FOX Opens FanFront Event to Fans After Their Upfront Presentation!

Immediately after the network presentation of its fall schedule to industry reps, fans will be able to mingle with stars from its new and returning shows. The annual event is being turned into a fan event by FOX (FOX FanFront).

The event is free to those who are lucky to RSVP right away… via email or calling (646) 745-1570. If you are one of the lucky persons to be allowed in, you’ll be with stars from the network’s yet-to-be-announced new shows as well as returning hits The Following, Bones, Glee, New Girl, The Mindy Project, Raising Hope, American Idol and The X Factor

Supposedly there will be a surprise musical performance and some swag will be available. Fans are also encouraged to submit questions for talent on their Facebook page and via Twitter. It will be interesting if this gives FOX a boost in their followings for the shows or give them a reason to cancel shows faster…

Zach Braff Needs Your Help to Fund His Next Movie!

Zach Braff has a project on Kickstarter to make a movie called, Wish I Was Here. This is his follow up to Garden State. He didn’t want to sacrifice anything to hurt the movie doing a typical financing deal, so he turned to Kickstarter. He should be pleased with the outcome of this! Go check out his project… It’s already heading towards his target on the first day! Zach is already over one-third the way to his goal of $2,000,000.

Oh, and by the way… He’s going to be filming parts of the movie at Comic-Con!

Update: Zach found a larger venue for the screening in New York City!

Pre-Paid Parking for Comic-Con 2013 will Open on April 19th at 9am!

Ace Parking will open sales for Comic-Con 2013 Pre-Paid Parking on April 19th at 9:00am PT. More info will be posted as it becomes available.

Basic Info

• Parking Lots open at 5:00am
• Important websites to keep in mind. Ace Parking, Ace Parking on Facebook, Ace Parking on Twitter and the Comic-Con’s Parking Info.
• Attendants will not scan your smart-phone for permit info.
• Spaces will not be over-sold.

Rules and Regulations

• You MUST PRINT your parking permit and provide it to the parking attendant for lot entry. Each permit is only valid on the date displayed and at the facility identified on this permit. Without permit, vehicle will be subject to the posted parking rate provided availability exists. All permits must be fully displayed on the lower-left-hand corner of the driver-side windshield with the bar-code facing up. Failure to properly display permit will result in vehicle receiving citation, additional charges to customers’ credit card and/or tow at owners’ expense.
• Permit good for a single entry – no in & out privileges. Parking will be guaranteed for the day and spaces shall be on an unreserved, first come, first served basis.
• NO OVERNIGHT PARKING. Permit expires at 2:00am. Any vehicles left after 2:00am will be subject to tow at owners’ expense.
• No refunds for permits after purchase. Not valid for RVs or oversized vehicles. No replacement for lost or stolen permits.
• Any vehicle parked in an unauthorized area is subject to removal from the facility at the sole cost and expense of customer.
• This is a license to park only; therefore, no bailment is created. Customer is granted the license to park the automobile identified in this Agreement at the location described. This license is personal and is not transferable. This license is applicable only to the automobile(s) identified set forth in this Agreement and only one automobile listed in this Agreement is permitted to park at this location at any one given time. No one may enlarge or increase Ace’s liability in any manner or under any circumstances. Customer shall indemnify and hold Ace harmless from and against all loss, damage and liability, including reasonable counsel fees and costs, from, pertaining to or related in any way to the presence or use of any vehicle or contents thereof in or about the subject parking facility.

Steps to take once Online Parking Sales is Open

• Step 1: Choose your parking location.
• Step 2: Choose your dates and complete payment information.
• Step 3: Review and confirm that the information is correct.
• Step 4: View your permit and PRINT IT OUT!

Direct Links

• Convention Center
• Hilton Bayfront
• Padres Parkade
• MTS Garage
• Horton Plaza
• Broadway
• Tailgate Park
• Diamond Tower
• Campus Lot

Pre-Paid Parking for Comic-Con 2013 will be Available Mid-April!

Once again, Ace Parking has begun emailing some people about Pre-Paid Parking for Comic-Con 2013. This email confirms that it will take place mid-April. More info will be posted as it becomes available.

Greetings,

Advanced sales for parking will be made available in mid April. Please check the Comic Con web site’s parking link or Ace Parking’s website at http://www.aceparking.com for information updates.

Thank you.

Ace Parking

At this point, there has been no information provided by Comic-Con International.

Viz Media and Sanrio Announce Publishing Deal to Develop Original Hello Kitty Graphic Novels

Pop Culture Icon Hello Kitty® And Her Friends Will Debut In Two VIZ Kids Offerings

Viz Media, LLC (Viz Media), the largest publisher, distributor and licensor of manga, graphic novels and anime in North America, has announced a new publishing deal with Sanrio, Inc., the global lifestyle brand and parent company of pop icon Hello Kitty®, to develop a series of original graphic novels, and a special single-volume comic featuring a limited-edition Hello Kitty design.

The single-volume Hello Kitty® comic is scheduled to debut at the 2013 Comic-Con Show in San Diego with a Comic-Con exclusive cover by Eisner-nominated artist Jacob Chabot. The comic will feature art by Victoria Maderna, Ian McGinty and Chabot. The main graphic novel series is scheduled to launch in the Fall of 2013 with Here We Go!, a collection of comic stories about Hello Kitty’s travels. Both offerings will be rated ‘A’ for All Ages, and will be published under the company’s VIZ Kids imprint. Viz Media previously teamed with Sanrio and video game company CAPCOM to develop a pair of fun STREET FIGHTER® X Sanrio books that were released in November 2012.

HELLO KITTY®: HERE WE GO! • MSRP: $7.99 US / $9.99 CAN • Available Fall 2013
Hello Kitty has places to be and friends to meet! Join her (or Hello Kitty) as she explores an underground realm, chases an unsavory cake thief around the world, climbs the Himalayas, travels back in time, and discovers that sometimes, the best place to get away from it all is between the pages of a good book.

HELLO KITTY® FASHION MUSIC WONDERLAND • MSRP: $6.99 US / $7.99 CAN • Available Summer 2013
It’s Hello Kitty as you’ve never seen her, in stories filled with fashion, music and adventure!

Sanrio® is the global company behind classic iconic characters Hello Kitty®, Little Twin Stars®, My Melody®, and many more. Sanrio® was founded in the 1960′s in Japan by Shintaro Tsuji, whose simple dream of bringing smiles to people’s faces grew into the brand’s “small gift, big smile” philosophy. This philosophy has served as the inspiration for the broad spectrum of products bearing the likeness of endearing characters that have helped to skyrocket the brand into a $5 billion- a-year business. Sanrio® recently acquired the classic Mr. Men Little Miss™ brand which also has graphic novels published by Viz Media.

“Sanrio and Hello Kitty are synonymous with the very essence of pop culture, and we’re very excited to have Hello Kitty as part of the VIZ Kids family of titles,” says Beth Kawasaki, Viz Media Senior Editorial Director. “The new wordless comic and graphic novel series will appeal to Hello Kitty fans of all ages. Viz Media is having a blast creating the fun new original series and we can’t wait for everyone to see the books.”

For more information on VIZ Kids graphic novels and manga, please visit VIZKids.com.

About Sanrio
Sanrio, best known for global icon Hello Kitty and home to many endearing characters including Chococat, My Melody, and Keroppi, is a worldwide lifestyle brand founded on the “small gift, big smile®” philosophy — that a small gift can bring happiness and friendship to people of all ages. For over 50 years, this philosophy has served as the inspiration for the broad spectrum of unique Sanrio products and experiences. Today, more than 50,000 Sanrio-branded items are available in over 70 countries and upwards of 12,000 U.S. locations including department, specialty, national chain stores and over 100 Sanrio boutiques. For more information, please visit www.sanrio.com and www.facebook.com/hellokitty.

About Viz Media, LLC
Headquartered in San Francisco, California, Viz Media distributes, markets and licenses the best anime and manga titles direct from Japan. Owned by three of Japan’s largest manga and animation companies, Shueisha, Inc., Shogakukan, Inc., and Shogakukan-Shueisha Productions, Co., Ltd., Viz Media has the most extensive library of anime and manga for English speaking audiences in North America, the United Kingdom, Ireland and South Africa. With its popular digital manga anthology WEEKLY SHONEN JUMP and blockbuster properties like NARUTO, BLEACH and INUYASHA, Viz Media offers cutting-edge action, romance and family friendly properties for anime, manga, science fiction and fantasy fans of all ages. Viz Media properties are available as graphic novels, DVDs, animated television series, feature films, downloadable and streaming video and a variety of consumer products. Learn more about VIZ Media, anime and manga at www.VIZ.com.

via Viz Media Press Release

Comic-Con Member ID Site Will Close on February 12, 2013!

Go register NOW before the Member ID site closes, whether or not you think you might or might not go! You only have to register once. Doing so now will alleviate problems in the future (with regards with having a Member ID). Remember, ALL attendees need a Member ID, not just the person purchasing the badges. Click on the image below to go to the Member ID site.

New Iron Man 3 Poster!

A dramatic poster of Iron Man falling from the sky. My guess is that he just battled the Mandarin… What do you think?

Firefly: Browncoats Unite – The Firefly 10th Anniversary Special on Science Channel!

Here are some images from the Science Channel special presentation of Firefly: Browncoats Unite – The Firefly 10th Anniversary Special. It’s cool that the show has such a huge following even with only one season that aired in 2002!

This is a cast reunion at San Diego Comic-Con and includes Joss Whedon, Nathan Fillion, Adam Baldwin, Morena Baccarin, Summer Glau, Alan Tudyk, Sean Maher, Gina Torres and Jewel Staite.

Image Comics Exclusives and Panels at New York Comic Con 2012

Image Comics will be at New York Comic Con in full force, with top creators signing and must-have exclusives at their booth in the Javits Center during the October 11-13 convention. In addition, the New York Comic Con programming schedule features ten Image Comics-related panels with discussions both wide-ranging and craft-focused.
The Image creators who will be signing exclusives at the Image Comics booth (#1229):

• Robert Kirkman (NYCC Spotlight Guest) — NYCC Exclusive red foil-stamped THE WALKING DEAD COMPENDIUM VOLUME ONE hardcover (limited to 1500) and THIEF OF THIEVES VOLUME ONE: “I QUIT!” hardcover (limited to 1000)
• Brian K. Vaughan (NYCC Spotlight Guest) and Fiona Staples (NYCC Featured Guest)— NYCC Exclusive SAGA bookplate (limited to 200, included with purchase of SAGA VOLUME ONE)
• Jonathan Hickman (NYCC Spotlight Guest) — NYCC Exclusive THE MANHATTAN PROJECTS VOLUME ONE: SCIENCE, BAD hardcover (limited to 500)
• Tim Seeley — NYCC Exclusive Stjepan Sejic WITCHBLADE #160 variant (limited to 1000)
• Ron Marz (NYCC Special Guest)— NYCC Exclusive Stjepan Sejic ARTIFACTS #21 variant (limited to 1000)
• Joe Harris (NYCC Special Guest) — NYCC Exclusive GREAT PACIFIC #1 variant (limited to 500)
• Nick Spencer — NYCC Exclusive BEDLAM #1 variant (limited to 500)

These exclusive ashcans will be available at the creators’ Artist Alley tables:

• Jim Zub (NYCC Special Guest) — NYCC Exclusive SKULLKICKERS #18 sketch cover variant, available at Artist Alley table #W11 (limited to 100)
  Ed Brisson and Michael Walsh — NYCC Exclusive COMEBACK #1 ashcan, available at Artist Alley table #Q18B
  Justin Jordan and Tradd Moore — NYCC Exclusive THE LEGEND OF LUTHER STRODE ashcan, available at Artist Alley table #BB15

Other Image creators signing at the booth include:

• Grant Morrison (NYCC Spotlight Guest) (HAPPY!)
• Howard Chaykin (BLACK KISS II)
• Glen Brunswick and Whilce Portacio (NYCC Featured Guest) (NON-HUMANS)
• Alex de Campi (NYCC Special Guest) and Christine Larsen (VALENTINE)
• Jay Faerber (POINT OF IMPACT, NEAR DEATH)
• Sina Grace (NOT MY BAG)
• Jeremy Haun (THE DARKNESS)
• Matt Hawkins (THINK TANK, CYBER FORCE)
• David Hine (NYCC Featured Guest) (THE BULLETPROOF COFFIN, THE DARKNESS)
• Jason Howard (NYCC Featured Guest) (SUPER DINOSAUR)
• Shawn Martinbrough (THIEF OF THIEVES)
• Jim McCann and Rodin Esquejo (MIND THE GAP)
• Ben McCool and Ben Templesmith (PIGS, CHOKER)
• Brandon Montclare and Amy Reeder (NYCC Featured Guest) (HALLOWEEN EVE)
• Scott Snyder (NYCC Spotlight Guest), Scott Tuft, and Attilla Futaki (SEVERED);
• Christian Weiser, Tony Trov, and Johnny Zito (D.O.G.S. OF MARS)
• Lee David Zlotoff and Will Sliney (MACGYVER)

A full, updated Image Comics signing schedule will be released before the convention. Please note that signings and exclusives are subject to change.

The Image Comics programming at NYCC will feature a one-on-one conversations with THE WALKING DEAD creator and Image partner Robert Kirkman, a SAGA panel with creative team Brian K. Vaughan and Fiona Staples, panels on craft with writers and artists, discussions of science fiction and gender issues, as well as the highly anticipated “The Image Comics Experience” panel, where attendees will be the first to hear new Image Comics announcements.

The full listing of Image Comics NYCC programming follows.

THURSDAY

The Image Revolution Documentary
Twenty years ago, the seven biggest superstars in comics created a company that changed the industry and started a creator rights revolution. From Spawn to The Walking Dead, discover the highs, lows, secrets and controversies of Image Comics in an exclusive sneak preview of The Image Revolution, a new documentary from the creators of Grant Morrison: Talking With Gods and Warren Ellis: Captured Ghosts. Speaking on the panel will be director Patrick Meaney, producer Jordan Rennert and Sequart’s Mike Phillips, along with moderator F.J. De Santo, and a special guest! At San Diego Comic Con, Marc Silvestri appeared on the panel, who will be on this one? Date: 10/11/12 Thursday, Time: 6:30 PM, Location: 1A04

FRIDAY

Wondrous Worlds, Fractured Futures: Speculative Fiction and Image Comics
With the unlimited potential of comics, there is perhaps no better medium for speculative fiction than comics. Limited only by their imaginations, Image Comics creators have been creating far-flung universes where science, fantasy, and technology explode in rich possibilities. Find out why they choose science fiction, how they build worlds, and what inspires them. Panelists: Brian K. Vaughan, Brian Wood, Joe Harris, Glen Brunswick, Ming Doyle, David Hine, Fiona Staples; Moderator: Eric Stephenson, Date: 10/12/2012 Friday, Time: 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM, Location: 1A06

Skybound: On the Rise
There’s no limit on what to expect from SKYBOUND, Robert Kirkman’s imprint at Image Comics. THIEF OF THIEVES is a breakout hit and already been optioned by AMC, GUARDING THE GLOBE supplies another monthly fix for the Invincible universe, the all-ages smash SUPER DINOSAUR is about to blow up in a big way… so what’s next? Join Robert Kirkman as he discusses the imprint’s future with his stable of creators! Panelists: Robert Kirkman, Shawn Martinbrough, Jason Howard, and special guests; Moderator: Sean Mackiewicz, Date: 10/12/2012 Friday, Time: 2:45PM – 3:45PM, Location: 1A14

Drawing the Line: Artists on Creator-Owned Comics
Art is as integral to comics as story, and what readers see before they read a word. Independent comics give artists the freedom to create their own worlds and characters. How do some of independent comics’ top artists bring to paper what they and the writers they work with imagine? Delve into the ink-stained world of character design, sequential storytelling, and writer-wrangling with the artists on Nowhere Men, Revival, Luther Strode, Non-Humans, Perhapanauts, and Saga. Panelists: Nate Bellegarde, Mike Norton, Tradd Moore, Whilce Portacio, Craig Rousseau, and Fiona Staples; Moderator: Eric Stephenson, Date: 10/12/2012 Friday, Time: 6:30:00 PM – 7:30:00 PM, Location: 1A23

SATURDAY

The Image Comics Experience
Image Comics brings together some of the most exciting rising stars in comics today and established creators alike to talk about the past, present, and future of Image Comics. Join Publisher Eric Stephenson to experience a lively conversation with surprise guests, and be among the first to hear some big announcements! Moderator: Eric Stephenson, Date: 10/13/2012 Saturday, Time: 11:00AM – 12:00PM, Location: 1A23

The Top Cow Universe’s New Era
Are you interested in writing or drawing comic books? Then YOU need to come to the Top Cow panel where the Image imprint’s top talent will tell you about what it’s like to create comics like Cyber Force, The Darkness, Witchblade, Think Tank and more! Get a first look at new art! Find out what’s going on with The Darkness movie in development! And get the latest on the Top Cow Talent Hunt, in which TWO lucky writers and TWO lucky artists will get jobs. All attendees will also get an awesome exclusive! Panelists: Nelson Blake II, Jeremy Haun, David Hine, Ron Marz, and Tim Seeley; Moderator: Matt Hawkins, Date: 10/13/2012 Saturday, Time: 1:30 PM – 2:30 PM, Location: 1A14

The Writers Room
Some of comics’ best writers will talk about the challenges, triumphs, and idiosyncrasies of the comics creative process. Find out how comics like Happy!, Saga, and The Manhattan Projects are conceived, written, and brought to the printed page from the writers who knew them from “PAGE ONE, PANEL ONE.”
Panelists: Grant Morrison, Brian K. Vaughan, and Jonathan Hickman, Moderator: Jonathan Ross, Date: 10/13/2012 Saturday, Time: 4:15 PM – 5:15 PM, Location: 1A21

Saga: Sex, Drugs & Rocketships
Saga launched in March 2012 amid great anticipation, excitement, high hopes, and a little controversy and quickly became one of the top-selling independent comics of the year, second only to The Walking Dead. Creators Brian K. Vaughan and Fiona Staples will talk about how they made an epic mash-up of science fiction, fantasy, and romance into the comic industry’s biggest sensation—and hint at what’s in store for Alana, Marko, and baby Hazel! Panelists: Brian K. Vaughan and Fiona Staples, Moderator: Eric Stephenson, Date: 10/13/2012 Saturday, Time: 6:45 PM – 7:45 PM, Location: 1A10

SUNDAY

Creating Comics with Two X-Chromosomes: Real Talk with Image’s Female Creators
The subject of women in comics is often dominated by controversy, but what about conversation? Join some of comics’ top female writers and artists for some candid talk about working the comics industry. Does being a woman make a difference? What perspectives do female creators bring to a male-dominated industry? All that and more—with women who use their talent to get ahead! Panelists: Jordie Bellaire, Alex de Campi, Christine Larsen, Ming Doyle, Amy Reeder, and Fiona Staples; Moderator: Jennifer de Guzman, Date: 10/14/2012 Sunday, Time: 10:45AM – 11:45AM. Location: 1A14

Kirkmania!
Robert Kirkman, creator of the global sensations THE WALKING DEAD, INVINCIBLE and THIEF OF THIEVES, opens the floor to all his fans in this lively and engaging Q&A session., Panelist: Robert Kirkman
Date: 10/14/2012 Sunday, Time: 1:30PM – 2:30PM, Location: 1E13

AMC Offers DISH Subscribers Live Stream of the Season Three Premiere Episode of THE WALKING DEAD Sunday, October 14 at 9PM ET/6PM PT

DISH dropped AMC, as well as its sister networks, IFC, WE tv and Sundance Channel to gain leverage in an unrelated lawsuit.

DISH Customers Who Are Being Denied Access to Their Favorite Scripted Drama Series* Can Register for the Free Live Stream at http://www.amctv.com/thewalkingdead4dish/

In response to DISH taking away its customers’ favorite scripted drama series on basic cable* – The Walking Dead – AMC is offering all DISH subscribers a special live stream of the hit show’s season three premiere episode on Sunday, October 14, at 9PM ET/6PM PT on amctv.com. This streaming event will run concurrently with the television debut so DISH subscribers who are fans of the series can experience this highly-anticipated premiere at the same time it’s available to all other cable and satellite subscribers.

Beginning Friday, September 28 at 9 AM ET, DISH subscribers can register for access to the free live stream of The Walking Dead at http://www.amctv.com/thewalkingdead4dish/.

AMC stated: “To gain leverage in an unrelated lawsuit, DISH has decided to deny their customers access to AMC shows including The Walking Dead, the series that has shattered basic cable ratings records. Although The Walking Dead is the #1 basic cable scripted drama for DISH customers, DISH has stated it has no plans to bring back AMC. DISH customers who want to watch the entire season at the same time as the rest of the country should switch television providers now… time is running out.”

DISH dropped AMC, as well as its sister networks, IFC, WE tv and Sundance Channel to gain leverage in an unrelated lawsuit. DISH customers may find information on how to switch providers at www.switchfromdish.com.

The Walking Dead, hailed by Entertainment Weekly as the “greatest thriller ever produced for television” follows Rick Grimes (Andrew Lincoln) and his band of survivors who must not only fight the dead, but also face a whole new fear: the living. Season three of The Walking Dead will air in two-parts with the first eight hours kicking off October 14 and the final episodes returning beginning February 2013.

Based on the comic book series written by Robert Kirkman and published by Image Comics, The Walking Dead stars Lincoln, Sarah Wayne Callies, Laurie Holden, Steven Yeun, Norman Reedus, Chandler Riggs, Lauren Cohan, Scott Wilson, IronE Singleton, and Melissa McBride. Joining the cast for season three are David Morrissey and Danai Gurira along with her zombie pets.

The series is executive produced by show runner Glen Mazzara, Kirkman, Gale Anne Hurd and David Alpert with Greg Nicotero, Denise Huth and Evan Reilly as co-executive producers.

The season premiere of The Walking Dead will be complemented by a wealth of exclusive content at http://www.amctv.com. Fans can check out “Inside The Walking Dead” videos, episode sneak peeks, “Talked About Scenes,” Talking Dead bonus scenes, production diary interviews with the cast and crew, production photo galleries, fan trivia and new behind-the scenes videos from the set in Atlanta.

The season premiere of The Walking Dead, coincides with AMC’s annual blockbuster marathon of thriller and horror films, AMC Fearfest. Celebrating its 16th year, AMC Fearfest will feature 19 consecutive days of themed programming and more than 70 films, running from Saturday, October 13 through Wednesday, October 31.

The Walking Dead reigns as the most watched drama series on basic cable for Adults 18-49 and Adults 25-54 and is the highest rated scripted drama series among DISH subscribers (Source: Nielsen Media Research 4Q11 – 1Q12 A 18-49 (000) Dish Universe. The series has garnered two Emmy(R) Awards for Outstanding Prosthetic Make-up, a Golden Globe(R) Award nomination for Best Television Series – Drama, and a WGA Award for Outstanding Achievement in Writing Derivative New Media, among other accolades.

* The Walking Dead is the highest rated scripted drama series among DISH subscribers (Source: Nielsen Media Research 4Q11 – 1Q12 A 18-49 (000) Dish Universe.

About AMC
AMC reigns as the only cable network in history to ever win the Emmy(R) Award for Outstanding Drama Series four years in a row, as well as the Golden Globe(R) Award for Best Television Series – Drama for three consecutive years. Whether commemorating favorite films from every genre and decade or creating acclaimed original programming, the AMC experience is an uncompromising celebration of great stories. AMC’s original stories include “Mad Men,” “Breaking Bad,” “The Walking Dead,” and “Hell on Wheels.” AMC further demonstrates its commitment to the art of storytelling with its slate of unscripted original series, as well as curated movie franchises like AMC’s Can’t Get Enough and AMC’s Crazy About. AMC is owned and operated by AMC Networks Inc. and its sister networks include IFC, Sundance Channel and WE tv. AMC is available across all platforms, including on-air, online, on demand and mobile. AMC: Story Matters HereSM.

via AMC Press Release