Dark Horse’s Mike Richardson to keynote ComicsPRO meeting
Mike Richardson of Dark Horse.
The sixth annual ComicsPRO Annual Membership Meeting is set for next week in Dallas, as comic-book specialty retailers from across the country congregate to meet with vendors and suppliers, and plan objectives for the upcoming year.
The 2012 keynote speaker is Mike Richardson, president of Dark Horse Comics, president of Dark Horse Entertainment and owner of the retail store chain Things From Another World. (more…)
Former “Justice League” artist Kevin Maguire discusses his early days in comics
"Justice League" No. 1, drawn by Kevin Maguire
AUSTIN, Texas — While Wizard World’s Austin Comic Con featured an array of movie and television stars, comics also were a focus at last weekend’s show. In attendance were Nathan Edmondson (“Who Is Jake Ellis?,” “Grifter”), Greg Capullo (“Batman”), Robert Wilson (“Knuckleheads,”) Kevin Maguire (“Justice League”) and Freddie Williams II (“Captain Atom”).
Maguire and Williams entertained fans and would-be creators in a panel aimed at sharing tips on breaking in to comics. Maguire, who’s been professionally drawing since the mid-1980s, cracked up the crowd, saying he wasn’t sure how he got in and couldn’t really explain how he’d stayed in the industry so long.
“I haven’t broken in since 1986; it’s so different now,” he said. “I’m just here to provide color commentary.”
Tanga in "My Greatest Adventure."
Maguire sent in samples in the early 1980s to Marvel. That led to his becoming part of Romita’s Raiders, an internship-type program at Marvel doing corrections and working with art director John Romita. During that time, he also sent samples to editor Andy Helfer at DC, which led to Maguire’s being offered a comic book at DC Comics.
“I did a book for DC called ‘Wild Card’ that was never published,” Maguire said. “On the strength of that, I got offered ‘Silver Surfer’ at Marvel. And to counter that, DC offered me ‘Justice League.’”
“Justice League,” written by Keith Giffen and J.M. DeMatteis, became a best-seller in the late 1980s, featuring more humor than was typical for a superhero book of the time. Maguire’s expressively drawn faces were part of that.
“I do improv and acting on the side, just for fun, so I’m always thinking about, ‘What is the character feeling? How are they reacting to what’s going on?’” Maguire said. “How does that reflect how they stand, how they gesture, what’s going on with their face? To me, it just seems like an essential part of storytelling.”
Maguire currently is writing and drawing a story starring Tanga, a charming superpowered alien, in the anthology series “My Greatest Adventure.”
“I love writing my own stuff,” Maguire said. “It’s so much more satisfying for me to be telling my own stories and having my own sense of humor out there.”
- By Matthew Price
WORD BALLOONS
From Friday’s The Oklahoman
“Buffy the Vampire Slayer” stars, comic creators highlight Austin Comic Con
Thor and friends at Austin Comic Con.
AUSTIN, Texas — Lines snaked through aisles as excited fans waited to meet stars of the TV show “Buffy the Vampire Slayer,” including James Marsters, Charisma Carpenter, Mercedes McNab, James Charles Leary and Juliet Landau.
James Marsters
Delighted fans interacted with Carpenter, who played Cordelia Chase on “Buffy the Vampire Slayer” and the spinoff “Angel.”
“I touched him, I touched him,” one fan cried in near-hysterics after meeting Marsters, who played “Spike” on “Buffy the Vampire Slayer” and “Angel.”
Adam Baldwin of another Joss Whedon show, “Serenity,” was also drawing attention from fans. Alaina Huffman, of “Smallville” and “Stargate Universe,” made her second appearance at the Wizard World Austin Comic-Con. Former “Heroes” star Hayden Panettiere also drew fans.
Comics were also a focus at the Austin Comic Con — in attendance were Nathan Edmondson (“Who Is Jake Ellis?,” “Grifter”), Greg Capullo (“Batman”), Robert Wilson (“Knuckleheads,”) Kevin Maguire (“Justice League”) and Freddie Williams II (“Captain Atom”).
Artist Robert Wilson at Austin Comic Con
Maguire and Williams entertained fans and would-be creators in a panel aimed at sharing tips on breaking in to comics. Maguire, who’s been professionally drawing since the mid-1980s, cracked up the crowd, saying he wasn’t sure how he got in and couldn’t really explain how he’d stayed in the industry so long.
SCARE for a CURE, an Austin-based nonprofit organization that raises money for local cancer charities, offered a chance to “shoot a Stormtrooper” of the local 501st Star Wars legion for $2, with the proceeds going to cancer charities, including Breast Cancer Resource Centers of Texas.
Austin Books & Comics again exhibited at the show with a large booth featuring everything from high-end Golden Age
Austin Books & Comics booth at Austin Comic Con 2011.
Comics to props and glassware. Owner Brad Bankston said his booth had been busy, with many buyers in search of particular hard-to-find items. He noted that “Doctor Who” items were particularly popular at this year’s show.
Sunday featured a “Kids’ Day” program, with face painting, balloons, other activities specifically for children. Kids could go to different booths with kid-friendly activities to win a prize. The day also featured a “Fairy Godmother Academy” storytelling session by Jan Bozarth.
- Matt Price
Patrick Gleason, Kevin Maguire, Freddie Williams to appear at Wizard World’s Austin Comic Con panel
Justice League #1 from 1987, drawn by Kevin Maguire.
Patrick Gleason (Batman & Robin; Green Lantern Corps), Kevin Maguire (Justice League; Batman Confidential) and Freddie Williams (JSA All-Stars; Batman) will be the special guests of a “Breaking into Comics” panel at 1 p.m. today at the Austin Comic Con, 500 E. Cesar Chavez in Austin. The trio is expected to give out tips on refining art and pitching publishers. The panel will be held in Room B.
- Matt Price
Update: Patrick Gleason didn’t make it, but Maguire and Williams did. Very informative panel, which I hope to write up in more detail later!
Oafcon kicks off today in OKC
Oafcon — or the 2011 Classic Comic Book and Nostalgia Convention — kicks off today and continues through Sunday at the Biltmore Hotel I-40 at Meridian Avenue, Oklahoma City.
Admission is just $5. Local creators and classic comics will be on hand. “Dick Tracy” writer Mike Curtis is also expected.
The show opens at 10 a.m. today (Saturday). More info at : http://oafcon2011.blogspot.com/
Charisma Carpenter Q&A at Austin Comic Con
Charisma Carpenter (AP)
Charisma Carpenter (Cordelia Chase), Mercedes McNab (Harmony) and James Charles Leary (Clem) will discuss their days on “Buffy the Vampire Slayer” at 1 p.m. today at Austin Comic Con, 500 E Cesar Chavez in Austin.
This “Buffyfest Q&A” will be held in room A.
- Matt Price
See Marv Wolfman at Wizard World’s Austin Comic Con
“Teen Titans” and “Tomb of Dracula” writer Marv Wolfman will appear at noon today in Room B of the Austin Comic Con, Austin Convention Center, 500 E Cesar Chavez.
Wolfman will discuss characters he’s created that have been adapted into TV shows, movies and animated series, including “Teen Titans” and “Smallville.”
Wolfman created the character Blade in “Tomb of Dracula,” which has been adapted into three movies starring Wesley Snipes, and a television series.
Also, Wolfman and artist John Romita Sr. created the “Daredevil” villain Bullseye.
- Matt Price
Dick Tracy writer Mike Curtis to attend Oklahoma City’s Oafcon
The current writer of “Dick Tracy” will visit the home state of the strip’s creator, Chester Gould, this weekend as Mike Curtis attends Oklahoma City’s Oafcon.
Izumicon set for this weekend
Vic Mignogna
The anime convention Izumicon is set to take place in Midwest City this weekend. It will run Friday through Sunday at the Reed Convention Center, 5800 Will Rogers Road. Guests will include voice actors Vic Mignogna and Christine Auten. For more information, go to www.izumicon.com.
- Matt Price
Charisma Carpenter, Hayden Panettiere among Austin Comic Con guests
Charisma Carpenter (AP)
If you’re heading to Texas this weekend, the largest show in the region happens this weekend in Austin, Texas.
The Wizard World Austin Comic Con features stars Hayden Panettiere, Adam Baldwin, James Marsters, Juliet Landau and Charisma Carpenter among dozens of celebrities and industry professionals celebrating movies, graphic novels, comics, toys, television and more. The show will be held at the Austin Convention Center, 500 East Cesar Chavez Street, in Austin, TX.
The show hours are 4 to 7 p.m. Friday; 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday. For more information, go to www.wizardworldcomiccon.com/austin.html.
Click past the cut for more images of the stars.
- Matt Price
