The Guide to Pop Conventions
Posts tagged Chicago
Oh My God, it’s Almost C2E2 and Other News
Mar 16th
Not a ton of news today, especially not compared to yesterday’s onslaught of information. But C2E2 in Chicago is almost upon us, so there are some last-minute updates coming out of the Windy City.
- Marvel Comics displayed some of the exclusive swag they’re going to be giving away at C2E2, including a new mixtape comic, some posters and some buttons that you can only get by attending Marvel panels. Part of me really wants those buttons. Another part of me remembers that I never do anything with buttons and they just end up as clutter in a desk drawer. That’s the problem with free con swag – it’s all shiny and I WANT IT NOW, but really, once you come home from the con, there’s only so much you can do with most of it.
- Avatar Press has up on their website their plans for C2E2, including attending staff, exclusive comics and merchandise.
- C2E2 put out some notes on their convention mobile app. There may be an update to the app, and if it does go wonky, the mobile version of the website should be working. Either way, I’d recommend downloading the app in advance.
- But enough about Chicago! Spokane Comicon is going to have animator Thomas Cook at the show, who worked on shows such as “He-Man,” “Super Friends” and “Scooby Doo.”
- San Japan in San Antonio is hosting Brad Swaile, English dub voice of Light from Death Note.
- Tekkoshokon in Pittsburgh put up their latest newsletter. I’m not entirely sure what is news in there, so you might want to take a look for yourself.
- Wondercon isn’t just Wondercon, it’s also the SF Bay Area International Children’s Festival, for which they just posted the schedule.
Avenger Assemble and Other News
Mar 15th
Avengers Mansion at C2E2
Every once in a while, writing up convention news, I see an event where I’m honestly disappointed that I can’t attend. Don’t get me wrong, if I had a chance, I’d go to every con. But I’ve met Stan Lee a bunch of times, I’ve gotten drunk with Darwyn Cooke, Bruce Campbell has played with my lightsaber… and no that’s not a euphemism for anything. If I can find the picture later, I’ll post it. So if someone is attending a con across the country, there’s a good chance I’ve seen them before, or can see them at a more local one.
But at C2E2 next week in Chicago, the only time The New Avengers 100 will ever be shown as a single collection will happen, and I can’t go. Even more frustrating, members of the Hero Initiative Charity get an early look at the books – and for free! Of course, if you aren’t a member yet, you can sign up at the Hero Initiative booth at the show. And as if to rub it in my face, just to prove that this is the only time the collection will ever be shown as a whole, the first bunch of New Avengers 100 books will go on sale on eBay March 29. So go join the Hero Initiative, contribute to a great cause supporting the creators who built the comics industry, and get in to see Avengers Mansion at C2E2 for free. And while you’re doing that, go bug Jim McLauchlin and tell him Jeremy sent you.
And for the record, I had luchador mask hair that day.
- And now for a mess of Megacon news. First, the deadline for pre-reg for the Florida show is Saturday, so don’t dawdle.
- Second, the con’s schedule is now online.
- Third, Howard Chaykin has cancelled his appearance. Which I guess means it is safe for me to attend Megacon. Don’t ask why.
- Scott Pilgrim Party at Anime Conji in San Diego!
- Speaking of anime, Wondercon in San Francisco published their anime schedule.
Looks like Godzilla is giving Tokyo a break and smashing Albuquerque in the Albuquerque Comics Expo exclusive cover of IDW’s “Godzilla: King of the Monsters #1.” Pre-reg to get you one.- Anime Detour in MN rocks – they’re donating the proceeds of their auction this year to disaster relief in Japan. Which makes the above news item feel a little tacky, but oh well.
- PAX East just ended, so top bugging the Penny Arcade guys when PAX Prime tickets go on sale. Although it’s some time in April.
- Heroescon in Charlotte signed a bunch of indie artist guests - Paul Conrad, Joseph Carroll, Maris Wicks and Ron Salas.
- You like to go to sci fi conventions. Apparently, so does the Riverdale gang from Archie. Check out Sabrina the Teenage Slave Girl. Although Josie from the Pussycats as Catwoman might be a little too on the nose.
A Red Skull Roundup!
Mar 4th
Marvel released an image of Hugo Weaving as the Red Skull in “Captain America: First Avenger” today. I’ll be damned, he looks like the Red Skull. Yay! As opposed o looking like, I don’t know, Batroc the Leaper. AND ON TO THE NEWS!
- Good news to San Francisco-based fans of “Pedro and Me” and “Firearm,” Judd Winick and James Robinson are signed for WonderCon. What? You don’t remember Firearm? Robinson’s breakout book from Malibu? You all disappoint me so.
- Details are out for the Northwest Pinball and Gameroom Show in Seattle. Steve Weibe and Walter Day from “King of Kong” are going to be there.
- Going to C2E2? Check out the official afterparty on Friday. There’s going to be live band karaoke and burlesque.
- Anime Detour in Minnesota has put up their schedule of events.
Deadline for Official Hotels at C2E2 is Today
Feb 25th
Hey procrastinators, going to C2E2 in Chicago, but haven’t gotten a room yet? Better hurry, the deadline to get an official hotel room ends today. You don’t want to be caught sleeping in your car, they don’t call it the Windy City for nothing. Click here to download the PDF file and get to submitting, because time is rapidly running out on this one.
What are you still doing reading this? Start filling out the form already!
A Robert Davi Roundup
Feb 23rd
Hey Conmaniacs, hope the vacation treated you all well and were full of con goodness. Conmania HQ was rained out, but we still managed to capture the top con news coming off the wires for you.
- Creation Entertainment’s Official Vancouver Stargate SG-1/Atlantis Convention has updated their page with tentative show schedules and guest appearances. Including Robert Davi. He was in “Goonies.” Make sure you do the Truffle Shuffle for him.
- C2E2 in Chicago released their exhibit hall floor plan. It is still tentative and subject to change, but you have a month to figure out how to most efficiently spend your show floor time.
- Derby City Con in Kentucky announced a new guest, Aracana Comics writer John Barker.
- Horror Realm Con in Pittsburgh announced their show schedule.
- Sandiego.com wrote a really snotty article about how tough it is to get Comic Con International tickets. True, but they wrote it in a really insulting way. I’m not advocating anything nasty, but if you want to leave some feedback, be my guest.
That’s it for today. Check in tomorrow for the latest batch of con news.
Avengers Assemble at C2E2
Feb 18th
C2E2 attendees, don’t pass this one up. On March 19, from 6-8pm, Room 185bc will be transformed into Avengers Mansion, with every cover from the Hero Initiative’s “New Avengers 100 Project” on display. Top artists from around the industry were given blank covers of “New Avengers #1″ and told to sketch whatever they want. Take it from someone who has gotten to play with original covers from the Spider-Man, Hulk, Wolverine and Archie projects, they must be seen in person to truly be appreciated. $5 gets you in the door, mingling with some of the artists who drew the covers, and a raffle ticket to win a special New Avengers bottle of wine with sketches from the artists on it, with all the proceeds going to the Hero Initiative charity.
John McCrea Makes First North American Appearance in Eight Years at C2E2
Feb 16th
John McCrea, acclaimed artist and frequent Garth Ennis collaborator, will be making his first North American appearance in eight years at Chicago’s C2E2, March 18-20. The Irish born penciller, best know for co-creating DC’s Hitman, as well as runs on Judge Dredd, Spider-Man, Hulk and “The Boys: Herogasm,” will be appearing at the Hero Initiative booth, #457, throughout the convention. Unless you have a habit of attending comic book conventions overseas, this may be your first chance to talk to John about his 23 years in the comic book industry in almost a decade. Don’t miss the chance!
Pre-Order for a Con, Support the Hero Initiative
Feb 11th
Are you planning on going to C2E2 or Orlando Megacon this year? Just by pre-ordering your tickets, a portion of your payment can be donated to the Hero Initiative, the first-ever federally chartered not-for-profit corporation dedicated strictly to helping comic book creators in need.
All you need to do is order your tickets through the specific links below, and a portion of your ticket money will be donated to the charity at no cost to you. You’ll get all the fun of a comic con, plus the knowledge that you are helping out creators in need, some of whom are the very reason you are at that comic con. So go be a hero!
