Long Beach Comic Expo Announces Special Guests, Sponsorships, and Programming for 2016

Press Release:

LONG BEACH COMIC EXPO ANNOUNCES SPECIAL GUESTS, SPONSORSHIPS AND PROGRAMMING HIGHLIGHTS FOR FEBRUARY 20 & 21

February 15, Long Beach, CA – In advance of Long Beach Comic Expo, Mad Event Entertainment unveils an all star guest line up, along with sponsors, innovative programs and new partners, in preparation for the 7th annual Long Beach Comic Expo this coming weekend. The Expo will play host to more than 120 guests and 80 panels and will take over two exhibit halls of the Long Beach Convention Center.

Special Guests

Long Beach Comic Expo recognizes the following special guests for their unparalleled excellence in the realm of both comic books and animation. As comic book culture remains at the core of Long Beach Comic Expo, we are proud to announce the following special guests appearing at this year’s show:

• Fabian Nicieza, co-creator of Marvel’s DEADPOOL, which premiered in theaters on February 12, 2016;

• Chris Claremont, writer of THE UNCANNY X-MEN, of the most beloved and influential comics series in the history of the medium;

• Jimmy Palmiotti and Amanda Conner, bestselling co-writers of DC entertainment’s HARLEY QUINN and co-creators of SUPER ZERO from Aftershock Comics;

• Rachel and Terry Dodson, comic book artists on STAR WARS: PRINCESS LEIA, TEEN TITANS, and HARLEY QUINN;

• Jae Lee, Eisner award-winning artist of Marvel’s INHUMANS, FANTASTIC FOUR; 1234, and DC’s BEFORE WATCHMEN, BATMAN/SUPERMAN

• Greg Weisman, acclaimed animation writer and producer of STAR WARS: REBELS; YOUNG JUSTICE, and more. Author of the fan favorite RAIN OF GHOSTS YA novels;

Click here for a complete list of guests.

Show Sponsors

• Long Beach Comic Expo is proud to welcome Academy of Art as its newest Premier Sponsor. Academy of Art University is the largest private art and design school in the United States; offering classes online and at their expansive San Francisco campus. Join them at their booth to discuss education, applying, and careers in illustration, animation, game design, costume design and much more. Several Academy of Art artists will be in attendance, presenting demos and instructing in live drawing sessions.

• Additional sponsors include: Bernina, Comicraft, Lyft, SGX Pring, Sun Newspapers, and Triple 9.

Program Highlights

As in past years, attendees will be treated to a wide array of programming (Click to download a PDF of the programming schedule). Highlights include:

* The return of Space Expo, featuring two days of workshops and panels presented by the Columbia Memorial Space Center.

* Publisher panels featuring writers and artists from DC, Marvel, Dark Horse, and Image.

* #MakeComics workshops where aspiring writers and artists and fans can learn the entire process of making comics from comic book greats all weekend long. Topics include How to Build a Portfolio, Breaking Into Comics, Writing and Marketing.

* The second annual Dwayne McDuffie Award for Diversity event with renowned reporter (THE HOLLYWOOD REPORTER) and acclaimed comic book writer (GENIUS) Marc Bernardin who will be the event’s keynote speaker.

* Amazing animation panels: DISNEY AFTERNOON, GARGOYLES,- and YOUNG JUSTICE, featuring major voice actors.

* GeekFest Film Fest films at Long Beach Comic Expo, the only Los Angeles area venue to host the full slate of programming for the world’s 1st traveling film fest of “geek” films.

* Kids programming including How To Draw Comics for Kids.

* A Saturday night Cosplay Contest and Cosplay panels.

Long Beach Comic Expo has two additional discounts to offer attendees this year. Attendees who present their badge at the popular Aquarium of the Pacific will gain admission to the aquarium for only $9.00, discounted from the normal rate of $29.95! This discount is good, both the weekend of the show, as well as the following weekend. LYFT will be the official car service of this year’s show, offering discounted rides to attendees. Details can be found on site at the show.

Enjoy an exciting weekend full of exceptional guests, exhibitors, and engaging panels, at Long Beach Comic Expo, Saturday, February 20 from 10:00 am – 7:00 pm and Sunday, February 21 from 10:00 am – 5:00 PM at the Long Beach Convention Center. Tickets are available now at www.longbeachcomicexpo.com.

Follow Long Beach Comic Expo on Facebook and Twitter for the latest news and information.

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ABOUT LONG BEACH EXPO: Long Beach Comic Expo is an annual event held at the Long Beach Convention Center that celebrates comic books and pop culture and showcases the exceptional works of talented writers, artists, illustrators and creators of all types of pop culture. At Long Beach Comic Expo, you’ll find exhibitors promoting and selling all types of related products, as well as entertaining and educational programs for all ages, guest signings and meet & greet sessions with celebrities. Long Beach Comic Expo is a MAD Event Management, LLC production. To learn more and purchase tickets, please visit www.longbeachcomicexpo.com.

Rhode Island Comic-Con 2015 Report (with an interview with Chris Claremont)!

I went to Rhode Island to see John and Chris. John is my best friend of 25 years. We have been through it all: four divorces (two each), five marriages (he can make it six), new careers, new houses, and the almost-death of his first son, Jonathan, back in 2000. John and I have been to a number of conventions together (see here, for example), and it was time to add the Rhode Island Comic-Con to our roll.

Chris is Chris Claremont. I love John like a brother, but let’s be clear: Chris is what drew me, a lifelong Southerner, to New England on the cusp of winter (November 5-8). I have been a fan of Chris since high school, when my friend Margot introduced me to a pretty cool comic called The Uncanny X-Men. The first issue I bought was #216. I read it, was hooked, and started buying it each month. My father noticed my zeal, and realizing he could teach investment skills while doing something fun with his soon-to-be-too-old-for-him son, he started advancing me allowances to buy back issues. I learned to grade comics and spot value, and within a year, I owned issues as far back as #12, the first appearance of Juggernaut.

I just realized: that was when Stan Lee was still writing the series.

Eventually, I let my collection stagnate, and then I sold it in 1999 for a couple thousand bucks so I could marry wife #2. (Now I don’t have her or the comics, and guess which I miss more?) But I never forgot my adoration of Chris Claremont. Then I saw he would be in Rhode Island, and I called John, with whom I hadn’t planned a trip all year. John said, “I’m in,” and I thought, You better be.

Rhode Island Comic-Con isn’t as large as San Diego or C2E2, and it isn’t as venerable as, say, DragonCon. But it is on the rise. I had this brought home to me when I talked to Susan Soares, the director of media. She told me she was expecting 60,000 attendees. In 2012, there were 16,000. This is an increase of 275%—in only three years! It is the “largest and most income-generating event in the state,” according to Susan, who expects the convention to keep growing because (1) Rhode Island is not a saturated market, (2) the staff is professional and easy-going, and (3) they advertise the heck out of it.

The growth hasn’t been easy to manage, however. In 2014, the convention made headlines for the wrong reasons, overselling and getting shut down for half a day by the Providence fire marshal (see this link for the full story). I asked Susan how that contretemps would be avoided this year, and she outlined a three-part strategy:

Expansion. Last year’s event was confined to the convention center in downtown Providence. This year, they planned to situate some elements (like the dealer room) in the adjacent Dunkin Donuts Center.

Day 3. Instead of being Saturday and Sunday only, this year’s convention would start on Friday.

Scanned badges. Using the New York Comic-Con model, convention employees would scan badges as people enter and exit. This would allow them to track how many people are in the convention center at any time, thereby not exceeding capacity and getting shut down.

Overall, the strategy was a success. They had sold out of Saturday one-day tickets by 11:00am on Saturday, but I heard no other accounts of people being turned away. There were, however, navigation problems. In a convention spread across two buildings, I was surprised by the dearth of directional signs. Plus there were no printed maps—the only map was on the mobile app—so all weekend, I heard people murmuring “Where is the dealer room?” or “I can’t find Vic Mignogna’s table!”

After two circumnavigations of artist alley, I found Chris Claremont, who had been gracious enough to agree to an interview.

Me: Chris, I want you to know: you are the reason I am at this convention. I wanted to see you. Princess Leia? Pssssh. Besides, she cancelled.

Chris: Oh, really? She cancelled?

Me: Yeah. [And she wasn’t the only one. Nearly a dozen celebrities were quietly flensed from the web site as of Friday morning. I’m used to one or two no-shows, but double digits?]

Chris: The funniest thing I’ve heard is the projected opening weekend gross for that film global is one billion. I saw the very first show of Star Wars at the Astor Plaza in New York, and it was empty. It gradually filled up, but there were empty seats, and we figured, nice movie when it started, but when it finished, it was like, holy shit. We walked out the door, and the line was four-deep around the block, and it didn’t go away for about three months.

Me: Speaking of movies, what do you think about Marvel’s movies, especially X-Men?

Chris: So far, Marvel has done very, very well. Kevin Feige is a brilliant film exec. Lauren Shuler-Donner is a brilliant film exec. Between the two of them, they have nailed the Marvel pantheon. The X-Men movies maybe aren’t as financially lucrative as The Avengers. On the other hand, the casting of them is breathtaking, from the first X-Men to Days of Future Past—and, from all accounts, Apocalypse. Kevin, by the same token, starting with Iron Man, it’s been an incredible ride. I mean, Ant-Man? Who would have thought Ant-Man?

Me: Ant-Man was good.

Chris: That’s the point. It was good. And, more importantly, the actors playing the roles seem to enjoy the experience. They want to come back for more.

Me: Did you have any involvement in the X-Men movies?

Chris: Well, I helped crystallize the deal that got it all started back in the beginning, when I was briefly an executive at Marvel. I provided north of 80 percent of the source material for the characters. I mean, they’re all my guys and gals. And two-thirds of them are pretty much straight adaptations of my work. I suppose you could honestly say it was all my fault.

Me: And we’re very grateful.

Chris: Actually, the funny part is, every so often I sneak into the Marvel movies. Scarlett Johannson’s secret identity in Iron Man 2, when she walks into Tony’s house and is introduced as Natalie Rushman . . . well, Natalie Rushman is a secret identity that I invented for the Black Widow when she did a four-part team-up where she had lost her memory as the Black Widow and thought she was a schoolteacher from Boston named Natalie Rushman [this takes place in Marvel Team-Up #82-85, and the alias is actually Nancy Rushman].

Me: Cool. Switching gears a little, you’ve written comic books, and you’ve written prose novels. What’s the difference in writing the two?

Chris: When you’re writing comics, the writer’s job is to tell the story to the visual artist. All the work that goes into writing a novel goes into describing the scene. [He opens a copy of Marada the She-Wolf. A Red Sonja-like character, Marada was created by Chris and the English artist John Bolton.] So it’s describing this scene so that John Bolton could bring it to life brilliantly. Which he does. It’s giving him the sequence of events and allowing him to do what he does best, which is draw a picture that makes you go, wow! When I first drafted this scene, there was going to be lots of dialogue about how she lost her father, lost her mother, yadda yadda yadda, blah blah blah. But when I got to the scene, when you see the images, when you get to this image, you don’t need any words. I mean, if you can’t figure out what’s going on, if you can’t figure out the emotional relationships just from looking at it, then neither of us is doing our job. John did his job brilliantly, unlike me talking now. The key to being a writer in comics is to know when to shut the hell up and let the artist do the work.

Me: So would your instructions for that panel be “Have someone lying on the bed,” or would you describe exactly how it should look?

Chris: Well, depends on the scene. Marvel did a 9/11 remembrance book [Heroes, released December 2001] where a writer and an artist would team up to do a poster commemorating what happened and how they felt about it, and when my page came around, I spent about 2,000 words describing the scene, and Salvador [Larocca] just drew this brilliant, brilliant picture, and as far as I was concerned, it didn’t need anything more from me. I had done my work, he had done his work, and the end result was brilliant.

Me: Very good. So you were inducted into the Comic Book Hall of Fame earlier this year. What was that like?

Chris: A lot of fun. One of the more unexpected things in my life. It’s way too cool for the likes of me.

Me: It doesn’t surprise me at all.

Chris: Well, you can think that. I’m not supposed to because I’m supposed to be shy and modest. But it’s way cool.

Me: When did you start doing conventions?

Chris: When they started asking me. How else can you meet the fans? In the old days, it was more fun because people would write letters, and the nice thing about them is it tells you what they were thinking of and how they were reacting to specific issues. Now it’s all posted online, and you seriously have to go looking for it. There aren’t that many hours in a day. But conventions are a really nice way of putting a face on the readership.

Me: What are a couple of your more memorable convention experiences?

Chris: Just meeting people. It’s a weird sensation when you run into creators, actors, people you’ve respected, and they tell you how cool you are, and you go, “No no no, that’s my line.”

Me: Do fans ever just go to pieces meeting you? Do they cry? Hyperventilate?

Chris: Oh yeah. But the cool thing is that now I’m starting to see a lot more young kids coming, which leads one to believe there’s hope.

Me: What advice would you give to aspiring writers?

Chris: Get a day job [laughs]. Being a writer is like being an artist: if you’ve got the bug, you do it. You don’t argue. You can’t argue. Then it’s just a matter of kicking at the wall until something sells. And then, once you make the first sell, you go for the second, then the third, then the fourth, and so on. There’s no real secret to being a writer. There’s just having an idea and then having the madcap determination to see it through to fruition.

You might assume this is an excerpt from the interview. It is not. This short conversation lasted over 20 minutes because we were sitting at Chris’s table in artist alley, and he was signing books all the while. My recording of the interview is peppered with crowd noise, his sidebars with other fans, and announcements blasted over the PA system. Chris had trouble getting into the convention—apparently, his vendor badge could not be located—and the interview started late, when he already had more people waiting for him than a Soviet bread line. Yet it was one of my best interviews ever. Chris is articulate and witty, and he cares a lot for his fans. Though I didn’t hyperventilate, meeting Chris Claremont is one of the highlights of my life. And it happened at Rhode Island Comic-Con.

The rest of the convention was as you might expect. Dunkin Donuts Center is a basketball arena, which makes it an odd venue for a convention. The dealer room was on the court, which was roomy, but some of the celebrities were tucked away in what looked like janitor closets. Know who had the longest signing lines that I saw? Tom Kenny and Bill Fagerbakke—you know, SpongeBob and Patrick, which confirms my theory that the next growth market for collectors is 1990s memorabilia.

There were few fan-led panels, which disappointed John. Such panels were the seed of conventions back in the 1970s, but they are in danger of disappearing in this bigger-is-better era. John likes the panels. He considers himself a fan but not a super-fan. The super-fan award goes to the girl I saw at Jim Beaver’s table. Tears streaked her teenaged face, and after she and her mother walked away, they stopped and hugged as though a dog had died.

Friends, that is fandom. That is love. Wil Wheaton says that the defining characteristic of being a nerd is that “we love things. Some of us love Firefly and some of us love Game of Thrones, or Star Trek, or Star Wars, or anime, or games, or fantasy, or science fiction. Some of us love completely different things. But we all love those things SO much that we travel for thousands of miles … we come from all over the world, so that we can be around people who love the things the way that we love them.”

Rhode Island was a great place to go for love. The convention is young, so I have no doubt they will work out the problems of limited space and no maps and unreliable celebs. Every staff member I saw, every volunteer I talked to, was a delight, which confirms what Susan Soares told me in the beginning.

So if you have the chance, go to Rhode Island Comic-Con next November. Buy your badge early. Study the schedule. Stay hydrated. It will be one of your best shows all year.

_______________________

John and I weren’t the only attendees.

This guy was also there. Wait, he’s at every convention!

Due to the no-weapons policy, this guy wasn’t allowed to be armed.

Chris Claremont signs my comic.

The Fonz tells me to leave the convention.

Whoops! This isn’t the way to the men’s room.

An angel just below my shoulder.

Various winners from Saturday night’s costume contest, which had 70-80 total entries.

“You scratch my back, I’ll scratch yours.”

Jim Beaver asked me where I am from. “North Carolina,” I said. He nodded and said, “That explains it.” I wanted to say, “Right. Like Bobby Singer doesn’t have a rural accent!”

John and Groot, not seeing eye-to-eye.

“Uh, Doctor? I think you regenerated a little too far back.”

This gal is a great little Kidder.

Not something you see at most conventions, but a good idea.

This guy also shows up at every convention. It’s like he has a time machine or something.

Special Guests Appear at NJCE 2015

New Jersey Comic Expo (#NJCE) makes its debut this weekend on November 21st and 22nd with several special guests!

Best-selling and fan favorite superstar comic book artist Jim Lee will be making a rare appearance at NJCE on Sunday, November 22nd. Jim’s appearance at NJCE is his final U.S. convention appearance of the year! Attendees will have the chance to line up for a special TWO HOUR hour signing with a two-item limit! The signing will begin at 10AM and will be first come, first served.

Writer Garth Ennis, best known as the co-creator of the Vertigo comic Preacher with Steve Dillon, which is coming soon to AMC, and his fan beloved nine-year run on Marvel’s Punisher. So if you have a stack of the plethora of comics authored by Mr. Ennis, you may want to bring them to the 2015 NJCE, because this will be his ONLY appearance in the great state of New Jersey.

Superstar Comic Book artist John Cassaday will be making a rare appearance this weekend at the New Jersey Comic Expo! Appearing both Saturday & Sunday, John who most recently handled the art on the first six issues of Marvel’s flagship Star Wars book, will be signing books for fans and will also be available for meet & greet session via our VIP packages.

Angel and Person of Interest’s Amy Acker will be joining us on Saturday and Drea de Matteo (The Sopranos, Sons of Anarchy) and from Marvel’s Daredevil on NetFlix Peter Shinkoda and Tommy Walker will be there all weekend. In addition to signing autographs for fans (Additional fees apply) at their tables in our Celeb Signing Area we will also be offering the opportunity to have a professional photo with your favorite celeb taken by Epic Photo-Ops, the convention photo pros.

Other guests include: Mark Bagley, Frank J. Barbiere, Chris Batista, Ryan Bodenheim, Ivan Brandon, June Brigman, Jim Calafiore, Dennis Calero, Joe Caramagna, Paul Castiglia, Chris Claremont, Toby Cypress, Vito Delsante, Todd Dezago, Steve Ellis, The Fraim Bros, Bryan J.L. Glass, Justin Gray, Scott Hanna, Joe Harris, Edwin Huang, Jamal Igle, Jeff King, Joseph Michael Linsner, Shawn Martinbrough, Ben McCool, Mark Morales, Rags Morales, Rudy Nebres, Fabian Nicieza, Cary Nord, Carl Potts, Rodney Ramos, Tom Raney, Ivan Reis, Rod Reis, Dave Roman, Craig Rousseau, Fernando Ruiz, Buddy Scalera, Bob Schreck, Jeffery Shultz, Alex Simmons, Louise Simonson, Walter Simonson, Frank Tieri, Peter J. Tomasi, Ethan Van Sciver, Charles Paul Wilson III, and more! For the full guest list, tickets, and further details please check the website: www.newjerseycomicexpo.com

Locust Moon Comics Festival 2015

The Locust Moon Comics Festival, Philadelphia’s premiere celebration of comics, illustration, and the graphic arts, returns to the historic Rotunda, just off UPenn’s campus, on Saturday October 31st from 11:00 AM till 6:00 PM. This year’s guests include Craig Thompson (Space Dumplins, Blankets), Chris Claremont (Uncanny X-Men, Wolverine), Noah Van Sciver (Fante Bukowski, Blammo), David Mack (Fight Club 2, Kabuki), Bill Sienkiewicz (Moon Knight, New Mutants), Dean Haspiel (The Quitter, The Fox), Alexa Kitchen and Denis Kitchen (Kitchen Sink Press), and more to be announced throughout September.

Follow them on Twitter and Facebook to keep up to date!

ATTENDEES: Pay at the door! No advance purchase required. KIDS 13 AND UNDER ARE INVITED IN FOR FREE!

RSVP on Facebook!

 

Tidewater Comicon 2016 Announces 1st Guests

Tidewater Comicon has announced their first guests for the 2016 convention on May 21st-22nd: Chris Claremont (Writer of Uncanny X-Men, Nightcrawler, New Mutants, Excalibur), John Wesley Shipp (star of The Flash, Dawson’s Creek), John De Lancie (Q from Star Trek: The Next Generation, Discord from My Little Pony, Breaking Bad) and Steve Blum (voice actor on Star Wars Rebels, The Legend of Korra, Wolverine and the X-Men, Cowboy Bebop, Transformers, and many more). For those seeking tables or more information please visit www.tidewatercomicon.com

RSVP on Facebook!

Virginia Beach Convention Center
1000 19th St, Virginia Beach, Virginia 23451
(757) 385-2000

Rhode Island Comic Con (November 2015)

Event Details:

• Category: Comic Book Convention
• Location: Rhode Island
• Date: Friday, November 6th 2015 - Sunday, November 8th 2015
• City: Comic Book Convention in Providence
• Event: Rhode Island Comic Con
• Address: Rhode Island Convention Center
• Country: United States
• Add to Google Calendar | Download iCal

Convention Name
	Rhode Island Comic Con
Convention Website Address
	http://www.ricomiccon.com
This convention will take place:
	over multiple days.
Start Date (Format mm/dd/yyyy)
	11/06/2015
End Date (Format mm/dd/yyyy)
	11/08/2015
About This Convention
	New England’s premiere event returns with even more space and more days,now encompassing 2 buildings and 3 days!! RICC brings some of the biggest names in tv,movies and comics to one place with names such as Karen Gillan,Ron Perlman,Ming Na-Wen,Ryan Hurst,Dean Cane,Chris Claremont,Mike Grell,Ethan Van Sciver and many many many more with even a few rare surprise appearances coming soon!!
Venue Name and Address
	Rhode Island Convention Center 1 Sabin St Providence, RI 02903 United States Map It
Number of Dealer/Exhibitor Tables
	600
Projected Attendance
	50,000
Please select the Category that best describes the convention
	Comic Books
Additional Categories
	Anime Gaming Horror Science Fiction and Fantasy Collectibles
Guests
	Karen Gillan, Ron Perlman, Ming Na-Wen, Brent Spiner, Ryan Hurst, Chris Claremont, Mike Grell, Neal Adams, Ethan Van Sciver

NYC – A Sailor’s Story Signing

Press Release:

Golden Age Comic Book Legend (and WWII Veteran) SAM GLANZMAN will be available from 6-8pm on Wednesday, May 20th at JHU Comic Books in New York City (just a few short blocks from Penn Station) to meet with his fans and sign copies of his new A SAILOR’S STORY collection, published recently by Dover Publications!

Joining him will be some amazing comic book greats!

Chris Claremont (Uncanny X-Men, Nightcrawler)

Larry Hama (GI JOE, Wolverine)

Will Franz (The Lonely War of Capt. Willy Schultz, Fighting Army)

Purchase of A SAILOR’S STORY required to participate in event. You may also bring ONE item from your personal collection to be signed.

Mr. Glanzman LOVES his fans, but due to the high demand for his autograph (and taking into consideration the fact that he just turned 90), we are asking that everyone abide by these guidelines, to ensure a healthy experience for Mr. Glanzman, as well as a fun and memorable experience for all his amazing fans. Also, while Mr. Glanzman will NOT be doing sketches or artwork of any kind, he would be happy to take a photo with any of his fans. THANK YOU SO MUCH or your understanding and cooperation.

SAM GLANZMAN SAILORS STORY GN
DOVER PUBLICATIONS

(W/A/CA) Sam Glanzman

Legendary comic book artist Sam Glanzman draws upon his own experiences aboard a WWII destroyer in these gripping tales of Navy life, including a new 10-page story and a new foreword by New York Times-bestselling author of World War Z, Max Brooks. Recounted in graphic novel style, these dramatic adventures realistically depict a teenager’s military career, from initiation and advancement through the ranks to tours of the Pacific and kamikaze attacks at the Battle of Okinawa.

RSVP on Facebook!

JHU Comic Books MANHATTAN
32 East 32nd Street, New York, NY 10016
(212) 268-7088

Guests of Honor, Special Guests, and Programming Highlights for Long Beach Comic Expo 2015

Press Release:

Long Beach Comic Expo Announces Guests of Honor, Special Guests and Programming Highlights for February 28 & March 1

Long Beach, CA (February 10) – Long Beach Comic Expo is unveiling legendary guests and buzzworthy panels, as well as innovative programs and new partners, in preparation for the 6th annual Long Beach Comic Expo, to be held at the Long Beach Convention Center on February 28 and March 1, 2015. The Expo will play host to more than 140 guests and 50 panels and, for the first time, it will be held in the full exhibit hall.

Guests of Honor & Special Guests

Long Beach Comic Expo is proud to announce bestselling writer Chris Claremont and bestselling artist Ethan Van Sciver as the Long Beach Comic Expo Guests of Honor. Mr. Claremont has written some of the most beloved and influential comic books of all time; 2015 marks the 40th anniversary of his first issue of THE UNCANNY X-MEN. Mr. Van Sciver is one of the most popular artist in comics; this year marks the 10th anniversary of his iconic work GREEN LANTERN: REBIRTH. Both guests will be making their very first appearance at a Long Beach convention. Comic book superstars Arthur Adams (GUARDIANS TEAM UP) and Rachel and Terry Dodson (HARLEY QUINN) are being named Long Beach Comic Expo Special Guests in recognition of their astounding careers as comic book artists.

The convention is proud to recognize the following Special Guests for their commitment to creating stories for kids and young adults across a wide array of media: animation, collectible cards, comics, prose novels, toys and web comics:

• Cecil Castellucci, the young adult novelist (TIN STAR) and writer of the influential YA graphic novel THE PLAIN JANES;
• Steve Ellis, the artist of the young adult webcomic THE ONLY LIVING BOY and MAGIC THE GATHERING cards;
• The Four Horsemen Studio, influential toy designers of Mattel’s Masters of the Universe, The Dark Knight, Harry Potter, DC Universe Classics and Man of Steel toy lines, among others.
• Stan Sakai, the writer/ artist of the award winning USAGI YOJIMBO graphic novels;
• Greg Weisman, acclaimed animation writer and producer (GARGOYLES; YOUNG JUSTICE) and author of the fan favorite RAIN OF GHOSTS YA novels;
• Brian Wood, writer of the influential graphic novels DEMO and THE NEW YORK FOUR.

Program Highlights

As in past years, attendees will be treated to a wide array of programming. Highlights include:

* One-on-one creator spotlight panels with Chris Claremont, Sandy King Carpenter, Gerry Conway, Katie Cook, Terry & Rachel Dodson, Stan Sakai, Richard Starkings and Ethan Van Sciver hosted by EAT GEEK PLAY.
* Publisher panels hosted by Jesse Snider, including the 40th anniversary of X-men celebration, Lion Forge & IDW Publishing Presents Miami Vice: Remix, and much more.
* Panels for Buffy The Vampire Slayer Comics and Star Wars Rebels: Kanan the Last Padawan comics.
* The Dawn of the Rise of the Devastator: Funny Books for Humans panel, with writers from Cracked, CollegeHumor, Funny or Die, The Meltdown and The Onion.
* #MakeComics workshops where aspiring writers and artists and fans can learn the entire process of making comics from comic book greats all weekend long. Topics include How to Build a Portfolio, Breaking Into Comics, Writing and Marketing.
* The first ever Dwayne McDuffie Award for Diversity event with keynote speaker Reginald Hudlin.
* Amazing animation panels: DISNEY AFTERNOON, GARGOYLES, GI JOE, and YOUNG JUSTICE, featuring major voice actors.
* Major media panels including Rotten Tomatoes and Screen Junkie’s Honest Trailers & Movie Fights
* A special screening of the upcoming Magnet Releasing film THE DEAD LANDS.* A special screening of the upcoming Magnet Releasing film THE DEAD LANDS.
* GeekFest Film Fest films at Long Beach Comic Expo, the only Los Angeles area venue to host the full slate of programming for the world’s 1st traveling film fest of “geek” films.
* The Dollar Baby Film Festival.
* The comic book convention premiere of the SHE MAKES COMICS documentary.
* Publishing panels devoted to YA & crime novelists.
* Kids programming including How To Draw My Little Pony.
* Scholastic, the global children’s publishing, education and media company, will commence its celebration of 10 years of the groundbreaking Graphix imprint and participate in a panel with acclaimed cartoonists Jennifer L. Holm and James Burks and other creators.
* A Saturday night Cosplay Contest and Cosplay panels.

Enjoy an exciting weekend full of exceptional guests, exhibitors, and engaging panels, at Long Beach Comic Expo, Saturday, February 28 from 10:00 am – 7:00 pm and Sunday, March 1 from 10:00 am – 5:00 PM at the Long Beach Convention Center. Tickets are available now at www.longbeachcomicexpo.com.

Follow Long Beach Comic Expo on Facebook and Twitter for the latest news and information.

ABOUT LONG BEACH EXPO: Long Beach Comic Expo is an annual event held at the Long Beach Convention Center that celebrates comic books and pop culture and showcases the exceptional works of talented writers, artists, illustrators and creators of all types of pop culture. At Long Beach Comic Expo, you’ll find exhibitors promoting and selling all types of related products, as well as entertaining and educational programs for all ages, guest signings and meet & greet sessions with celebrities. Long Beach Comic Expo is a MAD Event Management, LLC production. To learn more and purchase tickets, please visit www.longbeachcomicexpo.com.

Marvel Panel Schedule for NYCC 2014

Face front, True Believers! Marvel has released their panel schedule for New York Comic Con 2014! They will also live blog the convention so fans can follow along at home. Details at the link!

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 10

Marvel 75th Anniversary:
X-Men- The Shifting Face of Mutantkind
Time: 11:00 a.m. – 11:45 a.m. EDT
Room: 1A18
Join X-Editor Michael Marts as he sits down with the renowned X-Men creators who have shaped the mythos of mutantkind! This retrospective panel takes fans through the X-Men’s publication history and gives them an inside look into the creative process behind fan-favorite characters and books! A can’t-miss-panel for any mutant-lover! Panelists include Fabian Nicieza (CLASSIC X-MEN), Chris Claremont (UNCANNY X-MEN), Len Wein (WOLVERINE), and other special guests!

MARVEL: Breaking into Comics the Marvel Way
Time: 11:15 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. EDT
Room: 1A06
Have a passion for the inner workings of the comics industry? Curious about breaking into the field as a writer or artist? Sit down with a group of Marvel professionals from every corner of the business, and get insider tips, advice, and first-hand accounts of what it takes to start a career in comics today! Panelists include Talent Scout Jeanine Schaefer, Russell Dauterman (THOR), Kelly Sue DeConnick (CAPTAIN MARVEL), Gerry Duggan (NOVA), Sam Humphries (LEGENDARY STAR-LORD), and Charles Soule (DEATH OF WOLVERINE)!

Marvel 75th Anniversary:
Crafting the Marvel Event
Time: 12:00 p.m. – 12:45 p.m. EDT
Room: 1A18
Sit down with Executive Editor Tom Brevoort for an inside look into how a major Marvel event is constructed, from the perspective of writers, artists, and editors. Hear first-hand accounts about the creative collaborations that brought you Marvel’s biggest stories! Panelists include Brian Michael Bendis (ALL-NEW X-MEN), Kurt Busiek (AVENGERS), Tom DeFalco (AMAZING SPIDER-MAN), J.M. DeMatteis (CAPTAIN AMERICA), Al Milgrom (WEST COAST AVENGERS), Fabian Nicieza (X-MEN), and Jim Starlin (INFINITY GAUNTLET).

Marvel 75th Anniversary:
World Outside Your Window – Diversity in Marvel Comics 
Time: 1:00 p.m. – 1:45 p.m. EDT 
Room: 1A18
Take a look inside Marvel’s ground-breaking history, as we shine the spotlight on the creators who challenged, re-defined, and shaped Marvel’s perception as an innovative publisher of comics. Join Marvel’s Editor-in-Chief Axel Alonso and a mighty gathering of Marvel creators as they discuss the importance of diversity in comics and how Marvel upholds the tradition of presenting the world outside your window. Panelists will include Kurt Busiek (MARVELS), Kelly Sue DeConnick (CAPTAIN MARVEL), Kieron Gillen (YOUNG AVENGERS), Ann Nocenti (DAREDEVIL), and other Mighty Marvel Guests!

Marvel 75th Anniversary:
Guardians of the Galaxy- Then and Now
The Evolution of the Marvel Cosmic Universe
Time: 2:00 p.m. – 2:45 p.m. EDT
Room: 1A18
Following the smashing success of Guardians of the Galaxy, we decided to take fans through the history of one of Marvel’s quirkiest teams, as well as Marvel’s cosmic universe at large! This 75th Anniversary panel will feature current “cosmic” creators, as well as the writers and editors who shaped Marvel’s cosmic universe! Join us as we go back in time, and get an exclusive look inside the creation of some of your favorite space-facing characters! Panelists will include Gerry Duggan (NOVA), Al Milgrom (CAPTAIN MARVEL), Doug Moench (INHUMAN), and Jim Starlin (INFINITY GAUNTLET).

MARVEL: House of Ideas Digital Panel                                
Time: 2:15 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. EDT
Room: 1A06
Love having the best comics in the industry on your mobile devices? Want to know how Marvel stays on the cutting edge of technology while bringing you what you love? Want to learn more about Infinite Comics? Well, this panel is for you, True Believer! Get exciting news from Executive Editorial Director of Digital Ryan Penagos and other guests including Talent Scout C.B. Cebulski, VP CRM Daniele Campbell and others! Find out what’s happening with the Marvel Comics App, Marvel AR, new digital games, Marvel’s vast social media presence and more in this can’t-miss panel!

Marvel 75th Anniversary:
Friendly Neighborhood Marvel
Time: 3:00 p.m. – 3:45 p.m. EDT
Room: 1A18
Join Marvel’s Chief Creative Officer Joe Quesada as he sits down with creators of past and present to shine the spotlight on Marvel’s street-level characters. This panel will include Spider-Man and Daredevil creators, as well as writers and artists who have contributed to the mythos of heroes like Spider-Man, Daredevil, Moon Knight, Luke Cage, and more! Panelists include Mark Bagley (ULTIMATE SPIDER-MAN), Gerry Conway (AMAZING SPIDER-MAN), Tom DeFalco (AMAZING SPIDER-MAN), J.M. DeMatteis (SPECTACULAR SPIDER-MAN), Ralph Macchio (DAREDEVIL), Doug Moench (MOON KNIGHT), and Ann Nocenti (DAREDEVIL).

Marvel Animation Presents                                        
Time: 4:15 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. EDT
Room: 1A06
Jeph Loeb (Marvel’s Head of Television) brings you the biggest animation panel in this universe – or any other. Get an exclusive first look at content from “Marvel’s Hulk and the Agents of S.M.A.S.H.” season two and the future of Marvel Animation.
 
Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.        
Time: 5:45 p.m. – 6:45 p.m. EDT
Main Stage 1D
Jeph Loeb (Marvel’s Head of Television) returns with exciting news and the world premiere of an all new episode of Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. before it debuts on ABC!
                               
 
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 11
 
MARVEL: Death of Wolverine – The Logan Legacy
Time: 4:15 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. EDT
Room: 1A06
Get ready, X-Fans, for the biggest mutant on mutant showdown of the year in the pages of DEATH OF WOLVERINE! Join a star-studded lineup of X-writers as they discuss the future of Logan and the impact his death will have on the rest of the X-Men titles! Plus, get the scoop on other titles starring Marvel’s merry mutants! This panel will be jam-packed with X-Men creators, so no fan should miss out! Panelists will include Executive Editor Mike Marts, Brian Michael Bendis (ALL-NEW X-MEN), Peter David (ALL-NEW X-FACTOR), Gerry Duggan (DEADPOOL), Greg Pak (STORM), Charles Soule (DEATH OF WOLVERINE), Len Wein (INCREDIBLE HULK) and other Mighty Marvel Guests!
 
MARVEL: Cup O’Joe
Time: 12:45 p.m. – 1:45 p.m. EDT
Empire Stage 1-E
Join us for this Convention favorite! Here is your chance to Q&A with Marvel’s Chief Creative Officer Joe Quesada, for this no-holds-barred exposéon everything Marvel. Got a question about a favorite hero? Want to hear groundbreaking news straight from the source? Need a rundown on breaking developments in Marvel comics, film, and T.V? This panel is for you! With special announcements galore! Featuring Executive Editor Tom Brevoort, writers Brian Michael Bendis (ALL-NEW X-MEN), Kelly Sue DeConnick (CAPTAIN MARVEL), Gerry Duggan (DEADPOOL), Sam Humphries (LEGENDARY STAR-LORD), Dan Slott (AMAZING SPIDER-MAN), and other Mighty Marvel guests!
 
Disney Infinity 2.0: Marvel Super Heroes Behind the Scenes
Time: 3:15 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. EDT
Room:1A06
Join the Disney Infinity: Marvel Super Heroes team for a first-hand, behind-the-scenes look at the story behind what it was like to bring the Marvel Super Heroes to Disney’s expanding video game platform! The development team from Marvel, Avalanche Studios and Disney Interactive will dive into how the game has evolved, how the stories developed, and various other aspects of the creative process. This unprecedented all-access look at this momentous game release is not to be missed!
 
Marvel’s Daredevil, Exclusively on Netflix
Time: 5:15 p.m. – 6:15 p.m. EDT
Main Stage 1D
Join the cast of “Marvel’s Daredevil” in their first-ever appearance with show-runner Steve DeKnight and moderator Jeph Loeb (Marvel’s Head of Television) to answer questions and reveal secrets from the hotly-anticipated show debuting on Netflix in 2015.


SUNDAY, OCTOBER 12
 
Marvel Unlimited Plus Members Only Panel
Time: 11:00 a.m. – 11:45 a.m. EDT
Room:1A21

This exclusive panel is just for Marvel Unlimited Plus members! Join Executive Editorial Director of Digital Ryan Penagos and top Marvel creators for a private panel discussion of what’s happening inside the Marvel Universe. Get FREE merchandise*, sneak peeks of upcoming Marvel comics, a Q&A session to answer all your burning questions, and more surprises to be announced. Not to be missed! Panelists will include Brian Bendis (ALL-NEW X-MEN), Gerry Duggan (NOVA), Dan Slott (AMAZING SPIDER-MAN), Nick Spencer (AVENGERS WORLD), and Ryan Stegman (INHUMAN)! Marvel Unlimited Plus Members ONLY – show your Member Card or confirmation email at the door for access to the event!
*Merchandise available while supplies last.

MARVEL: Axel-In-Charge
12:15 p.m. to 1:00 p.m. EDT
Room: 1A06
Axel Alonso, Marvel’s Editor-in-Chief, is taking the stage! Don’t miss inside looks at Marvel’s most creatively diverse titles, plus some major announcements including the future of everyone’s favorite avenging archer! And of course, you the fans will get to ask Axel the hard-hitting questions! Other panelists will include Gerry Duggan (NOVA), Kieron Gillen (ANGELA: ASGARD’S ASSASSIN), Ales Kot (BUCKY BARNES: THE WINTER SOLDIER), Phil Noto (BLACK WIDOW), James Robinson (FANTASTIC FOUR), Charles Soule (DEATH OF WOLVERINE), Nick Spencer (AVENGERS WORLD), G. Willow Wilson (MS. MARVEL), and other Mighty Marvel guests!

 
Women of Marvel
Time: 1:15 p.m. – 2:00 p.m. EDT
Room:1A06
From Ms. Marvel to Black Widow, from Twitter to tumblr, women in comics has been one of the most talked-about topics in the industry recently. Join the conversation as women from every discipline in the creative process at Marvel discuss what it’s like working as a woman in comics today and what it means for the future of the industry! Plus, plenty of special announcements! Panelists will include Talent Scout Jeanine Schaefer, Editors Sana Amanat, Katie Kubert, Ellie Pyle, and Emily Shaw, Associate Producer Judy Stephens, writers Kelly Sue DeConnick (CAPTAIN MARVEL), Erica Henderson, Margi Stohl, and G. Willow Wilson (MS. MARVEL), and artists Marguerite Bennett (ANGELA: ASGARD’S ASSASSIN), Sara Pichelli (GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY), and Stephanie Hans (ANGELA: ASGARD’S ASSASSIN)!
 
MARVEL: Spider-Verse
Time: 4:00 p.m. – 4:45 p.m. EDT
Room:1A10
This is your panel for all things Spider-Man! Join us as we discuss the most epic Spidey event of all time as every Spider-Man EVER comes together to face a world-ending threat! Plus, get the low-down on Silk, the mysterious new character who has everybody talking! Panelists will include Senior Editor Nick Lowe, writers Peter David (SPIDER-MAN 2099), Christos Gage (SUPERIOR SPIDER-MAN), Jason Latour (WOLVERINE AND THE X-MEN), Dan Slott (AMAZING SPIDER-MAN), and Robbie Thompson (SPIDER-VERSE), and artists Stacey Lee (NEW WARRIORS), Humberto Ramos (AMAZING SPIDER-MAN), Robbi Rodriguez (EDGE OF SPIDER-VERSE)and more special guests!

More on Marvel.com: http://marvel.com/news/comics/23387/nycc_2014_panel_and_liveblog_schedule#ixzz3FZviIixo

NYC – Comics at Columbia Exhibit

Al Jaffee, Wendy and Richard Pini, Chris Claremont, Paul Levitz, Alexander Rothman, Sophia Wiedeman, Peter Kuper, Gregory Benton, Forsyth Harmon, Tom Motley, and more appear at the Butler Library at Columbia University  on Tuesday October 7th at 6:00 PM for the grand opening reception of an exhibition, which features materials from Columbia’s comics archives. A brief discussion in 203 Butler will kick off the evening, then all may adjourn for a reception and exhibition viewing in our Rare Book & Manuscript Library.

Butler Library | Columbia University 
535 W 114th St, New York, NY 10027
(212) 854-7309

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