Check this out -- an amazing value if you don't mind missing out on the smell of pulpy goodness. More importantly, it might be turn out to be a great way for publishers to make sure they have a book worth collecting into trade paperback without taking a risk on monthlies.

From Top Cow:

Top Cow Productions today announced the launch of Proximity Effect, its newest original property. The company also announced that for the first time in its history, the first two issues will debut online at no charge.

Plotted by Top Cow’s Scott Tucker and drawn by Wizard Artist Contest Winner David Nakayama, Proximity Effect is the story of Lisa and Caleb. Separated, they are human like everyone else, but together they change the world. This adventure will follow Caleb and Lisa as they try to gain an understanding of the source of this power -- all the while trying not to be killed by the good guys or enslaved by the bad guys.

Readers can check out the first two issues of this series, 25 pages and 22 pages respectively, on Wednesday, April 21st (Proximity Effect #1), and on Wednesday, May 26th (Proximity Effect #2). The series will be collected into a trade paperback, filled with additional anthology stories and sporting a new cover by Top Cow founder Marc Silvestri, and will hit comic book stores on June 30th, 2004, for only $9.99 with a total of 96 story pages.

Top Cow will utilize a new and non-traditional marketing strategy to appeal to its traditional fan base, as well as to reach out to new fans. In addition to the unique online launch, a variety of non-comic book marketing partnerships have been formed. These partnerships will give Proximity Effect marketing and exposure well beyond what a typical new release would receive and expand the marketing reach beyond normal comic book channels.

"Proximity Effect is a whole new way for us to do business and we’re excited about the long term possibilities," said Matt Hawkins, Top Cow's President. "The relationships being created with marketing partners outside of the traditional business should introduce new blood to Top Cow product and the comic book industry in general. We will be heavily promoting Diamond's comic book locator service as part of this."

Retailers can order the Proximity Effect graphic novel from the June 2004 Diamond Previews catalog, which arrived in stores March 24th. You can check out the series at http://www.proximity-effect.com.

Derek McCaw