Long Beach Comic Con Sunday: Programming Picks and Highlights

The Long Beach Comic Con kicks off this Friday, October 30 at the Long Beach Convention Center and runs through Halloween, Sunday, October 31. Costumes are encouraged every day, of course. But especially on Sunday with kids 10-and-under free, with trick-or-treating on the exhibit floor all day long. Plus, Sunday's the day to find the best deals on comics, graphic novels, action figures and other collectibles.
Here are some programming picks and highlights for the day:

11 a.m.-11:45 a.m.
The Art of Storytelling in Graphic Novels with Nhora Serran, Mike Buckley and Jason Casem - Seaside Ballroom B - A roundtable on graphic novels beyond superhero and other comic book type genres.


The Vigilante Project - Seaside Lobby -
The Vigilante Project is a new film and graphic novel from Yvette Avenue Productions, which offers a sneak peek of of the promotional trailer and a talk with the writers and artists.


12 p.m.-12:45 p.m.
WOMEN IN COMICS - Seaside Lobby - This panel includes artist Cat Staggs (Star Wars),  R.C. Young (writer/illustratorm Witchman) Amy Mebberson (Boom!
Studios artist on Disney/Pixar books), Rebecca Hicks (Little Vampires), and others.


1 p.m.-1:45 p.m. 
STARTING OUT : INDEPENDENT PUBLISHING/INDEPENDENT CREATORS - Seaside Lobby - A presentation for those who want to self-publish and wonder how to pull it off.  Featuring  Dawn & Clint Wolf, celebrating the
first anniversary of their creation Zombie Ranch.


Comics in Classrooms & Libraries - Room D- Comic creators Dave Roman and Raina Telgemeier discuss how teachers and librarians can utilize comics in schools and in the classroom. It's happening now all over the country, but should have been done decades ago.


2 p.m.-2:45 p.m.
“COMICS AND COMICS” - Seaside Lobby - Stand-up yuks meet fanboy and fangirl fun -  comic books, movies, videogames, role-playing, action figures, etc. The show was created by stand-up veteran Tom Franck (an appearance in Green Lantern #143 labeled him asthe top comedian in the DC universe. There's a warm-up trivia contest as well.

Long Beach Comic Con Friday: Programming Picks

The second annual Long Beach Comic Con is just around the corner, Halloween weekend, October 29-31 at the Long Beach Convention Center.
Between the usual array of publishers, film companies, artists and various vendors the floor will be even more fun Saturday and Sunday for families/kids who want to trick or treat, costumes of all kinds of welcome.  
Here are some programming picks for the first day of the LBCC, Friday, Oct. 29.

2 p.m.-2:45 p.m.
So You Want to be a Comic Book Retailer?
Seaside Ballroom B
ComicsPRO’s panel of experienced retailers is hosted by Joe Field(ComicsPRO president, Flying Colors Comics, Concord, CA) with fellow retailers Carr D’Angelo (Earth-2 Comics, Sherman Oaks and Northridge, CA), Thomas Gaul (Corner Store Comics & Beach Ball Comics, Orange County, CA), and Derrick Taylor (Comic Oasis, Las Vegas, NV).


4 p.m.-4:45 p.m.
LISTEN TO JIMMY PALMIOTTI –AMANDA CONNER SPOTLIGHT
Seaside Lobby
Jimmy Palmiotti (Jonah Hex) brings his popular “Listen to Jimmy Palmoitti” blog live during a spotlight panel with his partner,  artist Amanda Conner (Power Girl).


5 p.m.-5:45 p.m.
ADVANCE SCREENING!
Secret Origin : The Story of DC ComicsSeaside Ballroom A
Warner Home Video and DC Entertainment present a pre-release screening of the already acclaimed documentary, Secret Origin: The
Story of DC Comics, an insider’s look at 75 years of the home of Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman, Green Lantern, The Flash and so many more. Out on DVD and Blu-ray from Warner Home Video 
November 9, 2010.


TIM SALE SPOTLIGHT
Seaside Ballroom B
A program devoted to artist Tim Sale (Batman: The Long Halloween, Captain America: White, Heroes) and his body of work past, present and future, too. Moderated by ComicCraft’s Richard Starkings.


Writers Workshop presented by Aspen Comics
Room 301
Comic book writers J.T. Krul, Scott Lobdell,
David Schwartz, David Wohl, Frank Mastromauro,
and Vince Hernandez tell you what it takes to write comics and take questions.


7 p.m.
2010 FRIENDS OF LULU AWARDS
Seaside Ballroom B
The Lulu Awards recognizes the people and projects that helped to open eyes and minds to the amazing comic and cartooning work by and/or about women. This year awards will be givenfor categories including “Best Female Character,” “Best Kid-Friendly Work,” and “Lulu Of The Year.”


8 p.m.
DARK COUNTRY 3-D SCREENING
Seaside Ballroom A
A special 3D screening of Thomas Jane's directorial debut Dark Country, starring Jane, Lauren German and Ron Perlman (Hellboy) . 


For tickets to the Long Beach Comic-Con and additional show info, visit www.longbeachcomiccon.com.

Long Beach Comic Con Returns Halloween Weekend

The Long Beach Comic Con returns for its second year this coming Halloween Weekend, October 29-31, at the Long Beach Convention Center, 300 E. Ocean Blvd., Long Beach, CA 90802

The first year was a hit with fans and this year looks to be even bigger. Among the special guests are Bruce Boxleitner (Babylon 5, Tron and Tron:Legacy), J. Scott Campbell (Danger Girl, Gen 13), Howard Chaykin (American Flagg), JT Krul (Green Arrow, Soulfire), Scott Lobdell, Jeph Loeb (Batman Long Halloween, Dark Victory, Spider-Man Blue), Mike Mignola (Hellboy), Jimmy Palmiotti (Jonah Hex), Tim Sale (Batman Long Halloween and Dark Victory, Spider-Man Blue), Peter Tomasi (Green Lantern Corps, Emerald Warriors), Mark Waid (Kingdom Come, Irredeemable, Incorruptible, Spider-Man), Bernie Wrightson (Frankenstein, Swamp Thing) and many more. 

Black Lantern J'onn J'onzz, Ghost Rider, 2009 LBCC

LBCC exhibitors this year include Boom! Studios, Image Comics, Aspen Comics and IDW Publishing as well as numerous retailers offering comics, action figures, apparel and various items and collectibles. There are various convention exclusives, such as an Aspen Essential Pass Set, a Top Cow Artifacts Starter Pack, and Avatar Press LBCC VIP Pack and Ultimate Comics Thor #1 with a J. Scott Campbell LBCC Exclusive Cover. 

Special events include The Hero Initiative hosting a costume party at the Rock Bottom on Saturday, October 30, at 8 pm. Prizes will be awarded in different categories: best superhero, best villain, best IDW character, best Boom! character, most creative, best Zombie and more. Admission is just $10 and benefits the Hero Initiative, which is a non-profit organization that helps creators in the comic book industry. Also, shop at Ralphs supermarkets and support The Hero Initiative by signing up a current Ralphs or Food4Less Rewards card for Hero Initiative under the "Community Contributions" program. 
Sunday, kids can trick or treat on the convention floor; also, children 10 and under are free. 
Event tickets are $25 per day, $40 for a weekend pass and $240 for a special Lifetime Weekend Pass. Tickets are on sale at the LBCC website, local comic book shops (we especially like DJ's Universal Comics and Earth-2 Comics) and also through the Hero Initiative website. 
Watch this space for LBCC daily programming picks - panels, previews and screenings you won't want to miss.
For more info on the event, go to www.longbeachcomiccon.com.