As fetishists for both outstanding illustration and high quality collectibles, we're very pleased to learn that Mondo, the preeminent gallery and producer of original screen-printed posters based on film and television properties, has selected The Black Beetle as the subject of its next limited edition exclusive.

Created by Francesco Francavilla and currently published by Dark Horse, the mysterious pulp/noir crime fighting comic is a favorite of the ComicsAlliance crew, drawing obvious inspiration from classic film poster and old school lobby card design and illustration, which makes the collaboration with Mondo a very natural and cool one indeed.

Measuring 24" x 36", the extremely limited variant edition will go on sale this weekend at HeroesCon in North, Carolina, where Francavilla will be available for autographs. The regular edition -- which itself is still very limited -- will go on sale later on the Mondo website."I've been a huge fan of Mondo for a while, and I've recently become one of their poster artists (which brings me joy all the time), so you can only imagine how happy I was when I heard that they were a big fan of my creation, The Black Beetle," said Francavilla in a press release. "From there it didn't take too long to get to the poster you see here. Hopefully it's just the first of many. Hope you guys enjoy the poster and consider jumping on the books as well: they are what comics should be: 100% entertainment and FUN! Thanks again, Mondo, for making this happen."

Variant Edition (click to enlarge)

Obviously we're big fans of both Mondo and Francavilla, so it is with some selfish reservation that we tell you how you can actually get ahold of these ultra rare prints. As is tradition for Mondo, it's not for the fair-weather fan.

As we mentioned, the variant edition -- distinguished by the maze-like lines in the background, limited to just 110 copies and priced at $75 each -- will go on sale this Saturday at HeroesCon, but you'll have to follow Francavilla and Mondo on Twitter to find out exactly where and when the print will be available. Your window of opportunity could be as small as a matter of minutes, so prodigious refreshing is definitely be in order.

Regular Edition (click to enlarge)

For those who can't make it to North Carolina, Mondo will sell the regular edition -- itself limited to just 225 copies priced at $55 each -- at MondoTees.com at a future time that will also be revealed via Twitter.

As the Black Beetle himself might say: "Hmmm..."

Mondo's full press release follows:

TITLE: The Black Beetle
ARITST: Francesco Francavilla
SIZE: 24" x 36"
EDITION: 225 (regular), 110 (variant)
PRICE: $55 (regular), $75 (variant)

The Black Beetle is centered on a pulp-noir character and takes place in a fictional universe that's based in Colt City. The character debuted on the pages of Pulp Sunday, Francesco Francavilla's blog devoted to all things pulp, and had a brief life as webcomic before stepping in the print world with an ashcan first, and on the pages of Dark Horse Presents anthology later. Francesco quickly realized that many fans were interested in exploring this world with him, so soon after the short run in DHP, a new 4-issue mini - titled "NO WAY OUT" - was released. The first 2 issues have sold out and have required DH to go back to press for a second printing.

With issue 4 coming out next week and with the first hardcover volume - also titled "NO WAY OUT" - available for pre-orders right now, there is no better time to jump on board of the fantastic adventures of The Black Beetle.

The Black Beetle is a Detective/Vigilante SuperHero – His mission is to fight crime in Colt City. We don't know who he is, not yet anyway. We do know that he has access to some advantaged technology and that he is patrolling the city streets and protecting the citizens the best he can. He is –after all- one man. Colt City is a fictional city set in the late '40s America on the East Coast and has a very "pulp" vibe to the city's depiction and inhabitants.

Commenting on his collaboration with Mondo, Francavilla said, "I've been a huge fan of Mondo for a while, and I've recently become one of their poster artists (which brings me joy all the time), so you can only imagine how happy I was when I heard that they were a big fan of my creation, The Black Beetle. From there it didn't take too long to get to the poster you see here. Hopefully it's just the first of many. Hope you guys enjoy the poster and consider jumping on the books as well: they are what comics should be: 100% entertainment and FUN!Thanks again, Mondo, for making this happen."

Francesco official website: www.francescofrancavilla.com
The Black Beetle official blog: http://theblackbeetle.blogspot.com/
Pulp Sunday blog: pulpsunday.blogspot.com

About Mondo
Mondo is an art gallery and online store devoted to a passionate love of film, art and music. The company has received global recognition for bringing art back to movie poster design and has emerged as one of the leading curators of classic and contemporary film soundtracks on vinyl. Utilizing the talents of world-class artists and designers, Mondo produces limited edition, screen printed posters based on film, television and comic properties, working with companies like DC Comics, HBO, Marvel, Paramount Pictures, Universal Studios and Walt Disney Studios as well as filmmakers including Paul Thomas Anderson, Guillermo Del Toro, Zack Synder, Quentin Tarantino and Edgar Wright. Based in Austin, TX, Mondo operates out of a permanent gallery space that hosts regular exhibitions featuring a blend of breathtaking original artwork and limited edition screen prints. Mondo is also recognized by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences with a full archive of film posters as part of their research library. The parent company of Mondo is Alamo Drafthouse

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