First Guests Announced for Toronto Comic Arts Festival 2015

Press Release:

Announcing the Toronto Comic Arts Festival 2015! Over 300 cartoonists from Canada and around the world are on their way to Toronto this May, to celebrate the very best in comics, graphic novels, bandes dessinées, and manga! A week-long Festival of readings, launches, and art events culminating in a massive, FREE two-day exhibition centered at Toronto Reference Library, May 10 and 11, 2015!

For more than a decade, The Toronto Comic Arts Festival has showcased the incredible comics art being made here in Canada, and invited the attention of the international cartooning community. The 2015 programme continues to build on those successes, with an increase in programming, and a renewed focus on Canadian cartoonists from coast to coast!

TCAF 2015 will welcome a remarkable array of authors! Highlights from the author guests include:

Charles Burns: Creator of Black Hole, considered to be one of the most important graphic novels in the Western canon, Burns will be at TCAF to celebrate his recently completed new graphic novel series X’ed Out (Pantheon Books). Burns will also illustrated one of the official posters of the 2015 Festival, to be revealed.

Eleanor Davis: An outstanding cartoonist and editorial illustrator (The New Yorker, New York Times), Davis’ recent graphic novel release How To Be Happy (Fantagraphics) was widely lauded as one of the best graphic novels of 2014, and TCAF is thrilled to welcome this her back to Toronto for the 2015 Festival.

Gurihiru: This dynamic cartooning duo (working under one pen name) hails from Tokyo, Japan, and is beloved in North America for their original graphic novels set in the universe of Avatar: The Last Airbender (Dark Horse). They have also created work for Marvel Comics, Disney, and an array of independent illustration work.

Lucy Knisley: A long-time supporter of the Festival, Knisley’s memoirs and travelogues are well-loved across the continent. Knisley attends as a Featured Guest in 2015, in support of her new travelogue/graphic novel Displacement (Fantagraphics).

Scott McCloud: Creator of the essential comics text Understanding Comics, TCAF will welcome McCloud back to Toronto in support of his acclaimed new graphic novel The Sculptor (First Second Books).

Barbara Stok: Hailing from The Netherlands, Stok has an impressive collection of graphic novels to her credit. TCAF is happy to welcome her as a Featured Guest of the Festival in 2015, in conjunction with her debut English-language graphic novel release Vincent (SelfMadeHero), an important and critically-praised biography of Vincent Van Gogh.

Jillian Tamaki: With her cousin Mariko Tamaki, Jillian Tamaki’s 2014 TCAF Debut This One Summer (Groundwood/First Second) took home a Governor General’s Award, a Caldecott Honor, and a Printz Honor. In 2015, Jillian Tamaki will release SuperMutantMagicAcademy (Drawn & Quarterly), her hilarious new graphic novel.

Chip Zdarsky: Hometown favourite and emerging international superstar Zdarsky (a.k.a. Steve Murray) is welcomed as a Featured Guest for 2015! Best-known for his ground-breaking comic series Sex Criminals (with writer Matt Fraction), spring 2015 will see the launch of his new series Kaptara (Image Comics) with fellow Toronto illustrator Kagan McLeod, and a relaunch of Marvel Comics’ Howard The Duck.

And these are just the first nine featured guests among the more than 300 Canadian and International cartoonists participating in the 2015 Festival.

Featured guests will continue to be announced through February and March, with special guests from France, Italy, Germany, Japan, and the U.S. and Canada still to be revealed!

TCAF 2015 will also feature several programming spotlights, including a special tribute to esteemed Canadian graphic novel published Drawn & Quarterly, on the occasion of their 25th Anniversary.

Additional Programs will be announced in February and March, including the CSSC-SCEBD Academic Conference, Library & Educator Day, Word Balloon Academy, Comics Vs. Games 4, Gallery Showings, Screenings, and much more. Visit TCAF online for up-to-the-minute updates:

Website: www.torontocomics.com
Twitter: @Torontocomics
Facebook: www.facebook.com/TorontoComics
Tumblr: torontocomics.tumblr.com

CA – Casanova: Acedia Signing

MATT FRACTION and MICHAEL CHABON appear on Saturday, January 31st from 1:30 – 4:00 PM to celebrate and sign the release of the comic book CASANOVA ACEDIA #1 at the Escapist Comic Bookstore. This issue begins the newest story arc of Fraction’s CASANOVA series, a story of a hedonistic thief turned kind-of spy as he navigates the incredibly complex and stunningly psychedelic parallel world of interdimensional global espionage. Back-up story by Pulitzer Prize winning fan of the series, Michael Chabon (The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier & Clay).

RSVP on Facebook!

Escapist Comics
3090 Claremont Ave, Berkeley, CA 94705
510-652-6642

OR – Cosmic Monkey Comics Holiday Signing

Kelly Sue DeConnick, Matt Fraction, Jeff Parker, David Walker, Cathy Camper and more appear at Cosmic Monkey Comics on Saturday December 20th! Signing times below!

Kelly Sue DeConnick – Bitch Planet, Pretty Deadly (2-4)

Matt Fraction – Hawkeye, ODY-C, Sex Criminals (2-4)

Jeff Parker – Meteor Men, Batman 66, Aquaman (1-3)

David Walker – Shaft, Number 13 (1-3)

Cathy Camper – Lowriders In Space

CHIBI COMICS -So Super Duper, Reignbow and Dee-Va

GT Flynn – Flynn Prints

RSVP on Facebook!

Cosmic Monkey Comics
5335 NE Sandy Blvd, Portland, OR 97213
(503) 517-9050

ON – Just The Tips Launch Party

Chip Zdarsky appears at The Beguiling on Wednesday, December 3, 2014 at 6:00 PM!

Press Release:

Just in time for the holidays, Chip Zdarsky and The Beguiling Proudly/Ashamedly team to bring you a book launch for the item that will be on all sexy peoples’ wish lists: Just The Tips: A sexual guide by Matt Fraction and Chip Zdarsky, authors of Sex Criminals.

What is ‘brimping’? Or ‘Dutch microwaving’? And what is sexy (hint: butt stuff)? All of these questions and many more will be answered in a beautiful little hardcover book for just $12.99. Probably a bunch of questions in there you never thought of, and answers you could’ve done without knowing.

RSVP on Facebook!

The Beguiling
601 Markham Street, Toronto, ON M6G 2L7
416-533-9168

OR – ODY-C Launch Party

Superstar writer Matt Fraction (Hawkeye, Satellite Sam, Sex Criminals) appears at Cosmic Monkey Comics Wednesday November 26th from 4:00-6:00 PM to sign copies of the first issue of his brand new creator owned Image Comics series ODY-C!

RSVP on Facebook!

Cosmic Monkey Comics
5335 NE Sandy Blvd, Portland, OR 97213
(503) 517-9050

HeroesCon 2015 Announces First Guests

HeroesCon 2015 takes place June 19-21, 2015! 

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.

2015 Guests include:

KRIS ANKA
KELLY SUE DECONNICK
MATT FRACTION
ERICA HENDERSON
JASON LATOUR
TULA LOTAY
ROBBI RODRIGUEZ
BABS TARR
CHRISTIAN WARD
MARIS WICKS
& MANY MORE!

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!

$40 TICKETS AVAILABLE UNTIL DECEMBER 31, 2014 

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

ENTRY WILL BE $20: FRI $20: SAT $15: SUN / AT THE SHOW ITSELF, SO YOU SAVE AS MUCH AS $15 BY PURCHASING ADVANCE PASSES TODAY!

ON – Intersect #1 Launch Party

Ray Fawkes, Chip Zdarsky, and Jim Zub sign at The Beguiling on Wednesday, November 19th from 6:00 -8:00 PM!

Press Release:

The Beguiling is proud to announce that on Wednesday, November 19th, we will be hosting a signing featuring three great Toronto cartoonists being published by Image Comics, and in celebration of the brand new Intersect #1, written and illustrated by Ray Fawkes! Ray will be on hand for the event, and will be joined by his friends and colleagues Chip Zdarsky, artist of Sex Criminals, and Jim Zub, writer of Wayward and Skullkickers.

This will be an in-store event at The Beguiling, beginning at 6pm and going until roughly 8pm. Treats and giveaways for all those who attend!

RSVP on Facebook!

The Beguiling
601 Markham Street, Toronto, ON M6G 2L7
416-533-9168

CA – Marvel Power Couple Signing

Superstar writers Kelly Sue DeConnick and Matt Fraction appear at Beach Ball Comics on Wednesday, November 12th from 5:00 – 8:00 PM! Then they will both appear for Beach Ball’s book club on Thursday November 13th at 7:00 PM. Tickets for the book club are limited, contact the store for further details.

RSVP on Facebook!

Beach Ball Comics
3024 W Ball Rd Ste G, Anaheim, CA 92804
(714) 826-6127

OH – Sex Criminals Signing

Writer Matt Fraction and artist Chip Zdarsky, the Eisner award-winning team behind Time Magazine’s Graphic Novel of the Year, Image Comics’ SEX CRIMINALS, appear at Laughing Ogre Comics for a signing on Saturday October 25, 2014 from 3:30 – 6:30 PM! And be sure to check out Matt and Chip giving a speech at Columbus College of Art & Design on Thursday October 23rd from 7:00 pm – 10:00 pm. See link for details.

RSVP on Facebook!

Laughing Ogre Comics
4258 N. High Street Columbus, OH 43214
(614) 267-6473

Image Comics Schedule & Exclusives at NYCC 2014

Press Release:

Image Comics is pleased to announce the schedule of exciting creator signings that will take place over the course of New York Comic Con, Thursday, October 9 through Sunday, October 12 at the Image Comics booth (#1544).

*TICKETED* denotes signings will be ticketed. Tickets will be given out at the booth as soon as the convention floor opens. Tickets will be available for attendee badges only.  There will be a maximum of 5 items per person allowed for ticketed signings. 

Grading services will not be permitted during any Image Comics signings. Only non-CGC graded books will be permitted during all Skybound signings. All CGC graded books must be taken to the CGC booth.

THURSDAY, 10/9
1-1:45 PM: Nick Spencer & Joe Eisma
1-1:45 PM: Brian K. Vaughan *TICKETED*

2-2:45 PM: Justin Jordan & Kyle Strahm
2-2:45 PM: Josh Fialkov

3-3:45 PM: Kyle Higgins
3-3:45 PM: Steve Orlando

4-4:45 PM: Daniel Corey
4-4:45 PM: Joshua Williamson

5-5:45 PM: Nick Pitarra
5-5:45 PM: Scott Snyder *TICKETED*

5:30-6:30 PM: Robert Kirkman (SKYBOUND) *TICKETED*

FRIDAY, 10/10
10:30-11 AM: Abhishek Singh

11-11:45 AM: Kyle Higgins
11-11:45 AM: Matt Fraction *TICKETED*
11-12 PM: Robert Kirkman (SKYBOUND) *TICKETED*

12-12:45 PM: Michael Moreci
12-12:45 PM: Brian K. Vaughan *TICKETED*

12:30-1:30 PM: Thrilling Adventure Hour group signing, Ben Acker, Ben Blacker, Craig Cackowski, Hal Lublin & Autumn Reeser *TICKETED*

1-1:45 PM: Matt Hawkins
1-1:45 PM: Joe Harris

2-2:45 PM: Antony Johnston
2-3:30 PM: Todd McFarlane/New Spawn Creative Team *TICKETED*
2-3 PM: Joshua Williamson & Andrei Bressan (SKYBOUND)

3-3:45 PM: Tim Seeley

4-4:45 PM: Nick Pitarra
4-5 PM: Stefano Gaudiano (SKYBOUND)

5-5:45 PM: Nick Dragotta *TICKETED*
5-5:45 PM: Jason Latour

6-6:45 PM: Roc Upchurch
6-6:45 PM: Michael Moreci

SATURDAY, 10/11
10-10:45 AM: Megan Levens
10-10:45 AM: Sina Grace

11-11:45 AM: Matt Fraction & Howard Chaykin *TICKETED*
11-11:45 AM: Jason Latour
11-12 PM: Paul Azaceta (SKYBOUND) 

12-12:45 PM: Joshua Williamson
12-12:45 PM: Frank Quitely *TICKETED*

1-1:45 PM: Brian K. Vaughan
1-1:45 PM: Brandon Montclare & Amy Reeder

2-2:45 PM: Kieron Gillen, Jamie McKelvie & Matthew Wilson *TICKETED*
2-2:45 PM: Jim Zub
2-3 PM: Khary Randolph (SKYBOUND)

3-3:45 PM: Bob Fingerman
3-3:45 PM: Otis Frampton

3:30-4:30 PM: Joshua Williamson & Andrei Bressan (SKYBOUND)

4-4:45 PM: Kelly Sue DeConnick & Valentine De Landro *TICKETED*
4-4:45 PM: Scott Snyder *TICKETED*

5-5:45 PM: Wes Craig
5-5:45 PM: Gus Storms & Stuart Moore

SUNDAY, 10/12
10-10:45 AM: Ken Kristensen
10-10:45 AM: Ales Kot

11-11:45 AM: Matt Fraction *TICKETED*
11-11:45 AM: Kelly Sue DeConnick *TICKETED*
11-12 PM: Shawn Martinbrough (SKYBOUND)

12-12:45 PM: Frank J. Barbiere & Chris Mooneyham
12-12:45 PM: Nick Dragotta *TICKETED*

1-1:45 PM: Scott Snyder *TICKETED*
1-1:45 PM: Kieron Gillen, Jamie McKelvie & Matthew Wilson *TICKETED*

2-2:45 PM: Josh Fialkov
2-2:45 PM: Tim Seeley

2:30-3:30 PM: Robert Kirkman & Paul Azaceta (SKYBOUND) *TICKETED*

3-3:45 PM: Adam McGovern
3-3:45 PM: Ed Brisson

 

PANELS

Image Comics is pleased to announce a number of thrilling panels at New York Comic Con in October. The panels will be held on Thursday, Oct. 9 at 5 p.m., Friday, Oct. 10 at 12:15 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 11 at 2:15 p.m., and on Sunday, Oct. 12 at 2 p.m. Come join us as bestselling and award-winning writers and artists talk about their influences, creative processes, forthcoming work, and everything you’ve always wanted to know about the best creator-owned comics the industry has to offer. We hope to see you there!

Thursday, 4 – 5PM
Location: Empire Stage 1-E
SKYBOUND’S THE WALKING DEAD
Dive into the world of the Eisner award-winning graphic novel THE WALKING DEAD with creator Robert Kirkman and Skybound Editorial Director Sean Mackiewicz. Panel will be moderated by Entertainment Weekly’s Dalton Ross.

Thursday, 5 – 5:45PM
Location: 1A21
IMAGE COMICS: I IS FOR IMMERSIVE
Comics can contain entire universes between their covers, and panelists Kelly Sue DeConnick (PRETTY DEADLY), Jason Latour (SOUTHERN BASTARDS), Jamie McKelvie (THE WICKED + THE DIVINE), Brandon Montclare (ROCKET GIRL), Kyle Higgins (C.O.W.L.), Tim Seeley (REVIVAL), and Ben Blacker and Ben Acker (THRILLING ADVENTURE HOUR PRESENTS… SPARKS NEVADA: MARSHAL ON MARS, THE THRILLING ADVENTURE HOUR PRESENTS… BEYOND BELIEF) excel at creating worlds that you can simply fall into from page one. Anything goes in comics, and now’s your chance to pick the brains of some of the most creative minds around.

Friday, 12:15 – 1PM
Location: 1A14
IMAGE COMICS: I IS FOR INFINITE
Comics are much bigger than superheroes. Kieron Gillen (THE WICKED + THE DIVINE), Antony Johnston (THE FUSE), Megan Levens (MADAME FRANKENSTEIN), Amy Reeder (ROCKET GIRL), Scott Snyder (WYTCHES), and Joshua Williamson (NAILBITER) create comics that range from sci-fi/crime to historical romance to horror and far, far beyond. Whether you’re here to broaden your horizons or check out a new work by your favorite author, these creators demonstrate the potential of comics.

Saturday, 1:15PM – 2:00PM
Location: 1A05
MORNING GLORIES STUDY HALL LIVE!
From the hit annotation column on Multiversity Comics, MGA Study Hall Live returns to NYCC! Continuing from last year’s panel, join creators Nick Spencer and Joe Eisma once again as they discuss their hit Eisner-nominated and New York Times Bestselling Image Comics series MORNING GLORIES with MGA Study Hall host Matthew Meylikhov, including another in-depth fan favorite live Q&A segment. Questions will be asked, answers will be avoided and all will be well—for a better future.

Saturday, 2:15 – 3PM
Location: 1A06
IMAGE COMICS: I IS FOR IMPACT
No matter how weird of an idea you may have, if you can hook someone, they’ll be a reader for life. Wes Craig (DEADLY CLASS), Matt Fraction (SEX CRIMINALS), Steve Orlando (UNDERTOW), James Robinson (THE SAVIORS), Roc Upchurch (RAT QUEENS), Frank Quitely (JUPITER’S LEGACY), and Brian K. Vaughan (SAGA) take strange ideas and turn them into intensely relatable and entertaining comics. Now, they’re going to share their secrets and talk about how fun it is to make the unreal real.

Sunday, 12:15 – 12:45 PM
Location: 1A14
THE WALKING DEAD: THE INSIDE SCOOP ON TELLTALE’S VIDEO GAME FRANCHISE
For two seasons, fans have delighted in the horrible choices surrounding a girl named Clementine. Join IGN’s Greg Miller as he sits down with the people who make this game to talk about where Clem’s been and where she’s going in a walker-infested world.

Sunday, 1 – 1:45 PM
Location: 1A10
ROBERT KIRKMAN’S SKYBOUND COMICS
Join Skybound’s Robert Kirkman (THE WALKING DEAD, OUTCAST) and other Skybound writers and artists including Paul Azaceta (OUTCAST) Joshua Williamson (BIRTHRIGHT, GHOSTED), and Andrei Bressan (BIRTHRIGHT) as they discuss not only their own works, but the ever-changing landscape of the modern comic book industry. Panel will be moderated by Skybound Editorial Director Sean Mackiewicz.

Sunday, 2 – 2:45PM
Location: 1A10
IMAGE COMICS: I IS FOR INVENTIVE
All-ages comics are crucial to the longevity of the comics industry, and can be an incredible tool in entertaining and education children. Bring your family and come listen to panelists Nick Dragotta (HOWTOONS), Otis Frampton (ODDLY NORMAL), Chris Giarrusso (G-MAN), Sina Grace (PENNY DORA), and Fred Van Lente (HOWTOONS) speak on creating kids’ comics and the importance of libraries in spreading awareness.

 

EXCLUSIVES

A limited number of exclusives to be available at New York Comic Con

Image Comics is pleased to announce that a limited number of exclusive releases will be available to purchase over the course of New York Comic Con, Thursday, Oct.9 – Friday, Oct. 12.

EXCLUSIVE NYCC ISSUES:
- ROCHE LIMIT #1, Michael Moreci & Vic Malhotra, $10 (Artist Alley table #W15)
- BIRTHRIGHT #1, Joshua Williamson, Andrei Bressan, and Adriano Lucas, $10 (Image Comics booth #1544)
- SPREAD #1, Justin Jordan & Kyle Strahm, cover by Tradd Moore & Felipe Sobreiro (the Luther Strode art team), $20 (Artist Alley tables #R4 & R5), (limited to 250 copies)
- WYTCHES #1, Scott Snyder & Jock, $10 (Image Comics booth #1544)
- PUNKS: THE COMIC #1, Joshua Hale Fialkov & Kody Chamberlain, $10 (Dimension X booth #1774)
- EGOs #4.5 minicomic, Stuart Moore & Gus Storms, $1 (Artists Alley table #B3)  

EXCLUSIVE NYCC HARDCOVERS: 
- C.O.W.L., VOL. 1, Kyle Higgins, Alec Siegel, & Rod Reis, $35 (Image Comics booth #1544)

EXCLUSIVE NYCC PRINTS:
- NYCC SPREAD #1 cover, $10 (limited to 75 copies, available at Artist Alley tables #R4 & R5)

For more announcements and updates on Image Comics’ presence at New York Comic Con, visit us at imagecomics.com. We hope to see you in New York, and make sure to stop by the Image Comics booth (#1544)!

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