Actor/Comedian Phil LaMarr to Host the 2012 Harvey Awards

Phil LaMarr

BALTIMORE, MARYLAND - August 16, 2012 - The Baltimore Comic-Con is happy to announce that actor and comedian Phil LaMarr will host this year's Harvey Awards banquet and ceremony, taking place on the evening of Saturday, September 8, 2012. The Baltimore Comic-Con, which will be taking place September 8-9 at the Baltimore Convention Center, has been the home of the Harvey Awards since 2006.

 Phil LaMarr is best known as a cast member of Fox's MADtv, a sketch comedy show based on characters and situations from MAD magazine, which was found in 1952 by Editor Harvey Kurtzman (namesake of the Harvey Awards) and Publisher William Gaines. The show first aired in 1995 and ran for 14 seasons, of which LaMarr was a cast member for 5 seasons (1995-2000).

In addition to his comedic acting, LaMarr is also an accomplished voice actor for such renowned shows as Futurama, Kaijudo, Foster's Home for Imaginary Friends, Static Shock, Evil con Carne, Samurai Jack and Justice League Unlimited, as well as recurring roles on King of the Hill, Family Guy, Star Wars: The Clone Wars, Young Justice and The Adventures of Jimmy Neutron.

As a lifeling comics reader, LaMarr says: "I'm excited and honored to be a part of the Harvey Awards this year, and I am looking forward to meeting many of the people I spend every Wednesday afternoon with."

The change in host this year from Harvey Award mainstay Scott Kurtz was due to a family conflict. Kurtz, a friend of both the Baltimore Comic-Con and the Harvey Awards, will return in the future.  "Scott worked really hard to make the show this year, and we all understand and respect that family commitments must take priority," said Marc Nathan, Baltimore Comic-Con promoter.  "Scott is always welcome here in Baltimore!"

For your chance to see Phil LaMarr host the 2012 Harvey Awards, please visit http://baltimorecomiccon.com/harvey-awards/ where you can purchase your tickets to the banquette, which are now on sale.

This year's confirmed guests for the show including: Guest of Honor, Stan "The Man" Lee (Saturday only!); Jason Adams (Sculptor); Josh Adams (Doctor Who, Sherlock); Neal Adams (First X-Men, Batman: Odyssey); Ken Bald (Golden Age Timely/Marvel artist); Marty Baumann (Pixar artist); Brian Bolland (Dial H, Cover Story: The DC Comics Art of Brian Bolland); Harold Buchholz (Archie Comics); Mark Buckingham (Fables, Doctor Who); Frank Cammuso (Knights of the Lunch Table, Otto's Orange Day); Greg Capullo (Batman, Spawn); Tommy Castillo (Grimm Fairy Tales); Cliff Chiang (Wonder Woman); Frank Cho (Avengers vs. X-Men, Liberty Meadows); Steve Conley (Bloop webcomic www.bloopstree.com); Amanda Conner (Before Watchmen:  Silk Spectre); Lar deSouza (Looking For Group, Least I Could Do); Dan Didio (O.M.A.C.); Garth Ennis (The Shadow, Hellblazer, Preacher, The Boys); Rich Faber (Roboy Red); David Finch (Batman:  The Dark Knight); Franco (Tiny Titans, Superman Family Adventures); John Gallagher (Buzzboy); SL Gallant (GI Joe); Jose Luis Garcia-Lopez (Batman, Superman, Wonder Woman); Jimmy Gownley (Amelia Rules!); Gene Ha (Justice League); Larry Hama (G.I. Joe, Wolverine, The 'Nam); Cully Hamner (Action Comics); Dean Haspiel (Billy Dogma, ACT-I-VATE, Trip City); Jason Horn (Ninjasaur); Jamal Igle (KISS, Supergirl, The Ray); J.G. Jones (Wanted, Doc Savage); Barry Kitson (Captain America, Iron Man, Fantastic Four); David Mack (Kabuki); Mark Mariano (Happyloo); Ron Marz (Artifacts, Voodoo); Mark McKenna (Star Wars, Banana Tail); Bob McLeod (DC Comics Presents: Wonder Woman); Mark Morales (Avengers vs. X-Men); Jamar Nicholas (Leon: Protector of the Playground); Jimmy Palmiotti (All-Star Western); Dan Parent (Archie, Veronica, Kevin Keller); David Petersen (Mouse Guard); Brian Pulido (Lady Death); Frank Quitely (All Star Superman, Batman & Robin); John Romita, Jr. (Avengers Vs. X-Men); Don Rosa (Uncle Scrooge); Stuart Sayger (Infestation 2: 30 Days of Night One-Shot); Walter Simonson (Thor, Legion of Super-Heroes, Avengers); Ryan Sohmer (Looking For Group, Least I Could Do); Scott Snyder (Batman, Severed, Swamp Thing); Brian Stelfreeze (ICE); Karl Story (Buffy the Vampire Slayer Season 9); Peter Tomasi (Batman and Robin); Billy Tucci (A Child Is Born, Shi); Matt Wagner (Tower Chronicles, Mage, Grendel); Mark Waid (Daredevil, Incorruptible, Irredeemable); Bernie Wrightson (Frankenstein); Thom Zahler (Love and Capes).

In the 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 on our website, Twitter, and Facebook pages.

This year's Baltimore Comic-Con will be held September 8-9, 2012. 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, September 8th.

Please take a moment to help us spread this message using the social media links embedded, reposting, or retweeting!