News: ROK Comics announce first audio comic, Team MOBILE, released on iTunes

I had an email earlier today about a new comic that has just been launched. However, it is a comic with a difference, as it is audio-enhanced. I have pasted the press release for you below. I am very intrigued about this as another possible way to encourage boys to start reading for pleasure. I have finally been allowed to buy an iPad and it should arrive within the next week or so. I think Team M.O.B.I.L.E. might be one of the first apps I download onto it.

Press release: 

ROK Comics, Britain's dedicated mobile comics publisher, has published its first originated audio comic title for the iPad – TEAM M.O.B.I.L.E.

Featuring a fully authored audio soundtrack and its own theme tune, TEAM M.O.B.I.L.E. is the exciting story of teenage secret agents battling dangerous enemies across the globe.

An ongoing adventure story, the first issue of TEAM M.O.B.I.L.E. centres on the story of misfit duo Maisy Brown and Sam Thompson, who are recruited into a secret organisation to battle crime, terrorism and other dangers.

TEAM M.O.B.I.L.E. is the creation of ROK Group PLC co-founder Jonathan Kendrick.

Jonathan has long harboured an ambition to marry comics with sound and published on mobile devices including the iPad and iPhone. Inspired by a love of James Bond and comics, he came up with the back story for the comic, including its top secret 'MindMerge' technology and gadgets.

"We are really pleased with the originality and quality of our first audio comic which has just been published on the iTunes store and we look forward to developing the story further," said Jonathan.

The strip is written by John Freeman from storylines by Jonathan Kendrick, with art by Andrew Chiu. Kris Carter is colouring the title, with Jim Campbell providing lettering and logos.

John's credits include work for Marvel, Judge Dredd Megazine and Black Ops Extreme for STRIP – The Comic Magazine, but he's perhaps better known as an editor, for ROK Comics and titles such as Doctor Who Magazine, Star Trek Magazine, STRIP and many others.

Andrew's credits include 2000 AD, the mainstay of the British comics industry, DC Comics, Vertigo Comics and ILEX Press.

Kris Carter's credits include Transformers and Doctor Who while Jim Campbell has worked for pretty much every major British comic publisher and some American companies, too.

The soundtrack, which complements the strip action, features the voices of both British and American actors, produced by Sneaky Snake Films in New York. The Team M.O.B.I.L.E. theme tune was created by accomplished composer Bob Townley, who's worked with a number of established chart artists in the US and UK.

ROK Comics is also publishing strips for mobile under license, including an Andy Capp (http://itunes.apple.com/app/andy-capp/id502842834) iPhone app in partnership with the Mirror newspaper and a Viz iPhone app (http://itunes.apple.com/app/viz-strip-teaser/id498509606) in partnership with Dennis Publishing.

Three iPhone apps published in partnership with individual creators – Ligeia the Vampire (http://itunes.apple.com/app/ligeia/id409858722) by Rodrigo Diaz Ricci, The Mobile Gospel(http://itunes.apple.com/app/mobile-gospel/id409877719) by Rich Diesslin and Madd Science (http://itunes.apple.com/app/madd-science/id409860018) by Steve English – are also available.

Further comics are in development.

ROK Comics, part of ROK Global PLC, continues to provide mobile comics content for WAP subscription services across the globe and is currently working with partners in India, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka.

• Team M.O.B.I.L.E. on iTunes: http://itunes.apple.com/app/team-mobile-comic/id516600477

• Team M.O.B.I.L.E.online: www.theteammobile.com

• Visit ROK Comics at: www.rokcomics.com