and I felt that many improvements could be made on the second
edition. So I went back and redid the whole layout; I created
a new front and back cover; I used a different font, which I felt
suited the story a little more; and most of all, I colored all
the illustrations"
ZED:
Volume One and A Search for Meaning: The Story of Rex
are distributed worldwide through Last Gasp, and will solicit
through Diamond in August's Previews. ZED: Volume
One is available in soft and hard cover and retails at $14.95
and $18.95 respectively. A Search for Meaning: The Story of
Rex retails at $14.95. Both books will be available at the
Gagne international Press booth at San-Diego Comic-Con and can
be ordered directly from their website.
For
more information visit www.gagneint.com.
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