CA – Nightwing: New Order Signing

KYLE HIGGINS (writer of Batman: Gates of Gotham, New 52 Nightwing, Power Rangers, Hadrian’s Wall, and many more) appears at Collector’s Paradise on Wednesday, August 23rd at 5:00 PM.

RSVP on Facebook!

Collector’s Paradise
319 S Arroyo Pkwy, Ste 4, Pasadena, California 91105
(626) 577-6694

CA – The Martial Arts of Avatar: The Last Airbender Workshop

Sifu Kisu will be teaching TWO Kung Fu workshops at Blue8 House of Warrior Poetry! One for the kids and one for the grownups!

KIDS WORKSHOP INFO
Sunday, Aug. 6th, 3:30-5:30
The Martial Arts of Avatar the Last Airbender
The Earth, Air, Fire, and Water Nations unite in this Kung Fu workshop that teaches kids the real kung fu forms behind the celebrated series, Avatar: The Last Airbender. Cost: $35

ADULT WORKSHOP INFO
Tuesday, Aug. 8th, 6:30-9:30
Northern Shaolin Kung Fu Workshop
Tun Da Course: Form No. 6 – Close-Encounter Combinations (Short Strikes)The emphasis of this form is on techniques and combinations that are applied when up- close (within arms reach) with your opponent. Like all short range fighting styles, combinations include hand trapping, simultaneous block-strike techniques, and footwork/tactics to ‘stick’ to the opponent. The uniqueness in the Northern Shaolin Short Strikes is the ‘blending in’ or ‘smooth and subtle transitions’ with long-range techniques. It has the advantage over other short-range styles in that movements include high- and-low position shifting in addition to side-to-side shifting. Close-in executions of ground sweeping and high/jumping kicks are also skills that others don’t have.
Cost: $65

ABOUT SIFU KISU
Sifu Kisu is a teacher in the Chinese martial arts focusing on the style of Northern Shaolin Kung Fu. Sifu Kisu is a master of Northern Shaolin (Bak Sil Lum) Kung Fu. Through his teacher, Master Ken Hui, Kisu belongs to the lineage of Grandmaster Ku Yu-Cheung (Gu Ruzong), one of the most respected kung fu teachers of the early 20th Century and the Chief Instructor for Northern Shaolin at the founding of the Central Guoshu Institute in Nanjing.Throughout his life he has worked as an executive protection specialist, stunt man, and martial arts coordinator in the entertainment field for many years. He is most famously known for being the Chief Martial Arts Director and consultant for the animated series Avatar: The Last Airbender and The Legend of Korra.

From his lifelong experience in martial arts, he created the bending styles seen in the series and linked them to styles of Chinese martial arts, giving the show is famous authenticity. He is also responsible for the motion capture on Kung Fu Panda and the hit series KF Panda Legends of Awesomeness, and has worked in the Sentai genre on such shows as Saban’s VR Troopers, the Power Rangers and Big Bad Beetleborgs. Sifu Kisu is currently creating his upcoming animated series, Legends of the Sword.

RSVP on Facebook!

Blue8 House of Warrior Poetry
10858 Culver Blvd, Culver City, CA 90230-3738

TX – Go Go Power Rangers #1 Variant Signing

Artist Matt Frank appears at Heroes and Fantasies on Saturday, July 29th from noon till 5:00 PM to sign the exclusive H&F variant cover to GO GO POWER RANGERS #1 from BOOM! Studios!

Heroes and Fantasies
4923 NW Loop 410, San Antonio, TX 78229
(210) 340-0074

CA – A Life in Parts Signing

Bryan Cranston (Breaking Bad, Power Rangers, All the Way, Trumbo) presents and signs A Life in Parts at All Saints Church on Thursday, August 10, 2017 at 7:00 PM. Tickets available at the link…

Bryan Cranston began his acting career at the age of seven, when his father, a struggling actor and sometime director, cast him in a commercial for United Way. By fifth grade he was starring in the school play, spending hours at the local movie theater, and re-enacting favorite scenes with his brother in their living room. Cranston seemed destined to be an actor. But then his father left. And his family fell apart. Troubled by his father’s missteps, Cranston abandoned his acting aspirations and resolved to pursue a steadier career in law enforcement. Then, on a two-year cross-country motorcycle journey, Cranston re-discovered his talent for acting and found his mission and his calling.

All Saints Church
132 N Euclid Ave, Pasadena, CA 91101
626.796.1172

NC – Rick and Morty: Pocket Like You Stole It #1 Signing

Writer Tini Howard (The Skeptics, Power Rangers: Pink), appears at Memory Lane Comics on Saturday, July 8th at 1:00 PM to sign copies of her hilarious new comic, RICK AND MORTY: POCKET LIKE YOU STOLE IT from Oni Press!

RSVP on Facebook!

Memory Lane Comics
5214 Market St, Ste 105, Wilmington, NC 28405
(910) 392-6647

NH – FCBD: Merrymac Games & Comics Signing

Sean Gordon Murphy, Corin Howell, Andrew MacLean, Elias Chatzoudis, Chris Campana, Chris Uminga, and Chrissie Zullo sign at Merrymac Games & Comics on Saturday May 6, 2017 to celebrate Free Comic Book Day!

RSVP on Facebook!

Merrymac Games and Comics
550 DW Highway, Merrimack, NH 03054
(603) 420-8161

Triad Anime Con 2017 Report (including Interview with Johnny Yong Bosch)!

Greensboro. Third-largest city in North Carolina. Named for Major General Nathanael Greene, commander of the American rebel forces at the Battle of Guilford Court House on March 15, 1781. Two centuries later, a Greensboro resident, Orson Scott Card, set war at the heart of his novel Ender’s Game. Speaking of war, Greensboro is home to the Atlantic Coast Conference and often the site of its annual men’s basketball tournament, the last conference tourney before March Madness. Syracuse University coach Jim Boeheim told the world what he thinks of the city, and I forgive him his Gotham grouchiness. Perhaps if he spent more time there, he would have a softer opinion. Perhaps if his team had gone to this year’s Triad Anime Con, held March 3-5 at the Koury Convention Center, they wouldn’t have lost their first tournament game three days later.

Triad Anime is done by the same team that puts on Ichibancon in Charlotte (I wrote about this year’s Ichibancon here). It is normally held in Winston-Salem but moved to Greensboro this year and a larger venue. A much larger venue. Here was the view Friday morning.

Things heated up throughout the day, and of course Saturday brought in a great crowd, but the whole weekend felt less cozy that I was accustomed to. I expect that to change, however, as the con grows into its new digs. The on-site Starbucks was a welcome sight, and next door was Four Seasons Mall, with plenty of lunchtime options. And for perhaps the first time in my convention-going career, I didn’t have trouble finding a parking spot.

When I first attended Triad back in 2014, there were only two or three guests. This year had three times that number. Vic Mignogna has been every year (read our 2016 interview with him here), and I always enjoy seeing him. I was eager to see Brian Beacock, but he had to cancel (hey, Triad: get a phone app like Ichibancon so you can update us on changes like that). The person I was most excited to see was Johnny Yong Bosch. Power Ranger, voice actor, rock star, Johnny has done a little of everything. Whereas Vic has the personality to fill a lecture hall, Johnny is more reserved. I caught up with him on Friday after his autograph session.

What’s it like going from a character like Ichigo (Bleach) to someone like Izaya Orihara (Durarara!!) or Saruhiko (K – Project)?

Well the thing is, I didn’t work on those at the same time. There’s a lot of separation in time. So things I worked on while I was doing Bleach was Code Geass. And I think that overlapped a little bit with Eureka Seven. They’re different characters in different shows, but once you know your character, you just go in and do it.

How did you get into voice acting after doing live action?

Well, basically I was working on an independent film with the Japanese stunt team from Power Rangers, and the audio got screwed up. So I had to dub myself. As I was dubbing myself for the movie, the producer walked in and heard my voice and he thought I had a decent hero voice and asked me to come audition for some animation. And when I auditioned for that animation, I got the role for Vash from Trigun.

Why do you think Power Rangers has stayed popular for over twenty years?

Well, that’s a good question. A majority of the fans have stayed pretty loyal. I know there have been different actors over the years. I really don’t know. Basically, I think that it’s something that people grew up with and that they want to keep watching.

What has been your favorite role thus far in your career?

It’s very hard to pick one. It’s like picking your favorite child. For me, they’ve all been really great moments in my life, from Vash in Trigun to Bleach, Code Geass. I think one of my most favorites would be Nero from Devil May Cry 4, because I got to do the motion capture. I got to go to Japan for the first time. And I wasn’t limited to the animation. I was creating the character and then they animated it. And it was more of me. That would be one of my favorites.

What is it like doing motion capture?

Motion capture is weird at first. Your motions have to be overdone a bit and you have to overact your body language so that the computer can read your motions. But your face and your voice have to be very natural because they pick up every little detail.

What do you think of all of the fanfiction of Shizuo and Izaya?

I don’t read those. I know they exist. People have brought me books that looked interesting at first and I’m like “Huh, what is this?” So no, I don’t read those, but I did a long time ago with Power Rangers. I was like “Oh, there’s fan fiction?” And I read one. It was a little weird for me, so I stayed away from it.

I thought it was cool that Narita, the creator of Durarara!!, made a fiction of Shizuo and Izaya for April Fools’ Day.

[What Johnny said here was, “Oh my goodness.” But what I heard was this.]

Let’s switch gears a little. How did you get started doing conventions?

In 2001 or 2002, a director of Trigun, whatsherface, went to Sakura Con and said that she had an awesome time and it was really cool and a lot of fun. She recommended to me to go and took me with her the following year. And it was cool. Over the years, little by little, the convention scene (nice shout out) started growing. It wasn’t every weekend then like it is now. I started getting more invites. And now I have a few booking agents that handle me and my appearances.

How many conventions a year do you do?

I think last year it was fifteen or twenty, this year I’m already doing far too many. It’s neat to come out and meet fans. If I’m in the booth working on a project, nobody is saying “great job”. The director might say “Okay, next one. Okay next one.” It’s not like in theatre where everyone cheers. You don’t get to see the reward. Coming to a con, is seeing that reward. Seeing whether it was a success or not. The only drawback for me is my family. My family is back home. My kids are little. My son, for the first six months of his life, didn’t know me and was afraid of me. That’s where I had to pull the brakes a little and make some changes.

How did you start your band, Eyeshine?

Basically I couldn’t get a job to save my life after Power Rangers. There weren’t a whole lot of half-Asian roles at the time. I was very depressed, and I was near homeless. I had two trash bags full of clothes and a guitar. And in that time, I started teaching myself to play the guitar. Out of all that, I formed the band.

How many concerts a year do you do?

I have no idea. There are so many. We have quite a few this year. We have a lot of albums now. Got a new one coming out this April.

Between conventions and your band, when do you find the time to do acting?

I do that as well! Every day. My weeks are usually booked a couple of weeks in advance. Sometimes more than that. For voiceover work especially because they know their schedule and when things are coming along. The end of this month and going into next month, I already have bookings for voice over.

Are you able to record at home?

Sometimes I record at home. I do have a studio at home. But sometimes they like you to be there, but on occasion, they’ll ask for pickups or something to be done at home.

Okay, last question. What are some of your favorite TV shows?

I am watching Walking Dead at the moment. Breaking Bad was a really good one. Sons of Anarchy was a very interesting show. I watch a lot of terrible shows. Not terrible as in inappropriate, but terrible as in really bad.

Do you ever think, when you’re watching a bad show, “I could do better”?

I may have thought that. The thing about bad TV shows is they stay with you forever.

Another thing I enjoy about Triad and Ichibancon is the Otaku Flea Market. Held all day Sunday, the flea market is a chance for any convention goer to sell merchandise. It is a feature I have seen at no other convention. The intent is for people to sell their own used stuff–manga, costumes, DVDs, toys, cards, etc.–but sometimes vendors who couldn’t get into the dealer room will grab a table. I have also seen people selling original art, which is against the rules: art belongs in artist alley. It is a good rule though hard to enforce in the first-come-first-served madness of getting flea market tables. Besides, who says the person made the art they are selling? I had trouble finding this year’s flea market because it wasn’t in the room designated on the convention map, which probably explains why all the sellers had their wares on the floor instead of on tables. One of the hiccoughs of being in a new venue, I guess. Again, however, a phone app would have made the room switch easy to announce.

To all my readers, I’ll say this: come out next year and check out Triad Anime Con. It is terrific value–the weekend pass was only $42!–and I guarantee you’ll have fun. Don’t let Jim Boeheim have the last word on Greensboro. And before you go, enjoy these photos.

HeroesCon 2017 Adds More Guests

HeroesCon has announced more new guests for their 35th anniversary show including Ben Caldwell, Brenden Fletcher, Cameron Stewart, Craig Hamilton, Dave Dorman, Ivan Brandon, Paulina Ganucheau, Sean Galloway, Thomas Yeates, and more! HeroesCon 2017 takes place June 16-18, 2017 at the Charlotte Convention Center.

JOSH BLAYLOCK | Devil’s Due, Mercy Sparx
IVAN BRANDON | Black Cloud, Drifter, Viking
CHUCK BROWN | Choosing Sides, BitterRoot, Femme Magnifique
BEN CALDWELL | Prez, A-Force, Wonder Woman, Harley Quinn, Dare Detectives
CHRIS CAMPANA | First World
ADELSO CORONA | Deadpool Corps, Hawk & Dove, Brigade
DAVE DORMAN | Star Wars, Aliens, The Wasted Lands
NICK FILARDI | Powers, Heartthrob, Cave Carson, Helheim
BRENDEN FLETCHER | Motor Crush, Batgirl, Gotham Academy, Power Rangers: Pink
NATHAN FOX | Vertigo SFX, Captain Victory, Dogs of War, Haunt, DMZ
SEAN GALLOWAY | Spectacular Spider-Man: Lead Character Designer, Teen Titans Go!, Superman
PAULINA GANUCHEAU | Zodiac Starforce, Another Castle, Gwenpool
KENDALL GOODE | The Doorman
CRAIG HAMILTON | Aquaman, Starman, Fables, The Spectre
SHERARD JACKSON | Galaxies For Hire, Empty Zone, Minirauders
AUSTIN JANOWSKY | Iron Man: The End, Satellite Falling, Red Sonja, Divine Retribution
ARVELL JONES | All-Star Squadron, Iron Fist, Deathlok, Thor, Iron Man, Luke Cage
NATE LOVETT | Champions of Odd Lake, Kyraa: Alien Jungle Girl, Paw Patrol, Rusty Rivets
JAMES LYLE | Grimm Fairy Tales, Game of Horror, Abraham’s Journey
TOM LYLE | Spider-Man, Robin, Punisher, Batman
CHRISTOPHER MOELLER | Lucifer, Iron Empires, Magic: The Gathering
JAMES PATRICK | Batman, Harley Quinn, Green Arrow
JOHN ROSE | Snuffy Smith
NIKKI RYAN | The Family Trade
K LYNN SMITH | Plume
J. DAVID SPURLOCK | Vanguard Publishing
CAMERON STEWART | Motor Crush, Batgirl, Fight Club 2, Seaguy, The Other Side
JUSTIN STEWART | Kentucky Kaiju, Grrl Scouts: Magic Socks, Howard the Human
KEVIN STOKES | Pathfinder, Deadman, Tiger Style, Jimmy Olsen, Splitsville
JOHN VAN FLEET | Batman, Typhoid, The X-Files
GUS VASQUEZ | Big Hero 6, Suicide Squad, The Flash
CHRIS WALKER | Publisher Arena Comics, Tiger Style, Splitsville, Raptor
MATT WEBB | Flesh and Blood, Next Men, Hawkman, Star Trek
MARCUS WILLIAMS | Tuskegee Heirs: Flames of Destiny
THOMAS YEATES | Tarzan, Prince Valiant, Zorro, Conan

RSVP on the Facebook event page!

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

TICKETS AVAILABLE HERE

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

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

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

Super Megafest Spring Show 2017

Press Release:

Super Megafest is New England’s Super-Fun Comic & Celebrity Pop Culture Fanfest celebrating Comics, TV, Movie, Sci-Fi, Wrestling and Rock & Roll!

We feature incredible celebrity autograph signings and photo ops with guests! Scheduled celebrity Q & A Sessions and photo ops will be held throughout the weekend. Guests include Wil Wheaton, Laura Vandervoort, Barbara Eden, C. Thomas Howell, Sam Jones, Kristy McNichol, Loni Anderson, Cerina Vincent, Barry Williams, Chris Kirkpatrick, Sgt. Slaughter, and more!

X-Men and other Marvel and DC writers and artists will give panel discussions and mingle with celebrities and costumed fans. Guests include Chris Claremont, Mike Grell, Bob Hall, Jose Delbo, Bob Wiacek, Jim Lawson, Dennis Calero, and more.

The Super Megafest presents the best exhibitors on the East Coast with one of the largest selections of comics, toys, videos, non-sports cards and memorabilia from TV, Movies, and Rock & Roll that you will ever find!

Other attractions include an amazing Costume Contest (including a children’s category), stunning Movie Cars, mischievous Pirates and much more! After hours, enjoy a multitude of shadowcast movie performances and parties, including the COME TOGETHER MUSIC FEST and CosCLUB Dance Party, ensuring the event has something for all ages.

Fore more information and ticket information please go to the website: www.supermegafest.com

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Royal Plaza Trade Center
181 Boston Post Rd W, Marlborough, Massachusetts 01752

Michelle Ruff & Johnny Yong Bosch Added to Anime Boston 2017

Press Release:

Anime Boston, the largest anime convention in New England, announced its second North American guests of honor today.  Voice actors Michelle Ruff and Johnny Yong Bosch will appear at Anime Boston at the Hynes Convention Center, Boston, Mass, on March 31 through April 2, 2017.

Michelle Ruff, originally a midwestern girl from The Motor City Madhouse, now hails from Sunny Los Angeles.  She’s a fan fave for numerous video games and anime titles. Michelle’s an MSU Grad with her Improv and Acting training from Chicago’s Second City Theatre, Player’s Workshop and Improv Olympic.

“Michelle makes her Anime Boston debut in March. Michelle has voiced characters ranging from Rukia from Bleach to Luna from Sailor Moon. Finally, her fans in Boston will get a chance to meet her!” exclaimed Victor Lee, Convention Chairman.

You can hear Michelle as some of your favorite anime characters including Sinon from Sword Art Online 2, Young Satoru from Erased, Sakuya Tachibana from God Eater, Rukia Kuchiki from Bleach, Yoko Littner from Gurren Lagann, Fujiko Mine from Lupin the Third, Yuki Nagato from The Disappearance of Haruhi Suzumiya, Anri Sonohara from Durarara, Luna from Sailor Moon Classic and Sailor Moon Crystal, Yukari from the Persona 3 & 4 Series, Jill Valentine from Resident Evil Revelations, C-Viper from Street Fighter, Robin from Fire Emblem, Cream the Rabbit From Sonic the Hedgehog and many others.

Johnny Yong Bosch got his start fighting giant bugs as Adam Park, the Black Ranger, Green Zeo and Green Turbo Ranger on Mighty Morphin Power Rangers. It is a role that he would play for three and a half seasons on television, two motion pictures and two special guest appearances in future Power Rangers seasons.

“We are so pleased to welcome Johnny back to Anime Boston. He’s portrayed some of the most iconic characters in anime and super sentai history, from the Black Power Ranger to Vash, Ichigo, Artemis and Jonathan Joestar. I’m sure his fans in Boston, both old and new, are excited to see him!” Victor Lee added.

After Power Rangers, Johnny became very involved in the world of voice over. His first major voice acting role was Vash the Stampede in Trigun. He later went on to voice Kaneda in Akira, Renton in Eureka Seven, Albert in The Count of Monte Cristo, Kiba in Wolf’s Rain, Itsuki in The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya, Ichigo Kurosaki in Bleach, Lelouch Lamperouge in Code Geass, Izaya in Durarara, Yukio in Blue Exorcist, Sasori in Naruto, Guren in Tenkai Knights, Nobita in Doraemon, Artemis in Sailor Moon, Nagate in the Netflix Original “Knights of Sidonia” and many more.

Previously announced guests include Puffy AmiYumi, Lex Lang, and Sandy Fox, and OKAMOTO’S.

About Anime Boston: With nearly 27,000 attendees in 2016, Anime Boston is an annual three-day Japanese animation convention held in Boston, Mass. Anime Boston 2017 is scheduled for Friday, March 31 through Sunday, April 2 at the Hynes Convention Center and Sheraton Boston Hotel. More information about Anime Boston can be found at www.animeboston.com.

About New England Anime Society, Inc.: The New England Anime Society was founded in 2001. Based in Massachusetts, The New England Anime Society, Inc. is parent organization of Anime Boston and is dedicated to furthering public education and understanding of the Japanese language and culture through visual and written media. More information about The New England Anime Society is available at www.neanime.org.

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