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Mike The Pike Productions' Spokefish Wakes up to Polish Illustrator for R.E.M.

FORT WAYNE, Ind., Jan. 28, 2011 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Mike The Pike Productions, Inc.(Pink Sheets:MIKP) (www.mtpprods.com) is pleased to announce that Spokefish, its Graphic Novel banner in tandem with Spokelane Entertainment, has secured Illustrator Pawel Sambor for Title design on its GN thriller, R.E.M..
/ Source: GlobeNewswire

FORT WAYNE, Ind., Jan. 28, 2011 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Mike The Pike Productions, Inc.(Pink Sheets:MIKP) ( www.mtpprods.com ) is pleased to announce that Spokefish, its Graphic Novel banner in tandem with Spokelane Entertainment, has secured Illustrator Pawel Sambor for Title design on its GN thriller, R.E.M..

"R.E.M. is coming along nicely and we have some good announcements there forthcoming, in terms of the book itself and also the prospect of a feature film adaptation in the works," states Mike the Pike Productions CEO, Mark B. Newbauer. "Pawel is an amazing find and his being on board is another testament to Ryan's abilities as a project manager on the books alongside his responsibilities as writer."

Pawel is an alumnus of Poland's top art school, receiving his Master of Arts from Radom University of Technology. Since then, he has put his skills to the test as co-founder of B5, a Polish comic magazine. Pawel, specializing in photorealism, burst onto the comic scene at San Diego Comic-Con 2010 with his unique vision for the graphic novel Harbor Moon ( www.harbor-moon.com ).

R.E.M. is written by Spokefish partner and project manager, Ryan Colucci, an alumnus of the prestigious Peter Stark Producing MFA Program at USC. He received his BA in Film Studies and Production from Hofstra University, graduating Suma Cum Laude. Before that he pursued a degree in Accounting from Villanova University and spent a year at Cambridge University in England studying Economics. He has over eight years of experience in the film industry, having worked in development for Artisan/Lion's Gate (Blair Witch Project, The Punisher) and Disney (Pirates of the Caribbean, Freaky Friday). Ryan's recent success, Harbor Moon (), published by Arcana Studios, is currently receiving phenomenal reviews after its debut last year at Comic-Con 2010 in San Diego, California

Mike the Pike Productions, CEO, Mark B. Newbauer is thrilled with the progress being made on the Spokefish slate. "This is a highly advantageous undertaking for MTP as it not only positions us in the Graphic Novel industry, but also adds to potential success in the feature film realm, which is our supplementary goal with each of the projects we take on with Spokefish."

Colucci comments, "If a film is produced, it is typical that sales of that book spike dramatically. Sales of the Watchmen,30 Days of Night, and A History of Violence soared well past their initial print-runs after the release of the movie. And books tend to have a much longer shelf life than other mediums, so an investor can potentially see returns many years down the road. Over twenty years after its initial release, Watchmen was far and away the best-selling graphic novel of 2008."

According to its agreement with SpokeLane Entertainment, MTP is to receive company credit on all positive prints (or, as applicable, the main or end titles of the Picture, at Company's discretion) of any adaptations including feature film, television or new media creations for R.E.M. As well, Mike the Pike Productions will be entitled to 15% of Gross Film Rights Proceeds for any such adaptation. Further, If any project on the slate is produced independently as a film, partners agree to negotiate mutually agreed terms for considerations to each party herein accordingly.

"This is an excellent start on our first slate of books under the Spokefish banner, to also include 'Bulderlyns' and 'Chasing Rabbits', as previously announced," states Newbauer. "We've already had a good amount of progress on the books, which will be released as we receive full details from project management."

R.E.M.

In New York City, behind a series of locks, lives Michael Letto, a brilliant but paranoid neuroscientist. Since his first and only love died, he's become consumed with unlocking the mystery of sleep.

Based on ancient practices, Michael sets forth to devise a chair that enables one to attain a full night's sleep in a matter of minutes. His theories bring him to the attention of both the military and a shrouded religious order that will stop at nothing to attain his secret.

As Michael grows closer to realizing his dream, he starts to unravel, trapped in an inescapable nightmare as visions of his lost love worsen.

MTP Producers Ryan Colucci, Beth Newbauer and Mark B. Newbauer present: George R.R. Martin's THE SKIN TRADE: From the best-selling author of theSong of Ice and Fire series comes this white knuckle chiller with a string of unsolved murders immersed deep in lycan lore : When a series of grotesque killings strikes her small hometown, private detective Randi Wade becomes suspicious. The grisly murders remind her all too much of her own father's death nearly 20 years ago. Now there is a killer in town who not only slays his victims, but also takes their skin. Undaunted, Randi takes the case head-on as the murders continue, each more brutal than the last. When a close friend suddenly becomes a target, he is forced to reveal a startling secret about himself and Randi is quickly pulled into a dark world within her own town where monsters do exist and even they have something to fear...

MTP & Horseplay, LLC present: HORSE - a wild ride through the streets of Ft. Wayne on a night no one will forget...if they live to remember...as they take part against some not-so-friendly parties on the prowl for a missing bag of Heroin. It's a race against time for a club-owner, a drug mule, two college kids and a sadistic Irish kingpin in from Chicago to reclaim his stake. SHOOTING 2010/2011 ON LOCATION IN FORT WAYNE, INDIANA!

Mike The Pike Prods + SpokeLane Entertainment = SPOKEFISH ENTERTAINMENT

A concept-to-finish Graphic Novel publishing banner developing high-quality, compelling stories with the world's top writers, artists & more! Stay tuned for information on the SpokeFish slate including: Chasing Rabbits, R.E.M. and Bulderlyns...

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