DC DIRECT SIGNS SCULPTOR KAREN PALINKO TO EXCLUSIVE CONTRACT

November 8, 2005 - Karen Palinko, award-winning sculptor of projects including the SUPER FRIENDS, JUSTICE LEAGUE UNLIMITED and TEEN TITANS MAQUETTES, has signed an exclusive agreement with DC Direct.

"I'm pretty damn excited," says Palinko. "I've worked with DC Direct for a number of years now, and they've given me some of my favorite assignments. I'm a great admirer of DC's art and the talent they've assembled, and I'm really looking forward to the upcoming projects."

"It's great to have a talent like Karen joining DC Direct full time," says Jim Fletcher, Senior Art Director - DC Direct. "Her skillful interpretations of the diverse visions of characters from the DCU and beyond are sure to keep fans and collectors happy for years to come!"

"Karen has the unique talent to accurately realize a wide range of creative visions, from the Cartoon Network to Alex Ross," says Georg Brewer, VP - Design & DC Direct Creative. "This eclectic range reflects the breadth and strength of the DC Direct line, and adding Karen to our exclusive team will position us to achieve even greater success."

Palinko's JUSTICE LEAGUE ANIMATED: BATMAN MAQUETTE was named "Collectible Statue of the Year" in 2002 by Diamond Comic Distributors. In addition, Palinko has sculpted the FIRST APPEARANCE SERIES ONE ACTION FIGURES, the Alex Ross-designed JUSTICE ACTION FIGURES, and collectible statues based on animated series on the Cartoon Network.

Besides her work for DC and, before that, the Warner Bros. Studio Stores, she has sculpted a wide variety of merchandise produced or authorized by companies including Art Asylum, Avon, Lennox, MGM, Nickelodeon, Elvis Presley Enterprises and Marvel Comics. Prior to becoming a sculptor, she worked in publishing as a Graphic Designer and Art Director.