HeroesCon 2016 Announces Panel Schedule

HeroesCon has released their panel schedule for this weekend’s convention:

THURSDAY JUNE 18th

Kick-Off Party with Milkfed Criminal Masterminds
Decade of Casanova Art Exhibition
7PM Buffalo Wild Wings NASCAR Hall of Fame

FRIDAY JUNE 17th

2:00 pm
Room 201/202
SCAD WORKSHOP I: COMIC BOOK STORYTELLING – a CRASH COURSE!

SCAD PROFESSOR TOM LYLE gives you a rousing workshop that highlights the basics of comic book storytelling. He’ll help you find your own voice through pictures. Just like the big guys.

2:00 pm
Room 203A
MATT KINDT

What’s MATT KINDT been up to? Quite a lot and Adam Daughhetee (Dollar Bin Productions) talks to this busy creator about Dept H, Mind MGMT and much, much more!

2:00 pm
Room 207AB
Comic Book Women Presents: STRESS AND THE FREELANCER

Being your own boss can be great, but the responsibilities and stress can be enough to send you hightailing back to the office. Never fear–you can be a successful freelancer and learn how to manage whatever comes your way. Join Comic Book Women’s panel of savvy pros for tips on everything from scheduling to ergonomics to building a community of other freelancers. Featuring MONICA GALLAGHER, MARISA LOUISE, KATA KANE, JESSI JORDAN, and more!

2:00 pm
Room 206
SELF PUBLISHING

CHRIS BRENNAMAN (Owner/Operator of AtlantaGeekScene.com) sits down with a group of creators who really walk-the-walk and have gone into business for themselves: JIM RUGG (Supermag), JASON GONZALEZ (La Mano Del Destino), RYAN CECIL SMITH (Style and Fashion Zine), and RICHIE POPE (Newdini).

2:00 pm
CONVENTION FLOOR-COSPLAY STAGE-HALL C
Cosplay and Charity

A discussion of the various ways cosplayers are giving back to the community, and proving that heroes sometimes really do wear capes.
Panelists: Cherlyn Lambeth, Michael Cox, DJ Spider

2:30 pm
Room 208
SIXTH GUN 50TH ISSUE CELEBRATION

Come celebrate the Golden Anniversary of one of the best comics of the past decade. Moderator CHRIS SCHWEIZER (Crogan Adventures) sits down with creative team supreme CULLEN BUNN and BRIAN HURTT.

3:00 pm
Room 203B
QuickDraw—A HeroesCon tradition

We give you #2 pencils and Bristol board; you give us 20 minutes and your feverish inspiration. Then we have an Art Instructor judge the results and we, in turn, give the winner some fabulous prizes. It’s a win-win. Prizes are awarded for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place in the following age categories: 0-10, 11-15, and 16 to 99. The Quick-draw is held on all three days, so we need those pencils back!! Be there!

3:00 pm
Room 209/210
Let’s Make a Hero!

Everybody loves a hero – they’re the characters you root for and the people you want to be. Award nominated duo COMFORT and ADAM, with special guests panelists RON MARZ and BRIAN SCHIRMER lead this panel in two parts: first, you’ll learn what makes great heroes in both writing and in art. Then, the panelists will invite the audience to participate in creating a new hero which will be designed and
drawn live.

3:30 pm
Room 203A
INTROVERT VS EXTROVERT

Featuring ERICA HENDERSON, BRIDGIT CONNELL, MONICA GALLAGHER, KATA KANE. Creators can lead a solitary life so what’s it like when they jump into the big comic convention scene or start promoting their work? Hear tales of their struggle and ultimate success as they wade through the comic landscape. Presented by JIMMY AQUINO of COMIC BOOK INSIDER

3:30 pm
Room 206
REN AND STIMPY

MIGHTY YOUNG JOE RAUCH sits down with legendary animator BOB CAMP to celebrate the cartooning genius that is REN AND STIMPY. Hard to believe ol’ Stinky is 25 years old and still missing!

3:30 pm
Room 207AB
THE ART OF COVER PAINTINGS

Greg Matiasevich (Multiversity Comics) and (Artist Proof with) Adrian Johnson land the primo gig of sitting down with three of the greatest Cover Illustrators around: BILL SIENKIEWICZ, SCOTT HAMPTON, and BASIL GOGOS. WOW!!!!

4:00 pm
Room 201
SCAD WORKSHOP II: CHARACTER DESIGN-DESIGNING UNIQUE CHARACTERS

If you’ve ever wondered what makes us love our favorite superheroes, sci-fi rogues, and anime champions this workshop will delve into the process of what makes them so effective. Using examples from Star Wars to Adventure Time we will explore just how important it is to have a clear story/concept when you’re creating these heroes and villains. Everything from color choice, to posture, and powers should reinforce this storytelling foundation. This workshop will analyze what works and teach how to create or enhance your own characters. Instructed By Professor Rashad Doucet (Oni Press, USA Today, Invader Zim, Alabaster Shadows).

4:00 pm
Room 203B
SUPERHERO PSYCHOLOGY: How Weakness, Trauma, and Loss is Turned into Strength, Service, and Resiliency

A group of psychologists from the staff of SOUTHEAST PSYCH explore common psychological issues that arise from superheroes and the relevance that superheroes can have on the lives of everyday people. From the staff of: JONATHAN ANSLOW, Psy. D, FRANK GASKILL, Ph.D., CRAIG POHLMAN, Ph.D., DAVE VERHAAGEN, PhD, ABPP

4:00 pm
Room 207CD
LGBTQ CULTURE IN COMICS

CAP BLACKARD (Nerdy Show) sits down with some of today’s most exciting comic’s talents BROOKE ALLEN, PAULINA GANUCHEAU, KEVIN WADA, KRIS ANKA, TAMRA BONVILLAIN to discuss the state of LGBTQ Culture in comics today and where it is headed in the years to come!

4:00 pm
Room 208
MARVEL HOUSE STYLE?!

BRIAN STELFREEZE, CHRIS VISIONS & SANFORD GREENE always defy expectations and categorization with their art and lately they’ve been bringing their unique gifts of style and storytelling to Marvel fans with brilliant work on books like Black Panther, Power Man and Iron Fist, Runaways, Spider-Gwen, and Scarlet Witch. Spend an hour with them and moderator Chris Arrant and hear how they got here!

5:00 pm
Room 206
WRESTLING AND COMICS

Join Referee CHRIS BRENNAMAN (Owner/Operator of AtlantaGeekScene.com) for a Battle Royal with wrestling comics’ pros JASON GONZALEZ, ROBERT NEWSOME, KYLE STARKS, JB ROE, and EVAN DORKIN (better check him for foreign objects!). Brace yourself and watch that turnbuckle!!

5:00 pm
Room 209/210
INKWELL AWARDS

Celebrate 6 years of recognizing and awarding comic’s finest inkers at HeroesCon
Joining our host BOB ALMOND and spokes-model MS. INKWELL:
A SPECIAL APPEARANCE BY JIM STERANKO! And guest speakers: creator MIKE GRELL and award-winning author J. DAVID SPURLOCK!  Surprise creator guests!  See the live results of who was chosen on last April’s ballot as your favorite 2015 comic book ink artists! Who will enter the Joe Sinnott Hall of Fame? And the FIRST 20 non-member ATTENDEES will win a DOORPRIZE in a post-ceremony giveaway! Please join us!

5:15 pm
Room 208
DMC MEET AND GREET
Tickets available in lobby

5:30 pm
Room 201/202
COMIC REPRINTS– an In-depth look

This is Golden Age of Comic Reprints, but there is so much material published with more every Wednesday. ANDY MANSELL moderates an all-star panel CRAIG YOE (YOE! Books), CRAIG FISCHER (TCJ), MICHAEL EURY (Back Issue) and TOM HEINTJES (Hogan’s Alley). We will look at this topic at length and discuss the following topics: Complete runs vs. BEST OF Collections, Paper vs. PDA, the importance of introductory materials, what deserves to be reprinted (and perhaps what doesn’t) A MUST FOR ALL CLASSIC COMICS FANS!!!!

5:30 pm
Room 203A
HORROR COMICS ROUNDTABLE

Join Aaron Haaland (A Comic Show, Nerdy Show) as he talks craft with some of the best Horror comics’ creators around. FRANK BARBIERE (Five Ghosts), JEREMY HAUN (The Beauty), DREW MOSS (Terrible Lizard), KYLE STRAHM (Haunt), DAVE WACHTER (Breath of Bones), and JOHN LEES (And then Emily was Gone).

5:30 pm
Room 203B
COLOR US LUCKY…

to have six great colorists on one panel LAUREN AFFE, LAURA MARTIN, CHARLIE KIRCHOFF, BRIAN REBER, MATTHEW WILSON, NOLAN WOODARD. Moderator Greg Matiasevich (Multiversity Comics) will keep order and keep the colorists within the lines.

5:30 pm
Room 207AB
BATGIRL IN TRANSITION

Adam Daughhetee (Dollar Bin Productions) talks to BABS TARR, RAFAEL ALBUQUERQUE, and BRENDEN FLETCHER with about the changing of the guard on everyone’s favorite Batgirl.
I wanted to call it YvonneCraigslist, but cooler heads prevailed.

5:30 pm
Room 207CD
BERGEN STREET

Find out about this incredible Comics Collective: Shawn Daughhetee (Dollar Bin Productions) meets THE BERGEN STREET IRREGULARS: MICHEL FIFFE (Copra), TOM ADAMS (Bergen Street Comic Press), and CHARLES FORSMAN (Revenger).

7:00 pm— THE CON IS CLOSED FOR THE DAY, BUT THE FUN DOESN’T STOP!!!!

7:30 PM
HEROESCON’S DRINK AND DRAW BEGINS ACROSS THE STREET AT BUFFALO WILD WINGS / NASCAR HALL OF FAME!
BE A MULTI-TASKER: DRINK AND DRAW

COME CREATE SOME GREAT MEMORIES AND BUY SOME GREAT ART AND HELP US RAISE MONEY FOR TEAM CUL DE SAC AND PARKINSON’S SATURDAY
HURRY: ONLY ONE MORE SHOPPING DAY UNTIL FATHER’S DAY

SATURDAY JUNE 18th

11:00 AM
Room 203A
DR. STRANGE THROUGH THE DECADES

Join ROY THOMAS, FRANK BRUNNER, GEOF ISHERWOOD, and RICHARD CASE as they look back on four decades of the Sorcerer Supreme!

11:00 am
Room 203B
GET GRAPHIC AT THE LIBRARY

Graphic novels and comics are an important and popular literacy tool for the modern library. This panel will share the history of graphic novels at Charlotte Mecklenburg Library, the importance of the format with regard to literacy development and programs and materials offered for free at the library. We’ll also discuss challenges aiming to remove graphic novels from library collections.

11:00 AM
Room 206
KEEPING UP WITH THE DORKIN-DYERS

Moderator JOE RAUCH sit down with EVAN DORKIN and SARAH DYER as they update us on BEASTS OF BURDEN, CALLA CTHULU, an upcoming episode of BEN 10(!) and lots more! Don’t miss it!

11:00 AM
Room 208
SPOTLIGHT ON STERANKO

Legendary Agent of S.H.I.E.L.D. co-creator JIM STERANKO is interviewed by his partner in crime, award-winning author, J.DAVID SPURLOCK. Controversial topics include: The true Father of the graphic novel; why Captain America Winter Soldier is dedicated to Steranko who, has been called one of the 10 Toughest Guys in Comics; followed by the Flamingo Bar fight, motorcycles, death-defying escapes, redheads, Marvel, Spielberg and more. Don’t you miss it, Pal.

11:30 AM
Room 201/202
SCAD WORKSHOP III: MINI-COMICS: A LITTLE FUN

Cartoonist and SCAD professor David Allan Duncan leads students young and old through the process of drawing, producing, and distributing mini-comics! Learn about the planning, storytelling, and drawing that goes into making a mini-comic. Create a mini-comic and a little sketchbook during the workshop. Materials provided, so come join the fun!

11:30 AM
Room 207AB
EDITORIAL ILLUSTRATION

Adam Daughhetee (Dollar Bin Productions) discusses the process of editorial illustration with four of the best: RICHIE POPE, REBECCA MOCK, NATALIE ANDREWSON, and CHRIS KINDRED.

11:30 AM
Room 209/210
LET’S MAKE A VILLAIN!

Creating great villains is essential for making great stories, whether you love their every appearance or just love to hate them. Award nominated duo COMFORT AND ADAM joined by DAVID PETERSEN and CHRIS SIMS lead this seminar in two parts: first, you’ll learn what makes great villains in both writing and in art. Then, Comfort & Adam will invite the audience to participate in creating a new villain which will be designed and drawn live.

12:00 pm
Room 203B
Comic Book Women Present: COLORISTS-WHAT WE DO!

Join moderator ANDREA PURCELL as she talks to TAMRA BONVILLAIN (Wayward, Moongirl and Devil Dinosaur), MARISSA LOUISE (Escape from New York, Robocop), MARIA VICTORIA ROBADO (Jem and the Holograms, Littlest Pet Shop), and CHRISTINE BRUNSON.

12:00 pm
Room 207CD
MARVEL X-MEN

CAP BLACKARD (Nerdy Show) holds court with some of Mutant MARVEL’s best. RAMON VILLALOBOS (E Is For Extinction), MARK BAGLEY (All New X-Men), CHAD BOWERS (X-Men ’92), and MARCIO TAKARA (All New Wolverine).

12:30 pm
Room 203A
SEXY VS. SEXUALIZED

Several of today’s most erudite comic creators tackle a challenging subject: the fine line between sexy and sexist in comic art. Join moderator MARGUERITE BENNETT and panelists KRIS ANKA, BABS TARR, KEVIN WADA, and JEN BARTEL for a provocative, mature discussion.

12:30 pm
COSTUME STAGE HALL C
(1:00 pm) – ANNUAL CLASS-PICTURE COSPLAY PHOTO

NOTE: If you plan to be in the picture, please be at the STAGING AREA ON THE CONVENTION FLOOR no later than 12:30pm

12:30 pm
Room 206
IFC (INDEPENDENT FABULOUS CREATORS)

These talented cartoonists work by their own rules and make fabulous comics. JOE RAUCH talks with JIM RUGG (Street Angel), TOM NEELY & KEENAN KELLER (The Humans), ALEXIS ZIRITT (Space Riders), AARON CONLEY (Sabertooth Swordsman) and RICH TOMMASO (Dark Corridor) to see what makes their work special.

1:00 pm
Room 201/202
PANEL BY PANEL

KEVIN COLDEN, MISS LASKO-GROSS, BOBBY TIMONY. Come join these great cartoonists as they draw YOUR story. Moderator Jimmy Aquino of Comics Insider will take story ideas from the audience and the artists will draw it live! Help create your own comic!

1:00 pm
Room 208
HIP HOP AND THE COMICS

CHRIS BRENNAMAN (Owner/Operator of AtlantaGeekScene.com) talks comics and Hip Hop with the music legend DMC, ED PISKOR (Hip Hop Family Tree), and SANFORD GREENE (Hip Hop Variant Sampler). This will be the one everybody is talking about all weekend. Come and enjoy!!

1:30pm
Room 203B
THE BIG OWLY HOOTENANNY

Join Owly creator ANDY RUNTON and his friends for an amazing hour of fun! We’ll sing, craft, learn how to draw Owly, and listen to an Owly story. You don’t have to be a kid to join, just young at heart!

1:30pm
Room 207CD
DEADPOOL

It’s CULLEN BUNN, REILLY BROWN, and DOMO STANTON and it’s moderated by – Aaron Haaland (A Comic Show, Nerdy Show). Stop reading and get over here now.

2:00pm
Room 203A
THE FUTURE OF VALIANT IS HERE!

Find out what summer 2016 and beyond hold for the most celebrated publisher in comics today as an all-star panel of Valiant creators and staff detail a brand-new wave of must-read titles! Featuring news and artwork from upcoming blockbusters like FAITH, GENERATION ZERO, BRITANNIA, HARBINGER RENEGADES, and SAVAGE, alongside 4001 A.D., DIVINITY, NINJAK, and more, join panelists MATT KINDT, LEWIS LAROSA, RAFER ROBERTS, and BRIAN REBER right here to find out what’s coming next for Valiant.

2:00 pm
Room 206
ROMANCE COMICS—A CELEBRATION

Editor/Publisher extraordinaire CRAIG YOE! And his special panelists–comics’ historians MICHELLE NOLAN, JACQUE NODELL and contemporary Romance practitioners JUNE BRIGMAN (Brenda Starr, Mary Worth) and MEGAN LEVENS (Ares & Aphrodite) — examine one of the richest and underrated genre in comics! Bring a lot of tissues or better yet—a squeegee!

2:30 pm
Room 201/202
SCAD WORKSHOP IV Drawing Dynamic Anatomy for Comics

Figure drawing is the single most important aspect of visual storytelling in cartooning and comics. Whether you are drawing super stylized images of fantasy characters, crime fiction detectives or superheroes, the ability to communicate through your figures is critical. Professor Dove will talk about and show you the different approaches to inventing dynamic figures based in correct anatomy for comics’ application through several drawing demos. There will also be a Q and A period at the end of the demos to answer and demonstrate solutions to your specific figure drawing and anatomy questions.

2:30pm
Room 207AB
GREEN LANTERN—A CELEBRATION

CHRIS BRENNAMAN (Owner/Operator of AtlantaGeekScene.com) sits down with RON MARZ and DARRYL BANKS to discuss one of the most celebrated and entertaining eras for the Emerald Warrior(s).

2:30pm
Room 208
THE MILKFED CRIMINAL MASTERMINDS PANEL

Last year’s HeroesCon marked the very first-ever Milkfed Criminal Masterminds Panel. Masterminds KELLY SUE DECONNICK and MATT FRACTION return with beloved collaborators including but not limited to VALENTINE DE LANDRO, GABRIEL BÁ & FÁBIO MOON — plus Milkfed managing editor LAUREN SANKOVITCH and Lt. Trouble, KIT COX. We’ll talk current projects, what’s new and what’s upcoming for Milkfed. There will be giveaways

3:00pm
Room 203B
QuickDraw—A HeroesCon tradition.

We give you #2 pencils and Bristol board; you give us 20 minutes and your feverish inspiration. Then we have an Art Instructor judge the results and we, in turn, give the winner some fabulous prizes. It’s a win-win. Prizes are awarded for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place in the following age categories 0-10, 11-15, and 16 to 99. The Quickdraw is held on all three days, so we need those pencils back!! It’s just like the 3D glasses.

3:30pm
Room 203A
STELA: DIGITAL COMICS FOR THE NEXT GENERATION

Digital comics are changing every day, and Stela is leading the digital revolution! Join the Stela team, along with superstar creators JEN BARTEL (Crystal Fighters), FABIAN RANGEL JR. (Santos), JASON COPELAND (Santos), and SARAH DYER (Calla Cthulhu) as they discuss the advantages of an infinite vertical scrolling digital format, and why comics optimized for your smartphone is the revolution that comics’ fans have been waiting for.

3:30pm
Room 206
WRITING NOVELS IN THE MULTIVERSE

Comics, television, video games, and movies all have original novels being set in their rich and exciting worlds. For example, CLAY AND SUSAN GRIFFITH have written the first original FLASH novel that intimately ties in with the TV show, and crosses-over into their upcoming ARROW novel. Join them and their editor, STEVE SAFFEL of Titan Books, as they reveal the secrets of tying in with such exciting properties as ALIEN, INDEPENDENCE DAY, DISHONORED, PREDATOR, PLANET OF THE APES, MASS EFFECT, and more.

3:30pm
Room 207CD
SPIDER-GWEN, SPIDER-WOMEN & MEN

Oh, what a talented web they weave. Luckiest moderator ever JOE RAUCH gets to sit down with JASON LATOUR, ROBBI RODRIGUEZ, CHRIS VISIONS, VANESA DEL REY and STACEY LEE. There is talk of a RICO RENZI sighting too.

4:00pm
COSPLAY STAGE HALL C
Building a Superhero

Our panel of experts will tackle all aspects of a single cosplay costume, from planning to fabrics to props and the final reveal. If you’ve ever wondered how much work can go into a build, this is the panel for you!
Panelists: Riki LeCotey, Chris Donio, Sean Patton, Amberle Linnea, DJ Spider

4:00pm
Room 203B
ARCHIE 2.0

CHRIS BRENNEMAN (Owner/Operator of AtlantaGeekScene.com) talks with VERONICA FISH (Archie), FRANCESCO FRANCAVILLA (Afterlife with Archie), and ERICA HENDERSON (Jughead) about all the new things concepts happening at Archie, This is NOT your parent’s Riverdale!

4:00pm
Room 207AB
MIKE GRELL

MICHAEL EURY (Back Issue magazine) sits down with MIKE GRELL the legendary writer/artist behind GREEN ARROW, JON SABLE: FREELANCE, STARSLAYER, WARLORD and so many more.

4:00pm
Room 209/210
CREATURES IMAGINED AND REAL

For this year’s mega-panel, cartoonist BEN TOWLE and critic CRAIG FISCHER corral a host of talented creators to discuss the improbable animals (fictional and real) that stomp and slither through our favorite comics. Craig begins by presiding over a chat with GABRIEL BÁ and FÁBIO MOON about the elegant vampires, saddled bears, and Lovecraftian monsters they introduced to the Mignolaverse flagship title B.P.R.D. Then Ben presents the preliminary work he’s done on his future graphic novel In the Weeds—and why he’s chosen to draw his central characters as badgers, rhinos, bears, and other animals. Finally, librarian and Women Write About Comics contributor JENNIE LAW leads three world-class dinosaur artists—DUSTIN HARBIN, BUDD ROOT and WILLIAM STOUT—through a talk about the challenges and joys of drawing giant reptiles

4:30pm
Room 208
MARVEL-BEYOND THE AVENGERS

Moderators Cap Blackard (Nerdy Show) and Aaron Haaland (A Comic Show, Nerdy Show) return to MARVEL with special panelists: BEN CALDWELL (A-Force), RYAN STEGMAN (Inhuman), STEVE EPTING (Velvet), and JOE QUINONES (Howard the Duck).

6:00 pm CONVENTION FLOOR CLOSES

BUT THE ART AUCTION IS NOW OPEN—COME OVER TO THE WESTIN AND SPEND SOME HARD-EARNED SCRATCH ON SOME REALLY GREAT ORIGINAL ART. BIDDING BEGINS AT 8:00, BUT THE GAWKING (AND OCCASIONAL DROOLING) BEGINS NOW!!!!!

SUNDAY JUNE 19th

12:00pm
Room 201/202
SCAD WORKSHOP V: Storyboards: The Basics

You’re watching one of your favorite films and an emotionally powerful scene begins playing. It’s your favorite. You love how the main character gets their revenge/finally gets to eat dinner/saves the day. You think it’s awesome how the final shot pulls out to reveal the hero standing on a cliff looking over the sea as the sun comes up over the cliffs behind him. Epic. End film, roll credits. What made that scene so great? Was it the music? The visuals? The camera moves? The composition and framing and precise rule of thirds so meticulously applied to the- hang on a second, what? Don’t fret. SARAH MYER (BFA, MFA SCAD Sequential Art) is here to explain the challenges and storytelling potential of one of the most important aspects of film: Storyboarding.

12:00 pm
Room 203A
The 6th Annual INKING Panel

A peek behind the curtain of some of the industry’s most respected professionals. Learn more about their origins, their process and what motivated them to become COMIC BOOK INKERS! Join us as we discuss the fine art of the fine line with KARL STORY (Thors) DEXTER VINES (Amazing X-Men,) MARC DEERING (Supergirl) WADE VON GRAWBADGER (Empress) WALDEN WONG (Guardians of Infinity) with Moderators: BRANDON PADGETT and TERENCE HOSKINS

12:00 pm
Room 203B
ALL AGES PANEL—A HEROESCON TRADITION!

CHRIS SCHWEIZER (of Crogan’s fame) hosts. This year it is an all-star panel of first-timers to the All Ages including BROOKE ALLEN (Lumberjanes), ANDY HIRSCH (The Baker Street Peculiars), PAULINA GANUCHEAU (Another Castle), REBECCA MOCK (AT: Candy Capers), MATT KINDT, and BRIAN HURTT (Poppy and the Lost Lagoon).

12:00 pm
Room 207AB
ADAMS & SIENKIEWICZ

Moderator Greg Matiasevich (Multiversity Comics) sits down with two of comics’ all-time great artists: NEAL ADAMS and BILL SIENKIEWICZ, This will be as enlightening as it will be entertaining.

12:00pm
Room 207CD
CRIME PANEL – happy noir year!

JOE RAUCH talks crime, dames, guns, double crosses, triple crosses and more with JUSTIN GREENWOOD (The Fuse), JOHN LEES (And Then Emily was Gone), RICH TOMMASO (Dark Corridor), CHRISTOPHER SEBELA, and IBRAHIM MOUSTAFA (High Crimes) and we know for sure somebody’s gonna squeal.

12:00 pm
Room 208
‘There’s been a break in the continuum’: The 10th Anniversary of CASANOVA.

CRAIG FISCHER sits down with the creative team of the Award-winning series CASANOVA!
Writer: MATT FRACTION, Artists: GABRIEL BA and FABIO MOON, and Letterman: DUSTIN HARBIN along with MILKFED managing editor LAUREN SANKOVITCH.

12:00 pm
Room 209/210
AFTERSHOCK

Launched in April 2015, AfterShock Comics is a comic book company that combines the creative edge of an independent comic book publisher with the strengths and experience of a traditional powerhouse. Featuring: RAY FAWKES, MARGUERITE BENNETT, JUSTIN JORDAN and FRANK BARBIERE.

1:30 pm
Room 203A
OMINOUS STUDIO

Meet the creators of Ominous Studio: BART SEARS, RON MARZ, ANDY SMITH, TOM RANEY as they discuss their plans for the future with moderator SEAN HUSVAR.

1:30pm
Room 203B
QuickDraw—A HeroesCon tradition.

We give you #2 pencils and Bristol board; you give us 20 minutes and your feverish inspiration. Then we have an Art Instructor judge the results and we, in turn, give the winner some fabulous prizes. It’s a win-win. Prizes are awarded for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place in the following age categories 0-10, 11-15, and 16 to 99. The Quickdraw is held EVERY YEAR, so we need those pencils back!! Be there!

1:30 pm
Room 207AB
LATOUR LIVE DRAW(L)

JASON LATOUR (Southern Bastards, Spider-Gwen, Loose Ends, Winter Soldier) shows everybody how it’s done. Last year, this was the panel with the most buzz; this year—we have a vastly improved sound system.

1:30 pm
Room 208
NON-COMPLIANCE WITH TEAM BITCH PLANET

KELLY SUE DECONNICK, VALENTINE DE LANDRO, Milkfed managing editor LAUREN SANKOVITCH and Lt. Trouble, KIT COX. A LOT OF ANGRY WOMEN. Probably the most fun you’ll have all year.

1:30 pm
Room 209/210
Teaching Comics Series: THEORY IN PRACTICE

ED PISKOR (Hip Hop Family Tree) and JIM RUGG (Street Angel) sit down with moderator Shawn Daughhetee as they talk about their experiences teaching comics. Piskor leads comics’ workshops and boot camps around the world. Rugg is a faculty member at the School of Visual Art where he teaches classes in the MFA Visual Narrative program. They discuss instilling a foundation of comics’ knowledge, encouraging growth and development, and working with the future of the industry. Get ready for a practical lesson in teaching theory!

2:30 pm
Room 201/202
THE COMICS CANON: RELOADED!!!! FIRE!!!!!

Comics are being studied in Colleges, High Schools and even Grade schools. Isn’t it time to establish a CANON to have some basis of a standard reading list? Maybe, maybe not, but if so, WHAT belongs in the CANON? Heroes’ own ANDY MANSELL will try to keep the peace between Academics ANDY KUNKA University of South Carolina Sumter, DEREK ROYAL University of Texas at Dallas, CRAIG FISCHER Appalachia State, CMS Librarian, MARK ENGLEBRECHT and our two favorite Editor/Publishers/ Historians CRAIG YOE and TOM HEINTJES. We tried this a few years ago and didn’t get very far, but we had a lot of fun getting there. Join us, and plan to participate if you’d like. It’s the perfect way to end a great weekend.

2:30 pm
Room 203B
FASHION IN THE COMICS

Nerdy News Network presents Fashion and Comics: A hero in a hoodie?! Leather jacket costumes?! Join TRAVIS GRIMM and COURTNEY FLANAGAN along with their special guest BRIDGIT CONNELL as they discuss fashion in comics and superhero costumes, and how they have also influenced fashion today in clothing brands and cosplay.

2:30 pm
Room 207CD
JEM AND THE HOLOGRAMS—AN APPRECIATION

Heroes’ own KARLA MARSH and fellow Jem fanatic ROXANNE RISKY talk all thing JEM with JEN BARTEL and MARIA VICTORIA ROBADO.

3:00 pm
Room 203A
DYNAMIC WATERCOLOR DEMO

No more muddy watercolors! For those getting started in watercolors, TONY MOY will review some basic skills, techniques and tools to begin your journey.  A demo will cover creating a variety of washes, textures and lines all while creating a dynamic, hero related painting.  Bring your questions and enjoy the show!

3:00 pm
Room 207AB
LIVE COMIC PENCILLING DEMO!

Comics artists SANFORD GREENE (Power Man & Iron Fist, Army of Frogs) and BEN CALDWELL (A-Force, Prez) live-draw comics pages while discussing their processes, common storytelling concerns, tricks etc. page art from previous comics work will also be displayed on-screen and their development discussed. Questions from the audience throughout the demo are encouraged!

3:00 pm
COSPLAY STAGE HALL C
Cosplay Q & A

Curious about cosplay? Burning questions about the “right way” and the “wrong way”? Wondering if it’s true that anyone can cosplay?  This annual panel is a great jumping off point if you’re new to the hobby and also a chance to get re-inspired if you’re starting to feel jaded.
Panelists: DJ Spider

6:00 pm CONVENTION ENDS

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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.

HeroesCon 2016 Artists Alley Tables Now On Sale

HeroesCon 2016 Artists Alley tables are on sale NOW! Reserve your table at America’s Favorite COMIC Convention today! Click the link for prices and further details.

Heroes Convention is not only one of the most recognizable names on the comics convention circuit, but has a well-deserved reputation as a convention that puts comics first, meaning aisles packed with fans looking for new comics and comic-related merchandise to check out. Our 2016 HeroesCon will be one of our biggest yet, and booth space is fully expected to sell out well in advance of the show. No space is reserved without payment in full: act now to reserve your 6′ table, 2 chairs and 2 badges!

HeroesCon 2016 will be held on Friday, June 17th – Sunday, June 19, 2016 at the Charlotte Convention Center!

RSVP on Facebook!

NC – Free Comic Book Day 2015

Press Release:

Free Comic Book Day 2015 at Heroes is going to be our best yet! Come out on Saturday May 2nd to meet amazing comic artists, get free comics and have a great time with your pals at Heroes Aren’t Hard To Find! Check out our awesome guest list below and please save the date!

Creators will be signing from 1PM to 5PM (or longer at the creators’ discretion)

Guest list (so far):

BRIDGIT CONNELL – Brother Nash

JOEY ELLIS – Leaky Timbers

SANFORD GREENE – Artist: Rotten Apple, Runaways, Deadpool, Wonder Girl, Methodman GN

JOHN HAIRSTON JR – Painter

HOYT SILVA – Artist: Quatermain: Ghosts of the Nzadi

BRIAN STELFREEZE – Artist: Day Men, Domino, Matador, Batman: Shadow of the Bat

RIAN SYGH – Artist: Regular Show, Stolen Forest, Munchkin, Teen Dog

RSVP on Facebook!

Heroes Aren’t Hard To Find
1957 E 7th Street, Charlotte, NC 28204
(704) 375-7462

Charlotte MiniCon Returns on January 31st 2015

Press Release:

Charlotte MiniCon is Charlotte’s longest running comic convention and 2015 is going to be our biggest yet! It’s all brought to you by Heroes Aren’t Hard to Find the same folks who put on Heroes Convention. Admission is free with registration and a donation of a non perishable food item to the Second Harvest Food Bank.

Check out the great vendors and comic creators who are coming:

Complete 2015 Charlotte MiniCon Guest List (so far)
NATALIE ANDREWSON
PAUL AZACETA
J CHRIS CAMPBELL
RICH CASE
BRIDGIT CONNELL
SANFORD GREENE
CULLY HAMNER
SANDY JARRELL
JASON LATOUR
KEVIN MELLON
DREW MOSS
STEVE NILES
BUDD ROOT
ANDY SMITH
BRIAN STELFREEZE
ROBERT ULLMAN
MATT WILSON
KELLY YATES
AND MANY MORE!
Costume Contest: Come in costume for a chance to win prizes. Register on site to compete!

Door Prizes each hour!

There is plenty of $2 parking at Grady Cole

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!

VA – Heroes Aren’t Hard to Find Exhibition

Press Release:

Heroes Aren’t Hard to Find: the Comic Art Collection of Shelton Drum
January 24 through June 29, 2014
Preview Reception: February 6 from 6-8 p.m.
United-Legard Galleries

Shelton Drum, owner of the Heroes Aren’t Hard to Find comic book store and founder of the renowned annual Heroes Convention in Charlotte, North Carolina, brings William King Museum a vast array of original comic book art from his private collection. With the help of Neil Bramlette, founder of Bristol’s Out of Step Arts Collective, classic comics, private commissions, and original pages showcasing key artists from the 1950s and 60s as well as artists working today will be on display for the first time. Featuring comic arts past and present, this exhibit is full of recognizable characters that are sure to surprise and delight fans and newcomers alike.

William King Museum
415 Academy Drive Abingdon, VA 24210
276-628-5005

Charlotte MiniCon 2014 Con Report!

On Saturday January 25, 2014 the Charlotte MiniCon returned to the Grady Cole Center. With over 2,500 guests in attendance, comic book lovers of all ages came out to enjoy the day. Admission to MiniCon was free as always, though a donation of a non-perishable food item (even pet food) was encouraged. Five tons of food, in fact, was collected for the Second Harvest Food Bank, a local non-profit organization.

The MiniCon was founded by Shelton Drum in January of 1977. In 1980, Drum would go on to found Heroes Aren’t Hard To Find and the annual Heroes Convention, which is also held in Charlotte. Said Drum, “We did the MiniCon for a while and then focus shifted to Heroes. But we brought it back in 2007 and it has been growing bigger ever since.”

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Founder Shelton Drum

 

 

The convention focuses primarily on comic books, highlighting the writers and artists that bring them to life. One such writer, David Pinckney, traveled all the way from Atlanta, Georgia to attend the single-day MiniCon. “I actually found out about it on Convention Scene’s website!” said Pinckney. He was there promoting his comic book, No West to Cross, which is the story of a female gunslinger, “…the first cowgirl in the wild west.” Interestingly enough, though published a year ago, Pinckney has never met any of the artists associated with his work. “I utilized websites like Pencil Jack and Digital Webbing to find artists to work with. “I have team members located in Nebraska, Florida; it’s pretty cool.”

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Artist John Hairston, Jr. works on a portrait at MiniCon.

 

Someone else who drew a sizable crowd was gallery artist, John Hairston, Jr. from All City Studios. “This is my favorite environment,” said Hairston. “I’m among my people, if you know what I mean?” Hairston has been working conventions for 12 years. Painting free-hand on canvas at the MiniCon, he claimed he always knew he wanted to illustrate comic books, yet his work crosses the line into fine art. “I get a lot of commissions from a Con like this.” I, for one, could have stood and watched him paint all day!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Amberle Linnea and Kristin Jann Fischer.

 

 

It’s no secret that the cosplay scene in Charlotte is very impressive. Characters of every kind lined the stage at the Grady Cole Center to register for the costume contest, while Charlotte cosplay legend DJ Spider played that funky music. Fan favorites included Kristin Jann Fischer, who looked positively painted into her Black Widow costume, even going so far as to adopt a spot-on Russian accent as she chatted up the other guests as Natalia Romanoff. Amberle Linnea wowed the room with her homemade rendition of Hunger Games character Effie Trinket. Painstakingly piecing together over 1,000 tiny butterflies–including those on her eyelashes and body–Linnea laughed, “You should have seen me trying to ride in the car on the way over here. This dress doesn’t bend!” That’s dedication.

 

 

 

 

 

Charlotte MiniCon 2014

 

All in all, it was a fun day. The Grady Cole Center had plenty of upper deck seating for those needing to take a break. They also had a concessions booth set up in the lobby. Charlotte MiniCon was a shopper’s paradise. We know of various sports’ seasons, wedding season, award season and so forth. For me, the annual Charlotte MiniCon each January is a fantastic way to kick off my “convention season” of the new year. Up next for Shelton Drum and his crew will be their annual 3-day Heroes Convention June 20-22, 2014.

Photos courtesy Garrett Marks

NC – Free Comic Book Day 2013

Adam Hughes, Brian Stelfreeze, Tony Harris, Jason Latour, Cully Hamner, Francesco Francavilla, and many more sign at Heroes Aren’t Hard To Find on Saturday May 4, 2013 for Free Comic Book Day!

Free Comic Book Day 2013 @ Heroes is going to be our biggest and best yet! Come out on May 4th to meet more great comic creators than we have ever had at this fun annual event! Also, it says it right there in the name but in case you missed it, there will be lots of FREE COMICS to choose from too! Check out our awesome guest list and save the date!

• CHRIS BRUNNER – Artist: Loose Ends, Batman: Legends of the Dark Knight, The Ride

• IAN FLYNN – Writer: Sonic the Hedgehog, Mega Man

• FRANCESCO FRANCAVILLA – Writer/Artist: Black Beetle Artist: Captain America & Black Widow, Detective Comics

• SANFORD GREENE – Artist: Rotten Apple, Deadpool, Wonder Girl, Method Man GN

• CULLY HAMNER – Artist: Red, The Question, Detective Comics, Black Lightning

• JOHN HAIRSTON JR. – Painter

• DUSTIN HARBIN – Writer/Artist: DIARY COMICS, Nutted!, DHARBIN!

• TONY HARRIS – Artist: JSA: Whistling Skull, Ex Machina, Starman, War Heroes

• ADAM HUGHES – Artist: Before Watchmen: Doctor Manhattan, Fairest, Wonder Woman, Catwoman

• JUSTIN JORDAN – Writer: Legend of Luther Strode, Superboy, Deathstroke, Green Lantern: New Guardians

• JASON LATOUR – Writer: Winter Soldier, Loose Ends,Wolverine: Japan’s Most Wanted Artist: B.P.R.D., Django Unchained

• JACKIE LEWIS – Artist: Play Ball

• TRADD MOORE – Artist: Legend of Luther Strode, Legends of the Dark Knight

• ERAKLIS PETMEZAS – Writer/Artist: Last Cigarette

• JAY POTTS – Writer/Artist: World of Hurt

• RIDDLE – Cosplayer

• BUDD ROOT – Writer/Artist: Cavewoman

• ANDY SMITH – Artist: The First, Weapon X, Green Lantern, WWE Heroes, Flex and Tone

• BRIAN STELFREEZE – Artist: Domino, Matador, Batman: Shadow of the Bat

NOTE that free sketches are at the discretion of the artists, and are not guaranteed. So, mark that date on your calendar folks! Get here early on Saturday, May 4th at Heroes Aren’t Hard To Find will be a great time and you won’t want to miss it!

Heroes Aren’t Hard To Find 
1957 E. 7th Street, Charlotte, NC 28204

Charlotte Minicon Kicks Off 2011

Press Release:

Heroes Aren’t Hard To Find starts the New Year right! We are proud to announce that the Charlotte Minicon will be Saturday, January 22, 2011 from 11 am to 5 pm. The show will be at the Palmer Building at Fireman’s Hall which is just half a mile from our store. We love having our Minicon at this cozy location and it is well worth the $3 admission price just to come and check out this cool, old building. If you are not familiar with the location, fear not, we will put up signs along 7th St. to help direct you to the event!

Our awesome guest list includes Rich Barrett (Nathan Sorry), Chris Brunner (Boondock Saints, Loose Ends), J. Chris Campbell (Zig Zag), Sanford Greene (1000), Dustin Harbin (Diary Comics #1), Jason Latour (Noche Roja, Scalped, Wolverine), Budd Root (Cavewoman), Bridgit Scheide (Kindle), Andy Smith (X-Men Forever 2) and Chrissie Zullo (Fables #100).

We are also pleased to announce our very special guest Chris Stevens! Stevens popped up on the radar doing illustrations for RPG’s and working with UDON Entertainment on numerous projects. He then made a splash in the world of sequential art with a pair of short stories that appeared in Image’s Popgun 2 and 3 anthology volumes. The shorts evolved into the new series, Skullkickers from Image. Stevens is the cover artist for the series and issue #1 has gone to a 3rd printing (that’s a lot of covers)! Stevens was a very popular guest at HeroesCon 2010, creating this gorgeous Captain America for our annual Art Auction. His work so impressed Adam Hughes that he had to go home with the piece! Special thanks go out to the one and only Patrick Sun for capturing an image of Cap before Hughes snatched it up. Please give Stevens a warm Charlotte welcome when you stop by his table!

In addition to our special guests there will be a room full of dealers from all over the Southeast selling their comic wares. Come by to dig for comics both new and old as well as other comic related items like toys! As a special bonus treat the Charlotte Minicon will feature pony rides (weather permitting)! All you have to do is donate at least $3 to the Latta Plantation Equestrian Center. Funds raised will go to erect a covered area at the center. I can’t think of another convention that can boast that they have pony rides!

We hope to see you Saturday, January 22, 2011 at this incredibly fun, family-friendly event!

Charlotte Minicon
January 22, 2011
11 am to 5 pm
Admission is just $3!
Palmer Building at Fireman’s Hall
2601 E 7th St, Charlotte, NC 28204

Heroes Con Welcomes New Guests & Old Friends

Press Release: Heroes Convention is preparing for one of the LARGEST Guest Lists in it’s 28 year history this June 4-6!  Pack your bags and gas up the car, because this will be one of our greatest shows of all time!  Making their First Appearance at Heroes Con this year are J. Scott Campbell, Brian Bolland, Humberto Ramos, Jimmy Cheung, and Rob Liefeld!  They’ll be joining the Heroes Con Family of regular All-Stars like Adam Hughes, Tony Harris, Frank Cho, Brandon Peterson, Mark Brooks, Tommy Lee Edwards, Phil Noto, Cully Hamner, and tons more!!

Long-time favorites like Ron Garney, Rick Leonardi, and Michael Golden are returning, as well as West Coast heavy-hitters like Mike Mignola, Tim Sale, Dustin Nguyen, Eric Canete, and Sean “Cheeks” Galloway.  It’s insane!!  Now we just have to figure out where to put everybody!  One thing is for sure, this all points to a stellar Art Auction on Saturday night!!