Introducing the 1st full-length MMA comic book, "Joe Palooka"
Aug 4, 2011 Comments
(PRESS RELEASE) -- “Joe Palooka” the boxer may be a nostalgic
memory, but Joe Palooka the MMA (mixed martial arts) fighter is
here today. The first issue in the “Joe Palooka” comic book series
is scheduled to hit bookstores and comic book shops in late 2011.
“Joe Palooka” will be marketed to kids, teens, and comic book and
MMA fans of all ages, and is the first full-length MMA-focused
comic book series to be produced.
The man responsible for the the “Joe Palooka” MMA series, as well as the creation of its sister series, “Legion of Combat,” is Joe Antonacci. A longtime fan of the original “Palooka” comic strips, Antonacci recently rescued the “Joe Palooka” trademark from the scrap heap of brands from yesteryear, and is reinventing Joe Palooka with an intriguing twist: this time, Palooka will be an MMA fighter. “I grew up reading ‘Joe Palooka,’ and I remember the excitement I experienced as I anticipated each new comic coming out,” says Antonacci. “I want kids and teenagers today to experience that same feeling. And I believe ‘Joe Palooka’ as an MMA fighter is the way to accomplish that.”
Antonacci has put together a dream team to pull the comic series
together. Award-winning comic writer Mike Bullock (of “The Phantom”
and “Lions, Tigers, and Bears” fame) spins the story, while the
amazing artwork of Fernando Peniche brings the brutal power of MMA
combat directly into the reader’s hands. MMA realism is an absolute
must, and Master Phil Ross, 8th Degree Black belt, Martial Arts
Hall of Fame member, and MMA trainer has been on-board as the
book’s MMA consultant from day one.
To date, six full “Joe Palooka” comics have been written and illustrated, and are being finalized for release. In addition to that series, another related comic book entitled “Legion of Combat” has been created. “Legion of Combat” will feature Joe Palooka in team matches between fighters representing countries such as the U.S., the U.K., Brazil, Russia, Japan, China, and other nations. Each team will be headed up and funded by a famous billionaire, and the athletes will compete in locations across the globe. And don’t be surprised if you end up seeing some of your favorite MMA fighters featured in the Legion of Combat comic book series along the way.
After a 50-year run, “Joe Palooka” was discontinued in the 1980’s, and the trademark was abandoned. Now, Joe Antonacci has revived the Joe Palooka name in the form of an altogether new character. “The Joe Palooka we are introducing is totally new,” said Antonacci. “He will tell comic book and MMA fans the true story of how amazing this new breed of athletes are. The character will face ups and downs as well as personal and professional challenges. Our readers will get to know the real life fighters they follow in magazines, and on TV, by experiencing MMA from the inside, in the ‘Joe Palooka’ and ‘Legion of Combat’ comic book series.”
Both “Joe Palooka” and “Legion of Combat” will be quality, family-friendly brands. Plans are in place for T-shirts, hats, and other forms of merchandise to be produced. Both brands represent comic books about MMA for the MMA community.
“The launch of these series presents a truly unique opportunity to MMA fans,” states Mr. Antonacci. “We’re breaking new ground here, but I expect the fight community will love the product, and respond in kind. I’m excited to see the heights that ‘Joe Palooka’ and ‘Legion of Combat’ will reach!”
The man responsible for the the “Joe Palooka” MMA series, as well as the creation of its sister series, “Legion of Combat,” is Joe Antonacci. A longtime fan of the original “Palooka” comic strips, Antonacci recently rescued the “Joe Palooka” trademark from the scrap heap of brands from yesteryear, and is reinventing Joe Palooka with an intriguing twist: this time, Palooka will be an MMA fighter. “I grew up reading ‘Joe Palooka,’ and I remember the excitement I experienced as I anticipated each new comic coming out,” says Antonacci. “I want kids and teenagers today to experience that same feeling. And I believe ‘Joe Palooka’ as an MMA fighter is the way to accomplish that.”
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To date, six full “Joe Palooka” comics have been written and illustrated, and are being finalized for release. In addition to that series, another related comic book entitled “Legion of Combat” has been created. “Legion of Combat” will feature Joe Palooka in team matches between fighters representing countries such as the U.S., the U.K., Brazil, Russia, Japan, China, and other nations. Each team will be headed up and funded by a famous billionaire, and the athletes will compete in locations across the globe. And don’t be surprised if you end up seeing some of your favorite MMA fighters featured in the Legion of Combat comic book series along the way.
After a 50-year run, “Joe Palooka” was discontinued in the 1980’s, and the trademark was abandoned. Now, Joe Antonacci has revived the Joe Palooka name in the form of an altogether new character. “The Joe Palooka we are introducing is totally new,” said Antonacci. “He will tell comic book and MMA fans the true story of how amazing this new breed of athletes are. The character will face ups and downs as well as personal and professional challenges. Our readers will get to know the real life fighters they follow in magazines, and on TV, by experiencing MMA from the inside, in the ‘Joe Palooka’ and ‘Legion of Combat’ comic book series.”
Both “Joe Palooka” and “Legion of Combat” will be quality, family-friendly brands. Plans are in place for T-shirts, hats, and other forms of merchandise to be produced. Both brands represent comic books about MMA for the MMA community.
“The launch of these series presents a truly unique opportunity to MMA fans,” states Mr. Antonacci. “We’re breaking new ground here, but I expect the fight community will love the product, and respond in kind. I’m excited to see the heights that ‘Joe Palooka’ and ‘Legion of Combat’ will reach!”
