IMAGE COMICS EXCLUSIVES AND PANELS AT NEW YORK COMIC CON

Image Comics will be at New York Comic Con in full force, with top creators signing and must-have exclusives at their booth in the Javits Center during the October 11-13 convention. In addition, the New York Comic Con programming schedule features ten Image Comics-related panels with discussions both wide-ranging and craft-focused.

The Image creators who will be signing exclusives at the Image Comics booth (#1229):

• Robert Kirkman (NYCC Spotlight Guest) — NYCC Exclusive red foil-stamped THE WALKING DEAD COMPENDIUM VOLUME ONE hardcover (limited to 1500) and THIEF OF THIEVES VOLUME ONE: "I QUIT!" hardcover (limited to 1000)
• Brian K. Vaughan (NYCC Spotlight Guest) and Fiona Staples (NYCC Featured Guest) — NYCC Exclusive SAGA bookplate (limited to 200, included with purchase of SAGA VOLUME ONE)
• Jonathan Hickman (NYCC Spotlight Guest) — NYCC Exclusive THE MANHATTAN PROJECTS VOLUME ONE: SCIENCE, BAD hardcover (limited to 500)
• Tim Seeley  — NYCC Exclusive Stjepan Sejic WITCHBLADE #160 variant (limited to 1000)
  
• Ron Marz (NYCC Special Guest)— NYCC Exclusive Stjepan Sejic ARTIFACTS #21 variant (limited to 1000)
• Joe Harris (NYCC Special Guest) — NYCC Exclusive GREAT PACIFIC #1 variant (limited to 500)

• Jim Zub (NYCC Special Guest) — NYCC Exclusive SKULLKICKERS #18 sketch cover variant, available at Artist Alley table #W11 (limited to 100)
  
• Ed Brisson — NYCC Exclusive COMEBACK #1 ashcan
• Justin Jordan and Tradd Moore — NYCC Exclusive THE LEGEND OF LUTHER STRODE ashcan

Other Image creators signing at the booth include:

Grant Morrison (NYCC Spotlight Guest) (HAPPY!)
Howard Chaykin (BLACK KISS II)
Glen Brunswick and Whilce Portacio (NYCC Featured Guest) (NON-HUMANS)
Alex de Campi (NYCC Special Guest) and Christine Larsen (VALENTINE)
Jay Faerber (POINT OF IMPACT, NEAR DEATH)
Sina Grace (NOT MY BAG)
Jeremy Haun (THE DARKNESS)
David Hine (NYCC Featured Guest) (THE BULLETPROOF COFFIN, THE DARKNESS)
Jason Howard (NYCC Featured Guest) (SUPER DINOSAUR)
Ales Kot (WILD CHILDREN)
Jim McCann and Rodin Esquejo (MIND THE GAP)
Ben McCool and Ben Templesmith (PIGS, CHOKER)
Brandon Montclare and Amy Reeder (NYCC Featured Guest) (HALLOWEEN EVE)
Scott Snyder (NYCC Spotlight Guest), Scott Tuft, and Attilla Futaki (SEVERED)
Christian Weiser, Tony Trov, and Johnny Zito (D.O.G.S. OF MARS)
Lee David Zlotoff and Will Sliney (MacGYVER)

A full, updated Image Comics signing schedule will be released before the convention. Please note that signings and exclusives are subject to change.

The Image Comics programming at NYCC will feature a one-on-one conversations with THE WALKING DEAD creator and Image partner Robert Kirkman, a SAGA panel with creative team Brian K. Vaughan and Fiona Staples, panels on craft with writers and artists, discussions of science fiction and gender issues, as well as the highly anticipated "The Image Comics Experience" panel, where attendees will be the first to hear new Image Comics announcements.

The full listing of Image Comics NYCC programming follows.

THURSDAY

The Image Revolution Documentary
Twenty years ago, the seven biggest superstars in comics created a company that changed the industry and started a creator rights revolution. From Spawn to The Walking Dead, discover the highs, lows, secrets and controversies of Image Comics in an exclusive sneak preview of The Image Revolution, a new documentary from the creators of Grant Morrison: Talking With Gods and Warren Ellis: Captured Ghosts. Speaking on the panel will be director Patrick Meaney, producer Jordan Rennert and Sequart's Mike Phillips, along with moderator F.J. De Santo, and a special guest! At San Diego Comic Con, Marc Silvestri appeared on the panel, who will be on this one? Date: 10/11/12 Thursday, Time: 6:30 PM, Location: 1A04


FRIDAY

Wondrous Worlds, Fractured Futures: Speculative Fiction and Image Comics
With the unlimited potential of comics, there is perhaps no better medium for speculative fiction than comics. Limited only by their imaginations, Image Comics creators have been creating far-flung universes where science, fantasy, and technology explode in rich possibilities. Find out why they choose science fiction, how they build worlds, and what inspires them in a conversation moderated by Elephantmen creator Richard Starkings. Panelists: Brian K. Vaughan, Brian Wood, Joe Harris, Glen Brunswick, Ming Doyle, David Hine, Fiona Staples; Moderator: Eric Stephenson, Date: 10/12/2012 Friday, Time: 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM, Location: 1A06

Skybound: On the Rise
There's no limit on what to expect from SKYBOUND, Robert Kirkman's imprint at Image Comics. THIEF OF THIEVES is a breakout hit and already been optioned by AMC, GUARDING THE GLOBE supplies another monthly fix for the Invincible universe, the all-ages smash SUPER DINOSAUR is about to blow up in a big way... so what's next? Join Robert Kirkman as he discusses the imprint's future with his stable of creators! Panelists: Robert Kirkman, Shawn Martinbrough, Jason Howard, and special guests; Moderator: Sean Mackiewicz, Date: 10/12/2012 Friday, Time: 2:45PM - 3:45PM, Location: 1A14

Drawing the Line: Artists on Creator-Owned Comics
Art is as integral to comics as story, and what readers see before they read a word. Independent comics give artists the freedom to create their own worlds and characters. How do some of independent comics' top artists bring to paper what they and the writers they work with imagine? Delve into the ink-stained world of character design, sequential storytelling, and writer-wrangling with the artists on Nowhere Men, Revival, Luther Strode, Non-Humans, Perhapanauts, and Saga. Panelists: Nate Bellegarde, Mike Norton, Tradd Moore, Whilce Portacio, Craig Rousseau, and Fiona Staples; Moderator: Eric Stephenson, Date: 10/12/2012 Friday, Time: 6:30:00 PM - 7:30:00 PM, Location: 1A23


SATURDAY

The Image Comics Experience
Image Comics brings together some of the most exciting rising stars in comics today and established creators alike to talk about the past, present, and future of Image Comics. Join Publisher Eric Stephenson to experience a lively conversation with surprise guests, and be among the first to hear some big announcements! Moderator: Eric Stephenson, Date: 10/13/2012 Saturday, Time: 11:00AM - 12:00PM, Location: 1A23

The Top Cow Universe's New Era
Are you interested in writing or drawing comic books? Then YOU need to come to the Top Cow panel where the Image imprint's top talent will tell you about what it's like to create comics like Cyber Force, The Darkness, Witchblade, Think Tank and more! Get a first look at new art! Find out what's going on with The Darkness movie in development! And get the latest on the Top Cow Talent Hunt, in which TWO lucky writers and TWO lucky artists will get jobs. All attendees will also get an awesome exclusive! Panelists: Jeremy Haun, Matt Hawkins, David Hine, and Tim Seeley; Moderator: Matt Hawkins, Date: 10/13/2012 Saturday, Time: 1:30 PM – 2:30 PM, Location: 1A14

The Writers Room
Some of comics' best writers will talk about the challenges, triumphs, and idiosyncrasies of the comics creative process. Find out how comics like Happy!, Saga, and The Manhattan Projects are conceived, written, and brought to the printed page from the writers who knew them from "PAGE ONE, PANEL ONE.”
Panelists: Grant Morrison, Brian K. Vaughan, and Jonathan Hickman, Moderator: Jonathan Ross, Date: 10/13/2012 Saturday, Time: 4:15 PM - 5:15 PM, Location: 1A21

Saga: Sex, Drugs & Rocketships
Saga launched in March 2012 amid great anticipation, excitement, high hopes, and a little controversy and quickly became one of the top-selling independent comics of the year, second only to The Walking Dead. Creators Brian K. Vaughan and Fiona Staples will talk about how they made an epic mash-up of science fiction, fantasy, and romance into the comic industry's biggest sensation—and hint at what's in store for Alana, Marko, and baby Hazel! Panelists: Brian K. Vaughan and Fiona Staples, Moderator: Eric Stephenson, Date: 10/13/2012 Saturday, Time: 6:15 PM - 7:15PM, Location: 1A10


SUNDAY

Creating Comics with Two X-Chromosomes: Real Talk with Image's Female Creators
The subject of women in comics is often dominated by controversy, but what about conversation? Join some of comics' top female writers and artists for some candid talk about working the comics industry. Does being a woman make a difference? What perspectives do female creators bring to a male-dominated industry? All that and more—with women who use their talent to get ahead! Panelists: Jordie Bellaire, Alex de Campi, Christine Larsen, Ming Doyle, Amy Reeder, and Fiona Staples; Moderator: Jennifer de Guzman, Date: 10/14/2012 Sunday, Time: 10:45AM - 11:45AM. Location: 1A14

Kirkmania!
Robert Kirkman, creator of the global sensations THE WALKING DEAD, INVINCIBLE and THIEF OF THIEVES, opens the floor to all his fans in this lively and engaging Q&A session., Panelist: Robert Kirkman
Date: 10/14/2012 Sunday, Time: 1:30PM - 2:30PM, Location: 1E13

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

Clamshells Become Bombshells in Pocket God #18

SAN FRANCISCO- September 19, 2012 - Ape Entertainment and Bolt Creative announced today that Pocket God Comics issue No. 18 is now available on the App Store for iPhone, iPad and iPodtouch. Gem Cell Research: Part 4 of 5 keeps readers on the edge of their seat. Creeping clamshells! Teela can’t really be dead, right? I mean…it’s Pocket God! No one really dies…do they? Well, maybe it’s not too late to do something about it! Can Klik get the girls’ Gem working in time to pull Teela back? Or is she pushing up daisies for real-like?
What about that weird Seaweed Monster from last issue?  Now that the tribes have had some training, are they ready to tackle him again? They better be, because he shows back up again in this issue! Shock follows shock as “Gem Cell Research” keeps developing!
Don't forget that the Pocket God Comic is updated frequently with all kinds of FREE extras such as The Pygmy Peril newsletter (which includes free Little Green Men comic short stories), and an EXCLUSIVE re-mastered version of the first Pocket God animated short!

Speaking of The Pygmy Peril… Issue #22 is available NOW! And it’s fat-packed with awesome coolness! It has part 1 of Thomas Dye’s ‘Music of Pocket God’ article, we announce prizes and another winner in our own official Olympygs contest.  All that, plus more Fan Art, Fan Mail, and the usual letter from the Editor, and of course the LITTLE GREEN MEN too!  And it’s still FREE!

Pricing and Availability:
The Pocket God Comics App is available for $.99 USD from the App Store on iPad, iPhone and iPod touch or at www.itunes.com/appstore.
For more information, please visit http://www.ApeComics.com or www.boltcreative.com.
About Bolt Creative
Bolt Creative is a San Francisco-based developer and publisher of original games, including the hit iOS phenomenon Pocket God, ranked by Apple as the #9 Top Paid App of All Time. Since its 2009 launch, Pocket God has mushroomed into a full franchise with the original game hitting multiple online and mobile platforms, Pocket God: Journey to Uranus bringing players and pygmies into outer space, and Pocket God: The Runs hitting iOS in the spring of 2012. The digital Pocket God Comics series has become one of the most successful digital comic series available and continuously outperforms megabrands. Fans can also purchase Pocket God merchandise such as figurines, apparel, and plush. Bolt Creative's goal is to develop games that crack them up and entertain players for countless hours. For more information, please visitwww.boltcreative.com.
About Ape Entertainment
Founded in 2003, Ape Entertainment is the brainchild of lifelong comic book devotees David Hedgecock, and Brent E. Erwin.  Ape Entertainment is the comic book home to innovative new titles as LITTLE GREEN MEN, SCOUTS, and HEROIC.  Ape is also the North American publisher for licensed properties SHREK, THE PENGUINS OF MADAGASCAR, KUNG FU PANDA, RICHIE RICH, CASPER, STRAWBERRY SHORTCAKE, and CUT THE ROPE.
Visit Ape Entertainment online at http://www.ApeComics.com.
About iVerse Media, LLC
iVerse Media(http://www.iversemedia.com)is a digital content distributor focused on the world of comics and popular culture. Founded in 2008, the company was one of the first to launch digital comics on Apple’s iOS platform. As of Oct 2011 over 5 Million products in the iOS App Store have been downloaded that are powered by iVerse, making the “iVerse Engine” one of the most popular and widely used platforms for reading digital comics in the world. The company is principally located in Waco, TX. For more information on iVerse Media, please visit: http://comicspl.us
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About BOOM! Studios

Founded by Ross Richie, 2009 and 2010's "Best Publisher" BOOM! Studios (www.boom-studios.com) generates a constellation of bestselling Eisner and Harvey Award-winning comic books and graphic novels with the industry's top talent, including Dan Abnett and Andy Lanning’s HYPERNATURALS, new HELLRAISER comics written by Clive Barker, PLANET OF THE APES, and Sam Humphries’ HIGHER EARTH. BOOM!'s all ages imprint KaBOOM! publishes Charles Schulz' PEANUTS, Jim Davis’ GARFIELD, Cartoon Network's ADVENTURE TIME, and 20th Century Fox’ ICE AGE. KaBOOM! recently won an Eisner Award for its first original series Roger Langridge's SNARKED. BOOM!'s lit comix-focused imprint, BOOM! Town, won an Eisner Award for its first book, Shannon Wheeler's I THOUGHT YOU WOULD BE FUNNIER, and just released SPACE DUCKS, the first comic book from indie musician legend Daniel Johnston.

'Batman Forever,' 'Top Gun,' 'Tombstone' Star Val Kilmer To Attend Wizard World Ohio Comic Con Next Weekend

Prolific Actor Joins Patrick Stewart, Stan Lee, WWE® Superstar CM Punk®, Eliza Dushku At Greater Columbus Convention Center

NEW YORK and COLUMBUS, Ohio, September 19, 2012 – With memorable, starring roles in such films as Batman Forever, Top Gun and Tombstone, Val Kilmer has been one of the most prolific, successful actors of the past quarter century.  Now his legions of fans will have a chance to meet this megastar when he attends Wizard World Ohio Comic Con, set for Sept. 28-30 at the Greater Columbus Convention Center.

Kilmer, who will be making his first Wizard World appearance, will meet fans, sign autographs, pose for photo ops and conduct an interactive Q&A session.  He will attend on Saturday, Sept. 29, and Sunday, Sept. 30.

Moviegoers were first introduced to Kilmer en masse when he portrayed “Iceman,” opposite Tom Cruise in Top Gun in 1986.  He went on to secure top billing in such blockbusters as The Doors (1991), Tombstone (1993), Batman Forever (1995) and The Saint (1997).  His other starring roles include Michael Mann’s Heat (1995) with Robert De Niro and Al Pacino, True Romance (1993) directed by Tony Scott, Ron Howard’s Willow (1988), At First Sight (1999) and Thunderheart (1992).  He won the 2003 Prism Award for his work in The Salton Sea, and appeared in the 3-D epic Wings of Courage (1995) as well as voicing the character of Moses in the animated film The Prince of Egypt (1998).

He has since regularly appeared in movies and television series and recently announced that he will produce, direct and star in the title role in Mark Twain and Mary Baker Eddy.

Kilmer joins comics legend Stan Lee, veteran actor Sir Patrick Stewart, WWE® Superstar CM Punk® and “Buffy the Vampire Slayer” star Eliza Dushku as headliners at Wizard World Ohio Comic Con.  They will be joined by many of the world's greatest comics creators, exhibitors and thousands of fans in a celebration of all things pop culture in an expanded format, which now includes a preview on Friday evening (5-9 p.m.) and two full weekend days (Saturday, 10 a.m. - 7 p.m.; Sunday, 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.).

For more on the 2012 Wizard World Ohio Comic Con, visit http://www.wizardworld.com/home-ohio.html.

About Wizard World:
Wizard World (WIZD.PK) produces Comic Cons and pop culture conventions across North America that celebrate graphic novels, comic books, movies, TV shows, gaming, technology, toys and social networking. The events often feature celebrities from movies and TV, artists and writers, and events such as premieres, gaming tournaments, panels, and costume contests.

The full event schedule can be found at www.wizardworld.com.

***** SAVE THE 2012-13 DATES *****
September 28-30, 2012 – Wizard World Ohio Comic Con
October 26-28, 2012 – Wizard World Austin Comic Con
November 30 - December 2, 2012 – Wizard World New Orleans Comic Con
February 22-24, 2013 – Wizard World Portland Comic Con
May 30 - June 2, 2013 – Wizard World Philadelphia Comic Con
August 8-11, 2013 – Wizard World Chicago Comic Con

FREEDOM RINGS IN THE CBLDF LIBERTY ANNUAL

All-star creators contribute to non-profit anthology

This year's CBLDF LIBERTY ANNUAL anthology, benefitting the Comic Book Legal Defense Fund and published by Image Comics, declares "It's good to be free!" Edited by Image Publisher Eric Stephenson, the 48-page anthology to be released on October 31 features short stories by some of comics' hottest creators.

Robert Kirkman and Charlie Adlard contribute an all-new story about THE WALKING DEAD arch-villain The Governor, who will be making his debut in the television series this season. The anthology also features incredible stories by Howard Chaykin, Kieron Gillen, Jim McCann, Terry Moore, Chris Roberson, James Robinson, and more! Eye-popping art by stars like Michael Allred, Chynna Clugston-Flores, Janet Lee, and Ben Templesmith completes this celebration of comics and free speech. In addition, previews of two upcoming Image comics—STORM DOGS by David Hine and Doug Braithwaite and THE SAVIOR by James Robinson and J. Bone—will be included.

The anthology features an "A" cover by Gabriel Bá (Casanova, The Umbrella Academy) (AUG120468), a "B" cover by Terry Dodson and Rachel Dodson (Harley Quinn, Trouble, Defenders) (AUG120469), and a "C" cover by Chris Giarrusso (Mini Marvels, G-MAN) (AUG128005).

All proceeds from the CBLDF LIBERTY ANNUAL 2012 will benefit the important First Amendment legal work of the CBLDF, a non-profit group dedicated to protecting the free speech of the comics community of retailers, creators, publishers, librarians, and readers. It is available for pre-order now.

Here is the complete list of creative teams (Writer and Artist; one name indicates creator both writes and draws the story):

Howard Chaykin and Sina Grace
Robert Kirkman and Charlie Adlard
Chris Roberson and Roger Langridge
Jonathan Hickman
Terry Moore
Richard Starkings and Ian Churchill
David Hine and Doug Braithwaite
Joe Keatinge and Chynna Clugston-Flores
Kieron Gillen and Nate Belllegarde
Brandon Graham
Chris Giarrusso
James Asmus and Takeshi Miyazawa
James Robinson and J. Bone
Jim McCann and Janet Lee
Andy Diggle and Ben Templesmith

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

Edmonton Expo Announces Pop Culture Icon Lineup

Includes Adam West, Nichelle Nichols, and Billy Dee Williams

Edmonton, AB (September 18, 2012) ­ Holy Expo Batman! The Edmonton Comic & Entertainment Expo is bringing the best in pop culture to the City of Champions and announces their line-up of celebrity guests from the classic Batman to the original Star Trek. Produced by the team behind Canada's second largest comic-con, the Calgary Expo and the founder of the long-running Edmonton Collectible Toy & Comic Show, the show will be a healthy dose of full frontal nerdity. Tickets are now on sale for Edmonton's newest all-ages gaming, horror, comic, sci-fi, and anime event at Edmonton EXPO Centre, October 20-21, 2012.

EDMONTON EXPO SPECIAL Guests Include:

·       ADAM WEST (Classic Batman)

·       BILLY DEE WILLIAMS (Lando Calrissian in Star Wars; Harvey Dent in Tim Burton¹s Batman)

·       NICHELLE NICHOLS (Lieutenant Uhura in Star Trek)

·       CHARISMA CARPENTER (Cordelia Chase in Angel, Buffy the Vampire Slayer)

·       SEAN MAHER (Dr. Simon Tam in Firefly, Serenity)

·       CASEY ORR & CHUCK VARGA (horror shock-rock Musicians in GWAR)

·       CREATORS: Mike Grell, William Stout, Nat Jones, Robert Bailey, Mike Sass, Camilla D'Errico, and Wayne Gladstone.

HIGHLIGHTS:  Best way to get your nerd on at Edmonton Expo        

·       Costumes & Costume Contest (Saturday) 

·       Workshops & Seminars

·       Retailer & Exhibitor Area

·       Improv Comedy Show

·       Celebrity Autographs, Photo Ops, and Q&A¹s

·       Adam West Panel - moderated by CRACKED.com Writer Wayne Gladstone

·       Billy Dee Williams Panel - moderated by CRACKED.com Writer Wayne Gladstone

·       Nichelle Nichols Panel

·       BioWare Gaming Panel

·       Charisma Carpenter & Sean Maher Panel (iconic Joss Whedon stories!)

·       How to be a Successful Freelance Writer with Wayne Gladstone

·       Art of Laurie B! Pin up Art workshop

"We've seen the enthusiasm Calgary has for pop culture, and we want to share that fandom with Edmonton. Edmonton Expo is a chance for kids ­ big and small ­ to embrace their inner geek," stated Kandrix Foong, event director Edmonton Expo. "From Celebrity Q&A's to the Artist Alley and a Costume Contest, Edmonton Expo has something for everyone."

                                                                                                          

- 30 -

                                                      

SHOW DETAILS:

WHEN:  Oct 20 ­ 21, 2012 (Saturday to Sunday)

WHERE:  Edmonton EXPO Centre; Hall E, 7515 - 118 Ave NW, Edmonton, AB

TICKETS:  In advance Single Day Tickets: $15; Weekend Pass $25; VIP Pass $150. Children 10 and under free when accompanied by paying adult (2 children per adult).

MORE INFO:  www.EdmontonExpo.com

About Calgary Expo PRODUCTION TEAM

Calgary Comic & Entertainment Expo is a non-profit organization showcasing pop culture including comics, sci-fi, gaming, anime, and horror. Since 2006, the convention has grown to host over 60,000 attendees in 2012 and is Canada¹s second largest pop culture convention. Calgary Expo April 26 - 28, 2013 at BMO Centre, Stampede Park, in Calgary, AB, Canada. www.calgaryexpo.com

Star Wars™ Actress Ashley Eckstein Releases Complete Video Diary of Her Experiences at Star Wars Celebration VI Event

NEW YORK, NY - September 18th, 2012 - Ashley Eckstein, the voice of Ahsoka Tano on Star Wars™: The Clone Wars and founder of the popular female sci-fi merchandise line, Her Universe™, is giving fans an expanded and unprecedented look behind-the-scenes of her experiences at the largest Star Wars event in the world, Celebration VI, which took place last month in Orlando, FL.  With a video camera following her everywhere for the four-day event, Eckstein gives fans a unique perspective, through her eyes, of this epic convention. With over 40 minutes of footage, Ashley's Video Diary debuts via Starwars.com today at http://www.starwars.com/watch/celebration_vi_ashley_video_diary.html

Snippets of Eckstein's video diary cam were posted online on the StarWars.com blog during Celebration VI last month. However, Eckstein decided to edit together one final video diary of the entire Star Wars event, utilizing over 20 minutes of material not seen earlier, to give fans who could not be at Celebration VI the experience of being there... and from a unique view.

"I've never been good at keeping a written diary and I wanted to capture the events and memories of Celebration VI for myself and the fans in a different way," said Eckstein. "With social media being the way it is today, a video diary seemed like the best way to cover CVI."

The video diary, directed by Jason Surrell, a screenwriter and Senior Show Writer for Walt Disney Imagineering and edited by Studio Say So, an Orlando-based video production company, is a collaborative effort with Eckstein. "I was absolutely thrilled when Ashley asked me to direct her video diary at Star Wars Celebration VI," said Surrell.  "After directing Ashley and her fellow Clone Wars cast members in Behind the Force at Disney's Star Wars Weekends for so many years, I knew that there's a whole other world out there that people typically don't get to see.  So I'm hoping that our series of video diaries will truly give Star Wars fans a peek behind the curtain at all the fascinating and truly funny things that happen when these people get together. I've never been happier to be a fly on the wall.  We're going to take you onstage, backstage and everywhere in between."

The Celebration is Headed Back to Europe! www.StarWarsCelebration.eu

About Her Universe
Her Universe was launched in 2009 by actress and entrepreneur Ashley Eckstein, and her partner, The Araca Group, known as one of the most innovative theatrical production and merchandise companies in the world. Her Universe was created to directly address the expanding market of female fans by entering into its first agreement with Lucas Licensing to develop and produce a line of female-centered Star Wars apparel and accessories. The success of that line was followed up with a collection for the Syfy network including such shows as Battlestar Galactica and with BBC America for Doctor Who and with CBS Consumer Products for Star Trek. You can learn more about Her Universe and purchase the current line of fangirl apparel and accessories by going to www.heruniverse.com and by following Eckstein on Facebook (facebook.com/HerUniverse) and Twitter (twitter.com/HerUniverse).

About Jason Surrell
Jason Surrell is an author, filmmaker and Senior Show Writer for Walt Disney Imagineering. Jason is the author of The Haunted Mansion: From the Magic Kingdom to the Movies, The Art of The Haunted Mansion, Screenplay by Disney: Tips and Techniques to Bring Magic to Your Moviemaking, Pirates of the Caribbean: From the Magic Kingdom to the Movies,The Disney Mountains: Imagineering at Its Peak and The Art of Marvel's The Avengers. He also wrote and directed a feature film, Characters, and wrote for Walt Disney Television's "Secrets of the Animal Kingdom." Jason is currently working on the screenplay for a supernatural thriller and developing a television series.

About Studio Say So
Studio Say So is an Orlando-based video production company working to tell stories for clients and partners. Founded in 2008 by Danny Miller and Marshall Head, Studio Say So has worked with clients ranging from Walt Disney Imagineering and Florida Hospital to Unicef. Studio Say So writes, shoots, edits and produces a variety of videos from documentaries to commercials. Visit http://www.studiosayso.com to see videos and learn more.

STAR WARS™ and related properties are trademarks and/or copyrights, in the United States and other countries, of Lucasfilm Ltd. and/or its affiliates. TM & © Lucasfilm Ltd.  All rights reserved.  All other trademarks and trade names are properties of their respective owners.

Ashley Eckstein stands in front of the Her Universe booth at Star Wars Celebration VI as she films a segment from her new expanded video diary.



Ashley Eckstein appears on The Clone Wars 5th season premiere red carpet with Clone Wars co-star Sam Witwer during Celebration VI.
Photo Credit: Amy Ratcliffe



Ashley Eckstein, seen here with Ahsoka Tano, the Star Wars™: The Clone Wars character she voices, has a new 40 minute video diary posted on Starwars.com's official blog following her adventures around the biggest Star Wars convention in the world this past August.
Photo Credit: Kelsey Edwards



Eckstein, seen here modeling one of her company's Star Wars Her Universe shirts, has released an extended version of her video diary made during Star Wars Celebration VI with additional footage.
Photo Credit: Kelsey Edwards

HYPERNATURALS #3 SELLS OUT
GOES TO SECOND PRINT
 

September 18, 2012 - Los Angeles, CA - BOOM! Studios is proud to announce that HYPERNATURALS #3 has completely sold out at the distributor level and the publisher has rushed to a second printing in order to meet demand.

Comic book fans should bear in mind first printings of THE HYPERNATURALS #3 may still be found at a local comic shop near you. Not sure where to find your nearest comic retailer? Use www.comicshoplocator.com to find one!

Dan Abnett and Andy Lanning finish the first arc of their cosmic superhero masterpiece in the making and will have you begging for more! It’s the return of Prismatica as she rejoins the Hypernaturals and faces her greatest fear: the man who killed her husband and the most diabolical supervillain the Quantinuum has ever known…Sublime.

THE HYPERNATURALS #3 second print ships with a brand new, must-have cover by Kris Anka (Age of Apocalypse) and is available for immediate order under Diamond order code AUG128053.

About BOOM! Studios

Founded by Ross Richie, 2009 and 2010's "Best Publisher" BOOM! Studios (www.boom-studios.com) generates a constellation of bestselling Eisner and Harvey Award-winning comic books and graphic novels with the industry's top talent, including Dan Abnett and Andy Lanning’s HYPERNATURALS, new HELLRAISER comics written by Clive Barker, PLANET OF THE APES, and Sam Humphries’ HIGHER EARTH. BOOM!'s all ages imprint KaBOOM! publishes Charles Schulz' PEANUTS, Jim Davis’ GARFIELD, Cartoon Network's ADVENTURE TIME, and 20th Century Fox’ ICE AGE. KaBOOM! recently won an Eisner Award for its first original series Roger Langridge's SNARKED. BOOM!'s lit comix-focused imprint, BOOM! Town, won an Eisner Award for its first book, Shannon Wheeler's I THOUGHT YOU WOULD BE FUNNIER, and just released SPACE DUCKS, the first comic book from indie musician legend Daniel Johnston.

Patrick Stewart, Stan Lee, Eliza Dushku, Michael Madsen, WWE® Superstar CM Punk® Lead Wizard World New Orleans Comic Con Celebrity Roster, Nov. 30 - Dec. 2

Also To Feature Dean Cain, Michael Rooker, Jon Bernthal, Superstar Artists Greg Capullo, Neal Adams, Many Others At New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center

NEW YORK and NEW ORLEANS, September 18, 2012 – “Star Trek: The Next Generation” actor Sir Patrick Stewart, comics legend Stan Lee, “Buffy the Vampire Slayer” star Eliza Dushku, Reservoir Dogs headliner Michael Madsen and WWE® Superstar CM Punk® top the standout lineup of celebrities scheduled to attend Wizard World New Orleans Comic Con, Nov. 30 – Dec. 2, 2012, at New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center.  They will be joined by an All-Star collection of well-known artists and a variety of activities, exhibitors and special attractions in the final event on Wizard World's 2012 calendar.

Stewart and Lee will appear on Saturday and Sunday, Dec. 1-2, while Dushku and Punk are scheduled to attend on Saturday and Madsen all three days.

Other headliners on the Wizard World New Orleans roster include Dean Cain (“Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman,” “90210”), Michael Rooker (“The Walking Dead,” Henry), Jon Bernthal (“The Walking Dead,” Night at the Museum), Kevin Sorbo (“Hercules, The Legendary Journeys,” “Andromeda”) and the Boondock Saints trio of Norman Reedus, Sean Patrick Flanery and David Della Rocco.

The lineup of superstar comic creators in New Orleans is also impressive, with Eisner Award Hall of Famer Neal Adams (“Batman,” “Green Lantern”), Eisner nominees J.G. Jones (“Final Crisis,” “Wanted”), Ethan Van Sciver (“Firestorm,” “Green Lantern”) and Ron Garney (“Captain America,” “Wolverine”), Phil Jimenez (“Spider-Man,” “X-Men”) and Michael Golden (“Hulk,” “Daredevil”) leading the way.

Wizard World New Orleans Comic Con, produced by Wizard World, Inc. (WIZD.PK), will bring together thousands of fans of all ages to celebrate the best in pop-fi, pop culture, movies, graphic novels, comics, toys, video gaming, television, sci-fi, gaming, original art, collectibles, contests and more.  Admission is free for kids 10 and under, and Sunday, December 2, is “Kids Day,” an array of programming specially designed for children.

For more on the 2012 Wizard World New Orleans Comic Con, visit http://www.wizardworld.com/home-neworleans.html.

About Wizard World:
Wizard World produces Comic Cons and pop culture conventions across North America that celebrate graphic novels, comic books, movies, TV shows, gaming, technology, toys and social networking. The events often feature celebrities from movies and TV, artists and writers, and events such as premieres, gaming tournaments, panels, and costume contests.

The full event schedule can be found at www.wizardworld.com.

***** SAVE THE 2012-13 DATES *****
September 28-30, 2012 – Wizard World Ohio Comic Con
October 26-28, 2012 – Wizard World Austin Comic Con
November 30 - December 2, 2012 – Wizard World New Orleans Comic Con
February 22-24, 2013 – Wizard World Portland Comic Con
May 30 - June 2, 2013 – Wizard World Philadelphia Comic Con
August 8-11, 2013 – Wizard World Chicago Comic Con

THE WALKING DEAD #100 GETS THIRD PRINTING

New cover lengthens Lucille's reign of terror

THE WALKING DEAD #100 by Robert Kirkman and Charlie Adlard continues to raise the bar for "best-selling comic of the century" as it has sold out of its second printing and will receive a third.

The third printing (AUG128028) will feature new cover art by Adlard that adds to the landscape image created by the covers of second printings of THE WALKING DEAD #97-99. Lined up, the covers depict the villain Negan and his infamous baseball bat Lucille. It will be in stores on October 17.

THE WALKING DEAD #100 became the best-selling comic in fifteen years when it sold more than 380,000 copies in July.

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ABOUT ROBERT KIRKMAN
Robert Kirkman's success and passionate advocacy for creator-owned comics led him to become the first person invited to become a partner at Image Comics since the company's inception twenty years ago and he formed his own imprint there, Skybound, in 2010.  Kirkman is the creator/writer of the Eisner Award-winning The Walking Dead, long-running Invincible, all-ages Super Dinosaur, The Astounding Wolf-Man, and new title Thief of Thieves, among many others. Kirkman has earned the respect of the comic, writing and television communities and topped the New York Times bestseller list for graphic novels in 2011 and in April 2012, he took the top five spots on both the hardcover and paperback lists. He's the creator/executive producer and writer of the hit television show, AMC's The Walking Dead, the highest-rated basic cable drama of all time in the U.S, also an international success in 120 countries and 250 million households. AMC is developing Thief of Thieves as a  potential series with Kirkman serving as creator/executive producer and writer. www.Skybound.com is your destination for all news and merchandise for Robert Kirkman, The Walking Dead and all Skybound titles.

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

The Adventures of Retrobot Debuts on the App Store

REGINA, Canada – Sept. 14, 2012 – Endeavor Bros and Monkube today announced the launch of The Adventures of Retrobot,  an intense tank shooter with epic boss battles featuring animated graphic novel style storytelling. Available now on the App Store for $0.99, The Adventures of Retrobot follows the story of a DIY robot built as a gaming buddy who’s out to save his maker from the evil robots who’ve taken over the world.  Go to  http://bit.ly/retrobot to check it out!

Throughout his adventure, Retrobot acquires new weapons and power-ups to fight off the never ending onslaught of robot overlords. Tactical use of shield and powerful EMP blasts are needed to complete the mission. The Adventures of Retrobot takes the player through numerous worlds, tackles challenging level bosses and tells a full comic book worth of story though animated story sequences. Having lived in a bubble of constant video-game playing and with no prior experience of the world outside, Retrobot and sidekick Toto’s journey is filled with slapstick humor that makes gaming logic and real world rules collide. More often than not, with a wink towards gaming’s biggest classics.
A game for everyone
In order to cater to both the occasional and experienced iOS gamers, The Adventures of Retrobot is geared with several gameplay modes. The Story Mode offers a balanced learning curve, varied enough to keep hardened players interested, without preventing occasional gamers from seeing the story through. Seeing the credits roll is just the beginning for experienced gamers. As a Challenge Mode, with one life, no retries and faster enemy spawning and a Boss Challenge await. In those game modes, the majority of the Game Center points are awarded. Completing one of these game modes - which is far from an easy feat - earns players a spot in the separate high score charts.

“The Adventures of Retrobot takes two of the greatest entertainment categories - comics and games - and fuses them together for a hugely addictive and fun experience,” said Adam Heat, Co-
Founder of Endeavor Bros. “We’ve spent countless hours bringing together what we believe could be a game changer in the mobile gaming space.”
Sven Van de Perre, Creative Director at Monkube remarks, “For us, game development has always been about finding a game genre that is under-used in today’s tidal wave of mobile games. And then trying to create a game that raises the bar. Ever since being hooked on Popcap’s tank shooter Heavy Weapon, I wanted to have a go at this. With The Adventures of Retrobot, we bring amazing frantic shooter action, while also adding like-able characters, great story telling and - which is up to the consumer to judge - some funny video game related humor.”
To go beyond the call of duty, Endeavor Bros and Monkube brought together an all-star support cast, including:
* Comic book publisher Ape Entertainment, developers of the massively popular Pocket God Comics featuring work from artist Carlos Valenti and Cut the Rope Comics apps.
* Maurits ‘Mo’ Goossens, part of Monkube’s in-house music team, composed the massive classical score that drives both game and story. As 1st violin and former conductor of the Brussels Philharmonic orchestra, he worked on several motion pictures scores, including Golden Globe-winning picture “The Aviator” (Martin Scorcese) and 2012 Oscar winner “The Artist” (Michel Hazanavicius).
About Endeavor Bros
Endeavor Bros is an Entertainment Media company based in Canada that develops and publishes games for mobile devices. Our central platform is the iPhone and all iOS related devices. We also support other mobile platforms such as Android, the 3DS and the PSP as well as online platforms such as the Xbox and PSN networks. For more information, please visitwww.EndeavorBros.com.
About Monkube
Monkube is a mobile game developer with offices in Belgium, Romania and Hong Kong. Founded by ex gaming journalists, Monkube intentionally steers clear of over-used game concepts, instead fusing its games with complete comic book stories and über polished gameplay. For more information, visit www.monkube.com.

"Fantastic" Results For Project: Rooftop's  "Fantastic Four: Fashion Forward" Redesign Contest

Judges include Comic Artist Stuart Immonen, NPR's Glen Weldon

and Dark Horse Editor Rachel Edidin 

With over 100 entries from a variety of comics pros, online favorites and fabulous newcomers, Project: Rooftop is proud to announce the winners of its "Fantastic Four" Fashion Forward" Redesign contest. Judged by a panel of 10 people including Marvel artist Stuart Immonen (New Avengers, Fear Itself), Dark Horse editor Rachel Edidin and NPR's Glen Wledon, this latest P:R contest found its winner in a first-time P:R artist, New York-based Alejandro Bruzzese.

"I love the ligne claire art style and the dramatic pose," says Immonen in his comments on the entry. Edidin calls Bruzzese's rendition of the team as "a science-adventurer team with the emphasis on the 'science.'"

When asked about his design, the artist Alejandro Bruzzese was very specific.

"As far as I'm concerned they're explorers, not super-heroes," explains Bruzzese. "Thus the backpacks and practical clothes. I gave them their own colors as a sort of tribute to the Thunderbirds, Bionic Six, Super Sentai, Galaxy Trio... basically all the teams the Fantastic Four inspired in the first place."

Coming in a close second in P:R's "Fantastic Four: Fashion Forward" contest is frequent name on the site and a multi-time finalist in our contests, Vanni LoRiggio. Rounding out the top three is Victor Newman.

To see each of these entries plus the other runner-ups and the comments from all our judges, visit ProjectRooftop.com.

About Project: Rooftop 

Project: Rooftop (http://www.projectrooftop.com) is where cartoonists and illustrators bring their costume design skills to task in tribute to the superheroes and villains we've grown up with. This site is intended to promote the idea of superhero costume redesigning as a skill, specific to superhero media. We also aim to foster continued interest for these amazing characters and spotlight up-and-coming creators.