Comic-Con Magazine - Fall 2009

The OFFICIAL Magazine of Comic-Con, WonderCon, and APE!

THE PHOTO ISSUE

PLUS

ape 2009 • wondercon 2010 • comic-con 2010

Welcome . . . to the first ONLINE issue of Comic-Con Magazine!

If you’ve been following along at home—and are a part of Comic-Con’s voluminous mailing list—you know that right around this time of year you’d normally be receiving the Fall edition of our printed magazine.

In an effort to help make our world a little greener, Comic-Con has decided to continue to publish three issues of Comic-Con Magazine each year, with two of them appearing online. Don’t worry: your mailbox won’t become a cold and lonely place; there will still be a print edition of the magazine each year. The next issue is set to appear in the first quarter of 2010 (late February/early March). As always, both the online and print editions of Comic-Con Magazine will be chockful of useful information and breaking news on all three of our world-class events: ComicCon International: San Diego, WonderCon, and APE (Alternative Press Expo). The magazine will continue to contain exclusive content, including interviews with special guests and features such as this issue’s exhaustive photo diary of Comic-Con 2009.

For those of you reading the magazine online for the first time, you have two options. The first is to read it on your computer using the Issu software, which mimics the page-turning capabilities of a print magazine and even allows you to zoom in to read articles and view photos up close. Issu is entirely online; there’s no software to purchase or download. We’ve also included a link to a PDF copy of this issue, so you can download it and print it out for your collection, if you so desire (www.comic-con.org/common/cc_magazine.shtml).

Here’s the publishing schedule for the coming year, including Comic-Con’s at-show Events Guide and Souvenir Book. Best of all, these publications are all FREE! Fall 2009 online edition of Comic-Con Magazine (November) Winter 2010 print edition of Comic-Con Magazine (March) Spring 2010 WonderCon Program Book (April 2–4, available exclusively to WonderCon attendees) Spring 2010 online edition of Comic-Con Magazine (May) Summer 2010 print editions of Comic-Con 2010 Souvenir Book and Events Guide (available exclusively to Comic-Con International attendees, July 22–25) Fall 2010 print edition of the APE Program Book (available exclusively to Alternative Press Expo attendees, October 16–17) Fall 2010 online edition of Comic-Con Magazine (November) Comic-Con’s 40th anniversary celebration book, Comic-Con: 40 Years of Artists, Writers, Fans, and Friends! is available for purchase on the Comic-Con website. This beautiful hardbound coffeetable book—published by world-renowned publisher Chronicle Books—is a 208-page treasure trove of articles, art, and photos covering four decades of Comic-Con and its related shows. It’s the perfect holiday gift, and if you order online at www.comic-con.org/cci/cci_40th_book.php, we’ll pay the postage! See the ad on page 16 for more details, or click on the link to see hot to order your very own copy today.

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In this issue

FEATURES 4 6

Board of Directors President: John Rogers Secretary: Mary Sturhann Treasurer: Mark Yturralde VP, Events: Robin Donlan VP, Operations: William Pittman Directors at Large: Frank Alison, Ned Cato Jr., Dan Davis, Craig Fellows, Eugene Henderson, James Jira, Lee Oeth, Chris Sturhann

Director of Print and Publications: Gary Sassaman Director of Programming: Eddie Ibrahim HR/Office Manager: Sue Lord Exhibits: Director of Operations: Justin Dutta

Contributing Writers

IN MEMORIAM:

Special Thanks

SHEL DORF ken krueger

11 wondercon

2010

17

Comic-Con Magazine Fall 2009 Online Edition Published by Comic-Con International San Diego.

All material, unless otherwise noted, is © 2009 San Diego Comic Convention, Inc. and may not be reproduced without permission.

Comic-Con and the Comic-Con logo are Registered Trademarks of San Diego Comic Convention, Inc.

Exhibits: Registration: Sam Wallace Professional Registration: Heather Lampron, Anna-Marie Villegas

Comic-Con International P. O. Box 128458 San Diego, CA 92112-8458

Eisner Awards Administrator: Jackie Estrada

Assistants to the Director of Marketing and PR: Damien Cabaza, Christopher Jansen

The Comic-Con team of photographers

All other artwork is ™ & © 2009 by respective owners.

Exhibits: Sales: Rod Mojica

Assistants to the Executive Director: Lisa Moreau, Matt Souza

Contributing Editors

Jackie Estrada, Doug Lathrop

Talent Relations Manager: Maija Gates Guest Relations: Janet Goggins

Gary Sassaman Fae Desmond, Jackie Estrada

Executive Director: Fae Desmond Director of Marketing and Public Relations: David Glanzer

Editor/Designer

the photo issue

Assistant to the Director of Programming: Tommy Goldbach

44

Line Management Coordinator: Adam Neese Office Staff: Patty Castillo, Ruben Mendez, Colleen O’Connell, Glenda Lynn Valentin

www.comic-con.org Email: cci-info@comic-con.org

2010

Events: Anime: John Davenport, Josh Ritter At-Show Newsletter: Chris Sturhann Films: Steve Brown, Josh Glaser Games: Ken Kendall Masquerade: Martin Jaquish Technical Services: Tristan Gates Exhibits: Art Auction/Artists’ Alley: Clydene Nee Art Show: LaFrance Bragg Autograph Area: Katherine Morrison

Other 7 STUFF

Convention Services: Taerie Bryant Exhibit Floor Manager: Andy Manzi Operations: Archivist: Eugene Henderson Disabled Services: William Curtis Hospitality Suite: Mikee Ritter Logistics: Dan Davis Materials Chief/Blood Drive: Craig Fellows Registration: Frank Alison, John Smith Volunteers: Sue Lord, Jennifer Maturo, Marc Wilson Information: Bruce Frankle

CONnotations: APE 2009 Icon Award Kevin Hatch Spirit Award 2010 CCI-IFF 2010

Comic-Con’s Mission Statement San Diego Comic-Con International is a nonprofit educational corporation dedicated to creating awareness of, and appreciation for, comics and related popular art forms, primarily through the presentation of conventions and events that celebrate the historic and ongoing contribution of comics to art and culture.

Shel Dorf photo from 1975 DynaPubs record album; photographers photo: Tom Deleon

On the cover:

Clockwise from upper left: Joss Whedon and Eliza Dushku don’t know a photographer is lurking; John Lasseter and Hayao Miyazaki onstage; comics writer Geoff Johns; political cartoonist Patrick Oliphant with his Inkpot Award; the enthralled audience in Hall H with their 3D glasses; “The Red Death” from the Masquerade; the Convention Center at dusk; Peter Jackson and James Cameron backstage before their tandem panel in Hall H. Online Edition Fall 2009 • Comic-Con Magazine 3

IN MEMORIAM

Shel Dorf 1933–2009

Shel Dorf’s love of comic books and their creators knew no equal. It was his appreciation of this art form and his keen insight that helped to create what is Comic-Con. It is with a heavy heart that we—the Board of Directors, Committee, Staff, and Volunteers of Comic-Con— mourn the passing of our dear friend Shel.

Shel Dorf, the founder of Comic-Con, passed away on November 3, 2009; he was 76. While many people were involved in the creation of the San Diego Comic-Con, Shel was the catalyst who drew together groups of local comics and science fiction fans in the late 1960s to create the first San Diego Golden State ComicCon in 1970. From the beginning, Shel envisioned the event to include all elements of pop culture, including comics, science fiction, and movies, as seen in his first design for the show’s logo. Shel continued with the show until the mid 1980s, when he left to pursue his own projects. His own comics career included a long stint as Milton Caniff’s letterer on the syndicated comics strip Steve Canyon. To read comics historian R. C. Harvey’s article on Shel’s life, please visit www.comic-con.org/common/shel_dorf.shtml.

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SHEL DORF • 1933–2009

Clockwise from upper left: Shel with actor Jock Mahoney (Tarzan); Sergio Aragonés sketches as Robert Williams accepts his Inkpot Award from Shel in 1982; VP Richard Butner with Shel in 1980; Mayor Pete Wilson presents Butner and Shel with a proclamation for “Comic Art Week” in San Diego in 1976; a Comic-Con 1973 poster designed by Shel, one of many he did over the years; Shel with famed science fiction author Ray Bradbury at an early 1970s Comic-Con. Online Edition Fall 2009 • Comic-Con Magazine 5

IN MEMORIAM

ken krueger • 1926–2009

Above: Ken (center) with Forrest J Ackerman (left) and artist/photographer Walt Daugherty at the first Comic-Con in 1970; Ken in 2009.

Below: A caricature of Ken

by Milton Caniff from an early 1970s program book.

Comic-Con has lost another member of its founding family. Ken Krueger was instrumental in getting the show off the ground and keeping it going in its first few years. He served as chairman of the first Comic-Con in 1970.

Ken was no stranger to fan conventions. As a member of science fiction’s “First Fandom,” he had been at what is considered the very first science fiction convention, the 1939 WorldCon in New York City. His long career as a publisher began with fanzines as well as professional publications included editing for Grant-Hadnet Enterprises, Buffalo Book Company, SHROUD Publishers, and Dawn Press. He was the first publisher for E. E. Smith’s Skylark of Space, H. P. Lovecraft’s Dream Quest, and many others.

In the 1960s he moved from Buffalo, New York to San Diego, where he set up shop with a bookstore in Ocean Beach that became a gathering place for fans of science fiction and cult films.

He also published underground comix, featuring some of the first published work of local cartoonists such as John Pound, Dave Stevens, and Scott Shaw!

When Shel Dorf and a group of teenage comics fans hooked up with Ken and his group of mostly teenaged sci-fi/movie fans to put on the first

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Comic-Con, Ken was the go-to guy for dealing with the hotel and handling some of the other business aspects of the show. As Mike Towry, one of the other original committee members points out, “When convention day rolled around and the inevitable problems with people, things, and situations cropped up, unflappable Ken could be counted on to fill in the cracks, smooth over the bumps, and keep things rolling along.”

Over the years Ken owned (by his own count) dozens of bookstores, in the San Diego area and elsewhere. In the mid-1980s he went to work for the Schanes Brothers managing the Pacific Comics distribution warehouse in Sparta, Illinois, then later ran Capital City Distribution’s warehouse in Los Angeles. He retired to upstate New York in the early 1990s but continued to be an avid collector and occasional publisher.

Ken was a special guest at the 2009 Comic-Con as part of CCI’s 40th anniversary celebrations. He appeared on the Secret Origins of Comic-Con panel and regaled the audience with stories of the show’s early days. That evening he was feted at a special dinner hosted by one of his adoring “sons,” Jim Valentino. It was a great opportunity for many of the original committee members to thank him for his great contributions to the show and to their lives.

On November 21 Ken passed away at the age of 83. He was an integral part of the origins of Comic-Con and his passing is deeply felt by the Board of Directors, Staff, Committee and Volunteers of Comic-Con, the organization he helped to found.

San Diego Comic-Con APE Alternative Press Expo

WonderCon

[news and notes from the wonderful world of Comic-Con International]

CONnotations

APE 2009 WOWS bay area comics fans!

APE—the Alternative Press Expo— once again opened to capacity crowds at San Francisco’s Concourse Exhibition Center the weekend of October 17 and 18. The 2009 edition of the indie comics event—one of the largest in the country—featured over 325 exhibitors in an amazing exhibit hall, filled with the very best in alternative comics, art, zines, and DIY stuff.

The special guest roster for APE 2009 featured Jamaica Dyer (Weird Fishes, courtesy SLG), Phoebe Gloeckner (A Child’s Life), Dean Haspiel (Billy Dogma), Batton Lash (Supernatural Law), Lark Pien (Long Tail Kitty), Dash Shaw APE photos: Gary Sassaman; ape in hoodie art by Lark Pien

(Bottomless Belly Button), and Jeff Smith (Bone, Rasl). The programming schedule included spotlight panels on all of APE’s special guests, plus events devoted to webcomics, the San Francisco comics and art scene, “Personal Stories” (autobiographical graphic novels), the annual APE queer cartoonists panel, Keith Knight’s “Indie Cartoonist Survival Guide,” R. Sikoryak and Isabel Samaras’s “Pop Perversity: Parody in Comics,” and the CBLDF Live Art Battle, featuring Jeff Smith, Dean Haspiel, Larry Marder, and other artists in a lively tag-team sketch-off that had to be seen to be believed. Turn the page for some photos from APE.

The Alternative Press Expo remains one of the highlights of the nation’s comic book convention schedule. It’s an incredible oasis of creativity, devoted entirely to the output of indie cartoonists and publishers doing the thing they love most. APE comes back to San Francisco and the Concourse, October 16–17, 2010, for its 17th big show. Plan now to be there!

For updated information, visit www.comic-con.org/ape/ or follow us on Twitter at www.twitter.com/comic_con for updates on all three of our events!

Online Edition Fall 2009 • Comic-Con Magazine 7

CONnotations

Clockwise from upper left: Bone and Rasl creator Jeff Smith signing at his APE 2009 table; just one of the busy programs at the event—The Webcomics Panel featured special guests Jamaica Dyer, Dean Haspiel, Batton Lash, and Dash Shaw and was moderated by the Cartoon Art Museum’s Andrew Farago; the always crowded Drawn & Quarterly table—the company experienced a near-sellout, with only four books left at the end of the weekend; special guest Lark Pien, creator of Long Tail Kitty, discussed her art in her “Spotlight” panel; Dean Haspiel talked about the ACT-I-VATE anthology book, which introduces readers to the online comics site; art from the CBLDF “Live Art Battle,” where teams led by Jeff Smith and Dean Haspiel sketched audience suggestions; the photo shows Larry Marder drawing while Jeff Smith looks on.

Online Edition Fall 2009 • Comic-Con Magazine 8

CONnotations

and the icon award goes to . . .

Comics legend Stan “The Man” Lee was the recipient of the 2009 Comic-Con Icon Award, given out in a ceremony on Saturday, October 17, at the Greek Theatre in Los Angeles, CA. Presenting the award to Stan was Spider-Man star Tobey Maguire. The award was part of the Spike cable network’s SCREAM 2009 awards show, which was televised on the cable network on October 27.

Stan Lee is best known as the writer, editor, and co-creator of some of comics’ most memorable superheroes, including Fantastic Four, Thor, Avengers, X-Men, Hulk (all with

artist Jack Kirby), Amazing Spider-Man (with artist Steve Ditko), and Iron Man (with artist Don Heck).

He started at Timely Comics in the early 1940s, and after a stint in the military during World War II became editor-in-chief of the company, continuing on as its main writer and editor into the early 1970s.

Stan’s seven-decade career includes the Marvel Age of Comics, started in the early 1960s when books such as Fantastic Four and Amazing Spider-Man became huge hits across the country, appealing to college-age readers. Since then, Lee’s co-creations have gone on to great success in other media, including film. As the master of self-promotion

in the comics industry, Lee remains one of the most famous creators in the field, still producing work in comics, television, movies, and online media.

Stan joins an impressive list of past Comic-Con Icon Award winners, including Frank Miller (2006), Neil Gaiman (2007), and George Lucas (2008). The Comic-Con Icon Award is presented to individuals or organizations who have been instrumental in bringing comics and/or the popular arts to a wider audience. Stan Lee will be a special guest at Comic-Con International 2010.

FRANK MILLER—2006

NEIL GAIMAN—2007

GEORGE LUCAS—2008

Stan Lee photo: Kevin Winter, Getty Images Entertainment; Frank Miller, Neil Gaiman photo: Albert L. Ortega; George Lucas photo: Jason Merritt/FilmMagic ©2008 FilmMagic

Online Edition Fall 2009 • Comic-Con Magazine 9

CONnotations

kevin hatch 1974–2009

Kevin Hatch, a Comic-Con volunteer and office employee, passed away on April 24, 2009. He was 35 years old. Kevin was a Comic-Con attendee for many years and volunteered in the exhibits department. He eventually became the full-time exhibitor registration person, working with Comic-Con exhibitors and helping with their badge requests for the show. After he left the position, he continued to volunteer in the department. Kevin was also a member of the Adrian Empire, part of the local Kingdom of Terre Neuve, the Empire’s oldest kingdom. Kevin was very enthusiastic about comics, gaming, role-playing, reenactment, and computers. He was “basically a true geek. Kevin loved people. He took joy in helping people whenever he could. He never wanted his family or friends to worry about anything. He was always there when you needed someone. One (of the) reasons he loved Comic-Con was the gathering of so many individuals from all walks of life,” said Ramon Hervas, a friend of Kevin’s and a fellow volunteer in the exhibitor reg department.

Nominate Your Favorite Comics Shop for the will eisner spirit of comics retailer award!

Legendary comics creator Will Eisner (The Spirit) had a vision: He wanted to acknowledge and celebrate the incredible contribution retailers make in the comic book industry by providing the crucial link between creators, publishers and readers by getting the comics into the hands of the public. The Will Eisner Spirit of Comics Retailer Award was started under the auspices of Comic-Con International in 1993 and has been showcasing retailers around the world ever since.

Tate’s Comics in southern Florida (www.tatescomics.com), owned by Tate and Amanda Ottati, was the 2009 award recipient. (Look for a special interview with them in the next print edition of Comic-Con Magazine!) You can nominate your favorite comics shop for consideration of the 2010 award.

Visit www.comic-con.org/cci/cci_eisners_spirit.shtml to see the guidelines and to nominate online, or you can download a PDF to mail or fax in. The deadline for nominations is April 16, 2010. The award will be given out as part of the Will Eisner Comic Industry Awards on Friday, July 23, at Comic-Con International.

comic-con international independent film festival call for entries The Comic-Con International Independent Film Festival celebrates its 10th year in 2010. The CCI-IFF will begin accepting submissions for the 2010 Festival on December 1, 2009. The deadline for submissions is March 15, 2010.

Complete details—including the official rules and entry form—can be found at www.comic-con.org/cci/cci_iff.shtml.

Judged by a panel of industry luminaries, the CCI-IFF accepts genre-related films in the following categories: Action/Adventure, Animation, Comics-Oriented, Pop Culture–Related Documentary, Horror/Suspense, Humor/Parody, and Science Fiction/Fantasy.

Awards and prizes will be given out at Comic-Con International San Diego, July 22–25, with film screenings all four days of the event.

The 2009 CCI-IFF winners were: Action/Adventure: Al’s Beef Animation: The Hidden Life of the Burrowing Owl Comics-Oriented: The Book of Tomorrow Documentary: Dig Comics Horror/Suspense: Alice Jacobs Is Dead Humor/Parody: Animated American Science Fiction/Fantasy: Hirsute Judges Choice Award: The Hidden Life of the Burrowing Owl

Winner of the 2009 Will Eisner Spirit of Comics Retailer Award, Tate’s Comics. (L to r): JoAnn Minieri (manager), Tate and Amanda Ottati (owners), and Joe Ferrara, Spirit Award faciliitator.

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A scene from the 2009 Judges Choice Award and Best Animation award winner The Hidden Life of the Burrowing Owl, directed by Mike Roush.

Spirit Award photos: Tony Amat/Tom Deleon

WonderCon 2010

Amazing Guest List Highlights WonderCon 2010!

April 2–4 at Moscone Center South in San Francisco

An amazing roster of special guests from the worlds of comics and science fiction/fantasy will be a major highlight for fans at WonderCon 2010.

The popular show—one of the country’s best comics conventions—moves to April 2–4 at Moscone Center South in San Francisco. WonderCon 2010 offers the perfect spring break getaway over the long Easter holiday weekend. And it’s made even better with the special WonderCon rate at our headquarters hotel, the San Francisco Marriott Marquis. Book a room at this fabulous hotel— located just a short walk from Moscone Center South—at the super low rate of only $109/night (single/double occupancy; see page 15 for details).

The guest list includes comics legends Murphy Anderson and Sergio Aragonés, along with some of the superstars of today’s most popular comics, including Frank Cho, Amanda Conner, Darwyn Cooke, Colleen Doran, David Finch, Adam Hughes, Geoff Johns, Robert Kirkman, Steve McNiven, Jimmy Palmiotti, Gail Simone, Ethan 11 Comic-Con Magazine • Fall 2009 Online Edition

Van Sciver, and Judd Winick. In addition, science fiction/fantasy authors Peter S. Beagle and Tim Powers join the event, along with WonderCon moderator supreme—and comics historian and writer— Mark Evanier. As a special bonus, pop culture icon Stan Freberg and his wife, Hunter, are scheduled for the show, marking their first WonderCon appearance. (For more information on all of the special guests who have confirmed to-date, please see the next page.)

WonderCon features a complete comics convention experience, including a giant Exhibit Hall with one of the best Artists’ Alleys in the country, plus autograph, small press, and fan table areas. Companies from all over converge on San Francisco to be a part of this show, including such major comic publishers as DC Comics, Dark Horse, IDW, Image, and Oni Press, plus dealers selling comic books, original art, books, movie memorabilia, action figures, and much more. Programming features spotlights on all WonderCon’s special guests, plus comic publisher

presentations, movie and TV panels and previews, and other panels on a wide range of comics and pop culture topics. Saturday night’s Masquerade is growing to Comic-Con size, and anime and gaming are offered throughout the weekend, with an additional game room and a con hospitality suite added at our headquarters hotel, the San Francisco Marriott Marquis.

WonderCon 2009 saw another increase in attendance, growing to 34,000 attendees. The event still has the intimate feeling of a fan-run comics convention. 2010 is shaping up to be another big year for WonderCon. Be a part of the Wonder in 2010, as Northern California’s premiere comics and popular arts event moves to a prime spot during Spring Break on Easter weekend!

Check www.comic-con.org/wc/ for breaking news on special guests, programs, and exhibitors.

Plus follow us on Twitter for WonderCon updates at www.twitter.com/comic_con and info on all three of our events!

Photo: Tom Deleon

April 2–4 • Moscone Center South • San Francisco SPECIAL GUESTS

WonderCon 2010 showcases an incredible list of artists and writers from the world of comics and science fiction/fantasy. These special guests are confirmed for 2010: Murphy Anderson (artist, Hawkman, Adam Strange).

One of comics’ most respected inkers, Murphy Anderson is also known for his stunning pencils on Hawkman and Atomic Knights. His clean, precise inking style made him a natural for pencillers such as Carmine Infantino (Adam Strange) and Curt Swan (Superman). Anderson’s long career in comics—dating back to the Golden Age—includes the Buck Rogers syndicated comic strip and a long stint producing PS, the Preventive Maintenance magazine for the U.S. Army.

Sergio Aragonés (cartoonist, Groo, MAD magazine).

MAD magazine’s longest-running cartoonist and the creator of that popular dim-witted barbarian Groo, Sergio Aragonés is one of WonderCon’s most popular guests. Sergio recently helped revive the DC Western hero Bat Lash in a new miniseries and co-wrote Will Eisner’s The Spirit with frequent collaborator and fellow WonderCon guest Mark Evanier. 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.

anderson

aragonés

cho

Peter S. Beagle (author, The Last Unicorn, “Two Hearts”) Peter S. Beagle’s extraordinary body of work — including A Fine And Private Place, The Last Unicorn, Tamsin, and the award-winning “Two Hearts” — has made him an American fantasy legend. He also wrote the animated versions of The Lord of the Rings and The Last Unicorn, plus the fan-favorite “Sarek” episode of Star Trek: The Next Generation. Starting in April 2010, IDW Publishing will release a six-issue adaptation of The Last Unicorn, to be followed by an adaptation of A Fine and Private Place.

BEAGLE

Frank Cho (artist, Liberty Meadows, Mighty Avengers).

Award-winning cartoonist Frank Cho started his comics career with the syndicated comic strip Liberty Meadows. He eventually took his popular strip to the comic book format, published by Image Comics. He has also produced work for Marvel Comics, including New Avengers, Mighty Avengers, and Hulk, and Dynamite Entertainment’s Jungle Girl.

Amanda Conner (artist, Power Girl, Supergirl in Wednesday Comics). Amanda Conner’s comics career started at Marvel and Archie in the late ’80s. In the 1990s she worked for Claypool Comics on Soulsearchers and Company and for Harris on Vampirella. She’s best known as the current penciller on DC’s Power Girl, co-written by fellow WonderCon special guest Jimmy Palmiotti (with Justin Gray). She also illustrated the Supergirl feature in Wednesday Comics, featuring Krypto the Super Dog and Streaky the Super Cat. Darwyn Cooke (writer/artist, DC: The New Frontier, Parker: Hunter). Writer/artist Darwyn Cooke is known for his award-winning work at DC Comics, including Will Eisner’s The Spirit, Catwoman, and DC: The New Frontier, which was turned into an animated movie in 2008. His current project is a series of graphic novels published by IDW based on Richard Stark’s leg-

conner

DORAN

COOKE

EVANIER

Online Edition Fall 2009 • Comic-Con Magazine 12

WonderCon 2010 David Finch (artist, Moon Knight, Ultimatum). A fan-favorite artist known primarily for his work at Marvel, David Finch started his comics career at Top Cow on Cyberforce. He went on to illustrate The New Avengers at Marvel, along with the relaunch of Moon Knight and the Ultimate Universe-changing event series Ultimatum, written by Jeph Loeb. He’s also done album cover art for the band Disturbed and concept art for films, including Watchmen.

Hunter Freberg (humorist, entertainer, media personality).

Hunter Freberg has been a correspondent on KRON-TV (San Francisco), KNBC-TV (Los Angeles), WJBK-TV (Detroit), and CNN, answering viewers’ questions from around the country.

Her commentaries have been syndicated on over 300 radio stations across the country and she has served as co-host for ABC Talkradio. Her no-nonsense, breezy, on-target style has even taken center stage at The Improv in Los Angeles.

finch

freberg

Stan Freberg (author, humorist, satirist, voice-over actor). Stan Freberg is one of America’s best-loved humorists, known worldwide as an award-winning composer, lyricist, singer, actor, writer, and director. His albums and CDs have sold millions, reaching multiple generations of fans. His many awards include four Emmys, a Grammy, the Venice Film Festival’s Grand Prix, and 21 Clios (the Oscar of Advertising). Freberg has been inducted into The Radio Hall of Fame and The Animation Hall of Fame and has a star on The Hollywood Walk of Fame.

freberg

HUGHES

JOHNS

kirkman

endary Parker books. The first, The Hunter, premiered at Comic-Con in 2009, while the second, an adaptation of The Man with the Getaway Face, will debut in 2010.

Colleen Doran (writer/artist, A Distant Soil; artist, Sandman, Orbiter). Colleen Doran is an illustrator, film conceptual artist, cartoonist, and writer whose published works number in the hundreds. She has illustrated the works of Neil Gaiman, Clive Barker, Warren Ellis, Anne Rice, J. Michael Straczynski, Peter David, and Tori Amos. Her credits include Sandman, Wonder Woman, A Distant Soil, Legion of Superheroes, Teen Titans, Walt Disney’s Beauty and the Beast, Tori Amos: Comic Book Tattoo, and many more.

Mark Evanier (writer/comics historian, Groo, Kirby: King of Comics). Comics, animation, TV, and blog writer Mark Evanier comes back to WonderCon to host a bevy of panels for comicsloving fans of all ages. 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), Evanier brings his incredible wealth of knowledge of comics and pop culture to light every day on his blog at www.newsfromme.com.

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Adam Hughes (artist, Wonder Woman, Catwoman).

Born on Cinco de Mayo during the Summer of Love, in Riverside, New Jersey, Adam escaped to Atlanta in the early ’90s, when such things were possible. Starting his comics career in 1987, Adam has drawn for DC Comics, Marvel Comics, Dark Horse Comics, Sideshow Collectibles, and many other companies. He has also done work for Lucasfilm, Warner Bros.

Pictures, and Joss Whedon’s Mutant Enemy Productions.

Geoff Johns (writer, Blackest Night, Green Lantern, Flash).

The mastermind behind this year’s biggest comics event, Blackest Night, is DC’s go-to guy for relaunching their heroes.

Geoff Johns brought back Hal Jordan (Green Lantern Rebirth), Barry Allen (Flash Rebirth), and Connor Kent (Superboy in Adventure Comics) and is currently telling the tale of Superman: Secret Origin. His other work includes long popular runs on Hawkman, Teen Titans, and Justice Society of America.

Robert Kirkman (writer, Invincible, The Walking Dead, Haunt). Robert Kirkman’s comics writing career started with the self-published Battle Pope. The success of that series caught the eye of Image Comics, and soon after Kirkman created Invincible and The Walking Dead for that publisher, both of which continue to be hit series, along with The Astounding Wolf-Man. Kirkman also produced work for Marvel, most notably Ultimate X-Men and the original Marvel Zombies series. In 2008, he was named a partner at Image and is working on a new series, Haunt, with Image co-founder Todd McFarlane.

Steve McNiven (artist, Civil War, “Old Man Logan”).

Having started his career at CrossGen on Meridian, artist Steve McNiven is best known for his high-profile collaborations with writer Mark Millar at Marvel, including Civil War and the recent “Old Man Logan” storyline in Wolverine. His other work

April 2–4 • Moscone Center South • San Francisco includes Amazing Spider-Man, New Avengers, Marvel Knights 4, and numerous covers. McNiven’s dynamic storytelling and intricate pencils make him one of comics’ most popular artists.

Jimmy Palmiotti (writer, Jonah Hex, Power Girl, Last Resort).

After years of being one of comics’ top inkers, Jimmy Palmiotti has added writer to his résumé. The co-founder of Event Comics and Marvel Knights, Jimmy now chronicles the adventures (along with writing partner Justin Gray) of Jonah Hex (soon to be a major motion picture) and Power Girl for DC, and the zombie horror/thriller The Last Resort for by IDW. His co-creation (with Joe Quesada), Painkiller Jane, was a TV series on Sci Fi in 2007.

mcniven

PALMIOTTI

Tim Powers (science fiction and fantasy author, Last Call, Declare). Tim Powers was born in Buffalo, NY, on Leap Year Day in 1952, but he has lived in southern California since 1959. Powers’ first two novels, The Skies Discrowned and Epitaph in Rust, were both published in 1976. His subsequent novels include The Drawing of the Dark, The Anubis Gates (winner of the Philip K. Dick Memorial Award and the Prix Apollo), Dinner at Deviant’s Palace (winner of the Philip K. Dick Memorial Award), Last Call (winner of the World Fantasy Award), Declare (winner of the World Fantasy Award), and Three Days to Never.

simone

GaGREG RUCKA (writer, Action Comics, Detective Comics).

Author Greg Rucka made his mark in the mystery genre with his Atticus Kodiak novels before adding comics writer to his resume.

Since then he has had notable runs on 52, Gotham Central, and Wonder Woman at DC, Wolverine at Marvel, and his own creations, Queen & Country and Whiteout, at Oni Press. Since 1999 Rucka and his works have been nominated for 17 Eisner Awards and have won 3. He currently writes Action Comics and Detective Comics for DC and Stumptown for Oni. His latest Atticus Kodiak novel is Walking Dead. Greg resides in Portland, Oregon, with his wife, author Jennifer Van Meter, and their two children.

GAil Simone (writer, Wonder Woman, Secret Six).

A multiple award-winning, critically acclaimed writer of comics and animation, Gail Simone began writing as a columnist for comicbookresources.com, producing the comics parody column “You’ll All Be Sorry.” She has since had fan-favorite runs as the writer on such series as Deadpool, Agent X, Birds of Prey, Gen13, and the creator-owned Welcome To Tranquility. She currently writes Wonder Woman, Secret Six, and other special projects for DC Comics. Simone has also written for animation, including Justice League Unlimited and Tomb Raider, and is currently working on film and game projects. kevin smith (writer/director, Chasing Amy). The popular writer/ director of such films as Clerks, Mallrats, Chasing Amy, and Zack and Miri Make a Porno, Kevin Smith is back at WonderCon for the first time in over four years! In addition to his movie work, Smith has returned to comics with back-to-back Batman miniseries: Batman: Cacophony, and Batman: Widening Gyre. Smith’s Q&A sessions always pack them in wherever he appears; look for another rollicking panel at WonderCon! Ethan Van Sciver (artist, Green Lantern Rebirth, Flash Rebirth). Not many artists can say they were present at the rebirth of a character, but Ethan Van Sciver teamed with writer (and fellow WonderCon special guest) Geoff Johns to relaunch two of comics Kevin Smith at Comic-Con photo: Austin Gorum

POWERS

van sciver

smith

winick

most popular heroes: Hal Jordan (Green Lantern) and Barry Allen (The Flash). Coming off the recent Flash Rebirth miniseries, Van Sciver is one of the most popular artists working in comics today.

Judd Winick (writer, Batman). With a writing career that runs the gamut from Barry Ween: Boy Genius to the Dark Knight, Judd Winick has brought an incredible assortment of comic characters to vivid life. From his touching true-life graphic novel Pedro and Me to his current work for DC on Batman, Winick has been a fan-favorite writer for many years, including popular stints on Green Arrow, The Outsiders, and Green Lantern. His work also includes the animated series The Life and Times of Juniper Lee, which ran for three years on Cartoon Network.

For updated special guests info, visit: www.comic-con.org/wc/wc_guests.php

Online Edition Fall 2009 • Comic-Con Magazine 14

WonderCon 2010 Headquarters hotel offers amazing rate!

San Francisco Marriott Marquis WonderCon is proud to announce that Travel Planners will be handling all WonderCon hotel reservations for 2010. The beautiful San Francisco Marriott Marquis will once again be the headquarters hotel for WonderCon 2010. The hotel is just a few short blocks up Fourth Street, within walking distance of Moscone Center South. And this year, WonderCon adds a con hospitality suite and a gaming room at nights at the Marriott!

Hotel reservations are now open at: www.comic-con.org/wc/wc_hotel.shtml or you can call Travel Planners at 1-800-221-3531 or 1-212-532-1660 Monday–Friday 9:00 am to 7:00 pm Eastern time

Room rates for 2010: $109.00 for 1 or 2 people in the room

Each additional person is $20 per room per night. Maximum of four people per room.

• Single: 1 person/1 bed—$109 • Double: 2 people/1 bed—$109 • Twin: 2 people/2 beds—$109 • Triple: 3 people/2 beds—$129 • Quad: 4 people/2 beds—$149 Spend the perfect Spring Break vacation—or “staycation” if you’re a Bay Area resident—at the Marriott Marquis with this special WonderCon rate!

Volunteer for WonderCon 2010!

We couldn’t do it without you! Volunteering for WonderCon is a great way to meet fellow fans and get a free membership pass for the day you volunteer. Volunteers must be at least 16 years old, but no specific skills are needed. Best of all, you can register online!

WonderCon 2010 Volunteer registration will open online soon! Visit www.comic-con.org/wc/wc_vol.shtml for details on how to volunteer and when to register online.

REGISTER IN ADVANCE AND SAVE MONEY! WonderCon 2010 online registration will open soon! Save money by registering online or purchasing your membership at a Bay Area comics shop.

3-Days Membership (Best Value!): Adult 3-Day: $30.00 Advance/$40.00 Onsite Junior/Senior 3-Day: $15.00 Advance/$20.00 Onsite Single Day Memberships: Adult 1-Day (Fri./Sat. only): $12.00 Advance/$15.00 Onsite Junior/Senior 1-Day (Fri./Sat. only): $6.00 Advance/$8.00 Onsite Adult Sunday: $10.00 Advance/Onsite Adult Junior/Senior: $5.00 Advance/Onsite Children 11 and under free with adult paid membership. To register online, visit www.comic-con.org/wc/wc_reg.shtml To purchase memberships at select Bay Area comics shops visit www.comic-con.org/wc/wc_stores.shtml for a complete list of stores.

Be sure to register your membership online for faster entry onsite.

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WonderCon 2010 APRIL 2–4 Moscone Center South 747 Howard Street San Francisco, CA 94103 HOURS: Friday, April 2: 12:00–7:00 pm Saturday, April 3: 10:00 am–7:00 pm Sunday, April 4: 11:00 am–5:00 pm (Additional programming hours on Friday and Saturday nights)

40 Years of Art! 40 Years of Photos!

40 Years of History! 40 Years of Fun!

Since 1970, when a small group of comic book, science fiction and movie lovers organized the first show, Comic-Con International has been the place to check out the latest comic creations and connect with legion of fans.

Comic-Con documents this cultural phenomenon. Lavishly illustrated with rarely seen photos and images from the Comic-Con archives, this new book includes quotes, anecdotes, and profiles of luminaries, making for a veritable who’s who of the entertainment world.

• 208 Pages • 9 x 12” Hardcover filled with color and black & white art and photos • Stunning wraparound cover

by Sergio Aragonés • Foreword by Ray Bradbury • $40.00

The Perfect Holiday Gift!

Visit www.comic-con.org/cci/cci_40th_book.php to order your copy today!

Photo Issue The

COMIC-CON 2009: A PICTORIAL ESSAY You have to see Comic-Con to believe it.

But if you can’t be there, the next best thing is photos . . . lots and lots of photos!

We unleashed our Legion of Super-Photographers once again to document the entire spectrum of this unbelievable event, covering everything from comics to Hollywood, from television to never-before-seen peeks backstage. Over the next 25 pages, witness Comic-Con 2009 in all its glory!

hayao miyazaki

JERRY ROBINSON MEETS ADAM WEST

ERIC POWELL (THE GOON)

PETER JACKSON Online Edition Fall 2009 • Comic-Con Magazine 17

COMIC-CON

2 0 0 9 the exhibit hall

This page, counter-clockwise from top: OPEN—OPEN—OPEN! The fans line up for opening day on Thursday at Hall C; moments later the doors were opened and a flood of people came through, marking the official start of Comic-Con 2009; gaming was big in the Exhibit Hall with both card games (left) and video games (right); also big in the Exhibit Hall: Hasbro’s giant Bumblebee statue, bringing the Transformers star almost to life.

Opposite page, top to bottom on left: Mattel’s Masters of the Universe display was hugely popular; the giant DC Comics booth was a comics fan’s paradise; actor Seth Rogen unveiled the Black Beauty from his upcoming Green Hornet movie on Preview Night.

Opposite page, right: Just a portion of the Exhibit Hall on Preview Night. Yes . . . it was THAT crowded!

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Top row: The Marvel booth featured various versions of “Stark Industries” Iron Man armor. Looks like one of them got out; the Bartman statue stands guard at the Bongo Comics booth.

Middle row: The Oni Press booth was a popular stop for comics fans; a live sculpting demonstration was just one of the many incredible sights in the Exhibit Hall—here sculptor Junnosuke Abe works on a Wolverine statue at the Kotobukiya booth.

Bottom row: Writer/artist Jill Thompson at her booth in the Exhibit Hall; artist Steve Lieber and special guest Steve Epting at their respective Artists’ Alley tables.

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Below left: One of the many statues in the Lucasfilm Pavilion, depicting “Ashoko Kano” from the Star Wars: Clone Wars TV series.

Right: Part of the Preview Night crowd.

Bottom: Alas, all good things must come to an end, even Preview Night.

The crowd starts to head back to hotels and homes after the first night of Comic-Con.

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COMIC-CON

2 0 0 9 comics and special guests This page, top: Artist Adam Hughes during his Comic-Con “How to” session, a series of programs which featured top comic artists demonstrating their techniques live to a packed room.

Here Hughes draws one of his signature characters, Catwoman.

Middle: DC Comics’ Superman panel, with Supergirl artist Jamal Igle (left) and writers James Robinson and Greg Rucka.

Bottom: My Chemical Romance’s Gerard Way, who is also the writer/co-creator of the popular Dark Horse Comics series The Umbrella Academy; IDW senior editor Scott Dunbier with writer/ artist Darwyn Cooke. The duo talked about the new series of Parker graphic novels based on the work of author Richard Stark.

Parker: The Hunter, the first in the series, had its world premiere at Comic-Con 2009.

Opposite page, top: Comic-Con special guest Mike Allred and artist Paul Pope at DC’s Wednesday Comics panel; Invincible Iron Man scribe Matt Fraction at the Marvel Comics booth, surrounded by Iron Man armor from the movies.

Middle: Comic-Con special guest Bill Sienkiewicz working the crowd at his Spotlight panel; the panelists for Sunday’s Comics and Graphic Novels for All Ages program (back row, left to right) Eric Jones, Landry Walker, Jeff Smith and Alexis Fajardo; (seated left to right) Comic-Con special guests David Petersen, Kazu Kibuishi, and Jimmy Gownley.

Bottom: Marvel Comics editor-in-chief Joe Quesada at one of the many Marvel events during the 2009 show; Comics Arts Conference founders and chairs Peter Coogan and Randy Duncan.

The CAC has been a part of Comic-Con for over 15 years and also presents its brand of scholarly studies of comics at our sister show, WonderCon, in San Francisco each year.

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Top row: Charles Brownstein, the director of the Comic Book Legal Defense Fund, at two of the organization’s Master Class sessions, featuring artists drawing before a live audience. At left is Bone creator Jeff Smith; at right is Strangers in Paradise creator Terry Moore.

Left: Comic-Con special guest Gary Gianni was joined at his Spotlight panel by friends and fellow artists Mike Mignola and Geof Darrow to talk about “Monsters, Cowboys, Ghosts, and Pirates.”

Bottom: Special guest Stan Sakai was celebrating the 25th anniversary of his signature character Usagi Yojimbo; authors and special guests Kevin J. Anderson (left) and Brian Herbert introduced their newest book in the Dune series, The Winds of Dune; one of the hottest artists working in comics today, special guest Francis Manapul with the sketch he did for a fan at the DC Comics booth.

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Top row: Comic-Con special guest and pop culture icon Stan Freberg at the show for the first time; Mark Evanier (left) and animation expert Earl Kress flanking the undisputed queen of voice actors, the legendary June Foray, who premiered her new biography, Did You Grow Up With Me, Too? at the show.

Second row: Comics legend Jerry Robinson at his Spotlight panel, with interviewer/writer/editor Mark Waid; Pulitzer Prize–winning political cartoonist Patrick Oliphant demonstrating his craft during his Spotlight panel.

Right: Writer/artist Batton Lash and artist Joe Jusko interviewing the legendary comic strip creator Leonard Starr, best known for his work on Mary Perkins On Stage and Annie.

Bottom: A trio of Comic-Con 2009 special guests and some of the top new talent in comics today: Gene Yang, David Petersen, and Bryan Lee O’Malley.

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COMIC-CON

2 0 0 9 will eisner comic industry awards

This page, top row: The Will Eisner Comic Industry Award winners and acceptors, class of 2009.

Middle row: DC senior editor Karen Berger accepted the Best Continuing Series Award for All Star Superman creators Grant Morrison and Frank Quitely; cartoonist/publisher/agent Denis Kitchen received the Bob Clampett Humanitarian Award, presented by Ruth Clampett, the famed animator’s daughter; Matt Fraction with the Best New Series Award for Invincible Iron Man, along with the trophy for artist Salvador Larroca.

Left: Bongo Comics’ Nathan Kane with Best Short Story winners Nina Matsumoto and Andrew Pepoy, for “Murder He Wrote,” in The Simpsons’ Treehouse of Horror #14.

Opposite page, top to bottom: Shawna Gore, editor of Creepy Archives, which won Best Archival Collection/Project—Comic Books; Nate Powell, winner of the Best Graphic Album—New category for Swallow Me Whole; Leonard Starr, who accepted the Hall of Fame Award for Harold Gray, the creator of Little Orphan Annie; legendary comics artist Russ Heath with his Hall of Fame Award.

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2009 Will Eisner Comic Industry Awards Best Short Story: “Murder He Wrote,” by Ian Boothby, Nina Matsumoto, and Andrew Pepoy, in The Simpsons’ Treehouse of Horror #14 (Bongo) Best Continuing Series: All Star Superman. by Grant Morrison and Frank Quitely (DC) Best Limited Series: Hellboy: The Crooked Man, by Mike Mignola and Richard Corben (Dark Horse) Best New Series: Invincible Iron Man, by Matt Fraction and Salvador Larroca (Marvel) Best Publication for Kids: Tiny Titans, by Art Baltazar and Franco (DC) Best Publication for Teens/Tweens: Coraline, by Neil Gaiman, adapted by P. Craig Russell (HarperCollins Children’s Books) Best Humor Publication: Herbie Archives, by “Shane O’Shea” (Richard E. Hughes) and Ogden Whitney (Dark Horse) Best Anthology: Comic Book Tattoo: Narrative Art Inspired by the Lyrics and Music of Tori Amos, edited by Rantz Hoseley (Image) Best Webcomic: Finder, by Carla Speed McNeil, www.shadowlinecomics.com/webcomics/#/finder/ Best Reality-Based Work: What It Is, by Lynda Barry (Drawn & Quarterly) Best Graphic Album—New: Swallow Me Whole, by Nate Powell (Top Shelf) Best Graphic Album—Reprint: Hellboy Library Edition, vols. 1 and 2, by Mike Mignola (Dark Horse) Best Archival Collection/Project—Strips: Little Nemo in Slumberland, Many More Splendid Sundays,

by Winsor McCay (Sunday Press Books) Best Archival Collection/Project—Comic Books: Creepy Archives, by various (Dark Horse) Best U.S. Edition of International Material: The Last Musketeer, by Jason (Fantagraphics) Best U.S. Edition of International Material—Japan: Dororo, by Osamu Tezuka (Vertical) Best Writer: Bill Willingham, Fables, House of Mystery (Vertigo/DC) Best Writer/Artist: Chris Ware, Acme Novelty Library (Acme) Best Penciller/Inker or Penciller/Inker Team: Guy Davis, BPRD (Dark Horse) Best Painter/Multimedia Artist: Jill Thompson, Magic Trixie, Magic Trixie Sleeps Over (HarperCollins Children’s Books) Best Cover Artist: James Jean, Fables (Vertigo/DC); The Umbrella Academy (Dark Horse) Best Coloring: Dave Stewart, Abe Sapien: The Drowning, BPRD, The Goon, Hellboy, Solomon Kane, The Umbrella Academy (Dark Horse); Body Bags (Image); Captain America: White (Marvel) Best Lettering: Chris Ware, Acme Novelty Library #19 (Acme) Best Comics-Related Periodical/Journalism: Comic Book Resources, produced by Jonah Weiland (www.comicbookresources.com) Best Comics-Related Book: Kirby: King of Comics, by Mark Evanier (Abrams) Best Publication Design: Hellboy Library Editions, designed by Cary Grazzini and Mike Mignola (Dark Horse) Hall of Fame: Judges’ choices: Harold Gray, Graham Ingels Voters’ choices: Matt Baker, Reed Crandall, Russ Heath, Jerry Iger Online Edition Fall 2009 • Comic-Con Magazine 27

COMIC-CON

2 0 0 9 inkpot awards

Top row: Filmmakers John Lasseter and Hayao Miyazaki; Drawn and Quarterly publisher Chris Oliveros and writer/artist Seth.

Middle row: Barry Short, who worked on Comic-Con for many years and was a part of the Russ Manning Most Promising Newcomer Awards committee; Mike Towry, a Comic-Con pioneer; writer/artist Mike Allred.

Bottom row: Comics writer/ editor Nicola Cuti; filmmaker Terry Gilliam.

Other 2009 Recipients: LaFrance Bragg Stan Freberg John Kricfalusi Dwayne McDuffie Patrick Oliphant Ram贸n Valdiosera Berman Bob Wayne Phil Yeh

COMIC-CON

2 0 0 9 AUTOGRAPHS

Top row: Desperate Housewives star Terri Hatcher and author Neil Gaiman signing in the Autograph Area after their Coraline DVD panel; MythBusters stars Adam Savage and Jamie Hyneman with a fan in the Autograph Area.

Middle row: Star Trek legend Leonard Nimoy with a fan at a signing in the Exhibit Hall; Buck Rogers co-stars Erin Gray and Gil Girard in the Autograph Area.

Bottom: Actor/author Bruce Campbell talking to a fan at a Burn Notice signing in the Exhibit Hall.

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COMIC-CON

2 0 0 9 the fans speak!

Attendee Interviews and Photos

by DOUG LATHROP

THE VISITORS FROM THE EAST COAST Natasha Bieberfeld and Dustin Fisher • Philadelphia, PA Is this your first time at Comic-Con? Dustin: Yes. We’ve been here since Wednesday.

What have you seen so far that you really liked?

Natasha: I went to the Twilight panel. I really liked that.

Dustin: I just enjoy going around and seeing all the memorabilia, like the prop stores, the Gentle Giant booth and the Sideshow booth. I spend a lot of time there.

Have you bought anything?

Dustin: Yeah, I got the Gentle Giant pre-production Boba Fett statue.

Natasha: I haven’t bought anything.

You’ve held on, huh?

Dustin: We’ll see how long . . .

Natasha: He does the purchasing, I just kind of look at stuff.

Dustin: Yeah, I’ve been walking around saying, ‘Oh I need this, I need this, I need this . . . ‘ What kind of comics do you read?

Dustin: I’m a pretty big Marvel fan—I like Iron Man, Spider-Man. Overall, what’s your favorite thing about Comic Con? Natasha: It’s got big star appeal. I sat through a lot of other panels yesterday, waiting for the one I wanted to see, and I saw a lot of other cool stuff. I really like that they bring out the directors and they can actually explain the artistic process. It’s really pretty cool to me.

Dustin: You never know what you’re going to see. Just walking around is fun.

THE VETERAN COMICS FAN Dave House • Vista, California How many years have you been coming to Comic-Con? I think this is my 18th year. My first one was over at Golden Hall.

What sorts of things have stood out for you this year?

The big companies, like Marvel, DC, Paramount—every year they put on better and better booths.

What have you bought so far?

Comics, lots of comics. I don’t buy very many collectibles. But I bought some posters, got some autographs.

What kinds of comics are you into?

Every year I try to buy something new that I’ve never seen before, so I go to a lot of the independents. But this year I bought a few DC Archives like Hawkman, and I bought the Iron Man Omnibus. So I like to spread it out.

What’s the one thing you like best about Comic-Con? The people watching. Where else can you go and sit down and have lunch with Wonder Woman, Batman, and Yoda? You can just come and have fun and not worry about anything else. It’s a great time. This is my one real vacation.

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THE FAMILY OUTING Nick, Stacy, Mikayla, and Madison Buhbe • San Diego, CA Is this your first Comic-Con? Stacy: No, it’s our second.

What have seen so far that has stood out for you?

Mikayla: The Pokemon booth!

Nick: We’ve seen a Nickelodeon presentation, and we’re looking forward to seeing the Torchwood presentation this afternoon.

Have you guys bought anything?

Mikayla: Yes! Nick: Just stuff for the kids so far.

What kind of comics or graphic novels do you like?

Stacy: I read Watchmen, some of the Bone series, and Maus when it came out.

Nick: I’m a big fan of science fiction too. Mostly classic stuff —Isaac Asimov, Ray Bradbury, Piers Anthony, Terry Brooks, and Anne McCaffrey.

We’ll probably stop by the Tor Books booth and search out some other stuff.

Why do you come to Comic-Con? Mikayla and Madison: It’s awesome!

Stacy: It’s the range of media for me —everything from video games and the characters the kids like, to new release information and panels on everything from a Nickelodeon show to a BBC America show.

THE “SUPER-STYLISH BACKPACK” OWNERS Ernie Daviela and Adrianna Martinez • Palm Springs, CA Is this your first Comic-Con? Ernie: No, no. I think this is about my fourth one.

Adriana: My second.

What have you seen so far?

Ernie: We just came out of the panel for Legion and District 9. And right before that we saw the tail end of 9 just because the line was so long. We were waiting in line for a while.

Have you guys bought anything?

Adriana: Just this super-stylish R2-D2 backpack!

Ernie: I haven’t bought anything yet but I’m still browsing around and picking out my selections. Breaking the budget is always a habit here.

Which comics are your favorites?

Adriana: I’m a big Vertigo person, so Sandman and Y: The Last Man.

Ernie: For me it’s kind of a mixture between DC and Marvel. Whatever catches my eye.

What do you like best about Comic-Con? Ernie: Just the way everybody gets together —all the comic guys and all the movie stars and everybody just kind of gets together and hangs out and gets to enjoy what they love doing the most. You get a sneak peak of all the brand new stuff, and just the way they put everything together is very clever.

Adriana: It’s so eclectic. If you’re into celebrating popular culture, you’re always going to find something you like here. It’s exciting.

Online Edition Fall 2009 • Comic-Con Magazine 31

COMIC-CON

2 0 0 9 movies and television

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Opposite page, top: The Twilight Saga: New Moon’s big three: Taylor Lautner, Kristen Stewart, and Robert Pattinson; the cast of Jonah Hex, DC Comics’ battle-scarred Western hero: Michael Fassbender, director Jimmy Hayward, Megan Fox, and Josh Brolin.

Second row: Pixar’s John Lasseter with the “Walt Disney of Japan,” animated film director Hayao Miyazaki. The legendary filmmaker made a rare US appearance to promote his film Ponyo.

Third row: Rachel McAdams and Robert Downey Jr. of Sherlock Holmes; Denzel Washington of The Book of Eli; Zombieland’s Woody Harrelson, Jesse Eisenberg, and Emma Stone.

Bottom row: Sigourney Weaver of Avatar; Elijah Wood and Jennifer Connelly of 9; Johnny Depp’s quick appearance in Hall H surprised friend and director Tim Burton during the Alice in Wonderland panel.

This page, top: Kick-Ass comic creators Mark Millar and John Romita Jr. enjoying the ovation the movie version of their comic got in Hall H. Second row: Members of the cast and crew of Kick-Ass: writer Jane Goldman, Clark Duke, Christopher Mintz-Plasse, director Matthew Vaughn, and Chole Moretz.

Third row: Iron Man 2 director Jon Favreau with stars Robert Downey Jr. and Don Cheadle.

Bottom row: Visionary director James Cameron giving the Hall H audience an exclusive 20-minute clip from Avatar in 3D (see the cover of this issue for a look at them with glasses and their reaction!); District 9 director Neil Blomkamp, producer Peter Jackson, and star Sharlto Copley.

Online Edition Fall 2009 • Comic-Con Magazine 33

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Opposite page, top: The cast of The Big Bang Theory with producer/creators Bill Prady and Chuck Lorre (far right).

Second row: Fan favorite Elizabeth Mitchell (Lost, V) on the Entertainment Weekly Wonder Women panel; the cast of season 8 of 24: Kiefer Sutherland, Anil Kapoor, Mary Lynn Rajskub, Katee Sackhoff, and Freddie Prinz Jr. Third row: The cast of True Blood, including “Sookie Stackhouse” creator Charlaine Harris (third from left) and producer Alan Ball (middle, in blue shirt); Bones herself, actress Emily Deschanel.

Bottom row: Michael C. Hall from Dexter; Tom Welling from Smallville; David Tennant from Dr. Who; and Matt Groening of The Simpsons and Futurama, all on popular panels in Ballroom 20.

This page, top: Lost made its final appearance at Comic-Con in 2009, previewing the final season of the show, which debuts in 2010. Left to right: Josh Holloway, producers Carlton Cuse and Damon Lindelof, Nestor Carbonell, Jorge Garcia, and Dominic Monaghan.

Second row: The cast of Fringe: Jasika Nicole, John Noble, Joshua Jackson, and Anna Torv.

Third row: John Barrowman of Torchwood; Eliza Dushku of Dollhouse; Zachary Quinto of Heroes.

Bottom row: The cast of Chuck: Scott Krinsky, Adam Baldwin, Vik Sahay, Ryan McPartlin, Sarah Lancaster, Zachary Levi, Yvonne Stahowski, Joshua Gomez, and Mark Christopher Lawrence.

Scott Krinsky (left) and Vik Sahay started the Chuck panel with a bang by rocking the audience and their fellow cast members as the musical duo “Jeffster.” Only at Comic-Con!

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COMIC-CON

comic-con international 2010 show around the

2009

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Opposite page, top row: The 40th anniversary celebratory cake at a special reception for Comic-Con guests on Thursday evening; cut the cake! Comic-Con VIPs from past and present all prepare to dig in; (left to right) Richard Alf, Mike Towry, current president John Rogers, Richard Butner, and Lance Geeck all get ready to slice.

Middle: The pioneers of Comic-Con, after the Secret Origins of Comic-Con panel. Left to right: Richard Alf, Barry Alfonso, William Lund, Scott Shaw!, Ken Krueger, Greg Bear, Dave Clark, and Roger Freedman, all members of the group who started the show in 1970.

Bottom row: Attorney Michael Lovitz presenting one of his series of Comic Book Law School seminars. Lovitz is a long-time programming participant at Comic-Con, offering legal tips for protecting creators’ work. Animation legend Bruce Timm introduces the world premiere of Green Lantern: First Flight, to a capacity crowd in Ballroom 20 on Thursday night.

The popular movie was reshown on Sunday to another huge crowd.

This page, top: The Klingons Lifestyle Presentation is always a Friday night favorite at Comic-Con. Second row: Everyone loves freebies! ComicCon’s Freebie Table is one of the most popular places at the convention.

Third row: Live demonstrations by the Adrian Empire took place daily on the Convention Center’s terrace; the Portfolio Review area in the Sails Pavilion offered artists an honest appraisal of their work and even the possibility of employment.

Bottom row: Lloyd Kaufman, the head of Troma Entertainment and one of the leading proponents of indie filmmaking, was roasted on Saturday night of Comic-Con in the Indigo Ballroom at the Hilton Bayfront San Diego. Joining Lloyd at the podium was Stan Lee, one of many participants in this exclusive Comic-Con event. Animation artist Floyd Norman was one of those drawing durring the annual Quick Draw! panel, hosted by Mark Evanier and featuring Sergio Aragonés and Scott Shaw!

Online Edition Fall 2009 • Comic-Con Magazine 37

Top row: You Can Draw Star Wars artist Katie Cook drawing and with some of her apprentice art Jedis during the Sunday Kids’ Day drawing class, one of many programs for children at Comic-Con. Above left: Eisner Award–winning writer Ed Brubaker and star Zoe Bell at the screening of Angel of Death, their action-packed film.

Right: Lucasfilm’s director of fan relations Steve Sansweet at the Star Wars Fan Movie Awards on Friday evening.

33rd Annual Robert A. Heinlein Blood Drive Comic-Con’s 33rd annual Robert A. Heinlein Blood Drive broke all previous records with a total of 1,198 donations. Considering that each pint of donated blood can help more than one person, nearly 2,400 local patients benefited from the generosity of blood donors at Comic-Con. The overall total for this 33-year-old blood drive is now 8,736 pints, or more than 1,000 gallons! Special thanks to Diamond Select Toys, HBO, and True Blood for donating action figures and T-shirts as gifts for the donors. Comic-Con attendees continue to embrace the blood drive, honoring the memory of science fiction author Robert A. Heinlein, whose suggestion started it in 1977. Each July, attendees find the time to give blood during one of the busiest events of the year. Thanks to everyone who gave blood, Comic-Con’s volunteer staff, and the San Diego Blood Bank for all their time and effort.

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Everyone gives blood at Comic-Con . . . even The Borg!

COMIC-CON

2 0 0 9 35th annual masquerade

Top row: Samurai Jack vs. Aku won the Best Young Fan trophy and numerous prizes. The costume duo was worn and made by Kurt and Kit Brown (circle inset). It won the Best Young Fan prize from Anime Pavilion ($40 credit), the Century Guild prize ($50 cash), the Favorite Young Fan prize from Comic Gallery Stores of San Diego ($100 cash), and the Best Youth Costumer prize from Paramount Home Video (a selection of Blu-ray and DVD movies).

Left: Batman, a spirited re-creation from the 1960s TV show (see next page for more info).

Right: The Red Death, a stage re-creation from Phantom of the Opera, won an Honorable Mention for Excellence in Costuming. It was worn and made by Valefor De Ambershay (who had professional costumer status, so with regret the judges could not bestow a trophy). It also won the Best Dark Genre Entry, a $150 cash prize from Lynn Perry of Darkest Desires.

For a complete rundown of Comic-Con’s 2009 Masquerade winners, visit www.comic-con.org/cci/cci_masq.shtml

Online Edition Fall 2009 • Comic-Con Magazine 39

Top row: Even Master of Ceremonies Phil Foglio was no match for this awesome Hulk costume, which garnered an Honorable Mention for Re-Creation and was worn and made by Michael Passaretti. The costume also won a $50 cash prize from Century Guild and the David C. Copley Prize for the Most Innovative Costume ($100 cash and a copy of the book Dressed: A Century of Hollywood Costume Design). Princess Ashe, a re-creation from the Final Fantasy XII video game, was worn and made by Lady Gemenai and won the Anime Pavilion prize ($150 booth/website credit) for Best Anime Costume.

Middle row: Batman, a re-creation of ten TV/film characters, was worn and made by Heather, Laura, Sharon, Kim, Brittany, Thea, Jess, Sihaya, Katie, and Aaron and won the DC Comics prize ($300 cash) for best re-creation of a DC character.

Bottom right: This great 1980s-era Luthor battlesuit costume didn’t win any prizes, but its obvious its wearer was drunk with power . . . and rightfully so!

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Top: The Best in Show trophy went to Mucha’s The Seasons, a re-creation from Alphonse Marie Mucha’s paintings. Spring: Becky Young. Summer: Valerie Perez. Fall: Andrea Davis. Winter: Heather Harris.

Costumes and sets made by Andrea Davis, Darcienne Sparber, Bob Mannion, and Heather Harris. This ensemble also won the Century Guild prize ($200 cash or $500 booth credit).

Middle row: Who said Aquaman was dead?

Here he is—in a comics re-creation—worn and made by Sam McClellan, which won the Best Novice trophy and the Paramount Home Video prize (a package of Blu-ray and DVD movies) for Best Hero or Villain. Spawn won the trophy for Best Re-creation (comics or movies) and was worn by Allan Lavigne and made by Allan Lavigne and Jeff Dullam.

Bottom row: Toro the Minotaur was an original design worn, designed and made

by Devon Jopling. It garnered an Honorable Mention for workmanship. A.T.S.T. Scout Walker, a Star Wars re-creation worn and made by Blair Heald, won an Honorable Mention for Technical Execution.

Online Edition Fall 2009 • Comic-Con Magazine 41

COMIC-CON

2 0 0 9 the moment . . . captured!

Above left: Robert Downey Jr. greeting a young fan at the Iron Man 2 panel in Hall H. Above right: Dr. Who star David Tennant with 4,250 of his closest friends in Ballroom 20 on Sunday.

Middle: Newly minted volunteers (note the T-shirts they’re wearing!) Kunal Nayar, Kaley Cuoco, and Johnny Galecki with Jim Parsons and Simon Helberg of The Big Bang Theory backstage after their triumphant Ballroom 20 panel.

Below: Lost producer Carlton Cuse “kidnapping” Entertainment Weekly writer Jeff Jensen (bagged!) from his panel because Jeff knows too much; producer/director James Cameron striding onto the Hall H stage to introduce the audience to Avatar; Iron Man 2 star Scarlett Johansson being interviewed by Entertainment Tonight after her Hall H appearance.

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Above: True Blood star Anna Paquin went where few stars dare to go: the edge of the Ballroom 20 stage to greet her show’s fans.

Right: Reunited backstage! Producer/director Peter Jackson (promoting District 9) was visited by two of his Lord of the Rings stars, Dominic Monaghan (at Comic-Con for Lost and Flash Forward) and Elijah Wood (at the show for the animated film 9).

THE PHOTO ISSUE Cover: Photographer photo, Lasseter/Miyazaki, Convention Center: Rudy Manahan; Oliphant: Albert Ko; Hall H 3D: Art Lee; Johns: Eric Olaef; Jackson/Cameron: Albert L. Ortega; Red Death: David Saskow.

Page 17: Convention Center: Austin Gorum; Miyazaki: Tina Gill; Robinson/West: Len Briggs; Powell: John Salgado; Jackson: Albert L. Ortega.

Page 18: Doors photo, gaming: Kevin Green; opening: Len Briggs; Bumblebee: Albert Ko; videogames: Patrick Cristobal.

Page 19: Masters of the Universe: Aaron Turkeltaub; DC booth: Patrick Cristobel; Rogen: Albert L. Ortega: crowd: Kevin Green.

Page 20: Marvel booth, sculptor: Kevin Green; Bongo booth: Aaron Turteltaub; Oni booth: Jonakin Randolph; Thompson, Lieber, Epting: Phil Lindsten.

Page 21: Star Wars: Austin Gorum; crowds: Kevin Green.

credits Page 32: Twilight: Austin Gorum; Jonah Hex, Zombieland, Wood/ Connelly: Tom Deleon; Lasseter/Miyazaki: Rudy Manahan; McAdams/ Downey, Weaver: Tina Gill; Washington: Eric Olaef; Depp/Burton: Albert Ko. Page 33: Millar/Romita, Kick-Ass: Albert L. Ortega; Iron Man 2: Albert Ko; Cameron: David Saskow; District 9: Tina Gill.

Page 34: Big Bang, Hall: David Saskow; Mitchell: Kevin Green; 24: Henry Lee; True Blood: Bill McClelland; Deschanel: Jessica Collett; Welling: Tina Gill; Tennant: Albert L. Ortega; Groening: Patrick Yeung.

Page 35: Lost: Tom Deleon; Fringe, Dushku: Rudy Manahan; Barrowman, Quinto: Tina Gill; Chuck/Jeffster photo and insert: Chuk Gawlik; Chuck cast: Albert L. Ortega.

Page 36: Cake and cake-cutting: Kevin Green; pioneers: Kira OlsonTapp; Lovitz: Kevin Green; Timm: Rudy Manahan.

Page 22: Hughes: Kevin Green; Superman panel: Eric Olaef; Way: Jessica Collett; Dunbier/Cooke: Chuk Gawlik.

Page 37: Klingons: Rudy Manahan; freebies: Scotty Oson; swordfight: Kira Olson-Tapp; portfolio review: Tom Gurnee; Kaufman roast, Norman: Chuk Gawlik.

Page 23: Allred/Pope: Patrick Yeung; Fraction: Albert L. Ortega; Sienkiewicz: Fritz Harman; graphic novels: Tony Amat; Quesada: Eric Olaef; Coogan/Duncan: Tom Gurnee.

Page 38: Star Wars drawing: Scotty Oson; Brubaker/Bell, Sansweet: Jessica Collett; blood drive: Kira Olson-Tapp.

Page 24: CBLDF 1: Scotty Oson; CBLDF 2, Anderson/Herbert: Len Briggs; Gianni/Mignola/Darrow, Manapul: Kevin Green; Sakai: Tom Gurnee.

Page 25: Freberg, Evanier/Foray/Kress: Chuk Gawlik; Robinson/Waid, Yang: Kevin Green; Oliphant: Henry Lee; Lash/Jusko/Starr: Scotty Oson; Petersen: Kira Olson-Tapp; O’Malley: Art Lee. Page 26 and 27: All Eisner Awards photos by Tony Amat and Tom Deleon.

Page 28: Lasseter/Miyazaki, Gilliam: Tina Gill; Oliveros/Seth: Rudy Manahan; Short, Towry, Cuti: Chuk Gawlik; Allred: John Salgado.

Page 39: Samurai Jack, Batman, Red Death: David Saskow; inset: Kevin Green.

Page 40: Hulk/Foglio: Len Briggs; Princess Ashe, Luthor: Kevin Green; Batman: David Saskow.

Page 41: Four Seasons: Kevin Green; Aquaman, Spawn, Minotour, Scout Walker: Jerry Shaw.

Page 42: Downey: Kevin Green; Tennant: Albert L. Ortega; Big Bang: Scotty Oson; Lost: Tom Gurnee; Cameron: Brian Wong; Johansson: David Saskow.

Page 43: Paquin, Monaghan/Jackson/Wood: Albert L. Ortega.

Page 29: Coraline, Mythbusters: Aaron Turkeltaub; Nimoy: Johnakin Randolph; Gray/Girard: Fritz Harman; Campbell: Kevin Green.

Online Edition Fall 2009 • Comic-Con Magazine 43

comic-con international 2010

2010

Single-day Memberships Go On Sale Dec. 15!

Comic-Con International experienced capacity crowds in 2009, with all memberships selling out months before the convention began. In 2009 we also added a huge new meeting room at the fabulous Hilton San Diego Bayfront, making even more programs available for attendees.

Comic-Con is looking ahead to next year with something new in the works for show number 41. The 2010 event—July 22–25 at the San Diego Convention Center—has an amazing lineup of special guests already confirmed (see the next page for details) and more to come as we get closer to the show. The Exhibit Hall is full for 2010 and will have a few surprises of its own when it debuts on Preview Night July 21. The next issue of Comic-Con Magazine (in print the first quarter of 2010) will feature more info about the Exhibit Hall and next year’s exhibitors.

Comic-Con 2010 has already seen unprecedented interest. Four-day memberships sold out in November—months before last year’s record-breaking March sellout—in part because we limited attendance to Preview Night.

In 2009, Preview Night exceeded building and registration capacity. To ensure that Comic-Con will be able to register every person who attends on Wednesday night and not have to turn anyone away, Preview Night has been capped to the 2008 attendance number. We know this has caused a lot of concern for people who would like to register early on Wednesday but who do not attend Preview Night. We are working on a solution for you. Please sign up to follow us on Twitter (www.twitter.com/comic_con), or check back on the website after the first of the year for updates.

Single-day memberships will go on sale on December 15!

Single-day prices for Comic-Con 2010 are: Thursday, July 22, Friday, July 23, and Saturday, July 24: Adult: $35.00 • Junior/Senior: $17.00 Sunday, July 25: Adult: $20.00 • Junior/Senior: $10.00 Children 11 and under are free with paying adult. Children 12–17 pay the Junior/Senior price. Seniors 60 and older pay the Junior/Senior price. Active military with ID pay the Junior/Senior price. This deal does not extend to their dependents.

There will be NO ONSITE REGISTRATION for Attendees, Press, Professionals and Volunteers.

The best way to lock in your four-day membership with or without Preview night is to purchase your 2011 membership onsite at Comic-Con 2010.

Memberships for 2011 will be available upstairs in the Sails Pavilion registration area at self-registration kiosks. Look for them onsite July 22–25.

Reselling, reusing, or transferring a Comic-Con 4-day or 1-day membership is strictly prohibited. Badges and memberships are nontransferable.

If you have purchased a 4-day or 1-day membership and cannot attend Comic-Con 2010, you must apply for a refund by June 21, 2010.

Refund requests must be received in writing by June 21, 2010 at:

Comic-Con Refund Request P. O. Box 128458, San Diego, CA 92112-8458 Comic-Con reserves the right to change its cancellation, refund, and exchange policy at any time without notice.

Photo: Tom Gurnee

Check www.comic-con.org for breaking news on special guests, programs, and exhibitors. Plus follow us on Twitter for Comic-Con updates at www.twitter.com/comic_con and info on WonderCon and APE, the Alternative Press Expo!

Online Edition Fall 2009 • Comic-Con Magazine 44

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

comic-con international 2010 Evanier brings his incredible wealth of knowledge of comics and pop culture to light each and every day on his blog at www.newsfromme.com, and will once again moderate and host a plethora of panels at Comic-Con.

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Nicholas Gurewitch (cartoonist, The Perry Bible Fellowship). The cartoonist behind the Eisner and Harvey award-winning online strip The Perry Bible Fellowship, Nicholas Gurewitch started his career in the Syracuse University newspaper The Daily Orange. In addition to being featured online, PBF appeared in newspapers, magazines, and other school papers. The strip ended in 2008 but remains an online favorite. Dark Horse has published two extremely popular collections, The Trial of Colonel Sweeto and Other Stories and The Perry Bible Fellowship Almanack. Recently Gurewitch contributed to Marvel Comics’ Strange Tales title, featuring popular Marvel heroes in stories by indie cartoonists.

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Matt Fraction (writer, Invincible Iron Man, Uncanny X-Men). Matt Fraction is one of the hottest writers working in comics. His first big hit was Casanova for Image Comics, drawn by Gabriel Bá and Fabio Moon. From there, he went to work for Marvel on such titles as Immortal Iron Fist and Punisher War Journal. His Invincible Iron Man title with artist Salvador Larroca won the 2009 Eisner Award for Best New Series. Fraction also writes the flagship X-title, Uncanny X-Men.

Keith Knight (syndicated cartoonist, The Knight Life, the K Chronicles, (th)ink). Keith Knight is one of the most prolific cartoonists in the country. He is the creator of three comic strips: The Knight Life, a nationally syndicated autobiographical daily; (th)ink, a sociopolitical single panel of ethnic concern; and his signature strip, the K Chronicles, winner of the 2007 Harvey Award for Best Comic Strip. A frequent contributor to MAD magazine, Knight’ offers a potent combination of highbrow and lowbrow humor. Frequent subjects include racism, police brutality, war, mimes, and bacon. With one foot underground and the other in the mainstream, his work has caused more than a few ripples across the media spectrum. He is celebrating the first collection of his daily strip, The Knight Life: Chivalry Ain’t Dead, and his latest (th)ink collection.

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Miéville

Jim Lee (artist, All Star Batman and Robin the Boy Wonder). Acclaimed comic book illustrator Jim Lee was born in Seoul, South Korea in 1964. Today, he is the creative director of WildStorm Studios (which he founded in 1992) and the penciller for many of DC Comics’ bestselling comic book and graphic novels, including All Star Batman and Robin, The Boy Wonder, Batman: Hush, and Superman: For Tomorrow. He also serves as the executive creative director for the upcoming DC Universe Online videogame.

In his spare time, Jim enjoys a good laugh or two.

Stan Lee (writer, editor, co-creator, Fantastic Four, Amazing Spider-Man, Incredible Hulk, et al). Stan “the Man” Lee’s influence over comic books is incalculable. His co-creations, Spider-Man, X-Men, and Iron Man have been monster movie hits, helping make Marvel Comics the leader

JULY 22 – 25 • SAN DIEGO CONVENTION CENTER

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of the comic book industry. Some of Stan’s other great co-creations, such as Hulk, Fantastic Four, and Daredevil, have sequels on the way, while Thor, Avengers and Silver Surfer, plus many others, are now in development. In 2008, President Bush presented Stan a Medal of the Arts, lauding his amazing career. Stan is currently developing movie and TV projects with his company POW! Entertainment while still proudly cherishing the title Chairman Emeritus of Marvel. Lee was awarded the 2009 ComicCon Icon Award (see page 9 for more details).

Paul Levitz (writer, editor, publisher, Legion of Super-Heroes). Paul Levitz entered comics in 1971 as editor of The Comic Reader, the first comics newszine, which won two Best Fanzine Comic Art Fan Awards. He has received the Inkpot Award and the Bob Clampett Humanitarian Award and serves on the Comic Book Legal Defense Fund board. Levitz is known for his writing, including an acclaimed run on the Legion of Super-Heroes, a series to which he’s returned. On staff from 1973, Levitz was DC’s youngest editor ever; he ultimately became publisher in 1989 and president and publisher from 2002 to 2009. He is now primarily writing.

A San Diego Comic-Con attendee since 1974, this will be his first time as a guest.

Larry Marder (writer/artist, Beanworld).

Larry Marder’s Beanworld has delighted readers from grade school to grad school for more than a generation, earning him a spot on the New York Times’ Graphic Books Best Sellers List. Marder’s Tales of the Beanworld, a most peculiar comic book experience, was first released in 1985 by Eclipse Comics; 21 issues were published until 1993. Marder returned to creating Beanworld full time in 2007. He lives in Orange County, California, with his wife, Cory, and their two cats, Olive and Chipper.

Carla Speed McNeil (writer/artist, Finder; artist, Queen & Country, Bad Houses). Writer/ artist Carla Speed McNeil is best known for her award-winning science fiction series Finder.

sturm McNeil self-published Finder starting in 1996 and continues the series today on the web, where she moved it in 2005. In 2009, Finder won the Eisner Award for Best Webcomic. McNeil’s other work includes illustrating a story arc for Greg Rucka’s Queen & Country and co-creating a new Vertigo series, Bad Houses, with writer Sarah Ryan. In addition to her Eisner Award, McNeil is also the recipient of the Friends of Lulu Kim Yale Award for Best New Talent in 1997 and the Ignatz Award for Promising New Talent in 1998.

China Miéville (author, The City & the City, Perdido Steet Station). China Miéville is the New York Times bestselling author of Perdido Street Station, The Scar, Iron Council, and several other works. He has won a number of awards, including the Arthur C. Clarke Award and the British Fantasy Award twice each. His latest novel, The City & the City, was named one of the top 10 books of the year in 2009 by Amazon.com. His new book, Kraken, will be published in June 2010. Miéville lives and works in London.

Robert M. Overstreet (author, comics historian, The Overstreet Comic Book Price Guide).

Author Robert M. Overstreet discovered the EC line of comics in 1952. After joining fandom groups, he wrote to collectors looking to buy their collections. He found only one taker, but the spark was lit.

A coin collector as well as a comics enthusiast, he wondered when comic books would have their own “red book” price guide. He continued collecting through the 1960s, eventually networking with dealers and other collectors to the point that he thought something had to be done to document the field he loved. The Overstreet Comic Book Price Guide— now celebrating its 40th anniversary—was born.

Douglas E. Richards (author, The Prometheus Project series). Douglas E. Richards is the author of the children’s science fiction thrillers The Prometheus Project—Trapped and The Prometheus Project—Captured for kids ages 9 to 13. These books, driven by accurate science, have been passionately praised by kids, called “perfect for middle grades” by Teaching PreK-8 Magazine, and

tyler endorsed by the California Department of Education, the AAAS, the UK’s Association for Science Education, and many others. Douglas, a former biotechnology executive, has a master’s degree in molecular biology and writes science pieces for National Geographic KIDS, an award-winning magazine read by millions.

James Sturm (cartoonist/educator, James Sturm’s America). James Sturm is a cartoonist whose graphic novels include Market Day (Spring 2010), James Sturm’s America, Adventures in Cartooning, Satchel Paige: Striking Out Jim Crow, and The Fantastic Four: Unstable Molecules.

James is the co-founder and director of The Center for Cartoon Studies, a two-year cartooning school in the storied railroad town of White River Junction, Vermont. In 1991 James co-founded the Seattle weekly The Stranger. His comics, writing, and illustrations have appeared in scores of national and regional publications, including The Chronicle of Higher Education, Slate, The Onion, The New York Times, and on the cover of The New Yorker.

C. Tyler (artist/writer, You’ll Never Know: A Good & Decent Man). C. Tyler is an award winning autobiographical comic book artist/writer whose work R. Crumb describes as having “the extremely rare quality of genuine, authentic heart.

Hers are the only comics that ever brought me to the verge of tears.” Her stories first appeared in Weirdo in 1987 and numerous publications over the years, most recently the Yale anthologies and Kramer’s Ergot #7. She has been nominated for Harvey, Eisner, and Ignatz Awards and was listed as one of the Top 100 Cartoonists of the 20th Century. She has three solo books, The Job Thing (1993), Late Bloomer (2005), and You’ll Never Know: A Good & Decent Man (2009).

For updated guests info, visit www.comic-con.org/cci/cci_guests.shtml

Online Edition Fall 2009 • Comic-Con Magazine 47

comic-con international 2010

2010 Will Eisner Comic Industry Awards Judges The judging panel has been named for the 2010 Will Eisner Comic Industry Awards. The blue-ribbon committee will be choosing the nominations to appear on the Eisner Awards ballot. The judges are:

Craig Fischer

Craig Fischer is an associate professor of English at Appalachian State University, where he teaches courses on film and comics. His articles have been published in The Comics Journal and The International Journal of Comic Art, and he served on the executive committee of the International Comic Arts Forum (ICAF) from 2005 to 2007.

Currently, Craig blogs with comics scholar Charles Hatfield at www.thoughtballoonists.com.

Francisca Goldsmith

Francisca Goldsmith, director of branch services at the Halifax Public Libraries, Nova Scotia, has been working with comics and library users for over 20 years. This year her Reader’s Advisory Guide to Graphic Novels (ALA Editions) was published, along with her contributions of chapters to two other books on sequential art.

Goldsmith regularly reviews graphic novels and comics for a variety of professional journals and has planned and implemented school and public library programs and staff development opportunities, featuring sequential art media and creators, for librarians. In addition to her work with comics and readers, Goldsmith has served on a number of state and national literary awards committees and has published numerous interviews with artists and authors, including Will Eisner.

John Hogan

John Hogan is a graduate of the University of Northern Iowa, where he majored in English literature and minored in journalism. In his professional life, he has worked as a copyeditor, copywriter, and editor and he is the former editor-in-chief of Pages, the magazine for people who love books. He’s currently the editor of GraphicNovelReporter.com, a website devoted to covering the world of comics through the eyes of librarians, teachers, creators, and general readers.

James Hudnall

Since 1986 James Hudnall has worked as a comics writer, publisher, and letterer, as well as a rewriter of manga.

He has worked for almost all of the major publishers at one time or another. His comics series Harsh Realm was adapted to TV by Fox in 1998. His graphic novel The Psycho, with artist Dan Brereton, is in development with Universal Pictures. His Unauthorized Biography of Lex Luthor has been called one of the best comics of all time

by Wizard magazine. He’s currently finishing a crime thriller graphic novel.

Wayne Winsett

Wayne Winsett has owned Time Warp Comics and Games in Boulder, Colorado, for 25 years. He managed the Mile High Comics flagship store for five years prior to buying his store from Mile High in 1984. He is currently helping support a popular graphic novel course at the University Of Colorado that has 100 students enrolled this semester. Last semester he helped organize an exhibit at CU that was the most attended gallery showing in school history. He also frequently gives lectures on “Comics Economics “ to the students.

Volunteer for COMIC-COn 2010!

Seriously: We couldn’t do it without you! Volunteering for Comic-Con is a great way to meet fellow fans and get a free one-day membership for the day you volunteer. Those who complete at least one assignment at Comic-Con get the coveted Volunteer T-shirt (the 2009 shirt featured art from the DC Comics/Cartoon Network series Batman: The Brave and the Bold).

Volunteers must be at least 16 years old, but no specific skills are needed. Best of all, you can register online! Comic-Con 2010 Volunteer registration will open online soon! Visit www.comic-con.org/cci/cci_vol.shtml for details on how to volunteer and when to register online. In 2009, all volunteer positions for Comic-Con were filled before the show. For 2010, we strongly urge you register online once registration opens.

48 Comic-Con Magazine • Spring 2009 Online Edition

Hogan photo: Sarah Gainer; Hudnall drawing: Mike Netzer

Please visit www.comic-con.org/cci/cci_hotel.shtml

for updated Comic-Con 2010 hotel information.

Online Edition Fall 2009 • Comic-Con Magazine 49

Please visit www.comic-con.org/cci/cci_hotel.shtml

for updated Comic-Con 2010 hotel information.

50 Comic-Con Magazine • Fall 2009 Online Edition

Please visit www.comic-con.org/cci/cci_hotel.shtml

for updated Comic-Con 2010 hotel information.

Online Edition Fall 2009 • Comic-Con Magazine 51

seasons greetings

comic-con international 2010

from san diego *

*This is as close as we could get to a snowman. Sorry.