Press Release: Indie Comics Magazine Editor Gary Scott Beatty recently announced nationally known cartoonist Tom Kelly will write and illustrate an eight page story titled Shadows of the Forest in the new comic book, scheduled for preorder in Diamond Comic Distributors’ January 2011 Previews catalog and available only through Previews. The done-in-one tale features Kelly’s character The Savage Samurai.

Kelly’s children’s web comic “The Stuffed Animal Sagas” appeared on DC comics’ website ZUDA.com. “Indie Comics Magazine is 64 pages of the best story and art from today’s independent comic book creators,” said Beatty. “We’re doing in print what DC attempted online: giving greater exposure to talented indy creators. And Tom’s work is just phenomenal.”

Kelly has produced graphic design and illustration for numerous design, production and toy companies, such as Spin Master Toys, Rittenhouse Archives, Topps, Hasbro, EA Sports, Wizards of the Coast and Mattel. His illustrations have appeared in Black Petals magazine, Star Wars Insider, Imagine Fx, Design Graphics, Tales of the Talisman, Thrasher, Wired and Time Out Chicago magazine.

The Chicago based artist has also designed posters and promotional art for Chicago bands Daemon Familiar, Unibrow and Moses Gun.

“Tom’s style is beautifully balanced and intricate, with graceful line work,” Beatty gushed. “We’re very lucky to have him in the new Indie Comics Magazine.” Kelly has won several awards, including the Wayne Wright Key for Excellence and the Pennsylvania Keystone Silver Seal.

Each issue of the new comic will feature eight full stories from eight different independent comic book creators, said Beatty. Short biographies and contact information are included with the stories so readers can easily seek out more of the creators’ work. Kelly accepts commissions through http://tommm9.daportfolio.com.

Indie Comics Magazine is available only through the Previews order magazine at your local comic shop. The first issue premieres January, 2011. Information about Indie Comics Magazine is online at http://indiecomicsmagazine.com.