WEP - Voltron -the Comic Release

Contact: Bob Sanderson
Phone: (314) 345-1062
Mobile: (314-614-8650
bsanderson@koplar.com

WORLD EVENTS PRODUCTIONS ANNOUNCES VOLTRON: DEFENDER OF THE UNIVERSE COMIC BOOK AGREEMENT

- Devil's Due licenses rights to publish highly anticipated comic book for awaiting fans -

ST. LOUIS, Missouri, October 15, 2002 - World Events Productions today announced that Devil's Due Publishing, Inc has licensed the comic book rights based on the original animated series Voltron: Defender of the Universe, one of pop culture's most popular classic television programs. Devil's Due Publishing based in Chicago, Illinois has a three-year, exclusive merchandising license to create and publish the new Voltron comic book. World Events Productions will also be in discussions with entertainment companies to produce an interactive Voltron television series. The series will be encoded with VEIL Interactive Technologies allowing specially designed toys to interact with the broadcast. The toys will be triggered by VEIL to flash lights, sound off and receive secret messages. There will be significant tie-in merchandising opportunities.

"Given the recent success of retro titles and the global potential of the Voltron property, the competition for Voltron was intense. Devil's Due Publishing was the best choice for the Voltron comic book license based on the quality of their graphics, knowledge of Voltron, and imaginative ideas about new character development," said Edward J. (Ted) Koplar, President of World Events Productions. "With the success of Spider-Man, Scooby Doo and other retro and nostalgia films, fan interest in Voltron programming has been re-ignited. Tremendous activity on the Voltron website has made it clear to us that interest in the series has never diminished. For that matter, it's stronger than ever, and when the interactive television series is developed it will be uniquely cutting-edge in the outstanding tradition of Voltron," he added.

Joshua Blaylock, president and creative director of Devil's Due Publishing said, "The fact that World Events chose us over so many other companies, some much larger, gives me a great feeling that they care about the long term vision of Voltron as much as we do, and I'm thrilled to be involved in another of my favorite childhood properties. We pioneered the 80's revival with comic book series like G.I.Joe and Micronauts, and now we've acquired what I feel is the last major player of 80's. I'm very excited about Voltron's potential and the widely untapped potential for new stories."

Voltron has become an international icon that continues to capture the hearts of fans, young and old, all over the globe. Continuing to enjoy immense popularity today, this 1980's mega-hit consistently delivers strong ratings in its time period in Spain, Canada, Italy and Australia. This World Events/Devils Due Agreement highly anticipated comic book title is guaranteed to be a success for retailers with available merchandise such as DVD's from Trimark Home Video, toys from Trendmasters, posters and clothing. Voltron: Defender of the Universe and its sequel Voltron: The Third Dimension, have grossed millions in worldwide licensing.

About World Events Productions, Ltd.

Founded in 1982 to meet the ever-growing need for the development of quality television entertainment, World Events Productions has continued to be a leader in creative programming excellence and international distribution for over twenty years. The company's portfolio of television series' includes Voltron: Defender of the Universe, the Daytime Emmy award-winning Voltron: The Third Dimension, Denver, The Last Dinosaur, Vytor: The Starfire Champion, and Saber Rider and the Starfire Champion. World Events Productions, an affiliate of Koplar Communications International, is headquartered at 1 Memorial Drive, Suite 2000, St. Louis, Missouri 63102. The company may be reached at 314-345-1000; fax:314-345-1090; www.wep.com.

About Devil's Due Publishing, Inc

Devil's Due was founded in 1999 to handle commercial art clients and produce material for the comic book market. In 2001, they acquired the comic book rights for popular 80's properties G.I.Joe and Micronauts, and started an entire "retro" trend in the industry. Devil's Due finds its strength in the staff's sensitivity to what the hardcore fans want, and captures that without sacrificing the mass-market potential of its projects. This has elevated the studio to the top of the food chain. "To us comes naturally what larger corporations spend thousands 'test marketing' and 'product analyzing' to death... and we intend to keep it that way, because here, POP CULTURE, truly is our culture. For more information, contact Devil's Due at www.devilsdue.net

or call 773-506-8912