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GRAPHIC NOVEL “DEAD DUCK” DELIVERS DARK, SEXY FUN

Book Is First From Cartoonist Jay Fosgitt

Stop thinking of death as an abstract concept. Death isn’t an idea. He’s a living, breathing dude. Well, maybe not living. More like un-living …

Graphic novel “Dead Duck” chronicles the story of an undead duck of mysterious origin who, with the help of his sidekick, Zombie Chick, delivers the recently deceased to his boss, Death. “Dead Duck” is the first graphic novel from cartoonist Jay Fosgitt, published by San Diego-based publisher Ape Entertainment.

Dead Duck’s task of retrieving the dead is not an easy one. The “pick-ups” — grumpy deities, malevolent ghosts and mythological characters — do not always come along quietly. That’s why Dead Duck is paired up with Zombie Chick, who serves as Dead Duck’s sexy bodyguard, personal assistant and all-around girl Friday. Unfortunately for
Dead Duck, Zombie Chick’s heart is bigger than her brain, and she frequently gets him into almost as many scrapes as she gets him out. Troubles also unfold when the duo’s work implicates deaths of historical significance.

“With ‘Dead Duck’ I want to make people laugh, and to laugh at death in any situation is a powerful thing,” Fosgitt said. “I wanted to create a book that covered the wide gamut of my interests: horror movies, folklore, pop culture, sexy girls, and the list just goes on.” Fans of comics such as “Hellboy” by Mike Mignola, “Groo the Wanderer,” by Sergio Aragonés and “Flaming Carrot” by Bob Burden will enjoy the dark, surreal and humorous episodes of “Dead Duck.”

The graphic novel has earned the praise of cartoonists such as Dave Coverly, creator of the syndicated comic “Speed Bump” and recipient of the National Cartoonists Society’s Reuben Award for Outstanding Cartoonist of the Year for 2009. “What makes ‘Dead Duck’ great — and what sets it apart — is that it’s a joy to read. Not just look at (and
drool), but really read,” Coverly said. “It’s dark, and it’s goofy, and it’s consistent, but most of all, it’s witty.”

“Dead Duck” is more than a comic to Fosgitt — it’s the realization of a childhood dream. Fosgitt has invested 20 years creating the novel’s characters and concept. But Fosgitt did not seriously consider publishing “Dead Duck” until a chance meeting with famed “Mad Magazine” cartoonist Aragonés. “Sergio immediately identified with my characters and fell in love with Zombie Chick,” Fosgitt said. “His encouragement and appreciation of my ‘Dead Duck’ characters is what pushed me to seek out a publisher.” Soon after Fosgitt hooked up with Ape Entertainment and found a home for his creation, which he dedicated three years to writing, illustrating, coloring and packaging.

The graphic novel features a foreword from actor Doug Jones, who played the characters Abe Sapien in the “Hellboy” films and Faun and Pale Man in “Pan’s Labyrinth.” “Jay’s sarcastic, puns-a-plenty, hilarious writing style and colorfully whimsical artwork has created characters that make me chuckle a lot,” Jones said.

“Dead Duck” will be available for sale on Nov. 25 in comic book shops and bookstores. Pre-orders are available in Previews Magazine (order number: sept090577) during September. In December, the book will be available for sale on www.Amazon.com and Ape Entertainment’s Web site, www.ape-entertainment.com.

“‘Dead Duck’ is hip, quirky, sexy, creepy, pop referential and, above all, funny,” Fosgitt said. “This isn’t a book for your kids. This is a book for you.”

INFORMATION SHEET FOR “DEAD DUCK” AND JAY FOSGITT

WHAT IS “DEAD DUCK?”
“Dead Duck” is the first graphic novel from cartoonist Jay Fosgitt. “Dead Duck” chronicles the story of an undead duck of mysterious origin who, with the help of his sidekick, Zombie Chick, delivers the recently deceased to his boss, Death.

WHO IS JAY FOSGITT?
Jay Fosgitt is the creator of “Dead Duck,” published by Ape Entertainment. Fosgitt is a member of the National Cartoonists Society. He lives in Ann Arbor, Mich. with his wife, Laura.

WHAT IS APE ENTERTAINMENT?
Ape Entertainment is the publisher of “Dead Duck” and other graphic novels such as “Teddy Scares.” Ape Entertainment is based in San Diego.

WHERE AND WHEN WILL DEAD DUCK BE AVAILABLE FOR SALE?
“Dead Duck” will be available for sale on Nov. 25 in comic book shops and bookstores. Pre-orders are available in Previews Magazine (order number: sept090577) during September. In December, the book will be available for sale on www.Amazon.com and Ape Entertainment’s Web site, www.ape-entertainment.com.

HOW MUCH DOES “DEAD DUCK” COST?
The cover price for “Dead Duck” is $12.95.

HOW MANY PAGES IS “DEAD DUCK”?
“Dead Duck” is 148 pages.

WHERE CAN YOU GET A SNEAK PEEK OF “DEAD DUCK?”
You may view select pages of “Dead Duck” at www.apeprinting.com/preview/DEAD_DUCK_PREVIEW.pdf

MAY YOU USE SELECTED ART FROM “DEAD DUCK” FOR YOUR PUBLICATION OR WEB SITE?
Yes. Jay Fosgitt is the sole copyright holder of “Dead Duck.”

PRAISE FOR “DEAD DUCK” AND JAY FOSGITT

“So, right, ‘Dead Duck’ is beautifully rendered and all that. I mean, it’s I’m-throwing-my-own-pencils-in-the-trash because- I-can’t-compete kind of beautifully rendered. But that doesn’t need to be said because it goes without saying. What makes ‘Dead Duck’ great — and what sets it apart — is that it’s a joy to read. Not just look at (and drool), but really read. It’s dark, and it’s goofy, and it’s consistent, but most of all, it’s witty. Fresh witty, too, not tired and ‘clever.’ It reads as though it’s written by someone who’s having an immensely good time writing it, which is why I had an immensely good time reading it. And I have a lot of time to read, now that my pencils are in the trash — so keep ’em coming, Fosgitt, keep ’em coming ....” — Dave Coverly, creator of the syndicated comic Speed Bump and recipient of the National Cartoonists Society’s Reuben Award for Outstanding Cartoonist of the Year for 2009.

“With ‘Dead Duck,’ Jay has created a world of funny, where ‘Death’ is a personality which has turned people’s passing into a huge corporate industry needing its own city. ... Rigormortitropolis is to death what Detroit is to cars. Jay’s sarcastic, puns-a-plenty, hilarious writing style and colorfully whimsical artwork has created characters that
make me chuckle a lot.” — Doug Jones, actor who played the characters Abe Sapien in the Hellboy films and Faun and Pale Man in Pan’s Labyrinth.

“Jay has a remarkable sense of humor, blending together the sensibilities of the Muppets, the Marx Bros, Monty Python and Benny Hill. ‘Dead Duck’ is a wringing out of his sponge-like mind for pop-culture, both past and present, with an aim to poke as much fun at it as possible.” — David Petersen, creator of The New York Times Best Sellers list graphic novel Mouseguard.

“Jay Fosgitt is one of the most talented cartoonists I’ve come across in a long time. His unique take on the medium is a real treat for the eyes and ‘Dead Duck’ a real treat for the funny bone. You’d be a fool to miss out on such a great mix of art and humor, a fool I tells ya’!” – Katie Cook, professional cartoonist and www.StarWars.com Web-comic artist.