RICHIE RICH Goes Digital

Press Release

Ape Entertainment and Classic Media, a global media company with a portfolio of some of the world’s leading family entertainment brands including Casper the Friendly Ghost® and Where’s Waldo?®, today announced the digital comic debut of Richie Rich®, “the poor little rich boy,” in the Apple App store. The app will feature the digitally restored and color corrected original master copies of the comic as well as new adventures under the title of Rich Rescue for the iPad, iPhone and iPod touch.

Developed by Ape Entertainment’s digital partner iVerse Media, the Richie Rich digital comic app is free to download and features a preview of the first issue at no additional cost. The app includes four full-color issues of the all-new Rich Rescue series for $1.99 each and the Richie Rich Classics series for $.99, each with a color cover, one 5-page story in color and the rest in classic black and white.

Ape Entertainment’s new Rich Rescue series features an updated look that emphasizes the character’s altruistic side as the world’s richest kid becomes a globe-trotting adventurer who uses his wealth to help people in need around the world. These new adventures are available digitally within the app as well as in print at local comic book shops nationwide.

“I grew up reading Richie Rich comic books and am proud that Ape Entertainment is now offering the first-ever digital version of this classic on iOS,” said Brent E. Erwin, Ape Co-Publisher. “Working with Classic Media and iVerse has been an extremely great experience and we’re looking forward to offering fans another way to enjoy Richie Rich.”

The first four new adventures include:

• Richie Rich®: Rich Rescue, Issue #1: “The Boon Under The Bay!” – Story by Bill Williams, Art by Marcelo Ferreira & Dustin Evans, Cover by Jack Lawrence – After learning of a long lost treasure buried deep beneath the waters of the pacific south coast, Richie and the gang investigate, only to learn that there are other interested parties privy to the prizes, including a mysterious enemy and his band of modern day pirates! Also included: A brand new ‘classic style’ Richie Rich story “Of Demise and Men” by his creator, Sid Jacobson with art by Ernie Colon and more Rich Rescue stories, “Welcome to Rich Rescue” and “Professor Keenbean’s Corner”
• Richie Rich®: Rich Rescue, Issue #2: “The Pursuit of Pesos!” – Story by Buddy Scalera, Art by Marcelo Ferreira & Dustin Evans, Cover by Jack Lawrence – While on a mission in South America, Richie and the gang stumble on a map that leads to ancient ruins and a conquistador’s mystical, long-hidden treasure! When Reggie accidentally triggers an ancient time traveling device, it launches the crew back to the time when the ruins were first built…and dinosaurs ruled the Earth! Will Richie Rich be able to figure out how to get the gang back to the present, or will they be trapped in the past…forever! Also included: “Ma Ma My iRona”, “Hello Fellow Hostages, Are You Ready to Rock?”, and another “Professor Keenbean’s Corner”
• Richie Rich®: Rich Rescue, Issue #3: “Just Desserts Deserts” – Story by Quinn Johnson, Art by James Silvani & Jake Myers, Cover by Jack Lawrence –While exploring Egypt, Richie and the gang find a previously undiscovered pyramid…built upside-down into the ground! Traveling into the inverted wonder is not easy, and making it even more difficult is an army of undead mummies….mummies who may never have been human to begin with! Also included: “Laughter is Not Always the Best Medicine”, “Uncommon Cents” and another “Professor Keenbean’s Corner”
• Richie Rich®: Rich Rescue, Issue #4: “Yen for a Yeti!” – Story by Jason M. Burns & Nate Sharir, Art by Marcelo Ferreira & Dustin Evans, Cover by Jack Lawrence –While hiking through the snowy Himalayas, Richie and the gang uncover a group of exotic animal poachers who have captured the elusive Yeti for profit. Vowing to rescue the creature and return it to the wild, the team learns the hard way that they aren’t the only ones interested in freeing the creature. They must contend, not only with the poachers, but with a mystic order of ninja monks! Also included: “Give a Dog a Bone,” another “Professor Keenbean’s Corner” and an all-new ‘classic style’ Richie Rich story by his creator, Sid Jacobson “Unhappy…uh, HAPPY Birthday!”

With the addition of app enhancements, included in the digital downloads of the comics to assist consumers in locating their nearest comic book retailer, Ape hopes that Richie Rich will inspire new readers to discover the exciting world of comics through their local comic book shops.

For more information, please visit http://www.ApeComics.com or www.KiZoic.com.

About Richie Rich®

A born leader with a heart of gold, Richie Rich made his comic book debut in 1953 and went on to headline his own comic book series, syndicated comic strip, and animated TV series.  With more than fifty comic titles and 2,000 issues under his name, Richie Rich is one of the most published cartoons of all time. The world’s richest kid was also the star of a live-action feature film and direct-to-video sequel from Warner Bros. Pictures in 1994.

About Ape Entertainment

Founded in 2003, Ape Entertainment is the brainchild of lifelong comic book devotees David Hedgecock, and Brent E. Erwin.  Ape Entertainment is the comic book home to innovative new titles as LITTLE GREEN MEN, SCOUTS, and HEROIC.  Ape is also the North American publisher for licensed properties SHREK, THE PENGUINS OF MADAGASCAR, KUNG FU PANDA, RICHIE RICH, CASPER, STRAWBERRY SHORTCAKE, and CUT THE ROPE. Visit Ape Entertainment online at http://www.ApeComics.com.

About Classic Media

Classic Media, one of the world’s largest independent entertainment companies, is a leader in reinventing the classics of yesterday and creating the entertainment classics of tomorrow. The Company owns and manages a globally-recognized portfolio of well-known family and pop-culture entertainment brands, including Casper the Friendly Ghost®, Where’s Waldo?®, Lassie®, The Lone Ranger®, and new brand Life With Boys™. Big Idea Entertainment, a member of the Classic Media family, is the leading faith-based studio and producer of children’s programming, including the best-selling animated series, VeggieTales®. Classic Media programming is distributed in more than 170 territories worldwide and showcased in multiple formats, including TV, film, home video, consumer products, publishing, digital, and music.  Visit us at www.classicmedia.tv