Chris Hemsworth VIP Package for C2E2 2011

Press Release:

CHRIS HEMSWORTH TO HOLD Q & A AT C2E2 ON SATURDAY, MARCH 19th

Convention Officials Reveal Details of Hemsworth VIP Package

Norwalk, CT, March 2, 2011: Australian actor Chris Hemsworth, who will be playing the title role of Thor in Kenneth Branagh’s highly anticipated film version of the Marvel comic book Thor, scheduled for a May 2011 release, will be appearing at the Chicago Comic and Entertainment Expo (C2E2) for an exclusive Q & A on Saturday, March 19th, 2011. The Q & A, which is open to all fans attending C2E2, will take place in the IGN Theater, 11:45am – 12:45pm. Hemsworth is one of several notable personalities whose appearance at C2E2 has recently been announced. It was revealed last week that Patton Oswalt will be performing at the convention on behalf of Comedy Death-Ray on Friday evening, March 18th and noted chef Rick Bayless will be participating in a unique Food and Comics panel on Friday afternoon, March 18th.

Other notable personalities who will be appearing at the convention include Eliza Dushku, Sam Trammell, Tahmoh Penikett, Brian Michael Bendis, China Mieville and Garth Ennis, to name just a few. Officials at C2E2 note that still more personalities and guests will be announced in the coming week. C2E2 will take place March 18 – 20, 2011 in the West Hall of the McCormick Place Convention Center.

Chris Hemsworth’s Q & A is open to all C2E2 attendees, and for those fans wishing to meet the man up close, C2E2 is offering a limited Chris Hemsworth VIP package. The Hemsworth VIP tickets will go on sale tomorrow, March 3, 2011 at 1:00pm EST at www.c2e2.com. Highlights of the package include:

Exclusive Photo Opportunity and Autograph signing with Chris Hemsworth
Guaranteed seating in the Chris Hemsworth Q & A panel
A 3-Day pass to C2E2 providing access to show floor and other events
Please note, Chris Hemsworth will not be holding a public signing at C2E2. His private VIP meet and greet will be his only C2E2 autographing.

ABOUT CHRIS HEMSWORTH: Australian actor Chris Hemsworth is quickly becoming one of the most sought after actors in Hollywood. He made his U.S. film debut in JJ Abrams’ Star Trek, playing the pivotal role of George Kirk alongside Chris Pine, Eric Bana, Zachary Quinto, Zoe Saldana and Karl Urban.

Hemsworth landed the coveted title role of Thor in Kenneth Branagh’s highly anticipated film version of the Marvel comic book Thor, scheduled for a May 2011 release. He will also star in Dan Bradley’s remake of Red Dawn in the role originated by Patrick Swayze in 1984 and the Joss Whedon scripted Cabin in the Woods opposite Richard Jenkins and Bradley Whitford, both for MGM. He will begin production on Marvel’s The Avengers this year, once again starring as Thor.

Hemsworth made a name for himself in Australia as a series regular on the popular television series Home and Away. His performance garnered him the “Most Popular New Male Talent” award at Australia’s TV Week Logie Awards in 2005, in addition to two previous nominations in 2004. His other Australian television credits include Fergus McPhail, The Saddle Club, Marshall Law, Guinevere Jones and Neighbours. Additional film credits include Stephen Milburn Anderson’s Ca$h and the independent short film Tom and Nancy Go Boating.

Hemsworth was born and raised in Australia.

ABOUT REEDPOP: ReedPOP is a boutique group within Reed Exhibitions which is exclusively devoted to organizing events, launching and acquiring new shows, and partnering with premium brands in the pop culture arena. ReedPOP is dedicated to producing celebrations of popular culture throughout the world that transcend ordinary events by providing unique access and dynamic personal experiences for consumers and fans. The ReedPOP portfolio includes: New York Comic Con (NYCC), Chicago Comic and Entertainment Expo (C2E2), Penny Arcade Expo (PAX) East & West, Star Wars Celebration V, New York Anime Festival (NYAF), and UFC Fan Expo. The staff at ReedPOP is a fan based group of professionals producing shows for other fans, thus making them uniquely qualified to service those with whom they share a common passion. ReedPOP is focused on bringing its expertise and knowledge to world communities in North America, South America, Asia and Europe.

Thor himself, Chris Hemsworth, to Appear at C2E2 2011

Chris Hemsworth, star of Marvel’s upcoming Thor and Avengers movies, will be making an appearance at C2E2, the Chicago Comic and Entertainment Expo, on March 19th.

From the C2E2 site:

Chris Hemsworth portrays the Norse God of Thunder in the Marvel Studios upcoming blockbuster Thor, releasing May 6th in theaters. Hemsworth will reprise his role as Thor in Marvel’s 2012 film, The Avengers. He can additionally be seen in Star Trek, Ca$h and the upcoming Cabin In The Woods, and Red Dawn.

Celebrity Authentics is pleased to present Chris Hemsworth at C2E2 on Saturday, March 19. Mr. Hemworth’s appearance will be very limited and will include a personal Meet & Greet and a Question & Answer session with fans. The Q&A will be first come, first served for all attendees in the IGN Theater. The Meet & Greet will be a separate, ticketed event. Ticket details to come soon.

Skottie Young Announces 2011 Convention Schedule

Skottie Young recently updated his website with his list of convention appearances for 2011:

• Emerald City Comic Con- March 4-6

• C2E2- March 18-20

• Planet Comicon- March 26, 27

• Heroes Con- June 3-5

• Cherry Capitol Con- June 25, 26

• SDCC Comic-Con- July 21-24

C2E2 2011 Adds Eliza Dushku and True Blood Cast Members

Press Release:

MORE ENTERTAINMENT CELEBRITY APPEARANCES ARE ANNOUNCED FOR THE CHICAGO COMIC AND ENTERTAINMENT EXPO (C2E2)

Eliza Dushku and Rick Bayless to Participate in Panels; Cast of True Blood in Spotlight Panel on Saturday, March 19

Norwalk, CT, February 16, 2011: Officials at the Chicago Comic and Entertainment Expo (C2E2) have announced more notable guests from the world of entertainment who will participate in the show and take part in panels. Eliza Dushku, the star of Joss Whedon’s Dollhouse will be at C2E2 on both Saturday, March 19 and Sunday, March 20 where she’ll be signing both days and speaking with Dollhouse co-star and previously announced guest of C2E2, Tahmoh Penikett, in a Q & A session on Saturday afternoon. In addition, famed Chef, award-winning author, and popular television personality Rick Bayless will participate in a panel with C.B. Cebulski, writer and talent scout for Marvel, and moderated by Ron Richards of iFanboy and A Taste of Comics. The unique panel, which itself illustrates the broad reach and expansive role of pop culture in the world today, will center on the connections between food and comics on a creative level. Cooking is creativity. Food is art. And that’s the connection to comics. A chef’s knife is the equivalent of an artist’s pencil or brush!

Other guests who have recently been confirmed to appear at C2E2 include Sam Trammell, Kristin Bauer, and Brit Morgan from the cast of the popular HBO series True Blood. Sam, Kristin and Brit will be signing as well as participating in a Q & A spotlight panel on Saturday, March 19. As noted, Tahmoh Penikett was recently announced as a guest at C2E2, along with Jonathan Bernthal, Laurie Holden and Mark Sheppard, who will all be appearing on panels at the show. Other writers, artists, and creators appearing at C2E2 include Brian Michael Bendis, China Miéville, Garth Ennis, and Joe Quesada, among many others. Over 250 artists will be on hand participating in C2E2’s Artist Alley.

C2E2 will take place March 18 – 20 in the South Hall of the McCormick Place Convention Center in Chicago. Autograph tickets are now available at www.c2e2.com.

“Our guests are incredibly talented and they are outstanding in their own fields of endeavor,” notes Lance Fensterman, Group Vice President for ReedPOP and Show Manager for C2E2. “This is what makes the pop culture world so unique. Eliza Dushku and Rick Bayless can both successfully appear at C2E2 because we can provide them with legions of fans. Our strength is in our diversity and we are grateful to our guests as well as our fans for supporting C2E2 and making it as rich and varied as it is!”

Kristin Bauer: Kristin Bauer is best known for her role as Pam on the HBO show True Blood, you might also know her as the voice of Mera in the Justice League TV series, Lt. Laneth on Star Trek Enterprise, Lydia Meyerson on Dark Angel and as Gillian in the Bizarro Jerry Episode of Seinfeld.

Kristin grew up in Wisconsin playing sports, riding horses, and shooting guns. Her father was an avid horseman and gun collector and her mother a housewife involved in charities. Kristin moved to LA and began acting in 1994 after studying fine arts in St. Louis, Boston and New York. She still studies drawing and painting to this day and does commissioned portraits in between shooting and working to better the treatment of animals and God’s greatest artistic creation – “this spaceship we live on called Earth.” She lives in LA with her many rescued animals and her South African husband, Abri van Straten, a singer, song writer, classical guitar player of the band The Lemmings, who is also releasing a solo record in 2009.

Rick Bayless: Most people know him from winning the title of Bravo’s Top Chef Master beating out the French and Italian with his authentic Mexican cuisine. His highly rated on-going Public Television Series, Mexico—One Plate at a Time can be found on television sets coast to coast, and his award-winning, six cookbooks. Rick’s second book, Mexican Kitchen, won the Julia Childs IACP cookbook of the year award in 1996, and his fourth book, Mexico—One Plate at a Time won James Beard Best International Cookbook of the Year award in 2001.

Bayless’s side by side award-winning restaurants in Chicago were founded in 1987. The casual Frontera Grill and the 4-star Topolobampo. In 2007, Frontera Grill won for Outstanding Restaurant by the James Beard Organization. His award-winning Frontera line of salsas, grilling sauces and organic chips can be found coast to coast. On the local front, Rick and his staff began the Frontera Farmer Foundation in 2003 to attract support for small Midwestern farms. Each year, grants are given to our local farmers for capital improvements to their family farms. In 2007 he was awarded the Humanitarian of the Year by the International Association of Culinary Professionals for his work with our local farmers. In 2007, Bayless and his team launched the Frontera Scholarship: a full tuition scholarship that will send a Mexican-American student to Kendall Culinary College to study the culinary arts.

Rick Bayless has won James Beard awards for: Midwest Chef of the Year, National Chef of the Year and Humanitarian of the Year. His cookbook with his now 19 year old daughter, Lanie, titled Rick and Lanie’s Excellent Kitchen Adventures was nominated for a James Beard Award as well as Rick’s latest book Mexican Everyday. Mexico One Plate at a Time is currently in its seventh season on PBS. Bayless recently opened his third restaurant: XOCO—a quick serve LEED certified restaurant featuring house-ground chocolate and wood grilled tortas.

Rick’s latest book, Fiesta at Rick’s (WW. Norton) is currently on the New York Times Best seller list.

Eliza Dushku: Eliza Dushku continues to maintain her leading lady status in Hollywood with roles in a number of prominent film and television projects. She recently was seen starring in Fox’s “Dollhouse,” a series created by Joss Whedon on which Dushku also served as a Producer. Dushku also wrapped production on the psychological thriller Locked In opposite Ben Barnes, Sarah Roemer and Brenda Fricker, in which she plays a former co-worker of Barnes’ character with whom she has an affair.

Dushku’s talents extend far beyond acting. She is currently producing a biopic through her production company Boston Diva Productions. The film titled The Perfect Moment, is based on the life of photographer Robert Mapplethorpe and his rise to fame in the 1970s to his untimely death in 1989. She has brought on two-time Sundance Grand Jury Prize winner, Ondi Timoner to direct and produce alongside her.

Dushku also co-starred with Alan Rickman and Bill Pullman in Bottle Shock, a drama about the birth of the Napa Valley wine country. Additional past film credits include The Alphabet Killer, in which she also served as an Associate Producer, Nobel Son, Wrong Turn, City by the Sea opposite Robert De Niro and Frances McDormand, Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back and the hit cheerleading film Bring it On opposite Kirsten Dunst, among others.

Dushku has also had a very successful television career, starring in a number of hit series with cult-like followings. She first starred as Faith Lehane on Buffy the Vampire Slayer, a slayer much more troubled than the main character Buffy. Though initially planned as a five-episode role, the character became so popular that Dushku stayed on for the entire third season and returned for a two-part appearance the following season. The remainder of her original story arc was played out in the first season of the spin-off Angel. Repentant and rededicated, Faith returned in a number of later episodes of Angel and Buffy. Following these roles Dushku starred in the series, Tru Calling in which she played Tru Davies in yet another powerful female role. Additional television credits include guest starring roles on That 70’s Show and Ugly Betty.

The daughter of an Albanian-American administrator father and Danish-American professor mother, Dushku was raised with ambition in her blood. At the early age of 10, Dushku was discovered by casting agents for the lead role of Alice in the film That Night. In 1993, Dushku landed the role of Pearl alongside Robert De Niro and Leonardo DiCaprio in This Boy’s Life, a role that caught the attention of many in the industry. The following year, she starred with Arnold Schwarzenegger and Jamie Lee Curtis in True Lies, opposite Paul Reiser in Bye Bye, Love and alongside Halle Berry in Race the Sun.

In addition to acting and producing, Dushku is involved with a number of charities, including Camp Hale in Boston and 10,000 Girls School in Kaolack, Senegal. Earlier this year, she traveled to Uganda helping bring awareness to the country. Dushku lives a very active lifestyle and recently completed her first triathlon finishing with a Bronze medal.

Brit Morgan: Brit Morgan stars as Debbie Pelt in season 3 and 4 of the hit HBO show True Blood. Brit got her big break as Lacey Thornfield on the TV show The Middleman.

She is an upcoming young actress. Her acting career began when she left her hometown of New Jersey and drove to Hollywood in her pick up truck after turning 18. She then landed guest spots on CSI:NY and Greek before landing a role on The Middleman. She is also set to star in Beer for My Horses.

Sam Trammell: Sam Trammell is best known for his role as Sam Merlotte on the HBO Show True Blood, Matt Chambers in the 2nd episode of Dexter and as Tim in the movie AVPR: Aliens vs Predator – Requiem.

An intelligent, highly-capable actor, Sam Trammell made inroads on the New York stage while building an intriguing career in mostly independent features. The West Virginia native attended Brown University where he gravitated to acting in his senior year. Trammell made his film debut as an intern at a tabloid TV talk show in the little-seen The Hotel Manor (1994) and kept busy with auditioned and day-player roles on daytime serials. He made his primetime debut with a featured role in the 1996 CBS/Hallmark Hall of Fame presentation Harvest of Fire and won some attention as a man who has an affair with the mother of a friend in Childhood’s End (1996). Returning to NYC, Trammell garnered attention and good reviews for a trio of stage performances. He was compulsive gambler in his Off-Broadway debut Dealer’s Choice, a gay man in My Night With Reg and earned a Tony nomination as the authorial stand-in in the Broadway revival of Eugene O’Neill’s comedy Ah, Wilderness! in 1998. Within months of capturing NYC audiences, the actor reached a wider constituency as the fast-talking ex-con Sonny Dupree in the quirky ABC comedy-drama Maximum Bob. Later that year, Trammell was briefly seen as the youngest son in a large Irish Catholic family in Trinity (NBC). Trammell returned to the stage in 1999, playing the troubled offspring of an award-winning TV actress (essayed by Elizabeth Ashley) in the unsuccessful drama If Memory Serves. 2000, though, proved a better year as the actor had a supporting role as a male hustler in the Sundance-screened Beat, saw the release of Followers, an affecting drama in which he played a would-be pledge to a fraternity who makes several decisions with tragic repercussions, and portrayed twins in the dramatic road movie Fear of Fiction. Trammell rounded out the year garnering rave reviews for his turn as the title character’s male lover in the Off-Broadway play Kit Marlowe, about the Elizabethan playwright.

Tickets for the Chicago Comic and Entertainment Expo may be purchased at www.c2e2.com. Other information about the show, as well as news about ReedPOP, which also organizes New York Comic Con (NYCC) is available at Lance Fensterman’s blog, www.mediumatlarge.net.

ABOUT REEDPOP: ReedPOP is a boutique group within Reed Exhibitions which is exclusively devoted to organizing events, launching and acquiring new shows, and partnering with premium brands in the pop culture arena. ReedPOP is dedicated to producing celebrations of popular culture throughout the world that transcend ordinary events by providing unique access and dynamic personal experiences for consumers and fans. The ReedPOP portfolio includes: New York Comic Con (NYCC), Chicago Comic and Entertainment Expo (C2E2), Penny Arcade Expo (PAX) East & West, Star Wars Celebration V, New York Anime Festival (NYAF), and UFC Fan Expo. The staff at ReedPOP is a fan based group of professionals producing shows for other fans, thus making them uniquely qualified to service those with whom they share a common passion. ReedPOP is focused on bringing its expertise and knowledge to world communities in North America, South America, Asia and Europe.

Adam Hughes Releases His 2011 Convention Schedule

Adam Hughes, cover artist extraordinaire, made his 2011 convention schedule available through his deviartART page:

March 4 – 6……..Emerald City Comic Con in Seattle, WA
March 18 – 20……C2E2 in Chicago, IL
April 1 – 3……..WonderCon in San Francisco, CA
April 30 – May 1…Boston Comic Con in Boston, MA
May21 – 22………BIG WOW! ComicFest in San Jose, CA
June 3 – 5………HeroesCon in Charlotte, NC
July 20 – 24…….San Diego Comic Con in San Diego, CA

C2E2 2011 Adds Walking Dead Actors and Other Celebrities

Press Release:

CELEBRITY APPEARANCES AT THE CHICAGO COMIC AND ENTERTAINMENT EXPO (C2E2) SPAN POP CULTURE UNIVERSE

Guests from Entertainment World to Join Artists, Creators and Writers at Annual Convention

Norwalk, CT, February 2, 2011: The Chicago Comic and Entertainment Expo (C2E2) has today announced that Jonathan Bernthal, Laurie Holden, Mark Sheppard and Tahmoh Penikett will be among the many high profile guests who will be participating in the annual pop culture convention which takes place March 18 – 20, 2011 at the McCormick Place Convention Center in Chicago. These accomplished actors join previously announced writers, artists, and creators including Brian Michael Bendis, China Miéville, Paul Cornell, and Scott Snyder, among others, in representing the depth and breadth of the pop culture universe.

Programming officials at C2E2 note that a major objective at this year’s show has been to diversify the range of talent participating in the convention. Mr. Bernthal, who is best known for his role on the AMC series The Walking Dead, studied at The School of Moscow Art Theatre where he was later discovered by the director of Harvard University’s Institute for Advanced Theatre Training; a human rights advocate, Ms. Holden has numerous theater and screen credits and is also currently playing a role in AMC’s The Walking Dead; Mr. Sheppard is an accomplished musician as well as successful actor; and Tahmoh Penikett has starred in numerous TV and film productions, including Joss Whedon’s Dollhouse. Despite their varied backgrounds, interests and accomplishments, all the guests at C2E2 have contributed significantly to the growth and evolution of pop culture in recent years.

“The talent that we are lining up for C2E2 is representative of the huge influence of pop culture in our world today,” notes Lance Fensterman, Group Vice President for ReedPOP and Show Manager for C2E2. “Our show is a dynamic meeting ground for talent and fans from all walks of life who all share a common sensibility. Jon Bernthal, Laurie Holden, Mark Sheppard and Tahmoh Penikett are at the very top of their game and they are well known in the pop culture universe as well as beyond. We are extremely grateful to them for their participation in our show and I know that there are many fans who will also be very grateful to have this chance to meet them in person!”

Jonathan E. “Jon” Bernthal: Jon Bernthal is an American actor, best known for his role on the AMC television series The Walking Dead. He has performed in over 30 plays regionally and off-Broadway, including many with his own award-winning theatre company Fovea Floods. He has also appeared in several TV shows such as Law & Order: Criminal Intent in 2002, The Class from 2006 – 2007 and The Pacific in early 2010. Bernthal was born and raised in Washington, D.C. where he graduated from the Sidwell Friends School. After high school, he studied at Skidmore College in Saratoga Springs, New York and later attended The School of Moscow Art Theatre, in Moscow, Russia. During his time there, he also played professional baseball in the European Professional Baseball Federation. He was discovered by the director of Harvard University’s Institute for Advanced Theatre Training at the American Repertory Theatre in Moscow and was invited to study for his master’s degree there. He graduated in 2002 from the American Repertory Theatre with a Master of Fine Arts.

Laurie Holden: Heather Laurie Holden is an American-Canadian actress and human rights activist. She is perhaps best known for her roles as Marita Covarrubias on The X-Files, Adele Stanton on The Majestic, Cybil Bennett on Silent Hill, Amanda Dumfries on The Mist, Olivia Murray on The Shield, and now as Andrea on The Walking Dead. The stepdaughter of veteran film director Michael Anderson, Holden traveled the world with her family growing up on various locations and got her first break as Rock Hudson’s daughter in Ray Bradbury’s The Martian Chronicles (1980). Holden was raised in Canada, spent her freshman year at McGill University, then transferred to UCLA to do a BA in Theatre Arts. She is a member of the National Honor Society and was the recipient of the prestigious Natalie Wood Acting Award. She is currently enrolled at Columbia University where she is acquiring her Master of Human Rights degree. Holden has starred in numerous television and film projects and has received worldwide critical acclaim and honorable recognition for her diverse and eclectic choice of roles. Early in her career, Holden made a name for herself by costarring opposite Vanessa Redgrave in the TNT miniseries Young Catherine. Later, she also found some success on the small screen, playing a memorable recurring role on the seminal sci-fi series The X-Files, that of Marita Covarrubias, a mysterious government worker who becomes an informant to Special Agent Fox Mulder starting in the fourth season of that show through the final one (1996-2002). She also had a supporting role, as Mary Travis, opposite Michael Biehn and Ron Perlman in the remake of the MGM classic The Magnificent Seven (1998-2000) for CBS. Holden’s most notable roles include starring opposite Jim Carrey in Frank Darabont’s film The Majestic. Her memorable roles are in such hits as Fantastic Four (where she played Michael Chiklis’ love interest), playing cult hero Cybil Bennett in Christophe Gans’ artistic-horror video game adaptation of Silent Hill, and co-starring as Amanda Dumfries opposite Marcia Gay Harden and Thomas Jane in Stephen King’s The Mist. Holden recently starred as Olivia Murray in FX’s critically acclaimed series The Shield and is also been seen in AMC’s The Walking Dead, based on the graphic novel.

Mark Sheppard: Mark Sheppard was born in London, England and began his film career in Jim Sheridan’s In The Name Of The Father playing Guildford Four member Paddy Armstrong alongside Daniel Day-Lewis. An accomplished musician, he has recorded and played drums for The T.V. Personalities, Nikki Sudden, Robyn Hitchcock, The Barracudas, Light A Big Fire, School Of Fish and They Eat Their Own, among others. On stage, he has won several theatre awards, including The 1992 Drama Critic’s Circle Outstanding Achievement Award for his performance in A Cock & Bull Story. He may be best known for his television work, as Romo Lampkin in Battlestar Galactica, Badger in Joss Whedon’s Firefly, Ivan Erwich in Day 5 of 24, plus roles on The X-Files, CSI, Star Trek: Voyager and a host of other characters in films and television. Sheppard currently plays Jim Sterling opposite Timothy Hutton on TNT’s Leverage, the Director of The Ring Organization in NBC’s Chuck, the Demon Crowley in Supernatural for the CW, and mysterious operative Mr. Valda in SyFy’s Warehouse 13. He has lent his voice to various video games and commercials as well, from The Conduit to Dragon Age: Origins and Bear Grylls’ Man vs. Wild. He will portray Canton Everett Delaware III in the upcoming season of Doctor Who.

Tahmoh Penikett: Tahmoh Penikett has starred as Lieutenant Karl “Helo” Agathon on the Emmy Nominated Sci Fi series Battlestar Galactica for which he received the prestigious Peabody Award. Prior to Battlestar Galactica, Tahmoh joined the cast of the critically acclaimed Canadian series The Cold Squad for their final season. His performance on that series earned him a LEO award nomination. Tahmoh Penikett’s next major public production was Joss Whedon’s sci-fi series Dollhouse. He has also been seen in a Guest Starring capacity in a variety of other series including a recurring Guest Star on Whistler (The N), Smallville (FOX) and The L Word (Showtime ). Penikett starred in the short film, Trapped Ashes, directed by renowned director Monte Hellman, which debuted at the 2006 Cannes Film Festival and he had two films which came out in 2007, Trick ‘r Treat (Warner Bros) and The Green Chain (Movie Central) which debuted at the Vancouver Film Festival. Most recently Tahmoh Penikett played the lead role of Matt Ellman on Syfy’s four-hour TV adaptation of Riverworld. Tahmoh was born in the city of Whitehorse in the Yukon, Canada and his background, which includes strong ties to the Upper Tanana tribe and their traditions, led him to his love of storytelling. He has a very strong connection and devotion to his family with whom he spends time whenever possible.

Customers interested in signing up for Chicago Comic and Entertainment Expo should contact Larry Settembrini at lsettembrini@reedexpo.com. Tickets for C2E2 may be purchased at www.c2e2.com. Other information about the show, as well as news about ReedPOP, which also organizes New York Comic Con (NYCC) is available at Lance Fensterman’s blog, www.mediumatlarge.net.

ABOUT REEDPOP: ReedPOP is a boutique group within Reed Exhibitions which is exclusively devoted to organizing events, launching and acquiring new shows, and partnering with premium brands in the pop culture arena. ReedPOP is dedicated to producing celebrations of popular culture throughout the world that transcend ordinary events by providing unique access and dynamic personal experiences for consumers and fans. The ReedPOP portfolio includes: New York Comic Con (NYCC), Chicago Comic and Entertainment Expo (C2E2), Penny Arcade Expo (PAX) East & West, Star Wars Celebration V, New York Anime Festival (NYAF), and UFC Fan Expo. The staff at ReedPOP is a fan based group of professionals producing shows for other fans, thus making them uniquely qualified to service those with whom they share a common passion. ReedPOP is focused on bringing its expertise and knowledge to world communities in North America, South America, Asia and Europe.

C2E2 2011 Announces Comics Guests

Press Release:

CHICAGO COMIC AND ENTERTAINMENT EXPO (C2E2) ANNOUNCES GUESTS FROM WORLD OF COMICS!!

Paul Cornell and Scott Snyder are among Headliners

Norwalk, CT, December 29, 2010: Paul Cornell (DC’s Action Comics and Batman and Robin), Scott Snyder (Vertigo’s American Vampire) and Doug Mahnke (artist for DC’s bestselling Green Lantern series) are among the early guests from the world of comics to be announced for Chicago Comic and Entertainment Expo (C2E2). They will appear at the new annual pop culture convention as Guests of Honor and will be joined by other comic creators and artists including Tony Moore, Mike Norton, and Jill Thompson. This announcement follows two other recent announcements about leading guests who will be appearing at C2E2. Convention officials note that there will be many more significant guest appearances announced in the coming weeks and months as the show approaches. The next C2E2, which had its debut in Chicago last year, will take place March 18 – 20, 2011 at the McCormick Place Convention Center.

“While the Chicago Comic and Entertainment Expo will include guests from all parts of the pop culture universe, we will never stray too far from our primary objective, which is to provide thousands of fans with the opportunity to meet the absolute best and most respected comic book talent,” notes Lance Fensterman, Vice President for ReedPOP and Show Manager for C2E2. “Comics are what we are all about and I am very grateful to these leading comic creators and artists for participating in our show. We are going to have a huge event in Chicago in March and these great guests are getting us off to a tremendous start!”

PAUL CORNELL: Paul Cornell is a writer of prose, comics and television, the only person to be Hugo Award nominated for all three. He writes Action Comics, Batman and Robin and Knight and Squire for DC Comics.

DOUG MAHNKE: Born in the Year of the Rabbit, Doug Mahnke embarked on a love affair with comics at the age of five, having received a pile of Spider-Man issues from a rugby-playing college student named Mike who lived in his basement. A consistent interest in the medium, coupled with some art skill, landed Doug a job of drawing comics for Dark Horse at the age of 24 (the date is known precisely, as it occurred just two weeks before he wed his lovely bride). His first gig was illustrating the moody detective story entitled Homicide, written by John Arcudi. The two went on to collaborate on Dark Horse’s The Mask and their creator-owned series Major Bummber, originally published by DC. Since then, Doug has worked on a variety of titles (including Superman: The Man of Steel, JLA, Batman, Team Zero, Seven Soldiers: Frankenstein, Black Adam: The Dark Age, Stormwarch: P.H.D. and currently Green Lantern) with such writers as Joe Kelly, Judd Winick, Chuck Dixon, Grant Morrison, Christos Gage, Ed Brubaker, and Geoff Johns. He resides in the Midwest with his wife and seven kids, one dog, and a bunny named Suzie.

TONY MOORE: Tony Moore is a cosmic cowboy and comic creator from a small Kentucky town, where he was raised on a steady diet of fried game, cathode rays, and funnybooks. Moore’s notable illustration work launching The Walking Dead was nominated for two Eisner Awards (2004: Best New Series, and 2005: Best Cover Artist), and The Walking Dead has since become cable’s highest-rated drama, airing on AMC. Moore went on to co-create the booze-fueled space western Fear Agent with Rick Remender at Dark Horse, and the creepy gonzo thriller The Exterminators with Simon Oliver at DC/Vertigo. His recent work includes wild runs on Marvel Comics’ Ghost Rider and Punisher. He spends his days shooting at things in the woods, and helping his wife chase their squealing baby daughter.

MIKE NORTON: Mike Norton has been working in comics for over 10 years now, gaining recognition for projects such as The Waiting Place and Jason and the Argobots. Since 2005, he has made a name for himself working on books like Queen and Country, Gravity, Runaways, All-New Atom, Green Arrow/Black Canary, Trinity, and Billy Batson and the Magic of Shazam. He is currently the artist of DC’s Young Justice series.

SCOTT SNYDER: Scott Snyder is best known for his first collection of stories, Voodoo Heart (Dial Press). Stephen King picked two of the included stories—“Wreck” and “Dumpster Tuesday”—for the 2007 Best American Short Stories anthology shortlist. Snyder teaches writing at Columbia University, NYU and Sarah Lawrence College and is working on a novel called The Goodbye Suit, to be published by Dial in 2011. He lives in New York City. This is his first comic book series and his first NEW YORK TIMES bestselling book.

JILL THOMPSON: A multiple Eisner award winning comic book creator, Jill Thompson has been drawing comics for well over half her life and is proud to have collaborated with many of this industry’s great talents. She has garnered acclaim for her work on titles such as Classics Illustrated, Wonder Woman, Sandman, Finals, The Badger, Death: At Death’s Door, The Little Endless Storybook and Beasts of Burden. She is best known for creating and illustrating The Scary Godmother series of books which not only have been adapted for the stage, but for television as well. The Scary Godmother and The Revenge of Jimmy have enjoyed yearly places on The Cartoon Network’s Halloween holiday rotation. In 2008-2009 Harper Collins released Magic Trixie, Jill’s latest all ages series chronicling the tales of the little witch Magic Trixie, her cat Scratches and the pupils at the Spectral Park Monstersorri School. Jill loves being an ambassador of comics to libraries and schools across the country and often conducts workshops and participates as a guest speaker whenever her schedule allows. One day she will have a large art studio where she can conduct workshops…well, she will if that Lotto ticket comes through! When she’s not writing and illustrating comics, Jill enjoys painting landscapes and city scenes. She also enjoys creating all manner of things, cooking, sewing, knitting, gardening, studying languages, building things and riding her bike. She wishes she had learned how to ride a motorcycle when she had one! More information about Jill can be found at http://www.jillthompsonart.com/ www.jillthompson.blogspot.com or you can follow her on Facebook or on Twitter as thejillthompson.

Customers interested in signing up for Chicago Comic and Entertainment Expo should contact Larry Settembrini at lsettembrini@reedexpo.com. Tickets for C2E2 may be purchased at www.c2e2.com. Other information about the show, as well as news about ReedPOP, which also organizes New York Comic Con (NYCC) is available at Lance Fensterman’s blog, www.mediumatlarge.net.

ABOUT REEDPOP: ReedPOP is a boutique group within Reed Exhibitions which is exclusively devoted to organizing events, launching and acquiring new shows, and partnering with premium brands in the pop culture arena. ReedPOP is dedicated to producing celebrations of popular culture throughout the world that transcend ordinary events by providing unique access and dynamic personal experiences for consumers and fans. The ReedPOP portfolio includes: New York Comic Con (NYCC), Chicago Comic and Entertainment Expo (C2E2), Penny Arcade Expo (PAX) East & West, Star Wars Celebration V, New York Anime Festival (NYAF), and UFC Fan Expo. The staff at ReedPOP is a fan based group of professionals producing shows for other fans, thus making them uniquely qualified to service those with whom they share a common passion. ReedPOP is focused on bringing its expertise and knowledge to world communities in North America, South America, Asia and Europe.

C2E2 2011 VIP Tickets Going On Sale

Press Release:

VIP TICKETS FOR CHICAGO COMIC AND ENTERTAINMENT EXPO ON SALE DECEMBER 10, 2010

VIP Ticket Serves as Exclusive 3-Day Weekend Pass

Norwalk, CT, December 9, 2010: Officials at Chicago Comic and Entertainment Expo (C2E2) have announced that VIP tickets for C2E2 will go on sale at 12 noon Friday, December 10, 2010. As always, there will be a limited number of tickets available so customers are encouraged to buy their tickets quickly. The tickets may be purchased via the C2E2 web site, www.c2e2.com.

The Chicago Comic and Entertainment Expo, which had its debut in Chicago last year, will take place March 18 – 20, 2011 at the McCormick Place Convention Center.

The VIP Ticket cost is $150 and its privileges include:

* An exclusive badge that functions as a 3-day pass
* First access to the show floor (Note: this is not early access. VIP’s will be allowed on the floor first, but not early.)
* Official C2E2 Show Poster signed by Ivan Reis
* VIP Lounge (private coat check, private ATM, refreshments, lounge area)
* Oversized re-usable C2E2 shopping bag
* Marvel C2E2 variant comic
* 10% discount on all C2E2 show store merchandise

Regular tickets for C2E2 may also be purchased at www.c2e2.com. Other information about the show, as well as news about ReedPOP, which also organizes New York Comic Con (NYCC) is available at Lance Fensterman’s blog, www.mediumatlarge.net.

ABOUT REEDPOP: ReedPOP is a boutique group within Reed Exhibitions which is exclusively devoted to organizing events, launching and acquiring new shows, and partnering with premium brands in the pop culture arena. ReedPOP is dedicated to producing celebrations of popular culture throughout the world that transcend ordinary events by providing unique access and dynamic personal experiences for consumers and fans. The ReedPOP portfolio includes: New York Comic Con (NYCC), Chicago Comic and Entertainment Expo (C2E2), Penny Arcade Expo (PAX) East & West, Star Wars Celebration V, New York Anime Festival (NYAF), and UFC Fan Expo. The staff at ReedPOP is a fan based group of professionals producing shows for other fans, thus making them uniquely qualified to service those with whom they share a common passion. ReedPOP is focused on bringing its expertise and knowledge to world communities in North America, South America, Asia and Europe.

C2E2 2011 Announces Brian Michael Bendis as Guest of Honor

Press Release:

CHICAGO COMIC AND ENTERTAINMENT EXPO ANNOUNCES FIRST GUESTS FOR SHOW ON MARCH 18 – 20, 2011

Brian Michael Bendis is Guest of Honor!

Norwalk, CT, November 19, 2010: Officials at Chicago Comic and Entertainment Expo (C2E2) have today announced the first guests who will be participating at the next show which will take place March 18 – 20, 2011 at Chicago’s McCormick Place Convention Center. Marvel Comics writer Brian Michael Bendis, whose work includes Avengers, Secret Invasion, and Siege, will serve as a Guest of Honor and will be joined by Featured Guests including Franco Aureliani, Art Baltazar, Katie Cook, Geof Darrow, and Tim Seeley. C2E2 organizers note that this is the first of a long list of artists, creators and special guests whose participation in C2E2 will be announced over the next several months. C2E2 was launched last year and over 400 artists and guests were on hand to meet the thousands of fans who came to the inaugural event in Chicago. This year, the convention will move to the new West Building of McCormick Place where even more guests and a bigger audience may enjoy the pop culture extravaganza.

“We are incredibly grateful to these talented individuals, many of whom are the very best at what they do, for making a commitment to appear at our show,” notes Lance Fensterman, Group Vice President for ReedPOP and Show Manager for C2E2. “Brian Michael Bendis is one of the biggest and most impressive names in comics today and we’re honored to have him and the other Featured Guests at C2E2. We’re going to deliver another spectacular show, a quality, professional event that brings top artists and creators from across the country together with their many fans – and this is just our first announcement! We will have plenty more guests to announce in the coming weeks and months.”

FRANCO AURELIANI: Franco was born in 1492 aboard the cruise ship Santa Maria. He currently resides in Nueva York with his wife and son in a warm ranch style house with white picket fence. He spends most of his time in his Batcave like studio and emerges occasionally to yell at people and stuff. He is the creator, artist and writer of Weirdsville and the co-creator and writer of Patrick the Wolf Boy. Recently he has worked on titles for DC Comics including but not limited to BILLY BATSON and the MAGIC of SHAZAM, YOUNG JUSTICE and the New York Times bestseller, Eisner award winning series TINY TITANS…Aw Yeah!

ART BALTAZAR: Art started his funky secret art studio in 1994 with the his self-published comic book …”The Cray-Baby Adventures”. Since then, he created other comics such as “Gyro-Man”, “Captain Camel & the Space Chicken”, “Jimmy Dydo”, “Lunar Lizard”, “Meteor Mite” and the famous, “Patrick the Wolf Boy”. Currently, Artie is the creative force behind The New York Times Best Selling, Eisner Award Winning DC Comics’ TINY TITANS, Co-Writer for Billy Batson and the Magic of SHAZAM, and Artist/Co-Writer for the awesome TINY TITANS/Little ARCHIE crossover! From small press to mainstream in a heartbeat!

BRIAN MICHAEL BENDIS: Bendis is an award-winning comics creator and one of the most successful writers working in mainstream comics. For the last ten years, Brian’s books have consistently sat on the top of the nationwide comic and graphic novel sales charts. Brian is currently helming a renaissance for Marvel’s Avengers franchise by writing both Avengers and New Avengers along with the wildly successful event projects House of M, Secret Invasion, Siege, and the highly anticipated DEATH OF SPIDER-MAN. Brian is one of the premiere architects of Marvel’s Ultimate line of comics, a line of comics specifically created for the new generation of comics reader, and he has written every issue of Ultimate Spider-Man since its best-selling launch in 1999. Brian’s other projects include Scarlet and the Eisner-Award-winning Powers, both from Marvel’s creator-owned imprint Icon. He lives in Portland, Oregon with his wife, Alisa, his gorgeous daughters, Olivia and Sabrina, and his dogs, Shroeder, Lucky, and Buster.

KATIE COOK: Katie Cook is a comic book artist and illustrator living in Ann Arbor, MI. She is best known for her work in the the Star Wars universe and for her work on the Fraggle Rock comic, but has worked on licenses like DC Comics, Marvel Comics, The Lord of the Rings and more. You can see more about Katie, her art, and her cats at www.katiecandraw.com.

GEOF DARROW: Geof was born and raised in Cedar Rapids, Iowa has never voted republican or watched the film Sound of Music. He has worked in animation for Hanna-Barbera studios as a character designer on such varied shows as Smurfs and Super Friends, before moving to France and working Moebius on various projects. He then published his first comics works for Metal Hurlant and Moebius own publishing house during the 80s Aedena. Through Moebius he met Frank Miller with whom he co-created the works Hard Boiled and The Big Guy and Rusty the Boy Robot. He became implicated in Hollywood production design with the Matrix Trilogy of films and has worked on and off again as a concept artist for various Hollywood projects, some filmed some stuck in development and currently serving as overhead protection for studio profits. He is currently trying to do new comic book works aimed at reducing methane gas emissions in greater metropolitan areas everywhere with varied degrees of success complicated by diet. He has won some awards but, as mentioned before, he has never voted for a republican and considers this his proudest and most lucid achievement.

TIM SEELEY: Tim Seeley is a comic book artist and writer living in Chicago. He has drawn for Marvel, DC, and Devil’s Due. He is the creator of the comics HACK/SLASH, LOADED BIBLE and COLT NOBLE. He is the current artist of Wildstorm’s WILDCATS and writer/artist of Marvel’s ANT-MAN & WASP.

Customers interested in signing up for Chicago Comic and Entertainment Expo should contact Larry Settembrini at lsettembrini@reedexpo.com. Tickets for C2E2 may be purchased at www.c2e2.com. Other information about the show, as well as news about ReedPOP, which also organizes New York Comic Con (NYCC) is available at Lance Fensterman’s blog, www.mediumatlarge.net.

ABOUT REEDPOP: ReedPOP is a boutique group within Reed Exhibitions which is exclusively devoted to organizing events, launching and acquiring new shows, and partnering with premium brands in the pop culture arena. ReedPOP is dedicated to producing celebrations of popular culture throughout the world that transcend ordinary events by providing unique access and dynamic personal experiences for consumers and fans. The ReedPOP portfolio includes: New York Comic Con (NYCC), Chicago Comic and Entertainment Expo (C2E2), Penny Arcade Expo (PAX) East & West, Star Wars Celebration V, New York Anime Festival (NYAF), and UFC Fan Expo. The staff at ReedPOP is a fan based group of professionals producing shows for other fans, thus making them uniquely qualified to service those with whom they share a common passion. ReedPOP is focused on bringing its expertise and knowledge to world communities in North America, South America, Asia and Europe.

Kick-Ass Cast Members Confirmed for Friday at C2E2 2010

Press Release:

CAST MEMBERS OF KICK-ASS TO APPEAR AT C2E2 ON FRIDAY, APRIL 16!!

Norwalk, CT, April 12, 2010: C2E2, Lionsgate, and IGN will jointly present the Chicago premiere of Kick-Ass on Thursday, April 15. This red carpet event will feature appearances by and a Q&A with Aaron Johnson (Kick-Ass), Chloe Moretz (Hit Girl), and Christopher Mintz-Plasse (Red Mist).

Tickets to the Chicago Kick-Ass premiere are no longer available, but the three cast members are then all coming to C2E2 on Friday to meet fans and sign autographs!

C2E2, Lionsgate and IGN are proud to announce a special Kick-Ass autograph signing at C2E2 on Friday, April 16!

Aaron, Chloe, and Christopher will be signing Friday, April 16th at 2 PM in Room E252 in Lakeside Center in McCormick Place. Free tickets to the autographing will be handed out to the first 100 C2E2 badge holders in line outside of E252 starting at 1 PM.

While we have no doubt fans will want Aaron, Chloe, and Christopher to sign every issue of Kick-Ass, fans should bring one item to be autographed.

For information on C2E2′s other autographings, visit www.c2e2.com/en/autographs.

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