1960s Batman TV Show Merchandise Event Reveals SDCC 2013 Exclusive Batusi Figure
March 25, 2013 by Brian Pate
Filed under California, Collectibles, Comic Books, Comic-Con International, Convention News, Top Stories
Press Release:
WARNER BROS. CONSUMERPRODUCTS LAUNCHES NEWMERCHANDISE LINE BASED ON DCCOMICS 1960’S BATMAN CLASSICTELEVISION SERIES
Kick-Off Event Co-Hosted with Junk Food Clothing and Celebrated with Iconic Adam West, The Original Batmobile, Celebrity Batman Fans and New Product Offerings at Meltdown Comics in Hollywood
Burbank, Calif. – March 22, 2013 — Holy Merchandise, Batman!! Warner Bros. Consumer Products (WBCP) officially launched the highly anticipated Batman Classic Television Series licensing program, inspired by the classic DC Comics 1960’s Batman television show, last night at an exclusive event co-hosted with Junk Food Clothing at the famed comic store mecca Meltdown Comics in Hollywood. Leading the impressive roster of licensees supporting the program, Junk Food Clothing, celebrity-favored designer of fashionable t-shirts, unveiled its capsule collection which includes a range of men’s and women’s t-shirts featuring live-action imagery and inspired graphics from the show. The exclusive apparel collection is available at Meltdown Comics or www.junkfoodclothing.com.
Summoned by the Bat-Signal onto the black carpet was the classic Batman, the Bright Knight himself, Adam West, one of the most celebrated Caped Crusaders and star of the classic television series, along with celebrity Batman fans including DC Entertainment Co-Publisher Jim Lee, musician Chris Daughtry, 90210’s Rumer Willis, Splash’s Katherine Webb,The Neighbors’ Tim Jo, The Walking Dead’s Steven Yeun,Arrow’s Colin Donnell, The Bold and the Beautiful’s Antonio Sabato, Jr., The Twilight Saga’s BooBoo Stewart, The Office’s Melora Hardin, Baby Daddy’s Chelsea Kane, Haven’s Kate Kelton, graffiti artist David Choe, KROQ’s Ralph Garman, Glee’s Josh Sussman, Shrek’s (Broadway adaption) Stephen Kramer Glickman and celebrity DJ Caroline D’Amore kept the crowd going as she set the tone for the event.
“There are so many great and varied iterations of Batman over the storied history and it’s exciting to see a product line, the likes of which we haven’t seen in decades, brought to life for both long-time fans of the Batman Classic TV Series as well as for a new generation of fans,” said Brad Globe, president, Warner Bros. Consumer Products. “We are proud of our partnership with Junk Food and the incredible roster of partners including Mattel, Rubie’s Costumes, Mezco, New Era and so many more, who have re-created the characters and creative elements that made the legendary show a pop-culture phenomenon.”
“This TV series introduced a whole new generation to Batmanand I am so proud to have been a part of that phenomenon. Events like this remind us all of the legacy of the show and its staying power for generations to come; and it’s fun to playBatman,” said Adam West.
The new licensing and merchandising program brings to life some of the most celebrated elements of the 1960’s Batman Classic Television Series, including the dynamic duo ofBatman and Robin as well as an arsenal of archenemies such as The Penguin, The Joker and The Riddler, as well asBatman’s famous high-tech gadgetry and, of course, theBatmobile.
On display during the event, guests received a first-hand look at new products inspired by the television series, including the Mattel 2013 San Diego Comic-Con Exclusive – a six-inch Figure Batusi Batman from the BATMAN™Classic TV Series line. Mattel also showcased its line-up of never-before-seen six-inch Figure of The Joker, along with the six-inch Figure Assortment of Batman, Robin, The Riddler, The Penguin,Surfing Batman and a collector’s BATMAN™ Classic TV Series Batmobile, as well as the Mattel® vintage-styled Batman Ken® and Catwoman Barbie® Doll. Other partners showcasing product at the event included Rubie’s Costume Co. with their deluxe Batgirl, The Riddler and Catwomancostumes for adults; Mezco with Batman and Robin – in their signature Batmobile, along with The Joker and The RiddlerMez-itz mini-figures; CSS Industries with gift-tags and stationery; and Mead’s 2014 wall calendar inspired by the show. New Era also offered three new, limited-edition caps inspired by the Batman Classic Television Series and available exclusively at Meltdown Comics.
Comic book fans also got a special treat when DC Entertainment unveiled art for its all-new digital comic book series BATMAN ’66, launching in summer 2013. Inspired by the classic TV series, the digital comic book features many fan-favorite characters like Catwoman, The Riddler, The Jokerand, of course, the dynamic duo of Batman and Robin. Written by Jeff Parker, the series will feature cover art by Michael Allred and the first issue will be drawn by Eisner Award winner Jonathan Case. BATMAN ’66 will also be collected and available for sale in monthly print issues.
“The juxtaposition of offering a retro BATMAN ’66 comic as a current and modern digital first title is fun,” stated DC Entertainment President, Diane Nelson. “DC Entertainment is the most prolific producer of digital first comics and, as we work to create new and compelling content, this is a great way to also preserve the legacy of our characters. It’s exciting to roll out the new BATMAN ’66 comic as part of this bigger initiative with our Warner Bros Consumer Product partners.”
Artifacts from the original Batman Classic TV Series were featured during the event, including the original iconicBatmobile, as well as authentic pieces from Comisar Collection that provided the “Robin” costume as worn by actor Burt Ward, the original Bat-Shield that Batman and Robinfrequently used to protect themselves from their foes, the Bat-Phone from the Batmobile and the Bat-O-Rang prop used by Robin throughout the series. In addition, guests had the opportunity to hang out in a replica of the famous Batcave as depicted in the classic television series.
About Warner Bros. Consumer Products
Warner Bros. Consumer Products, a Warner Bros. Entertainment Company, is one of the leading licensing and retail merchandising organizations in the world.
About Junk Food Clothing
Junk Food came onto the scene in 1998 as the original vintage t-shirt company, creating and forever changing the premium t-shirt market. Known for its soft, comfy fabrics and witty art, Junk Food is a celebrity favorite carried throughout the top stores throughout the world. Also a licensing powerhouse, Junk Food has distribution rights to over 800 pop-culture properties across multiple categories including rock & roll, characters, movies, sports, and foods. The brand continues to pave the way for innovation in the fashion industry. From recently launching their first retail stores as QR code walls to creating the first ever t-shirt allowing consumers to register to vote by scanning the graphic with their smartphones, Junk Food is revolutionizing the use of technology in fashion and culture; www.junkfoodclothing.com,www.facebook.com/junkfoodclothing.
About DC Entertainment
DC Entertainment, home to iconic brands DC Comics (Superman, Batman, Green Lantern, Wonder Woman, The Flash), Vertigo (Sandman, Fables) and MAD, is the creative division charged with strategically integrating its content across Warner Bros. Entertainment and Time Warner. DC Entertainment works in concert with many key Warner Bros. divisions to unleash its stories and characters across all media, including but not limited to film, television, consumer products, home entertainment and interactive games.Publishing thousands of comic books, graphic novels and magazines each year, DC Entertainment is the largest English-language publisher of comics in the world. In January 2012, DC Entertainment, in collaboration with Warner Bros. and Time Warner divisions, launched We Can Be Heroes—a giving campaign featuring the iconic Justice League super heroes—to raise awareness and funds to fight the hunger crisis in the Horn of Africa.
BATMAN and all related characters and elements are trademarks of and © DC Comics.
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Scene on the Web Weekly: March 18-24, 2013
March 21, 2013 by Brian Pate
Filed under California, Comic Books, Comic-Con International, Convention News, Florida, Maryland, Movies, Television, Top Stories
Rob Thomas hopes to show some Veronica Mars footage at SDCC, SPX exhibitors have some table registration woes, fans show off photos from MegaCon, and more.
Marvel at SDCC 2013 with Captain America 2, Thor 2, and Guardians of the Galaxy?
March 20, 2013 by Brian Pate
Filed under California, Comic Books, Comic-Con International, Convention News, Movies, Top Stories
Although there has been speculation as to whether or not Marvel Studios will participate in this year’s Comic-Con International in San Diego with parent company Disney’s D23 Expo set for August this year, elmayimbe from Latino Review says they will indeed be putting on a presentation in Hall H come July 20:
Scene on the Web Weekly: February 18-24, 2013
February 21, 2013 by Brian Pate
Filed under California, Comic Books, Comic-Con International, Convention News, Movies, Science Fiction and Fantasy, Top Stories
SDCC 2013 badges sell out while Zachary Levi confirms the return of The Nerd Machine and Bryan Singer hints of a comic-con appearance.
New Human Fly Graphic Novel to Debut at SDCC 2013
February 14, 2013 by Brian Pate
Filed under California, Comic Books, Comic-Con International, Convention News, Movies
Press Release:
NEW “HUMAN FLY” GRAPHIC NOVEL, INSPIRED BY THE UPCOMING MOVIE, TO DEBUT AT SAN DIEGO COMIC-CON 2013
Masked daredevil The Human Fly has just pulled off the ultimate stunt – he’s come back from the dead.
Popularized by a 1970s Marvel Comic, the stuntman superhero will return to comic books in July 2013, with a worldwide debut at San Diego Comic-Con.
The comic book is part of a multi-media revival of the real-life costumed daredevil which will include animated cartoons, apparel, and a motion picture to be directed by by Steven Goldmann (Trailer Park of Terror) and produced by Alan Brewer (Playing For Keeps) and Blaine McManus (Sailboat) with co-Executive Producer Joel Eisenberg (April Showers) from a screenplay by Tony Babinski. The film is currently in pre-production.
Inspired by a true story, The Human Fly tells the tale of Joe, a young sausage maker who bets it all on an alleged Hollywood stuntman who claims that 60% of his body has been remade of steel after a near fatal car crash. With their first stunt – riding the back of DC-8 jet while in flight – the Human Fly quickly becomes one of the fastest-rising celebrities of the late 70‘s, taking Joe, his buddies, and all his money along for the ride of their lives!
The new graphic novel-format comic book will feature the talents of a who’s who of L.A.’s comic book scene as well as a gallery of pin-ups by veteran artists who worked on the original 1977-78 Marvel series.
Cartoonist Michael Aushenker (“El Gato, Crime Mangler,” “Bart Simpson”) will edit the trade paperback anthology, which will include collaborations by Aushenker and his “Gumby’s Gang Starring Pokey” artist, Rafael Navarro (“Sonambulo”); “The Human Fly” screenwriter Babinski and Javier Hernandez (“El Muerto, Aztec Zombie”); and writer/producer Steve Kriozere (creator of Cinemax’s TV series “Femme Fatale”) with artist Jason Baroody (“Combat Jacks”); and “Trailer Park of Terror” creators Christopher March and James Dracoules.
Original “Human Fly” cover artists and inkers contributing pinups will include Bob Layton, Al Milgrom, Don Perlin and Steve Leialoha, as will longtime “Unknown Soldier” and “Incredible Hulk” artist Gerry Talaoc, Steve Butler (“Web of Spider-Man”), John Heebink (“Nick Fury, Agent of S.H.I.E.L.D.”), current Marvel alum Nelson Faro DeCastro (“Iron Man,” “X-Men,” “The Thing”), and alternative comics star Jim Rugg (“Afrodisiac”). Layton will provide the cover art.
While the original Marvel series only ran for 19 issues, the Human Fly has grown a cult following over the decades.Babinski, Goldmann, and Brewer plan to sequel-ize the new graphic novel, as well as post original web comics on their official website, http://www.thehumanflymovie.com.
Torrey Pines Rotary Club is Holding a Raffle for 2 Four-Day Passes to SDCC 2013
February 14, 2013 by Brian Pate
Filed under California, Comic Books, Comic-Con International, Convention News, Top Stories
Editor’s Note: Tickets are $10 each with a maximum of 6,500 tickets to be sold. Need not be present to win.
San Diego’s Torrey Pines Rotary Foundation Raffling 2 Passes to Comic-Con 2013
The Torrey Pines (La Jolla) Rotary Foundation is conducting a raffle for two passes to Comic-Con 2013, which includes admission to Preview Night as well as the four-day event at the San Diego Convention Center.
CARLSBAD, CA, February 14, 2013 /24-7PressRelease/ — Looking for passes to Comic-Con this summer in San Diego but missed the opportunity to purchase those much-in-demand passes at the event’s website on Feb. 16?
Well, you have another chance, if you act before March 5.
The Torrey Pines (La Jolla) Rotary Foundation (www.torreypinesrotary.org) is conducting a raffle for two passes to Comic-Con 2013, which includes admission to Preview Night as well as the four-day event at the San Diego Convention Center.
The Foundation is selling 6,500 raffle tickets at $10 each and expects to sell out well in advance of the drawing, which is set for Wednesday, March 13, during the Club’s weekly lunchtime meeting.
The deadline for ticket sales is March 5.
So, purchase your raffle tickets early to ensure your participation in the lottery and a chance to win.
You can purchase raffle tickets by filling out order forms at the Rotary Club’s website,www.torreypinesrotary.org/fundraising.html, or through links to order forms at the Club’s Facebook page.
The required order forms to be filled out and faxed or mailed back are available at either location online.
Proceeds from the sale of the raffle tickets will support the club’s local and international projects.
Here are a few rules to keep in mind if you decide to participate in the raffle:
- By law, online raffle ticket sales cannot be accepted; any funds received other than by fax or mail will be considered contributions to our Foundation. Your cancelled check/credit card transaction record will serve as your receipt.
- The drawing will be held on March 13 at the Torrey Pines Rotary Club regular meeting, and the winner will be notified in writing shortly thereafter.
- The names and contact information for the pass holders must be submitted at that time.
- The Comic-Con passes cannot be resold or transferred. Passes will be sent via overnight delivery in mid-May upon authorization by Comic-Con.
Please help the Rotary Club continue its good work around the world, and take a chance at having the time of your life at Comic-Con 2013!
A partial list of the Foundation’s projects can be found on the club’s website.
About the Torrey Pines Rotary Club
The Rotary Club of Torrey Pines (La Jolla) is a part of Rotary International, an international service club with the stated purpose of bringing together business and professional leaders to provide humanitarian services, encourage high ethical standards in all vocations, and help build goodwill and peace in the world. There are 34,282 Rotary Clubs and more than 1.2 million members worldwide. The Rotary Club of Torrey Pines is a secular organization open to all persons regardless of race, color, creed, religion, gender, or political preference. The Club, which meets at 11:45 a.m. Wednesdays at the Rock Bottom Brewery on Villa La Jolla Drive in La Jolla, was chartered June 30, 1964, and will celebrate its 50th anniversary of community service in 2014.
Hello Kitty Comic to Debut at SDCC 2013
February 11, 2013 by Brian Pate
Filed under California, Comic Books, Comic-Con International, Convention News, Top Stories
Press Release:
Viz Media and Sanrio® Announce Publishing Deal to Develop Original Hello Kitty® Graphic Novels
Pop Culture Icon Hello Kitty® And Her Friends Will Debut In Two VIZ Kids Offerings
San Francisco, CA, February 11, 2013 – Viz Media, LLC (Viz Media), the largest publisher, distributor and licensor of manga, graphic novels and anime in North America, has announced a new publishing deal with Sanrio, Inc., the global lifestyle brand and parent company of pop icon Hello Kitty®, to develop a series of original graphic novels, and a special single-volume comic featuring a limited-edition Hello Kitty design.
The single-volume Hello Kitty® comic is scheduled to debut at the 2013 Comic-Con Show in San Diego with a Comic-Con exclusive cover by Eisner-nominated artist Jacob Chabot. The comic will feature art by Victoria Maderna, Ian McGinty and Chabot. The main graphic novel series is scheduled to launch in the Fall of 2013 with Here We Go!, a collection of comic stories about Hello Kitty’s travels. Both offerings will be rated ‘A’ for All Ages, and will be published under the company’s VIZ Kids imprint. Viz Media previously teamed with Sanrio and video game company CAPCOM to develop a pair of fun STREET FIGHTER® X Sanrio books that were released in November 2012.
HELLO KITTY®: HERE WE GO!• MSRP: $7.99 US / $9.99 CAN • Available Fall 2013
Hello Kitty has places to be and friends to meet! Join her (or Hello Kitty) as she explores an underground realm, chases an unsavory cake thief around the world, climbs the Himalayas, travels back in time, and discovers that sometimes, the best place to get away from it all is between the pages of a good book.
HELLO KITTY® FASHION MUSIC WONDERLAND • MSRP: $6.99 US / $7.99 CAN • Available Summer 2013
It’s Hello Kitty as you’ve never seen her, in stories filled with fashion, music and adventure!
Sanrio® is the global company behind classic iconic characters Hello Kitty®, Little Twin Stars®, My Melody®, and many more. Sanrio® was founded in the 1960′s in Japan by Shintaro Tsuji, whose simple dream of bringing smiles to people’s faces grew into the brand’s “small gift, big smile” philosophy. This philosophy has served as the inspiration for the broad spectrum of products bearing the likeness of endearing characters that have helped to skyrocket the brand into a $5 billion- a-year business. Sanrio® recently acquired the classic Mr. Men Little Miss™ brand which also has graphic novels published by Viz Media.
“Sanrio and Hello Kitty are synonymous with the very essence of pop culture, and we’re very excited to have Hello Kitty as part of the VIZ Kids family of titles,” says Beth Kawasaki, Viz Media Senior Editorial Director. “The new wordless comic and graphic novel series will appeal to Hello Kitty fans of all ages. Viz Media is having a blast creating the fun new original series and we can’t wait for everyone to see the books.”
For more information on VIZ Kids graphic novels and manga, please visit VIZKids.com.
About Sanrio
Sanrio, best known for global icon Hello Kitty and home to many endearing characters including Chococat, My Melody, and Keroppi, is a worldwide lifestyle brand founded on the “small gift, big smile®” philosophy — that a small gift can bring happiness and friendship to people of all ages. For over 50 years, this philosophy has served as the inspiration for the broad spectrum of unique Sanrio products and experiences. Today, more than 50,000 Sanrio-branded items are available in over 70 countries and upwards of 12,000 U.S. locations including department, specialty, national chain stores and over 100 Sanrio boutiques. For more information, please visit www.sanrio.com and www.facebook.com/hellokitty.
About Viz Media, LLC
Headquartered in San Francisco, California, Viz Media distributes, markets and licenses the best anime and manga titles direct from Japan. Owned by three of Japan’s largest manga and animation companies, Shueisha, Inc., Shogakukan, Inc., and Shogakukan-Shueisha Productions, Co., Ltd., Viz Media has the most extensive library of anime and manga for English speaking audiences in North America, the United Kingdom, Ireland and South Africa. With its popular digital manga anthology WEEKLY SHONEN JUMP and blockbuster properties like NARUTO, BLEACH and INUYASHA, Viz Media offers cutting-edge action, romance and family friendly properties for anime, manga, science fiction and fantasy fans of all ages. Viz Media properties are available as graphic novels, DVDs, animated television series, feature films, downloadable and streaming video and a variety of consumer products. Learn more about VIZ Media, anime and manga at www.VIZ.com.
Scene on the Web Weekly: February 4-10, 2013
February 5, 2013 by Brian Pate
Filed under California, Comic Books, Comic-Con International, Convention News, Georgia, Science Fiction and Fantasy, Top Stories
Cobra is recruiting, a congressman is going to SDCC, and you can make your own bat signal! All this and more for the week so far.
SDCC 2013 Badges Go On Sale February 16
February 4, 2013 by Brian Pate
Filed under California, Comic Books, Comic-Con International, Convention News, Top Stories
The wait is over! Badges for Comic-Con International 2013 will go on sale February 16, 2013 at 9:00 AM Pacific Time (PT).
The link to EPIC Open Online Registration will be sent to eligible participants with a valid and confirmed Comic-Con Member ID via email 48 hours prior to the start of badge sales. You may click the link, or copy-and-paste it into you browser. Comic-Con will NOT post this link on our website, Facebook, or Twitter.
If you purchased a 4-Day badge with Preview Night during preregistration in August 2012 OR If you are a professional or guest of professional who has registered for a Comic-Con 2013 professional badge, you are not eligible to participate in Open Online Registration. You may not purchase a badge of any type on February 16, 2013.
More more information is available on the Comic-Con site.
SDCC 2013 Early Bird Hotel Sale Opens Tomorrow, Wednesday, January 23
January 22, 2013 by Brian Pate
Filed under California, Comic Books, Comic-Con International, Convention News, Movies, Top Stories
Via Comic-Con.org:
Comic-Con 2013 Early Bird Hotel Sale Opens Wednesday, January 23!
Sale can be accessed directly from this page on Wednesday after 9:00 am Pacific time. The information provided below is to better prepare you for when the sale opens.
Good news! The Comic-Con 2012 Early Bird Hotel Sale was such a success we are doing it again.
If you know you will be attending Comic-Con 2013, here is your chance to save money AND get your room in advance of the general hotel sale. The Early Bird Hotel Sale prices are only valid BEFORE general housing opens and will not be available at a later date.
A limited number of hotel rooms will be made available in the Mission Valley and Airport areas. Some of the hotels in Mission Valley will also offer incentives for those booking early. Please note: Downtown San Diego hotels will not be available in the Early Bird Sale.
All rooms must be paid for in advance. There are no refunds or transfers.
An Early Bird hotel room reservation does NOT guarantee you a Comic-Con 2013 badge. If you do not currently have a badge, please be aware that Early Bird hotel rooms are non-refundable and you will not be eligible for a refund if you are unable to purchase a badge for Comic-Con 2013.
Comic-Con shuttle service is available on Wednesday July 18, from 3:00 PM until 10:00 PM. 24-hour shuttle service begins Thursday July 19, at 7:00 AM and runs through Sunday July 21 until 7:00 PM to help fans enjoy every hour of Comic-Con and nighttime fun.
Some things to remember:
• Each room reservation requires full prepayment at the time of booking.
• The full prepayment is NON-REFUNDABLE, regardless of circumstance.
• The “Comic-Con Early Bird” hotel rates expire on March 11, 2013.
• Reduction in room nights will not be eligible for refunds.
