Comics News: Image Comics Unveil Image Expo 2013

IMAGE COMICS ANNOUNCES IMAGE EXPO 2013

Image Expo 2013 is a unique media event that will take place in San Francisco’s Yerba Buena Center for the Arts on July 2, 2013.

An all-day event featuring announcements from Image Comics, the publisher of the best-selling comic book titles THE WALKING DEAD, SAGA, FATALE, EAST OF WEST and JUPITER’S LEGACY, Image Expo will also be host to superstar creators, including Image partner and THE WALKING DEAD creator Robert Kirkman; Ed Brubaker, co-creator of the Eisner-nominated FATALE; J. Michael Straczynksi, whose Joe’s Comics imprint has debuted TEN GRAND and unveiled SIDEKICK; and Kurtis J. Wiebe, writer of the skyrocketing Shadowline title PETER PANZERFAUST. There will also be special surprise guests, revealing panels, and autograph sessions. Tickets for this exciting event are available now!

Image Expo 2013 will be be the most intimate comics event of its kind, offering unprecedented access to creators, exclusive swag, and the first chance to hear what the publisher that has been taking the comics industry by storm has planned for the future.

Image Comics fans can keep on top of all the latest Image Expo 2013 developments at www.imagecomics.com/expo for ticket information and guest announcements.

Comics/Con News: Tedesco Bleeds Variant Cover For Kirkman's "The Walking Dead" # 1 Debuts in Philly

Eisner Award Nominee Julian Totino Tedesco's Variant Cover of Robert Kirkman's ''The Walking Dead #1'' Debuts at  Wizard World Philadelphia Comic Con Skybound and Wizard World's Third Limited Edition Cover in the Wizard World Series Free to Full-Price Attendees

Philadelphia, PA and New York, NY -- May 17, 2013 -- Argentine artist Julian Totino Tedesco will draw the third in a series of exclusive Wizard World variant covers of Robert Kirkman's The Walking Dead#1 comic for Wizard World Philadelphia Comic Con, May 30 - June 2, it was announced today by Wizard World and Skybound, Kirkman's imprint at Image Comics.  The covers proved to be extremely popular at Portland Comic Con in February and St. Louis Comic Con in March, celebrating the groundbreaking, Eisner Award-winning comic book series. Tedesco will be on hand at the Pennsylvania Convention Center throughout the event to sign copies of the limited-edition comic, produced in extremely limited quantities and available to fans only while supplies last.  The first two covers were illustrated by Michael Golden (Portland) and Arthur Suydam (St. Louis).  A different superstar artist will draw the variant cover art for each of the five remaining scheduled Wizard World shows this year.  Neal Adams is drawing the cover for the NYC Experience (June 28-30), and more cover artists will be announced shortly. Independent third-party comic book grading service CGC, a leader in the industry, will accept TWD #1 variant and Signature Series (must have a CGC witness) submissions at its Wizard World Philadelphia Comic Con exhibitor booth. Norman Reedus ("Daryl Dixon"), Michael Rooker ("Merle Dixon") and Jon Bernthal ("Shane Walsh"), stars of the AMC series based upon The Walking Dead, will attend Wizard World Philadelphia Comic Con.  Comics legend Stan Lee, "Firefly" and Serenity headliners Gina Torres and Summer Glau, John Barrowman of "Torchwood" and WWE® Superstar John Cena® are among the other top celebrity guests scheduled to appear.  They will be joined by a top-drawer collection of well-known artists and a variety of activities, exhibitors and special attractions in the third event on Wizard World's 2013 calendar and one of its flagship shows. The Walking Dead graphic novels accounted for seven of the 10 bestselling titles of the year and were #1 overall for both 2011 and 2012. Wizard World Philadelphia Comic Con, produced by Wizard World, Inc. (OTC.BB: WIZD), will bring together thousands of fans of all ages to celebrate the best in pop-fi, pop culture, movies, graphic novels, comics, toys, video gaming, television, sci-fi, gaming, original art, collectibles, contests and more. Admission is free for kids 10 and under, and Sunday, June 2, is "Kids Day," an array of programming specially designed for children. Event hours are Thursday, May 30, 3-8 p.m.; Friday, May 31, noon - 7 p.m.; Saturday, June 1, 10 a.m. - 7 p.m.; and Sunday, June 2, 10 a.m. - 5 p.m About Robert Kirkman: Robert Kirkman's success and passionate advocacy for creator-owned comics led him to become the first person invited to become a partner at Image Comics since the company's inception twenty years ago. Kirkman is the creator/writer of the Eisner Award-winning The Walking Dead, long-running Invincible, all-ages Super Dinosaur and Thief of Thieves. In 2010, Kirkman formed his own Image imprint, Skybound, which publishes his own work and Witch Doctor, Invincible Universe and Clone.  Kirkman has earned the respect of the comic, writing and television communities and topped the New York Times bestseller list for graphic novels in 2011 and 2012. In April 2012, he took the top five spots on both the hardcover and paperback lists. He's the creator/executive producer and writer of the hit Emmy®-winning television show, AMC's The Walking Dead, the highest-rated basic cable drama of all time in the U.S, also an international success in 122 countries and 37 languages. Your destinations for all news and merchandise from Robert Kirkman, The Walking Dead and all Skybound titles are www.Skybound.com and www.TheWalkingDead.com. About Skybound: Skybound is the home of Robert Kirkman's creator-owned work including his Eisner Award-winning comic book series, The Walking Dead, long-running Invincible, all-ages Super Dinosaur, Thief of Thieves and Clone as well as Witch Doctor and Invincible Universe. Since its inception, Skybound has created television shows, merchandise and a wide spectrum of platforms, games (The Walking Dead: Assault iOS app), and entertainment events (The Walking Dead Escape). Skybound's successes include the comic behind the hit Emmy®-winning television show, AMC's The Walking Dead, the highest-rated basic cable drama of all time in the U.S, also an international success in 122 countries and 37 languages. Skybound/Kirkman frequently top the hardcover and paperback bestseller lists. Your destinations for all news and merchandise from Robert Kirkman, The Walking Dead and all Skybound titles are www.Skybound.com and www.TheWalkingDead.com. About Wizard World: Wizard World produces Comic Cons and pop culture conventions across North America that celebrate graphic novels, comic books, movies, TV shows, gaming, technology, toys and social networking. The events often feature celebrities from movies and TV, artists and writers, and events such as premieres, gaming tournaments, panels, and costume contests.  The full event schedule can be found at www.wizardworld.com. ***** SAVE THE 2013-14 DATES ***** May 30 - June 2 - Wizard World Philadelphia Comic Con June 28-30 - Wizard World New York City Experience August 8-11 - Wizard World Chicago Comic Con September 20-22 - Wizard World Ohio Comic Con October 18-20 - Wizard World Nashville Comic Con November 22-24 - Wizard World Austin Comic Con January 24-26, 2014 - Wizard World Portland Comic Con February 7-9, 2014 - Wizard World New Orleans Comic Con April 4-6, 2014 - Wizard World St. Louis Comic Con

Comic News: Kirkman's Walking Dead # 1 Exclusive Variants During All Wizard World Cons

Robert Kirkman’s ‘‘The Walking Dead #1’’ Exclusive Variant Covers Available to All Wizard World Comic Con 2013 Attendees

First TWD #1 variant cover by comic writer/artist Michael Golden debuts at Portland Comic Con, Feb. 22-24; Limited Editions Via Skybound Only Available At Wizard World Throughout 2013

NEW YORK, February 13, 2013 – Robert Kirkman, creator and writer of the groundbreaking, Eisner-Award winning The Walking Dead comic book series and graphic novels continues to break records in all of its incarnations. Wizard World and Skybound, Kirkman's imprint at Image Comics, have teamed to bring fans what they want, more of The Walking Dead! Now, all full-price attendees at every Wizard World event in 2013 will receive a limited-edition, exclusive cover variant of The Walking Dead #1.

A different superstar artist will create the variant cover art for each of the eight scheduled shows this year. Comic book writer/artist Michael Golden illustrates the first variant cover at Wizard World Portland Comic Con, Feb. 22-24 at the Oregon Convention Center. At each event, the cover artist will be on hand to sign fans’ copies. More cover artists will be announced shortly.

The exclusive The Walking Dead #1 editions will be produced in extremely limited quantities and are available to fans only while supplies last at each Wizard World convention.

“Wizard World cons have always been great events for The Walking Dead,” said Kirkman. “I’m excited to present the all-new #1 cover variant by the legendary Michael Golden at Portland Comic Con this year.”

John Macaluso, Wizard World CEO added, “With The Walking Dead #100 as the highest-selling comic book of last year, we are absolutely thrilled to have this exclusive book that started it all available to all our Wizard World fans, beginning in the Pacific Northwest. Giving it away for free to all paid attendees is our way of giving back to the fan community that has supported us!”

The Walking Dead graphic novels accounted for seven of the 10 bestselling titles of the year and were #1 overall for both 2011 and 2012.

Michael Rooker and Norman Reedus, stars of the AMC series based upon The Walking Dead will attend Wizard World Portland Comic Con. Comics legend Stan Lee, Happy Days star Henry Winkler, Evil Dead star Bruce Campbell,Homeland headliner Morena Baccarin and WWE® Superstar The Miz® are among the other headliners. They will be joined by a top-drawer collection of well-known artists and a variety of activities, exhibitors and special attractions in the first event on Wizard World’s 2013 calendar and the first Wizard World event in Oregon.

Wizard World Portland Comic Con, produced by Wizard World, Inc. (WIZD.PK), will bring together thousands of fans of all ages to celebrate the best in pop-fi, pop culture, movies, graphic novels, comics, toys, video gaming, television, sci-fi, gaming, original art, collectibles, contests and more. Admission is free for kids 10 and under, and Sunday, February 24, is “Kids Day,” an array of programming specially designed for children. Event hours are Friday, Feb. 22, 3-8 p.m., Saturday, Feb. 23, 10 a.m.-7 p.m and Sunday, Feb. 24, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.

About Robert Kirkman

Robert Kirkman's success and passionate advocacy for creator-owned comics led him to become the first person invited to become a partner at Image Comics since the company's inception twenty years ago. Kirkman is the creator/writer of the Eisner Award-winning The Walking Dead, long-running Invincible, all-ages Super Dinosaur andThief of Thieves. In 2010, Kirkman formed his own Image imprint, Skybound, which publishes his own work and Witch Doctor, Invincible Universe and Clone. Kirkman has earned the respect of the comic, writing and television communities and topped the New York Times bestseller list for graphic novels in 2011 and 2012. In April 2012, he took the top five spots on both the hardcover and paperback lists. He's the creator/executive producer and writer of the hit Emmy®-winning television show, AMC's The Walking Dead, the highest-rated basic cable drama of all time in the U.S, also an international success in 122 countries and 37 languages. AMC is developing Thief of Thieves as a potential series with Kirkman serving as creator/executive producer and writer. Your destinations for all news and merchandise from Robert Kirkman, The Walking Dead and all Skybound titles is www.Skybound.com andwww.TheWalkingDead.com

About Skybound

Skybound is the home of Robert Kirkman's creator-owned work including his Eisner Award-winning comic book series,The Walking Dead, long-running Invincible, all-ages Super Dinosaur, Thief of Thieves and Clone as well as Witch Doctor and Invincible Universe. Since its inception, Skybound has created television shows, merchandise and a wide spectrum of platforms, games (The Walking Dead: Assault iOS app), and entertainment events (The Walking DeadEscape). Skybound's successes include the comic behind the hit Emmy®-winning television show, AMC's The Walking Dead, the highest-rated basic cable drama of all time in the U.S, also an international success in 122 countries and 37 languages. AMC is developing Thief of Thieves as a potential series. Skybound/Kirkman frequently top the hardcover and paperback bestseller lists. Your destinations for all news and merchandise from Robert Kirkman, The Walking Dead and all Skybound titles is www.Skybound.com or www.TheWalkingDead.com

About Wizard World

Wizard World produces Comic Cons and pop culture conventions across North America that celebrate graphic novels, comic books, movies, TV shows, gaming, technology, toys and social networking. The events often feature celebrities from movies and TV, artists and writers, and events such as premieres, gaming tournaments, panels, and costume contests.

The 2013 event schedule to date can be found at www.wizardworld.com.

***** SAVE THE 2013-14 DATES *****

February 22-24 – Wizard World Portland Comic Con

March 22-24 – Wizard World St. Louis Comic Con

May 30 - June 2 – Wizard World Philadelphia Comic Con

August 8-11 – Wizard World Chicago Comic Con

September 20-22 – Wizard World Ohio Comic Con

October 18-20 – Wizard World Nashville Comic Con

November 22-24 – Wizard World Austin Comic Con

February 7-9, 2014 – Wizard World New Orleans Comic Con

Image Comics NYCC Signing Schedule

Image Comics at New York Comic Con: Complete Signing Schedule

(From Image Comics Site)

Image Comics' complete signing schedule for New York Comic Con is now available! The schedule includes signings by top creators every day of the convention, October 11-14 in New York City's Javits Center. Signings will take place at the Image Comics booth, #1229.

Several creators will also be signing convention exclusives, which Image unveiled on September 19. Details on the exclusives, as well as the panel schedule, can be found at Image Comics' website.

	Thursday 3:00 PM - 9:00 PM
3:00-4:00	Haunt signing: Joe Casey and Nathan Fox
4:00-5:00	Not My Bag signing: Sina Grace
4:00-6:00	Think Tank signing/Talent Hunt: Matt Hawkins (Top Cow)
5:00-6:00	Mind The Gap signing: Jim McCann & Rodin Esquejo
5:00-6:00	Robert Kirkman signing (Skybound) (ticketed)*
6:00-7:00	Halloween Eve signing: Brandon Montclare & Amy Reeder
6:00-7:00	The Darkness and The Bulletproof Coffin signing: David Hine
7:00-8:00	Comeback signing: Ed Brisson & Michael Walsh
8:00-9:00	Great Pacific signing: Joe Harris
	Friday 10:00 AM - 7:00 PM
10:00-11:00	Pigs and Choker signing: Ben McCool & Ben Templesmith
11:00-12:00	Point of Impact signing: Jay Faerber
12:00-1:30	Mind the Gap signing: Jim McCann & Rodin Esquejo
1:00-2:00	Thief of Thieves signing: Nick Spencer, James Asmus, Shawn Martinbrough & Felix Serrano (Skybound)
1:30-3:00	Luther Strode signing: Justin Jordan & Tradd Moore (ticketed)*
3:00-4:00	Non-Humans signing: Glen Brunswick & Whilce Portacio
3:30-5:30	Think Tank signing/Talent Hunt: Matt Hawkins (Top Cow)
4:00-5:00	MacGyver signing: Lee David Zlotoff & Will Sliney
4:00-5:00	The Darkness and The Bulletproof Coffin signing: David Hine
4:00-5:30	Robert Kirkman signing (Skybound) (ticketed)*
5:00-6:00	D.O.G.s of Mars signing: Christian Weiser, Tony Trov, & Johnny Zito
5:00-6:00	Artifacts signing: Ron Marz (Top Cow)
6:00-7:00	The Manhattan Projects signing: Jonathan Hickman & Jordie Bellaire (ticketed)*
	Saturday 10:00 AM - 7:00 PM
10:00-11:00	Point of Impact signing: Jay Faerber
11:00-12:00	Halloween Eve signing: Brandon Montclare & Amy Reeder
11:00-12:30	Think Tank signing/Talent Hunt: Matt Hawkins (Top Cow)
12:15-2:00	Saga signing: Brian K. Vaughan & Fiona Staples (ticketed)*
1:00-2:00	Witch Doctor signing: Brandon Seifert & Lukas Ketner (Skybound)
2:00-3:00	Severed signing: Scott Snyder, Scott Tuft, & Attilla Futaki (ticketed)*
3:00-4:00	Top Cow Universe signing: Jeremy Haun, Nelson Blake II, David Hine, Tim Seeley, & Ron Marz
4:00-5:00	Bedlam and Morning Glories signing: Nick Spencer & Rodin Esquejo (ticketed)*
4:00-5:30	Teen Wolf signing: Tyler Posey, Jeff Davis & David Tischman (ticketed)*
5:00-6:00	Great Pacific signing: Joe Harris
5:00-6:00	Thief of Thieves signing: Nick Spencer, James Asmus, Shawn Martinbrough & Felix Serrano (Skybound)
6:00-7:00	The Manhattan Projects signing: Jonathan Hickman & Jordie Bellaire (ticketed)*
	Sunday 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
10:15-12:00	Happy! signing: Grant Morrison (ticketed)*
11:00-12:00	Super Dinosaur signing: Jason Howard (Skybound)
12:00-1:00	Black Kiss 2 signing: Howard Chaykin
1:00-3:00	Saga signing: Brian K. Vaughan & Fiona Staples (ticketed)*
3:00-4:00	Great Pacific signing: Joe Harris (writer/artist)
3:30-5:00	Robert Kirkman signing (Skybound) (ticketed)*
4:00-5:00	Valentine signing: Alex de Campi & Christine Larsen

*Tickets will be available at the Image Comics booth (#1229) on the day of the signing. One ticket per person will be available for each ticketed signing beginning at the start of the show each day and only while supplies last. No purchase necessary.