Dark Horse Comics Schedule for Emerald City Comicon 2014

Press Release:

Dark Horse Comics is headed to the Pacific Northwest’s foremost, fastest growing and sold out pop culture convention – Emerald City Comicon.

Comics featuring ECCC exclusive variant covers are $5.00 each and available in limited quantities. Ten per person each day. All proceeds from the ECCC variant of The Witcher will benefit Sharon and Stan Sakai.

 

Friday, March 28

11:00—AM MIND MGMT, STAR WARS: REBEL HEIST Matt Kindt

12:00—PM SERENITY: LEAVES ON THE WIND #1 EMERALD CITY COMICON VARIANT Jenny Frison

1:00—PM COLDER Paul Tobin

2:00—PM DREAM THIEF Jai Nitz, NEVER ENDING Adam Knave and D. J. Kirkbride

3:30—PM PROJECT BLACK SKY Joshua Williamson (Captain Midnight), Christopher Sebela (Ghost), Joshua Hale Fialkov (Skyman), Frank Barbiere (Blackout), and Fred Van Lente (Brain Boy)

4:30—PM THE WHITE SUITS Frank Barbiere, BATTLEPUG Mike Norton

5:30—PM MASS EFFECT: FOUNDATION Tony Parker, DRAGON AGE Chad Hardin

 

10:00 AM—BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER SEASON 10, ANGEL & FAITH SEASON 9, BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER SEASON 10 #1 EMERALD CITY COMICON VARIANT Rebekah Isaacs

11:00 AM—USAGI YOJIMBO, THE WITCHER #1 EMERALD CITY COMICON VARIANT Stan Sakai, THE WITCHER Paul Tobin

12:00 PM—STAR WARS: DARK TIMES Randy Stradley and Doug Wheatley

1:00 PM—TOMB RAIDER Gail Simone

2:00 PM—VEIL, VEIL #1 EMERALD CITY COMICON VARIANT Greg Rucka

3:00 PM—EMPOWERED Adam Warren

3:00 PM—MIND MGMT, STAR WARS: REBEL HEIST Matt Kindt

4:00 PM—CITY OF ROSES Patric Reynolds, BAD HOUSES Sara Ryan, THE FIFTH BEATLE Andrew C. Robinson

5:00 PM—BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER SEASON 10, ANGEL & FAITH SEASON 9, BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER SEASON 10 #1 EMERALD CITY COMICON  VARIANT Rebekah Isaacs

6:00 PM—BANDETTE Paul Tobin and Colleen Coover, SABERTOOTH SWORDSMAN Damon Gentry

 

11:00—AM PROJECT BLACK SKY Joshua Williamson (Captain Midnight), Christopher Sebela (Ghost), Joshua Hale Fialkov (Skyman), Frank Barbiere (Blackout), Fred Van Lente (Brain Boy), and Tim Seeley and Mike Norton (The Occultist)

12:00—PM FURIOUS Bryan J. L. Glass, THE VICTORIES Michael Avon Oeming

1:00—PM ELFQUEST Richard and Wendy Pini

2:00—PM STAR WARS: LEGACY Corinna Bechko, Gabriel Hardman, Dave Wilkins, and Brian Thies

3:00—PM PLANTS VS. ZOMBIES Paul Tobin and Ron Chan

2:00 PM Dark Horse Builds Characters: Project Black Sky, Room TCC 301

Join Matthew Meylikhov of Multiversity Comics (MultiversityComics.com) to discuss Dark Horse superheroes with some of the industry’s top talent, including Fred Van Lente (Brain Boy), Josh Williamson (Captain Midnight), Christopher Sebela (Ghost), Tim Seeley and Mike Norton (The Occultist), Frank Barbiere (Blackout), and Joshua Hale Fialkov (Skyman).

4:00 PM Exploring the Mythos of Prometheus/Aliens/Predator/AVP, Room TCC 301

Join Dark Horse editor in chief Scott Allie and writers Josh Williamson, Chris Roberson, Paul Tobin, and Christopher Sebela as they delve into the interconnections of the upcoming Prometheus, Aliens, Predator, and Alien vs. Predator comics.

Hero Initiative Parties with Multiversity Comics and Dark Horse at Seattle Emerald City Comic Con 2014

Press Release:

Hero Initiative Parties with Multiversity Comics and Dark Horse At Seattle Emerald City Comic Con

Hero is celebrating 30 years of Stan Sakai’s Usagi Yojimbo

LOS ANGELES, CA (March 14, 2014) Hero Initiative, the non-profit organization that helps comic book creators in medical and financial need, hits the Emerald City Comic con in Seattle, Wa. March 28-30 at the Washington State Convention center.

And we’re bringing our party hats! Hero is celebrating 30 years of Stan Sakai’s Usagi Yojimbo at a party sponsored by Multiversity Comics and Dark Horse Comics! The party takes place at Rock Bottom Brewery, 1333 5th Avenue in Seattle, just four blocks from the convention center! Be there Friday March 28 at 8:00pm. Tickets are $10 at the door for this 21-and-over event. You can take party pics there at Seattle’s Facebooth (a photobooth worthy of your face!) and enter a raffle with great prizes to benefit Stan and Sharon Sakai!

Make sure you hit the Hero booth at the con, #t’k, and visit these Hero Ambassadors on the con floor who will be collecting donations throughout the weekend for our cause at their own tables: Arthur Adams, Chris Burnham, Kurt Busiek, Jonathan Case, Amanda Conner, Ryan Dunlavey, Chris Giarrusso, Brian Haberlin, Karl Kesel, Jai Nitz, Michael Oeming, Jimmy Palmiotti, Brandon Peterson, Darick Robertson, Greg Rucka, Gail Simone, Ben Templesmith, and Fred van Lente.

See you there!

About The Hero Initiative

The Hero Initiative is the first-ever federally chartered not-for-profit corporation dedicated strictly to helping comic book creators in need. Hero creates a financial safety net for yesterday’s creators who may need emergency medical aid, financial support for essentials of life, and an avenue back into paying work. It’s a chance for all of us to give back something to the people who have given us so much enjoyment.

Since its inception, The Hero Initiative has had the good fortune to grant over $500,000 to the comic book veterans who have paved the way for those in the industry today. For more information, visit www.heroinitiative.org or call 626-676-6354.

Dark Horse Announces Exclusive Emerald City Comicon 2014 Variants

 

Press Release:

Dark Horse Announces Exclusive Emerald City Comicon Variants!

MILWAUKIE, OR, MARCH 13—As the pop culture world gears up for Seattle’s Emerald City Comicon, Dark Horse announces not one, not two, not even three, but four variant covers for this year’s show!

The first few months of 2014 will see some of Dark Horse’s biggest launches of the year, and we have chosen to celebrate with Emerald City variants for Serenity #1, Buffy #1, Veil #1, and a very special variant of Witcher #1.

First up is Veil, the much-talked-about new, original series by Greg Rucka and Toni Fejzula. For this year’s show, Dark Horse has tapped J. H. Williams III to create the variant cover. Limited to 500 copies, Veil #1 is sure to go quickly, especially with writer Greg Rucka in attendance!

Next, we have the hotly anticipated Season 10 premiere of Buffy the Vampire Slayer, with a variant cover by Season 9 cover artist Phil Noto, limited to 1,000 copies. Look for interior artist Rebekah Isaacs at this year’s show!

Another one for Joss Whedon fans: Dark Horse brings Jenny Frison on for a special cover of Serenity: Leaves on the Wind #1, featuring none other than the lovely Inara! A few lucky fans may even get actress Morena Baccarin herself to sign their copies!

Last, and certainly not least, legendary artist Stan Sakai has done a special cover of the upcoming tie-in series The Witcher, a canonical entry in the world of the Witcher video games, which have collectively won over 250 awards and sold more than 5.5 million copies worldwide! All proceeds from the sale of this limited edition variant will benefit Stan and Sharon Sakai. Stan will be attending the show, in celebration of the thirtieth anniversary of his landmark series, Usagi Yojimbo!

Each variant-cover issue will cost five dollars and will be limited to ten copies per person, per day! A set quantity will be available at the show opening each day.

Hope to see you at this year’s Emerald City Comicon in Seattle, WA, on March 28–30!

About Emerald City Comicon
With a record-breaking attendance of over 64,000 attendees in 2013, Emerald City Comicon has established itself as one of North America’s largest and most respected conventions of its kind anywhere in the world and has become the premier comic event in the Pacific Northwest. Founded in 2003, ECCC is highly regarded in both national and international circles as one of the most fan- and family-friendly shows in existence. More information about ECCC is available at: www.emeraldcitycomicon.com

About Dark Horse
Founded in 1986 by Mike Richardson, Dark Horse Comics has proven to be a solid example of how integrity and innovation can help broaden a unique storytelling medium and establish a small, homegrown company as an industry giant. The company is known for the progressive and creator-friendly atmosphere it provides for writers and artists. In addition to publishing comics from top talent such as Frank Miller, Mike Mignola, Neil Gaiman, Brian Wood, Gerard Way, Geof Darrow, and Guillermo del Toro, and comics legends such as Will Eisner, Neal Adams, and Jim Steranko, Dark Horse has developed its own successful properties, including The Mask, Ghost, Timecop, and SpyBoy. Its successful line of comics and products based on popular properties includes Star Wars, Mass Effect, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Aliens, Conan, Avatar: The Last Airbender, Halo, Serenity, The Legend of Zelda, Game of Thrones, and Domo. Today Dark Horse Comics is the largest independent comic book publisher in the US and is recognized as one of the world’s leading publishers of both creator-owned content and licensed comics material.

Archie Comics’ Dan Parent Comes to Boston Comic Con 2014

Archie Comics writer and artist DAN PARENT makes his first appearance at Boston Comic Con for this year’s show!  A graduate of the Kubert School, Dan began working for Archie immediately after graduation. One of the most popular and prolific creators on the Archie roster, Dan is best known for creating the Riverdale gang’s first openly gay character, Kevin Keller. He has also worked on notable storylines including Archie’s first interracial romance with Valerie (of the Pussycats), and guest appearances by Barack Obama, KISS, George Takei, and the cast of Glee.

Previously announced guests include Jason Momoa, Jewel Staite, James Marsters, Eve Myles, Simon Bisley, Amanda Conner, Adam Kubert, Jeff Smith, Danielle Corsetto, Carlos Pacheco, Jimmy Palmiotti, Eric Powell, Gail Simone, Stan Sakai, and many more!

For the full guest list plus artist alley, exhibitor, and film fest registration please check out the Boston Comic Con website!

Online ticket purchases are available at the link! Tell your friends!

RSVP on Facebook!

About Boston Comic Con:
The Boston Comic Con is a 100% independently run comic book show committed to bringing the biggest and best comic creators to New England. Run by fans for fans, Boston Comic Con is not affiliated with any other convention tour or corporate interests. Hosting over 120,000 square feet of vendors selling comic books, toys, posters, trading cards, and other pop culture memorabilia, this is a destination event for geeks of any stripe. Next year’s convention will be held Friday August 8th, Saturday August 9th and Sunday August 10th at the Seaport World Trade Center, 200 Seaport Blvd, Boston, MA 02210. For more information please go to our website at www.bostoncomiccon.com and follow us on Twitter (@BostonComicCon) and Facebook!

CAPS Launches Stan & Sharon Sakai Benefit Auction on March 6th

**UPDATE** Auctions begin TODAY on eBay starting at 5PM PST/8PM EST at the link!!

Press Release:

CAPS TO LAUNCH ART AUCTION FEATURING ORIGINAL WORKS BY MATT GROENING, JACK DAVIS, MIKE MIGNOLA, J. SCOTT CAMPBELL, ADAM HUGHES AND HUNDREDS MORE TO BENEFIT FELLOW CARTOONIST STAN SAKAI AND FAMILY

On Thursday, March 6, 2014, Southern California’s CAPS, the Comic Art Professional Society, will launch an ongoing series of eBay auctions of original comic art. Its goal is to raise funds for medical care for Sharon Sakai, the wife of respected cartoonist and longtime CAPS member Stan Sakai, creator of the samurai rabbit USAGI YOJIMBO. Sharon has been battling a debilitating brain tumor for some time; after an extended hospital stay and convalescence, she is currently at home, but her condition requires 24-hour care and medicine that costs more than the Sakai’s insurance covers. 100% of the proceeds of these auctions will go directly to Stan and Sharon Sakai to help pay their ongoing medical expenses.

The CAPS auctions will be conducted through eBay.com beginning on Thursday, March 6, with a new set of auctions every following Thursday. Each auction, sold under the seller name of “CAPSauction”, will be ten days in length with twenty to forty items in each set of auctions. The donations of original artwork and collectibles (including newly created art unique to this event, vintage comic book pages, comic strips, illustrations, animation art, limited edition statues, and IDW Artist’s editions books) number over three hundred with new items arriving every day.

Contributors include: Adam Hughes, Alex Maleev, Arthur Adams, Batton Lash, Eric Powell, Jan Duursema, Jerry Ordway, Jordi Bernet, Matt Groening, Michael Allred, Mike Mignola, Paul Gulacy, Sanjuliàn, Scott Shaw!, Jim Steranko, Tim Sale, William Stout, Bill Sienkiewicz, Cameron Stewart, Dan Brereton, Daniel Parsons, Dave Gibbons, Dean Yeagle, Doug Sneyd, Dustin Nguyen, Bill Morrison, Tone Rodriguez, Sergio Aragonés, Fabio Moon, Francisco Francavilla, Gene Ha, Geof Darrow, Gilbert Hernandez, Jack Davis, James O’Barr, Kevin Eastman, Jeff Lemire, Jeff Smith, Kazu Kibuishi, Liam Sharp, Tom Richmond, Michael Jantze, Olivia, Oscar Martin, Paul Chadwick, Richard Corben, Tom Mandrake, Walter Simonson, Charles Vess, Dan Spiegle, J. Scott Campbell and many more.

Many of the pieces featuring Usagi Yojimbo will appear in a new oversized hardcover book from Dark Horse, THE SAKAI PROJECT: ARTISTS CELEBRATE THIRTY YEARS OF USAGI YOJIMBO, which will be released on July 23, 2014. All proceeds from this book will go to Stan and Sharon Sakai. Much of the custom Usagi Yojimbo art created for this book will also be sold as a part of CAPS’ online auctions.

These fund-raising auctions will be promoted through ComicArtFans.com, and the CAPS – COMIC ART PROFESSIONAL SOCIETY Facebook page where you will be able to see updated information such as when certain pieces will be auctioned.

Bone’s Jeff Smith Appears at Boston Comic Con 2014

Boston Comic Con is thrilled to welcome Bone creator JEFF SMITH to his first appearance st New England’s biggest comic book convention! The Bone series has entertained comic fans of all ages across the world and garnered heaps of accolades. In addition he has worked on SHAZAM: The Monster Society of Evil, created RASL, and currently writes and illustrates the webcomic TUKI, chronicling the journey of a prehistoric family. Be sure to catch this modern master of comics in a rare New England appearance! Tell your friends!

Previously announced guests include Jason Momoa, Jewel Staite, James Marsters, Eve Myles, Simon Bisley, Amanda Conner, Adam Kubert, Danielle Corsetto, Carlos Pacheco, Jimmy Palmiotti, Eric Powell, Gail Simone, Stan Sakai, and many more!

For the full guest list plus artist alley, exhibitor, and film fest registration please check out the Boston Comic Con website!

Online ticket purchases are available at the link! Tell your friends!

RSVP on Facebook!

About Boston Comic Con:
The Boston Comic Con is a 100% independently run comic book show committed to bringing the biggest and best comic creators to New England. Run by fans for fans, Boston Comic Con is not affiliated with any other convention tour or corporate interests. Hosting over 120,000 square feet of vendors selling comic books, toys, posters, trading cards, and other pop culture memorabilia, this is a destination event for geeks of any stripe. Next year’s convention will be held Friday August 8th, Saturday August 9th and Sunday August 10th at the Seaport World Trade Center, 200 Seaport Blvd, Boston, MA 02210. For more information please go to our website at www.bostoncomiccon.com and follow us on Twitter (@BostonComicCon) and Facebook!

Firefly’s Jewel Staite Comes to Boston Comic Con 2014

Boston Comic Con is excited to welcome JEWEL STAITE to our 2014 convention n August 8th – 10th! Jewel Staite is best known for playing Kaylee Frye, the cheerful ship’s mechanic, on Joss Whedon’s beloved space western series Firefly. Jewel made her feature film debut reprising the role in 2005′s Serenity. Since then she has gone on to portray Dr. Jennifer Keller on Syfy’s Stargate: Atlantis alongside fellow Boston Comic Con guest Jason Momoa. Jewel has also held roles on series including The Killing, State of Syn, Animism, The L.A. Complex, and Space Cases. Furthermore she has made appearances on several genre shows like Supernatural, The X-Files, and Warehouse 13.

Previously announced guests include Jason Momoa, James Marsters, Eve Myles, Simon Bisley, Amanda Conner, Adam Kubert, Danielle Corsetto, Carlos Pacheco, Jimmy Palmiotti, Eric Powell, Gail Simone, Stan Sakai, and many more!

For the full guest list plus artist alley, exhibitor, and film fest registration please check out the Boston Comic Con website!

Online ticket purchases are available at the link! Tell your friends!

RSVP on Facebook!

About Boston Comic Con:
The Boston Comic Con is a 100% independently run comic book show committed to bringing the biggest and best comic creators to New England. Run by fans for fans, Boston Comic Con is not affiliated with any other convention tour or corporate interests. Hosting over 120,000 square feet of vendors selling comic books, toys, posters, trading cards, and other pop culture memorabilia, this is a destination event for geeks of any stripe. Next year’s convention will be held Friday August 8th, Saturday August 9th and Sunday August 10th at the Seaport World Trade Center, 200 Seaport Blvd, Boston, MA 02210. For more information please go to our website at www.bostoncomiccon.com and follow us on Twitter (@BostonComicCon) and Facebook!

Dark Horse Announces The Sakai Project

Press Release:

The most amazing artists in the world have come together to celebrate thirty years of Stan Sakai’s marvelous samurai rabbit saga, Usagi Yojimbo, in a new oversized hardcover benefit book: The Sakai Project: Artists Celebrate Thirty Years of “Usagi Yojimbo”!

“It has been an absolute pleasure publishing Stan’s work over the years, and recently collaborating with him directly on 47 Ronin,” said Dark Horse’s president and founder, Mike Richardson. “With the thirtieth anniversary of his most beloved creation, Usagi, and in a time of need for Stan and his family, we are honored to publish this tribute to Stan and his work. We are donating all of the proceeds to Stan and his wife, Sharon. We hope you will join us in honoring one of the comics industry’s shining lights.”

The participating artists bring their own interpretations and their own styles to the subject, making this book a one-of-a-kind treasure.

The Sakai Project is produced in association with the Comic Art Professional Society (CAPS). All proceeds from this book will go to Stan and Sharon Sakai.

ADAM HUGHES | ALAIN MAURICET | ALEX MALEEV | ALLISON SOHN | ANDY GRENEN | ARTHUR ADAMS | BATTON LASH | BILL MORRISON | BRIAN CHING & MICHAEL ATIYEH | BRIAN MICHAEL BENDIS | CARLOS D’ANDA & GABE ELTAEB | CHRIS SCALF | DAN PANOSIAN | DAVE GIBBONS | DAVID MACK | DOUG WHEATLEY | EDGAR DELGADO | ERIC POWELL | GABRIEL HARDMAN | GEOF DARROW | HOWARD CHAYKIN | JAN DUURSEMA | JEFF SMITH | JOYCE CHIN | MARK CRILLEY | MATT GROENING | MATT WAGNER | MICHAEL ALLRED | MICHAEL AVON OEMING | MICHAEL GOLDEN | MIKE KUNKEL | MIKE MIGNOLA | OSCAR MARTIN | PAUL GULACY | PAUL RENAUD | PHIL YEH | RICHARD CORBEN | SCOTT SHAW | SERGIO ARAGONÉS | STEPHANIE GLADDEN | TIM SALE | TOM MANDRAKE | TOM RICHMOND | WALTER SIMONSON | WILLIAM STOUT | & MORE!

Industry professionals, Dark Horse encourages your participation! The deadline for art submissions is February 20, 2014. For technical specifications and other information, e-mail Dark Horse at sakaiproject@darkhorse.com.

The Sakai Project will be released on July 23. Pre-order with your local comics retailer.

About Dark Horse

Founded in 1986 by Mike Richardson, Dark Horse Comics has proven to be a solid example of how integrity and innovation can help broaden a unique storytelling medium and establish a small, homegrown company as an industry giant. The company is known for the progressive and creator-friendly atmosphere it provides for writers and artists. In addition to publishing comics from top talent, such as Frank Miller, Mike Mignola, Neil Gaiman, Brian Wood, Gerard Way, Felicia Day, and Guillermo del Toro, and comics legends, such as Will Eisner, Neal Adams, and Jim Steranko, Dark Horse has developed its own successful properties, such as The Mask, Ghost, Timecop, and SpyBoy. Its successful line of comics and products based on popular properties includes Star Wars, Mass Effect, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Aliens, Conan, EVE Online, Halo, Serenity, Game of Thrones, and Domo. Today Dark Horse Comics is the largest independent comic book publisher in the US and is recognized as one of the world’s leading publishers of both creator-owned content and licensed comics material.

 

Stan Sakai Announced as Keynote Speaker at MSU Comics Forum 2014

Press Release:

The 2014 MSU Comics Forum will take place on Feb. 21st and 22nd. The keynote address will occur on the first evening, Friday, February 21st, 2014, while the panel discussions and artist alley will happen the following day, Saturday, February 22nd, 2014. The location will be in Snyder/Phillips Hall on the campus of Michigan State University (the same locations as the past few years).

This year the MSU Comics Forum is proud to announce that award-winning comics creator, Stan Sakai, will be our guest of honor and keynote speaker on Friday, Feb 21st, 2014. Sakai is most known for his long-running anthropomorphic animal series, Usagi Yojimbo, which explores the culture and traditions of 17th century feudal Japan and has been published in 12 languages. Recently, Sakai completed an ambitious historical mini-series, 47 Ronin, a comics adaptation of Japan’s best known tale with publisher and writer, Mike Richardson. Sakai’s work has garnered him numerous Eisner Awards and in 2011 the Japanese American National Museum in Los Angeles, CA presented a retrospective of his 30-year career.

Details at the website: www.comicsforum.msu.edu

Comic-Con International Announces 20 More Guests for SDCC 2014

Via the Toucan Blog:

SPECIAL GUESTS WAVE 2 IS HERE!

20 More Guests Announced for Comic-Con International 2014!

Comic-Con International introduces twenty more guests for the 2014 event, to be held July 24-27 at the San Diego Convention Center. This second wave of guests for 2014 includes creators from mainstream and alternative comics, graphic novels, manga, and mystery/thriller books, plus a pair of comics historians. For complete bios and larger photos of these guests, please click here to visit our CCI 2014 Special Guests page!

Confirmed for Comic-Con International 2014 are these additional special guests:

June Brigman, artist, co-creator, Power Pack

Mark Brooks, cover artist, Guardians of the Galaxy, Avengers

Colleen Coover, artist, co-creator, Bandette

Chuck Dixon, writer, Batman, Airboy

Francesco Francavilla, writer/artist, The Black Beetle, Afterlife with Archie

Brian Haberlin, artist, Witchblade, Anomaly

Gregg Hurwitz, author, Tell No Lies, Batman: The Dark Knight

Batton Lash, writer/cartoonist, Supernatural Law, The First Gentleman of the Apocalypse

Jim Lee, co-publisher, DC Entertainment; artist, Justice League, Superman Unchained

Paul Levitz, editor, former publisher, DC Comics; writer, World’s Finest

Sara Mayhew, writer/artist, Legend of the Ztarr

Michelle Nolan, comics/pop culture historian, Love on the Racks, Ball Tales

Denny O’Neil, writer/editor, Batman, Green Lantern/Green Arrow

John Picacio, artist, A Song of Ice and Fire, Elric of Melnibone

Mimi Pond, cartoonist, Over Easy

Stan Sakai, creator, writer, cartoonist, Usagi Yojimbo

Jeff Smith, creator, writer/artist, Bone, RASL, Little Mouse Gets Ready

J. Michael Straczynski, creator, writer, Ten Grand, Sidekick, The Adventures of Apocalypse Al

Maggie Thompson, writer/editor/comics historian, Comics Buyer’s Guide

Paul Tobin, writer, co-creator, Bandette, Colder

Stay tuned for more special guest announcements for Comic-Con International 2014, coming soon!

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