Sakura Matsuri Starts Tomorrow!

On May 1 and 2, the Brooklyn Botanic Garden presents a celebration of both traditional and popular Japanese culture, we'll be there, and we'd love to see you there, too! What started off as a NYC-based installment of a very traditional festival has, in recent years, turned into an amalgam of Japan's yesterday and tomorrow, and the New York Anime Festival's happy to play a part.

Come see us along with our friends including Abby Denson, Image Anime, Japan Society, Kinokuniya Bookstore, Misako Rocks!, Uncle Yo, and Vertical, Inc. both days at the festival, and visit Sakura Matsuri's official site to discover the wealth of both otaku and grown-up programming and events going on around the garden as well...

http://www.bbg.org/exp/cherries/sakura.html

Watch The Clone Wars Tonight With Aurra Sing!

What are you doing tonight? There's only one proper answer, really. Tonight's the finale of Season Two of Star Wars: The Clone Wars -- kicking off at 9 PM on Cartoon Network. In tonight's hour-long event, Boba Fett and Aurra Sing lure Mace Windu and Anakin into a deadly confrontation. What happens next? You're going to have to watch to find out.

And, when you watch, why not do so with Jaime King -- voice of Aurra Sing on The Clone Wars! Jaime will be online to chat with fans tonight starting at 9:30 PM PST. (Yes, PST.)

To chat with her, log into ustream or twitter...

http://www.ustream.tv/channel/jaime-king-chats-about-clone-wars-finale

http://twitter.com/Jaime_King

Only A Few Days Left To Enter To Host A Panel At Star Wars Celebration!

Want to hold your own presentation at Star Wars Celebration? Have something important to tell the world? Do you fancy yourself the USA's foremost expert on AT-AT repair? From Jedi to Sith, Celebration will host presentations covering the breadth and depth of Star Wars fandom, and if there's something you're passionate about, apply to host a panel now!

Visit the Events Page of www.starwarscelebration.com before 11:59 PM EST on May 2 to apply to host an event at Star Wars Celebration.

Me? I'm holding a seven hour workshop on the diverse number of recipes involving blue milk.

I can get you on HBO - Seriously!

Check it out, they are looking for extras to be in a "comic con" style event scene on the Jonathon Ames show Bored to Death. Read on, you could be on TV and pretending to be at a con no less!!!

- Lance

Comer & Gallucio Casting is seeking comic book collectors and enthusiasts for an upcoming episode of the TV show "Bored to Death". This is for background work at a comic book convention scene.

This is a paid position - rate TBD

***

-SEEKING: Males & females, ages 18+, and must be legal to work in the US.
-SHOOT DATES/LOCATION: End of May (no specific dates yet but will probably be within the last week). Shooting in NYC.
-CONTACT: Please email the following info to BOREDTODEATH2010@GMAIL.COM: Full name, phone number, and 2 current & clear snapshot photos (no professional shots). One should be of your face and the other should show your body. If you have costumes that you wear to conventions, please include photo of yourself in this costume, as you might be used with it on the show.

Sneak Peek at More Star Wars Celebration V Exclusive Merch!

So now that you have seen the 3 Star Wars Celebration V t-shirts you can order right now, here's a quick look at a few more designs we've been working on that you'll only get in Orlando at Celebration V. I teased this a few days ago and then our pals at starwars.com posted, so I best keep up with things.......

I'll post pictures below, but go to SW.com using this handy link to see it in a much fancier looking layout. Those folks are SW.com are nothing else if not fancy!

-Lance

C2E2 - Fun With Video!

This is from Anna Faltermeier who shot this cool time lapse vid at C2E2 and posted it at Comics Alliance. It will make your head spin a little bit but its really cool.

C2E2 Time Lapse from Anna Faltermeier on Vimeo.

Eric Maruscak has done chalk art at nearly every one f our shows and every one is more incredible than the last. For C2E2 he recreated the amazing show art that Alex Ross did for us. Here is the link to the FULL C2E2 Chalk Mural time lapse along with music by Kirby Krackle... Visit Eric's web site here to see more of his work.

-Lance

I can get you on HBO - Seriouslly!

Check it out, they are looking for extras to be in a "comic con" style event scene on the Jonathon Ames show Bored to Death. Read on, you could be on TV and pretending to be at a con no less!!!

- Lance

Comer & Gallucio Casting is seeking comic book collectors and enthusiasts for an upcoming episode of the TV show "Bored to Death". This is for background work at a comic book convention scene.

This is a paid position - rate TBD

***

-SEEKING: Males & females, ages 18+, and must be legal to work in the US.
-SHOOT DATES/LOCATION: End of May (no specific dates yet but will probably be within the last week). Shooting in NYC.
-CONTACT: Please email the following info to BOREDTODEATH2010@GMAIL.COM: Full name, phone number, and 2 current & clear snapshot photos (no professional shots). One should be of your face and the other should show your body. If you have costumes that you wear to conventions, please include photo of yourself in this costume, as you might be used with it on the show.

Live in Chicago and want more???

So maybe C2E2 just got you going and now you want more graphic lit content and programming to fill the hole in your heart that formed Sunday at 5 when C2E2 ended. If so, read on dear friends. This is a great programming taking place next weekend in Chicago......

The Graphic Novel Institute at Northwestern University
"Teaching Reading with Graphic Novels”
10 AM-4PMSunday, April 25th 2010
Northwestern UniversityEvanston Campus - Annenberg Hall

The explosive growth of the comics medium and the graphic novel format is providing a unique opportunity to explore their use as an ‘alternate route’ in achieving literacy. This program is designed to provide an overview of how this has occurred, how it works and how the format can be applied and defended in the classroom environment.

Come join us for a day of insightful and invaluable conversation with the educators, media specialists, academics and authors willing to share their perspective and experience.

Academic presenters include Dr. Michael Bitz of Columbia University, Prof. David Rapp of Northwestern University and Prof. William Ayers of the University of Illinois at Chicago.

Comic creators and graphic novelists in attendance include Jane Yolen (Foiled), Josh Neufeld (A.D.: New Orleans), Geoffrey Hayes (Benny and Penny), Jerry Craft (Mama’s Boyz), Aaron Renier (Spiral Bound) and Josh Elder (Mail Order Ninja).

Program Schedule will consist of four presentations, followed by breakout sessions, and then a Meet the Authors event and catered reception.

*Admission is free, but seating is limited. Please confirm your seat via RSVP to info@readingwithpictures.org

Sakura Matsuri Cosplay Fashion Show! Sign-Up Ends Today!

Just a reminder that Brooklyn Botanic Garden’s Sakura Matsuri is looking for 20 cosplayers to be featured in their Cosplay Fashion Show on Sunday, May 2 from 6:15-7:00 PM. The Cosplay Fashion Show will be hosted by otaku comedian Uncle Yo and a surprise co-host, and professional makeup artists from Project Runway will provide consultation and finishing touches to all selected participants.

Complimentary admission and prizes will be awarded to all those who participate.

Interested? Head to the NYAF Website for details. And enter before 5 PM.

Exclusive Star Wars CV Merch is On Sale Now!

Today we added 3 t-shirts to our web site for you to purchase which will certainly be the first in a massive array of Star Wars CV merch!

Two of the shirts you can order now and pick up on site but one of you can order now and get your Boba Fett loving hands in well in advance of the show.

You have to be Celebration V ticket holders to get your hands on these so buy your tickets here.

So what if you already have your CV tickets and you want these fine pieces of CV fashion? Simply follow this link and type in your the info that you used to buy your tix and from there you can add the shirts and should not have to re-enter all of you details. Easy, eh?

Just as a tease, I think we’ll have a few images of brand new merch we are planning for CV soon (not for advance purchase, but just for ogling). This should give you an idea in case you weren’t at our C2E2 show this weekend. And speaking of C2E2, Blu Ray? That was quite the juicy nugget that was announced…..

Pictures and descriptions of the merch is below and click here to buy.

-Lance









Unisex Celebration V Logo T-Shirt
*Pre-Order Exclusive!
$25 ea/ limit 5 per person

PICK UP DETAILS: This pre-order exclusive will be shipped to you in advance of Celebration V. International orders will not mail and must be picked up onsite at the Official Celebration Show Store. A shipping fee of $4.99 will automatically be applied to US orders.












Women's Boba Fett Jet Ski T-Shirt
$25 ea/limit 5 per person

PICK UP DETAILS: This t-shirt will NOT mail in advance of the show and must be picked up onsite. Please bring your confirmation number to the Official Celebration V Show Store onsite to pick-up your T-Shirt. Available for pre-order now and will also be available onsite at Celebration V. Don't wait, onsite quantities are limited!







Men's Boba Fett Jet Ski T-Shirt
$25 ea/limit 5 per person


PICK UP DETAILS: This t-shirt will NOT mail in advance of the show and must be picked up onsite. Please bring your confirmation number to the Official Celebration V Show Store onsite to pick-up your T-Shirt. Available for pre-order now and will also be available onsite at Celebration V. Don't wait, onsite quantities are limited!

Some embarrassing pictures of me and maybe you

Here’s a link to my post show wrap vid on Newsarama where I make a total ass of myself, enjoy watching it being glad it wasn’t you on camera. The guys at Comic Book Club are awesome, such a smart move on Newsarama’s part to have them host the coverage they did at the show.

Also make sure and check out (and add photo’s to) our Flickr page which can be found right here. Maybe there is a photo of you on Flickr that is as embarrassing as the video of me. Yeah, it’s unlikely, but it’s possible.

- Lance

The Few. The Proud. The Maids.

The New York Anime Festival's 2010 Maid Cafe is now opening its doors to submissions. Like anime? Like to dress up in frilly things? Want to dance around in said frilly things? Well, then, NYAF's Maid Cafe is for you. Click on over to the NYAF website if you'd like to sign up.

You a dude? No worries. Butlers are wanted, too.

Thanks to our 28,000 friends, old and new…….

I think it’s pretty widely reported now, but attendance at the first ever C2E2 was right around 28k (27,500 right now, but we have more tickets to count coming back from retailers) and I have to say that I am overwhelmed with the embrace the show got from the city of broad shoulders. I’ve been really touched by the comments from fans who simply stopped me as I walked down the halls of the show (“thank you for bringing this to Chicago” or some variation was the most common), the emails I’ve been receiving, and comments on blog recaps of the show (particularly on The Beat’s wrap up). The enthusiasm seems to be high for this launch and we can’t wait to do it again only bigger, better and stronger with a year under our belts.

There were certainly things that we need to address (the building was too large, the panel rooms to large and remote, assuring that we have better aisle density and even bigger crowds in 11 to name a few) and know that we will, based on feedback from the fans and the exhibitors. We have never claimed to be perfect here, but I am proud to claim that we rarely make the same mistakes twice and I think we’ve proved that on NYCC – we build the best show we can, we listen, we improve, the show grows and then we have new issues to address and improve upon the following year – but rarely the same issues you shared with us the previous year.

C2E2 was a launch event - a brand spanking new concept that had never been done before and the reception has been amazing. Perhaps most humbling has been the feedback from a number of our exhibitors, we heard a lot of comments like, “we believe in what you are doing and want to grow this with you.” Or “this is the show Chicago needs and we want to be a part of making it great.” Those are direct quotes and what I am most proud of is the words acknowledge that the event was not perfect, but the vision we’ve been working on for a year came through loud and clear, we launched it, and our partners believe in it and want to be with us to grow it further. What more could one ask for out of a launch?

It’s important we hear from you, so please leave comments, email me and if you get one of our post show survey’s, fill it out, all these methods will make sure that your voice is heard as we begin the year long process of building an even bigger and better C2E2.2!

Thank you again for helping to create something truly unique for Chicago, it was an honor to be a part of your party…..

-Lance

Share Your C2E2 Photos With The World!

Did you take pictures at C2E2? Want to share them with fellow attendees -- and fans on the other side of the world? Do so by posting them to C2E2's Flickr Group!

http://www.flickr.com/groups/c2e2

We've already got over 500 pictures being shared in this online gallery, but we'd love for you to add yours, too. Think of it as a digital year book. Only the Prom King and Queen both have capes and cowls.

Bye Bye, Mars!

C2E2 Day Three is a wrap. Thank you, fans! Thank you, pros! Thank you, exhibitors! Thank you, guests! Thank you, staff! And, thank you, thank you, thank you, volunteers! When we announced C2E2 a year ago, we were looking out at an empty warehouse, and this past weekend we all brought that space to life. We created something, something that is physically now being boxed up and shipped away, but something that won't ever really leave us. From the toys we bought, to the autographs we got, to the announcements we heard first, to - even more importantly - the friends we made, C2E2 will stay with all of us. We built something in Chicago these past three days, something that will endure. I'm honored, privileged, humbled, and proud by all of it. And everyone whose smiles and sweatc2 created something brilliant.

Thank you, fans! Thank you, pros! Thank you, exhibitors! Thank you, guests! Thank you, staff! And, thank you, thank you, thank you, volunteers!

PS: Bye Bye, Mars is the title of an episode of Super Dimension Fortress Macross, my favorite anime series. I'm tired now, and can't really think of a better title. Also, it's totally a hint that I'd love to have Macross creator Shoji Kawamori at the New York Anime Festival. I'm not saying we have him. We don't. But I'd love to bring Kawamori-san to NYC.

C2E2 Official Pokewalker Results!

Jim "Nerd Sherpa" Brooks was among C2E2's volunteers. In addition to working with guests, screenings, and lines, he walked. A lot. How much? Well, he had a Pokewalker on his hip the entire time, and now, in the twilight hours of C2E2 Day Three, we're pleased to announce Jim's Pokewalker results.

Thursday - 12,847 Steps
Friday - 15,259 Steps
Saturday - 18,210 Steps
Sunday - 13,391 Steps

Want to know more about the man behind these footsteps? Read his blog at nerdsherpa.blogspot.com.

Roarrr!

Stan Lee Jacket at the Iron Man Auction!

The Propworx Iron Man Movie Auction continues all day at C2E2, and one of the big items, a Stan Lee autographed jacket, is coming up soon. Swing by the Iron Man Auction around 4:30, or log into www.propworx.com. The event is located in Room E352 at C2E2.

Mission Complete!

Chalk artist Eric Maruscak just finished his C2E2 chalk mural! Swing by the back of the show floor to see Alex Ross's artwork larger than life!

More Ghost Hunters!

Steve Gonsalves and Dave Tango, stars of Syfy’s Ghost Hunters and Ghost Hunters Academy had an amazing autograph signing yesterday at C2E2. How amazing? We're expanding their signing today by another hour.

Originally, Steve and Dave were signing from 2 to 3 PM today, but they'll now be signing from 1 to 3. The signing takes place at Autograph Table 3 in the rear of the Exhibition Hall beside Artist Alley.

Iron Man Auction Today at C2E2!

Want to own Tony Stark's suit? Or Tony Stark's suit of armor? Come by C2E2 today for the Propworx Iron Man Movie Prop Auction! Starting at 11 AM and taking place all day in Room E352, it's your chance to own part of the Iron Man universe. For more details, visit ironman.propworx.com.

Living in Berlin, Tokyo, or Antarctica? You can follow along live and bid, too! Again, ironman.propworx.com will tell you everything you need to know.

Nightmare on Elmstreet and Hubble 3D Posters Free at C2E2's Show Store

UPDATE: Come by the C2E2 Show Store today to get free Nightmare on Elm Street T-Shirts and more from our friends at MyMovieScreenings.com!


ORIGINAL POST: C2E2's got a little something for the movie lover at the con -- we're giving away posters to a few, big upcoming films all weekend long. We've got posters from The Last Airbender, Twilight: Eclipse, Nightmare on Elm Street, and Hubble 3D. Want one? Just be one of the first 500 fans to come by C2E2's Show Store (right inside the front wall of the Exhibit Hall).

On Friday, we gave away The Last Airbender posters.

On Saturday, we gave away Twilight: Eclipse posters.

On Sunday, we're giving away Nightmare on Elm Street and Hubble 3D posters.

Also, all three days, we'll be giving out additional promo items from Inception.

C2E2 Sunday Highlights

And some of C2E2's Sunday attractions...

Panel Changes
DC's Sunday Superman panel will now be "Drawing Batman".

Autograph Highlights
11:00 AM to 12:00 PM - Autograph Table 1 - Geoff Johns
12:45 PM to 1:45 PM - Autograph Table 2 - Lance Briggs
1:00 PM to 2:00 PM - Autograph Table 1 - Sherrilyn Kenyon
1:00 PM to 4:00 PM - Autograph Table 7 - Alex Ross
2:00 PM to 3:00 PM - Autograph Table 2 - Ghost Hunters

Panel Highlights
11:00 AM to 5:00 PM - E352 - Iron Man Auction
11:15 AM to 12:15 PM - E353 - George R.R. Martin Spotlight
11:45 AM to 12:45 PM - E450 - Hulks Smash
12:15 PM to 1:15 PM - E451 - Meet The Locals
1:15 PM to 2:15 PM - E450 - Indie Is In
1:45 PM to 2:45 PM - E451 - Flash And Green Lantern: Revelations
3:30 PM to 5:30 PM - E271A - The Last Unicorn

Comics Studies Conference
11:00 AM to 12:00 PM - E266 - Forging Iron Man
12:15 PM to 1:45 PM - E266 - Visual Analysis

Your Guide to Star Wars Celebrities at C2E2

Carrie Fisher (Princess Leia), Ray Park (Darth Maul), Peter Mayhew (Chewbaccaa), Amy Allen (Jedi Aayla Secura), Daniel Logan (voice of Boba-Fett in Star Wars: The Clone Wars), and Orli Shoshan (Shaak Ti) are all at C2E2 thanks to our friends at Official Pix.

Carrie Fisher is signing in Booth 751 -- and Ray, Peter, Amy, Daniel, and Orli are signing at tables nearby.

For more details, visit OfficialPix.com.

And if you want Carrie Fisher's autograph -- and I know you do -- check out this black and white metallix finish triple shot of Princess Leia that Official Pix is offering along with Carrie's autograph.

DC Sunday Signings!

DC Comics Sunday In-Booth Signings (630)

11:30 to 12:30 - Cliff Chiang, Yildiray Cinar, Kevin Colden, Amanda Conner, David Finch, Phil Hester, Paul Levitz, Jimmy Palmiotti, Jill Thompson

12:30 to 1:30 - Tony Akins, Christian Alamy, Daniel Govar, Jamal Igle, Jim Lee, Doug Mahnke, Dustin Nguyen, Mike Norton, Joshua Ortega, Andrew Pepoy (Tentative), Peter Tomasi, Ethan Van Sciver, Bill Willingham

1:30 to 2:30 - Franco Aureliani, Mark Bagley, Art Baltazar, Jon Buran, Giuseppe Camuncoli, Tony Daniel, Tim Seeley, Gail Simone, Bobby Timony

2:30 to 3:30 - Jim Calafiore, Zander Cannon, Peter Gross (Tentative), Don Kramer

C2E2 Saturday Shots

The show floor is jumping today.......




- Lance

And the Star Wars panel just took the stage in the theatre....

Larger Than Life

A little look at Eric Maruscak's big C2E2 chalk mural. See him just to the left of Artist Alley.

C2E2 Kick Ass Pics

Yes, this pics are kick ass, but they are actually of the Kick Ass nerd red carpet premiere on Thursday night and the signing at C2E2 on Friday. Sorry I'm a little slow to post these, but I am a little slow these days.....

-Lance

Caturday - Roger, the C2E2 Cat!!!!

Check out today's very special Caturday. Our pal and C2E2 attendee, Shawn Schillberg sent over this story:

We were walking back from McCormick to our hotel, and a stray cat was crying in an empty lot. I pet it for a minute, and it followed us into traffic. He's currently sleeping in our hotel room until we can get him to a shelter in the morning.

We named him Roger...he doesn't seem to mind.

Awesome Shawn!!!! C2E2 now has an official mascot!

-Lance

CBLDF Saturday Night with Neil Gaiman - Tonight at C2E2

Our friends at the CBLDF will tonight be presenting a special Evening with Neil Gaiman at C2E2. The event kicks off at 7 PM in the IGN Theater. Dream Experience and Prime Seating are both sold out for the event, but limited General Seating remains.

If you'd like to purchase a General Seating ticket to Neil Gaiman, come by C2E2's Attendee Registration on Level 2 of Lakeside Center or the CBLDF Booth (933) on our Show Floor. If you've got a C2E2 Badge, a General Ticket to Gaiman is $20. If you don't have a C2E2 Badge, the cost is $35.

Please arrive at least a half hour before the event begins to check in and claim your seats.

All profits go to our friends at the Comic Book Legal Defense Fund.

Free Eclipse and Elm Street Posters at C2E2's Show Store!

C2E2's got a little something for the movie lover at the con -- we're giving away posters to a few, big upcoming films all weekend long. We've got posters from The Last Airbender, Twilight: Eclipse, Nightmare on Elm Street, and Hubble 3D. Want one? Just be one of the first 500 fans to come by C2E2's Show Store (right inside the front wall of the Exhibit Hall).

On Friday, we gave away The Last Airbender posters.

On Saturday, we're giving away Twilight: Eclipse posters.

On Sunday, we're giving away Nightmare on Elm Street and Hubble 3D posters.

Also, all three days, we'll be giving out additional promo items from Inception.

C2E2 Saturday Highlights

A cheat sheet for today...

Panel Changes
Don't miss the Ghost Hunters! A late addition to the show, they have a panel at 8 PM! (And a signing at 4:30.)

Autograph Highlights
12:00 PM to 3:00 PM - Autograph Table 7 - Alex Ross
11:15 AM to 12:15 PM - Autograph Table 2 - Geoff Johns
1:00 PM to 2:00 PM - Autograph Table 1 - Sherrilyn Kenyon
2:00 PM to 3:00 PM - Autograph Table 2 - CB Cebulski
2:30 PM to 3:30 PM - Autograph Table 1 - Kevin Conroy
4:00 PM to 5:00 PM - Autograph Table 1 - Seth Grahame-Smith
4:30 PM to 5:30 PM - Autograph Table 2 - Ghost Hunters

Panel Highlights
11:15 AM to 12:15 PM - E353 - The Onion A.V. Club
11:15 AM to 1:15 PM - E271A - Robot Stories
12:15 PM to 1:15 PM - E352 - Chicago Vintage Comics Fandom
1:15 PM to 2:15 PM - IGN - Celebrating Star Wars
1:45 PM to 2:45 PM - E353 - Jeff Smith Spotlight
1:45 PM to 2:45 PM - E451 - Brightest Day
1:45 PM to 2:45 PM - E271A - Grant Morrison: Talking With Gods
3:00 PM to 4:00 PM - E353 - Lance Briggs: Dream Come True
4:15 PM to 5:15 PM - E450 - Cup O Joe
4:45 PM to 5:45 PM - E451 - Batman: The Return
5:30 PM to 9:00 PM - E271A - Gurren Lagann Double Feature
6:00 PM to 8:00 PM - Stage - Reading With Pictures: Iron Artist
6:15 PM to 7:15 PM - E451 - The Cleveland Show
8:00 PM to 9:00 PM - E353 - Ghost Hunters

Comics Studies Conference
11:00 AM to 12:30 PM - E266 - Comics and Visual Language
12:45 PM to 2:15 PM - E266 - Subversive Comics
1:45 PM to 2:45 PM - E267 - Teaching and Comics
2:30 PM to 3:45 PM - E266 - Superhero Justice
4:00 PM to 5:30 PM - E266 - Crossing Cultures
5:45 PM to 6:45 PM - E266 - Superheroes

Evening Highlight
7:00 PM to 9 PM - IGN Theater - CBLDF Evening With Neil Gaiman
Tickets are available at Booth 933.

David Vs. The Volcano

C2E2 Volcanogate continues. Recently, we announced David Lloyd was delayed because of a volcano. Seriously. David, coming to Chicago from the UK, let us know he was one of the travellers being held up by the ash cloud that burst into the jetstream after the eruption in Iceland on Thursday. You can read more about the rain of fire and what it's doing to flights in Europe here...

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/eu_iceland_volcano

David's plan was to still attend C2E2 on Sunday, but we've received another update from him that flights are still grounded, making it impossible for him to get across the Atlantic. We get cancellations. We never like it, but we have to accept it. This is the first time, though, a volcano's been the cause.

The C2E2 team send David Lloyd our best wishes and barring volcanos, meteors, and locusts, we hope to have him out to Chicago in the future.

For more, visit David's personal site and blog at lforlloyd.com.

DC Saturday Signings!

DC Comics Saturday In-Booth Signings (630)

12:00 to 1:00 - Mark Bagley, Zander Cannon, Cliff Chiang, Kevin Colden, David Finch, Phil Hester, Don Kramer, JT Krul, Mike Norton, James Robinson, Jill Thompson
1:00 to 2:00 - Brian Azzarello, Ivan Brandon, Jon Buran, Daniel Govar, Peter Gross, Andy Kubert, Ethan Van Sciver

2:00 to 3:00 - Tony Akins, Yildiray Cinar, Amanda Conner, Tony Daniel, Jamal Igle, Jim Lee, Paul Levitz, Jimmy Pamiotti, Andrew Pepoy, Bobby Timony, Bill Willingham

3:00 to 4:00 - Jim Calafiore, Giuseppe Camuncoli, Pat Gleason, Tony Harris (Tentative), Dustin Nguyen, Joshua Ortega, Gail Simone, Peter Tomasi

4:00 to 5:00 - Franco Aureliani, Art Baltazar, Stephane Roux

4:30 to 5:30 - Christian Alamy, Geoff Johns, Doug Mahnke

Sunday Schedule coming Sunday morning.

Caturday

Doctor Who at C2E2

The line. Join it. 8 PM in Room E353. Check out the Chicago Premiere of the new Doctor Who with Khahil, Peter, and a few hundred of their closest friends.

Off The Eaten Path

Behold Off The Eaten Path, a little guide to Chicago grub from C.B. Cebulski, Vinny Garcia, and Tom Seeley!

Coat Check

C2E2's General Coat Check opens at 12:30 today.

Peter Beagle Signing All Weekend At Table B1

Peter S. Beagle -- author of The Last Unicorn -- will be appearing at C2E2 all three days! We've previously announced he'll be appearing at our Last Unicorn screening on Sunday, and he'll be at the show each of the days signing in Artist Alley in Table B1. Come by, say hi, and meet a fantasy icon.

C2E2 Kick Off Party

The place was jammed for our kick off party last night at Mothers and in deed things were kicked, but sadly no habits were. The entire Marvel crew made it out, including Joe Q, CB and everyone else you can think of. I saw Heidi from The Beat, the Lions Gate brain trust, a ton of retailers from the Diamond Summit and a dozen or so creators.

The proof is in the pictures.......

The Reed crew on Rock Band, Tim Dillon of Marvel after a veer pong ass kicking from the Reed crew and a general bar shot (not the only shot that was taken or consumed that night).....

Today is it, pros at 10, fans at 1. Lets have some fun guys!!!!!

-Lance

Some Friday Highlights

We've got over 200 exhibitors, 170 panels, and 100 guests. Need a cheat sheet? Here are some of today's highlights...

Panel Changes
Friday's Image Comics panel is cancelled. Batman: Beyond The Book starts at 6:30 instead of 6:15.

Autograph Highlights
2:00 PM to 3:00 PM - Room E252 - Kick-Ass Cast
4:00 PM to 5:00 PM - Autograph Table 1 - Kevin Conroy
5:00 PM to 6:00 PM - Autograph Table 2 - CB Cebulski
6:00 PM to 7:00 PM - Autograph Table 1 - Sherrilyn Kenyon
6:15 PM to 7:00 PM - Autograph Table 2 - Geoff Johns
The Kick-Ass signing is ticketed. Tickets will be distributed at 1 PM outside Room E252.

Panel Highlights
2:45 PM to 3:45 PM - E350 - Kevin Conroy Spotlight
4:15 PM to 5:15 PM - E353 - Mondo Marvel
4:30 PM to 5:30 PM - Stage - Mark Waid Trivia Challenge
4:45 PM to 5:45 PM - E451 - DC Nation
5:30 PM to 6:30 PM - E351 - Adapting Comics to Film and TV
5:30 PM to 6:30 PM - E353 - Pantheon
5:45 PM to 6:45 PM - E450 - Iron Man: Extremis Premiere
6:30 PM to 7:30 PM - E451 - Batman: Beyond The Book
6:45 PM to 7:45 PM - E353 - Mike Mignola Spotlight
7:15 PM to 8:15 PM - E450 - Webcomics Town Hall
8:00 PM to 9:00 PM - E351 - Monster Mash-Up Mayhem
Iron Man: Extremis is ticketed. Tickets will be distributed at Booth 758

Comics Studies Conference
6:00 PM to 7:300 PM - E267 - The Comics Industry
7:00 PM to 8:00 PM - E267 - Teaching Comics & Empowerment
8:00 PM to 9:00 PM - E267 - Supervillains

Evening Highlights
8:00 PM to 9:45 PM - E353 - Doctor Who
8:00 PM to 10:00 PM - E451 - Avatar Friday Night
No tickets needed for Doctor Who. Tickets to the Avatar Friday Night are available at Booth 471.

Last Airbender, Eclipse, and Elm Street Posters FREE at C2E2 Show Store!

C2E2's got a little something for the movie lover at the con -- we're giving away posters to a few, big upcoming films all weekend long. We've got posters from The Last Airbender, Twilight: Eclipse, Nightmare on Elm Street, and Hubble 3D. Want one? Just be one of the first 500 fans to come by C2E2's Show Store (right inside the front wall of the Exhibit Hall).

On Friday, we're giving away The Last Airbender posters.

On Saturday, we're giving away Twilight: Eclipse posters.

On Sunday, we're giving away Nightmare on Elm Street and Hubble 3D posters.

Also, all three days, we'll be giving out additional promo items from Inception.

DC Friday In-Booth Signings!

DC Comics Friday In-Booth Signings (630)

2:30 to 3:30 - Brian Azzarello, Yildiray Cinar, Kevin Colden, Amanda Conner, JT Krul, Don Kramer, Jim Lee, Paul Levitz, Dustin Nguyen, Joshua Ortega, Jimmy Palmiotti

3:30 to 4:30 - Mark Bagley, Jim Calafiore, Zander Cannon, Tony Daniel, David Finch, Pat Gleason, Daniel Govar, Tony Harris (Tentative), Geoff Johns, Doug Mahnke, James Robinson, Peter Tomasi

4:30 to 5:30 - Tony Akins, Franco Aureliani, Art Baltazar, Jon Buran, Peter Gross, Gene Ha, Jamal Igle, Mike Norton, Bobby Timony, Ethan Van Sciver, Bill Willingham

Saturday Schedule coming Saturday morning. Sunday Schedule coming Sunday morning.

Reading with Music

Josh Elder - the maestro behind Reading with Pictures - on vocals at the C2E2 Pre-Party.

C2E2 Pre-Party Now at Mother's!

Ladies and gentlemen, your C2E2 team.

David Lloyd is Delayed by Volcanos

Seriously. C2E2 guest David Lloyd is delayed by volcanos. David, coming to Chicago from the UK, is currently one of the travellers being held up by the ash cloud that spewed forth from the eruption in Iceland on Thursday. Again, we're serious. You can read more about the rain of fire and what it's doing to flights in Europe here...

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/eu_iceland_volcano

David is still going to C2E2, but he'll only now be appearing on Sunday. He'll be signing all day in Artist Alley on Sunday.

C2E2 Eve

We came out to Chicago a year ago and looked at an empty room.

Alex Ross Signing on The C2E2 Show Floor

Alex Ross is signing at C2E2 on Saturday and Sunday, but this isn't new. Nope. Alex was C2E2's first announced guest -- and our only Keystone Guest -- so why are we talking about his signing now? He'll now be signing on the show floor. Originally, he was going to be appearing in Room E252, but as of today, he'll now be on the show floor. Alex will be signing nearby Artist Alley and our many other autographing guests. He'll be appearing at Autographing Table 7 at the following times...

12:00 PM to 3:00 PM – Saturday
1:00 PM to 4:00 PM – Sunday

Anthony Michael Hall - No Longer Appearing At C2E2

Sometimes guests cancel. Sometimes it's health. Sometimes it's family. Sometimes it's scheduling conflicts. Today we learned Anthony Michael Hall will no longer be at C2E2. We're bummed, too, but we wish him the best and hope to welcome him in 2011.

C2E2 Pre-Party Tonight!

Remember that while C2E2 officially kicks off tomorrow, we're starting the celebration tonight. We're throwing a bash at Mother's (26 W. Division) from 9 to 11 PM to hangout with Chicago's fanboys and fangirls as well as the professionals, creators, and exhibitors who are all bringing the inaugural C2E2 to life.

Swing by Mother's to have some drinks, play some Rock Band, and stay up way late too late with us!

(PS: C2E2's Pre-Party is naturally 21+.)

Image Comics In-Booth Signings

Another info dump. It'll all be on C2E2.com shortly as well. (Big props to John and Milton for working on all our updates.)

FRIDAY
1:00 – 2:00 p.m. Ben Templesmith and Ben McCool

SATURDAY
12:30 – 1:30 p.m. Jimmy Palmiotti
2:00 – 3:00 p.m. Tim Seeley
3:00 – 4:00 p.m. Nick Spencer and Jim Valentino

Image is at Booth 651!

Marvel Booth Signing Schedule

Behold Marvel's autograph signing schedule! It all goes down in Booth 758...

FRIDAY
1:00 – 2:00 PM -- Reilly Brown, Jonathan Hickman, Jim McCann, Fred Van Lente
2:00 – 3:00 PM -- Marjorie Liu, Paul Pelletier, Mike Perkins, Daniel Way
3:00 – 4:00 PM -- Joe Quesada
4:00 – 5:00 PM -- Peter David, Valentine DeLandro, Butch Guice, Sean McKeever
5:00 – 6:00 PM -- Bob Layton, Khoi Pham, Frank Tieri, Paul Tobin
5:30 – 6:30 PM -- Jeph Loeb, Greg Pak

SATURDAY
11:00 AM – 12:00 PM -- Elizabeth Breitweiser, Mitch Breitweiser, Ron Garney, Adam Kubert
12:00 – 1:00 PM -- Joe Quesaa
1:00 – 2:00 PM -- Reilly Brown, Peter David, Valentine DeLandro, Khoi Pham
2:00 – 3:00 PM -- Rachel Dodson, Terry Dodson, Stuart Moore, Mike Perkins
3:00 – 4:00 PM -- Jeph Loeb
4:00 – 5:00 PM -- Dennis Calero, Greg Pak, Paul Pelletier, Fred Van Lente
5:00 – 6:00 PM -- Sean McKeever, Frank Tieri, Paul Tobin, Daniel Way
6:00 – 7:00 PM -- Mike Choi, Jonathan Hickman, Alessandro Vitti, Skottie Young

SUNDAY
10:30 - 11:30 AM -- Jeph Loeb
1:30 AM – 12:30 PM -- C.B. Cebulski, Giuseppe Camuncoli, Majorie Liu, Daniel Way
12:30 – 1:30 PM -- Elizabeth Breitweiser, Mitch Breitweiser, Peter David, Butch Guide
1:30 – 2:30 PM -- Reilly Brown, Greg Pak, Khoi Pham, Fred Van Fente
2:30 – 3:30 PM -- Jimmy Cheung, Jim McCann, Paul Pelletier, Skottie Young

Get more info and Marvel's in-booth event schedule at Marvel.com!

Avatar Signing Schedule!

Avatar's just announced their signing schedule. And we're passing it on to you. It's all in Booth 471...

Signing the entire show
Jacen Burrows, Christos Gage, Matt Martin, Gianluca Pagliarani, Brian Pulido, Mike Wolfer

Friday, April 16, 2010
1pm – 2pm — George RR Martin Signing
1pm – 3pm — Max Brooks signing
4pm – 6pm — George RR Martin Signing
4pm – 6pm — Max Brooks Signing

Saturday, April 17, 2010
10:30am – 1pm — Max Brooks Signing
11am – 1pm — George RR Martin Signing
2pm – 4pm — Garth Ennis VIP-only signing (This signing is for people who have VIP passes to C2E2 or get VIP signing tickets from the Avatar booth)
3pm – 5pm — Max Brooks signing
3pm – 6pm — George RR Martin Signing
4:30pm – 6:30pm — Garth Ennis signing

Sunday, April 18, 2010
11am – 1pm — Garth Ennis VIP-only signing (This signing is for people who have VIP passes to C2E2 or get VIP signing tickets from the Avatar booth)
11:30am-3:30pm — Max Brooks signing
1pm – 4pm — George RR Martin Signing
2pm – 4pm — Garth Ennis signing

Chicago Vintage Comics Fandom Panel and Joe Sarno Tribute at C2E2

C2E2 will be hosting a Chicago Vintage Comics Fandom Panel at 12:15 PM on Saturday in Room E352. It will feature panelists including J.J. Sedelmaier, George Breo, Larry Charet, Ron Masengill, Gary Colabuono, Jim Wisniewski, Mike Gold, and Jim Engel – some long-time Chicago comics fans and co-founders of the original Chicago Comicon. They'll be discussing the history of comics and comics fans right here in Chi-town also also paying tribute to pioneering fan Joe Sarno.

Chicago comic book fan and retailer Joe Sarno passed away last month after a long illness. Sarno started The Fantasy Collectors of Chicago in 1969, which soon led to one of the country's first dedicated comic book stores, The Nostalgia Shop. Sarno was also one of the co-founders of the original Chicago Comicon. He'll be remembered at the Chicago Vintage Comics Fandom Panel at C2E2.

ItsJustSomeRandomGuy Panel!

Top Cow Booth Signings!

Top Cow (Booth 551)'s recently announced their in-booth signings!

Friday
1:30 - 2:30pm: Eric Basaldua
2:30 - 3:30pm: Bryan Edward Hill & Alessandro Vitti
3:30 - 4:30pm: Phil Hester & Ryan Winn
4:30 - 5:30pm: Ron Marz & Nelson Blake II
5:30 - 6:30pm: Joshua Hale Fialkov

Saturday
10:30 - 11:30am: Joshua Hale Fialkov & Jeremy Haun
11:30 - 1:00pm: Ron Marz, Nelson Blake II & Troy Peteri
1:00 - 2:30pm: Phil Hester (1:30p) & Ryan Winn
2:30 - 4:00pm: Bryan Edward Hill & Alessandro Vitti
4:30 - 6:00pm: Eric Basaldua

Sunday
10:30 - 11:30am: Joshua Hale Fialkov & Jeremy Haun
11:30 - 12:30pm: Ron Marz & Nelson Blake II
12:30 - 1:30pm: Bryan Edward Hill & Alessandro Vitti
1:30 - 2:30pm: Phil Hester & Ryan Winn

Live at C2E2

My god, it's 80 and perfect in Chicago. The con is on baby! Freight and exhibitors are pouring in, signs are going up and my blood pressure and nicotine consumption are also rising.....

Take note con goers, that in other buildings at McCormick the kitchen and bath show is happening, so make sure you head to the Lakeside building where C2E2 land is or you may end up caulked to a Kohler toilet or something.

Check out a few shots from the inaugural C2E2 set up.

-Lance