Top Cow Publisher Demoted To Working Retail

[ENGLISH] Top Cow tells us: LOS ANGELES, Calif., May 11th, 2009 – As part of the promotion for the Top Cow Productions, Inc. and Marvel Comics crossover, Fusion #1, Publisher Filip Sablik will spend this Wednesday, May 13th behind the counter at Collector’s Paradise in Winnetka, CA. The publisher is teaming with the popular Los Angeles area retailer to hand sell copies of the three issue limited series directly to fans. Beginning at 11am on Wednesday, May 13th, Sablik will act as a regular sales associate, ringing up customers, making recommendations, and following store owner Edward Greenberg’s every order. Additionally, the publisher will offer portfolio reviews to aspiring artists visiting the store.

Fusion #1 brings together four teams from the Top Cow and Marvel Universes in an unprecedented three-issue event. When an out of control, rabid Ripclaw mysteriously begins rampaging through a small New England town, the Mighty Avengers swoop in to control the situation. Taking place after the events of Civil War, but prior to Secret Invasion, the Thunderbolts soon get involved in attempting to corral the unregistered superhuman and Cyberforce moves to defend their misunderstood teammate. Ultimately the series will result in a fusion of characters, powers, and storylines unlike anything either universe has seen previously. The series is written by fan favorites Dan Abnett & Andy Lanning (War of Kings) and Tyler Kirkham (Ultimate Fantastic Four) and features covers by Mike Choi & Sonia Oback (X-Force) and Stjepan Sejic (Witchblade).

“The idea for this promotion stemmed from a conversation I had over a few beers with Ed at this year’s ComicsPRO Annual Meeting,” explained Sablik, “I joked that the only part of the industry I hadn’t worked in yet was retail and Ed called my bluff. He invited me down to come and work a day in his store and we thought what better time that on the release of a project I believe fans are going to get a kick out of. Who knows we might even get a special surprise guest come by.”

“Wednesday is going to be an easy day for me, Filip will be doing all the dirty work, taking out the trash, cleaning the bathroom. Oh wait, it’s to promote a book? I guess I will have to leave him behind the counter. I hope I do not lose too many customers,” added Greenberg. “Seriously, the book rocks. Having seen a ton of preview pages, I have never seen Kirkham’s art this good and the book is written by DnA, so you know it’s going to be a great read. Plus, we are making it 100% Returnable for the first issue.”

Collector’s Paradise is located at 7131 Winnetka Ave., Winnetka CA 91306 and can be reached by phone at 818-999-9455 or by email at cparadise@socal.rr.com .

ART ATTACHED: Fusion #1 cover by Mike Choi & Sonia Oback