FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
DATE: 3/14/04

VISUAL REFERENCE FOR COMIC ARTISTS NAMED BESTSELLER
OF 2003 BY BUD PLANT COMIC ART
Tops list of How-To and Reference Products in International Catalogue

NEW JERSEY – MARCH 12, 2004 – Visual Reference for Comic Artists Vol. 1 & Vol. 2 were named the #1 and #2 bestselling “How To & Reference” products of 2003 by international catalogue retailer Bud Plant Comic Art.

The Visual Reference for Comic Artists CD-ROMs ($10) are photo reference collections of people, places, and things designed for the needs of comic book illustrators. The multimedia CD-ROMs are packed with 500-600 custom photographs that feature action poses and dramatic shots of New York City.

“For the first time, CD-ROMs have taken the first and second spots, both from [Buddy Scalera],” wrote Bud Plant on his 2003 bestsellers list at www.budplant.com. “At just $10 these really took off, far faster than we expected.”

Visual Reference Vol. 1 debuted in May, 2002. Visual Reference for Comic Artists Vol. 2 was released in December, 2002. Vol. 3 shipped in September, 2003. Vol. 4 is currently in production, but no launch date has been announced. The CD-ROMs run on Mac and PC computers through a web browser. No special software is required.

“Being named as the #1 and #2 bestsellers in this category is a huge honor because Bud Plant has so many incredibly cool products in his catalogue,” said Buddy Scalera, creator of the Visual Reference for Comic Artists CD-ROMs. “I am grateful to Frank Murphy and Bud Plant for putting Visual Reference for Comic Artists in their prestigious catalogue.”

Many top artists utilize the Visual Reference for Comic Artists CD-ROMs, including Marvel Comics artists Sean Chen (Iron Man, Elektra, Wolverine) and Darick Robertson (Transmetropolitan, Wolverine, Punisher), each of whom contributed art featured on the disks. All photos are by Buddy Scalera, a freelance comic book writer (Deadpool, Agent X, Necrotic), web designer, and industry journalist (Wizard, CBG).

Visual Reference for Comic Artists continues to be available through Bud Plant Comic Art (Vol 1, Vol 2, Vol 3) and through most comic book retailers. For a list of confirmed retailers, visit http://buddyscalera.com/visual_reference_1/retailers.html.

ABOUT BUDDY SCALERA:
Buddy Scalera is a freelance comic book writer, web designer, and journalist. His comic book work has included Deadpool, Agent X, X-Men Unlimited, Decoy, Necrotic, Elvira, and others. Before writing comics, Scalera worked as the Online Editor for Wizard Entertainment for over five and a half years, where he created the Wizard School. He has written for Wizard, CBG, Scarlet Street, Combo, InQuest, and others. Prior to the comic book business, Scalera worked as a reporter/photographer for the Ridgewood News.