December 7, 2001

Comic Strip Ends in Cliffhanger –
What's Happening to Liberty Meadows?


Baltimore, Maryland - A nationally syndicated comic strip that ends on a cliffhanger? That's exactly what Liberty Meadows creator Frank Cho has planned when he ends the popular strip from Creators Syndicate this December. And it's more than just a publicity stunt.

For six years, Cho's fans have been delighted by (and become wrapped up in) the topsy-turvy, seemingly unrequited love of veterinarian Frank for animal psychologist Brandy. Frank is an introverted, almost painfully shy fellow, and Brandy is often barely aware she's a physical goddess and totally intimidating to Frank. The unlikely duo is surrounded by a creature cast of supporting players including Dean (a male chauvinist pig), Leslie (a frog), Ralph (a midget bear), Oscar (a wiener dog), and other wild characters, and together they've had reckless adventures, epic quests, and about as many sight gags as could be fit into a daily and Sunday strip. In the end, though, it usually came down to Frank desperately seeking to express his feelings for Brandy.

On Sunday, December 30, 2001, though, it all comes to a close. At least in the newspapers.  "This was a difficult choice for me," said Frank Cho.  "I've enjoyed and appreciated the response from my newspaper readers while at the same time I was growing more frustrated with the restrictions the syndicated comic form put on me."  It was the cartoonist's own choice to remove Liberty Meadows from the papers.  Cho is a winner and nominee for many awards both in the newspaper field and in the field of comic books.  Industry watchers and fans alike have often speculated on the potential of Cho's exceptional illustration abilities if they were on display in a form that allowed for larger
display.   They will soon have a tangible result to view.
In January 2002, Cho will address many of the issues left hanging from the strip in a comic book special, The Liberty Meadows Wedding Album, a special edition published by Insight Studios Group.

Liberty Meadows already enjoys a continuing healthy life as an award wining comic book. For twenty four issues thus far (most of which have had numerous printings),

older strips have been collected and then devoured by a whole new audience. Unlike its counterparts, The Liberty Meadows Wedding Album will contain new material picking up where the
strip leaves off.

For some newspapers, the departure of Liberty Meadows from their pages may unintentionally harken back to a few ill-fated editorial decisions to remove Liberty Meadows. Every time it was tried, including by such notable newspapers as the Washington Post, readers responded with a significant level of agitation until the strip returned.

"We're trying to deflect any unwarranted criticism of the papers that carry Liberty Meadows by making it clear that they're not canceling the strip. It's simply moving to comic book form," said Wheatley. "By announcing it as we have, we're creating an opportunity for them to make sure their readers know where to get the continuing adventures of these
characters."

In a unique move, all through December, Cho will be planting references the toll free Comic Shop Locator Service phone number, (888) COMIC BOOK, in the newspaper version of Liberty Meadows.

"After several years of stagnation following a decline in the mid-90s, the comic book market is enjoying a creative and sales renaissance," says Insight Studios Group's Mark Wheatley. "The comic book version of Liberty Meadows has been ahead of the trend for its entire life, gaining readers with each passing issue and repeatedly going back to press for new printings. This new comic book exclusive story is Frank's way of making an even bigger push for comic books."

The work of Liberty Meadows creator Frank Cho has appeared in Jimgrim and the Devil at Ludd, Titanic Tales (both from Insight Studios Group) and World's Funniest, and on the covers of Hammer of the Gods (also from Insight), Codename: Knockout and Jingle Belle. He has won or been nominated for The Eisner Award, The Ignatz Award, The National
Cartoonist Society Award For Book Illustration, Scripps Howard Award And The Charles Schulz Award. His work is featured in the top-selling retrospective volumes Frank Cho Illustrator and IS Art: The Art of Insight Studio, and his Liberty Meadows work continues to be collected bi-monthly in comic book form. Insight Studios recently published a hardcover featuring the first year of the series, The Liberty Meadows Big Book of Love.

Another book, University2 (pronounced University Squared) collects of all Cho's daily college strips from his days at University of Maryland. This college strip launched his career and was the precursor to Liberty Meadows. It is also available from Insight Studios Group.

Insight Studios Group, 7844 St. Thomas Drive, Baltimore, MD 21236, publishes books, comic books, and on-line daily and weekly comic strips. Insight Studios print titles are available through Diamond Comic Distributors, FM International, and Cold Cut Comics Distribution. Recent publications include the books, Jimgrim and the Devil at Ludd, and Titanic Tales. Insight also publishes the coffee table art book; Gray Morrow Visionary and comic book series Hammer of the Gods and Liberty Meadows, as well as the on-line strips Doctor Cyborg, Naked Brain and The Body.  Insight Studios can be found on the Internet at www.insightstudiosgroup.com and www.sunnyfundays.com.

Insight Studios Group supports the efforts of the toll-free Comic Shop Locator Service. Can't find a comic shop? Call (888)COMIC BOOK (888 266 4226) for the store nearest you!

For more information please contact:
Mark Wheatley
insight@insightstudiosgroup.com
phone 410 661 6897
fax 410 665 3597