DATE: January 10, 2009
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

The New York Comicon 2009 Educational Panels will offer real world advice and hands-on interaction with top comic industry pros in an unprecedented scheduling lineup.

Highly respected working comic pros will be teaching aspiring creators secrets of the craft and business of creating comics at the convention on February 6-8 in Manhattan. Many of these top creators are making their first appearance at the New York Comicon, including several who are traveling over from Europe.

Artists to discuss penciling include Georges Jeanty, Cully Hamner, Jerry Ordway, Whilce Portacio, Ron Garney, and Rags Morales. Writers will include Peter Milligan, Frank Tieri, Geoff Johns, Peter Tomasi, Fabian Nicieza, Christos Gage, Len Wein, Marv Wolfman, and Jimmy Palmiotti.

In addition to writing and penciling classes, there will also be interactive panels on inking, coloring, computer-generated comics, comic strips, editing, and even comics for young readers.

"The New York Comicon will offer a lineup of world-class educational panels that rivals any convention," says Educational Panel organizer Buddy Scalera. "We have an amazing mix of creative voices, styles, and disciplines. Every one of these creators has reached the top of this creative profession because of their commitment to the craft and business of creating entertaining comic products."

To keep the level of conversation on the appropriate educational level, the panels are hosted by respected editors and other creators, Hosts include Steve Wacker, Filip Sablik, Dave Devries, Glenn Herdling, Dan Goldman, Brian Haberlin, Matt Herring, and TJ May. A series of panels will be hosted by Andy Schmidt, creator of Comics Experience.

Many people go to conventions to break into the comics industry. Educational panels offer actionable and practical advice for people seeking information and guidance. Working editors from mainstream and independent companies will talk about breaking into the industry, including Mike Marts, Scott Allie, Rob Levin, Nick Lowe, and Jann Jones.

In addition, "Creator Connections" is hands-on networking panel offered on Saturday, which connects like-minded creators and helps them initiate their first creative collaboration.

The convention offers a wide range of educational panels throughout the weekend. However, Room 1A15 is the only room that is exclusively for educational panels. "In the past when I've run educational panels, I've seen determined artists and writers virtually camp out the entire weekend and soak up ever minute of the experience," says Scalera. "With this lineup, I wouldn't be surprised to see people living in there from Friday to Sunday. I just hope they shower every morning."


COMPLETE EDUCATIONAL PANEL LISTINGS
ROOM 1A15

FRIDAY
Writing: Story Structure
2:00 – 3:00 Learn how to structure a complete issue from beginning to end. Pace, panel breakdown, and story arc discussed by professional writers who work for mainstream publishers like Marvel, DC, Dark Horse & more.
Featuring:
Peter Milligan
Frank Tieri
Peter Tomasi
Fabian Niceiza
Geoff Johns
Host: Steve Wacker


Self-Publisher Secrets
3:15 – 4:15 Learn about self-publishing your comics by people who have become publishers. Some success stories…and some not so successful stories. Hear what to do, what to avoid…and much more!
Featuring:
Host: Filip Sablik – Top Cow
Darren Sanchez – After Hours Press
Sean O'Reilly – Arcana Studio
Ross Richie BOOM! Studios


Penciling: Page Layout
4:30 – 5:30 See how real professional artists break down a script and thumbnail a page. Actual working pros show you how they determine the layout, the story flow, and specific panels from a real comic book script.
Featuring:
Georges Jeanty
Cully Hamner
Jerry Ordway
Host: Buddy Scalera


Inking: Art & Craft
Presented by Comics Experience
5:45 – 6:45
Professional inkers discuss the art and craft of inking comic book pages. Presented by Comics Experience. Presented by Comics Experience.
Featuring:
Nelson DeCastro
Bob Almond
Klaus Jansen
Mike Perkins
Host: Andy Schmidt of Comics Experience





SATURDAY
Art: Page Design & Layout
11:00 – 12:00 Interactive discussion by working pros on the importance and role of page layout. Deep insights on how to create believable backgrounds and environments.
Featuring:
Whilce Portacio
Ron Garney
Rags Morales
Host: Dave Devries


Writing for Comics, Video Games, and Television
12:15 – 1:15 Professional comic book writers discuss the craft and business of working in television, film, video games, and more.
Featuring:
Jimmy Palmiotti
Len Wein
Christos Gage
Marv Wolfman
Host: Buddy Scalera


Meet the Editors
1:30 – 2:30 Talk to actual working editors from Marvel, DC, Dark Horse and more as they discuss the business. Learn about submissions, professionalism, and what it takes to make it as an editor.
Featuring:
Host: Glenn Herdling
Mike Marts – DC Comics
Scott Allie – Dark Horse
Rob Levin – Top Cow
Nick Lowe – Marvel Comics


Creator Connections
2:45 – 4:00 Meet your next creative partner in this fun, interactive networking session. Many indy titles and careers have been launched through this panel. Be sure to bring business. cards and samples of your work. A great way to break into comics.
Featuring:
Host: Buddy Scalera
Co-Host: Jarrett Alexander


Breaking In…& Staying In
Presented by Comics Experience
4:30 – 5:30
Breaking into comics is just half the battle. The other half is staying in. Discussions and advice from writers, editors, artists, and inkers who have seen it all. Literally.
Presented by Comics Experience.
Featuring: Host: Andy Schmidt of Comics Experience


Going Paperless: Using Computers to Draw Comics 2009
5:45 – 7:30
Learn how to use your computer to create professional-level comics. An annual panel on the state of the art techniques.
Featuring:
Host: Dan Goldman
Cameron Stewart
Steve Ellis
Rami Efal
Dennis Calero


SUNDAY
Cutting Edge Digital Comic Coloring Techniques
11:00 – 12:45
Watch a professional colorists use a computer to color a comic book page. Discussions of software, hardware, and technique.
Featuring: Host: Brian Haberlin


Comic Strips Creation
1:00 – 2:00 How to write and draw newspaper-style comic strips. Pacing, design, and even syndication from working comic strip creators.
Featuring:
Chris Eliopoulos
Chris Giarusso
Danielle Corsetto
Brad Guigar
Tom Wilson
Host: Matt Herring


Comics for Kids
2:15 – 3:15 Meet your next creative partner in this fun, interactive networking session. Many indy titles and careers have been launched through this panel. Be sure to bring business cards and samples of your work.
Featuring:
Chris Eliopoulos
Jeff Parker
Art Baltazar
Franco Aureliani
Jann Jones
Host: TJ May


Scalera is known within the comic book industry as the creator of the popular Comic Artist's Photo Reference book series and the CD-ROM series Visual Reference for Comic Artists. He has extensive writing credits, including many for Marvel Comics and other independent publishers. He gained experience organizing large projects as the former Wizard World Online Editor and the creator of Wizard School, another popular educational resource.