The countdown is on, HeroesCon 2013 is almost here! But that doesn’t mean we’re going to stop updating our guest list! Today’s is big but tomorrow’s is huge! We can’t wait to tell you about it. Only a few days left to get your discounted 3-day passes!

Heroes Convention is in Charlotte, North Carolina, June 7-9 2013. Get your 3 day passes today! Our full guest list (so far) is here.

BILL SIENKIEWICZ – Artist: Elektra Assasin, New Mutants, Stray Toasters

TOMMY CASTILLO – Artist: The Darkside of Oz, 100 Days of Death, Star Trek Darkness

C MARTIN CROKER – Writer/Artist/Voice Actor: Space Ghost Coast to Coast, Aqua Teen Hunger Force, Scooby Doo

JOHN MCGUIRE – Writer: Evolution,  The Knights of the Dinner Table

SAJAD SHAH – Artist: Brimstone and The Borderhounds

CHRIS SPARKS – Organizer of Team Cul de Sac

DAVID SPURLOCK – Writer/Artist/Editor: Vanguard Publications, Steranko: Graphic Prince of Darkness

HeroesCon 2013 is OVERFLOWING with great exhibitors and artists bringing something from every facet of comics-fandom! We’re also happy to announce that we will be hosting some great exhibitors for artists and aspiring artists!

If you’re an artist, or if you’ve watched as some of your favorite artists compose sketches at conventions, you will know that Copic Markers have become one of the preferred tools for artists of all genres. Known for they variety of liners, markers, air brush kits and more, Copic has something for everyone, from the skilled artist to the beginner!

Copic Markers will be setting up for their very FIRST HeroesCon this year, and we hope that you will take the time to stop by their booth and check out their product!

You can watch as Copic-master, and HeroesCon friend and beloved artist, Adam Hughes gives a FREE ART LESSON using Copic Markers here!

Joining us for their second year at HeroesCon is another artist’s favorite AutoDesk Sketchbook Pro!

Autodesk is returning with their pro sketching software for Windows and Mac! It’s a professional-grade painting app that is a great digital tool for artists of all skill levels! Their apps are also available for iPad and Android devices!!

You can watch several HeroesCon artists such as: Chris Uminga, Chrissie Zullo and Phil Noto use the Sketchbook Pro equipment LIVE at the Autodesk Sketchbook booth throughout the convention!

So get ready! Wear your comfy shoes and bring your shopping bags! There’s going to be A LOT to see and experience at HeroesCon 2013!!

HeroesCon 2013 starts exactly 1 week from now! Everyone that orders Advance 3-day passes this year receives an exclusive signed and numbered print featuring The Goon by Eric Powell! Don’t forget, kids 12 & under are free and we will have something special for them as well (in limited quantities!).

Heroes Convention is in Charlotte, North Carolina, June 7-9 2013. Get your 3 day passes today! Our full guest list (so far) is here.

If you’re attending HeroesCon next weekend, we want to remind you of what has become one of the highlights of recent year’s cons – our Drink and Draw event.  Inspired by the original Drink and Draw Social Club (founded by Dave Johnson, Dan Panosian and Jeff Johnson), this is a laid back event where anyone can sit down, have a drink, and create art alongside countless comic artists and fans.  The great thing about the Heroes’ Drink and Draw is that much of the professional art produced is auctioned off that night at the event itself, with all the proceeds going to charity.  Amateur artists can also enter their work into art contests that night, with the possibility of winning art supplies and products from our friends at Jerry’s Artarama, Prismacolor, and Artograph.

For the third year in a row we are happy to be donating all of the proceeds to Team Cul de Sac, a fantastic group that raises money and awareness for Parkinson’s research.  The Heroes family became aware of this organization when our friend Richard Thompson (the brilliant cartoonist behind the critically acclaimed Cul de Sac strip) was diagnosed with the disease.

Team Cul de Sac’s founder Chris Sparks has assured me that he’s bringing some incredible items to auction off at the Drink and Draw and throughout the con, including gems like an Art Spiegelman signed/sketched copy of Maus and Bill Watterson signed editions of The Complete Calvin and Hobbes and the Team Cul de Sac book. He’ll also be bringing original art from the likes of Mark Tatulli (Lio), Patrick McDonnell (Mutts), Jim Borgman (Zits) and more to auction Friday night.  Bidding on the signed/sketched Maus edition will take place all day on Friday at Team Cul de Sac’s table, and resume and conclude at Drink and Draw.  Similarly, you can bid on the signed Complete Calvin and Hobbes at Team Cul de Sac’s table, with bidding concluding at our annual Art Auction that night.  These are truly rare items, and HeroesCon might be your only opportunity to pick them up.

This year’s Drink and Draw will be at a new location, the Hilton Charlotte Center City.  As with past years, the event kicks off on Friday at 7:30 and lasts until there’s no one left drawing.  In addition to being one of our host hotels, the Hilton is close to the Convention Center (at 222 E. 3rd St.), and has spacious indoor and outdoor bars that will make this year’s Drink and Draw our largest to date.  Another new element at this year’s event will be live music provided by Jack the Radio.  They’re a Southern-Indie band from Raleigh comprised of several comic fans and artists, and we know they’ll add to the experience.

The Drink and Draw event hearkens back to HeroesCon’s long tradition of charitable involvement.  If you attended the Con in past years, you might remember the numerous blood drives and work with the Firefighters Burned Children Fund.   The Drink and Draw offers everyone who comes to the Con an opportunity to kick back and create some art in a fun atmosphere.  Make it a point to be at the Drink and Draw, pick up one of these remarkable pieces, enjoy the comics community at large, and most importantly, raise money for a worthy cause.

Loyal HeroesCon veterans know that our annual QuickDraw Contest is a great way to put your creative and artistic talents to the test! A HeroesCon tradition, the QuickDraw is our all-ages artist competition where we give you #2 pencils and Bristol board, and you give us 20 minutes of your feverish inspiration.  A qualified Art Instructor then judges the results and we, in turn, give the winners some fabulous prizes.  It’s a win-win and it’s open to any and all who want to try their hand at creating some HeroesCon original art!
Stepping in to sweeten the prize-winners’ pot this year, the following companies have donated more than $10,000 worth of prizes to give away to the talented winners!!

Prizes are awarded for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place, in three age categories: 10 & under, 11-15, and 16 & up. The QuickDraw is held on all three days of the show, so you have three opportunities to take home some incredible art supplies and bragging rights!

Prizes from these companies will also be awarded to participants of our Drink and Draw on Friday night, June 6 at the Hilton! Drink and Draw submissions will be judged by a panel of some of our favorite Artist Alley Pros, and prizes will be awarded at our show on Saturday!

We would also like to thank Artograph, Jerry’s Artarama, and Prismacolor for helping to supply our 2013 Live Art Stage, where artists will be crafting their pieces for the HeroesCon Annual Art Auction. The Art Auction will be held on Saturday June 7, from 8PM – until in the Providence Ballroom at the Westin Charlotte. We hope to see you all there!!

As an added bonus, Jerry’s Artarama has provided us with this coupon that you can use from NOW until June 15 to get $15.00 OFF your order of $79.00 or more! So get yourself some art supplies, and maybe one day we’ll be seeing YOU in our famous Artist Alley!

We’re getting down to the wire but we still have more great creators to add to our great guest list! There is still time to get your 3-day passes. Our show floor is twice the size of last year’s convention and we still have some space in Artists Alley available. So, if you were thinking about getting a table the time is now!

Heroes Convention is in Charlotte, North Carolina, June 7-9 2013. Get your 3 day passes today! Our full guest list (so far) is here.

IVAN BRANDON – Writer: Men of War, Wolverine, Viking, NYC Mech

BEN FISHER – Writer: Splitsville, Hexxen Hammers, Smuggling Spirits

JOHN MCGUIRE – Artist: The Gilded Age, Tiger Style, Raptor, The Dark That Follows

SAJAD SHAH – Artist: Brimstone and The Borderhounds

KEVIN STOKES – Artist: Impulse, Jimmy Olsen, Extinction, Tiger Style, Splitsville

CHRIS WALKER – Writer: Tiger Style, Raptor

SARA WOOLLEY – Writer/Artist: Los Pirineos

HeroesCon is officially less than 2 weeks away and we’re still announcing great guests! Table assignments are now listed on our Guest List, Indie Island, Artists Alley, and Exhibitors pages and our Panel Schedule will be up shortly. See you soon!

Heroes Convention is in Charlotte, North Carolina, June 7-9 2013. Get your 3 day passes today! Our full guest list (so far) is here.

DUANE BALLENGER – Artist: Haunted Samidge, Uptight, Wide Awake 666

FRANK BARBIERE – Writer: Five Ghosts, The White Suits, Blackout

SCOTT BEADERSTADT – Artist: Troll Lords, Archie: Superteens, The Mummy

NATHAN EDOMDSON – Writer: The Activity, Who is Jake Ellis, Dream Merchant, Grifter

CLAY & SUSAN GRIFFITH – Writers: Vampire Empire Trilogy, The Tick

YAYA HAN – Costume Designer/Cosplayer

KOYAMA PRESS – Publisher: Everything Takes Forever, Lose, Sunday In The Park With Boys

JOE PRUETT – Writer/Publisher: Desperado Publishing

MATTHEW ROSENBERG – Writer: Twelve Reasons To Die, Menu, Intellectual Property

We all know that HeroesCon is known for its all-star Artist Alley each year, but let’s not overlook the AMAZING EXHIBITORS who make our show the can’t-miss event of the summer, and a destination for Gold and Silver-Age comics, comic-related apparel, art supplies, collectibles, DVD’s, toys and so much more! Take a look at our 2013 Exhibitors, and make your shopping lists in advance!

A. Pennyworth’s Comics 1412
AH Digital 2105, 2107
Almost Anything 206, 208, 210
Andrew Heath 419
Anomaly Productions 522
Anthony’s Comic Book Art 1719, 1721
Apocalypse Comics 718, 720, 722, 817, 819, 821
Aspen Comics 812, 911
Autodesk Consumer Group / SketchBook Pro 822, 921
AwesomeCons.com 1610
B & C Collectibles 2109
Bear Butt Comics/Mischief Leather 320
Beyond Comics 808, 810
Big Lair’s 1620
Big Wow 1904, 2003
Bill Pappas 1707, 1709
Black Dog Collectibles 1606, 1608
Blue Juice Comics 520
BOOM!/KaBoom! 920, 922, 1019, 1021
Borderlands 1818, 1820, 1917, 1919
Cards, Comics and Collectibles 1318, 1320, 1322, 1417, 1419, 1421
Carolina Comic Book Club 204
Carolina Garrison – 501st Legion 110
Carolina Ghostbusters 105
CBLDF 102, 104
Cheap Joes Art Stuff 1522
CJ Draden 218
Columbia Comics 1821
Comic Central 1512, 1611
Comic Lock 1918, 1920, 2017, 2019
Comic Whiz 212
Comic Wise 318, 417
Comics & Gaming 1517, 1519
Comics Guarantee Corporation – CGC 207, 209
Comics to Astonish 304, 306
ComicMix 1222, 1321
Convention Exclusive 305
Cool Lines Artwork 719, 721
Copic Markers 818, 917
Cosmic Times 1720
Crazy Ed’s Comics 1618
Creature Entertainment 1722
Cunningham’s Comics 407, 409
Dale Roberts Comics 518, 617
Dave’s Comics & Cards 1418, 1420, 1422, 1521
David Shankle 717
Dimension Decals 303
Dragon Song Forge 1906, 1908, 1910
Earl Shaw 408, 410, 412
Evie Tees 612
Eye Candy 2307
Frame Monkey 1619, 1621
GBM Collection 2111
Get Cash For Comics 606, 608
Gotham Super Car 111
Grant Merrill 2119, 2121
Harley Yee Rare Comics 907, 909
Harrison’s Comics 1806, 1808, 1810, 1812, 1905, 1907, 1909, 1911
Heroes and Dragons 705, 707
Heroes Are Here 411
Hey Kids, Comics! 203, 205
Hot Flips 622, 1622
Ian Leino 2118
Imperial Quartermaster 2008, 2010, 2012
imPhotoGraphics Design 820
Infinity Comics LLC 202
Ink Correct 511
Intergalactic Collectibles 610
Jason Hamlin 1705
Jason McAlister/William Pigg 2022
Jim Walls 217
Joe Todd 106
Keomaka 2306, 2307
Killer Kollectibles 2302
Klingon Assault Group 108
Leroy Harper Comics 2110, 2112
Magic Massage Therapy 2301
Mario’s Comics 712
Mark Scott 1408, 1507
Mark Sparacio 521
McFarland Publishing 2005, 2007, 2009
Mighty Fine Art 2020
Mike’s Comics & Collectibles 2106, 2108
My SuperHero Guy 2120
New Age Discoveries 2308
New Force Comics 317, 319
New World Toys and Collectibles 201
North Coast Nostalgia 809, 811
Off World Designs Inc. 1922, 2021
Outer Rim Toys / Out of the Toy Box Jewelry 711
Pain-Less 2305
Painted Visions 1518, 1617
PaperCutz 919
Patrick Sullivan 2004, 2103
Planet Comics 1506, 1605
Poetic Earth 2122
Pop Culture Emporium 420
Premier Green Screens 112
Premiere Collectibles / Lightech Ltd. 2006
Pross Comics 1921
Purgatory Comics 2102, 2104
Reel Imports 1819
Reggie’s Comics and Collectibles 1410
Richard Fortenberry 311
Robert’s Comics and Collectibles 1718, 1817
Shark Robot 307, 309
Showcase Comics & Games 507, 509
Sideboard Games/El Cig’s Comics 619
Smoking Halo, LLC 1717
Soundtrack 620
Ssalefish Comics 418, 517
Static 519
Steve Smith 618
Stormcrow Comics 1612, 1711
Stylin Online 308, 310, 312; 1706-1712; 1805-1811
Supah! Comics 1508, 1510
Super Mecado Comics 621
SuperHeroStuff.com 506, 508, 510, 512, 605, 607, 609, 611
SuperWorldComics.com 403, 405
Tales of Wonder 219, 221, 220, 222
Tangled Web 1509, 1511
TC’s Toys 211
Team Fox: DeLorean Time Machine 101
Teeturtle 2018
The Toy Federation 709
TNT Comics 1822
Tomorrow Treasures 708, 807
TOYNK.com 2117
Triangle Cards / Orange Ribbon Collectibles 301
TV’s Treasure Chest 2303, 2304
TwoMorrows Publishing 118, 120, 122
Ultimate Comics 404, 406, 503, 505
Unknown Comix 1520
Valiant Entertainment 1220, 1319
Warp 9 1912, 2011
Welcome Back Comics 1607, 1609
White Lightning Productions 321
Wyrlwynd 422
XCON Comics 710
Zenescope Entertainment 322, 421

*Double click the map to bring it up on a new page, then double click again to bring it up on a page where you can enlarge it.

We’ve got another great guest list announcement for you today! Time is running out to purchase your discounted 3-day passes and to receive all the goodies that come along with that! We’ll see you soon!

Heroes Convention is in Charlotte, North Carolina, June 7-9 2013. Get your 3 day passes today! Our full guest list (so far) is here.

Please note: Several guests have had to cancel their appearances due to unforeseen circumstances. Cancellations are always listed at the right/bottom sidebar of the guest list page here.

NATALIE ANDREWSON – Writer/Artist: Meanwhile

CHRIS BRUNNER – Artist: Loose Ends, Batman: LOTDK, Boondock Saints

JARED CULLUM – Artist: Pea Green Coffee Cup

VITO DELSANTE – Writer: FCHS, Savage Dragon: Twisted Savage Dragon Funnies, Batman Adventures

MIKE FREIHEIT – Writer/Artist: District Comics, Monkey Chef

JONATHAN GLAPION – Inker: Batman, Green Lantern, Ultimate X-Men

SANDY JARRELL – Artist: Wasteland, Unfair

BRIAN KONG – Artist: Walking Dead AMC sketch cards, Star Wars Galaxy, Marvel Premiere

RICK LEONARDI – Artist: Cloak & Dagger, X-Men, Batgirl, Spider-Man 2099, Watson & Holmes

JASEN LEX – Writer/Artist: the Science Fair, Bottom Feeders, Project Superior

JOSEPH MICHAEL LINSNER – Creator/Writer/Artist: DAWN Artist: Wolverine & The Black Cat: Claws Cover Artist: Conan, Red Sonja, Vampirella, Witchblade

BILLY MARTIN – Artist: Vitriol: The Hunter

JEREMY ROCK – Artist: Narcopolis, Cold Space, The Eighth Seal

FRANK TIERI – Writer: Marvel Vs Capcom 3, Wolverine, Iron man, Space: Punisher

ANDY’S PICK :: LONE RANGER GOLDEN BOOK CLASSIC: Wanna get the kids fired up to go see the new Lone Ranger movie with ya? Wanna see what we used to read before our parents let us read comic books? Wanna see a classic in a beautiful and affordable original-sized edition? If you answered yes to one or more of the questions above, then Lone Ranger Golden Book Classic is for you. In this delightful romp from 1956(!) our stylishly dressed vigilante and his Native American partner (you see what I did there?) fight bandits, bring justice to the untamed west and still find time to help a young boy find his missing brother. This is a book you won’t mind to reading and re-reading and re-reading to your young cow-hands aged 2-6. Hi-Yo!!