Joe Palooka Smashes Way Back Into Comics

It's wholly possible with all the last minute shopping last week, you might have missed a tiny tidbit of news from IDW. That tidbit is that the debut of Joe Palooka, an all-new, MMA comic book, debuted across the country. That's right. Those not content with dropping money on MMA PPVs or video games can now get their fix in comic book form, created by Joe Antonacci.

"I can't believe we have the book online and in stores everywhere. After sponsoring top fighters like Johnny Hendricks, Jimmy Hettes, Brendan Schaub, and Dan Miller over the past two years, which made MMA fans aware that the book was coming, this represents a huge moment for me," stated Antonacci. "To sign on with a tremendous publisher like IDW, which gave us the opportunity to bring Joe Palooka to comic book and MMA fans worldwide is a tremendous opportunity. We plan to expand our relationship with them by having UFC fighters appear in the comic book as well."

The series is all about Joe Palooka, desperately trying to clear his name while fighting to earn a spot in the Legion of Combat fight series. The series pits fighters in team matches from countries such as the US, the UK, Brazil, Russia, Japan, China and other nations. It's like Street Fighter, only with less Sonic Booms and Hadoukens.

Antonacci added, "I'd also like to thank all of those who helped make today possible, including our advertisers, JACO and Authentic Sports Management, Azad Watches, Pete Morgan and Peerless Boilers, Dragon Door Kettle Bells, and KettlebellKing.com. Of course, Ted Adams, Chris Ryall, and Greg Goldstein from IDW, as well as Ed Catto and Heidi McDonald for their guidance, and my Team Palooka crew: writer Mike Bullock, artist Fernando Peniche, letterer Josh Aitken, and colorist Bob Pedroza."

"And the comic book has realistic MMA action throughout thanks to our MMA technical consultant, Phil Ross," concluded Antonacci.

Full press release below.

Mixed Martial Arts Comic JOE PALOOKA is In Stores Now!

Wednesday, Dec 19th, 2012

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

San Diego, CA (December 19, 2012) - The wait for mixed martial arts and comic book fans is over, as the brand-new full-length, full-color MMA comic JOE PALOOKA debuts online via comiXology and in comic book stores across the U.S.A. today, December 19^th, 2012. Creator Joe Antonacci promises UFC fans that they will see two familiar faces staring back at them when they look at the back cover of issue #1.

In yet another sign of the massive mainstream popularity of MMA and the UFC, IDW, one of the largest publishers of comics in America, whose top-selling comic book titles include G.I. Joe,Transformers, True Blood, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles,Godzilla, and the award-winning 30 Days of Night is the force bringing the MMA comic Joe Palooka to fans everywhere. 

"I can't believe we have the book online and in stores everywhere. After sponsoring top fighters like Johnny Hendricks, Jimmy Hettes, Brendan Schaub, and Dan Miller over the past two years, which made MMA fans aware that the book was coming, this represents a huge moment for me," stated JOE PALOOKA creator Joe Antonacci. "To sign on with a tremendous publisher like IDW, which gave us the opportunity to bring Joe Palooka to comic book and MMA fans worldwide is a tremendous opportunity. We plan to expand our relationship with them by having UFC fighters appear in the comic book as well." 

"Team Palooka is bringing a ton of fire and energy to this book and we think it'll really strike a chord with comic fans and MMA fans alike," said IDW's Chief Creative Officer and Editor-in-Chief Chris Ryall

The Joe Palooka comic series tells the story of Joe Palooka, an MMA fighter who travels the world desperately trying to clear his name while fighting to earn a spot in the legendary "Legion of Combat," fight series that features team matches between fighters representing countries such as the U.S., the U.K., Brazil, Russia, Japan, China, and other nations.

Antonacci added, "I'd also like to thank all of those who helped make today possible, including our advertisers, JACO and Authentic Sports Management, Azad Watches, Pete Morgan and Peerless Boilers, Dragon Door Kettle Bells, and KettlebellKing.com. Of course, Ted Adams, Chris Ryall, and Greg Goldstein from IDW, as well as Ed Catto and Heidi McDonald for their guidance, and my Team Palooka crew: writer Mike Bullock, artist Fernando Peniche, letterer Josh Aitken, and colorist Bob Pedroza."

"And the comic book has realistic MMA action throughout thanks to our MMA technical consultant, Phil Ross," concluded Antonacci.