Via a BOOM! press release….

This is what Christmas is about: Family get-togethers, right?

Merry Christmas, for those who celebrate it. For those who don’t, I hope you have a couple of days off, anyway. I’ll be back on Wednesday with more of the usual.

This coming Sunday, Philadelphia’s most famous comic shop, Locust Moon Comics will be hosting the Locust Moon Comics Festival at the Rotunda in West Philadelphia. The focus of the festival will be independent writers, artists, and creators of the area and celebrating creator-owned books.

“[The festival is] important to us because we think there’s something really special happening in the Philadelphia comics scene, and we want to create a place where all these diffuse talents can come together with their compatriots from this city and all over the world,” said Locust Moon owner, Josh O’Neill.

He spoke to Newsarama along with partner Chris Stevens about the festival and what it means to them and the creators. “We want people to walk into the festival and see that there’s a small-scale revolution happening here, that comics is a medium that can be explored in infinite directions and the horizons are always expanding, and there’s something really special happening in this city that doesn’t get nearly enough attention,” O’Neil says. “We want our festival to be a lot more than a comic convention — we want it to be a true CELEBRATION of comic books and comic creators. We want the joy we all share to be palpable and present for anybody who wants to wander in.”

“It’s going to be a real celebration of comics and the medium, with a healthy mix of local creators and folks coming in to town like Jim Rugg, Brandon Graham, and Farel Dalrymple,” added Stevens. “We’ve got festival exclusive prints from Jim and Farel and Mark Robinson, and guys like J.G. Jones will be there doing their thing.”

This event is the most recent of O’Neil and Steven’s many efforts to unify, accelerate, and publicize the up and coming Philadelphia comic scene. “There’s a really rambunctious spirit to the Philly creative communities,” O’Neill says. “It’s not about getting noticed by some publisher or label or gallery, it’s not about becoming the Next Big Thing, it’s about making your work and pushing it out there into the world.”

Happy Thanskgiving, Americans (And everyone not in America, too; I just didn’t think you’d necessarily care one way or another). Normal service will be resumed tomorrow.

[via Press Release and hat tip to Newarama Contributor, Amanda McDonald]

REBEL-NYC, New York City October 12th, 2012Excitement continues to build as ROCK COMIC CON rolls out what promises to be the major party event of convention week during the New York Comic Con. This year, ROCK COMIC CON is partnering with the COMIC BOOK LEGAL DEFENSE FUND to create the ultimate Nerd Rock music party experience.ROCK COMIC CON is a perfect place for Heroes, Zombies, Jedi Knights and Fans of all kinds to get their “Nerd” Rock on and help support freedom of speech through the Comic Book Legal DefenseFund. ROCK COMIC CON is the ultimate place to mingle and will rock your face off with a flurry of nerd rockbands. It will also feature LIVE Art by Marvel, DC and Indie artists, prizes, costumes, giveaways and Special Guests.’

Nerd Rock’: [nurd 'rok] a  genre of music that tends not to take itself too seriously, often referencing “geek” pop culture, comic books and video gameswith signifcant doses of irony and humor.

ROCK COMIC CON features an array of national acts; hard rocking and musically adept nerd bands including Schaffer, the Dark Lord, a New York City-based rapper and comedian with material best suited for brainy and/or drug-addled audiences. With manic energy and a verbose vocabulary, STD skewers such topics as religious zombies, sci-fi sex fantasies, grammar snobbery and obsessive cat enthusiasts. STD has released three full-length albums and toured the country with mc chris, MCFrontalot and MC Lars.  He is also a co-producer and co-host for the nerdy, themed production, EpicWin Burlesque. He has three releases (2004′s “Meet My Maker,” 2007′s “Mark of the Beast” and 2009′s “Manslaughterer”) and the music video for his single “The Rappist” has garnered a half million views on YouTube.

H2Awesome! is a hilarious NYC band that is a cross between Weezer, the Bloodhound Gang and Iggy Pop…but MUCH nerdier. Comic Geek Speak called them “pure punk rock goodness”. H2Awesome! is fronted by NYC brothers, Charlie and Jeff LaGreca who cut their comedy teeth working and training with such notables as Amy Poehler, Tina Fey, Adam McKay, Rob Riggle and many others and have written or been seen on Comedy Central, Conan O’Brien, American MovieClassics, Nickelodeon & the Food Network.  Their repertoire includes catchy and well-crafted tunes referencing geek culture, including an anthem for Walking Dead fans entitled “Carl, Stay In the House!”, and Frodo? Fredo?, a song about two confused potheads watching The Godfather and the Lord Of The Rings at the same time. The Doubleclicks are a self-proclaimed “nerd-folk” duo, based in Portland, Oregon. The band is made of the Webber sisters: Berkeley College of Music graduate and cellist Aubrey, and songwriter and ukulele player Angela. In 2011, the band started a “song a week” project, in which they posted new songs on their YouTube channel every week for a year – ranging in topics from superpowers to grammar. Their music video for their “Dungeons and Dragons” song created by Brooklyn-based artist Brad Jonas, boosted the Doubleclicks into position as a songwriting voice of the geek andgamer community. The band has toured to gaming and comic conventions and has shared the stage with Wil Wheaton, Amanda Palmer, and Paul and Storm. Though the tracks on The Doubleclicks’ first studio album “Chainmail and Cello” come from “a geeky place,” reviewers note that the Doubleclicks’ music has a broad appeal that can reach beyond the walls of the local game store.

Special guests include singer/songwriter Molly Lewis and Illusionist Nelson Lugo of Epic Win Burlesque.  Lewis, whose original songs and covers, accompanied by her masterful ukulele playing, have earned her over 4.4 million views on YouTube and won her the “Ukulele Video of the Year” award from UkuleleHunt.com.  Her first album, “I Made You A CD, But I Eated It,” was released by DFTBA Records. Illusionist Nelson Lugo first started performing magic when he was nine and a half years old.  Fed on a steady diet of comic books, video games and Benny Hill – Nelson’s performance style combines classic magic with a refreshingly geeky contemporary twist. He dreams of one day creating a magic act that somehow combines his love of Batman, Dr. Who, Star Trek, and pie. He is the founder and executive producer of EPIC WIN Burlesque and the co-host of the EPIC PIE cast.

ROCK COMIC CON will also feature MARVEL, DC and independent artists who will be creating live art throughout the night. This art will then be used to raise money to help support the COMIC BOOK LEGAL DEFENSE FUND, a program that protects artists.

Ticket sales for ROCK COMIC CON, the NYC Nerd Rock Music Festival are now underway. Don’t miss this fantastic, rocking, fun, colorful and outrageous event taking place at the Rebel-NYC,251 30th street, New York City, NY 10001 (Betw 7th & 8th Aves)  on Friday, Oct 12th.

Doors open at7pm.TICKETS:$12 Advance, $15 Door.Advance tickets are available at www.RockComicCon.com

Via Press Release.

The 2012 NJ SUPERHERO WEEKEND AND WONDER WOMAN DAY to benefit SAFE in Hunterdon will be hosted by Comic Fusion on October 6-7 in the historic business district of Flemington, NJ. Comic Fusion will auction superhero sketches to raise money and awareness for this domestic violence charity.

Since 2007, Comic Fusion has raised close to $40,000 for SAFE in Hunterdon. This has been made possible by tremendous volunteers and companies such as Dark Horse Comics, Del Rey/Random House, Universal Studios, Diamond Select & Diamond Toys, Tonner Dolls, and many talented comic book creators.

This year Comic Fusion welcomes to the store guest artists Jamal Igle (MOLLY DANGER, SUPERGIRL, KISS), Jim Calafiore (BATGIRL, TITANS), Chris Flick (CAPES & BABES), Tom Schloendorn (TALES FROM THE STARLAND BALLROOM), Ken Haeser (THE LIVING CORPSE), Erica Hesse (THE KEY, GIRLS DRAWING GIRLS) and Bill Ellis (ALL NEW ISSUES).

Weather permitting, John Brown will bring his custom Gotham Supercars to SUPERHERO WEEKEND for photo opportunities. Comic Fusion will also host the STAR WARS costuming group, the 501st Legion along with Wonder Woman and many other costumed superheroes who will gladly pose for pictures.

The art sketches are auctioned with bids taken via email and in person at Comic Fusion. There are also raffles and door prizes. Other local businesses will be showing their support with special discounts and donations collected during October 6-7 including Cocco’s Cafe and Sage boutique. Barkley’s Pet Boutique is hosting dog costume contests on Saturday, October 6th.

“SuperHero Weekend is a celebration of the characters we grew up with and to remember the lessons comics teach us so that we can make our communities better and safer,” explained Stacy Korn, co-owner of Comic Fusion. “We’re excited this year to welcome other businesses in the community to this wonderful event! Each year the event evolves. This year is bigger than ever, with tons of events to participate in! This year our message of hope shines even brighter!”

“The fantasy of being a superhero provides children with the opportunity to more easily express their everyday fears,” said Elizabeth Amber Love, event planner. “People of all ages need to be reminded that being a victim was not their fault. Domestic abuse tends to be met with shameful feelings and people don’t seek help the way one would if they had a medical disease. This fundraiser gets people talking about advocacy and awareness through the great support system of the comic book industry.”

October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month and the comic industry brings awareness about issues of domestic abuse through annual fundraisers like NJ SUPERHERO WEEKEND AND WONDER WOMAN DAY. Domestic Violence Awareness Month grew from the original 1981 Day of Unity conceived by the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence.

Comic Fusion is an independently owned retail shop of comics, gaming and collectibles located in the heart of the historic business district of Flemington, New Jersey. They have organized an annual event to raise money and awareness for SAFE in Hunterdon since 2007.

SAFE in Hunterdon is a valuable community resource that provides transitional housing, 24-hour counseling, crisis intervention, legal advocacy and a children’s art therapy program for those affected by domestic abuse.

The Hollywood Reporter’s Heat Vision blog has two new guests at MorrisonCon listed today, James Gunn and Max Landis. Gunn was recently chosen as Marvel Studio’s director for the upcoming Guardians of the Galaxy film set to hit theaters in 2014, and reportedly remains in active talks as the sole runner in that race. Landis, meanwhile, wrote the superpowered film Chronicle, a parody youtube video on The Death and Return of Superman, and has a story in the Action Comics Annual in October 2012.

The two Hollywood and Comics connections will be talking at the convention about… Hollywood and Comics’ connections. The duo join Gerard Way, Robert Kirkman,  Jonathan Hickman, Jason Aaron,, Jim Lee, Frank Quitely, J.H. Williams III and Chris Burnham as already announced guests, alongside Grant Morrison, of course.

MorrisonCon hits the Hard Rock Hotel in Las Vegas, NV September 28-30, 2012.

And that’s the danger of writing and posting blog posts ahead of time; posts about the Punisher end up going live on a morning when we’re all waking up to the news that twelve have been killed in an Aurora, Colorado shooting during a screening of The Dark Knight Rises. My sincere apologies to anyone offended by the coincidence, and the original image of the gun-toting, skull-faced Castle (now removed), which seemed in poor taste in light of everything that’s happened. It’s possible that I’m being too sensitive and no-one other than me was bothered, in which case… Sorry for breaking into the regularly scheduled programming, I guess? I just woke up, saw the news and immediately felt sick to my stomach about the post, so wanted to (over-)explain and remove the image. My thoughts go out to those affected by this tragedy, as I’m sure everyone else’s do.

The Man of Steel panel had all sorts of reveals, including a minute and a half teaser that will debut before The Dark Knight Rises next week, along with teaser poster was also revealed and later released on the internet soon after.

Where as Superman Returns took a minimalist approach and just unveiled the symbol on its first poster, we get a half glimpse of the Man of Steel and a closer look on the material on his costume. The dark pallet still does nothing for me, but from what I’ve read of the teaser itself, this take will be something VERY different from anything we’ve seen before, but still familiar.

Does the poster whet your appetite, readers?

Man of Steel is scheduled for released on June 14th, 2013.

And everyone else, too; it just means something else over here…

Happy Independence Day, United States of America.

Normal service will be resumed tomorrow.

Color me a little disappointed here. The Daily Blam reports that during the Television Critics Association press tour, the Powers pilot that was greenlit may not be picked up after all for the 2012 television season. The show would feature Jason Patric as Detective Walker, Lucy Punch as Detective Pilgrim and Charles S. Dutton as the head of a homicide police precinct. The pilot also stars Carly Foulkes as Retro Girl, Bailey Madison as young orphan Calista, Titus Welliver as Triphammer, and Vinnie Jones as, you guessed it,  mobster Johnny Royale.

Everything seemed to be in place, so what exactly happened? “[It's a] fairly substantial rewrite,” FX president John Landgraf explained, adding that much of the pilot would have to be re-shot. “Right now we’re in the process of deciding whether to pull the trigger on that re-shoot.” After filming had completed late last year and the network screened the show, screenwriter Charles Eglee was brought back to perform rewrites on the script which would retool major aspects of the pilot that didn’t quite mesh well. The Hollywood Reporter described the project as “still in limbo.”

This really is a shame, especially with the success of The Walking Dead and Smallville‘s 10 year run, I think this program would be a great addition to any line-up FX might have planned. Maybe a lead in to the second season of American Horror Story?

Readers and Powers fans, what do you think about this situation?

Looks like the former house of Smallville is looking for another bullseye.

Deadline is reporting that the CW is finalizing a deal for a Green Arrow pilot, presently called Arrow. Written and executive produced by Green Lantern co-writers Greg Berlanti and Marc Guggenheim, and Fringe and Vampire Diaries writer, Andrew Kreisberg. This would take place outside comic canon and focus much on it’s own mythology, though I’m sure with nods and certain details from the Green Arrow comic origin.

Now take into consideration that there is still a Deadman pilot in the works and developing a series based on a DC property to succeed the departed Smallville is a priority for the CW this development season. No word yet if Justin Hartley will sling the bow and arrow again this round or if they are looking to start from beginning and start fresh.

So readers, what do you think of this matter? With NBC passing on Wonder Woman, and Smallville gone, is there room for the Emerald Archer on your tv screens?

Anne Hathaway, who, if you don’t know by now is portraying Selina Kyle/Catwoman in next summer’s The Dark Knight Rises, spoke to LA Times Hero Complex with some interesting things to say about how her portrayal will be different from other versions, but still true to the essence of who Catwoman is and how she is influenced by Gotham City.

“What’s come before doesn’t limit or even affect this new version. It doesn’t affect me because each Catwoman – and this is true in the comics as well – she is defined by the context of the Gotham City created around her. Catwoman is so influenced by Gotham and whoever is creating Gotham at the time… You have to live in whatever the reality of the world is and whatever Gotham is.” She continues with how Heath Ledger’s now legendary performance is on par with what she’s aiming for. “Gotham City is full of grace. You look at Heath’s performance as the Joker, there was a lot of madness there but there was also a grace and he had a code there. There’s a lot of belief and codes of behavior in Gotham and my character has one, too. A lot of the way she moves and interacts with people is informed by her worldview. Chris has given us all such complex, defined, sophisticated worldviews that it’s just a matter of doing your homework and getting underneath the character’s skin.”

Interesting way of putting Ledger’s performance. Something I hadn’t ever really thought of since Joker practically got rid of any beliefs about criminals and their methods as he brought a more chaotic feel to the crimeworld. Hathaway also goes into her motivation of the way she’s going about the character as film siren Hedy Lamarr was a key influence on the Catwoman character. “I know this sounds odd, but her breathing is extraordinary,” Hathaway said. “She takes these long, deep, languid breaths and exhales slowly. There’s a shot of her in [the 1933 film] ‘Ecstasy’ exhaling a cigarette and I took probably five breaths during her one exhale. So I started working on my breathing a lot.”

Also over at the interview, there is a scene synopsis that is only hinted in the newest trailer that gives more details about Catwoman and Bane’s rapport and that DKR might draw more influence from the Batman arc “Knightfall” than I had certainly anticipated. Spoiler Alert now has been initiated.
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Following the events of the Great East Japan Earthquake in March of 2011, famed cosplayers across the world joined in to create the Cosplay for a Cause 2012 Cosplay Calendar. What started as a rare feat, has become a popular staple during conventions over this past year.

Allow me to give you the rundown: when displayed, will open to 11×22, so each image is displayed at 11×17. Better yet, they’ve made it easier for you to remove the photos in case you frame or pin up your favorite ones. Even better? 100% of the proceeds go to the Japanese Red Cross and help aid the relief effort.

They are just a few hundred short of a complete sell out from the few thousand they started with. So if you’re thinking about starting your New Year off right with these lovely and talented designers, you can buy it on their site where you can learn more about them and their cause.

HAPPY CHRISTMAS, Blog@ readers. I hope that your days are filled with joy, laughter, friends, family and just a little… Well, you’ll see once you click through to today’s final cover. (more…)

Don’t forget to hang up your oversized socks (“Stockings”? I think not) tonight in the off-chance that they’ll be filled with gifts and goodies overnight by some well-meaning and apparently well-heeled jolly old passer-by, people. In the meantime, click through for today’s penultimate Christmas cover. (more…)

It’s Christmas Eve Eve – The night when you won’t be able to sleep because you’ll be so excited about being excited about the next day. Or something. It’s also the third last day of the Advent Calendar, so click through for the very last weekday cover… (more…)

Enough with the fights before Christmas and all the dangerous things that we’ve seen so far on our festive countdown towards Christmas Day. Today, we’re going safe, happy and old-school. Click through to see what I mean. (more…)

Remember I mentioned, way back when, that “The Fight Before Christmas” was a popular comic book festive title? Well, click through the jump for today’s Seasonal Superhero Comic Book Cover to discover one of its more enjoyable uses… (more…)

We’re in the 20s now, so Christmas is just around the corner. But as you’ll see by clicking through the jump to catch today’s festive four-color cover, not everyone seems to be very happy about that fact… (more…)