Are You Ready? Kick-Ass Opens April 16!

On April 16, superhero movies take a wry and ironic turn as Lionsgate's Kick-Ass opens. Based on the creator-owned comic by Mark Millar and John Romita, Jr. published by Marvel Comics, Kick-Ass stars a group of normal people — among them Kick-Ass, Red Mist, Hit Girl, and Big Daddy — who, without powers, dress up as comic book heroes and engage in a brutal vigilante war against mob boss Frank D'Amico. Directed by Matthew Vaughn (Layer Cake, Stardust), Kick-Ass has a cast that features Nicolas Cage, Aaron Johnson (Nowhere Boy), Mark Strong (Sherlock Holmes), and Chloe Moretz. Retailers can expect strong interest from customers this spring as Kick-Ass unspools in theaters, and they can stock up on a variety of products to satisfy every interest.

Marvel Comics collects the eight issues of the series in the Kick-Ass Premiere Hardcover (DEC090575D, $24.99), which will give readers new and old the opportunity to familiarize themselves with the dark and hyper-violent storyline. Cineastes and aspiring comics creators will want to pick up Titan Books' Kick-Ass: Creating the Comic, Making the Movie (DEC090989F, $19.95), a trade paperback in which Millar and Romita take readers through the process of creating the comic and translating it to film, complete with behind-the-scenes photography and little-seen Romita artwork.

Fans looking for tie-in merchandise such as keychains, bookmarks, even shot glasses, will be interested in the line-up of products from Mezco.

High school students seeking Kick-Ass school supplies are also taken care of. They can carry their books and papers in the Kick-Ass Backpack (JAN108164I, $24.99) or the Kick-Ass Messenger Bag (JAN108170I, $24.99). They can also keep their place in their school books with the Kick-Ass Bookmarks (JAN108165I, $95.76), which provides retailers with a selection of 12 different bookmark styles featuring Hit-Girl and Kick-Ass.

Sartorial accessories are not neglected. The Terry Cloth Wristbands (JAN108174I, $167.76) provides retailers with an assortment of 12 wristbands made from absorbant terry cloth, 6 green wristbands that read "Kick-Ass," 6 purple wristbands that read "Hit-Girl." The Silicone Wristbands (JAN108173I, $215.76) give retailers a selection of 12 Livestrong-styled silicone wristbands that feature the names of the characters — Kick-Ass, Hit-Girl, Big Daddy, and Red Mist — on a band that matches with the colors worn by the character in the comics and film. Or the Kick-Ass Pin Set (JAN108171I, $9.49), with four buttons of Kick-Ass, Hit-Girl, and the Red Mist, can be used to decorate a jacket.

Older fans may be interested in the Kick-Ass Shooter Glass Set (JAN108172I, $12.99) which comes with 2 shooter glasses with the names of Kick-Ass and Hit-Girl emblazoned upon them. They may also be interested in the Kick-Ass Aluminum Sports Bottle (JAN108163I, $8.99), a green sports bottle with the film's logo on its side and a carabiner clasp to hang it from a backpack or other camping gear. And for carrying money and identification, the Kick-Ass Chain Wallet (JAN108167I, $14.99) makes the perfect companion.

Rounding out Mezco's line of Kick-Ass products are the Magnet Sheet (JAN108169I, $8.99), the Bumper Sticker Sheets (JAN108166I, $167.52), and the Lucite Keychains (JAN108168I, $119.76).

Dynamic Forces offers the Kick-Ass Trading Cards (FEB100874J, $58), a 100-card series that features both Romita art cards and movie cards, plus chase cards, costume cards, signed cards, Silver and Gold sketch cards, even Blood Red "Beaten and Bloody" cards. Collectors of the series can store their cards in the Kick-Ass Trading Card Binder (FEB100877I, $39.99).

Stock up on these products for quick and convenient add-on sales at your cash register when new customers come in looking for the Kick-Ass graphic novel. Place your orders now to have these Kick-Ass products in stock throughout the spring and make some kick-ass sales!

Order These Items for Kick-Ass Sales This April!

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