JULY 22 – 25 • SAN DIEGO CONVENTION CENTER SPECIAL GUESTS
Comic-Con 2010 features a diverse list of artists and writers from the world of comics and science fiction/fantasy. These special guests are confirmed for 2010: Sergio Aragonés (cartoonist, Groo, MAD magazine). MAD magazine’s longest-running cartoonist and the creator of dim-witted barbarian Groo, Sergio Aragonés is one of comics’ most popular creators. Most recently, the man some call the world’s fastest cartoonist ventured into the popular world of The Simpsons, becoming a regular featured writer/artist in Bart Simpson Comics. Brian Michael Bendis (writer, Ultimate Spider-Man, Dark Avengers, Powers). Brian Michael Bendis is an awardwinning comics creator (including five Eisner Awards) and one of the most successful writers working in mainstream comics. He is currently helming a renaissance for Marvel’s popular Avengers franchise by writing every issue of the New Avengers and Dark Avengers titles along with the wildly successful “event” projects House Of M, Secret War, Secret Invasion, and the upcoming Siege. Brian is one of the premiere architects of Marvel Comics’ Ultimate line, having written every issue of Ultimate Spider-Man since its best selling launch in 1999. His other projects include the Eisner Award–winning Powers (with artist/co-creator Mike Oeming). He lives in Portland, Oregon with his wife Alisa, his gorgeous daughters Olivia and Sabrina, and his dogs Lucky and Buster. Berkeley Breathed (syndicated cartoonist, Bloom County, Opus). Berkeley Breathed began drawing Bloom County, a political satire, for college newspapers in the early 1980s. The racy cartoons, often focusing on swinging lawyer Steve Dallas and an unnamed elderly woman, gained a cult following and soon became syndicated. Nationwide recognition came to Breathed with his creation of Opus, an insecure penguin who reflected the political conscience of America. Opus became a pop culture icon with dolls, cartoons, action figures, telephones, and books all dedicated to him. Breathed furthered his fame with his subsequent creation of Bill the Cat—a drug-addicted, alcohol-chugging, chain-smoking rocker. When Bloom County ended, Breathed created Outland, where Opus, Bill, and several other characters resurfaced in a utopia-like world. Outland had a successful four-year run, after which Breathed started Opus, a new strip featuring Opus, Bill, and other characters, which ran until 2008. Bloom County Complete Library is currently being published by IDW. Kurt Busiek (writer, Marvels, Astro City, Conan). Kurt Busiek has been writing comics professionally since three days before he graduated from college in 1982, when he sold a “Tales of the Green Lantern Corps” backup story that appeared in Green Lantern #162. Since then, he’s worked on just about everything from Action Comics to Zot!, including runs on Avengers, Superman, Conan, and others, and has co-created Thunderbolts, Shockrockets, Arrowsmith, and more. He is perhaps best known for his work on the multiple-award-winning Marvels and Astro City. Chris Claremont (writer, Uncanny X-Men, X-Men Forever). Chris Claremont has encountered more success than
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most writers ever dream of. Although known for his work on Marvel Comics’ X-Men series, he has written other seminal characters such as Batman and Superman, originated several creatorowned series, is published throughout the world in many different languages, and has written nine novels. His work has touched millions. His initial unbroken 17-year run on Marvel’s Uncanny X-Men is the stuff of industry legend. The story arc “Dark Phoenix,” with its radical treatment of the story’s central character, paved the way for the reinterpretation of superhero mythos throughout the comics industry. Current projects include the ongoing Marvel series X-Men Forever, X-Women (drawn by renowned Italian artist Milo Manara), the young adult novel Wild Blood, a contemporary urban dark fantasy, and the screenplay Hunter’s Moon. Mark Evanier (writer, comics historian, Groo the Wanderer, Kirby: King of Comics). Comics, animation, TV, and blog-writer Mark Evanier is known for his work with Jack Kirby (his art book Kirby: King of Comics won the 2009 Eisner Award for Best Comics-Related Book) and Sergio Aragonés (he does something on Groo, but no one is quite certain what it is) Online Edition Fall 2009 • Comic-Con Magazine 45