Friday, September 06, 2013

BALTIMORE COMIC-CON: GLASS AND SANTOS GET FURIOUS!
Harvey Award winner Bryan J. L. Glass brings his creator-owned superhero to Dark Horse Comics!

SEPTEMBER 6, BALTIMORE, MD—Writer Bryan J. L. Glass (Mighty Marvel: Women of Marvel, Thor: First Thunder) and artist Victor Santos (Ghosts, Polar: Came from the Cold, Filthy Rich), two-thirds of the Harvey Award–winning Mice Templar team, will join forces once again for a creator-owned superhero series: Furious!

Furious is a five-issue miniseries where celebrity, fame, and superheroes meet. 

“Furious, the character, is driven by the same outrage and anger we all feel toward injustice, but as a superheroine she realizes she actually has the power to do something about it,” says writer Bryan J. L. Glass. “But no matter how noble the intention, there’s always a price to pay for reckless action.”

Staring into a fractured mirror of her life, the world’s first superhero, Furious, seeks to atone for her past sins by doling out rage-fueled justice! But the spotlight of our celebrity-obsessed media threatens to undo her noblest efforts and expose her true identity before she can achieve redemption.

Furious, the series, is driven by those consequences: An adrenaline-fueled crash into the darkest depths of one woman’s shattered world and what she chooses to do about it!” added Glass.

Praise for Bryan J. L. Glass:
·      Unleash the Fanboy says Bryan J. L. Glass’s writing is “truly, a work of art.”
·      Inter-Comics calls Bryan J. L. Glass’s The Mice Templar “a great triumph of a book.”
·      Newsarama says Bryan J. L. Glass’s The Mice Templar is “simply one of the best series out there.”

Catch Bryan J. L. Glass at Baltimore Comic-Con on Saturday, September 7, at 12 p.m., for his Powered by Creators panel. Limited prints and postcards will be available. 

Read an exclusive interview with Bryan J. L. Glass on CBR

For fans that can’t wait, Furious will be featured in Dark Horse Presents #31 on December 18.

Furious #1 (of 5) is in comic shops everywhere on January 29, 2014!

About Dark Horse
Founded in 1986 by Mike Richardson, Dark Horse Comics has proven to be a solid example of how integrity and innovation can help broaden a unique storytelling medium and establish a small, homegrown company as an industry giant. The company is known for the progressive and creator-friendly atmosphere it provides for writers and artists. In addition to publishing comics from top talent, such as Frank Miller, Mike Mignola, Neil Gaiman, Brian Wood, Gerard Way, Felicia Day, and Guillermo del Toro, and comics legends, such as Will Eisner, Neal Adams, and Jim Steranko, Dark Horse has developed its own successful properties, such as The Mask, Ghost, Timecop, and SpyBoy. Its successful line of comics and products based on popular properties includes Star Wars, Mass Effect, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Aliens, Conan, EVE Online, Halo, Serenity, Game of Thrones, and Domo. Today Dark Horse Comics is the largest independent comic book publisher in the US and is recognized as one of the world’s leading publishers of both creator-owned content and licensed comics material.
 
VIZ MEDIA’S HAIKASORU IMPRINT ANNOUNCES A HUGO AWARD WIN FOR AUTHOR KEN LIU’S SHORT STORY MONO NO AWARE,” FEATURED IN
THE FUTURE IS JAPANESE

Author Wins Science Fiction Literature’s Most Prestigious Honor For Story About A Japanese Astronaut Contemplating His Childhood

San Francisco, CA, September 6, 2013 – VIZ Media’s Haikasoru imprint is proud to announce that author Ken Liu’s short story, "Mono no Aware,” appearing in the acclaimed anthology THE FUTURE IS JAPANESE, has won the 2013 Hugo Award for Best Short Story. The Haikasoru imprint offers some of the most compelling contemporary science fiction and fantasy stories for English-speaking audiences, and is the first imprint based in the U.S. dedicated to Japanese science fiction and fantasy in translation.

The Hugo Awards, presented annually since 1955, are one of science fiction’s most prestigious honors and are voted on by members of the World Science Fiction Convention (WorldCon), which is also responsible for administering them. The 2013 Hugo Awards Ceremony recently place at LoneStarCon 3, in San Antonio, Texas.

THE FUTURE IS JAPANESE, edited by Nick Mamatas and Masumi Washington, is an anthology collecting science fiction from, and about, Japan, by some of the world’s best genre writers. Ken Liu’s short story, "Mono no Aware,” tells the tale of the last Japanese survivor aboard an American space habitat after an asteroid has destroyed the Earth. This is the second story for which Ken Liu has won a Hugo Award.

THE FUTURE IS JAPANESE carries an MSRP of $14.99 U.S. / $17.99 CAN and is available from most major North American book retailers. An eBook edition is also available for the Amazon Kindle, Apple’s iBooks Store, the Barnes & Noble’s Nook Books Store, and the Sony Reader™ Store.

"I'm very, very grateful to the voters who have conferred this honor on me,” says author Ken Liu. “I wrote 'Mono no aware' because I loved the characters and the ideas that motivated them, and I'm glad to see these resonated with readers."

“We are thrilled Ken Liu’s story, Mono no Aware, won the Hugo Award,” says Masumi Washington, Haikasoru Editor-in-Chief. “Succinctly illustrating the Japanese concept of mono no aware through the eyes of Hiroto, a man who was just a child when the world ended, the story is a wonderful introduction to the work of this talented author. We invite readers to explore it along with a dozen other fantastic science fiction, fantasy and cyberpunk tales that are contained in THE FUTURE IS JAPANESE.”

Ken Liu is a Chinese-American science fiction writer, poet, lawyer and computer programmer. His short stories have appeared in The Magazine of Fantasy & Science Fiction, Asimov's Analog, Lightspeed, Clarkesworld, and other magazines, as well as several anthologies, including the Year's Best SF. He is also a translator of science fiction and literary stories from Chinese into English. Liu’s short story "The Paper Menagerie" is the first work of fiction, of any length, to have swept the Nebula, Hugo, and World Fantasy Awards. His novella, "The Man Who Ended History: A Documentary,” was also nominated for a 2012 Hugo Award.

For more information on THE FUTURE IS JAPANESE and the Haikasoru imprint, please visit the dedicated website at www.haikasoru.com.

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 digital anthology WEEKLY SHONEN JUMP ALPHA 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.

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TheFutureIsJapanese_coverComp
THE FUTURE IS JAPANESE © 2012 VIZ Media

DEVIL’S DUE, DIRK MANNING INK DEAL FOR
MR. RHEE 
Devil’s Due to Collect for Print, Digital Release
CHICAGO, IL: Devil’s Due Entertainment has signed horror writer Dirk Manning to release comic book based on his successful horror/noir online comic, Tales of Mr. Rhee. The existing web series is to be collected into a print volume, as well as made available on digital comic platforms. Future “Mr. Rhee” content is also in the tentative planning stages.
The story of Mr. Rhee goes:
Five years ago Hell invaded Earth in a “nightmare world” scenario, only for the demons to be driven back into the abyss after three days of world-wide oppression.
Society has now rebuilt itself, though, and everything is back to normal…or so most people choose to believe.
There are still wicked things left behind that occasionally emerge from the shadows, prompting the involvement of the cryptic and enigmatic paranormal troubleshooter known only as “Mr. Rhee.”
Tales of Mr. Rhee makes perfect sense as the next addition to the Devil’s Due family” says Josh Blaylock, founder of the Devil’s Due brand. “Dirk is a work horse, constantly promoting his titles, and looking for a different approach to how publishing is handled, and that is the kind of creator we’re looking for. Plus, Mr. Rhee is just a wonderfully sick and twisted collection of horror stories I couldn’t resist.”
Manning adds, “Tales of Mr. Rhee is a series I’ve wanted to take from web to print for a long time, but I’ve been waiting for the right set of circumstances which would allow me to reward the most die-hard fans of the series with a really cool bookshelf edition while also being able to unleash the franchise on the mainstream market. Bringing the series to Devil’s Due will allow me to offer existing fans a deluxe edition collection of the series while also introducing new comic readers to the character who is about to become their new favorite horror comic icon.”
Look for details regarding the print release of Tales of Mr. Rhee to be announced soon, with product shipping this Winter. Manning and Devil’s Due intend to utilize a combination of digital distribution, national store distribution and crowd funding platforms to maximize the success of Rhee, as well as exploring options in other areas of the entertainment field.
ABOUT DEVIL’S DUE ENTERTAINMENT: Devil’s Due Entertainment is a comic book publisher and incubator of diverse pop culture content. As “cartographers” drawing the maps in an uncharted world of new media, Devil’s Due brings together a vertically integrated platform to develop stories and fantasy worlds, and then implement the circulation of that content. In addition to its own creations, the company is servicing the needs of its partners who want to draw attention to and monetize their brands in merchandising, film, television, and various channels in the pop culture space.
ABOUT DIRK MANNING:Manning is best known as the writer/creator of the horror comic series Nightmare World from Image Comics/Shadowline and the ongoing inspirational column/book collection Write or Wrong: “A Writer’s Guide to Creating Comics” (Bleeding Cool/Transfuzion Publishing). Other works include Love Stories (to Die For) and several short films for the popular YouTube horror series BlackBoxTV. Dirk lives on the Internet and can be found online at www.DirkManning.com as well as at Facebook and Twitter.
Sequart Research & Literacy Organization (sequart.org) is proud to announce the release of its newest book of comics analysis, Voyage in Noise: Warren Ellis and the Demise of Western Civilization, written by Kevin Thurman and Julian Darius.

Through works like Transmetropolitan, Planetary, and The Authority, Warren Ellis has changed the history of comic books. In this book, Kevin Thurman and Julian Darius examine Ellis’s body of work, exploring, among other topics:

·         how his early work for Marvel Comics prefigures the concerns of his later work,
·         how his super-heroes respond to comics history,
·         his use of religion,
·         his use of violence,
·         his fascination with lizards (and what they reveal about the human condition),
·         and how his characters often use anger as a stimulus for revolutionary social action, in defiance of the West’s 21st-century malaise.

Topical interviews with Ellis complement several essays, expanding the reader’s understanding of the themes in Ellis’s work.

The book sports a cover by Four-Ones and runs 168 pages. It retails for $12.99 in print and is also available on Kindle for $6.99.

About the Publisher: Sequart Research & Literacy Organization is a non-profit devoted to the study and promotion of comic books as a legitimate art form. It publishes books and documentaries aimed at making comics scholarship accessible. For more information, click here.
John Byrne goes to “Strange New Worlds” with
Star TrekTM Annual 2013!
The Most Unique “Photonovel” Ever Coming This December
 
San Diego, CA (Sept 6, 2013) – John Byrne is no stranger to breaking new ground and he is doing it again with the extra-length Star Trek Annual 2013, arriving this December from IDW.

Byrne returns to the Star Trek universe in an entirely unexpected way—for this annual, he has created a completely original Star Trek story that plays out like a “lost episode,” using a uniquely constructed photomontage to create an entirely new story. “Strange New Worlds” serves as a direct sequel to the fan-favorite episode, “Where No Man Has Gone Before,” which aired as the third episode of Star Trek’s first season in 1966.

"There was a visual richness to that second pilot that really drew me in," said writer/artist John Byrne, "and since I have long wanted to experiment with something like this project, that episode seemed the perfect choice for a sequel."

Years ago, James Kirk saved his ship, but the price was the life of his oldest friend in Starfleet—or was it? Fans will see Gary Mitchell’s story take a surprising turn in this story. But the uniqueness of this project does not end with the plotline; rather, it continues with the photomontage art form that Byrne has chosen to tell this original story. Star Trek photonovels, in which a book was created by adapting a film or television episode using actual film stills in place of traditional artwork, with narrative text and dialogue presented in word balloons, were popular in the late 1970s. But this is where the past becomes the future—Byrne didn’t just insert film stills, he created them. In order to tell a new Star Trek story in this “fumetti” style, he did much more than pluck existing images, instead compositing together multiple pieces of film stills and manipulating them to tell the exact story he wanted.

“This project started out as just a fun diversion for John in between other projects,” said Editor-in-Chief Chris Ryall, “and as is wont to happen with JB, it continued to grow and become something much bigger than his original intent. It’s a blast to see an ‘all-new’ original series episode done this way. Byrne has produced over 500 pages of Star Trek comics for us already, but I can promise readers that they’ve never seen this kind of Star Trek comic from him before.”

Star Trek Annual 2013, a 48-page issue, is under license by CBS Consumer Products and will be in stores third week of December. 



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About IDW

IDW is an award-winning publisher of comic books, graphic novels and trade paperbacks, based in San Diego, California. Renowned for its diverse catalog of licensed and independent titles, IDW publishes some of the most successful and popular titles in the industry, including: Hasbro’s The TRANSFORMERS, G.I. JOE and MY LITTLE PONY; Paramount’s Star Trek; Nickelodeon’s Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles; 2000AD’s Judge Dredd; The Rocketeer; Toho’s Godzilla; Wizards of the Coast’s Magic: The Gathering and Dungeons & Dragons; HBO’s True Blood; and the Eisner-Award winning Locke & Key series, created by best-selling author Joe Hill and artist Gabriel Rodriguez. IDW is also home to the Library of American Comics imprint, which publishes classic comic reprints, and Yoe! Books, a partnership with Yoe! Studio.
IDW’s critically- and fan-acclaimed series are continually moving into new mediums. Currently, Warner Brothers and Barry Sonnenfeld are attached to adapt LORE into a feature film starring Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson and Jerry Bruckheimer Films and Disney are creating a feature film based on World War Robot, with Michael Bay‘s Platinum Dunes and Sony bringing Zombies vs. Robots to film.

Baltimore Comic-Con Kicks Off Tomorrow!

BALTIMORE, MARYLAND - September 6, 2013 - The 14th Annual Baltimore Comic-Con kicks-off tomorrow morning, Saturday, September 7, 2013 at the Baltimore Convention Center! The show floor will open at 10:00 am (9:30 am for VIP Ticket holders), 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.
  • I'll See You In Baltimore 2013All 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 VIP Packages should go the Will Call booth to attain their packages.
  • The 5th Annual Costume Contest, sponsored by StylinOnline.com, will be held on Sunday, September 8, 2013 at 1:00 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-18 registration will cost $5. Under-18 registration will be free.
  • Be sure to follow us on Twitter 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. Cliff Chiang, Dave Gibbons, Stan Lee, David Mack, and Brandon Peterson will all unfortunately be unable to make it to this year's event.

Full Guest List
A complete list of confirmed guests for this year's Baltimore Comic-Con can be found here.
  
Save the Date! Baltimore Comic-Con 2014!
That's right! Mark your calendars now for the Baltimore Comic-Con's 15th Anniversary Show, which will take place the weekend of September 5-7, 2014 at the Baltimore Convention Center. This will be our biggest year ever as we extend the show to 3 days and expand into a larger convention hall! You definitely won't want to miss it! We'll see YOU in Baltimore!
 
 
In the coming months, 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.
THE WALKING DEAD #115 COVERS REVEALED
The 10th anniversary celebration and ALL OUT WAR kicks off as all 10 connecting covers by Charlie Adlard are revealed
 
 
For the past 2 weeks, the excitement leading up to the 10th anniversary of THE WALKING DEAD this October has been built up as we've revealed each of the 10 connecting covers to THE WALKING DEAD #115. Today, the final cover was revealed on the Image Comics website as well as The Walking Dead.com
 
With artwork by series artist Charlie Adlard, colored by Dave Stewart, each cover to THE WALKING DEAD #115 depicts a key moment from each year of the long running series, and connects to form one massive retrospective of THE WALKING DEAD.
 
THE WALKING DEAD #115 goes on sale on October 9, 2013 and is available for pre-order with local comic book retailers now!
 
 
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, fantasy, 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.

Thursday, September 05, 2013

IDW At Baltimore Comic Con!
Amazing Panels And Creator Signings At Fan-Favorite Convention

San Diego, CA (September 5, 2013) – Over the weekend of September 7th - September 8th, IDW will be joining the big names of Baltimore Comic Con at the Baltimore Convention Center, along with their guest of honor, Joe Hill! Throughout the convention IDW will be hosting a variety of panels, and top-tier signings at the IDW booth!

Join IDW’s VP of Marketing, Dirk Wood, on Saturday, September 7th from 5:00 – 6:00PM in Room 302/303 as Wood and Locke & Key co-creator Joe Hill discuss the closing chapters of the ground-breaking series and what the future holds for the Harvey Award-nominated writer at the “IDW Presents: Joe Hill” panel. On Sunday, September 8th from 2:00 – 3:00PM in Room 302/303 join Wood again at “IDW: The Big Panel” with legendary creator Walter Simonson and a few surprise guests, to hear about some of the amazing projects coming your way from IDW!

The IDW booth is where you’ll find a number of the sensational creators among Baltimore’s impressive guest list. Signings over the course of the weekend include Joe Hill (Locke & Key), Agnes Garbowska (My Little Pony), Sara Richard (My Little Pony), Walter Simonson (The Mighty Thor: Artist's Edition), Mark Waid (Rocketeer: Cargo of Doom), Thom Zahler (Love & Capes) and more! Whether it’s your favorite issue of My Little Pony, Locke & Key, or Rocketeer, be sure to bring your books, or pick up a copy at the IDW booth to get signed!

IDW has something for everyone, and Baltimore Comic Con will give you the chance to meet the talented creators behind your favorite books!
 




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About IDW

IDW is an award-winning publisher of comic books, graphic novels and trade paperbacks, based in San Diego, California. Renowned for its diverse catalog of licensed and independent titles, IDW publishes some of the most successful and popular titles in the industry, including: Hasbro’s The TRANSFORMERS, G.I. JOE and MY LITTLE PONY; Paramount’s Star Trek; Nickelodeon’s Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles; 2000AD’s Judge Dredd; The Rocketeer; Toho’s Godzilla; Wizards of the Coast’s Magic: The Gathering and Dungeons & Dragons; HBO’s True Blood; and the Eisner-Award winning Locke & Key series, created by best-selling author Joe Hill and artist Gabriel Rodriguez. IDW is also home to the Library of American Comics imprint, which publishes classic comic reprints, and Yoe! Books, a partnership with Yoe! Studio.
IDW’s critically- and fan-acclaimed series are continually moving into new mediums. Currently, Warner Brothers and Barry Sonnenfeld are attached to adapt LORE into a feature film starring Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson and Jerry Bruckheimer Films and Disney are creating a feature film based on World War Robot, with Michael Bay‘s Platinum Dunes and Sony bringing Zombies vs. Robots to film.
PBS ANNOUNCES “SUPERHEROES NIGHT” ON OCTOBER 15th

Superheroes: A Never-Ending Battle to be shown in one three-hour programming block, beginning at 8pm ET (check local listings)

 Description: G:\PBS Programming\2013\Superheroes\Images\Liev Schreiber FINAL\SUPERHEROES__BER4266.jpg
Host and narrator Liev Schreiber
Credit: Courtesy of Stephanie Berger
ARLINGTON, VA;  SEPTEMBER 5, 2013 – PBS announced today that Tuesday, October 15, 2013, is “Superheroes Night,” featuring a three-hour block dedicated to the groundbreaking program SUPERHEROES: A NEVER-ENDING BATTLE.  The newest film from Emmy Award-winning producer/director Michael Kantor (BROADWAY: THE AMERICAN MUSICAL; MAKE ‘EM LAUGH: THE FUNNY BUSINESS OF AMERICA) will premiere at 8:00 p.m. ET and include insightful interviews from Stan Lee; actors Adam West (TV’s “Batman”) and Lynda Carter (“Wonder Woman”); Geoff Johns (chief creative officer, DC Comics), Jeph Loeb (head of television for Marvel Entertainment); Pulitzer Prize-winning author Michael Chabon (The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier & Clay) and cartoonist/author Jules Feiffer (the long-running strip “Feiffer”), as well as appearances by the late comic book icons Joe Simon (co-creator of Captain America) and Jerry Robinson (who helped create the Joker). A full list of interviewees who appear in the show is located at the end of the release.

SUPERHEROES, cowritten by Kantor and Laurence Maslon, was initially to premiere October 8 and play over three weeks, but the series will now be a one-evening event of super entertainment.
Narrated and hosted by Liev Schreiber (X-Men Origins: Wolverine, Showtime’s Ray Donovan), SUPERHEROES: A NEVER-ENDING BATTLE is the first documentary to examine the dawn of the comic book genre and its powerful legacy, as well as the evolution of the characters who leapt from the pages over the last 75 years and their ongoing worldwide cultural impact. It chronicles how these “disposable diversions” were subject to intense government scrutiny for their influence on American children and how they were created, in large part, by the children of immigrants whose fierce loyalty to a new homeland laid the foundation for a multi-billion-dollar industry that is now an influential part of our national identity.
“SUPERHEROES: A NEVER-ENDING BATTLE is one of the most comprehensive surveys of the vibrant comic book industry ever created; it explores cultural histories in an entertaining and educational way just as PBS viewers have come to expect,” said Donald Thoms, Vice President, Programming and Talent Management for PBS.
SUPERHEROES will be presented in three one-hour parts:

PART ONE, 8 PM: “Truth, Justice, and the American Way” (1938-1958)
During the Depression, the popularity of dozens of superhero characters opens the door for a new generation of artists and writers. World War II creates a patriotic fervor for star-spangled adventurers to represent the American spirit at war and on the home front, but in the 1950s, superheroes are caught in the fire of government scrutiny and regulation. When the thrilling “Adventures of Superman” is broadcast on the new medium of television, America’s first and greatest superhero leads the entire comic book industry to renewed strength.

PART TWO, 9 PM: “Great Power, Great Responsibility” (1959-1977)
In the 1960s, a new breed of superhero emerges in the pages of Marvel Comics, inspired by the age of atomic energy and space travel and, in turn, inspiring the pop culture and pop artists of the time. Spider-Man, the Hulk and others are the first to have “problems” with which an adult audience can identify, and contemporary social issues make their way into comic books. Black powerhouses such as the Black Panther and Luke Cage appear on the scene, and the pages of “Green Lantern/Green Arrow” explode with relevant storylines as comic books are forced to confront the reality of an increasingly complex world.

PART THREE, 10 PM “A Hero Can Be Anyone” (1978-Present)
Modern enthusiasm for superheroes has been embraced in all forms of media and by all demographics, beginning with the historic Superman movie featuring Christopher Reeve as the Man of Steel. In 1986, Batman is overhauled as The Dark Knight to reflect the nocturnal underside of his character, and Watchmen bring new sophistication to comic book narratives, illuminating a violent and politicized world. In the burgeoning new millennium, superheroes have taken over popular culture with feature films, television shows and video games complementing a new generation of web-based comics that bring superhero adventures to every corner of the world. 

A new book based on SUPERHEROES: A NEVER-ENDING BATTLE, titled Superheroes!: Capes, Cowls, and the Creation of Comic Book Culture and penned by series co-writer Laurence Maslon and filmmaker Michael Kantor, will be available October 1, 2013, from Crown Archetype, a division of Random House. This stunning companion volume tells the story of the superhero in American pop culture, with interviews, character biographies and more than 500 illustrations both essential and rare.
PBS Distribution will release the DVD and Blu-ray version of SUPERHEROES: A NEVER-ENDING BATTLE on October 15, 2013, coinciding with the PBS broadcast. The DVD will be available for a suggested retail price of $24.99 and the Blu-ray will be available for a suggested retail price of $29.99. The running time is 180 minutes and will include exclusive extra features. 

SUPERHEROES: A NEVER-ENDING BATTLE is produced by Ghost Light Films in association with Oregon Public Broadcasting. Along with PBS, major funding for the series was supplied by the National Endowment for the Humanities. Founded in 1996, Ghost Light Films created the critically acclaimed and Emmy-nominated six-part PBS series Make ‘Em Laugh: The Funny Business of America, which was hosted by Billy Crystal and produced by Thirteen/WNET New York, in association with BBC-TV. In 2005, Ghost Light Films produced three hours of documentary material to accompany the 40th anniversary re-release of the film The Sound of Music, including a documentary hosted by Julie Andrews. That same year, Ghost Light garnered the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Nonfiction series for Broadway: The American Musical with Thirteen/WNET New York, NHK Japan and BBC in association with Carlton International. Most recently Ghost Light created Broadway Musicals: A Jewish Legacy (narrated by Joel Grey) for the GREAT PERFORMANCES series on PBS. For more information, visit www.ghostlightfilms.net

In addition to the names listed earlier in this release, the full list of interviewees who appear in SUPERHEROES includes: artist Neal Adams, Ed Catto (Bonfire Agency), writer Chris Claremont, writer Gerry Conway, writer Paul Dini, writer Mark Evanier, writer and editor Danny Fingeroth, historian William Foster, artist Ramona Fradon, artist Irwin Hasen, the late artist Carmine Infantino, writer and artist Phil Jiminez, writer Gerard Jones, publisher Jenette Kahn, the late artist Joe Kubert, artist and co-publisher of DC Comics Jim Lee, comic store owner Mike Malve, artist/writer Todd McFarlane, screenwriter Ashley Miller, writer Grant Morrison, writer Gary Phillips, writer/editor Denny O’Neil, writer Trina Robbins, chief creative officer of Marvel Entertainment Joe Quesada, casting director Andrea Romano, artist/designer Arlen Schumer, writer Louise Simonson, writer/artist Walt Simonson, Man of Steel director Zack Snyder, artist/writer Jim Steranko, writer J. Michael Straczynski, colorist Christina Strain, writer/editor Mark Waid, writer/editor Len Wein, writer Marv Wolfman and author Bradford Wright. The SUPERHEROES website is online at PBS.org/superheroes.

About PBS
PBS, with its over 350 member stations, offers all Americans the opportunity to explore new ideas and new worlds through television and online content. Each month, PBS reaches nearly 120 million people through television and over 29 million people online, inviting them to experience the worlds of science, history, nature and public affairs; to hear diverse viewpoints; and to take front row seats to world-class drama and performances. PBS’ broad array of programs has been consistently honored by the industry’s most coveted award competitions. Teachers of children from pre-K through 12th grade turn to PBS for digital content and services that help bring classroom lessons to life. PBS’ premier children’s TV programming and its website, pbskids.org, are parents’ and teachers’ most trusted partners in inspiring and nurturing curiosity and love of learning in children. More information about PBS is available at www.pbs.org, one of the leading dot-org websites on the Internet, or by following PBS on TwitterFacebook or through our apps for mobile devices. Specific program information and updates for press are available at pbs.org/pressroom or by following PBS Pressroom on Twitter.

Neal Adams Added to the
Baltimore Comic-Con All-Star Reception!

Neal Adams Hunger
BALTIMORE, MARYLAND - September 4, 2013 - The inaugural All-Star Baltimore Comic-Con Reception will take place on Friday, September 6, 2013 at 8:00 pm, and we're pleased to announce a late addition to the all-star list of guests!!  
 
Comics legend Neal Adams will join our star-studded evening, adding his years of industry experience and unique talent to what is sure to be a fascinating conversation.  Neal has recently worked at Marvel Comics, providing covers for First X-Men, and has been inducted into the Eisner Awards' Will Eisner Comic Book Hall of Fame in 1998, and the Harvey Awards' Jack Kirby Hall of Fame in 1999.
 
Join us for this intimate evening, which is unlike anything else the rest of the weekend has to offer! On Saturday and Sunday, thousands of comic book fans will be meeting these creators in the hall.  Ticket holders to THIS event will be able to enjoy the company of these creators in a cocktail party setting.
 
Our previously announced guests for the night include Mark Buckingham, Mike Carey, Jim Cheung, Paul Jenkins, Barry Kitson, Mark Morales, George Perez, Stan Sakai, Louise Simonson, Walter Simonson, Matt Sturges, Mark Waid, and Bill Willingham. Join us and our special guests as they welcome you to the 2013 Baltimore Comic-Con.

The exclusive event will be held at a 4-star hotel adjacent to the convention center, high atop the city of Baltimore with a wonderful view of Inner Harbor.
  
Tickets are now available at baltimorecomiccon.com/tickets/.  The deadline for online purchasing is FRIDAY at NOON (you can buy tickets at the show, but you will wait in lines to do so!).

Kick-off the Baltimore Comic-Con in style at this private, limited event, which is only open to ticket holders. This special engagement will include a panel discussion and catered light snacks and desserts. A cash bar will be available.
  
The All-Star Baltimore Comic-Con Reception will include:
  • A private panel discussion and opportunity to mingle afterward
  • Finger foods, appetizers, and desserts
  • 1 Stan Lee autographed item!
  • A copy of the Collectible Hardcover Baltimore Comic-Con 2013 Yearbook
  
The All-Star Reception Packages are priced at $195.00 and does not include admission to the show, which is available separately.
  
Tickets for the Baltimore Comic-Con can be purchased online by visiting baltimorecomiccon.com/tickets/. 
 
  
The latest developments about the Baltimore Comic-Con can always be found on our website, Twitter, and Facebook pages.
 
Jimmy Palmiotti Joins the Self Publishing Panel Lineup at Baltimore Comic-Con
  
Palmiotti pic BALTIMORE, MARYLAND - September 4, 2013 - Special guest and legendary inker/writer Jimmy Palmiotti joins the roster of comics creators speaking about their self publishing experiences at the Baltimore Comic-Con this Saturday, September 7th at the Baltimore Convention Center.  The Self Publishing: You Can Do It panel takes place at 2 pm in Room 305. Other panelists include: Alpha Girl Comics publisher and writer Amy Chu (Girls Night Out), George O'Connor (Healed), Danielle Corsetto (Girls With Slingshots, Adventure Time), and Carolyn Belefski (Curls).
 
The one hour panel is a candid and informal session for new and established writers and artists who are looking to create and distribute their own comics digitally and in print.  Each panelist has a different experience to bring to the discussion. Writers Chu, a former student of Scott Snyder and a Harvard Business School graduate, and O'Connor, an advertising copywriter, will talk about collaboration and business. Artists Carolyn Belefski and Danielle Corsetto will share their experiences in the webcomic space.  And Palmiotti has been extremely successful with a series of Kickstarter campaigns funding his creator-owned titles in the past year.
 
For more info, contact:  
 
 
 
Alpha Girl Comics
c/o Alpha Lane Studios
100 Overlook Center, 2nd Fl.
Princeton, NJ 08540
 
The latest developments can always be found on our website, Twitter, and Facebook pages.

This year's Baltimore Comic-Con will be held September 7-8, 2013. Convention hours are Saturday 10 AM to 7 PM and Sunday 10 AM to 5 PM. The ceremony and banquet for the Harvey Awards will be held Saturday night, September 7th.
  
Please take a moment to help us spread this message using the social media links embedded, reposting, or retweeting!
Special Guests Join Kevin Smith Saturday!

Jason Mewes Moderates SmodCast Superpanel!
Saturday "Jay & Silent Bob" Event Schedule Expanded!
 

jasbsgcm-poster--400x BALTIMORE, MARYLAND - September 5, 2013 - We are thrilled to announce that we have expanded the Afternoon with Jay & Silent Bob events to include a new panel hosted by the one and only Jason Mewes!  The panel will feature Walt Flanagan and Bryan Johnson of the award winning podcast Tell 'em SteveDave! along with Mike Zapcic and Ming Chen of I Sell Comics! 

This bonus panel is open to all Baltimore Comic-Con ticket holders and will take place at 1:30 pm on Saturday, September 7, 2013. 

The 90 minute panel will be followed by the screening of The Jay & Silent Bob's Super Groovy Cartoon Movie and live appearance by Kevin Smith and Jason Mewes.  With the expanded event, the start time of the film will be pushed back to begin at 3:30pm. 

Tell 'em Steve-Dave! & I Sell Comics! come together for an All-Star podcast at Baltimore Comic-Con.  The Podcasts which usually take place in the world famous "Jay & Silent Bob's Secret Stash" comic book store will make a live appearance podcasting & taking your questions at The Baltimore Comic-Con.  The Secret Stash comic book and novelty store in Red Bank, NJ serves not only as a place for people to buy, sell, or trade cool stuff; but also to hang out and be part of a community that loves comics - and the guys who man the legendary comic book post have plenty of stories to tell.  

The screening of the film, and follow-up discussion, Q&A, and podcast recording with Kavin and Jason - will start at 3:30pm (click here for more information). This is a limited-engagement event and requires additional tickets, which are still available for purchase by clicking here.
 

For more information on Walt Flanagan & Bryan Johnson click here.
For more information on Mike Zapcic & Ming Chen click here.

TICKETS
Tickets are now available for VIP and General Admission at the Baltimore Comic-Con!
  
Buy your convention tickets now and save time at the show! - http://baltimorecomiccon.com/tickets/
For Harvey Award Tickets - http://baltimorecomiccon.com/harvey-awards/ 
  
I'll See You In Baltimore 2013
 
The latest developments can always be found on our website, Twitter, and Facebook pages.

This year's Baltimore Comic-Con will be held September 7-8, 2013. Convention hours are Saturday 10 AM to 7 PM and Sunday 10 AM to 5 PM. The ceremony and banquet for the Harvey Awards will be held Saturday night, September 7th.
  
Please take a moment to help us spread this message using the social media links embedded, reposting, or retweeting!