Top Shelf's Annual $3 Sale Begins Thursday, September 8th

For the next two weeks -- thru Friday September 23th -- Top Shelf is having a giant $3 web sale.

When you visit the site, you'll find 175 graphic novels and comics on sale -- with over 100 titles marked down to just $3 & $1! To help us continue doing what we do, please participate in this sale. With the economy as it’s been, it’s getting harder and harder to keep publishing such quality material. But if enough people participate, we’ll be able to finish paying for this year’s amazing releases, and “kick start” a full rollout for next year. Thanks in advance for your support (as the comics community IS the best community)!

To go directly to the list of items on sale at the Top Shelf website, just click here:
http://www.topshelfcomix.com/specialdeals
http://www.topshelfcomix.com/specialdeals

But here are a few sample sale items:

-- Slashed Prices: League 1910 & 1969, the new Blankets Hardcover, and more!
-- Slashed Prices: Infinite Kung Fu, Any Empire, Lucille, and more!
-- Slashed Prices: The Homeland Directive, Incredible Change-Bots, and more!
-- Slashed Prices: Lost Girls, Chester 5000, From Hell, and more!
-- Slashed Prices: Essex County, Alec, Tricked, Ax, and more!
-- Slashed Prices: Owly, Korgi, Johnny Boo, Dragon Puncher, and more!

-- $3 Titles: The Playwright, Fingerprints, Voice of the Fire, and more!
-- $3 Titles: Dodgem Logic, Super Spy (V2), The Surrogates (V1&V2), and more!
-- $3 Titles: Regards from Serbia, Comic Book Artist, The King, and more!
-- $3 Titles: Will You Still Love Me If I Wet The Bed, Woodsman Pete, and more!
-- $3 Titles: The 120 Days of Simon, Hey Princess, The Troll King, and more!
-- $3 Titles: Pinky & Stinky, Yam, I Am Going To Be Small, and more!

-- $1 Titles: Sulk (Vols 1, 2, & 3), SuperF*ckers #1-#4, and more!
-- $1 Titles: The Surrogates #1-#5, The Sketchbook Diaries #1-#4, and more!
-- $1 Titles: Lower Regions, Feeble Attempts, Conversations #1 & #2, and more!
-- $1 Titles: Comic Diorama, The Man Who Loved Breasts, 24x2, and more!
-- $1 Titles: Tales of the Great Unspoken, Black Ghost Apple Factory, Dang!, and more!
-- $1 Titles: Mephisto & The Empty Box, Hey Mister, Yearbook Stores, and more!

Please note that Top Shelf accepts PayPal (as well as Visa, MasterCard, Amex, and Discover -- all secure), and that this sale is good for retailers as well (and comic book shops will get their wholesale discount on top of these sale prices).

http://www.topshelfcomix.com/specialdeals
http://www.topshelfcomix.com/specialdeals

Tickets for 2011 Harvey Awards Dinner Available

Harvey Awards Dinner Tickets Now on Sale!

BALTIMORE, MARYLAND - August 4, 2011 - On Saturday night, August 20th, the comic book industry, including professionals, retailers, and fans, will gather at the Hyatt Regency Baltimore to honor the 2011 Harvey Award Nominees for 2010 comic work and present the Harveys to their recipients. This is an exciting evening, highlighted by our host Scott Kurtz and a special appearance by Stan Lee!

Harvey Awards tickets are on sale NOW! Tickets to the event, which includes full cocktail hour (cash bar), full service dinner (featuring a Baltimore Crabcake!), awards ceremony, and a gift bag, are now available for $125. Tickets are available at our website via credit card or Paypal at baltimorecomiccon.com/harvey-awards.

The Harvey Awards are one of the comic book industry's oldest and most respected awards. The Harveys recognize outstanding achievements in over 20 categories. They are the only industry awards both nominated by and selected by the full body of comic book professionals.

Additionally, the Hero Initiative will present 2 awards to outstanding members of the comics community!

The Hero Initiative was established to aid comic creators with a financial safety net when in need of emergency medical aid, financial support for essentials of life, and an avenue back into paying work. In the years since its inception, the board has created an award to recognize those individuals in the industry that have dedicated their talent over the lifetime of their careers to the comic book community at-large, achieving the status of Hero. Previous recipients include John Romita, Joe Kubert, Nick Cardy, Neal Adams, and George Perez. Who will be this year's lifetime Hero?

The Dick Giordano Humanitarian of the Year Award will also be presented at the Harvey Awards Banquet. Giordano, who passed away in early 2010, was part of Hero Initiative's Board of Directors. He was also a legendary artist, a guiding force at Charlton Comics and DC Comics for many years, a mentor to his colleagues, and a friend to all who knew him. His legacy epitomizes the caring and commitment Hero Initiative strives to achieve. In his honor, the Dick Giordano Humanitarian of the Year Award will recognize one person in comics each year who has demonstrated the generosity and integrity Dick brought to the charity, and to the comic book community at large.

In the coming week, look for more announcements from the Baltimore Comic-Con. We are looking forward to highlighting our guests, the Harvey Awards, industry exclusives, and programming. The latest developments can always be found at our website (http://www.baltimorecomiccon.com/), Twitter (http://www.twitter.com/baltimorecomics), Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/pages/Baltimore-Comic-Con/165007083536280), and MySpace (http://www.myspace.com/baltimorecomics) pages.

This year's Baltimore Comic-Con will be held August 20-21, 2011. Convention hours are Saturday 10 AM to 6 PM and Sunday 10 AM to 5 PM. The ceremony and banquet for the Harvey Awards will be held Saturday night, August 20th.

Contact Information
Please use the following e-mail addresses to contact the Baltimore Comic-Con:

press@baltimorecomiccon.com - for any general press inquiries or to be added to our PR distribution
promoter@baltimorecomiccon.com - for requesting exhibitor, publisher, and Artist Alley applications
registrar@baltimorecomiccon.com - for inquiries about submitted registrations
harveys@baltimorecomiccon.com - for communications regarding the Harvey Awards ceremony and banquet
general@baltimorecomiccon.com - for general Baltimore Comic-Con inquiries


About The Baltimore Comic-Con
The Baltimore Comic-Con is celebrating its 12th year of bringing the comic book industry to the Baltimore and Washington D.C. area. With a guest list unequaled in the industry, the Baltimore Comic-Con will be held August 20-21, 2010. For more information, please visit www.baltimorecomiccon.com.

About The Harvey Awards
The Harvey Awards are one of the comic book industry's oldest and most respected awards. With a history of over 20 years, the last 6 in conjunction with the Baltimore Comic-Con, the Harveys recognize outstanding achievements in over 20 categories. They are the only industry awards nominated and selected by the full body of comic book professionals. For more information, please visit www.harveyawards.org.

Dark Horse Comics 2011 Comic-Con International Schedule

DARK HORSE ANNOUNCES SAN DIEGO COMIC-CON 2011 SCHEDULE!

SIGNINGS, PANELS, AND GREEN SCREENS, OH MY!

July 13, MILWAUKIE, OR—It’s here! San Diego Comic-Con 2011 is upon us, and Dark Horse Comics is telling you all the goods ahead of time! Plan accordingly!

SIGNINGS
Wednesday, July 20

7:30 p.m.—Preview Night Reveal

Thursday, July 21
11 a.m.— Fábio Moon and Gabriel Bá

11 a.m.—Tara McPherson (The Art of Tara McPherson)

12:30 p.m.—Eric Powell (The Goon)

2 p.m.—Bruce Campbell (My Name Is Bruce) *Ticketed by Lottery

3 p.m.—Morgan Spurlock (Supersized)

3:30 p.m.—Jerry Robinson (Jet Scott)

4:30 p.m.—Jill Thompson (Beasts of Burden)

Friday, July 22
10 a.m.—Stan Sakai (Usagi Yojimbo)

10 a.m.—Rebecca Guay (The Last Dragon)

11 a.m.—Menton3 and Patric Reynolds (The Thing)

11:30 a.m.—Dark Horse Presents Signing: Jim Steranko (Red Tide) and Neal Adams (Blood) *Ticketed by Lottery

12 p.m.—Stephan Martiniere and Michael Heisler (Rage)

1 p.m.—Gerard Way (The Umbrella Academy) *Ticketed by Lottery

3:30 p.m.—Star Wars Signing: Mick Harrison (Dark Times); John Jackson Miller and Michael Heisler (Knight Errant); Scott Allie (Jedi: The Dark Side); Rob Chestney (The Old Republic: Threat of Peace); Alexander Freed (The Old Republic: The Lost Suns); Jeremy Barlow (The Clone Wars)

5 p.m.—Falling Skies Signing: Noah Wyle, Moon Bloodgood, Will Patton, Drew Roy, Colin Cunningham, Sarah Carter, Mark Verheiden *Ticketed by Lottery

Saturday, July 23
10 a.m.—Mac Walters and John Jackson Miller, Michael Heisler (Mass Effect)

11 a.m.—Mike Mignola (Hellboy)

11 a.m.—Stan Sakai (Usagi Yojimbo)

12 p.m.—Whedonverse Signing: Zack Whedon, Andrew Chambliss, Georges Jeanty, Jo Chen *Ticketed by Lottery

12 p.m.—Adam Warren (Empowered)

1 p.m.—Jon Schnepp, Eric Powell, Jeremy Barlow (Dethklok) *Ticketed by Lottery

1 p.m.—Robert E. Howard Signing: Stuart Moore, Paul Sammon, Tomás Giorello

2 p.m.—Conan the Barbarian Signing: Rose McGowan *Ticketed by Lottery

2 p.m.—Dark Horse Presents (Carla Speed McNeil, Sanford Greene, Ricardo Delgado)

3:30 p.m.—Tsuneo Goda (Domo) *Ticketed by Lottery

3:30 p.m.—Mink (Shinjuku)

5 p.m.—Joss Whedon (Buffy the Vampire Slayer) *Ticketed by Lottery

Sunday, July 24
10:30 a.m.—Rob Hughes and Thomas Yeates (The Outlaw Prince)

11 a.m.—Rob Reger and Buzz Parker (Emily the Strange)

12 p.m.—Bryan Konietzko and Michael Dante DiMartino (Avatar: The Last Airbender) *Ticketed by Lottery

12 p.m.—Ethan and Malachai Nicolle (Axe Cop)

1 p.m.—Larry Marder – Beanworld

2:30 p.m.—Doug Sneyd – The Art of Doug Sneyd

3 p.m.—Mike Mignola (Hellboy)

PANELS
Thursday, July 21
12 p.m.–1 p.m. Dark Horse: Fall Publishing Highlights! Room 32AB
Super-secret surprise guests!

5:30 p.m.–6:30 p.m. Creepy and Eerie: Comics That Can Still Scare You! Room 24ABC
Including: Jason Shawn Alexander (Abe Sapien), J. C. Vaughn (Doctor Solar), and Nathan Fox (Haunt)
Special Guests: Ken Kelly (Creepy/Eerie) and Bruce Jones (Checkmate)
Moderated by Dan Braun (Creepy) and Josh Braun (A History of Violence)
Friday, July 22
11 a.m.–12 p.m. Mike Mignola: Worlds at War Room 4
Special Guests: Mike Mignola (Hellboy), Tyler Crook (B.P.R.D.), and Scott Allie (editor)

1 p.m.–2 p.m. Dark Horse Comics: 20 Years of Star Wars Room 7AB
Including: Randy Stradley (editor), Mick Harrison (Dark Times—first public appearance!), Dave Marshall (editor), Scott Allie and Stéphane Roux (Jedi: The Dark Side), John Jackson Miller (Knight Errant), Dave Filoni and the Fillbach brothers (The Clone Wars), Leland Y. Chee (Keeper of the Holocron’s Blog), Timothy Zahn (Choices of One), Shelly Shapiro (Del Rey editor), and more!

2 p.m.–3 p.m. Dark Horse Presents: The Panel Room 25ABC
Including: Mike Richardson (Dark Horse president), Eric Powell (The Goon), Carla Speed McNeil (Finder), Sanford Greene (Deadpool), and many more!

Saturday, July 23
3 p.m.–4 p.m. Dark Horse: Joss Whedon Room: Indigo

4 p.m.–5 p.m. Dark Horse and BioWare: A Comic and Video-Game Partnership
Room 23ABC
Including: Alexander Freed (Star Wars: The Old Republic), Mac Walters (Mass Effect 3), John Jackson Miller (Mass Effect), and Dave Marshall (editor)

GREEN SCREEN
Thursday, July 21
9 a.m.–11 a.m.: Hellboy
11 a.m.–2 p.m.: The Goon
2 p.m.–4 p.m.: Mass Effect
4 p.m.–7 p.m.: Buffy the Vampire Slayer / Angel & Faith

Friday, July 22
9 a.m.–12 p.m.: Star Wars
12 p.m.–3 p.m.: Falling Skies
3 p.m.–7 p.m.: Mass Effect

Saturday, July 23
9 a.m.–11 a.m.: Hellboy
11 a.m.–2 p.m.: Dylan Dog
2 p.m.–5 p.m.: Conan
5 p.m.–7 p.m.: Buffy / Angel & Faith

Sunday, July 24
9 a.m.–11 a.m.: The Goon
11 a.m.–1 p.m.: Star Wars
1 p.m.–3 p.m.: Buffy the Vampire Slayer / Angel & Faith
3 p.m.–5 p.m.: Hellboy

Comic-Con International Dark Horse Panel Friday, July 22

DARK HORSE PRESENTS: THE SDCC 2011 PANEL

THE ONLY PANEL YOU NEED TO SEE!

July 13, MILWAUKIE, OR—At 2 p.m., Friday, July 22, stop by room 25ABC for a powerhouse panel featuring the creative minds behind Dark Horse Presents!

As Dark Horse celebrates its twenty-fifth year of publishing, we are proud to reintroduce the title that started it all: the game-changing anthology Dark Horse Presents. Known for featuring the industry’s top talent and launching some of the most successful titles in comics history, Dark Horse Presents was, is, and will continue to be a highly fertile breeding ground for new characters, concepts, and more!

Join us for a look at what makes this book so important to the comics medium with Dark Horse publisher Mike Richardson, as well as a cast of top talent past and present, including . . .

Jim Steranko (Red Tide)

Eric Powell (The Goon)

Carla Speed McNeil (Finder)

Sanford Greene (Deadpool)

And more!

Attendees can expect a fun and interactive experience, as well as live drawing, Q&A teasers, and more! Also, panel attendees will receive a Dave Gibbons minicomic exclusive to San Diego Comic-Con!

Friday, July 22, at 2 p.m. Room 25ABC. Be there.


About Dark Horse Comics
Since 1986, Dark Horse Comics has proven to be a solid example of how integrity and innovation can help broaden a unique storytelling medium and establish a small, homegrown company as an industry giant. The company is known for the progressive and creator-friendly atmosphere it provides for writers and artists. In addition to publishing comics from top talent like Frank Miller, Mike Mignola, Neil Gaiman, Gerard Way, and comics legend Will Eisner, Dark Horse has developed such successful characters as the Mask, Timecop, and SpyBoy. Additionally, its highly successful line of comics and products based on popular properties includes Star Wars, Indiana Jones, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Aliens, Conan, Emily the Strange, Tim Burton, Trigun, Serenity, and Domo. Today Dark Horse Comics is the largest independent comic-book publisher in the US and is recognized as one of the world’s leading publishers of licensed comics material.

Melody Moore in San Francisco Opera's "Heart of a Soldier"

Tickets are now on sale for the San Francisco Opera's World Premiere production, Heart of a Soldier. This opera, which will honor and commemorate the 10th Anniversary of the tragedy of September 11th, is based on the book by Pulitzer Prize winning journalist James B. Stewart.

The opera will tell the real life story of Rick Rescorla, from his time as a boy in Cornwall, England, through several military conflicts, including the Vietnam War, to his role as Vice President of Security for Morgan Stanley in the South Tower of the World Trade Center.

Soprano Melody Moore will be playing the role of Rick's wife, Susan Rescorla.

Performance dates are this September 10th, 13th, 18th, 21th, 24th, 27th and 30th. Please click on this link www.sfopera.com/offer and enter the code: HOSFAF to receive a 20% friends and family discount (for Ms. Moore) on your ticket purchase.

http://www.melodymooresoprano.com/
 
 

Dark Horse to Give Away Buffy and More at ALA in New Orleans

DARK HORSE TO GIVE AWAY A COMPLETE BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER GRAPHIC-NOVEL LIBRARY AT NEXT WEEK’S ALA CONFERENCE

JUNE 17, MILWAUKIE, OR—This past April at the Texas Library Association event in Austin, Texas, Dark Horse partnered with Graphic Novel Reporter and Brodart to give away a selection of titles to the Weslaco Public Library, facilitated by Diamond Book Distributors. In total, the library received over seven hundred hand-selected titles from fifteen different publishers.

Dark Horse is proud to again take part in a similar giveaway at the American Library Association conference in New Orleans next week. This special giveaway, open to all attending public and school librarians, will include every Buffy the Vampire Slayer graphic novel from Dark Horse’s successful line. The winning library will receive over seven hundred hand-selected graphic novels in total, as well as fixtures and furniture. The prizes, including shelving, spinner racks, and more, will be displayed in the Great Graphic Novel Library Giveaway booth, #1760. The sign-up period will be during ALA exhibit hours on Friday, June 24, through Sunday, June 26.

The entire display, worth over $20,000, will be awarded to the winning library with a drawing that will take place at 9:30 a.m. on Monday, June 27, in booth #1760. The contest is open to public, school, and academic librarians within the continental United States. ALA attendees must register in person at the Great Graphic Novel Library booth during the show. One hundred semifinalists will be notified on Sunday evening and the winner must be present to accept the prize.

All attending librarians are also encouraged to visit Dark Horse in booth #1740, part of the Diamond Book Distributors display, for an exciting look at our fall titles!

Jim Woodring Touring to Support "Congress of the Animals"

Jim Woodring Convenes Congress of the Animals Northwest Book Tour

June 1, 2011 – Seattle, WA. Iconoclastic cartoonist Jim Woodring will be touring the Northwest in June behind the release of his latest masterpiece, Congress of the Animals. Woodring will appear in Minneapolis, Portland, and Seattle to sign books and illuminate the allusions in his second full-length graphic novel.

In Congress of the Animals we are treated to the pitiful spectacle of Woodring’s signature protagonist Frank losing his house, taking a factory job, falling in with bad company, fleeing the results of sabotage, escaping in an amusement park ride, surviving a catastrophe at sea, traveling across hostile terrain toward a massive temple seemingly built in his image, being treated roughly by gut-faced men and intervening in an age-old battle in a meadow slathered in black and yellow blood. We trust the artist’s book tour will be more sedate.

Woodring’s journey begins at midnight on Saturday, June 5 at the Walker Art Center in Minneapolis, MN. Woodring will demonstrate his giant pen, discuss his work, and sign books as part of the unorthodox “Nightshift” festival of art. The tour continues on Friday, June 10 with a book signing at the illustrious Powell’s City of Books in Portland, OR at 7:30 PM. Woodring returns to Seattle on Saturday, June 11 where he will appear at 1:00 PM at Fantagraphics Bookstore & Gallery as part of the amazing Georgetown Carnival. He concludes the Northwest leg of his tour with a signing at Elliott Bay Book Company on Capitol Hill in Seattle on Thursday, June 30 at 7:00 PM.

Don’t miss an opportunity to meet America’s most visionary cartoonist. Look for more public appearances by this remarkable artist as the summer progresses.

Free Comic Book Day is Saturday May 7th

National Free Comic Book Day Hits Saturday, May 7th; Celebrating Ten Years of Giving Away Free Comics to Customers!

NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--On May 7th, over two thousand comic book shops across North America and around the world will share the magic of comic books with their communities when they give out over 2.7 million comic books—free of charge—during Free Comic Book Day, which marks its tenth anniversary this year.

There’s literally a free comic book available for everyone’s taste: from Spider-Man, Green Lantern, and Avatar: The Last Airbender to Kung Fu Panda, Archie Comics, and Star Wars…there’s even a comic book on Discovery Channel’s Deadliest Sharks.

Comic book heavyweights Dark Horse Comics, DC Comics, IDW Publishing, Image Comics, and Marvel Comics are among the many publishers creating these special titles for Free Comic Book Day 2011, which is celebrating its tenth anniversary in 2011. The free books appeal to a broad range of tastes, from exciting super-hero adventures to cool kid’s comics and even cutting-edge graphic fiction for adults.

“With Free Comic Book Day celebrating its tenth anniversary in 2011, I think it's fitting that this is one of the strongest line-ups of comics the event has ever enjoyed," said FCBD spokesperson Leslie Jackson. “There are thirty-seven very different comics to choose from, and that will hopefully mean customers of all ages will walk away from a comic shop on May 7 with a free comic they can't wait to read.”

Along with free reading material, comic book shops will feature events during the day including creator signings, appearances of favorite super-hero or comic book characters and special sales.

Customers can check out the full list of available titles on the Free Comic Book Day website, http://www.freecomicbookday.com/, and use the FCBD Store Locator to find a participating comic book shop in their area.

Look for more FCBD news and updates on the FCBD website, http://www.freecomicbookday.com/; become a fan at Facebook (www.facebook.com/freecomicbook); and follow us on Twitter: www.Twitter.com/freecomicbook.


ABOUT FREE COMIC BOOK DAY— Celebrating its tenth year, Free Comic Book Day is an annual event where participating comic book specialty shops across North America and around the world give away comic books absolutely free to anyone who comes into their shops. The event is held the first Saturday in May and is the perfect opportunity to introduce friends and family to the many worlds of wonder available at local comic book shops. From super-heroes to slice of life to action/adventure and beyond, Free Comic Book Day has a comic book for everyone!

"Black Dynamite" the Movie Screens to Promote Black Dynamite Comic Book

The Crest: Black Dynamite Screening

ASR Innertainment to host film screening of Black Dynamite to promote Black Dynamite Comic Book from Ape Entertainment

April 13, 2011: Released in 2009, Black Dynamite quickly became a cult smash and received a comic book treatment from Ars Nova and Ape Entertainment. Black Dynamite: Slave Island, everyone’s favorite Blaxploitation sensation will appear in a one-shot, bringing his Kung-Fu fighting skills in this sequential page as he shuts down the mysterious island where Black slavery still exists.

“Fans of the film will feel right at home with the comic,” states Ape Entertainment founder and co-publisher Brent E. Erwin. “It has all of the elements that made the movie a cultural phenomenon, and Black Dynamite himself is still as much of a bad dude on the page as he is on the screen.”

Black Dynamite was directed by Scott Sanders and premiered at the Sundance Film Festival in 2009. The film stars Michael Jai White as Black Dynamite, a Kung-Fu fighting, gun blasting ladies’ man willing to fight from the ghetto streets all the way to the White House in his efforts to take down “The Man”.

“Although written for film, Black Dynamite was always meant to move beyond the camera,” continues Sanders. “As a medium, comic books seemed like such a logical step in Black Dynamite’s development as a character, and what better way to start then having him bring down the infamous Slave Island.”

Black Dynamite: Slave Island is based on a story by Michael Jai White, Myron Minns and Scott Sanders. Written by Brian Ash with pencils by Jun Lofamia, the 48-page on shot hit stores in February 2011.

As part of ASR Innertainment’s The Crest: Movie Series, the company will be holding two screenings of Black Dynamite. The first screening will be at the Crossroads Theater 2590 Washington Street Denver, CO. on Friday, April 15, 2011, from 6:00pm to 11:00pm, film starting at 7:45pm sharp. A reception will precede the first screening with food and beverages, with sounds provided by DJ Cavem (http://www.djcavem.com/).

The second screening with be next door at Coffee at The Point 710 East 26th Avenue, from 10:00pm to 2:00am for a midnight screening of Black Dynamite. Sounds will be provided by The Girl Grabbers (www.facebook.com/girlgrabbers) from 10:30pm to 11:30pm. A closing reception will follow the second screening with food, beverages and promotional materials, including limited copies of the limited edition comic book, Black Dynamite: Slave Island, as well as Black Dynamite merchandise for purchase at booth screenings.

For More Information on ASR Innertainment, visit http://www.facebook.com/pages/ASR-Innertainment/132894606761823?sk=wall

For More Information on Black Dynamite, visit http://www.blackdynamite.com/.

For More Information on Ape Entertainment, visit http://www.ape-entertainment/

For More Information on Ars Nova, visit http://www.arsnovaent.com/

Jacques Tardi Retrospective at Fantagraphics Bookstore March 12 2011

Master French cartoonist Jacques Tardi featured at Fantagraphics Bookstore & Gallery on Saturday, March 12.

 

The work of French cartoonist Jacques Tardi was introduced to American audiences more than three decades ago. His work was championed by Art Spiegelman and Francoise Mouly, who included him in their prestigious RAW anthology in the early 1980s. For the remainder of the century, several North American publishers endeavored to draw attention to Tardi. Yet with the exception of the alternative comics cognoscenti, his work remained marginalized in the United States. Only with the persistence of Seattle-based Fantagraphics Books – who have published no fewer than five Tardi titles in the past 2 years – has this acknowledged genius found a substantial American following.

“Better Tardi Than Never: How France's Greatest Living Cartoonist Took a Mere 32 Years to Break Through to American Audiences” examines the life’s work of Jacques Tardi. Organized by Fantagraphics Books co-publisher, editor, and Tardi translator Kim Thompson, the exhibition includes pages from the artist’s earliest English translations dating back to 1977. Thompson began translating Tardi in 1983 with an excerpt from It Was the War of the Trenches in RAW #5. He has been a tireless advocate of this extraordinary artist, translating and publishing his work in several anthologies until American readers finally caught on. The exhibition will include examples of each Tardi translation to reach American soil, along with a narrative explaining the context.

The opening reception on Saturday, March 12 will feature a slide lecture by the show’s curator Kim Thompson at 6:30 PM. “You Don’t Know Jacques. Tardi: 20 Books in 20 Minutes” examines the cartoonist’s career in France. The event will also feature the world premiere of Fantagraphics' fifth Tardi book, the epic “icepunk” tale The Artic Marauder.

The opening on March 12 from 6:00 to 9:00 PM coincides with the colorful Georgetown Second Saturday Art Attack featuring visual and performing arts presentations throughout the historic neighborhood. For more information and a map of participants see: www.geogetownartattack.com.

Listing information:
BETTER TARDI THAN NEVER
How France's greatest living cartoonist took a mere 32 years to break through to American audiences.
Curated by Kim Thompson
Opening Saturday, March 12, 6:00 – 9:00 PM

YOU DON'T KNOW JACQUES
Tardi: 20 books in 20 minutes
A slide presentation by Fantagraphics co-publisher, editor and translator Kim Thompson at 6:30 PM on March 12.
http://www.fantagraphics.com/news/bettertardi

Fantagraphics Bookstore & Gallery
1201 S. Vale St. (at Airport Way S.)
Seattle, WA 98108 206.658.0110
Open daily 11:30 – 8:00 PM, Sundays until 5:00 PM
http://www.fantagraphics.com/

Fantagraphics to F'Up Emerald City Comic-Con

Fantagraphics FUC_S UP Emerald City Comic-Con!

Seattle's own alternative comics pioneers Fantagraphics are bringing their award-winning wares to the 9th Annual Emerald City Comic-Con, March 4th - 6th, 2011 at the Washington State Convention Center. Tickets for the Emerald City Comic-Con are available at the Fantagraphics Bookstore & Gallery in Georgetown.

Visit our table at space #808 and check out new titles, such as Twilight of the Assholes: Cartoons & Essays 2005-2009, FUC_ __U, _SS __LE: Blecky Yuckerella Vol. 4, The Strange Case of Edward Gorey, King of the Flies Vol. 2: The Origin of the World, Stigmata, Unexplored Worlds: The Steve Ditko Archives Vol. 2, Usagi Yojimbo: The Special Edition, Special Exits, Little Maakies on the Prairie, Prince Valiant, Vol. 3 and Popeye, Vol. 5.

Special guests include:

Peter Bagge, the funniest cartoonist of his generation. Bagge is probably best known for the 1990s comic book series Hate, which followed the exploits of the slacker ne'er-do-well Buddy Bradley. Bagge will be signing copies of the latest Hate Annual #8, and additional works, such as Everybody Is Stupid Except for Me and Other Astute Observations, on Saturday, March 5th from 10:00 am to Noon.

Jacques Boyreau, editor and cultural historian of the book Portable Grindhouse: The Lost Art of the VHS Box, a celebration of some of the most louche, decadent, minimo-pervo artwork to ever grace a VHS box. Boyreau will be signing, and showing footage from Portable Grindhouse films, at our table on Friday, March 4th from 4:00 to 6:00 pm.

Megan Kelso, Ignatz Award-winning artist who has returned to Seattle after a period in New York, where she published a weekly comic strip in The New York Times magazine. Kelso will be signing copies of her acclaimed novel Artichoke Tales, and other titles, on Sunday, March 6th from 2:00 to 4:00 pm.

Emerald City Comic-Con
March 4th - 6th, 2011
Washington State Convention Center
http://www.emeraldcitycomicon.com/
Friday: 2:00pm - 8:00pm
Saturday: 10:00am - 7:00pm
Sunday: 10:00am – 5:00pm

• http://www.fantagraphics.com/
• http://www.fantagraphics.com/peterbagge
• http://www.fantagraphics.com/megankelso
• http://www.fantagraphics.com/portablegrindhouse

"Con Artists" Kicks out the Jam at Emarld City Comic-Con

Fantagraphics & Top Shelf Presents: Con Artists, the Emerald City Comic-Con After-Party

 

Fantagraphics Books Inc. teams up with fellow indie-comic publishers Top Shelf Productions for an Emerald City Comic-Con after-party on Saturday, March 5th at the Jewel Box Theater at the Rendezvous.

Performers include:
Can You Imagine?: featuring Peter Bagge, and legendary local producer/musician Steve Fisk

The Rheas: fronted by Eric Reynolds, Associate Publisher at Fantagraphics

Matthew Southworth: frontman for The Capillaries, and co-creator of the comic Stumptown

DJ'ing between sets will be DJ Janice, aka Janice Headley, Events Coordinator for Fantagraphics (and Programming Assistant at Seattle radio station KEXP).

Con Artists: Emerald City Comic-Con Afterparty
Sponsored by Fantagraphics Books & Top Shelf Productions
Saturday, March 5th, 2011 at 9:00 pm
Jewel Box Theater at The Rendezvous
2322 2nd Avenue in Belltown
Admission $5 (General Public)
FREE with Emerald City Comic-Con badge
21 and over with ID

Emerald City Comic-Con
March 4th - 6th, 2011
Washington State Convention Center
http://www.emeraldcitycomicon.com/
Friday: 2:00pm - 8:00pm
Saturday: 10:00am - 7:00pm
Sunday: 10:00am – 5:00pm

• http://www.fantagraphics.com/
• http://www.fantagraphics.com/peterbagge
• http://www.fantagraphics.com/megankelso
• http://www.fantagraphics.com/portablegrindhouse

Monte Schulz Tours in Support of "The Last Rose of Summer"

MONTE SCHULZ TOURS WEST COAST IN MARCH TO PROMOTE THE RELEASE OF THE NEW NOVEL, THE LAST ROSE OF SUMMER

Last Rose Of Summer

By: Monty Schultz
Release Date: March 15, 2011
Price: $29.99 • ISBN: 978-1606994016

SEATTLE, WA, FEB. 2, 2011 --- This March, Fantagraphics Books will publish The Last Rose of Summer, a novel by Monte Schulz. To support the release, the author will tour several cities on the West Coast in late-February and March:

Sat., Feb. 26, 4PM • Tecolote Book Shop, Santa Barbara, CA
Tues., March 1, 7:30PM • Warwick’s Books, La Jolla, CA
Thurs., March 3, 6:30PM • Bay Books, Coronado, CA
Fri., March 4, 6PM • Latitude 33 Bookshop, Laguna Beach, CA
Sun., March 6, 5PM • Skylight Books, Los Angeles, CA
Sat., March 19, 4PM • Fantagraphics Bookstore & Gallery, Seattle, WA
Wed., March 23, 7PM • Tsunami Books, Eugene, OR
Sat., March 26, 1PM • The Book Seller, Grass Valley, CA

"Beautifully written and thoroughly researched, a veritable time-machine that whirled me through time to the dirty back roads of the American midwest in the year before the Depression. … Did I mention how good the writing is? The writing is excellent… a masterpiece of setting and storytelling…" – Cory Doctorow, BOINGBOING

With the Great Depression looming and about to define America’s next decade, three strong-minded women related by marriage form an uneasy household in the summer of 1929. Forced by her husband Harry to uproot their two small children from Illinois and take up residence in East Texas, Marie Hennesey struggles to find a place not only within her mother-in-law’s home but in a Southern town whose troubling unfamiliarities compound her marital woes and homesickness.

Maude Hennesey has little patience for Marie and her children, and even less for her own pretty but petulant daughter, Rachel, who fights and flirts with a dashing pilot from New Orleans. Colliding issues of faith and sexual mores, racial proprieties and class distinctions, fuel a constant bickering through the narrow corridors of the house, all three women heedless of the love that has brought them together. Maude seems cold and distant except toward the ladies of her club; Rachel’s affection for her doting aviator rises and falls capriciously; and Marie seeks to understand an absent husband, while deciding how to receive her employer’s slow seduction.

As summer wears on, the conflicts among these women are exacerbated by a child murder that sends shockwaves of fear and mistrust throughout the community, particularly between the town’s white residents and a black shantytown across the river. An ever-increasing sense of dread culminates in the arrival of a terrible storm whose aftermath reveals poignant and unexpected truths about these three women living at a time when America was poised on the brink of economic catastrophe.

In The Last Rose of Summer, Monte Schulz has created a story about three women and their interior and exterior lives, each of whom symbolize quintessential American notions of family, love and community. In so doing, he reminds us all where we come from and how we got here. With an elegiac voice that evokes an era in its final bloom, and a thoughtful rendering of the public and private contentions that ruled the day, The Last Rose of Summer becomes an instant American classic.

Monte Schulz published his first novel, Down By The River, in 1990, and spent the next twelve years writing a tapestry of the Jazz Age, of which The Last Rose of Summer and 2009’s This Side of Jordan are two of three parts. He received his M.A. in American Studies from the University of California at Santa Barbara, where he continues to reside. He is the eldest son of Charles M. Schulz (Peanuts).

For more information or to arrange an interview with Monte Schulz, contact Eric Reynolds, Associate Publisher, Fantagraphics Books: 206.524.1967 x218 or reynolds@fantagraphics.com.


SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 4PM
Tecolote Book Shop
1470 E Valley Rd.
Santa Barbara, CA 93108
805.969.4977

TUESDAY, MARCH 1, 7:30PM
Warwick’s
7812 Girard Ave.
La Jolla, CA 92037
858.454.0347
http://www.warwicks.com/

THURSDAY, MARCH 3, 6:30PM
Bay Books
1029 Orange Ave.
Coronado, CA 92118-3405
619.435.0070
http://www.baybookscoronado.com/

FRIDAY, MARCH 4, 6:00PM
Latitude 33 Bookshop
311 Ocean Ave.
Laguna Beach, CA 92651
949.494.5403
http://www.latitude33bookshop.com/

SUNDAY, MARCH 6, 5PM
Skylight Books
1818 N. Vermont Ave.
Los Angeles, CA 90027
323.660.1175
http://www.skylightbooks.com/

SATURDAY, MARCH 19, 4PM
Fantagraphics Bookstore & Gallery
1201 S. Vale St. (at Airport Way S.)
Seattle, WA 98108
206.658.0110
http://www.fantagraphics.com/

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 23, 7PM
Tsunami Books
2585 Willamette Street
Eugene, OR 97405
541.345.8986
http://www.myspace.com/tsunamibooks

SATURDAY, MARCH 26, 1PM
The Book Seller
107 Mill St.
Grass Valley, CA 95945
530.272.2131
http://www.grassvalleybooks.com/

------------------------------

 

Aaron Renier and Jason Shiga at Fantagraphics Bookstore This Evening

Aaron Renier and Jason Shiga to appear at Fantagraphics Bookstore & Gallery on Wednesday, February 23.

February 15, 2010 – SEATTLE, WA. Fantagraphics Bookstore is pleased to present Aaron Renier in conversation with Jason Shiga on Wednesday, February 23 at 6:30 PM. Renier will discuss his new graphic novel, The Unsinkable Walker Bean, on the acclaimed First Second imprint. His previous book, Spiral Bound (Top Shelf, 2005), was widely heralded as a book that appealed to sophisticated readers of all ages.

Oakland artist Jason Shiga’s award-winning books also attract an all ages readership. In addition to self-published comics, his work has appeared in McSweeney’s Quarterly. Shiga’s next effort, Empire State, is due later this year from Abrams Comicarts. A limited number of uncorrected proofs of this new graphic novel will be distributed free of charge.

Renier will give a slide presentation followed by a discussion with Shiga on their unique approach to creating comics. A book signing and reception will follow. Admission is free and open to the public.

This event marks the first in a series of “Comix Talks” at Fantagraphics Bookstore featuring discussions with writers, artists, and editors of diverse comics from the Northwest and beyond.

For more information of this event, please visit the event page on the Fantagraphics website.

Listing Information:
Fantagraphics Bookstore presents the first in a series of “Comix Talks”
Aaron Renier in conversation with Jason Shiga
Wednesday, February 23, 6:30 PM

Fantagraphics Bookstore & Gallery
1201 S. Vale St. (at Airport Way S.)
Seattle, WA 98108 206.658.0110
Open daily 11:30 – 8:00 PM, Sundays until 5:00 PM
http://www.fantagraphics.com/

Fantagraphics Bookstore and Bureau of Drawers Present "Lovesick"

Fantagraphics Bookstore & Gallery, in association with the Bureau of Drawers, hosts “LOVESICK” Comix Exhibition Opening February 12.

Aaron Renier and Jason Shiga appear on Wednesday, February 23.

Fantagraphics Bookstore & Gallery loves local comix! Saturday, February 12 features the opening of “Lovesick,” an exhibition of emerging and established artists from the Bureau of Drawers cartoonist collective. The show includes original art, handmade books and prints by 16 Seattle comix artists and illustrators. Exhibiting artists will be present for a festive reception at Fantagraphics Bookstore on Saturday, February 12 from 6:00 to 9:00 PM – just in time for Valentine’s.

The Bureau of Drawers formed in 2010 as an alliance of independent local alternative cartoonists. They meet weekly for an informal salon at Café Racer in Ravenna and have participated in high profile events at the Seattle Art Museum, Bumbershoot, and Urban Light Studios. The group includes accomplished cartoonists like David Lasky, Tom Dougherty and Scott Faulkner as well as promising young talent like Nikki Burch and Marc Palm. Other participating artists include Breanne Boland, Billis Helg, Tyler Hill, Calamity Jon Morris, Sean Robinson, Mark Stockbridge, Ed Trumbule, Adam Watson, Dalton Webb, and Stevie VanBronkhorst Expect an eclectic mix of topical works on the loose theme of unrequited love.

This event coincides with the 3rd anniversary edition of the colorful Georgetown Second Saturday Art Attack featuring adventurous – and amorous – visual and performing arts events throughout the historic neighborhood. For more information and a participant map visit: www.georgetownartattack.com. Fantagraphics Bookstore & Gallery is located at 1201 S. Vale St. (at Airport Way S.) just minutes south of downtown Seattle. Open daily 11:30 to 8:00 PM, Sundays until 5:00 PM. Phone 206.658.0110.

On Wednesday, February 23 at 6:30 PM, Fantagraphics Bookstore is pleased to present Aaron Renier in conversation with Jason Shiga. Renier will present his new graphic novel, The Unsinkable Walker Bean, on the acclaimed First Second imprint. Renier’s previous book, Spiral Bound (Top Shelf, 2005), was widely heralded as a book that appealed to sophisticated readers of all ages. Jason Shiga’s award-winning books also attract an all ages readership. In addition to self-published comics, his work has appeared in McSweeney’s Quarterly. His next effort, Empire State, is due later this year from Abrams. Renier and Shiga will discuss their unique approach to creating comics, followed by a signing and reception. This event marks the first in a series of “Comics Talks” at Fantagraphics Bookstore featuring discussions with writers, artists, and editors of diverse comics from the Northwest and beyond.

Listing Information:
Fantagraphics Bookstore & Gallery and Bureau of Drawers Present

LOVESICK
Illustration and comix art by: Breanne Boland, Nikki Burch, Tom Dougherty, Scott Faulkner, Billis Helg, Tyler Hill, David Lasky, Calamity Jon Morris, Marc Palm, Sean Robinson, Mark Stockbridge, Ed Trumbule, Adam Watson, Dalton Webb, Stevie VanBronkhorst

Opening reception Saturday, February 12, 6:00 - 9:00 PM

Exhibition continues through March 9, 2011

Fantagraphics Book Club Presents the first in a series of “Comix Talks”

Aaron Renier in conversation with Jason Shiga

Wednesday, February 23, 6:30 PM

Fantagraphics Bookstore & Gallery
1201 S. Vale St. (at Airport Way S.)
Seattle, WA 98108 206.658.0110
Open daily 11:30 – 8:00 PM, Sundays until 5:00 PM
http://www.fantagraphics.com/

Wizard World New Orleans Programming Schedule

James Marsters Concert, “Buffyfest,” Billy Dee Williams, “Batman” Panels, Lou Gossett Jr. Spotlight, Live Art Show/After Party Highlight New Orleans Comic Con Programming

Julie Benz, Ray Park, “Walking Dead” Q&A's, Artist Schools Also On Tap This Weekend

NEW ORLEANS, January 19, 2011 – Wizard World New Orleans Comic Con today announced its diverse programming schedule, featuring a James Marsters concert, unique celebrity Q&A's, artist schools, costume contests and more for the event, set for Saturday and Sunday at the New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center.

Some of the highlights include:

A live concert featuring singer-songwriter-actor James Marsters

“Wizard Spotlight” with legendary actor Louis Gossett Jr.

Rare Q&A panels with Marsters, Julie Benz and Ray Park, as well as popular Comic Con guests Billy Dee Williams, Walter Koenig, Adam West and Burt Ward

Two “Buffy: The Vampire Slayer” panels, featuring twins Nicholas Brendon and Kelly Donovon, and Clare Kramer and James Charles Leary

‘Walking Dead’ Q&A with stars Chandler Riggs, Keisha Tillis and Adrian Kali Turner

Wizard Art School and Q&A's featuring leading artists like David Mack, Bill Sinkiewicz, Cameron Stewart, Kevin Maguire, Yanick Paquette, Phil Jimenez and others

Wizard World New Orleans Comic Con Live Art Show and After Party with Kody Chamberlain and Rob Guillory at Hey! Cafe (4332 Magazine St.)

The popular adult costume contest and fun kids costume contest with great prizes

Standard New Orleans Comic Con programming will take place in Room A and Room B at Hall H of the Morial Convention Center. All programming is included with admission to the event, with the exception of the James Marsters Concert, which requires an additional ticket. 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

11:00 a.m. - 11:45 a.m.
WHO WANTS TO BE ON A REALITY SHOW? W/ JARRETT CRIPPEN ‘THE DEFUSER’
Have you ever wanted to be on a reality show? Are you curious as to what the producers are looking for? Come get inside tips about reality shows and what it takes to win from the winner of Stan Lee’s “Who Wants to be a Superhero?” Season II. The Defuser (Jarrett Crippen) will talk about and answer questions regarding the audition process, competition, living conditions and other topics related to his show and reality shows in general. (Room B)

12:00 p.m. - 12:45 p.m.
JAMES MARSTERS Q&A
Best known for his role as Spike, the platinum blonde vampire on hit shows “Buffy the Vampire Slayer” and “Angel,” James Marsters answers questions about everything from his evolution from acting to music and back, and the projects he plans to conquer in the next few years. (Room A)

WIZARD ART SCHOOL W/ DAVID MACK AND BILL SIENKIEWICZ
Legendary artists and long-time friends David Mack (Kabuki) and Bill Sienkiewicz (Batman: The Widening Gyre covers) unite for this insider look at their art processes, and give advice and their personal dos and don’ts of the trade to new creators interested in sequential storytelling. (Room B)

1:00 p.m. - 1:45 p.m.
BILLY DEE WILLIAMS Q&A
Lando lands at New Orleans Comic Con, as the coolest man in Star Wars history sits down to take fan questions. (Room A)

THE ART OF ‘CHEW’ AND ‘SWEETS’
Indie art sensations Kody Chamberlain (Sweets) and Rob Guillory (Chew) join the Wizard World Comic Con Tour and discuss their breakout Image hits. (Room B)

2:00 p.m. - 2:45 p.m.
BUFFYFEST Q&A W/ NICHOLAS BRENDON AND KELLY DONOVAN
Buffy’s “Xander Harris” sits down with his sinister twin brother to take fan questions about life during and after the pop culture phenomenon. (Room A)

WIZARD ART SCHOOL W/ CAMERON STEWART, KEVIN MAGUIRE AND YANICK PAQUETTE
Three of comics most renowned storytellers—Cameron Stewart (Batman & Robin), Kevin Maguire (Justice League International) and Yanick Paquette (Batman, Inc.)—discuss art, storytelling and working with collaborators in the digital age. (Room B)

3:00 p.m. - 3:45 p.m.
BUFFYFEST Q&A W/ CLARE KRAMER AND JAMES CHARLES LEARY
Join “Buffy” stars Clare Kramer (Glory) and James Charles Leary (Clem) as the duo discuss the behind the scenes shenanigans and fun of shooting one of pop culture’s biggest hits. (Room A)

VICTOR GISCHLER Q&A
Famed novelist (Go-Go Girls of the Apocalypse) and comic book scribe Victor Gischler (X-Men: Curse of the Mutants) talks about his recent runs on X-Men and Deadpool as well as his novel background and his rise in comics. (Room B)

4:00 p.m. - 4:45 p.m.
BATMAN AND ROBIN Q&A W/ ADAM WEST AND BURT WARD
The original ’60s “Dynamic Duo” re-teams 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! (Room A)

SUPERSTARS OF WRESTLING
W/ KEVIN NASH
Professional grappler Kevin Nash pile drives and body slams your questions into the mat! (Room B)

5:00 p.m. - 5:45 p.m.
AARON DOUGLAS Q&A
Best known for his role on “Battlestar Galactica” as Chief Galen Tyrol, Aaron Douglas can now be seen on “Hellcats” on The CW, and here he answers all your questions during this exclusive Wizard World New Orleans Comic Con session. (Room A)

THE SOUND OF MUSICAL INTERLUDE W/ ETHAN VAN SCIVER
The halls are alive with the sound of…“music.” Ethan Van Sciver (Flash: Rebirth) 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 tickled the ivories with such aplomb. Well, Richard Marx was good. But Ethan is good, too! Come and see! (Room 3)

6:00 p.m. - 6:30 p.m.
KIDS’ COSTUME CONTEST
Bring any kids 10 and under for this special event with great prizes just for families and the youngsters. (Room A)

6:30 p.m.-8:30 p.m.
ADULT COSTUME CONTEST
Get your best costume together and come on down to the Wizard World New Orleans Comic Con costume contest for huge prizes and some of the craziest outfits you’ll see this weekend. (Room A)

9:00 p.m. -10:00 p.m.
JAMES MARSTERS CONCERT
After enjoying sell-out crowds across the nation, singer/songwriter James Marsters performs a rare and intimate concert up close and personal with Wizard World fans. NOTE: ADDITIONAL TICKET REQUIRED. (Room A)

9:00 p.m.
THE WIZARD WORLD NEW ORLEANS COMIC CON LIVE ART SHOW AND AFTER PARTY W/ KODY CHAMBERLAIN AND ROB GUILLORY
Music by DJ Rüs with Jeff Hebert on drums Join us for this special after-hours event hosted by Kody Chamberlain (Sweets, 30 Days of Night) and Rob Guillory (Chew), and watch some of your favorite comic artists create original work from start to finish right before your eyes. This is a rare opportunity to hang out, network, and get to know some of the top artists in the business. Who knows, you may even get to own an original masterpiece! This is a free event; must be 18 to enter.
LOCATION: Hey! Café, 4332 Magazine St. (Corner of Magazine & Napoleon Ave.)

Sunday
11:00 a.m. - 11:45 a.m.
JULIE BENZ Q&A
The star of hit shows like “Buffy the Vampire Slayer,” “Dexter” and “No Ordinary Family,” Julie Benz talks to fans about her extensive career, ups and downs in the industry and her thoughts on the new generation of sci-fi and fantasy on television. (Room A)

TERRY MOORE Q&A
The Strangers in Paradise and Echo creator takes fan questions on his plethora of critically acclaimed and fan-favorite comics as well as talks about his upcoming plans. (Room B)

12:00 p.m. - 12:45 p.m.
CLAUDIA CHRISTIAN Q&A PANEL W/ ‘LOOK’ PREVIEW
“Babylon 5” beauty Claudia Christian shares the secrets to her multi-faceted success, and previews a sneak peek of her new Showtime series “Look.” (Room A)

WIZARD ART SCHOOL W/ PHIL JIMENEZ AND JASON PEARSON
Superstar artists Phil Jimenez (Adventure Comics) and Jason Pearson (upcoming Astonishing X-Men) assemble to give out their tips on refining your art, pitching to Marvel and DC, and any other sound advice they can think of about working in comics (Room B)

1:00 p.m. - 1:45 p.m.
RAY PARK Q&A
The “X-Men” and “Star Wars: Episode I—The Phantom Menace” star engages fans in this one-of-a-kind Q&A, where he discusses his extensive film biography and his evolution to genre icon. (Room A)

STORYTELLING W/ MICHAEL GOLDEN
No matter if you’re 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. It’s a rare opportunity to talk with the co-creator of X-Men’s Rogue, and groundbreaking penciler on such projects as Bucky O’Hare, The ‘Nam, Micronauts, G.I. Joe, and much more. (Room B)

2:00 p.m. - 2:30 p.m.
WIZARD SPOTLIGHT: LOUIS GOSSETT JR.
Screen legend and Academy Award winner Louis Gossett Jr. (“Officer and a Gentleman,” “The Punisher,” “Iron Eagle,” “Enemy Mine”) joins the Wizard World Comic Con Tour and sits down for this exciting Q&A, telling the behind-the-scenes stories from the set and answering the questions you’ve always wanted to ask. (Room A)

MIKE GRELL AND MARK RYAN
The legendary comics icon behind classic Legion of Super-Heroes Tales and Warlord, Mike Grell, teams up with Transformers voice actor Mark Ryan (the voice of Bumblebee) to answer fan questions. (Room B)

3:00 p.m. - 3:45 p.m.
WALTER KOENIG Q&A
The original “Star Trek” series’ Pavel Chekov, Walter Koenig beams into this Q&A, where he’ll answer any and all questions from the elite Trek fans at New Orleans Comic Con. (Room A)

JAMES O’BARR Q&A
The Crow creator talks about his dark creation, new comics and the plans for a new Crow franchise in the movies. (Room B)

4:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.
‘WALKING DEAD’ Q&A W/ CHANDLER RIGGS, KEISHA TILLIS AND ADRIAN KALI TURNER
AMC’s ambitious horror series, based on Robert Kirkman’s ultra-hot zombie series from Image, now comes to life from director Frank Darabont (“The Green Mile”)! Check out amazing behind-the-scenes footage and extended clips along with a Q&A with stars from AMC’s show. (Room A)


The New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center is located at 900 Convention Center Blvd. in New Orleans. New Orleans Comic Con is the first stop on Wizard’s 2011 North American tour, which to date has 13 events scheduled. Hours are Saturday, Jan. 29, 10 a.m. - 7 p.m.; and Sunday, Jan. 30, 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.. Tickets are available in advance or by calling 1-866-882-5860 and online at www.wizardworld.com/neworleans.html at up to a 15% savings over tickets purchased at the door. Advance adult single-day tickets are $25 ($30 on site); two-day weekend tickets are $40 ($45 on site), and tickets are free for children age 10 and under when accompanied by a paid adult (limit two children per adult). VIP packages with special entry and exclusive items are also available.

The freshly renovated New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center is an essential component of what makes the city's major business events so successful. With 1.1 million square feet of contiguous exhibit space, the Convention Center is the sixth largest convention facility in the nation, and it consistently ranks in the country's top ten of facilities that hold the most conventions and trade shows annually.


About Wizard Entertainment:
Gareb Shamus founded Wizard Entertainment in 1991. Today, Shamus publishes consumer magazines Wizard, ToyFare, FunFare and numerous books about pop-culture’s top talent, comic books and toys. Shamus also produces a North American Comic Con tour. Wizard World Comic Con – The Pop-Culture Capital of the World!

For the most recent event information please visit www.wizardworld.com and become a New Orleans Comic Con Fan on Facebook.

Steve Scott at Wizard World New Orleans with "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" Prints

Artist Steve Scott "Slays" Wizard New Orleans! And You Can Own a Part of It!

New Orleans, LA-- The Big Easy is gearing up for the first ever Wizard World New Orleans show, and as part of the celebration, Eva Ink Artist Group is proud to announce that artist Steve Scott has been tapped to produce exclusive "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" prints for the event--as part of "BuffyFest," in the city that helped make vampires famous, no less!

Featuring major characters from the television show, the prints are offered in 3 verisons: blue tinted pencils, inks, and full color, and will be available for purchase at Steve's table in Artist Alley. Also note that the actors gracing Steve's prints will also be at the show in the flesh! So what a perfect opportunity to not only get the artist to sign your print, but get the actors to sign it as well!

Here's a look at all three prints and quantities offered:

http://www.wizardworld.com/buneworcocon.html
(Limited to 50 copies for the pencils print)

http://www.wizardworld.com/buneworcocon1.html
(Limited to 150 copies for the inks print)

http://www.wizardworld.com/buneworcocon2.html
(Limited to 250 copies for the full color print)
As for Mr. Scott, well this is not his first foray into likenesses! Steve's work has been featured on "Indiana Jones" at Dark Horse, on production art used onscreen for the "Smallville" telelvision show, not to mention that Steve was also the only artist tapped to do any sequential art for "Dark Knight," for the Tostino promotional campaign in conjunction with DC Comics.

More of Steve's recent sequential work includes "X-Men Forever," an exclusive Green Lantern project with DC Comics and Con Edison, and the highly touted "Batman Confidential."

Wizard World New Orleans takes place January 29th and 30th at the Ernest M. Morial Convention Center. Guests from the world's of comic, film and television joining the line-up with artist Steve Scott at the show include: Michael Golden, Mark Texeira, Adam West, Phil Jiminez, Mike Grell, Bill Sienkiewcz, Arthur Suydam, Cameron Stewart, David Mack, Yanick Paquette, Rob Liefeld, Peter Tork, Tommy Castillo, Kevin Stokes, Billy Dee Williams, Renee Witterstaetter, and many more.

Again, the three versions of Steve's print are limited and available only at his table in artist alley, so come out and enjoy this perfect print in the most vampire (and Buffy) friendly city we know.

For more information on Wizard New Orleans, go to: http://www.wizardworld.com/

For more information on Steve Scott, his work, commissions and assignments contact Renee at: evaink@aol.com

Follow all Eva Ink news at: http://witterstaetterwrites.blogspot.com/

Wizard World New Orleans to Feature 12 Eisnter Winners

Press release:

Twelve Eisner Award Winners, Nominees To Attend Wizard World New Orleans Comic Con, Jan. 29-30

Rob Guillory, John Layman, Kevin Maguire, Terry Moore, Cameron Stewart, Bill Sienkiewicz, Tony Harris Among Top Writers And Artists At Ernest N. Morial Convention Center

NEW YORK and NEW ORLEANS, December 27, 2010 – Twelve Will Eisner Comics Industry Awards winners or nominees are among the more than 90 comic creators already scheduled to attend Wizard World New Orleans Comic Con, part of North America’s largest pop-culture tour, January 29-30 at the New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center. Superstar artists and writers who have won the prestigious Eisner Award who will be on site include Rob Guillory (“Chew”), John Layman (“Chew,” “Puffed”), Kevin Maguire (“Justice League,” “Batman Confidential,” Cameron Stewart (“Batman & Robin,” “Catwoman”), Tony Harris (“Starman,” “Ex Machina”) and Bill Sienkiewicz (“Elektra”).

Eisner nominees scheduled to appear include Kaare Andrews (“Astonishing X-Men,” “Iron Man,” John Dell (“JLA,” “Adventure Comics”), David Mack (“Kabuki”), Ethan Van Sciver (“Green Lantern,” “Superman/Batman”) and Dexter Vines (“Ultimate Thor,” “Superman/Batman”).

The creators will be on hand to meet fans, sign autographs and sketch. Many Louisiana-based artists will be in attendance as well.

The Will Eisner Comic Industry Awards are considered the "Oscars" of the comic book industry. Established in 1987, they are named for renowned cartoonist Will Eisner (creator of "The Spirit" and several award-winning graphic novels).

New Orleans Comic Con will bring together thousands of fans of all ages and dozens of celebrities and industry professionals to celebrate the best in pop culture, movies, comics, toys, video gaming, television, gaming, original art, collectibles, contests and more. Among the celebrities scheduled to attend are James Marsters, Julie Benz, Louis Gossett Jr., Ray Park, Adam West, Burt Ward, Billy Dee Williams and Peter Tork.

The New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center is located at 900 Convention Center Blvd. in New Orleans. New Orleans Comic Con is the first stop on Wizard’s 2011 North American tour, which to date has 13 events scheduled. Hours are Saturday, Jan. 29, 10 a.m. - 7 p.m.; and Sunday, Jan. 30, 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.. Tickets are available in advance or by calling 1-866-882-5860 and online at www.wizardworld.com/neworleans.html at up to a 15% savings over tickets purchased at the door. Advance adult single-day tickets are $25 ($30 on site); two-day weekend tickets are $40 ($45 on site), and tickets are free for children age 10 and under when accompanied by a paid adult (limit two children per adult). VIP packages with special entry and exclusive items are also available.


About Wizard Entertainment:
Gareb Shamus founded Wizard Entertainment in 1991. Today, Shamus publishes consumer magazines Wizard, ToyFare, FunFare and numerous books about pop-culture’s top talent, comic books and toys. Shamus also produces a North American Comic Con tour. Wizard World Comic Con – The Pop-Culture Capital of the World!

For the most recent event information please visit www.wizardworld.com and become a New Orleans Comic Con Fan on Facebook.

James and the Giant Nib Pen

NIBBUS MAXIMUS Debut Performance at Gage Academy of Art Jim Woodring Unveils The Giant Nib Pen

 

Seattle cartoonist Jim Woodring, author Frank Comics and the acclaimed Weathercraft, has built a seven-foot-long pen-and-penholder, a giant version of the steel dip pen nib and wooden handle used by artists and calligraphers. The pen will make its debut in the Skinner Auditorium of Gage Academy of Art on Sunday, January 9 from 1pm to 4pm.

The nib is sixteen inches long and made of brass-pated, hand-engraved cold-rolled steel. The handle is lathe-turned poplar, painted with black lacquer. The ink is a specially formulated acrylic blend. A vase functions as an inkwell.

When this project was announced earlier this year it was met with heavy skepticism. Many felt a pen this size could not function because the relationship between scale and fluid dynamics. Woodring was convinced it could be done and the nib has performed well in tests with prototypes. This will be the first public demonstration of the finished product.

Woodring will be making large ink drawings (up to 4 x 6 feet) on a specially built drawing board and conversing with the audience as he works. Regulation pen-and-ink supplies will be on hand for interested audience members to use; members of Seattle’s Friends of the Nib will provide instruction for beginners.

The Giant Pen was built with finds raised through United States Artists Special Projects, 2010. Free paper, pen and ink supplies provided by Dick Blick on Capitol Hill. Special thanks also to Saint Mark’s Cathedral.

Todd McFarlane to Celebrate Spawn #200 at Golden Apple Comics

TODD McFARLANE CELEBRATES SPAWN #200 AT GOLDEN APPLE

 

SPAWN creator signs at the store that helped launch the hit series in 1992

 

In 1992, Todd McFarlane co-founded the world's greatest creator-owned comics company, Image Comics, and released his own best-selling comic book, SPAWN. On January 12, 2011, SPAWN becomes only the second independent series in history to reach the 200-issue mark!

To celebrate, McFarlane will be signing at Golden Apple Comics in Los Angeles, the same store where McFarlane launched the first issue of the groundbreaking SPAWN series.

"On June 2nd, 1992 I sat in a store called Golden Apple Comics and launched the first issue of my new series, SPAWN." says McFarlane. "That day literally set the stage for all the success this book has had since. To honor that monumental beginning, I'll be returning to my roots, so to speak, with the release of the 200th issue of SPAWN, almost 18 years later."

Fans of SPAWN and McFarlane's work can meet him on January 12, 2011, from 6:00 - 8:00 p.m. at Golden Apple Comics, 7018 Melrose Avenue, Los Angeles, CA. The signing will be limited to two items per person. The signing will also feature an array of special surprise guests!

Golden Apple Comics Manager Ryan Liebowitz adds, "I am so excited to have Todd back at Golden Apple, 18 years after we hosted the premier event for issue #1. This will truly be a historic day for the comic industry!"

Grammy-and Emmy-winning producer/director Todd McFarlane, creator of SPAWN, is the force behind McFarlane Toys, one of America's top action figure manufacturers. McFarlane became a true comic book superstar in the 1980s as a result of his work on Marvel Comics' Spider-Man franchise. With the 1992 launch of SPAWN, McFarlane created one of the most popular heroes of the 1990s. The title's hugely popular debut sold an amazing 1.7 million copies -- an unprecedented feat in independent comics.

The comic became an Emmy Award-winning animated series on HBO and a live-action feature film from New Line Cinema that grossed $100 million. A whirlwind of growth and expansion followed: more comics, action figures, and award-winning entertainment projects.

The breadth of McFarlane's awards span from two Emmy Awards, a pair of MTV Video Music Awards, and a Grammy Award, to hundreds of international awards for his work in the arts and action figure industry. Todd McFarlane Entertainment continues to develop projects in the video game, film, television and music industries.

Golden Apple has been the premier comic book and pop culture store in Los Angeles since 1979. For over 30 years, the shop has been featured in nearly every local and national media outlet including print, television and the Internet. In addition, this world famous store boasts celebrity clientele, high-profile events and is a hub for entertainment and comic industry professionals alike. Always cutting edge and proactive in the community, the two generations of owners have strived to keep their finger on the pulse and a firm grasp on the marketplace.

Don't miss Todd McFarlane and special guests, signing the landmark 200th issue of SPAWN at Golden Apple Comics (7018 Melrose Avenue, Los Angeles, CA, 90038; 323-658-6047) on January 12, 2011, from 6:00 - 8:00 p.m.


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 http://www.imagecomics.com/.