IMAGE COMICS AT ALA 2015
Image Comics writers and artists to meet and panels to attend

Image Comics is pleased to announce the following panels and creators attending the American Library Association Annual Conference in San Francisco on Friday, June 26 - Monday, 29. Don’t forget to stop by the Image Comics booth (#216) and grab samplers from some of our bestselling creator-owned graphic novels.

PANELS:
Nick Dragotta and Dr. Saul Griffith Present: HOWTOONS
When: Monday, June 29, 12:00 - 12:30 p.m.
Where: Graphic Novel / Gaming Stage
HOWTOONS uses comics to show kids how to make projects that teach essential STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art, and mathematics) concepts, all through play! Join creators Dr. Saul Griffith and artist Nick Dragotta as they talk about their experiences of using comics in the library and learn more about the award-winning book that teaches kids how to make things using everyday household goods, like origami robots, marshmallow shooters, stomp rockets, zoetropes, and more. Where science and art go hand-in-hand.

From Podcast to Panels: Taking The Thrilling Adventure Hour to Graphic Novels
When: Sunday, June 28, 10:30 - 11:30 a.m.
Where: Moscone Convention Center
Ben Acker and Ben Blacker talk about the challenges, surprises, and successes in adapting their hit podcast The Thrilling Adventure Hour into two Image Comics series—the sci-fi western SPARKS NEVADA and the supernatural adventure BEYOND BELIEF. What is it like to take radio plays into the dynamic, visual medium of comics? Find out in this conversation with the writers of some of the hottest podcast serials out there.

Daniel Corey: "Moriarty" The experience of creating, the image, and self branding
When: Saturday, June 27, 4:00 - 5:00 p.m.
Where: Graphic Novel / Gaming Stage
Working with Image Comics, the #1 independent comics publisher in the US. market, Daniel Corey will discuss his series to date and history managing brand identity. In today's publishing market this content is essential.

#WeNeedDiverseComics
When: Friday, June 26, 2:45 - 3:45 p.m.
Where: Moscone Convention Center, 3010 (W)
Our first panel will be a wide-ranging discussion of diversity in comics: where we are now and where we need to go from here. Have shifts in the industry and audience led to new opportunities for characters and creators? How is the industry changing to meet the demand for increased diversity within the format? Our panelists work on both mainstream and independent projects. Image Comics’ David Brothers will moderate and lead the discussion with Becky Cloonan (SOUTHERN CROSS, Gotham Academy), Karl Kerschl (Gotham Academy), Gene Yang (The Shadow Hero, American Born Chinese), Ethan Young (Nanjing) and Jeremy Whitley (Princeless).

ARTIST ALLEY:
Ivan Brandon (DRIFTER), booth #119
Daniel Corey (RED CITY, MORIARTY), booth #115
Nick Dragotta (HOWTOONS, EAST OF WEST), booth #111
Otis Frampton (ODDLY NORMAL), booth #121
Chris Giarrusso (G-MAN), booth #106
Justin Greenwood (THE FUSE), booth #113
Jimmie Robinson (THE EMPTY), booth #140

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.

ONI PRESS GOES ALL OUT FOR SPECIAL RICK AND MORTY COMIC ISSUE FEATURING GUEST ARTISTS ANDREW MACLEAN & NICK FILARDI

MARCHING OUT OF THE FAN FAVORITE EPISODE "RIXTY MINUTES" IS AN ALL-NEW STAND-ALONE ISSUE STARRING THE WORLD'S GREATEST ACTION TEAM

 

PORTLAND, OR April June 26, 2015 – Oni Press, Portland’s premier independent comic book publisher, announced today the sixth issue of its Rick and Morty comic, which is based on the hit Adult Swim animated series from creators Dan Harmon and Justin Roiland, will be a special issue featuring guest artists Andrew MacLean (Head Lopper) and Nick Filardi (Powers) and starring fan-favorite action team, The Ball Fondlers.

The Ball Fondlers are an unlikely team of action-star heroes appearing as an in-universe television show within the Rick and Morty television series from Harmon and Roiland. On this special comic adventure our heroes embark on an explosive, high stakes mission that takes them deep into the jungles of Central America. There they will attempt to save a United States Senator from a hostile rebel army, in the greatest sendup of 80s action films you’ve ever seen.

Andrew MacLean, of hot new comic series Head Lopper, joins as guest artist for this explosive issue, as well as contributing a Ball Fondlers alternate cover. Joining him will be guest colorist Nick Filardi (Brides of Helheim, Powers) with comic series writer Zac Gorman writing this special adventure.

Demand for Oni Press’ Rick and Morty comic series has been overwhelming, with the first two issues going back to press for multiple print runs. Meanwhile the show has become a cultural icon in the year since its debut on Adult Swim and its legion of fans, awaiting the release of the second season which will premiere Sunday, July 26 at 11:30 p.m. ET/PT on Adult Swim, are now heading to comic shops.

The Ball Fondlers issue (Diamond Code: JUL151483, MacLean cover: JUL151484) of the Rick and Morty comic series is available for preorder now and is scheduled to arrive in stores on 9/30.

Five Characters Exit Out of The Twilight Zone and Into the Entertainment Earth Booth #2343

A Ballet Dancer, a Bagpiper, a Hobo, a Clown, and an Army Major all walk into a dark pit...and end up as a convention exclusive at the Entertainment Earth booth #2343. Bif Bang Pow! continues their very popular The Twilight Zone 3 3/4-inch action figure line with the highly anticipated The Twilight Zone Five Characters in Search of an Exit 3 3/4 Action Figures In Color - Convention Exclusive. Now collectors can own the toys that didn't know they are toys! Inspired by the classic episode "Five Characters in Search of an Exit" from Season 3 of The Twilight Zone, the set includes the Ballet Dancer, Bagpiper with bagpipes, Hobo with bag, Clown with umbrella, and the Army Major with sword. Each 3 ¾-inch action figure has five points of articulation and is re-imagined in color! As an added bonus, the figures come packaged in a special stacked ladder formation inspired by the well-known scene from the episode! At only 600 sets, this individually numbered limited edition may disappear to another dimension soon. Available for the first time on July 8, 2015 at the Entertainment Earth booth #2343 at San Diego Comic-Con, fans will have the first opportunity to grab this individually numbered and limited edition exclusive! Not attending San Diego Comic-Con 2015? *PRE-ORDER your The Twilight Zone Five Characters in Search of an Exit 3 3/4-Inch Figures Set of 5 In Color - Convention Exclusive at Entertainment Earth now! (*NOTE: Pre-orders made before San Diego Comic-Con 2015 are not guaranteed to be fulfilled based on limited supplies. Available units will ship after Comic-Con 2015 while supplies last.) Other Entertainment Earth exclusives include a Saturday Night Live Weekend Update Tina Fey & Amy Poehler 3 1/2-Inch Action Figures Set of 2, The Big Lebowski The Dude Super Deluxe 12-Inch Action Figure, Batman Classic Chair Cape, Penny Dreadful Dorian Gray 6-Inch Action Figure and more. Over 25 Entertainment Earth convention exclusives will be announced ahead of San Diego Comic-Con. Visit Entertainment Earth and all our social media networks for the latest Entertainment Earth and San Diego Comic-Con news. Twitter: @entearth  Facebook: entertainmentearth  Google+: entertainmentearth  Pinterest: entearth  Instagram: entearth  Tumblr: entertainmentearth See more of our The Twilight Zone collectibles here!

About Entertainment Earth®, Inc.

Entertainment Earth® - entertainmentearth.com - is the preeminent pioneer and innovator in the worldwide online retail and wholesale toy, gift, and collectibles industry, offering unparalleled expertise and an ever-expanding selection of over 22,000 licensed products.  Founded in 1996 and based in Simi Valley, California, Entertainment Earth is renowned for its popular website and print catalog, and its groundbreaking best practices that include a Mint Condition Guarantee™, Risk Free Shopping, and Hassle Free 90-Day Returns.

About Bif Bang Pow!

Bif Bang Pow!™ designs and develops first-rate memorabilia from well-known licenses such as The Big Lebowski, DC Comics, KISS, Flash Gordon, Penny Dreadful, Mike Tyson Mysteries, The Big Bang Theory, Star Trek™, Saturday Night Live, Adventure Time, Regular Show, and The Twilight Zone™. Founder Jason Lenzi is a seasoned television producer and the ultimate fan of cultish pop culture, so when he created his company in 2005 he took the fan's perspective. His idea was to bring items to the marketplace that he himself would want to own. Cultivated from TV, movies, books, comics, music, and more, Bif Bang Pow!'s mission is to provide high-quality action figures, toys, and collectibles to the massive cult audience (and kids of all ages) that wishes these toys were already in their collection. 

Seth Meyers and Taran Killam to Sign Autographs at Entertainment Earth Booth #2343 at San Diego Comic-Con 2015!

We are excited to announce that Seth Meyers, host of Late Night with Seth Meyers and Saturday Night Live alumni, is scheduled to sign autographs at the Entertainment Earth booth #2343 on Friday, July 10, 2015 from 4:15pm to 5:15pm. Taran Killam is scheduled to appear immediately after Seth Meyers from 5:15pm to 6:15pm. The Saturday Night Live cast member is also known for his work on MADtv, Wild 'n Out and The Amanda Show. All signings at the booth are free, but require a ticket. Details on how to obtain a randomly distributed ticket will be available at the Entertainment Earth booth on the first day of the show. Entertainment Earth is offering a variety of SNL merchandise at their booth to celebrate the 40th Anniversary of Saturday Night Live...now that's a lot of comedy! We have two convention exclusives; The Ambiguously Gay Duo Car Bobble Head and the highly anticipated Weekend Update Tina Fey & Amy Poehler 3 1/2-Inch Action Figure Set.   Also available to purchase will be the a 40th Anniversary Journal, 40th Anniversary Coasters Set of 8, Seth Meyers Weekend Update Bobble Head, Schweddy Balls Christmas Ornaments and D*** in a Box Wearable Costume Gift Box. Convention exclusives are available for the first time on July 8, 2015 at the Entertainment Earth booth #2343 at San Diego Comic-Con. Fans will have the first opportunity to grab individually numbered and limited edition exclusives!  Not attending San Diego Comic-Con 2015? *PRE-ORDER at Entertainment Earth now! (*NOTE: Pre-orders made before San Diego Comic-Con 2015 are not guaranteed to be fulfilled based on limited supplies. Available units will ship after Comic-Con 2015 while supplies last.) Visit Entertainment Earth and all our social media networks for the latest Entertainment Earth and San Diego Comic-Con news. See more of our comical SNL collectibles here!

About Bif Bang Pow!
Bif Bang Pow!™ designs and develops first-rate memorabilia from well-known licenses such as The Big Lebowski, DC Comics, KISS, Flash Gordon, Penny Dreadful, Mike Tyson Mysteries, The Big Bang Theory, Star Trek™, Saturday Night Live, Adventure Time, Regular Show, and The Twilight Zone™. Founder Jason Lenzi is a seasoned television producer and the ultimate fan of cultish pop culture, so when he created his company in 2005 he took the fan's perspective. His idea was to bring items to the marketplace that he himself would want to own. Cultivated from TV, movies, books, comics, music, and more, Bif Bang Pow!'s mission is to provide high-quality action figures, toys, and collectibles to the massive cult audience (and kids of all ages) that wishes these toys were already in their collection. 

About Entertainment Earth^®, Inc.

Entertainment Earth® - entertainmentearth.com - is the preeminent pioneer and innovator in the worldwide online retail and wholesale toy, gift, and collectibles industry, offering unparalleled expertise and an ever-expanding selection of over 22,000 licensed products.  Founded in 1996 and based in Simi Valley, California, Entertainment Earth is renowned for its popular website and print catalog, and its groundbreaking best practices that include a Mint Condition Guarantee™, Risk Free Shopping, and Hassle Free 90-Day Returns.

Madefire Launches Cutting-Edge Visual Books Platform ‘Motion Book Publisher’

 

Leading Comics and Manga Publishers, IDW and Kodansha, embrace Madefire’s best-in-class technology.

 

San Francisco, CA, (June 26, 2015) — Madefire set a new standard in digital comics and books with the launch of the Madefire app and Motion Book format. The award-winning Madefire app is the #1 featured and best-rated App in Apple's App Store Books category. Today Madefire announced the launch of Motion Book Publisher - the cutting-edge publishing platform that enables publishers to build their own storefront, apps and books across multiple platforms and products.
 

The move to eBook formats has been fraught with complexity and a broken end-user experience. Motion Book Publisher allows publishers to master one library and deliver it to multiple platforms and formats. The result is a benchmark end-user experience that takes full advantage of a digital-first approach and ensures libraries are future-proofed for any screen.

Last week top publisher IDW announced the move of their IDW Comics app and digital library to Motion Book Publisher. IDW migrated 3,500 digital books across to their own Motion Book Cloud, allowing them to manage their own IDW Premier app as well as world-class individual apps for IDW’s premier brands including; Star Trek, Transformers, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and the newly added My Little Pony Comics app.

"Madefire is enabling us to make unique changes in the way we deliver content and build a relationship directly with our readers cross-platform. At IDW we pride ourselves on the quality of our books, Motion Book Publisher underpins that with a best-in-class user experience" Said Jeff Webber, IDW's VP of Digital Publishing & Business development.

Also joining IDW is Kodansha Advanced Media, the new U.S.-based digital arm of the world’s leading publisher of manga, Kodansha. Alvin Lu, KAM’s General Manager, added, “Reading manga on mobile through Madefire couldn’t be easier, and it’s backed by the assurance of an established, robust platform. It was natural to partner with Motion Book Publisher for the unique ‘Yamada-kun and the Seven Witches’ app we’re releasing to celebrate creator Miki Yoshikawa’s appearance at this year’s Anime Expo.”

Motion Book Publisher is designed for the digital distribution of all types of visual books; including comics, graphic novels, children’s books, manga and illustrated books. Motion Book Publisher enables publishers to manage digital book creation and ingestion, it also provides storefront and book series management, pricing including in-app purchase or subscription, as well as merchandising. Motion Book Publisher provides the publisher with one central Motion Book Cloud of digital books mastered in high resolution for delivery into multiple resolutions and file types including ePub, PDF, Flash, Video and Motion Book formats. In terms of distribution Motion Book Publisher takes full advantage of digital platforms with native readers for iOS, Android, Windows and web browsers. Motion Book Publisher is also the first books platform to publish to television via Android TV (includes Sharp, Sony and Philips TVs) with further gaming console and headset partnerships due to be announced later this year.

"Motion Book Publisher enables publishers to manage the relationship to their fans, to control their revenues and build their brand. There is a lot of complexity in the digital landscape that we've simplified. We're also entering a new era where taking a digital-first approach enables a far greater audience reach from phone to headset. It’s a new chapter in reading!" Ben Wolstenholme CEO & Co-founder, Madefire.

"In the move to digital people expect a digital-first experience - something native to the fast-moving world we live in. We've built the Motion Book Publisher platform from first-hand experience of creating the award-winning Madefire App, alongside input from over 40 publishers, and literally thousands of creators." Eugene Walden CTO & Co-founder, Madefire

About Madefire
Founded in 2011 by Ben Wolstenholme, Liam Sharp and Eugene Walden, Madefire is a media and technology company, and creator of the award-winning Madefire App. Madefire also provides creators and publishers the cutting-edge publishing platform, 'Motion Book Publisher', which enables a digital-first approach to publishing cross-platform in multiple formats. Madefire is backed by Toni Schneider (Former CEO Wordpress) at True Ventures, as well as Bill Woodward (Former Chairman and co-founder Macromedia) with angel investors including Sina Tamaddon, former Senior Vice President of Applications for Apple Inc. The Board of Advisors also includes Mike McCue, CEO and co-founder of Flipboard; Dave Gibbons, co-creator of Watchmen, the bestselling graphic novel of all time; and Bill Sienkiewicz, widely recognized as one of the greatest innovators of sequential art.

About Motion Book Publisher
Motion Book Publisher is a browser-based publishing platform created by Madefire Inc. Motion Book Publisher is designed for all types of visual books; including comics, graphic novels, children’s books, manga and illustrated books. Motion Book Publisher takes the complexity out of digital publishing by enabling Publishers and Creators to master their digital library once and distribute across multiple platforms and file formats. The unique SaaS (Software as a Service) model enables Publishers to pay a flat-rate monthly for the platform and build relationships with their audience directly, controlling their digital revenues and brand. Built from the same platform as Madefire's award winning app, Motion Book Publisher takes a digital-first approach that enables a benchmark end-user experience from phone through to tablet, television and headset - resulting in a future-proofed digital library.

Madefire’s partners and clients include:
DeviantART, Microsoft, TNT, Stan Lee/POW Entertainment, IDW, Kodansha.

BOOM!'s Road to San Diego Comic-Con Announcement #4:
Believe in Steven with First Original Graphic Novel 'Steven Universe: Too Cool for School'

Steven Universe: Too Cool for School Original Graphic Novel Cover
by Rosemary Valero-O'Connell
 

June 25, 2015 (Los Angeles, Calif.) - As part of its ramp-up to San Diego Comic-Con, KaBOOM!, an award-winning imprint of BOOM! Studios, and Cartoon Network Enterprises, the licensing and merchandising arm of the network, are pleased to announce the first Steven Universe original graphic novel Steven Universe: Too Cool for School, featuring Steven, Connie, and the Gems in an all new, full-length adventure.

 

The creative team of Steven Universe animated series Supervising Director Ian Jones-Quarterly and regular comic series writer Jeremy Sorese and artist Coleman Engle explore what happens when Steven joins Connie at school.

Steven Universe: Too Cool for School original graphic novel has a cover by Rosemary Valero-O’Connell and will arrive in comic shops this December. Further details will be available closer to the release date.

2015 J-POP SUMMIT SHOWCASES JAPANESE TECHNOLOGY AND INNOVATION AT BRAND NEW “INTERACTIVE PAVILION”

S.F.’s Annual Japanese Pop Festival Adds A First-Of-Its-Kind Showcase Of Companies Creating “Lifestyles Of The Near Future” With Innovative Products And Technology For Home, Work And Mobility Applications

San Francisco, CA, June 25, 2015 – The 2015 J-POP SUMMIT proudly presents a brand new addition to the Japanese pop culture event held annually in San Francisco with the “Interactive Pavilion,” a first-of-its-kind showcase of cutting edge Japanese technology, consumer product design and innovation. The 2015 J-POP SUMMIT takes places Saturday and Sunday August 8^th & 9^th at the historic Fort Mason Center in San Francisco’s Marina district.

This unique attraction is presented with support and cooperation from the Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO) San Francisco Office and will present a dynamic array of technology and interactive product exhibits and offer several insightful panel discussions and forums hosted by notable Japanese tech luminaries discussing the concept of "Japanese Technology Creating Near-Future Lifestyles.”

Throughout the weekend, J-POP SUMMIT attendees to Fort Mason can enjoy a colorful assortment of Japanese pop-influenced culture, fashion, pop art, live music, technology, and travel attractions that will be complemented by celebrity Guests of Honor, Panels, Music live concert, and a wide assortment of vendors and other programming. Tickets and V.I.P Passes are available now at: www.J-POP.com.

Emphasizing 3 distinct categories, the “Interactive Pavilion,” will present spaces highlighting a diverse range of large, as well as start-up companies, pushing the limits of Japanese technical innovation and development. "HOME,” a space focusing on individuals and families; "WORK,” a space focusing on the office lifestyle; "MOBILITY,” a space that focuses on the link between home-life and office-life.

“Through this dynamic new attraction, J-POP SUMMIT attendees can gain first-hand insight into how Japanese hardware, software, and other products are creating better lives for people in the present as well as for the future,” says Seiji Horibuchi, Chairman of J-POP SUMMIT.

MOBILITY Showcase:

MOBILITY displays focus on the latest technology and products that improve freedom of movement.

YAMAHA MOTOR

YAMAHA Motor will be hosting an exhibition and test-riding event of its electric power-assisted wheelchair products. YAMAHA electric power-assisted wheelchairs are more effective and clinically beneficial to use than hand-powered wheelchairs. YAMAHA electric power assist wheelchairs give the user more freedom of mobility than fully electric-powered wheelchairs. Come test-ride this new model, and welcome all J-POP attendees to come experience the world of mobility through the YAMAHA electric power assists!

(Yamaha Motor Corporation, U.S.A.) http://global.yamaha-motor.com

                                                                   

WHILL

Presenting universal smart transportation and personal mobility for future generations that goes above and beyond the traditional concept of a wheelchair. WHILL’s 4WD capabilities and large front wheels allow it to clear obstacles of up to 3 inches high. A full battery charge gives it a range of up to 10.6 miles. WHILL’s maximum speed is 5.5 mph and it has a 10 degree incline capability. Its slim and compact design, in combination with the all-directional front wheels, help it maneuver around tight spaces. WHILL is accompanied by an iPhone app which connects via Bluetooth and allows for remote control of the device. The app also allows you to adjust the seat, driving and control settings, and even includes a security locking mechanism to keep the device secure when you’re not using it. (WHILL, Inc.) http://whill.us

WORK Showcase:

WORK exhibits focus on the office lifestyle and products and technology to improve workflow and productivity

FUJITSU

Envisioning a future where technology is an indispensable part of our daily lives, Fujitsu is proud to present a new-age experience through a prototype of the smart shoe of the future. If we add data transmitting technology to the shoes we wear every day and convert them into digital devices, what kind of change will that bring about in our lives? We might be able to communicate feelings through dance, control apps, or even check on our health using our shoes. Through experiencing this prototype, let's explore the possibilities of a future where smart shoes are a part of our daily lives. (FUJITSU Ltd.) http://www.fujitsu.com/us

NIFTY

From an idea born out from the popular Japanese web site, Daily Portal Z, “Money Bath”, a bathtub full of money comes to J-Pop Summit! Daily Portal Z is a Japanese daily news site with over 800,000 unique visitors every month. Users can take a picture with the virtual cash filled bathtub and post it to Facebook or Twitter to show the world what they look like as a millionaire, swimming in cash. (NIFTY Corporation) http://www.nifty.com

TOSHIBA

Presenting a wireless adapter equipped with TransferJet technology that can quickly transfer large files just by touching it to an enabled smartphone or laptop. Come visit the Toshiba booth at the J-POP SUMMIT to get access to special contents from the guests of the festival!

(Toshiba America Electronic Component, Inc.) http://toshiba.semicon-storage.com/us/product/wireless-communication/transferjet.html

JINS

The JINS brand was founded in Japan in 2001 and has since become a global leader in crafting stylish and innovative eyewear at affordable prices. JINS continues to pioneer the creation of glasses that see beyond simple vision correction, and opened its first flagship store in San Francisco in April 2015. JINS developed JINS SCREEN with modern consumers in mind: ones who spend long hours looking at computer screens and other gadgets. JINS SCREEN is designed to filter out 25% of eye-strain-causing blue light while at the same time being light-weight. JINS SCREEN will be available for sale at the JINS booth at J-Pop Summit!

(JINS Eyewear US, Inc.) http://www.jins.com/us

UNION TOOL

Exhibiting myBeat, a new heart-rate sensor that is Bluetooth smart enabled and can easily sync with smart phones and tablets. It can be used in a variety of ways, including caregiving and keeping track of your mental health, as well as for entertainment. (UNION TOOL CO.) http://www.uniontool.co.jp/en

OMRON

Presenting image-sensing components including WiFi communication, Human Vision Components (HVC). It can detect faces, bodies, hands, can estimate age, gender, facial pose/gaze/blink degree and emotion based on facial features. Come try it out at the Omron booth at J-POP SUMMIT! (OMRON Corporation) https://www.omron.com

Fujitsu Computer Products of America

Fujitsu Computer Products of America, Inc. will be showcasing its award-winning line of Fujitsu ScanSnap scanners designed to help people live a more productive, paperless, mobile and efficient life. ScanSnap quickly and easily digitizes documents, turning them into secure, searchable PDFs or JPEGs with a simple push of a button. Attendees can stop-by the Fujitsu booth where they can draft their own personalized pictures and greetings, scan them with a ScanSnap scanner and then send directly to their friends and family.

(Fujitsu Computer Products of America, Inc.) http://scanners.fcpa.fujitsu.com/scansnap11

MARUKOME    

Presenting an innovative miso soup dispenser that will let one enjoy warm miso soup at the simple touch a button. Visitors are invited to take a break during J-POP SUMMI to enjoy a complementary bowl of miso soup served by this unique machine. (Marukome USA Inc.) http://www.marukomeusa.com

HOME Showcase:

HOME displays focus on technology and products to improve the lives of individuals and families

RICOH

Exhibiting the new spherical camera "RICOH THETA". It is not just an ordinary camera but a 360-degree camera that captures the whole world around you with just one shot. It's an amazing camera that lets you capture the exact dynamic of a moment as it happens. At the J-POP SUMMIT Ricoh booth, you can take 360°pictures using THETA with the giant "Attack on Titan" head display! (Ricoh Company Ltd) http://www.ricoh-imaging.com

CANON 

Canon, the leading provider of consumer, business-to-business, and industrial digital imaging solutions, is joining the J-POP SUMMIT for the first time. Come try out all kinds of products at the Canon booth!  (Canon U.S.A., Inc.) https://www.usa.canon.com

Panasonic

Panasonic will join Interactive Pavilion and J-POP SUMMIT for the first time on August 8^th-9^th in San Francisco. Please visit us at our booth and experience first-hand the wonderment of Panasonic creations.  (Panasonic Corporation) http://shop.panasonic.com/home

KODANSHA COMICS

Kodansha Comics is proud to present Japan’s world-renowned comics-art form in San Francisco. Don’t miss your chance to see the Colossal Titan (from the hit series Attack on Titan) in person at Fort Mason Center. Come capture Attack On Titan in a whole new way with RICOH's spherical THETA camera, and experience the VR comics reader through our collaboration with FOVE. Plus, come check out an interactive pop-up manga gallery at DG717 at 717 Market Street that is open and free to the public. Updates and more details are available at: http://kodanshacomics.com.

FOVE

Presenting the world's first eye-tracking virtual reality headset. Look for the FOVE Manga x Virtual Reality collaboration for a whole new way to experience the "Attack on Titan" display!

(FOVE Inc.) http://www.getfove.com

MESH

MESH (Make, Experience, Share) is an intuitive DIY invention tool for making your ideas real. It consists of wireless functional tags and visual coding canvas on a tablet. Let’s make your own “smart projects” in just few minutes! (MESH Inc.) http://meshprj.com

SHIKUMI DESIGN

Presenting KAGURA, a new software that allows you to virtually play instruments using web camera based movement recognition technology. Check out the performance using KAGURA by Shunsuke Nakamura on the main stage as well! (SHIKUMI DESIGN, Inc.)　http://www.kagura.cc

FIGURE STAGE

Presenting a smart phone app that will revolutionize the world of figures through its easy to use stage direction, filming, and image processing functions. A limited edition J-POP SUMMIT display version will be available for purchase at the festival! (FIGURE STAGE) http://figurestage.com

About J-POP SUMMIT

The J-POP SUMMIT is an annual Japanese Pop Culture celebration held in San Francisco, CA that features live bands and artists from Japan, pop culture panel discussions, film premieres, fashion shows and events, food and spirits, art, and celebrity appearances. In 2014, the two-day event attracted 125,000 attendees. Details on J-POP SUMMIT are available at www.J-POP.com.

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Products from some of the companies participating in the 2015 J-POP SUMMIT Interactive Pavilion

THINK TANK MELTS MINDS THIS AUTUMN
An all-new story arc of the critically-acclaimed Top Cow series begins this September 

Bestselling writer Matt Hawkins (TALES OF HONOR) and artist Rahsan Ekedal return to the critically-acclaimed Top Cow series in THINK TANK: CREATIVE DESTRUCTION #1, set to launch in September. 

In THINK TANK: CREATIVE DESTRUCTION #1, an unknown enemy savages the technological infrastructure of the US. Panic and conspiracy theories spread as David Loren and his misfit science team continue work on the TALOS project, trying to make “Iron Man” suits a reality in California. 

"Think Tank is the reason I'm writing comics today,” said Hawkins. “It's a passion project in every way that can be described. This is my best work, with a most gifted co-creator and collaborator in Rahsan Ekedal.” 

THINK TANK: CREATIVE DESTRUCTION #1 (Diamond Code: JUL150619) hits stores on Wednesday, September 23rd. Cover B by Ekedal can be ordered with Diamond Code JUL150620. The final order cutoff for retailers is Monday, August 31st.

 

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.

PHONOGRAM’S RETURN IS MUSIC TO READERS’ EARS
The acclaimed urban fantasy series begins an all-new story arc

New York Times bestselling creators of THE WICKED + THE DIVINE, writer Kieron Gillen, artist Jamie McKelvie, and colorist Matt Wilson, return to PHONOGRAM to finish what they started with PHONOGRAM: THE IMMATERIAL GIRL #1.

“Phonogram is unfinished business. It's a vision we need to complete,” said Gillen. “Three stand alone, but thematically connected, volumes. Each one can be devoured alone, like our favourite albums. The third one was always going to bring everything we've learned about pop and comics together. I've been wanting to do this book for over a decade. Now I finally get to share the explosions in our head. I can't be more excited, at least in a socially acceptable fashion.”

PHONOGRAM: THE IMMATERIAL GIRL is the story of Emily Aster, who sold half her personality for the power to rule a coven of phonomancers. It's worked for nearly a decade. Clearly nothing could go wrong now, and the girl behind the screen won't come back for what's been taken from her. In a world where Music is Magic, a song can save or ruin your life. In PHONOGRAM: THE IMMATERIAL GIRL we discover what a video can do. And you will never listen to A-ha's "Take On Me" in the same way ever again.

PHONOGRAM: THE IMMATERIAL GIRL #1 (Diamond Code: JUN150532) will be available on Wednesday, August 12th. The final order cutoff for retailers is Monday, July 20th.

 

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.

Celebrate Batman Day with Snyder, Tynion, Pak, and Tomasi in Baltimore

BALTIMORE, MARYLAND - June 25, 2015 - Come celebrate the 75th anniversary of the Dark Knight on Batman Day, Saturday, September 26th, at the Baltimore Comic-Con! VIP and General Admission Tickets are on sale for the 2015 event, taking place the weekend of September 25-27, 2015 at the Baltimore Convention Center. Baltimore Comic-Con is ecstatic to announce Batman creators Scott Snyder, James Tynion, Greg Pak, and Peter Tomasi.

Scott Snyder began writing DC's Batman in Detective Comics upon signing exclusively with the publisher, and has continued working with the character ever since. He has written for Batman, numerous one-shots and limited series like Batman: Futures End and Batman: Gates of Gotham, launched Talon, spinning out of the "Court of Owls" arc, and is currently writing the new Batman Eternal. He has also worked on Swamp Thing, The New 52, and Superman Unchained. In 2011, he received Harvey and Eisner Awards for Best New Series for his work on American Vampire, the 2012 Eagle Award for Best Writer, the 2012 Stan Lee Award for Best Writer and Man of the Year, and another Eisner Award in 2014 for Best Limited Series on The Wake. Outside of DC, Snyder has contributed to Wytches and Severed from Image Comics and Marvel Comics' Iron Man Noir.

James Tynion IV got his start writing back-up stories in the DC Comics' New 52 Batman title with his former teacher, Scott Snyder. He has published multiple titles under the DC banner, including numerous Batman series like Red Hood and the Outlaws and Batman and Robin, and the DC New 52 title, Talon. He is writer on BOOM! Studios's The Woods, UFOlogy, and Memetic, and on DC's Batman Eternal weekly series.

Comics writer (and Rhodes Scholar) Greg Pak has been responsible for much-lauded runs on titles like Marvel's Incredible Hulk ("Planet Hulk" and "World War Hulk"), Incredible Hercules, X-Men: Magneto Testament, and Red Skull, Dynamite Entertainment's Battlestar Galactica, Valiant's Eternal Warrior, and Aspen's Dead Man's Run. He has been named Wizard Magazine's Breakout Talent of the Year, and his stories and characters have won numerous publication accolades as well. You can read Pak's latest work on Marvel's Storm, DC Comics' Action Comics and Superman/Batman, and Dynamite Entertainment's Turok, Dinosaur Hunter.

Peter Tomasi is a writer and editor best known for his work at DC Comics. He began his career in 1993, editing such titles as Green Lantern, the Batman titles, Aquaman, Hawkman, and JSA before being promoted to Senior Editor in 2003. In 2007, Tomasi decided to move from editing to writing full-time and, in 2010, took over writing Batman and Robin with issue #20. Since the launch of the New 52, Tomasi helmed the new volumes of both Batman and Robin and Green Lantern Corps. His recent work can be found on DC's Batman: Arkham Knight and Batman and Frankenstein.

"We are so pleased to be able to host these talented creators to celebrate Batman Day," said Marc Nathan, promoter of the Baltimore Comic-Con. "Batman fans are so fortunate to get to interact with all of these creators in one place, and we're proud to host them."

TICKETS

General Admission and VIP Package tickets for Weekend, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, as well as the Harvey Awards, are now on sale! Visit www.baltimorecomiccon.com/tickets/ for more information and to purchase your advanced tickets now, and as always, kids 10 and under get into the show free with a paid adult General Admission! 

In addition to on-site CGC grading, this year's confirmed guests for the show include: Neal Adams (All-New Captain America); Scott Ambruson (Azteca: Ciudad Paradiso); Jeremy Bastian (Cursed Pirate Girl); Marty Baumann (Pixar artist); John Beatty (Secret Wars); Gregory Benton (Little Nemo: Dream Another Dream); Christy Blanch (The Damnation of Charlie Wormwood); Mark Buckingham (Fables); Bob Budiansky (courtesy of Hero Initiative, Transformers); Talent Caldwell (Grimm Fairy Tales Presents White Queen: Age of Darkness); Chris Campana (Kantara); Richard Case (Doom Patrol); Christa Cassano (Ghetto Klown); Sean Chen (Secret Origins); Cliff Chiang (Wonder Woman); Frank Cho (Jungle Girl); Amy Chu (Strange Sports Stories); Steve Conley (Bloop); Amanda Conner (Harley Quinn); Katie Cook (Gronk); Darwyn Cooke (Richard Stark's Parker); Todd Dezago (Perhapanauts); Joe Eisma (Morning Glories); Ramona Fradon (Spongebob Annual-Size Super-Giant Swimtacular); Francesco Francavilla (Secret Wars: Battleworld); John Gallagher (Buzzboy); Jose Luis Garcia-Lopez (Batman '66: The Lost Episode); Keron Grant (Father's Day); Mike Grell (courtesy of Hero Initiative, Action Comics); Laura Guzzo (Princeless: Short Stories for Warrior Women); Cully Hamner (Convergence: The Question); Scott Hanna (The New 52: Futures End); Dean Haspiel (The Fox); Russ Heath (G.I. Combat); Eric Henson (The Perhapanauts: Danger Down Under); h-eri (Ivory Dragon Studios); Jaime Hernandez (Love and Rockets); Ken Hunt (Talon); Klaus Janson (Superman); Dave Johnson (Inhumans: Attilan Rising); JG Jones (Strange Fruit); Chris Kemple (Red Vengeance); Denis Kitchen (The Best of Comix Book: When Marvel Went Underground); Barry Kitson (Empire: Uprising); Greg LaRocque (The Avengers); Paul Levitz (Convergence: World's Finest Comics); Mike Lilly (Grimm Fairy Tales Presents: Robyn Hood); Nate Lovett (Midnight Tiger); Kevin Maguire (Justice League); Mike Manley (Darkhawk); Mark Mariano (The Other Side of Hugless Hill); Laura Martin (Star Wars); Ron Marz (Convergence: Batman and Robin); Bob McLeod (Secret Wars); Pop Mhan (He-Man: The Eternity War); Terry Moore (Rachel Rising); Mark Morales (Convergence); Nen (The Memory Collectors); Greg Pak (Storm); Tom Palmer (The Avengers); Jimmy Palmiotti (The Con Job); Dan Parent (Archie); Brent Peeples (Legenderry: Green Hornet); Andrew Pepoy (Afterlife with Archie); David Peterson (Mouse Guard); Khoi Pham (X-Men Legacy); Andy Price (My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic); Ron Randall (Convergence: Catwoman); Tom Raney (Avengers Vs.); Sara Richard (Jem and the Holograms); Rafer Roberts (Little Nemo: Dream Another Dream); David Rodriguez (Skylanders); Budd Root (Cavewoman); Don Rosa (Donald Duck); Craig Rousseau (Batman Beyond); Andy Runton (Owly); Stan Sakai (Usagi Yojimbo); Matteo Scalera (Black Science); Jeff Shultz (Betty and Veronica); Bart Sears (Bloodshot); Louise Simonson (Convergence: Superman - The Man of Steel); Walter Simonson (Convergence: Superman - The Man of Steel); Matt Slay (The Sakai Project: Artists Celebrate Thirty Years of Usagi Yojimbo); Andy Smith (Earth 2); Matthew Dow Smith (X-Files Season 10); Scott Snyder (Batman Eternal); Charles Soule (Uncanny Inhumans); Mark Sparacio (Sgt. Rock); Jim Starlin (Thanos: The Infinity Relativity); Brian Stelfreeze (Day Men); Paul Storrie (Sheena, Queen of the Jungle); Joe St. Pierre (New Zodiax); Marcio Takara (Armor Wars); Eric Talbot (Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles); Ben Templesmith (Gotham by Midnight); Mark Texeira (Ghost Racers); Frank Tieri (Suicide Squad); Peter Tomasi (Green Lantern Corps); John Totleben (Swamp Thing); Jeremy Treece (King: Mandrake the Magician); Tim Truman (Hawkman); Billy Tucci (Shi); James Tynion (Constantine: The Hellblazer); Rick Veitch (Saga of the Swamp Thing); Charles Vess (Little Nemo: Dream Another Dream); Mark Waid (Daredevil); John Watson (Red Sonja); Matt Wieringo ('Ringo Scholarship Fund); Marv Wolfman (courtesy of Hero Initiative, Convergence: New Teen Titans); Rich Woodall (Kyrra); Kelly Yates (Doctor Who); Thom Zahler (My Little Pony: Friends Forever); and Mike Zeck (Secret Wars). 

   

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.