Apparently I blinked and missed the announcement of Marvel’s 2012 convention schedule:

As 2011 rocked, we here at Marvel.com are working on a jam-packed-ride for all the cosplayers, costumers & fans out there! We’re still working on the details, but expect more profiles, photo posts, and con recaps, plus much, much more!

For now, check out Marvel’s convention schedule:

Mar 16-18 – Wonderconin Anaheim, CA.
Apr 13-15 – C2E2in Chicago, IL
Jul 11-15 – San Diego Comic-Conin San Diego, CA
Oct 11-14 – New York Comic Conin New York, NY

First: I swear Wondercon gets earlier every year. Second: Doesn’t that seem a remarkably short list? I know that Marvel tends to keep the official corporate convention appearances at a minimum, but even so, this really seems like the company will be keeping a relative low profile this year. Third: No Disney Con? Or maybe that doesn’t as a convention appearance for some reason?

MorrisonCon is coming in fall 2012, apparently. What exactly that means, where it’s happening, and when, well, that remains to be revealed.

In a production from “the people behind Isotope Comics and iFanboy,” a new convention — clearly headlined by Grant Morrison — is scheduled for some point in fall 2012, billed as an “innovative new approach to comic conventions.” Confirmed guest so far? Well, Morrison, natch, along with “9 hand picked comic creator superstars.” As far as venue goes, San Francisco (or somewhere in the Bay Area) would be a reasonable guess, given the involvement of Isotope, but that would indeed just be a guess. There’s a Twitter account, too, but it has yet to tweet, in keeping with the somewhat mysterious vibe. Folks looking for more information can add themselves to the mailing list right here, and we’ll keep an eye on things and pass along more information as it comes.

If you’re planning on attending WonderCon 2012, registration is now officially open. Remember that it’s leaving the Bay Area this year due to construction at the Moscone Center, and moving about four hundred miles south to the Anaheim Convention Center. That venue happens to be directly across the street from Disneyland, which could be either an attraction or a deterrent, depending on your perspective and tolerance for mouse ear-adorned tourists.

Unlike its sister convention, Comic-Con International: San Diego (an big, big, big sister), there isn’t usually a huge rush on WonderCon tickets. Still, it’s steadily grown each year, and 2012 already has Matt Fraction, J. Michael Straczynski, Mike Mignola and Fiona Staples announced as special guests, so you may not want to snooze on this one.  WonderCon 2012 is scheduled for March 16-18.

Let’s all thank Image Comics for saving the Bay Area from being conventionless next year, with Wondercon making a temporary move to Anaheim for the year; the publisher has announced that it will be holding its own comic-con, Image Expo, at the Oakland Convention Center – the original home of Wondercon, before it moved to San Francisco’s Moscone Convention Center – between February 24-26 next year.

Announced guests will include Image partners Robert Kirkman, Erik Larsen, Todd McFarlane, Marc Silvestri, and Jim Valentino, as well as Rob Liefeld and Whilce Portacio, with other creators present including: Joe Casey,  Jonathan Hickman and Brian K. Vaughan. Despite the name and the Image-creator-heavy guestlist, the publisher calls the event “a celebration of independent creativity in comics” and has opened the floor to “anyone who makes creator-owned comics.” More details as they become available, but I have to admit, I kind of want to go already.

(As an aside, when was the last time a publisher held their own convention, WizardWorld aside?)

How best to cut down on harrassment and bad behavior at comic book conventions? Peter David is wondering whether we need a convention bill of rights:

I think it would be an interesting idea to produce a list of simple, basic rights that everyone attending conventions–both pros and fans–should expect. I mean, you’d think that they would be common sense; things that people would just know. On the other hand, the 10 Commandments were pretty common sense too, when you think about it, so I figure if it’s good enough for God…

On his list, basics like “Treat others as you would want to be treated,” rules about signatures and just how many you can expect in one go, and a request not to fall asleep in the front rows of panels (Seriously, people: If you’re that tired, you should probably leave the convention and go and find a bed somewhere, if only for comfort’s sake). But there is something about the idea of a list of basic convention rights, isn’t there? All I’d want to be in there would be something about ensuring relatively reasonably priced food available somewhere for morons like myself who always forget to have a good enough breakfast that morning, but can’t bring myself to buy a microwaved burger for $9…

Flickr photo by Parka.

The news of the revival of Rob Liefeld’s Extreme Comics line – or Awesome Comics, if you remember that extremely short-lived revival around the turn of the century – has got me to thinking: What other defunct lines are left to bring back? This year, in addition to Extreme, we’ve seen announcements of the return of First Comics, Archie’s Red Circle characters (again!) and Valiant, as well as an actual, published, revival of Crossgen, via Marvel (Last year saw Dark Horse revive the Gold Key characters with the help of Jim Shooter, of course). So who’s left? The Malibu Ultraverse, of course, but Marvel has been claiming that that’s impossible due to mysterious contractual issues for some time now. Miracleman? Well, Marvel’s also working on that.

With IDW, Dynamite and Dark Horse all actively working to revive or reprint as many other familiar brands as possible, I find myself wondering: What are the remaining previously-successful comic brands or lines out there that aren’t in some stage or another or revival? What do people want to see again, and yet don’t seem to stand a chance just yet?

So, there I was, thinking that Marvel seemed to be displaying an entirely schizophrenic attitude towards the original graphic novel format as evidenced in today’s Digital House of Ideas panel at NYCC – wherein SVP Sales David Gabriel talked about the cost of the Castle OGN being “astronomical” and the reason we shouldn’t expect to see many OGNs coming from the publisher before going on to talk about the upcoming Season One line of hardcover graphic novels – and then it struck me: Season One isn’t a line of original graphic novels.

There is, I admit, very little to back me up on this idea right now, but almost since the announcement of Season One, various Marvel editorial bodies have talked about mysterious “ancillary revenue streams” that support the project. I’d assumed this meant some kind of Disney Store buy-in/publishing co-op for the project, but during the Digital House of Ideas panel, Gabriel mentioned what he called “a soft directive” for artists to draw panels that looked good on mobile digital devices, which made me wonder: Is Season One going to be serialized on some Disney outlet, digital or otherwise, before it’s released as a graphic novel?

This afternoon sees the opening of this year’s New York Comic-Con, meaning that we’re in for at least two-and-a-half days – Like anything big ever really happens on Sundays of cons, come on – of announcements and news and all manner of stories from the Big Two and all manner of indies (As you might expect, we’ll have all you need to know, including a live video stream, all over Newsarama over the next few days). Lucas has already picked his ten things-to-see over on the main site, but I’m curious: What are you looking for from the last big convention of 2011? Comment away, dear readers!

Who wouldn’t want their portfolio reviewed by the legendary Neal Adams? Well, this year, in order to have more time at the New York Comic Con for signing books or chatting with fans, Adams is hosting a special event just for those wishing to have the artist look at their work.

The Adams’ family sent Newsarama the following press release:

Neal Adams Portfolio Review Comic Con Breakfast

Comics Legend and artist on Batman, Green Lantern/Green Arrow, Deadman, Dark Horse Presents: Blood, and New Avengers 16.1 is giving a unique opportunity to aspiring comic artists looking for guidance from one of the industry’s greatest. On Saturday, October 15th at 7:00AM, three hours before doors open at the con, Adams is inviting artists to come to the historic Continuity Studios for a pre-convention breakfast and one-on-one professional portfolio review and lecture.

Adams, who won’t be doing portfolio reviews during the New York Comic Con, is offering limited spots for the price $300 per spot in an effort to gather a more focused group of aspiring artists from all levels while also creating a good atmosphere and unique experience in his own famed Continuity Studios.
For years Continuity had been the starting place that many of the comic industry’s most renowned talents. Now hopeful comic creators looking to make their break in the comic industry get to follow the path that many of the greats did before them.

While aspiring artists can get reviews from most any artist at a comic convention, Adams is well known for his portfolio reviews and such reviews have themselves been the launching pad for the careers of many artists and offer insight and techniques that are unparalleled in the comic book industry. Spots for the event are limited but if the demand is high enough a second day will be scheduled for Sunday.

To reserve your spot please contact Erica at Continuity (212) 869-4170 or email Kris at Kris@nealadams.com. Spaces are limited so reserve now.

FanExpo took place in Canada late last month. I’ve never attended myself but I know a lot of folks who have and although it takes place not too long after San Diego Comic-Con and right between Baltimore Comic Con and Dragon*Con, seems to be a pretty popular show. That being said,  Jenn, Emmy and Christine who make up The Dangerous Ladies had some interesting comments about DC’s marketing at that show via their Tumblr.

The post that sparked the thoughts on marketing was one titled “Didio & Me” where Jenn, a big DC fan, had this to say, “I had been at the DC table earlier and seen how sparse it was –– practically nothing. Just the big New 52 posters seen previously at SDCC, some white tables, the odd signing and freebies. Not even new freebies, mind, these were the same leftovers from SDCC 2009, things that actually said ‘coming in 2009, Batman and Robin!’ and stuff like that. Promotion-wise, the DC booth was a total bust. They had TV screens playing commercials for the Supernatural anime, for some reason, and the 52 commercial popped up on a cycle, but otherwise there was nothing.”

Bear in mind, this event took place on August 25, right before the relaunch and release of Justice League #1. The convention may not be a top priority for DC, especially just after SDCC, but freebies from 2009? Jenn and the others (who are the Bat-ladies above) actually spoke with Dan DiDio about this. “Last year, we had kind of ribbed Dan for the boring booth. He had promised us something really spectacular this year, so I teased him about the lackluster booth. Dan looked surprised — he hadn’t been in there yet, and didn’t know what was going on at the booth. So I told him, and expressed my surprise that DC wouldn’t capitalize on this weekend to really get people going for this new 52 thing. His response was that “Well, this is the last week of the old DCU. We’ll let it have its last hurrah before we start the new stuff next week.’” (more…)

TV Guide is producing another Comic-Con special edition issue focusing solely on relevant Warner Bros. content, which includes DC Comics and what The Source is calling “An exclusive look at three superhero costume re-designs by bestselling artist and DC Entertainment Co-Publisher Jim Lee, for DC Comics The New 52, the upcoming historic renumbering of the entire DC line of comic books with 52 first issues.”

The issue will also cover Batman: Year One, Young Justice, Batman: The Brave and the Bold, Green Lantern: The Animated Series and take a look back at Smallville, which wrapped its 10 year run this past May. The issue will be available at the Warner Bros. booth (#4545) during the con (and on newsstands starting July 21), with four covers: The Big Bang Theory, Fringe, Chuck, The Vampire Diaries.

The complete Comic-Con International: San Diego programming schedule is now up, but if your specifically interested in knowing what Image Comics/Top Cow has going on, we’ve got you covered. To find out where Robert Kirkman, John Layman, Marc Silvestri and more can be found — plus AMC’s The Walking Dead TV series panel — keep reading after the jump.

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And the four-day reveal of Comic-Con International: San Diego’s programming has come to a close, with the complete list of Sunday programming. As usual, it’s skewed a bit towards family-friendly fare for the final day. The full list can be found here, and here’s a peek at a few noteworthy happenings.

10:00-11:15 The Annual Jack Kirby Tribute Panel— As always, we gather to remember the man some still hail as The King of the Comics, Jack Kirby. If you don’t know who that is, you have no business being at this convention. Moderator Mark Evanier discusses the life and times of Kirby with Walt Simonson (Thor), Erik Larsen (Savage Dragon), Richard Kyle (Graphic Story World), and Mike Royer (inker of lots of Kirby comics). Room 5AB

Even though I think few would argue with the sentiment (or the obvious importance of Kirby to both the comic books industry and Comic-Con itself), “you have no business being at this convention” is surprisingly blunt for panel copy.

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Rebecca Black may be saving all of her affection for Friday, but Saturday at Comic-Con International still has a lot to offer.

The full schedule is up here, and below are just a few highlights worth pointing out. Thursday and Friday schedules are here and here, Marvel’s list is here, and DC’s slate can be found here.

10:00-11:00 From Buddha to Batman: Deepak Chopra and Grant Morrison Discuss The Seven Spiritual Laws of Superheroes— Five years ago, New York Times bestselling author and internationally renowned spiritual guru Deepak Chopra joined legendary comic book writer Grant Morrison (All-Star Superman, Supergods) at Comic-Con to discuss the role superheroes play in the social fabric. What started as a thought-provoking panel discussion has since become a profound new teaching manual for discovering the superhero within — Chopra’s new book, The Seven Spiritual Laws of Superheroes. Now Chopra and Morrison are back to elaborate on what the superhero archetype means for us today. Joined by Deepak’s son Gotham Chopra (founder of Liquid Comics) and moderated by Chris Carle (editorial director of IGN Entertainment), the discussion will cover the seven essential laws that govern the realm of superheroes and the cultural importance of superheros — why they matter, why they will always be with us, and what they tell us about who we are…and what we may yet become. Q&A to follow. Room 6A (more…)

The Comic-Con International: San Diego programming train keeps rolling on, and the full Friday schedule is here for your perusal (and inevitable panic attacks about missing one awesome thing while you’re watching another awesome thing). The full shebang is here, and below are just a few selections that managed to catch our eye. Thursday’s schedule is here, DC’s full list here, and Marvel’s panels are here.

10:15-11:15 Star Trek: The Captains— William Shatner is joined by fellow Star Trek captain Avery Brooks to present a preview of the EPIX Pictures original documentary produced and directed by Shatner, in which he travels the world to interview all the actors who’ve played Starfleet captains. This lively discussion and Q&A session is moderated by Comic-Con fave Kevin Smith. Room 6BCF

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Comic-Con International: San Diego’s programming has been officially half-revealed — Thursday and Friday’s schedules can both be found here — and now we know all of Marvel’s panel plans for the event, taking place July 21 to July 24. (That’s less than two weeks away, folks!)

In attendance from the publisher: chief creative officer Joe Quesada, editor-in-chief Axel Alonso, Marvel TV head Jeph Loeb and a roster of creators including Jonathan Hickman, Nick Spencer, Greg Pak, Rick Remender and Skottie Young. At 11 panels, it’s pretty much the company’s usual slate: some line-specific ones, and more broader happenings like the con staple “Cup O’ Joe.” There’s no Marvel Studios panel this year, as previously noted, but 2012′s Spider-Man and Ghost Rider: Spirit of Vengeance films will be a part of Sony’s Hall H presentation at 2 p.m. on Friday, July 22.

Full list is after the jump, and if you’re looking for what DC has going on at Comic-Con, that is here. Of course, Newsarama will be covering all pertinent Comic-Con panels, with the vast majority of them coming to you LIVE!

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Start your guessing engines: The subject of Jeph Loeb and Ed McGuinness’ next collaboration – and apparent returnee from the land of the dead – will be revealed during Saturday’s Cup O’ Joe panel at this year’s San Diego Comic-Con in a couple of weeks. My bet? I think it’ll be Bucky, if he isn’t already alive again by December, when the series launches.

Following last year’s tradition, Comic-Con International: San Diego’s Thursday programming schedule has arrived exactly two weeks in advance, and like always, there’s no “easing into” things with this event — a staggering 16 panels are scheduled for the very first hour of the show, with the doors of the convention center barely open. We had all of DC’s programming earlier, so here are a few selected highlights of what to expect on July 21. The full, massive list is here, and check back in the coming days for the rest.

10:00-11:00 Burn Notice: The Fall of Sam Axe— For fans of USA’s hit series Burn Notice who’ve always wanted to know what happened before Sam Axe (Bruce Campbell) teamed up with Michael Weston and Fiona, Comic-Con attendees are invited inside the USA made-for-TV movie Burn Notice: The Fall of Sam Axe, debuting on DVD exclusively at Comic-Con! The Burn Notice prequel chronicles what turned out to be the last military mission of former U.S. Navy SEAL Lieutenant Commander Axe and the expedition that took him from the jungles of Colombia to sunny Miami Beach. Go one-on-one with Bruce Campbell, star of Burn Notice: The Fall of Sam Axe, and Burn Notice creator, writer, and executive producer, Matt Nix. Ballroom 20

Bruce Campbell and Comic-Con — a classic combination.

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Are you ready to hear a lot of questions and/or complaining about DC’s “The New 52″ revamp coming in September? Or maybe ask some of those questions or register some opinions yourself? Well, looks like you’ll get several prime opportunities to do just that in two weeks at Comic-Con International: San Diego. The convention hasn’t posted their programming schedule yet, but DC Comics has revealed their full slate of panels on The Source.

It’s 22 panels in all, including a “The New 52″-focused panel on each day — clearly, they’re not running from fan reaction on the topic — and appearances from Grant Morrison, Geoff Johns, Jim Lee, Dan DiDio and more. DC’s full schedule after the jump.

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Well, here’s some depressing news about this year’s San Diego Comic-Con from Mark Evanier:

There will be no Golden Age Panel this year. I kinda doubt there will ever be one again. To those who complain about this, I have a simple reply: “Fine. You find me 4-6 people who will be at the convention and who worked in comics before around 1960.” If there are such folks, I don’t know about their presence at the con. At the moment, I’m only aware of two…and two is not a panel, especially since one of them (Jerry Robinson) will be the subject of his own spotlight interview on the schedule. (The other, before anyone asks, is Ramona Fradon.)

Admittedly, this was inevitable, but that doesn’t make it any less sad: As time marches on, the number of creators who were around at the beginning of the industry grows smaller and smaller, after all. Evanier goes on to explain that the time that had been held for the Golden Age panel will be well-used, however:

Before a certain person I know starts blaming the convention, let me make clear that this was my recommendation. The con actually cleared room on the schedule for a Golden Age Panel and we’re instead using the time ‘n’ space for the Gene Colan Tribute.