Press Release:

Inaugural Lightsaber Run to Debut Leading up to 2012 San Diego Comic-Con International

Course of the Force run/walk from Santa Monica to San Diego will benefit the Make-A-Wish Foundation

San Francisco, CA (February 9, 2012) – Star Wars fans will have a chance to channel their Force of good-will while raising a lightsaber, an elegant symbol of hope, in an epic journey worthy of the Jedi Knights.

Lucasfilm Ltd., Nerdist Industries, Octagon and Machinima have teamed up to present Course of the Force, an Olympic-style lightsaber relay held July 7-11, where participants will make a journey from Santa Monica to San Diego while benefiting a worthy cause. At quarter-mile markers (much less than 12 parsecs), participants will hand off the official Course of the Force lightsaber to the next runner as they begin their leg of the journey. Course of the Force will take place in the days leading up to the annual San Diego Comic-Con International, July 12-15.

On top of creating an event for Star Wars enthusiasts to celebrate and embrace their love of the Saga, Course of the Force will benefit the Make-A-Wish Foundation. Fans will have the opportunity to participate in the historic lightsaber relay through various promotions and online calls to action.

Participants in the relay are encouraged to come decked out in their best Star Wars or pop culture-themed running gear, not only to look good but also to win prizes. Ancient Jedi Masters carried within backpacks are not required.

“The Course of the Force lightsaber run is a great cause that combines fitness with helping others, principles that aspiring Jedi Knights can embrace. We have long supported the Make-A-Wish Foundation, and this is a great opportunity to raise funds and awareness while letting Star Wars fans celebrate their favorite saga,” said Kayleen Walters, Sr. Director of Marketing for Lucasfilm.

Giving the event a true fan’s touch, Nerdist Industries’ founder Chris Hardwick and co-hosts will follow the action from the Course of the Force lead vehicle each day, broadcasting live to the Nerdist platform, including its YouTube channel, youtube.com/nerdist. Machinima, the leading next generation video entertainment network for gamers, will produce and simulcast exclusive Course of the Force content through its multi-channel video network and will provide promotion for the event.

As the Course makes its stops along the iconic California coast, Star Wars-themed parties, contests and live Nerdist shows will cap off each day for fans to enjoy. Participants will receive a customized Hasbro Star Wars Ultimate FX lightsaber, along with other gifts celebrating the Force and Comic-Con.

“We aim to build on the excitement leading up to San Diego Comic-Con International, to raise awareness for the wonderful Make-A-Wish Foundation and to ensure that Course of the Force becomes an evergreen part of the pop culture lexicon,” said Nerdist Industries’ principal and Course of the Force creator and executive director Peter Levin. “Partnering with Lucasfilm, Octagon and Machinima creates a trilogy of cachet, profile and execution expertise. As a wise green man might say, ‘succeed we will, for a good cause’.”

Online Registration

• Category: Comic Book Convention
• Location: Connecticut
• Date: Sunday, June 3rd 2012
• City: Comic Book Convention in New Haven, CT
• Event: New Haven Comic and Collectible Spectacular
• Address: Annex Yma Club
• Country: US
• Add to Google Calendar | Download iCal

Press Release:

HERO INITIATIVE HITS 2012 ORLANDO MEGACON

George Pérez, original covers and top costumers are among the highlights

Los Angeles, CA (February 7, 2012) Hero Initiative, the non-profit organization that aids comic creators in medical and financial need, will be adding to the craziness at the Orlando MegaCon, February 17-19 at the Orange County Convention Center located at 9800 International Drive in Orlando, Fla.

When you purchase your tickets for this amazing weekend, make sure you “Become the Hero!” and make a small donation to our cause. Down at the bottom of the page where it mentions, “Please support the Hero Initiative,” you can add in $1, $5 or $10 as you buy your tickets. Please purchase your tickets at: http://megaconvention.thundertix.com/orders/new?performance_id=57024

When you get to the convention, make sure you get your picture taken with the Hero Initiative costumers just inside the D1 lobby doors. These peeps know their stuff, and they’re some of the top costumers in the nation.

The one and only George Pérez will be at the Hero booth all weekend, located at #531. Make sure to get your sketches and signatures from George here! And while you’re waiting, you’ll have the first chance to see the NEW Fantastic Four #600 original covers, our newest “100 covers” project!

Art lovers will NOT want to miss the FINAL leg of Hero’s original JLA cover auctions! The last 34 covers go up on the block Friday, Feb. 17 at 6:30 PM in Room 240c. Be there!

And to top off your weekend, the Geeks of Comedy are there to tickle your funny bone. Check out their great comedy show Saturday, Feb. 18 at 10 PM in Room 221B&E.

Hero Initiative’s booth schedule, booth #531:

Friday, Feb. 17 (con hours 12-7)
All day: George Pérez
130-230: Nelson DeCastro

300-345: “100 JLA” book signing with Cully Hamner, Dan Jurgens, George Pérez, Mike Perkins, Alex Saviuk, Billy Tucci

Saturday, Feb. 18 (con hours 10-6)

All day: George Pérez

1030-1230: Allen Bellman

1240-130: Tim Sale

130-230: Phil Hester

Sunday, Feb. 19 (con hours 10-5)

All day: George Pérez

1130-1230: Darwyn Cooke

1230-130: Nelson DeCastro

130-230: Phil Hester

About The Hero Initiative

The Hero Initiative is the first-ever federally chartered not-for-profit corporation dedicated strictly to helping comic book artists and craftsmen in need. Hero Initiative creates a financial safety net for yesterday’s creators who may need emergency medical aid, financial support for essentials of life, and an avenue back into paying work. It’s a chance for all of us to give back something to the people who have given us so much enjoyment.

Since its inception, The Hero Initiative has had the good fortune to grant over $500,000 to the comics veterans who have paved the way for those in the industry today. For more information, visit www.heroinitiative.org or call 626-676-6354.

I recently mentioned the likelihood that Convention Scene would be changing hosting companies. While I had been happy with the service at WP Engine, they recently informed me that they were increasing my hosting fee 400% and offered no help as to how I might modify the site to get it back down to a lower pricing tier. Naturally, this did not make me very happy so I began exploring my options. While a top WordPress consultant I spoke with recommended I go with a VPS (Virtual Private Server), that is something I really did not want to get into. I moved the site to WP Engine in the first place because I was tired of constantly tinkering with server settings, trying to make the site run better.

Looking around, I found a killer deal at LightningBase, a newcomer to the WordPress hosting scene. This isn’t really an endorsement since we just got moved over to their service today, but the site seems a smidge faster, don’t you think? Hopefully, we’ve found a stable home.

Press Release:

Bill Sienkiewicz and Bernie Wrightson join some of Sci-Fi’s hottest at the DFW SCI-FI EXPO, Feb 11-12

Two comic book legends, Bill Sienkiewicz (ELEKTRA ASSASSIN) and Bernie Wrightson (SWAMP THING), headline the impressive artist lineup at the February 11-12 Sci-Fi Expo.  Produced by the men behind the Dallas Comic Con, this year’s Sci-Fi Expo brings in a wide variety of television and movie actors, along with several comic book luminaries including Joe Jusko and Marvel artist Mark Brooks.  This is Sienkiewicz’s first trip back to the Big D area after previously appearing at the 2009 Dallas Comic Con – his art recently graced the packaging of the new GODZILLA Blu-ray.  Bernie Wrightson has become a favorite guest of the Dallas-based shows, and will be making one of his first major 2012 convention appearances there.  Mark Brooks is making time from his busy Marvel schedule to return to Dallas for the first time in many years as well, and Joe Jusko is coming straight to the show from a big trip to Paris!  Other comic book personalities attending include James O’Barr (creator of THE CROW), Joe Eisma (artist of MORNING GLORIES), Kerry Gammill (former SUPERMAN artist) and Ben Dunn (creator and artist of NINJA HIGH SCHOOL).

Sci-Fi fans will be thrilled to meet the sexy star of BUFFY and DOLLHOUSE, Eliza Dushku, who is attending the show on Saturday only.  FIREFLY and SERENITY fans will be treated to appearances by cast members Adam Baldwin (also Saturday only), Jewel Staite, Sean Maher and Ron Glass. Other media personalities include Alexis Cruz (STARGATE), Noah Hathaway (THE NEVERENDING STORY), Angie Bolling (all three ROBOCOP movies) and James Hampton (TEEN WOLF).  Event Manager Mark Walters notes, “We pride ourselves in putting together conventions that feature something for everyone, and all with a family-friendly atmosphere.  This particular Sci-Fi Expo is our most-ambitious yet, with an incredible mix of talent… we expect the fans will be thrilled.”

General Admission is $15 (discounted tickets for children), with Priority and VIP passes available.  You can find more information on the show, which runs Saturday (11am to 6pm) and Sunday (11am to 4pm) at http://scifiexpo.com

I’m still having trouble getting excited for this movie, but at least this trailer doesn’t make it look like a horror movie. Also, this version seems to get Peter’s snappy patter, and they have the acrobatics down. Still preferred the Raimi version of the costume, though. The movie is set for release on July 3rd and stars Andrew Garfield in the title role.

Click here to view the embedded video.

The 2012 edition of Comic-Con Annual is now available online. This all-new publication is a veritable 80-page giant, and features an exclusive new cover photo of Emma Stone and Andrew Garfield from the upcoming movie The Amazing Spider-Man. Interviews with Stone and director Marc Webb are part of the Annual’s “Year of the Spider” coverage, which also includes articles on the Webslinger’s 50th anniversary in comics, focusing on Stan Lee, Steve Ditko (by Blake Bell), and the father/son team of artists John Romita Sr. and John Romita Jr. (by Tom Spurgeon). Additional feature articles celebrate the 75th anniversary of Hal Foster’s Prince Valiant (by Foster biographer Brian M. Kane), and the 30th anniversary of Love & Rockets (by Charles Brownstein). Plus a Comic-Con 2011 photo album, advance looks at Comic-Con International, WonderCon, and APE in 2012, and much more! The online version of the Annual features embedded links to specific Comic-Con.org website pages for the latest information on all three events. Click on the links in the purple boxes to visit the website for updates! View below or download your own personal PDF!

Press Release:

Mike Carbo’s New York Comic Book Marketplace

Saturday, March 31, 2012, 10AM – 7PM

Early VIP Admission 9AM-10AM

Hotel Pennsylvania, 401 Seventh Avenue, 18^th Floor, NYC

www.NYCBM.com

Just in time to thaw out New York City and welcome Spring, Mike Carbo will be having his Annual One Day Comic Book Show to warm the hearts of all comic loving fans!

The Legendary Stan Lee will be our Guest of Honor! He is the man that helped define and revolutionize the comic book industry. Stan Lee is known for co-creating Spiderman, Hulk, Fantastic Four, X-Men, Thor and many other iconic characters in the comic book world.

Come and meet some of your favorite artists and comic book legends such as Joe Sinnott, Dick Ayers, Jim Steranko, Irwin Hasen, Mark Royer, Arthur Suydam, Bob McLeod, Rich Buckler and many more. Discover up and coming new artists and independent publishers. All of the artists are happy to meet and greet comic book lovers, sign autographs, and many will even draw sketches of their favorite characters. Ethan Philips who portrayed Neelix on Star Trek Voyager will also be in attendance signing autographs and greeting fans.

Over 100 dealer tables will be filled with comics old and new, toys, posters, trading cards, videos, and related pop-culture collectibles. This is an opportunity no true fan should miss!  The Penn Plaza Pavilion is located at 401 Seventh Avenue at 33rd St., in the historic Hotel Pennsylvania.

Bring your children and help introduce a whole new generation to the fun filled, awe inspiring world of comics.

INFORMATION: Contact Mike Carbonaro 201-892-1212mikecarbo@gmail.com

For all the Sonic the Hedgehog fans out there, Sega has announced the return of Sonic Boom:

Sonic Boom will be held in San Diego, CA on Friday, July 13^th (during San Diego Comic Con) at the House of Blues. We’ll have more information about ticketing in the future, but you will not be required to have a Comic Con badge to attend Sonic Boom. Hotels in the San Diego area fill up quickly for Comic Con, so if you will need a hotel room, we suggest that you book early and/or consult the San Diego Comic Con hotel page.

At the first Sonic Boom last year, fans had a chance to play Sonic Generations, get some great swag, enjoy a great musical performance from Crush40, and more. We don’t want to give too much away about what’s in the works for this year (at least, not right now!), but we’re aiming to make it a great time for Sonic fans of all ages. We hope you’ll come hang out with us, Sonic, and a bunch of Sonic fans!

I love the new commercial for the The Avengers movie, which debuted during the Super Bowl. Here are regular and extended versions.

Loki: “I have an army.” Tony Stark: “We have a Hulk.”

Click here to view the embedded video.

Click here to view the embedded video.