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This coming November, Oni Press and Paul Dini sprinkle some Christmas cheer to comics fans everywhere with not one, but two(!) Jingle Belle books. JINGLE BELLE'S WINTER WINGDING is a brand-new one-shot with a new lead story by Dini and Warner Bros. animators Tony Cervone and Spike Brandt, and a back-up story by the original JINGLE BELLE artist Stephen DeStefano (LEGION, BIZARRO COMICS). It will be released simultaneously with JINGLE BELLE'S COOL YULE, a trade paperback collection of the last three Jingle Belle one-shots. It will have a new cover by POWERPUFF GIRLS and SAMURAI JACK character designer, and frequent JINGLE BELLE contributor, Lynne Naylor.
"It's the holiday season," Paul Dini said, "and we can't let it pass us by without visiting the Claus family again. The last two years, Oni has let me really stretch my legs, and they've granted me the opportunity to work with some very generous, talented creators. I am so excited to bring the many hilarious Jingle Belle stories in under one cover."
The contents of COOL YULE are being culled from JINGLE BELLE'S ALL-STAR HOLIDAY HULLABALOO, JINGLE BELLE JUBILEE, and the JB: THE MIGHTY ELVES one-shot, which earned Dini and artist J. Bone an Eisner Nomination. Other collaborators include Jeff Smith (BONE), Mark Evanier & Sergio Aragones (GROO), Bill Morrison (Bongo), Dan DeCarlo (JOSIE & THE PUSSYCATS), Shane Glines, Steve Rolston (POUNDED), Jill Thompson (SCARY GODMOTHER), and Chynna Clugston-Major, who hooks her BLUE MONDAY kids up with Santa Claus' Christmas brat in a special Oni crossover. Capping off the book is an outrageous 8-page color section, featuring the story from the first ONI PRESS COLOR SPECIAL, with art by DeStefano and colorist Laura Allred (X-FORCE).
"The fun thing about working with Paul on Jingle Belle stories is you never know what's around the next corner," commented Oni Press editor in chief Jamie S. Rich. "Each script is like a brand-new present to open, and I never know if it's going to be a gag, something with sentimental value, or blow up in my face. The character has limitless possibilities, and I think the strength of the artists who have rushed to illustrate her speaks to that."
The new one-shot, JINGLE BELLE'S WINTER WINGDING, is another collection of stories and talent. Starting with a rockin' cover by Clugston-Major, it has a lead story illustrated by two of Dini's Warner Bros. Animation colleagues, Tony Cervone and Spike Brandt. "Though new to comics, they are geniuses at classic, Looney Tunes-style animation," Dini said, "and I knew they had the right kind of skills to bring some really incredible character acting and comedy to the page."
"This story represents a definite departure as we focus on Jing's comically strained relationship with her mom," Dini continued. "We've seen Jing get under Santa's skin, and now we'll see a whole new set of sparks fly as she and Mrs. Claus go at it."
WINGDING will be rounded out by a new Santa Claus story written and illustrated by Stephen DeStefano. "I love Stephen's cartooning," Rich explained. "Working with him is such a joy. I was a huge fan of 'MAZING MAN, and I have been really happy seeing him getting noticed for his latest DC work. I recall showing his layouts for the first ever Jing story to Jill Thompson in San Diego, and it was like watching a little kid reading comics. He just sucked her into the story-which is the way it should be."
"Appearing from the murk like Dickens' ghost of Xmas yet to come, it's time for me to once again point my jaundiced finger at the holidays," Dini concluded. "If my cohorts and I can't lampoon the seasonal ceremonies we love--or, at least, endure--what's the point of celebrating at all? These comics are my twisted Christmas cards to everyone who feels the same way."
JINGLE BELLE'S WINTER WINGDING retails for $2.95. It's a 32 page one-shot and it arrives in comic book stores on November 13, 2002. That same day, look for JINGLE BELLE'S COOL YULE, a 128 page trade paperback (120 pages black-and-white, 8 color, with a painted cover), retailing at $13.95.
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