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Hasbro News: 17th Annual Transformers Convention

Posted on May 31, 2011 by Brett

Official Press Release

HASBRO CELEBRATES ITS TRANSFORMERS BRAND AS “ROBOTS IN DISGUISE” INVADE PASADENA FOR 17th ANNUAL TRANSFORMERS CONVENTION

TRANSFORMERS Fans From Around the World to Experience “MORE THAN MEETS THE EYE” Brand Exhibition Of The Epic Global Entertainment Franchise

PAWTUCKET, R.I. (May 31, 2011) – Thousands of fans from around the world will celebrate the enduring popularity of the iconic TRANSFORMERS brand from Hasbro, Inc. (NASDAQ: HAS), as the 2011 TRANSFORMERS fan convention known as “BOTCON” returns to Pasadena on June 4-5. Less than a month before the highly anticipated debut of the new Paramount Pictures film TRANSFORMERS: DARK OF THE MOON, Hasbro, in partnership with The TRANSFORMERS Collectors’ Club, will be offering opportunities to engage in and learn about the TRANSFORMERS brand that can only be experienced at BOTCON.

Attendees will be able to preview upcoming and yet-to-be seen TRANSFORMERS toys from Hasbro’s 2011 product line, including movie toys and figures based on the TRANSFORMERS PRIME animated series as well as interact with TRANSFORMERS toy designers. BOTCON will also be fans’ first time to see, in person, Hasbro’s new KRE-O line of construction sets based on classic TRANSFORMERS characters and attendees will have the opportunity for a chance to win a limited amount of KRE-O TRANSFORMERS toys before they go on sale. Convention goers can also attend panel discussions and interactive workshops led by TRANSFORMERS experts, purchase exclusive TRANSFORMERS products sold only at this year’s convention and buy, sell or trade TRANSFORMERS toys from hundreds of dealers.

And, as previously announced on the official TRANSFORMERS Facebook page, Hasbro will be inducting film industry legends Michael Bay and Steven Spielberg—the director and executive producer of the blockbuster TRANSFORMERS film franchise—into its TRANSFORMERS Hall of Fame. The second annual TRANSFORMERS Hall of Fame ceremony will take place during BOTCON and TRANSFORMERS: DARK OF THE MOON director, Michael Bay, will be present to accept his honor and share some special surprises with the audience.

To round out the TRANSFORMERS movie experience at BOTCON, Hasbro will be welcoming vehicles seen in the TRANSFORMERS film franchise from Paramount Pictures including OPTIMUS PRIME, BUMBLEBEE, SIDESWIPE, IRONHIDE and AUTOBOT RATCHET. The vehicles will be on display inside the Pasadena Convention Center throughout BOTCON.

As the TRANSFORMERS brand continues its meteoric rise as a premier entertainment brand, convention attendees will be able to experience the wide breadth of TRANSFORMERS entertainment including interactive exhibits and hands-on experiences by the brand’s video game, publishing and animation partners.

Activision will offer BOTCON attendees the opportunity to experience its TRANSFORMERS: DARK OF THE MOON video game. The game thrusts players directly into an original, action-packed prologue storyline to experience the epic battles on Earth between the AUTOBOTS and DECEPTICONS that will shape the events of the summer’s most anticipated blockbuster film.
Electronic Arts (EA) will offer BOTCON attendees the opportunity to be among the first to experience TRANSFORMERS: DARK OF THE MOON for the iPhone®, iPod touch® and iPadTM. The App, which will be available in the iTunes App Store in the coming weeks, is based on the upcoming TRANSFORMERS: DARK OF THE MOON movie, features fast-paced action and explosive robot-based combat. Featuring a dozen levels, gamers can choose to play as one of the franchise’s most popular AUTOBOT characters, OPTIMUS PRIME or BUMBLEBEE, as they fight to defeat the nefarious DECEPTICONS.
The Hub, home of the new animated series TRANSFORMERS PRIME from Hasbro Studios, will offer an inside look at the popular series that just received six Daytime Emmy nominations. BOTCON will host two TRANSFORMERS PRIME panels including a live table read featuring the voice talent from the hit series as well as a Q&A with the producers. The Hub booth at BOTCON will also feature TRANSFORMERS themed photo opportunities, a prize wheel and a “larger than life” OPTIMUS PRIME statue. Members of the TRANSFORMERS PRIME creative team from Hasbro Studios will also be on hand during the convention to interact with attendees.
IDW Publishing will offer fans the opportunity to learn about the latest TRANSFORMERS comic books including exclusive TRANSFORMERS: DARK OF THE MOON comics. BOTCON attendees can interact with the comics’ artists and writers and get insider information about new and upcoming TRANSFORMERS series.
Jagex Games Studio will be giving convention attendees an exclusive first look at elements of its upcoming and highly anticipated browser based MMO video game for Western Markets based on the TRANSFORMERS brand. Visitors will be invited into the interactive exhibit to be some of the first to see early design and game elements of this much buzzed about online videogame.

“Interest in TRANSFORMERS is the highest it’s ever been,” said Greg Lombardo, TRANSFORMERS Senior Global Brand Director, Hasbro, Inc. “The live-action film TRANSFORMERS: DARK OF THE MOON is getting a tremendous amount of advance buzz, and TRANSFORMERS PRIME is a huge hit with both longtime fans and a new generation of kids discovering the TRANSFORMERS brand for the first time. BOTCON is all about celebrating both of those groups—the lifelong fans and the new fans—and their love of the TRANSFORMERS brand.”

BOTCON is annually the largest annual official gathering of TRANSFORMERS fans in the world and is open to both TRANSFORMERS diehard and casual fans alike as well as families and children who enjoy the iconic “ROBOTS IN DISGUISE”. This year the convention will be held at the Pasadena Convention Center located at 300 East Green Street in Pasadena, Calif., and will be open to the public on June 4 – 5. Special activities are planned on June 3 for attendees who purchase multi-day packages.

BOTCON general admission sessions will be held on Saturday and Sunday, June 4 and 5. (On Saturday, doors are open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; on Sunday, doors are open from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.). Special multi-day packages and exclusive TRANSFORMERS products are available on a limited basis. General admission for adults (13 & up) is $20 and for children (12 & under) is $10. Children ages 4 and under will be admitted for free. Additional information can be found at www.BotCon.com or by calling 817-448-9863.

Fans can now find the TRANSFORMERS brand on Facebook at www.Transformers.com/Facebook and on Youtube at www.Youtube.com/Transformers.

# # #

About the TRANSFORMERS brand

First introduced in 1984 by Hasbro and Takara Tomy, the TRANSFORMERS brand has provided kids with hours of MORE THAN MEETS THE EYE fun with their action figures that convert from robot to vehicles and back again. Legions of kids around the world grew up creating fantastic adventures and battles set on both the planet CYBERTRON and Earth that featured the “good-guy” AUTOBOTS and the “bad-guy” DECEPTICONS. Since then, more than 7500 robots have been introduced in animated TV series, comic books and two live-action feature films. A third film, TRANSFORMERS: DARK OF THE MOON, will be released on July 1, 2011, as the first 3D film in the franchise.

About Hasbro, Inc.

Hasbro (NASDAQ: HAS) is a branded play company providing children and families around the world with a wide-range of immersive entertainment offerings based on the Company’s world class brand portfolio. From toys and games, to television programming, motion pictures, video games and a comprehensive licensing program, Hasbro strives to delight its customers through the strategic leveraging of well-known and beloved brands such as TRANSFORMERS, LITTLEST PET SHOP, NERF, PLAYSKOOL, MY LITTLE PONY, G.I. JOE, MAGIC: THE GATHERING and MONOPOLY. The Hub, Hasbro’s multi-platform joint venture with Discovery Communications (NASDAQ: DISCA, DISCB, DISCK) launched on October 10, 2010. The online home of The Hub is www.hubworld.com. The Hub logo and name are trademarks of Hub Television Networks, LLC. All rights reserved. Come see how we inspire play through our brands at http://www.hasbro.com. © 2011 Hasbro, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

Macy’s “Teleny and Camille” Wins Lambda Literary Award

Posted on May 27, 2011 by Brett

Official Press Release

Macy’s “Teleny and Camille” Wins Lambda Literary Award for Gay Erotica

May 27, 2010 – Jon Macy has won the 2010 Lambda Literary Award for Gay Erotica for his graphic novel, Teleny and Camille. The book is an adaptation of the 1893 anonymous erotic novel, Teleny, attributed to Oscar Wilde and his circle of writers and poets. Another Northwest Press title, Glamazonia: The Uncanny Super-Tranny, by Justin Hall, was also a finalist, for Transgender Fiction.

Macy started work on Teleny and Camille in 1996 and completed several chapters before taking a break from the project. He returned to it in 2003 and devoted the next seven years to completing it, releasing it in a limited print run in the spring of 2010. The book was remastered and published by Northwest Press later that year, making its debut at Comic-Con International in San Diego in July.

Although the book seems, to the casual reader of the source material, to be a faithful recreation of the novel in a graphic format, Macy made significant changes to the story and settings to enhance the core love story and to translate the importance of the style and political movement of the time for modern readers.

Macy changed the name of the book to Teleny and Camille to focus on the love story between the two leads, and omitted large portions of the book that strayed from that core. Aesthetic changes were made to furnishings and attire to cement the avant-garde status of the main characters and ensure that they would translate for modern readers.

Some changes were made to restore the intent of the authors. For instance, the book, as originally written, takes place in London but when the book was published by a French publisher in the 1950s, the setting was changed to Paris. Macy returned the story to its English roots.

In addition, Macy honors the spirit of the “round robin” origin of the novel, which was passed from author to author and written in turn. He laments the ever-present tragedy in gay fiction that lingers to this day which prevents gay relationships from being successful and celebrated, and adds his own alternate ending in which the doomed lovers cheat death and triumph over society’s condemnation of their love.

“There are two things that this award brings that I’m especially grateful for,” says Macy. “The first is the recognition of the book’s success as an erotic work. Unlike comedy or drama, which can evoke laughter or tears and be more easily identified as successful efforts, erotica is much trickier. Having the book named as the best gay erotica in 2010 is truly an honor.”

“Secondly,” Macy continues, “I truly hope that this award brings more attention to the original prose novel, which is largely unknown in the U.S. The Aesthetes formed gay identity for us; almost every cliché and stereotype about gay men originated with these pioneers. This novel was written by them and about them, so it is a powerful historical document for the gay community.”

“These are the first two books that Northwest Press produced,” says publisher Charles “Zan” Christensen, “and to have them both nominated for a Lambda is truly humbling. Winning the Lambda Award has the potential to open doors for Teleny and Camille; it is currently not available through our main distributor to the U.K. and Europe due to worries over customs issues. This award reinforces the artistic merit of the project, and will hopefully convince distributors and retailers to help us make it more widely available.”

This is the first Lambda Literary Award nomination and win for Macy, and the first nomination for Hall.

The Lambda Literary Awards ceremony was held at the School of Visual Arts Theater in Chelsea and hosted by Lea DeLaria, and attended by such literary figures as Edward Albee, Terence McNally, Val McDermid, and Samuel Delany. Mad Men star Bryan Batt was among the attendees, nominated for a Lambda Literary Award for Gay Memoir/Biography for his book She Ain’t Heavy, She’s My Mother.

Northwest Press was one of the sponsors of the awards, which are produced annually by the nonprofit Lambda Literary Foundation.

About Jon Macy:

Jon Macy was part of the early nineties black and white comics boom with the series Tropo. It was followed by the erotic/horror comic series Nefarismo from Eros/Fantagraphics. Since then, he has created strips for gay skin magazines such as Steam, Wilde, Bunkhouse and International Leatherman as well as the anthologies Gay Comics, Negative Burn, Meatmen and Boy Trouble. He lives in the San Francisco bay area.

About Northwest Press:

Northwest Press is a book publisher founded in 2010 dedicated to publishing the best lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender comics collections and graphic novels. To date, it has released three graphic novels, one comic book, and a variety of minicomics

http://northwestpress.com

Mezco Reveals Green Lantern Mez-Itz Summer Exclusive

Posted on May 27, 2011 by Brett

Official Press Release

DC Universe Mez-Itz Green Lantern & Sinestro Comic Version 2-Pack

Mez-Itz, 6″ rotocast vinyl collectibles that are cool by design. Both GREEN LANTERN and SINESTRO feature five points of articulation with 1000 points of fun, and are packaged in sturdy, collector friendly box!

In a universe as vast as it is mysterious, a small but powerful force has existed for centuries. Protectors of peace and justice, they are called the Green Lantern Corps. But when a new enemy threatens to destroy the balance of power in the Universe, their fate and the fate of Earth lie in the hands of their newest recruit, the first human ever selected: Hal Jordan.

Hal is a gifted and cocky test pilot, but the Green Lanterns have little respect for humans. But Hal has one thing no member of the Corps has ever had: humanity. With the encouragement of fellow pilot and childhood sweetheart Carol Ferris, if Hal can quickly master his new powers and find the courage to overcome his fears, he may become the greatest GREEN LANTERN of all.

This is a non-numbered limited edition item.
Edition size TBD.

This item will premiere at the 2011 San Diego Comic Con, but is also available online at :

http://www.mezcotoyz.com/store/SearchResult.aspx?CategoryID=155

Baltimore Comic-Con Announces Stan “The Man” Lee as Guest of Honor!

Posted on May 27, 2011 by Brett

Official Press Release bcc_logo_2011_700px

Baltimore Comic-Con Announces Stan “The Man” Lee as Guest of Honor!

BALTIMORE, MARYLAND – May 26, 2011 – The Baltimore Comic-Con is proud to officially announce that Stan “The Man” Lee will be the Guest of Honor at this year’s convention. The show will be taking place at the Baltimore Convention Center the weekend of August 20-21, 2011.

Stan Lee picture

Known the world over as the architect of the Marvel Universe, Lee — along with Jack Kirby and Steve Ditko — co-created some of the most iconic characters of the Silver Age, including the Fantastic Four, Spider-Man, the Avengers, X-Men, the Incredible Hulk, Thor, Daredevil, Iron Man, and Doctor Strange.

Lee began his career in comics in 1939 at the age of 16, working for Martin Goodman at Timely Comics. He made his writing debut in 1941 with a text filler story in Captain America Comics #3 and wrote his first back-up story for that title two issues later. Lee continued to write for the publisher and, at the age of 19, was installed as interim editor. With a head for business and an eye for comics, Lee graduated to become editor-in-chief and art director of the comics division.

Throughout his illustrious career, which has spanned more than 70 years, Lee has been a writer, editor, publisher, President, and Chairman at Marvel Comics. He’s made cameo appearances in 14 films based on his creations and had a supporting role in Kevin Smith’s 1995 film, Mallrats.

In 2010, Lee teamed up with Boom! Studios to create three original superheroes titles — Soldier Zero, Starborn, and The Traveler — for the publisher, and in January of 2011, he worked with the National Hockey League (NHL) on the Guardian Project, creating a “Guardian” character based on the team mascot for each of the 30 cities with NHL franchises.

“There is no bigger star in all of comics. This will thrill all comics fans on the East Coast,” said Marc Nathan, show promoter of the Baltimore Comic-Con. “Personally, I am so excited, I can’t wait!”

Lee will be appearing at the Baltimore Comic-Con on both Saturday and Sunday, as well as attending the banquet for the Harvey Awards on Saturday evening. Details regarding ticket pricing for signings and VIP packages will be released over the next few weeks. To receive the latest information about Stan Lee and all of the Baltimore Comic-Con news, sign up for our mailing list at baltimorecomiccom.com!

In addition to Guest of Honor Stan Lee, other confirmed guests for the show include: Jason Aaron (Scalped, PunisherMAX); Charlie Adlard (The Walking Dead); Nick Cardy (Aquaman, Teen Titans); Cliff Chiang (Greendale); Frank Cho (50 Girl 50, X-Men: Schism, New Ultimates); Todd Dezago (Super Hero Squad, The Perhapanauts); David Finch (Brightest Day, Batman: The Dark Knight); Ron Frenz (Spider-Girl); Jose-Luis Garcia-Lopez (Wednesday Comics, Batman Confidential); Michael Golden (creator of Bucky O’Hare); Mike Grell (Action Comics, The Pilgrim); Brad Guigar (Evil, Inc., Courting Disaster); Steve Hamaker (Bone); Cully Hamner (Red, Red: Eyes Only); Dean Haspiel (The Alcoholic, Act-i-Vate); Jamal Igle (Supergirl, Zatanna); J.G. Jones (Doc Savage, DC Universe Legacies); Barry Kitson (Secret Invasion, Amazing Spider-Man); Laura Martin (New Avengers, Thor); Mark Morales (Fear Itself cover artist); Kevin Nowlan (Wednesday Comics); David Petersen (Mouse Guard); Brandon Peterson (Ultimate Vision, Strange); Craig Rousseau (Marvel Her-Oes); Stan Sakai (Usagi Yojimbo); Walter Simonson (Thor); Jeff Smith (Bone, RASL); Nick Spencer (Morning Glories, Iron Man 2.0); Brian Stelfreeze (Wednesday Comics); Karl Story (DC Universe Legacies); Tim Truman (Conan the Cimmerian); Neil Vokes (Flesh & Blood, Eagle: The Original Adventures); and Thom Zahler (Love and Capes).

In coming weeks, 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, Twitter, Facebook, and MySpace pages.

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, 2011. 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.

Fantagraphics Acquires Peellaert’s The Adventures Of Jodelle And Pravda

Posted on May 27, 2011 by Brett

Official Press Release

FANTAGRAPHICS ACQUIRES RIGHTS TO TWO LEGENDARY BELGIAN CLASSICS: PEELLAERT’S THE ADVENTURES OF JODELLE AND PRAVDA

Fantagraphics Books has signed a deal to release two groundbreaking graphic novels from cult Belgian artist Guy Peellaert (1934-2008): The Adventures of Jodelle (1966) and Pravda (1967). The remastered editions will be produced in collaboration with the late artist’s estate, which will contribute previously unseen material for extensive archival supplements.

Both albums were originally released in France by Eric Losfeld, the controversial publisher who passionately defied censorship in the lead-up to the cultural revolution of 1968; along with Jean-Claude Forest’s Barbarella, Peellaert’s Jodelle and Pravda were among the earliest of European adult-oriented graphic novels.

The Adventures of Jodelle, whose voluptuous title heroine was modeled after French teen idol Sylvie Vartan, is a satirical spy story set in a Space Age Roman-Empire fantasy world. Its then-revolutionary clashing of high and low culture references, borrowing as much from Renaissance painting as from a fetishized American consumer culture, marked the advent of the Pop movement within the nascent “9th art” of comic books, not yet dignified as “graphic novels” but already a source of great influence in avant-garde artistic circles. Visually, Jodelle was a major aesthetic shock. According to New York magazine, its “lusciously designed, flat color patterns and dizzy forced perspective reminiscent of Matisse and Japanese prints set a new record in comic-strip sophistication.”

Released a year later and first serialized in the French counter-culture bible Hara-Kiri, Pravda follows the surreal travels of an all-female motorcycle gang across a mythical American landscape, led by a mesmerizing cold-blooded heroine whose hyper-sexualized elastic anatomy was this time inspired by quintessential Gallic chanteuse Françoise Hardy. Pravda’s eye-popping graphics pushed the psychedelic edge of Jodelle to dazzling new heights, further liberating the story from narrative conventions to focus the reader’s attention on the stunning composition and glaring acid colors of the strips, with each frame functioning as a stand-alone cinematic picture.

Pravda, with its themes of female empowerment and beauty emerging from chaos, became an instant sensation on the European underground scene, inspiring various tributes and appropriations from the worlds of film, literature, fashion, music, live arts, advertising or graphic design. Over the years, it has acquired a rarefied status as a unique and timeless piece of Pop Art defying categorization or trends, and has found itself exhibited in such unlikely “high culture” institutions as the Musée d’Orsay or the Centre Pompidou. An early admirer of Peellaert’s radical vision—along with luminaries as diverse as Jean-Luc Godard (who optioned the film rights to Pravda) and Mick Jagger—Frederico Fellini praised Jodelle and Pravda as “the literature of intelligence, imagination and romanticism.”

The Adventures of Jodelle was published in the United States in 1967 by Grove Press, whose legendary editor-in-chief Richard Seaver (the man credited with introducing Samuel Beckett, William Burroughs and Henry Miller to America) also provided the translation; Pravda has never been released in English, despite its lead character transcending the long out-of-print book where she originated to become a peculiar iconic figure, the maverick muse of a few “au courant” art and design aficionados from Paris to Tokyo.

Refusing to cash in on the phenomenal success of Jodelle and Pravda (he viewed the former as a one-time graphic “experiment” of which the latter marked the accomplishment) the reclusive Peellaert abruptly left cartoons behind after only two albums at the dawn of the 1970s to pursue an obsessive kind of image-making which painstakingly combined photography, airbrush painting and collage in the pre-computer age. His best-known achievement in America remains the seminal 1973 book Rock Dreams, a collection of portraits which resulted from this distinctive technique and was hailed as “the Sistine Chapel of the Seventies” by Andy Warhol’s Interview magazine, eventually selling over a million copies worldwide, influencing a generation of photographers and earning its place in the pantheon of rock culture. Other well-known creations include the iconic artwork for David Bowie’s Diamond Dogs album cover (1974) as well as The Rolling Stones’ It’s Only Rock ‘N’ Roll the same year. Peellaert also created the indelible original poster for Martin Scorcese’s Taxi Driver (1978), the first of many commissions from renowned auteurs including Wim Wenders, Robert Altman, Stephen Frears, Alain Resnais and Robert Bresson.

As the original negatives and color separations for Jodelle and Pravda are long lost (interestingly, Peellaert never reclaimed the original ink-on-paper pages from Losfeld) Fantagraphics will be re-coloring both books digitally. “The original Books were colored via hand-cut separations from Peellaert’s detailed color indications,” said Fantagraphics co-publisher Kim Thompson, who will be editing and translating the new editions. “Since the Losfeld editions were printed quite well and Peellaert’s linework is thick and simple, we’re going to be able to generate crisp black-and-white versions of the line art to start from which should duplicate the original ‘look’ exactly. Although actually our edition of Pravda should be better than the original, which had some pretty erratic color registration.”

The Adventures of Jodelle is scheduled for release in May 2012, and Pravda in November 2012, both in deluxe oversized hardcover editions. Each will feature an extensive original essay discussing the works and their historical context, accompanied by numerous archival illustrations and photographs.

“I am terrifically excited to bring these two landmark books to American audiences especially Pravda, which has never been published in English,” said Thompson. “They are some of the most graphically jaw-dropping comics ever put to paper. They remain both quintessentially 1960s in attitude and look, and utterly timeless.”

#######

Philadelphia Comic Con Welcomes 13 Eisner Winners, Nominees

Posted on May 27, 2011 by Brett

Official Press Release

Thirteen Award Winner and Nominees To Attend Wizard World Philadelphia Comic Con, June 17-19

Winners Sienkiewicz, Maguire, Aureliani, Klein, Among 200+ Top Creators At Philadelphia Comic Con

NEW YORK and PHILADELPHIA, May 26, 2011 – Thirteen Will Eisner Comics Industry Awards winners or nominees are among the more than 200 comic creators already scheduled to attend Wizard World Philadelphia Comic Con, part of North America’s largest pop-culture tour, June 17-19 at the Pennsylvania Convention Center.

The winners include Franco Aureliani (“Billy Batson And The Magic Of Shazam!,” “Tiny Titans”); Todd Klein (“Green Lantern,” “New Talent Showcase”); Kevin Maguire (“Justice League,” “Batman Confidential,”) and Bill Sienkiewicz (“Elektra”).

Eisner nominees scheduled to attend are Farel Dalrymple (“Papercutter,” “Pop Gun War”); Edgar Delgado (“Spider-Man,” “Ultimate Thor); Jimmy Gownley (“Amelia Rules!,” “Reading With Pictures”); Brad Guigar (“Evil Inc,” “Phables”); Humberto Ramos (“Amazing Spider-Man,” “The Spectacular Spider-Man”); Carlos Pacheco (“X-Men,” “Green Lantern”); J.G. Jones (“Final Crisis,” “Wanted”); Ethan Van Sciver (“Green Lantern,” “Superman/Batman”); and J. David Spurlock (“Art of Roy Krenkel,” “Life & Death of Wally Wood”).

The creators will be on hand to meet fans, sign autographs and sketch. Many Greater Philadelphia-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).

Bill Sienkiewicz - "30 Days of Night" - Issue 2, pg. 11 Other superstar artists scheduled to attend include Doug Braithwaite (“Heroes for Hire,” “Chaos War: X-Men”); Jim Cheung (“Avengers,” “Uncanny X-Men”); Arthur Suydam (“Marvel Zombies,” “Army of Darkness”); Minck Oosterveer (“Zombie Tales,” “The Unknown”); Greg Horn (“Spider-Man: Turn off the Dark,” “Hero For Hire”); Phil Jimenez (“Amazing Spider-Man,” “Astonishing X-Men); Mike Grell (“Green Arrow,” “Green Lantern”); Tom Raney (“Avengers Academy,” “Incredible Hulks”); and Shane Davis (“Bruce Wayne – The Road Home,” “Green Lantern”).

Wizard World Philadelphia Comic Con, now in its 11th year, 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 most popular celebrities scheduled to attend are Bruce Campbell, Adam Baldwin, Bill Goldberg, Pam Grier, Vivica A. Fox, Julie Benz and Billy Dee Williams.

Philadelphia Comic Con is the sixth stop on Wizard World’s 2011 North American tour. Hours are Friday, June 17, noon – 8 p.m., Saturday, June 18, 10 a.m. – 7 p.m., and Sunday, June 19, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. Tickets are available in advance online at http://www.wizardworld.com/philadelphia.html at a savings over tickets purchased at the door. Advance adult single-day tickets are priced at $25 ($35 on site); three-day weekend tickets are $45 ($55 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 on a limited basis.

About Wizard World:
Wizard World produces Comic Cons and pop culture conventions across North America that celebrate graphic novels, comic books, movies, TV shows, gaming, technology, toys and social networking. The events often feature celebrities from movies and TV, artists and writers, and events such as premieres, gaming tournaments, panels, and costume contests. Wizard World also produces Wizard World Digital, an online publication covering new and upcoming products and talents in the pop culture world, and is distributed on a weekly basis to online and iPad users worldwide.

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

***** SAVE THE 2011/12 DATES *****
June 17-19 – Philadelphia Comic Con
August 11-14 – Chicago Comic Con
September 17-18 – New England Comic Con
September 24-25 – Los Angeles Comic Con
October 22-23 – Mid-Ohio Comic Con
October 28-30 – Central Canada Comic Con (C4)
November 11-13 – Austin Comic Con
January 28-29, 2012 – New Orleans Comic Con
March 23-25, 2012 – Toronto Comic Con
April 27-29, 2012 – Anaheim Comic Con
December 8-9, 2012 – Miami Comic Con

Experience Fear Itself: The Worthy #5 On the Marvel Comics App

Posted on May 26, 2011 by Brett

Official Press Release

Experience FEAR ITSELF: THE WORTHY #5 On the Marvel Comics App

Hey there True Believers, here’s your official list of comic books, hitting the Marvel Comics app on May 25, 2011. Now fans can experience their favorite Marvel heroes bursting into action on your iPad, iPhone and iPod Touch! Today, discover the latest villain sworn to destroy the Marvel Universe in Fear Itself: The Worthy #5 – a free story from acclaimed creators Greg Pak and Lee Weeks! What shocking secret makes the Hulk worthy to wield the hammer of Nul, Breaker of Worlds? The dominoes behind the year’s hottest comics event continue to fall in Fear Itself: The Worthy #5!

And that’s not all! With a wide array of titles already available there is something for everyone! Stay tuned each week for a brand new list of Marvel releases so that you’ll never miss your favorite heroes in action

To download the Marvel Comics app, visit: http://www.marvel.com/marvelcomicsapp

Here’s your official list of comic books, hitting the Marvel Comics app today!

Digital Comics On-Sale Today:

AMAZING SPIDER-MAN – GRIM HUNT
(AMAZING SPIDERMAN #634-637)
FEAR ITSELF: THE WORTHY #5
GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY VOL.1 – LEGACY
(GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY #1-6)
MOON KNIGHT VOL. 1 – THE BOTTOM
(MOON KNIGHT #1-6)
ORSON SCOTT CARD’S SPEAKER FOR THE DEAD #4
POWER MAN AND IRON FIST #4
SECRET INVASION: X-MEN
(SECRET INVASION: X-MEN #1-4)
SIEGE: BATTLEFIELD
(SIEGE: CAPTAIN AMERICA #1, SIEGE: LOKI #1, SIEGE: SECRET WARRIORS #1, SIEGE: SPIDER-MAN #1, SIEGE: YOUNG AVENGERS #1)
SKAAR: KING OF THE SAVAGE LAND #2
THOR – LATVERIAN PROMETHEUS
(THOR #604-606)
ULTIMATE POWER
(ULTIMATE POWER #1-9)
WOLVERINE AND JUBILEE #4
X-MEN: PSYLOCKE
(X-MEN: PSYLOCKE #1-4)

FREE This Week On The App:

CAPTAIN AMERICA: A LITTLE HELP #1
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Explosive New Releases From Boom! Studios

Posted on May 26, 2011 by Brett

Official Press Release

5/25/11 Releases!

DUCKTALES #1 (A)
DUCKTALES #1 (B)
DUCKTALES is back! The hit Disney Afternoon TV show makes a splash this month as an all-new, original ongoing comic book series! Written by the creator of the EPIC MICKEY video game and illustrated by the fan-favorite Disney duck artist Miquel Pujol, this is the latest and greatest revival of the Disney Afternoon Revolution that “might solve a mystery,” but will definitely “rewrite history!” Existing within the same continuity as BOOM!’s hit series DARKWING DUCK, find out why “life is like a hurricane!”

THE AMORY WARS: IN KEEPING SECRETS OF SILENT EARTH: 3 #11
Claudio must battle betrayal from within his own ranks as his crew careens headlong into the final showdown with House Atlantic. But Claudio, Ambellina, and Inferno could never have imagined the surprise Wilhelm Ryan has in store for them… Coheed & Cambria’s Claudio Sanchez and Peter David bring you Part 1of the exciting conclusion to this sci-fi epic!

DO ANDROIDS DREAM OF ELECTRIC SHEEP? #23
The penultimate issue of the Eisner Award-nominated sci-fi epic that inspired Blade Runner can’t be missed! Only in these pages will you find out the fate of Rick Deckard and the rogue Nexus-6 androids. Who will win: man or machine? Only one more issue of the critically acclaimed blockbuster maxi-series that brought Philip K. Dick to the world of comics!

HELLRAISER #2 (A)
HELLRAISER #2 (B)
One of the greatest horror franchises of all time returns, now under the control of its original creator! Clive Barker has touched HELLRAISER only twice: once to write THE HELLBOUND HEART, and once more to write and direct the original HELLRAISER film. Now witness Barker’s long-awaited return to tell a new chapter in the series’ official continuity—a trajectory that will forever change the Cenobites…and Pinhead! In this issue, Kirsty Cotton is back! To fight the forces of the Cenobites she has become a Harrower and has gathered a team that, like her, is damaged and insane enough to take on what Hell has got! As Pinhead’s plan becomes clearer, what will Kirsty’s role in it be?

INCORRUPTIBLE #18 (A)
INCORRUPTIBLE #18(B)
A figure from Max Damage’s past resurfaces — with a dark secret and a vendetta. Too bad Headcase is still going through a downward spiral and doesn’t realize that a team-up is very, very bad idea. With a deranged sidekick to deal with, Plutonian’s ex-girlfriend by his side, a new menace on the loose, and the world to clean up…Max Damage feels the burn of heroism! Mark Waid’s hit companion series to the Eisner-nominated IRREDEEMABLE continues.

PLANET OF THE APES #2 (A)
PLANET OF THE APES #2 (B)
Get your hands on these damn dirty Apes! The not-to-be-missed pulse-pounding second issue of the all-new series that takes place before the original 1968 Planet of the Apes movie and in the continuity of the first five films! An assassination tears through the fabric of both Ape and Human societies. In the chaotic aftermath, Ape forces begin arming themselves. Prepare yourself for the explosive results as Ape and Human forces clash!

STAN LEE’S THE TRAVELER #7 (A)
STAN LEE’S THE TRAVELER #7 (B)
The triumphant time-traveling series from the legendary Stan Lee and Mark Waid continues! One simple change in the history of the world will free The Traveler from his eternal imprisonment in the other worldly city of Anachronopolis — but this could very well mean the unraveling of the space-time continuum! The triumphant time-traveling series from the legendary Stan Lee and Mark Waid continues!

UNCLE SCROOGE: MESSES BECOME SUCESSES TPB
Not enough DuckTales? Well get ready to reload as Scrooge, Launchpad and the rest of the Duckburg mallards are back for this second volume of classic Duck Tales ripped from the pages of Uncle Scrooge! Our heroes have bested the blundering Beagle Boys and outfoxed the fearsome Flintheart, but who will triumph when they meet the menace of Magica de Spell? Only one place has the answer as BOOM Kids! invites you along for “Messes Become Successes!”

Baltimore Comic-Con Adds Hot Talent to the Summer Heat

Posted on May 26, 2011 by Brett

Official Press Release bcc_logo_2011_700px

Baltimore Comic-Con Adds Hot Talent to the Summer Heat

BALTIMORE, MARYLAND – May 23, 2011 – The Baltimore Comic-Con has just added a slew of fan-favorite creators to the growing list of talent for this year’s show. Cully Hamner, Craig Rousseau, Todd Dezago, Brian Stelfreeze, and Karl Story will all be in attendance when the show rolls into Baltimore on August 20-21, 2011.

Cully Hamner, one of the original members of Gaijin Studios, has worked professionally in the comics industry for the last 20 years. His writing and art has been featured in books from DC Comics, Vertigo, Marvel Comics, Image, and many more. Red_01 by Cully Hamner.jpg The artist behind Wildstorm’s Red, which was adapted as a feature film in 2010 by Summit Entertainment, Hamner recently finished writing and illustrating the prequel to the mini-series, called Eyes Only, which hit stores in December of 2010.

Craig Rousseau broke into comics in the early-’90s, providing art for DC Comics’ Impulse. After a 22-issue run, Rousseau went on to become the semi-regular artist on Batman Beyond and Harley Quinn. In 2005, along with writer Todd Dezago, Rousseau co-created the series The Perhapanauts, which debuted at Dark Horse Comics. Rousseau most recently worked on Marvel Comics’ Marvel Her-Oes, which showcased the women of the Marvel Universe, as well as Captain America & the Korvac Saga, a reimagining of the original 1978 classic.

Writer Todd Dezago, whose body of work includes The Sensational Spider-Man and Tellos (with the late Mike Wieringo), is the co-creator of Young Justice from DC Comics and The Perhapanauts from Dark Horse/Image. In 2010, Dezago took over writing duties for Super Hero Squad, an all-ages title from Marvel, and recently finished up Super Hero Squad Spectacular #1. He is currently working on the motion comic versions of his own Tellos and Perhapanauts, as well as an all-new title, Katie Greaven and the Engine-Men, with artist Bret Blevins for MotionWorks Entertainment.

Brian Stelfreeze, who was also a founding member of Gaijin Studios, is the current art director of 12 Gauge Comics. An accomplished painter, penciller, inker and colorist, Stelfreeze’s art graced more than 50 covers for DC Comics’ Shadow of the Bat. He most recently worked on the Demon/Catwoman feature for DC’s Wednesday Comics, which was written by previously-announced guest, Walter Simonson.

Karl Story, yet another founding member of Gaijin Studios, is an inker whose work has added depth and shadow to such titles as Nightwing, Batman, Aliens versus Predator, X-Men, Terra Obscura, Tom Strong, Ocean, The American Way, and Midnighter. Most recently, Story worked on the DC Comics’ mini-series, DC Universe Legacies.

“Gaijin was such an influential studio throughout the ’90s and 2000s. With Cully [Hamner], Brian [Stelfreeze], Karl [Story] and Laura [Martin] on board for this year’s show, we’ve got the core group of creators that helped propel so many careers,” said Marc Nathan, show promoter of the Baltimore Comic-Con. “Also, the addition of Todd Dezago and Craig Rousseau to our growing roster adds such talent to the fan-favorite creators already attending the show.”

In addition to Hamner, Rousseau, Dezago, Stelfreeze and Story, confirmed guests for the show including: Jason Aaron (Scalped, PunisherMAX); Charlie Adlard (The Walking Dead); Nick Cardy (Aquaman, Teen Titans); Cliff Chiang (Greendale); Frank Cho (50 Girl 50, X-Men: Schism, New Ultimates); David Finch (Brightest Day, Batman: The Dark Knight); Ron Frenz (Spider-Girl); Jose-Luis Garcia-Lopez (Wednesday Comics, Batman Confidential); Michael Golden (creator of Bucky O’Hare); Mike Grell (Action Comics, The Pilgrim); Brad Guigar (Evil, Inc., Courting Disaster); Steve Hamaker (Bone); Dean Haspiel (The Alcoholic, Act-i-Vate); Jamal Igle (Supergirl, Zatanna); J.G. Jones (Doc Savage, DC Universe Legacies); Barry Kitson (Secret Invasion, Amazing Spider-Man); Laura Martin (New Avengers, Thor); Mark Morales (Fear Itself cover artist); Kevin Nowlan (Wednesday Comics); David Petersen (Mouse Guard); Brandon Peterson (Ultimate Vision, Strange); Stan Sakai (Usagi Yojimbo); Walter Simonson (Thor); Jeff Smith (Bone, RASL); Nick Spencer (Morning Glories, Iron Man 2.0); Tim Truman (Conan the Cimmerian); Neil Vokes (Flesh & Blood, Eagle: The Original Adventures); and Thom Zahler (Love and Capes).

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 21st.
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, 2011. For more information, please visit www.baltimorecomiccon.com.

Wizard World Inc. appoints John D. Maatta to its Board of Directors

Posted on May 26, 2011 by Brett

Official Press Release

Wizard World, Inc. (WIZD) appoints John D. Maatta to its Board of Directors

Maatta Brings a Significant History of Entertainment Industry Experience to the Wizard World Board

NEW YORK and LOS ANGELES, May 25, 2011 Wizard World, Inc. (symbol: WIZD) (the “Company”), a digital entertainment and event company, today announced that John D. Maatta, current COO of the CW Television Network, and an entertainment industry executive with 25 years of experience, has been appointed to its Board of Directors (the “Board”). The appointment of John D. Maatta to the Board follows the recent Board appointments of Greg Suess from ROAR and John Macaluso, and signals another step forward for the Company’s planned expansion in the pop-culture space.

Michael Mathews, Wizard World’s Chairman, said: “John brings a track record with many years of operating experience in the entertainment industry. We’re looking forward to benefiting from John’s unique insights and advice as we move forward and continue to grow our media and entertainment company.”

John D. Maatta, said: “When I was first introduced to Wizard World, I was extremely impressed by both the significant space that the Company currently occupies in the pop-culture world, as well as how well-positioned the Company is in its sector.”

Gareb Shamus, Wizard World CEO, said: “John will be a tremendous addition to the Wizard World Board. Because of his years of experience and increasingly responsible positions in the entertainment industry, John’s knowledge and intuition will make him a valued voice on our Board, we couldn’t be more excited!”

Maatta is the Chief Operating Officer of The CW Network since its launch in January 2006, a joint venture between Warner Bros. Entertainment and CBS Corporation, The CW went on air Sept. 20, 2006 as America’s new fifth broadcast network and the only network targeting young adults 18-34. Maatta oversaw the formation and launch of The CW, which included, under his guidance, building a stronger distribution system than any new network has ever had. Prior to The CW, Maatta served as the Chief Operating Officer for The WB, a position he held since September 2005. As COO of The WB, Maatta served as the network’s General Counsel, as well as having direct oversight of all business and operations departments, such as business affairs, finance, network distribution, which included The WB 100+ station group, technology, legal, research, network operations, broadcast standards and human resources. He earned the distinction of being The WB’s very first employee, making many of the initial distribution deals, he has also been in the Warner Bros. family since 1986 when he joined Lorimar Telepictures Corporation; subsequently at Warner Bros. Television, Maatta held the positions of Senior Attorney and Vice President, before he moved to The WB in 1993.

About Wizard World:

Wizard World produces Comic Cons and pop culture conventions across North America that celebrate graphic novels, comic books, movies, TV shows, gaming, technology, toys and social networking. The events often feature celebrities from movies and TV, artists and writers, and events such as premieres, gaming tournaments, panels, and costume contests. Wizard World also produces Wizard World Digital, an online publication covering new and upcoming products and talents in the pop culture world, and is distributed on a weekly basis to online and iPad users worldwide.

Wizard World’s full event schedule can be found at www.wizardworld.com.

Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

Statements in this press release relating to Wizard World, Inc.’s future plans, expectations, beliefs, intentions and prospects are “forward-looking statements” and are subject to material risks and uncertainties. When used in this press release, the words “will,” “future,” “expect,” “look forward to,” similar expressions and any other statements that are not historical facts are intended to identify those assertions as forward-looking statements. Any such statement may be influenced by a variety of factors, many of which are beyond the control of Wizard World that could cause actual outcomes and results to be materially different from those projected, described, expressed or implied in this press release due to a number of risks and uncertainties. Accordingly, no assurances can be given that any of the events anticipated by the forward-looking statements will transpire or occur. A detailed discussion of these factors and other risks that affect Wizard World’s business is contained in its SEC filings, including its Form 8-K/A filed on February 18, 2011, particularly under the heading “Risk Factors.” Copies of these filings are available online from the SEC or by contacting Joe Favorito, Public Relations, at (917) 566-8345. All information set forth in this press release is current as of May 25, 2011. Wizard World undertakes no duty to update any statement in light of new information or future events.

Press Release

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