VA Comicon Salutes GI Joe at This Weekend’s Show

Press Release:

The VA Comicon Hits Richmond, VA THIS weekend!

For the first time in over 25 years, there will be a 2-day comic book show in Virginia, and what a show it is! With seven creators who have worked on GI JOE, including Larry Hama, Chuck Dixon, Michael Golden, Robert Atkins and more, the VA Comicon is THE place to be for GI JOE fans! Featuring an exclusive 1 hour Q and A panel with Hama, Dixon, Atkins and others, this one isn’t to be missed!

Other guests include Chris Claremont, Mike McKone, Jim Calafiore, James Kuhoric, Billy Tucci, Budd Root, Reilly Brown, Randy Green, Alex Saviuk and DOZENS more! Also featuring a special lecture by Mile High Comics owner Chuck Rozanski about Mr. Edgar Church, the original owner of the most famous comic book collection ever discovered!

With a costume Contest on Sunday, participation by the Rebel Legion, and the 501st, Hourly doorprizes and more, the VA Comicon is truly a premiere comic book event…all this right before Thanksgiving weekend! Additional exhibitors are CGC grading company, Regal Cinemas, BRICK WEEKLY, Crusade Fine Arts, Tsunami Studios and more, why not join us! As a special bonus, we are giving away for FREE 750 copies of the VA COMICON exclusive Witchblade #132 with cover by guest Randy Green! Cool!

FREE for children 12 and under, FREE with a Military ID, FREE with a Student ID, and FREE if you come in Full Costume! Members of the Press are FREE, and there will be a FREE pod-cast area setup with FREE Wi-Fi! Also, there will be a FREE bowling party across the street in the sci-fi themed Sunset Lanes!

VIP tickets are only $9.95 for the entire weekend, and allow you to get in 30 minutes early each day! More information is at the newly updated website http://www.vacomicon.com! Check us out!

The VA Comicon is on Saturday November 21 from 12-7pm and Sunday November 22 from 10A-4pm.
It is located at the Crowne Plaza West at:

6531 West Broad St
Richmond, VA 23230

Advanced tickets are available online at our website, and allow you to get in 30 minutes early both days. Check us out at http://www.vacomicon.com. We look forward to seeing you there!

Sincerely,
Brett Carreras
Promoter of the VA Comicon in Richmond, VA

CGC and More at November 2009 VA COMICON

Press Release:

Greetings, fellow comic fans!

We are proud to make a few of several upcoming announcements regarding Virginia’s first 2-day show in over 25 years!

First off, we have a slew of swell artists and writers lined up for the show including:

Larry Hama
Chuck Dixon
Chris Claremont
Mike McKone
Billy Tucci
Randy Green
Robert Atkins

and DOZENS more! Additionally, we have some top exhibitors signed up to display including:

CGC (their final scheduled event of 2009!)
The Hero Initiative
the Mike Wieringo Scholarship
Regal Cinemas
Heroes Aren’t Hard to Find
Cards Comics and Collectibles
Brett’s Comic Pile

and DOZENS more!

We will have many comic panels scheduled all day long, including:

A discussion on Edgar Church by Chuck Rozanski
a GI Joe panel with Larry Hama, Chuck Dixon and Robert Atkins!

We will have an exclusive Top Cow comic book: Witchblade #132 with a VERY special sketch holiday cover by guest Randy Green!

Also, we are looking for folks wishing to moderate discussion panels, as well as volunteers and CGC witnesses. E-mail me at info@vacomicon.com if you are interested.

Finally, and this is very special, Adam Lucas, the current #1 competitor in DC Comics’ ZUDA COMPETITION with his entry “Goldilock” has agreed to come to the show if we help him to win! The voting ends in less than 24 hours. He is in a dead heat for #1, and if you could kindly visit http://www.zudacomics.com/node/1261 and login and vote him in as your favorite, he will come to our show! What a cool deal! YOU can help us get an additional hot young artist to come to the show. Interactive convention-going!

Well…That is about it…oh yeah…there is a FREE sci-fi themed bowling party on Saturday night…and two-day passes start at $9.95, with children, folks with student IDs or Military IDs getting in FREE both days!

You have nothing to lose…visit http://www.VAcomicon.com for more information!

Go ahead and vote for Adam so he will come to the show! Visit our site, and help to make a difference in the first 2-day show in Virginia in over 25 years! Awesome!

Regards,

Brett Carreras
owner Brett’s Comic Pile in Richmond, VA
Sponsor of the 2008 and 2009 Harvey Awards
Promoter of the VA Comicon on November 21-22

NYC – Yo Joe Signing

 

Thursday, JULY 30th, we have a surprise for you all.  As you may or may not know, there is a GI JOE movie coming next week and we here at JHU all love the Real American Hero, the Kung-Fu Grip, and the colorful characters that populate the Joe Universe.  And we have one person to thank for all that… LARRY HAMA.  So why don’t we thank him in person?  This Thursday, you can do just that…MEET LARRY HAMA, the man who reintroduced and revolutionized GI JOE in the 80′s…and we might even have a surprise guest too!  That’s THIS THURSDAY, JULY 30th from 6:00 to 7:30 PM!

Jim Hanley’s Universe, 4 West 33rd Street, New York, NY 10001

www.JHUniverse.com

Secret Identities Coast-to-Coast

 

 

In preparation for Secret Identities‘ San Diego debut, anthology contributors will be out in full force on both coasts this weekend. First up, Jeff Yang will be joined by Walden Wong, Jimmy J. Aquino, Alexander Shen, Tanuj Chopra and Tiffanie Hwang for a book release party and signing at Giant Robot – San Francisco at 6pm on Thursday, July 16. Then, on Friday, July 17 at 7pm, Yang, Wong and other guests will be at the Salinas Public Library in Salinas, California for a special signing event.

On Saturday, July 18 in Baltimore, Maryland, Keith Chow, Jerry Ma, Alex Tarampi, John Franzese and Larry Hama will be hosted by Geppi’s Entertainment Museum beginning at 12:30pm. The museum presentation will be followed by a special signing event at Ukazoo Books in Towson, Maryland at 6pm that same day. Finally on Sunday, July 19 at 1pm, veteran DC and Marvel artist Greg LaRocque will be joining Hama and the Secret Identities team for a meet & greet and signing event at The Avenue‘s Barnes & Noble in White Marsh, Maryland.

http://www.secretidentities.org/

Larry Hama Headlines Virginia Comicon This November

Press release:

Larry Hama Headlines the first 2-Day Comic show in VA on November 21-22!

The Virginia Comicon is proud to host the first 2-day comic book show in the state of Virginia in over 25 years. It will be held across 3 ball-rooms at the Crowne Plaza West in Richmond, VA on November 21-22.

Larry Hama is headlining the event, best known as the creator of the modern G.I. Joe franchise, he is joined by 3 G.I. Joe artists, and dozens of other comic book professionals, including: Mike McKone (Fantastic Four, Exiles), Robert Atkins (G.I. Joe), James Kuhoric (Dead Irons, Freddy Vs. Jason Vs. Ash), Randy Green (Tomb Raider, Witchblade), Rick Ketcham (Amazing Spider-Man), Reilly Brown (Cable and Deadpool), Dan Parent (Archie, Betty and Veronica), Rick Spears (Teenagers from Mars), Tsunami Studios and many, MANY more!

The show will be focusing specifically on older comics, from the 1940′s to the 1980′s but there will be plenty to see and do by everyone. With only 64 exhibitor booths in the vendor room, it is our goal to get the most exciting and diverse selection of prime Gold, Silver and Bronze age comics ever assembled at a regional show…and our current exhibitor list shows it with great vendors such as Heroes Aren’t Hard to Find (the operators of HeroesCon) and Cards Comics and Collectibles (The Operator of the Baltimore Comicon) already signed up as premier exhibitors!

Show highlights include: Hourly doorprize drawings, Comic book panels all day, dozens of top comic professionals, a huge selection of comic book collectibles, a presentation by Chuck Rozanski discussing the works of Mr. Edgar Church, A free limited edition print by Robert Atkins and Tsunami Studios, a cash bar, an “old school comic book swap meet”, an exclusive Top Cow Convention Exclusive comic and super-cheap admission of only $9.95 for 2 days!

Reserve your VIP passes today by registering online at www.VAcomicon.com to get the best rate, tons of FREE convention exclusive comics, and to get into the show 30 minutes early each day!

A select number of vendor booths are still available for only $175 each. As this is a comic book event, we will NOT have T-Shirts, DVDs, Video Games, Movie Posters or other Media For sale. Thanks for understanding. Be sure to visit our full-featured website at www.VAcomicon.com for much more info.

Thanks, and have a great day!

Sincerely,

Brett Carreras
Owner of Brett’s Comic Pile in Richmond, VA
Sponsor of the 2007 and 2008 Harvey Awards
Promoter of the VA Comicon on Nov 21-22

Asian American ComiCon Announces Final Guests/Schedule

Press Release:

The organizers of the First Annual Asian American ComiCon (AACC) have announced the complete Featured Guest list and final Schedule of Events for this celebration of the unique contemporary role and historical legacy of Asians and Asian Americans in the world of graphic fiction, which will take place Saturday, July 11, 2009 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Museum of Chinese in America (215 Centre Street in New York).

Confirmed Special Guests Include:
• Larry Hama (writer, G.I. Joe)
• Bernard Chang (artist, Wonder Woman)
• Cliff Chiang (artist, Green Arrow)
• Derek Kirk Kim (artist, The Eternal Smile)
• Greg Pak (writer, Incredible Hulk)
• Khoi Pham (artist, Mighty Avengers)
• Sean Chen (artist, Iron Man)
• Christina Strain (colorist, Runaways)
• Fred Chao (writer/artist, Johnny Hiro)
• Christine Norrie (artist, Breaking Up)
• Tak Toyoshima (writer/artist, Secret Asian Man)
• Misako Rocks! (writer/artist, Biker Girl)
• Kuo-Yu Liang (VP Sales & Marketing, Diamond Book Distributors)
• Sharad Devarajan (CEO, Liquid Comics)
• William F. Wu (writer, Hong on the Range)
• The Editors of Secret Identities (www.secretidentities.org)

Other special guests of the con will include: Ben Nugent, author, American Nerd; Hua Hsu, professor, Vassar College; Ed Lin, author of Waylaid and This Is a Bust; Monica Ferrell, author, The Answer Is Always Yes; Monica Youn, author, Ignatz (forthcoming); Vyshali Manivannan, author, Invictus; Paolo Javier, author, 60 lv Bo(e)mbs; Jennifer Lee, former editor, Marvel Comics and DC Comics; Kai-Ming Cha, comics and manga reporter, Publishers Weekly; Aimee Bahng, assistant professor, English, Dartmouth College; Ken Okabayashi, founder of Piggy Back Studios; Tyler Chin-Tanner, artist/writer, American Terrorist; Daniel Ketchum, editor, Marvel Comics; Karl Taro Greenfield, author, Speed Tribes; and Arune Singh, sales coordinator, Marvel Comics.

In addition, the following creators will be participating in the AACC’s Artists Alley, and will conduct signing and sketch sessions throughout the day. Each artist will also donate an original sketch for AACC’s silent auction, proceeds to benefit the nonprofit Museum of Chinese in America.

• Jimmy J. Aquino (writer, “Sampler,” SECRET IDENTITIES)

• Jeremy Arambulo (writer/artist, ROGUE SOUP & BUG)

• Bernard Chang (artist, WONDER WOMAN)

• Sean Chen (artist, IRON MAN)

• Tyler Chin-Tanner (writer/artist, AMERICAN TERRORIST)

• Robin Ha (writer/artist, THE MAGIC 8-BALL)

• Dongyun Lee (writer/artist, ZOOM)

• Yali Lin (writer/artist, SHAKESPEARE’S ROMEO & JULIET)

• Jerry Ma (art director, SECRET IDENTITIES)

• Allan Norico (writer/artist, THINGS I’VE SEEN AT SHOWS)

• Khoi Pham (artist, MIGHTY AVENGERS)

• Misako Rocks! (writer/artist, BIKER GIRL)

• Sarah Sapang (artist, “16 Miles,” SECRET IDENTITIES)

• Christina Strain (colorist, RUNAWAYS)

• Alex Tarampi (artist, “Gaman,” SECRET IDENTITIES)

• Tak Toyoshima (writer/artist, SECRET ASIAN MAN)

• Paul Wei (writer/artist, THE ADVENTURES OF MAXWELL & GRANDMA)

• Ken Wong (writer/artist, SCHRODINGER’S CAT)

COMPLETE SCHEDULE OF EVENTS

The event will be divided into three tracks: Reading Comics, Making Comics, and Creator Spotlight. Each track includes a diverse range of interactive and immersive panels and workshops, featuring leading Asian and Asian American figures from comics, literature and academia.

Reading Comics

How do we read comic books today? This track answers this question by putting comic book artists at the same table with novelists, professors and industry professionals. A mash-up of fan convention, Asian American studies conference and literary festival, this one-of-a-kind series of panels and readings confronts pressing issues, such as the globalization of pop culture, the representation of Asian Americans in comics, and, of course, the nature of nerdiness.

Sessions Include:

· Nerdpop: The Rise of the Nerds!: Asian Americans have long been stereotyped as “nerds,” but nerdiness has become something to celebrate. With the rise of digital culture and the mainstreaming of comic books and other once nerdy genres, nerds have gone from persecuted minority to masters of the universe. This panel examines the historical development of nerd identity, particularly among Asian Americans, and the aesthetics of nerd pride. Moderated by Hua Hsu, professor, English, Vassar College, featuring panelists Ben Nugent, author, American Nerd; Derek Kirk Kim, artist/writer, Same Difference & Other Stories; and Keith Chow, senior editor, Secret Identities: The Asian American Superhero Anthology

· Every Comic Is Asian American: The most prominent Asian American comic characters have typically been slanty-eyed sidekicks and supervillains, speaking in broken English and colored the shade of school buses. This panel starts with an all-star line-up of novelists and poets re-imagining their favorite comic book characters as Asian American and continues with a panel of professors, artists, and journalists discussing how Asian Americans have been represented in graphic novels. Moderated by Ken Chen, executive director of The Asian American Writers’ Workshop, featuring panelists like Ed Lin, author, Waylaid and This Is a Bust; Monica Ferrell, author, The Answer Is Always Yes; Monica Youn, author, Ignatz (forthcoming); Vyshali Manivannan, author, Invictus; Paolo Javier, author, 60 lv Bo(e)mbs; and Karl Taro Greenfeld, author, Speed Tribes

· The Asianization of Pop Culture: The rise of the graphic novel could really be described as the Asianization of American pop culture. In fact, the graphic novel renaissance has in many ways been powered by the popularity of manga, Japanese comics that still account for half of the new comics released in the America today. Panelists discuss the influence of manga, manhwa, and anime on American comics and American pop culture more generally. Moderated by Kai-Ming Cha, comics and manga reporter, Publishers Weekly, featuring panelists Aimee Bahng, assistant professor, English, Dartmouth College; Kuo-Yu Liang, VP, Sales & Marketing, Diamond Book Distributors; Ken Okabayashi, founder of Piggy Back Studios; and Misako Rocks!, artist/writer, Biker Girl

· The New Villains: Muslim insurgents. Chinese spies. North Korean dictators. Is it just us, or are Asians increasingly being cast in the role of the global evildoer? What’s the history of the portrayal of villainous Asians in comics and cartoon art, how does that history shape what we’re seeing in those fields today, and what does this mean for Asians and Asian Americans in the real world? Moderated by Jeff Yang, editor-in-chief, Secret Identities: The Asian American Superhero Anthology, featuring panelists Larry Hama, creator, G.I. Joe mythology; William F. Wu, author, Hong on the Range and The Yellow Peril; Tyler Chin-Tanner, artist/writer, American Terrorist; and Sharad Devarajan, CEO, Liquid Comics

Track Two: Making Comics
This track focuses on the art and business of making comics- from alt-comics and literary graphic fiction to mainstream superhero books and syndicated strips. Featured workshops will include a hands-on demonstration by leading creators; explorations of the business side of comics; and other sessions highlighting comics as a profession, a discipline, an art form and a commercial landscape.

Sessions include:

· Writers’ Bloc: Writers of indie and superhero comics and a syndicated comic strip discuss the craft of scripting sequential art and their strategies for tackling everyday creative challenges. Moderated by Greg Pak, writer, The Incredible Hulk and War Machine, featuring panelists Fred Chao, artist/writer, Johnny Hiro; Larry Hama, creator, G.I. Joe mythology; Christine Norrie, artist/writer, Cheat; and Tak Toyoshima, artist/writer, Secret Asian Man

· Visual Storytelling-The Art of Collaboration: Top graphical storytellers share their experiences and tips for making the most of the challenges and opportunities of collaboration between pencillers, inkers, colorists, and writers. Moderated by Greg Pak, writer, The Incredible Hulk and War Machine, featuring panelists Sean Chen, artist, Iron Man; Daniel Ketchum, editor, Marvel Comics; Derek Kirk Kim, artist/writer, Same Difference & Other Stories; Khoi Pham, artist, Mighty Avengers; and Christina Strain, colorist, Runaways

· Visual Storytelling-Hands On: A diverse group of acclaimed artists sketch in real time as they discuss their different approaches in making creative choices. Moderated by Greg Pak, writer, The Incredible Hulk and War Machine, featuring panelists Bernard Chang, artist, Wonder Woman; Fred Chao, artist/writer, Johnny Hiro; Cliff Chiang, artist, Green Arrow/Black Canary; and Misako Rocks!, artist/writer, Biker Girl

· The Business of Comics: For anyone who’s ever dreamed of joining the comics world, here’s your chance to get an insider’s look at the commercial side of graphical storytelling. Comic book pros from every corner of the biz introduce their fields and discuss breaking in, maintaining a career, and keeping up with what the future has in store. Moderated by Jennifer Lee, former editor, Marvel and DC Comics, featuring panelists Bernard Chang, artist, Wonder Woman; Fletcher Chu-Fong, manager, Events & Retail, DC Comics; Kuo-Yu Liang, VP, Sales & Marketing, Diamond Book Distributors; Arune Singh, sales coordinator, Marvel Comics; Tak Toyoshima, artist/writer, Secret Asian Man; and Sharad Devarajan, CEO, Liquid Comics

Track Three: CREATOR SPOTLIGHT Sessions
In this track top comics creators paired with interesting counterparts (outside of comics) for one-on-one discussions covering craft, inspirations and influences, shared themes and future collaborations.

Sessions Include:

· Similar Differences-SPOTLIGHT on Derek Kirk Kim: A candid discussion with the brilliant author and artist of Same Difference and Other Stories and co-creator, with Gene Yang, of the new graphic novel The Eternal Smile. Moderated by Jeff Yang, editor-in-chief, Secret Identities: The Asian American Superhero Anthology

· From Chop-Chop to Silver Samurai-SPOTLIGHT ON: William F. Wu: A guided tour with science fiction legend William F. Wu, as he shares samples from his collection of thousands of comics depicting Asian images…good, bad, and definitely ugly. Moderated by Jeff Yang, editor-in-chief, Secret Identities: The Asian American Superhero Anthology

· Hama Time!-SPOTLIGHT on Larry Hama: Catching up with comics pioneer Larry Hama, creator of the G.I. Joe universe and winner of this year’s KIYAMA AWARD! Moderated by Keith Chow, senior editor, Secret Identities: The Asian American Superhero Anthology

All tracks are open to all AACC registrants; however, to manage traffic flow and seating, we will ask registrants to tentatively identify which sessions they intend to join upon receiving confirmation of their attendance. Space for some sessions is limited, and will be available on a first-come, first-serve basis, with VIP Pass holders receiving priority.

Tickets for the nonprofit Asian American ComiCon are $15 for students, $25 for adults (18 and older), and $75 for a special VIP Pass, entitling the bearer to priority reserved seating at all panels and workshops, a complimentary Asian American graphic novel, signed by its creators, and an original sketch from one of the artists participating in the event’s Artists Alley. Registration will be limited to 250 attendees, and is available in advance through the following link: https://www.nycharities.org/event/event.asp?CE_ID=4187

In addition, DISCOUNTED ADMISSIONS are available through the following sponsoring organizations. TO REGISTER AT DISCOUNTED RATES, CALL BEATRICE CHEN at the Museum of Chinese in America, 212.619.4785 x104 and provide an authorized discount code. Note: All passes may sell out before the day of the event.

MD – ‘Secret Identities’ Tour Comes to GEM

Secret Identities Tour Comes to GEM
  
What better place than Geppi’s Entertainment Museum for a few secret identities? On July 18, 2009, the pop culture palace and its walk-through timeline of entertainment history plays host to a signing for the new book, Secret Identities: The Asian American Superhero Anthology.

The book’s Editor-at-Large Keith Chow will be at GEM and joined by artist Alex Tarampi, SI Art Director Jerry Ma, and legendary writer-artist-editor Larry Hama (G.I. Joe) from noon until 4:00 PM including a presentation, discussion and the signing.

Geppi’s Entertainment Museum, 301 W Camden St, Baltimore, MD 21201-2434

www.geppismuseum.com

First 2-day Comic Show in Virginia in Over 25 Years

We are pleased to officially announce the VA Comicon on November 21-22 will be Virginia’s first 2-day comic show in over 25 years!

As such, we are planning a HUGE list of events, guests and premiums. Below is a partial list of featured guests to get everyone excited:

LARRY HAMA
(writer: GI JOE, The ‘NAM, Wolverine)
ROBERT ATKINS
(penciller: GI JOE, upcoming Amazing Spider-man)
RICK KETCHAM
(Inker: Joss Whedon’s Runaways and upcoming Amazing Spider-man))
TSUNAMI STUDIOS
(Multi-state studio with offices in NC and GA, specializing in pencilling and inking)
STEVE BIRD
(Inker: Blue Beetle, Hard Time and more)
BRIAN SHEARER
(Artist: Marvel Trading Carda and GravyBoy)
JOHN “Waki” WYCOUGH
(Inker: BloodRayne, GI JOE, Noble Causes)
RICK SPEARS
(Creator of Indy hit “Teenagers from Mars” and writer of an upcoming Marvel project with James Callahan…see below)
JAMES CALLAHAN
(Creator of Rotting in Dirtville, and penciller of the critically acclaimed “Strange Detective Tales”)
J.C. VAUGHN
(writer: Battlestar Galactica, 24, Shi, Zombie-Proof, The Overstreet Comic Book Price Guide)
STEVE CONLEY
(Creator of Astounding Space Thrills, and penciller of Star Trek Season 4)
LOUIS SMALL JR.
(Penciller on Vampirella, Codename Knockout)
BUDD ROOT
(Creator of Cavewoman for Basement Comics)
ANDY SMITH
(Penciller: Red Sonja and Claw, Weaon X, The Deadly Duo, and much, MUCH more!)
…And MANY MORE!

As an added bonus, Mr. Chuck Rozanski, the owner of Mile High Comics, will be giving a rare talk on Saturday regarding Mr. Edgar Church, the original owner of the “Mile High” Collection…the most famous comic book collection ever discovered!

Much more information is at our newly updated website over at http://www.vacomicon.com

Thanks for checking us out, and we look forward to seeing you on November 21-22!

Regards,

Brett Carreras
Sponsor of the 2007 and 2008 Harvey Awards
Owner of Brett’s Comic Pile
Promoter of the VA Comicon on Nov 21-22

Larry Hama to Receive Kiyama Award at AACC

The organizers of the First Annual Asian American ComiCon (AACC), a celebration of the unique contemporary role and historical legacy of Asians and Asian Americans in the world of graphic fiction, have announced the presentation of the Henry Y. Kiyama Award to comics pioneer Larry Hama at the event, to be held on Saturday, July 11, 2009 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Museum of Chinese in America (215 Centre Street in New York).

“We want this annual award to recognize the contribution of Asian and Asian Americans to U.S. comic book culture,” says Jeff Yang, co-chair of the event and editor-in-chief of the graphic novel collection Secret Identities: The Asian American Superhero Anthology. “No one better exemplifies that contribution than Henry Kiyama, whose career represented the convergence of two worlds and industries, and whose work pointed the way to the future of graphic storytelling.”

Kiyama published his breakthrough book The Four Immigrants in 1931. A poignant collection of cartoon stories about life as a Japanese student expatriate in early 20th century San Francisco, it explores the issues these early immigrants faced in a world whose language, culture and traditions were new, strange and confusing. Originally intended for newspaper serialization, Kiyama’s stories were never published in that form; instead, they were ultimately released as a single book-length collection. This publication format, along with the fact that the stories in Four Immigrants featured a group of semiautobiographical characters (based on Kiyama and his friends) who grew, evolved and contended with real historical issues and events, has led some to advocate that it be recognized as the first original graphic novel published in America (arriving a decade before Virginia Lee Burton’s Calico the Wonder Horse in 1941 and nearly two decades before Arnold Drake and Leslie Waller’s It Rhymes with Lust in 1950). Since 1999, Kiyama’s landmark book has been made available by Berkeley, CA–based Stone Bridge Press.

Tickets for the nonprofit Asian American ComiCon are $15 for students, $25 for adults (18 and older), and $75 for a special VIP Pass, entitling the bearer to priority reserved seating at all panels and workshops, a complimentary Asian American graphic novel, signed by its creators, and an original sketch from one of the artists participating in the event’s Artists Alley. Registration will be limited, and is available in advance through the following link: https://www.nycharities.org/event/event.asp?CE_ID=4187  Note: All passes may sell out before the day of the event.

First Asian American ComiCon Set for July

The First Asian American ComiCon (AACC)

The Museum of Chinese in America (MOCA), in collaboration with Secret Identities Universe Media, Asian American Writers’ Workshop, Asian CineVision, AsianAmericanComics.com. NYU Asian/Pacific/American Institute and Diamond Comics Distributors, presents a day-long event that explores the unique contemporary role and historical legacy of Asians and Asian Americans in the world of comics and graphic fiction.

Unlike most comic cons, AACC is designed as a full-day experience, giving you the chance to listen to, learn from and engage with top creators in both casual and structured settings. In fact, you might want to think of the “Con” in Asian American ComiCon as representing not “convention,” but “conference”—or even “conversation.”

The event will bring together leading Asian and Asian American creators, fans and readers of mainstream and alternative graphic fiction, and the larger Asian American community for a one-of-a-kind gathering, incorporating education, dialogue, spontaneous creativity, intergenerational outreach and the chance for established and emerging talent to show off their work.

The day’s program includes both free-form opportunities to interact with artists, writers and fans (the Artists Alley, signing sessions and “meet & greets”), dynamic panels, workshops and one-on-one interviews, and a special keynote and award presentation honoring comics superstar and G.I. Joe mythology creator Larry Hama.

Featured Guests:
• Fred Chao (writer/artist, JOHNNY HIRO)
• Bernard Chang (artist, WONDER WOMAN)
• Cliff Chiang (artist, GREEN ARROW)
• Sean Chen (artist, IRON MAN)
• Larry Hama (writer, GI JOE)
• Derek Kirk Kim (creator, SAME DIFFERENCE)
• Greg Pak (writer, INCREDIBLE HULK)
• Khoi Pham (artist, MIGHTY AVENGERS)
• Christine Norrie (artist, BREAKING UP)
• Christine Strain (colorist, Marvel Comics)
• Tak Toyoshima (writer/artist, SECRET ASIAN MAN)

AND MORE!!

In addition to an exhibition room and an Artists’ Alley, the Asian American ComiCon will feature three concurrent programming tracks:

• The SPOTLIGHT features high-profile comic creators in one-on-one settings discussing some of the ways in which the comics and non-comics worlds are overlapping and interleaving. Scheduled to participate in these sessions are Derek Kirk Kim (The Eternal Smile, Same Difference & Other Stories) and Larry Hama (G.I. Joe: Origins, Barack the Barbarian).

• READING COMICS, curated by AAWW Executive Director Ken Chen, explores comics as literature, as texts, and as cultural artifacts, with speakers including non-comics creators and critics as well as comics artists and writers.

• Finally, MAKING COMICS, programmed by Marvel writer Greg Pak, allows creators to share their insights on the industry and profession with those wanting a behind-the-scenes look at comics or advice on how to pursue a career in the field.

Ticket Information:
VIP Pass: $75*
Adult: $25
MOCA or AAWW Member: $15
Student (with a valid ID) and Senior (65 and over): $15
Child (age 10 and under): Free with Adult

*The tax-deductible VIP Pass not only helps to support MOCA, it also guarantees the richest possible experience at this event! Including:

• Priority reserved seating at all panels and workshops

• One Original Sketch drawn by an artist from the AACC Artists Alley–artist availability based on first-come, first-serve basis

• One classic Asian American graphic novel, signed by its creators–choose from:
Secret Identities: The Asian American Anthology (The New Press),
Good As Lily (DC Comics), or
Johnny Hiro Volume 1 (AdHouse Books)

• Admission to the invitation-only, post-Con VIP Reception

Click here for more information and registration. Purchase your tickets before they sell out!

The First Annual Asian American ComiCon is presented by:

The Museum of Chinese in America (www.mocanyc.org): Founded in 1980, Museum of Chinese in America (MOCA) is dedicated to preserving and presenting the history, heritage, culture and diverse experiences of people of Chinese descent in the United States. Through innovative exhibitions as well as educational and public programs, MOCA promotes dialogue and understanding among people of all cultural backgrounds.

SIUniverse Media (www.secretidentities.org): SIUniverse Media is the editorial and production team behind the pioneering Asian American superhero anthology Secret Identities, as well as its affiliated video, online and educational resources. Committed to raising up new voices from the Asian American community and creating original, authentic and engaging stories with an organically multicultural perspective, we strive to create work that pops eyes, drops jaws and opens minds, all at the same time.

The Asian American Writers’ Workshop (www.aaww.org): Founded in 1991, the Workshop is the largest non-profit devoted to the creating, publishing, developing and disseminating of creative writing by Asian Americans. A community of readers and writers and the country’s preeminent authority on Asian American writing, the Workshop dedicates itself to empowering emerging writers of great promise to make the transition to a career in the literary arts.

Asian CineVision (www.asiancinevision.org): Asian CineVision is a nonprofit media arts organization dedicated to promoting and preserving Asian and Asian American media expressions by helping to develop and support both emerging and experienced Asian American film and video makers and other media artists working in a range of genres and styles; and helping to ensure that the full spectrum of Asian and Asian American media works reach diverse audiences in Asian American communities and beyond.

Asian American Comics (www.asianamericancomics.com): Edited by Greg Pak, writer of Incredible Hulk and creator of the Marvel superhero Amadeus Cho, AsianAmericanComics.com is devoted to spreading the word about Asian American comic books, comic book characters and comic book creators. We hope AsianAmericanComics.com will help neophytes find interesting reading material, point existing readers towards new creators and books and provide fans and pros a place to read all the latest news. For more about Pak’s work, visit Pakbuzz.com.

Diamond Comic Distributors, Inc. (www.diamondcomics.com): The world’s largest distributor of English-language comic books and related merchandise, Diamond Comic Distributors is based in Timonium, MD, with strategically located Distribution Centers servicing more than 4,000 specialty retailers worldwide.

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