Gates, Portacio headline Tulsa show
TULSA — A former “Uncanny X-Men” artist and the writer of “Supergirl” are among the scheduled guests at this weekend’s Tulsa Anime & Comic Expo.
Whilce Portacio, who drew “Uncanny X-Men” during the comics boom and was the creator of “Wetworks,” is among the show’s guests. Portacio is currently the artist of Todd McFarlane’s “Spawn.” He was the plotter and penciller of “Uncanny X-Men” following Chris Claremont’s exodus from the books in the late 1990s, and introduced the Bishop character in “Uncanny X-Men” No. 282.
Tulsa native Sterling Gates plans to return to his hometown, celebrating this week’s release of “Action Comics” No. 881, part one of a four-part crossover Gates is writing with Greg Rucka. Gates said he was looking forward to returning to his former stomping grounds.
“I always look forward to any time I get to spend in Tulsa, but what really excites me is to be a part of Wizard’s Asylum’s convention,” said Gates, current writer of DC Comics’ “Supergirl.”
“I always really miss Oklahoma’s beautiful fall weather, so it’ll be great to see Tulsa in the full fall swing.”
Gates’ next major project is “World’s Finest,” a crossover between characters from the “Superman” and “Batman” families of books.
“Each issue focuses on a different Batman-Universe hero and villain teaming up with a different Superman-Universe hero and villain,” Gates said. “So, you’re getting four great characters coming into conflict, and you just have to sit back and watch the fireworks.”
Gates said “World’s Finest,” which kicks off Oct. 28, also has some of his “all-time favorite villains.”
“Catwoman’s in there, Mr. Freeze, Penguin, Kryptonite Man, Toyman,” he said. “It’s gonna take all of these heroes working together to rein these supervillains in!”
“Dragon Ball” voice actor Sonny Strait also is scheduled to appear at the convention.
Comic-book artists scheduled to appear include Michael Lark (”Daredevil”), Tommy Castillo (”Detective Comics”), Josh Howard (”Dead@17”), Brian Denham (”Violator vs. Badrock”), John Lucas (”Deadpool”), Ben Dunn (”Ninja High School”) and Jeremy Haun (”Berserker”). Writer Gary Friedrich, the creator of “Ghost Rider,” is also a guest of the convention.
The dealer’s room of the show will be open 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday. Evening events will run 7 p.m. to midnight Saturday. The event will be in Tulsa Convention Center, 100 Civic Center.
- by Matthew Price
From Friday’s The Oklahoman
Former Witchblade star set to ‘Kick Ass’
RICHARDSON, Texas – Yancy Butler, who starred as NYPD detective Sara Pezzini on the TNT drama “Witchblade,” will take on another comic-book role, in an upcoming film based on a comic book by Mark Millar and John Romita Jr.
Butler appeared at the Dallas Comic-Con in Richardson, Texas, last weekend, and appeared on a panel hosted by Devin Pike of redcarpetcrash.com. She talked about her career and current projects with the gathered fans.
Oklahoma Classic Comic Book & Nostalgia show announced
The 2009 Oklahoma Classic Comic Book & Nostalgia Show will take place from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Oct. 9 and 10 at the Biltmore Hotel, 401 S Meridian Ave. in Oklahoma City.
Man of Rock, by Bill Schelly
The show will feature comics, pulps, Big Little Books, movie posters, toys, artwork and more.
Dealers from across the USA are attending this show bringing lots of affordable comics and collectibles!
Among the events and guests planned for the show:
* The Big Little Book Collectors Club Meeting
* Art display from fantasy artist Kenneth Smith
* Writer Bill Schelly will have on hand his book on the life of comic-book artist Joe Kubert, “Man of Rock.”
The show is hosted by the Oklahoma Alliance of Fans.
For more info, see http://oafcon2009.blogspot.com/.
Comic-Con Preview Night
Kevin Eastman signs during Preview Night at Comic-Con International
SAN DIEGO — I didn’t schedule anything major for tonight, so I could wander the floor and check in with people. While traffic is lighter than it’ll be during the full days, it still felt pretty full once the show got in full swing.
Among things seen at Preview Night:
* Saw Mark Waid signing at Boom! Studios and thanked him for giving me an interview back in the mid-1990s when I was starting my own comics zine. He was friendly and gracious about it. I encourage everybody to check out his Irredeemable, which is a dark and intense comic.
* Saw Alex Ross artwork that costs more than my car. By quite a bit, actually.
* Saw some Heritage auctions items that also were quite pricey – a 9.8 Incredible Hulk 181 had an estimate of $17,000.
* Lots of new toys in the Mattel booth – Captain Marvel has a figure upcoming in the “Brave and Bold” line, so I hope that means we’ll see him on the show.
* Got a “Nexus Army” T-shirt from the Rude Dude booth. They were going fast, according to Rude Dude’s Jaynelle Rude, so if you want one, get over there quick!
* Also purchased a new “Scott Pilgrim” shirt from the Oni booth – really getting excited for that movie, and of course the comic remains among my favorites.
* Kevin Eastman was drawing a large line with his new “TMNT” book – congrats on the 25th anniversary of that indie hit!
* Dan Parent, “Archie” writer/artist, was doing a commission of Archie marrying Betty – giving the Betty fans some retailiation for the upcoming Archie/Veronica wedding, it seems!
- Matt Price
Peter Jackson to attend Comic-Con
Peter Jackson will attend Comic-Con International in San Diego, according to a release. He’ll be there in support of the film “District 9,” which he produced. Full release follows:
CULVER CITY, Calif., June 8, 2009 – Peter Jackson, the visionary filmmaker behind The Lord of the Rings, King Kong, and other films, will attend Comic-Con International: San Diego for the first time to support TriStar Pictures’ District 9, which Jackson produced, it was announced today. The District 9 panel discussion will be in the San Diego Convention Center’s Hall H on Friday, July 24. Jackson will be on the panel with the film’s director, Neill Blomkamp, and star, Sharlto Copley.
Commenting on the announcement, Jackson said, “After all these years, I’m thrilled that I finally have the opportunity to visit San Diego for Comic-Con. I am especially excited that I am attending to support District 9. Neill is a tremendously talented young director and he’s made an extraordinary film, so it was important to me to come to San Diego to spread the word. I look forward to attending my first ever Comic-Con and I know that those who visit us on July 24th in Hall H will be in for quite a ride.”
District 9 will be released in theaters nationwide on August 14, 2009.
SoonerCon 2009 kicks off today
THE NEXT LEVEL
Meet writers and artists of popular science fiction and fantasy at the 2009 SoonerCon expo this weekend at the Biltmore Hotel, 401 S Meridian.
Writer Dave Wolverton, aka David Farland, is the guest of honor. Wolverton is the author of the “Star Wars” novel “The Courtship of Princess Leia.” As Farland, he has written the “The Runelords” series, including the New York Times best-seller “Wizardborn.” Wolverton is a Guinness World Record holder for the largest single-author book signing, signing 1,845 copies of the science-fiction novel “A Very Strange Trip.”
Wolverton designed and scripted video games at Saffire studios. According to his Web site at www.davidfarland.net, he helped design the storyline, monsters, and weapons for “StarCraft’s Broodwar,” and wrote the story and script for “Xena: the Talisman of Fate.”
The artist guest of honor is Brad Foster, whose art has been published in more than 3,000 publications, including Amazing Stories and Highlights for Children.
Film fans can view selections from the International BareBones Film Festival, held each April in Muskogee. The Best of BareBones will screen films at SoonerCon today and Saturday, hosted by ShIronbutterfly Ray. Several filmmakers will be available for questions about their films.
This year’s theme is “Slideways in Time” and focuses on time travel and alternate histories. Tickets are $20 per day or $40 for the entire weekend. SoonerCon runs today through Sunday.
“It’s going to be high-energy,” said Leonard Bishop, executive director of SoonerCon 2009. “We’ve got 60-plus professional writers and artists; there will be multiple tracks of panel discussions and demos going on.”
Among the demos will be stage combat, belly dance, and performance art. There will also be charity auctions and evening activities.
For more information about SoonerCon, call (405) 694-1555 or visit www.soonercon.com.
- Matthew Price
From Friday’s The Oklahoman
SoonerCon hits Oklahoma City this weekend
SoonerCon returns to Oklahoma City this weekend at the Biltmore Hotel, 401 S Meridian.
Guests include writer Dave Wolverton, aka David Farland; artist Brad Foster; Selina Rosen; Dirk Hooper; Mario Wytch and more. Also going on at SoonerCon is the “Best of BareBones” film screening.
This year’s theme is “Slideways in Time” and focuses on time travel and alternate histories. Tickets are $20 per day or $40 for the entire weekend. SoonerCon runs today through Sunday.
Read more about SoonerCon in Friday’s Weekend LOOK section of The Oklahoman.
For more information about SoonerCon, call (405) 694-1555 or visit www.soonercon.com.
– Matthew Price
Planet Comicon this weekend in Kansas City area
I’m unfortunately missing the Planet Comicon this year, in Overland Park, Kan. It’s always one of the best comic-book shows in the area. If you don’t have previous commitments, and if driving isn’t impossible, you might check it out.
The show runs Saturday and Sunday at the Overland Park International Trade Center at 115th and Metcalf in Overland Park.
Jason Aaron, Matt Fraction, Joe Jusko and Michael Golden will be on hand – and that’s just the tip of the iceberg.
You can see the considerable guest list at planetcomicon.com.
I’ve been to this show several times, and it’s one of my favorites. It’s very much a comic-book heavy show, though there are also very good media guests. This year, I’ll instead be attending the AP-ONE journalism awards in Norman – which should also be outstanding – but those of you going to Kansas City, have some comic-book fun for me.
– Matt Price
Torchwood at NY ComicCon
”Torchwood” fans can see star Eve Myles and director Euros Lyn at the New York ComicCon. Lyn is the director of the entire third series of Torchwood, an adult-oriented spinoff of “Doctor Who.”
The BBC America program ” Torchwood” follows the adventures of the Torchwood Institute, the beyond-the-government secret organization formed by Queen Victoria that deals with supernatural and alien threats.
” Torchwood” stars John Barrowman as Capt. Jack Harkness and Myles as Gwen Cooper. NYCC con-goers will also get a sneak peek at the third series. See the full release after the break.
Wizard World Texas cancelled, Los Angeles show postponed
In bad news for Oklahoma comic book fans, Wizard Entertainment has cancelled its 2009 Wizard World Texas show, which is typically the largest comic-book show in the Southwest. The show was scheduled for Nov. 6-8 in Arlington. In a release, Wizard blamed the current economic climate for the show’s shutdown. Wizard Entertainment also announced it would postpone the Wizard World Los Angeles show, originally scheduled for March 13-15.
