SAN FRANCISCO, CA--(Marketwire - December 22, 2010) - Cognito Comics, an emerging New Media publisher, announced Operation Ajax is available today in the Apple iTunes Store. An innovative, immersive narrative, Operation Ajax is the first mobile entertainment experience to converge graphic storytelling, animation, and historical non-fiction with the iPad's interactive functionality, stunning screen quality, and mobility.
Operation Ajax is a riveting story that examines the facts and mystery behind today's political conflicts in the Middle East and America's modern discord with Iran. Follow a covert CIA agent -- based on the identities of real agents whose names were redacted from leaked CIA records -- as he recalls the dramatic real-life historical events involving heads of state, high ranking operatives, and revolutionary political activists. The original narrative was inspired by the investigative journalism of best-selling author, Stephen Kinzer and his work All the Shah's Men: An American Coup and the Roots of Middle East Terror.
The fun of reading comics and the allure of reading an actual coup plan -- which was controversially leaked to the New York Times in 2000 -- come together in this cool and informative iPad app. Operation Ajax is populated with historical photos, supplemental character biographies, and other visually rich and informative media to enhance the reader's experience.
First Digital Media Production Pipeline
Establishing a new category of interactive reading experiences made for the iPad and other cutting edge technologies, Operation Ajax was developed with proprietary interactive software engineered by Tall Chair, Inc. The unique digital media production pipeline allows people to easily turn their art and stories into code that can be read by the iPad.
iTunes Store
The first two chapters of Operation Ajax can be purchased today in the Apple iTunes Store. Eight additional chapters will be released monthly, in the fashion of a serial comic, to complete the novel. Ultimately, readers will be able to download over 200 pages of enhanced content.
Written by Mike De Seve, Operation Ajax was conceived of and produced by Daniel Burwen and Cognito Comics with Stephen Kinzer as an editorial advisor on the historic CIA thriller.
Pricing
The application is free in the iTunes store and includes the first chapter. The 2nd chapter is now available for US $2.99.
Links:
Operation Ajax by Cognito Comics http://itunes.com/apps/tallchairinc/operationajax
Operation Ajax: www.cognitocomics.com
Quotes:
"New media and mobile entertainment are revolutionizing the way people learn about the world," said Stephen Kinzer, author and longtime foreign correspondent. "'Operation Ajax' presents history in an entirely new way. It takes a true story and uses cutting-edge technology, never before used in this way, to bring it to spectacular life."
"Cognito Comics is taking the graphic novel to a new level of sophistication by letting the reader choose what to access, at his or her own pace, without interrupting the flow of the story. It is exciting to throw away the limitations of the static page," said Katie Monnin, Professor of literacy at the University of North Florida.
"We believe in a new generation of graphic novel and Operation Ajax is the first example of how entertaining, immersive and educational history can be when it comes alive with intricate art, layers of information and clever iPad functionality," said Daniel Burwen, Executive Producer, Concept and Creative Director, Cognito Comics.
"Our goal was to make a sweeping, high-stakes history adventure that really shows off its exotic setting," said Mike de Seve, Operation Ajax writer and art director. "I think we nailed it. Operation Ajax leaps off the page and delivers constant visual surprises and treats."
About Cognito Comics:
Cognito Comics creates a new genre of interactive reading experiences on the iPad and other cutting edge technologies. The company is producing graphic novels that address a wide range of research-rich topics previously inaccessible in traditional print media. For more information, visit www.cognitocomics.com. Follow Cognito Comics on Twitter at www.twitter.com/cognitocomics
Contact Information:
For more information:
Heidi Groshelle
Groshelle Communications
415.307.1380
