Okay, just a quick post, as I’m neck-deep in working on the HeroesCon Event Schedule, but I just posted detailed descriptions of each of the SEVEN comics workshops, run by the Savannah College of Art & Design, all of which are FREE!

Free!

This will be the second year that SCAD has run workshops at the convention, and they’re sure to be even better than last year’s–not to mention that we started organizing them way earlier, so the odds of them filling up quick are pretty good. This is a super chance to get FREE instruction by professional educators on some of the most important facets of making and publishing comics! You can read all about it on our Event Schedule page!

You know how we’ve been talking about big announcements that were coming up? Well is this one big enough for you?

Brand new to the HeroesCon 08 Guest List are Ed Brubaker and Steve Epting, who both have had long and prolific careers in comics, but are probably best known recently as the team that killed Captain America. But leave us not pigeonhole these twin titans–Eisner Award winning Ed has got the Midas touch lately, with runs on acclaimed books like Gotham Central and Daredevil, not to mention co-writing Iron Fist and the upcoming Uncanny X-Men with fellow guest Matt Fraction. And of course, there’s Captain America, if you want to count a little ole book like that.

While Ed’s making his first appearance at HeroesCon this year, Steve Epting is an old buddy of Shelton’s, although it’s been a few years since we’ve been fortunate enough to have him on our guest list. While Steve’s an “artist’s artist”, he was most closely identified with a long run on The Avengers before working on Captain America. He also was the artist behind El Cazador, for now-defunct CrossGen. Steve will be appearing Friday and Saturday only.

This is hugely exciting for us, getting these guys on our list–we’ve been working on it for months, making sure schedules worked out, doing a lot of rain dances, etc.–and it’s finally paid off. And there’s still MORE big news on the way, but that’s enough for a Thursday morning. I’ll let you chew on that for awhile.

This is crazy: THREE big HeroesCon announcements in one day? Believe me, I’d be stretching them out if I could–I’m lazy–but there are just too many to wait!

Brand new to the guest list about oh, 30 seconds ago are:

JIM SCANCARELLI: the artist of Gasoline Alley since 1986–that’s 22 years! Jim is an old buddy of ours, and a Charlotte local who Shelton tries to cajole into appearing at the convention as a guest every year, and has finally succeeded! Don’t miss this rare opportunity to talk to a flabbergastingly talented artist in person, not to mention someone could tell stories from now to Doomsday and still have plenty more!

DON SHERWOOD is the creator of the Dan Flagg newspaper strip, as well as having worked for years on comics titles including The Flintstones and The Phantom. More recently you may seen his graphic novel for Moonstone, I Love A Mystery.

DAVE MCDONALD is making his first appearance at HeroesCon this year, to promote his all ages book The Secret Adventures of Hamster Sam: Attack of the Evil Boll Weevils! He’ll be sitting with the Kids Love Comics guys in our new Kids Love Comics Garage section of Artists Alley!

CHRIS KEMPLE is no stranger to HeroesCon–his work has been published in Negative Burn, Flashback Comics, and Fallout; he also does a ton of art for the video game industry.

Whew! Still more to come, although I think I’ll go home and sleep real quick. See you in the morning with more HeroesCon news!

It’s about as simple as that: we have completely sold out all Small Press tables AND booths for HeroesCon 08! I’ve worked every convention since 1996, and I don’t know that that has ever happened, especially a month and a half before the convention!

Before you call and ask any questions: please do us a favor and post them here in the Comments section first, or e-mail me directly at dharbin{at}heroesonline{dot}com. Our phones are already ring-dingling like crazy from the earlier news today about our $99/night Hilton host hotel rate. I’m still accepting names for a waiting list, but we still haven’t decided whether or not a second Small Press section upstairs is a viable idea or not. We’ll most likely make that decision in the next couple of weeks, if not sooner.

Incredible! This really is shaping up to be a real watershed year for HeroesCon! I hope you’ve already bought your tickets!

Well, it took a lot longer than we thought, but we announced this morning through a special edition of the Heroes Hotline that we’ve signed a contract with the Hilton Charlotte Center City as this year’s HeroesCon host hotel!

Some longtime HeroesCon attendees will be scratching their heads and wondering, “But I thought it was the Westin”, but the reason it was taking so long is that the Westin just wouldn’t give us the LARGE number of rooms we would need for all of you, at a good price. The Hilton really stepped into the breach: the HeroesCon rate is just $99/night! You can reserve your rooms at the Hilton now by called 704.377.1500 or toll-free at 1.800.HILTONS.

The Hilton is going to be really great for us this year–for one thing, it’s a little closer: you can see the side entrance to the hotel from our Registration Booth in the Convention Center! Plus, last year they performed a 25 million dollar renovation to the hotel, upgrading all the rooms and beds, so it’s sure to be a sumptuous experience! And best of all (speaking as a reformed smoker), the entire hotel is non-smoking now. I understand that this might not be so good for you smokers, but I’m excited at least.

For those of you who really prefer the Westin, though, Shelton was able to negotiate a very small number of rooms there at the old $99/night rate, just as a courtesy. Those are sure to be gone super-fast. We’re encouraging those of you without a real preference to get your room at the Hilton, because that’s where all the hobnobbing is going to be!

I announced this through the Heroes Hotline several hours ago: if you’re not on our weekly newsletter list, you can sign up here. We’re happy to answer any questions you might have, but please realize that our phones are already ringing off the hook, AND it’s Wednesday, so we’re in the middle of getting all the new books counted and on the racks. I’ll be at my computer all day, so feel free to post questions in the Comments section, and I’ll answer them right away. Or if you just don’t like me at all, you can give us a call at 704.375.7462.

And that’s not all! More big news is coming–CRAZY news! But for now we wanted to let you know about the hotel, not to mention thank you all for your great patience as we worked to get you the best deal we could. Thanks!

As promised, we’re rolling out a ton of additions to the HeroesCon 08 Guest List this week. So many that I don’t have time to be too clever about it–let’s just dive right in!

Returning to HeroesCon this summer will be publisher Boom! Studios–while these guys have only been around for a few years, they’re long on experience, with veterans like Editor-In-Chief (and HeroesCon guest) Mark Waid and Keith Giffen on the payroll. Co-founder Ross Richie will be on hand to meet fans and talk about what’s coming up from Boom!, as well as writer Johanna Stokes (Zombie Tales, Cthulhu Tales). Welcome aboard!

Also new today is Blue Line Pro, the publisher of Sketch Magazine and maker of a whole host of comic art boards, sketchbooks, and art supplies! Not only that, but Blue Line will once again be sponsoring our Quickdraw Contests at the con this year, providing some huge prizes for the winners, as well as furnishing all the paper for the event! Last year the contest drew over 100 people each day, and we expect an even bigger turnout this year–you can read more about it on our HeroesCon Event Schedule page.

Man, things are really heating up for this year’s HeroesCon! Now that New York Comic Con has come and gone, we’re the next hot date on the con calendar, and we can’t keep up with the number of professionals wanting to get on the Guest List!

Today we’re pleased to announce the return to HeroesCon of DC Executive Editor Dan Didio and Coordinating Editor Jann Jones! This is their third straight HeroesCon, and they’ve become some of our most fan-favorite guests–especially when they hold forth on what’s new from DC in panels! I’m so busy during the convention that I usually don’t get to watch many panels, but last year I got to see a little of the DC Nation panel. I have to say I was pretty impressed–Dan is an intense dude, and was practically vibrating with energy as he paced back and forth in front of the packed room, answering questions and discussing DC properties. Jann’s no slouch, and took point on a lot of conversations, but it’s hard for anyone to get a word in when Didio has the floor!

Also new this week, and brand new to HeroesCon, is DC writer Matt Sturges. Besides partnering with Bill Willingham to write Jack of Fables, he also writes House of Mystery, Shadowpact, Salvation Run, and now Blue Beetle! We’re really happy to be expanding the number of quality writers at the con–while we’re known for our great artists, great art is pretty empty in comics without a great story.

Still a ton of updates to go, including another publisher, a big artists studio, and some classic newspaper artists! All next week, plus more updates on programming, incentives, and more!

–NOTE–I got that picture above from Dan’s MySpace page. Check out the comic book Who’s Who in the background! I think I see John Lucas, John Cassaday, Jimmy Palmiotti, and Phil Noto, although those could also all be doubles. You can never be too careful.

Man for serious–it’s crazy the number of calls and e-mails we’re getting with guests signing on. This is going to be one PACKED HeroesCon! Presenting the latest of the (at least) THREE HeroesCon 08 Guest List updates this week:

GARY FRIEDRICH! What? The co-creator of the iconic fiery motorcycler Ghost Rider? Yes it’s true–not to mention his work on Monster of Frankenstein, Sgt. Fury And His Howling Commandos, and probably a zillion others. Huge news for fans of Silver Age and 70’s comics, or just Ghost Rider fans in general!

ANDY KUHN! Returning for his second HeroesCon, Andy Kuhn is the artist behind the Firebreather series, which I believe is relaunching some time this spring! Not to mention a bunch of other work for pretty much every publisher, including the much-overlooked Mantooth, written by fellow guest Matt Fraction!

STEVE SCOTT! is the current artist of Marvel Adventures: Hulk and the forthcoming Indiana Jones & the Tomb of the Gods, coming this summer from Dark Horse! Plus another thing that’s still too secret to mention, but will probably be mentionable by the time of the con, so ask him then!

TOM FLEMING!, artist of boocoodles of trading cards and fantasy paintings, has also done covers for comics including Elektra, Captain Marvel, and Vampirella! He’s certainly no stranger to HeroesCon, having been a fixture for years now, as has–

BILL NEVILLE!, with a list of work for companies including Marvel, DC, Image, and New England Comics. Bill’s also the artist and co-creator of the critically acclaimed comic Explorers.

Whew!

But it’s not all wine and roses–as we get closer to the convention and people’s schedules start to tangle, we’ll inevitably have some cancellations. Now that I’ve softened you up with all the good news, I hate to kill the mood by announcing that our new buddy Christos Gage and our old buddies Jamal Igle and Eric Powell have been forced to cancel their appearances at HeroesCon this summer. All three assure us they’ll try their best to be back in 09, and express the most bottomless regret at missing what’s shaping up to be our biggest ever show here in 08!

In the first of at least THREE announcements this week regarding the HeroesCon 08 Guest List, today we’ve just added Brian Pulido and Joe Pekar to the list!

Brian Pulido was the co-founder and president of Chaos! Comics back during the 90’s, and himself created some of the company’s most popular characters, including Lady Death, Evil Ernie, and Purgatori. These days Brian’s still putting out new Lady Death stories, now through Avatar. He’s also working extensively in the film industry, and I has just begun production on a feature film, although I’m not sure what it is. But in his words it’s a “dream come true”–so be sure to ask him at this year’s convention!

Also new today is returning guest Joe Pekar, whose art books Strawberry and Naughty Girls are both published by fellow guest Alberto Ruiz‘s BrandStudio Press company. It’s a family affair!

Next up, an announcement brought to you by the letters “C” and “D”, and the word “Nation.” More I can’t say!

Well, it looks like we’re the next hot date on the con circuit: now that NYCC’s all done, people are writing and calling left and right to get on this year’s Heroes Convention 2008 Guest List! I’m looking at a long list of announcements I’ll be making throughout next week, but FIRST we want to welcome some old friends and some new ones to the list!

It wouldn’t be HeroesCon without our old friends Nick Cardy and Irwin Hasen! These are two of our very favorite people, and we’re really excited to welcome them back this year. Although introductions are hardly necessary for these two living legends, for those of you unfamiliar with their work: Nick Cardy got his start at the famed Eisner/Iger Studio, but came into his own working on iconic titles in the 50’s and 60’s like Aquaman and Teen Titans. Irwin Hasen’s career stretches all the way back to the Golden Age of comics, on titles like Green Lantern and All Star Comics. He’s probably best known as the co-creator of Wildcat, as well as the long-time writer/artist of the Dondi newspaper strip.

Another friend returning to HeroesCon this summer is Colleen Doran, the creator of the acclaimed space opera A Distant Soil, as well as the artist of books including Orbiter (with Warren Ellis) and Book of Lost Souls (with J. Michael Straczynski). This is like a tenth of her list of credits, though–she’s had a pretty rich and varied career.

But wait there’s more! Also returning to this year’s HeroesCon are artists Roy Richardson (Captain America, Iron Man) and June Brigman (Power Pack, Supergirl). Roy and June last attended in 2005, I think, so we’re excited to have them back this year!

And lastly in this first-of-many Guest List update, we’re welcoming to brand nubes to the show: Dennis Hopeless and Kevin Mellon, who are respectively the writer and artist behind the GearHead series from Arcana, as well as the upcoming Cupid graphic novel from AIT/PlanetLar. Dennis is also co-writing Stormchaser with Phil Hester, and Kevin is the artist of Thirteen Steps. Welcome to your first HeroesCon, guys!

More updates are pending–a TON of them!