Cartoon Art Museum Exhibition: Image Comics: A 20th Anniversary Celebration

In 1992, seven of the most popular comic book artists in the world joined forces to create Image Comics, a company specializing in the publication of creator-owned comics and graphic novels. The first wave of Image Comics was an immediate hit with fans, and the company has grown over the past two decades to become one of the largest comics publishers in North America. In addition to publishing work by the Image partners, they give a voice to work by numerous independent creators. Its best-known series include Spawn, Savage Dragon, Witchblade, The Darkness, Invincible and The Walking Dead.

The Cartoon Art Museum’s exhibition Image Comics: A 20th Anniversary Celebration features over 40 pieces of original artwork spanning 20 years, including works from all seven Image founders, Erik Larsen (Savage Dragon), Jim Lee (WildC.A.T.s), Rob Liefeld (Youngblood), Todd McFarlane (Spawn), Whilce Portacio (Wetworks), Marc Silvestri (Cyberforce), and Jim Valentino (Shadowhawk). Works from Image partner Robert Kirkman (Invincible, The Walking Dead) will also be included in this historic exhibition.

The opening reception for Image Comics: A 20th Anniversary Celebration will be held on Thursday, February 23, 2012 from 7:00-9:00pm. Special guests include Robert Kirkman (Walking Dead, Invincible), Fiona Staples (Saga), Ryan Ottley (Invincible) and many more to be announced, as well as a few last-minute surprises. Pre-sale tickets can be purchased here: guestlistapp. Admission to this party will be $5-$50, with tickets sold on a sliding scale. This party kicks off the three-day Image Expo which will be held at the Oakland Convention Center from Friday, February 24 through Sunday, February 26. Please visit Image Comic Expo for details.

Todd McFarlane To Attend First Ever Image Expo

                                 Image: Jeff Newton

In celebrating 20 years of independent comic book publishing, Todd McFarlane joins fellow Image Founders and Partners at the Image Expo in Oakland, CA February 24^th-26^th, and he’s bringing his toy and publishing companies with him!

If you didn't get your hands on the exclusive signed version of the resin statue, Spawn: The Beginning, sold online only, now is your chance!  A limited number of statues will be available at the show, so be sure to get yours early at the McFarlane booth. The first 75 people who purchase a statue will receive access to a private signing with Todd McFarlane on Saturday, February 25^th at 4:00 PM.  As an added bonus, each person will receive a FREE signed advanced copy of Spawn #217, along with the FREE copy of Spawn #1 and #2 included with your resin statue purchase!

To know where to catch McFarlane in action, here’s an inside look at his events for the weekend:

Todd McFarlane Signing

Saturday, February 25th
11:00 AM – 12:00 PM

Don’t miss your chance to meet legendary comic creator Todd McFarlane! Signing limited to two items per person. Tickets available the morning of the signing at the McFarlane Companies booth, #36.

Twenty Years of Independence: The Image Comics 20th Anniversary Panel

Saturday, February 25th
1:00 PM – 2:00 PM


Twenty years ago, a group of young artists left their work-for-hire jobs to forge their own path in comics. The result was Image Comics, a publisher dedicated to creators’ individual visions and a champion of creative ownership. The Image Comics partners and some of the original founders now come together to talk about that momentous meeting of minds and talent.

Panelists: Robert Kirkman, Erik Larsen, Rob Liefeld, Todd McFarlane, Whilce Portacio, Marc Silvestri, and Jim Valentino


From Page to Screen: Comics on TV

Saturday, February 25th
3:00 – 4:00 PM

How do producers go about translating comics for the small screen? How does working in comics compare to working in television? A panel of comics creators who have worked in television — whether as producers like Robert Kirkman (The Walking Dead) and Brian K. Vaughan (Lost), writers like Jay Faerber (Ringer), creators like Joe Casey (Ben 10) and Todd McFarlane (Spawn), or a little bit of everything like Blair Butler — will assemble to talk about the ins and outs of the industry.

Panelists: Blair Butler, Joe Casey, Jay Faerber, Robert Kirkman, Todd McFarlane, and Brian K. Vaughan

Todd McFarlane Exclusive Spawn: The Beginning Resin Statue Signing

Saturday, February 25th
4:00 – 5:30 PM

Join Todd McFarlane for an exclusive signing devoted to the first 75 fans to purchase our limited edition Spawn: The Beginning resin statue. All signed versions of this collectible are sold out in our online store, so this is a rare opportunity to get your hands on one. Tickets will be given away with purchase at the McFarlane Companies booth, #36, along with a FREE signed advanced copy of Spawn #217.

Pro Tips with Todd McFarlane

Sunday, February 26th
11:00 AM – 12:30 PM

In a world of comic book icons, comic superstar Todd McFarlane and his creation Spawn have clearly stood the test of time. Now McFarlane himself is inviting aspiring creators and fans to an extended workshop where he'll share behind-the-scenes tips and tricks about his creative process. Armed with a Wacom and more than 20 years of experience as one of the most successful pros in the business, McFarlane will show fans how to unleash their own creativebeast within! WORKSHOP ROOM A

 

Coming Soon: The Lorax

From the creators of Despicable Me and the imagination of Dr. Seuss comes the much anticipated feature Dr. Seuss’ The Lorax, a 3D-CG adaptation of the classic tale of a forest guardian who shares the enduring power of hope.  The animated adventure follows the journey of a 12-year-old as he searches for a real Truffula Tree, the one thing that will enable him to win the affection of the girl of his dreams.  To get it he must find the story of the Lorax, the acerbic yet charming character who fights to protect his world.

Lending their vocal talents to the project are Danny DeVito as the iconic title character of the Lorax and Ed Helms as the enigmatic Once-ler.  Also bringing their voices to the adventure are global superstars Zac Efron as Ted, the idealistic youth who searches for the Lorax, and Grammy Award winner Taylor Swift as Audrey, the girl of Ted’s dreams.  Rounding out the cast are Rob Riggle as the villain O’Hare, Jenny Slate as Ted’s protective mother and beloved actress Betty White as Ted’s wise Grammy Norma.

Dr. Seuss’ The Lorax is the third feature created by Universal Pictures and Illumination Entertainment (Despicable Me, Hop).  www.theloraxmovie.com

Yamada's First Time Blu-ray/DVD Now Available!

OMG! There's this girl at school, Yamada, who wants to make like a hundred sex friends. She totally thinks she can devirginize one hundred different boys! Can you believe that? That's like every boy in the school. Who does she think she is? I heard that Yamada's never even been kissed. Oh. My. God. I would totally die. That's like burn all your makeup and shave off your eyebrows embarrassing. I can't even think about it. Today at lunch I saw Yamada flirting, like for reals, with that geek Kosuda. You know the guy. Photography club, no muscles, boring face, reminds you of a black-and-white movie. Super lame. If Yamada can't even make the sex with him, she'll never score a hundred cherry boys. She needs to take like Sex Ed or something because I heard she can't give it away!

After Dark Originals 2 Announced - DARK CIRCLES

First came 8 FILMS TO DIE FOR, then AFTER DARK ORIGINALS, now the #1 Horror Brand in the World is proud to announce the second installment in the AFTER DARK ORIGINALS series (ADO2), and it’s first film from this series, DARK CIRCLES.

After Dark Films kicks off After Dark Originals 2 with its first chilling feature of the new series that will send shivers down your spine. DARK CIRCLES, written and directed by Writer-Director Paul Soter (of Broken Lizard infamy, the team behind CLUB DREAD, SUPER TROOPERS and BEERFEST) and starring Pell James (The Lincoln Lawyer) and Johnathon Schaech (That Thing You Do), will have its blood-curdling theatrical release in 2012.

Synopsis:
When new parents Alex and Penny retreat from the city and move into a place outside town, the stress and massive sleep-deprivation caused by their infant has both of them seeing things in the house that may or may not exist. Persistent sightings of a strange woman has each of them wondering if they are suffering from hallucinations, or if their new home holds a dark, supernatural presence. As their fragile grasp on reality spirals into delirium, Alex and Penny find themselves nearly helpless to deal with the horrific truth of what is really going in this house.

“Hopefully this will serve as some kind of cinematic equivalent of birth control.”

-Paul Soter, Writer/Director of Dark Circles

Image Comic Expo- Celebrating 20 Years of Comics

It's hard to believe that Image Comics have been around for twenty years. I clearly remember going to the comic shop in high school and buying everything Image released. At that time it was books like Spawn, Youngblood, The Maxx and Gen13. Image is celebrating by putting on THE comics event in the Bay Area on February 24-26 at the Oakland Convention Center.

From the official site:
IMAGE COMIC EXPO is a three-day celebration of creator-owned comics happening at the Oakland Convention Center. Image partners Robert Kirkman, Erik Larsen, Todd McFarlane, Marc Silvestri, and Jim Valentino, will be the guests of honor, appearing throughout the weekend for signings, panels, and special events. Other special guests include Image founders Rob Liefeld, and Whilce Portacio, plus the creators of today’s best creator-owned comics, including: Joe Casey, Jay Faerber, Jonathan Hickman, Richard Starkings, Fiona Staples, and Brian K. Vaughan.

The event promises over one hundred exhibitors, workshops, signings, an artist alley and guests like Blair Butler, Matt Wagner and Ryan Ottley. With WonderCon heading south for the 2012 convention season, this is the event for Bay Area comic fans that can't make the trip. Go, support and help Image celebrate 20 years of entertainment!

Zombie Boot Camp

RAM Training LTD is a UK-based company in Worcestershire that offers a SWAT training activity day. According to the website you will:

Train as a member of an elite special forces SWAT team. Play it for real learn the skills needed to find, fix and destroy a determined enemy.

Use a variety of weapons to execute the mission: Pistol, assault rifle and the pump action shot gun.

Get equipped in the latest Kevlar helmet and ballistic body armor.

Work as a team to clear a terrorist bomb making factory or rescue a colleague in our purpose designed killing house.

This is not paint ball this is truly the most realistic, awesome first person shoot ‘em’ up scenario activity in the world.

If that doesn't sound cool enough, they offer a "Zombie Boot Camp." 

From the website itinerary:

Yes you will be fighting live Zombies. You will have to put what you have learned to the test. To wipe out a live Zombie you will have to shoot them in the head. Don’t worry the Zombies are well protected and will react accurately to you shooting them. However be aware they will attack you and attempt to wipe you out. Poor drills and bad shooting will result in your death or contamination. You have been warned!

Click the link for more info ==> RAM Training LTD