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!

When did Batman stop being the campy fun loving superhero personified in the 1960s sitcom and become the Dark Knight we know and admire today (or fear, but only if you’re evil)?

Sure the metamorphosis began with Frank Robbins and Irv Novick on Batman #217 when Robin went off to college leaving the caped crusader to fight crime on his own. Some would argue that within a few short but brilliant years, Denny O’Neill and Neal Adams created the definitive story arc for “The Batman” (HEY!, where did that definite article “the” come from– sounds cool!) with the Ra’s Al Ghul epic. Many writers followed over the years and added their stamp to our brooding detective, but it was Frank Miller with his two pivotal mini-series–The Dark Knight Returns and Batman: Year One that cemented the characters as we know and love them to this day.

The Dark Knight Returns is set in a not-to-distant future, that may or may not occur within the same universe as the monthly Batman comics; but Batman: Year One has become the anchor upon which all continuity follows.

This is truly a seminal work and well worth our time.

Possible topic for discussion:
• Who is the main character in the book? I can think of three off the top of my head who could be considered
• The use of humor in the book
• Why is David Mazzucchelli storytelling a cut above the rest (or if not, why not)?
• The purpose of Selina Kyle within the story’s framework
• How does the book hold up after 20 years?
• The old standby: Should ALL superhero stories be told in mini-series fashion instead of an on-going continuity?
• Dozens of other topics as well!!! Let us know what you want to discuss!

Lastly: Should Batman be an all ages book? On that particular topic, we hasten to add that this book is labeled “all ages”, but we strongly urge you read (or re-read) it before you decide if it is proper for your kids. It gets a bit rough in spots.

This month’s Heroes Discussion Group will happen in the store this Monday, May 19, at 7pm! And if you don’t already own Batman Year One, you can get it for 10% off by mentioning the Heroes Discussion Group discount, up until we meet!

See you there, we can hardly wait!!! We promise we will make it worth your while!!

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!

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!