Friday, August 19, 2011

Baltimore Comic-Con Kicks Off Tomorrow!

BALTIMORE, MARYLAND - August 19, 2011 - The 12th Annual Baltimore Comic-Con kicks-off tomorrow morning, Saturday, August 20, 2011 at the Baltimore Convention Center. The show floor will open at 10:00 am, but box offices will be open as early as 7:30 am.



Here are a few last-minute reminders for attendees:

Be sure to arrive early, as lines to enter when the show floor opens will begin to form early.
All attendees need to bring their receipt from their online ticket purchase and a photo ID and follow directions of staff members to guide them to the proper lines where their receipts will be collected and wristbands issued.
Those who purchased the Stan Lee VIP Packages should go the Will Call booth to attain their packages.
The 3rd Annual Costume Contest will be held on Saturday, August 20, 2011 at 3:00 pm. Registration will begin as soon as the show opens at 10:00 am. Contest Registration forms will be handed out at all ticket booths for all patrons interested in entering the costume contest to further speed the registration process. Over-13 registration will cost $5. Under-13 registration will be free.
Be sure to follow us on Twitter (hashtag #bcc2011) and Facebook for all the latest updates and announcements throughout the show.

Regretfully, we have to announce that a few of our guests have had last-minute cancellations. Josh Adams, Neal Adams, Tom Feister, and Steve Niles will all unfortunately be unable to make it this year's event.



Full Guest List

A complete list of confirmed guests for this year's Baltimore Comic-Con can be found here.



Third Annual Costume Contest at the Baltimore Comic-Con - UPDATED
The 3rd Annual Costume Contest will be held on Saturday, August 20, 2011 at 3:00 pm. With $1,000 up for grabs for the best overall costume and prizes for each of the 10 categories, this is one event all of you cosplayers don't want to miss! For more information and a complete list of catagories, visit our website's Costume Contest page.



Harvey Tickets Still Available

Time is running out, but there is still an opportunity to attend the party! Join our MC Scott Kurtz, nominees, presenters, Stan Lee, and other fans at the Harvey Awards Banquet! Tickets available until Wednesday at baltimorecomiccon.com/harvey-awards.


Stan Lee VIP Packages Sold Out! Autographs and Photos Still Available!

Please Note: Although the Stan Lee VIP Packages are officially sold out, individual autographs and photographs are still available and can be purchased by visiting http://baltimorecomiccon.com/tickets/.



Save the Date! Baltimore Comic-Con 2012!

That's right! Mark your calendars now for next year's Baltimore Comic-Con, which will take place the weekend of September 8-9, 2012 at the Baltimore Convention Center, and we'll see YOU in Baltimore!



Twitter Hashtag
Will you be tweeting this year from the show floor? Make sure you use the #BCC2011 hashtag! See what the latest news and excitement at the 2010 Baltimore Comic-Con is about by tracking #BCC2011!



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Attending the Baltimore Comic-Con? Show your support online!

Simply change your social network (Facebook, Twitter, blog, etc.) avatar pictures to the "See You in Baltimore!" image and let the world know you're attending the show!





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.



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.



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.
VIZ MEDIA CALLS OUT TO DIGITAL ARTISTS TO SUBMIT WORK FOR ART FOR HOPE TO BENEFIT ONGOING JAPAN DISASTER RELIEF



Unique Art Book Project In Partnership With Autodesk Will Curate Digital Artwork Created With Autodesk SketchBook® Software



VIZ Media reaches out to visual, graphic and manga/comic-inspired artists to submit original work and participate in ART FOR HOPE, a special limited edition digital art book anthology, to be sold through VIZManga.com and the VIZ Manga App for iOS devices, with 100% of net proceeds supporting ongoing disaster relief efforts in Japan. Artists interested in submitting work to be considered for the collection can get the full details at www.viz.com/artforhope.



The unique project was launched in partnership with Autodesk, Inc. (NASDAQ: ADSK), a leader in 3D design, engineering and entertainment software, and was initially announced at the 2011 Comic-Con International. All of the artwork for the ART FOR HOPE collection will be rendered using Autodesk SketchBook® digital paint and drawing software applications.



VIZ Media’s editors will collaborate with Autodesk to review and select works for inclusion in the digital anthology, which will be released later this fall through VIZManga.com and the free VIZ Manga App, available on iPad™, iPod Touch™ and iPhone™.





About VIZ Media, LLC

Headquartered in San Francisco, California, VIZ Media distributes, markets and licenses the best anime and manga titles direct from Japan. Owned by three of Japan's largest manga and animation companies, Shueisha Inc., Shogakukan Inc., and Shogakukan-Shueisha Productions, Co., Ltd., VIZ Media has the most extensive library of anime and manga for English speaking audiences in North America, the United Kingdom, Ireland and South Africa. With its popular monthly manga anthology SHONEN JUMP magazine and blockbuster properties like NARUTO, BLEACH and INUYASHA, VIZ Media offers cutting-edge action, romance and family friendly properties for anime, manga, science fiction and fantasy fans of all ages. VIZ Media properties are available as graphic novels, DVDs, animated television series, feature films, downloadable and streaming video and a variety of consumer products. Learn more about VIZ Media, anime and manga at www.VIZ.com.



About Autodesk, LLC

Autodesk, Inc., is a leader in 3D design, engineering and entertainment software. Customers across the manufacturing, architecture, building, construction, and media and entertainment industries – including the last 16 Academy Award winners for Best Visual Effects – use Autodesk software to design, visualize and simulate their ideas. Since its introduction of AutoCAD software in 1982, Autodesk continues to develop the broadest portfolio of state-of-the-art software for global markets. For additional information about Autodesk, visit www.autodesk.com.



Autodesk, AutoCAD, and SketchBook Pro are registered trademarks or trademarks of Autodesk, Inc., and/or its subsidiaries and/or affiliates in the USA and/or other countries. Academy Award is a registered trademark of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. All other brand names, product names or trademarks belong to their respective holders.
BENAROYA PUBLISHING TO HOLD SIGNINGS AND EVENTS AT FAN EXPO CANADA

In its debut appearance at Fan Expo Canada, Benaroya Publishing will be featuring signings, giveaways and limited edition comics at the Image Comics booth #130.Each day, Benaroya Publishing will hold signings with Jeff Cahn (Red Spike), Owen Wiseman (Samurai’s Blood) and Nam Kim (Samurai’s Blood), where fans will also have the opportunity to pick up a Fan Expo Canada EXCLUSIVE variant cover for MARKSMEN #2, first issue comics for only $1.00, as well as limited edition issues of RED SPIKE and SAMURAI’S BLOOD.



Fan Expo Canada is the country’s biggest, fastest growing and one of the largest events of its kind in the World! Now entering its 17th year, Fan Expo Canada showcases five genres (Comic, Anime, Science Fiction, Horror and Gaming), over 700 exhibits and sprawls to over 400,000 square feet and over 75,000 fans. Each year the Expo has a phenomenal celebrity guest list who sign autographs, host presentations and conduct question & answer sessions with their fans.



Fan Expo Canada runs from August 25th to August 28th at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre in Toronto Canada.



www.benaroyapublishing.com

www.facebook.com/benaroyapublishing

www.twitter.com/benaroya_comics





BENAROYA PUBLISHING SIGNING SCHEDULE



Friday, August 26th



12:00 P.M. to 2:00 P.M.

Owen Wiseman (Samurai’s Blood)



2:00 P.M. to 4:00 P.M.

Jeff Cahn (Red Spike)

Nam Kim (Samurai’s Blood)



4:00 P.M. to 6:00 P.M.

Owen Wiseman (Samurai’s Blood)

Saturday, August 27th



12:00 P.M. to 2:00 P.M.

Owen Wiseman (Samurai’s Blood)



2:00 P.M. to 4:00 P.M.

Jeff Cahn (Red Spike)

Nam Kim (Samurai’s Blood)



4:00 P.M. to 6:00 P.M.

Owen Wiseman (Samurai’s Blood)

Sunday, August 28th



11:00 A.M. to 12:00 P.M.

Owen Wiseman (Samurai’s Blood)

Jeff Cahn (Red Spike)



12:00 P.M. to 1:00 P.M.

Nam Kim (Samurai’s Blood)

About Benaroya Publishing

Founded by Michael Benaroya in 2009, Benaroya Publishing is a comic book and graphic novel production company dedicated to thrilling and compelling storytelling. A subsidiary of Benaroya Pictures, Benaroya Publishing is based in Los Angeles, California and launches their debut titles this Spring under the Image Comics label. With David Elliott (FALL OUT TOY WORKS and co-founder of RADICAL PUBLISHING) at the helm as in-house Editor-in-Chief, Benaroya Publishing promises to bring fresh new ideas, and uniquely told stories to the comics literary world. For more information, visit www.benaroyapublishing.com.



ABOUT OWEN WISEMAN

Owen Wiseman writes graphic novels, screenplays, and prose. Owen was raised by hippies in the Pacific Northwest, and fed a steady diet of appropriate books and inappropriate movies. In seventh grade, he was accidentally put into a Japanese class, and the venerable Furado-sensei convinced him to stay. He taught Owen about the language, culture, and fascinating history of this complex and beautiful island nation, and Furado-sensei’s passion for the Japanese culture triggered Owen’s love for it as well.



ABOUT NAM KIM

Nam Kim is a Philadelphia-based artist, founder and director of Studio Imaginary Lines, an all-purpose design house which produces original content for comic books, video games and commercial advertising. Nam is a self-taught illustrator who credits artists such as Burne Hogarth, Jim Lee and Masamune Shiro for shaping his artistic style and vision.



ABOUT JEFF CAHN

After graduating from Pomona College, Jeff Cahn returned to his hometown of New Orleans, where he interned on the set of The Curious Case of Benjamin Button for Digital Domain’s Oscar winning visual effects team. Once the shoot wrapped, he returned to Los Angeles and now works at Benaroya Pictures and Publishing as a story developer and writer of both screen and comics.

Thursday, August 18, 2011

THE CHOICE IS YOURS
Top Cow's 2011 Pilot Season Is On The Air!

Berkeley, CA -- 18 August 2011 -- For the fifth consecutive year, Image Comics and Top Cow Productions proudly announce this year's Pilot Season titles and creative teams. This year's contestants for the comics industry's premiere fan driven initiative include award winners, screenwriters, stellar art teams and even a Chicago Bear.

The rules to PILOT SEASON are simple. Each competing team gets a one-shot "pilot issue" comic book to win over fans. When all the books have been released in direct market stores and digital partners, the fans take control and vote on their favorite series. The winner of Pilot Season gets the green light to produce a series to be released at a later date through Top Cow Productions. Last year, over a million votes were cast for winner 39 MINUTES written and created by William Harms (IMPALER) with art by Jerry Lando.

"After five years, PILOT SEASON has become a comic industry institution that really embodies Top Cow's mantra of 'We Create...' and gives fans unprecedented control,” commented Top Cow Publisher Filip Sablik. “This year's slate of contenders is the most diverse in creators and genres yet.”

The eight projects that are competing for the coveted mini-series spot this year are:


PILOT SEASON: TEST #1
story JOSHUA HALE FIALKOV
art RAHSAN EKEDAL
cover BAGUS HUTOMO of IFS

OCTOBER 5
The Harvey nominated creative team of ECHOES, JOSHUA HALE FIALKOV (I…Vampire) and RAHSAN EKEDA (Solomon Kane) reunite to kick off 2011’s PILOT SEASON competition with TEST. A group of ten strangers wake up in a mysterious town with no memory of who they are and how they got there. They are the lone survivors of an apocalyptic event, chosen to repopulate the Earth. But what is the true nature of their fate?


TEST offers a fresh take on survivalist horror and psychological thriller in the way only FIALKOV and EKEDAL can!


PILOT SEASON: CITY OF REFUGE #1
story MORGAN DAVIS FOEHL
art & cover DENNIS CALERO

OCTOBER 12
Over a decade after Terminal, the residents of San Francisco live a peaceful and prosperous existence thanks to the Program. Every resident of the city is hand-selected and implanted with the chip Secura, which removes the human capacity for violence to maintain the greater good. Only the city's security forces are allowed a brief reprieve from Secura through use of the drug Freestone in order to do their jobs. Now, rumors of Freestone getting out into the open market threaten to upset the delicate balance keeping humanity from extinction.

Screenwriter MORGAN DAVIS FOEHL and artist DENNIS CALERO (X-Men: Noir) deliver a twist on the classic dystopian future in CITY OF REFUGE!


PILOT SEASON: THE BEAUTY #1
story JEREMY HAUN & JASON HURLEY
art & cover JEREMY HAUN

OCTOBER 19
Modern society is obsessed with outward beauty. What if there was a way to guarantee you could be come more and more beautiful every day? What if it was contagious? In the world of The Beauty, physical perfection is attainable and while the mass majority of the population has taken advantage of it, Detectives Foster and Vaughn will soon discover it comes with a terrible price.

Writer/artist JEREMY HAUN (Detective Comics, ARTIFACTS) and co-writer JASON HURLEY offer up a startling reflection on the cost of looking good in this procedural science fiction tale.


PILOT SEASON: FLESHDIGGER #1
story SHANNON ERIC DENTON & BRAD KEENE
art ALEX SANCHEZ
cover BERNIE WRIGHTSON

OCTOBER 26
A random act of kindness can be damning. When a man witnessed the ruthless beating of an innocent woman, he rushed to help her and was brutally murdered for his trouble. Now driven by revenge, sorrow, and guilt, the woman enacts arcane forces to resurrect him. From out of the earth he'll rise, a twisted, worm-riddled monstrosity forced to carry out vengeance to maintain whatever life he has left, all while confronting the unimaginable truth of his new, hideous existence. Is he forever damned to be a rotting monster driven by an insatiable bloodlust...or is it possible to shed the curse and return to normal? The torment belongs to the living nightmare they'll call Fleshdigger. God help anyone who gets in his way!

From Harvey Award nominee SHANNON ERIC DENTON (GRAVESLINGER, Common Foe) and screenwriter BRAD KEENE (The Grudge 3) and artist ALEX SANCHEZ (Fathom: Blue Descent) comes a tale of supernatural horror!


PILOT SEASON: MISDIRECTION #1
story FILIP SABLIK
art CHRIS DiBARI
cover MICHAEL GAYDOS

NOVEMBER 2
Vince Martinez raced cars for a living, now he can’t even drive. A tragic mistake took Vince from the height of success to losing his career, his family & his freedom. When he is unwittingly made the getaway driver for a bank robbery gone wrong, will Vince head back to jail or show the world why he was NASCAR’s hottest driver in one of the heaviest trafficked cities in the US.

Writer FILIP SABLIK (LAST MORTAL, PILOT SEASON: ASSET) teams with artist CHRIS DIBARI (Pale Horse, The Warriors) hit the gas on a high-speed fugitive tale with a twist!


PILOT SEASON: THEORY OF EVERYTHING #1
story DAN CASEY
art THOMAS NACHLIK
cover ERIK JONES

NOVEMBER 9
Charles Witten is a brilliant scientist capable of inventing devices that will change our world. Unfortunately, most of the scientific community thinks he’s a crackpot. As does the government, until… a precision team of heist men rob a bank in Switzerland using what appears to be Witten’s dimension hopping technology. Technology that Witten designed, but never completed…

Writer/director DAN CASEY and artist THOMAS NACHLIK (LAST MORTAL) deliver fast-paced, action-packed science fiction that will keep you guessing.


PILOT SEASON: ANONYMOUS #1
story ALAN McELROY
art MICHAEL MONTENAT
cover ERIK JONES

NOVEMBER 16
Marcus Walsh was an elite Special Forces soldier involved in black ops all over the world. Wet work like this takes its toll and Marcus wanted out, but this wasn’t a job you quit. There was only one way out. Now believed dead and completely anonymous, Walsh struggles to use his black ops skills to atone for his past sins.

Screenwriter ALAN McELROY (SPAWN, Tekken) newcomer MICHAEL MONTENAT delivers a hard-hitting adventure of redemption and conspiracy!


PILOT SEASON: SERAPH #1
story LANCE BRIGGS & PHIL HESTER
art & cover JOSE LUIS

NOVEMBER 23
The angelic warrior now known only as Seraph was once a sinner. After living a life of selfishness and sin, personal tragedy drove him to kill himself. Plucked on his way to Hell by Heaven, the man was made Heaven’s soldier in an endless battle. Charged with fighting an ancient war, but bound by God’s law, can Seraph triumph over opponents not restricted in the same way and regain his faith in the process?

Creator LANCE BRIGGS (Chicago Bears) and writer PHIL HESTER (THE DARKNESS, Wonder Woman) are joined by artist JOSE LUIS (Justice League of America) deliver a story of personal loss and redemption wrapped in a rich supernatural mythos.

With a record number of competing titles, the voting this year will be done in a triple elimination system in December. After the final release in November, fans will be able to log onto TopCow.com and vote for their favorite for two weeks with no restriction on the number of votes per day. Then the top four will compete for a week with one vote per fan per day allowed. Finally the top two square off for one week with one vote per fan per day.



All PILOT SEASON one-shots are 32-page full color comic books that will go on sale for $3.99.

ABOUT TOP COW PRODUCTIONS INC.
Top Cow Productions, Inc. (www.topcow.com), a Los Angeles-based entertainment company, was founded in December of 1992 by artist Marc Silvestri, who also co-founded Image Comics earlier that same year. Top Cow currently publishes its line of comic books in 21 languages in over 55 different countries. The company has launched 20 franchises (18 original and two licensed) in the industry’s Top 10, seven at #1, a feat accomplished by no other publisher in the last two decades. Its flagship franchise, WITCHBLADE, was TNT’s #1 original film of 2000 and the subsequent TV series was released on DVD on July 29, 2008. WITCHBLADE is also the first American property to be fully adapted in Japan as an original anime and manga by Studio GONZO in 2006. Top Cow’s other flagship property, THE DARKNESS, was developed into a major next-generation video game release by Starbreeze and 2K Games and achieved platinum sales status. A second game is slated for release from 2K Games in the Fall of 2011. WANTED, an Eisner-nominated miniseries published by Top Cow from 2003-2005, is now a major motion picture from Universal Pictures starring Angelina Jolie, James McAvoy and Morgan Freeman. Virtually all of Top Cow’s other properties are in development as feature films, live-action television, animation or video games. Top Cow has also successfully licensed and merchandised its franchises into toys, statues, clothing, lithographs, puppets, posters, magnets, shot glasses, lighters, lunch pails, wall scrolls, mouse pads, die-cast cars, calendars, Christmas ornaments, Halloween masks, trading cards, standees, video games and roleplaying games.

ABOUT IMAGE COMICS
Image Comics is a comic book and graphic novel publisher founded in 1992 by a collective of best-selling artists. Image has since gone on to become one of the largest comics publishers in the United States. Image currently has five partners: Robert Kirkman, Erik Larsen, Todd McFarlane, Marc Silvestri and Jim Valentino. It consists of five major houses: Todd McFarlane Productions, Top Cow Productions, Shadowline, Skybound and Image Central. Image publishes comics and graphic novels in nearly every genre, sub-genre, and style imaginable. It offers science fiction, romance, horror, crime fiction, historical fiction, humor and more by the finest artists and writers working in the medium today. For more information, visit www.imagecomics.com.
New Horror Series Chopper Hits Stores in October

August 17, 2011 – Los Angeles, CA – Asylum Press and Night Owl Productions announced today that Chopper, a gritty new five-issue horror comic book mini-series with a tie-in to a live-action web series, will debut online and in comic shops nationwide on October 5, 2011, just in time for the Halloween season. The books will be distributed through Diamond Comic Distributors as a “day-and-date release” in both print and digital formats on the same day.

Written by screenwriter Martin Shapiro and drawn by acclaimed Dark Horse artist Juan Ferreyra (Falling Skies, Rex Mundi), Chopper is a modern-day reimagining of the headless horseman of Sleepy Hollow fame. After taking a strange new drug with supernatural side effects at a party, the rebellious teenage daughter of a police officer starts seeing ghosts and is stalked by the Reaper, a headless Hell's Angel on a motorcycle who collects the souls of sinners in the afterlife.

The story has elements of Nightmare on Elm Street and Candyman. Instead of being killed in your dreams, you’re vulnerable while you’re high on the drug. The target audience for this book is mature readers, horror hounds, and motorcycle enthusiasts. It will appeal to fans of Rob Zombie, Steve Niles, and Garth Ennis.

“When Martin Shapiro showed me the first two issues of Chopper on the iPad, I was blown away. The artwork is the same high quality you’d find in a top-of-the-line Marvel or Vertigo book,” says Asylum Press President Frank Forte. “Martin is an enormously talented writer. He has created a dark, truly original world of drugs, outlaw bikers, and supernatural mayhem that horror fans should really respond to. We are thrilled to bring his first comic book to the world.”

“For me, working in comics is very similar to movie making – it's like the ultimate storyboard,” Shapiro commented. “With Chopper, I wanted to create one of the most beautiful books on the market with lots of attention to detail and cinematic coloring. That’s why I teamed up with Juan Ferreyra. I’ve been a fan of his for a long time. His pencils and inks are amazing – very dynamic with lifelike, expressive characters. I couldn’t ask for a better artist to bring the script to life.”

Shapiro added, “The idea for Chopper came to me when I was at the Daytona Bike Week Festival in Florida hanging out with a bunch of bad-ass bikers, getting stoned and telling war stories. I love custom choppers and I love horror films from the 1970’s and ‘80s, so I decided to combine the two elements into a hardcore, no-holds-barred, R-rated story. I wrote the script at UCLA Film School in a screenwriting class taught by Mike Werb, the writer of Face/Off. He helped me develop the emotional conflict of a troubled girl being pulled in two directions by two different father figures – one dead and one alive. He also encouraged me not to shy away from the controversy of having a drug-dealing high school cheerleader as the protagonist.”

Shortly after the art team finished issue #2, producer J.C. Christofilis saw a digital PDF of the books and snapped up the movie rights to Chopper. He quickly put together financing to produce an innovative web series to introduce fans across the globe to the Chopper mythology and build awareness for an upcoming movie in 2012. The web series stars Tyler Mane (played Michael Myers in Rob Zombie's Halloween remake, and Sabretooth in X-Men) and Andrew Bryniarski (Texas Chainsaw Massacre, Any Given Sunday, Batman Returns). It will feature all-new prequel story material NOT in the comic book. You can view the Chopper teaser trailer on YouTube at the following link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xosUS87LI9Y. So far, the trailer video has over 139,000 views.

Other transmedia components associated with Chopper include an iPhone game app, a music deal with a popular heavy metal band to be announced next month, and a sponsorship deal with Rockstar Energy Drink.

“I realized there was an opportunity to expand Martin's strong characters and story universe from the comic book by utilizing transmedia storytelling to create original online tales that could further enrich the overall Chopper mythology and entertainment experience for fans.” said producer J.C. Christofilis. “Our goal is to reach massive audiences through all possible media platforms as we unleash integrated, killer content via the comics, web series, social media and ultimately feature films. We are confident this new horror franchise will connect deeply with fans who appreciate a mix of quality storytelling and hardcore horror on the level of Sleepy Hollow and the first Nightmare on Elm Street!”

Chopper #1, a 32-page full color comic book for $2.99, goes on sale in stores in early October, the same month as the highly anticipated Chopper web TV series debuts on YouTube! Fans should pre-order Chopper #1 at their local comic book shop (www.comicshoplocator.com) to ensure they get a copy before it sells out. Retailers can pre-order Chopper #1 from Diamond Previews August catalog (Asylum Press section - page #249). This title carries a Diamond Code of AUG110859.

Diamond Comic Distributors gave Chopper #1 a "Certified Cool" in its August Previews catalog. It is now featured on Diamond Previews World.

Check out the special 6-Page Preview at http://www.asylumpress.com/titles/chopper

ABOUT ASYLUM PRESS
Asylum Press is a Los Angeles-based comic book and graphic novel publisher founded in 1999 by artist Frank Forte. The Company publishes high-concept books from the industry’s top talent within the horror, fantasy, and action adventure genres via a bold new business model that focuses on digital publishing and new distribution outlets in both the American and international markets. Asylum Press maximizes the value of these branded properties by extending them across multiple entertainment platforms, including movies, TV, and video games, often using transmedia storytelling techniques. Its flagship titles include Fearless Dawn, The Bomb, Undead Evil, Black Powder, Warlash, and the popular horror anthologies Zombie Terrors, EEEK!, Asylum of Horrors, and Satan’s 3-Ring Circus of Hell. For more information, visit http://www.asylumpress.com.
PRODUCTION STARTS ON “THE 36,” A FIVE-PART GRAPHIC NOVEL

BASED ON THE KABBALISTIC LEGEND ABOUT

THIRTY-SIX PEOPLE CHOSEN TO SAVE THE WORLD



The project, which sought public funding on Kickstarter.com,

exceeded the goal of $10,000 by over 10% on August 8, 2011



North Hollywood, CA (Wednesday, August 17, 2011) – Production has begun on “The 36,” a five-part graphic novel based on a Kabbalistic legend about thirty-six people chosen to save the world. The project, which sought funding on Kickstarter.com, exceeded its funding goal of $10,000 by over 10% on August 8, 2011.



The story focuses on thirty-six individuals, each with a unique power and the mission to “save the world.” Noam, our hero, is one of those people. Armed with the fabled Staff of Moses (used to split the Red Sea), Noam would love nothing more than to fade into anonymity; he just doesn't know what he has to do to finish his duty as the leader of the thirty-six. Chapter One follows an investigation into the mysterious reappearance of a mythical mud monster, known as a golem, that’s gone on a murder spree across the city. It’s up to Noam and his brother to stop the creature before it claims its next victim, an innocent girl named Lenore. The trouble is, no one’s seen a golem since the 15th century. Noam’s only hope lies with a fellow member of the 36, a former mentor he was forced to betray when the Staff of Moses chose him as its next bearer. However, their troubles extend beyond mere rivalry when Noam learns that waking up the golem is just the first step in a grander plan -- one that involves reviving something even nastier, the master of all monsters: The Leviathan.



Backers on Kickstarter will receive exclusive first looks and other updates, as part of their incentives for becoming backers. For a preview of the graphic novel, go to http://the36.net.



Kristopher White (Creator & Writer) produced the Official LOST Podcast among many other projects for the Disney ABC Television Group. A graduate of USC’s film school, he’s been working in the television industry since 2001. His writing has garnered industry attention, including a half-hour pilot, Relatively Insane, which was a finalist for the 2009 Slamdance Teleplay Contest. Most recently, he was one of the twenty-four contending for a spot in the coveted Disney ABC Writing Fellowship.



George Zapata (Pencils & Inks) isn’t sure when his journey into comics began. Since the beginning though he knew he had pencil and ink in his blood (it was a freak accident involving very little understanding of gravity and stairs). After honing his skills at the Joe Kubert School of Cartoon and Graphic art, he made his comic debut in the SIX anthology as penciller and inker of “The Altruist”.



Micki Zurcher (Color) is a veteran to the industry. Among her many credits as a painter/background artist include “The Little Mermaid,” “Eight Crazy Nights,” “Cool World” and many other world-class animated films. Currently, she is actively involved in rescuing pugs.

Wednesday, August 17, 2011

Canadian artist Von Allan announces his new all-ages graphic novel “Stargazer Volume Two.”


Ottawa, Ontario, Canada (August 10, 2011) – “All ages” comics and graphic novels are stories that parents can hand to their children without worrying about what they're reading. Unfortunately, the term “all-ages” also implies safe, dull stories that are not exciting or believable and feature characters that are not realistic. Von Allan, an Ottawa-based artist and graphic novelist, is challenging these ideas with his two part graphic novel series “Stargazer.” The concluding volume arrives in stores world-wide in October.

“In Volume 2, I really wanted to play with people's expectations of an all-ages comic, especially one with younger girls as the protagonists,” said Allan. “I think a lot of people take all-ages to mean safe or gentle. But graphic novels and comics are flexible and I don't think a children's comic has to be completely tame for it to qualify as 'kid-friendly.' The first volume of "Stargazer" was designed to read mostly like a traditional all-ages fantasy, but the story takes a scarier turn in the second volume. It's psychologically darker and the main characters are pushed to deal with new and more difficult events. That's comparable to real life, though, and I think adults sometimes forget what children can handle. And how they learn to cope with day-to-day reality and tough times. The best and most enduring stories have an edge to them...it mirrors life. And, let's face it, kids also like to be a little scared.”

“I also wanted to write a kids' story that an adult could enjoy,” Allan added. “Kids and adults have a lot in common when it comes to enjoying fairytale-like stories. There's an escapism and a certain enjoyment of goosebumps and wonder. Some of the most successful books are the ones that adults and kids are both reading; the Harry Potter phenomenon, for example. It's partially because kids and adults are reading these together but it's also that books aimed at kids can be smart, exciting and suspenseful and they don't need to be “dumbed down.” With all that in mind, I didn't want to pull punches with “Stargazer.” I wanted to create a riveting story with strong characters that readers of all ages could believe in. Nothing is worse than a book that talks down to or patronizes a reader regardless of their age, and I think I avoided all of that with “Stargazer.”

In the first volume of “Stargazer,” three girls, Marni, Elora, and Sophie, found themselves transported to a strange world by an ancient artifact. Faced with being on their own and far from home, the friends must rely on each other and their wits to find a way home. Under unfamiliar stars, the three girls have the kind of adventures they could only have imagined before; they flee an unseen but terrifying monster, they make a new friend, they find a new ship, and they travel through the alien landscape to a distant tower, looking for help. In the concluding volume of “Stargazer,” the girls make more discoveries, overcome some frightening circumstances, and learn how strong friendship can be. When the monster from Volume 1 returns, the girls must unite to face their fears and fight for their lives.

“Stargazer Volume Two” has an ISBN of 978-09-781237-4-1, a suggested retail price of $14.95 US and is 110 pages in length. It will arrive in stores world-wide on October 12th, 2011. Multiple companies are distributing “Stargazer Volume Two,” including Diamond Comic Distributors (item code AUG111259), the Ingram Book Company, Follett Library Resources, and the Brodart Company.

About Von Allan: Von Allan was born red-headed and freckled in Arnprior, Ontario, just in time for “Star Wars: A New Hope.” The single child of two loving but troubled parents, Von split most of his childhood between their two homes. Additional information about the graphic novel can be found at http://stargazer.vonallan.com
Kill Shakespeare Celebrates Its Final Issue at Baltimore Comic-Con with Debut of 'ShakesGeare'

BALTIMORE, MARYLAND - August 17, 2011 - The creators of IDW Publishing's critically-acclaimed Kill Shakespeare comic book series will appear at the 2011 Baltimore Comic-Con this weekend to celebrate the release of the final issue of their initial story arc and also debut their "ShakesGeare" merchandise line.



Kill ShakespeareThe 12th issue of the series, nominated for the Harvey Award for Best New Series, is being released today (August 17th). Co-creators Anthony Del Col and Conor McCreery are excited to debut the series finale in Baltimore and eager to take part in the Harvey Awards festivities. "It's our first time in Baltimore and win or lose, we can't wait to meet Baltimore's comic fans and Shakespeare buffs," said McCreery. The entire Kill Shakespeare run will be on sale at the duo's booth (#2201).



The Canadian creators have also selected the Baltimore show, due to its great reputation and strong fanbase, to debut the "ShakesGeare" line, which will initially feature t-shirts and pins. Designs have been created by Kill Shakespeare artist Andy Belanger and top Canadian t-shirt designer Matt Medley. The creators worked with Kill the 8 Merch Co., one of North America's top apparel companies.



"Our readers have been asking us for over a year for t-shirts and other swag. We thought that Baltimore would be a great place to debut the line," Anthony Del Col states. "We will be rolling out additional goodies over the next few months that will appeal to not only readers of the series but fans of the Bard, comics, and great design in general."



The first eleven issues of the series, described by the New York Times as "gripping, violent and dark fun", have been released to great acclaim and attention. The first trade paperback, released last November, is now in its second printing and the creators have recently secured financing to develop the project into a feature film.


About the series:



Kill Shakespeareis an adventure story that pits all of Shakespeare's greatest heroes (including Hamlet, Juliet, Falstaff, Othello, and Puck) against the Bard's most menacing villains (including Richard III, Lady Macbeth, and Iago) in a quest to track down and kill - or save - a reclusive wizard by the name of William Shakespeare. Called by Aint it Cool News as "[a] great read", the series has been profiled by The New York Times, NPR, BBC, Wired.com, The Globe and Mail and The Washington Post. It also created controversy last year when Shakespearean scholar (and girlfriend of comics legend Frank Miller) Kimberly Cox railed against the title on popular U.K. comic blog BleedingCool.com, while others - such as Des McAnuff (Stratford Shakespeare Festival, Jersey Boys) are fans of it.
Image Plots Collected Edition of "Moriarty"

Moriarty Gets Collected in September

MORIARTY is an exciting new science fiction adventure series from Image Comics that follows the misdeeds of the original supervillain, Professor James Moriarty, arch nemesis of Sherlock Holmes. From the grimy streets of London to the haunting British countryside, underground lairs and superscience labs, Professor Moriarty must forge has way through a world without Sherlock.

This September, Image Comics proudly presents the first trade paperback volume of MORIARTY, entitled MORIARTY: THE DARK CHAMBER, collecting the first four super-sized issues of the ongoing series. MORIARTY is written by Daniel Corey (PROPHET), with art by Anthony Diecidue (Stan Lee's TIME JUMPER), colors by Perry Freeze and letters and design by Dave Lanphear.

It is 20 years after the death of Sherlock Holmes, and Professor James Moriarty is a lost man. MI5 blackmails Moriarty into finding Holmes' long-lost brother, Mycroft, but what at first appears to be a routine case leads to a web of intrigue that involves a psychic box and its creator, a woman from Moriarty's past, as well as a new villain that threatens to be greater than Moriarty ever was! See how Moriarty deals with love, loss, war and death rays in the critically acclaimed Image Comics series MORIARTY.


Here's what reviewers and influential comic creators are saying about MORIARTY:

"MORIARTY is a book that should be mentioned in the same breath as THE WALKING DEAD, CHEW and HACK/SLASH when it comes to the best comics coming out of Image." -- Horror Haven Reviews

"I love MORIARTY. Most of all, I loved how in a world without Holmes, that it's only in the mystery, the unanswered questions, that life for Sherlock's arch enemy can begin again. Insightful, exciting and cool - with gritty, atmospheric art to match." -- Jim Krueger (EARTH X, JUSTICE, FOOTSOLDIERS)

"MORIARTY: THE DARK CHAMBER is irresistible. Professor James Moriarty, Sherlock Holmes' arch-nemesis, drawn from retirement and off on his own death-defying adventure? It's one of those simple, perfect ideas you kick yourself for not thinking of first, and Corey and Diecidue carry it off in fine style." -- Scott Tipton (ILLYRIA: HAUNTED, STAR TREK: INFESTATION)

"Even with characters that lead a pretty sad existence, there is a drive for something greater or at least a sense of discovery. It moves the piece along at a thrilling pace that respects, but expands upon Sir Arthur Canon Doyle's fiction in a way that is thrilling and smart." -- The Daily Blam!

"Corey spins a wonderful world of conspiracy, despair, and even science fiction." -- IGN

"...this is a perfect example of a great collaboration of story and artist." -- Newsarama

"[MORIARTY] takes an intriguing look at that relationship between good and evil." -- USA Today

"...this is a damn good comic book." -- Bloody-Disgusting.com
MORIARTY: THE DARK CHAMBER, VOL. 1 TP, a 128-page full-color paperback, will be on sale in stores September 14th for $14.99 and is available to order in the July 2011 edition of Diamond Previews (JUL110470, ISBN: 978-1-60706-450-3). For more information, please visit www.professorjamesmoriarty.com and www.facebook.com/daniel.corey.
VIZ MEDIA DEBUTS THE ART OF VAMPIRE KNIGHT



New Hardcover Edition Features Captivating Artwork From The Bestselling Manga Series By Matsuri Hino



VIZ Media invites fans to savor the lavish, gothic-inspired illustrations of manga (graphic novel) creator Matsuri Hino in THE ART OF VAMPIRE KNIGHT, scheduled for release on September 6th. The new hardcover edition will carry an MSRP of $24.99 U.S./$28.99 CAN.



THE ART OF VAMPIRE KNIGHT is an ideal companion to the bestselling manga series, and contains your favorite images in color plus never-before-seen artwork in the United States. The new book features an extensive character gallery with author comments, a how-to tutorial, and an exclusive full-color VAMPIRE KNIGHT poster.



Cross over into this mysterious and dangerous world of vampires with the lush artwork of Matsuri Hino. VAMPIRE KNIGHT takes readers to Cross Academy, which is attended by two groups of students: the Day Class and the Night Class. At twilight, when the students of the Day Class return to their dorms, they cross paths with the Night Class on their way to school. Yuki Cross and Zero Kiryu are the Guardians of the school, protecting the Day Class from the Academy’s dark secret: the Night Class is full of vampires!



VAMPIRE KNIGHT (rated ‘T+’ for Older Teens) was created by Matsuri Hino, who burst onto the manga scene with her debut title, When This Dream Is Over, in LaLa DX magazine. With the success of subsequent series such as CAPTIVE HEARTS and MERU PURI (both published in the U.S. by VIZ Media), Hino has established herself as a major force in the world of shojo manga. VAMPIRE KNIGHT is currently serialized in LaLa magazine. VIZ Media also offers the VAMPIRE KNIGHT anime series on DVD and episodes are available online through its innovative video streaming web destination at VIZAnime.com.



For more information on the VAMPIRE KNIGHT manga and to read free manga previews online, please visit www.shojobeat.com.
AutoBiographical Stories Push Buttons this September

So Buttons #4 Premieres At SPX 2011



(August 16, 2011-New York NY) Autobiographical sequential art storyteller Jonathan Baylis announced today that the new issue of So Buttons #4 will be premiering at the Small Press Expo 2011 in Bethesda, MD. Following in the Harvey Pekar model, Baylis partners with different artists to translate his stories into sequential art. The new issue contains artwork from Noah Van Sciver (Fantagraphics), Fred Hembeck (Marvel), Thomas Boatwright (Slave Labor Graphics), T.J. Kirsch (She Died in Terrebonne), and many others. Full color and priced at $6.00 So Buttons is an invitation to laugh and be moved by memories and experiences everyone can relate to.Cover

What others have said about previous issues of So Buttons:

Chris Staros (Top Shelf) “So I went to L.A. - Nice story -- learned something too.”

Nick Bertozzi (The Salon) "Don't let Baylis fool you. Yes, his comics are funny, but I read them for the quiet, human moments that will stick with you long after you've finished reading."

Dean Haspiel (on L.A./Kong) “I really dug 'So I Went To L.A.' great story/great art. The King Kong tale was fun, too [nostalgic]. I dig the artist you're working with. You two make a swell pair.”

Check out a preview at: http://issuu.com/jonathanbaylis/docs/sobuttons4issuupreview

So Buttons is carried in the finest independent bookstores and retailers wishing to place an order should email Tony Shenton at shenton4sales@aol.com

Issues of So Buttons are becoming available in many formats including:

Nook Color -http://bit.ly/o2Xwhu
Nook Simple Touch -http://bit.ly/qN93tk
Kindle DX -http://amzn.to/qUJFcP
Kindle (small version) -http://amzn.to/oOcw7H

Friend us on Facebook: http://tinyurl.com/3lmej8m
Follow Jonathan at http://twitter.com/#!/JonathanBaylis





About Jonathan Baylis:
Before Jonathan Baylis wrote auto-bio comics, he interned at Marvel Comics, Valiant/Acclaim Comics, and was an Associate Editor at Topps Comics. His comics have been published locally in New York City in Free Comics NYC, The Comical Magazine, & The Comedians Magazine. "So... Only Nixon Could've Gone to China" was the first comic story to be published in The Florida Review. His first fiction story with David Beyer was published by Arcana Press in Dark Horrors 2. Jonathan & T.J. have two-pagers that were published in the Random House/Three Rivers press collection edited by Julia Wertz, "I Saw You... Missed Connections”, as well as Poseur Ink’s “Side B: The Music Lover’s Comic Anthology”.

Tuesday, August 16, 2011

THE NEW YORKER MAGAZINE Cartoonist and TOO MUCH COFFEE MAN Creator Shannon Wheeler Joins the Baltimore Comic-Con Guest List!

BALTIMORE, MARYLAND - August 16, 2011 - The Baltimore Comic-Con is excited to announce the addition of THE NEW YORKER MAGAZINE cartoonist and TOO MUCH COFFEE MAN creator Shannon Wheeler to the lineup of guests for this year's show, taking place the weekend of August 20-21, 2011.


I Thought You Would Be FunnierHot off an Eisner win for his collection of rejected NEW YORKER cartoons, I THOUGHT YOU WOULD BE FUNNIER - published by BOOM! Town, the alt-lit imprint of BOOM! Studios - Wheeler will be found at the BOOM! Studios booth for the duration of Baltimore Comic Con. I THOUGHT YOU WOULD BE FUNNIER is currently nominated for a Harvey in the Special Award for Humor in Comics.


This past spring BOOM! Studios announced a three book deal with Shannon Wheeler ushering in three new bodies of work under the BOOM! Town imprint. This fall see the release of the all-new original graphic novel GRANDPA WON'T WAKE UP written by simon max hill, followed up this winter by a new collection of Wheeler's signature creation with TOO MUCH COFFEE MAN: CUTIE ISLAND & OTHER STORIES, and finally next spring sees a sequel to the critically acclaimed I THOUGHT YOU WOULD BE FUNNIER, entitled I TOLD YOU SO - an all-new collection of rejected NEW YORKER cartoons!


TOO MUCH COFFEE MAN has had a storied publishing history, first self-published in the 90's by Shannon Wheeler himself and then during the last decade by Dark Horse Entertainment from which previous volumes can still be purchased today.


This fall Fantagraphics will be releasing Wheeler's OIL AND WATER, written by Steve Duin about the 2010 Gulf Coast oil spill, and next year Top Shelf Productions will be releasing Wheeler's GOD IS DISAPPOINTED IN YOU, a tongue-in-cheek retelling of the Bible written by Mark Russell.


Full Guest List

A complete list of confirmed guests for this year's Baltimore Comic-Con can be found here.



Third Annual Costume Contest at the Baltimore Comic-Con - UPDATED
The 3rd Annual Costume Contest will be held on Saturday, August 20, 2011 at 3:00 pm. With $1,000 up for grabs for the best overall costume and prizes for each of the 10 categories, this is one event all of you cosplayers don't want to miss! For more information and a complete list of catagories, visit our website's Costume Contest page.



Harvey Tickets Still Available

Time is running out, but there is still an opportunity to attend the party! Join our MC Scott Kurtz, nominees, presenters, Stan Lee, and other fans at the Harvey Awards Banquet! Tickets available until Wednesday at baltimorecomiccon.com/harvey-awards.


Stan Lee VIP Packages Sold Out! Autographs and Photos Still Available!

Please Note: Although the Stan Lee VIP Packages are officially sold out, individual autographs and photographs are still available and can be purchased by visiting http://baltimorecomiccon.com/tickets/.



Save the Date! Baltimore Comic-Con 2012!

That's right! Mark your calendars now for next year's Baltimore Comic-Con, which will take place the weekend of September 8-9, 2012 at the Baltimore Convention Center, and we'll see YOU in Baltimore!



Twitter Hashtag
Will you be tweeting this year from the show floor? Make sure you use the #BCC2011 hashtag! See what the latest news and excitement at the 2010 Baltimore Comic-Con is about by tracking #BCC2011!



illseeyouinbaltimore_2011_200x200

Attending the Baltimore Comic-Con? Show your support online!

Simply change your social network (Facebook, Twitter, blog, etc.) avatar pictures to the "See You in Baltimore!" image and let the world know you're attending the show!





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.



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.



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.
Artists, Exhibitors, and Retailers Galore at This Year's Baltimore Comic-Con

BALTIMORE, MARYLAND - August 15, 2011 - In addition to the great line-up of guest for this year's Baltimore Comic-Con, taking place the weekend of August 20-21, 2011, we are very pleased to have more than 400 artists and exhibitors and more than 80 retailers also attending the show!



Looking for those few missing issues to round out a collection? Trying to track down that hard-to-find collectible? Well, look no further! From the Golden Age to the Modern Age, and everything in between, fans can find what they are looking for in the retailer section of the show floor. Vintage comics, apparel, toys, trade paperbacks, and hardcover collections are just a few of the types of items that are available from a great selection of retailers and exhibitors.



Want to score that sweet sketch from the next superstar artist? Interested in discovering new independent press books or finding some great original art? Then Artist Alley is the place for you! With more than 400 creators and "Indy" publishers attending the show, Artist Alley caters to almost every genre and style, giving attendees the perfect opportunity to discover that "next big thing."



"Each year, we really strive to offer something for everyone at our show," said Marc Nathan, show promoter of the Baltimore Comic-Con. "The creators, exhibitors, and retailers that attend the show make that possible. We couldn't do it without them!"


Be sure to check out the complete lists of Exhibitors, Artists Alley creators, and Retailers!



Full Guest List
A complete list of confirmed guests for this year's Baltimore Comic-Con can be found here.



Third Annual Costume Contest at the Baltimore Comic-Con - UPDATED
The 3rd Annual Costume Contest will be held on Saturday, August 20, 2011 at 3:00 pm. With $1,000 up for grabs for the best overall costume and prizes for each of the 10 categories, this is one event all of you cosplayers don't want to miss! For more information and a complete list of catagories, visit our website's Costume Contest page.



Harvey Tickets Still Available

Time is running out, but there is still an opportunity to attend the party! Join our MC Scott Kurtz, nominees, presenters, Stan Lee, and other fans at the Harvey Awards Banquet! Tickets available until Wednesday at baltimorecomiccon.com/harvey-awards.


Stan Lee VIP Packages Sold Out! Autographs and Photos Still Available!

Please Note: Although the Stan Lee VIP Packages are officially sold out, individual autographs and photographs are still available and can be purchased by visiting http://baltimorecomiccon.com/tickets/.



Save the Date! Baltimore Comic-Con 2012!

That's right! Mark your calendars now for next year's Baltimore Comic-Con, which will take place the weekend of September 8-9, 2012 at the Baltimore Convention Center, and we'll see YOU in Baltimore!



Twitter Hashtag
Will you be tweeting this year from the show floor? Make sure you use the #BCC2011 hashtag! See what the latest news and excitement at the 2010 Baltimore Comic-Con is about by tracking #BCC2011!



illseeyouinbaltimore_2011_200x200

Attending the Baltimore Comic-Con? Show your support online!

Simply change your social network (Facebook, Twitter, blog, etc.) avatar pictures to the "See You in Baltimore!" image and let the world know you're attending the show!





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.



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.



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.
DIGITAL VERSION OF SCI-FI MANGA MASTERPIECE NEON GENESIS EVANGELION LAUNCHES ON VIZMANGA.COM AND THE VIZ MANGA APP



Classic Sci-Fi Action Saga Will Debut New Weekly Digital Chapters For Only $0.99!



VIZ Media has announced the digital launch today of the acclaimed sci-fi manga (graphic novel) masterpiece, NEON GENESIS EVANGELION, on VIZManga.com and the VIZ Manga App for the Apple iPad™, iPhone™ and iPod™ touch. NEON GENESIS EVANGELION will be available chapter-by-chapter for only $0.99 each, with a new chapter launching each week. To celebrate the series’ debut, VIZ Media will offer a free Chapter 1 preview; Chapter 2 is also now available for download for $0.99.



NEON GENESIS EVANGELION (rated ‘T+’ for Older Teens), is series co-creator Yoshiyuki Sadamoto's personal interpretation of the Evangelion characters and story is sure to intrigue new and old fans alike. In 2015, the "Angels" have returned, and Shinji Ikari, a fourteen year-old child of the new Earth, is forced by his father Gendo – commander of the secret organization NERV – to pilot the monstrous biomechanical weapon called "Evangelion" to match the Angels' fearsome power...


VIZ Media's digital manga platform continues to expand access for fans in North America to the world's best manga. Starting with the VIZ Manga app (the #1 app for reading manga on the iPad, iPhone and iPod touch) in 2010, the recently launched VIZManga.com is now a leading online destination for reading manga on desktop/laptop computers and on Android-powered devices with built-in web browsers. With one account, registered users can select from nearly 400 volumes across 40+ series and then enjoy their purchases through even more devices than ever.



For more information, visit VIZManga.com or www.VIZ.com/apps.
DAVID LYNCH PLOTS SOLO DEBUT

Crazy Clown Time Includes 14 Original Songs
Written, Performed and Produced by Lynch

Available from Sunday Best Recordings on November 8

LOS ANGELES (August 16, 2011) – Visionary filmmaker David Lynch will make his solo debut as a musical artist this fall with Crazy Clown Time. Produced and written by Lynch, the album’s 14 original songs spotlight him on guitar and vocals. The album will be released on November 8 by independent British label Sunday Best Recordings / PIAS in America.

Two tracks released late last year – “Good Day Today” and “I Know” – already have American and British critics buzzing about the album. The Los Angeles Times writes: “Frightening effects and mysterious lyrics: this is Lynch's most unexpected venture to date.” The BBC declares: “Now David Lynch leaves his stamp on the music world as well...” The Washington Post adds: “Every bit as pleasantly odd as you might imagine from Lynch.” New Musical Express calls it: “the sound of a creative genius dipping a toe in a new medium.”

Crazy Clown Time will be available for purchase at retail outlets in both physical and digital formats, including a Collector’s Edition CD; iTunes exclusive with video; and a double LP set with bonus tracks.

Through the years, Lynch has collaborated frequently with others on various musical projects – composer Angelo Badalamenti (Twin Peaks), Polish pianist Marek Zebrowski (Inland Empire), plus Sparklehorse and Danger Mouse (Dark Night of the Soul). Crazy Clown Time, however, marks the first time Lynch steps into the spotlight alone.

“The love of experimenting with sound and music is what’s driving this boat,” explained the self-taught ‘non-musician’. “All of the songs on the album started as a jam. The jams eventually found a form and lyrics appeared.”

Lynch recorded Crazy Clown Time over several months at his own Asymmetrical Studio with engineer Dean Hurley, who contributes guitar and drums to several songs. The recording process, Lynch recalls, was filled with happy creative accidents. “There were so many accidents; this album should be in the hospital.”

The result is a collection of dark songs Lynch has described as “modern blues.” Filled with foreboding soundscapes, hypnotic rhythms and enigmatic lyrics, Crazy Clown Time will surely resonate with fans of Lynch’s films, but should also appeal to listeners who appreciate gloriously daring and quirky pop music.

The tracks released last year hint at the album’s range. The driving beat of “Good Day Today” also fuels “Stone’s Gone Up,” “Noah’s Arc” and “Strange and Unproductive Thinking,” while the menacing shuffle of “I Know” reverberates through “So Glad,” “Football Game” and “Pinky’s Dream,” which features guest vocalist Karen O of the Yeah Yeah Yeahs.

Lynch’s passion for music has always figured prominently into his filmmaking, starting with his feature debut Eraserhead (1977) – which included “In Heaven,” a song he wrote with Peter Ivers – and continuing through to his most recent work, Inland Empire (2006) – which featured several tracks penned by Lynch.

Four years ago, motivated by his growing musical ambitions, Lynch became the eponymous creator of the David Lynch Music Company. Then, in 2010, he transformed his Web site (www.davidlynch.com) into an immersive digital archive the offers material released by David Lynch Music Company since its launch, plus unreleased singles, experiments and instrumentals created by Lynch and collaborators throughout the years.

Monday, August 15, 2011

Baltimore Comic-Con Panel Announcement, Costume Contest Update!

BALTIMORE, MARYLAND - August 15, 2011 - At last it can be revealed! After months of planning and plotting - here it is. It's the panel schedule for the 2011 Baltimore Comic-Con!



Update: We've listened to our fans and the costume contest has been rescheduled. It will now be held at 3:00pm on Saturday. Registration forms can be handed in near table #2403 in the main convention hall. With $1,000 up for grabs for the best overall costume and prizes for each of the 10 categories, this is one event all of you cosplayers don't want to miss! For more information and a complete list of categories, visit our website's Costume Contest page.



ROOM 301-303 (Saturday)



11:00-12:00 - Creating Your Comic/Manga from Concept to Publication - Husband and wife creators (and Harvey Award Nominees) Comfort Love and Adam Withers teach you how to create your own comic. The entire process - concepting, scripting, thumbnails, pencils, color, PDF's and CBZ's, printing, distribution, the web, and even maximizing your convention experience will be covered in this seminar. You will walk away with an understanding of the tools you will need to create and sell your own book.



12:00-1:00 - Spotlight on Keith Giffen, J.M. DeMatteis & Kevin Maguire - Giffen, DeMatteis, and Maguire are the fan-favorite creative team behind Defenders, Metal Men, and Justice League. With stories that blend adventure and humor, their books are like no other. Join the men who put the "Bwah" in "Bwah-ha-ha" as they take a look at their work together.



1:00-2:00 - Spotlight on Charles Vess - The work of award-winning artist Charles Vess can be seen in such books as Sandman, Stardust, Rose, Book of Ballads and Sagas, and many others. Join Charles and moderator Terry Moore as they look at his art, his career, and what he's working on now.



2:00 - 3:00 - A Conversation with Jeff Smith & Stan Sakai - Jeff Smith's Bone celebrates its 20th Anniversary this year. Stan Sakai's Usagi Yojimbo will soon reach its 200th issue. Now, these two talented creators sit down to discuss their work; from their beginnings to future plans. Join Jeff & Stan for what is sure to be a lively and fun look at the world of comics.



3:00-4:00 - Spotlight on the Legion of Super-Heroes - Travel with us to the 31st Century as we take a look at DC's futuristic super team, The Legion of Super-Heroes! Join creators Keith Giffen, Mike Grell, Mark Waid, Barry Kitson, and Chris Roberson as they talk about the tales they've told in the Legion's long and storied history. Long Live the Legion!


4:00-5:00 - Spotlight on Shannon Wheeler - From stapling 21,000 mini-comics to shooting a comic book to writing an opera to doing cartoons for The New Yorker - Shannon Wheeler has just gotten started in his career in comics. Recently his collection of rejected New Yorker cartoon I THOUGHT YOU WOULD BE FUNNIER won the Eisner Award for Best Humor Publication and is up for a Harvey this weekend. Join Shannon Wheeler and his trusty sidekick BOOM! Studios Marketing Director Chip Mosher as they look back on Shannon's meteoric rise and fall in comic books. Oh, yeah! Wheeler also created TOO MUCH COFFEE MAN.



ROOM 307 (Saturday)


11:00-12:00 - Visionary Enters the Deadlands - Join Visionary Comics and their all-star roster of creators who launched Deadlands from Image this summer. Join Ron Marz, David Gallaher, Steve Ellis, Jimmy Palmiotti, Lee Moder, and Visionary's own C. Edward Sellner as they reflect on the weird west revival in comics and Deadlands. Look for exclusive announcements on Deadlands: Year 2.

12:00-1:00 - Top Cow: We Create... - Join Top Cow Publisher Filip Sablik along with Top Cow architect Ron Marz and Echoes writer Joshua Hale Fialkov for a colorful & lively look at the last year of Top Cow releases and what the coming year has in store for Artifacts, Pilot Season, Witchblade, The Darkness, Magdalena and much more! Plus every attendee will receive a FREE gift just for attending!



1:00-2:00 - BOOM! 6th Anniversary panel - Join BOOM! Studios Founder and Chief Executive Officer Ross Richie as he pulls the curtain back on BOOM! Studios. From an upstart one-book-a-month publisher debuting in 2005 to 2011's powerhouse comic publisher, BOOM! Studios has had one of the most meteoric rises of any comic publisher in the last twenty years. Find out what makes this company tick as Ross reminisces about the early days at BOOM! and its current success. A one-of-a-kind panel for all those that want to know the real story behind the success of BOOM! Studios.



2:00-3:00 - Marvel Universe - Wondering what's up with the X-Men? Thinking of visiting Spider Island? Curious about the future of Daredevil? Just plain want to know what's up with the Marvel Universe? Then this is the place for you! Join Marvel Architect Jason Aaron, Mark Waid, Barry Kitson, Paul Tobin, and Tom Raney as they explore the wonders of all things Marvel!


3:00-4:00 - Meet Legendary Comics! - Join Legendary Comics' Editor-in-Chief, Bob Schreck and Assistant Editor, Greg Tumbarello, for a lively discussion and digital presentation showcasing the company's exciting upcoming comics releases for 2011 and beyond, including, Frank Miller's HOLY TERROR, Paul Pope's PULPHOPE, and Matt Wagner and Simon Bisley's THE TOWER CHRONICLES. Be prepared with some good questions for the Q&A to follow! If they're really good, you may win a free Legendary T-shirt!



4:00-5:00 - DC: The New 52 - DC shocked comic fandom when they announced they were relaunching the DC Universe with 52 new #1 titles. Wondering what's on the way? Want to know more about those books? Join creators Greg Capullo, Scott Snyder, Jimmy Palmiotti, Cully Hamner, David Finch, and Francesco Francavilla as they take a look at DC's New 52.



ROOM 301-303 (Sunday)



11:00-12:00 - Comics Jukebox: All-Ages Comics in the Digital Age - Digital, web, & downloadable comics are a growing trend in the medium, but where do kids comics stand in this arena? Creators John Gallagher and Steve Conley moderate over a panel of experts, including Dan Parent (Archie), Steve Hamaker (Bone, Fish & Chips), Mike Maihack (Cleopatra in Space!), Rich Faber (Roboy Red!) and Todd DeZago (Perhapanauts, Superhero Squad). Those in attendance will get a special card allowing them to download a FREE Exclusive BUZZBOY story from John Gallagher, and one person will win the opportunity to make a cameo appearance in "Leon, Protector of the Playground," the new all-ages graphic novel by Jamar Nicholas.

Anyone wanting more info can go to the Comic Book Diner All-Ages Pavilion



12:00-1:00 - Spotlight on Ron Frenz - Ron Frenz's art is well known to fans of Spider-Man, Thor, Spider-Girl (whom he co-created), Superman, and many, many others. We shine the spotlight on Ron in this panel that takes a look at his impressive body of work and where he's headed in the future.





1:00-2:00 - Going Digital: Day and Date, and what you need to know - With Marvel announcing their same-day-strategy and DC distributing their entire line starting August 31st to provide you with their acclaimed line of comics the same day digitally as they come out in print, you need to make sure you are prepared. With almost everything you want on demand or deliverable to your door, why should your comics be any different? Marvel and DC, with the help of comiXology have created a digital comics experience that puts the power back in your hands to enjoy your favorite comics on demand. Your comics, when you want them, where you want them.

Come join John D. Roberts, Co-founder of comiXology, who will lead our panel as we explore the new digital horizons together.



2:00-3:00 - CBLDF: Censorship Then & Now - Earlier this year the Comics Code Authority closed its doors forever, ending an era of self-censorship where comics were stigmatized in the general culture. Though the threats that brought about the Comics Code are the stuff of history books, real threats to comics are still present in the courts in the United States and abroad. CBLDF Executive Director Charles Brownstein delivers a gripping history of comics censorship from the 50s to today, and talks about life after the Code.



3:00-4:00 - Avatar Press: News and Q&A - Here's your chance to meet the creative minds behind Avatar Press, the industry's most ground-breaking, risk-taking publisher! Hosted by marketing director, Keith Davidsen, this panel features Mike Wolfer, whose creepy storytelling terrified readers of books like Night of the Living Dead, Lady Death, and War Goddess, and whose visceral illustrations brought to life Garth Ennis' highly anticipated Stitched comic book series. Find out what new terrors this rogue publisher will unleash in the months ahead, and get your questions answered!



ROOM 307-308 (Sunday)



11:00-12:00 - DC Sunday Conversation - All are welcome to join in a relaxed Sunday morning discussion. Share your thoughts, or be enthralled, as the group shares their stories and love for this medium.



12:00-1:00 - Insight Studios - Meet Baltimore's very own legendary creators of some of comic-dom's most explosive stories and art with this amazing retrospective - and new announcements of projects! Focusing on Marc Hempel, Robert Tinnell, and Mark Wheatley, get an insider's perspective on their inner-workings as artists and writers. Moderator, Mike Gold highlights the diversity and originality of these very different creators.



1:00-2:30 - Frank Cho Live Drawing Demonstration - Watch and be amazed as Frank Cho creates a drawing masterpiece right before your eyes. Audience will suggest one character, one action, one setting and Frank Cho will draw it in one hour on stage. The original art created by Frank Cho will be raffled off at the end of the drawing demonstration. Raffle tickets available at Frank Cho's booth.



2:30 - Stan Lee VIP ticket-holders may queue up for the Stan Lee Spotlight.



2:45 - General public will be admitted to the Stan Lee Spotlight.


3:00-4:00 - Stan Lee Spotlight - Face Front, True Believers! This is a panel no comics fan will want to miss as Jimmy Palmiotti sits down with the one and only Stan "The Man" Lee! He is a Founding Father of the Marvel Universe and the face of Marvel Comics to legions of fans. Join the writer, editor, actor, and legend as he discusses his illustrious career. Excelsior!



Full Guest List
A complete list of confirmed guests for this year's Baltimore Comic-Con can be found here.



Third Annual Costume Contest at the Baltimore Comic-Con - UPDATED
The 3rd Annual Costume Contest will be held on Saturday, August 20, 2011 at 3:00 pm. With $1,000 up for grabs for the best overall costume and prizes for each of the 10 categories, this is one event all of you cosplayers don't want to miss! For more information and a complete list of catagories, visit our website's Costume Contest page.



Harvey Tickets Still Available

Time is running out, but there is still an opportunity to attend the party! Join our MC Scott Kurtz, nominees, presenters, Stan Lee, and other fans at the Harvey Awards Banquet! Tickets available until Wednesday at baltimorecomiccon.com/harvey-awards.


Stan Lee VIP Packages Sold Out! Autographs and Photos Still Available!

Please Note: Although the Stan Lee VIP Packages are officially sold out, individual autographs and photographs are still available and can be purchased by visiting http://baltimorecomiccon.com/tickets/.



Save the Date! Baltimore Comic-Con 2012!

That's right! Mark your calendars now for next year's Baltimore Comic-Con, which will take place the weekend of September 8-9, 2012 at the Baltimore Convention Center, and we'll see YOU in Baltimore!



Twitter Hashtag

Will you be tweeting this year from the show floor? Make sure you use the #BCC2011 hashtag! See what the latest news and excitement at the 2010 Baltimore Comic-Con is about by tracking #BCC2011!






illseeyouinbaltimore_2011_200x200

Attending the Baltimore Comic-Con? Show your support online!

Simply change your social network (Facebook, Twitter, blog, etc.) avatar pictures to the "See You in Baltimore!" image and let the world know you're attending the show!





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.



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.



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.
NEW PEOPLE ENTERTAINMENT LICENSES THE

JAPANESE POP MUSIC BIO FILM

DOCUMENTARY OF AKB48 -- TO BE CONTINUED



New Film Follows The Rise To International Fame Of Japan’s Most Popular Pop Idol Group And Will Have Exclusive U.S. Premiere August 28th At The 2011 J-Pop Summit Festival

In San Francisco



San Francisco, CA – August 15, 2011 – NEW PEOPLE Entertainment, a film division of NEW PEOPLE, Inc. that focuses on the licensing and distribution of Japanese films and media, has announced that it has licensed the film, DOCUMENTARY of AKB48 – To Be Continued, in the U.S. and Canada. The film follows the unstoppable all-female Japanese idol group, AKB48, and offering an insightful glimpse into the challenges that the group’s members have faced during their rise to international stardom. A trailer is available to view at: www.newpeopleent.com/AKB48



The U.S. premiere of DOCUMENTARY of AKB48 – To Be Continued will take place on Sunday, August 28th at 1:00pm at NEW PEOPLE’s cinema as part of the 2011 J-Pop Summit Festival. Tickets to the DOCUMENTARY of AKB48 are $12 and on sale now at www.newpeopleworld.com/films.



The annual J-Pop Summit, held in San Francisco’s Japantown, celebrates Japanese pop culture and is highlighted by a variety of film screenings, panel discussions, DJ dance parties, fashion shows, and live performances from several notable Guest of Honor artists. More information on J-Pop Summit Festival is available at www.J-Pop.com.



AKB48 was conceived in 2005 by Yasushi Akimoto, one of Japan’s most respected music producers. Starting as a small all-girl singing group based in the Akihabara district of Tokyo – the city’s bustling electronics and anime/pop culture shopping Mecca – AKB48 has grown to 60 members and topped Japan’s Oricon music charts with the two best-selling pop singles in 2010 as well as another two singles ranking in the Top 10.



“Pop culture and J-Pop music fans will delight in the news of our licensing of the DOCUMENTARY of AKB48 and we invite them to attend the special North American premiere at NEW PEOPLE during the upcoming J-Pop Summit,” says Seiji Horibuchi, President and CEO of NEW PEOPLE, Inc. “AKB48 has become massively popular in Japan and also enjoys a fast-growing U.S. fan base. This is a group unlike any other in pop music and we hope more people will discover AKB48 through this film. Stay tuned for more news coming soon on the release of the DOCUMENTARY of AKB48 on DVD!”



With a complicated balance of competition and friendship among its members, the group’s bond is extremely strong. DOCUMENTARY of AKB48 – To Be Continued traces AKB48’s history with scenes from concerts and rehearsals, member general elections, and fan activities both in Japan and abroad. The film also includes personal interviews with select members that reveal each of the girls’ personal struggles, joys, path to growth, and dreams.



One unique aspect of AKB48 is that the group is divided into “Teams.” When AKB48 debuted in 2005, originally there were only 24 girls. Now there are 16 girls each on Team A, Team K, and Team B, who are the core members of the group. In addition, there are trainees who are aspiring members. Members total to around 60 girls as some graduate and some new members come in. In the recent years AKB48 has begun holding elections to determine the members who will participate in the recording of upcoming singles. Fans vote for their favorites and the girl ranked Number 1 performs at the center of the group.





About NEW PEOPLE, Inc.
Based in San Francisco, California, NEW PEOPLE, Inc. (www.newpeopleworld.com) offers the latest films, art, fashion and retail brands from Japan through its unique entertainment destination as well as through licensing and distribution of selective Japanese films. NEW PEOPLE Entertainment (www.newpeopleent.com), a film division of NEW PEOPLE, Inc. strives to offer the most entertaining motion pictures straight from the "Kingdom of Pop" for audiences of all ages, especially the manga and anime generation, in North America. Some titles include DEATH NOTE, GANTZ, KAMIKAZE GIRLS, and THE TASTE OF TEA.

OWN: OPRAH WINFREY NETWORK

ANNOUNCES OPRAH.COM SWEEPSTAKES



A Chance For Fifteen Individuals to

Meet Oprah Winfrey

in Support of
"Oprah's Lifeclass"

the New Series with Online Companion Class



Los Angeles, CA - OWN: Oprah Winfrey Network announced today the launch of an online sweepstakes at Oprah.com in support of the new series "Oprah's Lifeclass," formerly "OWN Your Life (the oprah class)," and its online companion course. Starting today, viewers can enter the sweepstakes for a chance to meet Oprah Winfrey at the O You! event in Atlanta, Georgia and reserve their spot for the online companion class at www.oprah.com/oprahslifeclass.



The first one million people to sign up for the online class will be eligible to receive an exclusive, limited edition Oprah's Lifeclass Journal, and can enter for the chance to meet Oprah in-person at the O You! event hosted by O, The Oprah Magazine. In addition, up to fifteen winners will receive an all expense paid trip to Atlanta to participate in O You!, where they will be the first students in Oprah's class and join her on stage.



OWN is partnering with Care2, Shine on Yahoo! and numerous Cable, Satellite and Telco distribution partners to reach the goal of one million students by October 10.


Sixteen million viewers in the United States alone tuned in for "The Oprah Winfrey Show" finale. In the historic final hour, Oprah took the stage as teacher in the world's biggest classroom highlighting the principles that guide her life, many of which were gleaned from the 4,561 hours of "The Oprah Winfrey Show." In an all-new series, "Oprah's Lifeclass" Oprah reaches back through the show's 25 year history to teach the lessons that matter most to her... the guidelines for fulfilling your life's potential, breaking through your barriers, understanding your purpose, letting go of anger, how to use joy to fuel your life, and becoming all you were meant to be. Oprah will share her most personal revelations, and what she thinks now about those iconic show moments and guests. "Oprah's Lifeclass" will also have an online companion, Oprah's Lifeclass, including actual course work on Oprah.com, for an even more enriching experience. "Oprah's Lifeclass" premieres Monday, October 10 (8:00 p.m. ET/PT), and is produced by Harpo Productions.



O You! will take place at the Georgia World Congress Center in Atlanta for a day dedicated to you and living your best life on Saturday, October 15. Every year, this full-day event brings Oprah fans from around the world together for a truly memorable day of learning, inspiration and fun. Attendees can participate in panels led by O, The Oprah Magazine contributors Suze Orman, Dr. Oz, Nate Berkus, Martha Beck, Donna Brazile, Peter Walsh, Bob Greene, Adam Glassman and Val Monroe. For event and ticket information, please visit www.oprah.com/oyou.






About OWN: Oprah Winfrey Network

A joint venture between Harpo, Inc. and Discovery Communications, OWN: Oprah Winfrey Network is a multi-platform media company designed to entertain, inform and inspire people to live their best lives. OWN debuted on January 1, 2011, in approximately 80 million homes on what was the Discovery Health Channel. The venture also includes the award-winning digital platform, Oprah.com. For more information, please visit www.oprah.com/own and www.press.discovery.com/us/own.



About Care2

With more than 16 million members and over 700 nonprofit partners worldwide, Care2 is the largest and fastest growing online community that empowers millions of individuals to lead a healthy, sustainable lifestyle and support important causes. Care2 is a B Corporation, or social enterprise, that generates revenues by connecting individuals with nonprofits and business that are making the world a better place. Founded in 1998, Care2 has collected over 66 million signatures on petitions featuring timely and important issues. In the past year, Care2 dramatically extended the reach and impact of its nonprofit clients' campaigns by launching the Care2 Take Action Platform, a network of 100 leading media partners - including Huffington Post, Mother Jones, eNature.com and AlterNet -- that promote Care2 campaigns via their websites and email to an additional 80 million civic-minded citizens. Please visit the Care2 community at http://www.care2.com.


Shine on Yahoo!

Shine on Yahoo! is the #1 site for women's lifestyle content, with 30 million visitors per month. The website covers healthy living, parenting, fashion & beauty, relationships and other topics and features blogs, articles and videos from the top publishers, Shine editors and the Shine user community. http://shine.yahoo.com
Toxic Bag Announces New Sci-fi/horror Board Game

CHICAGO, IL (August 15, 2011) --Toxic Bag Productions announces its entry into the board game industry with its first product, titled SPACE MONSTER. SPACE MONSTER is a two-player card-driven board game that pits a group of human astronauts against a predatory extraterrestrial life form.

At the beginning of play, the SPACE MONSTER boards the ship in an embryonic stage and evolves throughout the game, becoming more difficult to kill as the turns progress. In addition to attempting to kill the crew, the monster can also destroy sections of the ship, forcing the human players to divide their efforts between defense and structural repair. The monster can win the game by either killing all seven members of the crew or damaging enough sections of the ship that it breaks apart. Adding the destruction of the ship as an alternate victory condition allows for varied strategies on the part of both players. The human player can use tools to effect repairs, construct weapons and trackers to hunt down the monster…or ultimately blow up the ship if all seems lost.

The SPACE MONSTER player constructs his/her monster from a selection of over 20 different attributes (offensive, defensive, or special abilities), providing new and different threats to the human player each game. This constantly changing monster, combined with 80 event cards driving game play, allows for infinite replayability. No two games should ever be the same.

Game designer Steve Baldwin said, “This game is something I’ve always wanted to play and couldn’t find anywhere in the industry – so we decided to make it.”

Production of the game will be funded in part with P500-style pre-orders. SPACE MONSTER is currently in the playtesting stage.

Toxic Bag plans to start taking pre-orders in September, 2011. For more information, visit http://toxicbag.com/spacemonster11.htm.

SPACE MONSTER will ship with:
7 Crew Character Cards
40 Crew Event Cards
40 Monster Event cards
21 Space Monster Attribute Cards
22" x 34" Game Board
Space Monster Screen



ABOUT TOXIC BAG
Toxic Bag Productions, Inc. is a Chicago-based company known primarily for its groundbreaking line of sound effects for pen-and-paper role playing games. The company’s critically acclaimed “Game Masters Collection” of sound effects is available on CD, as mp3 downloads, and packaged in an app for Apple’s iPhone and iPad.
Legendary Artist Neal Adams Joins the Baltimore Comic-Con Guest List!

BALTIMORE, MARYLAND - August 15, 2011 - The Baltimore Comic-Con is elated to announce the addition of Silver Age artist and creator-rights advocate, Neal Adams, to the line-up of guests for this year's show, taking place the weekend of August 20-21, 2011.



Neal Adams AvengersNeal Adams began his career in comics in the late 1950s, working on Archie Comics' Archie's Joke Book Magazine and on several syndicated newspaper strips throughout the early '60s. Turning back to comics in the late '60s, he worked for Archie Goodwin at Warren Publishing, penciling and inking stories for their horror books Creepy and Eerie.



In the summer of 1967, Adams made his debut at DC Comics, penciling an 8-page story in Our Armies at War. In November of 1967, Adams got his first crack at superhero work, illustrating Superman's flagship title, Action Comics. That same month, he also worked on Superman's Girlfriend, Lois Lane and with Garner Fox on Detective Comics.



Adams' work on such DC Comics characters as Superman, Batman, Green Lantern, and Green Arrow redefined an era of comics, bringing a photorealistic feel to the pages of their respective books.



Neal Adams Batman OdysseyIn the late-'60s, while freelancing for DC Comics, Adams also began working at Marvel Comics on X-Men with Roy Thomas. He continued to work for DC and Marvel throughout the late-'60s and '70s, working on the titles The Avengers, Detective Comics, and Green Lantern/Green Arrow.



In addition, Adams crusaded for years to secure pensions and recognition for Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster, creators of Superman, and in 1978, he helped for the Comics Creators Guide. He was inducted into the Eisner Award's Will Eisner Comic Book Hall of Fame in 1998, and the Harvey Awards' Jack Kirby Hall of Fame in 1999.



In 2010, Adams teamed with Rafael Medoff to produce a series of educational motion comics about the Americans who spoke out against the Nazis during WWII. He is currently working on the second volume of his critically acclaimed DC Comics series, Batman: Odyssey.



"We are so happy to be able to make this announcement so close to the show date," said Marc Nathan, show promoter of the Baltimore Comic-Con. "His work in comics - not just his art, but his advocacy work as well - changed the face of comics for both readers and creators alike."



Full Guest List

A complete list of confirmed guests for this year's Baltimore Comic-Con can be found here.



Third Annual Costume Contest at the Baltimore Comic-Con - UPDATED
The 3rd Annual Costume Contest will be held on Saturday, August 20, 2011 at 3:00 pm. With $1,000 up for grabs for the best overall costume and prizes for each of the 10 categories, this is one event all of you cosplayers don't want to miss! For more information and a complete list of catagories, visit our website's Costume Contest page.



Harvey Tickets Still Available

Time is running out, but there is still an opportunity to attend the party! Join our MC Scott Kurtz, nominees, presenters, Stan Lee, and other fans at the Harvey Awards Banquet! Tickets available until Wednesday at baltimorecomiccon.com/harvey-awards.


Stan Lee VIP Packages Sold Out! Autographs and Photos Still Available!

Please Note: Although the Stan Lee VIP Packages are officially sold out, individual autographs and photographs are still available and can be purchased by visiting http://baltimorecomiccon.com/tickets/.



Save the Date! Baltimore Comic-Con 2012!

That's right! Mark your calendars now for next year's Baltimore Comic-Con, which will take place the weekend of September 8-9, 2012 at the Baltimore Convention Center, and we'll see YOU in Baltimore!



Twitter Hashtag
Will you be tweeting this year from the show floor? Make sure you use the #BCC2011 hashtag! See what the latest news and excitement at the 2010 Baltimore Comic-Con is about by tracking #BCC2011!



illseeyouinbaltimore_2011_200x200

Attending the Baltimore Comic-Con? Show your support online!

Simply change your social network (Facebook, Twitter, blog, etc.) avatar pictures to the "See You in Baltimore!" image and let the world know you're attending the show!





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.



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.



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.