Wednesday, March 17, 2010

Tonner Huntress C2E2 Exclusive!

Check out the Huntress Deluxe, a 17″ tall exclusive limited to 200 pieces available only at C2E2. Each comes with a certificate of authenticity hand-signed by Robert Tonner. For more, click here.

Did you miss the Iron Man Minimates exclusives posted previously?

Check out DST's and AFX's right here!

C2E2 Panel and Screening Schedule Online!

170. What’s that? That’s the number of panels, screenings, and special events taking place at C2E2. We’ve got close to a dozen theaters, conference spaces, stages, and workshop rooms running all three days with some amazing content. Want to hear the latest from Marvel and DC? Check? Want to meet some of Chicago’s comic book hometown heroes? Check. Want to learn, change, and grow with talks from Reading With Pictures, Diamond, the Comics Studies Conference, and ICv2? Check. Want to see some weird, wonderful, and eclectic performances? Check. Want premiere screenings? Check. C2E2’s got them all, and you can delve into all three days of programming right now at C2E2.com.

Note, though, that most of the schedule is now online, but much of our Hollywood and TV programming will be coming out later, and there are a few other events, too, that will be added to this list in the coming weeks.

Tuesday, March 16, 2010

Adam and Andy Kubert come to C2E2!

Few names carry as much meaning in the comics world as "Kubert". Joe Kubert defined much of classical comics style, and his Joe Kubert School of Cartoon and Graphic Art has trained many of this generation's most prolific artists. We've been honored by our partnerships with Joe Kubert and the Joe Kubert School in NYC, and we're proud to now announce two of the Kubert School's most illustrious graduates -- and the sons of Joe Kubert -- will be attending C2E2.

Fanboys and fangirls, Adam and Andy Kubert will be coming to Chicago!

Adam Kubert's body of work includes Wolverine, Incredible Hulk, Spider-Man, Superman, and Ghost Rider along with launching Marvel's Ultimate X-Men and Ultimate Fantastic Four titles.

Andy Kubert has worked on Ghost Rider, Captain America, Ka-Zar, Thor, and Ultimate X-Men. Of special note are his Marvel 1602 and Whatever Happened to The Caped Crusader -- both with Neil Gaiman. Currently, he's working on the first two issues of DC's 75th anniversary series entitled DC Legacies. His father, comic legend Joe Kubert, is inking, and Swamp Thing creator Len Wein is writing. Andy's also behind the covers for the six issue series The Return of Bruce Wayne, which brings Bruce back to the Batman fold.

C2E2 is honored to have Adam and Andy Kubert with us at our inaugural convention! Fans will be able to find both talents on our show floor signing inside the Joe Kubert School booth.

Monday, March 15, 2010

Monster Mash-Up Mayhem!

Have you looked over the C2E2 Guest List lately? Lots of comics names. But some other names, too. I'm particularly proud of the authors who'll be attending, and if it wasn't apparent from the list, I wanted to highlight four of them... Seth Grahame-Smith, Ben H. Winters, Steve Hockensmith, and Jason Rekulak.

Who are they? The BRAAAAAINS behind the Quirk Classics books. You know, Pride and Prejudice and Zombies, Sense and Sensibility and Sea Monsters, Android Karenina, etc. These gents will be appearing throughout the show, and all will come together for a Monster Mash-Up Mayhem! panel on Friday -- moderated by Tasha Robinson of The A.V. Club.

I know, these books don't have pictures in 'em, but they do have zombies. And you can't go wrong with zombies. Unless said zombies have cornered you in an abandoned farmhouse.

A C2E2 Update with The Comics Reporter

I did a quick catch up with Tom Spurgeon of The Comics Reporter this past week. Here’s his intro to the interview and the link to the full interview…..

-Lance

I plan on speaking more than one time to the various convention organizers this year, as that aspect of the comics business remains in a crucially transformational state. Lance Fensterman runs this kind of show when Reed Exhibitions does them. Their inaugural Chicago show C2E2 is forthcoming in April, and their NYCC is scheduled to return this Fall.

Read my full interview with The Comics Reporter here.

Japadog Comes to NYC!


From The Province by way of Ali T. Kokmen...

Noriki Tamura was one of the suprise hits of the recent Olympics. He a Japanese athelete? Nope. A restaurant owner. Tamura ran two "Japadog" kiosks during the Olympics, selling exotic, Japanese-style hotdogs, and he's now eyeing to bring the business to NYC.

Thank you, Japan.

Sunday, March 14, 2010

Caprica Comes To NYC on Wednesday!

Our friends at The Paley Center are presenting a special evening dedicated to Syfy's Caprica on Wednesday, March 17. Starting at 6:30 PM, it'll feature a roundtable discussion with the following...

Ronald D. Moore, Co-creator and Executive Producer
David Eick, Executive Producer
Paula Malcomson, "Amanda Graystone"
Polly Walker, "Sister Clarice Willow"
Alessandra Torresani, "Zoe Graystone"
Magda Apanowicz, "Lacy Rand"
Sasha Roiz, "Sam Adama"


The evening will preview an upcoming episode from Caprica’s first season, followed by a discussion with the above members of the cast and creative team. For tickets, head to www.paleycenter.org.

Something, something, so say we all.

C2E2 Registration 50% Bigger Than New York Comic Con #1

Yeah, you read that right. I look at registration numbers every day (sometimes every hour!) but on Friday’s I get a detailed registration report and we have been comparing C2E2 to the first New York Comic Con. Which is logical, they were both launches and we expected C2E2 to be around the size of NYCC #1. Well folks, I think we’ve underestimated the good fan boys and fan girls of The Mighty Midwest.

We are still 5 weeks out, so percents can be deceiving compared to actual real numbers, but a 50% increase in ticket sales over NYCC #1 is no small number.

READ CAREFULLY: Anyone who attended NYCC #1 knows that it was total bedlam. A big part of that mob scene were the droves of people walking up to buy tickets on site. For C2E2, with the numbers we are seeing already, I urge you to buy your tickets in advance. Seriously, take my advice. The tickets are cheaper, it’s easier, there are no lines and for real – it means you are guaranteed to get in!

So buy them by clicking here, or go to your local Chicagoland comics retailer, and starting next week you can also go to your Chicagoland Borders stores to buy tickets.

If you were at NYCC #1 you will believe, buy in advance or you may not get in!

Don’t forget that the deadline to buy tickets and have them mailed to you is March 19th! This is also the deadline for complimentary pro and creator registration.

-Lance

Saturday, March 13, 2010

A Star is Born!

Maybe you know her Gogo Yubari in Kill Bill. Maybe you know her as Takako Chigusa in Battle Royale. Either way, Chiaki Kuriyama is one of Japan’s most promising young actresses. And she’s now tackling music. And robots. Of course, robots. Going by the name CHiAKi KURiYAMA, she's the artist behind "Ryusei No Namida", the theme to the new Gundam Unicorn series. It's only just a wee bit of a big deal. To celebrate, she's the Artist of the Week at MTV Iggy…

http://www.mtviggy.com/article/artist-profile-chiaki-kuriyama

Buy that's nothing compared to the gift she got in Japan. Chiaki's had an actual star named in her honor. The star "CHiAKi KURiYAMA" in the Monoceros (Unicorn) constellation and was named through Australia’s Springbrook Observatory.

And, in case you're wondering, it's "CHiAKi KURiYAMA" because "i as a normal girl, i as an actress, and i as a singer". Love you too, Japan.

Caturday: Dark Side Edition


From Tonya.

Friday, March 12, 2010

Doctor Who at C2E2

The new series of Doctor Who - featuring the debut of Matt Smith as The Doctor and Karen Gillan as companion Amy Pond - kicks off on BBC America on Saturday, April 17, but BBC America and C2E2 are giving Chicago fans a head start!

BBC America presents its special premiere screening of the first two episodes of Doctor Who on Friday, April 16. Fans attending will be the first to see Episode 2 in the U.S.

After spending the day at the con, gather together with your fellow Who fans at 8 PM in room E353 to witness the first two adventures of The Doctor and Amy Pond.

For more information on Doctor Who, visit www.bbcamerica.com/doctorwho!

Brief C2E2 Gaming and Portfolio Review Notes

Wizards of The Coast's schedule is now online here...
http://www.c2e2.com/en/Events/Gaming-and-Contests/

Top Cow's Portfolio Review times are now online, too...
http://www.c2e2.com/en/Events/Portfolio-Reviews/

Thursday, March 11, 2010

The Email I’ve Been Waiting For: LEGO Universe Closed-Beta Invitation

This just showed up in my inbox:

Congratulations, you have been chosen to participate in the Closed-Beta test of LEGO Universe!

The Maelstrom is trying to destroy imagination, so hurry up and create a LEGO Universe account with your LEGO ID. You'll be a heroic minifig before you know it.

Also, I found this in a LEGO shop in Singapore. I've not seen it anywhere but just the other day I did see it's listed as "coming soon" at starwwarsshop.com
-Lance

Jeph Loeb Joins C2E2!

Nothing big to report today. Only that Jeph Loeb will be coming to C2E2. Jeph Loeb's an Emmy Award-nominated and Eisner Award-winning writer/producer.

In comics, Jeph has written for nearly every major icon including Hulk, Iron Man, Spider-Man, Wolverine, Batman, and Superman.

In television, his many credits include Heroes, Lost, and Smallvile.

In film, Teen Wolf and Commando.

Jeph will be appearing on panels and signing at the Marvel booth.

Wednesday, March 10, 2010

Ennis! Martin! Brooks! Avatar At C2E2!

Garth Ennis. George R.R. Martin. Max Brooks. Mike Wolfer. Jacen Burrows. William Christensen. Brian Pulido. Gianluca Pagliarani. Matt Martin. Christos Gage.

We're proud to announce Avatar Press is coming to C2E2 and bringing the big guns. From showstopper names to international rising stars, the Avatar booth will be packed with 'em all. And, beyond signing in the booth and conducting panels, Avatar is offering a number of show exclusives and merchandise packages -- topping it all off with a special Avatar Friday Night!

From 8 PM to 10 PM on April 16, Avatar will present Max Brooks and George R.R. Martin in their first-ever joint appearance. Brooks's Zombie Survival lectures are a world-wide smash hit, and George R.R. Martin will present a very special reading of one of his favorite works. Jacen Burrows, Mike Wolfer, Gianluca Pagliarani, Christos Gage, and Brian Pulido will be on hand, as well, and mingling with the crowd. And, because it's classy, there'll be a cash bar, too.

For full details on Avatar's guests, exclusives, packages, and tickets to their Friday Night, visit...

http://www.avatarpress.com/conventions/c2e2

Tuesday, March 9, 2010

Marvel's Joe Quesada Comes To C2E2!

This just in from the Daily Bugle... Acclaimed writer-artist and Marvel's Chief Creative Officer & Editor-in-Chief Joe Quesada will be joining the C2E2 guest roster as a noted Guest of Honor. Joe Quesada will be signing at the Marvel Booth (#758) and participating in Marvel panels all weekend long. But most of all, make sure to join Joe for the world premiere of the next blockbuster Marvel Motion Comic Friday night, April 16th! And to top it all off, Joe will reveal his new TOP SECRET Marvel project during the Cup O’ Joe Panel on Saturday, April 17th! Joe Quesada is headlining a long list of amazing guests. Check out the full list and bios at www.C2E2.com.

Pierre's Unemployed

Friend of the show Pierre Bernard used to work on Late Night -- and then The Tonight Show -- with Conan O'Brien. We all know how that ended. What's he up to now? Take a look...

Monday, March 8, 2010

An Evening With Neil Gaiman! Tickets Available Now!

Tickets to the CBLDF's Evening with Neil Gaiman at C2E2 went live today at 12 Central / 1 Eastern. Grab your tickets now at www.C2E2.com!

Cool Toys From Singapore

I spent all of last week in Singapore working on a new project and one of my seemingly endless line up of meetings was with Darren and Jackie of a toy company called Play Imaginative. Darren and Jackie are both great guys and they are doing some amazingly cool stuff with vinyl. I had no choice but to leave Spore with an extra bag full of stuff. Ugly Dolls and To-Fu vinyl to name a few.
In general, besides the stifling heat, Spore is a pretty cool city (state) and boasts an impressive community of geeks. Tons of great comic and toy shops, a thriving traditional bookstore community (Kenny Chan of Kino is THE Godfather of Books in SE Asia!), an impressive 501st Garrison and yes, damn tasty chili crabs.
Here's hoping all goes well and I'm back often in the coming year. Until then, enjoy the pics from Play Imaginative's showroom......
-L




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Marvel Portfolio Reviews at C2E2!

What's there to do at C2E2? Lots. Meeting guests... Attending panels... Buying exclusives... Snapping photos of cosplayers... Getting swag... Passing out in our screening rooms... Getting more swag... Maybe getting a job...

You heard right. C2E2's very excited that our publishing friends and partners will be offering portfolio reviews at the con. More soon, but, immediately, we're proud to present Marvel's potfolio review information...

Marvel Entertainment, Inc., one of the world's most prominent character-based entertainment companies with a library of over 5,000 proprietary characters, will be reviewing portfolios of artists, inkers, and colorists for potential future work at the House of Ideas. All creators interested in having their portfolio reviewed should bring copies of their artwork (no originals) to the Marvel Booth (758) by 7 PM on Saturday. After reviewing all samples at the end of each day, we will display a list of creators at the Marvel Booth on Saturday morning, April 17th, and Sunday morning, April 18th, that will include the names and corresponding times of those people we are interested in meeting with. Pencilers should be prepared to drop off at least five pages of sequential art as well as examples of cover illustrations. Inkers' portfolio samples should contain examples of their work over at least three different pencilers. Colorists should provide samples that effectively display their different techniques and coloring abilities on various types of pieces. Samples will not be returned.

Depending upon your area of expertise, you should be prepared to leave behind the following at the Marvel Booth for pre-screening review:

Pencilers: At least five pages of sequential art as well as examples of cover illustrations.

Inkers: Samples of your work over at least three different pencilers.

Colorists: Samples that effectively display your different techniques and coloring abilities on various types of pieces.