SAN ANTONIO and LOS ANGELES, Aug. 28 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Platinum Studios Inc. and AT&T Inc. announced today the winner of Platinum Studios' 2007 Comic Book Challenge presented by AT&T and distributed on AT&T's three screens, with support from the AT&T Universal Card. Jorge Vega from Brockton, Mass., will receive a publishing deal and a multimedia development deal for his creative concept, Gunplay, and the final product will be unveiled at one of Wizard World's comic book, entertainment and pop-culture conventions in 2008.
Gunplay is the haunting, bullet-riddled tale of a Buffalo Soldier condemned to roam the Big Empty with a hellish curse slung at his waist: a demonic shooting iron that forces Abner to kill once a day or suffer soul-searing pain. His only salvation lies in earning the trust of a boy he's never met, a boy with an agonizing secret of his own -- and Abner has just gunned down that boy's father.
"This is a dream come true for me!" Vega said. "You only see these things happen to people on TV, and I still can't believe that Gunplay was selected. Platinum Studios and AT&T have created a tremendous contest that allows aspiring comic creators such as me the opportunity to enter this field, and I'm honored and humbled that hundreds of thousands of people globally in the comic community selected my concept from all of the amazing entries."
"Jorge Vega impressed us with Gunplay and clearly won over the worldwide comic book community as well," said Scott Mitchell Rosenberg, chairman of Platinum Studios. "As you can still see on AT&T's blue room, the judges -- Donald Faison ("Scrubs"), John Williams (producer of "Shrek") and I -- were very intrigued with many of the concepts and the creators themselves. Narrowing it down to the top 10 was agonizing. Thank goodness the fans made the final decision. We look forward to working with Jorge to further develop his story for print and to see what other opportunities can be developed for the property. The Comic Book Challenge was designed to discover new comic book creators with a fresh approach, and we have definitely done that with Jorge."
Jorge Vega took on other aspiring comic book creators in a head-to-head challenge that unfolded on the AT&T blue room (http://www.attblueroom.com/), where fans were invited to vote for their favorite concept/creator by casting online ballots during two separate rounds of voting. The second round of voting concluded Aug. 25 with several million votes cast.
Although the winner has been selected, comic book fans can still visit the blue room to see how the contest unfolded. In addition to the material submitted by the talented contestants, the exclusive content, which was written, directed and produced by AT&T's expanding in-house creative group, features video back-stories, footage of the live pitches and "confessionals" featuring the top 10 semifinalists. Through support from the AT&T Universal Card, this exclusive content is being distributed to the PC, TV and wireless
devices -- on AT&T U-verseSM TV, AT&T HomezoneSM and MobiTV on wireless and broadband services.
"Beyond being able to make Jorge's passion a reality, Platinum Studios' Comic Book Challenge gave AT&T the opportunity to flex our three-screen muscle by creating unique content and then delivering that content across multiple platforms," said Michael Goldfine, head of development and production of AT&T Entertainment Services. "It showcases the tools that we're developing at AT&T that allow us to reach and engage consumers with meaningful, inventive programming."
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About AT&T
AT&T Inc. is a premier communications holding company. Its subsidiaries and affiliates, AT&T operating companies, are the providers of AT&T services in the United States and around the world. Among their offerings are the world's most advanced IP-based business communications services and the nation's leading wireless, high speed Internet access and voice services. In domestic markets, AT&T is known for the directory publishing and advertising sales leadership of its Yellow Pages and YELLOWPAGES.COM organizations, and the AT&T brand is licensed to innovators in such fields as communications equipment. As part of its three-screen integration strategy, AT&T is expanding its TV entertainment offerings. Additional information about AT&T Inc. and the products and services provided by AT&T subsidiaries and affiliates is available at http://www.att.com/.
(C) 2007 AT&T Knowledge Ventures. All rights reserved. AT&T and the AT&T logo are trademarks of AT&T Knowledge Ventures. For more information, please review this announcement in the AT&T newsroom at http://www.att.com/newsroom.
About Platinum Studios (http://www.platinumstudios.com/)
Platinum Studios controls one of the world's largest independent library's of comic book characters which it adapts, produces and licenses for all forms of media including print, film, online, mobile / wireless, gaming, and merchandising. Platinum Studios' library contains more than 3,800 characters spanning a full range of genres and styles, and also includes properties such as http://www.drunkduck.com/, the industry's preeminent Web comics community. Working with leading companies in the entertainment and new media sectors, Platinum is a recognized leader in the creation of new content across all media platforms.
Platinum Studios -- Comics Fueling Media EVERYWHERE!
AT&T Cautionary Language Concerning Forward-Looking Statements
Information set forth in this news release contains forward-looking statements that are subject to risks and uncertainties, and actual results may differ materially. A discussion of factors that may affect future results is contained in AT&T's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. AT&T disclaims any obligation to update or revise statements contained in this news release based on new information or otherwise.
Platinum Studios Safe Harbor Statement
Matters discussed in this press release contain forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. When used in this press release, the words "anticipate," "believe," "estimate," "may," "intend," "expect" and similar expressions identify such forward-looking statements. Actual results, performance or achievements could differ materially from those contemplated, expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements contained herein. While we have high expectation that the developmental projects in addition to the publishing will occur, no certainties can be given that the additional ancillary marketing projects will come to fruition. These forward-looking statements are based largely on the expectations of Platinum Studios and are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties. These include, but are not limited to, risks and uncertainties associated with: the impact of economic, competitive and other factors affecting Platinum Studios and its operations, markets, product, and distributor performance, the impact on the national and local economies resulting from terrorist actions, and U.S. actions subsequently; and other factors detailed in reports filed by Platinum Studios.
AT&T Inc.
CONTACT: Tiffany Nels of AT&T Inc., +1-512-963-6357, tnels@attnews.us; or Jordan Fischler, +1-646-428-0604, Jordan@allisonpr.com, for Platinum Studios
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