Baltimore Comic-Con This Weekend!

Forget the racist, hate rally on the Mall tomorrow, come to where all the lovin’ is happening – Baltimore’s 11th Annual Comic-Con is happening this weekend at the Baltimore Convention Center. Highlights from this year’s show include the Annual Harvey Awards tomorrow night, there’s going to be a Walk of the Dead (and Beer Crawl) from 4pm – 2am it starts at Federal Hill and goes to Canton Hall, and since this is a smaller show the focus is squarely on Comic Books, most of the top names in the business will be there including Terry Moore, Mark Waid, Todd McFarlane and others. Great Panels including DC Nation and Mondo Marvel.  I don’t have much access at this year’s show – how is that possible? I’m A list in San Diego and NY but in my home town I’m a nobody? Whine….. So It should actually be fun, I can just soak it in and take a bunch of pictures and enjoy it.

Room 307 (Saturday)
11:00-12:00 – Spotlight on Terry Moore – Terry Moore is the award-winning creator of “Strangers in Paradise” and “Echo” and has also written such comics as Marvel’s “Spider-Man Loves Mary Jane” and “Runaways.” This panel shines the spotlight on Moore and his work and is a must-see for all his fans.

12:00-1:00 – IRREDEEMABLE/INCORRUPTIBLE Panel – Mark Waid’s Harvey and Eisner nominated, best-selling, multiple sell-out IRREDEEMABLE has taken comic fans by storm since its debut, becoming one of the top-selling independent comics published today. Join Mark Waid as he takes a look back at IRREDEEMABLE’s beginnings, the future of the series, and its sister series — INCORRUPTIBLE. A not-to-be-missed panel for any fan of these books! (PSSSSST: Mark will also talk a little bit about his new BOOM! book with Stan Lee called THE TRAVELER. Don’t miss it!)

1:00-2:00 – Spotlight on Thor – With the THOR feature film from Marvel Studios premiering in May, 2011, and his adventures featured across both the Marvel and Ultimate Universes, Thor is one of Marvel’s hottest characters. Chroniclers of the Thunder God’s adventures from the past, present, and future – Walter Simonson, John Workman, Bryan J.L. Glass, and Jonathan Hickman – join Marvel’s Vice President – Executive Editor Tom Brevoort to discuss all things Thor.

2:00-3:00 – Spotlight on Denis Kitchen – Denis Kitchen is a cartoonist and founder of Kitchen Sink Press where he published work by such creators as Will Eisner, Harvey Kurtzman, and Robert Crumb. A book of his art “The Oddly Compelling Art of Denis Kitchen” was recently published by Dark Horse; a new art book, “Denis Kitchen: Chipboard Sketchbook”, is on the way from BOOM!; and a book he co-authored, “Art of Harvey Kurtzman: The Mad Genius of Comic” is nominated for a Harvey Award. Don’t miss this opportunity hear about the work of a true comics original.

3:00-4:00 – Spotlight on Michael Allred – Michael Allred is the creator of “Madman” ,”Atomics”, “Red Rocket 7,” and has worked on such comics as the “Golden Plates,” “X-Statix,” and “Sandman” and is currently drawing “iZombie” from DC/Vertigo. Allred and “iZombie” scribe, Chris Roberson, take a look at his career in a spotlight you dare not miss!

Room 308 (Saturday)
11:00-12:00 – comiXology and the Future of Digital Comics – comiXology has become the leader in the digital comics revolution while maintaining great services for brick and mortar retailers. This past year has seen an explosion of digital comics, and comiXology has been on the forefront of the movement with a massive comics library, online aids for collectors, podcasts, and apps for the iPhone, iPad, and iPod. On comiXology’s one year anniversary, CEO David Steinberger takes a look at the events of this past year and what the future holds for digital comics in this enlightening panel.

12:00-1:00 – Spotlight on Todd McFarlane – From SPAWN to HAUNT, Image Comics founder and partner Todd McFarlane has been the driving force behind the biggest creator-owned titles in the industry. Join McFarlane for exclusive sneak peeks of his upcoming projects and a Q&A session that shouldn’t be missed!

1:00-2:00 – Top Cow: We Create… Universes – Join Top Cow Publisher Filip Sablik, Top Cow Universe architect and writer Ron Marz, and Artifacts artist Michael Broussard for a frank and lively discussion of upcoming events in the Top Cow Universe spinning out of the world-shattering event series – Artifacts! Questions will be answered, early sneak peeks shown, and perhaps even a hilarious anecdote will be told. Plus every attendee will receive a free gift just for attending.

2:00-3:00 – DC NATION – The DC NATION returns to Baltimore! We’re always looking for new recruits, so be sure to come on by as DC Comics’ Senior Story Editor, Ian Sattler, and some of the industry’s top talent lead the way to give you the inside scoop to all current and future NATION members!

3:00-4:00 – Mondo Marvel – From the Marvel U to the Ultimate U and everything in between, Vice President – Executive Editor Tom Brevoort, and superstar writers Jonathan Hickman (S.H.I.E.L.D., Fantastic Four) and Jeff Parker (Hulk, Thunderbolts) are on hand to talk about all of your favorite heroes and villains as well as make a few surprise announcements!

4:00-5:00 – IDW ON THE MOVE! – Join IDW Senior editor Bob Schreck, Steve Niles, Bernie Wrightson, Chris Moreno, and Stuart Sayger in this lively look at the company’s current and upcoming releases to be followed by a Q&A session.

Room 301-303 (Saturday)
4:00-5:00 – Artist’s Workshop Art Dissection – Klaus Janson and Howard Chaykin open their Artist’s Workshop to all convention guests at this time. A few lucky students from their professional seminar will have their work honestly dissected by these two masters. This is a panel no artist should miss!

Room 307 (Sunday)
11:00-12:00 -Creating Comic Art Digitally – Daniel Govar, creator/artist of AZURE along with Matt Zolman, co-creator and artist of Epic, show you the benefit and shortfalls of creating comic art with the use of computer software. From best practices, to resolutions and file formats, they will demonstrate how they create stunning comics using popular software, and answer questions you may have about making comics digitally.

12:00-1:00 – Spotlight on Sergio Aragones – Sergio Aragones has been called the “fastest cartoonist in the world,” has drawn thousands of cartoons for “Mad Magazine,” created Bat Lash and Groo the Wanderer, and kept us laughing for years. Join the award-winning cartoonist for a look at his work that will leave you smiling!

1:00-2:00 – Comics Rewind: The 1980s – The 1980s were a time of growth for comics with the direct market and new publishers offering creators the opportunity to present their creations as never before. And the results were spectacular. Join Louise Simonson (“Power Pack,” “X-Factor”), Walter Simonson (“Thor,” “X-Factor”), Timothy Truman (“GrimJack,” “Scout”), Matt Wagner (“Mage,” “Grendel”), Marv Wolfman (“New Teen Titans,” “Crisis on Infinite Earths”), John Workman (“Heavy Metal”, “Thor”), and moderator Mark Waid as they take a look back at the comics of the 1980s.

2:00-3:00 – Spotlight on Cuba: My Revolution – Artist Dean Haspiel and colorist Jose Villarrubia discuss their new Vertigo graphic novel collaboration. Dean Haspiel is a native New Yorker who created BILLY DOGMA and STREET CODE and has collaborated on great superhero and semi-autobiographical comic books, helped pioneer personal webcomics with the invention of ACT-I-VATE, and draws for HBO’s “Bored To Death.” Jose Villarrubia is a renowned artist/colorist/photographer who has worked on such books as Alan Moore’s “Voice of the Fire” and “Promethea” among many, many others. He is also the chair of the Illustration Department at MICA (Maryland Institute College of Art).

3:00-4:00 – PAUL POPE VS BOB SCHRECK – A CAGED EVENT – Don’t miss this satisfaction-guaranteed, fists-a-flying blood match by joining award-winning multi-talented storyteller, Paul Pope, in an examination of his creative process and how he suffers under the heel of his terrifying editor.

Room 308 (Sunday)
11:00-12:00 – Marvel Your Universe – Join Vice President – Executive Editor Tom Brevoort, as he leaves his Marvel ID at the door and enters as a fan! Want to know how things work at the House of Ideas? Got some things to get off your chest about a Marvel character or story? Well here’s your chance True Believer! It’s the panel for fans BY fans with no spin, no marketing, and just a friendly chat amongst fans!

12:00-1:00 – DC SUNDAY CONVERSATION – All are welcome to join Senior Story Editor Ian Sattler for a relaxed Sunday afternoon discussion. Share your thoughts, or be enthralled, as the group share their stories and love for this medium.

1:00 – Costume Contest – The wildly popular costume contest returns for a second year! The $1,000 grand prize will be awarded to the best over-all costume at the event, including pro and amateur costumes. Other award categories will win DVD prize packages, comic book packages, Orioles baseball tickets, gift certificates to Cards, Comics and Collectibles of Reisterstown, Maryland, and special last minute prizes from top comic book companies. Everyone who enters the contest will win passes to the advance screening of Summit Entertainment’s newest film, RED, starring Bruce Willis, Morgan Freeman, and Helen Mirren (based on the Wildstorm graphic novel by Warren Ellis and Cully Hamner) which opens nationwide on Friday, October 15th.

Rooms 301-303 (Sunday)
3:00 – Art Auction – Art fans, don’t miss this opportunity to see and bid on art from your favorite comic artists! You’re sure to find something here you like!