Robert Venditti broke into comics the old-fashioned way -- by starting out in the mailroom. He began working for Top Shelf in 2002, and a few months later pitched the idea for his first graphic novel, The Surrogates. The rest, as they say, "is history." Venditti lives in Atlanta where he continues to write comics and work full-time for Top Shelf. Future projects include The Surrogates: Flesh and Bone, and several other projects under wraps. |
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 As head of the National Center for Infectious Diseases, Dr. Laura Regan is one of the world’s foremost authorities on viral and bacteriological study. Having dedicated her career to halting the spread of infectious disease, she has always considered herself one of the good guys. But when her research partner is murdered and Laura is blamed for the crime, she finds herself at the heart of a vast and deadly conspiracy. Aided by three rogue federal agents who believe the government is behind the frame-up, Laura must evade law enforcement, mercenaries, and a team of cyber-detectives who know more about her life than she does—all while trying to expose a sinister plot that will impact the lives of every American.
Set in the Orwellian present, The Homeland Directive confronts one of the vital questions of our time: In an era when technology can either doom or save us, is it possible for personal privacy and national security to coexist? -- A 144-page Full-Color Graphic Novel with French Flaps
SHIPPING IN SEPTEMBER!
 $14.95 (US)
ISBN 978-1-60309-024-7 |
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 MOVIE NEWS: THE SURROGATES is now a major motion picture from TOUCHSTONE PICTURES, starring BRUCE WILLIS, VING RHAMES, RADHA MITCHELL, and ROSAMUND PIKE. In theaters now!
A New York Times Bestseller!
"The Best Indie Book of the year. Sci-fi tales are making a comeback and The Surrogates is quietly leading the charge." -- IGN
"An absolutely fascinating piece of work -- heartfelt and thoughtful."
-- Fantasy & Science Fiction
"Good science fiction is hard to come by, but Venditti’s blend of technology, crime drama and social commentary makes for the most original sci-fi mythology in years." -- Wizard Magazine
"Robert Venditti delivers an impressive comics debut." -- SFX
"A resplendently grimy commentary." -- Entertainment Weekly
The year is 2054, and life is reduced to a data feed. The fusing of virtual reality and cybernetics has ushered in the era of the personal surrogate, android substitutes that let users interact with the world without ever leaving their homes. It's a perfect world, and it's up to Detectives Harvey Greer and Pete Ford of the Metro Police Department to keep it that way. But to do so they’ll need to stop a techno-terrorist bent on returning society to a time when people lived their lives instead of merely experiencing them.
The Surrogates is a story about progress and whether there exists a tipping point at which technological advancement will stop enhancing and start hindering our lives. It is also a commentary on identity, the Western obsession with physical appearance, and the growing trend to use science as a means of providing consumers with beauty on demand.
This volume collects all five issues of the acclaimed comic book series. Packed with bonus content, inside you will find never-before-seen sketches and artwork, as well as commentary from the creative team that brought this breakout story to the page. -- 208-Page, Full-Color Graphic Novel, 6 5/8" x 10 1/8"
  $19.95 (US)
Diamond: MAY063435 - ISBN 978-1-891830-87-7 |
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 MOVIE NEWS: THE SURROGATES is now a major motion picture from TOUCHSTONE PICTURES, starring BRUCE WILLIS, VING RHAMES, RADHA MITCHELL, and ROSAMUND PIKE. In theaters now!
"Flesh and Bone reads like Philip K. Dick writing an episode of The Wire ... a smart, compelling and adult work asking questions with no easy answers." -- io9
"Venditti and Weldele manage to craft an exciting futuristic crime story while composing a profound, morally complex dialectic . . . . It takes a graphic novel about robots to find out what it means to be human." -- Dan Trachtenberg, The Totally Rad Show
"Surrogates is gritty, compelling science fiction with a story that grabs you immediately and hangs on long after it's over." -- Mark Frauenfelder, Boing Boing
"The Surrogates: Flesh and Bone is a spectacular read, both for fans of the original series and newcomers. Venditti and Weldele build an engrossing story, delivering a complex world that mirrors our own in many ways." -- Chad Nevett, Comic Book Resources
"It's like an episode of Law & Order set 30 years in the future. Clever dialogue, a thought-provoking plot and nice art, to boot. ... My surrogate gives it two thumbs up." -- Dan Lennard, People Magazine
"If The Surrogates dipped its toe into the tipping point of techno-social change, Flesh and Bone deftly splashes about in the pool." -- UGO.com
Check out the video trailer for Flesh and Bone created by artist Brett Weldele!
In a dark downtown alley in Central Georgia Metropolis, a juvenile prank goes too far and a homeless man is killed. When the ensuing investigation reveals that the attackers aren't who they appeared to be, justice depends on the testimony of a single witness -- a street snitch with a history of providing information to a uniformed cop named Harvey Greer. Harvey is placed on special assignment to track down the informant, but others have their own designs, including a wealthy socialite and an ex-con turned religious leader known to his followers as The Prophet. As days pass and anger among the anti-surrogate population grows, the city stands on a razor's edge. Will punishment be exacted in a courtroom... or on the streets?
Set fifteen years prior to the events of the first volume, The Surrogates: Flesh and Bone sheds light on the past that binds the cast together. From the streets of Central Georgia Metropolis to the boardroom of Virtual Self, Inc., it takes us on a journey through a city struggling to come to grips with its present. As much a cautionary tale as a story of suspense, this book reminds us that tomorrow will be determined by the choices we make today. -- 144-Page Full-Color Graphic Novel, 6 5/8” x 10 1/8”
$14.95 (US)
Diamond: FEB098170 - ISBN 978-1-60309-018-6 |
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 AVAILABLE NOW: A SPECIAL EDITION OF THE SURROGATES, CONTAINING BOTH VOLUMES 1 & 2 IN A SINGLE DELUXE HARDCOVER VOLUME! -- 304 PAGES, 7" x 10 1/2"
NOTE: THE FIRST 1,000 ORDERS (ON THE WEB OR AT CONVENTIONS) WILL GET A SIGNED & NUMBERED LIMITED EDITION WARRANTY CARD WITH THEIR BOOK!
$75.00 $50.00! (US)
Diamond: FEB098169 - ISBN 978-1-60309-045-2 |
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 "A classic sci-fi tale, in a similar vane to William Gibson or Harlan Ellison." -- Hilary Goldstein, IGN
"Venditti has woven a fascinating story … one that I'm eager to follow." -- Shawn Hoke, Comic World News
"Let me tell you, folks … this is a rockin' super-hero series." -- Filip Sablik, Diamond Comics
The year is 2054, and life has been reduced to a data feed. The fusing of virtual reality and cybernetics has ushered in the era of the surrogate, a new technology that lets users interact with the world without ever leaving their homes. It’s a perfect world, and it’s up to Detectives Harvey Greer and Pete Ford of the Metro Police Department to keep it that way. But to do so they’ll need to stop a techno-terrorist bent on returning society to a time when people lived their lives instead of merely experiencing them. Welcome to The Surrogates, a daring, five-issue, full-color miniseries from Top Shelf Productions.
In the tradition of William Gibson and Philip K. Dick, The Surrogates is more than just an action story with sci-fi trappings. Applying familiar tropes in unfamiliar ways, The Surrogates is about progress and whether there exists a tipping point at which technological advancement will stop enhancing and start hindering our lives. It is also a commentary on identity, the Western obsession with physical appearance, and the growing trend to use science as a means of providing consumers with beauty on demand.
The Surrogates also represents a number of firsts. For writer Robert Venditti, the miniseries is his first published work. For Top Shelf, the award-winning literary publisher best known for such seminal graphic novels as From Hell, Blankets and Owly, this is their first foray into mainstream comics, as well as their first in-house book. Venditti began working for Top Shelf on April 3rd, 2002, during the "twelve-hour miracle," when he helped pack the thousand orders that came in that day, and since then he’s become the publisher’s first permanent staffer. Also an aspiring comics writer, Venditti gave the script for The Surrogates to Chris Staros and asked his advice on marketing it to more mainstream publishers. After reading it, however, Staros and co-publisher Brett Warnock were so impressed that they did one better: having long been on the lookout for a mainstream project worthy of bearing the Top Shelf logo, they decided to keep The Surrogates for themselves.
To fulfill the art duties, Top Shelf turned to up-and-coming artist/colorist Brett Weldele. Staros and Weldele first met during a portfolio review at Savannah College of Art & Design (SCAD), where Staros recognized the talent in the studying artist’s work. Since then, Weldele has worked on such high-profile projects as The Last Straw Man & The Clockmaker for Image and Julius for Oni Press. Now Weldele has come full circle, producing work for Top Shelf that is both innovative and edgy, combining the best of mainstream and indy influences. Augmenting the visuals is the unifying design concept of the graphic design firm Bissel & Titus, who deliver supplemental articles, mock advertisements, and product brochures so authentic you’ll think surrogates are already available at an authorized dealer near you. The result is a fully realized creative endeavor, one that immerses the reader in a time and place not far from, and yet so much unlike, our own. Featuring young talent, inventive storytelling, and a subtextual narrative driven by characters all too human, The Surrogates is mainstream comics the way they ought to be. -- 32 pages, Full-Color Comic Book
ORIGINAL FIRST PRINTING
$4.95 (US) |
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 The game is afoot in Chapter 2: "Life Unfiltered," the second suspenseful chapter of The Surrogates: Who is the mysterious, dreadlocked leader known as The Prophet, and how is he connected to the criminal with the electric handshake? Detectives Harvey Greer and Pete Ford are on the trail of a techno-terrorist who hopes to rid the world of surrogates. His latest crime has given the detectives a glimpse of his plan -- and perhaps a clue as to whom he’s working for -- but will they be able to stop him? -- 32 pages, Full-Color Comic Book
ORIGINAL FIRST PRINTING
$4.95 (US) |
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 The investigation heats up in Chapter 3: “Revelations.” Detective Harvey Greer’s investigative tactics have brought him unwanted attention from the media and landed him in hot water with the brass. With more than just his career on the line, it’s time for him to produce results. He’s set his trap, but the elusive renegade known as SteepleJack won’t be baited so easily. When the smoke clears, Harvey and Pete will learn that there is much more to their enemy than meets the eye. -- 32 pages, Full-Color Comic Book
ORIGINAL FIRST PRINTING
$4.95 (US) |
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 Time is running out in Chapter 4: “Biologics.” Harvey and Pete are beginning to understand what makes SteepleJack tick, but the techno-terrorist already has everything he needs to finish his plan. Well, everything except an army, but he’s even figured out a way to get one of those! Just when the detectives think the man responsible for the recent rash of anti-surrogate crimes is in their grasp, a shocking turn of events convinces them that they’ve been chasing the wrong suspect. A 5-issue, full-color, comic book miniseries. -- 32 pages, Full-Color Comic Book
ORIGINAL FIRST PRINTING
$4.95 (US) |
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