NY – Holiday Charity Signing

      

Scott Snyder, Klaus Janson, Al Milgrom, Peter David, Chris Giarusso, and Jacob Chabot sign on Saturday December 8, 2012 at 6:00pm!

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Press Release:

Join us for our 20th Annual Party & Raffle with all proceeds going to the John Thiessen’s Childrens Foundation. Darth Vader and his Stormtroopers of the 501st Legion will be on hand for a Toy Drive from 1:00 – 4:00 pm, including a creator signing. Second signing starts at 6:00 pm, buffet at 7:30, and the Charity Raffle at 8:30. Raffle Tickets are $5.00 each and are on sale now! Join our newsletter for daily updates!

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

 

CAM Sketch-a-thon Artists at SDCC 2012 to Include Adlard, Janson, and Many More

Press Release:

Sixth Annual CAM Sketch-a-thon at San Diego Comic-Con International

Cartoon Art Museum Event:  Thursday, July 12 through Sunday, July 15, 2012

$10 Suggested donation per sketch

San Francisco, CA:  The Cartoon Art Museum is pleased to announce its programming for this year’s San Diego Comic-Con International, to be held at the San Diego Convention Center from July 12-15, 2012.  This year marks the sixth annual CAM Sketch-a-thon, which features a host of artists donating their time and talents to support the museum in its fundraising efforts.  This year’s roster includes professional animators, graphic novelists, newspaper strip cartoonists, political cartoonists, comic book illustrators, webcartoonists, underground cartoonists and self-publishers, providing the Cartoon Art Museum’s booth with one of the most diverse artistic populations at Comic-Con.  The National Cartoonist Society’s 2012 Reuben Award Winner Tom Richmond and Walking Dead artist Charlie Adlard are among the artists supporting the Cartoon Art Museum at this year’s event.

Artists will draw for visitors during one-hour sessions at the Cartoon Art Museum’s booth, #1930 on the convention floor.  In exchange for a donation of $10 or more to the Cartoon Art Museum, supporters will receive a customized convention sketch from a professional cartoonist.  Featured artists include  Charlie Adlard, Michael Aushenker, Elijah Brubaker, Carolyn Watson Dubisch, Mike Dubisch, Phil Foglio, Shaenon K. Garrity, Zack Giallongo, Sina Grace, Mike Gray, Klaus Janson, Keith Knight, Jon Macy, Larry Marder, Kraig Rasmussen, Denny Riccelli, Tom Richmond, Dave Roman, Scott Shaw!, Seamus Smith, Raina Telgemeier, Jen Vaughn, Kimo Yancey and Ron Yavnieli, with many more to be announced as the convention approaches.  Please stay tuned to our website for an updated list and schedule as additional artists confirm.

Artists who are interested in participating in the CAM Sketch-a-thon should contact Andrew Farago at gallery@cartoonart.org for more information.

SDCC Announces First 30 Special Guests for 2012

Comic-Con International has announced the first 30 special guests for their 2012 convention.

• » Bill Amend
• » Sergio Aragonés
• » Kate Beaton
• » Mike Carey
• » Geof Darrow
• » Mark Evanier
• » Gary Gianni
• » Larry Hama
• » Gilbert Hernandez
• » Jaime Hernandez
• » Mario Hernandez
• » Klaus Janson
• » N.K. Jemisin
• » Karl Kerschl
• » Jim Lee
• » Paul Levitz
• » Andy Mangels
• » Rudy Nebres
• » George Pérez*
• » Nate Powell
• » John Romita Jr.
• » Brandon Sanderson
• » Doug Savage
• » Mark Schultz
• » Jason Shiga
• » Herb Trimpe
• » Morrie Turner
• » Michael Uslan
• » Trevor Von Eeden
• » Mark Waid

Editor’s Note: George Perez has since announced via his Facebook page that he has had to cancel his appearance there this year.

Marvel Signing, Panel, and Booth Schedules for NYCC 2011 Announced

Via Marvel.com, we get our first look at Marvel’s signing schedule for New York Comic Con 2011, including signings by Stan Lee and Joe Quesada as well as Chris Evans (Captain America), Tom Hiddleston (Loki), and more from The Avengers.

In addition, Marvel has made their Panel and Booth Schedule available:

 

UK – Inker Extraordinaire Signing

 

Klaus Janson signs at Orbital Comics on Thursday, June 16 at 5pm.

Klaus Janson is a comic book legend with a career spanning over four decades from the 1970s to today. He originally shot to fame as Frank Miller’s inker on Daredevil and the legendary Dark Knight Returns, but is also an accomplished artist in his own right, having worked on Batman: Death & The Maidens with writer Greg Rucka. He is currently inking John Romita Jr on The Avengers and recently released two books about Pencilling and Inking for DC Comics.

RSVP on Facebook!

Orbital Comics
8 Gt Newport Street, London WC2H 7JA, United Kingdom
020 7240 0591

Baltimore Comic-Con 2010 Panel Announcements & More

Press Release: 

You’ve been clamoring for it, we’ve been working on it, and now we’re ready to announce it — the 2010 Baltimore Comic-Con Panel Schedule!
 
Room 307 (Saturday)
11:00-12:00 – Spotlight on Terry Moore – Terry Moore is the award-winning creator of “Strangers in Paradise” and “Echo” and has also written such comics as Marvel’s “Spider-Man Loves Mary Jane” and “Runaways.” This panel shines the spotlight on Moore and his work and is a must-see for all his fans.

12:00-1:00 – IRREDEEMABLE/INCORRUPTIBLE Panel – Mark Waid’s Harvey and Eisner nominated, best-selling, multiple sell-out IRREDEEMABLE has taken comic fans by storm since its debut, becoming one of the top-selling independent comics published today. Join Mark Waid as he takes a look back at IRREDEEMABLE’s beginnings, the future of the series, and its sister series — INCORRUPTIBLE. A not-to-be-missed panel for any fan of these books! (PSSSSST: Mark will also talk a little bit about his new BOOM! book with Stan Lee called THE TRAVELER. Don’t miss it!)

1:00-2:00 – Spotlight on Thor – With the THOR feature film from Marvel Studios premiering in May, 2011, and his adventures featured across both the Marvel and Ultimate Universes, Thor is one of Marvel’s hottest characters. Chroniclers of the Thunder God’s adventures from the past, present, and future – Walter Simonson, John Workman, Bryan J.L. Glass, and Jonathan Hickman – join Marvel’s Vice President – Executive Editor Tom Brevoort to discuss all things Thor.

2:00-3:00 – Spotlight on Denis Kitchen – Denis Kitchen is a cartoonist and founder of Kitchen Sink Press where he published work by such creators as Will Eisner, Harvey Kurtzman, and Robert Crumb. A book of his art “The Oddly Compelling Art of Denis Kitchen” was recently published by Dark Horse; a new art book, “Denis Kitchen: Chipboard Sketchbook”, is on the way from BOOM!; and a book he co-authored, “Art of Harvey Kurtzman: The Mad Genius of Comic” is nominated for a Harvey Award. Don’t miss this opportunity hear about the work of a true comics original.

3:00-4:00 – Spotlight on Michael Allred – Michael Allred is the creator of “Madman” ,”Atomics”, “Red Rocket 7,” and has worked on such comics as the “Golden Plates,” “X-Statix,” and “Sandman” and is currently drawing “iZombie” from DC/Vertigo. Allred and “iZombie” scribe, Chris Roberson, take a look at his career in a spotlight you dare not miss!
 
Room 308 (Saturday)
11:00-12:00 – comiXology and the Future of Digital Comics -  comiXology has become the leader in the digital comics revolution while maintaining great services for brick and mortar retailers. This past year has seen an explosion of digital comics, and comiXology has been on the forefront of the movement with a massive comics library, online aids for collectors, podcasts, and apps for the iPhone, iPad, and iPod. On comiXology’s one year anniversary, CEO David Steinberger takes a look at the events of this past year and what the future holds for digital comics in this enlightening panel.

12:00-1:00 – Spotlight on Todd McFarlane – From SPAWN to HAUNT, Image Comics founder and partner Todd McFarlane has been the driving force behind the biggest creator-owned titles in the industry. Join McFarlane for exclusive sneak peeks of his upcoming projects and a Q&A session that shouldn’t be missed!

1:00-2:00 – Top Cow: We Create… Universes – Join Top Cow Publisher Filip Sablik, Top Cow Universe architect and writer Ron Marz, and Artifacts artist Michael Broussard for a frank and lively discussion of upcoming events in the Top Cow Universe spinning out of the world-shattering event series – Artifacts! Questions will be answered, early sneak peeks shown, and perhaps even a hilarious anecdote will be told. Plus every attendee will receive a free gift just for attending.

2:00-3:00 – DC NATION – The DC NATION returns to Baltimore! We’re always looking for new recruits, so be sure to come on by as DC Comics’ Senior Story Editor, Ian Sattler, and some of the industry’s top talent lead the way to give you the inside scoop to all current and future NATION members!

3:00-4:00 – Mondo Marvel – From the Marvel U to the Ultimate U and everything in between, Vice President – Executive Editor Tom Brevoort, and superstar writers Jonathan Hickman (S.H.I.E.L.D., Fantastic Four) and Jeff Parker (Hulk, Thunderbolts) are on hand to talk about all of your favorite heroes and villains as well as make a few surprise announcements!

4:00-5:00 – IDW ON THE MOVE! – Join IDW Senior editor Bob Schreck, Steve Niles, Bernie Wrightson, Chris Moreno, and Stuart Sayger in this lively look at the company’s current and upcoming releases to be followed by a Q&A session.
 
Room 301-303 (Saturday)
4:00-5:00 – Artist’s Workshop Art Dissection – Klaus Janson and Howard Chaykin open their Artist’s Workshop to all convention guests at this time. A few lucky students from their professional seminar will have their work honestly dissected by these two masters. This is a panel no artist should miss!
 
Room 307 (Sunday)
11:00-12:00 -Creating Comic Art Digitally – Daniel Govar, creator/artist of AZURE along with Matt Zolman, co-creator and artist of Epic, show you the benefit and shortfalls of creating comic art with the use of computer software. From best practices, to resolutions and file formats, they will demonstrate how they create stunning comics using popular software, and answer questions you may have about making comics digitally.

12:00-1:00 – Spotlight on Sergio Aragones – Sergio Aragones has been called the “fastest cartoonist in the world,” has drawn thousands of cartoons for “Mad Magazine,” created Bat Lash and Groo the Wanderer, and kept us laughing for years. Join the award-winning cartoonist for a look at his work that will leave you smiling!

1:00-2:00 – Comics Rewind: The 1980s – The 1980s were a time of growth for comics with the direct market and new publishers offering creators the opportunity to present their creations as never before. And the results were spectacular. Join Louise Simonson (“Power Pack,” “X-Factor”), Walter Simonson (“Thor,” “X-Factor”), Timothy Truman (“GrimJack,” “Scout”), Matt Wagner (“Mage,” “Grendel”), Marv Wolfman (“New Teen Titans,” “Crisis on Infinite Earths”), John Workman (“Heavy Metal”, “Thor”), and moderator Mark Waid as they take a look back at the comics of the 1980s.

2:00-3:00 – Spotlight on Cuba: My Revolution – Artist Dean Haspiel and colorist Jose Villarrubia discuss their new Vertigo graphic novel collaboration. Dean Haspiel is a native New Yorker who created BILLY DOGMA and STREET CODE and has collaborated on great superhero and semi-autobiographical comic books, helped pioneer personal webcomics with the invention of ACT-I-VATE, and draws for HBO’s “Bored To Death.” Jose Villarrubia is a renowned artist/colorist/photographer who has worked on such books as Alan Moore’s “Voice of the Fire” and “Promethea” among many, many others. He is also the chair of the Illustration Department at MICA (Maryland Institute College of Art).

3:00-4:00 – PAUL POPE VS BOB SCHRECK – A CAGED EVENT – Don’t miss this satisfaction-guaranteed, fists-a-flying blood match by joining award-winning multi-talented storyteller, Paul Pope, in an examination of his creative process and how he suffers under the heel of his terrifying editor.
 
Room 308 (Sunday)
11:00-12:00 – Marvel Your Universe – Join Vice President – Executive Editor Tom Brevoort, as he leaves his Marvel ID at the door and enters as a fan! Want to know how things work at the House of Ideas? Got some things to get off your chest about a Marvel character or story?  Well here’s your chance True Believer! It’s the panel for fans BY fans with no spin, no marketing, and just a friendly chat amongst fans!

12:00-1:00 – DC SUNDAY CONVERSATION – All are welcome to join Senior Story Editor Ian Sattler for a relaxed Sunday afternoon discussion. Share your thoughts, or be enthralled, as the group share their stories and love for this medium.

1:00 – Costume Contest – The wildly popular costume contest returns for a second year! The $1,000 grand prize will be awarded to the best over-all costume at the event, including pro and amateur costumes. Other award categories will win DVD prize packages, comic book packages, Orioles baseball tickets, gift certificates to Cards, Comics and Collectibles of Reisterstown, Maryland, and special last minute prizes from top comic book companies. Everyone who enters the contest will win passes to the advance screening of Summit Entertainment’s newest film, RED, starring Bruce Willis, Morgan Freeman, and Helen Mirren (based on the Wildstorm graphic novel by Warren Ellis and Cully Hamner) which opens nationwide on Friday, October 15th.
 
Rooms 301-303 (Sunday)
3:00 – Art Auction – Art fans, don’t miss this opportunity to see and bid on art from your favorite comic artists! You’re sure to find something here you like!
 
Janson & Chaykin Offer Art Seminar
With over seventy five years of cumulative experience in the comic book industry, Klaus Janson and Howard Chaykin are all-too-well-versed in the ins and outs of making a career in our inkstained – and now, with all that digital stuff, carpal tunneled – business.   For the past few years, Klaus and Howard have been conducting an Artist’s Workshop for Marvel, offering invaluable insights, gleaned from those decades of experience, on narrative, storytelling, page design, and career management.

They’ve developed a fluid and comprehensive take on the inside game played by successful cartoonists – and a series of direct and vital techniques intended to drag newer talents out of a hobby and into a profession – without ever losing the joy all of us experience when we ply our craft.

Klaus and Howard have taken their seminar on the road to the renowned Savannah College of Art & Design, to great acclaim from students and faculty alike, and now they’re bringing a customized version of the workshop to the 2010 Baltimore Comic-Con. On Saturday, August 28th, from 1pm to 4pm, Messrs. Janson and Chaykin will entertain and enlighten with a lively, spirited, and very likely prickly and opinionated dissertation, followed, from 4 PM to 5 PM, by an hour of honest dissection of the work of several lucky attendees.  All class registrants will be eligible for the dissection lottery, so bring some of your work if you want to hear from these two very honest men!
 
To register for this very special class, please call our host store, Cards, Comics, & Collectibles @ 410-526-7410.  The cost for this professional seminar is $75.  Major credit cards will be accepted for payment.  The hour of honest dissection from 4pm-5pm will be exciting programming available to all ticketed attendees of the Baltimore Comic-Con.  Register now while space is still available!

 
Portfolio Reviews
Mark Chiarello, Art Director at DC Comics, will be doing portfolio reviews from 11am to 1pm at the Mark’s booth on both Saturday and Sunday. Think you’ve got the chops to make it as a pro at DC Comics?  Come and find out first-hand!

 
Todd McFarlane Signing
Attending the show on Saturday only this year, Todd McFarlane will be featured in a Spotlight panel session (room 308) from 12pm-1pm.  Following his panel, he will be signing in booth 2403 from 1:30pm-3:30pm.

 
Added Guests
We are pleased to announce the addition of the following guests to the 2010 Baltimore Comic-Con:  Danna Bremer (Zuda Comics Crew), Buzz (JSA), Kevin Colden (I Rule The Night), Ian Edginton (Victorian Undead), Steve Ellis (High Moon), John Gallagher (Buzzboy), David Gallaher (High Moon), Dan Govar (Azure), Randy Green (New X-Men), Brad Guigar (Evil Inc.), Matthew Petz (War of the Woods), Chris Staros (Publisher, Top Shelf), and Bobby and Peter Timony (The Night Owls).
 
Previously announced guests include: Dave Aikins (SpongeBob Squarepants), Mike and Laura Allred (Madman), Sergio Aragones (Groo), J.D. Arnold (BB Wolf and the 3 LPs), Ivan Brandon (Nemesis:  The Imposters), Tom Brevoort (Executive Editor, Marvel Comics), Michael Broussard (The Darkness), Jim Calafiore (Secret Six), Eric Canete (New Avengers:  Luke Cage), Tommy Castillo (Moon Lake), Bernard Chang (Prince of Persia), Howard Chaykin (Black Kiss), Sean Chen (Nova), Cliff Chiang (Greendale), Mark Chiarello (Editor, DC Comics), Frank Cho (Ultimate Comics New Ultimates), Mike Choi (X-Force), Steve Conley (Star Trek Omnibus: The Original Series), Amanda Conner (Power Girl), Shane Davis (Superman:  Earth One), Todd Dezago (The Perhapanauts), Fillbach Brothers sponsored by Laughing Ogre Comics (Star Wars: The Clone Wars), Ramona Fradon (Namora), Francesco Francavilla (The Green Hornet:  Year One), SL Gallant (G.I. Joe), Jose Luis Garcia-Lopez (Wednesday Comics), Ron Garney (Wolverine:  Weapon X), Sterling Gates (Supergirl), Bryan J.L. Glass (Mice Templar), Mike Gold (Editor, ComicMix Graphic Novels from IDW), Michael Golden (Marvel 1602:  Spider-Man), Jimmy Gownley (Amelia Rules!), Gabriel Hardman (Atlas), Tony Harris (Justice League: Generation Lost), Dean Haspiel (ACT-I-VATE), Marc Hempel (Absolute Sandman), Jonathan Hickman (Fantastic Four), Greg Horn (Green Lantern), Jason Horn (Ninjasaur), Adam Hughes (Wonder Woman), Jamal Igle (Supergirl), Klaus Janson (Daredevil), Georges Jeanty (Buffy the Vampire Slayer), Van Jensen (Pinocchio:  Vampire Slayer), Geoff Johns – Sunday only (Blackest Night, Chief Creative Officer, DC Comics), J.G. Jones (DC Universe Legacies), Joe Jusko (Red Sonja), Denis Kitchen (Oddly Compelling Art of Denis Kitchen), Barry Kitson (Iron Man 2 Prequel), Rich Koslowski (BB Wolf and the 3 LPs), Jason Kruse (World of Quest), Greg LaRocque (The Exiled), Erik Larsen (Savage Dragon), Norman Lee (New Mutants), Jay Leisten (Uncanny X-Men), Steve Lieber (Underground), Joe Linsner (Dawn:  Not To Touch The Earth), Luna Brothers (The Sword), David Mack (Kabuki), Mike Maihack (Comic Book Tattoo), Clay Mann (X-Men Legacy), Laura Martin (Girl Comics), Ron Marz (Witchblade), Todd McFarlane – Saturday only (Spawn), Mark McKenna (Banana Tail), Mike McKone (Avengers Academy), Bob McLeod (New Mutants Forever), JD Mettler (Justice League: Generation Lost), Pop Mhan (Ender’s Game: Mazer In Prison), Terry Moore (Echo, SiP), Mark Morales (Siege), Chris Moreno (Toy Story), Chip Mosher (Left on Mission, Marketing Director, Boom! Studios), Sean Murphy (Joe the Barbarian), Jamar Nicholas (Radiskull & Devil Doll: Radiskull Hate Love), Steve Niles (30 Days of Night), Phil Noto (Avengers:  The Origin), Sonia Oback (X-Force), Denny O’Neil (Batman), Ryan Ottley (Invincible), Jimmy Palmiotti (Jonah Hex), Jeff Parker (Thunderbolts), Andrew Pepoy (Jack of Fables), Lauren Perry (Blank-ees), David Petersen (Mouse Guard), Brandon Peterson (Ultimate Extinction), Chris Pitzer (Publisher, Adhouse Books), Paul Pope (Wednesday Comics), Eric Powell (The Goon), Brian Pulido (Lady Death), Jack Purcell (Gotham City Sirens), Mike Raicht (The Stuff of Legend), Tom Raney (Black Widow:  Deadly Origin), Rico Renzi (The Perhapanauts), Chris Roberson (I, Zombi), James Robinson (Justice League of America), Kenneth Rocafort (Velocity), Budd Root (Cavewoman), Don Rosa (Uncle Scrooge), Craig Rousseau (Marvel Her-Oes), Stephane Roux (Zatanna), Jim Rugg (Afrodisiac), Filip Sablik (The Asset, Top Cow Pubisher), Tim Sale courtesy of Hero Initiative (Captain America White), Ian Sattler (Editor, DC Comics), Alex Saviuk (Stan Lee and the Super Seven), Stuart Sayger (Bram Stoker’s Death Ship), Bob Schreck (Jurassic Park), Jim Shooter (Magnus, Robot Fighter), Louise Simonson (X-Factor Forever), Walter Simonson (Thor), Andy Smith (WildC.A.T.S.), John K. Snyder III (The A-Team:  Shotgun Wedding), Allison Sohn (Star Wars sketchcard artist), Jim Starlin (Dreadstar), Brian Stelfreeze (The Authority:  The Lost Year), Paul D. Storrie (Twilight Crusade:  Gabriel), Karl Story (Zatanna), Billy Tan (Shadowland), Richard Thompson (Cul-de-Sac), Ben Templesmith sponsored by Laughing Ogre Comics (Choker), Mark Texeira (X-Men:  Origins), Bob Tinnell (Lone Justice), Herb Trimpe (Incredible Hulk), Dean Trippe (Superior Showcase), Timothy Truman (Conan the Cimmerian), Billy Tucci (Shi), Ted Tucker (Buzzboy), Dexter Vines (Ultimate Avengers), Neil Vokes (Superman Adventures), Doug Wagner (World of Warcraft:  Horde), Matt Wagner (The Green Hornet:  Year One), Mark Waid (Irredeemable, Chief Creative Officer, Boom! Studios), Mark Wheatley (Lone Justice), Ron Wilson (Marvel Two-In-One), Marv Wolfman (New Teen Titans), John Workman (Heavy Metal), Bernie Wrightson (Swamp Thing), Kelly Yates (Doctor Who: 2010 Annual), Thom Zahler (Love and Capes), and Chrissie Zullo (Cinderella:  From Fabletown With Love).
 
Regretfully, Cully Hamner is unable to attend the show this year. 
 
Publishers exhibiting in 2010 include Archaia Comics, Adhouse Books, Boom! Studios, IDW, Image Comics, Top Cow Productions, and Top Shelf Comix.
 
This year’s Baltimore Comic-Con will be held August 28-29, 2010. 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, August 28th.
 
About The Baltimore Comic-Con
The Baltimore Comic-Con is celebrating its 11th 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 August 28-29, 2010.  For more information, please visit www.baltimorecomiccon.com.

Janson & Chaykin Offer Artist Workshop at 2010 Baltimore Comic-Con

Press Release:

With over seventy five years of cumulative experience in the comic book industry, Klaus Janson and Howard Chaykin are all-too-well-versed in the ins and outs of making a career in our inkstained – and now, with all that digital stuff, carpal tunneled – business.
 
For the past few years, Klaus and Howard have been conducting an Artist’s Workshop for Marvel, offering invaluable insights, gleaned from those decades of experience, on narrative, storytelling, page design, and career management.

They’ve developed a fluid and comprehensive take on the inside game played by successful cartoonists – and a series of direct and vital techniques intended to drag newer talents out of a hobby and into a profession – without ever losing the joy all of us experience when we ply our craft.
 
Klaus and Howard have taken their seminar on the road to the renowned Savannah College of Art & Design, to great acclaim from students and faculty alike, and now they’re bringing a customized version of the workshop to the 2010 Baltimore Comic-Con.
 
On Saturday, August 28th, from 1 PM to 4 PM, Messrs. Janson and Chaykin will entertain and enlighten with a lively, spirited, and very likely prickly and opinionated dissertation, followed, from 4 PM to 5 PM, by an hour of honest dissection of the work of several lucky attendees.  All class registrants will be eligible for the dissesction lottery, so bring some of your work if you want to hear from these two very honest men!

You’ll come away informed, enthusiastic, or downright annoyed-but we guarantee you won’t be bored, and that you’ll never look at comics the same way again.

To register for this very special class, please call our host store Cards, Comics, & Collectibles at 410-526-7410.  The cost for this professional seminar is $75.  Major credit cards will be accepted for payment.  The hour of honest dissection from 4-5pm will be exciting programming available to all ticketed attendees of the Baltimore Comic-Con.  Register now while space is still available!

Hero Initiative Offering Limited Edition Overstreet Price Guide at SDCC 2010

Press Release:

Hero Initiative to Offer Exclusive Limited Edition Overstreet #40

John Romita, Jr. recreates Conan The Barbarian#1 for 40th Anniversary Exclusive

Los Angeles CA, April 26, 2010-Artist John Romita, Jr., inker Klaus Janson, and colorist Dean White have recreated 1970′s Conan The Barbarian #1 for the cover of a limited hardcover Hero Initiative variant edition of The Overstreet Comic Book Price Guide #40. This is the first time an exclusive edition of the long-running industry institution has ever been issued.

Limited to 500 hardcover copies, the Hero Initiative edition of the 40th anniversary Guide will go on sale on Wednesday, July 21, 2010 at Comic-Con International: San Diego, the same day the regular editions of the Guide go on sale nationwide.

“For some time now, both Steve Geppi and Bob Overstreet have been looking for a way to get the Guide actively involved with the Hero Initiative, which isn’t too surprising since both of those gentlemen and the Guide itself reflect a deep love of the medium and its heritage,” said The Hero Initiative’s Jim McLauchlin. “This year, as the Guide celebrates its 40th anniversary, we brought up the idea of doing a limited edition exclusive cover as a fundraiser. It came together very quickly.”

“We’re very happy to be able to promote such a great cause,” said Steve Geppi. “It’s impossible to really love comics without acknowledging the creators who set the stage for where we are today. Without them, what would we have? The Hero Initiative’s role in helping creators who have had some difficulties is essential if we’re truly interested in honoring our past and present as we move toward tomorrow.”

At the show, individual copies of the book will be on sale for $35, and it will also be available as part of premium packages offered by Hero. Through the efforts of all involved, the Hero Initiative will be able to receive the full cover price for each sale.

“This was truly a collaborative effort,” said J.C. Vaughn, Associate Publisher of Gemstone Publishing. “Mark Huesman, the Guide’s Creative Director, suggested the idea of a recreation of Conan The Barbarian #1 for the cover, since that landmark issue is also celebrating its 40th anniversary. Jim McLauchlin and the Hero Initiative secured the services of John Romita, Jr., Klaus Janson, and Dean White to provide the fantastic art. Since John is exclusive with Marvel, Jim also got Marvel’s permission for him to do the project. Dark Horse’s Mike Richardson arranged the permission to do the cover with the folks at Conan Properties International, LLC. Angelo Messina at WorldColor arranged for his company to donate the plate change and the limited edition portion of our print run. If any one of these things hadn’t happened, we wouldn’t have been able to do this project in this way.”

The Conan edition of The Overstreet Comic Book Price Guide #40 features Romita, Jr., Janson, and White’s recreation of the cover for Conan The Barbarian #1 by Barry Windsor-Smith, originally published by Marvel Comics in 1970, the same year the first edition of the Guide debuted. Conan is now published by Dark Horse Comics. Author and publisher Robert M. Overstreet, who will be one of Comic-Con’s special guests this year, will appear at the Hero booth during the show (schedule to be announced).

About The Hero Initiative

The Hero Initiative is the first-ever federally chartered not-for-profit corporation dedicated strictly to helping comic book creators in need. Hero creates a financial safety net for yesterday’s creators who may need emergency medical aid, financial support for essentials of life, and an avenue back into paying work. It’s a chance for all of us to give back something to the people who have given us so much enjoyment.

Since its inception, The Hero Initiative has had the good fortune to grant over $400,000 to the comic book veterans who have paved the way for those in the industry today. For more information, visit www.heroinitiative.org or call 626-676-6354.

About Gemstone Publishing

Best known as the home of The Overstreet Comic Book Price Guide, Gemstone Publishing was formed by Diamond Comic Distributors President and Chief Executive Officer Stephen A. Geppi as a conduit for his efforts in preserving and promoting the history of the comics medium. The standard editions of The Overstreet Comic Book Price Guide #40 are offered in both hardcover and soft cover, featuring a choice of Batman by Mark Chiarello and Captain America by Darwyn Cooke. In addition to the Guide, Gemstone also publishes Scoop, a free weekly e-newsletter which looks inside the world of pop culture with a focus on auctions, toys, comics, posters, art and anything and everything pop culture.

NYC – MoCCA Classes

Klaus Janson and Danny Fingeroth Teach Adult Classes at MoCCA

NEW YORK (Sept 16 2009) – The Museum of Comic and Cartoon Art – MoCCA is is proud to announce the new offerings from its Education Department. Organized and headed by Senior Vice-President of Education, DANNY FINGEROTH, the department’s initial offerings will consist of two incredible courses:

HOW TO WRITE COMICS & GRAPHIC NOVELS

8 sessions, Tuesdays Oct. 13 – Dec. 8; no class Nov. 24

$495 tuition | $445 for MoCCA members

DANNY FINGEROTH will lead a hands-on workshop in writing comics and graphic novels. This is an eight-week class whose aim is to teach students, in a supportive atmosphere, how to structure and write comics and graphic novel stories of professional caliber. Combining lectures, assignments in class and at home, and roundtable critiquing, the class will cover writing for all kinds of comics, including autobiographical, historical, “indy” and superheroes. [No drawing skill is required for this class.]

DANNY FINGEROTH was the longtime group editor of Marvel’s Spider-Man line and the writer of comics including Darkhawk and Deadly Foes of Spider-Man. He has taught comics writing at NYU, The New School, and Media Bistro. Danny created and edited Write Now magazine, the only how-to publication dedicated to comics writing and writers. He is the author of The Rough Guide to Graphic Novels and co-author (with artist Mike Manley) of How to Create Comics from Script to Print. Danny serves on MoCCA’s board of advisors and on the board of directors of the Institute for Comics Studies.

STORYTELLING FOR COMICS ARTISTS

3 weekly sessions, Wednesdays, Dec. 2, 9, and 16

$150 tuition | $125 for MoCCA members

KLAUS JANSON will lead this information-packed three-session lecture and workshop class that will focus on the theory and mechanics of comics storytelling. The lectures start with the philosophy and responsibility of the storyteller, and proceed through the essential topics of page layout and design, the importance of composition, the need for clarity, the benefits of contrast, the creation of a believable environment, and end with a discussion on the merits of the various styles available to the storyteller. The classes will combine lectures, class and at-home assignments, and on-the-spot critiques.

Student participation and questions are encouraged. A rare opportunity to discuss and learn from a master of the art and craft of comics.

After a short stint as assistant to Dick Giordano in the early 1970′s, KLAUS JANSON went freelance, working for several comics publishers as writer, penciler, inker and colorist. He’s worked on projects with John Romita Jr., Grant Morrison, Frank Miller, Alan Moore, Gil Kane, John Buscema and many more. Klaus’s current projects include: inking several Romita Jr. projects at Marvel; penciling a five-part Daredevil limited series written by Brian Michael Bendis and David Mack (to be inked by Bill Sinekiewicz); and penciling and inking a two-part Spider-Man story written by David Morrel. But Klaus is most proud of the course on storytelling that he teaches at The School of Visual Arts and the annual seminars that he holds at Marvel for the editorial staff and their up-and-coming artists.

If you’ve ever wanted to take your ideas for comics and learn to focus them to create actual stories, then these courses are the perfect place to explore and expand your skills! And wait till you see what courses and instructors we have coming up!

For more information and to register, call 212-254-3511 or go to
www.moccany.org

The Museum of Comic and Cartoon Art – MoCCA is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit arts education organization dedicated to the preservation, study and display of all forms of comic and cartoon art. The museum promotes greater understanding and appreciation of the artistic, cultural and historical significance of comic and cartoon art through a variety of events, exhibitions, and educational programs. The museum is located at 594 Broadway (between Houston and Prince Streets) in New York City. MoCCA is open to the public Tuesdays through Sundays from 12:00-5:00 pm. Suggested donation to the museum is $5 but free for MoCCA Members as well as for children 12 and under (when accompanied by a paying adult). For more information about the museum and MoCCA events, exhibitions and programs, visit the museum’s Website (www.moccany.org).

Marvel Celebrates 70 Years

On August 11, 2009, comic fans all over will celebrate Marvel’s 70th Anniversary at their local comic shops and we’ve got the complete list of participating retailers.

Click here to download a full list of retailers participating in Marvel 70th Anniversary parties, offering exclusive limited edition variants, early on sale release of THE MARVELS PROJECT #1, special sales, and more!

All retailer parties begin at 9 p.m. local time. As a special thank you to retailers, Marvel is sending a limited edition CAPTAIN AMERICA: REBORN #2 70TH ANNIVERSARY FRAME VARIANT to all participating stores!

Plus, at select Barnes & Noble STORES across the country, you can meet Marvel’s most popular creators, sit in on Q&A sessions and get your favorite comics autographed. All events begin at 7 p.m. local time. As a special added bonus, all participating Barnes and Noble locations will feature guest appearances by major Marvel Characters!

New York City
SPECIAL GUESTS IRON MAN AND SPIDER-MAN

150 E 86TH Street
New York, NY

Joe Quesada
Chris Claremont
Greg Pak
Klaus Janson
Fred Van Lente

ATLANTA
SPECIAL GUEST WOLVERINE

2900 Peachtree Road NE
Atlanta, GA 30305

Daniel Way
Paul Jenkins
Mark Bagley

Los Angeles
SPECIAL GUEST HULK

The Grove at Farmer’s Market
189 Grove Drive Suite K 30
Los Angeles, CA 90036

Jeph Loeb
Craig Kyle
Chris Yost
Mark Waid

PORTLAND
SPECIAL GUEST ULTIMATE SPIDER-MAN

Clackamas Towne Center
12000 SE 82nd Avenue
Portland, OR 97266

Brian Michael Bendis
Jeff Parker
Rick Remender

SEATTLE
SPECIAL GUEST CAPTAIN AMERICA

2675 NE University Village Street
Seattle, WA 98105

Ed Brubaker
Clayton Crain

For more information on Marvel’s 70th Anniversary, head over to marvel.com/70. And remember-Make Mine ’39!