First Comics News

Sanrio has announced the premier for the second season of Aggretsuko. The new season will premier on Netflix June 14.

Aggretsuko tells the tail of Retsuko, a hard working red panda stuck in her office job overseen by her overbearing supervisors. She is not only conflicted by her job, but also by her attempts to balance a social life.  However Retsuko channels her inner rage through singing/screaming Metal karaoke.

The following preview images were released along with the premier announcement:

Plus, see the cover to Absolute Carnage: Scream #2!

New York, NY—May 20, 2019—This summer, everyone is a target in ABSOLUTE CARNAGE, Marvel’s epic summer event!

At the Diamond Retailer Summit in Las Vegas this past weekend, Marvel announced upcoming ABSOLUTE CARNAGE tie-in titles debuting this August, including the new limited series SCREAM, featuring the return of a classic symbiote…the daughter of Venom! Check out all the covers for the tie-ins announced below, along with a handy checklist to make sure you don’t miss any of these exciting stories!

Don’t miss these thrilling tie-in adventures to the deadliest story in the Marvel Universe, available at your local comic shops this August!

VENOM #17

Written by DONNY CATES

Art by IBAN COELLO

Cover by KYLE HOTZ

ABSOLUTE CARNAGE VS. DEADPOOL #1 (of 3)

Written by FRANK TIERI

Art by MARCELO FERREIRA

Cover by TYLER KIRKHAM

ABSOLUTE CARNAGE: LETHAL PROTECTORS #1 (of 3)

Written by FRANK TIERI

Art by ALBERTO JIMENEZ ALBURQUERQUE

Cover by BENGAL

ABSOLUTE CARNAGE: MILES MORALES #1 (of 3)

Written by SALADIN AHMED

Art by FEDERICO VINCENTINI

Cover by CLAYTON CRAIN

ABSOLUTE CARNAGE: SCREAM #1 (of 3)

Written by CULLEN BUNN

Art and Cover by GERARDO SANDOVAL

ABSOLUTE CARNAGE: SEPARATION ANXIETY #1

Written by CLAY McLEOD CHAPMAN

Art by BRIAN LEVEL

Cover by PHILIP TAN

ARCHIE BY NICK SPENCER VOL. 1 (TR)
Nick Spencer (Amazing Spider-Man), Marguerite Sauvage and Sandy Jarrell (DC Bombshells) begin a brand new era of our flagship series as they take a trip to Riverdale and bring the town along for a wild ride complete with new mysteries, new relationships, and much more! Collects Archie issues #700 – #704 of the ongoing series.
Script: Nick Spencer
Art: Marguerite Sauvage, Sandy Jarrell, Matt Herms, Jack Morelli
Cover: Marguerite Sauvage
978-1-68255-783-9
$17.99 US/$19.99 CAN
6 5/8 x 10 3/16”
TR
144 pp, Full Color
Direct Market On-Sale Date: 8/21

ARCHIE: THE MARRIED LIFE – 10th ANNIVERSARY #1 (of 6)
10 years later, a landmark moment in Archie Comics history is being revisited! ARCHIE: THE MARRIED LIFE 10th ANNIVERSARY, is a sequel to the headline-making 2009 “Archie Wedding” storyline. The original storyline written by Michael Uslan answered Riverdale’s longest-running question: will Archie marry Betty or Veronica? Fans were treated to two alternate worlds that explored each possibility and Uslan’s sequel picks up both stories ten years later. See how much life has changed for Archie, his family, and the rest of Riverdale in this new and exciting mini-series.
Script: Michael Uslan
Art: Dan Parent, J. Bone, Glenn Whitmore, Jack Morelli
ARCHIE: TML – 10th #1 CVR A Reg: Dan Parent
ARCHIE: TML – 10th #1 CVR B Var: J. Bone
ARCHIE: TML – 10th #1 CVR C Var: Francesco Francavilla
ARCHIE: TML – 10th #1 CVR D Var: Robert Hack, Kelly Fitzpatrick
ARCHIE: TML – 10th #1 CVR E Var: Aaron Lopresti
Ship Date: 7/24
On Sale Date: 8/7
32-page, full color comic
$3.99 U.S.

ARCHIE AND ME JUMBO COMICS DIGEST #20
BRAND NEW STORY: “Summer Bucket List” Archie, Betty and Veronica are determined to cross off all the items on their summer bucket list before school starts—no matter how daring and adventurous the tasks may be!
Script: Bill Golliher
Art: Bill Golliher, Jim Amash, Glenn Whitmore, Jack Morelli
Cover: Bill Galvan, Ben Galvan, Rosario “Tito” Peña
Ship Date: 7/31
On Sale Date: 8/14
192-page, full color comic
$6.99 U.S.

ARCHIE MILESTONES JUMBO COMICS DIGEST #4
Archie Comics has been around for over 75 years, and we’ve had our finger on the pulse of pop culture the entire time! This fourth issue of the brand new digest series takes Archie and his friends back to school, as well as a look at some of the best pals vs. gals stories and Riverdale’s unending commitment to staying on top of the newest fads and trends!
Script: Various
Art: Various
Cover: Bob Montana
Ship Date: 8/7
On Sale Date: 8/21
192-page, full color comic
$6.99 U.S.

ARCHIE 1000 PAGE COMICS JUBILEE (TR)
Get ready for a fun-filled JUBILEE with over 100 of Archie’s most hilarious and entertaining stories!
Script: Various
Art: Various
Cover: Dan Parent
978-1-68255-781-5
$14.99 US/$16.99 CAN
4 7/8 x 6 9/16”
TR
1000 pp, Full Color
Direct Market On-Sale Date: 8/14

ARCHIE VS. PREDATOR 2 #2 (of 5)
Our trios (new and old) are getting to know each other better—like Classic Betty and Veronica discovering that the newer versions of themselves actually AREN’T both trying to win over Archie’s affections. There’s a lot to take in in this brave, new world, but they’ve got a more pressing issue to deal with: Predator-Archie is quickly turning back into a Predator, and time is running out. Fortunately, the Riverdale Halloween Dance may be just the cover the gang(s) need.
Script: Alex de Campi
Art: Robert Hack, Kelly Fitzpatrick, Jack Morelli
AVP 2 #2 CVR A Reg: Robert Hack, Kelly Fitzpatrick
AVP 2 #2 CVR B Var: Howard Chaykin, Wil Quintana
AVP 2 #2 CVR C Var: Bill Galvan, Ben Galvan, J.J. Harrison
AVP 2 #2 CVR D Var: Rebekah Isaacs, Matt Herms
AVP 2 #2 CVR E Var: Greg Smallwood
AVP 2 #2 CVR F Var: Michael Walsh
Ship Date: 8/14
On Sale Date: 8/28
32-page, full color comic
$3.99 U.S.

BETTY & VERONICA JUMBO COMICS DIGEST #276
BRAND NEW STORY: “What if Betty was the Rich One?” This “What If?” scenario features a classic role reversal for the girls—with Betty being a rich socialite, and Veronica as the girl-next-door!
Script: Bill Golliher
Art: Dan Parent, Rich Koslowski, Jack Morelli, Glenn Whitmore
Cover: Jeff Shultz, Rosario “Tito” Peña
Ship Date: 8/14
On Sale Date: 8/28
192-page, full color comic
$6.99 U.S.

B&V FRIENDS JUMBO COMICS DIGEST #273
BRAND NEW STORY: “What if Betty and Veronica Had Magical Powers?” This “What If?” scenario sees B&V casting magical spells and making mystical mayhem!
Script: Bill Golliher
Art: Dan Parent, Rich Koslowski, Jack Morelli, Glenn Whitmore
Cover: Jeff Shultz, Rosario “Tito” Peña
Ship Date: 8/7
On Sale Date: 8/21
192-page, full color comic
$6.99 U.S.

JUGHEAD THE HUNGER VS. VAMPIRONICA #4 (of 5)
Jughead and Vampironica now know how to set their respective realities right thanks to a most unexpected guest star—and the solution involves the very haunted history of Riverdale itself! The question is, have they bitten off more than they can chew (pun intended) as the newly arrived hordes of vampires try to end them both?
Script: Frank Tieri
Art: Pat and Tim Kennedy, Joe Eisma, Bob Smith, Matt Herms, Jack Morelli
JTH VS. VAMP #4 CVR A Reg: Pat and Tim Kennedy, Bob Smith, Matt Herms
JTH VS. VAMP #4 CVR B Var: Dan Panosian
JTH VS. VAMP #4 CVR C Var: Matthew Taylor
Ship Date: 8/14
On Sale Date: 8/28
32-page, full color comic
$3.99 U.S.

JUGHEAD’S TIME POLICE #3 (of 5)
Jughead meets Jughead! What does this other, older Jughead want with our crowned hero, and what does January McAndrews know that she’s not telling him? It’s up to present-day Jughead to change courses and journey in the opposite direction—to the past, the distant past!
Script: Sina Grace
Art: Derek Charm, Matt Herms, Jack Morelli
JUGHEAD’S TIME POLICE #3 CVR A Reg: Derek Charm
JUGHEAD’S TIME POLICE #3 CVR B Reg: Ryan Jampole
JUGHEAD’S TIME POLICE #3 CVR C Reg: Darick Robertson, Matt Herms
Ship Date: 8/7
On Sale Date: 8/21
32-page, full color comic
$3.99 U.S.

KATY KEENE (TR)
Katy Keene, model/actress/singer extraordinaire, has been an inspiration for the fashion-conscious for years! Now, Archie Comics is pleased to bring you a collection of some of Katy’s most wonderful stories! Katy certainly has her hands full with the Hollywood lifestyle she has. Glitz and glamour, famous boyfriends and runway rivals make for quite a balancing act! Can she keep it together and keep her fans wowed?
Script: Various
Art: Various
Cover: Bill Woggon
978-1-68255-785-3
$10.99 US/$11.99 CAN
5 ¼ x 8”
TR
224 pp, Full Color
Direct Market On-Sale Date: 8/28

WORLD OF ARCHIE JUMBO COMICS DIGEST #91
BRAND NEW STORY: “Rainy Day Beach Blues!” It has been raining for two weeks straight, and Betty is upset that she hasn’t been able to go to the beach. Archie gets a great idea – he would create an indoor fake beach for her to enjoy during the rainy day! Will this be a fun day away from the sun, or will Archie end up all wet?
Script: Francis Bonnet
Art: Jeff Shultz, Bob Smith, Glenn Whitmore, Jack Morelli
Cover: Pat and Tim Kennedy, Bob Smith, Rosario “Tito” Peña
Ship Date: 7/24
On Sale Date: 8/7
192-page, full color comic
$6.99 U.S.

TITLE: PUNCHLINE #4
PUBLISHER: Antarctic Press
WRITER: Bill Williams
ILLUSTRATOR: Matthew Weldon
COLORS: Tiagp Barsa
LETTERS: Bill Williams
EDITOR: Megan Sloane
COVER: Matthew Weldon
PRICE: $3.99
RATING:
WEBSITE: http://www.antarctic-press.com/index.html
SUMMARY: Unwanted Help
Mel and her friends gather to hold a wake for her career as a costumed crime-fighter. The next day, sporting an epic hangover, Mel dives right into Jessie’s personal life in a misguided attempt to bond with her new partner.
COMMENTS: As always we get to see a little more of Mel and not enough to get a full picture of who she is. Jessie is also beginning to question if Mel is one of the good guys. We get to see a little more of what Jessie’s family drama is all about. The strength of this comic is the panel work and facial expressions. It’s a very decompressed story about training a superhero. So far the trainer is flawed, and the student is coming around slowly. However, I get the feeling we are missing a large part of the puzzle that will become a big revelation as the story goes on.

What Will Napoleon Do to Save Pedro from Being Impeached?
“Whatever He Feels Like He Wants to Do… GOSH!”

SAN DIEGO, CA (May 20, 2019) – Get ready for something more delicious than a pocketful of tots: the breaking news that IDW Publishing will be bringing Napoleon Dynamite, the beloved cult classic, to comic books in September!

Written by the sibling team of Carlos Guzman-Verdugo and Alejandro Verdugo (of the outrageous indie sensation Time Cheetah), with art by Jorge Monlongo (Adventure Time), the new four-issue Napoleon Dynamite series takes us back to Idaho, where Napoleon’s best friend Pedro is student body president. But the good times might not last when a fellow student accuses Pedro of cheating in the election. Can Napoleon and Deb use their special skills to clear their friend before the principal can “Impeach Pedro”?

“Napoleon Dynamite is a pop-culture staple, a coming-of-age cult classic that spoke to the weirdo in all of us,” says Alejandro Verdugo. “It’s an honor to have the chance to expand on the lives of Napoleon, Deb, and Pedro — characters that continue to resonate to this day. I still see people wearing ‘Vote for Pedro’ t-shirts!”

“With this new story, we’re focusing on matching the movie’s unique tone, finding that perfect blend of oddball comedy and charming slice-of-life drama. It’s certainly been a challenge but one we’re sure will pay off for long-time fans. And the best part: we get to rewatch a lot of Napoleon Dynamite!” says Carlos Guzman-Verdugo.

Editor Tom Waltz says, “Fifteen years ago, an unsuspecting world was introduced to the bizarre cinematic world of Napoleon Dynamite… and it was flippin’ sweet! And now we have the freakin’ awesome opportunity to show off our really good comic-book-making skills with a tale that picks up right where Napoleon and his friends left off. It’s almost like we borrowed Uncle Rico’s mail-order time machine… and it actually worked this time!”

Napoleon Dynamite #1 will debut with a cover by Sara Richard (My Little Pony), with special Photo Edition and Jorge Monlongo “Swords and Sorcery and Sci-Fi and Skills” variant covers available, as well.

VAMPLETS: THE UNDEAD PET SOCIETY collects
three VAMPLETS one-shots leading up to
NIGHTMARE NURSERY VOLUME 4!

VAMPLETS: THE UNDEAD PET SOCIETY TPB
Writer(s): Gayle Middleton, Dave Dwonch
Artist Name(s): Amanda Coronado, Dave Dwonch,
Anna Lencioni, Penny Gaylord
Cover Artist(s): Amanda Coronado
96 pgs./ E / FC
$9.99

VAMPLETS: THE UNDEAD PET SOCIETY TPB collects three zany adventures of the Vamplets, vampire babies that love causing mischief! Each adventure reveals more about these beloved creatures in the nightmarishly fun world of Gloomvania. For fans of My Little Pony with a Nightmare Before Christmas flare to it, look no further than VAMPLETS! This is the perfect jumping on point for new readers and a great time for fans looking forward to the fourth hardcover to catch-up with our cuddly Vamplets!

The first story this trade paperback collects is “Legend of the Ghost Pony”. This tale unveils the mysteries of the Ghost Pony and their connection to a vampyre baby named Lily Rose Shadowlyn. In the second story, “Beware the Bitemares,” the Vamplets’ pet Bitemares are reeking havok across Gloomvania and their connection with Cinder the Vampyre Kitten is revealed! And in the final story, “Scary Rottens,” the Vamplets are being watched over by their new babysitter Scary Rottens. Meanwhile, someone is stealing the different Ghost Pony’s all over Gloomvania. Who could it be?!

Explore the mysterious connections across Gloomvania in VAMPLETS: THE UNDEAD PET SOCIETY TPB, available in comic book stores on July 3rd, 2019. Pre-order the trade with the Diamond order code MAY191283.

The Vampire With A Soul Reimagined In Thrilling and Historic New Comic Book Series in July 2019

LOS ANGELES, CA (May 20, 2019) – BOOM! Studios in partnership with 20th Century Fox Consumer Products today revealed the cover of the latest issue of the highly praised reimagining of the brooding vampire – ANGEL #3 by all-star creative team of  acclaimed writer Bryan Edward Hill (Batman, American Carnage) and Gleb Melnikov (Saban’s Go Go Power Rangers), along with visionary writer and director Joss Whedon (Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Marvel’s The Avengers), available July 31, 2019.

Meet Angel – a vampire cursed with a soul who has spent centuries protecting humanity from the monsters that lurk in the dark…including himself. Now, looking for redemption for the atrocities committed by the monster he was when he was first turned at the age of 18, Angel stumbles upon a new demon uprising and a shocking truth: The restoration of his humanity can only come if he takes one more life: a certain Slayer from Sunnydale who he’s never met…but may now be his greatest enemy.

Darkness has possessed another innocent…and Angel has no choice but to fight them. Trapped in an empty hospital with nowhere to go, Angel needs to find a way to save the host from this deadly and elusive demon, or have yet another life on his conscience. Will his new ally Fred be able to help him…or is she the reason he’s battling this monster in the first place?

ANGEL #3 features a main cover by artist Dan Panosian (Slots) and a variant cover by Scott Buoncristiano (Buffy the Vampire Slayer).

Created by visionary writer and director Joss Whedon (Marvel’s The Avengers film franchise), Angel premiered on the WB Network on October 5th, 1999 and was a spin-off from Buffy The Vampire Slayer. The series ran for five seasons from 1999-2004, starring David Boreanaz as “Angel,” the tortured vampire destined to walk the earth with a soul who moved to LA to set up shop as a supernatural private investigator. Despite Angel’s best efforts to deal with the sins of his past all by himself, Angel Investigations soon became home to other lost souls searching for redemption and willing to fight by his side.

ANGEL is the newest release from BOOM! Studios’ eponymous imprint, home to critically acclaimed original series, including Once & Future by Kieron Gillen and Dan Mora; Faithless by Brian Azzarello and Maria Llovet; Abbott from Saladin Ahmed and Sami Kivelä; Bury The Lede from Gaby Dunn and Claire Roe; Grass Kings from Matt Kindt and Tyler Jenkins; and Klaus from Grant Morrison and Dan Mora. The imprint also publishes popular licensed properties including Joss Whedon’s Firefly from Greg Pak and Dan McDaid; Buffy The Vampire Slayer from Jordie Bellaire and David Lopez; and Mighty Morphin Power Rangers from Ryan Parrott and Danielle Di Nicuolo.

Print copies of ANGEL #3 will be available for sale on July 31, 2019 exclusively at local comic book shops (use comicshoplocator.com to find the nearest one). Digital copies can be purchased from content providers, including comiXology, iBooks, Google Play, and the BOOM! Studios app. Print copies of the surprise drop ANGEL #0 are available now exclusively in comic book shops everywhere.

For continuing news on ANGEL comic books, graphic novels and more from BOOM! Studios, stay tuned to www.boom-studios.com and follow @boomstudios on Twitter. And follow Angel on Facebook.

Battlestar Galactica: Twilight Command #4

writer: Michael Moreci

artist: Breno Tamura, Dijjo Lima

covers: Brent Schoonover (A)

Breno Tamura (B)

Brent Schoonover (RI-B/W)

Breno Tamura (RI-Virg)

Brent Schoonover (RI-Virg)

FC | 32 pages | Sci-Fi | $3.99 | Teen+

Things heat up in the penultimate issue of Twilight Command! One of Flores’s own puts his life on the line for his squad, and the Cylon plot proves to be much more of a threat than anyone imagined!

A desperate mission puts Twilight Command’s back against the wall, and with time running out they may not be able to stop Cavil’s

plan in time!

Elvira Spring Special

writer: Fernando Ruiz, Dan Parent, Scott Bryan Wilson

artist: Fernando Ruiz, Dan Parent, Valentina Pinto, Brittany Pezzillo

cover: Reilly Brown

$4.99

Everyone’s favorite Mistress of the Macabre, Elvira is spinning her wheels hostessing horror film festivals at the local drive-in when she discovers the opportunity to get in good with George Rottmero, producer of the greatest, grittiest, most realistic horror movies ever. The Dark Damsel uses all of her charms to impress the mysterious movie mogul and she is immediately cast in his latest scream-inducing spectacles, his masterpieces of murder and mayhem featuring the most realistic zombies anyone ever saw this side of an open casket! When she discovers the grave secret behind Rottmero’s success, her dreams of super stardom might become deader than her undead co-stars! Will all of her efforts just be one big bust… because Elvira knows all about big busts!

James Bond: Blackbox TP

writer: Benjamin Percy

artists: Rapha Lobosco

cover: Dominic Reardon

FC | 160 pages | Action/Adventure | $19.99 | Teen+

COLLECTING ISSUES 1-6

In the snowbound French Alps, James Bond finds himself in the crosshairs of an assassin who targets other assassins. This is the first puzzle piece in a larger adrenaline-fueled mystery that will send Bond across the globe to infiltrate the underworld, risk everything in high-stakes casino gambling, evade deadly pursuers, and root out a digital breach threatening global security.

LOS ANGELES, CA (May 15, 2019) – BOOM! Studios today, in partnership with 20th Century Fox Consumer Products, unveiled the BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER #5 cover by artist Becca Carey, featuring an homage to the popular third season episode of Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Dopppelgangland. This game-changing issue of the hotly anticipated series will debut in stores June 5, 2019, with a heart wrenching mission that Buffy must complete at all costs in order to save her friend.

The reimagining of Joss Whedon’s groundbreaking hit pop culture series kicks off a brand new story arc as Team Slayer deals with the devastating consequences of Xander becoming a vampire. Buffy and the Scooby Gang have lost one of their own to Team Vamp but what if there’s a way to get their friend back? The Slayer will walk the line between responsibility and rampage as she searches for anything that’ll bring back her friend, balancing her quest with her duties as the Slayer without losing anyone else in the process. What do you do when your entire purpose is killing vampires and your friend just turned into one?

Eisner Award-nominated writer Jordie Bellaire (Redlands) and acclaimed artist David López (Captain Marvel), along with series creator and story consultant Joss Whedon (the visionary writer/director behind Firefly, Marvel’s The Avengers, and more), reimagine the groundbreaking pop culture phenomenon for a new generation of comic book fans.

Buffy The Vampire Slayer premiered on the WB Network on March 10th, 1997. The Emmy and Golden Globe-nominated series, which ran for seven seasons from 1997-2003, stars Sarah Michelle Gellar as “Buffy Summers.” Chosen to battle vampires, demons and other forces of darkness, Buffy is aided by a Watcher who guides and teaches her as she surrounds herself with a circle of friends called the “Scooby Gang.”

BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER #5 features cover art by Mondo illustrator Marc Aspinall and fan favorite artists Kevin Wada (She-Hulk), Morgan Beem (The Family Trade), and Yasmine Putri (Nightwing).

BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER is the newest release from BOOM! Studios’ eponymous imprint, home to critically acclaimed original series, including Once & Future by Kieron Gillen and Dan Mora; Faithless by Brian Azzarello and Maria Llovet; Abbott from Saladin Ahmed and Sami Kivelä; Bury The Lede from Gaby Dunn and Claire Roe; Grass Kings from Matt Kindt and Tyler Jenkins; and Klaus from Grant Morrison and Dan Mora. The imprint also publishes popular licensed properties including Joss Whedon’s Angel from Bryan Edward Hill and Gleb Melnikov, Firefly from Greg Pak and Dan McDaid, Buffy The Vampire Slayer from Jordie Bellaire and David López, and Mighty Morphin Power Rangers from Ryan Parrott and Danielle Di Nicuolo.

Print copies of BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER #5 will be available for sale on June 5, 2019 exclusively at local comic book shops (use comicshoplocator.com to find the nearest one) or at the BOOM! Studios webstore. Digital copies can be purchased from content providers, including comiXology, iBooks, Google Play, and the BOOM! Studios app.

New York, NY (May 15, 2019) – Valiant Entertainment is heading to Colorado for a teaser-filled panel at Denver Pop Culture Con!

On Saturday, June 1st, make sure you’re in Room 502 by 11:30 am at the Colorado Convention Center for the Valiant Uprising panel! Moderated by Marketing Coordinator Gregg Katzman, this can’t-miss panel features writer Fred Van Lente (PSI-LORDS, ARCHER & ARMSTRONG) and Sales Operations Coordinator Connor Hill! Attendees will be treated to brand-new artwork from PSI-LORDS, DOCTOR MIRAGE, BLOODSHOT, PUNK MAMBO, KILLERS, and much more! Secrets will be declassified and new teasers will be revealed!

After the panel, fans should swing by I Want More Comics at Booth #173 for a chance to get a limited Valiant comic and chat with Valiant staff!

For Denver Pop Culture Con tickets and info, visit https://denverpopculturecon.com/

CBS UNVEILS 2019-2020 PRIMETIME LINEUP; 8 NEW SERIES JOIN 24 RETURNING SHOWS

New Fall Schedule Features CBS’ Traditional Strength and Stability with

Big New Show Additions on Monday and Thursday

The New Fall Series Are the Comedies BOB ♥ ABISHOLA, CAROL’S SECOND ACT and THE UNICORN, and the Dramas ALL RISE and EVIL

2019-2020 Programming Strategy Will Roll Out New Series and Returning Hits Throughout the Year, Including the New Dramas FBI: MOST WANTED and TOMMY, Starring Edie Falco, and the New Comedy BROKE

New Series Hail from Acclaimed Producers Michelle and Robert King,

Chuck Lorre, Jennie Snyder Urman and Dick Wolf

CBS to Finish #1 for the 11th Straight Season

CBS today unveiled its new year-round 2019-2020 primetime programming lineup featuring four new comedies, four new dramas and 24 returning series.

The five new shows for fall include three comedies: BOB ♥ ABISHOLA from award-winning executive producer, writer and creator Chuck Lorre, starring Billy Gardell and Folake Olowofoyeku; CAROL’S SECOND ACT, starring three-time Emmy Award winner Patricia Heaton; and THE UNICORN, starring Walton Goggins. The two dramas are EVIL, a psychological mystery from acclaimed producers Michelle and Robert King, starring Katja Herbers and Mike Colter; and the courthouse ensemble ALL RISE.

The new shows debuting later in the season include the dramas FBI: MOST WANTED from producer Dick Wolf, starring Julian McMahon; and TOMMY starring Emmy Award winner Edie Falco; as well as the comedy BROKE, from producer Jennie Snyder Urman, starring Jaime Camil and Pauley Perrette. Returning favorites include BIG BROTHER, CRIMINAL MINDS, MACGYVER, MAN WITH A PLAN, THE AMAZING RACE and UNDERCOVER BOSS.

“Our new lineup features both classic CBS shows and genres that viewers love, as well as some new series that push the boundaries of what you might expect from us,” said Kelly Kahl, President, CBS Entertainment. “We are also saving some very strong series for the second part of the year as part of a strategy to roll out new and returning series throughout the season.”

“This is a slate of new shows with thought-provoking stories, culturally relevant themes and tremendous casts, from award-winning producers and writers,” said Thom Sherman, Senior Executive Vice President, Programming, CBS Entertainment. “We are also building on the diverse series we launched last season with more leading roles for women and more inclusive storytelling across all of our new comedies and dramas.”

America’s Most Watched Network’s new fall schedule features traditional strength and stability with big new show additions on Monday and Thursday.

MONDAYS – Two established hits bracket an exciting new comedy and drama. THE NEIGHBORHOOD once again starts off the night at 8:00 PM, a Top 10 comedy that improved its time period by +6% in viewers. It provides a potent and compatible launch pad for the new comedy BOB ♥ ABISHOLA from award-winning producer Chuck Lorre, followed by the new courthouse drama ALL RISE. BULL closes the night at 10:00 PM, where it improved its time period by +33% in viewers.

TUESDAYS – Tuesday’s dominant lineup remains intact. NCIS, the #1 drama on television for nine of the last 10 seasons, opens the night at 8:00 PM, where it delivers 16 million viewers each week. At 9:00 PM, the #1 new series on television, FBI returns for its sophomore season, followed by time-period winner NCIS: NEW ORLEANS, starring Scott Bakula at 10:00 PM, capping the evening of top-rated dramas.

WEDNESDAYS – Wednesday’s winning schedule adds an established hit drama. SURVIVOR again starts off the night at 8:00 PM, where it’s the #1 broadcast in key demos in the hour. The third season of SEAL TEAM, starring David Boreanaz, returns at 9:00 PM, and provides a powerful pairing with the hit drama S.W.A.T., starring Shemar Moore, which moves to 10:00 PM on its new day to close out the night.

THURSDAYS – Thursday’s schedule adds two new comedies plus an exciting new drama. YOUNG SHELDON, television’s #2 comedy, takes the 8:00 PM mantle, giving a dominant lead-in for the new comedy THE UNICORN starring Walton Goggins at 8:30 PM. Next, at 9:00 PM is television’s #3 comedy and time-period winner, MOM, starring Anna Faris and Emmy and Academy Award winner Allison Janney, providing a perfect pairing with CAROL’S SECOND ACT starring Patricia Heaton at 9:30 PM. At 10:00 PM, award-winning producers Michelle and Robert King bring EVIL, a new psychological mystery to CBS.

FRIDAYS – CBS’ most dominant night adds a hit drama to create a tropical duo. HAWAII FIVE-0 slides to 8:00 PM to open the night, leading into its Hawaiian neighbor MAGNUM P.I. at 9:00 PM, which improved its Monday time period this season by +35% in viewers. Next, Top 10 hit BLUE BLOODS returns for its 10th season at 10:00 PM, to cap one of television’s strongest nights.

SATURDAYS – CBS’ Saturday night lineup features CRIMETIME SATURDAY, encore broadcasts of the Network’s popular dramas at 8:00 PM and 9:00 PM, followed by 48 HOURS, Saturday’s #1 non-sports series, at 10:00 PM.

SUNDAYS – CBS’ winning night returns intact. 60 MINUTES, television’s most acclaimed news program for five decades, returns at 7:00 PM, providing a powerful lead-in for the three top scripted broadcasts of the night. GOD FRIENDED ME, which reached 60 million viewers this past year, returns at 8:00 PM, followed by Sunday’s highest-rated broadcast drama, NCIS: LOS ANGELES, at 9:00 PM and MADAM SECRETARY starring Téa Leoni at 10:00 PM, to close out the signature night.

THE NEW FALL DRAMAS

ALL RISE (Monday, 9:00-10:00 PM)

ALL RISE is a courthouse drama that follows the chaotic, hopeful and sometimes absurd lives of its judges, prosecutors and public defenders, as they work with bailiffs, clerks and cops to get justice for the people of Los Angeles amidst a flawed legal process. Among them is newly appointed Judge Lola Carmichael (Simone Missick), a highly regarded and impressive deputy district attorney who doesn’t intend to sit back on the bench in her new role, but instead leans in, immediately pushing the boundaries and challenging the expectations of what a judge can be. Greg Spottiswood, Len Goldstein and Emmy Award winner Michael M. Robin are executive producers for Warner Bros. Television. Robin directed the pilot from a script by Spottiswood.

ALL RISE stars Simone Missick as Lola Carmichael, Wilson Bethel as Mark Callan, Marg Helgenberger as Judith Benner, Jessica Camacho as Emily Lopez, J. Alex Brinson as Luke Watkins, Lindsay Mendez as Sara Pratt and Ruthie Ann Miles as Sherri Kanski.

EVIL (Thursday, 10:00-11:00 PM)

EVIL is a psychological mystery that examines the origins of evil along the dividing line between science and religion. The series focuses on a skeptical female psychologist who joins a priest-in-training and a carpenter as they investigate the Church’s backlog of unexplained mysteries, including supposed miracles, demonic possessions and hauntings. Their job is to assess if there is a logical explanation or if something truly supernatural is at work. Michelle King, Robert King and Liz Glotzer are executive producers for CBS Television Studios. Robert King directed the pilot.

EVIL stars Katja Herbers as Kristen Bouchard, Mike Colter as David Acosta, Aasif Mandvi as Ben Shroff, Michael Emerson as Leland Townsend, Brooklyn Shuck as Lynn Bouchard, Skylar Gray as Lila Bouchard, Maddy Crocco as Lexis Bouchard and Dalya Knapp as Laura Bouchard.

THE NEW FALL COMEDIES

BOB ♥ ABISHOLA (Monday, 8:30-9:00 PM)

From award-winning creator, executive producer and writer Chuck Lorre, BOB ♥ ABISHOLA is a love story about a middle-aged compression sock businessman from Detroit who unexpectedly falls for his cardiac nurse, a Nigerian immigrant, while recovering from a heart attack and sets his sights on winning her over. Undaunted by Abishola’s (Folake Olowofoyeku) lack of initial interest or the vast differences in their backgrounds, Bob (Billy Gardell) is determined to win Abishola’s heart, in this comedic examination of immigrant life in America. Chuck Lorre, Eddie Gorodetsky, Al Higgins and Beth McCarthy-Miller (pilot only) are executive producers for Chuck Lorre Productions in association with Warner Bros. Television. McCarthy-Miller directed the pilot from a script by Lorre, Gorodetsky, Higgins and Gina Yashere.

BOB ♥ ABISHOLA stars Billy Gardell as Bob, Folake Olowofoyeku as Abishola, Christine Ebersole as Dottie, Matt Jones as Douglas, Maribeth Monroe as Christine, Vernee Watson as Gloria, Shola Adewusi as Auntie Olu, Barry Shabaka Henley as Uncle Tunde and Travis Wolfe Jr. as Dele.

CAROL’S SECOND ACT (Thursday, 9:30-10:00 PM)

Emmy Award winner Patricia Heaton stars in CAROL’S SECOND ACT, a comedy about a woman who embarks on a unique second act after raising her children, getting divorced and retiring from teaching: pursuing her dream of becoming a doctor. At age 50, Carol is a medical intern and must sink or swim with peers who are half her age. It’s her enthusiasm, perspective and yes, even her age, that may be exactly what will make her second act a great success. Emily Halpern, Sarah Haskins; Patricia Heaton, Adam Griffin, David Hunt and Rebecca Stay (Four Boys Entertainment); Aaron Kaplan and Dana Honor (Kapital Entertainment); and Pamela Fryman (pilot only) are executive producers for CBS Television Studios. Fryman directed the pilot from a script by Halpern and Haskins.

CAROL’S SECOND ACT stars Patricia Heaton as Carol Kenney, Kyle MacLachlan as Dr. Frost, Ito Aghayere as Dr. Maya Jacobs, Jean-Luc Bilodeau as Daniel and Sabrina Jalees as Lexie. Lucas Neff guest stars as Caleb.

THE UNICORN (Thursday, 8:30-9:00 PM)

THE UNICORN is a single-camera comedy about a tight-knit group of best friends and family who helps Wade (Walton Goggins) embrace his “new normal” in the wake of the loss of his wife one year ago. As a sometimes ill-equipped but always devoted single parent to his two adolescent daughters, he is taking the major step of dating again. To Wade’s amazement, he’s a hot commodity with women, and his friends explain that he’s the perfect single guy – a “unicorn”: employed, attractive, and with a proven track record of commitment. With his daughters and best friends rooting him on and hoping he’ll find happiness again, Wade and his healing heart are ready to try life… and love… again. Bill Martin, Mike Schiff, Aaron Kaplan, Dana Honor, Wendi Trilling, Peyton Reed, and John Hamburg (pilot only) are executive producers for CBS Television Studios. Hamburg directed the pilot from a script by Martin and Schiff.

THE UNICORN stars Walton Goggins as Wade, Rob Corddry as Forrest, Michaela Watkins as Delia, Omar Benson Miller as Ben, Maya Lynne Robinson as Michelle, Ruby Jay as Grace, and Makenzie Moss as Natalie.

NEW SERIES FOR POST-FALL

FBI: MOST WANTED

From Emmy Award winner Dick Wolf and the team behind FBI and the “Law & Order” franchise, FBI: MOST WANTEDis a high-stakes drama that focuses on the Fugitive Task Force, which relentlessly tracks and captures the notorious criminals on the Bureau’s Most Wanted list. Seasoned agent Jess LaCroix (Julian McMahon) oversees the highly skilled team that functions as a mobile undercover unit that is always out in the field, pursuing those who are most desperate to elude justice. Dick Wolf, René Balcer, Arthur W. Forney and Peter Jankowski are executive producers for Wolf Entertainment and Universal Television in association with CBS Television Studios. Fred Berner directed the pilot from a script by Balcer.

FBI: MOST WANTED stars Julian McMahon as Jess LaCroix, Alana De La Garza as Isobel Castille, Keisha Castle-Hughes as Hana Gibson, Kellan Lutz as Crosby, Roxy Sternberg as Sheryll Barnes and Nathaniel Arcand as Clinton Skye.

TOMMY

Multiple Emmy Award winner Edie Falco stars in TOMMY as a former high-ranking NYPD officer who becomes the first female Chief of Police for Los Angeles. A true blue New Yorker, Abigail “Tommy” Thomas (Falco) uses her unflinching honesty and hardball tactics to keep social, political and national security issues from hindering effective law enforcement in the Southland. Equal parts political, procedural and family drama, TOMMY comes from Paul Attanasio, the creator of the acclaimed series BULL, “House M.D.” and “Homicide: Life on the Street.” Paul Attanasio, Darryl Frank, Justin Falvey and Kate Dennis (pilot only) are executive producers for CBS Television Studios. Kate Dennis directed the pilot from a script by Attanasio.

TOMMY stars Edie Falco as Abigail “Tommy” Thomas, Michael Chernus as Ken Rosey, Adelaide Clemens as Blake Sullivan, David Fierro as Buddy Boyardi, Russell G. Jones as Aurelius Looper, Olivia Lucy Phillip as Kate Jones, and Joseph Lyle Taylor as Treat Dudik.

BROKE

Jaime Camil and Pauley Perrette star in BROKE, a comedy about Jackie (Perrette), a single suburban mother who’s shocked when her estranged sister, Elizabeth (Natasha Leggero), her sister’s outrageously wealthy, big-hearted husband, Javier (Camil), and Javier’s fiercely loyal assistant/driver/friend, Luis (Izzy Diaz), land on her doorstep in need of a place to live after the couple’s money dries up. Though class differences may separate the women, and the size of the house and the number of people living in it will test the limits of family ties, the familial bond of sisterhood might be the catalyst they need to restore their relationship. Emmy Award winner Alex Herschlag (“Will & Grace,” “Modern Family”), Jennie Snyder Urman (“Jane the Virgin”), Joanna Klein, Ben Silverman, Jaime Camil, Guillermo Restrepo, Gonzalo Cilley and Maria Lucia Hernandez are executive producers for CBS Television Studio/Sutton Street Prods./Propagate, with creative partners RCN TV and Resonant TV. Victor Gonzalez directed the pilot from a script by Herschlag.

BROKE stars Jaime Camil as Javier, Pauley Perrette as Jackie, Natasha Leggero as Elizabeth, Izzy Diaz as Luis and Antonio Corbo as Sammy.

Wallace Ryan and the Anna Templeton Centre are proud to announce that this June, the Pure Comix Festival of Graphic Literature will become Newfoundland & Labrador’s first ever festival dedicated solely to the art of comic books, graphic novels and cartoons. It will be held over 4 days – June 27th to the 30th, 2019 – at the Anna Templeton Centre and at Downtown Comics and will be the most easterly comic arts festival in North America.

Pure Comix will be composed of several workshops to teach the various steps in creating your own comic book or graphic novel with comic book veterans Paul Tucker, Mike Feehan, Andrew Hawthorn and Wallace Ryan. The Festival will not only celebrate comix and entertain people, but it will also educate participants in the basics of comic book creation from plotting to pencilling, inking and beyond. It will be a very small and intimate kind of affair with workshops with limited seats. We will be holding a Salon for some of the top comic artists in St. John’s where you can watch them at work and buy their art.

There will be a Marketplace featuring some of St. John’s finest vendors and comic book dealers that will cost only $2 for admission. We will have a Salon running throughout the Festival with several of St. John’s cartoonist community working on their comics and selling their art as the public looks on.

There will also be a lecture from noted graphic novel scholar Andrew Loman. The Festival will also run a comic arts contest for comic creators in both the teen and adult categories leading up to the actual event.

The Festival will be not only be a fun time, but it will also help us spread the world’s hottest art form to all corners of this province. We hope that this festival will cement St. John’s, Newfoundland as the up and coming hot spot for the comic book world!!!

THURSDAY:

Signings and Awards
for Pure Comix Comic Contest
Downtown Comics
6pm to 8pm

The Pure Comix Festival of Graphic Literature will begin at Downtown Comics with the announcing of the winners of the Gerry Porter Prize for the Best Comic Art for Teens and Adults. The contest will be open to all residents of Newfoundland & Labrador and the winners will get a cool certificate and a prize from Downtown Comics. Entries can run anywhere from 1 to 5 pages.

Entries must be dropped by or mailed to the Anna Templeton Centre by June 15th, 2019

We will then have a signing session with local comic artists Mike Feehan, Paul Tucker, Jud Haynes and Wallace Ryan. Paul and Wallace will be signing copies of Paul’s “WALK” and Jud, Paul and Wallace will be signing copies of the 2nd printing of “NOBODY is in CONTROL” #1 with Jud’s spectacular cover. Mike will be signing copies of his Eisner nominated “Exit Stage Left: the Snagglepuss Chronicles” from DC Comics.

FRIDAY:

the Loman Lecture
Anna Templeton Centre
5 to 6pm

We have an amazing lecture entitled “The Metaphysics of Joker-Hating” from comic book scholar, Andrew Loman of Memorial University of Newfoundland & Labrador.

There will be a short Q & A after the lecture.

SATURDAY:

Pure Comix Marketplace

1st Floor
Anna Templeton Centre
10am to 6pm

The Marketplace will be a chance for people to buy comic book related official merchandise from comics, graphic novels to models, Funko Pop figures and other assorted pop culture toys from a selection of St. John’s best comic and pop culture vendors.

Scripting for Comics Workshop
with Andrew Hawthorn
2nd Floor Rear Studio
Anna Templeton Centre
10am to 12pm

The first workshop of the weekend will cover how to write your script for your comic or graphic novel. Participants will learn the basics of writing your own original story and how to adapt it into script form to pass on to your artist or for yourself to illustrate.

Pure Comix’s Salon
2nd and 3rd Floor
Anna Templeton Centre
11am to 6pm

The Salon will be an open studio with comic book artists from St. John’s showing off their wares. They will have copies of their comics and prints and drawings for sale. This is PURE COMIX’s way of supporting the comic arts scene in the province and will run Saturday and Sunday.

Storytelling & Pencilling
with Wallace Ryan
2nd Floor Rear Studio
Anna Templeton Centre
12:30 pm to 2:45pm

The next workshop is perfect for those who are looking to start their own comic book or graphic novel. This workshop covers everything the beginner needs to know from storytelling, character development to pencilling the initial artwork.

Inking and Lettering

with Wallace Ryan

2nd Floor Rear Studio
Anna Templeton Centre
3pm to 5pm

This workshop will teach you all the skills you need to know to ink your pencilled artwork. Participants will learn everything from the tools of the inking trade to the various techniques needed to help you to bring your characters to life. Along with inking, we will study the art of hand lettering, sound effects and word balloon construction.

Breakdown Jam and Field Trip
2nd Floor
Anna Templeton Centre
7pm to 9pm
Downtown Comics

9:15 to 10pm

A special edition of the Breakdown Comic Jam with all of St. John’s comic book community coming out to share their work with the world and even do a bit of drawing. Meet with local artists from the beginners to some of the more experienced members of the local comic arts world here in St. John’s.

We will end the Jam with a visit to Downtown Comics to do a little bit of exclusive shopping.

SUNDAY:

Pure Comix Marketplace

1st Floor
Anna Templeton Centre
11am to 5pm

Pure Comix’s Salon
2nd and 3rd Floor
Anna Templeton Centre
11am to 5pm

Colouring

with Paul Tucker
2nd Floor Rear Studio
Anna Templeton Centre
12pm to 2pm

Explore the world of colouring comics with St. John’s Michaelangelo of the coloured comic page, Paul Tucker. He will show you his colouring process and how he works from the concept page right up to the finished coloured comics.

Drawing Digitally

with Mike Feehan
2nd Floor Rear Studio
Anna Templeton Centre
3pm to 5pm

Meet with DC Comics artist and Guest of Honour, Mike Feehan and see how he works on his comics using the digital tools of the modern age. Mike will demonstrate how to do comic book work from his rough sketches to his final electronic artwork.

A Night of Comix
the Geeks Public House
8:30pm to 11pm.

We wind up the Festival with a comic book social.

After turning Venom’s world upside down a year ago, Donny Cates and Ryan Stegman are about to put the Sinister Symbiote through hell again… Only this time Carnage has come calling, and everyone who’s ever worn a symbiote is dead in his sights!

He’s skirted the periphery of the Marvel Universe for months, but Cletus Kasady at last stands poised to make his grand return to New York in a blistering 60-page story… and he wants to paint the town red!

ABSOLUTE CARNAGE #2 WRITTEN BY DONNY CATES, ART AND COVER BY RYAN STEGMAN

Dennis “Hopeless” Hallum continues the saga of the spectacular Spider-Man with an all-new story set in the Gamerverse! How and why did Peter Parker build the armored Velocity Suit seen in the Marvel’s Spider-Man video game? Find out here!

After the events of CITY AT WAR, Spidey continues to balance his colliding worlds as he attempts to protect New York City against Super Villains like Swarm, while reporter Mary Jane Watson delves deep into an investigation with legendary Daily Bugle journalist Ben Urich. Learn the never-before-told backstory behind the Velocity Suit as unexplainable occurrences bedevil the city and our heroes come face-to-face with…a poltergeist?!

Illustrated by Emilio Laiso with eye-popping covers by the inimitable Skan, you won’t want to miss a panel of the first all-original story following up the worldwide hit video game

When the Richards family is called back to Earth to be the Fantastic Four again, they left behind the Future Foundation—a think tank of the most brilliant young minds in the universe—with one mission: find the pieces of and rebuild their friend Molecule Man. But that’s proved harder than imagined as this crew of young geniuses, Atlanteans, Mutants, Moloids, and androids have run into every problem in the Multiverse.

Now, with the leadership of Alex and Julie Power and a little extra firepower from guest professor Yondu Udonta, the team will undergo their most dangerous mission yet—a prison break! Jeremy Whitley and Will Robson take the Future Foundation on a heart-pounding journey across time and space!

DC is offering new hardcover editions of their bestselling graphic novels BATMAN: THE WHITE KNIGHT and MISTER MIRACLE, available exclusively at your Local Comic Book Store starting today, May 15, 2019!

BATMAN: THE WHITE KNIGHT collects the critically acclaimed eight-issue miniseries written and illustrated by Sean Murphy in a dust jacketed 232-page hardcover edition with new cover art by Murphy priced at $29.99 US.

After years of epic battles, the Dark Knight finally finds a way to cure the twisted mind of his archenemy. The Joker…is now sane. The Clown Prince of Crime has now changed his ways, fighting for good in Gotham City, and it may just cause Batman to go over the edge of his own sanity. Writer/artist Sean Murphy takes the helm of this Batman/Joker story like no one else could, delivering an alternative examination of the relationship between the greatest rivals in the DC Universe, exploring the darkest corners of justice and madness.

MISTER MIRACLE collects the Eisner Award-winning epic 12-issue miniseries written by Tom King with art by Mitch Gerads in a new dust jacketed 320-page hardcover edition with cover art by Gerads priced at $34.99 US.

Scott Free is the greatest escape artist who ever lived. So great that he escaped Granny Goodness’ gruesome orphanage and the dangers of Apokolips to travel across galaxies and set up a new life on Earth with his wife, the former Female Fury known as Big Barda. Using the stage alter ego of Mister Miracle, he has made a career for himself showing off his acrobatic escape techniques. You might say Scott Free has everything…so why isn’t it enough? Mister Miracle has mastered every illusion, achieved every stunt, pulled off every trick—except one. He has never escaped death. Is it even possible? Our hero is going to have to kill himself if he wants to find out.

Both BATMAN: THE WHITE KNIGHT HC and MISTER MIRACLE HC are available in comic shops now!

TNT to Air Weekly Matches Later This Year

Inaugural May 25 Event Available on B/R Live and via Pay-Per-View

AEW to Introduce a New Generation of Diverse Wrestlers and Give Fans a New Wrestling Experience for the First Time in 20 Years

May 15, 2019 – WarnerMedia announced today that it is partnering with All Elite Wrestling (AEW), the new professional wrestling promotion featuring a world-class roster of diverse male and female wrestlers, giving fans a new wrestling experience for the first time in 20 years. WarnerMedia and AEW together will build this powerhouse sporting league from the ground up and will begin airing weekly matches later this year. With this league, AEW is introducing a new generation of wrestlers to fans, offering fun, gripping and authentic athletic matches that will make wrestling more accessible to a broad audience. WarnerMedia will utilize its position as a next-generation global media company to build this league into a global pro-wrestling franchise.

Founded by President and CEO Tony Khan, AEW is headlined by members of The Elite, which includes all-star wrestlers The Young Bucks (Matt & Nick Jackson), Cody and Brandi Rhodes, Kenny Omega, and Hangman Page, and a roster that includes the legendary Chris Jericho. Omega, Cody and The Young Bucks also serve as executive vice presidents of the company in addition to in-ring talent, and Brandi Rhodes also serves as Chief Brand Officer.

Later this year, WarnerMedia will provide exclusive multi-platform access for fans to watch AEW events, airing live weekly matches on TNT in prime time, as well as streaming them through WarnerMedia’s B/R Live and on pay-per-view. A leading digital sports enterprise, B/R Live’s high fan engagement will provide an invaluable opportunity to build AEW’s audience.

“All Elite Wrestling is a talent-forward, fan-first league whose inclusive approach to creating high-quality athletic wrestling competitions is already making waves with fans and attracting top-tier wrestlers,” said Michael Quigley, executive vice president, commercial operations, content strategy and monetization at TBS and TNT. “It is high-adrenaline, gripping entertainment and we can’t wait to bring it to fans everywhere with this game-changing new business.”

“Wrestling fans have wanted – and needed – something different, authentic and better for far too long,” said Tony Khan, President and CEO of AEW. “AEW is answering the call. AEW is about more than wrestling. It’s about a movement fueled by wrestling fans who have been underserved and perhaps even disappointed by what the industry has produced in recent years. AEW is rising to the occasion with DOUBLE OR NOTHING and today taking it a step further by partnering with WarnerMedia, which is committed as we are to making wrestling fans the one and only priority. With WarnerMedia, AEW is poised globally to redefine wrestling as we know it today.”

Focused on producing fast-paced, high-impact competitions, AEW offers fans less scripted, soapy drama, and more athleticism and real sports analytics, bringing a legitimacy to wrestling that it has not previously had. Wrestlers will also be given more freedom to explore their characters and highlight their athletic abilities. Introducing statistics to wrestling for the first time ever, AEW will raise the stakes for its matches and deepen fan engagement by tracking each competitor’s wins and losses as the wrestlers pursue championships, analyzing their moves, assessing damage to their opponents, and providing insights into their winning streaks.

B/R Live will serve as the exclusive digital streaming partner in the United States for AEW’s inaugural event, DOUBLE OR NOTHING, on Saturday, May 25, at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas. DOUBLE OR NOTHING, which sold out in under 30 minutes, features an exhilarating card including the headline clash between Kenny Omega and Chris Jericho; Cody taking on his brother Dustin Rhodes; The Young Bucks battling the Lucha Bros for the AAA World Tag Team Championship; Hangman Adam Page clashing with PAC; and Britt Baker, Nyla Rose and Kylie Rae competing in a three-way match.

Additionally, the hour-long live pre-show special THE BUY-IN will stream on WarnerMedia and AEW’s social channels. THE BUY-IN includes the first ever “Casino (Battle) Royale,” which will see 21 competitors including Jimmy Havoc, Billy Gunn, MJF and Jungle Boy entering the ring in waves of five wrestlers every three minutes followed by one final entrant, lucky number 21, all fighting it out in the ring until there is one winner, whose reward will be a future title shot against the first ever AEW World Champion.

The media rights deal was negotiated by Khan and Bernie Cahill, co-founder of Activist Artists Management, LLC, an entity in which Khan is also an investor and partner.

NEW YORK — In her inaugural upfront presentation as president of ABC Entertainment, Karey Burke unveiled a slate of programming for the 2019-2020 season that is bolstered by the strength of established, fan-favorite shows and captivating new programs energized by bold characters and storytelling.

There will be newcomers, notably Tiffany Haddish, and inevitable cancelations. But ABC said next season represents the lightest hand in more than a decade.

“Viewers love our shows and we are listening to the audience. So this year we’re not trying to jam them with too many messages and too many new shows to watch,” Burke said. Although ABC had a “tough” start last fall, she said, a ratings rebound since January justifies the approach.

“Going into next season, our priorities are stability and launching shows in a way our audience will know we are committed to them. Add to that some of the most buzzed-about titles and top talent of the recent pilot season, and we have an enviable combination that sets the stage for us to win with women and grow our overall reach,” she said.

That means nurturing the shows in place, such as long-time ABC successes “Grey’s Anatomy” and “The Bachelor” and not “putting on something new for the sake of something new,” she said. A marketplace increasingly packed with streaming content is another reason to hold steady, Burke said.

Three new scripted series will debut in the fall – dramas “Emergence” and “Stumptown”; and the “black-ish” comedy spinoff “mixed-ish” – a remarkably fewer number, thanks to the consistent viewership that many of ABC’s current shows continue to offer.

In the current season, ABC claims six of the Top 20 broadcast entertainment shows, including two of the top four dramas – “Grey’s Anatomy” and “The Good Doctor” – and the No. 1 new comedy, “The Conners” – all of which will return in the fall.

“A Million Little Things,” which grew viewership following its move to Thursday nights and ranks No. 17 among the Top 20, will also return in the fall, along with the highly anticipated 11th and final season of one of TV’s most celebrated comedies, “Modern Family,” which rounds out ABC’s entries on the Top 20 list at No. 19.

Additionally, fan favorites “America’s Funniest Home Videos,” “American Housewife,” “American Idol,” “The Bachelor,” “black-ish,” “Bless This Mess,” “Dancing with the Stars,” “Fresh Off the Boat,” “The Goldbergs,” “How to Get Away with Murder,” “Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.,” “The Rookie,” “Schooled,” “Shark Tank,” “Single Parents” and “Station 19” will return next season, as previously announced.

The midseason entries include the dramas “For Life,” about a prisoner seeking freedom for himself and others, with Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson among the producers, and “The Baker and the Beauty,” about the unlikely romance between a working man and a superstar.

The family comedy “United We Fall” also is on deck for midseason.

ABC’s fall prime-time schedule is as follows (all times listed are Eastern/Pacific). New shows are in bold.

MONDAY
8:00 p.m. “Dancing with the Stars”
10:00 p.m. “The Good Doctor”

TUESDAY

8:00 p.m. “The Conners”
8:30 p.m. “Bless This Mess” (new time)
9:00 p.m. “mixed-ish”
9:30 p.m. “black-ish” (new time)
10:00 p.m. “Emergence”

WEDNESDAY
8:00 p.m. “The Goldbergs”
8:30 p.m. “Schooled”
9:00 p.m. “Modern Family”
9:30 p.m. “Single Parents”
10:00 p.m. “Stumptown”

THURSDAY
8:00 p.m. “Grey’s Anatomy”
9:00 p.m. “A Million Little Things”
10:00 p.m. “How to Get Away with Murder”

FRIDAY
8:00 p.m. “American Housewife” (new day)
8:30 p.m. “Fresh Off the Boat” (new time
9:00 p.m. “20/20” (two hours)

SATURDAY
8:00 p.m. “Saturday Night Football”

SUNDAY
7:00 p.m. “America’s Funniest Home Videos”
8:00 p.m. “Kids Say the Darndest Things”
9:00 p.m. “Shark Tank”
10:00 p.m. “The Rookie” (new day)

JIMMY AND OSCAR

The host of late-night’s “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” has signed on for three more years, Burke announced.

The new deal means that “we’ll be able to celebrate 20 years together with Jimmy,” she said.

He may not be required to rescue ABC from a repeat of this year’s no-host Oscars. When controversy drove Kevin Hart from the job, the ceremony failed to woo a replacement and let presenters carry the show.

Although Burke was noncommittal about 2020, she expressed satisfaction with the ceremony and its ratings.

“We’re extremely proud of how the show turned out creatively and how well it performed this year,” she said. “I think you’ll see us not messing with that formula, to the best of our abilities.”

Asked if that meant two-time Oscar host Kimmel wouldn’t be conscripted, Burke stopped short of ruling it out.

“I’m not being evasive. It’s something that the (motion picture) academy makes decisions about later in the year,” she said.