Press Release: On March 16-18, 2012, Lansing will enter the cyber era. Voice actor Richard Epcar, is confirmed as the final guest for Shuto Con, returning for its second year to the Lansing Center and Raddison.

Epcar is most famously known for his role as Batou in the cyberpunk, cult classic series of Ghost in the Shell films.
The GitS franchise has inspired directors like the Wachowski brothers and Steven Speilberg, who is preparing a live-action version of these futuristic anime films.

Joining Epcar will be Shuto Con guest of honor, Mary Elizabeth McGlynn, who co-starred with Epcar almost since the films debuted in America, as an import from Japan.

McGlynn is also known for her music directing and vocals in the Silent Hill series of video games and the wildly popular anime series Naruto.

"Naruto is something of a convention staple today," said Will Burgess, Guest Coordinator at Shuto Con. "Rarely is there a convention without costumed attendees wearing outfits from the series, so we're excited to have guests like Mary Elizabeth who has worked on the anime."

In addition to a bevy of voice actors, Shuto Con will also play host to several concerts from bands playing everything to video game remixes, original metal tributes, and cover songs from J-pop bands.

"The Pillow Cases are a cover group to The Pillows, who play a heavy rock and pop sound that is so unique," said Burgess. "This is the next best thing to flying the band in from Japan. We expect a great show from The Pillow Cases."

The Pillows gained fame after collaborating on a soundtrack to the hit anime, FLCL, proving to be a great match for the band, as the anime is as wild and unpredictable as their music. After their popularity boom in America, they released the single "Ladybird Girl" which is used as the opening theme song for the Cartoon Network series, Ben 10. 

The Pillow Cases will play some sets featuring fan-favorite music from FLCL as well.

More information about guests, events and concerts can be found at the Shuto Con website: www.shutocon.com.

Press Release: MegaCon, the largest comic book, anime, gaming and multi media event in the Southeast, is pleased to announce the addition of guests and events to its February 17th – 19th, 2012 show. MegaCon will take place at the Orange County Convention Center at 9800 International Drive in Orlando, FL.

TOM FELTON just added to the Megacon Media Guest list. Tom played Draco Malfoy in all eight of the award winning Harry Potter movies. He also recently portrayed Dodge Landon in the award winning Rise of the Planet of the Apes.

Other media stars include:

Star Trek Voyager - Kate Mulgrew (Captain Janeway), Robert Picardo (The Doctor), Tim Russ (Tuvok)

Vampire Diaries - Joseph Morgan (Klaus), David Anders (John Gilbert), Lauren Cohan (Rose)

Babylon 5 - Bruce Boxleitner (John Sheridan), Peter Jurasik (Londo Mollari), and Stephen Furst (Vir Cotto)

Star Wars - David Prowse (Darth Vader), Peter Mayhew (Chewbacca), Richard LeParmentier (Admiral Motti) and Daniel Logan (Boba Fett)

Warehouse 13 - Eddie McClintok (Pete Lattimer), Sal Rubinek (Artie Nielson), Kate Mulgrew (Jane Lattimer

Buffy the Vampire Slayer/Angel - Charisma Carpenter (Cordelia Chase), Nicholas Brendon (Xander Harris)

Star Gate – Tony Amendola (Natchok Var), Paul McGillion (Dr. Carson Beckett), Corin Nemec (Jonas Quinn)

Wayne’s World, True Lies, Krull the Conquerer, Warehouse 13 - Tia Carrere

Ghosthunter’s International – Scott Tepperman, Paul Bradford

Robot Chicken – Matt Senreich, Zeb Wells

Other events include:

Friday evening Indy Film Festival, Zombie Walk, Friday evening reception at the Doubletree International for MegaCon Hotel guests, Lightning Fast Speed Dating, Live music by Emerald Rose, Frenchy and the Punk, and Vic Mignogna, Saturday night anime dance, anime viewing room, Saturday night party at the Rosen Plaza, all three days Paint and Take, RPG, LARP, Card gaming and much more…

MegaCon sponsors: I AM 3D, Funimation, Comics Guaranty Corporation and Students of the Unusual

Check www.MegaConvention.com frequently for more updates.
 

Press Release: Peter Mayhew, who brought the beloved character “Chewbacca” to life in four STAR WARS films, will attend the 2012 Wizard World New Orleans Comic Con, January 28-29 at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center. Mayhew, who portrayed the loyal Wookiee in the original trilogy STAR WARS (1977), THE EMPIRE STRIKES BACK (1980), RETURN OF THE JEDI (1983), and the 2005 prequel REVENGE OF THE SITH, will meet fans, pose for photos, sign autographs, and perform a special reading of his latest children’s book “My Favorite Giant” during the show.

Mayhew, who stands 7’3?, was a hospital worker in his native England when he landed the role of Chewbacca. Between STAR WARS and THE EMPIRE STRIKES BACK, Mayhew worked at Mayday Hospital in suburban London. He resumed this position after EMPIRE, only leaving the hospital again to join his colleagues on the set of RETURN OF THE JEDI. Interestingly, when writer/director George Lucas began searching for a tall actor who could accurately portray Chewbacca, he initially turned to David Prowse. The bodybuilder opted for the part of the sinister Darth Vader, leaving Lucas free to seek out Mayhew for the role of the Wookiee.

Mayhew will read from “My Favorite Giant,” which he co-wrote with his wife Angie Mayhew, on Sunday, Jan. 29, at 1 p.m., in Panel Room A. The book is intended to help little ones understand that being different doesn’t have to be a bad thing. The reading is part of full day of kids events on Sunday, which includes a costume contest, mosaic building workshop and a “passport” program in which kids complete activities all over New Orelans Comic Con.

Other top celebrities to attend New Orleans Comic Con include William Shatner, Stan Lee, Adam Baldwin, Mary McDonnell, James Marsters, Michael Biehn, WWE® Diva Kelly Kelly™ and WWE® Superstar Zack Ryder™. The event, produced by Wizard World, Inc. will bring together thousands of fans of all ages and dozens of celebrities and industry professionals to celebrate the best in pop-fi, pop culture, movies, graphic novels, comics, toys, video gaming, television, sci-fi, gaming, original art, collectibles, contests and more.

New Orleans Comic Con is the first stop on Wizard World’s 2012 North American tour. Hours are Saturday, January 28, 10 a.m. – 7 p.m.; and Sunday, January 29, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. Tickets are available in advance online at http://www.wizardworldcomiccon.com/neworleans.html at a savings over tickets purchased at the door. Advance adult single-day tickets are priced at $30 ($40 on site); weekend all-session tickets are $45 ($55 on site), and tickets are free for children age 10 and under when accompanied by a paid adult (limit two children per adult). VIP packages with special entry and exclusive items are also available on a limited basis.

About Wizard World:
Wizard World produces Comic Cons and pop culture conventions across North America that celebrate graphic novels, comic books, movies, TV shows, gaming, technology, toys and social networking. The events often feature celebrities from movies and TV, artists and writers, and events such as premieres, gaming tournaments, panels, and costume contests.

The full event schedule can be found at www.wizardworld.com.

***** SAVE THE 2012 DATES *****
January 28-29 – New Orleans Comic Con
April 14-15 – Toronto Comic Con
June 1-3 – Philadelphia Comic Con
August 9-12 – Chicago Comic Con
September 29-30 – Mid-Ohio Comic Con
October 26-28 – Austin Comic Con
TBD, 2012 – Big Apple Comic Con

 

Press Release: Naka-Kon has announced yet another three guests for 2012.

First up, as a cosplay guest, we have expert craftswoman Aleathia Burns.

Voice actor and industry expert, Chris Cason, known for his role as Gluttony in Fullmetal Alchemist will be joining us as well.

Finally, our last voice actor for this year is the ever popular Steve Blum, known for voicing Spike Spiegel in Cowboy Bebop.

More Naka-Kon 2012 guests will be announced as the convention nears. For more information about these guests, please visit http://naka-kon.com/guests.

About Naka-Kon
Naka-Kon Anime Convention is organized and operated by approximately 100 unpaid staff members, many of whom are students and most of whom live in the greater Kansas City area. Naka-Kon was first held in 2005 at the University of Kansas Memorial Union in Lawrence, Kan. In 2011, nearly 5,000 attendees gathered at the Hyatt Regency Crown Center in Kansas City, Mo. for a three-day, paid convention. Naka-Kon 2012 will be held at the Overland Park Convention Center Feb. 10 - 12. Traditional features include industry guests, panels, game shows, contests, showings, and vendor and video game rooms. For more information, visit http://naka-kon.com.