ON – Comic Book Lounge Anniversary

Jeff Lemire, Ty Templeton, Agnes Garbowska, and more appear at Comic Book Lounge on Saturday, February 9th!

RSVP on Facebook!

Press Release:

Hard to believe it has almost been a year since we opened our doors on February 8th, 2012 and we would like to celebrate by holding some special events on the weekend of February 9-10. We’re planning a three stage celebration – an in-store minicon on Saturday afternoon, followed by an On the Couch with Ty Templeton and an Industry Night Party after that. On Sunday it’s Sketchbook Pro Day with drawing demonstrations and related talks taking place over the afternoon.

SATURDAY FEBRUARY 9

12-7 In-Store Mini-Con — special appearances and signings all day.

Guests include:

Jeff Lemire (Sweet Tooth, Green Arrow, Justice League Dark)
Celebrate the release of Green Arrow 17 and the conclusion of Sweet Tooth with Jeff Lemire

Ty Templeton (Marvel Ultimate Spider-Man)

Scott Chantler (Two Generals, Three Thieves)

Mike Del Mundo (Marvel Cover Artist Extraordinaire)

Agnes Garbowska (MyMisiu, You Me & Zombie)

Christopher Yao (Artist in Residence)

MORE GUESTS TBA
Signing times TBA

The February gallery show will be a multi-creator installation of artwork from Kevin’s personal collection.

7-11pm ON THE COUCH RETURNS! with Ty Templeton followed by an Industry Night Party

Also take note:
SUNDAY FEBRUARY 10
Exploring Digital Comics – Sketchbook Pro Day!
Come in and see how Sketchbook Pro can work for you – we’re planning a day of drawing demonstrations and talks between Noon and Five to show you what the software is capable of doing for you.

The Comic Book Lounge & Gallery
587A College Street, Toronto, Ontario M6G1B2

The Beguiling Books & Art at SDCC 2012

Press Release:

The Beguiling Books & Art is pleased to announce that it will once again be returning to The San Diego Comic-Con to sell a truly outstanding collection of illustrations and original comic book artwork on behalf of its represented artists. The Beguiling’s Peter Birkemoe will be on hand and exhibiting in a small corner of booth #1629, owned by venerable Canadian publisher Drawn & Quarterly, from Preview Night, Wednesday July 11th, through Sunday, July 15th.

The Beguiling represents original art by some of art comics’ greatest names at their online art store, including D&Q cartoonists Kevin Huizenga (Gloriana), Anders Nilsen (Big Questions), and Seth (Palookaville), and comics superstars Jeff Lemire (Essex County), Fabio Moon & Gabriel Ba (Casanova), and Bryan Lee O’Malley (Scott Pilgrim). The Beguiling will have over 400 pieces of original art on hand by 26 different artists at San Diego this year. Previews of most pages available online now at http://www.beguilingoriginalart.com/.

Highlights of this year’s mix of comics art and illustration include: 

- The Beguiling proudly announces that it will begin selling original art work from creators Pascal Girard, Matt Kindt, and Shintaro Kago! Girard is the author of the recently released graphic novel The Reunion from Drawn & Quarterly, and pages from that work and other illustrations will be on hand. Matt Kindt is the author of the graphic novels Super Spy, The Tooth, and 3:Story. His current series is MIND MGMT, an ongoing comic from Dark Horse, and art will be on hand from these and other series’! Kago is a renowned Ero-guro manga artist in Japan, and his work includes truly unique formalist experiments (and some very disturbing imagery), and has been praised by sources as diverse as Scott McCloud and Vice Magazine.

- A selection of pages from recent Drawn & Quarterly graphic novel releases, including pages from Kevin Huizenga’s Gloriana HC and The Wild Kingdom HC, Brian Ralph’s Cave-In, and Anders Nilsen’s Eisner Award nominated graphic novel Big Questions.

- Dozens of new, never-before offered pages by artist Farel Dalrymple. Including new pages from Dalrymple’s work on the series’ Prophet, Fantastic Four, Omega The Unknown, Vice Magazine, and more! So new these aren’t even on our website yet!

- Dozens of new pages by Norwegian artist Jason, from across his many popular graphic novels.

- All of the “new-since-last-Comic-Con” artwork by artists Gabriel Ba, Jeffrey Brown, Sammy Harkham, Jeff Lemire, Kagan McLeod, Fabio Moon, Marco Rudy, Maurice Vellekoop, and Zach Worton. All of these fine cartoonists have provided The Beguiling with new artwork since exhibiting at Comic-Con 2011, from across their many projects. Highlights include Jeff Lemire’s Sweeth Tooth, and the complete artwork (!) for Maurice Vellekoop’s The World of Gloria Badcock.

- A selection of quality originals by Rafael Albuquerque, Becky Cloonan, Jordan Crane, David Heatley, Miriam Katin, Jason Lutes, Bryan Lee O’Malley, Paul Pope, Michel Rabagliati, Seth, Jay Stephens, and Chip Zdarsky. With over 5,000 pieces of original art represented by The Beguiling, a selection of the best and most interesting pieces by these creators will be available for sale in San Diego.

Hate paying for shipping? If you will be at the San Diego Comic-Con and are interested in purchasing a specific piece of art from our website, we will happily bring it to the show for you. If you’d like us to bring a specific piece from our website to take a look at, please contact us at mail at beguiling dot com. Unfortunately we are not “holding” art for people unless they have purchased it outright, but we will try to accommodate all requests.

–

ABOUT:
Celebrating its 25th Anniversary, The Beguiling is a book store and original art dealer in Toronto, Canada. We represent original art sales from over three dozen comics creators and illustrators from around the world. Almost all of the original art that The Beguiling represents is consigned by the artists, ensuring we are able to offer the widest possible selection of material and that the artists get the largest possible chunk of the proceeds. To see our collection of original art, visit us online at http://www.beguilingoriginalart.com/

ON – The Underwater Welder Signing

Author Jeff Lemire signs at Innis Town Hall on Saturday, July 28th, at 7pm (Doors open at 6:30pm)

RSVP on Facebook!

Innis Town Hall, 2 Sussex Ave (at St. George, one block south of Bloor St.)
$5 admission or free with book purchase
Tickets and books on sale Monday, June 25th at The Beguiling

The Beguiling is proud to announce the official launch of The Underwater Welder, the new original graphic novel from Jeff Lemire. Lemire is the award-winning author of The Essex County Trilogy, picked as a Canada Reads finalist, the author of the graphic novels Sweet Tooth (series), Lost Dogs, and The Nobody, and a prolific contributor to DC Comics’ superhero line, including the hit series Animal Man and Justice League Dark.

The Underwater Welder is Lemire’s eagerly anticipated thematic ‘follow-up’ to Essex County; its seemingly benign rural slice-of-life tale set off the coast of Nova Scotia giving way to far more mysterious and unfathomable experiences. Lemire’s work has been praised with starred reviews by Publishers Weekly and Booklist, and the accolades are already pouring in for The Underwater Welder:

“The most spectacular episode of The Twilight Zone that was never produced. I really, really care about the people in this story… And I can pretty much guarantee you will too.”
—from the introduction by Damon Lindelof (LOST, Star Trek, Prometheus)

“A moving, brilliant, and fiercely original work about loss, longing, and love. Full of piercing moments that will stay with you for long after you’ve finished reading, The Underwater Welder is a testament to the basic truth that down in the depths or up on land, there’s nothing more haunting and wondrous than the human heart. A masterpiece of visual storytelling.”
— Scott Snyder (Batman, Swamp Thing, American Vampire)

The Underwater Welder Book Launch and Discussion will take place on Saturday, July 25th at Innis College Town Hall, and will feature a presentation by Lemire from the new work, an on-stage interview with Q&A, and a signing. Admission to this event is $5 for two persons, however, anyone purchasing The Underwater Welder in-store at The Beguiling will receive a free ticket good for two admissions and guaranteed seating. Tickets and The Underwater Welder advance copies go on sale Monday, June 25th at 11am.

ABOUT “THE UNDERWATER WELDER”

As an underwater welder on an oilrig off the coast of Nova Scotia, Jack Joseph is used to the immense pressures of deep-sea work. Nothing, however, could prepare him for the pressures of impending fatherhood. As Jack dives deeper and deeper, he seems to pull further and further away from his young wife and their unborn son. Then one night, deep in the icy solitude of the ocean floor, something unexplainable happens. Jack has a mysterious and supernatural encounter that will change the course of his life forever.
Equal parts blue-collar character study and mind-bending mystery, The Underwater Welder is a graphic novel about fathers and sons, birth and death, memory and reality, and the treasures we all bury deep below the surface.

The Underwater Welder, by Jeff Lemire. 224 pages, softcover, $19.95. Published by Top Shelf Productions

ABOUT JEFF LEMIRE

JEFF LEMIRE is one of the most acclaimed North American graphic novelists of recent years. He first entered the comics field with the self-published anthology series Ashtray (2003), followed by the Xeric-Award-winning graphic novel Lost Dogs (2005).

His Essex County trilogy of graphic novels (2007-2008, complete edition 2009) have received tremendous acclaim, including nominations for the Eisner, Harvey, and Ignatz Awards. In 2008 Jeff won both the Joe Shuster Award and the Doug Wright Award, recognizing the best in Canadian cartooning, as well as the American Library Association’s prestigious Alex Award, which recognizes books for adults that appeal to teenage readers. Essex County was named one of five official 2011 selection of the CBC’s Canada Reads program, recognizing the “Essential Canadian Novels of the Decade,” and landed first place in the “People’s Choice” poll with more votes than the other four books combined.

Jeff’s other works include the graphic novel The Nobody and the acclaimed ongoing series Sweet Tooth for Vertigo, as well as writing DC superhero series such as Superboy, Frankenstein, Animal Man, and Justice League Dark. He returns to Top Shelf this summer for The Underwater Welder.

SDCC Announces Their Special Guests List is Complete for 2012 with 28 New Additions

While they have yet to remove George Perez from the list (who announced via his Facebook page that he is cancelling his appearance this year), Comic-Con International has announced that their Special Guests list for 2012 is complete. The latest update contains 28 new names:

• Tim Bradstreet
•  Gail Carriger
•  Becky Cloonan
•  Ben Edlund
•  Steve Englehart
•  Greg Evans
•  Brecht Evens
•  Rob Guillory
•  Peter F. Hamilton
•  Jennifer and Matthew Holm
•  Lynn Johnston
•  Joe Jusko
•  Erik Larsen
•  John Layman
•  Jeff Lemire
•  Rob Liefeld
•  Katsuhiro Otomo
•  Whilce Portacio
•  James Robinson
•  Ben Saunders
•  John Scalzi
•  Scott Shaw!
•  Jim Silke
•  Marc Silvestri
•  J. Michael Straczynski
•  Angelo Torres
•  Jim Valentino
•  Tom Yeates

 

DC Comics Panel Schedule for NYCC 2011

DC Comics anounces its panel schedule for New York Comic Con 2011 at the Jacob K. Javits Center!

Friday, October 14

DC: Talent Search
10:30-11:30am
Join DCE’s Editorial Art Director, Mark Chiarello, for an informative orientation session that will explain how DCE’s Talent Search works and discuss the different needs of the DC Comics, Vertigo, and MAD Magazine brands. If you want to learn what DCE looks for in artists and how to improve your chances of becoming a working professional, then this is the panel for you! In order to have your work reviewed, attendance at this orientation session is mandatory. (Please note: Not all attendees are guaranteed a one-on-one review.) Room 1B01

DC ALL ACCESS: Batman
1:15pm-2:15pm
Find out everything you need to know about the Dark Knight Detective and his cohorts in the new DC universe—from Batwoman to Batgirl to Robin, the Boy Wonder! Explore the streets of Gotham City with all-star creators such as Lee Bermejo (Batman: Noel), Chris Burnham (Batman Inc.), Tony Daniel (Detective Comics), Greg Capullo (Batman), David Finch (Batman: The Dark Knight), Kyle Higgins (Nightwing), Amy Reeder (Batwoman), Scott Snyder (Batman), and Peter J. Tomasi (Batman and Robin)! Room 1A10

Vertigo Visions
3:45pm-4:45pm
Join the writers and artists behind the acclaimed and award-winning brand for a panel about the weird, the wild and the always unexpected with all-star talent including Jason Aaron (Scalped), Brian Azzarello (Spaceman, 100 Bullets), Rebecca Guay (A Flight of Angels), Phil Jimenez (Fairest), Jeff Lemire (Sweet Tooth), Chris Roberson (iZOMBIE), Douglas Rushkoff (A.D.D.), Marzena Sowa (Marzi), Sylvain Savoia (Marzi) and Scott Snyder (American Vampire)! And introducing some new Vertigo blood! Room 1A22

DC ALL ACCESS: Green Lantern
5:00pm-6:00pm
In Brightest Day, in Blackest Night, the minds behind the Green Lantern franchise take flight—onto the stage to shed some light on the Emerald Warriors! Join the Corps with DC Entertainment Chief Creative Officer and Green Lantern writer Geoff Johns, along with Tony Bedard (Green Lantern: New Guardians), Doug Mahnke (Green Lantern), Ivan Reis (Blackest Night), writer Peter Tomasi (Green Lantern Corps) and more! Room 1A10

Saturday, October 15

DC: Talent Search
10:15-10:45am
Join DCE’s Editorial Art Director, Mark Chiarello, for an informative orientation session that will explain how DCE’s Talent Search works and discuss the different needs of the DC Comics, Vertigo and MAD Magazine brands. If you want to learn what DCE looks for in artists and how to improve your chances of becoming a working professional, then this is the panel for you! In order to have your work reviewed, attendance at this orientation session is mandatory. (Please note: Not all attendees are guaranteed a one-on-one review.) Room 1A15

VERTIGO: Scary S**T!
10:45am-11:45am
Join Vertigo’s monthly writers as they discuss vampires, zombies, the apocalypse and more, with top creators including Brian Azzarello (Spaceman), Jeff Lemire (Sweet Tooth), Chris Roberson (iZOMBIE) and Scott Snyder (American Vampire)! And introducing some new Vertigo blood! Room 1A22

DC ALL ACCESS: Justice League
12:00pm-1:00pm
Before they were the World’s Greatest Superheroes, they were considered the world’s most feared vigilantes. Join some of the creators of the new DC universe in a panel discussion headlined by the creative team behind the flagship title of DC COMICS – THE NEW 52 — DC Entertainment Chief Creative Officer Geoff Johns and DC Comics Co-Publisher Jim Lee. Including all-star creators such as Brian Azzarello (Wonder Woman), Brian Buccellato (The Flash), Cliff Chiang (Wonder Woman), Yildiray Cinar (The Fury of Firestorm), Tony Daniel (Detective Comics, The Savage Hawkman), Francis Manapul (The Flash), Joe Prado (Aquaman), Ivan Reis (Aquaman), Philip Tan (The Savage Hawkman), and Eric Wallace (Mr. Terrific). Room 1A10

DC ALL ACCESS: Superman
1:15pm-2:15pm
With the launch of DC COMICS – THE NEW 52, a new era for Superman begins! Find out what’s in the works for the Man of Tomorrow as we look at his upcoming exploits in ACTION COMICS, SUPERMAN and more! Don’t miss this panel featuring Mahmud Asrar (Supergirl), Shane Davis (Superman: Earth One) and others! Room 1A10

DC ALL ACCESS: The Edge/ The Dark
2:30pm-3:30pm
The DC universe is home to all kinds of heroes – including some who barely fit that name! Hear what’s coming up in the pages of titles like JUSTICE LEAGUE DARK, SWAMP THING, O.M.A.C., ALL-STAR WESTERN and more, with top talent including Ivan Brandon (Men of War), Paul Cornell (Stormwatch, Demon Knights), Josh Fialkov (I, Vampire), Keith Giffen (O.M.A.C.), Adam Glass (Suicide Squad), Viktor Kalvachev (Men of War), Andy Lanning (Resurrection Man), Jeff Lemire (Animal Man, Frankenstein Agent of S.H.A.D.E.), Justin Norman (All-Star Western), Jimmy Palmiotti (All-Star Western), and Scott Snyder (Swamp Thing)! Room 1A22

Sunday, October 16

MAD
12:15pm – 1:15pm
MAD is more than just the best-selling humor magazine in the nation – it’s also the inspiration for the hit animated series on Cartoon Network, now in its second season! Find out what’s happening with the Usual Gang of Idiots in this panel featuring MAD Magazine editor John Ficarra, art director Sam Viviano and TV producer Kevin Schinick! Room 1A24

DC ALL ACCESS: Meet the Publishers
2:45pm-3:45pm
As Co-Publishers of DC Entertainment, Jim Lee and Dan DiDio are the driving forces behind DC COMICS – THE NEW 52, DC’s digital initiative, and much more, as well as being the artist of JUSTICE LEAGUE and writer of O.M.A.C.! This up-close-and-personal panel gives you a chance to step up and ask questions! Room 1A06

DC ALL ACCESS: Young Justice
3:45pm-4:45pm
They may be young – but they’re still heroes! Find out what’s happening for THE LEGION OF SUPER-HEROES, TEEN TITANS and more as DC COMICS – THE NEW 52 unfolds in this panel featuring Franco Aureliani (Tiny Titans), Art Baltazar (Tiny Titans), Tony Bedard (Blue Beetle), Sterling Gates (Hawk and Dove), Jonathan Glapion (Static Shock), Paul Levitz (Legion of Super-Heroes), and Francis Portela (Legion of Super-Heroes)! Room 1A22

 

ON – DC 52 Signing

Jeff Lemire signs at The Beguiling on September 7th and 14th at 6pm!

Press Release:

This September, DC Comics will relaunch their entire universe with brand new first issues! 52 books in 4 weeks, 2 of those new #1s are written by Toronto’s own Jeff Lemire! Please join us in supporting and celebrating the work of Mr. Lemire with two signings on two consecutive weeks, each featuring a brand new book…!

On September 7th at 6PM, Jeff Lemire will be on hand to sign copies of ANIMAL MAN #1! Here’s what it’s about: “Buddy Baker has gone from “super” man to family man – but is he strong enough to hold his family together when Maxine, his young daughter, starts to manifest her own dangerous powers? Find out in this dramatic new series!”

On September 14th at 6PM: Join Jeff Lemire in store as he signs copies of FRANKENSTEIN: AGENT OF S.H.A.D.E. #1: “It’s Frankenstein as you’ve never seen him before! Frankenstein is part of a network of strange beings who work for an even stranger government organization: The Super Human Advanced Defense Executive! But can he protect the world from threats even more horrifying than himself? And since he’s vilified for who and what he is, will he even want to take on this mission?”

Jeff will be on hand both days to sign copies of all of his work, including his acclaimed series Sweet Tooth and his graphic novels The Nobody and Essex County.

The Beguilling
601 Markham Street, Toronto, ON M6G 2L7

Fan Expo Canada Reveals Comic Guests Lineup for 2011

Press Release:

2011 Fan Expo Canada™ Reveals Powerhouse Lineup of Comic Guests!

Rare appearance by legendary Kubert comic book family and Bone creator Jeff Smith headline the massive four-day Comic Book Expo

Toronto, ON (May 5, 2011) – Fan Expo Canada™ Canada’s premier and largest gaming, horror, comic, science fiction and anime event, today announced its highly anticipated lineup of celebrity guests in the comic medium including industry leaders Adam, Andy and Joe Kubert and Cartoonist Guest of Honour Jeff Smith! The creative masterminds behind such iconic brands as Batman, Fantastic Four, Captain America, The Flash, Thor and Spider-Man will all be participating in Fan Expo’s ever-popular Comic Book Expo, August 25 – 28 at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre.

For four jam-packed days, Comic Book Expo offers fans autograph sessions with celebrity comic guests and programming highlights that include: hundreds of industry experts on-hand for Q&As, portfolio reviews, advice and live instruction; meet and greet with popular artists, inkers and writers in Artist Alley; industry previews of upcoming comic news and projects; and more than 600 comic retailers offering the country’s largest variety of genres, collectibles, independent publications and Expo exclusive offers all under one roof! Not to mention, Canada’s largest Comic Masquerade Night on Saturday, August 27th – where hundreds of fans dress up as popular comic book characters.

The Comic Book Expo Celebrity Guests include:

· JASON AARON (Writer of ULTIMATE CAPTAIN AMERICA, WOLVERINE)

· BRIAN AZZARELLO (Writer of FIRST WAVE & 100 BULLETS)

· MARK BROOKS (Artist of UNCANNY X-FORCE)

· JIMMY CHEUNG (Artist of AVENGERS)

· OLIVIER COIPEL (Artist of THOR)

· SHANE DAVIS (Artist of SUPERMAN EARTH ONE)

· MARKO DJURDJEVIC (Artist of THOR, FANTASTIC FOUR, SPIDER-MAN)

· DALE EAGLESHAM (Artist of ALPHA FLIGHT)

· STEVE EPTING (Artist of FANTASTIC FOUR, CAPTAIN AMERICA)

· MATT FRACTION (Artist of THOR, IRONMAN, UNCANNY X-MEN)

· RON GARNEY (Artist of ULTIMATE CAPTAIN AMERICA)

· JONATHAN HICKMAN (Writer of FANTASTIC FOUR)

· KATHRYN IMMONEN (Writer of WOLVERINE & JUBILEE)

· STUART IMMONEN (Artist of FEAR ITSELF)

· DALE KEOWN (Artist of HULK)

· ADAM KUBERT (Artist of ASTONISHING SPIDER-MAN & WOLVERINE)

· ANDY KUBERT (Artist of BATMAN & FLASHPOINT)

· JOE KUBERT (Legendary Comic Book Artist)

· JEFF LEMIRE (Artist of SUPERBOY)

· ALEX MALEEV (Artist of MOON KNIGHT & SCARLET)

· FRANCIS MANAPUL (Artist of THE FLASH)

· STEVE McNIVEN (Artist of CAPTAIN AMERICA)

· TONY MOORE (Artist of THE WALKING DEAD & VENOM)

· JAMES ROBINSON (Writer of SUPERMAN)

· DAN SLOTT (Writer of AMAZING SPIDER-MAN)

· DOUG SNEYD (Legendary Playboy cartoonist)

· JEFF SMITH (Cartoonist Guest of Honour – Creator of BONE)

· ETHAN VAN SCIVER (Artist of THE FLASH REBIRTH)

For more information and the complete programming line-up for Comic Book Expo, go to www.fanexpocanada.com.

For the 17th consecutive year, visitors from across Ontario and around the world will have the opportunity to experience the very best in pop culture first-hand at the upcoming 2011 Fan Expo Canada™. In addition to the Comic Book Expo, the country’s largest combined event will include Anime, Science Fiction, Festival of Fear Horror Expo and GX – Gaming Expo. Stay tuned for more announcements in the upcoming weeks.

SHOW DETAILS:

WHEN: AUGUST 25- 28, 2011

Thursday, August 25 2:00 pm – 4:00 pm (Special Preview)

4:00 pm – 9:00 pm

Friday, August 26 10:00 am – 8:00 pm

Saturday, August 27 10:00 am – 8:00 pm

Sunday, August 28 10:00 am – 6:00 pm

WHERE: Metro Toronto Convention Centre South Building

222 Bremner Blvd, Toronto, Ontario, Canada

For more information visit, www.fanexpocanada.com

MCAF Announces Panel Schedule

The Maine Comics Arts Festival has announced its pre-convention panel schedule for Saturday, May 22nd hosted by the Portland Public Library (Main Branch, 5 Monument Square, Portland, ME) 

All Saturday events will be held in the Rines Auditorium unless otherwise noted.
Kids Cartooning Workshop – 10:00 AM

Children ages 7-12 are invited to try their hand at cartoon art. Using simple shapes, comic book artist Jay Piscopo will demonstrate how to build figures and perspective to create art that tells a story. Stand by for adventure in this hour-long, interactive workshop! Click here to watch a video clip

Portland, Maine artist Jay Piscopo is the author and illustrator of The Undersea Adventures of Capt’n Eli all-ages graphic novel series. Piscopo also co-created The Scrap City Pack Rats, art directed the award-winning Fizz and Martina Math Adventures, and was an animator for ABC TV’s Squigglevision.
The World of Graphic Novels – 11:00 AM
Presenter: John Shableski, Diamond Book Distributors

“The graphic novel is to publishing today very much as rock and roll was when it first entered the music industry mainstream: a strange format already familiar to the popular culture but not yet understood by the established distribution channels.” ~ John Shableski, Diamond Book Distributors

This free presentation is for librarians and educators who are interested in the world of graphic novels and are looking for definitions, explanations, and advice on where to begin or expand your collection or how to effectively use graphic novels in the classroom. John conducts this workshop nationally with librarians and educators and is known for his interactive, conversational style. This is his first time presenting in Maine. You won’t want to miss this unique opportunity!

THE PRESENTER: John Shableski is sales manager at Diamond Book Distributors, the world’s largest distributor of English-language comic books, and one of the biggest distributors of graphic novels in the U.S. through its Diamond Book Distributors division. John has been a panelist at BookExpo America, a moderator for graphic novel panels at the New York Comic Con, a guest speaker at library events, regional book shows and a symposium coordinator. He’s currently collaborating on several graphic novel symposiums across the country. His focus is on the independent bookstore market, public and school libraries. 

Cartooning Styles – 12:30pm
A humorous presentation about art styles, featuring images of popular cartoon characters like Sponge Bob Squarepants and Mickey Mouse, and how different artists interpret them. We’ll talk about designing characters, and then give an interactive drawing demo, in which the audience will instruct Raina in creating characters and images.
Age range: 5 – 12

 
Center for Cartoon Studies Presents: Page Building Workshop – 1:30pm
This hands-on workshop will take a closer look at the basic building blocks of the comics page. Cartoonist and teacher Robyn Chapman will explain how to use page composition to control pacing and create effective stories. No matter how little experience you have, you will leave this workshop having composed a comics page!  All supplies will be provided.

 
Live Comics Reading: Smile & Astronaut Elementary – 2:30
Raina Telgemeier and Dave Roman will read (and perform) chapters from their all-ages graphic novels, as the illustrated panels are projected onto a large screen for all to see. They’ll also ask for some volunteers from the audience to play some of the characters.
Age range: 5 and up. 
Featured Guest Discussion - 3:00pm
Jeff Lemire, Brian Wood and Skottie Young
This panel discussion will cover the works of the festival’s featured guests and will include a question and answer session.

 
The Pros and Cons of Small Press Publishing – 4:00pm
When a writer or artist decides to pursue the comic book industry, the 21st century has provided them with several different options, one of them being small press publishing. But how does one decide the best route to take. Join the creator of Sky Pirates of Valendor, Everett Soares along with Promotions Consultant, Susan Soares as they discuss the Pros and Cons of small press publishing as they share their journey through the industry.
Sunday, May 23 – 10:00 AM- 5:00 PM
Maine Comics Arts Festival
Ocean Gateway, Portland
Meet over 100 comic writers, artists and publishers, see exhibits and shop for cool comics and graphic novels. Click here to see the full guest list

Jo Chen Covers ECCC’s Monsters & Dames

Seattle, WA – January 26, 2010 – The Emerald City ComiCon (ECCC) is once again bringing back its popular MONSTERS & DAMES art book for 2010. It features almost fifty brand new pieces of art by some of the top illustrators in comics, as well as an amazing cover by Jo Chen (Buffy the Vampire Slayer Season 8).

“We sold out of our entire run of the 2009 Monsters & Dames art book,” said ECCC organizer Jim Demonakos. “Thanks to that, and overwhelming feedback from our attendees, we’ve created another fantastic collection of monsters, dames, lady monsters and everything in between!”

This full-color, 9″x12″, 48-page hardcover is limited to only 850 individually numbered copies and features contributions from artists such as Tim Sale, Mike Allred, Darick Robertson, Whilce Portacio, Eric Basaldua, Aaron Lopresti, Philip Tan, Michael Golden, Carlos D’Anda, Brian Churilla, Gabriel Hardman, Jamie McKelvie, Jim Rugg, Timothy Green, Steve Rolston, Jeff Lemire, Matt Kindt, Mark Texeira and dozens more!

Additionally, a portion of the proceeds from this book benefits the Seattle Children’s Hospital, a premier child health care and pediatric center and recognized as one of the leading US hospitals for children.

The Eighth Annual Emerald City ComiCon will be taking place March 13-14, 2010 at the Washington State Convention & Trade Center in beautiful downtown Seattle, WA.

www.emeraldcitycomicon.com

DC Comics Announces Panels for Comic-Con International

DC Panels at San Diego Comic Con

July 26, 2009 – July 27, 2009

THURSDAY, JULY 23

10:30-11:30 DC Talent Search 1 Room 4
11:45-12:45 Superman: Two Worlds Room 6DE
2:15-3:15 Spotlight on Geoff Johns Room 6DE
5:00-6:00 JSA: The Great Society Room 5AB
6:00-7:00 Vertigo New Ongoing Series/Crime Line Room 5AB

FRIDAY, JULY 24

10:30-11:30 DC Talent Search 2 Room 4
11:00-12:00 Spotlight on Darick Robertson Room 4
12:30-1:30 Batman: New Dynamic Room 6DE
3:00-4:00 DC Nation Room 6DE
4:30-5:30 Wednesday Comics Room 5AB
5:30-6:30 Vertigo: View of the Future Room 5AB
SATURDAY, JULY 25

10:30-11:30 DC Talent Search 3 Room 4
11:30-12:30 Spotlight on Francis Manapul Room 4
12:45-2:00 DCU Editorial Presentation Room 6B
2:15-3:15 Green Lantern: Blackest Night Room 6quad
3:30-4:30 Wildstorm: This is WildStorm! Room 4
4:45-5:45 Vertigo Voices: The Fables Forum Room 6DE

SUNDAY, JULY 26

11:00-12:00 CMX: Bringing Manga to You! Room 4
12:00-1:00 Spotlight on Bill Willingham Room 2
2:00-3:00 Sunday Conversation with Dan DiDio Room 2
3:00-4:00 Making Webcomics Room 4

SAN DIEGO 2009 PANEL DESCRIPTIONS

Thursday, July 23rd

10:30-11:30 DC Talent Search 1
Come learn what DC Comics looks for in artists and how to improve your chances of becoming a working professional! We’ll discuss the different needs of the DC Universe, Vertigo, WildStorm, Mad Magazine and Zuda. This extremely informative orientation session will explain how DC’s Talent Search works and provide numerous tips and tricks on how to improve your work and explore opportunities. In order to have your work reviewed, attendance at this orientation session is mandatory. (Please note: Not all attendees are guaranteed a one-on-one review.) Room 4

11:45-12:45 Superman: Two Worlds
Torn between New Krypton and Earth, The Man of Steel has only just begun his latest adventure. You’ve seen the stories. A new planet of Kryptonians. Scores of super-powered beings. The people behind Superman’s future are here to face the most trying times in his life. Meet the talented folks behind Superman as they give you a glimpse of what is in store for our favorite Super-family. Featuring Superman Group Editor Matt Idelson, Geoff Johns (Adventure Comics, Superman: Secret Origins), Greg Rucka (Action Comics), James Robinson (Superman), Sterling Gates (Supergirl), Renato Guedes (Superman), and more! Room 6DE

2:15-3:15 Spotlight on Geoff Johns
He is the mastermind behind the smash-hit, critically acclaimed Flash: Rebirth and DC’s most anticipated book of the year, Green Lantern: Blackest Night. Wondering what makes Geoff Johns tick? Don’t miss this panel hosted by Eddie Berganza, Group Editor-DCU, interviewing one of the most exciting talents in the DCU. Room 6DE

5:00 -6:00 JSA: The Great Society
DC’s legendary super-team enters a new era with top talent and explosive storylines in the second half of 2009! Get the inside scoop on everything JSA right here including info on the exciting spin-off title Magog and the main series Justice Society of America from the creative minds behind the franchise. Hosted by DC’s Senior Group Editor, Mike Carlin, with top talents Bill Willingham (JSA), Matt Sturges (JSA), Freddie Williams (Final Crisis Aftermath: Run), Amanda Conner (Power Girl), Jimmy Palmiotti (Power Girl) and more! Room 5AB

6:00 -7:00 Vertigo New Ongoing Series/Crime Line
It’s a new beginning for Vertigo with the launch of new ongoing titles such as The Unwritten, Greek Street & Sweet Tooth. In addition to these titles we will be launching the highly anticipated Vertigo Crime Line with some of the top talents in the industry. Hosted by Senior VP – Executive Editor, Vertigo, Karen Berger and Senior Editor Will Dennis, this panel is not to be missed, especially considering the talent present: Peter Gross (Unwritten), Jeff Lemire (Sweet Tooth, The Nobody), Jason Starr, Chris Gage, Gabriel Ba, Fabio Moon and others! Room 5AB

Friday, July 24th

10:30-11:30 Talent Search 2
Come learn what DC Comics looks for in artists and how to improve your chances of becoming a working professional! We’ll discuss the different needs of the DCUniverse, Vertigo, WildStorm, Mad Magazine and Zuda. This extremely informative orientation session will explain how DC’s Talent Search works and provide numerous tips and tricks on how to improve your work and explore opportunities. In order to have your work reviewed, attendance at this orientation session is mandatory. (Please note: Not all attendees are guaranteed a one-on-one review.) Room 4

11:00-12:00 Spotlight on Darick Robertson
Whether he’s illustrating Leatherface or reigniting super-teams like The Authority or launching videogame adaptations like Prototype, artist Darick Robertson has become synonymous with gritty, exhilarating artwork. Now’s your chance to hear the fan-favorite creator talk about his process and career alongside WildStorm Senior Editor Ben Abernathy. There’s no telling what these two might say! Room 4

12:30-1:30 Batman: New Dynamic
Now that the Battle for the Cowl has ended, what adventures lie ahead for the new Dark Knight? Join Group Editor Michael Marts, Paul Dini (Detective Comics), Dustin Nguyen (Detective Comics), Greg Rucka (Detective Comics), and more as they discuss the legend of Batman and what the future holds for the newest man behind the bat. Room 6DE

3:00-4:00 DC NATION
Calling all NATION recruits! Bring your friends and hear top talent discuss where the DC NATION is heading from 2009 and beyond. Sr. VP – Executive Editor Dan DiDio hosts this exciting discussion with Ian Sattler, James Robinson, Geoff Johns, Greg Rucka, and more! Join them for a VIP look into the most talked about stories and events of the summer! Room 6DE

4:30-5:30 Wednesday Comics
Wednesday Comics gives a fresh twist to a grand comics tradition by reinventing the classic newspaper comics section and filling it to the brim with today’s top talent and characters! Learn all you need to know about DC’s excitingly innovative weekly 12-issue series from the title’s mastermind, DCU Editorial Art Director Mark Chiarello, and an all-star list of panelists! Believe us; you’ve never seen a panel or a project like this! Room 5AB

5:30-6:30 Vertigo: View of the Future
Vertigo, DC’s edgiest and most provocative imprint, returns to San Diego! Come and discover what’s going on at the imprint that birthed The Sandman, Preacher, Y: The Last Man, Fables and more? Wait ’til you hear about what new projects the Vertigo team is going to thrill us with next! Hosted by Senior VP – Executive Editor, Vertigo, Karen Berger, Group Editor Shelly Bond, and Senior Editor Will Dennis, with Jason Aaron (Scalped), Mike Allred, Mark Buckingham (Fables), Josh Dysart (Unknown Soldier), Peter Gross (Unwritten), Amy Hadley (Madame Xanadu), Jeff Lemire (The Nobody), Chris Roberson, Matt Sturges (House of Mystery), Matt Wagner (Madame Xanadu), Bill Willingham (Fables, House of Mystery), G. Willow Wilson (Air), Brian Wood (DMZ, Northlanders), and others! Room 5AB

Saturday, July 25th

10:30-11:30 DC Talent Search 3
Come learn what DC Comics looks for in artists and how to improve your chances of becoming a working professional! We’ll discuss the different needs of the DCUniverse, Vertigo, WildStorm, Mad Magazine and Zuda. This extremely informative orientation session will explain how DC’s Talent Search works and provide numerous tips and tricks on how to improve your work and explore opportunities. In order to have your work reviewed, attendance at this orientation session is mandatory. (Please note: Not all attendees are guaranteed a one-on-one review.) Room 4

11:30-12:30 Spotlight on Francis Manapul
The hot up-and-coming artist Francis Manapul takes the stage to discuss his kinetic art on one of the most anticipated projects of the year: Adventure Comics with Geoff Johns! Hosted by Group Editor Matt Idelson see what’s it like illustrating the return of Superboy. Come find out from one of the freshest artists in the biz! Room 4

12:45-2:00 DCU Editorial Presentation
Dan DiDio, Senior VP / Executive Editor DCU, Ian Sattler, Senior Story Editor-DCU, and countless DCU talent are gathering for a discussion that’s not to be missed. Now that Blackest Night is upon us, what lies ahead for your favorite heroes? Got a question for your favorite DCU creator? Come on by! There’s no greater gathering of top-tier creative talent! Room 6B

2:15-3:15 Green Lantern: Blackest Night
The dead are rising in the DCU – who will survive when the Blank Lantern Corps attacks? This is your only chance to hear what’s coming up in Blackest Night, the most anticipated comic event of the year! Featuring all the key figures behind the biggest, coolest threat to the DCU in years! Hosted by Group Editor Eddie Berganza with Geoff Johns (Green Lantern), Pat Gleason (Green Lantern Corps) and others! Room 6QUAD

3:30-4:30 Wildstorm: This is WildStorm!
Get the inside scoop on what’s upcoming from DC’s wildest imprint from WS-VP Hank Kanalz, Senior Editor Ben Abernathy, Fiona Staples (North 40, Trick ‘r Treat), Kurt Busiek (Astro City), Adam Beechen (Killapalooza), Christos Gage (Wildcats, Dante’s Inferno), Darrick Robertson (Prototype), David Tischman (Red Herring), Liam Sharp (Gears of War), Jason Craig (Freddy vs. Jason vs. Ash), Brian Wood, Rebecca Isaacs, and more! Find out about what’s new in the WildStorm Universe! There will be tons of info and sneak peaks for Wildcats, The Authority, Gears of War, World of Warcraft, Ex Machina, and much, much more! Room 4

4:45-5:45 Vertigo Voices: The Fables Forum
It’s the Fables Forum – San Diego style! Come armed with your best questions and find out everything you want to know about Fables. Featuring the creators behind Fables, Jack of Fables, and House of Mystery: Vertigo Group Editor Shelly Bond is joined by Bill Willingham, Mark Buckingham, Matthew Sturges, Steve Leialoha, Lee Loughridge, Shawn McManus, Andrew Pepoy, Chris Roberson, Chrissie Zullo and Todd Klein. Room 6DE

Sunday, July 26th

11:00-12:00 CMX: Bringing Manga to You!
Manga remains one of the hottest areas in literature and CMX, the manga imprint of DC Comics, is right in the thick of it. Join Director of Manga Asako Suzuki and Editor Jim Chadwick as they discuss the latest releases from one of the most diverse lines on the market today. We are excited to talk about upcoming new series and the ongoing series such books as Crayon Shinchan, Broken Blade, Fire Investigator Nanase, Ballad of a Shinigami, The Lapis Lazuli Crown, Emma, and much, much more! Room 4

12:00-1:00 Spotlight on Bill Willingham
Both a master storyteller and an incredible artist, Bill Willingham has created a huge following for his best-selling books. His credits range from the DCU’s Justice Society of America, Salvation Run and Robin- to the already- classic Vertigo titles Fables and Jack of Fables and the new House of Mystery. Hosted by Vertigo Group Editor, Shelly Bond with Fables co-horts Mark Buckingham and Steve Leialoha. Room 2

2:00-3:00 Sunday Conversation with Dan DiDio
As the con comes to a close, sit back and unwind as Dan DiDio and friends invite you to a relaxed Sunday afternoon comics discussion. Share your opinions and listen to others as some of comics’ biggest names talk about their love of all things comics. All are welcome, no RSVP required. Room 2

3:00-4:00 Making Webcomics
Join Ron Perazza (ZUDA COMICS), Kwanza Johnson (ZUDA COMICS), Kevin Colden (Fishtown, I RULE THE NIGHT), Cameron Stewart (Transmission X, VERTIGO), Molly Crabapple (Act-i-vate, Dr. Sketchys Anti-Art School) and others for an inclusive, roundtable discussion about the advantages, challenges, questions, solutions, costs and benefits of making webcomics for fun and profit. Topics include working with a publisher, self-publishing, promoting yourself, best practices, style and moving from web to print (or vice-versa)! Room 4

Source: DC Comics.com