Well, while it’s not normally our wont to post to the blog on the (what?!) weekend, we’re burning the midnight oil getting ready for things, and have been chugging away on the packed HeroesCon 08 Event Schedule! Progress on the over 300 bios I have to write is not as sunny, but we’ll leave that for a different blog post. For now, new schedule (note that some of these panels are pending final approval from participants, and like everything else is subject to change:

CONVERSATIONS: Roy Thomas and Gary Friedrich Room 216
This is sure to be a fascinating discussion, between former Marvel Editor-In-Chief and Alter Ego editor Roy Thomas, and Ghost Rider co-creator and Marvel writer Gary Friedrich. Listen as they discuss the Silver Age of the House of Ideas, the creation of Ghost Rider, and much more!

THE FUTURE OF PODCASTS IN THE MEDIA Room 213A
Heidi MacDonald of The Beat moderates this panel featuring a who’s who of comics podcasting talent: Jimmy Aquino of Comic News Insider, Charlito and Mr. Phil of Indie Spinner Rack, Brian Christman and Adam Murdough of Comic Geek Speak, and most likely a bunch more guests from our Podcast Arena!

WEBCOMICS ROUNDUP Room 213BCD
Join the Comics Reporter‘s Tom Spurgeon for a roundtable discussion on webcomics, from conception and creation to marketing and–what?–profitability. With guests Nicholas Gurewitch, David Malki, Julia Wertz, Chris Harding, Danielle Corsetto, and more!

CRAFT IN COMICS: Jaime Hernandez, Jim Rugg, and Frank Santoro in Conversation 213A
Less a conversation on materials and techniques and more a conversation on ideas and beliefs, this panel will focus on tradition and innovation in composition and drawing for comics. From Jaime’s insistence on not using photographs as reference in his comics to Jim’s clarity of composition and Frank’s careful color choices, there are countless tenets of craft that are largely underappreciated by readers. This panel will investigate these ideas and attempt to illuminate and outline them in a lively conversation led by Frank Santoro.

THE FUTURE OF PODCASTS IN THE MEDIA Room 213A
Heidi MacDonald of The Beat moderates this panel featuring a who’s who of comics podcasting talent: Jimmy Aquino of Comic News Insider, Charlito and Mr. Phil of Indie Spinner Rack, Brian Christman and Adam Murdough of Comic Geek Speak, and most likely a bunch more guests from our Podcast Arena!

NEWSPAPER STRIPS: Keeping It Fresh After All These Years Room 216
Our own Andy Mansell moderates this panel featuring some of the brightest stars of classic newspaper strips! With Jim Scancarelli (GASOLINE ALLEY), Marcus Hamilton (DENNIS THE MENACE), Irwin Hasen (DONDI), June Brigman (Brenda Starr) and Alex Saviuk (SPIDER-MAN)! Explore the challenges of taking over an iconic strip, and keeping it fresh day in and day out!

TORI AMOS’ COMIC BOOK TATTOO ROOM 217A
Heidi MacDonald moderates a panel of cartoonists, writers and artists hand selected by Tori Amos to reinterpret her music into sequential art. Features previously unseen images exclusively from the forthcoming book from Image Comics!

Check the Event Schedule page for all the times and to see all the zillion other events going on! Is that enough for you? Well, I’ve still got some more coming, but good GRAVY, I’ve been at the computer all day and haven’t even had a shower yet. The dog won’t even lick my feet anymore. Gross! More to come–TODAY IS JUNE 1ST! Just under three weeks to (gulp!) go!

Big news this week: while there are individual room nights still available at both, it looks like we’ve effectively sold out both the Hilton Charlotte Center City AND the Westin Charlotte! What? Seriously? Oh yes–fortunately Shelton has been casting his net farther and farther out, as we could see from pretty much the first day we announced our HeroesCon rates at those two hotels that the rooms were going WAY faster than normal.

So Shelton has signed contracts with TWO more hotels: the Hilton Garden Inn Uptown, and the Hampton Inn! Both are just two blocks east of the Convention Center, and both are providing us with $99/night rooms! So if you’ve been hanging onto some overpriced room reservations because you couldn’t find anything better, ditch em and call:

HAMPTON INN: CHARLOTTE UPTOWN
1.800-HAMPTON

or

HILTON GARDEN INN
1.877.STAY.HGI

BE SURE TO SAY THAT YOU WANT THE “HEROESCON RATE”. There’s a good chance that the rate won’t go “live” until Monday, so try back then if it’s not working yet. And as before, if you have any problems, please feel free to comment below–Shelton and I both will be monitoring this post closely, and will try to address any problems as quickly as possible! Remember to be polite!

Our good buddies over at the HERO Initiative are bringing 70’s and 80’s great Ron Wilson to the HeroesCon 08 Guest List! I know a ton of people are going to love this news, especially our employees Phil and Rusty! His appearance will be to benefit the Hero Initiative, which–well heckfire, they say it better than I do, both about Ron and themselves! Ladies and gentlemen, Mr. Jim McLauchlin (emphasis mine):

“Longtime Marvel Comics artist Ron Wilson worked extensively for the publisher from the 1970s through the 1990s, notably on Marvel Two-in-One and The Thing. He also made contributions to Power Man, Incredible Hulk, and What If? It’s only very recently that Ron started hitting the convention circuit, so his appearances have been very few.

The Hero Initiative is the first-ever federally chartered not-for-profit corporation dedicated strictly to helping comic book creators in need. Hero creates a financial safety net for yesterdays’ creators who may need emergency medical aid, financial support for essentials of life, and an avenue back into paying work. It’s a chance for all of us to give back something to the people who have given us so much enjoyment. For more information, call 310-909-7809 or visit http://www.heroinitiative.org/.”

Two of our oldest and best friends are joining the HeroesCon 08 Guest List today, although they should have been among the first to be added right after last year’s show! Steve Saffel and Dana Hayward are not only esteemed working professionals, but they actually come down here from New York every year–just to bust their butts working for us! Now that’s friendship! So it’s very embarassing for me, having CONTINUALLY forgot to add them to the list, despite Steve’s regular gentle reminders. What can you do?

In his latest e-mail, Steve was kind enough to actually write bios for himself and Dana; perhaps he thought I couldn’t think of anything to say. Ladies and gentlemen, may I present:

Dana Hayward is a letterer and designer for Del Rey Books, HarperCollins Children’s Books, and others, with credits that include dozens of installment of the bestselling manga titles Tsubasa (from Clamp), Wallflower, and xxxHolic (also by Clamp), as well as the Terry Brooks graphic novel Dark Wraith of Shannara.

Steve Saffel is the writer of Spider-Man: The Icon from Titan Books, and is an independent book editor for Titan, Random House, Perseus Books, Watson-Guptil, and others. Most recently Steve has worked with noted Hollywood professionals to develop properties such as the military-meets-monsters series SPOOKS, currently available as a limited series from Devil’s Due (www.spooksthecomic.com).

I’m in the middle of trying to put together the massive 64 page program book for HeroesCon 08 right now, plus beat a bunch of other print deadlines, so I HOPE YOU’LL PARDON THE BREVITY of this post. Most of you will welcome it! But I just hate to slight any of these EXCELLENT guests, who I will now unceremoniously announce. Lo, behold!

CHRIS BRUNNER, our old friend, and artist of the upcoming LOOSE ENDS from 12 Gauge, as well as on numerous books including THE RIDE and GOTHAM CENTRAL!

SEAN CHEN, returning champeen, member of theBLVD studio, and excellent draughtsman behind NOVA, WOLVERINE, and X-MEN: THE END!

SANFORD GREENE, who smiles a lot and giggles even more! And who is working now on the upcoming METHOD MAN GN, besides past work on Teen Titans, Army of Darkness, and more!

RICO RENZI, blistering colorist, proud papa, and printer extraordinaire. Also with credits on THE RIDE, GOTHAM CENTRAL, and 24/SEVEN!

MARK TEXEIRA, the smiling painter who always dashes into the Art Auction at the last minute, having just finished his submission on stage! Past artist of GHOST RIDER, WOLVERINE, and his own PSCYTHE!

Oh, and there’s more less exciting news: joining the list of people forced to cancel their appearances at this year’s HeroesCon is Greg Rucka and Jennifer Van Meter. Greg was super-apologetic, saying it was just unavoidable and it killed him. He assures us that they’ll be back next year. Also heartthrob Dean Haspiel and Sean “Cheeks” Galloway. Sniff! We’ll try to get these guys back in 09, for sure! For now, you can see an up-to-the-minute list of cancellations at the bottom of the “Recent Updates” list on our Guest List page.

I’ve been working HARD on this year’s HeroesCon 08 Event Schedule the last couple of days, and have got a ton of panels and other cool stuff to announce. So much, in fact, that I’m going to have to break the announcement up between this week and next. And trust me, there are some AMAZING panels set for next week, too.

For now, you can see the entire schedule here, but I’ll list the brand-new panels here as well, just for your excitement and edification. Also note that I’ve changed some times and dates on a couple of existing panels, and a potential snafu has forced me to cancel for the time being the Comics Journalism panel, but I’ll see if I can’t squeeze it back in there if possible. Behold, the new panels:

X-MEN: MANIFEST DESTINY
This summer, Ed Brubaker and Matt Fraction begin their run on UNCANNY X-MEN starting with its milestone 500th issue– but what happens next? From a move to San Francisco to the Hellfire Cult and the Sisterhood of Evil Mutants, get all the X-Buzz straight from the horses’ mouths, as it were, as Ed and Matt hold court on everyone’s favorite band of troubled misfits sworn to protect those that hate and despise them. There may or may not be a math portion of the program; be advised if you’re sitting in the first three rows– it will get MESSY!

DC NATION
The call goes out once more! Join Sr. VP / Executive Editor Dan DiDio, Senior Coordinating Editor Jann Jones, and others, to catch a glimpse of what will be the most talked about event of the summer!

NICKELODEON MAGAZINE COMICS ROADSHOW
Come see Nick Mag and other kids comics in an interactive slideshow. Featuring comics, gags, and lighthearted cartoon instruction by Brian Ralph, Alec Longstreth, Kathryn and Stuart Immonen, and more, hosted by Nick Mag Cartoon Editor Chris Duffy! Lots of kid participation. The event will end a hilarious 3D comic presentation—free 3D glasses included!

CHRIS DUFFY PORTFOLIO REVIEW
Join Nick Magazine Cartoon Editor Chris Duffy for a portfolio review aimed at up-and-coming gag and humor cartoonists. This is your chance to get a little free notice (and maybe even some constructive criticism) by a leading editor! Space is strictly limited, so come early!NOTE: although we don’t want to leave anyone out, this is not intended with those whose portfolios might be more appropriate for a mainstream superhero comics company.

SPOTLIGHT ON RICHARD THOMPSON
The first great newspaper comic strip of the 21st Century has arrived, and like Mutts and Calvin & Hobbes before it, Richard Thompson‘s Cul De Sac has spent its first several months in syndication operating just underneath the pop-cult radar, adding papers steadily, readying to break out into the Next Big Thing. Join Tom Spurgeon for a wide-ranging discussion about art, caricature, and the Otterloop Family with one of the best cartoonists in North America, bar none. It’s the panel you’ll get to brag about attending in the years ahead, after Thompson conquers the comics world.

SUNDAY CONVERSATION WITH DAN DIDIO
Dan DiDio and friends invite you to join an intimate afternoon chat to talk about your favorite comic book memories and about why we love this medium. All are welcome; no RSVP required!

Whew! Saints preserve us! More to come!

In what is likely the LAST of the Indie Island additions–heck, where could we put anyone else?–we give you an idea of the scope of this year’s Indie Island group of guests.

First up is Chris Duffy, the cartoon editor of Nick Magazine. What does Nick Magazine have to do with Indie Island? Oh, you silly–Nick Magazine keeps a TON of indie cartoonists able to pay some bills–practically all their cartoonists are indie guys, with an impressive list including Craig Thompson, Evan Dorkin, Michael Kupperman, James Kochalka, Drew Weing, and a gajillion others. Plus Chris is a cartoonist himself, as you can see on his ever-so-slow-to-load (that’s your warning) cartoon site. He’ll be doing a couple of portfolio reviews at HeroesCon for indie up-and-comers at the show, as well as a big star-studded Nick Mag presentation for kids, with guests including Stuart & Kathryn Immonen and Brian Ralph! Very exciting!

Also new to the Indie Island list is mini-comicker and blogger Shannon Smith. While he might not be an editor at a big-time New York magazine, he’s no less loved–Shannon has been a big supporter (and attendee!) of HeroesCon for years, and we’re super-jazzed to be welcoming him to his first HeroesCon as a guest! Besides reviewing comics under his many blogs, including File Under Other, Shannon is also the man behind mini-comics including Small Bible, Brush & Pen, and Phillip Henry!

Welcome to both of our new adds, and stay tuned for more newsy-wewsies! Oh, before I forget–I was interviewed in the most recent Indie Spinner Rack episode, which you may listen to at their site, should you choose.

Another big update to the HeroesCon 08 Guest List! As will likely be the case for from now all the way to the convention itself, we’re swamped for time, so I’ll have to make this short!

Studio Revolver is comprised of Dexter Vines (Hulk, Superman Batman), Tom Feister (Ex Machina, GL/Sinestro Secret Files), Tariq Hassan (Arkadian), and Kevin Stokes (Shut Up And Die); PLUS already-on-our-list studiomates Georges Jeanty (Buffy the Vampire Slayer), and Jason Pearson (Body Bags)! These guys are always popular in Artists Alley, so don’t be sure to stop by and see them during the show, and pick up some original art or a sketch! Whew! More news to come!

Well dang, I guess I gave it all away in the title, didn’t I? Let’s just think about the good times, shall we?

Just added to our HeroesCon 08 Guest List is “Who Do You Trust” Skrullifier Greg Horn! Greg was last (and first) here in 2005, so we’re happy to welcome him back! Besides his recent run of Skrullifications, Greg’s also done some really popular covers for books including She-Hulk, Elektra, and most recently Ms. Marvel.

But Greg is just the tip–or at least 25%–of the iceberg for this update. Also new today is Keron Grant, illustrator extraordinaire and the artist behind a ton of books like Son of Vulcan, Kaboom!, and a ton of Marvel books!

Also returning this year is our buddy Nat Jones, who’s currently the artist on Frank Frazetta’s Death Dealer, and in the past is probably best known for The Nail (with fellow guest Steve Niles) and Spawn: The Dark Ages.

Also also returning is Norman Lee, the studly inker behind past runs on Spyboy and Marvel Adventures: Spider-Man. Good gravy, where are we going to put everyone! Stay tuned for more updates tomorrow, as well as the weekly Heroes Hotline!

Phew! Still swamped for time, but here’s another quick schedule update: as hinted at earlier, Blue Line Pro will once again be sponsoring this year’s Quickdraw Contests at the HeroesCon 08. And what a sponsorship!

There will be one Quickdraw each day, and each will have a 1st, 2nd, and Honorable Mention prize in each of 3 age categories: 10 and under, 11-15, and 16 and up! That means you’ve got nine chances to win something over the weekend! Check out the prizes, from the listing on our Event Schedule page:

FIRST PRIZE will receive a year’s subscription to Sketch Magazine, a comprehensive sample-pack of Blue Line Pro comic book Art Boards, Sketch Cards, Post Cards, etc.; miscellaneous art supplies, and more.

SECOND PRIZE will receive a current issue of Sketch Magazine, a comprehensive sample-pack of Blue Line Pro comic book Art Boards, Sketch Cards, Post Cards, etc.; and miscellaneous art supplies.

HONORABLE MENTION will receive a current issue of Sketch Magazine, and a comprehensive sample-pack of Blue Line Pro comic book Art Boards, Sketch Cards, Post Cards, etc.

If you didn’t know, the Quickdraw Contests are HeroesCon traditions from way WAY back, and are a great opportunity to show your stuff, whether you’re a seasoned veteran artist or someone just starting out. And it’s a GREAT activity for kids at the convention–plus, it’s totally free! Each entrant gets two big pieces of Bristol board (provided by Blue Line, natch), a couple of pencils, and 20 minutes to draw something. The drawings are then judged by an all-star panel of convention guests!

Many thanks to Bob Hickey of Blue Line Pro, who has really outdone himself this year. If you didn’t know, Blue Line makes a wide assortment of comic art supplies, including a ton of different type comic book boards. Not to mention publishing Sketch Magazine!