Baltimore Comic-Con 2017 Kids Love Comics Pavilion Announces Guests

Press Release:

Family fun returns to the 2017 Baltimore Comic-Con this September 22-24 at the Baltimore Convention Center in the beautiful Inner Harbor. The Baltimore Comic-Con presents the Kids Love Comics Pavilion, where kids and parents can venture towards comics fun with the biggest and best kids section at any comic convention – so big, you might need a road map! For 2017, the Kids Love Comics Pavilion welcomes #1 New York Times best-selling author Kazu Kibuishi, whose Amulet graphic novels have been read by millions across the US and beyond. Kibuishi was also chosen as cover illustrator for new editions of the Harry Potter book series by J.K. Rowling.

There will be something for every member of your family at this year’s KLC area in Baltimore, as attendees walk through four kid-friendly “avenues,” featuring some of the best kids and young adult comic creators, as well as a fun-filled comics activity area to rev up the imagination. Families will also enjoy the Kids Love Comics Workshop, where hourly presentations will be given in character creation, drawing imaginary creatures, making comics, and young sidekicks can even attend and graduate from “Super Hero University!”

A diverse group of writers and artists will be on hand at Amulet Avenue, Amelia Rules Road, Aw Yeah Avenue, and Leon Lane – each of these streets centered around some of the beloved creators in the Kids Love Comics Pavilion and Baltimore Comic-Con veterans. Besides Kazu’s Amulet Avenue, Jimmy Gownley’s adored Amelia Rules! series gets it’s own designated row, as well as Tiny Titans and Aw Yeah Comics by writer/artist Franco. One special addition is Leon Lane, in which cult comics favorite Jamar Nicholas gets the spotlight, as he premieres the long-awaited Leon, Protector of the Playground graphic novel.

Parents, bring your kids to the Baltimore Comic-Con the weekend of September 22-24 at the Baltimore Convention Center! Tickets are now available, and as always, kids 10 and under get into the show free with a paid adult admission. (Please note: does not apply to early VIP admission or Special Event tickets.)

For more info on Kids Love Comics, please visit kidslovecomics.net.

Creators appearing at the 2017 Baltimore Comic-Con Kids Love Comics Pavilion include:

• Carolyn Belefski (Curls)
• Harold Buchholz (Wild Lion, MST3K)
• Joe Carabeo (French Fry Club)
• J. Robert Deans & Elinda Deans (Shakes the Cow)
• Charles C. Dowd (A to Z Guide to Jobs For Girls)
• Emily Drouin (Eplis)
• Tod Emko & Piggy (A Piggy’s Tale)
• Tim Fielder (Matty’s Rocket)
• Chris Flick (Capes & Babes)
• Franco (Tiny Titans, Aw Yeah Comics)
• John Gallagher w/ Katie, Jack & Will Gallagher (Buzzboy, EPIC Bros., Zoey & Ketchup)
• Shannon Gallant (GI Joe, Pink Panther)
• Jimmy Gownley (Amelia Rules!, The Dumbest Idea Ever)
• John Green (Hippopotamister)
• Dawn Griffin (Zorphbert & Fred)
• Kata Kane (Altar Girls)
• Kazu Kibuishi (Amulet, Harry Potter cover artist)
• David Landis (Papercuttables)
• Mike Lopez (Life’s A Beach, Kids Comic Con)
• Mike Maihack (Cleopatra In Space)
• Mark Mariano (Claire Lost Her Bear at the World’s Fair, Flabbergast)
• Jamar Nicholas (Leon, Protector of the Playground)
• Chris O>Matic (KLC Workshop host)
• Dan Parent (Archie)
• Mark Poulton (A Cat Named Haiku and Pizza Tree)
• Kyle Puttkamer (Hero Cats)
• Andy Runton (Owly)
• Gregg Schigiel (Pix)
• Jeff Shultz (Archie)
• Alex Simmons (Archie, Kids ComicCon)
• Ted Tucker (Caricatures)
• Emilio Velez Jr. (Dodgeball Teens)
• Todd Webb (Mr. Toast Comics, NerdFest Game Artist)
• Marcus Williams & Greg Burnham (Tuskegee Heirs)

Visit www.baltimorecomiccon.com/tickets for more information and to purchase your advanced tickets!

In the coming weeks, look for more announcements from the Baltimore Comic-Con. We are looking forward to highlighting our guests, industry exclusives, and programming. The latest developments can always be found on our website, Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook pages.

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NJ – Summer Sidewalk Sale Signing

Gregg Schigiel and Chris Giarrusso appear at East Side Mags’ Summer Sidewalk Sale on Saturday June 10, 2017!

Gregg Schigiel (rhymes with eagle) is the writer and illustrator of the PIX graphic novels from Image Comics, a regular contributor to SPONGEBOB COMICS, and has illustrated a litany of licensed character coloring, story, and chapter books. In addition to his work as a cartoonist, he produces and hosts the comics-centric podcast “Stuff Said”, and produces and co-hosts (with Chris Giarrusso) the Tom Cruise movie-centric podcast “Cruisin’ Together.” He likes doughnuts, enjoys comedy, and makes sure he drinks plenty of water. Learn more at hatterentertainment.com.

Chris Giarrusso is the author and illustrator of the G-MAN superhero graphic novel series for younger readers, THE G-MAN SUPER JOURNAL diary series, and the G-MAN WEBCOMICS comic strip. Chris created the Mini Marvels humor comic strips for Marvel Comics (now collected in the MINI MARVELS COMPLETE COLLECTION) and drew the TALES FROM THE CON weekly webcomic (now collected in THE COMPLETE TALES FROM THE CON). Chris also co-hosts (with Gregg Schigiel) the Tom Cruise movie-centric podcast “Cruisin’ Together.” Find Chris at chrisgiarrusso.com

Gregg & Chris will be signing copies of their books from 1pm-6pm. In addition, buy a book, get a FREE SKETCH. Kids also get FREE SKETCHES. Just looking for a sketch in your sketchbook? That’ll be $25. Help support your local comic shop and some amazing local all-ages friendly artists/writers!

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East Side Mags
7 S Fullerton Ave, Montclair, NJ 07042
(862) 333-4961

2017 ALA Conference Announces Graphic Novel & Comics Programming

Learn about the art of graphic novels, comics, illustration and how games and gaming inspire creativity and social interaction at the American Library Association’s annual conference on June 23-26, 2017! RSVP on Facebook!

Friday, June 23

5:45pm-6:35pm

DC’s Young Animal

DC’s Young Animal is a new publishing imprint spearheaded by Gerard Way, the acclaimed author of THE UMBRELLA ACADEMY and best-selling musician. This new line of graphic novels is something different, inspired by the visionary work of DC’s experimental past, but shaped and focused by the absurdity of today. Join Way and some of today’s most innovative creators including Cecil Castellucci, Jody Houser, Jon Rivera, and Nick Derington, as they discuss their works DOOM PATROL VOL. 1: BRICK BY BRICK, SHADE, THE CHANGING GIRL VOL. 1: EARTH GIRL MADE EASY, CAVE CARSON HAS A CYBERNETIC EYE VOL. 1: GOING UNDER and MOTHER PANIC VOL. 1: WORK IN PROGRESS. This panel will discuss how the themes, characters and plot devices in these graphic novels from DC’s Young Animal will engage with readers and patrons like few other works in the industry can today.

Saturday, June 24

9:30am-10:20am

The Rise of Graphic Novels for Kids in Europe and the USA

European and American publishers and authors discuss the emergence of the format and its phenomenal rise internationally in the past decade. They will also look at the differences and similarities of working in comics in Europe and the USA.

10:30am-11:20am

Hazardous Tales and Science Fiction with Nathan Hale

Nathan Hale’s New York Times bestselling graphic novel series NATHAN HALE’S HAZARDOUS TALES have exploded in classrooms and libraries around the country. With a seventh book on the way for Fall 2017, the craze that gets kids excited about history shows no signs of slowing. In this presentation, Nathan Hale will give the audience a sneak peek of the next Hazardous Tales book as well as discuss his recent science fiction graphic novel, ONE TRICK PONY.

11:30am-12:20pm

Spotlight on Kindred: A Graphic Novel Adaptation with adapter Damian Duffy and illustrator John Jennings

More than 35 years after its release, Octavia Butler’s celebrated science fiction masterpiece, Kindred, continues to draw in new readers with its deep exploration of the violence and loss of humanity caused by slavery in the United States, and its complex and lasting impact on the present day. Celebrated academics and comics artists Damian Duffy and John Jennings have adapted this iconic work into the graphic novel format, which instantly became a #1 New York Times bestseller. They will discuss the process of working with this mysterious and moving story, which spans racial and gender divides in the antebellum South through the 20th century.
12:30pm-1:20pm

What Does An Idea Look Like? A Conversation About Creativity with Grant Snider, author of The Shape of Ideas

What does an idea look like? And where do they come from? An orthodontist by day and artist by night, Grant Snider, author of ’The Shape of Ideas: An Illustrated Exploration of Creativity’, had had comics featured in the Kansas City Star, the New York Times Book Review, as well as The Best American Comics in 2013. On this panel, he will share the secrets to his own creative process and share tips on how to keep ideas flowing. ’The Shape of Ideas: An Illustrated Exploration of Creativity’, is a collection of one- and two-page comics that provide insight into the joys and frustrations of creativity, inspiration, and process—no matter your age or creative background.

1:30pm-2:20pm

VIZ Media Presents – Manga!!

VIZ Media, the premier publisher of manga in the English speaking world, has released several hit series such as Naruto, Pokemon, and Ouran High School Host Club. Join us as we talk about which manga are currently the most popular on the scene as well as exciting new series coming soon!

2:30pm-3:20pm

Creator Spotlight: Jessica Abel

Writer/artist Jessica Abel has always been known for work outside the graphic novel mainstream. From her breakout work LA PERDIDA to her comics textbooks, Abel has displayed not only the ability to craft compelling stories but also a deep understanding of the technical aspects of the medium. Her latest series, TRISH TRASH: ROLLERGIRL OF MARS is the story of a mixed race teenager on Mars, struggling to escape economic oppression through a futuristic version of roller derby. Super Genius publisher Terry Nantier speaks with Abel about her long career and why TRISH TRASH is the heroine America needs right now.

3:30pm-4:20pm

Category or Genre: What’s Next for Graphic Novels?

With books aimed at everyone from young children to the most mature adults, there literally is a graphic novel for every reader. But does all this diversity mean we should rethink graphic novel sections in libraries? Should they take their place alongside more traditional books in sections ranging from biography to science fiction. Or does the unique nature of the medium (and its readers) drive a need for graphic novels to always have their own special place on the shelves?

4:30pm-5:00pm

DC Super Hero Girls Original Graphic Novels

Join DC Comics and writer Shea Fontana for a discussion on the DC SUPER HERO GIRLS original graphic novel line! With books such as FINALS CRISIS, HITS AND MYTHS and the new SUMMER OLYMPUS, these graphic novels developed for girls 6-12 have been a smash-hit success across libraries and bookstores alike. Shea will discuss how these new works from DC are relating to young girls everywhere, with themes of empowerment, friendship and teamwork prevalent throughout. Q&A to follow!

Sunday, June 25

9:30am-10:20am

How to write for children

An overview of graphic novels for kids, from classics (like “Tintin”, “Boule & Bill”, etc), right up to the present day. How do you think up a story for a three-year-old, an eight-year-old or a young-adult?

10:30am-11:20am

Comics at the frontier of a new literary movement

Comics are at a new height of popularity and cultural acceptance, but can artists and publishers ensure that this isn’t just a passing trend? Does the popularity of superhero comics help or hinder the consideration of the art form as a whole? Artists like Sam Bosma, Jen Lee & Elise Gravel are at the vanguard of taking comics beyond the public’s popular preconceptions, and they’ll discuss the shape of comics as a genre, a medium, and an art form. Learn how artists can use genre conventions to ease readers into a completely different side of the comics scene, and see what’s possible when artists are able to take you beyond your assumptions. The popularity of genre has given fans an introduction to the art of comics, and these panelists are using that to show the world that the future of the medium goes beyond any one category!

11:30am-12:20pm

Image Comics 25th Anniversary Celebration

Comic creators Ryan Browne, Marjorie Liu, Jim Rugg, Gregg Schigiel, Tim Seeley, and Skottie Young speak about their experience of Image Comics throughout the years & reflect on how the company’s history has impacted their own career trajectory. Discussion will touch on both specifics about Image and also how comics as a whole have evolved. Creators will talk about their inspirations, tell stories about times they were directly or indirectly affected by their industry role models, talk about upcoming titles, and discuss how they are carrying the torch forward! A raffle and short signing will take place at the close of the event.

12:30pm-1:20pm

Comics for Teens: Discovery in the Library

Librarians, authors and publishers discussing and sharing thoughts about aiding teens and YA readers in discovering comics/ YA Graphic novels. A look at what has worked in the past as well as what tools can be used to grow readership in this category.

1:30pm-2:20pm

A Monstress Discussion with Author Marjorie Liu

Marjorie Liu discusses the upcoming new volume in her critically acclaimed series, Monstress. The author will describe her creative process, including inspirations and research methods, and will take questions from the audience. A raffle and short signing will take place at the close of the event.

2:30pm-3:20pm

Check out Dynamite in 2017

A discussion of Dynamite’s exciting current and future releases.

3:30pm-4:20pm

Liberties at work and Creator’s ownership

Artists come together to discuss the different creative methods in France and the USA: liberty of choices, schedules, production, printing, etc. What does it means to be a French Artist?

Authors will also discuss the concept of ownership in France and in the USA : To whom does the work belong? What are the rights of an artist over their work?

Monday, June 26

9:30am-10:20am

Champion of the Graphic Novel: Will Eisner at 100 Years

Will Eisner was, and still is, one of the most influential forces in the comics and graphic novels publishing industry. This year we celebrate what would have been his 100th birthday with a conversation about his contribution and commitment to the idea of graphic novels as a true form of literature. The discussion will also cover the relationship between the library world and the growth of the comics industry and more specifically how librarians helped to define and grow the graphic novel category.

10:30am-11:20am

Tabletop Games 101

Playing Tabletop games in libraries is growing. As libraries expand their breadth, more and more library members are enjoying table-top games, played with real people, face-to-face, in libraries. But, what exactly are tabletop games? How do I tell board games from role-playing games, from card games? Which games are suitable for young people, and which will be enjoyed by an older crowd? This panel of gaming veterans including game publishers and distributors will cut the red tape so each library knows which games to bring in. At ALA Annual, Friday Games Night will give everyone an opportunity to play a variety of games and talk to publishers and distributors. Open gaming on the floor, during the day offers more opportunities to learn and have fun doing it.

11:30am-12:20pm

Disney Manga: family friendly fun!

With the explosion in popularity of manga, parents and librarians have rightfully been concerned about child-friendly titles. With TOKYOPOP’s Disney Manga line, we bring the magic of Disney to this popular form of graphic novels, providing families with a way to enjoy their favorite Disney characters and stories in manga style! With titles brought directly from Japan and our own original titles made in collaboration with Disney’s team, we want to break down the misconception that all manga is inappropriate for little ones and encourage young readers with this fun line of graphic novels.

IL – Pix Signing

Gregg Schigiel, the creator/writer/artist of PIX, appears at Challengers Comics on Thursday, June 22nd, 2017 from 3:00 till 7:00 PM.

RSVP on Facebook!

Challengers Comics
1845 N. Western Ave, Chicago, IL 60647
(773) 278-0155

NC – FCBD: Acme Comics Signing

Acme Comics hosts several comic creators on Saturday May 6, 2017 to celebrate Free Comic Book Day!

• Jacob Chabot
• Mike Henderson
• Stephen Green
• Dan Dos Santos
• Chris Giarrusso
• Amanda Rachels
• Gregg Schigiel
• Brian Smith
• Randall Trang
• Warren Wucinich

As always, sketches and signatures are FREE, just like the official FCBD titles, but we encourage you to check out the procedures listed at AcmeComics.com!

Other on-site events will include photo opportunities with costumed heroes, face-painting provided my Munchie & Me, exclusive apparel and much, much more!

Acme Comics
2150 Lawndale Drive, Greensboro, NC 27408
336-574-2263

HeroesCon 2017 Welcomes New Guests

HeroesCon has announced more new guests for their 35th anniversary show including Chip Zdarsky, Caleb Goellner, Rob Guillory, Jody LeHeup, Jason Moore, Gregg Schigiel, Chris Sims, Tim Vigil, Thom Zahler, and more! HeroesCon 2017 takes place June 16-18, 2017 at the Charlotte Convention Center.

CHAD BOWERS | Youngblood, X-Men ’92, Down Set Fight!
CASEY COLLER | Transformers
SEAN DOVE | Brobots and the Kaiju Kerfuffle!, The Last Days of Danger, Madballs
SCOTT FOGG | Phileas Reid Knows We Are Not Alone, Action Lab: Dog of Wonder
CALEB GOELLNER | Task Force Rad Squad, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Mermaid: Evolution
ROB GUILLORY | Chew, Thor
JODY LEHEUP | Shirtless Bear-Fighter
JASON MOORE | Spook House, Batman Haunted Gotham, The Crusades, Evil Ernie Destroyer
GREGG SCHIGIEL | Pix, SpongeBob Comics, Stuff Said Podcast
CHRIS SIMS | X-Men ’92, Down Set Fight!, Swordquest
TIM VIGIL | Faust, EO, Webwitch, Frank Frazetta’s Dark Kingdom
DOUG WAGNER | Plastic, The Hard Place, Legends of the Dark Knight, The Ride
MICHAEL WATKINS | Villains Supreme, Femme Noir, Transformers, Sonic The Hedgehog
THOM ZAHLER | Love and Capes, My Little Pony
CHIP ZDARSKY | Sex Criminals, Star Lord, Howard The Duck, Jughead, Spider-Man

RSVP on the Facebook event page!

For the most up-to-date information, check our blog, or sign up for the weekly Heroes Hotline newsletter. You can also follow us on Twitter and Facebook!

TICKETS AVAILABLE HERE

BUYING AN ADVANCE PASS MEANS YOU’LL GET ANY ADVANCE INCENTIVES WE OFFER, FREE!

ENTRY WILL BE $25: FRI $25: SAT $20: SUN / AT THE SHOW ITSELF, SO YOU SAVE AS MUCH AS $20 BY PURCHASING ADVANCE PASSES TODAY! TICKETS ARE NOT REFUNDABLE, UNDER CERTAIN CIRCUMSTANCES WE MAY CREDIT AN UNUSABLE TICKET TOWARD FUTURE TICKET PURCHASES.

HEROES CONVENTION was founded in 1982 by Shelton Drum, owner of Charlotte’s Heroes Aren’t Hard To Find comics shop. Since then the convention has become famous for its comics-first and family-friendly atmosphere, where fans can mingle directly with professionals and exhibitors. Boasting an incredible guest list built mainly on reputation and goodwill, HeroesCon is known nationwide as a “must” on the summer schedule, drawing fans, exhibitors, and creators from all over the world to the Charlotte Convention Center.

NC – Free Comic Book Day 2015

Jill Thompson, Jason Howard, and many more appear at Acme Comics on Saturday May 2nd for Free Comic Book Day!

This year’s festivities will include:

-Our first ever Free Comic Book Day exclusive variant for Marvel’s Secret Wars #0!

-Visiting artists in the Sketch Pavilion!
–Thomas Boatwright – Orc Girl, Cemetery Blues
–Ryan Browne – God Hates Astronauts
—Jacob Chabot – Mighty Skullboy Army, Voltron
—Dan dos Santos – Serenity: Leaves on the Wind
–Chris Giarrusso – G-Man, Mini Marvels
–Stephen Green – Cafe Racer
–Jason Howard – Trees, Super Dinosaur
–Emi Lenox – Emitown, Plutona
–Gregg Schigiel – Pix: One Weirdest Weekend
–Brian Smith – Stuff of Legend, Voltron Force
—Jill Thompson – Beasts of Burden, Sandman

-Facepainting by Munchie & Me!

-T-shirts & limited edition prints from Death by Ink!

-Fan Film Festival at Geeksboro Coffeehouse Cinema!

-Pub-style trivia after-hours!

-Cosplay contest!

-Door prizes!

-Apparel sale at Acme Comics Presents!

RSVP on Facebook!

Acme Comics
2150 Lawndale Drive, Greensboro, NC 27408
336-574-2263

NY – Grasshopper’s 22nd Annual Holiday Party

Chris Giarusso, Jacob Chabot, David Gallaher, Pat Reilly, and Gregg Schigiel appear on Saturday December 6th from noon till 6:00 PM for Grasshopper’s Comics 22nd Annual Holiday Party! Additionally there will be cosplayers, cookies, a charity raffle and more!

RSVP on Facebook!

Grasshopper’s Comics
76 Hillside Ave., Williston Park, NY 11596

NC – Free Comic Book Day 2014

Joe Quinones, Maris Wicks, Yale Stewart, Jacob Chabot, Erica Henderson, and many more sign at Acme Comics on Saturday May 3, 2014 for Free Comic Book Day!

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Press Release:

The countdown is on as Acme steps into the next age of the Triad’s oldest & largest comic book store, consolidating their creative power back into the Lawndale Shopping Center and strengthening it’s partnership with Geeksboro Coffeehouse Cinema to bring you the best Free Comic Book Day ever!

2014 IMPROVEMENTS

–57 different comic offerings, up from last year’s 52, PLUS whatever other promo books we find around the shop to add to the mix! The first 50 people in line are guaranteed a copy of each book, an offer so appealing it pushes the physical boundaries of the official Free Comic Book Day bags!

–The air-conditioned and waterproofed Sketch Pavilion in Acme Comics Presents will be streamlined to get you through the line faster than ever before while ensuring all attendees that would like to have the opportunity to get their books signed and get a one of kind commission can do so for FREE!

–Geeksboro’s main floor will also play host to even more artists with which to visit!

–Discover more about one of our favorite publishers as we screen Sequart’s Image Revolution featuring length documentary in the 48 seat theatre downstairs in Geeksboro!

–Get to know renowned local cosplayers like Ed “Static Shock” Newsome, Caitlin “Robin” Rhyne, Ian “War Machine” Raulston, and many, MANY more on the sidewalks of the Lawndale Shopping Center!

–FREE face-painting by Munchie & Me!

–Once again, hang out all night and all day and all night again at Geeksboro as our pals down the sidewalk will be open straight through on Friday for the food, beverages, and facility conveniences for anyone camping out over night, all day Saturday to provide refreshments and entertainment to event-goers, and until 2 AM Saturday night for the after-party to beat all after-parties!

–Pub-style Superhero Trivia on Saturday night complete with cash & comic prizes!

–Have small children and want to avoid some of the crowds? Stop by to pick up a bag of books and visit with creators at the Greensboro Children’s Museum (6 books, 3 artists) and the Windsor Recreation Center (4 books, 4 artists) from 10 AM – 1 PM!

Creators Appearing at Acme Comics & Geeksboro Coffeehouse Cinema:

—Thomas Boatwright – Orc Girl, Cemetery Blues, Halloween Legion, Surreal Adventures of Edgar Allan Poo

—Jacob Chabot – Mighty Skullboy Army, Hello Kitty, Voltron Force, SpongeBob

—Casey Coller – Transformers Robots in Disguise, Transformers More than Meets the Eye

—Chris Giarrusso – G-Man, Aw Yeah Comics, Mini Marvels, Bullpen Bits

—Erica Henderson – Subatomic Party Girls, Atomic Robo Real Science Adventures

—Sandy Jarrell – Batman ’66, Meteor Men, Wasteland

—Tracy Lee Quinn – freelance illustrator, Free Comic Book Day poster

—Joe Quinones – Ultimate Comics Survive, FF, Batman Black & White, Batman ’66

—Amanda Rachels – Flesh of White, Arcana’s the Book, Clown Town

—Gregg Schigiel – Pix Teenage American Fairy, SpongeBob Comics, X-Babies

—Brian Smith – Stuff of Legend, Intrepid EscapeGoat, Uncle Ant

—Yale Stewart – JL8 (Little League), Nova

—Randall Trang – Roller Girl & the Flying Sidekick

—Michael Watkins – Sonic the Hedgehog, Transformers

—Maris Wicks – Primates, Yes, Let’s, Batman Black & White

—Kelly Yates – MonstHer, Doctor Who: Prisoners of Time, Doctor Who: Fairytale

Acme Comics
2150 Lawndale Drive, Greensboro, NC 27408
336-574-2263

NC – Free Comic Book Day 2013

Joe Quinones, Maris Wicks, Jacob Chabot, Annie Wu, Chrissie Zullo, and many more sign at Acme Comics on Saturday May 4, 2013 for Free Comic Book Day!

Press Release:

Come out an help us celebrate our 30th anniversary serving the Triad as the area’s original and largest comic specialty store! Now in its 11th year, FCBD 2013 at Acme will give you the opportunity to try out 52 different titles, meet with more than a dozen comic creators, take photos with your favorite costumed heroes, and try your hand at trivia contests with the biggest door prizes in town!

You might wonder how we can improve on our internationally recognized festivities, but we’ve got a few ideas and partners to strive and top ourselves!

2013 IMPROVEMENTS
*We’ve ordered in excess of 32,000 books this year, over 5,000 more than 2012, all to be given away for FREE!

*Learning from last year’s temporary rain-out, we’ve waterproofed and cooled off the Sketch Cave by housing it in the brand new Acme Comics Presents location next to the main store, so you can duck in and get a break from the elements while getting your books signed and commissioning a personalized sketch from your favorite artist for FREE!

*Swap stories and get your picture taken with Spider-man, Green Lantern, Cheetara, Lion-O, the Joker, members of the Star Wars 501st Stormtrooper Legion and MORE for FREE!

*Hang out all night and all day and all night again at Geeksboro Coffeehouse Cinema as our pals down the sidewalk will be open straight through on Friday for the food, beverage, and facility conveniences of anyone camping out over night, all day Saturday to provide refreshments and entertainment to event-goers, and until 2 AM Saturday night for the after-party to beat all after-parties!

*Get down with the band provided by Don’s Music City! It’s a superhero dance party!

Creators appearing at Acme Comics will include:

• Thomas Boatwright – Cemetery Blues, Zeke Deadwood
• Jacob Chabot – Mighty Skullboy Army, Voltron Force
• Jeremy Dale – Skyward, G.I. Joe
• Chris Giarrusso – G-Man, Tales from the Con
• Joe Quinones – Wednesday Comics, Joker’s Asylum Harley Quinn
• Amanda Rachels – Clown Town, the Book
• Andy Runton – Owly, FCBD Owly & Friends
• Gregg Schigiel – SpongeBob Comics, Pix Teenage America Fairy
• Brian Smith – the Stuff of Legend, the Intrepid EscapeGoat
• Maris Wicks – Primates, SpongeBob Comics
• Annie Wu – Venture Bros., Wired
• Kelly Yates – MonstHer, Doctor Who
• Chrissie Zullo – Fables: Cinderella, Womanthology

THOMAS BOATWRIGHT
Long-time Acme ally Thomas Boatwright will be returning to Free Comic Book Day in 2013! Acme subscribers will instantly recognize T.A.’s style as the look of Geeksboro’s Mixed Tape Film Series, and its that same unmistakable sense of left-of-center humor and unadulterated purity that you’ll find in his series Cemetery Blues from Image Comics and Zeke Deadwood: Zombie Lawman from SLG, , co-created by Acmecast guest Ryan Rubio as well as the original Image graphic novel The Surreal Adventures of Edgar Allan Poo!

Thomas’s most recent book is Orc Girl, written by Paul Allor, he garnered a rave review from recent Acme guest Gail Simone! He can be found online at Boatwright Artwork.com!

JACOB CHABOT
Jacob will be making his third Free Comic Book Day appearance at Acme, and his fifth in Greensboro overall! Since his last visit in 2012, Jacob released the second collection of his Eisner-nominated comic the Mighty Skullboy Army from Dark Horse as well as knocking out volume six of the Voltron Force original graphic novels for Viz Media and contributing to Avengers vs. X-Men Versus #6 from Marvel.

Find out more about Jacob the Mad Scientist at Beetle Bug Comics.com!
JEREMY DALE
Jeremy Dale is a comic book artist best known for his work on G.I. Joe comics for Hasbro with creator Larry Hama as well as the Harvey Award-winning Popgun v.1 from Image Comics and Miserable Dastards (recently optioned as a feature film). He is currently working on several projects, including the creator-owned Skyward series. He is a featured guest at several shows, conventions, and signings every year.

Skyward will be officially debuting the NFL Rush Zone Season of the Guardians Free Comic Book Day offering from Action Lab Entertainment! Jeremy will be coming up from Atlanta for his fifth(!) Free Comic Book Day appearance, along with his lovely wife Kelly, the anchor of our FCBD book line!

CHRIS GIARRUSSO
A master of his style and craft, Chris first burst onto the comic industry’s radar with Bullpen Bits for the Marvel Comics letters pages, which evolved into the beloved Mini Marvels, running in the back of Marvel event books, specials and all-ages titles for most of this century’s first decade. Have you seen the Hawkeye cartoon intro?

In January 2003, Giarrusso debuted his signature creation, G-Man, in the back of Savage Dragon #104 for Image Comics during a feature called Comic Bits! Since finding their family’s magical heirloom cape in the linen closet, Mikey G and his brother Dave have completed two adventures, “Learning to Fly” and “Cape Crisis”!

Since his last visit to Acme for Free Comic Book Day 2012, Chris has been diligently working on the next installment in the saga of G-Man & Great Man, “Coming Home”, the first chapter of which has been made available via Comixology and to legions of new Chris G. fans for FREE through the Read 2 Succeed program, sponsored by Acme and WFMY News 2! Chris can also be found drawing weekly strips for Tales from the Con, written by Brad Guiger for Seattle’s premiere convention, Emerald City!

Chris makes his internet home at Chris G. Comics.com!

JOE QUINONES
Joe Quinones is a relative newcomer to the industry, having first been published by DC comics for their now defunct Teen Titans GO series in 2007. He is probably best known for his collaboration with writer Kurt Busiek on the Green Lantern serial for Mark Chiarello’s Eisner Award-winning Wednesday Comics. Since then, Joe has illustrated a number of covers and short stories for DC, Marvel and Dark Horse, with a current cover run on Captain Marvel. Joe also has some unannounced interior work on the horizon, as well as a Zatanna/ Black Canary graphic novel, written by Paul Dini, due out at the end of 2013.

AMANDA RACHELS
As the breakout star of the Free Comic Book Day 2012 festivities and a stalwart companion to Jermaine, Stephen and Riley during Comic Con International this past summer, it’s no wonder Amanda Rachels has quickly become a part of the Acme Comics family and Free Comic Book Day wouldn’t be the same without her!

Amanda’s star continues to rise in the comic industry with projects like the self-published Clown Town and her web comic the Blind Eye, written by her frequent collaborator Kevin LaPorte. She just celebrated the release of The Book original graphic novel from Arcana!

ANDY RUNTON
Hey there! My name is Andy. I’ve always loved to draw and always loved comics. After college and a career in corporate America, I finally followed my heart, started drawing comics, graphic novels, and books and I haven’t looked back since.

In 2001 I created the breakout all-ages series of graphic novels, Owly, which features a kind-hearted little owl who’s always searching for new friends and adventure. The Owly series has earned praise from fans and critics alike, winning multiple awards including the Howard E. Day Memorial Prize, the Harvey Award, two Ignatz Awards, and the 2006 Eisner Award for “Best Publication for a Younger Audience.”

I rely on a mixture of symbols, icons, and expressions to tell my silent stories, and my work showcases my love of wildlife and the outdoors. I currently reside in the greater-Atlanta area where I work full-time on my Owly comics, books, and graphic novels.

Andy has made one previous trip to Acme back in 2011, and we’re psyched to have one of the most-travelled creators in comics with us for FCBD!

GREGG SCHIGIEL
Gregg Schigiel is a regular Acme partner in crime, as well as a frequent contributor to SpongeBob Comics from Bongo and United Plankton Press, having drawn the cover and Merman and Barnacle Boy story for this year’s FCBD SpongeBob Comics Freestyle Funnies and. For over a year now, he’s produced Stuff Said with Gregg Schigiel, his cartoonist conversation podcast and a member show in the Acme Wave Projector podcast network. He continues to work on his creator-owned series Pix, Teenage American Fairy from his home in NYC and he blogs at Hatter Entertainment.com.

BRIAN SMITH
Smitty’s been a part the comic industry since the late ’90s, spending several years as an associate editor at Marvel Comics. After going to work for himself, Brian began illustrating the Adventures of Daniel Boom, a.k.a. Loud Boy for Grosset & Dunlap and penning the adventures of the Voltron Force and Max Steel for Viz Media, as well as debuting his own creations, like the aforementioned Stuff of Legend from Th3rd World Studios, co-created by Mike Raicht and drawn by fan-favorite Charles Paul Wilson III!

Over the last year, Brian has edited various titles at DC Comics, including New 52 runs on Batgirl and Savage Hawkman, but he’s recently gone back to the life he was meant to lead, freelance creation of the adventures of Thomas Fleet and humor strips like the Basics!

MARIS WICKS
Maris Wicks lives with fellow primate Joe Quinones and their cat Biggs, in Somerville, Massachusetts. She has used her opposable thumbs to draw comics for Adhouse Books, Tugboat Press, and “Spongebob Comics”, and written stories for Image and DC Comics. When she’s not making comics, Maris works as a program educator at the New England Aquarium. She is also an avid tool user and is particularly fond of bananas. Maris will have a story in the FCBD SpongeBob Comics Freestyle Funnies and her new graphic novel Primates is due out in June from First Second!

ANNIE WU
Grew up in central Florida, studied Illustration at the Maryland Institute College of Art in Baltimore, moved to New York City. Enjoys improv, Buster Keaton’s early films, and making things.

Work has been recognized by the likes of SPECTRUM 17 and 18, Society of Illustrators 2009 Student Competition, American Illustration TRIBUTE, and Adult Swim for a few weird seconds. Clients include Vertigo, DC Comics, Marvel Comics, WIRED Magazine, Lacrosse Magazine, ELLE Magazine, M-Edge, Coca-Cola Brazil, Titmouse Inc. and others.

Currently working on projects of the comic book variety and doing character/prop color design for the upcoming fifth season of The Venture Bros.

KELLY YATES
In addition to being a Wednesday Acme Comics customers just like many of you, Kelly has worked closely with fellow creators Craig Rousseau and Rich Woodall throughout 2012 to launch Artist Alley Comics as a viable, creator-focused alternative to digital distribution! Yates debuted his newest project, MonstHer, via Artist Alley in June, alongside new stories from guys like Richard Case, Chris Kemple and Tim Sale.

Even though he’s a life-long Star Wars fan, Kelly has gained worldwide notoriety as a favorite artist on IDW Publishing’s Doctor Who books, having tag-teamed with Y the Last Man artist Pia Guerra on the 10th Doctor Forgotten storyline and knocking out the entirety of the 11th Doctor’s A Fairytale Life himself. In 2008, he launched his creator-owned, sci-fi, female-lead adventure series from Image Comics, >Amber Atoms>, which was met with much critical acclaim and very warm fan reception!

CHRISSIE ZULLO
Since breaking into comics via San Diego Comic Con International 2009, Chrissie has been putting together some of the most well-designed and beautiful covers of the century for Fables spin-offs Cinderella From Fabletown with Love andFables are Forever! She’s shown off her sequential narrative chops on books like Madame Xanadu, written by Matt Wagner, and Heroic: A Womanthology. She also draws a mean Samus Aran from Metroid! This will be her second visit to Acme as a creator, the first being the Heroic: A Womanthology Summit!

Acme Comics
2150 Lawndale Drive, Greensboro, NC 27408
336-574-2263

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