June 28, 2005, Toronto, Canada  Speakeasy Comics announced today that an exclusive right of first refusal contract has been signed with ItalyComics. This means that Speakeasy Comic properties could be hitting stands in Italian in the very near future.
Speakeasy President, Adam Fortier is very excited about the relationship finalized last week, saying ³This is a fantastic opportunity to extend our market into Europe and introduce superb properties and creators to a new fan-base. Of course seeing your books in a foreign language will be awesome! I might have to personally go to Italy to make sure the translations are spot on. I¹ll probably have to learn Italian first though!²
The Italian market seems ready for new properties and Speakeasy¹s books will be a great fit for ItalyComics. Says Paolo Accolti Gil, Editor in Chief of ItalyComics and prize winning translator, ³ItalyComics was formed in 2004 just months before Speakeasy, and we got our first publishing rights bought thanks to the work of Adam Fortier with Udon and Devil¹s Due. Those deals became our business card with other companies so it was only natural to bet on his own publishing house. What we have seen so far are books we are sure will have a great appeal for Italian readers. Moreover, if our editions will help giving more exposure in Europe to Speakeasy books, creating interest in other European publishers, well that¹s just what Adam deserves!²
Speakeasy Comics looks forward to a wonderful long-lasting relationship with ItalyComics and is happy to crack the European Union!
