NOW Media Group Inc. journeys into the insect world with its newest graphic novel, "Vinny the Bug Man." Illustrated with stunning 3D computer-animation frames, the 128-page full-color novel also includes a CD-ROM of animated clips and coloring pages, making it multimedia fun for all ages.
The novel tells the story of a dim-witted exterminator who accidentally shrinks to bug-size. The heroes and villains of the tale are depicted in eye-catching 3D-rendered illustrations, typically found in games like "Halo 2" or "Jak 3" and films like "The Incredibles" or "Shrek," accompanied by off-the-wall humor. A cliffhanger-ending sets the stage for another "Vinny" adventure in the future.
"’Vinny' is precisely the kind of project the new NOW was launched to do," said NOW Media Group founder Tony Caputo. "It's an amazing, all-ages creation that is unlike anything seen on bookshelves before. With the depth, realistic textures, set mood and lighting, ‘Vinny the Bug Man' is more than a graphic novel – it is visual art."
Author Chet Spiewak teamed with CWS Studios to create "Vinny," based on his original CD-ROM titled "Operation Extermination," a video game concept about a shrunken bug-man in an insect world. After designing the 3D visuals and creating the storyboard for the game, Spiewak realized his world would fare best in print. His original CD-ROM is included in the back of the graphic novel, and features animated clips of the characters as well as printable pages.
"There have been efforts in computer-generated comic artwork over the past 15 to 20 years," Caputo said, "but quite frankly they've always been something of a let-down when it came to facial expressions and the real nuance of characters. Chet has made some impressive breakthroughs in this area, and I think people are going to look back at ‘Vinny' as the first real 3D computer-generated graphic novel."
"Vinny the Bug Man" is NOW Media Group's second published graphic novel, behind Caputo's own "Vespers." It retails for $19.95 US, and can be purchased online at Amazon.com, Wal-Mart.com and www.nowcomics.com.