Star Wars actors Peter Mayhew and Tom Kane, and Star Trek actor Robert Picardo are just some of the great panels attendees can see at The Great Allentown Comic Con’s MEGA SHOW event in November!

The Great Allentown Comic Con presents the 2011 MEGA SHOW Panel schedule, and a packed show room with 100 tables of artists and dealers this show is the largest “little con” in eastern PA.  All panels will run approximately 1 hour, and many will include multimedia presentations and interactions with attendees as well as prizes!  In addition to the panels below attendees can still expect Door Prizes at 11:30, 2:30 and 5pm both days.

Saturday

Large Room:

10:30 PM Crazy 8 Press - Join NY Times Best Selling Authors and Famed creators Michael Jan Friedman and Peter David as they discuss their new independent publishing venture Crazy 8 Press! With over 200 novels between them already printed, and dozens of universes and genre touched, listen to them discuss the new worlds they plan to visit now that they are independent.

12:30 PM Joint 501^st Legion and Rebel Legion Star Wars Trivia Contest! - Do you know how many parsecs it took the Millennium Falcon to finish the Kessel Run? How many meters long is a womp rat?....What is a womp rat anyway? If you can answer these questions than be sure to come to this Trivia contest...and Win some great prizes!

1:30 PM Costume Contest! - This one is easy...show up in a costume! Just think...Halloween could come twice this year! Cosplay expert Amber Love Delaney will be on hand to help judge the best outfits and hand out prizes!

3:00 PM Star Wars Panel! - Join Peter Mayhew and Tom Kane as they discuss working in one of the most iconic and celebrated franchises in history. With some great stories, and possible spoilers? On upcoming events...this is a can't miss panel for true fans of Star Wars!

4:30 PM Underbelly Media - YouTube sensation and all around geektastic sketch show Underbelly will be presenting a special multimedia show. Sketches, bits, and all around geek cultural explosions can be expected!

Small Room:

10:30 AM Smurftology 101 - Join "Smurfologist" Matt Murray as he puts on his professor smurf hat and presents a history of The Smurfs! Is Papa Smurf actually Carl Marx? Do the Smurfs plan to take over the world? These myths (or truths?) and more will be covered...so be sure to "Smurf" yourself a chair and "Smurf" in!

12:30 PM Comic Greats and Legends Panel - Join Tom Smith, Neil Vokes, and Bob Hall as they discuss working in comics in the modern age...and just what it feels like to have been in the "funny books" for so long. Learn the untold stories about the creation and influences these artists have had on titles from The Avengers to Doctor Strange!

1:30 PM Toteman Panel - November is Epilepsy Awareness Month, and the GACC is proud to be supporting the Toteman Epilepsy Awareness/PSA comic book. But who is Toteman anyway...and why should people support this great book? Join Toteman creator John McLaren and artist RickMan to learn just why you should be helping this great cause!

4:00 PM Disney World! - Former Disney Animator Terry Naughton has influenced and worked on many of the classic Disney films of the last 3 decades. Aladdin, The Little Mermaid, and Beauty and the Beast are just a few of the things he has done. Currently he has done the artwork for Peter and Angie Mayhew's children’s novels and has his own book out "The Art of Terry Naughton"

Sunday

Large Room:

10:30 AM Hound Comics -

Join the Hound Comics team (Brimstone, Sajad Shah, Mina Sanwald, and Lucious) as they discuss upcoming project, current releases, and just how much goes into creating comics, books, cartoons and video games!

12:30 AM JK Woodward & Peter David - Join the creative team behind Fallen Angel as they discuss working together on one of today's top independent titles. Learn just what goes into the creative process for JK Woodward one of the comic industries most talented up and coming artists, and Peter David, one of its most prolific author/creators.

1:30 PM Star Trek Panel-Join us as we let Robert Picardo have his way with us in this rare solo panel appearance. If prior experiences are any indication expect to catch at least one song and dance number, and quite a few entertaining stories and jokes. Be sure to arrive early to get a good seat!

3:00 PM Pretending to be on TV with Glen Tickle - Comedian Glen Tickle hosts a "late night" style show with attitude. Joined by artists and guests Glen will interview and get to the bottom of this whole "Comic Con" thing.

4:00 PM Toteman Epilepsy Auction - We are proud to be supporting the Toteman Epilepsy comic book and Epilepsy Awareness in general. November is National Epilepsy Awareness Month, and what could be better than supporting a great cause and an up and coming comic book creator. While online bidding has begun prior to the show, this will be the final live auction, and once the gavel lands some great art and items will find new homes...and with your support we will have raised enough to send the Toteman book to print. So...come and Bid High and Bid Often!


Small Room:

12:30 PM How to Draw Smurfs - This one is for the kids! Smurfologist Matt Murray will teach you how to draw your favorite Smurf!

1:30 PM Horror/Zombie Panel - Join Neil Vokes, Tom Schloendorn, Tommy Castillo and Chris Moreno as they discuss the Horror of the past and future, and our current love of all things Zombie.

*All times are approximate, and may change at last minute.

Press Release: Actors Peter Mayhew and Tom Kane, Star Wars fan groups The Rebel and 501^st Legions, and the R2D2 Builders of the Lehigh Valley - Join the Great Allentown Comic Con! November 19^-20^th Mega Show Guest Lineup.

The Great Allentown Comic Con presents the MEGA SHOW to be held November 19^th and 20^th with a science fiction theme featuring STAR WARS guests and groups. Fans are invited to come together to collect unopened STAR WARS toys for needy children and to bid high on original comic art in an auction fundraiser supporting an Epilepsy Awareness comic book.

Iconic Star Wars actor Peter Mayhew headlines a galactic sized group of Star Wars themed guests that includes Clone Wars voice actor Tom Kane  in addition to an R2D2 droid unit, numerous Jedi, Imperial Storm Troopers, Bounty  Hunters, and other fan favorite Star Wars characters of the 501^st and Rebel Legions.  

Peter Mayhew is best known for playing the Wookie Chewbacca in four of the major Star Wars films, a role the 7’2” English actor was born to play.  In the years following the films, Mayhew has moved to the United States, become a citizen, and most recently begun writing children’s novels with his wife Angie Mayhew.

Tom Kane has spent nearly three decades doing voice work, often times as the narrating voice that helps propel a story and draw listeners into fantastical worlds.  Currently he plays the part of Yoda on Star Wars: The Clone Wars, while also providing the narrative voice for each episode.  In addition to Star Wars, Kane has also worked on the popular children’s cartoon The Powerpuff Girls and lent his voice to the 2011 movie, The Smurfs as the “Narrator Smurf.”

Both the Garrison Carida® and the Rebel Legion will be at the show Saturday November 19^th ONLY, and holding a special Star Wars themed trivia contest.  Sunday see Peter Mayhew and Tom Kane discussing their experiences on Star Wars films and cartoons, so be sure to plan accordingly.
Additional guests are also being planned, and should be announced in coming weeks. For more information visit us online at allentowncomiccon.com.

Christopher D. Wertz, Show Founder and Promoter says, “We are pleased to announce that Star Wars icons such as Peter Mayhew and Tom Kane, will be joined by members of The Rebel Legion’s Echo Base and Garrison Carida® of the 501st Legion at the November 2011 Mega Show of the Lehigh Valley’s largest pop culture extravaganza, The Great Allentown Comic Con! After the great response fans had for the 501st at our first show in 2010, it was an easy decision to expand and include the 'good-guys' for our first multi-day extravaganza event.” 

About The Great Allentown Comic Con! – The Largest Pop-Culture Comic Convention in the Lehigh Valley.  Founded in 2010, by Riverside Comics; The Great Allentown Comic Con (GACC) is already one of the fastest growing Fan-focused events in the comics industry.  Currently located in the 10,000 sq ft Showroom of the Merchants Square Mall in Allentown PA, the GACC is dedicated to producing celebrations of comics and popular culture by providing unique access to talented artists and a family-friendly experience for fans.  The show motto “Get UR Geek On!” represents in part the recognition of the diverse and unique nature of our fans, and our commitment to providing events where they can come express themselves freely.

LucusFilms Animation has released the new trailer for Season 3 of Star Wars: The Clone Wars. The premier will take place September 17th on Cartoon Network.

 

The Star Wars® Saga continues in 2010 with Star Wars: The Force Unleashed II, a sequel to the blockbuster videogame developed by LucasArts.

Released in 2008, Star Wars: The Force Unleashed remains the fastest-selling Star Wars game ever, with sales of nearly seven million units worldwide. The action game garnered numerous accolades including the WGA Award for outstanding achievement in writing for videogames.

The Force Unleashed II With Star Wars: The Force Unleashed II, the epic story continues as players once again assume the role of the devastatingly powerful Starkiller - Darth Vader’s secret apprentice set during the largely unexplored era between Star Wars: Episode III Revenge of the Sith and Star Wars: Episode IV A New Hope.

“Executive Producer Haden Blackman and his team have been able to build on the core foundation of the award-winning original and create a powerful combination of engrossing story-telling and intense action. The Force Unleashed II gives fans an opportunity to wreak havoc on an even greater scale in the Star Wars universe,” said LucasArts’ President Darrell Rodriguez.

More information about the game can be found at the official website, www.unleashed2010.com, which will continue to release details throughout the year.

About LucasArts
LucasArts, a division of Lucasfilm Entertainment Company Ltd., is a leading developer and publisher of interactive entertainment software worldwide for video game console systems, computers and the Internet. Based in San Francisco, Calif., as well as on the Internet at www.lucasarts.com, LucasArts was created in 1982 by George Lucas to provide an interactive element to his vision of a state-of-the-art, multifaceted entertainment company.

LucasArts and the LucasArts logo are registered trademarks of Lucasfilm Ltd. © 2009 Lucasfilm Entertainment Company Ltd. or Lucasfilm Ltd. & ® or ™ as indicated. All rights reserved.

Commemorating the 30th Anniversary of Star Wars: Episode V The Empire Strikes Back and the ongoing, weekly adventures of Star Wars: The Clone Wars, Lucasfilm Ltd. and Reed Exhibitions’ PopGroup will partner to produce what’s expected to be one of the largest official Star Wars fan events ever – featuring cast and crew celebrities, fan-run events, costumes, music, live entertainment, screenings, autographs, collectibles, panels and sneak peaks into the future of Star Wars.

Star Wars Celebration Star Wars Celebration V will take place August 12-15, 2010, at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Florida. A website, www.starwarscelebration.com, is dedicated exclusively to the event, and tickets to Star Wars Celebration V will be available for purchase online starting Thursday, Dec. 10. As always, Celebration will bring together the best of the Star Wars universe in one exciting, dynamic event.

Lucasfilm Ltd launched Star Wars Celebrations in 1999. Since then, the official Star Wars “parties” have become mega events, attracting tens of thousands of loyal and devoted fans and families. To date, there have been four Star Wars Celebrations in America, as well as a Star Wars Celebration Europe (2007) and Star Wars Celebration Japan (2008). Star Wars Celebration V will be the first Star Wars Celebration produced jointly with Reed PopGroup, which is responsible for the successful New York Comic Con, the new Chicago Comic and Entertainment Expo (C2E2) and more.

“We’re going to have a blast commemorating the 30th anniversary of fan-favorite The Empire Strikes Back as we welcome an entire new generation of fans watching our animated series Star Wars: The Clone Wars,” said Steve Sansweet, Lucasfilm’s head of Fan Relations. “There’s no doubt that Star Wars Celebration V in Orlando will be the ‘must attend’ event for Star Wars fans of all ages and from all parts of the galaxy,” he added. “We’re also very excited to launch our partnership with Reed PopGroup, which has shown great expertise in running large, fun-filled events that satisfy fans, show participants, and exhibitors. We’re expecting the biggest and best Celebration to date.”

“This is an enormously exciting undertaking and a natural partnership,” said Lance Fensterman, Vice President of Reed PopGroup. “Star Wars is arguably the strongest brand in the pop culture world, while Reed PopGroup has established itself as a leader in creating amazing experiences for fans and customers. Additionally, Reed Exhibitions has a strong international presence and is able to create world-class events globally,” he added “We look forward to providing first-rate organizational and programming expertise for a fan-based event that is well established and already attracts an enormous audience. In tandem with Lucasfilm, I’m certain that Star Wars Celebration V will be bigger and better than ever. We look forward to many years of working with Lucasfilm.”

Star Wars Celebration is the official Lucasfilm convention celebrating all things Star Wars. The Celebrations are the biggest Star Wars events held, allowing friends and families to gather to have fun and celebrate their love of the Saga. From fans who first experienced A New Hope in theaters to kids just discovering Star Wars through Star Wars: The Clone Wars, Celebration touches on anything and everything connected with that galaxy far, far away. The producers promise more interactive events than ever at Celebration V. Celebrity guests will sign in the Star Wars Celebration Autograph area as well as make presentations. The annual Star Wars Fan Movie Challenge prizes will be awarded and there will be a chance for budding filmmakers to get tips from more experienced ones. Star Wars Celebration V will feature scores of crowd-pleasing events that can be found only at an official Star Wars convention.

Ticketing, pricing, and exhibitor information follows:

• Tickets will be available starting Thursday, Dec. 10 via www.starwarscelebration.com. Pre-sale Adult Four-Day Passes are $120; Kids Four-Day Passes are $50; pre-sale Thursday, Friday, and Sunday Passes are $45; Saturday Passes are $50; and Kids One-Day Passes are $25. Children under six years old are admitted free.

• Limited VIP Packages are expected to be available in early 2010, with details to be announced on the website. Single or Four-Day Passes already purchased can be upgraded to VIP status as long as supplies last!

• Special hotel rates and other travel information will be announced on the website.

• Information for Exhibitors and Celebration Art Show participation at Star Wars Celebration V will start to take shape in early 2010. For information about a sponsorship or exhibiting at Celebration V please contact Larry Settembrini, Sales Manager, [email protected], 203-840-5321.

For the latest news on show exclusives and special announcements on featured guests and events, subscribe to the Star Wars Celebration Newsletter at www.starwarscelebration.com. Also follow the news about Celebration V at the Official Star Wars site, www.starwars.com. For general information and the latest news about the Reed Exhibitions’ PopGroup, please follow the group’s official blog, www.mediumatlarge.net.

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 UFC Fan Expo in partnership with the UFC – the world's leading professional mixed martial arts organization – and it formed 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.

STAR WARS™, and related properties are trademarks and/or copyrights, in the United States and other countries, of Lucasfilm Ltd. and/or its affiliates. TM & © Lucasfilm Ltd. All rights reserved. All other trademarks and trade names are properties of their respective owners.