Titanium Rain: The Audio Drama - Fundraising Campaign Continues

We're around half-way through the 'Titanium Rain: The Audio Drama' fundraising campaign so I thought it was time for a reminder of what creators Josh Finney and Kat Rocha, in partnership with The AudioComics Company, are working towards ...



I've lost track of the number of times I've posted about Josh Finney and Kat Rocha's Titanium Rain graphic novels over the past couple of years - most recently a month or so ago when it was announced that the books are to be adapted as a three-part full-cast radio drama in partnership with The AudioComics Company.

This morning I received news from The AudioComics Company of their plans to raise production funds for the forthcoming radio drama which is scheduled to record this coming September at Mind’s Eye Productions in Maine.

Fans can pledge any amount - between $5 and $5000 - to help cover production costs and in return will receive "perks", depending on the amount pledged, including an acknowledgement and thanks for their support; a complimentary digital download of "Titanium Rain" and its soundtrack; a limited edition "Titanium Rain" print; an original one-of-a-kind colour commission of the character of your choice from the art desk of Josh Finney ... even an opportunity to provide the voice of one of the fighter pilots!

More details around this fundraising initiative can be found over at Indie Go Go, The AudioComics Company and 01Publishing.

Titanium Rain: The Audio Drama - Fundraising Campaign Commences

I've lost track of the number of times I've posted about Josh Finney and Kat Rocha's Titanium Rain graphic novels over the past couple of years - most recently a month or so ago when it was announced that the books are to be adapted as a three-part full-cast radio drama in partnership with The AudioComics Company.

This morning I received news from The AudioComics Company of their plans to raise production funds for the forthcoming radio drama which is scheduled to record this coming September at Mind’s Eye Productions in Maine.

Fans can pledge any amount - between $5 and $5000 - to help cover production costs and in return will receive "perks", depending on the amount pledged, including an acknowledgement and thanks for their support; a complimentary digital download of "Titanium Rain" and its soundtrack; a limited edition "Titanium Rain" print; an original one-of-a-kind colour commission of the character of your choice from the art desk of Josh Finney ... even an opportunity to provide the voice of one of the fighter pilots!

More details around this fundraising initiative can be found over at Indie Go Go, The AudioComics Company and 01Publishing.

AUDIOCOMICS LAUNCHES TITANIUM RAIN FUNDRAISER

The AudioComics Company launches Indie Go Go Campaign for the
audio production of “Titanium Rain”
For immediate release:
The AudioComics Company, in association with 01Publishing, has begun a fundraising campaign though the crowdfunding site Indie Go Go to raise production funds for their forthcoming radio drama production of Titanium Rain, which is scheduled to record this coming September at Mind’s Eye Productions in Maine.

AudioComics co-founder Lance Roger Axt: “the campaign commenced on July 12, and has been picking up steam. There are a lot of people who are looking forward to this production, and they understand that it takes money to make it happen. Josh (Finney) and Kat (Rocha) have been incredibly supportive of this endeavor, and with that in mind we’ve come up with some fantastic incentives, and recently added some new ones that we think fans of the series will really enjoy!”

“Perks” for donations include limited edition prints, several hours worth of digital downloads, sketch cards, and even, at the $500 level, the opportunity to be in both the audio drama and in the third and final volume of Titanium Rain: “audio-wise, you will get to be in the audio production as a pilot in a dogfight, regardless of where you live in the world! We’ll send you the lines, you send us an Mp3 of your voice reading said lines, and they will be converted into “fighter pilot intercom” voices. In addition, your face will be drawn into the third volume of the Titanium Rain graphic novel series as the face of a character! Here's your chance to be in the audio play AND the printed graphic novel!”

The first book in the TR trilogy records this fall for a winter 2012 release, with parts two and three to be recorded later that year. The work will be adapted for audio by co-creators Josh Finney and Kat Rocha, and directed by AudioComics Company Co-Producer William Dufris.

Currently published by Archaia Entertainment, Titanium Rain is a sci-fi war epic set in the year 2031 where a civil war in China has escalated into a global conflict that has decimated entire nations and millions of innocent lives. And for many, like US Air Force pilot Alec Killian, survival in this new age means that man and machine must exist as one. In the spirit of films such as Ghost in the Shell and Blackhawk Down, Titanium Rain follows Killian’s journey through mankind’s worst, only to discover its best.

The completed piece will be available on compact disc and pay-per-Mp3 downloads; Jonathan Sharp’s soundtrack for Titanium Rain will also be available as a separate Mp3 download, to be released concurrently with Part One of the TR audio production.

The Titanium Rain audio drama campaign can be found at http://www.indiegogo.com/Titanium-Rain-The-Audio-Drama through September 5, 2011.

The AudioComics Company, under the guidance of producers Lance Roger Axt, William Dufris, and Elaine Lee, provides superior audio entertainment with its professional full-cast audio theatre productions of both licensed properties and original works from the world of comic books, graphic novels, and related media, accessible in today’s market with today’s sound. The AudioComics team is working to establish relationships with top name comic book companies, sci-fi writers, sponsors and the entertainment industry in Hollywood and New York, and to give these audio theatre pieces worldwide exposure. Their debut production of the original play script of Elaine Lee and Michael Kaluta's Starstruck has received critical acclaim from comics and audio professionals alike.

Titanium Rain to be Adapted as a Three Part Full-Cast Radio Drama

I've received exciting news that Josh Finney and Kat Rocha's Titanium Rain graphic novels are to be adapted as a three part full-cast radio drama in partnership with The AudioComics Company.

The work will be adapted for audio by co-creators Josh and Kat, and will be directed by AudioComics Company Co-Producer William Dufris. The AudioComics Company have an impressive track-record of professional full-cast audio theatre productions - their debut production, an original play script of Elaine Lee and Michael Kaluta's Starstruck received critical acclaim from comics and audio professionals alike.

On a personal note I'm very happy for Josh and Kat: when I first started to read and hear about Titanium Rain I was immediately struck by their passion, belief and commitment for their project and their enthusiasm, coupled with what sounded like an intriging storyline, made it very easy for me to jump on board.

Recording of the first book will commence this autumn for a winter 2012 release and I'll post more details as I have them. In the meantime, here's the press release:

TITANIUM RAIN COMES TO AUDIO
The AudioComics Company to adapt Glitchwerk Studios property as a full-cast radio drama
To be alive is to be at odds with the world. Man against nature. Man against man. The instinct to survive is what has made us who we are.

The AudioComics Company is excited to announce that they will be adapting Glitchwerk Studios’ graphic novel series Titanium Rain as one of their next full-cast audio theatre productions, with the first book in the trilogy recording this fall for a winter 2012 release, with parts two and three to be recorded later that year. The work will be adapted for audio by co-creators Josh Finney and Kat Rocha, and directed by AudioComics Company Co-Producer William Dufris.

Currently published by Archaia Entertainment, Titanium Rain is a sci-fi war epic set in the year 2031 where a civil war in China has escalated into a global conflict that has decimated entire nations and millions of innocent lives. And for many, like US Air Force pilot Alec Killian, survival in this new age means that man and machine must exist as one. In the spirit of films such as Ghost in the Shell and Blackhawk Down, Titanium Rain follows Killian’s journey through mankind’s worst, only to discover its best.

“Titanium Rain is the antithesis of the post-apocalyptic ‘trend’ we’re seeing today in film, on television, in comic books. That’s part of the reason why it’s such an appealing audio project, the idea that we can rise above our mistakes rather than be dragged down by them is one worth exploring,” says director William Dufris, who also directed The AudioComics Company’s premiere production, Starstruck. “Also, it’s a great character-driven book. Actors are always looking for roles they can really sink their teeth into, and TR is chock full of great character studies.”

Co-creator Josh Finney: "From Titanium Rain's initial conception I had always wanted to hear the story translated into an audio production, going so far to actually commission a full-blown soundtrack by musician Jonathan Sharp (New Mind, Bio-Tek). Now with the AudioComics Company onboard this dream is finally shaping into a reality. Stay tuned. This is going to be amazing."

The first volume of Titanium Rain has been a consistent best seller, both in the US and abroad. The title was also the center of a controversy when the first volume was delayed when Chinese printing companies refused to print the book due to Titanium Rain's so-called “politically sensitive” content, leading to Archaia Entertainment’s decision to manufacture their books elsewhere.

In addition to adapting the work, both Finney and Rocha will attend the voice-over recording sessions for Part One of the audio trilogy, and will have a hand in casting the project as well. The completed piece will be available on compact disc and pay-per-Mp3 downloads; Jonathan Sharp’s soundtrack for Titanium Rain will also be available as a separate Mp3 download, to be released concurrently with Part One of the TR audio production.

For further information about Titanium Rain visit the Glitchwerk Publishing website and likewise for more about The AudioComics Company visit their website.

The Mystery Of Titanium Rain Volume 2

This afternoon I was checking back through a list of my comic book advance orders and I noticed that I'd ordered and am still waiting for the second hardcover collection of Titanium Rain from creators Josh Finney and Kat Rocha and published by Archaia Entertainment.

Ordered last June. That's a year ago!

Titanium Rain was my favourite comic book of 2009 - and I've written about the book and its creators numerous times since then - and I just can't wait to read the second volume.

I started hunting around online to see whether 1) my shop had overlooked my order or 2) the books release had been delayed, in which case I wanted to know when it's due.

Amazon in the UK simply have the book listed as 'Currently unavailable' (incidentally Amazon in the UK are close to selling out of volume 1 again with just 1 copy currently in stock!); likewise at The Book Depository also have the second volume labelled as 'Currently unavailable' while at Wotnix the book is simply listed as being 'Out of stock'.

I was just about to call my comic shop guy when I stumbled upon 'The Mystery Of Titanium Rain Volume 2' over at Bleeding Cool:

On Twitter, comic reader Lonnie Morgan asked comic creator Josh Finney “Amazon delayed my order for Titanium Rain V2 a 3rd time. Any updates u can clue me in on? Target deliv is now June”

Finney responded “While I can’t state why Titanium Rain Vol. 2 is not on shelves yet, I can say that the book has been ready since December… I’m not a liberty to say what the problem is, but I’m hoping to see the book out by June, too. Also, it never hurts to remind my publisher, Archaia that fans REALLY want their Titanium Rain Vol. 2…please, for the love of dog, BE POLITE. Insulting my editors doesn’t NOT help anyone. You can guess why I have to say this.

At which point Archaia CEO PJ Bickett popped by “Josh, all you have to do is send your finished
files so we can finally print it!”

Josh_Finney: “If ONLY it were that easy, PJ.”

PJ Bickett: “Let me know if you need access to our FTP. We can get it going next week!”

Josh Finney: “Okay fans of TITANIUM RAIN, Archaia’s CEO PJ Bickett appears to be implying the only reason Titanium Rain Vol. 2 isn’t printed is because I have not sent him the files. PJ Bickett is entitled to his opinion, but I completely disagree. There are other reasons. Reasons which neither I or PJ Bickett should discuss in a public forum. Although if he wishes to do so, that is his choice.

PJ Bickett then deleted his tweets. And that was the end of it. For now.

So, while this article certainly appears to confirm that volume 2 hasn't yet been printed - sorry I doubted you 'mail order comic shop guy' - I don't really feel I'm any closer to getting my hands on book 2.

I can only hope that something good can come from this publicity and whatever the problems are they can be resolved quickly.

Nominations Now Underway for the Annual Eagle Awards

Comic fans here in the UK are currently being asked to submit their nominations for their 'best of 2010' - artists, writers, titles, publishers ... - as part of the annual Eagle Awards which will be awarded at the London MCM Expo on Friday 27 May 2011.

The Eagle Awards comprise two distinct stages - a round of nominations before the final round of voting. Fans have until 7 March to nominate their favourites with the top five nominations in each section qualifying for the final round of voting which gets underway on 14 March.

The winners will be announced on Friday 27 May at the London MCM Expo, Excel-London, Royal Victoria Dock.

I've already cast my votes - Josh Finney and Kat Rocha's Titanium Rain from Archaia and Bryan Q. Miller, Lee Garbett and Dustin Dguyen's work on DC's Batgirl featured heavily in my nominations as regular visitors to Escape from Tomorrow will expect.

For more background on the Eagle Awards, and to vote for your favourites, visit the Eagle Awards website.

Another Award for Titanium Rain

Here's some exciting news about one of my favourite titles of the last couple of years - Titanium Rain by Josh Finney and Kat Rocha, published by Archaia Studio Press.

Firstly, the very popular podcast 'Waiting for the Trade' has acknowledged Titanium Rain as the best hardcover publication of 2010! I couldn't agree more - last May I wrote about this hardcover publication and described it as "one of the most beautiful books I own" and I commented "try as I might I feel words alone just aren't doing justice to this publication".

If you haven't already purchased a copy there are any number of ways of picking the book up. Aside from the usual 'all good booksellers' you can now buy directly from the Archaia online store. If you're based in the UK be aware that Amazon currently have only 1 copy in stock while The Book Depository are currently promoting the title with a 13% saving.

If you prefer your books in digital form then Graphic.ly have the first volume of Titanium Rain available for download: issue #1 is free of charge, while issues #2, #3 and #4 are available for a bargain $1.99 each. The whole graphic novel - including all the amazing extra material - is only $6.99. Yes, just $6.99!

Finally for now, over at the Titanium Rain blog - The Hanger - Kat Rocha has teased fans of the book that there should be news of the second volume of Titanium Rain very soon ... I, for one, can't wait!

Click here to read my previous Titanium Rain posts.

Batwoman by Josh Finney

Check out this fantastic picture of Batwoman created by friend of Escape from Tomorrow Josh Finney:

Aside from their fantastic work on Titanium Rain you might remember that Josh and Kat Rocha created the artwork for the Catwoman short-story that appeared in last years Batman 80-Page Giant - it was probably my favourite from the collection and I'd love to see these two talented creators working on more Batman characters.

Can we have a Stephanie Brown/Batgirl next please Josh?!

Source: Josh Finney on DeviantART

Titanium Rain at Comic-Con

While we're on the subject of Comic-Con, if you're going along be sure to also stop by the Archaia Entertainment booth - #2635 - where you'll be able to meet the creators of Titanium Rain - Josh Finney and Kat Rocha - as well as catch a sneak-peak of the forthcoming second volume of the book.

The Archaia booth is located in between the Marvel Comics and the Image booths and a full appearance and signing schedule will be available at the convention.

In addition, Josh and Kat will be taking part in the Archaia All Access Panel on Friday 23 July which takes place in Room 9 of the Convention Center. Josh and Kat will be in attendance with the creators of The God Machine, Starkweather Immortal, The Awakening, Hybrid Bastards, and more!

Titanium Rain website
Titanium Rain blog
Archaia

Titanium Rain Book One - Well Worth the Wait!

A month or so after its delayed publication - blame Chinese sensitivities and the unhealthy state of my own bank account - I have now received my copy of the hardback volume of Titanium Rain Book One ... and I've got to say I think it's one of the most beautiful books I own.

Coming from a print and publishing background myself I can appreciate the often unrecognized amount of work that goes into 'producing' a printed volume - beyond the core material of course - and it's immediately clear to me that creators Josh Finney and Kat Rocha, along with their editor, will have put a lot of work into this book above and beyond the core Titanium Rain story.

I've been trailing this publication for some months now with the promise of somewhere in the order of 50 pages of bonus material but I've got to admit I wasn't expecting anywhere near this level of quality.

I picked up a 'special hardcover edition' of a book from one of the major publishers recently and, for my extra £5 or £6 I got a dozen or so extra pages of bonus material including some concept sketches and variant covers - 'nice' to see but if I'm honest not worth the extra cost.


The quantity and quality of additional material in Titanium Rain, on the other hand, is such that I feel I've been doing a disservice by referring to it simply as 'bonus material' - what we have here is a back story, an origin, extended reading ... recruitment posters, periodical extracts, weapons specs, short - and not so short - stories ... beautifully illustrated throughout.

If I'm quiet for a while now then you'll know why - I never did receive my copy of the prestige format issue #3/#4 from my comic shop so I'll be absorbing every detail from every page of this book ... and taking my time in doing so.

Try as I might I feel words alone just aren't doing justice to this publication - if you're even slightly intrigued by any of my previous posts then you simply have to go out and treat yourself to a copy of this book.

Titanium Rain
By Josh Finney and Kat Rocha
Published by Archaia Studio Press, April 2010, 152 pages, full colour

Links:
Titanium Rain is available from a number of online retailers including The Book Depository and Amazon in the UK.
Links for Titanium Rain - website and blog.
Click here for my previous posts about Titanium Rain.

Available Now - Titanium Rain, Volume 1 Hardcover

I received news today that the first hardcover collection of Escape from Tomorrow's book of 2009 - Titanium Rain - has, this week, finally shipped. Following numerous frustrating production delays - none moreso than for creators Josh Finney and Kat Rocha I'm sure - the book shipped to comic stores this Wednesday, and will be in bookstores the following week.

CHINESE GOVERNMENT ATTEMPTS TO CENSOR ‘TITANIUM RAIN’ VOL. 1

When real-world politics clash with four-color fiction.

Los Angeles, CA (April 21, 2010) – In an instance of real-world politics affecting the comic industry, ARCHAIA ENTERTAINMENT's latest graphic novel series, TITANIUM RAIN, had been severely delay when Chinese printing companies refused to print the book. TITANIUM RAIN, which portrays a civil war in near-future China, was repeatedly rejected by Chinese printers, citing "politically sensitive content" deemed offensive by the PRC.

“What I find very telling about the whole situation is at no point does our book criticize the current Chinese government or any of its policies," say author/co-artist Josh Finney. "The scenario I wrote is patterned after the Boxer Rebellion, and is meant to be a statement against ultra-nationalism and ethnic cleansing. In fact, it is ultra-nationalists in the Chinese military who attempt to overthrow the government in TITANIUM RAIN.”

Until now, Archaia Entertainment printed most of its books through China, an arrangement the publisher has had to reconsider. Clearly China's cheap manufacturing costs do come at a hidden price. Censorship.

Controversy over TITANIUM RAIN's publication may have stemmed from a sequence of pages in the book which show events leading up to a Chinese civil war. A sneak preview of those pages is available here.

Written and illustrated by the husband-and-wife team of Josh Finney (Batman, Star Trek: Enterprise) and Kat Rocha (Batman), Titanium Rain Vol. 1 (full color, 152 pages, 6.625” x 10.25” hardcover with dust jacket, $19.95, ISBN 1-932386-72-6) collects the first four chapters of the series. The story is set in the year 2031 and told from the point of view of US Air Force pilot Alec Killian, who is forced to shed some of his humanity in exchange for biotech and machine when a civil war in China spirals into a global conflict.


There's a fascinating article about author Josh Finney and some of his reasons for writing Titanium Rain over at comicrelated.com while everything you want to know about the Titanium Rain story can be found at the official website and blog. My many, many (!) previous posts about the book can be found here.

I really can't remember looking forward to a book's publication more than I have done with this hardcover collection. At times it's felt like 'soon' would never come, but Josh, Kat and publisher Archaia Entertainment have been superb about keeping fans informed all through the delays, so I for one haven't minded waiting.

Now, so long as this ash-cloud that's affecting comic-book deliveries to England - and beyond - stays away, I can finally get my copy - all good things come to he who waits.

Titanium Rain - Volume 1 ... Volume 2

It's been a while since I posted any news about Titanium Rain ...

With the release of the first hardcover collection of his book Titanium Rain just around the corner, Josh Finney has posted a number of fantastic pages from Volume 2 over at his deviantArt site.

'In Formation', Titanium Rain, volume 2

I've written many, many times about just how much I enjoyed Titanium Rain - regular readers of Escape from Tomorrow may remember it was my favourite book throughout 2009 - and I'm really looking forward to picking-up the first hardcover collection and of course, later in the year, the second.

Titanium Rain, Volume 1 Hardcover
Created by Josh Finney and Kat Rocha, Published by Archaia

Visit the Titanium Rain website for more details and click to view my previous posts about Titanium Rain.

Titanium Rain Hardcover Volume 1 Delayed ... and Coming Soon

News from the Titanium Rain blog that release of the first hardcover edition of Titanium Rain has been delayed ... apparently due to objections to the books contents from a number of Chinese printers.

Titanium Rain follows a squadron of American fighter pilots and their roll during a civil war in China. The Americans (along with other countries) have sided with the Sino Union against an ultra nationalist faction known as the Jades.

The good news is a printer in Hong Kong has been found and we can expect a release schedule soon.

Preorder the book now through Amazon in the USA for just a little over $13 or, readers in the UK can likewise pick up their copies through The Book Depository, Amazon and WOTNIX, to name just a few sources.

My Favourite Comic Book of 2009

It'll come as no surprise to anyone who's followed my posts of the last few months that my favourite comic book of 2009 was ... Titanium Rain ... Prestige Edition #1, created by Josh Finney and Kat Rocha, and published by Archaia.

To be alive is to be at odds with the world. Man against nature. Man against man. The instinct to survive is what has made us who we are. In the year 2031 mankind’s survival instinct is put to the test when a civil war in China spirals into global conflict. Nations are destroyed. Millions are killed. And for many, like US Air Force pilot Alec Killian, survival will mean shedding some of his humanity in exchange for biotech and machine.

Is this the ultimate corruption of nature? Or, the birth pains of a new chapter in mankind’s evolution? This is Titanium Rain.

Source: the Titanium Rain website

Really sounds intriguing doesn't it? Science fiction: set in the future, grounded in the present.

I first came across the title when listening to a couple of my favourite podcasts - Kryptographik and Comic Book Page. Josh and Kat's enthusiasm for their book, and the efforts that they were going to while promoting it encouraged me to find out more - you can read my many previous posts about Titanium Rain by clicking here.

Looking ahead, a hardback edition of the first issues of Titanium Rain is to be released early this year - again, see my previous posts for full details. This hardback edition collects the first four chapters of Titanium Rain and includes nearly 50 pages (50!) of bonus material consisting of articles, back matter, vehicle specs, and two never-before-published stories with guest contributions from Emil Petrinic (artist, The Red Star), Martheus Wade (artist, Jetta: Tales of the Toshigawa), Mike Colbert (writer, Crazy Mary), Damian Smith (writer, Revere) and Jules Rivera (artist, Marsh Rocket).

Over at his own blog, The Furnace, Damian Smith published the 7-page 'Operation Duplicity' story, that he created along with Josh and Kat, that's included within the collection - really good stuff isn't it?

I don't normally pick-up collections of titles that I've already bought as single issues but I'm glad to be making an exception in the case of Titanium Rain - my favourite book of 2009.

It's Not The Winning ... It's the Taking Part

A quick word of thanks to those readers that entered the Titanium Rain Giveaway - my congratulations to the winners: signed books, art cards and stickers will be on their way to you tomorrow.

If you entered the giveaway but weren't one of the fortunate winners please accept my thanks for taking part and better luck in the future: it's been a lot of fun and we'll definitely do it again.

Once again, my thanks to Titanium Rain creators Josh and Kat for supplying the prizes.

Titanium Rain Giveaway at Escape From Tomorrow

This is a first for Escape from Tomorrow - I'm excited to announce details of a 'Titanium Rain Giveaway'.

I think I first heard creators Josh Finney and Kat Rocha talking about their book Titanium Rain, which is published by Archaia, either late last year or earlier this year and I was immediately taken with both the subject matter and their enthusiasm for the book. Since then I've posted about the book a number of times and received some really great feedback from readers.

Thanks to Josh and Kat's generosity I've got the following items to give away:

3 signed copies of the double-sized Titanium Rain #1

3 Titanium Rain stickers

a number of stunning 7" by 5" art prints by Josh Finney

Titanium Rain contains adult content and graphic violence and, as such, is intended for mature readers. Therefore, to take part in this giveaway you'll need to be over 18 years of age.

To be in with a chance of receiving some of these great items just send me an email with your name and address along with confirmation that you are over 18 years old. Please put 'Titanium Rain Giveaway' as the email subject.

The deadline for entries is 12 noon GMT next Sunday (29/11/09) at which point I'll randomly draw and notify the winners.

Once again, many thanks to Josh and Kat for making this superb giveaway possible.

Good luck!

Titanium Rain - Titanium Rain website
The Hanger - Titanium Rain blog
The Commissary - Titanium Rain store