Comicbook Artists Guild Announces Iconic Release of New Graphic Novel

Moodus, CT, May 20, 2009 --(PR.com)-- The beauty of comic book creation is that it is a celebration of two worlds: the literary and the artistic. For the better part of a year, the writer and artist members of the Comicbook Artists Guild have been working steadfastly to bring these two worlds together for the purpose of supporting children’s literacy. Iconic, the Guild’s first graphic novel project, is a collection of short stories based on old tales that are taught in schools all over the world, but each one has a twist to it.

Included in Iconic are stories based on mythological characters such as Prometheus, Talos and Cuchulainn. Legendary literary characters such as Ebeneezer Scrooge and Sherlock Holmes appear in slightly varied narrations from their original. The creators of the Guild explore the trials and triumphs of folklore heroes Robin Hood and John Henry. Lastly, the creators share stories based on historical figures Mark Twain, St. George and Gustave Whitehead. All of the stories are tied together by a fictional grandfather as he shares the stories with his grandchildren.

Production Director for Iconic, Philip Clark commented recently on the book’s completion, "This is the culmination of everything the Guild is about and the first time we've gathered talent from all over the globe for such a collaboration — our largest. It's a book by the membership for everyone who loves classic literature and graphic storytelling. It was conceived from the ground up by the members themselves and represents the best of what CAG has to offer the comic book industry."

The Guild is planning to release Iconic at MoCCA Fest, being held June 6 and 7, 2009 at the 69th Regiment Armory in New York City. MoCCA Fest is a popular comic art festival sponsored by the Museum of Comic and Cartoon Art, and members of the Guild will be appearing to celebrate their special release. This appearance is the Guild’s first time exhibiting at MoCCA Fest.

Regarding the book’s release and the Guild’s appearance at MoCCA Fest, President and Iconic Art Director Keith J. Murphey said "It is with great pleasure that we debut Iconic at MoCCA Fest this year. I couldn’t think of a more independent-friendly show to release this publication. One of the goals of Iconic is to get it noticed by the literary community and the MoCCA Fest is the perfect venue for that to happen."

The Comicbook Artists Guild, founded in 2000, is an organization dedicated to the networking, education and support of comic book creators, writers and artists alike, regardless of amateur or professional status, skill levels or talent divisions. CAG operates membership chapters in New York Metro, New England and Nebraska, with interest in opening more chapters and continuing to grow. CAG’s goal is to advance the medium of comics through the creative experiences of its members. By bringing them together on projects of their choosing, the Guild perpetuates the positive aspects of the comics industry and its continuing contribution to popular culture.

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