Limited Edition Dark Horse Comics adidas Shoe and Track Jacket To Debut in Retail Stores around the World in May

Dark Horse Comics - in conjunction with adidas - is pleased to announce the debut in May 2006 of a very special custom Dark Horse shoe and track jacket. Part of adidas' "adicolor" collection that features a number of footwear collaborations between adidas Originals and a diverse group of partners - all icons from the worlds of fashion and art - the Dark Horse Comics adicolor was designed by Dark Horse President, Mike Richardson and the Dark Horse design team.

The dynamic and striking shoe features the Dark Horse trademark red and black colors, two sets of interchangeable insoles (one with a character collage), two pairs of laces, and a special SpyBoy comic wrapping paper.

The track jacket is fully reversible and features an amazing collage of iconic Dark Horse characters against a red background on one side and, when reversed, the words "Dark Horse" in kanji (Japanese characters) against a black background.

"I am honored that adidas chose Dark Horse to be a part of the select group of companies and individuals around the world to participate in this fun and exciting program," commented Mike Richardson. "As a lifelong sports enthusiast, it's a thrill to have this merger of two of my favorite pastimes, comics and sports, come together and result in such amazing products."

Dark Horse Comics will be donating all profits ($18,000) of the shoe and jacket sales to the Comic Book Legal Defense Fund(CBLDF). The CBLDF was founded in 1986 as a 501(c)3 non-profit organization dedicated to the preservation of First Amendment rights for members of the comics community. Visit www.cbldf.org for more information.

The Dark Horse adicolor shoe and jacket will be available May 20, 2006 at select adidas retailers around the world. Quantities are limited with a total production run of 5000 pairs of shoes and 2500 track jackets.

Dark Horse would like to extend a very special thanks to the licensors and creators who allowed their properties to be a part of this special project. These talented companies and individuals are: Frank Miller (Sin City), Eric Powell (The Goon), Fredrik Malmberg at Conan Properties, Joss Whedon (Buffy/Fray), Yasuhiro Nightow (Trigun), Mike Mignola (Hellboy), Katsuhiro Otomo (Akira), and Katsuya Terada (Monkey King).

Test your Dark Horse knowledge with a fun game based on the jacket image! Just click here.

History of adidas adicolor:

adicolor was launched onto the sportswear market at the ISPO Trade Fair in Munich in 1983. The collection included a variety of white on white footwear models sold with brightly hued, quick drying, weatherproof pens. The specially created adicolor pens offered infinite possibilities for consumer customization and personalization of their favorite sneakers in true 1980s style. Vintage adicolor sneakers and markers ultimately achieved cult status among collectors and fans around the world.

In March 2006 adidas updated and reintroduced adicolor, beginning with the pure white on white foundation of the 1980s originals. The adicolor White Series includes six footwear models, each sold with a variety of customization tools, ranging from magic markers and spray cans to lace jewels and interchangeable stripes. Six bright new palettes - Red, Blue, Yellow, Green, Pink, and Black - have also been added to the offering via the Color Series, featuring collaborations with a broad range of truly stand-out partners from the worlds of fashion, art, retail, and design. Both series include select apparel pieces and accessories.

The adicolor concept celebrates originality and encourages creativity. adicolor products are rolling out over a three month period that began with the worldwide launch of the White Series on Saturday March 18, 2006.