Universal Pictures and Planetwide Media Announce the Launch of the SMOKIN' ACES Digital Comic Book

Characters From the New Dark Action Comedy Jump Off the Digital Page


UNIVERSAL CITY, CA -- (MARKET WIRE) -- January 11, 2007 -- Universal Pictures and Planetwide Media announced today the launch of the SMOKIN' ACES Digital Comic Book. Available at the film's official website, www.SmokinAces.net, the comic may now be viewed and downloaded by fans of the upcoming feature film SMOKIN' ACES, in theaters January 26th.

The comic includes six stories written by SMOKIN' ACES' writer/director Joe Carnahan, with illustrations by IDW Publishing. The 30-page Digital Flip Book was created by Planetwide's Comic Book Creator™ and has the realistic feel of a comic in digital format. Its pages peel over to illustrate storylines featuring characters from the film. The SMOKIN' ACES comic, along with a selection of user-generated digital comics, can be viewed and shared through Planetwide's Digital Media Reader at http://www.Hypercomics.com, the company's social community for comic book creators and fans of comics.

Note: The Smokin' Aces comic contains content not suitable for those under 18 years of age.

ABOUT SMOKIN' ACES

SMOKIN' ACES, with an incendiary array of stars -- including Ben Affleck, Andy Garcia, Ray Liotta, Jeremy Piven, Ryan Reynolds, Peter Berg, Taraji Henson, Chris Pine, Martin Henderson, Jason Bateman and, in their motion-picture debuts, Alicia Keys and Common -- comes to theaters nationwide on January 26, 2007.

In these interlocking tales of high stakes and low lifes, Mob boss Primo Sparazza has taken out a hefty contract on Buddy "Aces" Israel (Piven) -- a sleazy magician who has agreed to turn state's evidence against the Vegas mob. The FBI, sensing a chance to use this small-time con to bring down big-target Sparazza, places Aces into protective custody -- under the supervision of two agents (Reynolds and Liotta) dispatched to Aces' Lake Tahoe hideout.

When word of the price on Aces' head spreads into the community of ex-cons and cons-to-be, it entices bounty hunters, thugs-for-hire, smokin' hot vixens and double-crossing mobsters to join in the hunt. With all eyes on Tahoe, this rogues' gallery collides in a comic race to hit the jackpot and rub out Aces.

About Universal Pictures

Universal Pictures is a division of Universal Studios (www.universalstudios.com). Universal Studios is a part of NBC Universal, one of the world's leading media and entertainment companies in the development, production and marketing of entertainment, news and information to a global audience. Formed in May 2004 through the combining of NBC and Vivendi Universal Entertainment, NBC Universal owns and operates a valuable portfolio of news and entertainment networks, a premier motion picture company, significant television production operations, a leading television stations group and world-renowned theme parks. NBC Universal is 80% owned by General Electric and 20% owned by Vivendi.

About Planetwide Media

Planetwide Media (a division of Planetwide Games, Inc.) provides a unique and patent pending, interactive, self-publishing personalized media platform for a wide audience of emerging consumers in the digital media space. The company provides web-enabled tools, software applications and video games that provide personal interactivity. The company's signature product, Comic Book Creator™ is a best-of-breed digital media platform that embraces User Generated Content (UGC) and enables users to blend their creations into their social networks, their blogs and across the web. Comic Book Creator is an easy to use personal media platform that provides the consumer with a richly enhanced interactive digital experience. Planetwide Media is currently licensing the Comic Book Creator technology and partnering with world-class entertainment, video game, sports, music and lifestyle brands worldwide.

Visit http://www.mycomicbookcreator.com, http://www.myplanetwide.com, and http://www.hypercomics.com for more information.

Comic Book Creator™ & © 2006 Planetwide Games, Inc. All rights reserved.

Contact Information: Media Contacts: Universal Pictures Lindsey Mesenbourg 818.777.4758 Email Contact Planetwide Media Mark Politi VP Marketing, Media Relations 949.421.0488 Ext. 4212 (office) 310.409.5938 (mobile) Email Contact Terpin Communications Group Jennifer Fader 310.821.6100 Ext. 112 (office) 310.922.7507 (mobile) Email Contact