Tag Archives: long beach comic expo

Archival Quality Wins the 2019 Dwayne McDuffie Award!

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Archival Qualityby Ivy Noelle Weir and Christina “Steenz” Stewart has won the 5th Annual Dwayne McDuffie Award for Diversity in Comics! Both former librarians, Weir and Steenz joined forces last year with this hauntingly amazing Oni Press debut which hit shelves early last March. The award was presented last weekend in Long Beach, CA during the Long Beach Comic Expo.

After losing her job at the library, Celeste Walden starts working at the haunting Logan Museum as an archivist. But the job may not be the second chance she was hoping for, and she finds herself confronting her mental health, her relationships, and before long, her grasp on reality as she begins to dream of a young woman she’s never met, but feels strangely drawn to. As Cel attempts to learn more about the woman, she begins losing time, misplacing things, passing out—the job is becoming dangerous, but she can’t let go of this mysterious woman. Who is she? Why is she so fixated on Cel? And does Cel have the power to save her when she’s still trying to save herself?

Philadelphia-based writer Ivy Noelle Weir and St. Louis-based illustrator Steenz have collaborated on numerous comics projects together, including a short for the series Princeless. Steenz’s artwork has been featured in the critically acclaimed and award-winning anthology Elements: Fire, as well as Ham4Pamphlet, a collaborative illustration project inspired by the hit Broadway musical Hamilton, while Weir has written numerous articles for Women Write About Comics, American Librariesmagazine, and NoveList in addition to her fiction writing.

Archival Quality

We Got the Exclusive Scoop on Two Long Beach Comic Expo Panels

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long beach comic expoThe Long Beach Comic Expo takes place February 20 and 21 and the full panel list is being released this Friday, but we got the scoop on two of the panels you can expect at the convention.

Down to Nerd: Invader Zim and Gargoyles: Conqueror Vs Protectors

Panelists: Greg Weisman, Dave Crosland
Moderator: RuthAnn Thompson
Time: Saturday, 11:30am-12:30pm

Some come from another time to protect, another from a different planet to conquer- but both hold a special place in our hearts! Gargoyles VS Invader Zim. We will focus on the first 5 episodes of the TV series Gargoyles with writer/creator Greg Weisman and the Invader Zim comic books with Dave Crosland. What differences and similarities do these creatures out of space and time have? How will they fit in on modern day earth? Casual Fans and Hard Core Nerds alike join host RuthAnn Thompson and be “Down To Nerd”!

Down to Nerd: Time Travel with Chris Claremont & MARTY

Panelists: Chris Claremont, Mike Fasolo, Rus Wooton
Time: Sunday, 3:30-4:30pm

The Down to Nerd Podcast is hosted by the wildly charming RuthAnn Thompson: fan, nerd and actress who has been featured on such shows as, “True Blood,” “New Girl,” “2 Broke Girls,” and many more. Anime fans will recognize her as Bulma from the smash hit webseries “DBZ: Light of Hope”. RuthAnn will discuss X-Men: Days of Future Past with writer/creator Chris Claremont and with Mike Fasolo (Emmy winning writer on Robot Chicken) and Rus Wooton (Artist/Letterer Marvel, Image) from the time travel podcast, MARTY, to discuss the comic, movie and the elements of time travel in both.

Pop culture fans can meet celebrity guests, cosplay stars and comic book writers and artists including Chris Claremont, Amanda Connor, Terry and Rachel Dodson, Joshua Hale Fialkov, Agnes Garbowska, Paul Jenkins, Scott Kolins, Jae Lee, Aaron Lopresti, Fabien Nicieza, Michael Avon-Oeming, Jimmy Palmiotti, James Tynion IV, and over 100 guests. Mad Entertainment Management also announced that, for the first time ever, convention attendees will receive admission to the Aquarium for just $9.00 (regularly $29.95) when they visit the Aquarium after 12:00pm on the weekend of Long Beach Comic Expo or the following weekend.

In 2016, the Expo will take over two entire exhibit halls with over 150 exhibitors featuring some of the continent’s best vintage and modern comic book dealers, over 100 creators in Artist Alley, the all-new Animation Island, Cosplay Corner, a kids area and the annual Comic Expo Costume Contest.

Fans can enjoy an exciting weekend full of exceptional guests, exhibitors, and engaging panels, at Long Beach Comic Expo, Saturday, February 20  from 10:00 am – 7:00 pm and Sunday, February 21 from 10:00 am – 5:00 PM at the Long Beach Convention Center.

The Second Annual Dwayne McDuffie Award for Diversity in Comics Finalists Announced

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McDuffieAwardThe finalists for the second annual Dwayne McDuffie Award for Diversity in Comics were announced today. The five nominated titles are:

  • Andre the Giant Closer to Heaven by Brandon Easton (writer), Denis Medri (artist) (IDW Publishing);
  • Fresh Romance edited by Janelle Asselin (Rosy Press);
  • Moon Girl and the Devil Dinosaur by Brandon Montclare and Amy Reeder (Writers), Natacha Bustos (Artist) (Marvel Entertainment);
  • Ms. Marvel by Willow Wilson (writer), Adrian Alphona (artist) (Marvel Entertainment);
  • Zana by Jean Barker (writer), Joey Granger (Artist) (Emet Comics)

The winner will be announced at the second annual Dwayne McDuffie Award for Diversity in Comics ceremony event to be held later this month at Long Beach Comic Expo on Saturday February 20 at 2:30 PM PT, on Dwayne McDuffie’s birthday. Acclaimed comic book writer and reporter Marc Bernardin will be the event’s Keynote Speaker.

The Award is named in honor of Dwayne McDuffie, the legendary writer and producer who co-founded Milestone Media. As a writer, Dwayne created or co-created more than a dozen comic book series, including Damage Control, Deathlok II, Icon, Static, Xombi, The Road to Hell, and Hardware. Nilah Magruder was the recipient of the first annual Dwayne McDuffie Award for Diversity in Comics for M.F.K..

The Dwayne McDuffie Award for Diversity in Comics Selection Committee consists of six prominent comics and animation professionals who knew McDuffie and have demonstrated a commitment to inclusiveness:

  • Neo Edmund – Novelist, animation and comics writer;
  • Joan Hilty – Nickelodeon Comics Editor; editor-in-chief of Pageturner, former DC/Vertigo Senior Editor;
  • Joseph Illidge – Former Editor, Milestone and DC Comics; Columnist, Comic Book Resources; Writer, First Second Books;
  • Heidi MacDonald – Editor in Chief, The Beat;
  • William J. Watkins – Writer; Former owner, Chicago’s first African American-owned comics store;
  • Matt Wayne, Former Managing Editor Milestone Media.

The Inaugural Winner of the Dwayne McDuffie Award for Diversity

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long beach comic expoNilah Magruder’s web comic, M.F.K. became the first-ever recipient of the Dwayne McDuffie Award for Diversity, presented at Long Beach Comics Expo.

In a release Matt Wayne, the Director of the Dwayne McDuffie Award for Diversity said:

Nilah Magruder’s M.F.K. is a great read. Nilah created an incredibly engaging post-apocalyptic fantasy world peopled with a broad array of characters.  In terms of both excellence and inclusiveness, this is just the sort of comic the Award was created for.

The Award is named after Dwayne McDuffie, the influential comics and animation writer who passed away in 2011 and who was known for creating superhero properties for Marvel and DC comics that included diverse casts of characters.

The Award was presented to Magruder by Charlotte McDuffie, Dwayne McDuffie’s widow. The keynote address was given by writer-director-producer Reginald Hudlin.

Wayne also said:

This award isn’t about honoring Dwayne. Dwayne wouldn’t have stood for that. The Selection Committee had to choose between five worthy nominees, and those works and their creators are what we celebrate today.

Announcing the Finalists for the First Ever Dwayne McDuffie Award for Diversity

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long beach comic expoThe finalists for the first ever Dwayne McDuffie Award for Diversity Award were announced today. The five nominated titles are:

  • HEX11 by  Lisa K. Weber and Kelly Sue Milano (HexComics)
  • M.F.K. by Nilah Magruder (http://www.mfkcomic.com/)
  • Ms. Marvel by G. Willow Wilson and Adrian Alphona (Marvel Entertainment)
  • The Shadow Hero by Gene Luen Yang and Sonny Liew (First Second Books)
  • Shaft by David F. Walker and Bilquis Evely (Dynamite Entertainment)

The winner will be announced at the first ever Dwayne McDuffie Award for Diversity ceremony event to be held later this month at Long Beach Comic Expo on Saturday February 28 at 2 PM PT. The Award is named in honor of Dwayne McDuffie, the legendary writer and producer who co-founded and created Milestone Media.

The Dwayne McDuffie Award Selection Committee consists of eight prominent comics and animation professionals who knew McDuffie and have demonstrated a commitment to inclusiveness:

  • Neo Edmund – Novelist, animation and comics writer;
  • Joan Hilty – Nickelodeon Comics Editor; Creator of Bitter Girl;
  • Joseph Illidge – Former Editor, Milestone and DC Comics; Columnist, Comic Book Resources; Writer, First Second Books;
  • Heidi MacDonald – Editor in Chief, The Beat;
  • Glen Murakami – Producer/Supervising Director, DC animated properties and Ben 10: Alien Force/Ultimate Alien;
  • Eugene Son – Comics writer/Story Editor, Ultimate Spider-Man Animated;
  • William J. Watkins – Writer; Former owner, Chicago’s first Black-owned comics store;
  • Len Wein – Co-creator Swamp Thing, Wolverine, New X-Men; Former Editor-in-Chief- of Marvel Comics and Senior Editor, DC Comics.

Reginald Hudlin, an innovator of the modern black film movement, will be the Keynote Speaker at the Dwayne McDuffie Award for Diversity Award ceremony later this month.

Long Beach Comic Expo Announces Guests of Honor, Special Guests and Programming Highlights for February 28 & March 1

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long beach comic expoLong Beach Comic Expo is unveiling legendary guests and buzzworthy panels, as well as innovative programs and new partners, in preparation for the 6th annual Long Beach Comic Expo, to be held at the Long Beach Convention Center on February 28 and March 1, 2015. The Expo will play host to more than 140 guests and 50 panels and, for the first time, it will be held in the full exhibit hall.

Guests of Honor & Special Guests

Long Beach Comic Expo has announced bestselling writer Chris Claremont and bestselling artist Ethan Van Sciver as the Long Beach Comic Expo Guests of Honor. Mr. Claremont has written some of the most beloved and influential comic books of all time; 2015 marks the 40th anniversary of his first issue of THE UNCANNY X-MEN. Mr. Van Sciver is one of the most popular artist in comics; this year marks the 10th anniversary of his iconic work GREEN LANTERN: REBIRTH. Both guests will be making their very first appearance at a Long Beach convention. Comic book superstars Arthur Adams (GUARDIANS TEAM UP) and Rachel and Terry Dodson (HARLEY QUINN) are being named Long Beach Comic Expo Special Guests in recognition of their astounding careers as comic book artists.

The convention is proud to recognize the following Special Guests for their commitment to creating stories for kids and young adults across a wide array of media: animation, collectible cards, comics, prose novels, toys and web comics:

  • Cecil Castellucci, the young adult novelist (TIN STAR) and writer of the influential YA graphic novel THE PLAIN JANES;
  • Steve Ellis, the artist of the young adult webcomic THE ONLY LIVING BOY and MAGIC THE GATHERING cards;
  • The Four Horsemen Studio, influential toy designers of Mattel’s Masters of the Universe, The Dark Knight, Harry Potter, DC Universe Classics and Man of Steel toy lines, among others.
  • Stan Sakai, the writer/ artist of the award winning USAGI YOJIMBO graphic novels;
  • Greg Weisman, acclaimed animation writer and producer (GARGOYLES; YOUNG JUSTICE) and author of the fan favorite RAIN OF GHOSTS YA novels;
  • Brian Wood, writer of the influential graphic novels DEMO and THE NEW YORK FOUR.

Program Highlights

As in past years, attendees will be treated to a wide array of programming. Highlights include:

  • One-on-one creator spotlight panels with Chris Claremont, Sandy King Carpenter, Gerry Conway, Katie Cook, Terry & Rachel Dodson, Stan Sakai, Richard Starkings and Ethan Van Sciver hosted by EAT GEEK PLAY.
  • Publisher panels hosted by Jesse Snider, including the 40th anniversary of X-men celebration, Lion Forge & IDW Publishing Presents Miami Vice: Remix, and much more.
  • Panels for Buffy The Vampire Slayer Comics and Star Wars Rebels: Kanan the Last Padawan comics.
  • The Dawn of the Rise of the Devastator: Funny Books for Humans panel, with writers from Cracked, CollegeHumor, Funny or Die, The Meltdown and The Onion.
  • #MakeComics workshops where aspiring writers and artists and fans can learn the entire process of making comics from comic book greats all weekend long. Topics include How to Build a Portfolio, Breaking Into Comics, Writing and Marketing.
  • The first ever Dwayne McDuffie Award for Diversity event with keynote speaker Reginald Hudlin.
  • Amazing animation panels: DISNEY AFTERNOON, GARGOYLES, GI JOE, and YOUNG JUSTICE, featuring major voice actors.
  • Major media panels including Rotten Tomatoes and Screen Junkie’s Honest Trailers & Movie Fights
  • A special screening of the upcoming Magnet Releasing film THE DEAD LANDS.
  • GeekFest Film Fest films at Long Beach Comic Expo, the only Los Angeles area venue to host the full slate of programming for the world’s 1st traveling film fest of “geek” films.
  • The Dollar Baby Film Festival.
  • The comic book convention premiere of the SHE MAKES COMICS documentary.
  • Publishing panels devoted to YA & crime novelists.
  • Kids programming including How To Draw My Little Pony.
  • Scholastic, the global children’s publishing, education and media company, will commence its celebration of 10 years of the groundbreaking Graphix imprint and participate in a panel with acclaimed cartoonists Jennifer L. Holm and James Burks and other creators.
  • A Saturday night Cosplay Contest and Cosplay panels.

Enjoy an exciting weekend full of exceptional guests, exhibitors, and engaging panels, at Long Beach Comic Expo, Saturday, February 28 from 10:00 am – 7:00 pm and Sunday, March 1 from 10:00 am – 5:00 PM at the Long Beach Convention Center.

Reginald Hudlin announced as the Keynote Speaker for the First Ever Dwayne McDuffie Award for Diversity Event

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Long Beach Comic-Con 2010Reginald Hudlin, an innovator of the modern black film movement, will be the Keynote Speaker at the first ever Dwayne McDuffie Award for Diversity event, to be held next month at Long Beach Comic Expo. The ceremony will be held at the Long Beach Convention Center on Saturday February 28 at 2 PM PT.

Hudlin created, written and or directed such beloved films as House Party, Boomerang and BeBe’s Kids, which are some of the most profitable and influential films of his generation. Hudlin received a Best Picture nomination from the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences for producing Quentin Tarantino’s Django Unchained, starring Jamie Foxx, Leonardo DiCaprio, Christoph Waltz, Kerry Washington and Samuel L. Jackson. The film won multiple awards including two Oscars and two Golden Globe Awards, and is one of the top grossing Westerns of all time.

Hudlin is the executive producer and writer of the Black Panther animated series, which premiered following a successful multi year comic book run. Hudlin’s stories reinvigorated the classic super hero for Marvel.  He was also executive producer of The Boondocks animated series, director the pilot of the hit series Everybody Hates Chris, and was producer and director of several award-winning episodes of The Bernie Mac Show.

From 2005-2009, Hudlin was the first President of Entertainment for B.E.T. Networks, creating some of the network’s highest rated shows during his tenure. While there, he launched a profitable home entertainment division and revamped the news division, which went on to win more than a dozen awards in that period.

Recently, Hudlin directed episodes of Murder In The First, Bad Judge and other hit series such as Modern Family, The Office, The Middle, and Psych. Through his production company Hudlin Entertainment, Hudlin produced the 44th NAACP Image Awards last year on NBC, and the 45th NAACP Image Awards this year for TVOne, which was the highest rated show in the history of the network.  Hudlin Entertainment is slated to return to produce the 46th NAACP Image Awards early 2015.  This summer, he partnered with The Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences and The Hollywood Bowl to produce a live cinematic concert experience titled: The Black Movie Soundtrack which was a critical and commercial success. That achievement led to Hudlin producing the 6th Governor’s Awards for the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, honoring Maureen O’Hara, Jean-Claude Carriere, Hideo Misayaki and Harry Belafonte.

Hudlin is a member of several organizations and currently serves on the boards of UCLA School of Theatre, Film & Television and Wasatch.

The five finalists for the first Dwayne McDuffie Award  for Diversity will be announced in February with the winner announced at the Expo event. To learn more about the award and purchase tickets to Long Beach Comic Expo, please visit www.longbeachcomicexpo.com.

Aspen Comics Heads to Long Beach Comic Expo

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Aspen Comics will be appearing at this weekend’s Long Beach Comic Expo on Saturday, May 11th, and will be offering exclusive Aspen convention items and more for the one-day event. Aspen creators Frank Mastromauro, Peter Steigerwald, Vince Hernandez, Mark Roslan, Beth Sotelo, David Wohl and Jonathan Marks will be appearing all day long at the Aspen Comics Booth and will be available for signatures and free sketches.

Aspen and the Long Beach Comic Expo have also teamed up to offer special Aspen Combo Ticket packages with a large assortment of Aspen collectibles. The combo packs are as follows:

Aspen Comics Charismagic Package:

$25 pack – limited to 50 total (over $30 product value). Includes: Charismagic #1 Mini-print, limited edition of 50; Charismagic #1 Reserved Edition Cover; Charismagic: The Death Princess #1 Retailer Incentive Edition Cover; and a Long Beach Comic Expo ticket (one adult).

Aspen Comics Combo Package:

$50 pack – limited to 25 total (over $125 product value) Includes: Michael Turner Anniversary Edition Swimsuit Full Size print, limited edition of 25; Shrugged #2 J. Scott Campbell Retailer Incentive Cover; The Lost Spark Novel; and a Long Beach Comic Expo ticket (one adult).

Aspen-LongBeachExpo_2013