Austin Books & Comics presents August events
Pop culture retailer hosts Hot ‘n’ Nerdy Films at Blue Starlite Urban Drive-in Theatre,
With special guests actor Brian O’Halloran, author Ernie Cline and artist Tim Doyle,
Plus Conan events with Dark Horse, Dr. Sketchy’s, Tecate and Chipotle!

Austin, TX---Wednesday, July 27, 2011– Austin Books & Comics, Central Texas’s biggest and oldest comics and pop culture retailer, is proud to announce a premier series of special events through August, including a series of three special Conan The Barbarian events at Austin Books & Comics, Dr. Sketchy’s Anti-Art School and Blue Starlite Urban Drive-in Theatre.

Austin Books & Comics teams up with Blue Starlite Urban Drive-in Theatre for Hot n’ Nerdy Films
Clerks, w/ special guest, actor Brian O’Halloran, “Dante Hicks”
Thursday, August 4, 9 pm
Our second film in the special Hot n’ Nerdy Films summer film series features "Clerks" on Thursday, August 4 with pre-screening Q&A with special guest film actor Brian O’Halloran, flying in all the way from New Jersey, with Q&A moderated by Austin Chronicle writer and pop culture guru Richard Whittaker. O’Halloran is best known for his recurring roles as character “Dante Hicks” in director Kevin Smith’s films. Austin Books & Comics will also host an in-store event with Brian O’Halloran the following day, Friday, August 5, from 5 pm to 7 pm, along with event partner Powerhouse Animation. RSVP: http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=123785227707554.

Special In-Store Appearance: actor Brian O’Halloran, “Dante Hicks”
Friday, August 5, 4 pm to 8 pm
Join us for a one-of-a-kind in-store event with film actor Brian O'Halloran, fresh on the heels of his guest appearance at the "Clerks" screening at Blue Starlite Urban Drive-in Theatre on Friday,August 4.

O'Halloran is well known for his roles in film director Kevin Smith's View Askewniverse films, notably as Dante Hicks in Smith's debut film “Clerks” and its 2006 sequel,”Clerks II”. He has made appearances in most of Smith's films, either as his Clerks character Dante Hicks or one of Dante's cousins.

While at Austin Books & Comics, you can purchase Clerks photos and Brian will sign them for you! Event co-sponsored by Powerhouse Animation, prveyors of fine "Clerks" animation and games. RSVP: http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=223616644350274.

Strawberry Shortcake Tea Party & Book Event
Saturday, August 13, 2pm to 5 pm
Bring your little ones for a fun afternoon of Strawberry Shortcake games, prizes and a special tea party featuring bite-sized snacks from event sponsor Petite Sweets & Treats...not to be missed!

Returning to comics after 25 years, Strawberry Shortcake celebrates with berry special strawberry-scented scratch and sniff covers! Check out issues #1 through #3, published by Ape Entertainment. RSVP: www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=223174711052096.

Conan the Barbarian at Dr. Sketchy’s of Austin
Sunday, August 14, 5 pm to 8 pm
Prepare yourself for Conan the Barbarian, presented by Austin Books & Comics and produced by Dr. Sketchy’s Anti-Art School of Austin. Join us as we welcome to the stage live Conan and Red Sonja models, and supporting female models (including Danni Danger of Austin Books & Comics, aka costume character Sidekick Girl). Courtesy of Austin Books & Comics, our Conan model is competitive body-builder Joe Solinski from Dallas, TX. Joe will be replete with heavy iron weaponry and leather gear! Prizes for the evening from Austin Books & Comics include Conan merch, free Regal movie passes, Dark Horse Comics/Conan posters, and much more!

Dr. Sketchy’s Anti-Art School – the premiere alternative drawing movement in Austin – features costumed live models, prizes and booze! All kinds of artists are welcome, from the complete amateur to the advanced. Open to everybody! You’re a terrible artist? Who cares! Don’t forget to bring your own drawing materials.$10 admission, payable throughPayPal at www.Austinsketchy.com or at the Elyisum door the day of the event. RSVP: www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=177101365681097

Fanboys, w/ special guest, screenwriter/author Ernie Cline
Thursday, August 18, 9 pm
Our third film in the special summer film series features Fanboys with pre-screening Q&A with special guest, Fanboysscreenwriter/author Ernie Cline on Thursday, August 18. Fanboysfeatures cameos from actor/director Kevin Smith, George Lucas, Carrie Fisher, Seth Rogen, and Danny McBride. Fanboys is a celebration of Star Wars culture and fandom, not to be missed. Austin Books & Comics will also host an in-store event with book author Ernie Cline on Wednesday, August 24, from 5 to 8 pm, celebrating the release of his new video game cyber thriller novel, Ready Player One. RSVP: www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=222887167736219.

Conan the Barbarian– Book Signing & Reading with Conan author Mark Finn
Saturday, August 20, 4 pm to 7 pm
Join us for a special author signing and reading at Austin Books & Comics with Conan historian and notable Texas author Mark Finn on Saturday, August 20. Our Conan book event is co-sponsored by Chipotle and Tecate...free beer and burritos for all!

Mark Finn is an award-winning author, playwright, actor, and essayist with over twenty five years' experience in the field of comics and popular culture (as well as being a former Austin Books & Comics employee!). His most recent book, "Blood & Thunder: The Life and Art of Robert E. Howard" was nominated for a Locus Readers' award and a World Fantasy award. Finn will be reading sections of the Conan chapter in the book. RSVP: www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=221960731179570.

Ready Player One,Signing Event w/ author Ernie Cline
Wednesday, August 24, 4 pm to 7 pm
Austin-based author Ernie Cline threw aside promising career paths to express his love of pop culture full-time as a spoken-word artist and screenwriter. His 2009 film Fanboys became a cult phenomenon. READY PLAYER ONE is his first novel, coming out on August 16.

Genre-busting, ambitious, and irresistibly charming, READY PLAYER ONE is a jaw-droppingly cinematic debut that features a breathtaking, meticulously imagined world that’s simultaneously futuristic and charmingly retro—a universe where light-speed-traveling DeLoreans battle it out with X-Wing fighters and entire planets are inspired by classic video arcades—combined with a plot that incorporates pop-culture esoterica such as Cap’n Crunch commercials, John Hughes movies, and giant Japanese robots. RSVP: www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=187821391277265.

Conan the Barbarian
Thursday, August 25, 9 pm
Our final film in the special Hot n’ Nerdy Films summer film series features "Conan the Barbarian" (1982), starring Arnold Schwarzenegger, on Thursday, August 25. This screening is part of a 3-part event series in August celebrating Texas author Robert E. Howard's inimitable Conan the Barbarian character and universe. Other events in August include a one-of-kind Dr. Sketchy's Anti-Art School drawing class at Elysium with Conan andRed Sonja live models on Sunday, August 14, and special author signing at Austin Books & Comics with Conan historian Mark Finn on Saturday, August 20. RSVP: www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=176429429084408.

RSVP to any of these events by checking our Facebook group at www.facebook.com/AustinBooks and clicking on the various Events. Austin Books & Comics is located at 5002 North Lamar Boulevard.

About Austin Books & Comics
www.austinbooks.com
Central Texas’s biggest and oldest comics and pop culture retailer, Austin Books & Comics has been in business since 1977. Austin Books & Comics is a multiple Will Eisner Spirit of Comics Retail finalist, and was inducted into the Austin Chronicle's 'Best Of’ Hall of Fame. The Austin Chronicle has referred to Austin Books & Comics as “the Library of Alexandria of comics,”while Ain’t It Cool News says that Austin Books & Comics is the “one-stop shop for anything comic related.” Austin Books & Comics is proud to host both frequent and surprise celebrity guest signings and events. Partners include Lucy in Disguise with Diamonds, Regal Cinemas and SCARE For a CURE.

For more info on Austin Books & Comics, or to schedule an interview, contact Fiona Cherbak, ThemePark Studios, (512) 916-9633 or fiona@themeparkstudios.com.