CBR: THE COMIC BUG ANNOUNCES FCBD PLANS

Official Press Release

The Comic Bug is participating in FREE COMIC BOOK DAY on Saturday, May 1st. In addition to handing out thousands of comic books, this year, the Manhattan Beach store is hosting creators from every major L.A. based publisher.

"We’re fortunate to be based in a city that’s overflowing with talented comic book writers and artists," said store owner Jun Goeku. “What better time for the creators to introduce potential new readers to the fantastic tales they weave than Free Comic Book Day?”

Among the participating creators and publishers are: BOOM! STUDIOS’ Michael Alan Nelson (Dingo, Hexed, 28 Days Later), ARCHAIA’S Jeff Stokely (Fraggle Rock), TOP COW’S Rob Levin (Broken Trinity, Witchblade, Darkness) and Rahsan Ekedal (The Crazies, The Cleaners, Warhammer 40,000), Ninth Circle’s Rafael Navarro (Sonambulo, The Batman, Marvel Super Hero Squad), Marvel and DC’s Scott Koblish (Marvel Adventures: Iron Man, Final Crisis Legion of Super-Heroes), Bongo’s Phil Ortiz (The Simpsons), and Aspen Comics Vince Hernandez (Dellec, Soulfire, Fathom), David Wohl (Executive Assistant Iris, Witchblade and many more) and Peter Steigerwald (Soulfire, NBC’s Heroes and many more).

“Judging by the line-up, we’re looking at a team of individuals who have cut quite a swath through the comics industry,” co-owner/promotions director Mike Wellman stated. “A world without Witchblade, Fraggle Rock comics and Batman cartoons would be a very sad place indeed. That said, I’d like to thank them all not only for taking time out of their schedules to meet with fans, but for doing what they do in the first place! They are today’s myth-makers.”

FREE COMIC BOOK DAY will be held at The Comic Bug on Saturday, May 1st from 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. However, many of the artists and writers will be taking shifts throughout the day. Check The Comic Bug’s website for a particular creator’s schedule. The Comic Bug is located at 1807 Manhattan Beach Blvd. Manhattan Beach, CA 90266.

For more information about The Comic Bug, go to www.thecomicbug.com. For more information on Free Comic Book Day, visit www.freecomicbookday.com.

Source: CBR

---

What The Con: WonderCon Signing Schedule

WonderCon's upon us, Herders!

I hope you join us at Images' Booth (#407)!

Here's the signing schedule for the weekend:

Friday
2:00 - 3:00 Rick Basaldua
3:00 - 4:00 Nelson Blake II
4:00 - 5:00 Michael Broussard
4:30 - 5:30 Ryan Winn

Saturday
11:00 - 12:00 Sheldon Mitchell
12:00 - 2:00 Joshua Hale Fialkov, Rahsan Ekedal
2:00 - 4:00 Michael Broussard, Ryan Winn
4:00 - 6:00 Nelson Blake II, Rick Basaldua

Sunday
11:00 - 12:00 Ryan Winn
12:00 - 1:00 Michael Broussard, Rick Basaldua
1:00 - 2:00 Joshua Hale Fialkov, Rahsan Ekedal
2:00 - 3:00 Nelson Blake II
3:00 - 4:00 Sheldon Mitchell

---

PLAYBACK:stl Reviews The Crazies #1-4

Released in late February, The Crazies film is a present day take on the old 1973 George A. Romero horror movie of the same name, a story where townsfolk are infected with a disease that causes them to violently kill one another. With this four-issue miniseries, Top Cow Studios offers up four unique, standalone stories that serve up a smart, concise narrative set within the movie’s world. The first three issues each focus solely on one character's descent into madness, while the fourth issue highlights the experiences of a zombie-killing vigilante threesome.

The first issue focuses on the degradation, loss and ultimate demise surrounding a poor pig farmer, Jon Buran and Chris DiBari’s artwork rounding out the quick tale with an elegant flourish whileauthor Ivan Brandon’s script moves the story along at a nice clip.

The last issue is my favorite of the four in regards to art: Rahsan Ekedal’s coloring and layouts are great, moving the story along so nicely you forget you’re just reading a comic. And while Joshua Hale Fialkov’s vigilante plotline is systematic (read: systematic, not cheap), Ekedal’s artistic choices pull the story together.

Read the full review here.

Source: PLAYBACK:stl

---

Spring Fan Expo's Signing Times

Hey Herders,

Tomorrow, Saturday, February 20th, is a one-day comic event put on by Long Beach Comic Con. It starts at 10 am and will run til 7pm.

Meet the fine folks that keep Top Cow functioning at booth #302.

The tentative signing schedule for tomorrow is:

[Update]
11:00 - 12:30 pm Eric Basaldua (Witchblade Annual, Hunter-Killer)

1:00 - 2:30 pm Rob Levin (Broken Trinity: Pandora's Box, Darkness: Shadows & Flame) and Joshua Hale Fialkov (Pilot Season: Alibi, The Crazies) with special guest Rahsan Ekedal (The Crazies).

3:00 - 4:30 pm Rick Loverd (Berserker)

4:30 - 6:30 pm Rick Basaldua (Witchblade Annual)

Herders who drop by the booth will be treated two early sneak peeks. Get a glimpse at the lead-in series to this summer's Artifacts, Broken Trinity: Pandora's Box #1 and at American Original/Top Cow's The Crazies. Both will arrive in stores on February 24th.

The Spring Fan Expo will be held at the Long Beach Convention Center is located at 300 Ocean Boulevard, Long Beach, California 90802.

See you there,
Top Cow

---