SEPTEMBER 30, MILWAUKIE, OR—What do a rock star, the lead writer of Mass Effect, and the ever-charming and talented Ms. Becky Cloonan all have in common? They’re all signing at the Dark Horse booth!

Following up on Wednesday’s announcement of Dark Horse’s 2011 New York Comic Con programming, it’s the moment you’ve been waiting for: the 2011 Dark Horse New York Comic Con schedule!

The full schedule of Dark Horse’s in-booth signings and activities can be found below: 

ALL DAY, EVERY DAY:

Spin the Dark Horse prize wheel for a chance to win free digital comics, including Mass Effect and Star Wars: Crimson Empire bundles!

Thursday, October 13 

6:00 p.m. FREE T-SHIRTS, COMICS! Come to the Dark Horse booth for a chance to win a Hellboy T-shirt and free digital comics!

Friday, October 14

10:30 a.m. The Occultist—Tim Seeley (Hack/Slash) and Jenny Frison (Criminal Macabre)

11:00 a.m. Bunny in the Moon—Tara McPherson

11:00 a.m. FREE T-SHIRTS, COMICS! Come to the Dark Horse booth for a chance to win a Hellboy T-shirt and free digital comics!

11:30 a.m. Orchid—Tom Morello (Rage Against the Machine, Audioslave, The Nightwatchman) and Scott Hepburn (Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic)

FREE Orchid poster featuring art by Massimo Carnevale. Ticketed event. Please talk to a Dark Horse staff member at the show.

12:30 p.m. Dethklok—Jon Schnepp, Jeremy Barlow, and Nate Piekos

1:30 p.m. The Immortal—Ian Edginton

FREE poster revealing never-before-seen art from the upcoming comic The Immortal, adapted from an acclaimed Japanese novel and written by Ian Edginton (Scarlet Traces, Star Trek: Early Voyages, Warhammer 40,000)

2:00 p.m. FREE T-SHIRTS, COMICS! Come to the Dark Horse booth for a chance to win a The Thing movie T-shirt and free digital comics! Read the FREE digital prequel comic of The Thing now!

2:30 p.m. Star Wars—Andrea Mutti

Find out what Star Wars series Andrea Mutti (Rage) will be working on at Friday’s Dark Horse panel (1:30–2:30 p.m., Room 1A15).

3:30 p.m. The Massive—Brian Wood and Kristian Donaldson (DMZ)

4:30 p.m. Star Wars: Jedi—The Dark Side—Scott Allie and Mahmud Asrar

6:30 p.m. Dr. McNinja—Christopher Hastings

Saturday, October 15

10:30 a.m. Mass Effect—Mac Walters

11:00 a.m. FREE T-SHIRTS, COMICS! Come to the Dark Horse booth for a chance to win a Hellboy T-shirt and free digital comics!

11:30 a.m. The Last Dragon—Jane Yolen and Rebecca Guay

FREE face painting inspired by The Last Dragon! FREE miniprint to the first one hundred people in line for the signing.

12:30 p.m. House of Night—Jenny Frison

Get Marked! FREE House of Night face painting during the signing with cover artist Jenny Frison! FREE House of Night poster. And the first twenty-five people in line for the signing will receive a copy of The Fledgling Handbook 101 by P. C. Cast with Kim Doner from St. Martin’s Press!

1:30 p.m. Beasts of Burden—Evan Dorkin

1:30 p.m. Avatar: The Last Airbender—FREE face-painting event           

2:30 p.m. Dragon Age—David Gaider and Mike Laidlaw

FREE print to the first one hundred people in line to meet the lead writer and lead designer of Dragon Age!

3:30 p.m. Angel & Faith—Christos Gage and Rebekah Isaacs 

4:00 p.m. FREE T-SHIRTS, COMICS! Come to the Dark Horse booth for a chance to win a Hellboy T-shirt and free digital comics!

4:30 p.m. Comic TBA—Brian Wood (DMZ, Demo, Northlanders) and Becky Cloonan (Demo, Pixu)

Find out what Dark Horse comic Brian Wood and Becky Cloonan are going to be working on together at Friday’s Dark Horse panel (1:30–2:30 p.m., Room 1A15)!

5:30 p.m. Evelyn, Evelyn—Cynthia von Buhler 

Sunday, October 16

10:00 a.m. Beanworld—Larry Marder

10:30 a.m. FREE T-SHIRTS, COMICS! Come to the Dark Horse booth for a chance to win a Hellboy T-shirt and free digital comics!

11:00 a.m. Mignolaverse—Mike Mignola and John Arcudi

Ticketed event. Please talk to a Dark Horse staff member at the show.

12:00 p.m. Creepy—Dan Braun

It’s trick-or-treat time, but not for the kiddos! FREE Creepy comics to the first one hundred people in line, plus an array of crazy Creepy prizes just in time for All Hallow’s Eve!

1:00 p.m. Behind the Scenes of Mass Effect—Mac Walters

Mac Walters discusses the process of writing Mass Effect comics and walks through a digital preview of Mass Effect: Invasion #1.

2:00 p.m. FREE T-SHIRTS, COMICS! Come to the Dark Horse booth for a chance to win a Hellboy T-shirt and free digital comics!

2:30 p.m. Kult—Jeremy Barlow

3:00 p.m. Robert E. Howard’s Savage Sword—Jeremy Barlow, Paul Tobin, and Joshua Williamson

4:00 p.m. Falling Skies—Paul Tobin and Juan Ferreyra

Are you missing Falling Skies? Talk to the creators of the preview comic and get a Falling Skies pin from TNT, while supplies last!

Keep your eyes on the Dark Horse blog for further announcements on signings, in-booth events, green-screen photo ops, and so much more!

I MELT WITH YOU will be available on Magnolia On-Demand November 4 followed by its theatrical release on December 9th

Synopsis:
Richard (Thomas Jane), Ron (Jeremy Piven), Jonathan (Rob Lowe) and Tim (Christian McKay) are old college friends that gather annually for a week in Big Sur to celebrate their friendship and catch-up on each other’s lives. They seem like typical men in their forties – all with careers, families, and enormous responsibilities – but like most people there is a lot more beneath the surface.

As the week progresses, they go down the rabbit hole of excess as mountains of drugs are consumed to a blaring rock 'n' roll soundtrack.  Parties with much younger women spin out of control. Exhausted and run ragged, they bare their souls to one another revealing the disillusionment with their lives.  As the truth emerges, the reunion takes a much darker turn when a promise from their past is brought to light.  From director Mark Pellington, I MELT WITH YOU is a visually dazzling, wild and wooly trip deep into the male psyche, driven by four amazingly committed and profound performances.

Become a fan on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/imeltwithyoumovie
Find our films On-Demand: http://www.magpictures.com/ondemand/


Follow on Twitter ~ http://twitter.com/MagnoliaPics  http://twitter.com/MagnetReleasing

Connect on Facebook ~http://www.facebook.com/magnoliapictures http://www.facebook.com/magnetreleasing

The winner of the Griff the Invisible poster, signed by the man with the sexiest hip bones, Ryan Kwanten, is:

brad5277! who said...

Pick me pick me. I am gonna miss Jessica the most. She has matured into a DAMN SEX GODDESS. Poor Tara living in Bon Temps really blew her mind.

You have seven (7) days to email and claim your prize. Email me your snail mail address to Suepafly (at) hotmail (dot) com.

Thank you everyone who particpated and tweeted out the contest. Keep an eye here on the blog, we have more contests coming up including a special comic con edition signed true blood comic and signed copies of Mira Grant's amazing Newsfeed series.

SEPTEMBER 28, MILWAUKIE, OR—As anticipation grows for what has become the fastest-growing comic show in the country, Dark Horse gives fans the first taste of what to expect at this year’s New York Comic Con!

The full schedule of Dark Horse programming can be found below:

Friday, October 14

1:30 p.m.–2:30 p.m.

Room 1A15

DARK HORSE PRESENTS: 25 YEARS OF PUBLISHING AND BEYOND 

Join Dark Horse’s senior managing editor, Scott Allie, and director of public relations, Jeremy Atkins, for a look at all that the publisher has on tap for the coming year. In addition to news about all of the hot new fall titles, like Orchid, The Strain, and House of Night, we look to 2012 for a sneak peek at what fans can expect in not only the company’s flagship anthology Dark Horse Presents, but also Star Wars, Avatar: The Last Airbender, and more! Guests include Tom Morello (Rage Against the Machine, Orchid), Brian Wood (DMZ, Northlanders, The Massive), Carla Speed McNeil (Finder), Rick Remender (Fear Agent, Uncanny X-Force, The Punisher), Jerome Opeña (Fear Agent, The Punisher), Tony Moore (Fear Agent, The Walking Dead), and more!

Saturday, October 15

11:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.

Room 1A15

BUFFY AND ANGEL PRESENT: DARK HORSE DOES VAMPIRES RIGHT!

Dark Horse Comics invites you to attend a special panel highlighting the growing number of comics featuring vampires! In addition to the highly successful Buffy the Vampire Slayer comics, we introduce you to other titles, like Mike Mignola and Christopher Golden’s Baltimore, P. C. and Kristin Cast’s House of Night, and Guillermo del Toro and Chuck Hogan’s The Strain! Join Dark Horse’s managing editor, Scott Allie, director of public relations, Jeremy Atkins, and Angel & Faith’s writer Christos Gage and artist Rebekah Isaacs, as well as a few surprise guests, for a panel you can really sink your teeth into. If that’s not enough, every attendee will receive a free copy of Angel & Faith #1!

4:00 p.m.–5:00 p.m.

Room 1A24

DARK HORSE AND BIOWARE PRESENT:  MAPPING THE MASS EFFECT UNIVERSE

With comics, novels, movies, and a third game on the horizon, Mass Effect has become one of the largest science-fiction franchises in the world. Join Mass Effect lead writer Mac Walters, along with Dark Horse’s director of public relations, Jeremy Atkins, and director of custom programs, Nick McWhorter, for an exploration of what makes Mass Effect so special! Fans will get a firsthand look at the upcoming comics series Invasion and the art book The Art of the Mass Effect Universe, as well as a taste of Mass Effect 3! With announcements to be made, surprise guests, prizes, and giveaways, we couldn’t give you more reasons to attend!

5:00 p.m.–6:00 p.m.

Room 1A03

DARK HORSE SPOTLIGHT: MIKE MIGNOLA

With Hellboy dead, and the B.P.R.D. and the world at large in shambles, what’s next for this elite team of paranormal investigators? Enter the mind of creator Mike Mignola for a spirited discussion of the future of Hellboy, the B.P.R.D., Lobster Johnson, Edward Grey, and a world that has spawned television, novels, video games, and more. Attendees will be rewarded with exclusive insight, announcements, and even a special giveaway!

6:30 p.m.–7:30 p.m.

Room 1A24

CREEPY AND EERIE: ALL HALLOW’S EVE EDITION

Discuss the new Dark Horse Creepy series, the classic age of the Warren Creepy and Eerie magazines, and all the exciting things coming up in the Creepy universe with a bone-chilling panel including Louise Simonson, Joe Harris (“The Curse” from Creepy #1–#3), and a number of other special guests. Moderated by New Comic Company’s twin engines Dan Braun (Creepy) and Josh Braun (A History of Violence). Plus, there will be Creepy trivia questions with swag and prizes!

Watch the Dark Horse blog for further announcements on signings, in-booth events, green-screen photo ops, and so much more!

THIS OCTOBER, ENTERTAINMENT ONE LAUNCHES

THE MISSION STAR TREK FANS HAVE BEEN WAITING FOR …

JOIN WILLIAM SHATNER ON A VOYAGE AROUND THE GLOBE, SEEKING OUT MEMBERS OF THE ELITE GROUP WHO HAVE STOOD AT THE HELM OF THE STARSHIP ENTERPRISE AND BOLDLY GONE WHERE NO MAN HAS GONE BEFORE

THE CAPTAINS

NEW Street Date: October 18, 2011

DVD SRP: $19.98

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

Since first soaring onto television screens in the mid-1960s, STAR TREK has become one of the most beloved franchises of all time.  As the iconic series celebrates its 45th Anniversary, Entertainment One presents THE CAPTAINS, a feature-length documentary written and directed by William Shatner that “boldly goes where no man has gone before,” giving viewers an exclusive behind-the-scenes look at one of the most durable and profitable franchises in entertainment history, as well as the men and women who have made the Star Trek brand an international phenomenon since 1966.

Following one of the most engaging media personalities of our time, The Captains chronicles Shatner's quest to answer one burning question: why, in spite of his myriad stage, screen, and television credits, as well as his numerous Emmys and Golden Globe Awards, does one role in his career loom so large that it nearly eclipses all others?  To find the answer, Shatner enlists the help of the elite group of actors who have also assumed the mantle of Starship Captain.  In the process, coupling their own unique stories with compelling insights, the five Captains give Shatner a better understanding of his own life and solve this “mystery” once and for all.  Featuring vintage Star Trek footage and in-depth interviews with actors Patrick Stewart (Captain Jean-Luc Picard), Kate Mulgrew (Captain Kathryn Janeway), Avery Brooks (Captain Benjamin Sisko), Scott Bakula (Captain Jonathan Archer), and Chris Pine (Captain James T. Kirk, Star Trek), The Captains was shot on location in Toronto, London, New York, Princeton and Los Angeles, where Shatner could capture his fellow Captains in their home environments.  The acclaimed HD film, which originally premiered as part of Epix's "Shatnerpalooza" this summer, exposes the Captains in all their earthly humanity, offering a rare and candid glimpse into the inner sanctum of each actor and their time at the helm of the Starship Enterprise.

CAST

• William Shatner (Star Trek franchises, “$#*! My Dad Says,” “Boston Legal”)
• Golden Globe nominee Patrick Stewart (“Star Trek: The Next Generation,” X-Men franchise)
• Kate Mulgrew (“Star Trek: Voyager,” Star Trek: Nemesis)
• Avery Brooks (“Star Trek: Deep Space Nine,” American History X)
• Scott Bakula (“Star Trek: Enterprise,” “Men of a Certain Age”)
• Chris Pine (Star Trek, Unstoppable )

PROGRAM INFORMATION

Type: DVD

Catalog #:  EOE-DV-7066

Running Time: 120 mins.

Genre:  Sci-fi/Documentary

Rated:  Not Rated

Aspect Ratio: 16 x 9

For the latest breaking news on THE CAPTAINS: A FILM BY WILLIAM SHATNER and other releases, follow Entertainment One on Twitter: http://twitter.com/eOneHomeVideo

MULTIPLE EISNER AWARD WINNER SHANNON WHEELER
DEBUTS
GRANDPA WON'T WAKE UP
AT ALTERNATIVE PRESS EXPO 2011

PUBLISHED BY BOOM! TOWN

LIMITED EDITION SIGNED AND NUMBERED COPIES AVAILABLE ONLY DURING APE AT BOOTH #247 September 28, 2011 – Los Angeles CA – Multiple Eisner Award winner, sensational New Yorker cartoonist and legendary indie comix creator Shannon Wheeler proudly debuts his latest book GRANDPA WON'T WAKE UP at this year's Alternative Press Expo (APE) on October 1st and 2nd at the Concourse Exhibition in San Francisco, CA where Wheeler serves as a special guest of the show.

"This is one of the most demented books I've ever read and I laughed out loud the whole way through." said BOOM! Studios Editor-in-Chief. "simon max hill and Shannon Wheeler bring their comedic A-game in GRANDPA WON'T WAKE UP, as they turn a twisted tale about finding a dead body into a laugh riot anyone can enjoy. An awesomely hilarious parody you won't want miss it!"

Published by BOOM! Town, BOOM! Studios' lit-comix imprint, and written by collaborator simon max hill, GRANDPA WON'T WAKE UP is not the children’s book your mother read to you! Best known for TOO MUCH COFFEE MAN and the recent Eisner Award-winning collection I THOUGHT YOU WOULD BE FUNNIER, Shannon Wheeler brings you this Li’l Golden parody that takes a look at the lighter side of discovering a cadaver in your living room. See what ridiculous lengths will be reached in trying to wake up Grandpa…and were those fishnets really necessary?

Wheeler will be signing limited edition signed and numbered copies of GRANDPA WON'T WAKE UP on a first come, first serve basis all during APE at the BOOM! Town booth #247.

GRANDPA WON'T WAKE UP kicks off Wheeler's three-book deal under the BOOM! Town imprint that was announced this past spring. GRANDPA WON'T WAKE UP will be quickly followed up this winter by a new collection of Wheeler's signature creation with TOO MUCH COFFEE MAN: CUTIE ISLAND & OTHER STORIES, and finally next spring sees a sequel to the critically acclaimed and recent Eisner Award winner I THOUGHT YOU WOULD BE FUNNIER with an all-new collection of rejected New Yorker cartoons!

Announced in 2010, BOOM! Town is an imprint of BOOM! Studios, specializing in high quality, lit-oriented comix. BOOM! Town has already released works by such indie comix luminaries as Denis Kitchen with DENIS KITCHEN'S CHIP BOARD SCETCHBOOK, and through association with Denis Kitchen, R. Crumb's HEROES OF THE BLUES and EARLY JAZZ GREATS trading card sets, as well as Harvey Kurtzman's THE GRASS HOPPER AND THE ANT and more.

BOOM! Town's inaugural publication, I THOUGHT YOU WOULD BE FUNNIER by Shannon Wheeler, won the Eisner Award for Best Humor Publication this past summer and will be released in a new hardcover edition this fall.

About BOOM! Town
BOOM! Town is the lit comix imprint of BOOM! Studios (www.boom-studios.com); the Eisner, Harvey, and Best Publisher Award-winning publisher that generates a constellation of bestselling comic books and graphic novels with the industry’s top talent, including Mark Waid’s series IRREDEEMABLE, new HELLRAISER comics written by Clive Barker, PLANET OF THE APES, 28 DAYS LATER, and Philip K. Dick’s DO ANDROIDS DREAM OF ELECTRIC SHEEP?. BOOM!’s all-ages imprint KABOOM! publishes Charles Schulz’ PEANUTS, Roger Langridge’s SNARKED, and Scholastic’s WORDGIRL. BOOM!’s lit comix-focused imprint, BOOM! Town, recently won the Eisner Award for its first book, Shannon Wheeler’s I THOUGHT YOU WOULD BE FUNNIER.

I MELT WITH YOU will be available on Magnolia On-Demand November 4 followed by its theatrical release on December 9th

Synopsis:
Richard (Thomas Jane), Ron (Jeremy Piven), Jonathan (Rob Lowe) and Tim (Christian McKay) are old college friends that gather annually for a week in Big Sur to celebrate their friendship and catch-up on each other’s lives. They seem like typical men in their forties – all with careers, families, and enormous responsibilities – but like most people there is a lot more beneath the surface.

As the week progresses, they go down the rabbit hole of excess as mountains of drugs are consumed to a blaring rock 'n' roll soundtrack.  Parties with much younger women spin out of control. Exhausted and run ragged, they bare their souls to one another revealing the disillusionment with their lives.  As the truth emerges, the reunion takes a much darker turn when a promise from their past is brought to light.  From director Mark Pellington, I MELT WITH YOU is a visually dazzling, wild and wooly trip deep into the male psyche, driven by four amazingly committed and profound performances.


Become a fan on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/imeltwithyoumovie
Find our films On-Demand: http://www.magpictures.com/ondemand/

For further information please contact: Brandon Nichols / brandon.nichols@ginsburglibby.com & Clay Dollarhide / clay.dollarhide@ginsberglibby.com

****

Join the Magnolia Pictures Insiders Network ~ http://www.magpictures.com/mailinglist.aspx

By joining the Magnolia Pictures mailing list and social network, you will receive advance screening notices, alerts to giveaways, advance play dates and other exclusive insider information.

Follow on Twitter ~
http://twitter.com/MagnoliaPics
http://twitter.com/MagnetReleasing

Connect on Facebook ~
http://www.facebook.com/magnoliapictures
http://www.facebook.com/magnetreleasing

The ‘Zombies Meets Cowboys’ Graphic Novel Follows the Undead Adventures of the Old West’s Most Decomposed Hero

For Immediate Release:

HOLLYWOOD, CALIFORNIA  (September 27, 2011)  - Award-winning graphic novel publisher, Archaia Entertainment, has set a release date of September 28 for its ‘Old West meets the undead’ graphic novel, The Grave Doug Freshley. An innovative genre mix-up, The Grave Doug Freshley follows the newly zombified Doug Freshley on his mission to protect a young boy from notorious outlaws. It will be available in comic book shops and wherever books are sold.

Written by rising comic star, Josh Hechinger and illustrated by Marvin Mann (The Lone and Level Sands, Some New Kind of Slaughter and Inanna’s Tears), The Grave Doug Freshley (hardcover with dust jacket, 168 pp, $19.95, ISBN: 978-1-932386-70-7) follows Douglas Freshley, a former schoolmaster, who is hired by his longtime friend, Shane McNally to tutor their rambunctious son, Bat. But when the outlaw Delancey gang raids the McNally ranch, killing all the adults, it’s up to the corpse of Doug to rise up, protect Bat and exact some good ol’ frontier justice. Little does he know, however, that he is being stalked by the Deadliest Gun in the West (or anywhere)—the Grim Reaper himself.

Critically-acclaimed by readers since its digital publication on Graphicly, the hardcover version will feature high-quality artwork packaged in a vivid presentation, as well as pin-ups by Anthony Peruzzo, Jorge F. Muñoz, Scott Newman, Lea Hernandez and John Bivens. The Grave Doug Freshley follows Archaia’s successful history of adapting digital titles to print. Their previous title, Tumor, was released to wide praise after only being available online. 

For more information on The Grave Doug Freshley or other Archaia titles, please visit http://www.archaia.com.

About Archaia Entertainment

Archaia is a multi-award-winning graphic novel publisher with more than 50 renowned publishing brands, including such domestic and international hits as Mouse Guard, Return of the Dapper Men, Gunnerkrigg Court, Awakening, The Killer, Days Missing, Tumor, Syndrome, Artesia, Engineer, and an entire line of The Jim Henson Company graphic novels. Archaia has built an unparalleled reputation for producing meaningful content that perpetually transforms minds, building one of the industry’s most visually stunning and eclectic slates of graphic novels. Archaia was named Graphic Novel Publisher of the Year according to Ain’t it Cool News, Graphic Policy, and Comic Related, and was honored with nine 2011 Eisner Awards nominations. Archaia has also successfully emerged as a prolific storyteller in all facets of the entertainment industry, extending their popular brands into film, television, gaming, and branded digital media.

Topical Graphic Novel Follows the Story of Illegal Immigrants on the Run from Vicious Werewolves

For Immediate Release:

HOLLYWOOD, CALIFORNIA  (September 27, 2011)  - Award-winning graphic novel publisher, Archaia Entertainment has set a release date of September 28 for Feeding Ground, a stylistic horror graphic novel telling the story of a Mexican family chased by werewolves as they cross the Mexico-U.S. border. Debuting in both English and Spanish, Feeding Ground deals head on with the debate surrounding illegal immigration. 

Feeding Ground (paper-over-board hardcover, 184 pp, $24.95, ISBN English Ed: 978-1-936393-02-2, ISBN Español Ed: 978-1-936393-12-1) begins with a new nightmare plaguing the Mexico-Arizona border. A famine caused by Blackwell Industries drives Diego Busqueda, a noble “coyote,” to lead his family across the unforgiving “Devil’s Highway,” a desert cursed with blistering days and deadly nights. However, an ancient evil that has plagued the region for generations has emerged from the shadows. Pitting real-world border politics against a boldly reimagined werewolf mythology, Feeding Ground questions the very nature of survival.

Written by noted film critic, Swifty Lang and author Chris Mangun (Born to Explore), Feeding Ground is a dramatic human drama heightened by the threat of unimaginable evil. A thoroughly researched graphic novel, Feeding Ground is unafraid to take an honest look at the controversy of illegal immigration.

The graphic novel is brought to life by acclaimed graphic designer, Michael Lapinski, who is acclaimed for his work on several Nickelodeon series and 4Kid’s Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.

For more information on Feeding Ground or other Archaia titles, please visit http://www.archaia.com.

About Archaia Entertainment

Archaia is a multi-award-winning graphic novel publisher with more than 50 renowned publishing brands, including such domestic and international hits as Mouse Guard, Return of the Dapper Men, Gunnerkrigg Court, Awakening, The Killer, Days Missing, Tumor, Syndrome, Artesia, Engineer, and an entire line of The Jim Henson Company graphic novels. Archaia has built an unparalleled reputation for producing meaningful content that perpetually transforms minds, building one of the industry’s most visually stunning and eclectic slates of graphic novels. Archaia was named Graphic Novel Publisher of the Year according to Ain’t it Cool News, Graphic Policy, and Comic Related, and was honored with nine 2011 Eisner Awards nominations. Archaia has also successfully emerged as a prolific storyteller in all facets of the entertainment industry, extending their popular brands into film, television, gaming, and branded digital media.

Nicholas Brendon rolled into Sacramento during the Sacramento Sci-Fi/Horror show, and did a little panel where he fielded fan questions. Here are some of the highlights:

He kicked off the panel with “I’m Nicholas Brendon, and you’re not.”

His favorite episodes include “The Zeppo” (Xander did a lot of growing) and “The Pack” (which was the first episode where he had a bigger part.) He also loved the episode “Buffy Vs. Dracula” where Xander was changed into Renfield. He said that really all the episodes were good, except “Beer Bad,” pretty much everything that Joss Whedon touched was good. He brought up how scary  the Gentlemen were from “Hush,” which were the only monster he thought were scary even though he had seen the whole make-up process, especially when they were up and floating, and I have to wholeheartedly agree.

Nicky kept a few souvenirs from Buffy the Vampire Slayer. He joked  Alyson Hannigan was still locked up in his bathroom, that the one on How I Met Your Mother  is an android. But in all seriously he took his eye patch, which he had signed by the cast and gave to his assistant to be auctioned off for charity. He took the Barney’s leather coat from the episode “The Wish” where he was a vampire, but later lost it and was really sad by it, until he remembered that his stunt double also had one, which is now the one he still has. And he also has his slipper from ”Once More With Feeling” because they were so comfortable.

And about those comics? Nicky said that he has no input, but he seemed a little surprised to hear that in season eight, not only where there 40 issues, but that Xander and Dracula had a sort of friendship and that he’d spent some time with the vampire. And about Xander and Dawn being together… He still sees her as the teen girl she was the first day on set, though he’s recently seen some pictures of Michelle Trachtenberg that are “very grown up.”

He touched on the popularity of Buffy, saying that it wasn’t understood at the time. Fox was offered it originally, and they didn’t want it, and gave it to the WB. Not even the actors knew what it would turn into, they “were all really, really happy to be there.” At the time the actors were all new, Joss was Hollywood’s script doctor, so they all went through a lot of growing pains. In fact, he says during filming he never really had a lot of fan interaction, that now that the show is over more fans approach him.

Nicky revealed a few tidbits. Xander was almost killed off in the final episode, until Marti Noxon talked Joss out of it. Alyson Hannigan wasn’t the first choice for Willow. Melanie Lynskey was Joss’s choice, but the studio wanted Alyson, and Joss later admitted that the studio was right.

The panel was completely about Buffy. Nicky will be back on Criminal Minds, he was suppose to be in the premiere, but plans changed. And really, since Buffy fans tune in hoping to see him, “they’re getting the benefits of me being on the show without having to pay me to be on the show.” But he will be back. He also gets recognition for the role of rapist Kevin from Private Practice. He said the key to playing Kevin was smirking, and looking people too intently in the eyes, which is exactly Julia Roberts method of acting, which kind of freaked him out when he realized that, that and her big feet. He prefers playing the friend/nerdy guy rather than the cool guy.

His favorite person to act with was James Marsters, saying that they had an odd couple chemistry, that they could have a spin off of Spike and Xander, which would have been a half hour comedy. He was a lot of fun, even though the two had very different acting methods. Nicky still sees many of the other Buffy alum, mostly because of conventions, including James Marsters, Mercedes McNabb, Claire Kramer, Julie Benz, Charisma Carpenter and Anthony Stewart Head. Tony, in fact lives about a block from Nicky, though he sees little of him.

One fan asked why Xander didn’t marry Anna in “Hell’s Bells.” Nicky said that Joss wanted to keep the Core Three (Buffy, Xander, Willow, Giles didn’t count) from happiness. “The Zeppo” was the episode in which Xander really grew up, in fact Nicky cried when he read that episode’s script. And losing his eye change a lot of things too, “like his depth perception.” And, he and Sarah Michelle at one point were pushing for Xander and Buffy to end up together, but Joss wouldn’t hear it, said that it wouldn’t be true to the spirit of the show. Joss wasn’t doing a soap opera, that he gave the coupling a lot of thought, but it went in the direction it needed to, and was very poetic.

Of course the Buffy the Vampire Slayer remake was brought up. Nicky said he’d be willing to don Xander’s clothes again, but any Buffy movie wihtout Joss on board was a bad idea. Buffy is Joss's baby. He did the movie, and wasn't happy with it because the actors changed the dialogue, and it didn't work for him, so he did the TV show. He said that you can't have the Buffy brand, and not have Joss. There is a certain expectation that the name Buffy invokes and the remake won't have that. You can have a vampire slayer movie about a girl named Muffy, or anything else and that would be fine. But Buffy is and always will be Joss.

Other points of interests touched on: The Ringer and twins. Nicky hasn’t seen it, and he’s not an expert on twins, even if he is one. Psycho Beach Party. He had nothing but great things to say about Charles Busch, who wrote the film, but he wouldn’t want to do another one. Childhood: he wasn’t a Star Wars fan, he did like Three’s Company and ChiPs. In his spare time he surfs, writes (working on a zombie musical), and spends time with his German Shepherd Steve.

He doesn’t watch and hasn’t seen True Blood, said that he didn’t like the concept, in fact kind of shunned all vampire related things after the show because he was so protective of his vampires. Thinks that Twilight is a joke, he saw the first one. Vampire Diaries, Supernatural, all of that stuff should be thankful to Joss Whedon because he opened up the genre.

And the whole Xander audition... Nicky almost didn’t get it, in fact, though at the time he didn’t know it, he was the second choice. During auditions, he went in and chatted with everyone, but when he read the scene as he was told to, it lack “Xanderness,” so he was told to come back in and read it again as the guy he was when he first walked in, and he knocked it out of the park. He did so well that he then became first choice, but they gave the original first a chance to try again. That actor ended up with the lead in Children of the Corn III (Daniel Cerney), and Nicky took home Xander and a small role in the Corn movie.

And Nicky closed the panel with his Snoopy dance.

For all the Taylor Lautner fans, I have a large stack of Abduction posters, more posters than any one person really needs, and I'm giving them away. All of them. Do you want one? Know a friend who wants one? Great!

It's super easy to get one. Tell me. Tell me here, tell me on the MuseLed facebook page http://www.facebook.com/#!/MuseLedBlog, either works, but there's just one catch. You have to follow us here on the blog. If you're a follower and want to take advantage of this poster offer, after leaving me a comment, email me at Suepafly at hotmail dot com. Offer lasts while I have posters. This offer is only for residents of the USA. (sorry but out of country postage rates kill me). Void where prohibited.

Nicholas Brendon and his come hither look

The Sacramento Sci-Fi Horror con was today, and while its fun to see the celebrity guests, like the very handsome and funny Nicholas Brendon (I'll be posting about his panel later). I'm always excited about the art. Here are some highlights from the show!

Danny Wong of Brick by Brick design.

Danny Wong, brilliant designer, inker and illustrator. His pieces are always bright and fun. I walked out with many pieces both color and even a few black and white. If you're a fan of the sketches be sure too snap them up, Danny plans on discontinuing them soon.


















 

Marina Sirtis



The lovely Marina Sirtis. She too did a panel, but unfortunately I missed it.



Suzy Goodwin



Suzy Goodwin from z-imagination has ton of creepy and cutesy designs.



Z. E. Pangborn



Z. E. Pangborn had some fantastic art on display, and had many pieces for every budget. I took a little time to chat with him about the graphic novel he's working on. You'll be able to find more details about it on his website zepangborn.com

Alex Wer the Pumpkin Geek

The Pumpkin Geek has some seriously amazing pumpkins. He does all the pumkins himself, and he uses artificial pumpkins so they'll last virtually forever. Unfortunately with Halloween around the corner its too late to get one in time for this year's festivities, but he is taking orders on his website. http://www.thepumpkingeek.com/

Some of the amazing pumpkins from the Pumpkin Geek



Jeremy Rathbone



Jeremy Rathbone of Munkie Revolution has some great renderings of classic robots in zombie form. Some of my favorites included Rosie fron the Jetsons and R2D2.

Publication Date: October 12, 2011

Format: FC, 32 pages

Price: $1.00

UPC: 6 15681 69126 0 0111

Tom Morello’s Orchid is finally here. Since the teaser posters released shortly before San Diego Comic Con, many have long awaited the release of this one, and its finally upon us.

The world as we know it is gone. After the humans laid waste to the Earth, Mother Nature fought back, and now ferocious new species prey upon the helpless. Humanity has reverted, slave trades and upper classes, the rebellion has all but failed.

Rebel Simon escapes his fate with a legendary mask and meets up with the prostitute Orchid as her life takes another unfortunate turn.

The story definitely delivers. Orchid’s world is quickly set up, and the lost of everything that was is beautifully illustrated in this savage place. A great first outing, I cannot wait to see what comes next. And for the price how can you miss this one? It's a steal!

Publication Date: September 28, 2011
Format: FC, 32 pages
UPC: 7 61568 17655 1 00111


From the world of Hell Boy comes Abe Sapien and his latest journey. The year is 1985 and he's up against a basement full of dark secrets. Considering the basement belonged to a famed demonologist it's no surprise that the secrets are darker than anything he expected.

Utilizing the Boyscout Motto "Be Prepared" what Abe stumbles across is nothing he is prepared for, from history, to landscape, to familiar ties, it's a slippery downhill slope that Abe may not be able to recover from. Freaks and creeps and things that go bump in the night, Abe may be fearless, but with everything that comes through the door, it make you wonder what the hell else can be down there.

Mike Mignola, and John Arcudi deliver a captivating story as always, which is backed by the creepy art of  James Harren.

Comikaze Expo Presents the Iconic Cast of “All That” In An
Exclusive, First Ever, One-Time Only Reunion Extravaganza
Comikaze Expo is All That!! Appearances and antics by the hilarious cast of Nickelodeon’s award-winning
sketch comedy series promise an event to remember.

Los Angeles, Calif., (September 2011) – Comikaze Expo, the largest multimedia pop culture, comic book, horror, anime and gaming convention in California, aka the Los Angeles Comic-Con, has announced appearances by the hilarious cast of Nickelodeon’s award-winning sketch comedy series, All That. This reunion extravaganza takes place November 5, 2011 at the Los Angeles Convention Center and features appearances by Kel Mitchell, Nick Cannon, Lisa Foiles, Jack DeSena, Alisa Reyea, Katrina Johnson, Mark Saul, Leon Frierson, Angelique Bates, Giovonnie Samuels, Chelsea Brummet and Bryan Hearne.

All That rocked the world every Saturday night on Nickelodeon’s SNICK for 10 years. While teaching kids the intricacies of sketch comedy and burp jokes, the iconic show also launched the careers of Kenan Thompson, Kel Mitchell, and Amanda Bynes, as well as everyone’s favorite cast member: The Big Ear of Corn. An All That panel discussion and autograph signing offers attendees the chance to find out if Kiki ever got off “Kiki’s Island,” and ask why “Repairman” did his own echo or if that was real sugar and coffee in “Sugar and Coffee.”

Comikaze Expo is thrilled to present the cast of the most successful kid’s sketch comedy show of all time, and the show’s stars share the same sentiments. “I am excited to be a part of Comikaze Expo and get a chance to see our loyal and true fans alongside my family from All That!” said Alisa Reyes, All That Seasons 1-3.” It’s an honor and pleasure to be involved with this grand event!” Lisa Foiles, All That Seasons 7-10, said, “Not only do I get to see my All That pals again after all these years, I get to see them at an awesome comic expo? So I can have a reunion AND geek out?! Comikaze, get ready for a party!”

The first and only multimedia, cross-genre expo to hit Los Angeles, Comikaze Expo has created a pop culture extravaganza that brings together the best in comics, gaming, horror, sci-fi, fantasy, anime and all other cult programming. Its wide-ranging appeal has attracted celebrity appearances from icons and budding artists of this exciting world, including animators, comic book and anime artists, special effects teams, writers, actors, and filmmakers, among other creators, from both the mainstream and geek worlds. The event is deemed the Los Angeles Comic-Con and much more.

Comikaze will kick off with appearances by the father of modern comics, Stan Lee, and Comikaze’s official “Spooksperson,” horror icon Elvira, at the event’s ribbon-cutting ceremony. Elvira’s participation marks her official last convention appearance ever.

In an effort to make Comikaze accessible to everyone, tickets are only $12 each, and children under 12 are FREE, making this family event the largest convention of its kind in Los Angeles—at the best price. Each ticket holder will receive their choice of a celebrity lithograph photo valued at $79-$189. This unparalleled event’s wide range of innovative programming and activities provide fans access to their favorite artists and creators. From independent film screenings, live shows and star-studded panels to fan contests, games, portfolio reviews and a masquerade ball, there is something for everyone and more at Comikaze. Family-oriented events are scheduled for Sunday, November 6.

For more information about Comikaze, including sponsorship information, vendor applications and ticket sales, visit Comikazeexpo.com. For a chance to win free tickets, join Comikaze on twitter @comikazeexpo and use the hashtag #COMIKAZEISALLTHAT.

About Comikaze
Comikaze Expo is the largest multimedia pop culture convention in Los Angeles. The brainchild of Southern California siblings, Regina and Mario Carpinelli, this unique event brings together the best in comics, gaming, horror, sci-fi, fantasy, anime and all other cult programming. Comikaze takes place November 5-6 at the Los Angeles Convention Center, and offers a slate of innovative programming, panels, contests and other activities that provide fans access to their favorite artists and creators in this adventure-packed weekend. Featured appearances include the father of modern comics, Stan Lee, and Comikaze’s official “spooksperson,” horror icon Elvira, in her final convention appearance. For more info, visit ComikazeExpo.com.

“The coolest adventure/espionage series of the late ‘60s”

-- Cinema Retro

ENTERTAINMENT ONE CRACKS OPEN THE CULT CLASSIC TELEVISION VAULTS TO RELEASE THE NEVER-BEFORE-AVAILABLE ICONIC ‘60s SPY SERIES STARRING GOLDEN GLOBE® WINNER ROBERT WAGNER AND

A DAZZLING LINEUP OF A-LIST GUEST STARS

IT TAKES A THIEF: THE COMPLETE SERIES

Street Date: October 23, 2011

DVD SRP (18 disc set): $199.98

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

Fusing the heist and espionage genres, IT TAKES A THIEF was an action-adventure series that aired on ABC for two-and-a-half seasons between January 9, 1968, and March 24, 1970. Marking the TV debut of six-time Golden Globe Nominee Robert Wagner (Austin Powers, “Hart to Hart”), the cult classic series was inspired by Hitchcock’s  1955 Cary Grant film, To Catch a Thief, and was among the last of the 1960s spy television genre.  Never-before-available on ANY format, Entertainment One presents IT TAKES A THIEF: THE COMPLETE SERIES in a collectible 18-disc set containing all 66 digitally remastered episodes and a host of bonus featurettes and extras.

Stealing to finance his life as a playboy and sophisticate, Alexander Mundy (Wagner) was the world’s greatest cat burglar… until the day he got caught.  But thievery skills are an asset in the world of espionage, so Mundy is pardoned when he agrees to use his wily ways to help steal for the SIA, an American espionage agency.  Technically under house arrest, Mundy then travels the world over, performing daring acts of thievery in the name of Uncle Sam.  He also works closely with SIA department head, Noah Bain (‘70s TV mainstay, Malachi Throne), his boss, aide, friend and watchdog.  It was Throne who also lent his deep distinctive voice to the split-screen credit sequence set to Dave Grusin’s memorable theme, saying: “Oh, look, Al, I’m not asking you to spy, just asking you to steal.”

The series was created by Emmy® Award winning television writer Roland Kibbee – who had written for “The Virginian” and “The Bob Newhart Show” and would go on to write for “Columbo” and  “Barney Miller”.  And, along with Fred Astaire, who became a semi-regular as Alexander’s retired burglar dad, Alister, IT TAKES A THIEF also boasted a who’s who of A-list guest stars including Season One’s Raymond Burr (“Perry Mason”, Rear Window), Susan Saint James (“Kate & Allie”, “McMillan and Wife”), Gavin MacLeod (“The Love Boat”, “Mary Tyler Moore”), Tina Louise (“Gilligan’s Island”, The Stepford Wives), Bill Bixby (“The

Incredible Hulk”, “The Magician”) and Eve Plumb (“The Brady Bunch”, Little Women), Season Two’s Ricardo Montalbon (“Fantasy Island”, The Naked Gun), Joseph Cotton (Citizen Kane, The Third Man), Richard Kiel (The Spy Who Loved Me, Happy Gilmore), George Takei (“Star Trek”, “Heroes”), Teri Garr (Young Frankenstein, Tootsie), Roddy McDowall (Planet of the Apes, Cleopatra) and Julie Newmar (“Batman”, Seven Brides of Seven Brothers) and Season Three’s Peter Sellers (The Pink Panther, Dr. Strangelove), Frankie Avalon (Grease, The Alamo), Elsa Lanchester (Mary Poppins, The Bride of Frankenstein), and Bette Davis (All About Eve, What Ever Happened to Baby Jane?) and Cesar Romero (“Batman”, “Falcon Crest”)

FEATURES

·         All 66 Episodes Digitally Re-Mastered

·         Extended Feature-Length Version of the Pilot Episode

·         The King of Thieves: Interview with Robert Wagner

·         A Matter of Larceny: Interview with Glen A. Larson

·         Limited Edition Senitype (reproduced 35mm film frame)

·         It Takes a Thief Exclusive 4-Piece Coaster Set

·         Collectible Booklet with retrospective essay

PROGRAM INFORMATION

Type: DVD

Catalog #:  EOE-DV-6801

Running Time: 816 mins.

Genre:  TV/mystery

Rated:  n/r

Aspect Ratio: 4X3/1.33:1 Full Frame

Audio: Mono

Language: English with English SDH subtitles

For the latest breaking news on IT TAKES A THIEF and other releases, follow Entertainment One on Twitter: http://twitter.com/eOneHomeVideo