CONMANIA

Good news, everybody! Or at least people attending Albuquerque Comic Expo. Stan “The Man” Lee was only supposed to be there the Saturday of the show. But that Stan is a wily one, always zagging just when you think he’s zigging. Turns out, he’s going to be there Sunday as well. Excelsior!

• Got a whole mess of Anime Expo news. First, if you’ve ordered a badge, you should be getting your confirmation email by Thursday. And when you finally get to the show, AX shelled out the extra sheckles and got the floor of the LA Convention Center carpeted. Yay, because that floor is made out of pure, concentrated evil. Also, they’ve announced their Battle of the Band finalists. President of Nitroplus, Takaki Digitarou Kosaka, has been added as an industry guest. They have new, cheaper price structures. However, it also looks like their Center Stage competition isn’t going to happen this year.
• Archie writer Craig Boldman is a guest of Cincinnati Comic Expo, as is “The Dead Cell” creator John Barker.
• I talked a little bit about it before, but here is a better look at the “Hero Illustrated” book debuting at Comic Con International.

So this one is a little unusual. Long Beach Comic Con is teaming up with Special Olympics Southern California as part of their Over the Edge program. What is it? Raise $1000 for the Special Olympics and you get to rappel down the 16-story Hyatt Regency Long Beach on October 29, 2011, also coincidentally the first day of the con in the hotel connected to the convention center. Hey, I’d do it.

• Can’t make it to Star Trek Vancouver? And really, after the riots last night, who can? StarTrek.com is going to be running live streams of the panels for $7.99 each.
• Thom “Love and Capes” Zahler is a guest of Cincinnati Comic Expo.
• More rules on Anime Expo’s Center Stage dance contest.
• Here’s a general overview on CopperCon 31.

Shhh, be quiet, or the zombies will get you! Also, you’re not supposed to see these New York Comic Con show badges sponsored by A&E’s “The Walking Dead” yet! Unless, you know, you’re everybody on Twitter.

• Amanda Conner, Jimmy Palmiotti and Frank Tieri will be making Megacon a little cooler.
• Weekend of Horror has announced it’s dates for next year: February 18-19 in what will probably be somewhat overcast Burbank, CA. Hey, it ain’t always sunny here. Kind of gloomy today, actually.
• Gen Con has their exhibit hall map up. Which is really only half the story. They’re so on the ball, they’ve got a video of their exhibit hall map, giving you the low-down on how to best maneuver yourself through their halls. Although I think it needs the theme song from the A-Team running in the background, to give it the right mission feel. Maybe the Great Escape?

I am serious, I am incredibly impressed with the thought and effort that went into that video.

• The Scarefest has an iPhone and Android app. Once again, Palm Pilot users are left in the cold.
• Going to San Japan in costume? Got $10? Then you can have an official professional photo shoot for $10 off the regular price.

Today’s interview is with indie comics creator Ray Friesen, the mind behind “Pirate Penguin vs. Ninja Chicken.” Which just by coincidence, you can get a look at here. Go watch.