Hero Initiative Presents John McCrea at the Baltimore Comic-Con

BALTIMORE, MARYLAND - August 12, 2016 - Once again, there is major buzz surrounding the incredible talent Hero Initiative will be bringing to the Baltimore Comic-Con, September 2-4, 2016, at the Baltimore Convention Center. Hero Initiative, the comic creator charity, will have a full house of guest artists supporting the cause. At the booth, John McCrea (co-creator of Hitman) will be Hero Initiative's guest at Baltimore. Hero Initiative and Baltimore are excited to have such an award-winning artist at the show.  Buy your tickets now and avoid waiting in additional lines at the show.

John McCrea is a respected illustrator and comic book artist, perhaps most popular for his work with Garth Ennis on Preacher, Punisher, and Hitman. John is currently working on Mars Attacks! for IDW Publishing. He has worked for many comic book companies, including Marvel and DC Comics, where he has illustrated iconic characters such as Batman, Superman, Wonder Woman, the Hulk, Spider-Man, Daredevil, Wolverine, the Demon, and England's own Judge Dredd. His work can be seen at - www.johnmccrea.com. John rarely makes it to this side of the Atlantic, and this is his only US visit for 2016, so grab your books and sketch portfolio! Who knows -- you may be lucky enough to get a head-shot of the Demon and support the charity in Baltimore. John will be at the Hero Initiative booth all weekend so stop on by to get your books signed or buy a sketch.

"We are always thrilled when an elusive creator like Mr. McCrea comes to our event" said Marc Nathan, promoter of the Baltimore Comic-Con. "It's such a great opportunity for our fans to interact with someone they otherwise wouldn't be able to, and The Hero Initiative is making that possible."

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!

HOTEL ACCOMMODATIONS

While they are available, be sure to take advantage of discount rate arrangements we have made with hotels near the Baltimore Convention Center. For all the details, see:

http://baltimorecomiccon.com/about/hotels/

GUARANTEED PARKING

To make parking easy and stress-free, we have partnered with Parking Panda, the nationwide leader in online parking reservations, to allow attendees driving to the show to purchase guaranteed parking near the Baltimore Comic-Con. Click here to book your guaranteed parking spot, or if you need help or have questions, call 800-232-6415.

In addition to on-site CGC grading, this year's confirmed guests for the show include: Neal Adams (Superman: The Coming of the Supermen); Zeea Adams (Neal Adams Monsters); Scott Ethan Ambruson (Azteca: Ciudad Paradiso); John Anderson (The Infinites); James Asmus (All-New Inhumans); Sean Astin (Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles); Hayley Atwell (Marvel's Agent Carter); Jeff Balke (Zombies vs Cheerleaders: St. Patty's Day Special); Jeremy Bastian (Cursed Pirate Girl); Marty Baumann (Pixar artist); Carolyn Belefski (Curls); Christy Blanch (The Damnation of Charlie Wormwood); Bret Blevins (Harley Quinn Road Trip Special); Danica Bradshaw (Wayward); Nick Bradshaw (Spidey); June Brigman (Power Pack); Reilly Brown (Deadpool); Harold Buchholz (Archie Comics); Mark Buckingham (Miracleman); Dave Bullock (The Rocketeer at War!); Buzz (Super Sikh and the Atma Defenders); Jim Calafiore (Leaving Megalopolis: Surviving Megalopolis); Ben Caldwell (Scooby Apocalypse); Chris Campana (The Accelerators); Richard Case (Doom Patrol); Christa Cassano (Ghetto Klown); Mike Cavallaro (The Fox); Elias Chatzoudis (Grimm Fairy Tales presents Oz: Reign of the Witch Queen); Howard Chaykin (Imperium); Sean Chen (Aliens vs. Zombies); Lee Cherolis (Little Guardians); Frank Cho (The Totally Awesome Hulk); Amy Chu (Poison Ivy: Cycle of Life and Death); Steve Conley (Bloop); Matthew Clark (Justice League); Richard Clark (Archie vs. Predator); Katie Cook (My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic); Stephen Coughlin (Sanctuary); Mike Curtis (Dick Tracy); J. Robert Deans (Crass Fed); Jeff Dekal (New Avengers); J.M. DeMatteis (Scooby Apocalypse); Matt Dembicki (Captive of Friendly Cove); Todd Dezago (Perhapanauts); Dan DiDio (DC Comics, Friday only); Charles C. Dowd (Lilith Dark); Paris Cullins (Blue Beetle); Kevin Eastman (Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles); Joe Eisma (Morning Glories); Tod Emko (A Piggy's Tale); Joe Endres (Colossians); Steve Englehart, courtesy of Hero Initiative (Captain America); David Finch (Batman); Meredith Finch (Wonder Woman); Veronica Fish (Archie Comics); Shane Fisher (Dick Tracy); Chris Flick (Capes & Babes); Ramona Fradon (Spongebob Freestyle Funnies); Francesco Francavilla (Afterlife with Archie); Franco (Aw Yeah Comics: Action Cat!); Alexis Frederick-Frost (Adventures in Cartooning); John Gallagher (Buzzboy); SL Gallant (G.I. Joe); Jose Luis Garcia-Lopez (Batman '66: The Lost Episode); Ransom Getty (FCBD 2016 - Suicide Squad Special Edition); Joe Giella courtesy of Hero Initiative (Green Lantern); Keith Giffen (Legends of Tomorrow); Jason Gounger (Legio Ex Mortis); Anna Gownley and Jimmy Gownley (The Dumbest Idea Ever!); Stephen Green (The Legacy of Luther Strode); Dawn Griffin (Zorphbert & Fred); Rob Guillory (Chew: Demon Chicken Poyo); Laura Lee Gulledge (Will & Whit); Brian Haberlin (Witchblade), Bo Hampton (3 Devils); Tony Harris (Lost Boys); Dean Haspiel (The Fox); Meghan Hetrick (Red Thorn); Greg Horn (Deadpool's Secret Secret Wars); Jason Horn (Ninjasaur); Adam Hughes (Betty & Veronica); Ken Hunt (Talon); Al Jaffee (MAD Magazine, Saturday panel and Harvey Awards only); Paul Jenkins (Replica); JG Jones (Strange Fruit); Justin Jordan (The Legacy of Luther Strode); Dan Jurgens (Action Comics, Saturday & Sunday only); Chris Kemple (Red Vengeance); Tom King (Batman); Barry Kitson (Empire: Uprising); Samantha Kyle (Paul & Olly); Hope Larson (Batgirl); John Layman (Chew: Demon Chicken Poyo); Paul Levitz (Doctor Fate); Mike Lilly (Red Agent); Aaron Lopresti (courtesy of Painted Visions, Legends of Tomorrow); Nate Lovett (Actionverse Featuring Midnight Tiger); Joe Linsner (Harley Quinn); Kevin Maguire (Howard the Duck); Mike Maihack (Cleopatra in Space); Mike Manley (The Phantom); Mark Mariano (The Other Side of Hugless Hill); Laura Martin (Wonder Woman); Ron Marz (Convergence: Batman and Robin); John McCrea, courtesy of Hero Initiative (Judge Dredd); Ed McGuinness (Spider-Man/Deadpool); Terry Moore (Rachel Rising); Tradd Moore (The Legacy of Luther Strode); Mark Morales (Convergence); Joe Mulvey (SCAM); Kristian Nairn (Game of Thrones); Jamar Nicholas (Fist Stick Knife Gun: A Personal History of Violence in America); Fabian Nicieza (Deadpool & Cable: Split Second); Chris Otto (A Dog's Life); Greg Pak (Teen Titans); Tom Palmer (Doctor Strange); Yanick Paquette (Batman/Superman); Dan Parsons (Convergence: Nightwing/Oracle); Candice Patton (The Flash); Brent Peeples (Gold Key: Alliance); Paul Pelletier (Justice League); Andrew Pepoy (Futurama Comics); David Petersen (Mouse Guard); Brandon Peterson (Uncanny Inhumans); Shelley Pleger (Dick Tracy); Lyle Pollard (Scarlet Huntress); Mark Poulton (A Cat Named Haiku); Eric Powell (The Goon); Andy Price (My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic); Brian Pulido (Lady Death: Chaos Rules); Kyle Puttkammer (Hero Cats: Midnight Over Stellar City); Ron Randall (Convergence: Catwoman); Khary Randolph (Robin War); Tom Raney (Ninjak); Paul Renaud (Superman/Wonder Woman); Joe Rivera (Hellboy and the B.P.R.D.: 1953); Rafer Roberts (A&A: The Adventures of Archer and Armstrong); Emily Romano (Comic Art House); Craig Rousseau (Kyrra: Alien Jungle Girl); Stephane Roux (Harley Quinn and Power Girl); Joe Rubinstein (Convergence: Batman and Robin); Nei Ruffino (Silk); Alex Saviuk (Spider-Man newspaper strip); Stuart Sayger (Hellboy 100); Mark Schultz (Conan the Slayer); Bart Sears (Bloodshot); Dave Sharpe (Ninjak); Jeff Shultz (Betty and Veronica); Louise Simonson (Convergence: Superman - The Man of Steel); Walter Simonson (Ragnarok); Matt Slay (TMNT Micro-Series); Andy Smith (Earth 2, Thanos GN); Brian Smith (SpongeBob Comics); Matthew Dow Smith (The X-Files); John K. Snyder III (Doctor Midnight); Allison Sohn (Red Sonja); Charles Soule (Star Wars: Poe Dameron); Mark Sparacio (Sheena: Queen of the Jungle); Jim Starlin (Thanos: The Infinity Finale); Joe Staton (Dick Tracy); Brian Stelfreeze (Black Panther); Mark Stokes (Zombie Boy Comics); Paul Storrie (Sheena: Queen of the Jungle); Karl Story (Thors); Ben Templesmith (Blackholers); Mark Texeira (Doctor Strange); Frank Tieri (Harley Quinn and her Gang of Harleys); Vivek J. Tiwary (The Fifth Beatle); Jeremy Treece (The King Collection); Tim Truman (Convergence: Hawkman); David Trustman (The Rise); Billy Tucci (Harley's Little Black Book); James Tynion IV (Batman/Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles); Rick Veitch (Miracleman); Emilio Velez Jr. (The Dodgeball Teens); Mark Waid (All-New, All-Different Avengers); Michael Watkins (Pantha); Todd Webb (Mr. Toast Comics); Mark Wheatley (Doctor Who); Matt Wieringo ('Ringo Scholarship Fund); Marcus Williams (Hero Cats); Ron Wilson (Marvel Two-In-One); Rich Woodall (Kyrra: Alien Jungle Girl); John Workman (Shutter); Sasha Yosselani (Comic Art House); and Thom Zahler (My Little Pony: Friends Forever). 

   

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, Instagram, and Facebook pages.

BLACK LIGHT DISTRICT: COMICS AND MUSIC TO SAVE THE WORLD
The six-issue online comic book/music anthology coming to print as a one-shot

Jesse Blaze Snider and co-writer/producer Will Knox’s groundbreaking online comic book/music anthology will appear in print for the very first time this October from Image Comics.

BLACK LIGHT DISTRICT features six epic illustrated stories set to the music of geek culture-inspired “Black Light District” EP, with art contributions from these stellar talents: Chris Burnham (NAMELESS, OFFICER DOWNE), Phil Hester (MYTHIC, Green Arrow), Jason Pearson (BODY BAGS, Legion of Superheroes), Andrea Tamme (Adventure Time), David Witt (The Growler Magazine), J.K. Woodward (Fallen Angel, Star Trek), Michael Spicer (MYTHIC, Sons of Anarchy), Erik Larsen (SAVAGE DRAGON), and Chris Eliopoulos (SAVAGE DRAGON, Pet Avengers).

“This [project] is a love letter to comics, said Snider. “These are the most personal songs I’ve ever written—while they’re superhero metaphors, I think they’ll be personal to everybody, because they’re based in emotions I think everyone has felt.”

In BLACK LIGHT DISTRICT, comics and music come together to tell six separate stories with one thing in common: everything is at stake.

"Jesse gave us a melody and lyrics for inspiration, then just let us do what we do,” said Woodward. “It was not only one of my favorite creative experiences, but, in my opinion, my best sequential work produced to date.”

Hester added: "Working on Madhattan with Jesse, Erik [Larsen], and Chris [Eliopoulos] was a joy.”

"I can't think of a time I've worked harder or been more filled with the spirit of inspiration than working on this cover,” said Burnham. “I can comfortably look at this piece and know in my heart that PummelHorse was me at my all time peak.”

BLACK LIGHT DISTRICT: SIX ISSUES (ONE SHOT) (Diamond code: AUG160593) hits comic book stores Wednesday, October 12th. Final order cutoff deadline for retailers is Monday, September 19th.

THE WALKING DEAD—
EXCITED WHISPERS SPREAD AMONG FANS
Image/Skybound fast-tracks the first issue of the mind-blowing new story arc to a second printing

Image/Skybound Entertainment is pleased to announce that THE WALKING DEAD #157 by Robert Kirkman and Charlie Adlard will be fast-tracked to a second printing in order to keep up with the overwhelming customer demand.

The mind-blowing new story arc to the New York Times bestselling series and pop culture phenomenon—THE WHISPERER WAR—launched to much fan buzz and featured the first in a sequence of connecting covers by Arthur Adams with colors by Nathan Fairbairn. Fans of THE WALKING DEAD and comics collectors flocked to stores for an opportunity to get their hands on the hot new issue.

In THE WALKING DEAD #157 the time has come. The forces are aligning. The war has begun! Has Rick brought about the demise of everything he’s built? Or will he triumph once again? Know this… there will be a cost.

THE WALKING DEAD #157 remains available for purchase across all digital platforms, including the Image Comics website (imagecomics.com), the official Image Comics iOS app, Comixology’s website (comixology.com), iOS, Android, and Google Play.

THE WALKING DEAD #157, 2nd printing Cover A (Diamond Code JUN169197) and Cover B by Arthur Adams with colors by Nathan Fairbairn (Diamond Code JUN169198) will be available in stores on Wednesday, September 7th. The final order cutoff date for retailers is Monday, August 15th.

THE WALKING DEAD #158 Cover A (Diamond Code JUL160789) and Cover B by Arthur Adams with colors by Nathan Fairbairn (Diamond Code JUL160790) hit stores on Wednesday, September 7th and the final order cutoff deadline for retailers is Monday, August 15th.

MOONSHINE AN INTOXICATING NEW SERIES
Azzarello and Risso fans will get drunk off this werewolf prohibition story

Image Comics is pleased to announce that author Brian Azzarello (ALPHA KING) and artist Eduardo Risso, the New York Times bestselling, Eisner Award winning creative team that redefined the crime genre with 100 Bullets, have reunited for an all-new gangster tale with a horror-twist in MOONSHINE.

As an added treat for fans, the series is set to launch this October—making it the perfect Halloween read—and features a variant cover by legendary comics creator, Frank Miller.

Set during Prohibition, and deep in the backwoods of Appalachia, MOONSHINE #1 tells the story of Lou Pirlo, a city-slick “torpedo” sent from New York City to negotiate a deal with the best moonshiner in West Virginia, one Hiram Holt. What Lou doesn’t figure on is that Holt is just as cunning and ruthless as any NYC crime boss. Because not only will Holt do anything to protect his illicit booze operation, he’ll stop at nothing to protect a much darker family secret...a bloody, supernatural secret that must never see the light of day… or better still, the light of the full moon.

"It’s killer to be working with Eduardo again on a project that we've been dying to get to,” said Azzarello. “Like 100 Bullets, the high concept is a grabber, but the heart of the story is dealing with an extremely fractured ‘hero’ (Gangster, Lou Pirlo). He’s one of the most complex characters I’ve written in a long time and I can’t wait to dig into his many sides… seedy and otherwise.”

Risso added: “Being back together with Azzarello is always a pleasure. And to now be at Image, with the freedom to do what we do best, is an added thrill. This time around I’m doing my own coloring so that’s a new approach and I look forward to hearing what our fans think about it. It’s important as creators to keep challenging yourselves and I think we’re doing that with Moonshine!”

MOONSHINE #1 Cover A by Risso (Diamond Code AUG160556) and Cover B by Miller (Diamond Code AUG160557) will hit comic book stores on Wednesday, October 5th. The final order cutoff deadline for retailers is Monday, September 12th. 

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.

Dark Horse Comics Celebrates 30 Years of Publishing with Humble Bundle and the Hero Initiative!

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Milwaukie, OR—Humble Bundle and Dark Horse Comics have teamed up to launch the Dark Horse Comics 30th Anniversary Bundle today. Starting at 11 a.m. PDT, fans of the legendary publisher can pay what they want for over $400 worth of digital comics, all while supporting a great cause. These comics together usually cost as much as $483. At Humble Bundle, though, customers choose their price! Fans can pay what they want for Adventures into the Unknown Archives Volume 1, Aliens vs. Predator: Thrill of the Hunt, Captain Midnight Volume 1: On the Run, Conan Volume 1: The Frost-Giant’s Daughter and Other Stories, Cravan: Mystery Man of the Twentieth Century, Crime Does Not Pay Archives Volume 1, Cut, Dark Horse Heroes Omnibus Volume 1, Ghost Omnibus Volume 1, X Omnibus Volume 1, Project Black Sky: Secret Files, and SpyBoy Volume 1: The Deadly Gourmet Affair. Those who pay more than the average price will also unlock The Secret, Two Past Midnight, Usagi Yojimbo: Yokai, The Chronicles of Conan Volume 1: Tower of the Elephant and Other Stories, Skyman Volume 1: The Right Stuff, Mass Effect Volume 1: Redemption, Dark Matter Volume 1: Rebirth, Itty Bitty Mask, SpyBoy Volumes 2–3, and Father’s Day. Fans who pay $15 or more will receive all of the above, plus Ghost Volume 1: In the Smoke and Din, Ghost/Hellboy Special, Deep Gravity, Empowered Volume 1, Milk and Cheese: Dairy Products Gone Bad, MIND MGMT Volume 1: The Manager, Plants vs. Zombies: Timepocalypse, Predator: Prey to the Heavens, The Massive Volume 1: Black Pacific, The Goon Volume 6: Chinatown, and King Tiger. On Wednesday, August 17, look for eight additional volumes to join the bundle! “Dark Horse has been committed to comics creators’ rights since the company’s founding. Needless to say, we strongly support the Hero Initiative’s great work in assisting comics creators in need. Teaming up with Humble Bundle to support and help raise awareness of the Hero Initiative is a perfect way to celebrate Dark Horse’s thirtieth anniversary,” said Mark Bernardi, Dark Horse’s VP for book trade and digital sales. As with all Humble Bundles, customers can choose how their purchase dollars are allocated between the publisher and the charity. The Humble Comics Bundle: Dark Horse 30th Anniversary supports the Hero Initiative, though customers can also choose a favorite organization from a database of over thirty thousand charities. “Humble Bundle has long been a great partner of Hero Initiative, and Dark Horse has been the gold standard for publishers who do things their own way for thirty years now. We’re happy and honored to be part of this great bundle of great Dark Horse Comics,” remarked Jim McLauchlin, president of the Hero Initiative. The Humble Comics Bundle: Dark Horse 30th Anniversary will run from August 10 to August 24 at 11 a.m. Pacific Time. Visit www.humblebundle.com/books/dark-horse-30th-anniversary-comics-bundle to find out more! ### ABOUT THE HERO INITIATIVE The Hero Initiative is the first-ever federally chartered not-for-profit corporation dedicated strictly to helping comic-book creators in need. Hero creates a financial safety net for yesterday’s creators who may need emergency medical aid, financial support for essentials of life, and an avenue back into paying work. It’s a chance for all of us to give back something to the people who have given us so much enjoyment. Since its inception, The Hero Initiative has granted more than $950,000 to the comic-book veterans who have paved the way. For more information, visit www.heroinitiative.org or call 626-676-6354. For more information, please visit us at www.heroinitiative.org. ABOUT HUMBLE BUNDLE Humble Bundle sells digital content through its pay-what-you-want bundle promotions and the Humble Store. When purchasing a bundle, customers choose how much they want to pay and decide where their money goes -- between the content creators, charity, and Humble Bundle. Since the company's launch in 2010, Humble Bundle has raised more than $74 million through the support of its community for a wide range of charities, providing aid for people across the world. For more information, please visit https://www.humblebundle.com. ABOUT DARK HORSE For thirty years, 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. Founded in 1986 by Mike Richardson, 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 Eric Powell, Mike Mignola, Geof Darrow, Brian Wood, Gail Simone, Stan Sakai, and Guillermo del Toro, and comics legends, such as Will Eisner, Milo Manara, Kazuo Koike, Neil Gaiman, and Frank Miller, Dark Horse has developed its own successful properties, such as The Mask, Ghost, X, and Barb Wire. Its successful line of comics, manga, and products based on popular properties includes Dragon Age, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Aliens, Conan, Tomb Raider, Halo, The Witcher, Serenity, Game of Thrones, and Avatar: The Last Airbender. Today Dark Horse Comics is the largest independent comic book publisher in the US and is recognized as one of the world’s leading entertainment publishers.

KURT SUTTER APPEARANCE AND SIGNING AT THE COMIC BUG IN MANHATTAN BEACH, CA

Kurt Sutter


Writer, director, producer, and actor Kurt Sutter will be appearing at The Comic Bug on Wednesday, August 17, 6:00 - 9:00 p.m. to sign copies of Lucas Stand, his first original comic book series, published by BOOM! Studios. 

The Comic Bug
1807 1/2 Manhattan Beach Blvd.
Manhattan Beach, CA 90266
(310) 372-6704
 

Facebook event page: https://www.facebook.com/events/1749605071969101/

Cover image by Lee Bermejo

Lucas Stand
Six-issue limited series
Publisher: BOOM! Studios
Writers: Kurt Sutter & Caitlin Kittredge
Artist: Jesús Hervas
Genre: Horror
Price: $3.99 (each issue)
Synopsis: Lucas Stand is a military vet who can’t reintegrate into society and has emotionally cut himself off from the people he loves. At his lowest, Lucas does something he can't take back. Hell comes calling, offering him the opportunity to make things right. Demons escaping Hell are upsetting the balance of evil, and now Lucifer has recruited Lucas to send them back. It doesn't matter in what era the demons escape—World War II, old-timey Hollywood, Vietnam, present day—he must learn to fit in both the past and the present. Given new purpose, Lucas starts to rebuild himself and his life, even as he struggles at the human cost that comes with it.

---

###

About BOOM! Studios
Founded by Ross Richie in 2005, Diamond Gem Award-winning “Best Publisher” BOOM! Studios (boom-studios.com) generates New York Times best-selling Eisner and Harvey Award-winning comic books and graphic novels. BOOM! Studios is comprised of four distinct imprints: the "Studios" imprint is home to The Woods, Grant Morrison's Klaus, and Big Trouble in Little China; imprint "BOOM! Box" publishesLumberjanes, Steve Jackson Games' Munchkin, and Giant Days; All-Ages imprint "KaBOOM!" publishes Charles Schulz’ Peanuts, Jim Davis’ Garfield, and Cartoon Network’s Adventure Time. And the "Archaia" imprint is home to Mouse Guard, Cow Boy, and numerous Jim Henson Company properties. Since 2013, BOOM! Studios has had a unique first-look feature film relationship with 20th Century Fox and since August 2014 BOOM! has had a similar first-look relationship with Fox's television studio to develop properties for the small screen.  

Wheatley, Hempel, G.D. Falksen Together in Baltimore

Baltimore Comic-Con Brings Veteran Creators, New Projects

BALTIMORE, MARYLAND - August 10, 2016 - Mark Wheatley and Marc Hempel, the creative pioneers who launched Blood of the Innocent, Mars, and numerous other creations, will explore things a little closer to home with their appearance at the Baltimore Comic-Con, September 2-4, 2016 at the Baltimore Convention Center. This is the seventeenth annual Baltimore Comic-Con and this marks Insight Studios Groups' sixteenth straight appearance at the show. They will be joined by studio mates Jerry Carr, G.D. Falksen, and Evelyn Kriete, as well as long-time collaborator and acclaimed editor, Mike Gold.  Purchase your tickets now and avoid additional lines.

Despite vibrant and incredibly varied solo careers, Mark Wheatley and Marc Hempel have been frequent, highly successful collaborators. Their work together has included Tarzan, Jonny Quest, Titanic Tales, and Doctor Cyborg, among other projects. They are presently at work on a fully restored and lavishly produced re-issue of their acclaimed graphic novel Breathtaker for Titan Comics as well as a touring show of the original art organized by the Norman Rockwell Museum. Long out of print, it was originally serialized and then collected into a best selling trade paperback by DC Comics' Vertigo imprint 20 years ago. Their work, both together and separately, was extensively profiled in IS Art: The Art of Insight Studios.

"Even with the addition of some stellar media guests, the Baltimore Comic-Con remains one of the most staunchly comic-centric conventions on the circuit. Of course we're favorably predisposed to our hometown show, but it's so much more than just regional pride. The guest list just can't be beat by any other show of this size or even many that are quite a bit bigger," said Mark Wheatley. "We're extremely happy our big, annual gathering of the tribe happens right here in Baltimore, and we're looking forward to making some great announcements."

On his own, Wheatley has most recently had his work for CBS Television featured on The Millers, 2 Broke Girls, and Super Clyde, and the Square Roots pilot for ABC. In print his work has been featured in the acclaimed Jungle Tales Of Tarzan from Dark Horse Comics, on the cover of the Meteor House release of Exiles Of Kho, the Phillip Jose Farmer series novel by Christopher Paul Carey, and his own well-received art book, Stars, which presents elaborate line art portraits of actors, musicians, and authors.  With a track record that includes Frankenstein Mobster, Radical Dreamer, Return of the Human, Hammer of the Gods, EZ Street, Skultar, and Lone Justice, Wheatley is an Inkpot, Mucker, Gem, Speakeasy, and Eisner award-winning creator. He has lectured at the Library of Congress, exhibited at the Norman Rockwell Museum, created set pieces for The Black Eyed Peas, designed for Lady Gaga, and contributed designs to ABC's Beauty and the Beast. He will be displaying art from Doctor Cthulittle, his innovative new project in collaboration with studio members G.D. Falksen and Evelyn Kriete.

Marc Hempel, grew up in the northwest suburbs of Chicago and now resides in Baltimore, Maryland, where he plies his craft on such diverse projects ranging from his own Gregory, Tug & Buster, and Naked Brain to Disney Adventures, and from Clive Barker's Hellraiser to "The Kindly Ones" in Neil Gaiman's The Sandman. Hempel's art has also appeared in MAD, Marvel Fanfare, Epic Illustrated, Heavy Metal, Flinch, My Faith in Frankie, The Dreaming, Lucifer, Munden's Bar, Nickelodeon Magazine, and a 21-page Escapist story for Dark Horse Comics. His series The Love Brothers has appeared in Aces Weekly.

ComicMix.com editor-in- chief Mike Gold is a 40-year veteran of the comic book field, having co-founded the Chicago Comicon as well as First Comics with Rick Obadiah, later serving as group editor/director of editorial development of DC Comics and a packager of comics with arrogantMGMS. Among the many projects he edited and helped develop are American Flagg!, Jon Sable Freelance, GrimJack, The Flash, Green Arrow, The Question, Legends, Breathtaker, and Mars. Gold is also a long-time political activist and broadcaster, presently doing the show Weird Sounds Inside The Gold Mind on getthepointradio.com. He was the recipient of the Hero Initiative Humanitarian of the Year Award, given at the Baltimore Comic-Con in 2011.

Cryptozoo Crew artist Jerry Carr will debut a select number of large and small stretched canvas prints, illustrating a variety of furkini-clad jungle heroines and the monkeys who love them. At the Baltimore Comic-Con he will also unveil new, limited edition poster prints depicting all kinds of alien, primate, and reptilian critters. His and Allan Gross' Cryptozoo Crew has been optioned by Alcon Entertainment.

G.D. Falksen is an author, lecturer, public speaker, and actor. He also studies history and has consulted for Disney. He is the author of The Ouroboros Cycle series, The Transatlantic Conspiracy, and several other works of fiction. He is a voice actor for and co-writer of the animated film Hullabaloo and an accompanying educational series titled Ask The Professor.

Evelyn Kriete is an editor, producer, artist, stylist, marketing adviser, social media strategist, and new media coordinator. She is also a crowdfunding consultant for Indiegogo and Comicmix. Through crowdfunding, she has raised over $1 million for various projects, including the animated film Hullabaloo, which she is producing alongside film creator James Lopez. She has previously worked on the staff of literary publications such as Weird Tales and Sherlock Holmes Mystery Magazine.

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!

HOTEL ACCOMMODATIONS

While they are available, be sure to take advantage of discount rate arrangements we have made with hotels near the Baltimore Convention Center. For all the details, see:

http://baltimorecomiccon.com/about/hotels/

GUARANTEED PARKING

To make parking easy and stress-free, we have partnered with Parking Panda, the nationwide leader in online parking reservations, to allow attendees driving to the show to purchase guaranteed parking near the Baltimore Comic-Con. Click here to book your guaranteed parking spot, or if you need help or have questions, call 800-232-6415.

In addition to on-site CGC grading, this year's confirmed guests for the show include: Neal Adams (Superman: The Coming of the Supermen); Zeea Adams (Neal Adams Monsters); Scott Ethan Ambruson (Azteca: Ciudad Paradiso); John Anderson (The Infinites); James Asmus (All-New Inhumans); Sean Astin (Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles); Hayley Atwell (Marvel's Agent Carter); Jeff Balke (Zombies vs Cheerleaders: St. Patty's Day Special); Jeremy Bastian (Cursed Pirate Girl); Marty Baumann (Pixar artist); Carolyn Belefski (Curls); Christy Blanch (The Damnation of Charlie Wormwood); Bret Blevins (Harley Quinn Road Trip Special); Danica Bradshaw (Wayward); Nick Bradshaw (Spidey); June Brigman (Power Pack); Reilly Brown (Deadpool); Harold Buchholz (Archie Comics); Mark Buckingham (Miracleman); Dave Bullock (The Rocketeer at War!); Buzz (Super Sikh and the Atma Defenders); Jim Calafiore (Leaving Megalopolis: Surviving Megalopolis); Ben Caldwell (Scooby Apocalypse); Chris Campana (The Accelerators); Jerry Carr (Cryptozoo Crew); Richard Case (Doom Patrol); Christa Cassano (Ghetto Klown); Mike Cavallaro (The Fox); Elias Chatzoudis (Grimm Fairy Tales presents Oz: Reign of the Witch Queen); Howard Chaykin (Imperium); Sean Chen (Aliens vs. Zombies); Lee Cherolis (Little Guardians); Frank Cho (The Totally Awesome Hulk); Amy Chu (Poison Ivy: Cycle of Life and Death); Steve Conley (Bloop); Matthew Clark (Justice League); Richard Clark (Archie vs. Predator); Katie Cook (My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic); Stephen Coughlin (Sanctuary); Mike Curtis (Dick Tracy); J. Robert Deans (Crass Fed); Jeff Dekal (New Avengers); J.M. DeMatteis (Scooby Apocalypse); Matt Dembicki (Captive of Friendly Cove); Todd Dezago (Perhapanauts); Dan DiDio (DC Comics, Friday only); Charles C. Dowd (Lilith Dark); Paris Cullins (Blue Beetle); Kevin Eastman (Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles); Joe Eisma (Morning Glories); Tod Emko (A Piggy's Tale); Joe Endres (Colossians); Steve Englehart, courtesy of Hero Initiative (Captain America); G.D. Faulksen (The Ouroboros Cycle); David Finch (Batman); Meredith Finch (Wonder Woman); Veronica Fish (Archie Comics); Shane Fisher (Dick Tracy); Chris Flick (Capes & Babes); Ramona Fradon (Spongebob Freestyle Funnies); Francesco Francavilla (Afterlife with Archie); Franco (Aw Yeah Comics: Action Cat!); Alexis Frederick-Frost (Adventures in Cartooning); John Gallagher (Buzzboy); SL Gallant (G.I. Joe); Jose Luis Garcia-Lopez (Batman '66: The Lost Episode); Ransom Getty (FCBD 2016 - Suicide Squad Special Edition); Joe Giella courtesy of Hero Initiative (Green Lantern); Keith Giffen (Legends of Tomorrow); Mike Gold (The Pilgrim); Jason Gounger (Legio Ex Mortis); Anna Gownley and Jimmy Gownley (The Dumbest Idea Ever!); Stephen Green (The Legacy of Luther Strode); Dawn Griffin (Zorphbert & Fred); Rob Guillory (Chew: Demon Chicken Poyo); Laura Lee Gulledge (Will & Whit); Brian Haberlin (Witchblade), Bo Hampton (3 Devils); Tony Harris (Lost Boys); Dean Haspiel (The Fox); Marc Hempel (Sandman); Meghan Hetrick (Red Thorn); Greg Horn (Deadpool's Secret Secret Wars); Jason Horn (Ninjasaur); Adam Hughes (Betty & Veronica); Ken Hunt (Talon); Al Jaffee (MAD Magazine, Saturday panel and Harvey Awards only); Paul Jenkins (Replica); JG Jones (Strange Fruit); Justin Jordan (The Legacy of Luther Strode); Dan Jurgens (Action Comics, Saturday & Sunday only); Chris Kemple (Red Vengeance); Tom King (Batman); Barry Kitson (Empire: Uprising); Evelyn Kriete (Weird Tales); Samantha Kyle (Paul & Olly); Hope Larson (Batgirl); John Layman (Chew: Demon Chicken Poyo); Paul Levitz (Doctor Fate); Mike Lilly (Red Agent); Aaron Lopresti (courtesy of Painted Visions, Legends of Tomorrow); Nate Lovett (Actionverse Featuring Midnight Tiger); Joe Linsner (Harley Quinn); Kevin Maguire (Howard the Duck); Mike Maihack (Cleopatra in Space); Mike Manley (The Phantom); Mark Mariano (The Other Side of Hugless Hill); Laura Martin (Wonder Woman); Ron Marz (Convergence: Batman and Robin); John McCrea, courtesy of Hero Initiative (Judge Dredd); Ed McGuinness (Spider-Man/Deadpool); Terry Moore (Rachel Rising); Tradd Moore (The Legacy of Luther Strode); Mark Morales (Convergence); Joe Mulvey (SCAM); Kristian Nairn (Game of Thrones); Jamar Nicholas (Fist Stick Knife Gun: A Personal History of Violence in America); Fabian Nicieza (Deadpool & Cable: Split Second); Chris Otto (A Dog's Life); Greg Pak (Teen Titans); Tom Palmer (Doctor Strange); Yanick Paquette (Batman/Superman); Dan Parsons (Convergence: Nightwing/Oracle); Candice Patton (The Flash); Brent Peeples (Gold Key: Alliance); Paul Pelletier (Justice League); Andrew Pepoy (Futurama Comics); David Petersen (Mouse Guard); Brandon Peterson (Uncanny Inhumans); Shelley Pleger (Dick Tracy); Lyle Pollard (Scarlet Huntress); Mark Poulton (A Cat Named Haiku); Eric Powell (The Goon); Andy Price (My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic); Brian Pulido (Lady Death: Chaos Rules); Kyle Puttkammer (Hero Cats: Midnight Over Stellar City); Ron Randall (Convergence: Catwoman); Khary Randolph (Robin War); Tom Raney (Ninjak); Paul Renaud (Superman/Wonder Woman); Joe Rivera (Hellboy and the B.P.R.D.: 1953); Rafer Roberts (A&A: The Adventures of Archer and Armstrong); Emily Romano (Comic Art House); Craig Rousseau (Kyrra: Alien Jungle Girl); Stephane Roux (Harley Quinn and Power Girl); Joe Rubinstein (Convergence: Batman and Robin); Nei Ruffino (Silk); Alex Saviuk (Spider-Man newspaper strip); Stuart Sayger (Hellboy 100); Mark Schultz (Conan the Slayer); Bart Sears (Bloodshot); Dave Sharpe (Ninjak); Jeff Shultz (Betty and Veronica); Louise Simonson (Convergence: Superman - The Man of Steel); Walter Simonson (Ragnarok); Matt Slay (TMNT Micro-Series); Andy Smith (Earth 2, Thanos GN); Brian Smith (SpongeBob Comics); Matthew Dow Smith (The X-Files); John K. Snyder III (Doctor Midnight); Allison Sohn (Red Sonja); Charles Soule (Star Wars: Poe Dameron); Mark Sparacio (Sheena: Queen of the Jungle); Jim Starlin (Thanos: The Infinity Finale); Joe Staton (Dick Tracy); Brian Stelfreeze (Black Panther); Mark Stokes (Zombie Boy Comics); Paul Storrie (Sheena: Queen of the Jungle); Karl Story (Thors); Ben Templesmith (Blackholers); Mark Texeira (Doctor Strange); Frank Tieri (Harley Quinn and her Gang of Harleys); Vivek J. Tiwary (The Fifth Beatle); Jeremy Treece (The King Collection); Tim Truman (Convergence: Hawkman); David Trustman (The Rise); Billy Tucci (Harley's Little Black Book); James Tynion IV (Batman/Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles); Rick Veitch (Miracleman); Emilio Velez Jr. (The Dodgeball Teens); Mark Waid (All-New, All-Different Avengers); Michael Watkins (Pantha); Todd Webb (Mr. Toast Comics); Mark Wheatley (Doctor Who); Matt Wieringo ('Ringo Scholarship Fund); Marcus Williams (Hero Cats); Ron Wilson (Marvel Two-In-One); Rich Woodall (Kyrra: Alien Jungle Girl); John Workman (Shutter); Sasha Yosselani (Comic Art House); and Thom Zahler (My Little Pony: Friends Forever). 

   

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, Instagram, and Facebook pages.