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

• Category: Comic Book Convention
• Location: North Carolina
• Date: Saturday, May 26th 2012
• City: Comic Book Convention in Hickory, NC
• Event: Hickory Con
• Address: Hickory Metro Convention Center, 1960 13th Ave Drive SE
• Country: US
• Add to Google Calendar | Download iCal

• Category: Comic Book Convention
• Location: New Jersey
• Date: Sunday, February 12th 2012
• City: Comic Book Convention in Clifton, NJ
• Event: Clifton NJ Comic Book Expo
• Address: Clifton Community Recreation Center, 1232 Main Ave
• 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.

Art Spiegelman

Press Release:

MetaMaus: A Look Inside a Modern Classic, Maus
Monday, March 26, 7:30 pm
$20; $15 Member/Student with ID/Senior
$50 VIP Premium Ticket*

Click here to purchase tickets

Winner of the 2011 National Jewish Book Award

Pulitzer Prize-winner Art Spiegelman reenters Maus, the unforgettable biography of his father’s life during and after the Holocaust. Spiegelman delves into the book that consumed him for 13 years to discuss his survivor parents, the oxymoron of picturing life in a death camp, racist imagery and his beloved medium of comics. MetaMaus brilliantly deconstructs one of the most important works of art and literature of the 20th century, while providing insight into Spiegelman’s creative process.

Art Spiegelman is an award-winning author and illustrator of more than 10 books, most notably Maus, for which he was awarded the Pulitzer Prize in 1992. His comics are best known for their shifting graphic styles, formal complexity and often controversial content. His work has been published in numerous periodicals, including The New Yorker, where he was a staff artist and writer from 1993-2003.

“Why the Holocaust? Why mice? Why comics? Spiegelman answers intelligently, articulately, and with a high degree of psychological and aesthetic penetration.” Booklist, starred review

“Richly rewarding…The book also serves as a master class on the making and reading of comics…The last frame encapsulates in one single moment the artfulness behind the tale we’ve just read, and the uneasy combination of filial pride and anger that flowed through Maus and flows through Metamaus as well.” The New York Times Book Review

Buy the Book!

*VIP Premium Ticket includes a front-row seat and an invitation to a private reception with the author after the event.

Funded in part by the DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities, an agency supported in part by the National Endowment for the Arts.

DCJCC
1529 16th St NW, Washington, DC 20036

Mayim Bialik signs at Barnes & Noble on Tuesday March 13, 2012 at 7:00 PM.

About this Author
Mayim Bialik is perhaps best known for her lead role as Blossom Russo in the early-1990s NBC television sitcom Blossom, and she currently stars on the top-rated comedy The Big Bang Theory. Bialik earned a B.S. from UCLA in 2000 in Neuroscience and Hebrew and Jewish Studies, and a Ph.D. in Neuroscience from UCLA in 2007. She designed a Neuroscience curriculum for homeschoolers in Southern California, where she also teaches biology, chemistry, and piano to middle and high school students.

Barnes & Noble
1201 3rd Street, Santa Monica, CA 90401
310-260-9110

Kevin Smith signs at Barnes & Noble on Wednesday March 21, 2012 at 7:00 PM.

About this Author
Kevin Smith sold his comic book collection to fund the movie Clerks, and after it became a huge cult hit he was able to buy them back. One of the most successful and critically acclaimed independent film-makers of recent years, Smith was the producer of the Oscar-winning Good Will Hunting and has also written and directed Mallrats, Chasing Amy, Dogma, Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back, Jersey Girl and Clerks II. He is an actor, having appeared in the new Die Hard movie and the Friends spin-off, Joey, among others.

Barnes & Noble - Union Square
33 East 17th Street, New York, NY 10003
212-253-0810

Amber Benson signs at Mysterious Galaxy on February 28th at 7:30pm.

Press Release:

Join Mysterious Galaxy in celebrating the return of Amber Benson and Calliope Reaper-Jones, at the launch party for How to be Death.  In her fourth outing, Death’s daughter Callie has evolved into Death proper, as the new president of Death, Inc. With the “help” of her family, and the incredibly powerful tome, How to be Death (A Fully Annotated Guide), she should have no problem assuming her new role, right? Amber will also discuss her latest film and television projects.

This is a numbered event. Numbers for the signing line are available with purchase of How to be Death from Mysterious Galaxy, on sale beginning February 28.

If you are planning to attend the event, please do not place your order through the web site as all such orders are handled after the event. Instead, please call the store and purchase the book over the phone on or after the on-sale date.

Mysterious Galaxy
2810 Artesia Blvd, Redondo Beach, CA 90278
310.542.6000

Artist Phil Jimenez signs at Midtown Comics Downtown on Thursday March 8, 2012 from 6-7pm to celebrate the release of of the newest Fables spinoff Fairest. Don’t miss it!

RSVP on Facebook!

Midtown Comics
64 Fulton Street, New York, NY 10038