Hero Initiative Offers Hero Comics 2011 at SDCC

The Hero Initiative will be offering the latest edition of their Hero Comics series at Comic-Con International: San Diego starting July 20 and in stores July 27.

Highlights include:

• A reunion of the original Sandman creative team: Neil Gaiman, Mike Dringenberg and Sam Kieth
• An original Chew story by creators John Layman and Rob Guillory
• An original Elephantman story from Richard Starkings and Dougie Braithwaite
• Personal stories of Hero Initiative from Chris Ivy, Ralph Reese and Jason Craig

Covers are by J. Scott Campbell  and  Adam Hughes cover with a 1-in-10 black-and-white retailer incentive cover.

More Than 270 Creators at Wizard World Philadelphia 2011

Press Release:

More Than 270 Superstar Creators Making Wizard World Philadelphia Comic Con Their Canvas This Weekend

Ramos, Cheung, Suydam, Sienkiewicz, Horn, Jimenez, Jones, Grell Among 270+ International, National and Local Artists and Writers On Hand Friday Through Sunday At Pennsylvania Convention Center

NEW YORK and PHILADELPHIA, June 15, 2011 – More than 270 comics creators from around the world – and across the City of Brotherly Love – will be taking their talents to Wizard World Philadelphia Comic Con, part of North America’s largest pop-culture tour, Friday through Sunday at the Pennsylvania Convention Center.  From Will Eisner Industry Award winners like Kevin Maguire (“Justice League,” “Batman Confidential”) and Bill Sienkiewicz (“Elektra”) to popular creators Greg Horn (“Spider-Man: Turn off the Dark,” “Hero For Hire”), Arthur Suydam (“Marvel Zombies,” “Army of Darkness”) to J.G. Jones (“Final Crisis,” “Wanted”).

What makes this gathering especially unique for Comic Con fans is the massive international presence, unmatched by any previous events. These include extremely rare U.S. appearances from greats like Carlos Pacheco (Spain), Mick Oosterveer (Denmark), Humberto Ramos (Mexico), Doug Braithwaite (England), Edgar Delgado “Pato” (Mexico), Francisco Herrera (Mexico) and more.

The creators will be on hand to meet fans, sign autographs and sketch.  Many Greater Philadelphia-based artists will be in attendance, as well as a total of 13 Eisner Comics winners or nominees, including honorees Franco Aureliani (“Billy Batson And The Magic Of Shazam!,” “Tiny Titans”) and Todd Klein (“Green Lantern,” “New Talent Showcase”).

“This weekend we have gathered Philadelphia Comic Con’s most diverse and talented group of creators ever,” said Gareb Shamus, Wizard World CEO.  “It’s another example of how Wizard World continues to bring the best and brightest in the comics industry to the fans.”

Among the other popular artists fans will want to meet are Jim Cheung (“Avengers,” “Uncanny X-Men”), Phil Jimenez (“Amazing Spider-Man,” “Astonishing X-Men”), Mike Grell (“Green Arrow,” “Green Lantern”) and Tom Raney (“Avengers Academy,” “Incredible Hulks”).

In all, more than 20 artists who have worked on the “Green Lantern” franchise are scheduled to appear, This Green Lantern Celebration includes such greats as Ethan Van Sciver, Tyler Kirkham and Shane Davis – perfect timing with the feature film releasing in theaters this weekend.  Philadelphia Comic Con programming includes two “Green Lantern” themed panels as well as several “Wizard Art School” sessions featuring top creators and others highlighting various aspects of the industry.

Wizard World Philadelphia Comic Con, now in its 11th year, will bring together thousands of fans of all ages and dozens of celebrities and industry professionals to celebrate the best in pop culture, movies, comics, toys, video gaming, television, gaming, original art, collectibles, contests and more.  Among the most popular celebrities scheduled to attend are Bruce Campbell, Adam Baldwin, Bill Goldberg, Pam Grier, Vivica A. Fox, Julie Benz and Billy Dee Williams.

Philadelphia Comic Con is the sixth stop on Wizard World’s 2011 North American tour.  Hours are Friday, noon – 8 p.m., Saturday, 10 a.m. – 7 p.m., and Sunday, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.  Tickets are available in advance online at http://www.wizardworld.com/philadelphia.html at a savings over tickets purchased at the door.  Advance adult single-day tickets are priced at $25 ($35 on site); three-day weekend tickets are $45 ($55 on site), and tickets are free for children age 10 and under when accompanied by a paid adult (limit two children per adult).  VIP packages with special entry and exclusive items are also available on a limited basis.

About Wizard World:
Wizard World produces Comic Cons and pop culture conventions across North America that celebrate graphic novels, comic books, movies, TV shows, gaming, technology, toys and social networking. The events often feature celebrities from movies and TV, artists and writers, and events such as premieres, gaming tournaments, panels, and costume contests. Wizard World also produces Wizard World Digital, an online publication covering new and upcoming products and talents in the pop culture world, and is distributed on a weekly basis to online and iPad users worldwide.

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

***** SAVE THE 2011/12 DATES *****
June 17-19 – Philadelphia Comic Con
August 11-14 – Chicago Comic Con
September 17-18  – New England Comic Con
September 24-25 – Los Angeles Comic Con
October 22-23 – Mid-Ohio Comic Con
October 28-30 – Central Canada Comic Con (C4)
November 11-13 – Austin Comic Con
January 28-29, 2012 – New Orleans Comic Con
March 23-25, 2012 – Toronto Comic Con
April 27-29, 2012 – Anaheim Comic Con
December 8-9, 2012 – Miami Comic Con

Baltimore Comic-Con Announces Guests for 2009

Baltimore, Maryland – August 12, 2009 – The Baltimore Comic-Con staff have been busily working on arranging the Harvey Awards, accommodations, promotions, partnerships, exhibitors, and guests, and we’re behind announcing much of it! While there are a number of things still in the development stages, here’s some information we can share now.

Hotel Accommodations
A new feature of our on-line presence this year, the Baltimore Comic-Con is now providing a gateway to hotel accommodations around the Baltimore Convention Center! From our main webpage, click on the “Hotels” link (http://www.baltimorecomiccon.com/hotels.htm). This helpful tool enables you to request rooms on-line, compare prices, and review descriptions, amenities, and locations. We encourage those of you traveling from outside of the region to take advantage of this added convenience.

Guests
Last month, we announced a number of today’s top Marvel creators attending the show, including Jason Aaron (Wolverine), Brian Michael Bendis (Avengers), Frank Cho (Ultimates 4), David Finch (Ultimatum), Matt Fraction (Uncanny X-Men), and Barry Kitson (Amazing Spider-Man). We’re bringing in an amazing slate of first-time guests this year for you to meet, including Mike and Laura Allred (Madman), Doug Braithwaite (Wolverine: Origins), Pat Broderick (Vincent Price Presents), Jo Chen (New Avengers: The Reunion), Jimmy Cheung (New Avengers: Illuminati), J.M. DeMatteis (Daredevil), Evan Dorkin (Beasts of Burden), Jan Duursema (Star Wars: Legacy), Sarah Dyer (Superman Adventures), Steve Englehart (Avengers), Bob Fingerman (Recess Pieces), Kathryn Immonen (Runaways), Scott Koblish (Final Crisis: Legion of Three Worlds), Tom Mandrake (The Outsiders), Larry Marder (Beanworld), Laura Martin (Thor), Kevin Nowlan (The Spirit), Whilce Portacio (Spawn), Buddy Prince (Night), Brian Pulido (Lady Death), Ian Sattler (Final Crisis: Aftermath), Marc Silvestri (Witchblade), Peter Tomasi (Blackest Night: Batman), Jim Valentino (Shadowline Comics), Rob Venditti (The Surrogates), Len Wein (Justice League of America), and Brian Wood (sponsored by Laughing Ogre Comics, Northlanders).

You’ll also see many returning guests, such as Dick Ayers (Sgt. Fury and his Howling Commandos), Jim Calafiore (Batgirl), Nick Cardy (Aquaman), Bernard Chang (Wonder Woman), Sean Chen (Dark Reign: Fantastic Four), Cliff Chiang (Green Arrow & Black Canary), Chris Claremont (X-Men Forever), Steve Conley (Star Trek: Year Four), Amanda Conner (Power Girl), Todd Dezago (Marvel Adventures: Spider-Man), Al Feldstein (Mad), John Gallagher (Buzzboy), Ron Garney (Wolverine: Weapon X), Bryan J.L. Glass (Mice Templar), Jimmy Gownley (Amelia Rules), Cully Hamner (Detective Comics), Tony Harris (Ex Machina), Dean Haspiel (The Alcoholic), Adam Hughes (Power Girl), Stuart Immonen (New Avengers), Georges Jeanty (Buffy the Vampire Slayer), J.G. Jones (Final Crisis), Joe Jusko (Kolchak: Tales of the Night Stalker), Robert Kirkman (The Walking Dead), Scott Kurtz (PvP), Erik Larsen (Savage Dragon), Greg LaRocque (Peter Parker: The Spectacular Spider-Man), Steve Lieber (Underground), Luna Brothers (The Sword), David Mack (Kabuki), Ron Marz (Witchblade), Sean McKeever (Teen Titans), Mark McKenna (BananaTail), Mike McKone (Amazing Spider-Man), Bob McLeod (New Mutants), Carla Speed McNeil (Finder), Mark Morales (Secret Invasion), Doug Murray (Jungle Girl Season 2), Steve Niles (30 Days of Night), Phil Noto (Batgirl), Jimmy Palmiotti (Jonah Hex), Jeff Parker (Agents of ATLAS), Dan Parsons (Star Wars: The Clone Wars), David Petersen (Mouse Guard), Brandon Peterson (Ultimate Comics Armor Wars), Eric Powell (The Goon), Tom Raney (Dark Reign: Hawkeye), Alex Robinson (Too Cool to be Forgotten), James Robinson (Superman), Budd Root (Cavewoman), Don Rosa (Uncle Scrooge), Craig Rousseau (Iron Man & The Armor Wars), Stephane Roux (Amazing Spider-Man), Stan Sakai (Usagi Yojimbo), Tim Sale (Heroes), Scott Christian Sava (Dreamland Chronicles), Walt Simonson (Thor), Andy Smith (Dean Koontz’s Nevermore), Jim Starlin (Strange Adventures), Brian Stelfreeze (Final Crisis Aftermath: Ink), Karl Story (Batman: Streets of Gotham), Herb Trimpe (Hulk), Billy Tucci (Sgt. Rock: The Lost Battalion), Dexter Vines (Wolverine), Neil Vokes (The Black Forest), Doug Wagner (The Ride), Matt Wagner (Grendel), Mark Waid (The Incredibles), and Bernie Wrightson (Swamp Thing).

Guest of Honor
We’re proud and ecstatic to announce that our tenth anniversary headliner is George Perez (Final Crisis: Legion of Three Worlds)! George was one of our guests in our first year, and has returned numerous times over the past 10 years. In addition to headlining the show, George will be providing the artwork for our program in 2009!

“What an incredible line-up we’ve arranged for our 10th anniversary show,” said Marc Nathan, promoter of the Baltimore Comic-Con. “We have been chugging along, building the guest list, working with the city of Baltimore on the hotel program, coordinating the Harvey Awards, and a million other little things involved with getting things ready for October.”

In coming weeks, look for ongoing announcements from the Baltimore Comic-Con. We are looking forward to highlighting added guests, the Harvey Awards, industry exclusives, and programming. The latest developments can always be found at our website, Facebook, Twitter, MySpace, and ComicSpace pages.

This year’s Baltimore Comic-Con will be held October 10-11, 2009. Convention hours are Saturday 10 AM to 6 PM and Sunday 10 AM to 5 PM. The ceremony and banquet for the Harvey Awards will be held Saturday night, October 10th.

As we continue to get ready for this year’s show, we would like to remind you to mark your calendar for next year’s Baltimore Comic-Con dates: August 28-29, 2010.

About The Baltimore Comic-Con

The Baltimore Comic-Con is celebrating its 10th year of bringing the comic book industry to the Baltimore and Washington D.C. area. With a guest list unequaled in the industry, the Baltimore Comic-Con will be held Oct 10-11, 2009. For more information, please visit www.baltimorecomiccon.com.

About The Harvey Awards
The Harvey Awards are one of the comic book industry’s oldest and most respected awards. With a history of over 20 years, the last 4 in conjunction with the Baltimore Comic-Con, the Harveys recognize outstanding achievements in over 20 categories. They are the only industry awards nominated and selected by the full body of comic book professionals. For more information, please visit www.harveyawards.org.