WESTLAKE VILLAGE, CA � February 2002 � Award winning artist, Michel Gagné launched his career as an animator and eventually moved into fine art, creating nearly a hundred fine art pieces including paintings, sculptures, collage, inks and mixed media - all exhibited in highly successful one-man and group shows. Michel has designed on more than twenty feature films. His independent short film, "Prelude to Eden" has played in festivals throughout the world and is a favorite among animation students and teachers. Michel was honored by the International Animated Film Society, with four Annie Award nominations. In addition, Michel has been writing, publishing and illustrating books and comics since 1998 when he and his wife founded GAGNÉ International Press.

Michel's eclectic style and diverse artwork have earned him an international following. His recent publication "Insanely Twisted Rabbits" sold out within the first release year. The second printing will be available in March of 2003. This bizarre art book is filed with drawings of rabbits that have been wildly deformed. Some are cute, some are twisted, but all are highly entertaining. There is nothing to compare it to.

Sideshow Collectibles is a leader within the world of collectible figures and is pleased to announce the release of the limited edition, hand numbered, "Insanely Twisted Rabbits" polystone collectible series, based on Michel Gagné's rabbit drawings.

"I'm so excited about this," said Michel. "I've been very cautious about signing up with a toy or collectible company for fear of having my vision bastardized, but when Sideshow approached me, I was totally impressed with the level of quality and the integrity of their product. I'm just blown away by what they've done so far and can't wait to share it with the fans."

The figures will be hand cast and hand painted polystone at approximately five inches tall, and will retail in the $40-$60 range. Each piece will be a hand-signed limited edition creation. The projected release date for the highly anticipated collectible series is June 2003 with a special presentation at the Comic-Con International in San Diego, California in July.

"We are enthusiastic fans of Michel's whimsical and clearly twisted artistic vision," said Sideshow's President, Greg Anzalone. "I believe that Sideshow's dedication to quality is the perfect complement for a 3D celebration of Michel's unusual art."

With the popularity of Michel Gagné's Insanely Twisted Rabbits publication, and the unsurpassed reputation for quality at Sideshow, the Rabbits collectible series is sure to be a fast selling favorite. While the collection is currently in development, you can watch for updates on the Sideshow website at www.sideshowtoy.com. The "Insanely Twisted Rabbits" collectible series will be available from Sideshow, as well as through specialty gift and collectible stores nationwide.