After a very successful 2007 Orang Utan Comics announced today that they are branching out into the US with the appointment of Trey Wickwire as their “North American Representative”.

Wickwire joined Orang Utan Comics in September 2007 bringing with him his military sci fi series “Mamluk” and a number of other projects in the development stages. He will be combining writing and editing with a PR and talent scout role essentially making him OUC’s man on the ground in America.

Founder Peter Rogers said “We made a splash in the UK last year, launching two issues of our anthology title Eleventh Hour. We were also very active on the convention circuit over here too. With Trey onboard hopefully we can make the same kind of impact on the other side of the pond”

Wickwire has already assembled an impressive team for his own Mamluk title. Pencils are by rising star Steven Yarborough (Matriarch), inks by Chad Blakley (Koni Waves/10th Muse), colours by Melissa Kaercher (Loaded Bible) and letters by Richard Nelson (After the Fall, Lethal Instinct). Mamluk is an Orang Utan Comics Studio project and they will be looking for a publisher for the book in 2008. You can see the Mamluk Rescue 6 page preview (with inks by Dylan Johnson) here.

Wickwire had this to say about joining Orang Utan Comics and taking on this new expanded role “I was very excited to be accepted into the Orang Utan Comics studio and when they asked me to be the North American Rep I jumped at the chance. Representing a group of professionals like this is more of a privilege than a job. I'm looking forward to getting out there and meeting more people on the convention circuit so keep an eye out for the Orang Utan and watch those shelves for Mamluk!"

For more information on Orang Utan Comics and what else they have planned for 2008, visit them online at www.orangutancomics.co.uk

Further Information

Orang Utan Comics
Starting life in 2007 as an International Comics Collective Orang Utan Comics has since evolved into a studio and publisher. Orang Utan Comics publishes anthology series Eleventh Hour and develops ongoing titles for publication with other publishers. For more information about Orang Utan Comics visit www.orangutancomics.co.uk.

Eleventh Hour
Eleventh Hour is a 36 page black and white anthology book with a twist in the tale. Issue 1 and Issue 2 are now available to buy from orangutancomics.co.uk.

Mamluk

Mamluk is a military science fiction story set in the far future. The basic premise is that the human race has been kidnapped off the earth and turned into a military force for an alien empire. The term Mamluk is from the Egyptian warrior slaves that eventually overthrew their masters and took over the kingdom. Like the Egyptians, the aliens will learn that it isn’t wise to give your slaves all the weapons. http://www.orangutancomics.co.uk/mamluk.html

Trey Wickwire – http://www.comicspace.com/trey/

Steven Yarborough – http://www.comicspace.com/steven_yarbrough/

Chad Blakley - http://www.timebombcomix.com

Melissa Kaercher - http://www.tinlizardproductions.com/

Richard Nelson - http://www.comicspace.com/r_nelson/