Image Launching Own 3-Day Expo in 2012 with Kirkman, Larsen, McFarlane, Silvestri, and Valentino

Press Release:

EXPERIENCE CREATIVITY AT IMAGE EXPO: A 3-DAY CELEBRATION OF CREATOR OWNED COMICS!

Berkeley, CA – 21 November 2011 — IMAGE EXPO is coming! Experience the creativity of the men and women making the best creator owned comics in America at this one-of-a-kind celebration commemorating the 20th Anniversary of Image Comics!

IMAGE EXPO is a three-day celebration of creator-owned comics happening at the Oakland Convention Center. Image partners Robert Kirkman, Erik Larsen, Todd McFarlane, Marc Silvestri, and Jim Valentino, will be the guests of honor, appearing throughout the weekend for signings, panels, and special events. Other special guests include Image founders Rob Liefeld, and Whilce Portacio, plus the creators of today’s best creator-owned comics, including: Joe Casey, Jay Faerber, Jonathan Hickman, Ryan Ottley, Richard Starkings, Fiona Staples, and Brian K. Vaughan.

IMAGE EXPO is Northern California’s premiere comic con experience in 2012. The three-day event takes place at the Oakland Convention Center in the heart of the bustling nightlife and restaurant center of downtown Oakland, CA on February 24-25-26.

IMAGE EXPO isn’t just about Image Comics, it’s a celebration of independent creativity in comics. The exhibit floor is open to anyone who makes creator-owned comics. We’re also going to be hosting unique programming for fans, aspiring creators, and library professionals. We’ll be continuing our tradition of supporting the Comic Book Legal Defense Fund’s important work to protect creators and retailers by hosting special events including a massive benefit auction.

Get in on the ground floor and sign up for your exhibitor or artist alley space today! Contact info@ImageComicExpo.com for more information about the show and how to sign up to exhibit.

ABOUT AMAZING COMIC CONVENTIONS
Amazing Comic Conventions is a leading promotional company operated by Jimmy S. Jay and Jay Company Comics. The Amazing Arizona Comic Con is their signature event, kicking off the Comic Con Season each January. The Amazing Arizona Comic Con is the premiere destination for graphic novel pop culture in the Southwest. The 2012 Amazing Arizona Comic Con takes place January 6-7-8 at the Mesa Convention Center, in the Phoenix Metropolitan area. Guests for the upcoming event include Walking Dead creator/executive producer Robert Kirkman, legendary creator Rob Liefeld, Batman artist Greg Capullo, and many more. For more information, visit www.AmazingArizonaComicCon.com.

ABOUT IMAGE COMICS
Image Comics is a comic book and graphic novel publisher founded in 1992 by a collective of best-selling artists. Image has since gone on to become one of the largest comics publishers in the United States. Image currently has five partners: Robert Kirkman, Erik Larsen, Todd McFarlane, Marc Silvestri and Jim Valentino. It consists of five major houses: Todd McFarlane Productions, Top Cow Productions, Shadowline, Skybound and Image Central. Image publishes comics and graphic novels in nearly every genre, sub-genre, and style imaginable. It offers science fiction, romance, horror, crime fiction, historical fiction, humor and more by the finest artists and writers working in the medium today. For more information, visit www.imagecomics.com.

Top Cow Announces SDCC 2011 Signing Schedule

Press Release:

TOP COW ANNOUNCES COMIC-CON SIGNING SCHEDULE

JAM PACKED FOUR DAYS INCLUDES SIGNINGS, PANELS, & PORTFOLIO REVIEWS

Comic-Con International in San Diego is days away and Top Cow Productions, Inc. is excited you’ll be spending time with us. Below are several creators who are just as thrilled that you’ll be making a stop at the Top Cow Booth #2629:

San Diego Signing Schedule

Wed Jul 20, 2011

6pm – 7pm Artifacts with Jeremy Haun & Michael Broussard

Where: Top Cow Booth #2629

7pm – 8pm Echoes hard cover with Joshua Hale Fialkov & Rahsan Ekedal

Where: Top Cow panel #2629

8pm – 9pm The Darkness with Sheldon Mitchell & Rick Basaldua

Where: Top Cow Booth #2629

Thu Jul 21, 2011

10am – 12pm Echoes hard cover with Joshua Hale Fialkov & Rahsan Ekedal

Where: Top Cow booth #2629

11:30am – 12:30pm Michael Broussard & Jeremy Haun (Image Booth)

Where: Image Comics booth #2729

12pm – 1pm Spreading The Darkness panel

Where: Panel Room 9

1pm – 2pm Artifacts with Whilce Portacio, Jeremy Haun & Eric Canete

Where: Top Cow booth #2629

2pm – 3pm Magdalena with David Marquez & William Farmer

Where: Top Cow booth #2629

3pm – 4:30pm Darkness with Sheldon Mitchell & Rick Basaldua

Where: Top Cow booth #2629

3:30pm – 4pm Portfolio Reviews

Where: Top Cow booth #2629

4:30pm – 6pm Darkness II: Confession signing with Marc Silvestri, Michael Broussard, Filip Sablik, & Sunny Gho

Where: Top Cow Booth #2629

6pm – 7pm September Mourning with Marc Silvestri & Emily Lazar

Where: Top Cow booth #2629

 

Fri Jul 22, 2011

9:30am – 10:30am Echoes hard cover with Rahsan Ekedal

Where: Image Comics booth #2729

10am – 11:30am Magdalena with David Marquez & William Farmer

Where: Top Cow booth #2629

11:30am – 12:30pm September Mourning with Marc Silvestri & Emily Lazar

Where: Top Cow booth #2629

12:30pm – 2pm Artifacts with Whilce Portacio & Jeremy Haun with Eric Canete &

RobLevin

Where: Top Cow booth #2629

2pm – 3:30pm Darkness II: Confession with Marc Silvestri, Michael Broussard, Filip Sablik, & Sunny Gho

Where: Top Cow booth #2629

4pm – 6pm Echoes hard cover with Joshua Hale Fialkov & Rahsan Ekedal

Where: Top Cow booth #2629

4:30pm – 5pm Portfolio Reviews

Where: Top Cow booth #2629

6pm – 7pm Darkness with Sheldon Mitchell & Rick Basaldua

Where: Top Cow booth #2629

Sat Jul 23, 2011

10am – 11am Top Cow Universe with David Marquez & Rob Levin

Where: Top Cow booth #2629

11am – 12pm Darkness with Sheldon Mitchell & Rick Basaldua

Where: Top Cow booth #2629

11am – 12pm MTV Comics panel

Where: Room 7AB

11:30am – 12:30pm Top Cow: We Create… Excitement panel

Where: Room 8

12:30pm – 1:30pm September Mourning with Marc Silvestri & Emily Lazar

Where: Top Cow booth #2629

1:30pm – 3pm Pilot Season 2011 Signing

Where: Top Cow Booth #2629

3pm – 4pm Darkness II: Confession with Marc Silvestri, Michael Broussard &

Filip Sablik

Where: Top Cow booth #2629

4pm – 5pm MTV’s Teen Wolf

Where: Top Cow booth #2629

5 – 5:30pm Portfolio Reviews

Where: Top Cow booth #2629

5:30pm – 6:30pm Artifacts with Jeremy Haun & Eric Canete

Where: Top Cow booth #2629

5:30pm – 6:30pm Echoes hard cover with Joshua Hale Fialkov & Rahsan Ekedal

Where: Top Cow booth #2629

 

Sun Jul 24, 2011

11am – 12pm Darkness with Sheldon Mitchell & Rick Basaldua

Where: Top Cow booth #2629

12pm – 1:30pm Echoes hard cover with Joshua Hale Fialkov

Where: Top Cow booth #2629

1:30pm – 3pm Artifacts with Whilce Portacio, Jeremy Haun & Rob Levin

Where: Top Cow booth #2629

3pm – 4:30pm Darkness II: Confession with Marc Silvestri, Michael Broussard &

Filip Sablik

Where: Top Cow booth #2629

4:30pm – 5pm Portfolio Reviews

Where: Top Cow booth #2629

 

Top Cow will also be accepting art sample submissions (penciling, inking, coloring, and full art) every morning from show opening until 12noon. Three samples will be selected every day, and posted at the booth, for a one-on-one portfolio review with Top Cow Publisher Filip Sablik at the end of the day (see schedule for specific times).

PLEASE NOTE: All dates/times are subject to change. Lines may be cut off prior to the end time listed to ensure a timely completion of each signing. Number of items signed may be limited at the signings.

Free sketch tickets will be available in very limited quantities at the beginning of each day of the show on a first come, first served basis. Sketch tickets are limited one per fan per day. Fans must be present at the appointed signing time to redeem their sketch ticket. Not all artists appearing at the Top Cow booth will offer free sketches and fans should inquire at the booth on the morning they plan to get a sketch for availability.

For up-to-date information on Top Cow’s plans at Comic-Con International in San Diego, please visit www.topcow.com or follow us on Twitter (@TopCow).

 

About Top Cow Productions Inc.

Top Cow Productions, Inc. (www.topcow.com), a Los Angeles-based entertainment company, was founded in December of 1992 by artist Marc Silvestri, who also co-founded Image Comics earlier that same year. Top Cow currently publishes its line of comic books in 21 languages in over 55 different countries. The company has launched 20 franchises (18 original and two licensed) in the industry’s Top 10, seven at #1, a feat accomplished by no other publisher in the last two decades. Its flagship franchise, WITCHBLADE, was TNT’s #1 original film of 2000 and the subsequent TV series was released on DVD on July 29, 2008.  WITCHBLADE is also the first American property to be fully adapted in Japan as an original anime and manga by Studio GONZO in 2006. Top Cow’s other flagship property, THE DARKNESS, was developed into a major next-generation video game release by Starbreeze and 2K Games and achieved platinum sales status. WANTED, an Eisner-nominated miniseries published by Top Cow from 2003-2005, is now a major motion picture from Universal Pictures starring Angelina Jolie, James McAvoy and Morgan Freeman. Virtually all of Top Cow’s other properties are in development as feature films, live-action television, animation or video games. Top Cow has also successfully licensed and merchandised its franchises into toys, statues, clothing, lithographs, puppets, posters, magnets, shot glasses, lighters, lunch pails, wall scrolls, mouse pads, die-cast cars, calendars, Christmas ornaments, Halloween masks, trading cards, standees, video games and roleplaying games.

 

Top Cow Pilot Season 2010 Tour

Press Release: 
 
LOS ANGELES, Calif., September 16, 2010 – Top Cow Productions, Inc. proudly announced today that first title off of the 2010 Pilot Season slate will arrive in stores next week on September 22nd, 2010.  Pilot Season 2010 debuts a new format consisting of five new concepts and five different creative teams released in a span of five weeks.  In support of Pilot Season 2010, stateside creators will be embarking on a signing tour coinciding with their pilot’s release.
 
“Pilot Season is an ideal event for us to schedule signing events around because of the wide variety of talent we have participating each year,” explained Publisher Filip Sablik. “This year is no different with established talent like Marc Silvestri, Jeff Katz, and Phil Noto along side exciting up-and-comers like Jerry Lando, David Marquez, and the dynamic duo of Hill and Levin. We’re all getting out on the campaign trail to win the hearts and minds of our voting public!”
 
Pilot Season: 39 Minutes’ William Harms and Jerry Lando will kick off the launch of Pilot Season 2010 next week in Las Vegas and Philadelphia, respectively.
 
Book Signing Dates
 
Pilot Season: 39 Minutes
·       William Harms: Comic Oasis, Las Vegas, NV – September 22
·       Jerry Lando:  Atomic City Comics, Philadelphia, PA - September 25, 2-5pm 

Pilot Season: Asset
·       Filip Sablik: Earth 2 Comics, Los Angeles, CA – September 29
·       Jenny Frison: Challengers 2.0, Chicago, IL – September 29, 5-7pm
·       David Marquez: Austin Books and Comics, Austin, TX, October 13
 
Pilot Season: Crosshair
·       Jeff Katz: Brave New World, Los Angeles, CA – October 16 
 
Pilot Season: 7 Days From Hell
·       Bryan Edward Hill:  Starclipper Comics, St. Louis, MO – October 23
·       Rob Levin: The Comic Bug, Long Beach, CA – October 23, 4 PM – 8 PM
·       Phil Noto:  ACME Comics, Greensboro, NC – October 23 (tentative)
 
For more information on Pilot Season and upcoming signing events, go to www.topcow.com.

Image Comics Signings and Panel Schedules for SDCC 2010

Press Release

You’ll find something exciting during Comic-Con International 2010 with Image Comics, booth #2729, whether you’re looking for your favorite Image creators, exclusive announcements or convention exclusives!

CREATORS

You’ll find a surplus of Image creators on hand at booth #2729. The stupendous talents joining Image include GLEN BRUNSWICK, KODY CHAMBERLAIN, KIERON GILLEN, BRYAN JL GLASS, ROB GUILLORY, PHIL HESTER, GREG HORN, JASON HOWARD, ANDY KUHN, ERIK LARSEN, JOHN LAYMAN, ROB LIEFELD, DAVID MACK, DEREK MCCULLOCH, JAMIE MCKELVIE, MINK, RYAN OTTLEY, PAOLO PARENTE, CLIFF RATHBURN, JIMMIE ROBINSON, STEPHEN SCOTT, KRIS SIMON, BEN TEMPLESMITH, JIM VALENTINO and CORY WALKER. WE’LL ALSO HAVE SIGNINGS WITH JANE WIEDLIN, BILL MORRISON, JONATHAN ROSS, TOMMY LEE EDWARDS, TIM SEELEY, JOE KELLY, KEN NIIMURA, NICK SPENCER and more!

Robert Kirkman will also join Image Comics at booth #2729, bringing all new THE WALKING DEAD t-shirts, books and more. Visit The Walking Dead section of the booth for exclusive merchandise and signings!

CONVENTION EXCLUSIVES

Comic-Con is all about exclusives, from announcements to variant editions, and Image Comics will have an assortment of convention exclusive variants! You’ll find the convention variant of LADY ROBOTIKA #1, with an all-new cover by JIM SILKE, at the Shadowline table. You’ll also be able to pick up the convention variant of CHEW #12, featuring a five-color cover of Poyo, and SWEETS #1 from the creators themselves!

Finally, you can get the Comic-Con variant of THE WALKING DEAD #75 — featuring the first full-color Walking Dead story and photos of the cast of the upcoming AMC show — from various retailers and at the Diamond booth, #2401.

PANELS

THURSDAY, July 22, 4:00 – 5:00 p.m.

SPOTLIGHT ON ROBERT KIRKMAN (Room 5AB)

He examines survival among THE WALKING DEAD. He makes superheroes relatable in INVINCIBLE. He made lycanthropy dramatic in THE ASTOUNDING WOLF-MAN. Join Image Comics for an in-depth discussion and Q&A with writing juggernaut Robert Kirkman. Moderated by Sina Grace.

FRIDAY, July 23, 2:30 – 3:30 p.m.

THE IMAGE COMICS SHOW (Room 3)

Join Image Comics for a slew of exclusive announcements about upcoming projects, updates about ongoing projects, and a Q&A session with some of Image Comics’ best writers. Don’t miss your chance to find out about what we’re up to before anyone else does, get exclusive give-aways, and ask questions of your favorite creators! Panelists include Marc Guggenheim (RESURRECTION, WEB OF SPIDER-MAN), Joe Kelly (I KILL GIANTS), Robert Kirkman (THE WALKING DEAD, INVINCIBLE), John Layman (CHEW), Ben McCool (CHOKER, MEMOIR), and Nick Spencer (EXISTENCE, MORNING GLORIES).

SATURDAY, July 24, 2:30 – 3:30 p.m.

PARTNERS IN IMAGE COMICS (Room 9)

Image Comics partners Robert Kirkman (THE WALKING DEAD, INVINCIBLE), Erik Larsen (SAVAGE DRAGON), Todd McFarlane (SPAWN), Marc Silvestri (WITCHBLADE), and Jim Valentino (SHADOWHAWK) get together for a boisterous discussion of all things Image Comics. Join the Image partners as they talk about ongoing and future projects, and become part of the discussion during a Q&A session.

SIGNINGS

You’ll find many of your favorite Image creators at booth #2729 throughout the convention. In addition to the creators who will have tables with us, we’ll have the following signings. We’ll be scheduling more signings throughout the week, so please check at the booth for updates.

WEDNESDAY, July 21

6:00 – 8:00 p.m. Ivan Brandon (VIKING)

6:00 – 9:00 p.m. Jim Valentino and Kristen Simon (FRACTURED FABLES)*

7:00 – 8:00 p.m. Robert Kirkman (INVINCIBLE, HAUNT, THE WALKING DEAD)**

THURSDAY, July 22

9:30 – 12:00 a.m. Jim Valentino and Kristen Simon (FRACTURED FABLES)*

12:00 – 1:00 p.m. John Layman and Rob Guillory (CHEW)

12:00 – 1:30 p.m. Nick Spencer (EXISTENCE, SHUDDERTOWN, MORNING GLORIES)*

1:00 – 2:00 p.m. Jonathan Ross and Tommy Lee Edwards (TURF)

1:30 – 3:00 p.m. Jimmie Robinson (BOMB QUEEN, T. RUNT!)*

2:00 – 3:00 p.m. Joe Casey and Chris Burnham (OFFICER DOWNE)

3:00 – 4:00 p.m. FRACTURED FABLES: Camilla D’Errico, Phil Hester, Derek McCulloch, Bill Morrison, Ted McKeever, Anthony Peruzzo, Ben Templesmith, Doug TenNapel

4:00 – 5:00 p.m. Jim Valentino, Tone Rodriguez, Dan Wickline (SHADOWHAWK)

5:00 – 6:00 p.m. Brandon Seifert and Lukas Ketner (WITCH DOCTOR)**

5:00 – 7:00 p.m. Jim Valentino and Kristen Simon (FRACTURED FABLES)*

FRIDAY, July 23

9:30 – 11:00 a.m. Jim Valentino and Kristen Simon (FRACTURED FABLES)*

10:00 – 11:00 a.m. Ben Templesmith and Ben McCool (CHOKER)

11:00 – 12:00 p.m. Jane Wiedlin, Bill Morrison, Jim Silke (LADY ROBOTIKA)

12:00 – 1:00 p.m. Joe Kelly and Ken Niimura (I KILL GIANTS)

12:00 – 1:00 p.m. Jeff Mariotte (FADE TO BLACK)*

1:00 – 2:00 p.m. THE WALKING DEAD: Robert Kirkman, Frank Darabont, and cast members from the upcoming AMC television series**

2:00 – 3:00 p.m. Jonathan Ross and Tommy Lee Edwards (TURF)

2:00 – 3:00 p.m. Gabriel Hardman and Corinna Bechko (HEATHENTOWN)*

3:00 – 4:00 p.m. Ted McKeever (META 4)*

4:00 – 5:00 p.m. Robert Kirkman and Todd McFarlane (HAUNT)**

4:00 – 5:00 p.m. Jane Wiedlin, Bill Morrison, Jim Silke (LADY ROBOTIKA)

5:00 – 6:00 p.m. Tim Seeley (HACK/SLASH)

5:00 – 6:00 p.m. Nick Spencer (EXISTENCE, SHUDDERTOWN, MORNING GLORIES)*

5:00 – 6:00 p.m. Robert Kirkman (INVINCIBLE, HAUNT, THE WALKING DEAD)**

6:00 – 7:00 p.m. Jim Valentino and Kristen Simon (FRACTURED FABLES)*

SATURDAY, July 24

9:30 – 11:00 a.m. Jim Valentino and Kristen Simon (FRACTURED FABLES)*

10:00 – 11:00 a.m. Joe Kelly and Ken Niimura (I KILL GIANTS)

11:00 – 12:30 p.m. Ziggy Marley, Jim Mahfood, Joe Casey (MARIJUANAMAN)

12:00 – 2:00 p.m. Robert Kirkman (INVINCIBLE, HAUNT, THE WALKING DEAD)**

12:30 – 1:30 p.m. FRACTURED FABLES: Brian Haberlin, Royden Lepp, Larry Marder, Whilce Portacio, Nick Spencer, Shannon Wheeler, Jill Thompson, Josh Williamson

2:00 – 3:00 p.m. Jeff Mariotte (FADE TO BLACK)*

3:00 – 4:00 p.m. Jane Wiedlin, Bill Morrison, Jim Silke (LADY ROBOTIKA)

4:00 – 5:00 p.m. IMAGE PARTNERS: Robert Kirkman, Erik Larsen, Todd McFarlane, Marc Silvestri, Jim Valentino

5:00 – 6:00 p.m. Jimmie Robinson (BOMB QUEEN, T. RUNT!)*

6:00 – 7:00 p.m. Jim Valentino, Tone Rodriguez, Dan Wickline (SHADOWHAWK)

SUNDAY, July 25

9:30 – 11:00 a.m. Jim Valentino and Kristen Simon (FRACTURED FABLES)

10:00 – 11:00 a.m. David Hine (THE BULLETPROOF COFFIN, STRANGE EMBRACE)

12:00 – 1:00 p.m. Jimmie Robinson (BOMB QUEEN, T. RUNT!)*

1:00 – 2:00 p.m. Kristen Simon (ALL GIRL COMICS, FRACTURED FABLES)*

1:00 – 3:00 p.m. Robert Kirkman and Charlie Adlard (THE WALKING DEAD)**

2:00 – 3:00 p.m. David Hine (THE BULLETPROOF COFFIN, STRANGE EMBRACE)

2:00 – 3:00 p.m. Jim Valentino and Kristen Simon (FRACTURED FABLES)*

3:00 – 4:00 p.m. Tim Seeley (HACK/SLASH)

3:00 – 4:00 p.m. Nick Spencer (EXISTENCE, SHUDDERTOWN, MORNING GLORIES)*

4:00 – 5:00 p.m. Jim Valentino and Kristen Simon (FRACTURED FABLES)*

(*Shadowline signings; **The Walking Dead signings)

PARTIES

THURSDAY, July 22

THE CBLDF COMIC-CON WELCOME PARTY

Sponsored by Image Comics, in association with SeenAllOver.com, Soulcraft Comics and IHEARTCOMIX! Festivities include THE WALKING DEAD Live Art Stage, featuring the book’s co-creator Charlie Adlard and models presented by Dr. Sketchy’s Anti-Art School! PSYCHENAUT, multimedia sound and vision by Paul Pope! DJ set by Franki Chan of IHEARTCOMIX! Plus, a photo booth provided by seenallover.com! All this, and a CBLDF auction preview gallery, featuring ETNIES/SEEN custom designed sneakers, the TFAW art auction, and a gift bag for the first 300 contributors! Come dressed in your zombie finest and party down! Free for CBLDF Members, $10 to $20 suggested donation for non-members. The Westgate Hotel is at 1055 2nd Ave in downtown San Diego. RSVP on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/#!/event.php?eid4933566541001

SATURDAY, July 24

SCENES OF A GRAPHIC NATURE

Presented by Nerd City and sponsored by Image Comics and TFAW. This open party features live art by Jim Mahfood, Mike Huddleston, Scott Morse, King Gum AKA Dave Crosland, Jason Shawn Alexander, and more! Includes DJ sets by Major Taylor and Red Sonya, PLUS a performance by San Diego rockers The Burning of Rome. SCENES kicks off at the Soda Bar at 3614 El Cajon Blvd. $15 door. Presale tickets are available for $12 at http://tickets.frontgatetickets.com/choose.php?c=amp;lidE223&eidR134

Come celebrate Comic-Con International 2010 with Image Comics by visiting us at booth #2729, joining us at our panels and partying with us in San Diego!

Image Comics is a comic book and graphic novel publisher founded in 1992 by a collective of best-selling artists. Image has since gone on to become one of the largest comics publishers in the United States. Image currently has five partners: Robert Kirkman, Erik Larsen, Todd McFarlane, Marc Silvestri and Jim Valentino. It consists of five major houses: Todd McFarlane Productions, Top Cow Productions, Shadowline, Skybound, and Image Central. Image publishes comics and graphic novels in nearly every genre, sub-genre, and style imaginable. It offers science fiction, romance, horror, crime fiction, historical fiction, humor and more by the finest artists and writers working in the medium today. For more information, visit www.imagecomics.com.

Top Cow Signings, Exclusives, and More for SDCC 2010

Press Release:

TOP COW REVEALS COMIC-CON INTERNATIONAL 2010 SIGNING SCHEDULE

LOS ANGELES, Calif., July 19, 2010 – Comic-Con International in San Diego is days away and Top Cow Productions, Inc. is excited you’ll be spending time with us. Below are several creators who are just as thrilled that you’ll be making a stop at the Top Cow Booth #2629:

Thursday, July 22

10:00 – 11:00am: William Harms, Thomas Nachlik

11:00 – 12:00pm: Nelson Blake II, Sheldon Mitchell, Rick Basaldua

11:30 – 12:30pm: Ale Garza

12:00 – 1:30pm: Ron Marz, Kenneth Rocafort

12:30 – 1:30pm: Rob Levin, Bryan Edward Hill

1:30 – 3:00pm: Michael Broussard, Ryan Winn, Troy Peteri

2:00 – 3:00pm: Phil Hester

5:00 – 6:00pm: Rick Basaldua, Richard Fairgray, Eric Basaldua

5:30 – 6:30pm: Joshua Hale Fialkov

6:00 – 7:00pm: Sheldon Mitchell, Paolo Pantalena

Friday, July 23

10:00 – 11:00am: Rob Levin, Bryan Edward Hill, David Hine, Jeff Wamester

11:00 – 12:00pm: Kenneth Rocafort, Marc Bernardin, Adam Freeman, Richard Fairgray

12:00 – 1:00pm: Sheldon Mitchell, Troy Peteri, Joe Weems

12:00 – 1:30pm: Phil Hester

1:00 – 2:30pm: Marc Silvestri, Michael Broussard, Emily Lazar

1:30 – 2:30pm: Ron Marz

2:30 – 3:30pm: Milo Ventimiglia, Russ Cundiff, Rick Loverd, Jeremy Haun

4:30 – 5:30pm: Jason Rubin, Sal Regla, Josh Hale Fialkov, Rahsan Ekedal

5:30 – 6:30pm: David Marquez, William Harms, Thomas Nachlik, Jonathan Lincoln

Saturday, July 24

10:00 – 11:00am: David Hine, Jeff Wamester, Rick Basaldua, Paolo Pantalena

11:00 – 12:00pm: Kenneth Rocafort

11:30 – 1:00pm: Ron Marz, Michael Broussard, Troy Peteri

12:00 – 1:00pm: Rick Loverd, Jeremy Haun

1:00 – 2:00pm: Thomas Nachlik, William Harms, Jonathan Lincoln

2:00 – 3:00pm: Richard Fairgray, Rahsan Ekedal, Randy Queen, Sarah Queen

3:00 – 4:00pm: Marc Bernardin, Adam Freeman

3:00 – 4:30pm: Sheldon Mitchell, Eric Basaldua

4:00 – 5:00pm: Ale Garza, Troy Peteri

4:30 – 5:30pm: Jason Rubin, Sal Regla, Joe Weems

5:00 – 6:30pm: Marc Silvestri, Emily Lazar

5:30 – 6:30pm: Rob Levin, Bryan Edward Hill

Sunday, July 25

10:00 – 11:00am: Marc Bernardin, Adam Freeman, Rick Basaldua

11:00 – 12:00pm: David Marquez, Thomas Nachlik

12:00 – 1:00pm: Rob Levin, Bryan Edward Hill, Rick Loverd, Jeremy Haun

1:00 – 2:00pm: David Hine, Jeff Wamester, Eric Basaldua, Ale Garza

2:00 – 3:00pm: Richard Fairgray, Joshua Hale Fialkov, Paolo Pantalena

3:00 – 4:00pm: Sheldon Mitchell, Rick Basaldua

4:00 – 5:00pm: Kenneth Rocafort, Michael Broussard

PLEASE NOTE: All dates/times are subject to change. Sketch tickets will be available at the beginning of each day of the show. Sketch tickets are limited one per fan per day. Fans must be present at the appointed signing time to redeem their sketch ticket. Not all artists appearing at the Top Cow booth will offer free sketches and fans should inquire at the booth on the morning they plan to get a sketch for availability.

Be sure to check out the Top Cow “We Create” Multimedia panel on Saturday, July 24 at 1:30-2:30pm in Room 9 as well.

TOP COW UNVEILS 2010 SAN DIEGO COMIC-CON EXCLUSIVES

LOS ANGELES, Calif., July 14, 2010 – Top Cow Productions, Inc. is proud to announce their exclusive offerings at this year’s Comic-Con International in San Diego, which includes an exclusive wraparound cover variant to the publisher’s most ambitious project-to-date, Artifacts.

Attendees of the convention have a chance to grab the following exclusives at the Top Cow booth #2629:

ARTIFACTS #1 WRAPAROUND SAN DIEGO COMIC-CON VARIANT
Exclusive SDCC variant cover art by Michael Broussard and Sunny Gho of IFS
(W) Ron Marz   (A) Michael Broussard   (I) Rick Basaldua, Sal Regla   (C) Sunny Gho of IFS
Price: $10

Thirteen mystical Artifacts, including the Witchblade, the Darkness and others, guide the fate of the Top Cow Universe. For centuries, it’s been whispered that bringing together all 13 Artifacts would herald mankind’s destruction. But a mysterious figure has been manipulating events, laying plans to put Armageddon into motion. The final phase begins here, with the abduction of Hope, the daughter of Sara Pezzini and Jackie Estacado. What ensues will remake the entirety of the Top Cow Universe, from the Witchblade and the Darkness, to the Angelus, Magdalena, and countless others. Artifacts #1 is the perfect place for faithful readers to see their loyalty pay off, and for new readers to experience the Top Cow Universe. And this exquisite variant cover is the perfect way to commemorate a trip to Comic-Con International.

VELOCITY #1 SAN DIEGO COMIC-CON VARIANT
Exclusive SDCC variant cover art by Kenneth Rocafort
(W) Ron Marz   (A) Kenneth Rocafort   (C) Sunny Gho of IFS
Price: $10

Carin Taylor is the fastest woman in the world. At least, she’d better be if she wants to save her own life and the lives of her Cyberforce teammates. When a former Cyberdata scientist — and test subject — seeks revenge against the members of Cyberforce, only Velocity can save her friends before the clock literally runs out. Bringing together writer Ron Marz (Witchblade, Angelus) and artist Kenneth Rocafort (Cyberforce/Hunter-Killer) for the first time. This fun-filled variant cover conveys Carin’s own sense of whimsy and snappy wit; and like Velocity herself, these covers will soon be gone!

DARKNESS/DARKCHYLDE: KINGDOM PAIN WRAPAROUND SAN DIEGO COMIC-CON VARIANT
Exclusive SDCC variant cover art by Randy Queen and Sarah Queen
(W) Randy Queen  (A) Randy Queen and Sarah Queen
Price: $15

A new armor for Jackie Estacado, the bearer of The Darkness, and a new beginning for Ariel Chylde, the girl who can become creatures from her nightmares! Jackie intercepts a physic plea for help, and frees Ariel from a self imposed, seven-year exile. But what happens when these fan favorite monster makers encounter a new threat that can create anything? Find out this Christmas, when things get dark! Guest starring Witchblade! Created especially for Comic-Con International, Randy and Sarah Queen present this stunning wraparound cover with a virgin front cover showcasing The Darkness and Darkchylde.

PROMO:  Attendees can purchase all 3 single-issue SDCC variant covers for the price of $30 (save $5).

CYBERFORCE/HUNTER-KILLER VOLUME 1 SDCC LIMITED EDITION HARDCOVER
Exclusive SDCC variant cover art by Kenneth Rocafort
(W) Mark Waid   (A) Kenneth Rocafort    (C) Sunny Gho of IFS
Limited to 250 copies
Retail Value: $30

Two of Top Cow’s top teams return! Fan favorite writer Mark Waid (Irredeemable, Amazing Spider-Man) and artist Kenneth Rocafort (Madame Mirage) weave a tale of conspiracy, high-octane action, and next-gen technology in a crossover with consequences. The members of Cyberforce and the Hunter-Killer squad must team up to stop Cyberdata and Morningstar from taking control of the world’s information networks with the Jettâ„¢. Don’t miss the opportunity to pick up this extremely limited hard cover edition and get it signed by both Waid and Rocafort!

BERSERKER VOLUME 1 SDCC LIMITED EDITION HARDCOVER
Exclusive SDCC variant cover art by Jeremy Haun
(W) Rick Loverd  (A) Jeremy Haun    (I) Haun, John Lucas  (C) Dave McCaig
Limited to 250 copies
Retail Value: $30

Produced by Milo Ventimiglia and DiVide Pictures!
The lives of Aaron and Farris, two young and completely different men, are turned upside down when they discover an animalistic and uncontrollable rage living inside them. Meanwhile, two mysterious organizations seek them out for their newfound strength and power for their own purposes. But what good is strength and power when you can’t tell friend from foe? Don’t miss the opportunity to pick up this extremely limited hard cover edition and get it signed by the entire creative team!

Fans who are unable to attend the show can still purchase the exclusives at a later date online at www.thetopcowstore.com, while supplies last, starting in September.  However, there is a limited number of each item, so fans are encouraged to visit the Top Cow booth #2629 early to purchase their SDCC exclusives.

BE AMONG THE FIRST TO START THE ARTIFACTS JOURNEY

TOP COW AT COMIC-CON INTERNATIONAL 2010

LOS ANGELES, Calif., July 12, 2010 – Top Cow Productions, Inc.’s race to Artifacts will include a stop at this year’s Comic-Con International in San Diego, California, the world’s biggest and most exciting popular convention, from July 22nd – 25th.

Top Cow will once again storm into the convention and set up shop at booth #2629.  Among the goods to prepare attendees of CCI 2010 for the race to Artifacts will be exclusives, preview books, free goodies, variant comics and trade paperbacks, including free copies of Artifacts #0 as well as other comics, posters and bookmarks (while supplies last).

Attendees are invited to join Marc Silvestri (Dark Avengers/Uncanny X-Men: Utopia), President Matt Hawkins, and Publisher Filip Sablik for an exciting and lively multimedia presentation about Top Cow’s plans for 2010 and 2011 in comics, film, television and much more. Be the first to hear announcements and updates on film projects including Witchblade, Magdalena, Alibi, Wanted, and The A-Team. Plus announcements on new comic projects with creators including Ron Marz (Artifacts), Jeff Katz (American Original, Freddy vs. Jason), Phil Hester (The Darkness) plus surprise guest directors, screenwriters, producers and more!  The panel will be featured in room 9 from 1:30-2:30pm under the title Top Cow: “We Create” Multimedia, on Saturday, July 24th.

The schedule for signings as well as portfolio reviews at Top Cow booth #2629 will be released at a later date and will be available online at www.topcow.com as well as at the booth at the start of each day.

Joining the Top Cow team at booth #2629 will be Marc Silvestri, Ron Marz (Artifacts), Phil Hester (The Darkness), Michael Broussard (Artifacts), Kenneth Rocafort (Velocity), Jeremy Haun (Berserker), Eric Basaldua (Witchblade Annual), William Harms (Impaler), Rob Levin (Broken Trinity: Pandora’s Box), Bryan Edward Hill (Broken Trinity: Pandora’s Box), Nelson Blake II (Magdalena), Marc Bernardin (Genius), Adam Freeman (Genius), Jeff Wamester (The Darkness: Four Horsemen), David Hine (The Darkness: Four Horsemen), Jason Rubin (The Iron Saint), Joshua Ortega (Necromancer), Rick Loverd (Berserker), Sheldon Mitchell (The Darkness), Rahsan Ekedal (The Crazies, Echoes), Joshua Hale Fialkov (The Crazies, Echoes), Randy Queen (The Darkness/Darkchylde: Kingdom Pain), Sarah Queen (The Darkness/Darkchylde: Kingdom Pain), Jonathan Lincoln (Tracker), Rick Basaldua (The Darkness) and several other surprise guests.

Fans should note that because of anticipated crowding issues; artists appearing at the Top Cow booth will only be able to do a limited amount of free sketches per sitting.  Sketch tickets will be available at the beginning of each day of the show.  Sketch tickets are limited one per fan per day.  Fans must be present at the appointed signing time to redeem their sketch ticket.  Not all artists appearing at the Top Cow booth will offer free sketches and fans should inquire at the booth on the morning they plan to get a sketch for availability.

Also at the Top Cow booth #2629, the publisher will offer several items exclusive to Comic-Con International including three convention variant cover comic exclusives, two limited edition hardcovers, and an unannounced bargain-priced anthology book.

Fans who stop by the booth will be among the first to grab a copy of the debut issue to mega-event series, Artifacts by Marz and Broussard. Artifacts promises to be Top Cow’s most ambitious series to date and will weave together story lines from a number of Top Cow titles, including Witchblade, The Darkness, Angelus and Broken Trinity: Pandora’s Box.  It has been known for some time that thirteen mystical Artifacts guide the fate of the Top Cow Universe.  For centuries, it’s been whispered that bringing together all 13 artifacts would bring upon mankind’s destruction.  The series will begin with a mysterious figure who seeks to put Armageddon into motion.  Artifacts #1 will arrive in stores on Wednesday, July 28th.

For up-to-date information on Top Cow’s plans at Comic-Con International in San Diego, please visit www.topcow.com or follow us on Twitter (@TopCow).

About Top Cow Productions Inc.

Top Cow Productions, Inc. (www.topcow.com), a Los Angeles-based entertainment company, was founded in December of 1992 by artist Marc Silvestri, who also co-founded Image Comics earlier that same year. Top Cow currently publishes its line of comic books in 21 languages in over 55 different countries. The company has launched 20 franchises (18 original and two licensed) in the industry’s Top 10, seven at #1, a feat accomplished by no other publisher in the last two decades. Its flagship franchise, WITCHBLADE, was TNT’s #1 original film of 2000 and the subsequent TV series was released on DVD on July 29, 2008. A feature film, co-produced by Platinum Studios, Inc. and Arclight Films, is slated to begin production in Australia with director Michael Rymer. WITCHBLADE is also the first American property to be fully adapted in Japan as an original anime and manga by Studio GONZO in 2006. Top Cow’s other flagship property, THE DARKNESS, was developed into a major next-generation video game release by Starbreeze and 2K Games and achieved platinum sales status. WANTED, an Eisner-nominated miniseries published by Top Cow from 2003-2005, is now a major motion picture from Universal Pictures starring Angelina Jolie, James McAvoy and Morgan Freeman. Virtually all of Top Cow’s other properties are in development as feature films, live-action television, animation or video games. Top Cow has also successfully licensed and merchandised its franchises into toys, statues, clothing, lithographs, puppets, posters, magnets, shot glasses, lighters, lunch pails, wall scrolls, mouse pads, die-cast cars, calendars, Christmas ornaments, Halloween masks, trading cards, standees, video games and roleplaying games.

Spawn Creator at Baltimore Comic-Con

Press Release:

Todd McFarlane to appear at the 11th annual Baltimore Comic-Con on Saturday, August 28, 2010.

Berkeley, CA – 10 May 2010 – Image Comics Founder and Partner Todd McFarlane is set to appear at Baltimore Comic-Con 2010 on Saturday, August 28, 2010. The creator of the groundbreaking comic book SPAWN will take part in signings and other events during the show.

“I’m thrilled to be able to participate in this year’s Baltimore Comic Con,” says McFarlane. “It’s good to know events still exist where comics are the main focus, instead of being swallowed up by competing entertainment such as movies and video games. I appreciate all the support Baltimore Comic Con has provided Image with in the past, and am looking forward to attending and meeting with fans.”

Marc Nathan, organizer of the Baltimore Comic-Con, adds, “The Baltimore Comic-Con could not be more thrilled about hosting Todd McFarlane at this year’s convention. Image Comics continues to be at the top of all our publishing partners. We all know how popular Todd is and look forward to a great time!”

From budding baseball player to comic book artist extraordinaire to family man, Spawn creator Todd McFarlane has a wealth of experience in the world of entertainment. McFarlane’s road trip to creative autonomy began when he accepted an assignment penciling for Marvel/Epic Comics in March 1984. From there, he worked his way to the top of the talent roster before leaving Marvel to help found Image Comics with six other artists. It was then that Todd introduced his own character, Spawn. In 1994, Todd founded McFarlane Toys. Over the years, the company has become one of the largest, most renowned toy manufacturers in the world.

Don’t miss SPAWN creator Todd McFarlane at this year’s 11th annual Baltimore Comic-Con. He will appear one day only, on Saturday, August 28, 2010.

Image Comics is a comic book and graphic novel publisher founded in 1992 by a collective of best-selling artists. Image has since gone on to become one of the largest comics publishers in the United States. Image currently has five partners: Robert Kirkman, Erik Larsen, Todd McFarlane, Marc Silvestri and Jim Valentino. It consists of four major houses: Todd McFarlane Productions, Top Cow Productions, Shadowline, and Image Central. Image publishes comics and graphic novels in nearly every genre, sub-genre, and style imaginable. It offers science fiction, romance, horror, crime fiction, historical fiction, humor, and more by the finest artists and writers working in the medium today. For more information, visit the Image Comics website.

CA – FCBD Together!

Marv Wolfman, Marc Silvestri, Bill Morrison, Joe Benitez and more sign at Collector’s Paradise on FCBD (From 12 noon to 3 PM):

Collector’s Paradise Comics & Gallery, San Fernando Valley’s Premiere pop culture store, is excited to announce a big Celebration for FREE COMIC BOOK DAY, featuring some of the best talent in comics and many great giveaways for all attendees.
 
Collector’s Paradise has a long history of working closely with comic book industry creators. The store holds monthly events with artists and writers from all corners of the industry, and the full time gallery hosts art events and gallery shows.  “We want to do more than just sell comics, we want to create a Destination for comic book fans, a place where they can interact with the people who create the product they love”, says Edward Greenberg, the owner of Collector’s Paradise.  Comic book industry has been very supportive of Collector’s Paradise’ efforts in this endeavor, working with them to organize numerous events to promote their new releases and special projects.
 
This year Collector’s Paradise is presenting their best line-up of comic book creators to date, including:
 
Marc Silvestri – Founder, Top Cow Productions, Creator and Artist – Cyberforce, Witchblade, Darkness, Hunter/Killer

Marv Wolfman – creator – Teen Titans, Blade, Bullseye, Tim Drake, Black Cat, Nightwing, Deathstroke, Anti-Monitor and many more…

Bill Morrison – co-creator Bongo Comics, artist – Simpson Comics and more

Michael Broussard – artist – Darkness, FCBD 2010 Top Cow Artifacts comic, Artifacts 1-6

Joe Benitez – artist – Teen Titans, Soulfire, creator – Weapon Zero, Magdalena, Wraithborne

Peter Steigerwald – colorist, artist – Soulfire, Fathom, and more from Aspen Comics

Ray Friesen – kids graphic novel author – Another Dirt Sandwich, Cupcakes of Doom…

Rick Loverd – writer – Milo Ventimiglia Presents Berserker
 
In addition to the great creator line up, the event will feature the annual “Sketches for HERO Initiative” fundraiser, where most of the artists featured will do $10 sketches for the fans, with 100% of the proceeds directly going to HERO Initiative, a wonderful charity that helps comic book creators in need.  Collector’s Paradise has been working with HERO for the last four years to make sure that those creators who need financial and medical help are taken care of.
 
Kids are a big focus of Collector’s Paradise’ effort on FCBD.  The event will feature an excellent Spider-Man in costume, a fantastic Balloon Artist, and several thousand kid-friendly comic books given away to all fans in attendance.
 
The event will be held at Collector’s Paradise Comics & Cards from Noon to 7:00pm, with creator signings, Spider-Man and Balloon Artist from noon to 3:00pm.
 
Collector’s Paradise Comics & Gallery is located at 7131 Winnetka Ave, on the corner of Winnetka Ave and Sherman Way, in Canoga Park.

Image Comics Returns to Baltimore Comic-Con with Massive Lineup

IMAGE COMICS RETURNS TO BALTIMORE COMIC CON WITH THEIR MOST MASSIVE LINEUP YET!

Image Comics makes it way back to Baltimore with its largest lineup of creators ever!

Baltimore, Maryland – October 6, 2009 – This upcoming weekend, the world’s greatest creator-owned and operated publisher, Image Comics, makes a big return to the Baltimore Comic-Con including their biggest guest list yet and a very special IMAGE UNITED preview book variant available only at the show!

“It’s good to be back in Baltimore,” Image Comics Chief Operating Officer and IMAGE UNITED writer Robert Kirkman said. “It’s one of the biggest conventions out there with a sole focus on comic books. Everybody here at Image Comics is proud to partner up with Baltimore for our biggest convention presence outside of San Diego Comic Con.”

Kirkman will take part in two panels at the show including The Image Comics Show on Saturday at 1 PM in the Avengers Mansion room. He will be joined by LIBERTY MEADOWS & 50-GIRLS-50′s Frank Cho, GOD COMPLEX & MICE TEMPLAR’s Michael Avon Oeming, ELEPHANTMEN’s Richard Starkings, UNDERGROUND’s Jeff Parker and COWBOY NINJA VIKING’s AJ Lieberman. In addition to everyone giving the first look at upcoming comics, Cho will be announcing the finalists to his 50-GIRLS-50 Talent Search.

Sunday brings a very special look at IMAGE UNITED at 1 PM in the Avengers Mansion room with the crossover artists’ Erik Larsen, Rob Liefeld, Whilce Portacio, Marc Silvestri, Jim Valentino and writer Robert Kirkman. The panel will make the final exclusive look at the series before its release this November!

Both days will feature IMAGE UNITED signing events from 3-4 PM at the Image Comics booth with all creators in attendance signing copies of the Baltimore Comic-Con’s IMAGE UNITED PREVIEW variant edition, available at Baltimore Comic-Con’s Exclusives booth, #1201.

In addition, the Baltimore Image Island will feature a massive guest list, including Mike and Laura Allred (MADMAN ATOMIC COMICS), Ryan Bodeheim (RED MASS FOR MARS), Frank Cho (LIBERTY MEADOWS, 50-GIRLS-50), Jay Faerber (DYNAMO 5), Bryan J.L. Glass (THE MICE TEMPLAR), Greg Horn (THE ART GREG HORN), Ryan Ottley (INVINCIBLE), Cory Walker (INVINCIBLE), Jason Howard (THE ASTOUNDING WOLF-MAN), Scott Kurtz (PvP), Luna Brothers (THE SWORD), Richard Starkings (ELEPHANTMEN), Tom Scioli (GØDLAND), Ben McCool (CHOKER) and the teams behind the POPGUN anthology and Shadowline.

Image Comics can be found at booth #1501 during The Baltimore Comic-Con, Saturday, October 10th and Sunday, October 11th, at the Baltimore Convention Center. For more information, please see http://www.baltimorecomiccon.com/.

Top Cow at Baltimore Comic-Con 2009 with Silvestri and Marz

Top Cow Productions at Baltimore’s premier entertainment convention

SILVESTRI. MARZ. BALTIMORE COMIC-CON 2009.

LOS ANGELES, Calif.  – Top Cow Productions, Inc. proudly announced today their attendance at the 2009 Baltimore Comic-Con. This year’s Baltimore Comic-Con will held on the weekend of the 10th and 11th of October at the Baltimore Convention Center located downtown near Camden Yards at One West Pratt Street, Baltimore, Maryland 21201. The Baltimore Comic-Con will be open to the public Saturday from 10 A.M. to 6 P.M. and Sunday from 10 A.M. to 5 P.M.

Fans are encouraged to stop by to meet CEO and Founder Marc Silvestri (X-Men/Dark Avengers: Utopia, Pilot Season) who will be in attendance along with writer Ron Marz (Witchblade, Broken Trinity). Silvestri will be available to sign autographs and answer fan questions about the upcoming concepts for Pilot Season 2009, all of which have been created by Silvestri and Image partner Robert Kirkman (The Walking Dead, Invincible) as well as Image United.

For the Baltimore Comic-Con, the publisher is offering a Halloween themed convention exclusive variant cover to Witchblade #131 by current series artist Stjepan Sejic. Baltimore based online retailer Fantastic Realm will also be exhibiting at the Baltimore Comic Con and offering their exclusive variant for Witchblade #131 by Ale Garza (Supergirl) and Nei (Green Lantern Corps).

Ron Marz will be available to sign the convention variant and answer fan questions about the new direction he is taking the Top Cow Universe towards now that his recent “War of the Witchblades” story arc wrapped up in Witchblade #130. Marz and series artist Sejic are committed to staying on Witchblade up through issue #150. Ron Marz has been the sole series writer of Witchblade since issue #80 and was joined by artist Sejic with Witchblade #116. Marz will also be onhand to discuss his upcoming work on Top Cow series Angelus, Magdalena, and Artifacts.

Fans are invited to join Top Cow Publisher Filip Sablik, Silvestri, Marz, and Robert Kirkman for a special panel on Sunday, October 11th from 11:00am-12:00pm in the “Avengers Mansion” panel room. The creators will discuss Pilot Season, Witchblade, Angelus, Magdalena, and much,much more. Fans can expect some exclusive announcements as well and every attendee will leave with a special parting gift. Fans are also encouraged to attend the Image United panel on the same day and the same room at 1:00pm.

About Top Cow Productions Inc.

Top Cow Productions, Inc. (www.topcow.com), a Los Angeles-based entertainment company, was founded in December of 1992 by artist Marc Silvestri, who also co-founded Image Comics earlier that same year. Top Cow currently publishes its line of comic books in 21 languages in over 55 different countries. The company has launched 20 franchises (18 original and two licensed) in the industry’s Top 10, seven at #1, a feat accomplished by no other publisher in the last two decades. Its flagship franchise, WITCHBLADE, was TNT’s #1 original film of 2000 and the subsequent TV series was released on DVD on July 29, 2008. A feature film, co-produced by Platinum Studios, Inc. and Arclight Films, is slated to begin production in Australia with director Michael Rymer. WITCHBLADE is also the first American property to be fully adapted in Japan as an original anime and manga by Studio GONZO in 2006. Top Cow’s other flagship property, THE DARKNESS, was developed into a major next-generation video game release by Starbreeze and 2K Games and achieved platinum sales status. WANTED, an Eisner-nominated miniseries published by Top Cow from 2003-2005, is now a major motion picture from Universal Pictures starring Angelina Jolie, James McAvoy and Morgan Freeman. Virtually all of Top Cow’s other properties are in development as feature films, live-action television, animation or video games. Top Cow has also successfully licensed and merchandised its franchises into toys, statues, clothing, lithographs, puppets, posters, magnets, shot glasses, lighters, lunch pails, wall scrolls, mouse pads, die-cast cars, calendars, Christmas ornaments, Halloween masks, trading cards, standees, video games and roleplaying games.

Baltimore Comic-Con Announces Guests for 2009

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

About The Baltimore Comic-Con

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

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

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