We’re only a few weeks away from the mammoth San Diego Comic-Con, and this is the first of several round-ups of what’s going on at the con. If you’re a creator, publisher, etc. I want to know about your San Diego plans. Got a new book debuting? Got a booth in Artist Alley? Appearing on a panel? Let me know and I’ll include it in a future edition.

Before jumping in, though, a quick public service announcement: if you’re driving to the con or plan to rent a car, California’s hands-free cell phone law went into effect earlier this week. This means you can get a ticket for talking and driving, unless you’re using a hands free device. The law doesn’t address texting or personal hygiene, as evidenced by the lady I saw brushing her teeth while driving yesterday. So brush your teeth, shave, put on make-up, send a text or read a comic — just don’t talk on the phone. End of PSA.

Artist Cliff Chiang sent me a note about the booth he’s sharing with Jill Thompson and Brian Wood, along with an image of the banners they’ll be displaying (which looks very cool!). Here’s what Cliff said:

For the first time, I’ll have my own table at SDCC, sharing a booth with Jill Thompson and Brian Wood. Located at Booth #1322, you can find us listed as the three-headed beast “Jill Thompson, Brian Wood, Cliff Chiang” in the program book. We’ll have books, prints, original art, and Jill and I will be doing commissioned sketches.

Comics writer Steve Seagle sent over a press release that detailed the plans of Man of Action Studios:

Man of Action Studios, the creative development company formed in 2002 by comic book iconoclasts Joe Casey (Godland), Joe Kelly (Spider-Man), Duncan Rouleau (Metal Men), and Steven T. Seagle (American Virgin) will be in full force at the 2008 Comicon International. Fans are welcome to come by booth 2007 for autographs and exclusive advance looks at upcoming Man of Action comic and media projects.

Man of Action are the creators of the record-shattering BEN 10 series for Cartoon Network, and have created for diverse clients such as Activision, NBC/Universal, Animal Planet, Marvel Comics, DC Comics, SAMG Animation, Warner Brothers Feature Films, Paramount Feature Films, FOX television, Mainframe Animation, 4Kids Entertainment, and Speak Theater Arts.

Man Of Action launches its own line of original comics and graphic novels under the Image Comics banner this year including Krash Bastards, Charlatan Ball, Four Eyes, I Kill Giants, Soul Kiss, and The Great Unknown. Copies and preview copies will be at the booth. Man of Action will also have Ben 10 DVDs available as well as the full library of Man Of Action trade paperbacks.

Man of Action is represented by William Morris Agency

Joe Eisma has a new book from Devil’s Due that’ll premiere at the show:

My graphic novel, Serpo, is debuting at the show from Devil’s Due Publishing. I’m the artist, and writer Jason Burns and I will be signing at their booth from 1-2 pm Friday 7/25 and tentatively Saturday from 10-11 am. I’ll be doing sketches as well while I’m at the booth. Also, my other series, A Dummy’s Guide to Danger: Lost at Sea, will be on hand at the Viper Comics booth.

David Gallaher, the writer of the Zuda contest-winning High Moon, will be signing at the show and appearing on the Zuda panel:

Steve Ellis and I will be selling original artwork for our webcomic series HIGH MOON, signing free Zuda samplers at the DC Comics booth, and appearing at the Zuda Comics Panel on Sunday discussing the conclusion of HIGH MOON. Seriously, if you follow HIGH MOON or any of the Zuda comics, you’ll want to be at that panel!

Ted Mathot will debut a new book, Cora, at the show:

Derek Thompson and I will be listed under the name E-Ville Press again this year, located at Booth #1534. The first installment of CORA will make its debut this year, and Rose and Isabel parts 1 and 2 will be available as well. Derek will have an ALL NEW Monster Annual chock full of his awesome designs (365 of them!) as well as original art. We’ll also have the AFTERWORKS 2 anthology for sale, which contains short stories by Derek, myself and many others.

Fantagraphics has a new Love & Rockets book debuting at the show:

Join us July 24-27 in San Diego, CA for the 2008 Comic Con International! We’re pleased to be hosting special convention guests Kim Deitch and Jim Woodring, as well as the Hernandez brothers (debuting Love and Rockets: New Stories #1!) and over a dozen more artists at our booth (#1716, same as last year)! We’ll have lots of exciting debuts, free goodies, and of course tons and tons of incredible books and comics for sale. Stay tuned to FLOG! The Fantagraphics Blog for upcoming details and announcements!

Shout Factory will have multiple panels and signings at their booth with folks like Len Wein and Steve Purcell, among others:

MYSTERY SCIENCE THEATER 3000 (MST3K): 20th ANNIVERSARY

Multiple Emmy®-nominated and Peabody Award-winning Mystery Science Theater 3000 (MST3K) is a true cult classic. Its high-camp rendition of B-movies from every genre to the small screen makes it one of the most memorable pop culture shows of our time. Brimming with laugh-out-loud commentaries from caustically hilarious space travelers Joel Robinson, Mike Nelson and their robot pals Crow T. Robot and Tom Servo, MST3K was a genuine phenomenon. Its popularity spawned an MST3K fan following that numbers over hundreds of thousands of fans world-wide.

Celebrating 20 years after MST3K’s premiere on television, the entire creative team reunites for the first time when Shout! Factory proudly presents its MYSTERY SCIENCE THEATER 3000: 20th Anniversary Edition DVD box set this October 2008. A sumptuous ode to this cult-classic series, the 20th Anniversary Edition DVD box set features four of the show’s most requested unreleased film episodes (the exact 4 titles will be revealed at Comic-Con) and boasts exclusive DVD bonus content that explore the genesis, life and afterlife of MST3K. More in-depth info will be revealed at the 20th Anniversary Reunion Panel (see below).

Talents at Comic Con: entire MST3K family

Comic Con Panel

Friday, July 25 (7:15 PM – 8:15 PM) Room 6B – MST3K 20Th Anniversary Reunion Panel

Moderated by Patton Oswalt, an historic reunion of cast and crew, including creator Joel Hodgson, producer Jim Mallon and fellow MST3K family: Trace Beaulieu, Frank Conniff, Bill Corbett, Kevin Murphy, Mike Nelson, Bridget Nelson Mary Jo Pehl, Paul Chaplin, J. Elvis Weinstein and the MST3K robots Tom Servo and Crow T. Robot!!!

JANE AND THE DRAGON: A DRAGON’S TALE

In the 9th-Century English kingdom of Kippernium , adolescent girls are typically raised to be Ladies-in-Waiting. But Jane isn’t exactly the kingdom’s typical 12-year old girl. No, she has much higher aspirations — life as a brave knight! So, when Jane rescues Prince Cuthbert from a not-so-ferocious dragon, she’s granted special permission to begin training as a knight’s apprentice with the gentle, wisecracking dragon by her side. And thus begins the fun-filled, flammable and memorable tales of the fair maiden, Jane Turnkey, and her best-friend, Dragon. And, on August 19, Shout! Factory catapults JANE AND THE DRAGON: A DRAGON’S TALE onto DVD for the very first time in a single disc release featuring the first five episodes from this groundbreaking animated series adapted from Martin Baynton’s popular children’s books.

Talent at Comic Con: Creator Martin Baynton

FRIDAY, July 25 (11:30 AM -12:30 PM) Martin Baynton at Hey Kids The First One’s in the Library Panel followed by a signing at Table AA4 (12:30 PM – 1:30 PM)

TALENTS at SHOUT! FACTORY BOOTH:

Friday, July 25 (11 AM) Sam & Max creator Steve Purcell will be at Shout! Factory’s booth (#3749)

Friday, July 25 – TBD – MST3K talent at Shout! Factory’s booth (#3749)

Saturday, July 26 (1 PM) Swamp Thing star Dick Durock and co-creator Len Wein at Shout! Factory’s booth (#3749)

Saturday, July 26 (3:00 PM) Dan Milano, co-creator and voice talent) of Greg The Bunny will be at Shout! Factory’s booth (#3749)

And finally, Murphy Designs has “all kinds of goodness in store” for Comic-Con:

The 2008 Comic-Con will be here before you know it, and Murphy Design has all kinds of goodness in store. Stop by Murphy Art Books, Booth No. 4833, July 24 – 28 and say hello to Jeff Soto, Kathie Olivas and Brandt Peters, details below:

+++ Jeff Soto at ComicCon Booth No. 4833 : July 24 – July 27
Jeff Soto and Murphy Art Books will be featuring new prints, mini zines and originals at this year’s San Diego Comic-Con and convention. Jeff has created a new 20 page mini zine and will be on hand to sign his new book, “Storm Clouds,” featuring 148 pages. Jeff’s new hard-bound edition features : “Supernova,” “Cold Ice Age,” “Storm Clouds” and everything in between. This will be a great opportunity to say hello to Jeff, as he will be working hard on his upcoming museum exhibition held at the Riverside Art Museum in December. Online book orders will be accepted, July 21, 2008

+++ SuperHero Exhibition and Party : Thursday, July 24, 7 pm – Midnight
“SuperHero,” featuring the art works of Jeff Soto, Luke Chueh, Lola, Joel Nakamura, Anthony Lister, Christopher Ryniak, Marco Wagner, Lola, Kathie Olivas, Mark Todd, Esther Pearl Watson and many other great artists will be on display for an evening of goodness. The party will be held near this year’s Comic-Con Convention and will be hosted by Ninthlink, Murphy Art Books, Hi-Fructose and great folks from coast to coast. More information will be offered soon, so save the date and join in the fun.

+++ Kathie Olivas and Brandt Peters : “Ghosts and Martyrs” : ComicCon Release
Kathie Olivas and Brandt Peters has teamed up to create an all in one doubled up artist book.
Kathie Olivas features an impressive painting collection from her “Misery Children” characters, concept sketches, sculpts and customs. Flip the book over and discover Brandt Peters and his whimsical collection of drawings, character developments, toys and paintings. Two books in one–deliver 230 full color pages of self-published works and a massive collection of collaborative works shared between Kathie and Brandt. Kathie and Brandt will be signing their book on Friday and Sunday at Comic-Con. Online book orders will be accepted, July 21, 2008.

This entry was posted on Wednesday, July 2nd, 2008 at 1:34 pm and is filed under Comic Books, Creators, DC Comics, Devil's Due, Fantagraphics, Graphic Novels, News & Views, Pop Culture, SDCC 2008, Television. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can skip to the end and leave a response. Pinging is currently not allowed.