Dark Horse has announced their plans for their debut at Phoenix Comicon – AwesomeToyBlog’s local convention. Each year the show has gotten a little bigger and a little better and I’m thrilled to see that trend continue with Dark Horse making an appearance. And they’re doing it right, the list of talent they have lined up for the show makes me almost regret missing the show for the Grand Canyon! On top of the top notch talent doing signings and panel discussions, Dark Horse is also offering a Phoenix Comicon exclusive variant comic Star Wars: Rebel Heist #1. Featuring a cover by Adam Hughes, this book is limited to 1,000 at the show and is priced at $5.
Check the full list of signings and panels after the jump! Have a great show and say hi to Amber Benson from AwesomeToyBlog! For more info on Phoenix Comicon, check here.
SIGNINGS
Below are featured comics and the writers and/or artists who will be signing them. Free comics, prints, or posters will be available at each signing while supplies last. Comics will also be available for sale, availability pending.
Friday, June 6
11:00 a.m. ELFQUEST Richard Pini (writer) and Wendy Pini (writer/artist)
12:00 p.m. CRIMINAL MACABRE Christopher Mitten (artist)
1:00 p.m. MASS EFFECT: FOUNDATION, X Tony Parker (artist), STAR WARS: REBEL HEIST, STAR WARS: DAWN OF THE JEDI, GHOST Dan Parsons (artist)
2:00 p.m. BAD BLOOD, WITCHFINDER, B.P.R.D. Tyler Crook (artist), GRINDHOUSE Alex de Campi (writer)
3:00 p.m. BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER Amber Benson (writer/actress)
4:00 p.m. THE FIFTH BEATLE Vivek J. Tiwary (writer)
5:30 p.m. CONAN THE AVENGER, BRAIN BOY, THE COMPLETE SILENCERS, ACTION PHILOSOPHERS! Fred Van Lente (writer)
6:00 p.m. THE STRAIN Mike Huddleston (artist)
Saturday, June 7
11:00 a.m. ALIENS: FIRE AND STONE Chris Roberson (writer)
*Free print! Aliens: Fire and Stone #1 on sale September 2014.
12:00 p.m. GRINDHOUSE Alex de Campi (writer)
1:00 p.m. THE STRAIN Mike Huddleston (artist)
2:00 p.m. NEXUS Mike Baron (writer)
3:00 p.m. CONAN THE AVENGER, BRAIN BOY, THE COMPLETE SILENCERS, ACTION PHILOSOPHERS! Fred Van Lente (writer)
4:30 p.m. THE FIFTH BEATLE Vivek J. Tiwary (writer)
6:00 p.m. BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER Christopher Golden (writer) and Amber Benson (writer/actress)
Sunday, June 8
11:00 a.m. GRINDHOUSE Alex de Campi (writer)
12:00 p.m. BAD BLOOD, WITCHFINDER, B.P.R.D. Tyler Crook (artist)
1:00 p.m. BALTIMORE Christopher Golden (writer)
2:00 p.m. BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER Amber Benson (writer/actress)
PANELS
Friday, June 6
3:00 p.m.–4:00 p.m. Spotlight Panel: Fred Van Lente (North 128b)
Fred Van Lente has done it all. With work ranging from semieducational funnies to superhero reboots, he is widely regarded as one of the most unique voices in modern comics. Did we mention zombies? He’s done that too. Now, join us for a look back at his storied career so far, as well as a glimpse into what’s next for comics’ rising star, with announcements and more!
Saturday, June 7
12:00–1:00 p.m. ElfQuest: The Final Quest (North 129a)
For the last 35 years, Wendy and Richard Pini have delighted fans with one of alternative comics’ most rich and storied worlds. Now, in partnership with Dark Horse, the Wolfriders embark on the “Final Quest,” to fulfill a destiny over three decades in the making!
3:00–4:00 p.m. Drawing on Your Nightmares: Modern Horror in Comics!
(North 129b)
One of the cornerstones of the Dark Horse publishing line since the early years has been an original take on the horror genre. Now, join us for a look at what’s to come in this year’s lineup with a cast of writers and artists who are poised to thrill you and chill you. Christopher Golden (Baltimore), Chris Roberson (Aliens), Alex de Campi (Grindhouse), Tyler Crook (Witchfinder), Mike Huddleston (The Strain), and Christopher Mitten (Criminal Macabre) are joined by Dark Horse’s own Aub Driver for a discussion on “bringing scary back.”
3:00–4:00 p.m. The Fifth Beatle (West 211)
The Fifth Beatle is a graphic novel about the Beatles’ manager Brian Epstein, written by Vivek Tiwary. Vivek talks about the graphic novel (a 2014 Eisner Award nominee) and the upcoming movie based upon it.
Sunday, June 8
12:00–1:00 p.m. 30 Years and Counting: Comics Classics in the Modern Age (ElfQuest: 1978; Nexus: 1981, Groo: 1982) (North 128b)
In the late 1970s and early ’80s, some of the most inventive and inspired alternative comics found a place on shelves. ElfQuest offered a unique vision of black and white fantasy, while Nexus gave readers a version of the superhero idea more rooted in science fiction than capes and cowls. Meanwhile, Groo the Wanderer took a humorous take on the sword and sorcery genre, popularized by the likes of Conan the Barbarian in the previous decade. Over 30 years later, we pay tribute to some of comics’ longest-running ongoing collaborations for a discussion with the creators themselves! Join Richard and Wendy Pini (ElfQuest), Mike Baron (Nexus), and Mark Evanier (Groo) as they share the secrets to the success of a few of comics’ most revered story lines!
