Great Allentown Comic Con Announces Schedule for November 2011 Mega Show

Press Release:

GACC ANNOUNCES PANEL AND EVENT SCHEDULE FOR NOVEMBER 19-20TH MEGA SHOW!

Star Wars actors Peter Mayhew and Tom Kane, and Star Trek actor Robert Picardo are just some of the great panels attendees can see at The Great Allentown Comic Con’s MEGA SHOW event in November!

The Great Allentown Comic Con presents the 2011 MEGA SHOW Panel schedule, and a packed show room with 100 tables of artists and dealers this show is the largest “little con” in eastern PA. All panels will run approximately 1 hour, and many will include multimedia presentations and interactions with attendees as well as prizes! In addition to the panels below attendees can still expect Door Prizes at 11:30, 2:45 and 5pm both days.

Saturday

Main Show Room:

10:00 AM – Show Opens! – It’s time to “Get UR GEEK On!” as the first annual Great Allentown Comic Con MEGE SHOW officially Opens!

11:30 AM – Door Prizes! – Be sure to make it back into the main showroom where the first group of door prizes for the day will be given out…Busts, Trades, Comics and Toys…what will you win?

2:45 PM – Door Prizes! – Be sure to make it back into the main showroom where the second group of door prizes for the day will be given out…Busts, Trades, Comics and Toys…what will you win?

5:00 PM – Door Prizes! – Be sure to make it back into the main showroom where the final group of door prizes for the day will be given out…Busts, Trades, Comics and Toys…what will you win?

6:00 PM – That’s not All! -Sure the showroom is closed, but be sure to join the party at Lee Gribbens on Main in Emmaus at 9pm for the After Party sponsored by HIGH EVOLUTION STUDIOS!

Large Panel Room:

10:30 AM Crazy 8 Press – Join NY Times Best Selling Authors and Famed creators Michael Jan Friedman and Peter David as they discuss their new independent publishing venture Crazy 8 Press! With over 200 novels between them already printed, and dozens of universes and genre touched, listen to them discuss the new worlds they plan to visit now that they are independent.

12:30 PM Hound Comics – Join the Hound Comics team (Brimstone, Sajad Shah, Mina Sanwald, and Lucious) as they discuss upcoming project, current releases, and just how much goes into creating comics, books, cartoons and video games!

1:30 PM Joint 501st Legion and Rebel Legion Star Wars Trivia Contest! – Do you know how many parsecs it took the Millennium Falcon to finish the Kessel Run? How many meters long is a womp rat?….What is a womp rat anyway? If you can answer these questions than be sure to come to this Trivia contest…and Win some great prizes!

3:00 PM Costume Contest! – This one is easy…show up in a costume! Just think…Halloween could come twice this year! Cosplay expert Amber Love Delaney will be on hand to help judge the best outfits and hand out prizes!

4:00 PM Underbelly Media – YouTube sensation and all around geektastic sketch show Underbelly will be presenting a special multimedia show. Sketches, bits, and all around geek cultural explosions can be expected!

Small Panel Room:

10:30 AM Smurftology 101 – Join “Smurfologist” Matt Murray as he puts on his professor smurf hat and presents a history of The Smurfs! Is Papa Smurf actually Carl Marx? Do the Smurfs plan to take over the world? These myths (or truths?) and more will be covered…so be sure to “Smurf” yourself a chair and “Smurf” in!

12:30 PM Comic Greats and Legends Panel – Join Tom Smith, Neil Vokes, and Bob Hall as they discuss working in comics in the modern age…and just what it feels like to have been in the “funny books” for so long. Learn the untold stories about the creation and influences these artists have had on titles from The Avengers to Doctor Strange!

1:30 PM Toteman Panel – November is Epilepsy Awareness Month, and the GACC is proud to be supporting the Toteman Epilepsy Awareness/PSA comic book. But who is Toteman anyway…and why should people support this great book? Join Toteman creator John McLaren and artist RickMan to learn just why you should be helping this great cause!

4:00 PM Horror/Zombie Panel – Join Neil Vokes, Tom Schloendorn, Tommy Castillo and Chris Moreno as they discuss the Horror of the past and future, and our current love of all things Zombie.

Sunday

Main Show Room:
10:00 AM – Show Opens! – It’s time to “Get UR GEEK On!” as the first annual Great Allentown Comic Con MEGE SHOW officially Opens for a second day!

11:30 AM – Door Prizes! – Be sure to make it back into the main showroom where the first group of door prizes for the day will be given out…Busts, Trades, Comics and Toys…what will you win?

2:45 PM – Door Prizes! – Be sure to make it back into the main showroom where the second group of door prizes for the day will be given out…Busts, Trades, Comics and Toys…what will you win?

5:00 PM – Door Prizes & Show Closes! – Be sure to make it back into the main showroom where the final group of door prizes for the day will be given out…Busts, Trades, Comics and Toys…what will you win?

Large Panel Room:

10:30 AM JK Woodward & Peter David – Join the creative team behind Fallen Angel as they discuss working together on one of today’s top independent titles. Learn just what goes into the creative process for JK Woodward one of the comic industries most talented up and coming artists, and Peter David, one of its most prolific author/creators.

12:00 PM Star Wars Panel! – Join Peter Mayhew and Tom Kane as they discuss working in one of the most iconic and celebrated franchises in history. With some great stories, and possible spoilers? On upcoming events…this is a can’t miss panel for true fans of Star Wars!

1:30 PM Star Trek Panel -Join us as we let Robert Picardo have his way with us in this rare solo panel appearance. If prior experiences are any indication expect to catch at least one song and dance number, and quite a few entertaining stories and jokes. Be sure to arrive early to get a good seat!

3:00 PM Pretending to be on TV with Glen Tickle – Comedian Glen Tickle hosts a “late night” style show with attitude. Joined by artists and guests Glen will interview and get to the bottom of this whole “Comic Con” thing.

4:00 PM Toteman Epilepsy Auction – We are proud to be supporting the Toteman Epilepsy comic book and Epilepsy Awareness in general. November is National Epilepsy Awareness Month, and what could be better than supporting a great cause and an up and coming comic book creator. While online bidding has begun prior to the show, this will be the final live auction, and once the gavel lands some great art and items will find new homes…and with your support we will have raised enough to send the Toteman book to print. So…come and Bid High and Bid Often!

Small Panel Room:

10:30 AM How to Draw Smurfs – This one is for the kids! Smurfologist Matt Murray will teach you how to draw your favorite Smurf!

1:00 PM Disney World! – Former Disney Animator Terry Naughton has influenced and worked on many of the classic Disney films of the last 3 decades. Aladdin, The Little Mermaid, and Beauty and the Beast are just a few of the things he has done. Currently he has done the artwork for Peter and Angie Mayhew’s children’s novels and has his own book out “The Art of Terry Naughton”

*All times are approximate, and may change at last minute.

About The Great Allentown Comic Con! – The Only Comic, Sci-Fi and Pop-Culture Convention in the Lehigh Valley. Founded in 2010, by Riverside Comics; The Great Allentown Comic Con (GACC) is already one of the fastest growing Fan-focused events in the comics industry. Currently located in the 10,000 sq ft Showroom of the Merchants Square Mall in Allentown PA, the GACC is dedicated to producing celebrations of comics and popular culture by providing unique access to talented artists and a family-friendly experience for fans. The show motto “Get UR Geek On!” represents in part the recognition of the diverse and unique nature of our fans, and our commitment to providing events where they can come express themselves freely.

Pittsburgh Comicon 2011 Adds Over 20 New Guests

Via Pittsburgh Comicon:

Happy Holidays Conventionaires….

Before you all get snug in your beds to dream about sugarplums (does anyone really dream about sugarplums??) I wanted to fill you on our latest guest additions to the 2011 Pittsburgh Comicon. We just added over 20 new guests with some returning favorites and a slew of guests making their first appearance in Pittsburgh.

First Time Guests for 2011 include….
CHAD HARDIN, artist of Zatanna, Warlord and Stan Lee’s The Traveler from Boom Studios

BOB HALL, Marvel Artist from the 70’s through the 90’s. Co-creator of the West Coast Avengers. Artist/Writer of Valiant’s Shadowman and artist/writer of DC’s I, Joker and Batman DOA and much more.

KIRK LINDO, Creator/Artist of Vamperotica Comics and renowned pin-up artist

ARVELL JONES, best known for his 70’s Marvel Art and his work on DC’s All Star Squadron as well as numerous Milestone comics.

and

DAN PARENT, Prolific Archie artist best know for his work on Archie’s Veronica (You all know you prefer vivacious Veronica to boring Betty!)

We are thrilled to have all of these gentlemen at the Pittsburgh Comicon for the First Time.

We are also elated to bring back Pittsburgh favorites,
BILLY TUCCI-Hot off his work on DC’s The Red Hood
and
DAVE HOOVER -Renowned Pin-Up artist and artist of the first 3 issues of Zenescope’s Charmed comic.

For a full list of guests visit www.pittsburghcomicon.com

When we return from the Holidays, we’ll be only 4 months away from Pittsburgh Comicon 2011 so you can expect to hear from me more frequently with more exciting convention news.

Lastly, before I go, I want to send out congratulations to Friend of the Comicon and 2011 Con Guest, MIKE GRELL on recently being name EDITOR AND CHIEF OF ARDDEN ENTERTAINMENT. I know fans will be excited to talk to you about your publishing plans for Flash Gordon, and the upcoming Atlas Comics revivals Grim Ghost and Phoenix. Best of Luck in your new position, Iron Mike!!

Have a safe and happy holiday and I look forward to talking to you all in the new year!!

Patrick Thomas
Marketing Director – Pittsburgh Comicon

PITTSBURGH COMICON
APRIL 15, 16, 17, 2011
Monroeville Convention Center

Hero Initiative Heads to NYCC 2010

Press Release:

Hero Initiative travels to New York Comic Con

First public display of Archie and New Avengers covers, Dawn Perfume, lunch with Joe Quesada and a great donation from Ford Motor Company!

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Los Angeles, CA (October 4, 2010) Hero Initiative, the non-profit organization that helps comic creators in need, will attend the New York Comic Con October 8th thru 10th at the Javits Center located at 655 West 34th Street in the heart of Manhattan.

Hero will be making its first public display of original Archie #600 and New Avengers #1 covers! Swing by the Hero Initiative booth, #333, to see these beauties up close and personal!

In addition, Black Phoenix Alchemy Lab (BPAL) will be selling the limited edition scents based on the groundbreaking comic book series Dawn by Joseph Michael Linsner. These four scents, Dawn: Maiden, Dawn: Mother, Dawn: Crone and Dawn: Cernunnos based on the Dawn characters will be available at the BPAL booth, #2851. Proceeds benefit Hero Initiative, so grab them while supplies last! You can also order online at:

http://www.blackphoenixalchemylab.com/dawn.html

Hero Initiative is proud to announce The Ford Motor Company will generously donate another $5000 to Hero at New York Comic Con, making its contribution $10,000 in total this year to Hero Initiative. With its recent release to customers and dealerships across the country, Ford will feature its all-new 2011 Fiesta at New York Comic Con throughout the weekend. Conference goers will have the opportunity to test drive the vehicle throughout the conference, as well as take part in Ford-related activities at the event. Convention goers will also have the opportunity to enter a raffle for the chance to win one of two copies of the final issue of Ex Machina signed by creator Brian K. Vaughn after participating in Ford activities.

And you cannot make your New York Comic Con experiences complete without having “Lunch with Joe Quesada!” One lucky fan with the high eBay bid will win lunch and an original sketchcard from Joe, so check out the auction now at: http://qurls.com?i=49467

And the great talent at Hero’s booth, #333, is as follows:

Friday, October 8
1030-1130: Francis Manapul
1230-130: Cully Hamner
130-230: Bob Hall
400-530: Miguel Sepulveda + Fernando Dagnino

Saturday, October 9
130-230: Greg Capullo
230-400: John Romita Sr.
430-530: Miguel Sepulveda + Fernando Dagnino

Sunday, October 10
1030-1230: Mike Perkins
100-230: Mike McKone

About The Hero Initiative

The Hero Initiative is the first-ever federally chartered not-for-profit corporation dedicated strictly to helping comic book creators in need. Hero 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 $400,000 to the comic book veterans who have paved the way for those in the industry today. For more information, visit www.heroinitiative.org or call 626-676-6354.