Grant Morrison at New York ComicCon!!!!!

The secret we've been sitting on for weeks is out. The confirmations confirmed. The flights about the take flight. The probably's have become yes's. Yup, Grant Morrison is our latest Guest of Honor at NYCC. So how cool do I feel today? I’ve been strutting laround ike a man wearing an all white suit.....

I hardly feel the need to continue, like I should just toss that out there and walk away, but for those of you that don’t know..... actually his list of accomplishments is too numerous to even attempt to list here. Just get your tickets now and make sure you are at the Con. He's currently working on Final Crisis for DC and in 06 worked on Batman and Son with Andy Kubert - who you'll be haring more about tomorrow (tease).

We've got a few panels already planned for Grant and very soon we'll be roll out the brand spankin new ULTIMATE EXPERIENCE Packages. Starting in about two weeks, you'll be able to purchase these once-in-a-lifetime packages as add-ons to your admission ticket. These ULTIMATE EXPERIENCES will feature meet and greets with your favorite creators, special outings, parties and yes - private meet and gret with Grant Morrison!

As of writing we are 63 days away from The Con and Grant Morrison marks the beginning of an all out assault on your senses with kick ass announcements on guests, panels, screenings and more. Sit up straight and pay attention you don’t want to miss a damn thing. And on that point, sign up for our newsletter, if you had, you would’ve known this morning about Grant Morrison.

-L

When The Clock Strikes Midnight – Pro Creators Pay for NYCC (or turn into a pumpkin)

Here is your last friendly reminder – if you are a pro creator who wants to attend NY ComicCon for free then DO IT NOW! Free reg for pro creators closes at 11:59 p.m. on February 15^th. The cost for professional registration after the deadline on February 15 will be: Weekend Pass (Friday, Saturday & Sunday), $45; Friday Only Pass, $30; Saturday Only Pass, $35; Sunday Only Pass $30. All professional registration is subject to approval by NYCC staff and applicants will be contacted by early March with status.

Click here to register.

Gogai! Gogai! New York Anime Festival? We Doing That Again? Really?

In my mind, the first New York Anime Festival was a success (which means nothing caught on fire). In Reed Exhibitions's mind, the New York Anime Festival was also a success (which means nothing caught on fire and it made a wee bit of money). As such, I'm proud to say New York Anime Festival 2008 is going ahead, and while we were in delightful, delightful December last year, I'm very proud to say we managed to get dates a little earlier this time around. New York Anime Festival 2008 will take place September 12-14, 2008 at the Jacob Javits Center.

I've actually been busy at work planning NYAF 2008 since halfway through NYAF 2007 with several meetings about potential talent taking place right on the show floor. I can't name names or even give cryptic clues at this point, but I can say expect big things. I've always been of the mindset that if you're shooting for the moon, you're aiming too low. For NYAF 2008, my crosshairs are set on nothing less than Alpha Centauri.

Yes, I'm aware that today's edition of Gogai! Gogai! has been more straight-forward than my previous installments, filled with lush descriptions of a "BEA Tower" which probably doesn't exist and a "Lance Fensterman" who is certainly a figment of my imagination. To rectify this, let me say Lance and I took off early from work yesterday to talk with some manatee poachers who'd been snooping around outside Lance's precious Aquasphere lately. I went into the meeting wearing a suit coat with a legal pad tucked under my arm. Lance, however, entered the room in only a loan cloth with a KA-BAR knife gripped between his teeth. I learned yesterday that when Lance wants to "talk" he actually wants to punch you in the throat. It was a good talk, and I don't think we'll be seeing the poachers any time soon. (And, should we see the poachers again, it just means I've got to tie some more weights to the corpses.)

That's right, Lance and I beat up poachers and threw them into the Atlantic. We also gave each other henna tattoos and had a brontosaurus race. Lance won the race, but I blame my brontosaurus for my loss. Emily -- that's my dinosaur's name -- hasn't been feeling well lately and really didn't give it her all during the race. I want to challenge Lance to a rematch, but I'm going to need a new prehistoric beastie since I don't think Emily will be better for the next few weeks.

I'm having lunch with Ali T. Kokmen, Manga Marketing Manager over at Del Rey, tomorrow. I think Ali's got a sauropod I can borrow.

Ask The Show Manager - Me!

We have a feature on the NY ComicCon web site called "Ask the Show Manager" and I thought I'd post a few of the recent Q's and A's here. If you've got a burning question to ask me, you can use the form Ask The Show Manager here, or just write a comment here on the blog......

Q: hi Show Manager Person! ^_^ Not to be a bother, but are they having a cosplay contest at comic con, and is it too late to sign up for it? =D thank you sooooo much in advance!

- Samantha

A: Samantha,

Thank you for your e-mail. We'll definitely be featuring some cosplay events at New York Comic Con, but we haven't announced the size, shape, and scale yet. While the New York Anime Festival -- an event we also organize -- featured a lengthy Masquerade, we're right now speaking with a number of New York cosplayers and Comic Con attendees to see what's the right fit for NYCC. A big Masquerade? A smaller costuming judging? A walk-on show?

We honestly don't know yet, because we want to make our cosplay event fit the show. Let me know what you'd be looking for? Are you gung ho for a Masquerade at New York Comic Con -- or something less or more?

- Peter

Q: At what point in time will the tickest be sent out for those who ordered by the internet.

A: We will be mailing badges in March…..

Q: Can you tell me when you will be adding the complete listing for Artist Alley to the website? For months now, Artist Alley has been listed as closed to new artist's attending so I'm guessing you know everyone who's coming. As a fan, it really frustrating checking your site several times a day with no list out yet. Much appreciated, Shawn

A: I really hate frustrating fans. Sorry about that.

Artist Alley is a bear to coordinate, but that’s my problem. Point being we have lost of calls and emails to send to confirm people, but we are VERY close. Give me another 2 weeks or so and I should have the listings up.