Comic-Con International Announces First Wave of Guests for SDCC 2015

Press Release:

COMIC-CON ANNOUNCES FIRST WAVE OF GUESTS FOR 2015 SHOW

Additional Guests To Be Announced In The Coming Weeks

SAN DIEGO- Comic-Con International (Comic-Con), the nonprofit educational organization dedicated to creating awareness of and appreciation for comics and popular art, today announced the first wave of special guests for its venerated summer show. The event will again be held in San Diego beginning on Thursday, July 9, and running though Sunday, July 12, 2015, at the San Diego Convention Center.

“Comic-Con is grateful to feature such talented individuals from comics and popular art,” commented David Glanzer, spokesperson for the nonprofit organization.  Indeed 2015 is shaping up to be another spectacular year in terms of talent joining the four-day extravaganza.

The first round of guests include

Writer Kelly Sue DeConnick: Captain Marvel, Pretty Deadly, Bitch Planet.

Artist Carlos Ezquerra: Co-creator, Judge Dredd, Stontium Dog.

Author Lev Grossman: The Magicians.

Writer/director/producer Reginald Hudlin: Django Unchained, Black Panther animated series.

Artist/illustrator William Stout: The Dinosaurs.

For up-to-date information on guests and all aspects of the huge summer show be sure to visit www.comic-con.org and check out Toucan Blog, the only OFFICIAL blog of Comic-Con International.

About Comic-Con International:
Comic-Con International (CCI) is a nonprofit educational organization dedicated to creating awareness of, and appreciation for, comics and related popular artforms, primarily through the presentation of conventions and events that celebrate the historic and ongoing contribution of comics to art and culture.  In addition to its San Diego convention each summer (the world’s largest comics convention of its kind), CCI organizes the Anaheim-based WonderCon Anaheim each spring. On the web: Comic-Con.org, Facebook.com/comiccon, Twitter.com/comic_con.

CA – Heroes of the Comics Signing

Drew Friedman discusses and signs Heroes of the Comics with special guest William Stout at Book Soup on Friday November 14, 2014 at 7:00 pm!

Book Soup
8818 Sunset Blvd, W. Hollywood, CA 90069
310.659.3110

CA – The Sakai Project Signing

 Stan Sakai, Sergio Aragonès, Mark Evanier, William Stout, Tone Rodriguez, Bill Morrison, and many more appear at Meltdown Comics on  Saturday, August 16, 2014 from 4:00 – 6:00 PM to sign THE SAKAI PROJECT!

Press Release:

On Saturday, August 16, twenty-two members of the cartooning community will descend upon Meltdown Comics on Sunset Boulevard to sign copies of Dark Horse Comics’ recently released book “The Sakai Project” to help raise money for the medical bills of fellow cartoonist Stan Sakai, creator of Dark Horse’s “Usagi Yojimbo” comic book, now in its thirtieth year.

Fundraising efforts were initially spearheaded by the Comic Art Professional Society (CAPS), an organization of professional comic book artists and writers of which Stan Sakai is a member. Organized by artist Tone Rodriguez, CAPS began collecting original art last December for an online auction to lend a helping hand to Sakai, whose wife Sharon has been suffering from an inoperable brain tumor. As art poured in from the cartooning community, many pieces were custom drawings of Stan’s samurai rabbit creation Usagi Yojimbo.

Bill Morrison, a member of CAPS and an art director at Bongo Comics (publisher of “The Simpsons”), approached Sakai’s publisher, Dark Horse, about collecting these wonderful images into a book to also benefit the Sakais. Dark Horse publisher Mike Richardson was enthusiastic about the idea, and offered to pay for the book’s publication so that all sales could go to the Sakais. Bill Morrison proceeded to volunteer his time to edit the book in tandem with Dark Horse editor Randy Stradley which was designed voluntarily by noted book designer Serban Cristescu. The result is a beautiful 160-paged hardcover art book featuring interpretations of Usagi Yojimbo by some of the top cartoonists in comics today.

Between the online auction and the book, the cartooning community came together in a unique way to help one of their own. Now twenty-one artists local to Los Angeles will gather one more time to help their friend with a fundraising book signing event.

Attending the signing event will be “The Sakai Project” contributors Sergio Aragonès (“Groo the Wanderer”, “MAD Magazine”), Mark Evanier (“Groo” writer), Tom Luth (“Groo” and “Usagi” colorist), William Stout (noted illustrator), Ricardo Delgado (“Age of Reptiles”), Jeff Keane (“Family Circus”), Rubèn Procopio (“Batman 66”), Dean Yeagle (“Playboy”), Bill Morrison (editor of “The Sakai Project”), Tone Rodriguez (“The Simpsons” comics), Steven E. Gordon, Anson Jew, Benton Jew, Aidan Casserly, Chad Frye, Brad Rader, Patrick Scullin, Robert Stanley, Mark Dos Santos and Mike Kazaleh all joining with Stan Sakai (“Usagi Yojimbo”) himself.

Books will be sold for $45 each, or if fans already have the book, they will be charged a nominal $15 to have their books signed by the artists in attendance.

In addition to “The Sakai Project” book, there will be limited edition prints available exclusively at the event of four images from the book by artists attending the signing: Sergio Aragonès, Stan Sakai, William Stout, and Bill Morrison.

The event will take place on August 16 from 4-6pm at Meltdown Comics & Collectibles, 7522 Sunset Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90046. Thanks to Meltdown, all proceeds go to Sharon & Stan Sakai to help with their medical bills.

Meltdown Comics
7522 Sunset Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90046
(323) 851-7223

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.

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.

 

True Blood Star Bites Into Boston Comic Con 2013

Press Release:

Boston Comic Con is excited to welcome Kristin Bauer of the hit HBO TV series True Blood to the rescheduled show on August 3-4, 2013 at the Seaport World Trade Center! Kristin, a main cast member of the show, plays the part of the vampire Pam. Kristin is also known for her role as Maleficent in the hit ABC TV series Once Upon a Time. She will be on hand both days of the convention to sign autographs and meet her fans! Details on signing schedule, prices, etc to be announced.

Other Boston Comic Con 2013 Guests include: Neal Adams, Brian Azzarello, Mark Bagley, Mark Chiarello, Tony Daniel, Colleen Doran, Ming Doyle, Joe Hill, Laurie Holden, Phil Jimenez, Ed McGuinness, Mike Mignola, Terry Moore, Steve Niles, Shelli Paroline, George Perez, Amy Reeder, Gabriel Rodriguez, Don Rosa, Craig Rousseau, Tim Sale, Scott Snyder, William Stout, Bill Willingham, and many, many more!

RSVP on Facebook!

Tickets are $25 per day or $40 for the weekend and available through Eventbrite at the link!

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. This year’s rescheduled convention will be held Saturday August 3rd and Sunday August 4th opening at 10:00 am each day 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!

CA – Legends of the Blues Signing

William Stout presents and signs Legends of the Blues at Book Soup on Thursday June 27th at 7:00 pm!

Robert Johnson, Ma Rainey, Billie Holiday, Howlin’ Wolf, Bessie Smith, Muddy Waters–say their names out loud and you can just hear the blues. Now, acclaimed artist William Stout visualizes these artists and their music with 100 stunning portraits. This graphically powerful collection includes profiles of classic musicians drawn by a master illustrator. Stout beautifully captures the signature style of each blues legend and then adds authoritative biographical text with personal and humorous writing that brings it on home. Includes recommended playlists and an exclusive bonus music CD.

Book Soup
8818 Sunset Blvd, W. Hollywood, CA 90069

Boston Comic Con 2013 Rescheduled for August 3rd-4th

 

Boston Comic Con Unveils 2013 T-Shirt

Boston Comic Con is happy to reveal this year’s exclusive t-shirt featuring Captain America and Bucky! Designed by 2013 guest Tim Sale with colors by Rico Renzi, this item is sure to sell out quickly! They will only be available at the BCC table for $20 each. Get them while they last!

Boston Comic Con 2013 Guests include: Mark Bagley, Nick Bradshaw, Lauren Cohan, Amanda Conner, Tony Daniel, Colleen Doran, Ming Doyle, Jason David Frank, Ed McGuinness, Mike Mignola, Steve Niles, Carlos Pacheco, Jimmy Palmiotti, Shelli Paroline, George Perez, Amy Reeder, Don Rosa, Craig Rousseau, William Stout, Bill Willingham, and many, many more! Tell your friends!!

RSVP on Facebook!

Tickets are $25 per day or $40 for the weekend and available through Eventbrite at the link!

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 40,000 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 Saturday April 20th and Sunday April 21st opening at 10:00 am each day at the Hynes Convention Center, 900 Boylston Street, Boston, MA. For more information please go to our website at www.bostoncomiccon.com and follow us on Twitter (@BostonComicCon) and Facebook!

Bill Willingham, Steve Niles & More Guests Join Boston Comic Con 2013

Press Release:

Boston Comic Con is happy to announce that Bill Willingham, Mike Choi, Steve Niles, Eric Basaldua, and Joe Quinones are the latest additions for the 2013 show which will be held on April 20-21! Previously announced guests include George Pérez, Mike Mignola, Sergio Aragones, Amanda Conner, Mark Bagley, Don Rosa, Jimmy Palmiotti, Amy Reeder, and many more!

Eric Basaldua broke into comics in 2000 working for Top Cow Productions with founder Marc Silvestri. He has drawn many fan favorite titles including Hunter-Killer, Tomb Raider, The Darkness, Witchblade, and Grimm Fairy Tales. Most recently his sexy women have graced covers for Image, Marvel, Zenescope, and more.

Mike Choi is a comic book artist known for his work on books such as Witchblade, X-23, Uncanny X-Men, and X-Force. He has worked for Top Cow, Marvel, and DC Comics producing covers for many top selling titles, including Dark Avengers, Cloak and Dagger, Dark Wolverine, Green Lantern, Vampirella, Cyberforce / Hunter-Killer, and War of Kings.

Joe Quinones is a Boston local artist who is on the rise in comics. A graduate of the Rhode Island School of Design, he worked on Teen Titans Go! before being hand-picked to draw the Green Lantern strip in Wednesday Comics. Recently his covers have graced titles for all the major companies including Hack/Slash, Star Wars: Knight Errant, and Amazing Spider-Man.

Steve Niles is a writer of comics, novels and films. Best known for works such as 30 Days of Night, Criminal Macabre, Simon Dark, Mystery Society, and Batman: Gotham County Line, he is credited among other contemporary writers as bringing horror comics back to prominence. His currently working on Frankenstein: Alive! Alive! with Bernie Wrightson.

Bill Willingham is the creator of the immensely popular title Fables, a re-imagining of fairy tales characters in the modern world, as well as its spin-offs Jack of Fables and Fairest. His career began in the 80s writing and drawing Elementals for Comico. He has also written for several other titles including Robin, Shadowpact, Angel, Proposition Player, and Justice Society of America.

RSVP on Facebook!

Tickets are $25 per day or $40 for the weekend and available through Eventbrite at the link!

Artist alley and vendor table registration is also open. Forms can be found on the Boston Comic Con website.

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 40,000 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 Saturday April 20th and Sunday April 21st opening at 10:00 am each day at the Hynes Convention Center, 900 Boylston Street, Boston, MA. For more information please go to our website at www.bostoncomiccon.com and follow us on Twitter (@BostonComicCon) and Facebook!

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