• Category: Comic Book Convention
• Location: District of Columbia
• Date: Saturday, April 19th 2014 - Sunday, April 20th 2014
• City: Comic Book Convention in Washington
• Event: Awesome Con DC
• Address: Walter E. Washington Convention Center
• Country: US
• Add to Google Calendar | Download iCal

• Category: Comic Book Convention
• Location: Maryland
• Date: Saturday, November 9th 2013
• City: Comic Book Convention in Waldorf
• Event: Southern Maryland Comic-Con
• Address: Capital Clubhouse
• Country: US
• Add to Google Calendar | Download iCal

ARCHAIA AND METEOR ANNOUNCE ‘RUBICON’ ORIGINAL GRAPHIC NOVEL

Akira Kurosawa’s ‘The Seven Samurai’ is reimagined through the lens of the Afghanistan War in this timely story featuring Navy SEAL operators

Los Angeles, CA (April 16, 2013) – Award-winning comic and game publishers Archaia Entertainment and Meteor Entertainment are proud to announce Rubicon, a hardcover, original graphic novel that reimagines one of the greatest movie epics of all time: The Seven Samurai. Developed as an homage to Akira Kurosawa’s peerless masterpiece, Rubicon is the story of a paramilitary SEAL team who defend a remote mountain farming village in Afghanistan from the torment of marauding Taliban. Rubicon blends timely themes of fate, hope, and courage with relentless action into a triumphant tale of honor won with loyalty and death. This powerfully realized book is written by New York Times best-selling graphic novel author and Meteor Entertainment (HAWKEN) president Mark Long (The Silence of Our Friends), from an idea by Oscar®-winning writer/director Christopher McQuarrie (The Usual Suspects), and from a story by SEAL Team VI and Red Cell veteran, Dan Capel. It is masterfully composed and illustrated by newcomer Mario Stilla, whose art projects kinetic force and intense emotion. In addition, the book features a Foreword by New York Times best-selling author and the original Commanding Officer of Seal Team VI, Richard Marcinko (Rogue Warrior).

“Rubicon is a project of pure passion by the four of us—from Chris’ brilliant idea to approach the Afghan war from a character-driven classic, to Dan’s invaluable insights into the emotions and ethos of tier-one operators, and to Mario’s classically rendered, Kurosawa-esque frames,” described Long. “For me, Rubicon mixes two great passions: to become an uncompromising art-house publisher of free-to-play games and transmedia; and to personally contribute creatively to that goal.”

“We are excited about this timely and relevant story about a mission that could have happened—and maybe did,” related Archaia President & COO Jack Cummins. “This book will appeal to fans of Zero Dark Thirty, The Hurt Locker, military gamers, military buffs, past and current members of the military, as well as the public interested in a behind-the-scenes look at how our front-line troops live and die together on behalf of others.”

The Rubicon hardcover graphic novel will also come packed with a pouch envelope containing exclusive artifacts and creative collateral from the world of Rubicon, including a reproduction of the tactical map the team uses, commendations and citations, and private correspondence.

“We weren’t interested in merely spouting generic stats and glossary terms,” explained Joe LeFavi of Quixotic Transmedia, who facilitated the Rubicon deal for Archaia and served as executive editor on the book. “We wanted to dig through the pockets of the soldiers right there in the action, so that you could better understand and appreciate their motivations from a unique and personal place.”

A very special, slipcased limited edition is available for purchase only on Archaia’s webstore (store.archaia.com) and Meteor’s HAWKEN website (playhawken.com/#universe), where collectors receive an additional $10 in Meteor Credits with purchase.

Limited editions will also be available at the Archaia booth at Comic-Con International in San Diego, Calif. (July 10-14) and New York Comic Con in New York, N.Y. (October 10-13), while supplies last.

Rubicon ($24.95, hardcover, 128 pages, full color, 6.625” x 10.25”) is available for pre-order now at your local comic book shop. To pre-order, provide your retailer with this Diamond Order Code: APR130799. To find your closest comic book shop, visit www.comicshoplocator.com. It is also available for pre-order through the Archaia webstore (store.archaia.com) and wherever books are sold (ISBN: 978-1-936393-97-8).

Archaia and Meteor previously collaborated on the original graphic novel HAWKEN: GENESIS, which is based on Meteor’s free-to-play, online video game, HAWKEN. It is available now in comic book shops and wherever books are sold.

About Archaia Entertainment, LLC

Archaia is a multi-award-winning graphic novel publisher with more than 75 renowned publishing brands, including such domestic and international hits as Mouse Guard, Rust, Cow Boy, Cursed Pirate Girl, Gunnerkrigg Court, and Artesia. Archaia has also published an entire line of graphic novels in partnership with The Jim Henson Company, including the multiple award-winning Jim Henson’s Tale of Sand and such beloved tales as The Dark Crystal, The Storyteller, and Fraggle Rock. Alongside these celebrated titles, Archaia has released English translations of numerous renowned foreign titles to much fanfare, including The Killer, Sergio Toppi’s Sharaz-De, and The Secret History.

In 2012, Archaia was honored with six Harvey Award nominations, two Harvey Awards, six Eisner nominations, and three Eisner Awards (Jim Henson’s Tale of Sand won for Best Graphic Album–New, Best Penciller/Inker, and Best Publication Design). Also in 2012, Archaia earned both Gold and Silver awards from ForeWord Reviews. Archaia was honored with nine 2011 Eisner Awards nominations and two Eisner Awards for Best Graphic Album and Best Anthology.

In addition to its partnership with The Jim Henson Company, Archaia has forged creative partnerships with storytellers in all facets of the entertainment industry, resulting in print and digital expansions of such noted properties as Bleedout and HAWKEN (video games), Immortals and Planet of the Apes (film), and Space: 1999 (television).

Archaia has built an unparalleled reputation within the creator community for producing meaningful, transformative content, building one of the industry’s most visually stunning and eclectic slates of graphic novels.

About Meteor Entertainment™
Based in Seattle, Meteor Entertainment is focused on successfully publishing free-to-play games globally, with an emphasis on compelling content and setting the standard for customer service and community engagement. Meteor Entertainment’s first title, HAWKEN, was developed by Adhesive Games. Download HAWKEN and play it for free at www.playhawken.com.

ARCHAIA EXHIBITING AT C2E2 THIS WEEKEND!

New Titles! A panel on 3D comics! And, contests to win great Archaia Books at our booth through Twitter, Instagram, FourSquare, and more!

CHICAGO, IL (April 25, 2013) – Award-winning graphic novel publisher Archaia Entertainment is excited to announce it will exhibit at booth #1019 at the Chicago Comic and Entertainment Expo (C2E2) for a fourth straight year since the event’s inception! C2E2 is one of the Midwest’s biggest celebrations of comics and pop culture, taking place during the weekend of April 26-28, 2013 in the West Hall of McCormick Place in Chicago, Illinois. Archaia’s corporate headquarters is based in Chicago.

“We love making C2E2 one of our biggest events of the year. Nearly our entire management team is from Chicago, the Chicago fans are great, and our creators really make it a special show for us,” raved Chicago native, Jack Cummins, President & COO of Archaia. “We have great new titles like Strange Attractors, Mumbai Confidential, and HAWKEN: GENESIS, as well as Rust Vol. 2: Secrets of the Cell, Jim Henson’s The Dark Crystal: Creation Myths Vol. 2, and Pantalones, TX: Don’t Chicken Out. We are excited for our fans to see these new books and find out about the new upcoming Mouse Guard books directly from Eisner Award winner David Petersen.”

Creators and contributors scheduled to appear at the Archaia booth include:

Andrew E. C. Gaska (writer: Space: 1999: Aftershock and Awe, Conspiracy of the Planet of the Apes, Critical Millennium: The Dark Frontier, the upcoming Classic Space: 1999)
Andrew Rostan (writer; An Elegy for Amelia Johnson)
Brent Schoonover (artist, Mr. Murder Is Dead)
Chandra Free (writer/artist: The God Machine, Fraggle Rock)
Charles Soule (writer: Strange Attractors)
Cory Godbey (artist: Fraggle Rock, the upcoming Jim Henson’s Labyrinth and Spera Vol. 3)
David Marquez (artist: Syndrome, the upcoming The Joyners in 3D)
David Petersen (writer/artist: Mouse Guard)
Janet Lee (artist: Return of the Dapper Men)
Jeremy Bastian (writer/artist: Cursed Pirate Girl)
Jim McCann (writer: Return of the Dapper Men)
Ramón Pérez (artist: Jim Henson’s Tale of Sand)
R. J. Ryan (writer: Syndrome, the upcoming The Joyners in 3D)
Royden Lepp (writer/artist: The Rust)
Tom Pinchuk (writer: Hybrid Bastards!)
Yehudi Mercado (writer/artist: Pantalones, TX: Don’t Chicken Out)

Check the signing schedule at Archaia.com for your favorite creator’s availability. Here’s what else is going on at the Archaia booth during C2E2 weekend:

• We will present a panel on Sunday! Archaia Entertainment Presents: Comics Storytelling and the Lost Art of 3D, 1:30-2:30pm, Room W471. Join us for an uncensored discussion of the medium’s benefits and drawbacks, as well as a wide-ranging survey of the highs and lows of 60 years of 3D comics, only at C2E2 2013!   We will preview the 2013 release of the ambitious, all-3D graphic novel The Joyners in 3D from Archaia, writer R.J. Ryan (Syndrome), New York Times best-selling illustrator David Marquez (All-New X-Men, Ultimate Comics Spider-Man, Syndrome), and Archaia Editor-in-Chief Stephen Christy have invited a panel of creatives from across comics to dig deep into both the highs and lows of using 3D as a storytelling tool. The multimedia presentation will include big-screen glimpses of comics’ most famous—and most forgettable—3D projects, as well as a brief, exclusive sneak peek at Ryan & Marquez’s epic 3D melodrama, The Joyners in 3D. Moderated by Word Balloon podcast host John Siuntres, every panel attendee receives a free pair of 3D glasses and a coupon to receive a copy of the 2012 Free Comic Book Day hardcover at the Archaia booth (while supplies last)!

• Mouse Guard creator David Petersen and Rust creator Royden Lepp are among the guests on the Imaginative Sci-Fi Authors of C2E2panel! Saturday, 12:45-1:45pm, Room W475B. They will join other science fiction and fantasy authors like E.B. Hudspeth (The Resurrectionist, published by Quirk), Jeffrey Brown (Darth Vader and Son, Top Shelf), Brandon Easton (Roboy, Lion Forge), and Rachel Rawlings (The Maurin Kincaide Series) to talk about their imaginative Sci-Fi and Fantasy graphic novels!

• Meteor Entertainment is bringing the experience of their smash hit, online, free-to-play, giant-mech video game HAWKEN to C2E2 with two play-test kiosks set up at the Archaia booth! Copies of the accompanying graphic novel, HAWKEN: GENESIS, will be on hand for purchase, and each copy comes with a scratch-off card with a code that can be redeemed for 10,000 HAWKEN Credits for use in the game!

• Charles Soule, the new writer of DC’s Swamp Thing, will be on hand to autograph advance copies of his new Archaia graphic novel, Strange Attractors, which is the fascinating sci-fi story of how a professor uses mathematics to help keep New York City from destroying itself! Check for his signing schedule at the booth (#1019) or on Archaia.com.

• Fans who purchase copies of Hopeless, Maine will receive a free, handmade postcard created by authors Tom and Nimue Brown. Quantities are limited!

• Using Foursquare, fans have a chance to win an all-ages prize pack containing copies of: Mouse Guard Vol. 1: Fall 1152; Rust Vol. 1; Pantalones, TX; and Cow Boy: A Boy and His Horse. To enter, simply check in to “Archaia Entertainment: Booth #1019” (http://4sq.com/12FDU7y) through the Foursquare app on your iOS or Android phone and tweet your check-in using #ArchaiaC2E2. Winners will be contacted to receive their prize. More info: http://on.fb.me/12G8IFk .

• Using Instagram, fans have a chance to win a Henson/Archaia graphic novel prize pack containing copies of: Fraggle Rock Vol. 1, Fraggle Rock Vol. 2: Tails and Tales, The Dark Crystal: Creation Myths Vol. 1, and The Dark Crystal: Creation Myths Vol. 2. To enter, take creative photos of the Archaia booth at C2E2 (#1019), upload it using the Instagram app on your iOS or Android phone, and use the hashtag #ArchaiaC2E2. Archaia will choose the best photo and contact the winner to receive their prize! Photos will be posted on the Archaia Facebook page! More info: http://on.fb.me/11idRR2.

• Archaia Entertainment will be hosting a Retweet to Win contest through Twitter for fans who can’t make it to C2E2! Retweeting starts Friday, April 26th at 10am CST! This contest will run thru Sunday, April 28th. To enter, you must follow Archaia on Twitter, look for the special “RT to Win” tweet from our account (@Archaia) which will be sent out several times each day throughout C2E2 weekend (April 26-28). Multiple winners will be selected each day. Prizes include copies of: Cow Boy: A Boy and His Horse; The Dark Crystal: Creation Myths Vol. 1; Fraggle Rock Vol. 1; Gunnerkrigg Court Vol. 1; HAWKEN: GENESIS; Mouse Guard Vol. 1: Fall 1152; Pantalones, TX; Return of the Dapper Men; andRust Vol. 1. More info: https://www.facebook.com/events/434507266642329/.

See you at C2E2! Visit c2e2.com for information on how to buy tickets!

About Archaia Entertainment, LLC

Archaia is a multi-award-winning graphic novel publisher with more than 75 renowned publishing brands, including such domestic and international hits as Mouse Guard, Rust, Cow Boy, Cursed Pirate Girl, Gunnerkrigg Court, and Artesia. Archaia has also published an entire line of graphic novels in partnership with The Jim Henson Company, including the multiple award-winning Jim Henson’s Tale of Sand and such beloved tales as The Dark Crystal, The Storyteller, and Fraggle Rock. Alongside these celebrated titles, Archaia has released English translations of numerous renowned foreign titles to much fanfare, including The Killer, Sergio Toppi’s Sharaz-De, and The Secret History.

This year, Archaia was honored with two Eisner nominations, and in 2012, Archaia was honored with six Harvey Award nominations, two Harvey Awards, six Eisner nominations, and three Eisner Awards (Jim Henson’s Tale of Sand won for Best Graphic Album–New, Best Penciller/Inker, and Best Publication Design). Also in 2012, Archaia earned both Gold and Silver awards from ForeWord Reviews. Archaia was honored with nine 2011 Eisner Awards nominations and two Eisner Awards for Best Graphic Album and Best Anthology.

In addition to its partnership with The Jim Henson Company, Archaia has forged creative partnerships with storytellers in all facets of the entertainment industry, resulting in print and digital expansions of such noted properties as Bleedout and HAWKEN (video games), Immortalsand Planet of the Apes (film), and Space: 1999 (television).

Archaia has built an unparalleled reputation within the creator community for producing meaningful, transformative content, building one of the industry’s most visually stunning and eclectic slates of graphic novels.

• Category: Collectibles Convention
• Location: Illinois
• Date: Saturday, November 16th 2013
• City: Collectibles Convention in Orland Park
• Event: T-C-S Convention (Toys, Comics, Statues)
• Address: Orland Park Civic Center
• Country: US
• Add to Google Calendar | Download iCal

Boston Comic Con is happy to announce that the convention will go on this weekend as scheduled! We hope to stand as an example of the resilience of Bostonians in the wake of this horrific tragedy. The many statements of solidarity we have received from fans and guests alike have been very encouraging. We will be donating a portion of the art auction proceeds to the Red Cross for the Boston Marathon victims relief effort. In light of the heightened security in the city we ask cosplayers to not bring prop weapons this weekend.

Boston Comic Con 2013 Guests include: Mark Bagley, Nick Bradshaw, Lauren Cohan, Amanda Conner, Tony Daniel, Colleen Doran, Ming Doyle, Jason David Frank, Ed McGuinness, Mike Mignola, Steve Niles, Carlos Pacheco, Jimmy Palmiotti, Shelli Paroline, George Perez, Amy Reeder, Don Rosa, Craig Rousseau, Tim Sale, William Stout, Bill Willingham, and many, many more!

RSVP on Facebook!

Tickets are $25 per day or $40 for the weekend and available through Eventbrite at the link!

About Boston Comic Con:

The Boston Comic Con is a 100% independently run comic book show committed to bringing the biggest and best comic creators to New England. Run by fans for fans, Boston Comic Con is not affiliated with any other convention tour or corporate interests. Hosting over 40,000 square feet of vendors selling comic books, toys, posters, trading cards, and other pop culture memorabilia, this is a destination event for geeks of any stripe. Next year’s convention will be held Saturday April 20th and Sunday April 21st opening at 10:00 am each day at the Hynes Convention Center, 900 Boylston Street, Boston, MA. For more information please go to our website at www.bostoncomiccon.com and follow us on Twitter (@BostonComicCon) and Facebook!

Boston Comic Con has announced their schedule for the 2013 convention! This year’s show includes gaming, trivia contests, cosplay tutorials, concerts, and of course Q&A panels with some of the most talented comic creators in the industry plus media guests Jason David Frank (Power Rangers) and The Walking Dead’s Lauren Cohan! Panels are free with paid admission. Get tickets either at the door or online at the link!

SATURDAY APRIL 20TH

Main Lobby Panel Room

All Age Comics
12:00pm-12:45pm
Shelli Paroline, Braden Lamb, Andy Price

Power Ranger Q&A
1:00pm–1:45pm
Jason David Frank

How To Draw Like A Bad Ass
2:00pm–2:45pm
Frank Cho

DC Artists
3:00pm-3:45pm
Tony Daniel, Tom Raney, Aaron Lopresti

Marvel Artists
4:00pm-4:45pm
Carlos Pacheco, Mark Bagley, Mike Choi, Nick Bradshaw, Lauren Sankovitch

Writing Comics
5:00pm-5:45pm
Bill Willingham, Steve Niles, Tim Seeley

Female Creators
6:00pm-6:45pm
Amy Reeder, Colleen Doran, Ming Doyle, Lauren Sankovitch

Panel Room 109

Who Wants to Be a Millionaire
12:00pm-12:45pm
Trivia game about comics, sci-fi, TV, movies, etc.

Comics and Comics
2:00pm–2:45pm
Popular stand up comedy team showcases their Geek based humor

Nashville Superman
3:00pm–3:45pm
Country music singer, Allen Shervelle, sings songs about Superman

Panel Room 109

Meet The Legions
4:00pm-4:45pm
Star Wars 501st cosplay organization

Anime Trivia
5:00pm-5:45pm
Hosted by Isis Kain, The Anime Trivia Mistress

Panel Room 110

How to Create Suspense in Comics
12:00pm-12:45pm
Hosted by Neil Gibson, creator of the best selling UK based comic series Twisted Dark

So You Want to Be a Comic Book Artist
1:00pm–1:45pm
Former Dark Horse Comics editor, Phil Amara, as well as creators Jack Purcell, Erik Carlson, and more

Stop Waiting and Make Your Comic!
2:00pm–2:45pm
How to turn your ideas into reality with George Homeless

How to Pitch Your Comic to Publishers
3:00pm–3:45pm
Hosted by Anthony Del Col, co-creator of Kill Shakespeare

Star Wars Origami
4:00pm-4:45pm
Learn how to make Star Wars origami

Sell Your Comic To UnCreate Comics
5:00pm-5:45pm
Sell your comic to on-line publisher UnCreate Comics

Yaya Han: Costumes & Cosplay
6:00pm-6:45pm
Yaya shows you how to take cosplay to a whole new level

SUNDAY APRIL 21ST 

Main Lobby Panel Room

Kicking Monkeys
11:00am-11:45am
Bill Willingham and Frank Cho unveil their new project

Spotlight: Mike Mignola
12:00pm–12:45pm
Hellboy creator Mike Mignola

Spotlight: Amanda Conner & Jimmy Palmiotti
1:00pm–1:45pm
DC artists and writer Amanda Conner and Jimmy Palmiotti

Costume Contest
2:00pm-3:45pm
Hosted by cosplay favorite Yaya Han

Walking Dead Q&A
4:00pm-5:00pm
Lauren Cohan

**UPDATE: Jon Bernthal has cancelled his appearance at Boston Comic Con**

Panel Room 109

Who Wants to Be a Millionaire
12:00pm-12:45pm
Trivia game about comics, sci-fi, TV, movies, etc.

Comics and Comics
2:00pm–2:45pm
Popular stand up comedy team showcases their Geek based humor

Nashville Superman
3:00pm–3:45pm
Country music singer, Allen Shervelle, sings songs about Superman

Meet The Legions
4:00pm-4:45pm
Star Wars 501st cosplay organization

Panel Room 110

Comic Art Auction
1:00pm-3:00pm

2013 GAMING SCHEDULE

Magic: the Gathering
Star City Games Invitational Qualifier

• Date: Saturday April 20, 11am
• Registration: April 20, 10am-11am
• Entry: $25
• Prize: Based on attendance

Magic: the Gathering
Gatecrash Sealed Deck Tournament

• Date: Sunday April 21, 11am
• Registration: April 21, 10am-11am
• Entry: $25
• Prize: Based on attendance

Magic: the Gathering
8-Player Side Events: Booster Draft

• Date: Saturday & Sunday April 20 & 21, as filled
• Entry: $15
• Format: 8-player, single elimination
• Prizes: 8-4 pack prizes

Magic: the Gathering
8-Player Side Events: Win-a-box

• Date: Saturday & Sunday April 20 & 21, as filled
• Entry: $15
• Format: 8-player, single elimination
• Prize: Booster box for winner

Magic: the Gathering
8-Player Side Events: Standard and Modern

• Date: Saturday & Sunday April 20 & 21, as filled
• Entry: $15
• Format: 8-player, single elimination
• Prize: TBD

Magic: the Gathering
4-Player Commander

• Date: Saturday & Sunday April 21 & 22, as filled
• Entry: $5
• Prize: 2 booster packs each time you eliminate another player

Yu-Gi-Oh
16 Man Booster Box

• Hours, Saturday April 21: 11am, 2pm, 5pm
• Hours, Sunday April 22: 11am, 2pm
• Entry: $5

Scene on the Web: WonderCon 2013

Storified by Convention Scene· Tue, Apr 02 2013 06:27:08

• Category: Anime Convention
• Location: Florida
• Date: Saturday, August 17th 2013 - Sunday, August 18th 2013
• City: Anime Convention in Pensacola
• Event: Pensacola Para Con
• Address: Pensacola Interstate Fairgrounds, 6655 Mobile Hwy
• Country: US
• Add to Google Calendar | Download iCal