MA – Usagi Yojimbo & Way of the Ronin Lecture

Stan Sakai appears at the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston, MA on Saturday, May 11, 2013 from 11:00 am – 12:30 pm! RSVP on Facebook!

Press Release:

Usagi Yojimbo comic series creator Stan Sakai and video-game company HappyGiant talk about the award-winning comic, new video game, and their creative processes.

*FREE tickets available, while supplies last, on the day of the event at 10 am, in person only, at any MFA ticket desk.  Please note capacity is limited.

The MFA has partnered with comic book creator Stan Sakai and video game company HappyGiant (in association with Dark Horse Comics) to develop in-game content for a special free version of its new video game based on the comic book Usagi Yojimbo: Way of the Ronin.  It is the first video game in 25 years featuring characters from the award-winning Usagi Yojimbo (“Rabbit Bodyguard”) comic book series, an epic saga about a masterless samurai (ronin) rabbit living at the turn of 17th-century Japan. Players who visit the MFA’s exhibition “Samurai!” gain access to a special passcode that will allow them to unlock a special level of the game.

About Stan Sakai:

Stan Sakai was born in Japan and, after spending much of his life in Hawaii, is currently based in Pasadena, California. In 1984, he created the saga of Usagi Yojimbo, a comic book inspired by the life of the famous 17th-century samurai, Miyamoto Musashi.  Usagi Yojimbo has earned four Will Eisner Comic Industry Awards, a National Cartoonists Society Award, an American Library Association Award, and a Parent’s Choice Award. Usagi lives without a master during an age of unrest and political intrigue, wandering the land on a musha shugyo (warrior’s pilgrimage) and occasionally selling his services as a bodyguard. His stories include many references to Japanese history and folklore, and the architecture, clothes, weapons, and other objects are faithfully drawn to Edo period (1603–1867) style. Usagi Yojimbo is heavily influenced by Japanese cinema and has included references to the work of Akira Kurosawa (the title of the series is derived from Kurosawa’s 1960 film Yojimbo) and to icons of popular Japanese cinema such as Lone Wolf and Cub, Zatoichi, and Godzilla.

About HappyGiant:

Video-game creator HappyGiant, a Massachusetts-based company, was founded by veterans of the George Lucas Companies, Pileated Pictures, and Atari.  HappyGiant projects include high-profile work for Hasbro, Jay-Z, and its own app Dolphin Paradise: Wild Friends.

Museum of Fine Arts, Boston
Avenue of the Arts
465 Huntington Avenue, Boston, MA 02115-5523
617-267-9300

May-Hem with Dennis Rodman!

Special Guest Announcement! Dennis Rodman will be doing a meet and greet and book signing at Spooky Empire’s May-Hem, Saturday May 25th Only! Dennis will be signing his new book, and will also be available for a photo op. More details to follow! Get your tickets now for May-Hem and Halloween Extreme at www.spookyempire.com !!

Boston Comic Con 2013 to Continue as Scheduled

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!

 

A HALLOWEEN, HORROR AND HAUNT EXTRAVAGANZA…IN MAY!

A HALLOWEEN, HORROR AND HAUNT EXTRAVAGANZA…IN MAY!

ORLANDO, FL – For the first time ever, three of the biggest names in the horror and haunt industry, Spooky Empire, alongside TransWorld and Netherworld, are bringing a Halloween and Horror event like never before!

For fans of everything scary and – well, spooky – Orlando, Florida plays host to a pair of the most popular themed events in the nation. Produced by Spooky Empire, October’s “Ultimate Horror Weekend” and May’s “May-Hem” stand as the Southeast’s premier destinations for those whose tastes run to the darker side of entertainment. A fully-loaded weekend of all things horror-centric, the Spooky Empire shows have garnered a strong following of fans and attendees who descend upon the Sunshine State twice a year for a heavy dose of madness and macabre.

Spooky Empire’s May-Hem takes place May 24-26, 2013 at Orlando’s Rosen Centre. A high-spirited blend of celebrity appearances, live performers, authors, artists, vendors and exhibitors, May-Hem is all that the discriminating fan could wish for.

Well-known for its unique blend of diverse guests and talent, May-Hem once again gives fans plenty of reasons to spend Memorial Day weekend with the Spooky Empire crowd, beginning with a cast reunion of one of the most beloved cult films of modern cinema, 1979’s “The Warriors”. Fans have an opportunity to meet cast members Michael Back (Swan), Deborah Van Valkenburgh (Mercy), David Harris (Cochise), Terry Michos (Vermin), Bryan Tyler (Snow), Thomas Waites (Fox), and Roger Hill (Cyrus)…can you dig it?

Also at the top of the guest line up is Norman Reedus, known to fans these days as “Daryl Dixon”, from the number one rated show, “The Walking Dead”. Joining Norman Reedus will be Nick Gomez (Tomas) and Theodus Crane (Big Tiny).

The list of fan favorites doesn’t stop there. Also joining this motley crew of celebs is Zach Galligan (Gremlins), Betsy Russell (Saw III, IV, V), Bai Ling (The Crow), Naomi Grossman (American Horror Story)and even a Disney Favorite, Pat Carroll the voice of “Ursula” from “The Little Mermaid”.

Plus don’t miss out on Spooky Empire’s already growing list of events including Q&A’s, panels, movies, Tattoo Festival, Zombie Walk, artists, authors, celebrity charity poker tournament, and a huge vendor room filled with all the horror merchandise and memorabilia you could get your hands on!

As if more incentive was needed to attend in 2013, May-Hem is running concurrently with Halloween Extreme. Halloween Extreme (produced by the haunted house gurus behind Netherworld Haunted House & Transworld Trade Shows) grants unprecedented public access to movie and theme park quality props and effects…available for the first time at the consumer level. Featuring demonstrations, seminars, and panel discussions, this event places you – the general public – among industry experts and kindred spirits for a weekend of information and interactive fun. Whether you’re a professional attraction owner, an avid home haunter, or an enthusiastic fan of everything the season offers, Halloween Extreme has something for everyone.

At long last, EVERYONE will have the tools at their fingertips to make every Halloween (or any day of the year) the most memorable ever.

Get your advance tickets online now! Just $50 for a 3 day May-Hem pass ($60 at the door). VIP and Daily passes available as well. Don’t miss out on either event…advance discounted Spooky Empire / Halloween Extreme combo passes are available now!

Visit spookyempire.com for more information or call the Spooky Empire Hotline at 1-888-690-4695

Contact:
Pete Mongelli
Spooky Empire, Inc.
954-258-7852
http://www.spookyempire.com

 

 

Sword Art Online Cast & Crew Appear at Anime Boston 2013

Press Release:

Anime Boston, the largest anime convention in the Northeast, announced another round of guests today.  Director Tomohiko Ito, producer Shinichiro Kashiwada and voice actors Cherami Leigh and Bryce Papenbrook will attend Anime Boston at the Hynes Convention Center, Boston, Mass. on May 24 through May 26, 2013.

Tomohiko Ito works at A-1 Pictures and is most recognized as the director of the hit series Sword Art Online. He made his directorial debut with the animated series Occult Academy.

Ito’s long list of credits includes Death Note, The Girl Who Leapt Through Time, and Summer Wars to name a few.

This will be Ito’s first time appearing at an Anime Convention here in the U.S. Mr. Ito is looking forward to share his thoughts on Sword Art Online and more, here at Anime Boston.

As Aniplex’s producer, Shinichiro Kashiwada is involved as a chief producer for the hit animated series Sword Art Online.

He has also been involved with numerous titles including Puella Magi Madoka Magica TV series and Oreimo Series as an associate producer.

Cherami Leigh is an on camera and voice actor from Dallas.

In the anime world, she is the female lead Asuna in Sword Art Online.  She has appeared as Road in D. Grayman, Sae in Peach Girl, Yuti La in Heroic Age, Elizabeth in Black Butler, Patty in Soul Eater, Ayano in Kaze no Stigma, Natsumi in Sgt. Frog, Naomi in Witchblade, Yoshika in Strike Witches, Elicia Hughes in Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood,  Setsuna and Akira in Negima, Mai in Ghost Hunt, Tamaki in Bamboo Blade, Himawari in XXXholic, Cecily in Sacred Blacksmith,  Liechtenstein in Hetalia, Lucy in Fairy Tail, Takeshita in B Gata H Kei, Kneesocks in Panty and Stocking with Garterbelt, Sunako in Shiki, Suzuha in Steins;Gate, Shana in Shakugan no Shana, Gaige in Borderlands 2.

She has been in over 75 commercials, and was a live national on-air DJ for Radio Disney. She has appeared in many films and television shows, including the soon to be released Beyond the Farthest Star and in the hit webseries Throwing Stones. She was also in the Emmy-award winning Temple Grandin, and has appeared on various network television shows.

Bryce Papenbrook has been a professional voice over artist since the age of eight. He has also been announced as Kirito, the male lead of Sword Art Online.

Papenbrook was introduced to the voice acting scene by his father, Bob Papenbrook, and has continued the trade in his footsteps. Bryce has performed in numerous video games, cartoons, and television shows.

Some recent roles include Rin Okumura in Blue Exorcist, Asbel Lhant in Tales of Graces F, Zidane Tribal in Final Fantasy Dissidia 012, Masaomi Kida in Durarara!!, and Guan Ping in Dynasty Warriors. Past leading roles include Shugo in .hack//Sign Legend of the Twilight, Jack in MAR, Jack Russell in Radiata Stories, Hanabusa Aido in Vampire Knight, and Isami Fujiwara in Noein.

Previously announced guests were Chris Ayres, Greg Ayres, Lauren Landa, David Matranga, ORIGA, Raj Ramayya, Stephanie Sheh, Tom Wayland, and Kari Wahlgren.

About Anime Boston: With more than 22,000 attendees in 2012, Anime Boston is an annual three-day Japanese animation convention held in Boston, Mass. Anime Boston 2013 is scheduled for Friday, May 22 through Sunday, May 24 at the Hynes Convention Center and Sheraton Boston Hotel. More information about Anime Boston can be found at http://www.animeboston.com.

About New England Anime Society: The New England Anime Society was founded in 2001. Based in Massachusetts, The New England Anime Society, Inc. is an organization dedicated to furthering public education and understanding of the Japanese language and culture through visual and written media. More information about The New England Anime Society is available at http://www.neanime.org.

Dark Horse Schedule for WonderCon 2013

Dark Horse Comics has announced their booth signing and panel schedule for WonderCon 2013! Free comics and/or prints with each signing while supplies last.

Tickets for signings at the Dark Horse booth (#819) will be distributed from the opening of WonderCon on Friday, March 29. Please note that lines may be capped or tickets issued for any signing as needed. Inquire about your favorite signings as early as possible. Some restrictions apply. All events are subject to change.

 

FRIDAY, MARCH 29

12:00 p.m. BEANWORLD signing with creator Larry Marder

Free Beanworld action figures and sketch cards

 

2:00 p.m. CAPTAIN MIDNIGHT signing with writer Josh Williamson

Free 11” x 17” print featuring art by Felipe Massafera

 

3:00 p.m. AVATAR: THE LAST AIRBENDER signing with writer Gene Yang

TICKETED EVENT

Free 5.5” x 8.5” print featuring art by Gurihiru

 

5:00 p.m. STAR WARS: DAWN OF THE JEDI signing with inker Dan Parsons

Free Dawn of the Jedi #1 while supplies last

 

6:00 p.m. USAGI YOJIMBO/47 RONIN signing with creator Stan Sakai

Free 47 Ronin #1

Check out the Usagi Yojimbo: Way of the Ronin iOS game

 

SATURDAY, MARCH 30

10:00 a.m. HUSBANDS signing with cocreators Jane Espenson and Brad Bell

Free 5.5” x 8.5” print featuring art by Ron Chan

 

11:00 a.m. NUMBER 13 signing with artist/writer Robert Love and writer David Walker

Free Number 13 comic

 

12:00 p.m. AVATAR: THE LAST AIRBENDER signing with writer Gene Yang

TICKETED EVENT

Free 5.5” x 8.5” print featuring art by Gurihiru

 

1:00 p.m. X signing with artist Eric Nguyen

Free 11” x 17” print featuring art by Eric Nguyen

 

2:00 p.m. BUFFYVERSE signing with artist Georges Jeanty, writer Andrew Chambliss (Buffy the Vampire Slayer), and writer Christos Gage (Angel & Faith)

Free Buffy the Vampire Slayer Season 9 and Angel & Faith comics, Angel and Spike buttons, and Whedonverse wristbands

 

3:00 p.m. STAR WARS signing with artist Carlos D’Anda and colorist Gabe Eltaeb

TICKETED EVENT

Free 5.5” x 8.5” print featuring art by Carlos D’Anda and Gabe Eltaeb from the upcoming Star Wars #4 issue

 

4:30 p.m. MIND MGMT signing with creator Matt Kindt

Free 11” x 17” MIND MGMT print

 

SUNDAY, MARCH 31

10:00 a.m. THE ART OF REMEMBER ME signing with DONTNOD art director Aleksi Briclot, DONTNOD creative director Jean-Max Moris, and Capcom producer Mat Hart

Free 11” x 17” The Art of Remember Me print

 

12:00 p.m. STAR WARS: DARK TIMES signing with writer Randy Stradley

Free Star Wars: Dark Times—Fire Carrier #1

 

1:00 p.m. THE LAST OF US signing with Naughty Dog creative director Neil Druckmann

Free 11” x 17” print featuring art by Julián Totino Tedesco from the upcoming comic The Last of Us: American Dreams

 

3:30 p.m. STAR WARS: LEGACY VOLUME II signing with writer/artist Gabriel Hardman and writer Corinna Bechko

TICKETED EVENT * Limit five comics per person

 

PANELS

FRIDAY, MARCH 29

12:30 p.m.–1:30 p.m. Avatar: The Search for Zuko’s Mom, Room 208AB

 

SATURDAY, MARCH 30

1:30 p.m.–3:00 p.m. Comics Arts Conference Session: Focus on Matt Kindt, Room 210BCD

6:00 p.m.–7:00 p.m. Buffy Season 9: The Final Arc! Room 207BCD

 

SUNDAY, MARCH 31

1:00 p.m. Spotlight on Jane Espenson with Brad Bell, Room 207

2:00 p.m.–3:00 p.m. Star Wars Comics in 2013! Room 207 BCD

Florida Supercon is July 4-7!

Florida Supercon is July 4-7, www.floridasupercon.com. Hundreds of guests, including: George Takei (Star Trek), Adam Baldwin (Firefly, Chuck), Laurie Holden (The Walking Dead), Jason David Frank (Power Rangers), Dave Gibbons (Watchmen), Olivier Coipel (Thor, X-Men, AvX), George Perez (Crisis, Avengers), Nick Cardy (Teen Titans, Superman), Brina Palencia (One Piece, Spice and Wolf), Garry Chalk (Transformers, Stargate), Sgt Slaughter (GI Joe, WWF), Dana Snyder (Aqua Teen) and more!!!! Check out www.floridasupercon.com for all the info.

FLORIDA SUPERCON: South Florida’s Comic Book, Anime, Animation, Video Game, Fantasy, Sci-Fi and Pop Culture Convention is 4 days of fun featuring celebrity guests, comic book creators, voice actors, industry guests, cosplayers, artists, writers, panels, Q&A’s, films & shorts, costume & cosplay contests, vendors, parties, anime, workshops, video gaming and more! FSC will be returning for year eight to the MIAMI AIRPORT CONVENTION CENTER (MACC).

Planning to attend? Let us know on the Facebook event page at https://www.facebook.com/events/456431157712145

Tickets are on sale now at http://www.floridasupercon.com/buy-tickets

Spooky Empire’s May-Hem is coming! May 24-26, 2013

Avoid the lines, get advance tickets now at www.spookyempire.com More guests to be announced soon!

Archaia Stars Off 2013 at Emerald City Comicon

Press Release:

ARCHAIA IS OFF TO EMERALD CITY COMICON!

Archaia launches its 2013 convention season at the largest comics and pop culture convention in the Pacific Northwest, highlighted by the debut of HAWKEN: GENESIS, signing sessions, and special giveaways!

Seattle, WA (February 28, 2013) – Award-winning publisher Archaia Entertainment is excited to announce it will be exhibiting at Emerald City Comicon (ECCC), taking place March 1-3, 2013 at the Washington State Convention Center in Seattle, Washington!

Several Archaia creators will be on hand to sign copies of their books or promotional items at the Archaia booth (#808), including: Andrew E. C. Gaska (Critical Millennium: The Dark Frontier, Conspiracy of the Planet of the Apes, Space: 1999: Aftershock and Awe); Chandra Free (The God Machine, Fraggle Rock Vol. 2); Charles Soule (the upcoming Strange Attractors); Dave Marquez (Syndrome, Days Missing Vol. 2: Kestus, the upcoming The Joyners in 3D); David Petersen (Mouse Guard); Royden Lepp (Rust); Yehudi Mercado (Pantalones, TX).

Special advance copies of the HAWKEN: GENESIS anthology graphic novel hardcover, which is based on the hit online, free-to-play mech game from Meteor Entertainment, will debut at ECCC and be available for sale. Writers Khang Le and Jeremy Barlow will be on hand to sign copies at the Archaia booth (#808) and at the Meteor booth in the Gaming Area.

In addition, a promotion through FourSquare will give fans the chance to win a prize pack comprised of autographed copies of Mouse Guard Vol. 1: Fall 1152, Rust Vol. 1: Visitor in the Field, and HAWKEN: GENESIS. Just be sure to check in at the Archaia booth through the FourSquare app on your iOS or Android phone once you’re at the show and you’re automatically entered!

For programming, Archaia will put on an exciting, entertaining panel at the show:

Archaia Presents: How I Broke in to Comics (and How You Can, Too!)
Friday, March 1, 4-5pm, Room 3AB
Ever wonder how some of your favorite creators broke in to comics, or were curious how some up-and-comers get to be “up-and-comers”? Join some of Archaia’s creators for a lively discussion of how they got their first break in comics, and to hear their advice on how you can, too! Panelists include Chandra Free (The God Machine, Fraggle Rock), Andrew E.C. Gaska (Space: 1999: Aftershock and Awe, Conspiracy of the Planet of the Apes), Royden Lepp (Rust), David Marquez (Syndrome, The Joyners in 3D), Yehudi Mercado (Pantalones, TX), David Petersen (Mouse Guard), and Charles Soule (Strange Attractors).

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, Return of the Dapper Men, Rust, Gunnerkrigg Court, Old City Blues, Awakening, The Killer, Syndrome, Artesia; and an entire line of The Jim Henson Company graphic novels, such as Tale of Sand, The Dark Crystal, The Storyteller, and Fraggle Rock. Archaia has built an unparalleled reputation for producing meaningful content that perpetually transforms minds, building one of the industry’s most visually stunning and eclectic slates of graphic novels. 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. In 2011, Archaia was honored with nine Eisner Awards nominations and two Eisner Awards for Best Graphic Album and Best Anthology. Archaia was named Graphic Novel Publisher of the Year by Ain’t It Cool News, Comic Related, and Graphic Policy, which honored the publisher two years in a row. In addition to print and digital publications, Archaia has successfully emerged as a prolific storyteller in all facets of the entertainment industry, extending their popular brands into film, television, gaming, and branded digital media. For more information, visit the Archaia website atwww.archaia.com.

NJ – The Last Threshold Signing

Author R.A. Salvatore signs at Barnes & Noble on March 6, 20103 from 7:00 – 9:00 pm!

R.A. Salvatore is the NY Times best-selling author of more than 40 science fiction/fantasy novels, including the popular Forgotten Realms series The Legend of Drizzt. His newest is the final book of the #4 Neverwinter Saga, The Last Threshold.

Barnes & Noble - Clifton Commons
395 Route 3 East, Clifton, NJ 07014
973-779-5500

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