Untitled Document

FROM: MARVEL COMICS

MARVEL OFFERS FIRST-EVER MIDNIGHT RELEASE TO CELEBRATE LAUNCH OF HIGHLY ANTICIPATED NEW COMIC SERIES BASED ON STEPHEN KING’S EPIC

THE DARK TOWER

Midnight Openings to Take Place at Nearly 150 Retail Locations around the Country on February 6, 2007

Phenomenal Excitement Surrounds New Comic Series that Explores the Origin of the Notorious Gunslinger Character

NEW YORK – To celebrate the launch of the ground-breaking new comic book series adapted from Stephen King’s magnum opus, The Dark Tower, Marvel Comicswill offer a first-ever midnight release of The Dark Tower: The Gunslinger Born #1 the night of Tuesday, February 6, 2007. Nearly 150 retailers across the country will open at midnight on Tuesday (effectively 12:01 a.m. Wednesday, February 7, 2007) so Stephen King fans can get their hands on the debut issue of this historic comic.

Under the direction and guidance of Stephen King, the creative team of Robin Furth (Stephen King’s The Dark Tower: A Concordance), The New York Times-bestselling author Peter David, Eisner Award-winning artist Jae Lee and fan-favorite Richard Isanove, the seven issue series will expand the saga of King’s epic hero, Roland Deschain, whose quest to save the Dark Tower is captured in seven best-selling novels published over the course of twenty-five years. King’s unparalleled storytelling power will inform new stories that delve into the life and times of the young Roland, revealing the trials and conflicts that lead to the burden of destiny he must assume as a man, the last Gunslinger from a world that has moved on. The comics will work in conjunction with the novels, further supplementing and defining the saga’s mythology under the direction of the acclaimed author himself.

Marvel's Senior Vice President of Sales David Gabriel said, "As the first visualization of The Dark Tower characters and stories in the sequential arts medium, these midnight openings provides fans with the same first chance, gotta-be there-the-second-it-comes-out opportunities that Harry Potter fans have enjoyed at mass market book stores."

“The opportunities this comic book series will open up for retailers is one of the biggest reasons we are a part of this deal," said Marvel's Publisher & President Dan Buckley. "Retailers across the country are sure to see an influx of new customers -- Stephen King's loyal legion of fans who will actively seek out this comic."

To learn more about The Dark Tower: Gunslinger Born comic book series please visit www.marvel.com/darktower.

Marvel Comics is a division of Marvel Entertainment, Inc. (NYSE: MVL), one of the world's most prominent character-based entertainment companies. With a library of over 5,000 characters, Marvel's operations are focused on utilizing its character franchises in licensing, entertainment, publishing and toys. Areas of emphasis include feature films, DVD/home video, consumer products, video games, action figures and role-playing toys, television and promotions. Rooted in the creative success of over sixty years of comic book publishing, Marvel's strategy is to leverage its character franchises in a growing array of opportunities around the world. For additional information visit http://www.marvel.com.

FOR MORE INFORMATION AND/OR ARTWORK PLEASE CONTACT:

For Marvel:

Jeffrey Klein, Karen Silberg

DAN KLORES COMMUNICATIONS

212-685-4300

jeff_klein@dkcnews.com or karen_silberg@dkcnews.com