News

Press Release: At a little more than five months away from their March 16 to 18, 2012 event, staff of Lansing's premiere Anime convention, Shuto Con, are getting busy.

"This year we were able to practically double the space we had last year, all because of the wonderful support of the Anime and Gaming fans around us," said Stefanie Shall, Chairwoman of Shuto Con, "Due to this expansion we were also able to book some really amazing Voice Acting guests."

Shuto Con confirmed Mary Elizabeth McGlynn, Todd Haberkorn, Doug Smith, and a recent addition, Greg Ayres to their guest list of voice actors this year.

"I am especially excited that Greg Ayres joined our Shuto Con guest line up, as not only does he do great voice over work, but he is also a very accomplished DJ who will be providing music at our “rave” inspired dance" said Shall.

Guests will host panel discussions and take part in many of the events planned for the convention, including a “rave” inspired dance, several musical performances, and cosplay costume contest.

"Cosplay is a convention tradition of dressing up as your favorite character from anime, comics or games," said Will Burgess, Guest Coordinator, "Shuto Con practices Interactive Cosplaying which encourages attendees to interact with others as their character throughout the convention."

Shuto Con also features a video and tabletop gaming room, a vendor hall and Artist Alley featuring original works by local artists.

"We are currently running two art contests for our program booklet/badges and t-shirts" said Shall. "The art contests end Friday, November 18, and winners will receive a free Artist Alley table where their artwork will be featured at the con."

For more information about the art contests see the contest section at: shutocon.com/about.html. Additional information about guests and events can be found at the Shuto Con website: www.shutocon.com.

Returning for an unprecedented third year to the fans and Convention that “started it all,” Walt Disney Pictures is pleased to present a very special, insider look at its upcoming “TRON: Legacy” at this year’s San Diego Comic-Con International Convention. At 11:15 a.m. on Thursday, July 22, 2010, the panel presentation will be held in Hall H of the San Diego Convention Center. On the dais will be filmmakers and talent from the film, including director Joe Kosinski, producers Sean Bailey and Steven Lisberger as wells as cast members Jeff Bridges, Garrett Hedlund, Olivia Wilde, Michael Sheen and Bruce Boxleitner. The panel discussion, to be moderated by Patton Oswalt, is set to include exclusive glimpses of the film, as well as a Q & A involving all panel participants, along with special surprise guests.

It was at the 2008 Convention that the vision of a 21st century TRON was born. When VFX test footage was shown to a packed hall of incredibly surprised convention attendees, it was met with such an overwhelmingly positive response—becoming the “it” moment of the Convention—that the studio gave the film an enthusiastic green light. In 2009 “TRON: Legacy” returned to Comic-Con with an expanded presence and this year, the filmmakers and cast are back with never before seen visuals and “scoop” for the Convention fans who have been such an instrumental part of the story of “TRON: Legacy.”

Director Joe Kosinski comments: “When we made the teaser, we envisioned it as a sneak peek at the potential of this project. We set out to stay true to the characters, the vehicles, and the world established in the first film—then show its evolution. When it took off with the fans, we knew we were in the right place. Because they’ve been key to getting this story told, we’re back to keep them involved, and excited to finally present actual footage from the film to the audience that made it all possible.”

To add to the excitement of this extraordinary event, Disney will showcase an interactive TRON booth on the convention floor (located on aisle #3712), giving fans a first look at the all new “TRON: Legacy” inspired merchandise launching this fall. Capturing the action, light, and cool aesthetic style of the film, the display will include toys, electronics, collectibles, apparel, accessories, publishing and the “TRON: Evolution” video game from Disney Interactive Studios. Comic-Con exclusive products will also be on sale. Disney will also reveal exciting new mobile content at the event.

About “TRON: Legacy”

“TRON: Legacy” is a 3D action-packed adventure set in a digital world unlike anything captured on the big screen. Sam Flynn (Garrett Hedlund), a rebellious 27-year-old, is haunted by the mysterious disappearance of his father Kevin Flynn (Oscar® and Golden Globe® winner Jeff Bridges), a man once known as the world’s leading video-game developer. When Sam investigates a strange signal sent from the abandoned Flynn’s Arcade—that could have only come from his father—he finds himself pulled into a world where Kevin has been trapped for 20 years. With the help of the fearless warrior Quorra (Olivia Wilde), father and son embark on a life-or-death journey across a visually stunning universe—created by Kevin Himself—which has become far more advanced with never-before-imagined vehicles, weapons and landscapes, and a ruthless villain who will stop at nothing to prevent their escape.

Presented in Disney Digital 3D™ and scored by Grammy Award®–winning electronic music duo Daft Punk, “TRON: Legacy” hits theaters on December 17, 2010.

About Comic-Con 2010:

Comic-Con International is a nonprofit educational organization dedicated to creating awareness of, and appreciation for, comics and related popular art forms, primarily through the presentation of conventions and events that celebrate the historic and ongoing contribution of comics to art and culture. This year’s annual convention runs July 22-25 at the San Diego Convention Center.

Press Release for June 19th, 2010

Press Release:

In 1920s New York City, life is hard — and then the zombies appear. Actress Brea Grant (Heroes) and her brother, Zane, weave a historical horror in We Will Bury You, debuting in February 2010. The four-issue series follows two unlikely heroines from the margins of society as they fight to survive and battle the spreading zombie infection.

“Zane and I have been working together on music or other creative endeavors for a long time,” said Brea Grant. “We have a similar sense of the world, sense of humor and work ethic, so it just really works out.”

We Bury You Set during the Roaring Twenties, a time of great change for American society, We Will Bury You takes this challenging era and adds the chaos of zombies for an ingenious new horror story that offers an engaging look at the human condition.

“Besides the aesthetic of the Roaring Twenties being a great and underused environment for horror, there were a lot of big changes going on during that time period,” said Zane Grant. “The country was divided in a lot of complicated ways that are still relevant today.”

The series’ stark images are provided by artist Kyle Strahm, with covers by Ben Templesmith, Eisner-winner Nate Powell, and Trevor Hutchison.

“We wanted someone who could conceptualize both the beauty of the era and the grotesque nature of the zombies,” added Brea. “Kyle’s portfolio had these amazing, scary monsters alongside futuristic images and realistic faces. Everything he draws feels a little mystical, yet bizarre. He has no trouble showing the sickening nature of what we were visualizing.”

Issue #1 debuts in February and sets the stage for disaster, introducing the series protagonists and painting a historically accurate picture of this pivotal time.

“Brea and Zane have crafted a compelling story with a unique take on the zombie subgenre,” commented IDW editor Denton J. Tipton. “Their shared love for the comics medium really shines through, as does their understanding of dramatic storytelling, all delivered with a distinctive voice.”

We Will Bury You #1 (of 4; $3.99; 32 page) will be available in stores in February. Diamond order code DEC09 0924.

Visit IDWPublishing.com to learn more about the company and its top-selling books.

About IDW Publishing
IDW is an award-winning publisher of comic books, graphic novels and trade paperbacks, based in San Diego, California. Renown for its diverse catalog of licensed and independent titles, IDW publishes some of the most successful and popular titles in the industry, including: Hasbro's The Transformers and G.I. JOE, Paramount's Star Trek; Fox's Angel; the BBC's Doctor Who; and television's #1 prime time series CBS' CSI: Crime Scene Investigation. IDW is also home to the Library of American Comics imprint, which publishes classic comic reprints; YOE Books, a partnership with YOE! Studios; and is the print publisher for ComicMix.

IDW's original horror series, 30 Days of Night, was launched as a major motion picture in October 2007 by Sony Pictures and was the #1 film in its first week of release. More information about the company can be found at IDWPublishing.com.