FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Contact Persons for MAW PRODUCTIONS:
Martheus A. Wade & Kevin L. Williams
639 Peyton Cir.
Memphis, TN 38107
martheus@toshigawa.comeditor@toshigawa.com www.toshigawa.com Jetta: Tales of the Toshigawa – Defiance
Optioned for Live Action Motion Picture
Memphis, TN: March 22, 2009
MAW Productions is proud to announce that Lizard Brain Productions is
developing a live-action adaptation of Defiance, vol. 1 in the popular
series of independently published graphic novels, Jetta: Tales of the
Toshigawa. Lizard Brain producer Zephyr Blue and filmmaker Bruce Williams
said, “the project is in the very early stages, and the excitement here
is palpable.” Williams promised “a high degree of faithfulness” to
the graphic novel, and adds, “We are thrilled to get Calvin Roberts, from
Ultraviolet and Star Wars fame, to work with us on the project.”
Jetta is the story of one woman with a life-changing destiny. Shianndrea
Toshigawa is the ‘Chosen One’, meant to lead the Toshigawa warriors
against the evil of her father, Terminus, and his organization, the Knave.
Death and destruction rain down over Japan as a war for control rages in
this tale. However, through the anger, terror, and blood…a savior is
born – whether she likes it or not.
Defiance is an 80-page graphic novel, bound with full-color cover and
black-and-white interior.
Creator, writer and illustrator: Martheus Wade
Co-writer, co-inker: Janet Wade
Editor: Kevin Williams
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Martheus Antone Wade
Martheus’ love for martial arts (he is a 2nd degree black belt in
Shotokan Karate and a kickboxing practitioner) along with his talent as a
graphic artist, was a natural fit for creating the characters and
storyline. His artistic style is a unique blend of Japanese manga and
traditional American cartooning. Martheus is currently a freelance graphic
designer and comic book artist. His clientele have included the Heal the
Hood Foundation, the Girl Scouts, the YWCA, the Larry Finch Foundation,
Trust Marketing, and Senior Services. His work can also be seen in Image
Comic’s Bloodstream, Pencilneck Studio’s Bushi Tales #2, Shooting Star
Comics (of which Jetta: Tales of the Toshigawa - “Defiance” was
published), Approbation Comics, Andrew Dabb’s Slices, Maximum CNG Gaming,
Southwest Tennessee Community College’s Graphic Arts and Technology
department’s comic book Start, just to name a few. He is currently
collaborating on a project with Gene Simmon’s House of Horror writer Sean
Taylor as well as Action Man for Hasbro Toys. Martheus is a 1993 graduate
of Overton High School and a 1998 University of Memphis alumni.
Janet Stone Wade
Janet co-writes Jetta: Tales of the Toshigawa. Not only does she help
write the storylines, she also creates characters, renders pin-ups, and
inks the pages of the comic books. Having lived in Okinawa, Japan for the
early part of her childhood helps contribute to some of the research put
into Jetta: Tales of the Toshigawa. Janet graduated as valedictorian of
her class at Sheffield High School in 1994 and is an alumnus of Southwest
Tennessee Community College with a degree in graphic design/interactive
media.
-more-
Kevin L. Williams
Kevin is founder of Kevin L. Williams Productions and creator of Muley the
Mule and Friends (Muley Comix and Stories and puppets). He has served
since 2000 as President of the Mid-South Cartoonists Association, a
subchapter of the National Cartoonists’ Society’s Southeastern Chapter,
co-chairing events and art shows on behalf of the MSCA as well as other
groups and associations. He has had comics published in international
publications, been seen in print and video around the world, appeared on
radio and national television, and auditioned with the Jim Henson Company,
Sesame Workshop and the Walt Disney Company. Since 1995, he has been
editor of MAW Productions’ Jetta: Tales of the Toshigawa, and has
contributed to works and shows of other friends. (
www.muleythemule.com)
For additional information contact:
Martheus Wade
martheus@toshigawa.com.
zephyr@lizardbrainproductions.comwww.lizardbrainproductions.com ###
