Press Release: The Tampa Bay Comic Con has confirmed actress Lauren Cohan as a headlining guest for the April 6-7, 2013 convention. Lauren Cohan is famed for her role as Maggie Greene in AMC’s massively popular series, The Walking Dead and as Bela Talbot in CW’s series Supernatural. Tampa Bay Comic Con attendees will be able to meet and greet Lauren Cohan as well as get autographs and photo-ops at the convention.
In addition, the Tampa Bay Comic Con’s guest list is set to include a talented array of professional comic book creators. Among them are: Jenny Frison (Hack & Slash artist), Michael Golden (Punisher, Transfomers artist), Bob Layton (Iron Man artist), Luke McDonnell (Iron Man artist), Mark Texeira (Ghost Rider, Punisher artist) and Renee Witterstaetter (writer, editor).
The Tampa Bay Comic Con will feature over 100 exhibitor/vendor tables where convention attendees can browse through a large selection of inventory including: comic books, cards, toys, t-shirts, magazines, artwork, Star Wars merchandise, jewelry and much more. All attendees are also welcome to attend all convention panels (which will include Lauren Cohan’s panel) as well as participate in the “Costume Contest” and the “Artist Throwdown”.
The Tampa Bay Comic Con will be held on Saturday and Sunday, April 6-7, 2013 at the Doubletree Hotel in Tampa, FL from 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM on Saturday and 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM on Sunday. Convention admission is $10.00 for adults and FREE for children (12 and under). Parking is FREE. Reserve hotel rooms at the Doubletree Hotel through the Tampa Bay Comic Con’s online “Travel/Hotel” section for special discounted room rates.
Press Release - June 22, 2012: The cast and producers of AMC’s breakout hit series “The Walking Dead” and “Breaking Bad” will participate in hour-long panels at this year’s Comic-Con in San Diego, CA. Moderated by “Talking Dead” host Chris Hardwick, “The Walking Dead” panelists will discuss what fans can expect in the highly anticipated third season, which debuts in October. The “Breaking Bad” panel, moderated by TV Guide Magazine’s Mike Schneider, will cover the series’ success to date and preview its final season which kicks off Sunday, July 15 at 10pm. In addition, Kevin Smith will discuss the new season of his unscripted series “Comic Book Men,” for which he serves as executive producer, during his annual Comic-Con panel. ?
“The Walking Dead” panelists include: Andrew Lincoln, Sarah Wayne Callies, Laurie Holden, Norman Reedus, Steven Yeun, Lauren Cohan, Danai Gurira, David Morrisey, Executive Producer and Showrunner Glen Mazzara, Executive Producer Gale Anne Hurd, Executive Producer Robert Kirkman, Executive Producer David Alpert and Co-Executive Producer and Special Effects Make-up Supervisor Greg Nicotero.
“Breaking Bad” panelists include: Bryan Cranston, Aaron Paul, Anna Gunn, Dean Norris, Betsy Brandt, RJ Mitte, Jonathan Banks and Creator and Executive Producer Vince Gilligan
Kevin Smith, “Comic Book Men” executive producer
“The Walking Dead” Autograph session on Friday, July 13 at 10:45am at Booth #3721 Panel on Friday, July 13 at 1:25pm in Hall H Press round table interviews available on Friday, July 13 at 3pm
“Breaking Bad” Panel on Friday, July 13 at 6:45pm in Hall 20 Autograph session on Saturday, July 14 at 10am in Booth #4229 Press round table interviews available on Saturday, July 14 at 11:30am
“Comic Book Men” Kevin Smith’s annual Comic-Con panel on Saturday, July 14 at 10pm in Hall H
Space is limited and will be accommodated on a first-come, first-serve basis
About “The Walking Dead” Based on the comic book series written by Robert Kirkman and published by Image Comics, “The Walking Dead” tells the story of the months and years that follow after a zombie apocalypse, and follows a group of survivors, led by police officer Rick Grimes (Andrew Lincoln), who travel in search of a safe and secure home. “The Walking Dead” reigns as the most watched drama series on basic cable for Adults 18-49 and Adults 25-54. The series has garnered an Emmy® Award for Outstanding Prosthetic Make-up and a Golden Globe® Award nomination for Best Television Series – Drama, among other accolades.
About “Breaking Bad” The explosive drama series that Variety calls "simply one of TV's great addictions," returns to AMC for the first part of its final season on Sunday, July 15 at 10pm ET/PT. The final season of the Emmy® Award-winning drama consists of 16 episodes, with the first eight episodes beginning July 15 and culminating with the series’ final eight episodes next summer 2013. Created by acclaimed writer, producer, and director Vince Gilligan and produced by Sony Pictures Television, the critically acclaimed series has garnered six Primetime Emmy® Award wins and a Peabody, and been named to the American Film Institute’s (AFI) list of the “Top 10 Programs of the Year” (2008, 2010, 2011). In the highly anticipated new season, a newly empowered and increasingly remorseless Walt White (Bryan Cranston) finds himself attempting to control a tenuous empire. But uneasy lies the head that wears the crown.
About “Comic Book Men” Executive produced by Kevin Smith (Clerks, Chasing Amy), Charlie Corwin’s Original Media (LA Ink, Storm Chasers, Swamp People) and Elyse Seiden (Red State), “Comic Book Men” dives deep into fanboy culture by following the antics in and around master fanboy Smith’s New Jersey comic shop, Jay and Silent Bob’s Secret Stash, where both staff and customers geek out over mind-blowing pop culture artifacts and the legends behind them. Leading the crew behind the Secret Stash counter are moody manager Walt, uber-nerd Mike, career slacker Brian, and Ming, the shop’s go-to whipping boy. As the team buys, sells and discovers the treasures of the comic collecting world, they share all the juicy details with Kevin through their outrageous podcast, which is woven throughout the series.
Press Release: This weekend, from Thursday the 25th to Sunday the 28th, Image Comics will be bringing many of their most popular titles such as THE WALKING DEAD, INVINCIBLE, CHEW, MORNING GLORIES, and more to exhibit and sell in Toronto at FanExpo Canada.
Image will be located on the floor of the show at booth #130, with many creators such as Kevin Hopeless (LOVESTRUCK), Viktor Kalvachev (BLUE ESTATE), Jim Zubkavich (SKULLKICKERS), Edwin Huang (SKULLKICKERS), Charles Soule (27), W. Scott Forbes (27), Riley Rossmo (GREEN WAKE, PROOF), Kurtis J. Wiebe (THE INTREPIDS, GREEN WAKE), Scott Kowalchuk (THE INTREPIDS), Sam Sarkar (THE VAULT), Jeff Cahn (RED SPIKE), Owen Wiseman (SAMURAI'S BLOOD), and Nam Kim (SAMURAI'S BLOOD).
FAN EXPO EXCLUSIVE: THE WALKING DEAD #88 CHARLIE ADLARD VARIANT Limited to 1000 and available only at the Fan Expo Canadabooth!
PANEL: IMAGE COMICS PRESENTS YOUR NEW FAVORITES Join Image Comics for announcements about upcoming projects, updates about ongoing projects, and a Q&A session with some of the best creators working in comics. Don’t miss your chance to find out about what we’re up to before anyone else does, and ask questions of your favorite creators! Panelists include Charles Soule (27), Kurtis Wiebe (Intrepids, Green Wake, Peter Panzerfaust), Viktor Kalvachev (Pherone, Blue Estate), Dennis Hopeless (Lovestruck), Jim Zubkavich (Skullkickers), and Jonathan Hickman (The Red Wing, Feel Better Now). Saturday, 1 PM – Room #713
ABOUT IMAGE COMICS Image Comics is a comic book and graphic novel publisher founded in 1992 by a collective of best-selling artists. Image has since gone on to become one of the largest comics publishers in the United States. Image currently has five partners: Robert Kirkman, Erik Larsen, Todd McFarlane, Marc Silvestri and Jim Valentino. It consists of five major houses: Todd McFarlane Productions, Top Cow Productions, Shadowline, Skybound and Image Central. Image publishes comics and graphic novels in nearly every genre, sub-genre, and style imaginable. It offers science fiction, romance, horror, crime fiction, historical fiction, humor and more by the finest artists and writers working in the medium today. For more information, visit www.imagecomics.com.
Today, during the The Walking Dead event at San Diego Comic Con, AMC released a new four minute trailer which we have below. Additionally, the release date for the highly anticipated Season 2 premiere was announced for October 16th at 9 p.m. ET/PT.
Press Release: Robert Kirkman, the Eisner Award-winning creator of The Walking Dead and Invincible, will be a Guest of Honor at this year’s New York Comic Con, which will take place at the Jacob K. Javits Center in New York City, Thursday, October 13 – Sunday October 16, 2011.
Mr. Kirkman is the first guest to be announced for this year’s convention. Show organizers note that Mr. Kirkman will have a prominent role and will participate in panels as well as appear at the Image Comics booth. Further details about his participation will be posted on the NYCC website as soon as they become available.
Meanwhile, as previously announced, New York Comic Con will be extended by an extra day in 2011 in order to accommodate even more attendees. Nearly 100,000 fans, guests, and professionals attended the 2010 edition of the annual pop culture gathering. For the first time, the convention will be open to the public for three full days – Friday (10/14), Saturday (10/15), and Sunday (10/16). NYCC’s additional day of convention activity will take place on Thursday (10/13) with academic programming beginning at 12 noon. The convention floor will officially open for professional hours and a new fan preview night for 4-day ticket holders and VIPs on Thursday from 4:00 PM – 7:00 PM.
“Robert Kirkman is one of a handful of highly acclaimed and prestigious creators who raises the bar and sets a standard of excellence for our show,” notes Lance Fensterman, Group Vice President for ReedPOP and Show Manager for New York Comic Con. “We are extremely grateful to him for agreeing so early to participate in our show. He is a superstar and we will have thousands of fans who will be incredibly anxious to see him. This is a terrific announcement as it signals the type of exciting guest appearances that we will be revealing in the coming months as we prepare for an even longer and more comprehensive New York Comic Con. The fun is just beginning!”
About Robert Kirkman: Robert Kirkman is a New York Times bestselling author known for being a cultural zeitgeist of the comic book industry. Following the grassroots success of the self-published Battle Pope (2000), Kirkman caught the eye of Image Comics founding partner Erik Larsen. After several short-term projects (SuperPatriot and TechJacket), he achieved superstar status in 2003 with Invincible and The Walking Dead. During a subsequent stint at Marvel Comics, he gained many new fans with the haunting and hilarious Marvel Zombies. MTV translated Kirkman’s Invincible into a motion comic — one of the first in a growing industry trend. Kirkman’s SKYBOUND imprint, under the Image Comics umbrella, is committed to fostering up-and-coming talent in the industry, and all acquisitions are hand picked by Kirkman himself. Kirkman won the 2010 Eisner Award for Best Continuing Series for The Walking Dead. AMC’s interpretation of the comic, helmed by Frank Darabont and Gale Anne Hurd, has received glowing reviews from critics and fans alike and continues to garner the highest ratings for the network, making it a game changer for groundbreaking television on cable.
For more information about Robert Kirkman’s SKYBOUND imprint at Image Comics please visit www.skyboundent.com.
Tickets for NYCC are now on sale via the website www.NewYorkComicCon.com. Limited 4-Day tickets are available. For further information about all ReedPOP shows and activity, please visit Lance Fensterman’s blog, www.MediumAtLarge.net. Convention organizers note Mr. Kirkman is the first of many guests to be revealed and fans should keep their eyes on NYCC’s website and blog for additional comics, entertainment and anime announcements in the coming weeks.
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.
WonderCon, one of the country’s best comics and popular arts conventions, will open its 2011 attendee registration at 9:00 AM PST on Wednesday, December 1 at www.comic-con.org/wc. Additionally, WonderCon has announced its first slate of special guests for its 25th anniversary show. Robert Kirkman (writer, The Walking Dead, Haunt), Paul Levitz (past president and publisher of DC Comics), Joe Quesada (editor-in-chief, Marvel Comics), Carla Speed McNeil (writer/artist, Finder), are among the 20-plus newly announced special guests from the worlds of comics, fantasy, and horror to appear at the 2011 show.
Part of the Comic-Con International (Comic-Con) family of conventions, WonderCon is a three-day event that has experienced yearly growth both in size and stature since moving to San Francisco in 2003, culminating in welcoming over 39,500 attendees to the 2010 show. The 2011 event will be held April 1–3 at the Moscone Center South in the heart of San Francisco.
“Because of the caliber of guests, exhibitors, and programming, WonderCon has been a ‘must attend’ show on the convention calendar,” said David Glanzer, director of marketing and public relations for WonderCon. “The level of guests announced for our 25th anniversary certainly reflects that continuing practice.”
WonderCon offers attendees, professionals, and exhibitors the complete convention experience, with a giant exhibit hall, exclusive programming from the top comics publishers in the country, movie and television panels, anime, autographs, games, the masquerade, and portfolio review all under one roof, it’s easy to see why WonderCon has become one of the best conventions in the country.
For a complete rundown of the growing list of special guests at WonderCon, as well as future announcements, please visit www.comic-con.org/wc. The guests confirmed thus far for the 2011 event include:
Jason Aaron (writer, Scalped, Wolverine)
Jason Aaron is an Eisner and Harvey nominated comic book writer whose work includes the critically acclaimed crime series Scalped for Vertigo and celebrated stints on Black Panther, Ghost Rider, and Wolverine: Weapon X for Marvel. He currently writes Wolverine, Astonishing Spider-Man & Wolverine, and Punisher Max, all for Marvel. Jason lives in Kansas with his wife and two sons.
Sergio Aragonés (cartoonist, Groo, MAD magazine)
One of MAD magazine’s longest-running cartoonists (Al Jaffee holds the record) and the creator of that popular dim-witted barbarian Groo, Sergio Aragonés recently ventured into the popular world of The Simpsons, becoming a featured writer/artist in Bart Simpson Comics. A new book, MAD’s Greatest Artists: Sergio Aragonés: Five Decades of His Finest Works, celebrates Sergio’s long history with the humor magazine.
Berkeley Breathed (syndicated cartoonist, Bloom County, Opus)
Berkeley Breathed began drawing Bloom County, a political satire, for college newspapers in the early 1980s. Nationwide recognition came to Breathed with his creation of Opus, an insecure penguin who reflected the political conscience of America. When Bloom County ended, Breathed created Outland, which had a successful four-year run, after which Breathed started Opus, which ran until 2008. Bloom County Complete Library is currently being published by IDW.
Mark Evanier (writer, comics historian, Kirby: King of Comics)
Mark Evanier has been writing professionally since 1969, when he apprenticed with the legendary Jack Kirby and also began writing comic book scripts for Disney. Over the years, he has worked on preexisting characters including Superman, Blackhawk, The New Gods, Tarzan, Mickey Mouse, Bugs Bunny, Yogi Bear, and dozens of others. He’s also handled his own co-creations, The DNAgents, Crossfire, Boogeyman, Hollywood Superstars, and The Mighty Magnor, along with collaborating since 1983 with cartoonist Sergio Aragonés on Groo the Wanderer, for which he won a couple of the industry’s coveted Eisner Awards. He is the author of several collections of columns as well as MAD Art, a history of MAD magazine and Kirby: King of Comics, a book about his mentor that won both two prestigious Harvey awards and one more Eisner. He has received three Emmy nominations and an award from the Writers Guild of America for lifetime achievement in animation writing. Mark is currently writing two screenplays for a major studio and writing, producing, and voice-directing the third season of The Garfield Show, which is seen in more than 150 countries.
Adam Hughes (artist, Wonder Woman, Catwoman)
Born on Cinco de Mayo during the Summer of Love, in Riverside, NJ, Adam escaped to Atlanta, Georgia in the early ’90s, when such things were possible. Starting his comics career in 1987, Adam has drawn for DC Comics, Marvel Comics, Dark Horse Comics, Sideshow Collectibles, and many other companies. He has also done work for Lucasfilm, Warner Bros. Pictures, and Joss Whedon’s Mutant Enemy Productions.
Robert Kirkman (writer, The Walking Dead, Haunt)
Robert Kirkman is a New York Times bestselling author who maintains one prerogative in every undertaking: quality. It is Kirkman’s belief that good people who produce good writing and good ideas make comics people love. Kirkman was recently made partner at Image Comics and continues to enliven the industry with refreshing new characters. His bestselling series The Walking Dead has been adapted into a hit TV series by AMC, and his books are among the most popular on the iPhone and iPad’s ”Comics” app. Kirkman recently launched Skybound, an all-new imprint of Image Comics that provides a new generation of comic book creators with the opportunity to publish their original works.
Hope Larson (writer/artist, Mercury, Chiggers)
Hope Larson is the author of four graphic novels, including Mercury and Chiggers. Her short comics have been featured on the op-ed page of the New York Times and in several anthologies, notably Flight and Comic Book Tattoo. She’s currently hard at work on a graphic novel adaptation of Madeline L’Engle’s A Wrinkle in Time, which will be published in fall 2012 by Farrar, Straus and Giroux. Larson has been nominated for cartooning awards in the U.S., Canada, and Europe and is the recipient of a 2006 Ignatz Award and a 2007 Eisner Award.
Paul Levitz (former president and publisher, DC Comics; writer, Legion of Super-Heroes)
Paul Levitz has been a comics fan (The Comic Reader, winner of two Best Fanzine Comic Art Fan Awards), editor (Batman), writer (Legion of Super-Heroes), and executive (38 years at DC, ending as president & publisher). He has received the Inkpot, Clampett Humanitarian, and ComicsPro Industry Appreciation Awards and serves on the board of the Comic Book Legal Defense Fund. His new book, 75 Years of DC Comics: The Art of Modern Mythmaking, has just been published by Taschen, and his recent comics writing appears in Legion of Super-Heroes and Adventure Comics, as well as collected editions.
Jeremy Love (writer/artist, Bayou)
Jeremy Love is an award-winning writer, illustrator, and animator. His critically acclaimed serialized graphic novel Bayou, from DC/Zuda, was nominated for an Eisner Award for Best Digital Comic and won five Glyph Awards. Making his debut over a decade ago, Love has also worked on creator-owned projects for Dark Horse (Fierce, Shadow Rock), on established properties such as G.I. Joe, Batman, and Fraggle Rock, and on various animated projects.
Francis Manapul (artist, The Flash, Superboy)
Francis Manapul is the current artist on The Flash. His previous work for DC Comics included books such as Adventure Comics, Superman/Batman, and The Legion of Super-Heroes. His work has appeared in various publications from the likes of Aspen Comics, Editions Delcourt, Top Cow Productions, and Devils Due, just to name a few. Francis is also a TV presenter on SyFy’s Beast Legends, in which he and a team of scientists and adventurers travel the globe in search of scientific data to create mythical beasts. Francis was born in Manila, Philippines, and currently calls Toronto, Canada his home.
Carla Speed McNeil (writer/artist, Finder)
Writer/artist Carla Speed McNeil is best known for her award-winning science fiction series Finder. McNeil self-published Finder starting in 1996 and continues the series today on the web, where she moved it in 2005. In 2009, Finder won the Eisner Award for Best Webcomic. The series is currently being reissued by Dark Horse Comics in a series of graphic novels. McNeil’s other work includes illustrating a story arc for Greg Rucka’s Queen & Country. In addition to her Eisner Award, McNeil is also the recipient of the Friends of Lulu Kim Yale Award for Best New Talent in 1997 and the Ignatz Award for Promising New Talent in 1998.
Terry Moore (writer/artist, Echo, Strangers in Paradise)
Terry Moore has been writing and drawing critically acclaimed comic books since 1993, beginning with his award-winning classic series Strangers in Paradise. Garnering numerous industry awards and published in 14 languages, Strangers in Paradise remains a fan favorite. Moore’s current ongoing series, Echo, has been widely acclaimed by both fans and professionals. Echo won the Harvey Award for best new series of 2009. Terry has recently enjoyed successful runs writing for Marvel’s Spiderman Loves Mary Jane and Runaways.
Ryan Ottley (artist, Invincible)
Ryan Ottley currently draws Invincible for Image Comics and has done so for the past seven years. Staying completely busy on a monthly book for that length of time doesn’t often allow for other work, but he finds time here and there for the occasional side project. On his list are Superman/Batman Annual #1 for DC and such other Image books as Haunt 1–5 and the one-shots Death Grub and Sea Bear and Grizzly Shark, which doubtfully could ever be topped by another project, so he is considering quitting comics entirely and living off of Grizzly Shark money for the rest of his days. He currently lives in Bountiful, Utah with his wife and son, who would also love the idea of him quitting comics so they could see him once in a while.
Joe Quesada wears many creative hats, as both an acclaimed writer/artist and the editor-in-chief of Marvel Comics. Joe also serves as chief creative officer for Marvel Entertainment. In this role, he is steward of such legendary characters as Spider-Man, X-Men, Incredible Hulk, and the Fantastic Four. Even with an entire publishing company to run, Quesada keeps his creative hand moving. During his tenure, he’s completed Daredevil: Father, a story dedicated to his father, and illustrated Spider-Man: One More Day, changing the popular web-slinging hero forever. He’s recently completed the bookend to One More Day, One Moment in Time.
Frank Quitely (artist, All Star Superman, Batman and Robin)
Frank Quitely spent the first three years of his career in the independently published anthology Electric Soup. He spent a further two years painting sci-fi strips for the popular UK anthology Judge Dredd Megazine. The next five years were mostly spent at DC, producing work for Paradox Press, Vertigo, DCU and WildStorm, including Flex Mentallo, Batman, JLA, and The Authority. After two years on New-X-Men at Marvel, he headed back to Vertigo for the creator-owned mini-series We3, followed by All Star Superman and Batman and Robin. He currently has several creator-owned projects in the pipeline.
Amy Reeder (artist, Madame Xanadu, Batwoman)
Amy Reeder is best known for her work on Vertigo’s Madame Xanadu, and she is currently drawing covers for Supergirl and interiors alongside J. H. Williams for DC Comics’ Batwoman series. Having gotten her start writing and drawing the graphic novel series Fool’s Gold for Tokyopop, Amy’s art is a fusion between Japanese and American comicking sensibilities. Amy was nominated for three Eisner Awards in 2009 for her work on Madame Xanadu: Best New Series, Best Artist, and Best Cover Artist.
Seth (cartoonist/designer, Palookaville, John Stanley Library)
Seth is the cartoonist behind the painfully infrequent comic book series Palookaville, which in 2010 ceased being a pamphlet and became an annual hardcover. His novels, which have been translated into eight languages, include It’s a Good Life If You Don’t Weaken, Wimbledon Green, and the serialized story George Sprott (1894-1975), which appeared in the New York Times Magazine in 25 installments and has been expanded as a standalone book. As a book designer, Seth has worked on a variety of projects, including The Complete Peanuts, The John Stanley Library, and the two-volume series on Canadian master cartoonist Doug Wright. As an illustrator, Seth has produced commercial works for virtually all of the major Canadian and American magazines. His work frequently appears inside and on the cover of the New Yorker. He lives in Guelph, Ontario with his wife and two cats and rarely leaves his basement.
Bill Sienkiewicz (artist, Elektra: Assassin, Stray Toasters)
Boleslav (William) Bill Felix Robert Sienkiewicz (pronounced sin-KEV-itch) is an Eisner-winning, Emmy-nominated artist best known for his innovative redefinition of comic and graphic novel illustration and storytelling from 1980 onward, most notably with Marvel Comic’s Elektra: Assassin and his acclaimed graphic novel Stray Toasters, earning him an international reputation and cult status across media industries. A classically trained painter, Sienkiewicz’s renderings incorporate abstract and expressionist influences and any combination of oil painting, acrylics, watercolor, mixed-media, collage, and even electrical wiring. His work has garnered numerous accolades, most notably a 2004 Eisner Award for DC Comics’ The Sandman: Endless Nights, and 1995 and 1996 Emmy Award nominations for production and character design on the PBS children’s TV series Where In the World Is Carmen Sandiego?
Kevin Smith (writer/director/actor, Chasing Amy; writer, Batman: Widening Gyre)
The popular writer/director of such films as Clerks, Mallrats, Chasing Amy, and Zack and Miri Make a Porno, Kevin Smith is back at WonderCon! In addition to his movie work, Smith has returned to comics with a pair of Batman miniseries: Batman: Cacophony, and Batman: Widening Gyre). Smith’s Q&A sessions always pack them in wherever he appears; look for another rollicking panel at WonderCon!
Len Wein (writer/editor, Fantastic Four, DC Universe Legacies; creator, Swamp Thing, Wolverine)
Best known as the co-creator of Swamp Thing, Human Target, Wolverine, and the New X-Men, Len Wein has been editor-in-chief of Marvel Comics, Disney Comics, and Top Cow Comics and was senior editor at DC Comics. He is noted for long runs writing almost every major character in the business. In TV, Len developed and story-edited the award-winning War Planets: Shadow Raiders, and has scripted more than 60 animated shows, including an Emmy Award for Batman: The Animated Series. In 2008, Len was inducted into the Will Eisner Comic Book Hall of Fame. Len currently writes DC Universe: Legacies, which celebrates DC’s 75th anniversary.
F. Paul Wilson (author, Repairman Jack series)
F. Paul Wilson is the award-winning, New York Times bestselling author of 40-plus books and over 100 short stories spanning horror, adventure, medical thrillers, science fiction, and virtually everything between. More than 9 million copies of his books are in print in the U.S., and his work has been translated into 24 languages. He also has written for the stage, screen, and interactive media. His most recent novels are Ground Zero, Jack: Secret Vengeance, and the latest Repairman Jack thriller, Fatal Error. He currently resides at the Jersey Shore; he can be found on the web at www.repairmanjack.com.
Marv Wolfman (writer/editor, Tomb of Dracula, New Teen Titans)
Marv Wolfman has created more characters that have gone on to television, animation, movies and toys than any other comics creator since Stan Lee. Marv is the writer-creator of Blade, the Vampire Hunter, Bullseye (the prime villain in the 2003 movie Daredevil), and the New Teen Titans, which was a runaway hit show on the Cartoon Network. Marv also writes novels; his adaptation of Superman Returns won the industry’s “Scribe” award. His nonfiction book Homeland, The Illustrated History of The State of Israel won the National Jewish Book Award among others.
Wizard World Atlanta Comic Con today announced its rich, diverse programming schedule, featuring exclusive TV and movie previews and screenings, unique celebrity Q&A’s, movie screenings, game shows, artist schools and more for the event, set for Saturday and Sunday at the Cobb Galleria Centre.
Some of the highlights include:
* Preview of the hot new AMC series “The Walking Dead,” including a Q&A with several of the stars featured in this week’s issue of ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY (Sunday, 2 p.m.) * Exclusive extended nine-minute preview of “It’s A Trap,” the third installment of the “Family Guy Star Wars Saga” video, introduced by Billy Dee Williams, who will also conduct a Q&A panel (Saturday, noon) * Rare Q&A panels with Henry Winkler, Pam Grier and Mimi Rogers, as well as popular Comic Con guests Ernie Hudson, Adam West and Burt Ward * New Trivia Game Show hosted by Coolwaters Productions’ Derek Maki and starring Tom Woodruff Jr., Robert Maillet and Mike Grell (Saturday, 2:30 p.m.) * Screenings of three full feature films: HYSTERICAL PSYCHO, RARE EXPORTS: A CHRISTMAS TALE and THE LAST LOVECRAFT: RELIC OF CTHULHU * Wizard Art School and Q&A’s featuring leading artists like Greg Horn, Bill Sinkiewicz, Ethan Van Sciver, Cully Hamner, Michael Golden and others * The popular adult costume contest and fun kids costume contest with great prizes
Atlanta Comic Con programming will take place in Room 103 and Room 104 of the Cobb Galleria Centre, and is included with admission to the event. Seating for panels is strictly limited and available on a first come first serve basis and each room will be cleared between panels. The full schedule is below:
Saturday
11:00am-12:00pm ROOM 103 Wizard Art School w/ Michael Golden No matter if you are a writer, artist, or a reader of comics, come for this sit down with one of the most renowned storytellers in the business, Michael Golden, as he tells you a few tricks of the trade that will help you no matter what type of story you tell or enjoy in whatever medium. Rare opportunity to talk with the co-creator of Rogue, and groundbreaking penciler on such projects as “Bucky O’Hare,” “The ‘Nam,” “Micronauts,” “G.I. Joe,” and much more. Q & A will follow.
12:00pm-1:30pm ROOM 103 Billy Dee Williams Q&A with Family Guy Exclusive Screening Lando lands at Atlanta Comic Con, as the coolest man in Star Wars history sits down to take fan questions. Following the Q&A, stay around for an exclusive nine-minute look at “It’s a Trap” the “Return of the Jedi” of the “Family Guy Star Wars Saga”—following in the fine tradition of “Blue Harvest” and “Something, Something, something Darkside.” “It’s a Trap” features Peter Solo, Chris Skywalker, Princess Lois, Stewie Vader…and some surprising new faces. Family Guy star Adam West will also be there to introduce this Atlanta Comic Con exclusive. “It’s a Trap,” is available on DVD and Blu-ray December 21st!
12:00pm-1:00pm ROOM 104 Jolly Rogers Artist Panel w/ Tony Harris and Tony Shasteen The Jolly Roger Studio team lands on the Wizard World Tour for a talk about art in the modern age of comics, the digital vs. traditional movement and why the studio system works for them.
1:30pm-2:30pm ROOM 103 Pam Grier Q&A Film and television star, Pam Grier (Smallville, Jackie Brown) leaps into Atlanta Comic Con to answer fan questions about her role as DC Comics’ Amanda Waller and working with Quentin Tarantino.
1:00pm-2:00pm ROOM 104 Superstars of Wrestling w/ Nash and Lita Kevin Nash and Lita pile drive and bodyslam your questions into the mat on a Saturday afternoon.
2:30pm-3:30pm ROOM 103 Coolwaters Productions Game Show Do you know a lot of movie and comic trivia? Want to win some great signed prizes? Join Coolwaters Productions LLC and a panel of celebrity guests for this cool new game show style event. Come watch 4 celebrities team up with various audience members to play fun games and win cool prizes. Sign up at the Coolwaters booth # 212 or line up at 2:00 PM at Panel Room 103 to become a contestant on Atlanta Comic Con’s new game show!
3:30pm-4:00pm ROOM 103 Henry Winkler Q&A The television icon from “Happy Days” and “Arrested Development” looks back on his stellar career and reveals the secret behind the scenes stories from his years on set.
3:00pm-4:00pm ROOM 104 Artist Panel w/ Cully Hamner, Brian Stelfreze, Laura Martin and Carl Story Comic book heavy weights Cully Hamner (Red), Brian Stelfreze (Wednesday Comics), Laura Martin (Astonishing X-Men) and Carl Story (Tom Strong) sit down with fans to discuss their upcoming work, tips for breaking into comics and working in the modern age of comics.
4:00pm-4:45pm ROOM 103 Batman and Robin Q&A The original ’60s Dynamic Duo reteams for this one-of-a-kind Q&A, where Batman and Robin drop their masks and talk about their lady co-stars, the villains they faced and the wild nights after the show!
4:45 p.m. – 4:55 p.m. ROOM 103 “The Rite” trailer screening. After Adam West and Burt Ward stick around for a look at this highly anticipated Anthony Hopkins film.
5:00pm-5:30pm ROOM 103 MLARKY web-based comedy series clips w/ Dan Fogler MLARKY is a web-based comedy series created by and co-starring Dan Fogler that airs on Atom.com. It’s a parody of both cop shows and video games, and much of the talent is Atlanta-based. Come check it out in this exclusive setting.
5:00pm-6:00pm ROOM 104 Artist Q&A w/ Joe Linsner Fan favorite artist Joe Linsner is known for his striking visuals, but in this panel he opens up about his art process, his favorite characters and answers all fans questions.
5:30pm- 7:00pm ROOM 103 Hysterical Psycho Screening w/ Dan Fogler HYSTERICAL PSYCHO is Dan Fogler’s feature directing debut, which premiered at the Tribeca Film Festival in 2009. It is due for DVD release in early 2011, but you can get an early look here.
6:00pm-8:00pm ROOM 104 Adult Costume Contest Get your best costume together and come on down to Wizard’s Atlanta Comic Con’s costume contest for huge prizes and some of the craziest outfits you’ll see this weekend.
7:00pm- 8:30pm ROOM 103 Rare Exports: A Christmas Tale Screening This funny and weird Norwegian fantasy about how Santa Claus is actually an evil demon about to be released from his tomb on Christmas Eve, and only one little boy can stop him. Opening theatrically in NYC/LA on Dec. 3, then due to open in Atlanta in late December, your first look at this project happens at Atlanta Comic Con.
8:30pm-10:30pm ROOM 103 The Last Lovecraft: Relic of Cthulhu Screening SHAUN OF THE DEAD meets H.P. LOVECRAFT, as the last surviving decedent of H.P. Lovecraft learns that all of Lovecraft’s writings were true and that he’s the only person who can save the world. The film premiered at Slamdance in January and has been playing the festival circuit ever since. It is due for a February DVD release from Dark Sky Films, but you can see it here in Atlanta first.
Sunday
11:00am-12:00pm ROOM 103 Shawn Crystal and SCAD Q&A Black and White Design and Composition for comics: Over the last century, stories of all mediums have tapped into the dynamic visual quality of “heavy blacks.” This workshop will focus on how to control the use of black and white shapes to create dynamic compositions, intriguing character designs, dramatic lighting effects, and complex staging. This will be a lecture-based workshop, filled with visual examples from the mediums masters of black and white comics. If you like Sin City, Hellboy, or 100 Bullets, this is the workshop for you! This workshop will be lead by Shawn Crystal, a Marvel Comics artist and Professor of Sequential Art at the Savannah Colllege of Art and Design (Atlanta campus.).
12:00pm-1:00pm ROOM 103 Ernie Hudson Q&A The “Ghostbusters” and “Crow” star shares his memories from the fan favorite films and takes questions about his favorite roles, what happened after the cameras shut down and what’s the deal with the Ghostbuster III flick?
12:00pm-1:00pm ROOM 104 Artist Q&A w/ Bill Sienkiewicz Award-winning artist Bill Sienkiewicz (Batman: The Widening Gyre covers) talks technique in this interactive Q&A panel and demonstration.
1:00pm-2:00pm ROOM 103 Wizard Art School w/ Greg Horn Superstar Marvel and DC artist Greg Horn (Blackest Night covers) leads a discussion on digital art and takes you through his creative process.
1:00pm-2:00pm ROOM 104 Mimi Rogers Q&A The Austin Powers and X-Files star takes fan questions about her memorable roles and talks about her memories from the fan favorite flicks and television series.
2:00pm-3:00pm ROOM 103 Walking Dead Preview w/ Zombies AMC’s ambitious horror series, based on Robert Kirkman’s ultra-hot zombie series from Image, now comes to life from director Frank Darabont! Check out this amazing preview of behind-the-scenes footage and extended clips along with a Q&A with stars of AMC’s show.
2:00pm-3:00pm ROOM 104 Wizard Art School w/ Mike Grell The legendary comic icon joins fans to discuss his unique art style as well as his take on the industry, from breaking in to breaking down a page.
3:00pm-4:00pm ROOM 103 Artist Q&A w/ Ethan Van Sciver The halls are alive with the sound of…”music.” Ethan Van Sciver invites you to spend the hour trapped in a small room discussing cannibalism, Wolverine, deviancy and all manner of filth and disease through the art of song. Not since Liberace has anyone tinkled (its usually tickled…did he want tinkled?) the ivories with such aplomb. Well, Richard Marx was good. But Ethan is good too! Come and see!
4:00pm-5:00pm ROOM 103 Kids Costume Contest Bring any kids 10 and under for this special event with great prizes just for families and the youngsters.
4:00pm-5:00pm ROOM 104 Artist Q&A Panel with Cam Stewart, Humberto Ramos and Koi Turnbull Superstar artists Cam Stewart (Batman & Robin) Humberto Ramos (Spider-Man) and Koi Turnbull (Terror Inc.) sit down for an exclusive Q&A about breaking into comics, conquering that big project, how they create a page and any other questions fans have about the art of comics.
The Cobb Galleria Centre is located at 2 Galleria Parkway in Atlanta. Atlanta Comic Con is the final stop on Wizard’s eight-city 2010 North American tour. Hours are Saturday, Dec. 4, 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.; and Sunday, Dec. 5, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.. Tickets are available in advance or by calling 1-866-882-5860 and online at www.wizardworld.com/atlanta.html at up to a 15% savings over tickets purchased at the door. Advance adult single-day tickets are $25; two-day weekend tickets are $40, 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.
Image Comics is taking the show on the road this weekend, making its way across the country for New York Comic-Con 2010! Come by booth 1647 to pick up your favorite Image trades and exclusive merchandise for THE WALKING DEAD!
Visit Image Comics at booth 1647 to see your favorite Image creators! ROBERT KIRKMAN (Invincible, The Walking Dead, Haunt) and TODD McFARLANE (Spawn, Haunt) head up an all-star lineup that also includes ERIK LARSEN (Savage Dragon), DAVID HINE (The Bulletproof Coffin), JIM ZUBKAVICH (Skullkickers), ANDY KUHN and PHIL HESTER (Firebreather), BRYAN JL GLASS (The Mice Templar), TOMM COKER (Undying Love), and DAVE ELLIOTT (Benaroya Publishing)!
Line up to get autographs from KIRKMAN, McFARLANE, GREG CAPULLO (Spawn, Haunt), BEN McCOOL and BEN TEMPLESMITH (Choker), NICK SPENCER (Morning Glories), TIM SEELEY (Hack/Slash), MACON BLAIR and JOE FLOOD (Hellcity), RUFUS DAYGLO (Tank Girl), KIERON GILLEN and JAMIE McKELVIE (Phonogram), the creative team behind DAOMU, JOSH WAGNER and CAMILLA D'ERRICO (Sky Pirates of Neo Terra), JOE CASEY (Godland, Officer Downe), JOE KELLY (I Kill Giants), DUNCAN ROULEAU (The Great Unknown), STEVEN T. SEAGLE (The Crusades), and more!
Other Image creators attending NYCC include JIM VALENTINO (ShadowHawk), RON MARZ (Firebreather vs. Dragon Prince), RYAN BODENHEIM (Red Mass for Mars), AMANDA CONNER and JIMMY PALMIOTTI (The Pro), WHILCE PORTACIO (Darkness), CHRIS GIARRUSSO (G-Man), RICK REMENDER (Sea of Red), IVAN BRANDON (Viking), GREG HORN (The Art of Greg Horn), JOSH HOWARD (Dead@17), DAVID MACK (Kabuki), JIM MAHFOOD (Stupid Comics), Michael Broussard (Artifacts, The Darkness), and Nelson Blake II (Magdalena)!
PANELS
Friday
4:30-5:30pm, Room 1A14
Image Comics: The Writers
Some of Image Comics' favorite writers get together to describe the writing process for their books, from inception to publication. Join juggernauts Robert Kirkman (The Walking Dead), Nick Spencer (Morning Glories), Ron Marz (Firebreather vs. Dragon Prince), and Steven T. Seagle (The Crusades) for a discussion about writing, followed by Q&A.
Saturday
12:15-1:15pm, Room 1A22
The Image Comics Show
Join Image Comics for exclusive announcements about upcoming projects, updates about ongoing projects, and a Q&A session with some of Image's best creators. Don't miss your chance to find out about what we're up to before anyone else does, get exclusive give-aways, and ask questions of your favorite creators! Panelists include Ron Marz (Firebreather vs. Dragon Prince), Nick Spencer (Morning Glories), Tomm Coker (Undying Love), Joe Kelly (I Kill Giants), Ben McCool (Choker), and James Zhang (Daomu).
Sunday
12:00-1:00pm, Room 1A24
Creating Comics the Image Comics Way
How do Image Creators make the best books in the business? Join us for a roundtable discussion of creator-owned comics, with an insider's perspective on how ownership makes the creative process more fulfilling. Jim Valentino (ShadowHawk), Greg Capullo (Haunt), Marc Guggenheim (Halcyon), Tim Seeley (Hack/Slash), Joe Casey (Officer Downe), and Ben Templesmith (Choker) share their thoughts on publishing with Image Comics.
12:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m. Robert Kirkman (The Walking Dead)*
1:30 p.m. - 2:30 p.m. Greg Capullo
2:15 p.m. - 3:30 p.m. Joe Casey, Joe Kelly, Duncan Rouleau, & Steven T. Seagle
3:30 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. Rufus Dayglo (Tank Girl)
3:30 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. Nick Spencer (Morning Glories)
*Ticketed signings: Tickets are distributed on a first-come, first-serve basis at the beginning of each day.
PARTIES
NYCC Welcome Party, benefiting the CBLDF!
Thursday, 8:00 - 10:00 p.m., Village Pourhouse (366 W. 46th St)
Come support Free Expression, the 2010 LIBERTY ANNUAL, and mingle with the greatest talents in comics at the CBLDF's NYCC Welcome Party, presented by Image Comics and The Beat! We'll have special gifts, copies of the Liberty Annual and special open bar bracelets!
Starting at 8 p.m., this event is free and open to everyone! With a suggested donation of $10 or more, you will receive a special gift bag, full of goodies from Image Comics & CBLDF! In addition to great gifts, an open bar will be available for donations of $30 and $50. Preordering bracelets is strongly encouraged, as we'll have a very small quantity of them at the door. For information on Open Bar bracelets, please visit: http://tinyurl.com/38rgblr.
Start your New York Comic Con off right by celebrating with the CBLDF, Image Comics, and The Beat. The CBLDF's NYCC Welcome Party will feature surprise guest artists from the pages of CBLDF's LIBERTY ANNUAL 2010, as well as a chance to meet comics' best creators, insiders, and fellow fans, in a star-spangled festival of good comics and free speech!
Don't miss Image Comics at New York Comic-Con 2010, October 8-10, at booth 1647!
Image Comics is a comic book and graphic novel publisher founded in 1992 by a collective of best-selling artists. Image has since gone on to become one of the largest comics publishers in the United States. Image currently has five partners: Robert Kirkman, Erik Larsen, Todd McFarlane, Marc Silvestri and Jim Valentino. It consists of five major houses: Todd McFarlane Productions, Top Cow Productions, Shadowline, Skybound and Image Central. Image publishes comics and graphic novels in nearly every genre, sub-genre, and style imaginable. It offers science fiction, romance, horror, crime fiction, historical fiction, humor and more by the finest artists and writers working in the medium today. For more information, visit www.imagecomics.com.
WonderCon, one of the country’s best comics and popular arts conventions, will open its 2011 attendee registration at 9:00 AM PST on Wednesday, December 1 at 
Wizard World Atlanta Comic Con today announced its rich, diverse programming schedule, featuring exclusive TV and movie previews and screenings, unique celebrity Q&A’s, movie screenings, game shows, artist schools and more for the event, set for Saturday and Sunday at the Cobb Galleria Centre.
Image Comics is taking the show on the road this weekend, making its way across the country for 