Archaia Announces 'HAWKEN: MELEE'

 ARCHAIA ANNOUNCES
'HAWKEN: MELEE' MINISERIES, EXPANDING THE WORLD OF THE
AWARD-WINNING ONLINE
VIDEO GAME, 'HAWKEN'

Follow-up to the original graphic novel
'HAWKEN: GENESIS' debuts as a five-part Digital First title, then ships bi-weekly in print starting in December
 

  
Cover to HAWKEN: MELEE #1 illustrated by Tim Bradstreet   

September 11, 2013 (Los Angeles) - Award-winning publisher Archaia Entertainment, an imprint of BOOM! Studios, and free-to-play video game publisher Meteor Entertainment, have teamed up with comiXology to debut the Digital First title HAWKEN: MELEE, a five-part miniseries based on the celebrated online, free-to-play mech combat video game, HAWKEN. Featuring original stories from some of the top names in comics, the first digital issue is now live on comiXology.

The five Digital First issues will be released four weeks apart, and will be followed by the bi-weekly release of single-issue print editions starting in December. The print issues will contain additional backmatter that will appeal to gameplayers, such as mech and map schematics, combat strategies, and a peek behind the development curtain to enhance the gameplaying experience.

Following the success of HAWKEN: GENESIS, the previously released hardcover graphic novel that established the world history for the game,HAWKEN: MELEE focuses on high-stakes action and fast-paced combat in five standalone stories, each presented by a different creative team. The premiere issue features work by Tim Bradstreet (The Punisher), Dan Abnett (Legion of Super-Heroes), Federico Dallocchio (Suicide Squad), and Chris Northrop (The Reason for Dragons), while subsequent issues will feature work by Jim Mahfood (Grrl Scouts), Jock (The Losers), Nathan Fox (DMZ), Mike Kennedy (Bleedout), Andrew Gaska (Space: 1999 - Aftershock and Awe), Dan Dussault (Critical Millennium: The Dark Frontier), Michael O’Hare (Birds of Prey), Bagus Hutomo (HAWKEN: GENESIS), Francisco Ruiz Velasco (Thunderbolts), and Bengal (Flight Vol. 1).

“We really wanted to amp up the adrenaline factor for this second volume,” says Mike Kennedy, editor of the series, “and went after an A-list of amazing storytellers to bring their unique, individual vision to this rich universe.  Following the lush, painted concept style set by [game creator] Khang Le, we’re really excited by the quality of each standalone story.  We really think gamers and non-gamers alike are going to find this series pretty thrilling.”

The first two print issues of HAWKEN: MELEE will ship in December and will be available for pre-order through comic book shops starting Sept. 25.

HAWKEN is a free-to-play, online, multiplayer, mech combat shooter developed by Adhesive Games and published by Meteor Entertainment. It creates an intense and immersive battle experience that captures the feeling of piloting a heavy war machine while keeping the action fast-paced and strategic. Called one of the most anticipated games of 2012, HAWKEN won more than 22 press awards at industry events. For more information, visit playhawken.com.
 

About Archaia Entertainment

Archaia (archaia.com) is a multi-award-winning graphic novel publisher with more than 75 renowned publishing brands, including such domestic and international hits as Mouse Guard, Rust, Cow Boy, Cursed Pirate Girl,Gunnerkrigg Court, and Artesia. Archaia has also published an entire line of graphic novels in partnership with The Jim Henson Company, including the multiple award-winning Jim Henson’s Tale of Sand and such beloved tales asThe Dark Crystal, The Storyteller, and Fraggle Rock. In addition to its partnership with Henson, Archaia has forged creative partnerships with storytellers in all facets of the entertainment industry, resulting in print and digital expansions of such noted properties as Bleedout and HAWKEN (video games), Immortals and Planet of the Apes (film), and Space: 1999(television). Alongside these celebrated titles, Archaia has released English translations of numerous renowned foreign titles to much fanfare, includingThe Killer, Sergio Toppi’s Sharaz-De: Tales from Arabian Nights, and The Secret History. In June 2013, Archaia was acquired by BOOM! Studios (boom-studios.com). Founded by Ross Richie in 2005, Diamond Gem Award-winning “Best Publisher” BOOM! Studios generates a constellation of best-selling Eisner and Harvey Award-winning original and licensed comic books and graphic novels with the industry’s top talent.

About Meteor Entertainment

Based in Seattle, Meteor Entertainment is focused on successfully publishing free-to-play games globally, with an emphasis on compelling content and setting the standard for customer service and community engagement. Meteor Entertainment’s first title, HAWKEN, developed by Adhesive Games, entered Open Beta on December 12, 2012 (12.12.12). To learn more about Meteor Entertainment, visit meteor-ent.com.