Dark Horse Comics Schedule for SDCC 2012

Dark Horse Comics announces their booth signings and panel schedule for San Diego Comic-Con 2012:

Dark Horse Comics Signings (Booth #2615)

Wednesday, July 11

5:30 p.m. — Dragon Age Signing with David Gaider

6:30 p.m. — Orchid Q&A and Signing with Tom Morello and Scott Hepburn *Ticketed by drawing

8:00 p.m. — Mass Effect Signing with John Jackson Miller

 

Thursday, July 12

11:00 a.m.— Mass Effect Signing with Sylvia Feketekuty, Chris Helper, and John Jackson Miller

1:00 p.m. — Angel & Faith Signing with Christos Gage

2:00 p.m. — Fatima Signing with Gilbert Hernandez

3:00 p.m. — Creator-Owned Signing with Eric Powell (The Goon), Francesco Francavilla (The Black Beetle), Matt Kindt (MIND MGMT), Tony Puryear and Erika Alexander (Concrete Park), and Sanford Greene (Rotten Apple)

4:00 p.m. — Tarzan 100th Anniversary Event with Thomas Yeates, Ron Ely, Joe Jusko, and Edgar Rice Burroughs, Inc. President and Archivist

5:00-7:00 p.m. — Whedonverse Meet-up and Costume Contest with Shawna Trpcic, main costume designer on Joss Whedon’s Firefly, Angel, Doctor Horrible’s Sing-Along Blog, Dollhouse, and Cabin in the Woods.

 

Friday, July 13

10:00 a.m. — Usagi Yojimbo Signing with Stan Sakai

See a preview of the upcoming Usagi Yojimbo: Way of the Ronin game for smartphones, tablets, and desktops.

11:00 a.m. — Star Wars Signing with Mike Richardson (Crimson Empire), Dave Dorman (Crimson Empire, Darth Maul), Randy Stradley and Doug Wheatley (Dark Times), Dave Wilkins (Darth Vader and the Ghost Prison), Dan Parsons (Dawn of the Jedi), John Jackson Miller (Knight Errant), Michael Atiyeh (colorist), Michael Heisler (letterer) and Tom Taylor (Darth Maul)

12:00 pm. — Valve Signing with Bill Fletcher (“Cave Johnson”), Laura Dubuk (“Caroline”), Andrew Wilson, Wade Schin, and Arsenio Navarro

12:00 p.m. — Axe Cop Signing with Ethan Nicolle

1:00 p.m. — Hellboy, B.P.R.D., and Baltimore Signing with Mike Mignola, Cameron Stewart, and Tyler Crook

1:00 p.m. — Age of Reptiles Signing with Ricardo Delgado

2:00 p.m. — Berserk Signing with Eiko Tanaka (Studio 4C CEO)

2:30 p.m. – Green River Killer Signing with Jeff Jensen

3:00 p.m. – Domo Signing with Domo creator Tsuneo Goda *Ticketed by drawing

3:00 p.m. – Dragon Age Signing with David Gaider

4:00 p.m. – Empowered Signing with Adam Warren

4:00 p.m. – De:Tales Signing with Gabriel Bá and Fábio Moon

5:00 p.m. — Creepy and Eerie Signing with Dan Braun, Angelo Torres, and Christopher A. Taylor

5:00 p.m. — Dark Horse Horror Signing with Steve Niles (Criminal Macabre), Eric Powell (The Goon), and Paul Tobin (Colder)

6:00 p.m. – TNT’s Falling Skies Signing with series stars Noah Wyle, Moon Bloodgood, Will Patton, Drew Roy, Connor Jessup, Colin Cunningham, Sarah Carter, executive producer Remi Aubuchon and more! *Ticketed by drawing

 

Saturday, July 14

10:00 a.m. — Darksiders Signing with David Slagle and Roger Robinson

10:00 a.m. — Aliens Colonial Marines Signing with Josh Williams

11:00 a.m. — Domo Signing with Domo creator Tsuneo Goda *Ticketed by drawing

12:00 p.m. — Joss Whedon Signing *Ticketed by drawing

1:00 p.m. — Whedonverse Signing with Andrew Chambliss, Georges Jeanty, Christos Gage, Jane Espenson, and Drew Greenberg

2:00 p.m – Avatar: The Last Airbender and Legend of Korra Signing with Michael DiMartino and Bryan Konietzko, Joaquim Dos Santos, Ki Hyun Ryu, and Gurihiru Studios artists Chifuyu Sasaki and Naoko Kawano *Ticketed by drawing

3:00 p.m. – Valve Signing with Bill Fletcher (“Cave Johnson”), Laura Dubuk (“Caroline”), Andrew Wilson, and Wade Schin

3:00 p.m. — Concrete Park Signing with Tony Puryear and Erika Alexander

4:00 p.m. — Dark Matter Signing with Joseph Mallozzi

4:00 p.m. — Exile to Babylon Signing with Domagoj Mazuran, Matt Savelloni, and Helen Darras

5:00 p.m. – Mass Effect Signing with Sylvia Feketekuty, Chris Helper, and John Jackson Miller

6:00 p.m. — The Goon Signing with creator Eric Powell

 

Sunday, July 15

10:00 a.m. — Beanworld Signing with Larry Marder

11:00 a.m. — Mass Effect Signing with Sylvia Feketekuty, Chris Helper, and John Jackson Miller

12:00 p.m. — The Guild Signing with Felicia Day *Ticketed by drawing

1:00 p.m. — The Strain Signing with Guillermo del Toro *Ticketed by drawing

2:00 p.m. — Emily the Strange Signing with Rob Reger and Jessica Gruner

3:00 p.m. — Doug Sneyd Signing

 

*Events are subject to change. Some restrictions apply.

 

Dark Horse/Partner PANELS

 

Thursday, July 12

10:30-11:30 Books and Hollywood: Literary Franchises in Television and Film— Room 24ABC

Authors discuss their work transitioning across various mediums, from screenwriters to novelists turning popular books into hit TV series and Hollywood films. How does the creative process differ when writing a screenplay as compared to a novel? Authors describing the process of adapting novels for the big screen include Rebecca Serle (When You Were Mine), Margaret Stohl (co-author of the Beautiful Creatures series), Scott Speer (Immortal City), Tony DiTerlizzi (The Search for WondLa series), Ashley Edward Miller and Zack Stentz (Colin Fischer), Mike Richardson (president of Dark Horse), and Mark Frost (The Paladin Prophecy). Moderated by Geoff Boucher (Los Angeles Times).

 

11:00-12:00 Spotlight on Becky Cloonan— Room 32AB

Comic-Con special guest Becky Cloonan, one of the most versatile artists in comics today, talks to Jimmy Aquino (Comic News Insider podcast host) about her career in comics and illustration, collaborating with writers, artists, and musicians, and the dark secrets she learned through 15 years of self-publishing.

 

11:30-12:30 Spotlight on Geof Darrow— Room 8

Comic-Con special guest Geof Darrow is known for his wildly imaginative and intricately detailed artwork. Geof talks about his comics career, including his current work for Dark Horse, Shaolin Cowboy, in this special spotlight presentaton.

 

12:00-1:00 Comics Arts Conference Session #2: Once More, with Comics: How the Whedon Universes Continue in Comic Book Form— Room 26AB

Authors Katrina Hill (Action Movie Freak, GeekNation.com), Jennifer K. Stuller (Ink-StainedAmazon, GeekGirlCon), and Traci Cohen (CSU-Sacramento) examine how comic books and graphic novels provide a new form of media adaptation in which the graphic novel form furthers the canon or official continuity of television series as sequels to the original material. Creator Joss Whedon’s television universes enjoy new life in print (e.g. Buffy the Vampire Slayer Season 9). Sharing their own thoughts on these Whedon comic book follow-ups are comic book writer/actress Amber Benson (Buffy the Vampire Slayer: Willow and Tara), editors Scott Allie (Dark House) and Mariah Huehner (IDW), and actors Clare Kramer (Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Bring It On) and Tom Lenk (Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Cabin in the Woods).

 

1:00-2:00 100th Anniversary of Tarzan and John Carter of Mars— Room 8

He wrestled lions, poachers and ran through fire barefoot without a stunt-double or CGI. Actor Ron Ely will discuss filming Tarzan in the jungles of Latin America with writer Mark Evanier and Burroughs illustrator Tom Yeates. Also featuring David Lemmo, co-author of the new book, Tarzan: His First 100 Years. How Ancient Literature Became Modern Mythology and Created an Ape-Man Mecca in Southern California, coming from Angel City Press in 2013. Plus a 100-years of Tarzan and John Carter slide show included.

 

1:00-2:00 Dark Horse: Powered by Creators- Room 23ABC

An In-Depth Look at the Best in Creator-Owned Comics— Just over 25 years ago, Dark Horse arrived with a different agenda than any other publisher in comics. The young company was founded on the belief that comics creators should have the option to retain the rights to their own work, and today it continues to be a highly fertile breeding ground for new characters and concepts. Self-publishing sensation Sam Humphries introduces Dark Horse publisher Mike Richardson, along with a cast of top talent from around the industry. Expect exclusive announcements, and much, much more!

 

2:00-3:00 The Sergio and Mark Show— Room 8

An annual Comic-Con tradition! The folks who give you Groo the Wanderer on occasion will tell what’s up with Groo and their other projects and will entertain you with glorious anecdotes and silly stories. Those folks are celebrated cartoonist Sergio Aragonés, his co-conspirator Mark Evanier, Usagi Yojimbo creator Stan Sakai, and the hardest-working man in comics, Tom Luth.

 

5:00-6:00 Uncle Creepy Presents— Room 9A stellar panel of ghoulish creators discuss Warren’s Creepy and Eerie, which have been relaunched at Dark Horse in hardcover archival editions, new comic books, and artist compilation formats. Discover all the exciting things coming up in the Creepy universe. Moderated by Overstreet’s J. C. Vaughn and featuring New Comic Company’s twin engines Dan Braun (Creepy) and Josh Braun (Button Man) and super special guest MAD and Creepy artist Angelo Torres (Mad), plus writer Christopher A. Taylor and some very special unannounced guests. Plus, there will be Creepy trivia questions with tons of giveaways, swag and prizes.

 

7:00-8:00 Indie Comics Marketing and PR 101— Room 8

Need tips on how to market your comic? Have questions about doing PR? This is the panel for you! Some of the best and brightest in comics today present a roundtable discussion, revealing all the secrets of doing marketing and PR for your comics. comiXology marketing and PR maven Chip Mosher is joined by Dark Horse’s director of PR Jeremy Atkins, Image Comics’ PR and marketing director Jennifer de Guzman, IDW Publishing’s VP of marketing Dirk Wood, Archaia’s Marketing Manager Mel Caylo and comics writer David Gallaher (Box 13, the Harvey Award-winning High Moon, and Marvel’s Darkstar and The Winter Guard) for a wide-ranging discussion you will not want to miss!

 

Friday, July 13

11:00-12:00 Mike Mignola and Friends— Room 4

As we watch the world collapse in the pages of B.P.R.D.-Hell on Earth and gear up for the most-anticipated series in Hellboy’s history later this year, this may be the most important panel in the history of one of modern comics’ most storied series. Join creator Mike Mignola, editor Scott Allie, Cameron Stewart, James Harren, B.P.R.D. artist Tyler Crook and others, for exclusive news and insight into why the world of Hellboy and the B.P.R.D. is truly “going to hell in 2012″!

 

11:15-12:15 Join the Revolution! Nickelodeon’s Legend of Korra— Ballroom 20

The cast and crew of Legend of Korra offer an in-depth discussion of Nickelodeon’s hottest new series. Executive producer and creator team Bryan Konietzko and Mike DiMartino (Avatar: The Last Airbender) are joined by co-executive producer Joaquim Dos Santos (Avatar: The Last Airbender) as they discuss the creative process that brought the first book in the Korra series to life. You’ll also get to hear from your favorite characters as talented voice actors Janet Varney (Korra), David Faustino (Mako), P. J. Byrne (Bolin) and Seychelle Gabriel (Asami) will be featured on the panel and renowned voice director Andrea Romano (Avatar: The Last Airbender) will direct the actors in a live performance from the series. And if you’re extra nice, Mike and Bryan may even drop a hint or two about Book 2. So don’t miss out! Moderated by Rich Magallanes, senior VP of current series for Nickelodeon.

 

12:00-1:00 Lenore Turns 20— Room 23ABC

Celebrations are in order! Lenore is 20 years old in 2012. Roman Dirge discusses his new Lenore collection Swirlies, upcoming comics, merchandise, and more. Join the artist/magician himself for this exclusive journey into the unique world of Roman Dirge, with a one-on-one interview with moderator Andrew Sumner plus a Q&A session.

 

12:30-1:30 Firefly 10-Year Anniversary Reunion— Ballroom 20

Calling all Browncoats to unite! It has been 10 years since the crew of the Serenity took flight in the now infamous show Firefly. Science Channel will reunite, for the first time ever, Captain Mal Reynolds and the crew from the ship. Join Joss Whedon, Nathan Fillion, Adam Baldwin, Gina Torres, Alan Tudyk, Morena Baccarin, Sean Maher, Summer Glau, and many more for a trip down memory lane, some special surprises, and exclusive Science Channel giveaways. SHINY.

 

1:30-2:30 Comic Book Entrepreneurs— Room 8

Get a rare look behind the scenes as the comic book industry’s leading entrepreneurs share their secrets of building successful businesses around the love of comic books. Author and futurist Rob Salkowitz (Comic-Con and the Business of Pop Culture), CEO and co-founder David Steinberger of comiXology, Dark Horse Comics publisher Mike Richardson, Peter Levin of Nerdist Industries, and comics retailer Joe Field of Flying Colors Comics (who also founded Free Comic Book Day and helped run WonderCon for 15 years), offer a unique view of the business side of comics.

 

2:30-4:00 Eisner Spirit Award Video Viewing— Room 18

The Will Eisner Spirit of Comics Retailer Award is the industry’s “Hall of Fame” for progressive retailers. Spirit Award facilitator and award recipient Joe Ferrara (Atlantis Fantasyworld, CA) presents the videos for this year’s award finalists, with discussion about each nominated retailer, the store’s display techniques, and other unique features every attending retailer can learn from. Hey, retailers: this is a great place for getting new ideas!

 

3:00-4:00 The Future of Star Wars Publishing: Dark Horse & Del Rey— Room 7AB Find out what’s coming up in the Expanded Universe of Star Wars publishing. Editors Randy Stradley and Dave Marshall from Dark Horse Comics discuss what’s next for Agent of the Empire, Dawn of the Jedi, Lost Tribe of the Sith, and Darth Maul, as well as reveal a new secret title that’s on the horizon. From Del Rey Books editors Frank Parisi and Erich Schoeneweiss, along with author Troy Denning (Apocalypse), look at new novels coming later this year from fan-favorite authors Timothy Zahn and Aaron Allston, as well as give a peek into 2013. Also on the panel is Jennifer Heddle, senior editor at LucasBooks. Moderated by author Pablo Hidalgo (Star Wars: The Essential Reader’s Companion).

 

3:00-4:00 Drawing on Your Nightmares: Horror in Comics— Room 23ABC Throughout comics’ storied history, horror has been an important part of the medium. In the fall of 2012, Dark Horse unveils a whole slate of new titles guaranteed to have you running for the covers. Dark Horse horror line editor Scott Allie is joined by actor-turned-comics writer Lance Henrikson and creators Eric Powell (The Goon), Steve Niles (30 Days of Night, Criminal Macabre), Tim Seeley (Hack/Slash), Paul Tobin (Colder), and others for an exciting look at this year’s most promising four-color thrills and chills!

 

3:30-4:30 The Art of Death and Darksiders II— Room 5AB

A lively demonstration on bringing 2D comic art to 3D graphics and back again-Joe Madureira (Vigil Games Darksiders creator; artist for Avenging Spider-Man, Ultimates, X-Men), and Han Randhawa (Vigil Games, Darksiders I and II creative director) use exclusive examples from the creative development process to show how they bring a unique comic inspired vision to 3D life in the new Darksiders II video game from THQ, where you become Death, the most feared rider from the legendary Four Horseman of the Apocalypse. In part two, representatives from Dark Horse Comics demonstrates how they took this highly stylized universe in 3D, converted it back to a 2D comic book series, and expanded on the mythos, revealing scenes and storyline threads that complement the events of the video game. Working closely with the Darksiders team at Vigil Games, Dark Horse Comics is creating an important component to complete Joe Mad’s original vision.

 

4:30-5:30 Falling Skies: The Battle Is Just Getting Started— Room 6BCF

Continuing the fight against alien invaders, TNT’s Falling Skies follows a band of human survivors on their quest to outrun and outwit the powerful alien force that invaded Earth. Join stars Noah Wyle (ER), Moon Bloodgood (Terminator Salvation), Will Patton (Armageddon), Drew Roy (Secretariat), Colin Cunningham (Living in Your Car), Sarah Carter (The Vow), and Connor Jessup (The Saddle Club), and show runner Remi Aubuchon (Caprica), with Q&A hosted by Wil Wheaton (Star Trek: The Next Generation, The Big Bang Theory). Watch never-before-seen clips and be treated to an in-depth discussion on Falling Skies season 2.

 

5:00-6:00 Breaking into Comics Right Now!— Room 9

If you’re an aspiring comic book creator, this is a panel you don’t want to miss! Some of comic book publishing’s top decision makers, including IDW chief creative officer Chris Ryall, BOOM! Studios editor-in-chief Matt Gagnon, Dark Horse managing editor Scott Allie, and Top Cow publisher Filip Sablik, give you up-to-date and practical advice on how to break into the comic book industry. Learn what you need to do to make your comic book dreams come true in a world where the Internet and social media have changed everything. This won’t be your grandfather’s “breaking into comics” panel.

 

5:30-6:30 Dark Horse: Joss Whedon— Ballroom 20

Long before directing the biggest superhero film in history, Joss Whedon rewarded fans the world over with some of the most compelling characters and plotlines in the history of comics, television, and movies. Here’s your chance to find out what he has in store for us next, and hear exclusive insight into Buffy the Vampire Slayer and the ever-expanding number of titles in Dark Horse’s line of Season 9 comics.

 

5:30-6:30 Berserk— Room 32AB

At long last, the dark fantasy epic Berserk, by creator Kentaro Muira, comes to the silver screen! Join Dark Horse Comics and VIZ Media in a rare interview with Eiko Tanaka, founder and CEO of Studio 4°C (Tekkonkinkreet, Animatrix, Batman). Find out what it really takes to transform this stark manga into an animated feature.

 

6:00-7:00 Are Digital Comics Expanding the Market?— Room 9

Digital comics are the hottest trend in publishing today, exploding onto the screens of iPads, tablets, and phones everywhere. How is digital distribution transforming the industry and the market? Is digital opening the medium to a vast new global audience, or is it the death knell of comics as we know them? Author and futurist Rob Salkowitz (Comic-Con and the Business of Pop Culture) leads a provocative, no-holds-barred discussion with the leaders of the digital comics revolution: comiXology co-founders David Steinberger and John D. Roberts, Dark Horse publisher Mike Richardson, and IDW publisher Ted Adams.

 

7:30-8:30 Making a Living in Manga— Room 8

Now that Japanese comics have been available in English for over 30 years, several generations of artists inspired by manga are trying to live the Bakuman dream of being full-time comics creators. But in the superhero-centric North American comics market, are they fighting the odds? Comics creators Adam Warren (Empowered), Becky Cloonan (Demo, Conan the Barbarian), Fred Gallagher (Megatokyo), and Audra Furuichi (Nemu-Nemu), along with industry pros Christopher Butcher (blogger, Comics212.net; director, Toronto Comic Arts Festival), JuYoun Lee (senior editor, Yen Press), Erik Ko (editor-in-chief, UDON Entertainment), and moderator Deb Aoki (Manga editor, About.com), explain the ins and outs and ups and downs of making a living as a manga creator in North America.

 

8:00-10:30 Syfy Presents the Will Eisner Comic Industry Awards— Indigo Ballroom, Hilton San Diego Bayfront

The 24th annual Eisner Awards (the “Oscars” of the comics industry) honor comics creators and works in 28 categories. Presenters will include British talk show host/comics writer Jonathan Ross, actor Phil LaMarr (Futurama, Family Guy, Pee Wee’s Playhouse), and special guests Robert Kirkman and Charlie Adlard (The Walking Dead), Lynn Johnston (cartoonist, For Better or For Worse), Eric Powell (The Goon), Sergio Aragonés (cartoonist, MAD), Bill Morrison (creative director, Bongo Comics), Michael Uslan (movie producer, Batman films), plus some special surprises! Other prestigious awards to be given out include the Russ Manning Promising Newcomer Award, the Bob Clampett Humanitarian Award, the Bill Finger Award for Excellence in Comics Writing, and the Will Eisner Spirit of Comics Retailer Award.

 

Saturday, July 14

10:30-11:30 Dark Horse: Bioware— Room 24ABC

Dark Horse and Bioware have come together once again to provide fans with exclusive news on Dragon Age, and the ever-expanding Mass Effect universe. Join Dark Horse director of public relations Jeremy Atkins and editor Dave Marshall, along with Dragon Age writers David Gaider and Sylvia Feketekuty, BioWare art director Derek Watts, moderator “Evil Chris” Priestly, and a cast of other celebrity geeks and surprise guests for an exciting look into the Dark Horse/BioWare universe. Attendees can be sure to expect a spirited discussion on the ongoing link between comics and gaming, with exclusive news and more!

 

11:00-12:00 Avatar the Last Airbender: Beginning and Beyond— Room 28E

For over 5 years, the organizers of this fan panel have been bringing together both fans and professionals. Moderated by Avatar_Mom, this year’s panel will include Bobby Rubio (Avatar the Last Airbender, Pixar, Alcatraz High), freelance concept artist DJ Welch (Dark Kenjie), Kevin Coppa (Puppet Benders), and actor/voice actor Dante Basco (Avatar the Last Airbender), and a few more surprise guests. If that isn’t enough, there will be a cosplay contest to showcase the fandom’s talented “fabric benders.”

 

11:00-12:00 Geek & Sundry— Indigo Ballroom, Hilton San Diego Bayfront

Felicia Day (The Guild, Dr. Horrible’s Sing-Along Blog), Wil Wheaton (Big Bang Theory, Eureka), director Daniel Strange (Between Two Ferns with Zach Galifianakis), and the cast of The Guild — Vince Caso, Jeff Lewis, Amy Okuda, Sandeep Parkih, and Robin Thorsen — make some big announcements and offer an exclusive sneak peek at what’s to come. Moderated by Kim Evey (producer, Geek & Sundry).

 

12:00-1:00 Spotlight on Gary Gianni— Room 4

Comic-Con special guest Gary Gianni discusses his work illustrating one of Ray Bradbury’s last published books, painting the Game of Thrones 2014 calendar, and the future of illustrated storytelling in the digital realm.

 

2:00-3:00 Will Eisner and the Graphic Novel— Room 23ABC

Moderator Paul Levitz (writer, 75 Years of DC Comics, Legion of Super-Heroes, former Eisner publisher), Klaus Janson (artist/inker, Daredevil, The Dark Knight Return, comics educator, SVA), Denis Kitchen (artist, author, publisher; Eisner’s agent and longtime friend), Charles Kochman (editorial director, Abrams ComicArts), and Diana Schutz (comics educator; executive editor, Dark Horse Comics; Eisner’s editor) explore the pivotal role Will Eisner’s evangelism of the comics artform plays in the evolution of the American graphic novel, followed by a short Q&A period.

 

5:00-6:00 Mass Effect: Past, Present, and Future— Room 25ABC

Developers from Mass Effect offer an exciting look at the evolution of the Mass Effect franchise. Mike Gamble (producer), Corey Gaspur (senior combat designer), Parrish Ley (lead cinematic animator), Sylvia Feketekuty (writer), Chris Helper (writer), Jessica Merizan (community manager) and Chris Priestly (community specialist) discuss the history of the series, beloved characters, multiplayer gaming and hints at upcoming DLC. Don’t forget to bring your emergency induction port!

 

8:00-9:00 Occupy Comics: Activism, Kickstarter, and Comics— Room 4

Get the story behind the historic Occupy Comics project that inspired dozens of top comics pros to take a stand, bummed out Frank Miller, and brought Alan Moore and David Lloyd back together in the same book for the first time since the Occupy-inspiring V for Vendetta. With a star-studded roster featuring Charlie Adlard (The Walking Dead), Art Spiegelman (Maus), Ben Templesmith (30 Days of Night), and many more, Occupy Comics raised nearly three times its Kickstarter fundraising goal, with all revenue beyond hard costs being donated to Occupy protesters. Organizational spearhead Matt Pizzolo (Godkiller, president Halo-8) will be joined by contributors Steve Niles (30 Days of Night), Tyler Crook (Petrograd, B.P.R.D.), Brea Grant and Zane Grant (We Will Bury You, Suicide Girls), Joshua Dysart (Swamp Thing, The Unknown Soldier), Zoetica Ebb (Biorequiem), Mark L. Miller (The Jungle Book), and others special guests to discuss counterculture art, creating activist comics without being annoying, and tips on how to fundraise for your own comics.

 

Sunday, July 15

10:00-11:00 Emily the Strange— Room 23ABC

Be a part of the Emily the Strange panel experience, where you have the chance to prove your knowledge of Strange and win prizes, learn what’s new in Emily’s oddball universe (including a sneak peek at the new Emily and the Strangers comic book series), and Q&A with Emily’s creator Rob Reger and writer Jessica Gruner. Did we mention you will get some cool stuff just for showing up and being Strange?

 

11:30-12:30 Spotlight on Tom Yeates— Room 8

Seasoned comics, fantasy, and book illustrator and Comic-Con special guest Tom Yeates will discuss his 35-year career, from attending the first year of Joe Kubert’s school with Steve Bissette and Rick Veitch to Swamp Thing, Tarzan, Zorro, and Prince Valiant. Writer, journalist, editor, and Thomas’s longtime friend Steven Ringgenberg will moderate. A slide show of Yeates’s art career and influences will be included.

 

12:45-1:45 CBLDF Rock Art Jam— Room 5AB

Explore the creative process of top cartoonists who’ve made their mark on the worlds of comics and music! Fábio Moon, Gabriel Bá, and Nate Powell talk about the influence of music in their work and draw live art showcasing their love of sound and vision! Get a chance to watch live art made before your eyes, and bid to win the pieces made here to benefit the Comic Book Legal Defense Fund!

 

2:15-3:15 Buffy Turns 20: Celebrating 20 Years of Buffy the Vampire Slayer— Room 6BCF

Once upon a time, Buffy Summers became the Slayer, the Chosen One who proved a young heroine could battle the forces of darkness instead of playing damsel in distress. Stars from the hit TV series Buffy the Vampire Slayer (Nicholas Brendon, Clare Kramer) join forces with Dark Horse editor Scott Allie, writer/producer Jane Espenson, illustrator Georges Jentry, and the original Buffy herself (Kristy Swanson, star of the 1992 motion picture), not to mention a surprise guest or two, to celebrate 20 years of slayage.

 

3:00-4:00 Axe Cop— Room 6DE

Ethan Nicolle (Bearmageddon, Chumble Spuzz) discusses the growing world of Axe Cop, including the new President of the World miniseries from Dark Horse comics and his involvement the TV show in production at FOX. With a possible appearance in person or digitally from his brother/co-creator Malachai Nicolle plus possible surprise guests.

Wizard Announces New Orleans Comic Con 2011 Programming

Press Release:

James Marsters Concert, “Buffyfest,” Billy Dee Williams, “Batman” Panels, Lou Gossett Jr. Spotlight, Live Art Show/After Party Highlight New Orleans Comic Con Programming

Julie Benz, Ray Park, “Walking Dead” Q&A’s, Artist Schools Also On Tap This Weekend

NEW ORLEANS, January 19, 2011 – Wizard World New Orleans Comic Con today announced its diverse programming schedule, featuring a James Marsters concert, unique celebrity Q&A’s, artist schools, costume contests and more for the event, set for Saturday and Sunday at the New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center.

Some of the highlights include:

* A live concert featuring singer-songwriter-actor James Marsters
* “Wizard Spotlight” with legendary actor Louis Gossett Jr.
* Rare Q&A panels with Marsters, Julie Benz and Ray Park, as well as popular Comic Con guests Billy Dee Williams, Walter Koenig, Adam West and Burt Ward
* Two “Buffy: The Vampire Slayer” panels, featuring twins Nicholas Brendon and Kelly Donovon, and Clare Kramer and James Charles Leary
* ‘Walking Dead’ Q&A with stars Chandler Riggs, Keisha Tillis and Adrian Kali Turner
* Wizard Art School and Q&A’s featuring leading artists like David Mack, Bill Sinkiewicz, Cameron Stewart, Kevin Maguire, Yanick Paquette, Phil Jimenez and others
* Wizard World New Orleans Comic Con Live Art Show and After Party with Kody Chamberlain and Rob Guillory at Hey! Cafe (4332 Magazine St.)
* The popular adult costume contest and fun kids costume contest with great prizes

Standard New Orleans Comic Con programming will take place in Room A and Room B at Hall H of the Morial Convention Center. All programming is included with admission to the event, with the exception of the James Marsters Concert, which requires an additional ticket. Seating for panels is strictly limited and available on a first come first serve basis and each room will be cleared between panels. The full schedule is below:

Saturday
11:00 a.m. – 11:45 a.m.
WHO WANTS TO BE ON A REALITY SHOW? W/ JARRETT CRIPPEN ‘THE DEFUSER’
Have you ever wanted to be on a reality show? Are you curious as to what the producers are looking for? Come get inside tips about reality shows and what it takes to win from the winner of Stan Lee’s “Who Wants to be a Superhero?” Season II. The Defuser (Jarrett Crippen) will talk about and answer questions regarding the audition process, competition, living conditions and other topics related to his show and reality shows in general. (Room B)

12:00 p.m. – 12:45 p.m.
JAMES MARSTERS Q&A
Best known for his role as Spike, the platinum blonde vampire on hit shows “Buffy the Vampire Slayer” and “Angel,” James Marsters answers questions about everything from his evolution from acting to music and back, and the projects he plans to conquer in the next few years. (Room A)

WIZARD ART SCHOOL W/ DAVID MACK AND BILL SIENKIEWICZ
Legendary artists and long-time friends David Mack (Kabuki) and Bill Sienkiewicz (Batman: The Widening Gyre covers) unite for this insider look at their art processes, and give advice and their personal dos and don’ts of the trade to new creators interested in sequential storytelling. (Room B)

1:00 p.m. – 1:45 p.m.
BILLY DEE WILLIAMS Q&A
Lando lands at New Orleans Comic Con, as the coolest man in Star Wars history sits down to take fan questions. (Room A)

THE ART OF ‘CHEW’ AND ‘SWEETS’
Indie art sensations Kody Chamberlain (Sweets) and Rob Guillory (Chew) join the Wizard World Comic Con Tour and discuss their breakout Image hits. (Room B)

2:00 p.m. – 2:45 p.m.
BUFFYFEST Q&A W/ NICHOLAS BRENDON AND KELLY DONOVAN
Buffy’s “Xander Harris” sits down with his sinister twin brother to take fan questions about life during and after the pop culture phenomenon. (Room A)

WIZARD ART SCHOOL W/ CAMERON STEWART, KEVIN MAGUIRE AND YANICK PAQUETTE
Three of comics most renowned storytellers—Cameron Stewart (Batman & Robin), Kevin Maguire (Justice League International) and Yanick Paquette (Batman, Inc.)—discuss art, storytelling and working with collaborators in the digital age. (Room B)

3:00 p.m. – 3:45 p.m.
BUFFYFEST Q&A W/ CLARE KRAMER AND JAMES CHARLES LEARY
Join “Buffy” stars Clare Kramer (Glory) and James Charles Leary (Clem) as the duo discuss the behind the scenes shenanigans and fun of shooting one of pop culture’s biggest hits. (Room A)

VICTOR GISCHLER Q&A
Famed novelist (Go-Go Girls of the Apocalypse) and comic book scribe Victor Gischler (X-Men: Curse of the Mutants) talks about his recent runs on X-Men and Deadpool as well as his novel background and his rise in comics. (Room B)

4:00 p.m. – 4:45 p.m.
BATMAN AND ROBIN Q&A W/ ADAM WEST AND BURT WARD
The original ’60s “Dynamic Duo” re-teams for this one-of-a-kind Q&A, where Batman and Robin drop their masks and talk about their lady co-stars, the villains they faced and the wild nights after the show! (Room A)

SUPERSTARS OF WRESTLING
W/ KEVIN NASH
Professional grappler Kevin Nash pile drives and body slams your questions into the mat! (Room B)

5:00 p.m. – 5:45 p.m.
AARON DOUGLAS Q&A
Best known for his role on “Battlestar Galactica” as Chief Galen Tyrol, Aaron Douglas can now be seen on “Hellcats” on The CW, and here he answers all your questions during this exclusive Wizard World New Orleans Comic Con session. (Room A)

THE SOUND OF MUSICAL INTERLUDE W/ ETHAN VAN SCIVER
The halls are alive with the sound of…“music.” Ethan Van Sciver (Flash: Rebirth) invites you to spend the hour trapped in a small room discussing cannibalism, Wolverine, deviancy and all manner of filth and disease through the art of song. Not since Liberace has anyone tickled the ivories with such aplomb. Well, Richard Marx was good. But Ethan is good, too! Come and see! (Room 3)

6:00 p.m. – 6:30 p.m.
KIDS’ COSTUME CONTEST
Bring any kids 10 and under for this special event with great prizes just for families and the youngsters. (Room A)

6:30 p.m.-8:30 p.m.
ADULT COSTUME CONTEST
Get your best costume together and come on down to the Wizard World New Orleans Comic Con costume contest for huge prizes and some of the craziest outfits you’ll see this weekend. (Room A)

9:00 p.m. -10:00 p.m.
JAMES MARSTERS CONCERT
After enjoying sell-out crowds across the nation, singer/songwriter James Marsters performs a rare and intimate concert up close and personal with Wizard World fans. NOTE: ADDITIONAL TICKET REQUIRED. (Room A)

9:00 p.m.
THE WIZARD WORLD NEW ORLEANS COMIC CON LIVE ART SHOW AND AFTER PARTY W/ KODY CHAMBERLAIN AND ROB GUILLORY
Music by DJ Rüs with Jeff Hebert on drums Join us for this special after-hours event hosted by Kody Chamberlain (Sweets, 30 Days of Night) and Rob Guillory (Chew), and watch some of your favorite comic artists create original work from start to finish right before your eyes. This is a rare opportunity to hang out, network, and get to know some of the top artists in the business. Who knows, you may even get to own an original masterpiece! This is a free event; must be 18 to enter.
LOCATION: Hey! Café, 4332 Magazine St. (Corner of Magazine & Napoleon Ave.)

Sunday
11:00 a.m. – 11:45 a.m.
JULIE BENZ Q&A
The star of hit shows like “Buffy the Vampire Slayer,” “Dexter” and “No Ordinary Family,” Julie Benz talks to fans about her extensive career, ups and downs in the industry and her thoughts on the new generation of sci-fi and fantasy on television. (Room A)

TERRY MOORE Q&A
The Strangers in Paradise and Echo creator takes fan questions on his plethora of critically acclaimed and fan-favorite comics as well as talks about his upcoming plans. (Room B)

12:00 p.m. – 12:45 p.m.
CLAUDIA CHRISTIAN Q&A PANEL W/ ‘LOOK’ PREVIEW
“Babylon 5” beauty Claudia Christian shares the secrets to her multi-faceted success, and previews a sneak peek of her new Showtime series “Look.” (Room A)

WIZARD ART SCHOOL W/ PHIL JIMENEZ AND JASON PEARSON
Superstar artists Phil Jimenez (Adventure Comics) and Jason Pearson (upcoming Astonishing X-Men) assemble to give out their tips on refining your art, pitching to Marvel and DC, and any other sound advice they can think of about working in comics (Room B)

1:00 p.m. – 1:45 p.m.
RAY PARK Q&A
The “X-Men” and “Star Wars: Episode I—The Phantom Menace” star engages fans in this one-of-a-kind Q&A, where he discusses his extensive film biography and his evolution to genre icon. (Room A)

STORYTELLING W/ MICHAEL GOLDEN
No matter if you’re a writer, artist or a reader of comics, come for this sit-down with one of the most renowned storytellers in the business, Michael Golden, as he tells you a few tricks of the trade that will help you no matter what type of story you tell or enjoy, in whatever medium. It’s a rare opportunity to talk with the co-creator of X-Men’s Rogue, and groundbreaking penciler on such projects as Bucky O’Hare, The ‘Nam, Micronauts, G.I. Joe, and much more. (Room B)

2:00 p.m. – 2:30 p.m.
WIZARD SPOTLIGHT: LOUIS GOSSETT JR.
Screen legend and Academy Award winner Louis Gossett Jr. (“Officer and a Gentleman,” “The Punisher,” “Iron Eagle,” “Enemy Mine”) joins the Wizard World Comic Con Tour and sits down for this exciting Q&A, telling the behind-the-scenes stories from the set and answering the questions you’ve always wanted to ask. (Room A)

MIKE GRELL AND MARK RYAN
The legendary comics icon behind classic Legion of Super-Heroes Tales and Warlord, Mike Grell, teams up with Transformers voice actor Mark Ryan (the voice of Bumblebee) to answer fan questions. (Room B)

3:00 p.m. – 3:45 p.m.
WALTER KOENIG Q&A
The original “Star Trek” series’ Pavel Chekov, Walter Koenig beams into this Q&A, where he’ll answer any and all questions from the elite Trek fans at New Orleans Comic Con. (Room A)

JAMES O’BARR Q&A
The Crow creator talks about his dark creation, new comics and the plans for a new Crow franchise in the movies. (Room B)

4:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.
‘WALKING DEAD’ Q&A W/ CHANDLER RIGGS, KEISHA TILLIS AND ADRIAN KALI TURNER
AMC’s ambitious horror series, based on Robert Kirkman’s ultra-hot zombie series from Image, now comes to life from director Frank Darabont (“The Green Mile”)! Check out amazing behind-the-scenes footage and extended clips along with a Q&A with stars from AMC’s show. (Room A)

The New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center is located at 900 Convention Center Blvd. in New Orleans. New Orleans Comic Con is the first stop on Wizard’s 2011 North American tour, which to date has 13 events scheduled. Hours are Saturday, Jan. 29, 10 a.m. – 7 p.m.; and Sunday, Jan. 30, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.. Tickets are available in advance or by calling 1-866-882-5860 and online at www.wizardworld.com/neworleans.html at up to a 15% savings over tickets purchased at the door. Advance adult single-day tickets are $25 ($30 on site); two-day weekend tickets are $40 ($45 on site), and tickets are free for children age 10 and under when accompanied by a paid adult (limit two children per adult). VIP packages with special entry and exclusive items are also available.

The freshly renovated New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center is an essential component of what makes the city’s major business events so successful. With 1.1 million square feet of contiguous exhibit space, the Convention Center is the sixth largest convention facility in the nation, and it consistently ranks in the country’s top ten of facilities that hold the most conventions and trade shows annually.

About Wizard Entertainment:
Gareb Shamus founded Wizard Entertainment in 1991. Today, Shamus publishes consumer magazines Wizard, ToyFare, FunFare and numerous books about pop-culture’s top talent, comic books and toys. Shamus also produces a North American Comic Con tour. Wizard World Comic Con – The Pop-Culture Capital of the World!

For the most recent event information please visit www.wizardworld.com and become a New Orleans Comic Con Fan on Facebook.

SDCC Announces 2nd Wave of Special Guests for 2011

Press Release:

More Special Guests Announced for Comic-Con 2011

Jones, Kenyon, Morrison, and Steranko added to San Diego Event

San Diego – Comic-Con International: San Diego (Comic-Con), the largest comic book convention of its kind in the world, has announced two dozen additional special guests for this year’s convention. Artist Joëlle Jones, author Sherrilyn Kenyon, writer Grant Morrison, and writer/artist/publisher Jim Steranko join 20 fellow comics creators who have recently committed for Comic-Con 2011 in San Diego.

The first wave of 20 special guests was announced by Comic-Con in October of last year.

“We received great feedback from comics fans with our initial announcement,” said David Glanzer, Comic-Con’s director of marketing and public relations. “The addition of more special guests to an already stellar roster showcasing the best in the comics community is something our attendees have come to expect.”

Comic-Con 2011 will be held July 21-24 at the San Diego Convention Center. Passes to the show’s Preview Night on July 20 were sold out during this summer’s 2010 convention, although more four-day passes with Preview Night may be released closer to the show, depending on returns or cancellations. While there is still no specific date for the opening of general registration, Comic-Con expects it to occur before the end of January.

For the running list of 2011 special guests visit http://www.comic-con.org/cci/cci_guests.php.

Following are the 24 new guests confirmed with today’s announcement:

Sergio Aragonés (cartoonist, Groo, MAD magazine)

Ed Benes (artist, Justice League of America, Birds of Prey)

Anina Bennett (writer/editor, Heartbreakers, Boilerplate)

Yves “Balak” Bigerel (French writer/artist, Lord of Burger)

Chester Brown (writer/artist, Yummy Fur, Louis Riel, Paying for It)

Ernie Chan (artist, Conan, Batman, Jonah Hex)

Jo Chen (artist, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Runaways, Xbox Fable)

Seymour Chwast (illustrator, graphic designer)

Dick DeBartolo (writer, MAD magazine)

Tony DeZuniga (artist, Jonah Hex, Conan the Barbarian)

Eric Drooker (painter, graphic novelist, Flood, Blood Song, Howl)

Mark Evanier (writer, comics historian, Kirby: King of Comics)

Joyce Farmer (cartoonist, Wimmen’s Comix, Special Exits)

Paul Guinan (artist, Heartbreakers, Boilerplate)

Joëlle Jones (artist, You Have Killed Me, Troublemaker)

Sherrilyn Kenyon (author, Dark-Hunter series, Lords of Avalon series)

Richard A. and Patricia Lupoff (writers, fanzine pioneers)

Patrick McDonnell (cartoonist, Mutts)

Grant Morrison (writer, All Star Superman, Batman Incorporated)

Alex Niño (artist, Conan, Heavy Metal, God the Dyslexic Dog)

Steranko (writer/artist/publisher, Nick Fury Agent of S.H.I.E.L.D., Prevue)

Cameron Stewart (artist, Seaguy, Seven Soldiers; writer/artist, Sin Titulo)

Dave Stewart (award-winning colorist)

About Comic-Con International:
Comic-Con International: San Diego (Comic-Con), the largest comic book convention of its kind in the world, is a nonprofit educational organization dedicated to creating awareness of, and appreciation for, comics and related popular art forms, primarily through the presentation of conventions and events that celebrate the historic and ongoing contribution of comics to art and culture. In addition to its San Diego convention each summer, Comic-Con organizes the San Francisco-based WonderCon each spring and the Alternative Press Expo each fall. On the web: Comic-Con.org, Facebook.com/comiccon, Twitter.com/comic_con.

Wizard World New Orleans Comic Con Lines Up Headliners for 2011

Press Release:

James Marsters, Julie Benz, Louis Gossett Jr., Ray Park, Adam West, Burt Ward, Billy Dee Williams, Peter Tork Among Headliners At Wizard World New Orleans Comic Con, January 29-30 At New Orleans Morial Convention Center

Nicholas Brendon, Clare Kramer, Kelly Donovon Add to “Buffyfest New Orleans”; Ernie Hudson, Robyn Griggs, Claudia Christian, Walter Koenig Among 150+ Celebrity Guests, Leading Comics Artists, Creative Directors

NEW YORK and NEW ORLEANS, December 2010 – Wizard World New Orleans Comic Con opens the 2011 season for North America’s largest pop-culture tour, January 29-30 at the New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center, in grand style, with superstar guests James Marsters, Julie Benz, Louis Gossett Jr., Ray Park, Adam West, Burt Ward, Billy Dee Williams and Peter Tork headlining the stellar list. The event will bring together thousands of fans of all ages and dozens of celebrities and industry professionals to celebrate the best in pop culture, movies, comics, toys, video gaming, television, gaming, original art, collectibles, contests and more.

Benz, who has also starred in “Dexter,” “No Ordinary Family,” and “Desperate Housewives,” and Marsters will be part of a “Buffyfest,” which has proven popular at other Wizard World shows and will include other “Buffy: The Vampire Slayer” stars Nicholas Brendon, Clare Kramer, James Leary and Kelly Donovan in New Orleans.

“We are excited to be bringing all these stars and the best comic creators to New Orleans,” said Gareb Shamus, Wizard World CEO. “We feel like fans there have been waiting for an event like New Orleans Comic Con to come to their backyard, and we are ready for a big first year.”

Other popular New Orleans Comic Con celebrity guests include Ernie Hudson (GHOSTBUSTERS), Walter Koenig (“Star Trek”), Robyn Griggs (“Another World,” “One Life to Live”), Claudia Christian (“Look”; “Babylon 5”), Mark Ryan ( TRANSFORMERS 1 and 2) and Cynthia Scott (ALIENS).

Fans can also meet their favorite comic creators and artists, including Kaare Andrews (“Astonishing X-Men”, “Iron Man”), Kody Chamberlain (“Sweets,” “Punks”), John Dell (“JLA,” “Adventure Comics”), Michael Golden (“Wolverine: First Class,” “New Exiles”), Mike Grell (“Green Lantern,” “Green Arrow”), Rob Guillory (“Chew”), Phil Jimenez (“Amazing Spider-Man,” “Astonishing X-Men”), John Layman (“Chew,” “Puffed”), Rob Liefeld (“Deadpool,” “Youngblood”), David Mack (“Kabuki,” “Daredevil”), Joe Madureira (“Darksiders,” “Uncanny X-Men”), Kevin Maguire (“Justice League,” “Batman Confidential”), Terry Moore (“Strangers in Paradise,” “Echo”), Yanick Paquette (“Batman,” “Superman”), Steve Scott (“X-Men Forever,” “Wolverine”) Bill Sienkiewicz (“Elektra,” “Assassin”), Cameron Stewart (“Batman & Robin,” “Catwoman”), Arthur Suydam (“Marvel Zombies,” “Batman”), Mark Texeira (“Wolverine,” “Spider-Man”), Renee Witterstaetter (“She Hulk,” “Avengers”) and Ethan Van Sciver (“Green Lantern,” “Superman/Batman”).

The New Orleans Comic Con Wrestling section includes the popular Kevin Nash and Booker T.

Children and adult attendees are encouraged to come dressed as their favorite villain, superhero or pop culture personality for the chance to win special prizes in costume contests. Event-goers may also try their hand interactive product exhibits and shop for collectible comics, movie and television memorabilia, toys and games at more than 100 dealer booths.

Special events at New Orleans Comic Con include the “Magic: The Gathering” and Yu-Gi-Oh card game tournaments, professional photo opportunities (Photo Ops), movie screenings with celebrities and others.

The New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center is located at 900 Convention Center Blvd. in New Orleans. New Orleans Comic Con is the first stop on Wizard’s 2011 North American tour, which to date has 13 events scheduled. Hours are Saturday, Jan. 29, 10 a.m. – 7 p.m.; and Sunday, Jan. 30, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.. Tickets are available in advance or by calling 1-866-882-5860 and online at www.wizardworld.com/neworleans.html at up to a 15% savings over tickets purchased at the door. Advance adult single-day tickets are $25 ($30 on site); two-day weekend tickets are $40 ($45 on site), and tickets are free for children age 10 and under when accompanied by a paid adult (limit two children per adult). VIP packages with special entry and exclusive items are also available.

The freshly renovated New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center is an essential component of what makes the city’s major business events so successful. With 1.1 million square feet of contiguous exhibit space, the Convention Center is the sixth largest convention facility in the nation, and it consistently ranks in the country’s top ten of facilities that hold the most conventions and trade shows annually.

About Wizard Entertainment:
Gareb Shamus founded Wizard Entertainment in 1991. Today, Shamus publishes consumer magazines Wizard, ToyFare, FunFare and numerous books about pop-culture’s top talent, comic books and toys. Shamus also produces a North American Comic Con tour. Wizard World Comic Con – The Pop-Culture Capital of the World!

Monsters & Dames Returns for Emerald City Comicon 2011

Press Release:

ECCC PR: EMERALD CITY COMICONS’ MONSTERS & DAMES CHARITY ART BOOK RETURNS, BIGGER & BETTER THAN EVER!

Seattle, WA – December 20, 2010 – Debuting again at the upcoming Emerald City Comicon (ECCC) will be the 2011 edition of the shows popular MONSTERS & DAMES art book. The 2011 book not only features an amazing cover by acclaimed illustrator Adam Hughes, but has expanded to a whopping SIXTY (60) pages of brand new illustrations by some of the top illustrators in comics and animation!

Since its inception in 2009, the MONSTERS & DAMES art books and auctions have raised over $10,000.00 for Seattle Children’s Hospital, a premier child health care & pediatric center, recognized as one of the leading hospitals for children. The art book has sold out each year at the convention.

“Helping bring this book to life each year is an incredible experience,” says ECCC Convention Director Jim Demonakos. “Being able to not only create a fun, collectible art book that fans love and at the same time raise a huge amount of money to benefit local children is very rewarding.”

The full-color, 9″x12″, 60-page MONSTERS & DAMES hardcover is limited to 1000 individually numbered copies. The 2011 book features contributions from some of the top creators in the industry, including JG Jones, Geof Darrow, Cully Hamner, Bruce Timm, Humberto Ramos, Guy Davis, Todd Nauck, Frank Cho, Yanick Paquette, Skottie Young, Aaron Lopresti, Cliff Chiang, Mike McKone, Cameron Stewart, Erik Larsen, Chris Giarrusso, Pete Woods, Jonathan Hickman, Sean “Cheeks” Galloway and dozens more! For the complete list of creators involved in this amazing art book, visit http://www.emeraldcitycomicon.com/monstersndames.php

The Ninth Annual EMERALD CITY COMICON, newly expanded to three days, will be taking place March 4th-6th, 2011 at the Washington State Convention & Trade Center in beautiful downtown Seattle, WA.

Wizard World Atlanta Comic Con 2010 Programming Announced

Press Release:

“Walking Dead” Preview, Exclusive “Family Guy” Video, Celebrity Q&A’s Highlight Atlanta Comic Con Programming

Henry Winkler, Pam Grier, Mimi Rogers, Adam West, Burt Ward Among Stars Conducting Panels; Movie Screenings And Debut Of Coolwaters Game Show Also On Tap This Weekend

ATLANTA, November 30, 2010 – Wizard World Atlanta Comic Con today announced its rich, diverse programming schedule, featuring exclusive TV and movie previews and screenings, unique celebrity Q&A’s, movie screenings, game shows, artist schools and more for the event, set for Saturday and Sunday at the Cobb Galleria Centre.

Some of the highlights include:

* Preview of the hot new AMC series “The Walking Dead,” including a Q&A with several of the stars featured in this week’s issue of ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY (Sunday, 2 p.m.)
* Exclusive extended nine-minute preview of “It’s A Trap,” the third installment of the “Family Guy Star Wars Saga” video, introduced by Billy Dee Williams, who will also conduct a Q&A panel (Saturday, noon)
* Rare Q&A panels with Henry Winkler, Pam Grier and Mimi Rogers, as well as popular Comic Con guests Ernie Hudson, Adam West and Burt Ward
* New Trivia Game Show hosted by Coolwaters Productions’ Derek Maki and starring Tom Woodruff Jr., Robert Maillet and Mike Grell (Saturday, 2:30 p.m.)
* Screenings of three full feature films: HYSTERICAL PSYCHO, RARE EXPORTS: A CHRISTMAS TALE and THE LAST LOVECRAFT: RELIC OF CTHULHU
* Wizard Art School and Q&A’s featuring leading artists like Greg Horn, Bill Sinkiewicz, Ethan Van Sciver, Cully Hamner, Michael Golden and others
* The popular adult costume contest and fun kids costume contest with great prizes

Atlanta Comic Con programming will take place in Room 103 and Room 104 of the Cobb Galleria Centre, and is included with admission to the event. Seating for panels is strictly limited and available on a first come first serve basis and each room will be cleared between panels. The full schedule is below:

Saturday

11:00am-12:00pm
ROOM 103 Wizard Art School w/ Michael Golden
No matter if you are a writer, artist, or a reader of comics, come for this sit down with one of the most renowned storytellers in the business, Michael Golden, as he tells you a few tricks of the trade that will help you no matter what type of story you tell or enjoy in whatever medium. Rare opportunity to talk with the co-creator of Rogue, and groundbreaking penciler on such projects as “Bucky O’Hare,” “The ‘Nam,” “Micronauts,” “G.I. Joe,” and much more. Q & A will follow.

12:00pm-1:30pm
ROOM 103 Billy Dee Williams Q&A with Family Guy Exclusive Screening
Lando lands at Atlanta Comic Con, as the coolest man in Star Wars history sits down to take fan questions. Following the Q&A, stay around for an exclusive nine-minute look at “It’s a Trap” the “Return of the Jedi” of the “Family Guy Star Wars Saga”—following in the fine tradition of “Blue Harvest” and “Something, Something, something Darkside.” “It’s a Trap” features Peter Solo, Chris Skywalker, Princess Lois, Stewie Vader…and some surprising new faces. Family Guy star Adam West will also be there to introduce this Atlanta Comic Con exclusive.
“It’s a Trap,” is available on DVD and Blu-ray December 21st!

12:00pm-1:00pm
ROOM 104 Jolly Rogers Artist Panel w/ Tony Harris and Tony Shasteen
The Jolly Roger Studio team lands on the Wizard World Tour for a talk about art in the modern age of comics, the digital vs. traditional movement and why the studio system works for them.

1:30pm-2:30pm
ROOM 103 Pam Grier Q&A
Film and television star, Pam Grier (Smallville, Jackie Brown) leaps into Atlanta Comic Con to answer fan questions about her role as DC Comics’ Amanda Waller and working with Quentin Tarantino.

1:00pm-2:00pm
ROOM 104 Superstars of Wrestling w/ Nash and Lita
Kevin Nash and Lita pile drive and bodyslam your questions into the mat on a Saturday afternoon.

2:30pm-3:30pm
ROOM 103 Coolwaters Productions Game Show
Do you know a lot of movie and comic trivia? Want to win some great signed prizes? Join Coolwaters Productions LLC and a panel of celebrity guests for this cool new game show style event. Come watch 4 celebrities team up with various audience members to play fun games and win cool prizes. Sign up at the Coolwaters booth # 212 or line up at 2:00 PM at Panel Room 103 to become a contestant on Atlanta Comic Con’s new game show!

3:30pm-4:00pm
ROOM 103 Henry Winkler Q&A
The television icon from “Happy Days” and “Arrested Development” looks back on his stellar career and reveals the secret behind the scenes stories from his years on set.

3:00pm-4:00pm
ROOM 104 Artist Panel w/ Cully Hamner, Brian Stelfreze, Laura Martin and Carl Story
Comic book heavy weights Cully Hamner (Red), Brian Stelfreze (Wednesday Comics), Laura Martin (Astonishing X-Men) and Carl Story (Tom Strong) sit down with fans to discuss their upcoming work, tips for breaking into comics and working in the modern age of comics.

4:00pm-4:45pm
ROOM 103 Batman and Robin Q&A
The original ’60s Dynamic Duo reteams for this one-of-a-kind Q&A, where Batman and Robin drop their masks and talk about their lady co-stars, the villains they faced and the wild nights after the show!

4:45 p.m. – 4:55 p.m.
ROOM 103
“The Rite” trailer screening. After Adam West and Burt Ward stick around for a look at this highly anticipated Anthony Hopkins film.

5:00pm-5:30pm
ROOM 103 MLARKY web-based comedy series clips w/ Dan Fogler
MLARKY is a web-based comedy series created by and co-starring Dan Fogler that airs on Atom.com. It’s a parody of both cop shows and video games, and much of the talent is Atlanta-based. Come check it out in this exclusive setting.

5:00pm-6:00pm
ROOM 104 Artist Q&A w/ Joe Linsner
Fan favorite artist Joe Linsner is known for his striking visuals, but in this panel he opens up about his art process, his favorite characters and answers all fans questions.

5:30pm- 7:00pm
ROOM 103 Hysterical Psycho Screening w/ Dan Fogler
HYSTERICAL PSYCHO is Dan Fogler’s feature directing debut, which premiered at the Tribeca Film Festival in 2009. It is due for DVD release in early 2011, but you can get an early look here.

6:00pm-8:00pm
ROOM 104 Adult Costume Contest
Get your best costume together and come on down to Wizard’s Atlanta Comic Con’s costume contest for huge prizes and some of the craziest outfits you’ll see this weekend.

7:00pm- 8:30pm
ROOM 103 Rare Exports: A Christmas Tale Screening
This funny and weird Norwegian fantasy about how Santa Claus is actually an evil demon about to be released from his tomb on Christmas Eve, and only one little boy can stop him. Opening theatrically in NYC/LA on Dec. 3, then due to open in Atlanta in late December, your first look at this project happens at Atlanta Comic Con.

8:30pm-10:30pm
ROOM 103 The Last Lovecraft: Relic of Cthulhu Screening
SHAUN OF THE DEAD meets H.P. LOVECRAFT, as the last surviving decedent of H.P. Lovecraft learns that all of Lovecraft’s writings were true and that he’s the only person who can save the world. The film premiered at Slamdance in January and has been playing the festival circuit ever since. It is due for a February DVD release from Dark Sky Films, but you can see it here in Atlanta first.

Sunday

11:00am-12:00pm
ROOM 103 Shawn Crystal and SCAD Q&A
Black and White Design and Composition for comics: Over the last century, stories of all mediums have tapped into the dynamic visual quality of “heavy blacks.” This workshop will focus on how to control the use of black and white shapes to create dynamic compositions, intriguing character designs, dramatic lighting effects, and complex staging. This will be a lecture-based workshop, filled with visual examples from the mediums masters of black and white comics. If you like Sin City, Hellboy, or 100 Bullets, this is the workshop for you! This workshop will be lead by Shawn Crystal, a Marvel Comics artist and Professor of Sequential Art at the Savannah Colllege of Art and Design (Atlanta campus.).

12:00pm-1:00pm
ROOM 103 Ernie Hudson Q&A
The “Ghostbusters” and “Crow” star shares his memories from the fan favorite films and takes questions about his favorite roles, what happened after the cameras shut down and what’s the deal with the Ghostbuster III flick?

12:00pm-1:00pm
ROOM 104 Artist Q&A w/ Bill Sienkiewicz
Award-winning artist Bill Sienkiewicz (Batman: The Widening Gyre covers) talks technique in this interactive Q&A panel and demonstration.

1:00pm-2:00pm
ROOM 103 Wizard Art School w/ Greg Horn
Superstar Marvel and DC artist Greg Horn (Blackest Night covers) leads a discussion on digital art and takes you through his creative process.

1:00pm-2:00pm
ROOM 104 Mimi Rogers Q&A
The Austin Powers and X-Files star takes fan questions about her memorable roles and talks about her memories from the fan favorite flicks and television series.

2:00pm-3:00pm
ROOM 103 Walking Dead Preview w/ Zombies
AMC’s ambitious horror series, based on Robert Kirkman’s ultra-hot zombie series from Image, now comes to life from director Frank Darabont! Check out this amazing preview of behind-the-scenes footage and extended clips along with a Q&A with stars of AMC’s show.

2:00pm-3:00pm
ROOM 104 Wizard Art School w/ Mike Grell
The legendary comic icon joins fans to discuss his unique art style as well as his take on the industry, from breaking in to breaking down a page.

3:00pm-4:00pm
ROOM 103 Artist Q&A w/ Ethan Van Sciver
The halls are alive with the sound of…”music.” Ethan Van Sciver invites you to spend the hour trapped in a small room discussing cannibalism, Wolverine, deviancy and all manner of filth and disease through the art of song. Not since Liberace has anyone tinkled (its usually tickled…did he want tinkled?) the ivories with such aplomb. Well, Richard Marx was good. But Ethan is good too! Come and see!

4:00pm-5:00pm
ROOM 103 Kids Costume Contest
Bring any kids 10 and under for this special event with great prizes just for families and the youngsters.

4:00pm-5:00pm
ROOM 104 Artist Q&A Panel with Cam Stewart, Humberto Ramos and Koi Turnbull
Superstar artists Cam Stewart (Batman & Robin) Humberto Ramos (Spider-Man) and Koi Turnbull (Terror Inc.) sit down for an exclusive Q&A about breaking into comics, conquering that big project, how they create a page and any other questions fans have about the art of comics.

The Cobb Galleria Centre is located at 2 Galleria Parkway in Atlanta. Atlanta Comic Con is the final stop on Wizard’s eight-city 2010 North American tour. Hours are Saturday, Dec. 4, 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.; and Sunday, Dec. 5, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.. Tickets are available in advance or by calling 1-866-882-5860 and online at www.wizardworld.com/atlanta.html at up to a 15% savings over tickets purchased at the door. Advance adult single-day tickets are $25; two-day weekend tickets are $40, and tickets are free for children age 10 and under when accompanied by a paid adult (limit two children per adult). VIP packages with special entry and exclusive items are also available.

About Wizard Entertainment:
Gareb Shamus founded Wizard Entertainment in 1991. Today, Shamus publishes consumer magazines Wizard, ToyFare, FunFare and numerous books about pop-culture’s top talent, comic books and toys. Shamus also produces a North American Comic Con tour. Wizard World Comic Con – The Pop-Culture Capital of the World!

For the most recent event information please visit www.wizardworld.com and become an Atlanta Comic Con Fan on Facebook.

Lt. Data Beams In to ECCC

Jim Demonakos says in the latest ECCC newsletter:

First off, we’ve added another media guest to the mix, this time it’s Mr. BRENT SPINER, best known for his role as Lt. Commander Data on Star Trek: The Next Generation – plus, he was in Independence Day, cult classic love! He will be appearing all three days!

In the area of comic guests, we have another bunch of guests who’ve never been to ECCC before, including RON GARNEY (Wolverine), MARV WOLFMAN (Crisis on Infinite Earths), CAMERON STEWART (Batman & Robin), DOUG TENNAPEL (Earthworm Jim), CLAY MANN (X-Men Legacy) and tons more! As always, you can view the complete list here…

Boston Comic Con a Phenomenal Success

When you have a guest roster that boasts comic book icons like Jim Lee, Sergio Aragones, and Mike Mignola, one would assume a good turnout. The Boston Comic Con anticipated more attendees by moving to a bigger venue. But no one could have predicted the crush of people who lined up for hours outside the Westin Waterfront on Saturday April 10th. With a record attendance 60% larger than any of the previous shows, the Boston Comic Con was clearly the place to be.

There was an excitement in the air that was felt by fans, artists, and vendors alike. Many observations were made to this show quickly becoming the northeast equivalent of homegrown, comic book central conventions in the vein of Emerald City Comicon, Baltimore Comic Con, and the venerable HeroesCon. “This is the show that put us on the map,” said co-founder Nick Kanieff. 

Newly anointed DC Comics co-publisher Jim Lee was on hand to sign for hundreds of fans, many of whom walked away with a rare and coveted head sketch. He also spoke on a spotlight panel, as did Hellboy creator Mike Mignola, and Eric Powell, creator of The Goon. Eisner Award-nominees JH Williams III, Skottie Young, and Cameron Stewart were all besieged by comic art enthusiasts looking to add sketches and commissions to their collection. And legends like Bill Sienkiewicz, Jim Starlin, and Sergio Aragones met with both fans that have been following their work for decades and those first discovering their work. 

Artist alley was a showcase of the phenomenal talent that New England has to offer. ZombieBomB! co-creator Adam Miller said “The response we received at the Boston Comic Con was amazing! We sold out of our book on the first day of the convention; it was more than we could have hoped for.” Mark Chiarello, Art Director of DC Comics, conducted many portfolio reviews giving advice and encouragement to dozens of artists. He also may have found DC’s next superstar in Jeff Wamester, a local who piqued Chiarello’s interest. 

Overall the reaction has been overwhelmingly positive. In response to the detractors, many of whom got stuck outside on Saturday when the Boston Police Department was concerned about the capacity of the venue, Boston Comic Con assures them that next year’s show will utilize a larger space and feature more programming. As a young show there are always growing pains, particularly when it is a fan-run operation without corporate financial backing. However, most attendees recognize and appreciate the intimacy of the show and the access it gives them to creators. 

This past weekend was a turning point for the Boston Comic Con. After four years of quietly building a convention that New England fans can be proud of, they have established themselves as a destination event. With this kind of momentum built up the next show on April 2-3, 2011 is sure to be one that comic fans absolutely cannot miss. Tell your friends!

(all photos courtesy of Alan Wong. see more photos from Boston Comic Con at the link)

ZombieBomb! Drops at Boston Comic Con

 Boston Comic Con is happy to host the launch of ZombieBomb! from Terminal Press. Series creators Adam Miller and Rich Woodall will be on hand with the first copies available anywhere. Be sure to stop by their booth and pick up the exclusive blank cover edition, ready for sketches.

About ZombieBomb!:
The reanimated brainchild of Adam Miller and Rich Woodall, ZombieBomb!: Dead Not Dead is the first in a series of ZombieBomb! anthologies featuring top creators putting their spin on the cranium-chomping, lumbering legends. Each creative team involved has crafted their own unique interpretation of the subject matter, ensuring fans a diverse and original experience. From classic horror to offbeat alternative to whimsical comedy, the stories and artwork manage to breathe life into the undead and keep the rotting corpses fresh.
 
 
ZombieBomb!: Dead Not Dead features the talents of Shawn McManus (Sandman, Swamp Thing), Tomm Coker (Marvel, DC, Image), Neil Vokes (Marvel, DC, Image), Jack Herman (Terminator, Elementals), Paul Maybury (Image),  Matt Roberts (Image), Jason Copland (Image), Joe Haley (The Underburbs), Narek Gevorgian (Terminal Press, Elite Gudz), Matty Field, Jerry Morrissette, Tony Donley, Tom Whalen, Josh Morrissette, Veronica Hebard, Anthony Schiavino and Steve Jones.
 
 ZombieBomb! Dead Not Dead is available right now at TerminalPress.com. 
 
 Visit the Terminal Press Fan Page 
 
 Visit the ZombieBomb! Fan Page 

About Boston Comic Con:
The Boston Comic Con is in its fourth year of producing independent comic book shows and is committed to bringing the biggest and best comic book show to New England. Previously announced guests include Jim Lee, Mike Mignola, Eric Powell, JH Williams III, Joseph M. Linsner, Sergio Aragones, Amber Benson, Ben Templesmith, Bill Sienkiewicz, Billy Tan, Cameron Stewart, Christopher Golden, Craig Rousseau, Eva Hopkins, Jim Mahfood, Jim Starlin, Joe Jusko, Joe Quinones, Mark Chiarello, Michael Golden, Norman Lee, Skottie Young, Steve Rude, Pat Broderick, and many more!

The Boston Comic Con hosts over 22,000 square feet of vendors selling comic books, toys, posters, trading cards, and other pop culture memorabilia. The event will be held Saturday April 10th and Sunday April 11th at the Westin Waterfront, 425 Summer Street, Boston, MA from 10am to 5pm. Admission is $15 each day. For more information please go to the website.

Sergio Aragonés & Amber Benson Come to Boston Comic Con

With less than a month to go before the convention, Boston Comic Con is happy to announce more guest appearances! It is our privilege to bring to New England a legend of comics, the fastest cartoonist alive, Sergio Aragonés! A mainstay of MAD Magazine for nearly 50 years Sergio’s cartoons have appeared in almost every issue. He is also the creator of Groo the Wanderer, one of the longest-running creator-owned comic book properties, which has outlasted many of the companies that published it. 

We are also excited to welcome our very first media guest Amber Benson. Best known for her role as Tara Maclay, Willow’s ill-fated girlfriend on the hit television series Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Amber also co-wrote the Willow & Tara limited series with fellow guest Christopher Golden for Dark Horse Comics. Currently Amber is directing, producing, and starring in the upcoming film Drones and recently published Cat’s Claw, her second novel in the Calliope Reaper-Jones series. 

Previously announced guests include Jim Lee, Mike Mignola, Eric Powell, JH Williams III, Joseph M. Linsner, Ben Templesmith, Bill Sienkiewicz, Billy Tan, Cameron Stewart, Christopher Golden, Craig Rousseau, Eva Hopkins, Jim Mahfood, Jim Starlin, Joe Jusko, Joe Quinones, Mark Chiarello, Michael Golden, Norman Lee, Skottie Young, Steve Rude, Pat Broderick, and many more! Tell your friends!! 

The Boston Comic Con is in its fourth year of producing independent comic book shows and is committed to bringing the biggest and best comic book show to New England. The Boston Comic Con hosts over 22,000 square feet of vendors selling comic books, toys, posters, trading cards, and other pop culture memorabilia. The event will be held Saturday April 10th and Sunday April 11th at the Westin Waterfront, 425 Summer Street, Boston, MA from 10am to 5pm. Admission is $15 each day. For more information please go to our website.

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