Monday June 10, 2:27 pm Eastern Time

Bantam Books to Publish Official Companion and Fiction Series Based on Hit ABC Television Show ALIAS

Only ALIAS Novels Authorized by Touchstone/ABC and Creator/Executive Producer J.J. Abrams

NEW YORK, June 10 /PRNewswire/ -- Random House Children's Books' Bantam Books imprint has acquired the rights to publish original novels and the official companion based on the hit ABC television show ALIAS. Since the show's debut in September 2001, ALIAS has gained tremendous popularity and critical support from its viewers. It is the number one ranked show in its Sunday night time slot for women ages 18-54, and the second ranked among teenagers and male viewers ages 18-54. Both ALIAS: DECLASSIFIED, the official companion, and ALIAS: RECRUITED, the first book in the fiction series will have initial print runs of 100,000 to meet the expectations of the show's dedicated fans. The nationwide on sale date for both titles will be October 8, 2002, during which the highly anticipated second season of the show will be underway.

ALIAS: DECLASSIFIED is a 224-page trade paperback that offers fans an all-access, behind-the-scenes look at the making of the smash television show, with reflections and anecdotes not found elsewhere. The book, written by Mark Cotta Vaz, carries a suggested retail price of $16.95. The first print run of the companion will also include a DVD containing exclusive ALIAS materials, such as cast interviews and a link to an online ALIAS game. In addition, Bantam Books is launching the publication of an original prequel book series with ALIAS: RECRUITED, which takes readers back to Sydney Bristow's college days, where she was first recruited by SD-6. All novels are a collaborative effort with ALIAS creator/Executive Producer J.J. Abrams. RECRUITED is a 208-page mass-market paperback that carries a suggested retail price of $5.99, and is geared toward teenage fans. Additional books in the series are scheduled for release in 2003.

"Secret lives, cliffhanger endings, pulsating intrigue, non-stop action, and the amazing Jennifer Garner as kick-ass Sydney -- what's not to love?" said Wendy Loggia, editorial director of Media & Series at Knopf Delacorte Dell Publishing Group. "We're thrilled to have the ALIAS publishing program on our list here at Bantam, and to have the opportunity to explore Sydney's early days at SD-6." Loggia acquired the books in cooperation with Touchstone/ABC, and will edit both the companion and the series titles.

ALIAS received a 2002 People's Choice Award for Favorite New Television Drama, and was nominated for a 2002 Golden Globe Award in the same category. Viewers can't get enough of this high-energy, intelligent spy drama and its star, Jennifer Garner, who received the 2002 Golden Globe Award for Best Actress in a Television Drama. Garner has received much media attention since the series debut, gracing the covers of such publications as Seventeen, TV Guide, Rolling Stone, Entertainment Weekly and Self, and appearing on television talk shows and news programs.

"We're very excited about reaching ALIAS's loyal fan base via a new outlet," said Bruce Gersh, Vice President, Business Development, ABC Entertainment Television Group. "These books will enhance fans enjoyment of the show."

Random House Children's Books is the publisher of numerous national and New York Times best-selling books by or about teen celebrities such as Britney Spears, the Backstreet Boys, NSYNC, and Leonardo DiCaprio.

Bantam Books is an imprint of the Random House Children's Book division of Random House, Inc., whose parent company is Bertelsmann AG.

SOURCE: Bantam Books, an imprint of Random House Children's Books

© Bantam Books Press Release 2002

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