Australian actor Chris Hemsworth, who will be playing the title role of Thor in Kenneth Branagh's highly anticipated film version of the Marvel comic book Thor, scheduled for a May 2011 release, will be appearing at the Chicago Comic and Entertainment Expo (C2E2) for an exclusive Q & A on Saturday, March 19th, 2011. The Q & A, which is open to all fans attending C2E2, will take place in the IGN Theater, 11:45am – 12:45pm. Hemsworth is one of several notable personalities whose appearance at C2E2 has recently been announced. It was revealed last week that Patton Oswalt will be performing at the convention on behalf of Comedy Death-Ray on Friday evening, March 18th and noted chef Rick Bayless will be participating in a unique Food and Comics panel on Friday afternoon, March 18th.

Other notable personalities who will be appearing at the convention include Eliza Dushku, Sam Trammell, Tahmoh Penikett, Brian Michael Bendis, China Mieville and Garth Ennis, to name just a few. Officials at C2E2 note that still more personalities and guests will be announced in the coming week. C2E2 will take place March 18 – 20, 2011 in the West Hall of the McCormick Place Convention Center.

Chris Hemsworth’s Q & A is open to all C2E2 attendees, and for those fans wishing to meet the man up close, C2E2 is offering a limited Chris Hemsworth VIP package. The Hemsworth VIP tickets will go on sale tomorrow, March 3, 2011 at 1:00pm EST at www.c2e2.com. Highlights of the package include:

• Exclusive Photo Opportunity and Autograph signing with Chris Hemsworth
• Guaranteed seating in the Chris Hemsworth Q & A panel
• A 3-Day pass to C2E2 providing access to show floor and other events

Please note, Chris Hemsworth will not be holding a public signing at C2E2. His private VIP meet and greet will be his only C2E2 autographing.

ABOUT CHRIS HEMSWORTH: Australian actor Chris Hemsworth is quickly becoming one of the most sought after actors in Hollywood. He made his U.S. film debut in JJ Abrams' Star Trek, playing the pivotal role of George Kirk alongside Chris Pine, Eric Bana, Zachary Quinto, Zoe Saldana and Karl Urban.

Hemsworth landed the coveted title role of Thor in Kenneth Branagh's highly anticipated film version of the Marvel comic book Thor, scheduled for a May 2011 release. He will also star in Dan Bradley's remake of Red Dawn in the role originated by Patrick Swayze in 1984 and the Joss Whedon scripted Cabin in the Woods opposite Richard Jenkins and Bradley Whitford, both for MGM. He will begin production on Marvel's The Avengers this year, once again starring as Thor.

Hemsworth made a name for himself in Australia as a series regular on the popular television series Home and Away. His performance garnered him the "Most Popular New Male Talent" award at Australia's TV Week Logie Awards in 2005, in addition to two previous nominations in 2004. His other Australian television credits include Fergus McPhail, The Saddle Club, Marshall Law, Guinevere Jones and Neighbours. Additional film credits include Stephen Milburn Anderson's Ca$h and the independent short film Tom and Nancy Go Boating.

Hemsworth was born and raised in Australia.

ABOUT REEDPOP: ReedPOP is a boutique group within Reed Exhibitions which is exclusively devoted to organizing events, launching and acquiring new shows, and partnering with premium brands in the pop culture arena. ReedPOP is dedicated to producing celebrations of popular culture throughout the world that transcend ordinary events by providing unique access and dynamic personal experiences for consumers and fans. The ReedPOP portfolio includes: New York Comic Con (NYCC), Chicago Comic and Entertainment Expo (C2E2), Penny Arcade Expo (PAX) East & West, Star Wars Celebration V, New York Anime Festival (NYAF), and UFC Fan Expo. The staff at ReedPOP is a fan based group of professionals producing shows for other fans, thus making them uniquely qualified to service those with whom they share a common passion. ReedPOP is focused on bringing its expertise and knowledge to world communities in North America, South America, Asia and Europe.

Press Release for March 1st, 2011

Chicago will soon play host to The Vampire Diaries (Thursdays 8/7c The CW) and Chuck (Mondays 8/7c NBC), as stars and creators from the series are set to visit the Windy City on Saturday, March 19, for C2E2 2011, the Chicago Comic & Entertainment Expo, marking the first appearance by each show at the convention.

To celebrate the passionate fan followings for both Chuck and The Vampire Diaries, “fan-favorite” cast members from both shows will attend C2E2 2011. Selected stars and producers will be on-hand for panel sessions, media appearances and autograph signings at Chicago’s signature pop culture event:

The Vampire Diaries executive producer Julie Plec joins series stars Candice Accola (“Caroline Forbes”) and Michael Trevino (“Tyler Lockwood”) for a discussion on all things Mystic Falls — including the supernatural transformation of Accola’s and Trevino’s characters in season two

Chuck co-creator/executive producer Chris Fedak leads a panel of fan favorite characters from Chuck. Series stars Joshua Gomez (“Morgan Grimes”), Ryan McPartlin (“Captain Awesome”), Vik Sahay (“Lester Patel”) and Scott Krinsky (“Jeff Barnes”) are scheduled to attend.

Following is the complete WBTV C2E2 2011 schedule:

SATURDAY, MARCH 19

3:00–3:45 p.m. The Vampire Diaries Signing in Room 178A

5:00–6:00 p.m. The Vampire Diaries Special Video Presentation and Cast/Producer Q&A — The Vampire Diaries descend on the Windy City — a C2E2 first! Join season two breakouts Candice Accola (starring as Caroline Forbes) and Michael Trevino (starring as Tyler Lockwood), as well as executive producer Julie Plec, for an in-depth discussion on each character’s recent supernatural transformations. From Caroline’s undead vampire awakening to Tyler’s bone-crushing werewolf metamorphosis — don’t miss this unique opportunity to connect with the cast and find out what it takes to become immortal. NOTE: Attendees are subject to change. From Bonanza Productions Inc., Outerbanks Entertainment and Alloy Entertainment in association with Warner Bros. Television and CBS Television Studios, The Vampire Diaries airs Thursdays at 8 p.m. ET/PT on The CW. Connect with The Vampire Diaries community on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/thevampirediaries and on on Twitter: @CW_VampDiaries. IGN Theater/Room 375E

6:15–7:15 p.m. Chuck Special Video Presentation and Cast/Producer Q&A — Chuck makes its debut at C2E2 for a Q&A and special screening of exclusive footage and a fan-favorites panel. Co-creator/executive producer Chris Fedak will be on hand, along with fan favorites from the cast, including series stars Joshua Gomez, Ryan McPartlin, Vik Sahay and Scott Krinsky. NOTE: Attendees are subject to change. Airing Mondays at 8 p.m. ET/PT on NBC, Chuck is produced by Fake Empire, Wonderland Sound and Vision in association with Warner Bros. Television. Become a fan of Chuck on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/chuck, and follow the show on Twitter: @nbcchuck. IGN Theater/Room 375E

8:15–9:15 p.m. Chuck Signing in Room 178A

Press Release for March 3rd, 2011

Norwalk, CT, February 16, 2011: Officials at the Chicago Comic and Entertainment Expo (C2E2) have announced more notable guests from the world of entertainment who will participate in the show and take part in panels. Eliza Dushku, the star of Joss Whedon’s Dollhouse will be at C2E2 on both Saturday, March 19 and Sunday, March 20 where she’ll be signing both days and speaking with Dollhouse co-star and previously announced guest of C2E2, Tahmoh Penikett, in a Q & A session on Saturday afternoon.

Major companies who help shape and define the pop culture universe will once again participate in the Chicago Comic and Entertainment Expo (C2E2). According to officials, many of the exhibitors and partners who have a significant stake in New York Comic Con will also have a major booth presence in Chicago and will be bringing many of their top artists and creators to meet and greet the thousands of fans who will be in attendance. Both C2E2 and NYCC are owned and operated by ReedPOP, a boutique group within Reed Exhibitions exclusively devoted to organizing events in the pop culture arena.

CELEBRITY APPEARANCES AT THE CHICAGO COMIC AND ENTERTAINMENT EXPO (C2E2) SPAN POP CULTURE UNIVERSE

Guests from Entertainment World to Join Artists, Creators and Writers at Annual Convention

Paul Cornell (DC’s Action Comics and Batman and Robin), Scott Snyder (Vertigo’s American Vampire) and Doug Mahnke (artist for DC’s bestselling Green Lantern series) are among the early guests from the world of comics to be announced for Chicago Comic and Entertainment Expo (C2E2). They will appear at the new annual pop culture convention as Guests of Honor and will be joined by other comic creators and artists including Tony Moore, Mike Norton, and Jill Thompson. This announcement follows two other recent announcements about leading guests who will be appearing at C2E2. Convention officials note that there will be many more significant guest appearances announced in the coming weeks and months as the show approaches. The next C2E2, which had its debut in Chicago last year, will take place March 18 – 20, 2011 at the McCormick Place Convention Center.

“While the Chicago Comic and Entertainment Expo will include guests from all parts of the pop culture universe, we will never stray too far from our primary objective, which is to provide thousands of fans with the opportunity to meet the absolute best and most respected comic book talent,” notes Lance Fensterman, Vice President for ReedPOP and Show Manager for C2E2. “Comics are what we are all about and I am very grateful to these leading comic creators and artists for participating in our show. We are going to have a huge event in Chicago in March and these great guests are getting us off to a tremendous start!”

PAUL CORNELL: Paul Cornell is a writer of prose, comics and television, the only person to be Hugo Award nominated for all three. He writes Action Comics, Batman and Robin and Knight and Squire for DC Comics.

DOUG MAHNKE: Born in the Year of the Rabbit, Doug Mahnke embarked on a love affair with comics at the age of five, having received a pile of Spider-Man issues from a rugby-playing college student named Mike who lived in his basement. A consistent interest in the medium, coupled with some art skill, landed Doug a job of drawing comics for Dark Horse at the age of 24 (the date is known precisely, as it occurred just two weeks before he wed his lovely bride). His first gig was illustrating the moody detective story entitled Homicide, written by John Arcudi. The two went on to collaborate on Dark Horse's The Mask and their creator-owned series Major Bummber, originally published by DC. Since then, Doug has worked on a variety of titles (including Superman: The Man of Steel, JLA, Batman, Team Zero, Seven Soldiers: Frankenstein, Black Adam: The Dark Age, Stormwarch: P.H.D. and currently Green Lantern) with such writers as Joe Kelly, Judd Winick, Chuck Dixon, Grant Morrison, Christos Gage, Ed Brubaker, and Geoff Johns. He resides in the Midwest with his wife and seven kids, one dog, and a bunny named Suzie.

TONY MOORE: Tony Moore is a cosmic cowboy and comic creator from a small Kentucky town, where he was raised on a steady diet of fried game, cathode rays, and funnybooks. Moore's notable illustration work launching The Walking Dead was nominated for two Eisner Awards (2004: Best New Series, and 2005: Best Cover Artist), and The Walking Dead has since become cable's highest-rated drama, airing on AMC. Moore went on to co-create the booze-fueled space western Fear Agent with Rick Remender at Dark Horse, and the creepy gonzo thriller The Exterminators with Simon Oliver at DC/Vertigo. His recent work includes wild runs on Marvel Comics' Ghost Rider and Punisher. He spends his days shooting at things in the woods, and helping his wife chase their squealing baby daughter.

MIKE NORTON: Mike Norton has been working in comics for over 10 years now, gaining recognition for projects such as The Waiting Place and Jason and the Argobots. Since 2005, he has made a name for himself working on books like Queen and Country, Gravity, Runaways, All-New Atom, Green Arrow/Black Canary, Trinity, and Billy Batson and the Magic of Shazam. He is currently the artist of DC's Young Justice series.

SCOTT SNYDER: Scott Snyder is best known for his first collection of stories, Voodoo Heart (Dial Press). Stephen King picked two of the included stories—“Wreck” and “Dumpster Tuesday”—for the 2007 Best American Short Stories anthology shortlist. Snyder teaches writing at Columbia University, NYU and Sarah Lawrence College and is working on a novel called The Goodbye Suit, to be published by Dial in 2011. He lives in New York City. This is his first comic book series and his first NEW YORK TIMES bestselling book.

JILL THOMPSON: A multiple Eisner award winning comic book creator, Jill Thompson has been drawing comics for well over half her life and is proud to have collaborated with many of this industry’s great talents. She has garnered acclaim for her work on titles such as Classics Illustrated, Wonder Woman, Sandman, Finals, The Badger, Death: At Death’s Door, The Little Endless Storybook and Beasts of Burden. She is best known for creating and illustrating The Scary Godmother series of books which not only have been adapted for the stage, but for television as well. The Scary Godmother and The Revenge of Jimmy have enjoyed yearly places on The Cartoon Network’s Halloween holiday rotation. In 2008-2009 Harper Collins released Magic Trixie, Jill’s latest all ages series chronicling the tales of the little witch Magic Trixie, her cat Scratches and the pupils at the Spectral Park Monstersorri School. Jill loves being an ambassador of comics to libraries and schools across the country and often conducts workshops and participates as a guest speaker whenever her schedule allows. One day she will have a large art studio where she can conduct workshops…well, she will if that Lotto ticket comes through! When she’s not writing and illustrating comics, Jill enjoys painting landscapes and city scenes. She also enjoys creating all manner of things, cooking, sewing, knitting, gardening, studying languages, building things and riding her bike. She wishes she had learned how to ride a motorcycle when she had one! More information about Jill can be found at http://www.jillthompsonart.com/ www.jillthompson.blogspot.com or you can follow her on Facebook or on Twitter as thejillthompson.

Customers interested in signing up for Chicago Comic and Entertainment Expo should contact Larry Settembrini at [email protected]. Tickets for C2E2 may be purchased at www.c2e2.com. Other information about the show, as well as news about ReedPOP, which also organizes New York Comic Con (NYCC) is available at Lance Fensterman’s blog, www.mediumatlarge.net.

ABOUT REEDPOP: ReedPOP is a boutique group within Reed Exhibitions which is exclusively devoted to organizing events, launching and acquiring new shows, and partnering with premium brands in the pop culture arena. ReedPOP is dedicated to producing celebrations of popular culture throughout the world that transcend ordinary events by providing unique access and dynamic personal experiences for consumers and fans. The ReedPOP portfolio includes: New York Comic Con (NYCC), Chicago Comic and Entertainment Expo (C2E2), Penny Arcade Expo (PAX) East & West, Star Wars Celebration V, New York Anime Festival (NYAF), and UFC Fan Expo. The staff at ReedPOP is a fan based group of professionals producing shows for other fans, thus making them uniquely qualified to service those with whom they share a common passion. ReedPOP is focused on bringing its expertise and knowledge to world communities in North America, South America, Asia and Europe.

Press Release for January 4th, 2011

Marvel arrives this April for the Chicago Comic and Entertainment Expo and Chicago will never be the same again! Marvel isn’t coming alone; it’s bringing its top talent to town as well!. Among the myriad of exciting events and panels Marvel (Booth #758) has planned for C2E2, there will also be a whole slew of signings over the course of the three day event!

FRIDAYMarvel at C2E2

1:00 – 2:00 PM

REILLY BROWN

JONATHAN HICKMAN

JIM MCCANN

FRED VAN LENTE

2:00 – 3:00 PM

MARJORIE LIU

PAUL PELLETIER

MIKE PERKINS

DANIEL WAY

3:00 – 4:00 PM

JOE QUESADA

4:00 – 5:00 PM

PETER DAVID

VALENTINE DELANDRO

BUTCH GUICE

SEAN MCKEEVER

5:00 – 6:00 PM

BOB LAYTON

KHOI PHAM

FRANK TIERI

PAUL TOBIN

5:30 – 6:30 PM

JEPH LOEB

GREG PAK

SATURDAY

11:00 AM – 12:00 PM

ELIZABETH BREITWEISER

MITCH BREITWEISER

RON GARNEY

ADAM KUBERT

12:00 – 1:00 PM

JOE QUESADA

1:00 – 2:00 PM

REILLY BROWN

PETER DAVID

VALENTINE DELANDRO

KHOI PHAM

2:00 – 3:00 PM

RACHEL DODSON

TERRY DODSON

STUART MOORE

MIKE PERKINS

3:00 – 4:00 PM

JEPH LOEB

4:00 – 5:00 PM

DENNIS CALERO

GREG PAK

PAUL PELLETIER

FRED VAN LENTE

5:00 – 6:00 PM

SEAN MCKEEVER

FRANK TIERI

PAUL TOBIN

DANIEL WAY

6:00 – 7:00 PM

MIKE CHOI

JONATHAN HICKMAN

ALESSANDRO VITTI

SKOTTIE YOUNG

SUNDAY

10:30 - 11:30 AM

JEPH LOEB

1:30 AM – 12:30 PM

C.B. CEBULSKI

GIUSEPPE CAMUNCOLI

MARJORIE LIU

DANIEL WAY

12:30 – 1:30 PM

ELIZABETH BREITWEISER

MITCH BREITWEISER

PETER DAVID

BUTCH GUICE

1:30 – 2:30 PM

REILLY BROWN

GREG PAK

KHOI PHAM

FRED VAN LENTE

2:30 – 3:30 PM

JIMMY CHEUNG

JIM MCCANN

PAUL PELLETIER

SKOTTIE YOUNG

This is the first C2E2 ever and Marvel plans to start off with style! Join Marvel (Booth #758) and its talented creators at Lakeside Center at McCormick Place April 16th to the 18th. You really don’t want to miss out on the fantastic line up of superstar talent, exciting panels, and loads of top secret information that Marvel will be dishing up at C2E2!

Press Release for April 13, 2010

On Saturday, April 17, Neil Gaiman will be giving his only reading in 2010 to benefit the Comic Book Legal Defense Fund at the Chicago Comic and Entertainment Expo (C2E2)! To commemorate this extraordinary event, Tony Harris, the award-winning artist of STARMAN, EX MACHINA, and WAR HEROES has illustrated an all-new print based on the unpublished poem "In Relig Oran," which Gaiman will premiere for the first time at "An Evening With Neil Gaiman!"

Garth Ennis, George R.R. Martin, and Max Brooks are Among Many Guests of Publisher!

“Avatar Friday Night” event to feature special presentations and mingling opportunity

Norwalk, CT, March 10, 2010: Officials at C2E2 (Chicago Comic and Entertainment Expo) have announced that Avatar Press will play a huge role at the new pop culture convention where the renowned independent publisher will not only have a significant presence on the show floor but will be bringing many notable writers and creators including Garth Ennis, George R.R. Martin and Max Brooks. Other leading Avatar guests who will be on hand at the convention will include: Jacen Burrows, William Christensen, Christos Gage, Matt Martin, Gianluca Pagliarani, Brian Pulido, and Mike Wolfer. All of these personalities will be at the Avatar Press booth, and will be participating in a variety of activities ranging from panel discussions to autographings.

Notably, Avatar Press will play host to the “Avatar Friday Night”, a special event from 8pm – 10pm, Friday April 16 which will feature Max Brooks and George R.R. Martin in their first ever joint appearance. Brooks, whose Zombie Survival lectures are a world-wide hit, will provide his own unique form of humor and entertainment while George R.R. Martin, one of the most acclaimed wordsmiths of the day, will provide a reading from one of his favorite works. Other Avatar Press guests and creators will be on hand to meet and greet fans.

“I am blown away by everything that Avatar Press is doing at our show,” notes Lance Fensterman, Group Vice President for the Reed Pop Culture Group and Show Manager for C2E2. “The quality of these guests is absolutely incredible and I am hugely grateful and pleased to see that Avatar finds such value in our event. Our show is going to be massive AND fun and it is in no small measure because of exhibitors like Avatar Press who build excitement and anticipation on our show floor and throughout the convention by making talented personalities and creators available to meet and greet the thousands of fans who will be on hand at C2E2. I am sure the ‘Avatar Friday Night’ event will be packed and I encourage people to buy their tickets fast!”

Other Avatar Press events that will take place during C2E2 are three panels, including a Max Brooks Q & A, as well as numerous autographings with all the Avatar guests at the Avatar Press booth. For ticket purchases and more information about the “Avatar Friday Night” event, fans should go to http://www.avatarpress.com/conventions/c2e2.

Organizers for C2E2 also note that tickets for the convention itself are selling fast and so all fans are encouraged to buy tickets in advance. For more information on guests, tickets, or C2E2 in general, visit http://www.C2E2.com or check out the show’s official blog, MediumAtLarge at http://www.mediumatlarge.net, or follow C2E2 on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/c2e2.

AVATAR GUESTS:

MAX BROOKS: New York Times bestselling author Max Brooks has become one of the world’s leading authorities on zombies with his Zombie Survival Guide and World War Z titles. He has also written the graphic novel Zombie Survival Guide: Recorded Attacks which was produced in cooperation with Avatar Press. Brooks was a member of the Saturday Night Live writing team from 2001 to 2003, for which he won an Emmy. He also has a number of acting credits, including appearances on Roseanne and 7th Heaven, and voice work for Batman Beyond and Justice League. Paramount Pictures has acquired the film rights for World War Z.

JACEN BURROWS: A 1996 graduate of the Savannah College of Art and Design in 1996, Burrows has worked with several comic companies over the years including Caliber Press and London Night Studios, and is currently working under an exclusive contract with Avatar Press. Outside of comics, his work as included contributions to Rockstar Games’s Grand Theft Auto: Vice City and TSR’s Dungeons & Dragons.

At Avatar, Burrows has worked with the best writers in the industry, praised for his detail and free-flowing story-telling, he has just finished CROSSED with writer Garth Ennis and is currently working on NEONOMICON with Alan Moore. Previously he has illustrated graphic novels by Warren Ellis (SCARS, BAD WORLD, DARK BLUE), Alan Moore (COURTYARD, YUGGOTH CULTURES) and Garth Ennis (303, CHRONICLES OF WORMWOOD).

WILLIAM CHRISTENSEN: Avatar Press editor-in-chief William Christensen’s 20-year career in the comics has included contributions in publishing, writing, and comic industry journalism. Christensen was a prolific freelancer for Wizard during the magazine’s formative years in the early 90’s, and went on to work with 90’s indy powerhouse Chaos! Comics in various capacities. His first comic book writing credit was in the 1995 series Chaos! Quarterly. After founding Avatar in 1996, Christensen became the architect of much of the early company line, including Pandora and The Ravening. As Editor-in-Chief of Avatar, he has become known for establishing Avatar’s famous policy of creative freedom as well as his knack for working with the industry’s best writers, including Warren Ellis, Alan Moore, and Garth Ennis.

Garth Ennis GARTH ENNIS: Comic Book writer Garth Ennis is the creator of Crossed, Preacher, and the Boys. Among his numerous writing credits, he is also known for his work on Marvel’s Punisher and DC’s Hellblazer. Ennis has won Eisner and Eagle awards for his work on Preacher. After getting his start in comics in legendary UK anthology 2000AD in 1988, Ennis took on long-running DC/Vertigo title Hellblazer in 1991 and under his tenure the comic stood alongside Gaiman’s Sandman as DC/Vertigo’s best series. But his 1996 launch Preacher was to prove an even better showcase for Ennis’ unique talent. A compelling cast of characters in an eyes-wide-open drama unafraid to explore any subject quickly made Preacher one of the most important and controversial titles of the 1990’s. Ennis’ work on The Punisher subsequently became a cornerstone of Marvel’s direction in the Quesada era. At Avatar, Ennis has written 303, Dicks, Chronicles of Wormwood, and Crossed.

CHRISTOS GAGE: Christos Gage has written numerous screeplays and was a writer for the TV show Law & Order: SVU before he added comics to his impressive resume. He’s done several top -selling series like World War Hulk: X-Men, Thunderbolts, Iron Man, Avengers: The Initiative for Marvel and co-wrote GI Joe: Cobra for IDW. He created a whole new universe for his acclaimed series Absolution at Avatar and he is current working on the sequel to that series.

GEORGE R.R. MARTIN: Award-winning author George R.R. Martin is the creator of the epic fantasy series A Song of Fire and Ice and A Game of Thrones. Martin has written a number of other books and short stories in genres as diverse as horror, science fiction, and military fiction. As an editor, he was the creator and primary architect of the Wild Cards shared super-hero universe. Martin was active in early comics fandom and credits the attention he recieved from a letter to the editor in Fantastic Four #20 (1963) and fanzine activities with his interest in writing. His television writing credits include The New Twilight Zone and Beauty and the Beast. His lengthy list of awards includes Hugo, Nebula, Bram Stoker, and World Fantasy awards. Martin’s A Game of Thrones is now in production at HBO. His Fevre Dream is about to begin at Avatar Press and The Skin Trade is also in production at Avatar.

MATT MARTIN: Writer/Artist Matt Martin is best known for his creator-owned title Snowman, a supernatural tale of revenge in the form of a creature of ice and snow. Martin has also written and drawn The Coven: Dark Sister for Avatar and drew a story for the Yuggoth Creatures collection of Lovecraft-inspired tales. Martin is a prolific cover artist at Avatar, with work on titles such as Lady Death, Alan Moore’s Glory, Warren Ellis’ Anna Mercury, and much more. He is currently working on an upcoming title written by Garth Ennis.

GIANLUCA PAGLIARANI: An artist on several Warren Ellis titles, Gianluca Pagliarani’s precise, detailed linework and retro sci-fi/fantasy influences have won him acclaim on Avatar books such as Ignition City, Aetheric Mechanics, and Wolfskin: Hundredth Dream.

BRIAN PULIDO: Brian Pulido has created and written hundreds of comic books including Lady Death and Evil Ernie, and licensed comic such as A Nightmare on Elm St. and Friday the 13th. As the founder and president of Chaos! Comics, Pulido was the leading independent comic publisher of the 1990’s

He is on The Hero Initiative’s fundraising board, has received the Comic Book Legal Defense Fund’s Defender of Liberty Award and is the Chief Creative Officer for Mischief Maker Studios. Pulido also wrote and directed the feature film “The Graves”, starring Tony Todd (Candy Man) and Bill Mosley (The Devil’s Rejects). He is the co-writer, with Mike Wolfer, of the upcoming Lady Death monthly series, slated to debut in fall 2010.

MIKE WOLFER: With the self-publication of DAIKAZU #1 in 1987, Mike Wolfer began a comic book career which has spanned over 20 years. After creating and publishing 14 issues of WIDOW for his own Ground Zero Comics, Wolfer moved on to work on various series such as Dark Horse Comics’ GODZILLA, Chaos! Comics LADY DEATH, and many others. Wolfer’s largest body of published work has been for Avatar Press, where his unique brand of graphically illustrated horror and violence has been on display in Warren Ellis’ STRANGE KISS/STRANGE KILLINGS, Alan Moore’s YUGGOTH CREATURES and Garth Ennis’ STREETS OF GLORY. In addition, Wolfer has contributed to several licensed comic series, serving as both writer and illustrator on such well-known properties as George Romero’s NIGHT OF THE LIVING DEAD, New Line Cinema’s FRIDAY THE 13TH and John Russo’s ESCAPE OF THE LIVING DEAD. Wolfer is currently serving as co-writer with Warren Ellis on Avatar’s GRAVEL and WOLFSKIN, and with Brian Pulido on the new LADY DEATH series.

ABOUT REED EXHIBITIONS POP CULTURE GROUP:

The Pop Culture Group at Reed Exhibitions owns and operates the New York Comic Con (NYCC), the Chicago Comic and Entertainment Expo (C2E2), and the New York Anime Festival (NYAF). New York Comic Con was launched in 2006 and quickly became a dominant presence in the pop culture world of public events. In 2009, 452 companies exhibited at NYCC for a total of 84,000 square feet of paid exhibit space, and it has been ranked by Crain’s New York Business as the second-largest annual event in NYC. C2E2, which will debut April 16 – 18 at Chicago’s McCormick Place Convention Center, is modeled after NYCC and will provide fans the opportunity to meet and greet their favorite writers, creators, and artists, as well as to see, hear and learn about the latest and greatest in comics, graphic novels, anime, manga, video games, toys, movies, and television. The Pop Culture Group also operates the recently-launched Star Wars Celebration in partnership with the Lucasfilm Ltd. and UFC Fan Expo. Additionally, it holds a strategic partnership with Penny Arcade Expo (PAX) in 2008 and will work closely with PAX on the launch of PAX East in Boston in 2010.

Celebrated Author and Industry Icon to Appear on Behalf of Comic Book Legal Defense Fund at Chicago Comic and Entertainment Expo

New York, NY, March 5, 2010: Neil Gaiman, the award winning author of novels, film, and comics including the epoch changing graphic novel series The Sandman will take the stage for a benefit appearance on behalf of the Comic Book Legal Defense Fund at Chicago Comic and Entertainment Expo (C2E2). An “Evening with Neil Gaiman”, a paid ticketed event, will happen on Saturday night, April 17, with 100% of the proceeds going to benefit the First Amendment legal work of the Comic Book Legal Defense Fund.

The last time Gaiman performed theatrical readings was ten years ago when he did the “Last Angel Tour.” On that tour, he criss-crossed the country doing sold-out evenings reading stories and poems, new material and beloved tales in order to draw attention to the Comic Book Legal Defense Fund. The “Last Angel Tour” was meant to have been the last ever such tour, and it produced the long-since sold out LIVE AT THE ALADDIN film. Even the posters from that tour now sell for hundreds of dollars. C2E2

That was ten years ago. A generation has grown up who have not seen an evening with Neil Gaiman. In these ten years he’s published such books as American Gods, Coraline and The Graveyard Book. He’s made movies and operas. He even started keeping a blog.

“Neil Gaiman is an enormous personality and it is a genuine privilege to have him perform at the inaugural C2E2 to bring attention to the important work that is carried out by the CBLDF,” states Lance Fensterman, Group Vice President for the Reed Pop Culture Group and Show Manager for C2E2.

“The Reed Pop Culture Group’s commitment to the CBLDF is tremendous, and we’re honored to work with them to create this unforgettable evening of storytelling to raise funds for the CBLDF’s important work,” says Charles Brownstein, the CBLDF’s Executive Director.

An “Evening with Neil Gaiman” will be Mr. Gaiman’s only public appearance at C2E2. Tickets for the event will be available at http://www.C2E2.com beginning Monday, March 8th at 12pm Central Time. You do not need a ticket to C2E2 to attend. Tickets for the general public start at $30 and C2E2 VIP Ticket Holders can attend for as low as $12. Ticket prices will increase at the door. Visit http://www.C2E2.com now for full details and ticket pricing.

For One Night Only. On the 17th of April 2010, at 7pm in the Arie Crown / IGN Theater at McCormick Place in Chicago. In support of the First Amendment. Neil Gaiman. You don’t want to miss this.