Author: Lori Bouer

WonderCon Schedule Released

WonderCon Schedule Released

  • News
  • March 21, 2011
WonderCon

Image via Wikipedia

Comic-Con International (Comic-Con), the parent company of WonderCon, has released the much anticipated program schedule for the 25th anniversary event that is to be held Friday through Sunday, April 1-3, at Moscone Center in San Francisco. The well-known convention features every major comic book publisher, as well as major Hollywood movie studios and stars of comics, movies, and television.

“This year’s lineup is pretty spectacular,” commented David Glanzer, WonderCon’s Director of Marketing and Public Relations. “Programming is always at the heart of our shows, and I think this year’s slate will prove to be among the most exciting yet.”

Originally thought to be a regional show for Northern California, recently WonderCon has followed her sister event, the San Diego Comic-Con, in becoming a full-fledged national show attracting attendees and media from all over the country.

WonderCon 2011 features a number of the premier stars of the comics world including Jason Aaron, Sergio Aragones, Berkeley Breathed, Tony Daniel, Mark Evanier, Adam Hughes, Robert Kirkman, Hope Larson, Bob Layton, Paul Levitz, Jeremy Love, Francis Manapul, Carla Speed McNeil, Terry Moore, Ryan Ottley, Joe Quesada, Frank Quitely, Amy Reeder, James Robinson, Seth, Bill Sienkiewicz, Len Wein, F. Paul Wison, Judd Winick, and Marv Wolfman.

Hollywood has a major presence at WonderCon this season as well, joining the action with an exclusive peek at Green Lantern with stars Ryan Reynolds, Blake Lively and Peter Sarsgaard; a Cowboys And Aliens discussion with director Jon Favreau; a unique presentation on the movie Immortals featuring Henry Cavill (the newest Superman) and Kellan Lutz; and appearances by V‘s Elizabeth Mitchell, Priest‘s Paul Bettany, Super‘s Rainn Wilson, Human Target‘s Mark Valley, and Breaking In‘s Christian Slater.

The complete WonderCon programming schedule is available at http://www.comic-con.org/wc/wc_prog.php. WonderCon ticketing details and further information regarding the Comic-Con family of conventions can be found at www.comic-con.org.

Peanuts Happiness is a warm blanket, Charlie Brown

Kaboom! announces new Peanuts graphic novel

  • News
  • March 1, 2011

Peanuts Happiness is a warm blanket, Charlie BrownThis March, join Charlie Brown, Linus, Snoopy and all your favorite Peanuts characters as Happiness is a Warm Blanket, Charlie Brown, the very first Peanuts graphic novel ever published, is released by newly-launched all-ages imprint kaboom! Based on the work by Peanuts creator Charles M. Schulz himself, this graphic novel is sure to delight a whole new generation of Peanuts fans!

“We’re honored to publish such a beloved property,” BOOM! Studios Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Ross Richie said. “I can think of no better way to kick-off our new all-ages imprint kaboom! than with the first Peanuts graphic novel ever published!”

Adapted from the brand new animated special from Warner Home Video, Happiness is a Warm Blanket, Charlie Brown features Charlie Brown’s kite-flying woes, Linus’ insecurities, Lucy’s unrequited love for Schroeder and everyone’s favorite beagle, Snoopy, in a lively and colorful spin through Charles Schulz’s imagination. The 80 page, 7×10, hardcover graphic novel ships this March at the suggested retail price of $19.99 in conjunction with the all-new Peanuts animated feature of the same name available on DVD from Warner Home Video March 29, 2011.

Happiness is a Warm Blanket, Charlie Brown is written by original creator Charles M. Schulz and adapted by Craig Schulz and Stephan Pastis (Pearls Before Swine) with art by Bob Scott, Vicki Scott and Ron Zorman.

“New original Peanuts comic book content is a tradition that goes pretty far back in comic book publishing,” said BOOM! Studios Editor-in-Chief, Matt Gagnon. “Dell Comics published ‘Tip Top Comics’ which featured new Peanuts comic book content created under the guidance of Charles Schulz. ‘Tip Top’ ran from 1936 until 1961, creating well over 40 original Peanuts stories and countless covers. It’s exciting to be a part of the return of Peanuts to the comic book format.”

The Happiness is a Warm Blanket graphic novel and DVD dovetails into a larger campaign launched in January when Peanuts proclaimed 2011 as “The Year of ‘Happiness Is…”. Throughout the year, the classic Peanuts concept, which cartoonist Charles M. Schulz coined in 1960 with “Happiness is a Warm Puppy,” will be celebrated with special-themed products, cross-branding partnerships, social media campaigns and nationwide activities.

Launched last week, KABOOM! is the brand new name for BOOM! Studios’ three year old all-ages imprint previously known as BOOM Kids!

Greg Horn Provides Art for "Spider-Man: Turn Off the Dark"

Greg Horn Provides Art for "Spider-Man: Turn Off the Dark"

  • News
  • March 1, 2011
Greg Horn at WonderCon 2009.

Image via Wikipedia

Comic book artist Greg Horn is going to be lending his talent to the Broadway extravaganza Spider-Man: Turn Off The Dark, providing illustrations for the play’s distinctive line of merchandise and also some imagery for the official program guide.

Touted as the most elaborate ever, the play brings Horn onto a star-studded project helmed by industry giant Julie Taymor, with songs by music legends Bono and The Edge of U2. Coming off his latest work for Marvel and ESPN Magazine’s NBA preview issue, the artist has already established his fair share of high profile projects recently. “I’ve worked on some mind-blowing jobs over the past 10 years, but this one might just take the cake. It’s a biggie! They were nice enough to fly me up last month to see the show in person, and that really helped me get a grasp of the show’s scope and look. I’ve never seen anything like it–a visual spectacle!”

Greg is better noted for his years of memorable cover paintings for Marvel Comics. His campaigns in the advertising field with giants including Leo Burnett and WK have helped prepare him for anything the high-pressure world of mainstream illustration can dish out. “My goal with any project – whether we’re talking advertising, video game, or comic book art – is to create the highest quality of illustration. In the case of Turn Off the Dark, the bar is set pretty high by the rest of the production. By focusing on the best qualities of the characters and freeze-framing the action in the perfect place, I can create a marketable image that is epic and inspiring. I’m extremely pleased with the way things are turning out so far with Spidey!”

Greg has upcoming projects with the University of Alabama, Abrams Publishing, Zenescope, and Marvel Comics. His online gallery costs nothing to peruse, showcasing all his illustrations for a variety of industries.

Anant Pai

Anant Pai: 1929-2011

Anant PaiIndians mourned Saturday the death of Anant Pai, known as the father of the nation’s comic book industry, whose vibrant adaptations of Hindu mythology educated and amused young people for years.

Pai, credited with launching a series of comics to narrate Indian epics and folk tales, died of a heart attack at the age of 81 in the western city of Mumbai on Thursday, according to his family.

His very popular comic series Amar Chitra Katha, or Immortal Picture Stories, launched in 1967 with the goal of retelling stories from mythology, and still finds nearly three million buyers each year and is sold in 20 languages.

“We are still in a state of shock,” said Samir Patil, head of ACK Media, which now owns the comic series. “Mr Pai was a pioneer and an inspiration for everyone who worked in the field of children’s entertainment and education.”

Pai began producing comics because he was distressed with what he saw as Indian children’s lack of knowledge of mythology, culture and religion. “If the children of India dream, let them dream of India,” he said in a 2009 interview.

An editorial from the English daily Hindustan Times credited Pai with keeping Indians in touch with their culture and praised his ability to reach out to children.

In 1987 Pai established Tinkle, another comic book series featuring a lively cast of characters that included the foolish Suppandi, Tantri the Mantri, a scheming royal adviser, and a forgetful hunter Shikari Shambhu.

The writer and illustrator was affectionately referred to as “Uncle Pai” among his fans of every age group, who expressed sorrow at his passing.

Users of social microblogging network Twitter posted comments remembering “Uncle Pai”.

“A tear and a prayer for the demise of the legendary Anant Pai. He is as much a part of my childhood as my education at school. RIP Uncle Pai,” an Indian actor, Siddharth, tweeted.

Last week, the comic books convention held in New Delhi awarded Ananth Pai a lifetime achievement award for helping sire India’s comics industry.

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