Long Beach Comic Con 2013 Con Report!

On November 23-24th, 2013, the Long Beach Convention Center was home to the 5th annual Long Beach Comic and Horror Con! Usually held around Halloween, this show was pushed back to late November, making this one of the final comic cons of 2013! In addition to the date change, they also got rid of the Friday evening show and I believe it was the right call. Saturday was booming, with lines going out the door and a steady flow of patrons all day long! Sunday slowed down quite a bit and while still a lot of foot traffic, not enough spending.

With the usual talent of comic creators attending Long Beach, including mainstays of LBCC Amanda Conner, Jimmy Palmiotti, Whilce Portacio, Tim Bradstreet, and Todd Nauck, joined by special guests Gene Ha, Carlos D’Anda, Marc Silvestri, Mark Texeira, Art Thibert, Andrew Robinson, Mark Waid, and several other awesome comic talent, LBCC did close out the 2013 con year nicely.

While Comic Cons seem to be growing every year, it seems harder and harder for each show to bring something new. I did love the fact that there was an awesome car display in the front of some of the most famous cars in pop culture, along with a lot of retailers in prominent display at the show. One thing also appreciated was that comics were far more emphasized than pop culture stars, and that’s one thing I always do appreciate at LBCC. Hopefully next year, they’ll bring over the bigger hitters in comics to really close the year with a bang. Star power does draw more crowds, and I for one would love to see LBCC thrive and succeed for the next 5 years and beyond. And now, onto some photos!

A line forms inside the convention hall on Saturday morning.

 

 

Artist Alley is bustling in the morning.

 

 

An awesome array of pop culture cars. But it’s not complete without…

 

 

The Batmobile. Chicks dig the Batmobile.

 

 

Gene Ha and his awesome banner graces LBCC.

 

 

Amanda Conner signs her Harley Quinn for eager fans.

 

 

Mark Waid signing for eager fans.

 

 

Mark Texeira signing comics for fans.

 

 

Todd Nauck’s list is currently closed.

 

 

Richard Friend showing off his portfolio to customers.

 

 

Alex Sinclair working on a commission at LBCC!

 

 

Tim Bradstreet sketching for fans.

 

 

Andrew Robinson selling the graphic novel of 2013, The Fifth Beatle!

 

 

Carlos D’Anda wants you to buy his art!

 

And now, onto some cosplayers!

 

A new meaning to the term robot chicken.

 

 

Iron Man and Tony Stark gracing the hall floor.

 

 

Why so serious?

 

 

Black Cat crosses your path!

 

 

I asked why they were at LBCC, but they said I needed level 7 clearance.

 

Power Girl flexing her muscles!

 

 

This kid is making me go crazy!

 

 

I am worthy of Mjolnir!

 

 

Kid cosplayers are so darned cute!

 

 

Pull my finger.

 

 

Best costume of the show!

 

 

Lance Henriksen is greeted by a friendly alien. Don’t miss more incredible moments at LBCC 2014!

CA – The Fifth Beatle Signing

Artist Andrew Robinson signs at Secret Headquarters on WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 4th from 7pm – 9pm!

Press Release:

Please join the SHQ crew and artist Andrew Robinson (Dusty Star, Starman) on Wednesday, December 4 to celebrate the release of The Fifth Beatle! This gorgeous, fully painted tells the untold true story of Brian Epstein, the visionary manager who discovered and guided The Beatles–from their gigs in a tiny cellar in Liverpool to unprecedented international stardom. Yet more than merely the story of “The Man Who Made The Beatles,” The Fifth Beatle is an uplifting, tragic, and ultimately inspirational human story about the struggle to overcome seemingly insurmountable odds.

Secret Headquarters
3817 W Sunset Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90026

CA – The Fifth Beatle Signing

Artist Andrew Robinson signs at CornerStoreComics on Friday, December 6, 2013 from 5:00pm until 7:00pm!

RSVP on Facebook!

Essential Sequential at NYCC 2013

Press Release:

Essential Sequential will be setting up at next week’s New York Comic Con!

We’re pleased to announce Filipe Andrade will be making his debut with the group. Please see below for commission rates. We’ll have a selection of original artwork available by Filipe as well. His originals will go up on the site sometime shortly after NYCC.

Artists Attending:

Filipe Andrade: Table J1
Dave Johnson: Table J2
Andrew Robinson: Table J3
Mike Choi: Table J4
Matteo Scalera: Table J5
Sean Murphy: Table J6
Klaus Janson: Table J7

We are currently taking pre-lists for commissions to be done at the show. Please contact us if you have any questions.

New Prints and originals will be available for just about all the artists attending including Klaus Janson, Dave Johnson, and Sean Murphy.

If you’d like to reserve or guarantee a Sean Gordon Murphy convention commission please check out our ebay auction at the link…

The Fifth Beatle Creators to be at HeroesCon 2013; Limited Prints Available at BookExpo America Saturday

Press Release:

THE FIFTH BEATLE TO BE PUBLISHED IN THREE STUNNING EDITIONS!

“If anyone was the Fifth Beatle, it was Brian.”—Paul McCartney

MAY 31, MILWAUKIE, OR—Ever since its announcement last fall, there has been buzz about THE FIFTH BEATLE. Written by multiple Tony Award–winning producer Vivek J. Tiwary (Green Day’s American Idiot, The Addams Family, Mel Brooks’s The Producers), The Fifth Beatle, chronicling the life of the Beatles’ manager, Brian Epstein, will officially be released on November 19.

The Fifth Beatle, from M Press Books, a division of Dark Horse Comics, recounts the untold true story of Brian Epstein, the visionary manager who discovered and guided the Beatles to unprecedented international stardom—yet died painfully lonely at the young age of thirty-two. More than merely the story of “The Man Who Made the Beatles,” The Fifth Beatle is an uplifting, tragic, and ultimately inspirational human story about the desire to leave behind a legacy, amidst the struggle to overcome crushing personal obstacles and insurmountable odds.

This marks the first full-length graphic novel painted by fanboy favorite Andrew C. Robinson (Dusty Star, King Conan, Starman, Superman). The book also features a special section paying homage to the 1960s Beatles cartoons, lovingly drawn by multiple Eisner and Harvey Award–winning cartoonist Kyle Baker (Why I Hate Saturn, Plastic Man, Nat Turner).

“Telling the Brian Epstein story is a true labor of love. The Fifth Beatle really is my life’s work—as I’ve been researching Brian’s life for more than half my own,” says Tiwary. “So it’s with great excitement and anticipation that I can finally share this little-known story about one of the great architects of modern pop culture with the rest of the world.”

Vivek J. Tiwary is also set to write and produce a feature-film adaptation of his graphic novel. Tiwary has signed a deal with Sony/ATV (who control the Lennon/McCartney music catalog) which gives him unprecedented access to Beatles songs for the film.

The standard hardcover edition will be available for $19.99 in an oversized library format. A collector’s-edition hardcover of this groundbreaking graphic novel will also be available, featuring a wraparound, textured cover and a section of bonus materials including Beatles and Brian Epstein memorabilia, artist sketches, and alternate covers, for $49.99.

The limited edition (1,500 copies) features a tip-in sheet signed by creators Vivek J. Tiwary, Andrew C. Robinson, and Kyle Baker, along with a twenty-four-page bonus section including rare Beatles and Brian Epstein memorabilia and behind-the-scenes sketches, a unique, textured cover, and a special slipcase, for $99.99.

Tiwary will be signing limited prints of The Fifth Beatle at BookExpo America in New York City this Saturday, June 8^th at the Dark Horse booth #1003 at 11 a.m.

Additionally both Tiwary and artist Andrew Robinson will be delivering a panel presentation at HeroesCon in Charlotte, NC on June 9^th titled: Comics of the Fab Four: The Fifth Beatle and Beyond. The panel begins promptly at 11:30 a.m.

“The Beatles will be bigger than Elvis!”—Brian Epstein, 1961

 

Tiwary is represented by David Alpert and Lawrence Mattis at Circle of Confusion.

 

ABOUT VIVEK J. TIWARY

Vivek J. Tiwary is an award-winning producer, writer, and financier for film, television, theater, music, and graphic novels. He is the producer and writer of “The Fifth Beatle,” a feature film and graphic novel based on the life of Beatles’ manager Brian Epstein. “The Fifth Beatle” has secured unprecedented access to Beatles’ music and is in development to shoot in 2013. In television, Vivek sold a sitcom pilot “Punk Rock Dad” to CBS, based on the bestselling memoir/parenting manual by Pennywise lead singer Jim Lindberg, and he is developing a number of additional series including “Ascension,” a historical fiction / thriller juxtaposing the history of astronomy with mankind’s future in the stars. On Broadway, Vivek’s productions have won a combined 25 Tony Awards from 44 Tony nominations—every single one of his shows have been decorated. They include “The Addams Family,” Green Day’s “American Idiot” (the groundbreaking adaptation of the superstar rock band’s multi-platinum album), Mel Brooks’ “The Producers” (the most Tony Awards ever) and “Young Frankenstein”, “A Raisin In The Sun” (starring Sean Combs), and “A Little Night Music” (starring Catherine Zeta-Jones and Angela Lansbury). Off-Broadway, Vivek produced a theatrical collaboration between electropop/performance artists Fischerspooner and avant-garde theatre collective The Wooster Group (founded by Willem Dafoe, Spalding Gray, and others) that launched the 2008 Sao Paulo Art Bienal. Vivek also serves on the Board of Directors for Valiant Entertainment (www.valiantentertainment.com), a multi-platform company that boasts the third largest and most-loved universe of comic book characters and has been hailed by the New York Times as “Marvel 2.0”. Prior to founding Tiwary Entertainment Group (www.tiwaryent.com) and online music education/empowerment company StarPolish, Vivek held a number of major label music-industry positions, including launching and heading the Alternative Marketing Department at Mercury/PolyGram Records, and managing Video Promotion for Mercury/PolyGram, where he worked closely with MTV and VH1. Vivek has worked with artists covering the entire musical spectrum including Bruce Springsteen, Shania Twain, Bon Jovi, Pearl Jam, Kiss, LL Cool J, John Mellencamp, Allen Ginsberg, Oasis, Hanson, 311 and The Mighty Mighty BossTones to name but a few. Among many charitable pursuits, Vivek is the Co-Founder of Musicians On Call (www.musiciansoncall), a nonprofit organization that uses music and entertainment to complement the healing process. He is a Magna Cum Laude graduate of both the Wharton School of Business and the University of Pennsylvania’s College of Arts and Sciences. Vivek also holds a filmmaking certificate from The New York Film Academy and is an acting student of Susan Batson/Black Nexxus Acting Studio.

ABOUT DARK HORSE COMICS

Founded in 1986 by Mike Richardson, Dark Horse Comics has proven to be a solid example of how integrity and innovation can help broaden a unique storytelling medium and establish a small, homegrown company as an industry giant. The company is known for the progressive and creator-friendly atmosphere it provides for writers and artists. In addition to publishing comics from top talent such as Frank Miller, Mike Mignola, Neil Gaiman, Brian Wood, Gerard Way, Felicia Day, and Guillermo del Toro, and comics legends such as Will Eisner, Neal Adams, and Jim Steranko, Dark Horse has developed its own successful properties, including The Mask, Ghost, Timecop, and SpyBoy. Its successful line of comics and products based on popular properties includes Star Wars, Mass Effect, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Aliens, Conan, Emily the Strange, Tim Burton’s Tragic Toys for Girls and Boys, Serenity, and Domo. Today Dark Horse Comics is the largest independent comic book publisher in the US and is recognized as one of the world’s leading publishers of both creator-owned content and licensed comics material.

NYC – Jim Hanley’s Universe Events

Jim Hanley’s Universe hosts two huge events next Wednesday, October 10, 2012!

Press Release:

Signing at our Manhattan Location on October 10 from 5:00pm to 7:00pm are a half dozen of the coolest creators in comics right now, including the the team behind DC’s Nightwing, writer Kyle Higgins, artist Eddy Barrows, and colorist Rod Reis; PLUS special guests Amy Reeder (Batwoman, the new Halloween Eve from Image), Trevor McCarthy (Batman: Gates of Gotham), and Brandon Montclare (Halloween Eve).

Then at 7:00pm, Jim Hanley’s Universe in New York City is proud to present the Pop Music In Comics Panel Discussion and Signing at the JHU Underground in Manhattan, Wednesday, October 10!

Patrick Reed (editor of Depth Of Field Magazine) will moderate this exclusive panel discussion featuring some of the hottest creators in comics today, discussing their work and the intersection of comics and popular music. Joining us for this lively and unique panel:

The event will feature complimentary refreshments from Tompkins Square Bagels, Angry Orchard Brewery, Saranac Brewery, and Southampton Brewery. Free food and drink, talking about comics and music, and meeting a ton of great creators – this is pretty awesome. RSVP on Facebook!

Some come on over to JHU Underground at our Manhattan store in the heart of the City for this amazing panel and signing event, Wednesday, October 10 from 7:00pm to 9:00pm! Exclusively at Jim Hanley’s Universe in New York City, For 27 Years and Counting Where Fans and Creators Meet!

Jim Hanley’s Universe
4 West 33rd Street, New York, NY 10001

MegaCon Adds to 2013 Guest List with Gates McFadden, Michael Hogan, Chris Claremont, Steve McNiven, Etc.

Press Release:

ORLANDO MEGACON’S GUEST LIST JUST KEEPS GETTING BETTER!!

MegaCon, the largest comic book, anime, gaming and multi media event in the Southeast, is pleased to make its initial announcement of guests. MegaCon will take place March 15th – 17th, 2013 at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, FL.

Megacon is happy to add to its comic guest list: Chris Claremont, Mike Choi, Andrew Robinson, Doug Sneyd, Jose Delbo, Matteo Scalera, Steve McNiven, Michael Atiyeh, Jimmy Cheung and George Pérez

Other comic book guests include:
Neal Adams, Mark Waid, Gail Simone, Mike McKone, Dave Johnson, Dan Panosian, Brian Pulido, Brandon Peterson, Amanda Conner, Jimmy Palmiotti, Billy Tucci, Georges Jeanty, Tim Townsend and Craig Boldman

Many more to be included!

MegaCon is happy to include:
Star Trek:TNG’s “Dr.Crusher”: Gates McFadden
Battlestar Galactica’s “Saul Tigh”: Michael Hogan
Teen Wolf, Slingblade, F Troop: James Hampton

Other Media guests include:
Star Trek:TNG cast members; Patrick Stewart, Jonathan Frakes, Marina Sirtis, Brent Spiner, Levar Burton, Michael Dorn and John DeLancie
Lois and Clark: The New Adventures of Superman: Dean Cain
Star Wars: Paul Blake, Jeremy Bulloch
Incredible Hulk: Lou Ferrigno
Ghost Hunters’ International: Paul Bradford, Scott Tepperman

Many more to be included!

Back by popular demand Frenchy and the Punk plus new to MegaCon The Ken Spivey Band

Other events include: MegaCon video gaming and the Supercon 2K series provided by National Video Gaming Association and Vibras Five.One, children events provided by the Skiffytown Heroes, RPG gaming events, anime events, belly dancing, Indy Film Festival, movie trailers screening room, Saturday evening dance, late night adult only dance, and professional panel room.

The MegaCon guest list is constantly growing. Check www.MegaConvention.com frequently for more updates.

MegaCon 2013
Orange County Convention Center
Orlando, Florida
March 15th – 17th, 2013
Contact Info: info@megaconvention.com or www.megaconvention.com