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Aspen Comics Releases New Series and More at WonderCon 2012

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With only a short distance to travel to this year’s Wonder Con 2012, Aspen Comics is planning to bring a large assortment of creators as well as new exclusive books only available at the Aspen Comics Booth #510. Aspen creators Frank Mastromauro, Peter Steigerwald, Vince Hernandez, Mark Roslan, Joe Benitez, J.T. Krul, David Wohl, Oliver Nome, Beth Sotelo, David Schwartz, Scott Lobdell and more surprise guests will be signing comics and meeting fans at the booth all weekend long.

Aspen is proud to launch their all-new miniseries Fathom: Kiani Volume Two at this year’s WonderCon. Fathom: Kiani centers on the popular Fathom heroine in a return to her own series in this brand-new storyline. The exclusive Fathom: Kiani #0 WonderCon 2012 edition features a cover by superstar artists Benitez and Steigerwald, and is limited to only 500 copies.

The duo of Benitez and Steigerwald are also debuting an all-new WonderCon 2012 edition cover to their red hot sellout, steampunk action-adventure book Lady Mechanika #0. Including a new original cover by the pair, Lady Mechanika #0 will be sure to follow in the footsteps of previous editions with a quick sell out and is only limited to 1500 editions. Fans are strongly encouraged to arrive early at the Aspen Comics Booth #510 to ensure their copy.

Fathom fans can also look forward to a special Fathom #5 WonderCon Exclusive 2012 cover by series and Aspen founder Michael Turner along with Peter Steigerwald. Containing one of the most popular Turner sketch covers of all time, this special Fathom exclusive is limited to only 500 copies.

Aspen’s industry-leading line of art prints returns with all new covers and images from Aspen’s most popular series and characters including Fathom, Soulfire, Executive Assistant: Iris, Lady Mechanika and more. Aspen will also be releasing this year’s Aspen Tour Print, another item fans are strongly encouraged to pick up early as supplies last.

The Official Aspen Comics Panel will be on Saturday from 3-4pm in room 203 and will include the entire Aspen Comics team of creators as they preview upcoming titles and reveal never-before-seen art and news. All fans in attendance will receive a free gift courtesy of Aspen Comics.

For more information on WonderCon 2012, please check www.comic-con.org/wc

For more information on Aspen Comics please check www.aspencomics.com or www.aspenstore.com

Preview – Fathom: Kiani Vol. 2 #0

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FATHOM: KIANI (vol 2) #0

Vince Hernandez – writer / Oliver Nome – art / John Starr – colors

The Blue’s fiercest warrior returns as FATHOM: KIANI vol 2 begins!

In Volume One, she discovered her true identity. Later, she was labeled a dissident by her own people. Finally, she was killed by Aspen Matthews…

Now, Kiani is back—and she’s pissed!

This all-new Fathom saga kicks off with the return of one of the Aspen Universe’s favorite heroines, Kiani, as she returns to the awe-inspiring underwater world of the Blue seeking vengeance for her past! The neutral truce between the Humans and the Blue has taken an emotional toll on the inhabitants under the surface—and their future as a unified body remains uncertain. Now, all bets are off as Kiani’s true power and capabilities—as well as shocking secrets from the past– are revealed in this pulse-pounding zero issue!

Brought to you by Vince Hernandez, Oliver Nome and John Starr, this debut zero issue features a brand-new 12-page story that sets the stage for next month’s upcoming premiere of FATHOM: KIANI vol 2 #1. Accompanied by an additional sketchbook section and never before seen designs and art, make sure to dive right in and pick up, FATHOM: KIANI!!

FATHOM: KIANI (vol 2) #0 is in stores March 14h, 2012!

Aspen Comics Long Beach Comic Con 2011 Guests and Exclusives

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Official Press Release

Aspen is excited to attend the Long Beach Comic Con 2011 this weekend on October  29th and 30th, and will be bringing an all new exclusive comic book and print for the show. Aspen creators Frank Mastromauro, Vince Hernandez, Mark Roslan, Joe Benitez, Oliver Nome, David Wohl, Beth Sotelo, Scott Lobdell, J.T. Krul, David Schwartz and more creators will be on hand to meet and greet with fans at the Aspen Comics Booth #101 all weekend long.

The publisher will have an exclusive Charismagic #3 Long Beach Comic Con 2011 variant cover by Khary Randolph and Emilio Lopez, limited to only 500 copies. Charismagic is Aspen’s all-new magical action-adventure series created and written by Vince Hernandez with character designs and illustrations by Khary Randolph and Emilio Lopez.

Fans who missed their chance to score the latest convention exclusives at the New York Comic Con and San Diego Comic Con can also look forward to limited quantities of exclusive variants such as the new supernatural action-adventure Dead Man’s Run by Greg Pak and Tony Parker in association with legendary producer Gale Anne Hurd’s Valhalla Entertainment, Haunted City by Chap Taylor, Peter Johnson and Michael Ryan, and Broken Pieces by creator and writer Mark Roslan with Micah Kaneshiro, as well as popular covers from this past summer’s Executive Assistant crossover, “The Hit List Agenda.”

Aspen will also be releasing a brand new signature Fathom print by Michael Turner featuring popular heroine Aspen Matthews, limited to only 50 editions, in addition to many of their latest popular-selling prints featuring hot titles such as Fathom, Soulfire, Lady Mechanika, Executive Assistant: Iris and more.

Aspen will be hosting an official Aspen Comics Panel from 3:00-3:45pm in Room 103A featuring Frank Mastromauro, Vince Hernandez, Mark Roslan, Joe Benitez, David Schwartz, Beth Sotelo, David Wohl, Scott Lobdell, JT Krul, Oliver Nome as they will be previewing upcoming titles, revealing never-before-seen artwork, and answering fan’s questions directly. All fans in attendance will receive a free gift courtesy of Aspen Comics.

For more information on the Long Beach Comic please check www.longbeachcomiccon.com and for more information on Aspen Comics please check www.aspencomics.com and www.aspenstore.com

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NYCC 11 – Aspen Comics Heads to NYCC With Tons of Creators and Exclusives

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Official Press Release

The Aspen Comics team will be attending this year’s New York Comic Con on October 13th – 16th, and will feature a host of exciting talent and NYCC exclusives for show attendees. Aspen creators Frank Mastromauro, Joe Benitez, David Wohl, Greg Pak, J.T. Krul, Chap Taylor, Jason Fabok, Micah Gunnell, Oliver Nome, Khary Randolph, Emilio Lopez and more guests will be on hand at the Aspen Comics Booth #1246 throughout the con weekend.

In association with legendary film producer Gale Anne Hurd’s Valhalla Motion Pictures, Aspen will be launching an all-new series, Dead Man’s Run, at the show with the release of an exclusive Dead Man’s Run #0 New York Comic Con 2011 cover by series artist Tony Parker and Peter Steigerwald, limited to 500 copies. Dead Man’s Run takes readers into an entirely different vision of Hell from the mind of superstar comic book scribe Greg Pak with art by the talented Parker and Steigerwald.

Aspen and director McG’s Wonderland Sound and Vision have teamed up to launch an all new horror series, Haunted City, by writers Chap Taylor and Peter Johnson with art by Michael Ryan and Kelsey Shannon. Aspen will be celebrating the release with an exclusive Haunted City #1 New York Comic Con 2011 cover by Joe Benitez and Peter Steigerwald. Haunted City is Aspen’s latest foray into the horror genre as readers will see the Big Apple like they’ve never seen before, as it is truly the biggest haunted house in the world.

In addition to the launches of Dead Man’s Run and Haunted City, Aspen will also feature a special NYCC 2011 exclusive cover to their all new action sci-fi release Broken Pieces #1 by creator Mark Roslan and artist Micah Kaneshiro limited to 500 copies. Broken Pieces tells the tale of a future torn apart by a catastrophic virus while in the midst of this disaster, one man must rebuild not only his life, but everything he holds dear in order to save humanity.

Aspen will also be offering an exclusive Fathom #2 New York Comic Con 2011 by Jason Fabok and Peter Steigerwald, limited to 500 copies and only available at the Aspen Comics Booth #1246.

Each day of the Comic Con, Aspen will be releasing a different, all-new art print featuring Aspen’s most popular covers, with each daily print highly-limited to only 30 editions each. Aspen strongly encourages fans and collectors to arrive early at the Aspen Booth #1246 as quantities of the Aspen daily prints are expected to sell out. Aspen will also be releasing an all-new series of their industry-leading art prints, featuring popular art from Fathom, Soulfire, Lady Mechanika and more.

The official Aspen Comics Panel will take place on Saturday from 10:45am – 11:45am in room 1A23. Aspen creators Frank Mastromauro, Joe Benitez, Greg Pak, David Wohl, JT Krul, Chap Taylor, Jason Fabok, Khary Randolph, Emilio Lopez, Oliver Nome and Micah Gunnell will answer fans questions directly and preview Aspen’s exciting plans for 2012 including new titles Dead Man’s Run, Haunted City, Broken Pieces, Idolized, Shrugged Volume 2, Homecoming, Fathom: Kiani Volume 2 and more. All fans in attendance will receive a free gift courtesy of Aspen Comics.

For more information on the New York Comic Con, please check www.newyorkcomiccon.com and for more information on Aspen Comics please check www.aspencomics.com and www.aspenstore.com

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Aspen Comics Review – Broken Pieces #1, Exective Assistant: Lotus #3, Fathom (vol 4) #2 and Soulfire (vol 3) #4

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It’s another week and that means a whole bunch of releases from Aspen Comics.  The books are varied ranging from fantasy to horror, political thriller featuring assassins to one featuring water creatures.  The quality is a bit mixed too, but there’s a little something for everyone.

Broken Pieces #1

BROKEN_PIECES-01a-KaneshiroMark Roslan – Writer / Micah Kaneshiro – Art

I decided to reread the #0 issue along with this first issue in the new series from Aspen Comics.  Overall, I have to say the book is pretty solid.  It’s the future and what seems like a terrorist attack has destroyed the Gulf Coast and launched a disease that seems to do some funky stuff as far as your skin and organs.

The story begins as a corporation comes to a promising doctor who may hold the key to stopping the disease, but what’s everyone’s goals?  Is it to stop it, is it to just fix people affected?  Also, the area of infection is moving northwards and refugees line along the Virginia and North Carolina border.  There’s a bit of a political tone along with the horror vibe of the comic.

Then the end of the first issue comes around and everything gets flipped.  The first issue is all set up, and what this comic seems to be about, or at least it’s focus, doesn’t really reveal itself until the end of that first issue.  The comic is solid overall and kept me on my toes.  What I thought the direction of the comic would be, that doesn’t seem to be the case.  It’s a solid first issue and definitely worth the look.

Story: 8 Art: 7.75 Overall: 8 Recommendation: Buy

EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT: LOTUS #3

Vince Hernandez – Story / Oliver Nome – Art / Emilio Lopez – Colors

Do you like hot chicks with swords and guns kicking the crap out of each other?  How about deadly assassins fighting to, well, the death?  This is the last issue of Lotus’s chapter in Aspen’s event, The Hit List Agenda.  Lotus takes on Virat who has betrayed her and sicked his students on her.  There’s lots of fighting and some kick ass scenes, and that’s really what the comic is and some times you need that.

While the three issues for this series has been entertaining, it really is a piece of the bigger event puzzle.  I’ve read it all now, so get a the big picture, for the most part, and I don’t know how enjoyable the series might be on it’s own.  I liked it though, but can’t really separate the limited series from the bigger picture.

Overall The Hitlist Agenda has been entertaining mixing a lot of action, with some intrigue and a lot of machinations and maneuvering usually saved for political thrillers.  I’m still not quite totally clear as to what the end game is, but the end of Lotus is a great bookend to it’s beginning.

Story: 8 Art: 8 Overall: 8 Recommendation: Buy

Fathom (vol. 4) #2

Scott Lobdell – Writer / Alex Konat – Pencils / Beth Sotelo – Colors

Four volumes in and this is the first issue I’ve ever read of Fathom.  I always had it in the back of my head that this was Michael Turner’s Aquaman, but with a hot chick.  I also came in on this issue worried that with four volumes and one issue behind it, I might be a bit lost, that quickly went away.

The story is pretty cool.  An underwater race have been plotting to kill the President and Vice President and are posing as their Secret Service detail.  Aspen must rush to save the Vice President.  There’s a lot of action here, but the pacing is damn perfect with a great countdown feel to it.  I had no idea what the result would be.  Will she get there in time?

The art is beautiful here and I had no idea picking up what was going on, who everyone was, and some of what came before.  It might be a second issue, but it was still an easy entry point.  I can see myself really getting into this one, and looking forward to what’s to come.

Story: 8 Art: 8.5 Overall: 8.25 Recommendation: Buy

Soulfire (vol. 3) #4

J.T. Krul – Writer / Jason Fabok – Art / John Starr – Colors

This is my second issue into the series, and I still don’t quite get it.  The teaser for this issue promised, “This is THE issue Soulfire fans will not want to miss as long-burning questions will finally be illuminated!”  I read it and couldn’t tell you what that is.  There’s some decent art, but this series just isn’t for me.

I’m still trying to figure out the reason.  It might be that I’m not the biggest fan of fantasy, which this leans towards.  There’s a lot of history here, and I don’t know any of it.  It relies heavily on that continuity, again I’m behind the eight ball with that.

It’s very possible if I went back to the beginning and started to read the series, my opinion might be different, but this issue like the last, just isn’t clicking with me.

Story: 6.75 Art: 7.5 Overall: 7 Recommendation: Pass

Aspen Comics provided Graphic Policy with an advance copy of these issues for FREE for review.

Preview – Executive Assistant: Lotus #3

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Official Press Release

EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT: LOTUS #3

Vince Hernandez – Story / Oliver Nome – Art / Emilio Lopez – Colors

“The Hit List Agenda” zeros in on Executive Assistant: Lotus!

With her master Virat’s betrayal, Lotus finds herself trapped in the Executive Assistant training school—along with a class of deadly EA’s looking to tear her apart! The finale to Executive Assistant Lotus finds the skilled assassin up against her greatest challenge yet. However, the overpowering shadow of “The Hit List Agenda” could very well be the answer she’s been looking for all along!

Aspen’s first ever summer-spanning event, “The Hit List Agenda” continues right here in the pages of EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT: LOTUS!

EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT: LOTUS #3 is in stores September 21st, 2011!

Aspen Comics Review – Mindfield #6, Fathom Blue Descent #3, Executive Assistant: Lotus #2, Executive Assistant: Orchid #2 and Executive Assistant: Iris #2

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I’m pretty new to the Aspen Comics world.  I remember when Fathom first launched and that the art stood out at that time. Michael Turner‘s style stood out from what else was on the shelves and was beautiful to look at.  Over a decade later Aspen Comics is going strong with numerous other series doing their best to imitate and pay homage to Turner’s unique style (Turner passed away in 2008).

Other than Lady Mechanika, I’ve never read an Aspen comic book before and the difficulty with this review was going into these five comic books without having read the previous comics.  I was worried they wouldn’t make sense and I’d walk away irritated that the comics weren’t inviting.  I admit there was more than what I understood, but overall the comics were penetrable for new readers and without any background, I quickly figured out what was going on.

But, how does each of them hold up?

Mindfield #6

Mindfield #6 CoverWritten by J.T. Krul, Alex Konat on pencils, inks by Jon Bolerjack and color done by John Starr, the series is about a C.I.A elite team of telepathic agents fighting to stop a terror group from setting off a nuclear bomb.  I found the story pretty interesting, but having missed the previous five issues, a lot, especially at the end didn’t have much impact to me.  Overall though, the story was very fast paced and kept me on my toes.

The concept is interesting but this issue really felt like an episode of 24, with the team scrambling to stop the bomb.  Replace the gun fight you’d see in that show instead with a battle within someone’s mind and they’re similar.  The art was pretty good, though there’s minor issues here and there, but some of the perspective and use of panels was solid, especially in the mindscape battle.

I was a bit lost not having read earlier issues, so I can’t recommend this for new readers, but for those who have read previous issues, I’m sure you won’t be disappointed.  There’s enough here that I want to go back and read the previous five issues, but also might wait for the eventual trade paperback.  It’s a solid book and as the first entry of the bunch I’ve read, I knew right away the rest of the books would be worth my time.

Story: 7.75 Art: 7.75 Overall: 7.75 Recommendation: Buy (new readers wait for the trade)

Fathom Blue Descent #3

Fathom was the property I knew out of the bunch.  Written by David Schwartz, art by Alex Sanchez and colors by Peter Steigerwald this mini-series revolves about Aspen Matthew’s parents.  The style here is pretty interesting with a unique look to the characters, and I sort of understood what was going on.  The issue was coming in new, I have no emotional attachment to the characters.  I don’t know enough to care.  What was impressive though, is even with over a decade of continuity behind it, it was still pretty inviting to read.  There was some things I liked, others I didn’t, but that’s judging from an outsider.  Ask a Fathom fan, I’m sure you’ll get a different response.

The good about the series was the tension build up and I had no idea what was going to happen.  There was also a Star Wars vibe going on where they needed to rescue the princess. That’s where the emotional connection was that I didn’t have though.  Without knowing these two characters and their history, it’s hard to really care what happens and get into the story.  There’s a lot that’s cool here and enough that I want to check out more, but I have to judge what’s put before me.

This is a tough one to rate, and without having read the previous two issues or the Fathom stories before, I can’t quite recommend it due to a lack of connection.  I felt like I was coming in on the middle of something, but for Fathom fans, I’m sure it’s a buy.

Story: 7 Art: 7.5 Overall: 7.25 Recommendation: Pass

Executive Assistant: Lotus #2, Executive Assistant: Orchid #2 and Executive Assistant: Iris #2

I’m lumping all three of these comics together because I walked away with the same feeling about them and my grades are similar enough for each.  These three comics are part of a bigger event story called The Hitlist Agenda.  Basically the executive assistants are trained female assassins.  They have bodies with unrealistic proportions, wear clothing that’s not practical and can kill the President of Paraguay with a fork (bonus points if you get the reference).  Basically, all three series are a fanboys dreams.

What’s interesting is all three of these comics I began to read with the second issue, and with all three I was pretty good.  With minor tweaks they could be stand alone stories of female assassins kicking ass.  Each had a pretty distinct voice, style and look that made them stand out.  The issue I had with all three is clearly there’s a bigger story going on.  I picked up bits a pieces involving a war between India and Pakistan, somehow Israel is involved and shady folks who shape world events.  There’s a lot I like here.  Basically this reminds me of Archaia’s The Killer, but Americanized (ie bigger explosions, skimpier clothes and a bit more blunt).

These are three comics I want to read more of and with only an issue missed for each, that should be simple.  Iris though is in it’s second volume and reading the teaser text for that, I might need to go back and read that as well, but the point is I want to. 

Out of all the comics I read, the art of these three was the most inconsistent.  Some of it’s beautiful, there’s great stuff, don’t get me wrong.  But that amazing work also makes me focus on issues with proportions and sizes of simple things like heads.  But, I can overlook that because I was so entertained, enough so you better believe I’m going back to see what I’ve missed.  This is a big budget action movie with sexy women in the lead, yes please!

Credits:

Executive Assistant: Lotus #2 – Vince Hernandez – writer, Oliver Nome – art, Emilio Lopez – colors

Executive Assistant: Orchid #2 – Scott Lobdell – story, Micah Gunnell – art, Rob Still – inks, David Curiel – colors

Executive Assistant: Iris #2 – David Wohl – writer, Eduardo Francisco – art, Sunny Gho – colors

Story: 8 Art: 7 Overall: 8 Recommendation: Buy

Aspen Comics provided Graphic Policy with an advance copy of these issues for FREE for review.

Three Signing Events headline Grand Opening of Collector’s Pardaise Pasadena

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Official Press Release

Collector’s paradise CELEBRATES GRAND OPENING OF THE COMPLETELY REMODELED PASADENA STORE WITH 3 SIGNINGS and a grand sale! 

San Fernando Valley’s Leading Retail Comic Book Store Welcomes Industry Creators to help promote Grand Opening of the new location in style! 

PASADENA, Calif., July 23, 2011 – Collector’s Paradise Comics & Gallery, is proud to announce that the new Pasadena store has been completely remodeled to fulfill our vision of a modern comic book store, and will have a Grand Opening Celebration starting July 27th with a big sale and a series of signings.

“Taking over an existing store is not easy, and we wanted to make sure to turn it into what we feel (and our customers enjoy) as a modern vision of a Comic Book store.” said Edward Greenberg, managing partner of Collector’s Paradise, adding:  “We believe people who enjoy reading comics these days are a far cry from the typical stereotype of a comic book reader, and our stores should reflect that. Modern, sleek bookstore look with professional signage and easy-to-find merchandise should be the goal of anyone who tries to create an “experience” for their patrons.”

To help promote the Grand Opening event, Collector’s Paradise reached out to some of the store’s best supporters, publishers Top Cow Productions, Aspen Comics, and jack of all trades, owner of Comicraft and creator/writer of Elephantmen, Richard Starkings.  Three signing events, throughout the Grand Opening week, will help to celebrate three very different genres of comics, from espionage fantasy, to beautiful futuristic SCI-FI to chilling psychological horror.

 

Wednesday, July 27th, 5pm-8pm. Collector’s Paradise is excited to help Aspen Comics launch their HIT LIST AGENDA Crossover Event, which stems from creator David Wohl’s sequel to the critically acclaimed Executive Assistant Iris series. The event includes the second volume of Executive Assistant Iris, and a set of 3 mini-series, Lotus, Violet, and Orchid. Illustrated by an array of Aspen’s awesome artists, including Oliver Nome, with stunning covers that include superstar artist Joe Benitez (Lady Mechanika), HIT LIST is a hard-hitting, super-sexy, sword-wielding event.  Collector’s Paradise will host creator/writer David Wohl, writers Scott Lobdell, Vince Hernandez and Marc Andreyko, plus artists Joe Benitez and Oliver Nome.

Friday, July 29th, 7pm-10pm.  Collector’s Paradise is proud to announce our first adult-only night-time event at the Pasadena store, that will feature music, free Alcohol Drinks, and an awesome release party with some of our favorite creators,  Joshua Hale Fialkov (TUMOR, Elk’s Run, Superman/Batman, Echoes) and Rahsan Ekedal (Echoes, DH Solomon Kane, Warhammer).  We will be EXCLUSIVELY Pre-Releasing the limited San Diego Comic Con edition (300 made) of the ECHOES Hardcover, the only place to find it until the regular edition is released in August.  The event starts at 7pm with a Q&A Session with Josh and Rahsan, hosted by Andrew Leigl of ComicAttack.net, with the signing / party to follow.

Saturday, July 30th, 12pm-3pm.  On Saturday, Collector’s Paradise is proud to host again, for the first time in Pasadena,  one of the store best friends, Richard Starkings, fantastic letterer for many comics published, as well as writer/creator of the fantastic Sci-Fi series, ELEPHANTMEN.  Richard is going to be joined by Boo Cook, one of the artists on the ELEPHANTMEN series. Attendees to the signing will have an opportunity to receive a free J. Scott Campbell ELEPHANTMEN Poster with any Elephantmen purchase during the signing, while supplies last. The poster is very rare, only available at San Diego Comic Con and our event.

In addition to the signings, Collector’s Paradise will have a great sale at the store, starting on Wednesday.  For sale details, please visit the store’s website, ComicsAndCards.net.

Collector’s Paradise Comics & Gallery has been a mainstay in the Southern California Comic Book scene since 1994. In recent years, the store has focused on offering their customers an exceptional experience that goes beyond collecting comic books, from creator appearances, to  proprietary online subscription manager software, and an Art Gallery. The store’s future plans include many new and very different ways to experience the comic book culture. The store recently opened its second branch, in Old Town Pasadena.

CBLDF’s Massive Comic-Con! 6 Live Art Events, 3 Parties, 1 Unforgettable Auction

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Official Press Release

CBLDF At Comic-Con!

Comic-Con is here!  CBLDF is celebrating the country’s largest gathering of comics and pop culture fans with massive slate of events!  Three parties, Six Live Art Events, an unforgettable auction, the best selection of signed graphic novels at the convention, and amazing exclusives await!  Read on to see what the CBLDF has in store for you at Comic-Con!

Great Donation Rewards at CBLDF Booth 1920!

From the start of Preview Night to the closing moments on Sunday, CBLDF has an amazing array of signed graphic novels, art prints, t-shirts, and other surprises for you at Comic-Con.  Our inventory of signed graphic novels includes more than 200 titles and includes hot titles autographed by creators including: Geoff Johns, Neil Gaiman, Jim Lee, Jill Thompson, Stan Sakai, Frank Miller, and many, many more!  Stop by the CBLDF at booth 1920, right across from DC Comics and claim one of these amazing donation rewards!

Exclusives!

The CBLDF is proud to debut two amazing exclusives at Comic-Con.  First up is an all new Black Phoenix Alchemy Lab fragrance “Liberty Leading The People,” inspired by the famous Delacroix painting embodying the ideals of liberty.  We also are proud to produce a brand new, signed CONAN print by Darick Robertson, commemorating his cover to CBLDF’s Liberty Comics 2010, coming this fall from Image!

Parties!

This year CBLDF brings you THREE amazing parties to celebrate Comic-Con! CBLDF Parties attract the cream of the comics crop, and at each event you can expect to meet and mingle with art stars at work and play.  CBLDF’s Comic-Con parties are open to everyone, whether or not you have a Comic-Con pass, so bring your friends and celebrate comics and Free Speech at any of these events:

Wednesday night it’s Drink, Draw, Dance! a pre-con party, presented by Ale Garza and CBLDF at The Office!  Attending artists include Joe Benitez, Mark Brooks, Francis Manapul, Micah Gunnell, Ale Garza, Sean Dietrich, Oliver Nome, and many others! Also performing live will be up and coming hip-hop artist, Cassanova, as well as a DJ set from Ale Garza! All artwork created by the attending artists will be auctioned off at the CBLDF’s Saturday night auction!   The party starts at 9 PM and rolls on til 2 AM.  The Office is located at 3936 30th Street in North Park.  No cover! RSVP on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/#!/event.php?eid=109611535756236

Thursday it’s the CBLDF Comic-Con Welcome Party, sponsored by Image Comics, in association with SeenAllOver.com, Soulcraft Comics and IHEARTCOMIX!  Festivities include a WALKING DEAD Live Art Stage, featuring the book’s co-creator Charlie Adlard and presented by Dr. Sketchy’s! PSYCHENAUT, multimedia sound and vision by Paul Pope! DJ set by Franki Chan of IHEARTCOMIX! Plus, a photo booth provided by seenallover.com!  All this, and an auction preview gallery, featuring ETNIES/SEEN custom designed sneakers, the TFAW.com art auction, and a gift bag for the first 300 contributors!  Come dressed in your zombie finest and party down!  Free for CBLDF Members, $10 to $20 suggested donation for non-members! The Westgate Hotel is at 1055 2nd Ave in downtown San Diego.  RSVP on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/#!/event.php?eid=134933566541001

Saturday brings SCENES OF A GRAPHIC NATURE, presented by Nerd City and sponsored by Image Comics, TFAW.com and Nerd City, featuring live art by Jim Mahfood, Mike Huddleston, Scott Morse, King Gum AKA Dave Crosland, Jason Shawn Alexander, and more, with DJ sets by Major Taylor and Red Sonya, PLUS a performance by San Diego rockers The Burning of Rome, there is no doubt that this is THE party for Nerds in the know. SCENES kicks off at the Soda Bar at 3614 El Cajon Blvd.  Presale tickets are available at http://tickets.frontgatetickets.com/choose.php?c=1&lid=45223&eid=52134

CBLDF Comic-Con Benefit Auctions

Saturday 7:30-9:30 CBLDF Benefit Live Auction— This is it, the CBLDF’s biggest auction of the year! Support free speech and walk away with incredible original art! Highlights include original art by Arthur Adams, Paul Pope, Dave McKean, Tara McPherson, Ben Templesmith, Jill Thompson, Jim Lee, Jim Rugg, David Hine, Shaky Kane, and many more. This auction includes highlights from auction initiatives by TFAW.com, Image Comics, and SeenAllOver.com, as well as original art created at the CBLDF Master Sessions. Stop by CBLDF booth (#1920) for a complete auction list. All proceeds from this auction will benefit the First Amendment legal work of the Comic Book Legal Defense Fund. Room 3

AUCTION PREVIEW WILL LAUNCH ON CBLDF.ORG ON MONDAY, JULY 19

And online now is Lunch With Geoff Johns at Comic-Con! Make your Comic-Con unforgettable by bidding spend a one-on-one hour with DC Entertainment’s Chief Creative Officer Geoff Johns in an auction benefiting the Comic Book Legal Defense Fund!  This is your chance to ask all your questions about Johns’ unforgettable characters, stories, and behind the scenes insights!  All proceeds from this event will benefit the First Amendment legal work of the Comic Book Legal Defense Fund! Bidding ends on Wednesday, July 21!  Visit http://myworld.ebay.com/cbldf/ for your chance to win!


CBLDF Master Sessions & Live Art Jam!


The CBLDF Master Sessions are back, with a full slate of insightful craft programs by comics masters! This year’s sessions are:

Thursday, July 22

12:00-1:00 CBLDF Master Session: Paul Pope: Inking with Speed and Precision— Paul Pope became an art icon by building unforgettable characters and worlds with his fearlessly fluid and singular line art. Each of his pages appears to be tightly composed but rapidly executed. Bring your sketchbooks and learn the secrets of a fast, but precise approach to inking at this CBLDF Master Session. The original art from the session will be auctioned off on Saturday night in the CBLDF’s Art Auction. Room 30CDE

1:00-2:00 CBLDF Master Session: Rob Liefeld: Designing Iconic Characters— Learn what it takes to design a character that’s lasting, iconic, and cool. Using his legendary creations Deadpool, Cable, and Youngblood as examples, Rob Liefeld shows you the values that go into creating a character who can leap from the comics page and into games, film, television, and merchandise. The original art from this session will be auctioned off on Saturday night at the CBLDF’s Art Auction! Room 30CDE

Friday July 23

12:00-2:00 CBLDF Master Session: Jill Thompson: Secrets of Watercolor Technique— Bring your sketchbooks and learn the secrets of expressive watercolor from one of the medium’s top practitioners! Renowned for her work on Beasts of Burden, Scary Godmother, and Sandman, Jill Thompson shows you the intricacies of the watercolor medium and how to apply it to making masterful comics and covers. The original art from this session will be auctioned off on Saturday night at the CBLDF’s Art Auction! Room 30CDE

Saturday, July 24

12:00-1:00 CBLDF Master Session: Terry Moore: Drawing Characters with Character— Learn what it takes to draw characters whose distinctive actions define them on the page. In Echo and Strangers in Paradise Terry Moore has established himself as a master for expressing a wide range of emotions through his characters. Bring your sketchbook and follow along as Moore shows you the secrets of how to make your characters “act” on the page in this CBLDF Master Session. The original art from this session will be auctioned off on Saturday night in the CBLDF’s Art Auction! Room 30CDE

1:00-2:00 CBLDF Master Session: Darick Robertson: Body Language in Sequential Storytelling— Bring your sketchbook and learn how to express action, attitude, and meaning through your characters’ body language in this CBLDF Master Session. In his work on The Boys, Transmetropolitan, and Conan, Darick Robertson has had to express story through his drawings of a wide variety of characters. Follow along as he demonstrates how body language can add dimension to your sequential storytelling. The original art from this session will be auctioned off on Saturday night in the CBLDF’s Art Auction. Room 30CDE

Sunday, July 25

12:30-2:00 CBLDF Live Art Jam— Watch Tim Seeley (Hack/Slash), Ale Garza (Fathom), Chris Burnham (X-Men: Manifest Destiny), and Daniel Leister (Hack/Slash) battle it out to see who can make the coolest art before your eyes! Get an inside look behind the scenes at how these artists work, as they make live art projected onto the big screen at the CBLDF Live Art Jam! All art will be auctioned off at the end of the event to benefit the First Amendment legal work of the Comic Book Legal Defense Fund. Room 5AB

Whatever your comics passion, there’s something great in store for you from the CBLDF at Comic-Con!  See you there!

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The Comic Book Legal Defense Fund was founded in 1986 as a 501 (c) 3 non-profit organization dedicated to the preservation of First Amendment rights for members of the comics community. They have defended dozens of Free Expression cases in courts across the United States, and led important education initiatives promoting comics literacy and free expression. For additional information, donations, and other inquiries call 800-99-CBLDF or visit them online at www.cbldf.org.

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