CHOSEN CREATOR MARK MILLAR SIGNS IN TIMES SQUARE

press release:

Mark Millar, creator of Chosen, published by Dark Horse Comics, will be the special guest at New York’s Midtown Comics, Times Square location. Dark Horse has created a free, limited Chosen print for the occasion. Chosen is the latest graphic novel in the Millarworld line of books from writer Mark Millar, (The Ultimates, Superman: Red Son).

Millar will sign at the store on Saturday, September 24 from 2:00-5:00 P.M. The Saturday signing is a first for the location. Midtown Comics store owner Gahl Buslov is excited about the event: “We may see a bigger turnout than expected because this group can now attend a signing that normally they weren’t able to attend. It’s something we’ve wanted to try for a while. Now that we have a big enough name, we are expecting fans and weekend tourists in the store”.

Chosen is being released as a trade paperback by Dark Horse in October. Midtown Comics, Times Square is located at 200 West 40th Street, New York.

BALTIMORE COMIC-CON SEES ATTENDANCE DOUBLE

press release:

Baltimore Comic-Con Shines with Stars, Raises $$$ for Actor, CBLDF, Katrina

Fans and Pros Cheer 6th Annual Con in Charm City as Attendance Doubles

"I didn't know this was such a big show!"-- This was the statement of one attendee at the jam packed Baltimore Comic-Con last weekend, as DC , Image, IDW, and a slew of mainstream and independent creators, hit the scene in the Baltimore Convention Center. Golden-, Silver-, and modern age retailers were also well represented, and a coty of Superman #1 was sold during the weekend's festivities. To many in attendance, Baltimore was noted as one of the "...few great comic shows still about comics."

Marv Wolfman, Erik Larsen, Walter & Louise Simonson, Frank Cho, Howard Charkin, Mike Wieringo, Robert Kirkman, and local boy Frank Cho were all on hand, meeting fans, signing comics, and doing sketches. All-Star Wrestler-turned comics author Mick Foley was a big draw to the show, promoting his series of childdren's books with artist Jill Thompson. Rob Liefeld was also in attendance, making his first East Coast appearance in nine years, and thousands flocked his table for him to sign issues of "Teen Titans" #27, given out in the thousands by organizer Marc Nathan. Liefeld, like many of the exhibitors at the show, was impressed with the fun, comics-centric feel of the convention, proclaiming, "I'm digging this show!"

Other creators, including Howard Porter, Ron Garney, Mike Manley, Joseph Michael Linsner, Jim Starlin, and JG Jones, were equally pleased with the throes of fans visiting their booths, many to get autographs for "Drawing Strength," a Katrina benefit sketchbook they contributed art for (and for the auction during the show) produced by Sky-Dog Press specifically for the Baltimore Comic-Con, raising over $4000 for Habitat For Humanity. Across the aisle, special guest John Romita raised thousands for ACTOR, by auctioning custom sketches, helping to raise upwards of $9000., and CBLDF Executive Director Charles Brownstein also mentioned a healthy contribution total, including a $4000 check from one publisher.

Programming was packed, as Adam Hughes, Phil Noto, Matt Wagner and others discussed comics cover creation, show favorite Mike Wieringo, Cho and special guest Wolfman discussed the current and past Spider-Man series, and Dan DiDio gave a bit of Crisis Counseling, explaining the current Earth shattering events in the DC Universe. Other panels included inking greats Dick Ayers, Terry Austin and Jimmy Palmiotti discussing embellishing, and decidedly all-ages creators John Gallagher and Rich faber moderated panels regarding Kids Comics, including a How-To Create Comics forum, with many kids and teenagers on hand, drawing their own mini comics, and learning the secrets of fun comics form the likes of Todd Dezago, Louise Simonson, Jimmy Gownley, and Andy Runton.

Regarding attendance, convention organizer Marc Nathan estimated a doubling from last year, without getting too specific. "I don't want to get into the new math that conventions seem to be using in determining numbers lately," stated a very happy Nathan, "but I will say, based upon how packed the show was, and retailer response on both Saturday and Sunday, I am very grateful to have had such great guests to help double attendance at the Baltimore Comic-Con--we could not do it without them."

Nathan was happy to announce September 9-10, 2006, as the date for NEXT YEAR's Baltimore Comic-Con. What does he have planned to top 2005? "Whatever it is," Nathan said, "...it will be all about COMICS."

SUPERGIRL #1 3RD PRINTING/NEW RETRO COVER

press release:

With the second printing of SUPERGIRL #1 sold out at DC Comics a week before arriving in stores on September 8, DC sends this debut issue back to press for a third printing!

SUPERGIRL #1 Third Printing (JUL058321) is written by Jeph Loeb, with art by Ian Churchill & Norm Rapmund. Due to arrive in stores on September 28, this new printing features a new cover by Churchill, inspired by the classic cover of ADVENTURE COMICS #252.

"What the heck is going on?!” asks Loeb. “Supergirl, Power Girl, Wonder Woman are all in hot books! You'd think that suddenly the world woke up to fact that the DCU has strong, clever and often funny women who can drive the marketplace — and how great is that?! I’m very lucky to be working with such an extraordinary team: Ian Churchill, Mike Turner, Norm Rapmund, Peter Steigerwald and the fantastic Aspen color team and of course, my good luck charm, Richard Starkings. Big kisses to [Group Editor] Eddie Berganza and [Associate Editor] Jeanine Schaefer, too!”

Loeb adds, “Ian did this particular cover out of love for the original Supergirl and we wanted something that said thank you to all those fans who from 1958 until 2005 have stayed loyal to the character of Kara Zor-El. Personally, I think she's the coolest thing out there!"

“We’re happy to make this issue available once again, as demand for it is still strong,” says Bob Wayne, DC’s VP — Sales. “Retailers should place their orders for the third printing soon to avoid missing out.”

The SUPERGIRL #1 Third Printing (JUL058321) is available for order now and is scheduled to arrive in stores on September 28 with a cover price of $2.99 U.S. To ensure delivery on that date retailers must place orders by Sunday, September 18; please note that quantities will be limited and may sell out before September 18.

Retailers may order the issue by contacting their Diamond Customer Service Representative or DC Sales Representative, or by email at reorders@diamondcomics.com.

Upcoming issues of SUPERGIRL are available as follows:

· SUPERGIRL #2 (JUL050209) is available for advance reorder and is scheduled to arrive in stores on September 21. This issue features covers by Ian Churchill & Norm Rapmund and Michael Turner.

· SUPERGIRL #3 (AUG050199) is solicited in the August Previews (Volume XV #8) and is scheduled to arrive in stores on October 12. This issue features covers by Ian Churchill & Norm Rapmund and Michael Turner.

· SUPERGIRL #4 (SEPO50223) is solicited in the September Previews (Volume XV #9) and is scheduled to arrive in stores on November 16.

· Also available for advance reorder is the SUPERMAN/BATMAN: SUPERGIRL TP (JUL058029). This title collects SUPERMAN/BATMAN #8-13, the story that introduced the new Girl of Steel!

BONE PC GAME AVAILABLE FOR DOWNLOAD NOW

Telltale, Inc. is pleased to announce the immediate availability of its first interactive tale based on “Out from Boneville,” from Jeff Smith’s acclaimed Bone series. Visitors to the Telltale website can also download a free demo version of the game.

Telltale, an emerging pioneer in interactive adventures and entertainment, is making this title available through its direct-to-consumer Telltale Now™ channel, for downloading titles over the Internet. This can be accessed at the bone.telltalegames.com URL.

The Bone adventures begin with three cousins – Fone Bone, Phoney Bone and Smiley Bone – who become separated in a vast, uncharted desert. One by one, they find their way into a deep, forested valley filled with wonderful and terrifying creatures and new mysteries that await them.

Hailed by reviewers and educators alike as engaging for all ages, the Bone books have become the anchor for a series of graphic novels from Scholastic’s new Graphix imprint.

“I’ve worked very closely with Telltale as they’ve been developing this title and have been very impressed,” says Jeff Smith, creator of Bone.

“They’ve done an amazing job capturing the essence of my story and adapting it for a new medium – with great animation, voices, and fun puzzles and games worked into the story in a very natural way.”

“We’re finding that Bone plays really well as an interactive tale,” says Dan Connors, CEO of Telltale. “It has terrific characters, an interesting setting and a story that hits on many different levels. It has something for everyone, with an approachable narrative for kids; fun mini-games and puzzles; and deeper elements for fans of classic adventures and epic sagas.”

Telltale has created innovative tools, designed specifically for rapid development of high quality, space-efficient titles for digital distribution. With this approach, Telltale has the ability to publish new Bone episodes regularly, with the next one scheduled for early 2006.

Those interested in Telltale’s “Out from Boneville” can download a free demo from bone.telltalegames.com and other popular download sites. They can un-lock the full story for $19.99 without any additional downloads.

Parts Unknown Comicon Oct 8th/9th In Greensboro, NC

press release:

Parts Unknown: The Comic Book Store is pleased to announce the main guests at its 4th annual Comicon, October 8–9, 2005, at the Joseph Koury Convention Center at Four Seasons, I-40 Exit 217, Greensboro, NC.

Special guests attending the show will be award-wining artist Bernie Wrightson and award-winning science fiction/fantasy writer Orson Scott Card.

Bernie Wrightson, known as the Master of the Macabre, is the co-creator of Swamp Thing. The 30-year comics veteran is considered the top Frankenstein artist. Bernie’s other credits include work on such comics as The Punisher, Toe Tags and Batman: The Cult. He will be appearing both days at the convention.

Orson Scott Card is a science fiction/fantasy writer who has captured Hugo, Nebula, and World Fantasy awards. The Greensboro resident’s credits include his brand-new novel “Magic Street” as well as “Ender’s Game,” “Lost Boys” and “Speaker For the Dead.” Card has made the leap into comics as the writer on the miniseries Ultimate Iron Man for Marvel Comics. He will appear at the convention from 1 p.m. until 3 p.m. on Saturday, October 8 only.

Other guests include:
Mike Wieringo: Fan-favorite artist on such books as the upcoming monthly comic Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man with writer Peter David, Fantastic Four, The Flash, Robin, and many more.

Tommy Lee Edwards: Tommy is an up-and-coming artist whose work includes The Question, Hellboy: Weird Tales, and licensing and style-guide artwork on Star Wars, Batman Begins, Men in Black 2, and Harry Potter.

George Pratt: 2003 Eisner Award Winning Artist for Best Painter. George is also known for his painting and writing. His works include the Enemy Ace: War Idyll graphic novel. He has also worked on Batman: Harvest Breed, The Haunted Tank, and Wolverine: Netsuke. And he finds the time to work into his schedule teaching at Virginia Commonwealth University in Richmond, Va.

Scott Hampton: Scott is an accomplished painter whose has worked on Life Eaters, Star Trek: The Next Generation—Forgiveness, Books of Magic, and his new project with horror writer Steve Niles, Batman: Gotham County Line.

John Van Fleet: John’s resume includes Batman: The Ankh, Cast Shadows, and X-Files, as well as covers for DC Comics’ Smallville.

Randy Green: The Greensboro-area resident has been the artist on such books as New X-Men, White Queen, Witchblade, and The Dollz.

Casey Jones: Casey has penciled comic books such as Fantastic Four, Birds of Prey, and Excalibur. He also developed artwork for Disney theme parks, and has most recently illustrated covers for the Jubilee series for Marvel Comics.

For years Parts Unknown has hosted the top comic book professionals at the Piedmont Triad’s largest comic book convention. We look forward to having you run our announcement in your weekend section and on your Web page announcements.

If you need any information, would like to interview one of our guests, or perhaps cover our convention, please call John Hitchcock at 336-272-7060. Parts Unknown is located at 906 Spring Garden Street, Greensboro, NC 27403. Our Web site is www.partsunknown.net, e-mail punk906@bellsouth.net.