Conventions this weekend 11/22-11/24, 2013

By Shawn Scott Smith| November 18, 2013 | Comments Off on Conventions this weekend 11/22-11/24, 2013

Nov 22nd-24th, 2013
Arkansas Anime Festival Bentonville, AR
Board Game Geek Dallas, TX
Chibi Pa West Palm Beach, FL
Creation Supernatural Burbank, CA
DaishoconWisconsin Dells, Wi
Ectocon St. Louis, MO
Long Beach Comic Con Long Beach, CA
Midwest Furfest Rosemont, IL
Southern Pinball Festival Orlando, FL
Super MegafestBoston, MA
U-con Ann Arbor, MI
Who Fest Dallas, TX
Wizard World Austin, TX

Animeland Wasabi news.

By Shawn Scott Smith| November 17, 2013 | Comments Off on Animeland Wasabi news.

• Leafa/Suguha Kirigaya – Sword Art Online
• Hitomi – Shin Megami Tensei: Devil Summoner: Soul Hackers
• Sophie – Tales of Graces F
• and many more..
   

‘Doctor Who’ 50th Anniversary Celebration Event to Include BBC AMERICA Special Screening at Wizard World Austin Comic Con on November 23

By Shawn Scott Smith| November 16, 2013 | Comments Off on ‘Doctor Who’ 50th Anniversary Celebration Event to Include BBC AMERICA Special Screening at Wizard World Austin Comic Con on November 23

Highly-Anticipated 50th Anniversary Special Doctor Who: The Day of the Doctor to be Shown at Austin Convention Center in Conjunction with Simulcast on BBC AMERICA and in Over 75 Countries

NEW YORK and AUSTIN, Texas, November 13, 2013 – For a half-century, TV viewers across the world have been captivated by Doctor Who, the longest running and most successful sci-fi series ever.  In collaboration with BBC AMERICA, Wizard World Austin Comic Con fans will enjoy the Doctor Who 50th Anniversary Celebration Event on Saturday, November 23.  The event is part of the international celebration in which, for the first time ever, the series’ 50th Anniversary special, Doctor Who: The Day of The Doctor, will be simulcast on BBC AMERICA and to millions of fans in over 75 countries.
Read more

Days of dead chicago

By Shawn Scott Smith| November 15, 2013 | Comments Off on Days of dead chicago

AYS OF THE DEAD returns to Chicago for three days of monsters, movies, and madness THIS WEEKEND!

Celebrity guests scheduled to appear include DANNY TREJO, ACE FREHLEY, BILL MOSELEY, JAMES KAREN, TWIGGY RAMIREZ, LITA FORD, GUNNAR HANSEN, a RETURN OF THE LIVING DEAD reunion, BLADE RUNNER reunion, and much, much MORE!

Live music, 48 hour film festival, monstrous after hours parties, and the best memorabilia vendors from across the country all weekend long!

For tickets and full event info, visit http://www.DaysoftheDead.net/chicago
 

Star Wars,’ ‘Star Trek,’ ‘Ghostbusters’ Groups, Cosplayers Among Fan Communities At Wizard World Austin Comic Con

By Shawn Scott Smith| November 15, 2013 | Comments Off on Star Wars,’ ‘Star Trek,’ ‘Ghostbusters’ Groups, Cosplayers Among Fan Communities At Wizard World Austin Comic Con

Local Groups Join Noted Cosplayer Ivy Doomkitty, ‘Battlestar Galactica,’ ‘Doctor Who’ Organizations In Entertaining Fans At Austin Convention Center November 22-24

NEW YORK and AUSTIN, Texas, November 12, 2013 – Cosplay is flourishing at Wizard World events, and groups showing off their affinity for all-time classics like Star Wars, “Star Trek,” Ghostbusters and many other movies, TV shows, comics and other characters will be on hand at Wizard World Austin Comic Con, Nov. 22-24 at the Austin Convention Center.  Famed cosplayer Ivy Doomkitty will lead the way as thousands dress the part in a celebration of ultimate fandom all weekend.

Not to be outdone, “Doctor Who,” “Battlestar Galactica” and steampunk organizations will also represent their favorite genres well during the event.

Groups scheduled to show their devotion at Wizard World Austin Comic Con include: Read more

Baltimore Comic-Con Returns to Philly with Barry Kitson

By Shawn Scott Smith| November 14, 2013 | Comments Off on Baltimore Comic-Con Returns to Philly with Barry Kitson

Initiative To Benefit St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital

By Shawn Scott Smith| November 14, 2013 | Comments Off on Initiative To Benefit St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital

Comics Legend Neal Adams To Conduct Charity Art Auctions At Wizard World Events Beginning At Austin Comic Con, November 22-24

NEW YORK, November 11, 2013 – Eisner Award Hall of Famer Neal Adams, in conjunction with Wizard World, Inc., will conduct a series of charity comics art auctions at Wizard World’s pop culture conventions across the United States, beginning at Austin Comic Con, Nov. 22-24, it was announced today by Adams and Wizard World Chairman & CEO John Macaluso.  A portion of proceeds from the auctions, which will be comprised of pieces donated by Adams and other notable comics artists, will benefit St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

“The auctions are a great way to showcase outstanding artwork produced by top creators all over the world and to reward them, while benefiting a tremendous cause,” said Adams, a regular at Wizard World events who is widely credited with reviving the “Batman” franchise and is thought of by many as the greatest contemporary comic artist in our medium. “I am pleased to be working with Wizard World to spread the program into as many venues and reach as many comic art lovers as possible.”

Adams has created a “Wonder Woman” piece as his first donated item, available at Austin Comic Con.  The auction will be held on the Wizard World Main Stage (show floor) on Saturday, Nov. 23, at 5 p.m.

Adams headlines a standout roster of creators scheduled to attend Wizard World Austin Comic Con, including Greg Capullo (“Batman,” “Spawn”), Mark Bagley (“Fantastic Four,” “Ultimate Spider-Man”), Kenneth Rocafort (“Superman,” “Action Comics”), Mike Grell (“Green Arrow,” “Green Lantern”), Phil Ortiz (“The Simpsons,” “Muppet Babies”), “Zombie King” Arthur Suydam (“Marvel Zombies,” “Army of Darkness”), Michael Golden (“Hulk,” “Daredevil”) and nearly 200 others.

Stan Lee, Norman Reedus of “The Walking Dead,” WWE® Superstar John Cena® and “Star Trek” captains William Shatner and Scott Bakula are among the top celebrities attending the event, held at the Austin Convention Center. It is the eighth and final event in the 2013 series produced by Wizard World, Inc. (OTCBB: WIZD) and will also feature a variety of activities, exhibitors and special attractions.

Additionally, all full price attendees will receive a free copy of the Exclusive Variant Cover of The Walking Dead #1 comic, drawn by Rob Guillory (“Chew”) and available only at Wizard World Austin Comic Con.

For more on the 2013 Wizard World Austin Comic Con, visit http://www.wizardworld.com/home-tx.html.

About Wizard World:
Wizard World (OTCBB: WIZD) 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.

Wizard World 2013 Schedule
November 22-24 – Wizard World Austin Comic Con

Wizard World 2014 Schedule
January 24-26 – Wizard World Portland Comic Con
February 7-9 – Wizard World New Orleans Comic Con
March 7-9 – Wizard World Sacramento Comic Con
March 28-30 – Wizard World Louisville Comic Con
April 4-6 – Wizard World St. Louis Comic Con
May 2-4 – Wizard World Minneapolis Comic Con
May 30-June 1 – Wizard World Atlanta Comic Con
June 19-22 – Wizard World Philadelphia Comic Con
August 1-3 – Wizard World San Antonio Comic Con
August 21-24 – Wizard World Chicago Comic Con
September 12-14 – Wizard World Richmond Comic Con
September 26-28 – Wizard World Nashville Comic Con
October 11-12 – Wizard World Austin Comic Con
October 31-November 2 – Wizard World Ohio Comic Con
November 7-9 – Wizard World Tulsa Comic Con

FLORIDA ANIME EXPERIENCE CELEBRATES “GHOST IN THE SHELL” FOR YEAR FOUR.

By Shawn Scott Smith| November 14, 2013 | Comments Off on FLORIDA ANIME EXPERIENCE CELEBRATES “GHOST IN THE SHELL” FOR YEAR FOUR.

The annual event will welcome voice actors from the classic anime series Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex.

(ORLANDO, FLORIDA, November 8, 2013) Florida Anime Experience is a three-day pop culture convention celebrating anime, J-Pop, manga, video games, and Japanese pop culture.  No in its fourth year, the event will take place at the International Palms Resort and Conference Center over Memorial Day Weekend next year: Friday, Saturday, and Sunday – May 23-25, 2014.  Events are scheduled to begin at noon on Friday.

Tickets will go on sale on Friday, November 29, 2013 (aka “Black Friday”) online at www.floridaanime.com/tickets.  Ticket prices are $20 on Friday, $25 on Saturday, $20 on Sunday – or a Weekend Pass (all three days) for $45.  Advance discounts will be available online.

Florida Anime Experience is proud to announce our Guests of Honor for 2014: Read more

By Shawn Scott Smith| November 13, 2013 | Comments Off on

Happy Friday! We’ve got some great guests already coming to HeroesCon 2014 and today we’re adding 6 more!

COMIC FANS! Tickets for Heroes Convention 2014 are on sale now! Check out all of our previously guests here!

CREATORS! Artists Alley tables are on sale now! These spaces are available on a first-come-first-served and they usually go fast! Reserve your space today!

RAFAEL ABUQUERQUE :: Artist: American Vampire, Animal Man, Blue Beetle, Batman Writer: Batman Black & White

DENIS KITCHEN :: Cartoonist, Publisher, Author, Art Agent, Righteous Dude: In 1969 Denis Kitchen founded Kitchen Sink Press and for 30 years published many of the most prominent and innovative creators in the comics field. An accomplished cartoonist himself, Kitchen also exclusively represents Will more info

Eisner, Harvey Kurtzman, and Al Capp. We can’t wait to get this man on Read more

Rob Guillory Variant Cover of Robert Kirkman’s The Walking Dead #1 Debuts at Wizard World Austin Comic Con

By Shawn Scott Smith| November 12, 2013 | Comments Off on Rob Guillory Variant Cover of Robert Kirkman’s The Walking Dead #1 Debuts at Wizard World Austin Comic Con

Skybound and Wizard World’s Final 2013 Limited Edition Cover in the Wizard World series Free to Full-Price Attendees; VIPs To Receive Additional B&W Sketch Cover

NEW YORK, November 7, 2013 – Eisner Award-winning artist Rob Guillory will create the eighth in a series of exclusive Wizard World variant covers of Robert Kirkman’s The Walking Dead #1 comic, provided for free to all full-price attendees at Wizard World Austin Comic Con, November 22-24 at the Austin Convention Center. Wizard World and Skybound, Kirkman’s imprint at Image Comics, have teamed to produce the line based upon the Eisner Award-winning groundbreaking comic book series and best-selling graphic novels written and created by Robert Kirkman.

Guillory will be on hand at Wizard World Austin Comic Con to sign copies of the limited-edition comic, produced in extremely limited quantities and available to fans only while supplies last, and representing the final of eight covers produced in 2013. The first seven covers, illustrated by superstar artists Michael Golden, Arthur Suydam, Julian Totino Tedesco, Neal Adams, Ethan Van Sciver, Mike Zeck and Mico Suayan, respectively, were huge hits at Wizard World events in Portland (February, Golden), St. Louis (March, Suydam), Philadelphia (June, Tedesco), New York (June, Adams), Chicago (August, Van Sciver), Columbus, Ohio (September, Zeck) and Nashville, Tenn. (October, Suayan).

Guillory is the co-creator and artist for the New York Times Best-Selling Chew, which won the Eisner Award for Best New Series in 2010 and for continuing series in 2011. The Lafayette, La., native, has also worked on popular independent projects such as Teddy Scares andPopgun Anthology and is a favorite at Wizard World events.

Independent third-party comic book grading service CGC, a leader in the industry, will accept TWD #1 variant and Signature Series submissions at its Wizard World Austin Comic Con exhibitor booth (location TBD). Read more

Con-news needs your help.

By Shawn Scott Smith| November 11, 2013 | Comments Off on Con-news needs your help.

I’ve been doing this site for almost 6 years now. I’ve had the help of some amazing contributors over the years. I want to especially thank Petrea Mitchell who has been writing and volunteering for the site since the very beginning.
What I need now is to either,

1: offload some of the day to day posting. Someone who can go through the press releases we receive and get them up on the site. New writers. The site needs new blood to keep the energy going. We’ve had many great writers go on to become major stars. Lauren Orsini now writes for Kotaku and other big gigs. Shawn Marshall is rocking it out with his site The Confluence Covers. But we need more, and more all the time.
If we can get enough people on board to help maintain the site then I have no problem footing the bill to keep the site going for another six years. What I can’t do is devote the same time and energy that it has cost over the past six.

or,
2: A group of individuals or organization who want to takeover and run the site wholesale. It’s my baby, but I know that there are people out there who can make it better, and grow the audience from tens of thousands to much more. I’m hesitant to allow it to go to any one focus fandom site as this site has always been about all fandoms so if you run a site on just Anime or Furries, this probably isn’t your next step. But a group of fans, who all like different stuff, perhaps that would work, or an conglomeration of fans from all over would also give the site a much needed perspective.

Anyway, I am looking for help. If I can’t find a situation that works, eventually con-news will disband, and disappear. I’d rather we keep it alive. If you think you can help write me luckycreaturelabel@hotmail.com with the subject con-news.

Thanks again for reading!

NC Comicon A blast!

By Shawn Scott Smith| November 11, 2013 | Comments Off on NC Comicon A blast!

Went to the Nc Comicon on Sunday to see how the show was doing. We have been in Artist Alley for this show twice before including the original one four years ago. This year we decided to attend as fans and just enjoy ourselves and we did do that. The Con has expanded its offering greatly taking advantage of the next door Carolina Theaters which showed classic genre films all weekend. The general public could come watch one of those films for $8 but every pass holder to the convention got one movie for free. It justifies the door entry a little more to have the added bonus of a free movie added in and helps with the variety.

The convention space itself has grown now taking up most of the convention center.
The dealers room had a great variety of dealers and we spent more than we meant to so that’s always a good sign. Lots of great artists in attendance as well and some we hadn’t seen before in North Carolina which is a pretty great score for the convention considering Heroescon happens a few months earlier.

Overall this con looks like it’s growing in the right direction and we have next years dates of Nov 15th-16th, 2014 circled on our calendar and you should to.

The one area on a personal note I can complain about is lack of communication around press passes for new media. As you readers know we reach thousands of fans on a daily basis here at con-news.com. I wrote months ago for access to press passes to better cover the show for you. Got zero response from their media department, not even a no. When I asked on twitter they said they would be in touch.

@luckycreature requests are being processed. We have limited passes available. Please standby

— NC Comicon (@NC_Comicon) October 27, 2013

Nothing. I know a show like this can be overwhelmed at times with media requests, but it does cause a little concern when we cater to the convention going family.
I don’t mind paying to attend but with a press pass we can also get a little deeper into the convention for you. Hopefully they get that worked out for next year for whoever else may have run into issues as well. And our lack of press access shouldn’t stop you from going. It is a great show with big things in front of it.

Conventions Next Weekend 11/15-11/17, 2013

By Shawn Scott Smith| November 10, 2013 | Comments Off on Conventions Next Weekend 11/15-11/17, 2013

Nov 15th-17th, 2013
Astronomicon Rochester, NY
Days of The Dead Chicago, IL
Fx Show Orlando, FL
Gobble-con Stamford, CT
Iowa Icon Cedar Rapids, IA
Kollision Rosemont, IL
Mace Charlotte, NC
Memphis Comic Con Memphis, TN
Nerdacon Columbus, GA
Nuke The Fridge City of Industry, CA
Pure Spec Fest Edmonton, AB
T-C-S Orland Park, IL
Toy And Hobby Show Greensboro, NC
Upstate Steampunk Anderson, SC

Mysticon changes Media Guest

By Shawn Scott Smith| November 8, 2013 | Comments Off on Mysticon changes Media Guest

JOHN de LANCIE, “Q” from “Star Trek: The Next Generation”, is the new MystiCon 2014 Media Guest of Honor. Unfortunately, Marina Sirtis had to cancel due to professional commitments. MystiCon is pleased and excited to bring JOHN de LANCIE to our February 2014 convention. In addition to his work on the various “Star Trek” television shows, Mr. de Lancie is also known for being the voice of “Discord” on “My Little Pony: Friendship Is Magic” and has portrayed “Agent Allen Shapiro” on “Torchwood”. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause those who are pre-registered for MystiCon 2014 but we think you will love John de Lancie as our new Media Guest of Honor. Any questions concerning this change should be directed tomysticon.mail@gmail.com. http://mysticon-va.com/guests/john-de-lancie/“

Horror Realm Presents Troma Fest

By Shawn Scott Smith| November 7, 2013 | Comments Off on Horror Realm Presents Troma Fest

Includes new release Return to Nuke ‘Em High

Pittsburgh, PA – November 5, 2013 – Fans of Troma Entertainment’s b-movies are in for a treat – a special screening program of three Troma favorites is planned for November 16 at the Hollywood Theater in Dormont.  The event is presented by Horror Realm, which produces Pittsburgh’s semi-annual modern horror convention and other horror themed entertainment and charity events.

Troma Entertainment is the oldest continually operating fully independent movie studio in the world.  Since 1974, Troma has produced, acquired and distributed more than one thousand feature films from all regions of the globe and in all genres.  Best known for THE TOXIC AVENGER, Troma has helped bring to the world the best and brightest talents in entertainment, ranging from master Japanese animator Hayao Miyazaki to American humorists Matt Stone and Trey Parker.

Read more

Austin Mayor Lee Leffingwell To Declare November 22 “William Shatner Day” In Austin

By Shawn Scott Smith| November 6, 2013 | Comments Off on Austin Mayor Lee Leffingwell To Declare November 22 “William Shatner Day” In Austin

TV’s Captain Kirk, T.J. Hooker, “Priceline Negotiator” will accept “Honorary Austin Citizenship” from Mayor Leffingwell at Wizard World Austin Comic Con

AUSTIN, Texas, November 5, 2013 – Fans may know him as Captain Kirk, T.J. Hooker, Denny Crane or even the Priceline Negotiator. But for sure, William Shatner has been a part of the lives of countless millions for more than a half century.

And Austin Mayor Lee Leffingwell will officially declare Friday, Nov. 22, “William Shatner Day” at a special ceremony at 5:30 p.mat the Austin Convention Center, celebrating the Kick-off of the 2013 Wizard World Austin Comic Con. Mayor Leffingwell will also confer “Honorary Austin Citizenship” on Shatner.

“Who hasn’t wanted to be ‘beamed up,’ or slide across the hood of a car, or negotiate tough deals?” said Mayor Leffingwell. “My fellow citizens of Austin are proud to honor this pop culture icon as one of our own.”

Shatner will be in attendance at Read more

PR: I-CON begets LI-CON, runs Indiegogo fundraiser

By Petrea Mitchell| November 4, 2013 | Comments Off on PR: I-CON begets LI-CON, runs Indiegogo fundraiser

ICON Science Fiction is proud to announce LI-CON 1. This convention will be very focused on science, science fiction and fantasy literature, and anime. It will be held at the Best Western Mill River Manor in Rockville Centre, NY, March 29-30, 2014.

The two-day event will feature creators and experts in many areas, including scientists and science writers, authors and scholars of literature, and creators and performers in the field of anime. Programming will include lectures, panel discussions, workshops, and viewings of important movies and television shows in these fields.
Read more