Idonije loved comic books when he was a kid, and he thinks theyre a great first step in getting kids to crack open a book. The bears quarterback gets the superhero treatment in the bears monsters of the midway campaign. As a special finish to the nfl season, i would like to share with you some highlights of a conversation that i had with chicago bears defensive lineman israel idonije. Nfl star israel idonije launches the protectors with. In this alternate world, the monsters defend chicago from a weekly nemesis drawn from the 2018 schedule. Israel idonije, former chicago bears player, makes. Apr 25, 2014 football player isaac chike, who bears a strong resemblance to chicago bears player israel idonije, left, is the main character in a new comic book selfpublished by idonije, called the protectors that will launch at c2e2, the comic book scifipop culture mega convention being held at mccormick place in chicago starting today. He built an 11year nfl career, against all odds, by developing himself to the status of an elite athlete. Giants israel idonije finds success in comic books the new york. We had an exclusive conversation with israel idonije that covered a whole host of topics including the comic expo vibe, his comic book series, the creative process behind it, and a little bit of.
Israel idonije is a keynote speaker and industry expert who speaks on a wide range of topics. It was revealed in a trailer for the new netflix film beats that idonije. From bears to comic con, israel idonije still winning with the protectors. Along with ron marz and bart sears, chicago bear defensive end israel idonije is bringing his comic the protectors to c2e2 on april 25th27th and a signing of his book april 23rd at chicago comics. Idonije has created his own comic book the protectors that is. Jun 12, 2019 former chicago bears defensive end israel idonije can soon add another notch to his impressive postnfl career belt soon. Our team has a strong background in and a passion for sports and comics. Israel idonije, a defensive lineman for the chicago bears, is not exactly your stereotypical comic book guy.
The core element is one that connects with everyone as a person, wherever youre from, idonije told usa today. Israel idoni je o n the protectors march 22, 2016 by brigid alverson leave a comment israel idonije grew up reading comics, and in 2007, in the middle of his career in professional football he was a defensive lineman for. Idonije launched his dreamkidz love book series to promote social and emotional awareness for children. Dec 14, 2015 former bears lineman israel idonije took that concept to the next level in 20 when he launched the protectors, a comic book series featuring fictional athletes from a variety of sports who. Chicago bear israel idonije to release his book the. Israel idonije to sign copies of new comic book saturday. Longtime chicago bears defender israel idonije played a major hand. About the protectors nfl defensive end israel idonije has been a fan of comic books since he was a child. Nfl veteran israel idonije opens up about creating comic book series by jacqueline howard s ome of israel idonijes fondest memories as a child are of curling up with a comic book copy of the green hornet and escaping into the world of masked vigilantes and makebelieve. Israel idonije created a comic book series that features athletes as superheroes. We carry the complete collection of over 45 shaloman comics produced since 1988, as well as current publications of israeli defense comics. Longtime chicago bears defensive end israel idonije will be at the geneva commons this saturday signing copies of his recentlyreleased comic book. Former chicago bear israel idonije to be in netflix film.
Football player isaac chike, who bears a strong resemblance to chicago bears player israel idonije, left, is the main character in a new comic book selfpublished by idonije, called the protectors that will launch at c2e2, the. Idonije, the ceo of athlitacomics and an 11year nfl veteran, got the idea to feature athletes as superheroes while in training camp in 2000. Idonije worked with acclaimed comic writer ron marz and artist bart sears to bring the idea of the protectors to life in a printed book series. The organization featured a monsters of the midway comic book them. May 20, 2014 israel idonije, chicago bears defensive lineman talks to the offseason with lisa varga about the comic book series he created called the protectors. You normally wouldnt expect to see too many jocks at a comic book convention. Athlitacomics, started by former chicago bear israel idonije, develops customdesigned comic content, comic properties and related. Super bears have more comic book characters in store chicago. The protectors is a comic book series about a chosen group of athletes who learn.
Israel idonije generally travels from and can be booked for. Chicago bears defensive lineman israel idonije has a new. A fan of comic books since childhood, idonije began creating the protectors at bears training camp in 2007, and went on to create his own athleta comics publishing imprint to appeal to sports fans and comic book fans alike. Sep 06, 2017 israel idonije, creator of athlita comicss the protectors, which he cowrites with ron marz for artist bart sears, will appear on wednesdays episode of toy hunter, airing at 9 p. Follow the story here from its beginning through the yettobewritten end as the season unfolds. Nfl veteran israel idonije opens up about creating comic. Lisa varga interview with israel idonije about the. Nfl veteran israel idonije opens up about creating comic book. He used that as the foundation to create athlitacomics a couple of years later. He has been building toward the next phase of his life since he was a child. Idonije created the idea for the comic book in 2007 during training camp in bourbonnais. Former bear israel idonije creates comics partnership with bears.
Giants israel idonije finds success in comic books the new. Jul 31, 2014 longtime chicago bear and comic book creator will be at the barnes and noble geneva commons saturday, august 2 from 23. Apr 22, 20 a fan of comic books since childhood, idonije began creating the protectors at bears training camp in 2007, and went on to create his own athleta comics publishing imprint to appeal to sports fans and comic book fans alike. Idonije is a longtime comic book fan and brought on a write, ron marz, and artist, bart sears, to help make his vision of the protectors comic series a. Israel idoni je o n the protectors march 22, 2016 by brigid alverson leave a comment israel idonije grew up reading comics, and in 2007, in the middle of his career in professional football he was a defensive lineman for the chicago bears and the new york giants, he began sketching out some ideas for a comic of his own. Former bears lineman israel idonije took that concept to the next level in 20 when he launched the protectors, a comic book series featuring. His company athlitacomics develops custom comic content and properties. Some of israel idonijes fondest memories as a child are of curling up with a comic book copy of the green hornet and escaping into the world of masked vigilantes and makebelieve. From bears to comiccon, israel idonije still winning with the protectors. Longtime chicago bear and comic book creator will be at the barnes and noble geneva commons saturday, august 2 from 23. Israel idonije is best known as a lineman for the bears. He had gone into the grind of nfl training camp in 2007 eat, sleep.
Idonije created the protectors comic book, dreamkidz adventures childrens books and sports heroes athlete comic. Super bears have more comic book characters in store. Giants israel idonije finds success in comic books the. Idonije signed with the new york giants on august 5, 2014. Now a free agent, hes selfpublishing his own comic books. Its about a group of professional athletes who discover that their true mission is to save the human race. This season, the bears have partnered with athlitacomics and former player israel idonije to tell the story of the monsters of the midway. Some of israel idonijes fondest memories as a child are of curling up with a comic book copy of the green hornet and escaping into the world. Chicago bears israel idonije fandom espn playbook espn. Former bear idonijes comic unveils new powers chicago tribune. Idonije unveils comic book in new york chicago bears. Pokemon go the future of gaming, says former bears dl idonije. In the mind of chicago bears defensive lineman israel idonije, an admitted comic book fanatic, there was no better storyline. Israel idonije never imagined a comic book idea during training camp in 2007 would lead to the project of a lifetime with his former team.
The protectors, set in the future, is based around. Apr 24, 2018 in 2007, during downtime at training camp, idonije created a comic book called the protectors, which imagines athletes as superheroes. Detroit lions defensive tackle israel idonije joins nfl am to discuss signing with the lions, playing against former teammate jay cutler and his new comic book series the protectors. A defensive end by day, israel idonije doubles as a comic book hero who plays the piano and cant say no to popcorn. Israel idonije generally travels from and can be booked for private corporate events, personal appearances, keynote speeches, or other performances. And now it seems as if the protectors has invigorated idonijes passion for the comic book world even more. Defensive tackle israel idonije on detroit lions, new comic book. He used that as the foundation to create athlitacomics a. Israel idonije comic fans converge at chicagos c2e2. The story behind chicagos newest superheroes part 2.
Israel idonije, chicago bears defensive lineman talks to the offseason with lisa varga about the comic book series he created called the protectors. Toy hunter meets israel idonije of athlita comics wednesday. Announced at the recent new york comic con, the protectors comic will debut at chicagos c2e2 convention in april. He has a unique ability to get endorsements of other pro athletes, which. Longtime chicago bear israel idonije comic book signing at. Yes, the sixfootsix, 275pound nigeriancanadian defensive end who has spent 12 years in the nfl told the huffington post that, during his childhood, his parents. Aug 17, 2014 israel idonije is hoping to spend his 12th n. Israel idonije speakers bureau and booking agent info.
Israel idonije of the chicago bears autographed copies of his comic book, the protectors, which features a band of athletes with super powers. His first book i love me izzy cover was released on amazon on january 24, 2017. My interview with israel idonije heroes in the game. Bears form monster partnership with idonije chicago bears. Former bear idonijes comic unveils new powers chicago. In 2007, during downtime at training camp, idonije created a comic book called the protectors, which imagines athletes as superheroes. Nfls israel idonije creates comic book series for a good. Idonije created the protectors comic book, dreamkidz adventures childrens books and sports heroes athlete comic superheroes. Israel idonije will sign his new comic book saturday in. The comic book he created, the protectors, and his childrens book series dreamkidz adventures, are all.
Israel idonije, former chicago bears player, makes communion. Nfl star israel idonije launches the protectors with return. He is the founder of if charities, which programs have contributed to the lives of over. Idonije revealed his new comic, the protectors, at its soft launch during the new york comic con in october 2012.
The protectors, created by former chicago bear and lifelong comic fan israel idonije, written by ron marz, with. Oct 16, 2012 idonije created the idea for the comic book in 2007 during training camp in bourbonnais. Apr 17, 2014 along with ron marz and bart sears, chicago bear defensive end israel idonije is bringing his comic the protectors to c2e2 on april 25th27th and a signing of his book april 23rd at chicago comics. But with the bears lance briggs and israel idonije each launching comic books in recent years, it was only a matter.
Nfls israel idonije creates comic book series for a good cause. Monsters of the midway 2018 chicago bears official website. He came up with the idea at the chicago bears training camp in 2007. Bears israel idonije creates the protectors comic book. The protectors, created by former chicago bear and lifelong comic fan israel idonije, written by ron marz, with art by bart sears is a unique melding of sports action and superhero adventure with a culturally diverse character base. At c2e2, israel idonije of the chicago bears will unveil his debut comic book, the protectors. A defensive end by day, israel idonije doubles as a comic book hero who plays the piano and cant say no to. The comic book he created, the protectors, and his childrens book series dreamkidz adventures, are all available in print and digital formats. Israel idonije is shown at work on a comic book for his protectors series. He had gone into the grind of nfl training camp in.
The teams schedule release featured comic book characters made in reference to each of chicagos opponents and images of various. A longtime comic book aficionado, detroit lions defensive lineman israel idonije has taken his hobby to the next level. Readers and football fans alike can stay tuned for monsters of the midway, a comic book series by idonije and his company athlitacomics in partnership. Idonije explains his new comic book, the protectors cbs. By creating an account, you verify that you are at least years of age, and have read and agree to the terms of service and. Idonije loved comic books when he was a kid, and he thinks theyre a great. Follow their account to see all their photos and videos. As an entrepreneur, israel has started several successful business ventures. Israel idonije, former chicago bear and friend of windy city live, stops by to spread some holiday cheer and tell wcl what hes been up to since he officially retired. Israel idonije, creator of athlita comicss the protectors, which he cowrites with ron marz for artist bart sears, will appear on wednesdays episode of toy hunter, airing at 9. A fan of comic books since he was a child, former chicago bear israel izzy idonije started athlitacomics to develop comic content and properties to appeal to both sports fans and comic book enthusiasts. The bears defensive ends new comic book merges the worlds of sports and superheroes. Jan 25, 20 at c2e2, israel idonije of the chicago bears will unveil his debut comic book, the protectors.
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