Windy City ComiCon 2008

[brandeezy]

I guess it was just announced today, but the folks at Around Comics are putting together a convention smack dab in the middle of Chicago that is to feature local writer and artist talent as well as local comic book stores.

I think it would be cool to see everyone in the Chicago area get together under one roof and for only $5 you can't beat that with a stick.

www.windycitycomicon.com

[hank41]

there are some great things in store for this con. i am going to be a volunteer there and i recommend everyone in the windy city area to go there. it's going to be a blast

[georgexjr]

i guess ill be there.

[hank41]

see you there!

[chris-neseman]

It should be a fantastic day!

We have some great guests still to be announced, and I'm twisting a certain iGuys arm to be there as well.

[chris-neseman]

Gene Ha, Don Kramer and others were added to the guest list today!

[paper]

I will be going via satellite. I mailed Chris a small, "kitchen TV" and some copper wires.

[hank41]

I will be going via satellite. I mailed Chris a small, "kitchen TV" and some copper wires.

you will be there in my heart paper...:D

[patio]

awesome! I'll be there!

[georgexjr]

you will be there in my heart paper...:D

what shop do you go to hank? north suburbs or south?

[hank41]

what shop do you go to hank? north suburbs or south?

http://darktowercomics.net/

it is bar none the best store in the chicagoland area. it is on the north side. kind of by rogers park. Chicago magazine just named it the best comic shop in chicago and it really really deserves it

[jgg0610]

Unfortunately, I will be out of town on business in Louisiana that weekend and can't make it. This happens to coincide with my companies annual inventory and there's no getting out of that. Maybe for the second annual.

[hank41]

Unfortunately, I will be out of town on business in Louisiana that weekend and can't make it. This happens to coincide with my companies annual inventory and there's no getting out of that. Maybe for the second annual.

see you next year!

[georgexjr]

http://darktowercomics.net/

it is bar none the best store in the chicagoland area. it is on the north side. kind of by rogers park. Chicago magazine just named it the best comic shop in chicago and it really really deserves it

my gf lives in rogers park! how bout that. guess i have to check it out.

[hank41]

my gf lives in rogers park! how bout that. guess i have to check it out.

yay girlfriends living near comic shops so now you have an excuse to visit herrrrrrr!!!!!!!

[sal-]

We've added a bunch of great creators to our Guest list!

Gene Ha
Gene is best known for his work on Top 10 and Top 10: The Forty-Niners, the Batman graphic novel Fortunate Son, The Adventures of Cyclops and Phoenix, Global Frequency and his many Wizard Magazine and Marvel covers.


Don Kramer
Don Kramer has worked for both Marvel and DC, as well as independent projects. Titles at DC include a Doctor Fate miniseries, JSA, Batman, Detective Comics, Nightwing, 52, Hawkman and many more.

Jason Howard
After years of drawing pictures for a variety of independent comic publishers, Jason Howard met up with writer Robert Kirkman in 2005. Together they created The Astounding Wolf-Man. Launched on Free Comic Book Day 2007.

Mike Kennedy
Mike is a seasoned (but not quite salty) video game producer who has also penned a decade's worth of comics, including several Star Wars mini-series, a growing number of Alien vs Predator books, Aeon Flux, Lone Wolf 2100, and Superman: Infinite City."

Jeff Lemire
Jeff is the Toronto based cartoonist behind the Eisner and Harvey nominated Essex County Trilogy published by Top Shelf. He is currently writing and illustrating the graphic novel, The Nobody, for DC Comics/Vertigo.

Sarah Becan
Sarah is the founder of Shortpants Press, a boutique independent small press dedicated to making unique, interesting, and really cool minicomics, zines, prints and art books, and fostering talent from new Midwestern artists.

Neil Brideau
Neil is obsessed with DIY comics. His self-published titles include The Trugglemat, and Spitting Pennies. His latest book, Alpha City Comics, written by Kevin Sciretta, debuts at Windy City Comicon.

Jim Nelson
Jim is a Chicago-based illustrator whose work has appeared on games like Magic: The Gathering, Dungeons & Dragons, VS., the World of Warcraft trading card game, as well as comics and children's books.

Bill Reinhold
Bill has been drawing and inking comics professionally for 25 years, working for First Comics, Marvel Comics, and DC Comics. He’s drawn characters such as, The Badger, Punisher, Batman, the Silver Surfer and others.

Christopher Mitten
Christopher is the current artist of the series Wasteland written by Antony Johnston and published by Oni Press. His previous projects include Past Lies, The Tomb, Last Exit Before Toll and Queen & Country: Declassified.

Avatar Press
Avatar publishes a wide range of comic books including creator-owned titles like Warren Ellis' Black Summer, Garth Ennis' 303 and Brian Pulido's Lady Death, company-owned comics such as Pandora and The Ravening.

Kyle Bice
Kyle is a Chicago based freelance artist who recently completed a set of Marvel Masterpieces III sketch cards for Upper Deck entertainment. Kyle is also working on various creator owned projects that will be released soon.

Jose Mesarina
Jose is the creator, writer, and artist of the " Unbelievable Laundry Detergent Man " comics. Also a freelance artist whose work has appeared in The Nitty Gritty Newspaper, and the Chicago Journal.

Jason Millet
Jason is a colorist and illustrator who has worked for DC, Dark Horse, Devil's Due, and more. His most recent work can be seen in Munden's Bar and Rex Mundi as well as on the upcoming Pilgrim series with Mike Grell.

Tom Stillwell
Tom is the creator and writer of the all-ages superhero title Honor Brigade. His future projects include Jackpot, Everyday Heroes, Underneath, Monkey Underground, and the Unscrewed! charity anthology.

Dave Wachter
Dave is the artist and co-creator of Scar Tissue and the upcoming The Guns of Shadow Valley. His work has appeared in Fiendish Fables, and is working on Tell Them Johnny Wadd is Here for Terminal Press.

Scott Cederlund of Wednesday's Haul
Wednesday’s Haul is both a blog and a podcast about the wonderful world of comics specifically and geekery in general (including tv, movies, gadgets and books.) On an almost daily basis, the blog is updated with reviews and rants about comics.

See full list >> (http://www.windycitycomicon.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=37&Itemid=60)

[hank41]

yay Jason Howard!

[hank41]

you can now pre-order sketches for some certain artists if you want to. which would be handy with the busy guys.

[hank41]

Chris Moreno was just added to the guest list

[enfuego]

Hank, I searched the WCCC site and found nothing about preordering sketches. What are you referring to?

[hank41]

i guess i should have mentioned that it was at the Around Comics forum. my bad. sorry. here's the link.


http://www.aroundcomics.com/forum/index.php?topic=1554.0

[chris-neseman]

Posters make everything official, so here ya go.

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y25/cneseman/WindyCityPoster.jpg

[kevsname72]

hank or chris-
is skottie going to be taking pre-orders at all?

[chris-neseman]

I sent an e-mail to all of our artists, and he hasn't gotten back to me. I don't think Skottie usually takes pre-orders on sketches. I would plan on hitting his table early.

I'll post back if I hear any differently.

[hank41]

yeah, from what i know, he doesn't take pre-orders. get to his table quick!

[mmalone27]

This is great news. I will definitely be going. I can't wait!

[chris-neseman]

We just added our programming schedule.

GOOD STUFF!

Windy City Comicon Programming and Events

11:00 - Magic: The Gathering Tournament
Registration costs $25 and begins when the doors open at 10:00am. The tournament starts at 11:00am, using swiss pairing through four rounds of Standard (Type 2) Constructed gameplay. More info...

11:00 - HerioClix Tournament
The Windy City Comicon will also be featuring HeroClix Tournaments throughout the day. The days's main event will be a 2-booster 300 point Arkham Asylum sealed tournament. Registration costs $25 and begins when the doors open at 10:00am. The tournament starts at 11:00am. More info...

12:00 - What's the big idea? Writing for Comics.
Having a great idea for a story is only the beginning. Getting that idea to the written page is the first step in the creation of comic books and graphic novels. Join comic book scribes Will Pfeifer (Catwoman, Wonder Woman, Blue Beetle) Josh Elder (Mail Order Ninja, Batman Strikes) and Mike Kennedy (Star Wars, Aeon Flux, Superman: Infinite City) for an informative class and question and answer session on the craft of writing comics.

1:00 - Drawing Comics the Awesome Way.
Skottie Young has been creating amazing art on his own terms for years. Not just a rising talent anymore, Skottie is currently taking his work from the world of superheroes and bringing it to Marvel's Illustrated: The Wonderful Wizard of Oz. This class is your chance to learn more about Skottie's process and ask him questions about drawing your own comics... The Awesome Way.

2:00 - What does CMYK mean? Coloring Comics in the Digital World.
The art of coloring comics has changed dramatically in the last decade. New technologies and skills have opened up a world of possibilities for adding color and effects to the printed page. Jason Millet will show you the tricks of the trade and answer your questions about all things color.

3:00 - We don't need no stinking paper! Publishing Comics to the Web.
The paperless society comes front and center in this class about delivering your comics to the web. The doors are wide open, and now you can publish your creation for the world to see. Join web comics experts Tony Breed, John Campbell, C. Spike Trotman and Justin Pierce for a hands on guide to publishing comics to the World Wide Web.

Ongoing - Hero Initiative
The Hero Initiative is the only charitable organization dedicated to helping veteran creators in times of great need. Throughout the day, Hero will be selling exclusive merchandise including the limited edition Hulk #1, What If?, EXCELSIOR! Wrist Bands, 3 Min sketch books, Hero Presents, Ultimate Spiderman 100 Project and the new Marvel Apes #1 with a cover by Mike Wieringo.

Several of Windy City's guests including Gene Ha, Tim Seeley, Chris Burnham, Chris Moreno, Mike Norton and more will be appearing at the Hero table. While there, they will be selling sketches and signing merchandise with all the proceeds going to benefit Hero.

Hero will be raffling a CGC 9.8 Ringo What If? book, autographed by 10 of the involved creators!

For more information about The Hero Initiative and their exclusive products go to: www.heroinitiative.org

[hank41]

organization? from the AC guys? really?

tom must be involved

[chris-neseman]

Tom. The Organizer?

You know as well as I do that he just shows up. :)

[chris-neseman]

http://www.windycitycomicon.com/images/stories/afterparty-header.png

Saturday Oct. 25th at Villians Bar & Grill
Catering to only the city's finest criminal element, Villians is located in Chicago's South Loop. Offering a dilectible menu, a full wine list and a specialty Martini menu featuring drinks like "The Kingpin", "Dr. Doom" and "The Joker", Villians is sure to bring the bad guy, or gal, out in you.

Villians Bar & Grill | 649 S. Clark Street | Chicago, IL | (312) 356-9992

Halloween Costume Contest & Raffle
Win Original Art from Convention Guests, Goodies & more for Comic and Halloween themed costumes.

Burlesque Performances by Hi-Voltage
Featuring Salome Slaughter, The Honey Buns, Sioux Sinner, Cherish the Burlesque Goddess, Cruel Valentine and Ms. Bea Haven

Shmooze & Booze with Convention Guests
Tim Seeley, Jeremy Bastain, Doug Klauba, the Around Comics crew and others

DJ's All Night
DJ Gil G, DJ Scary Lady Sarah, Prince of Darkness and Phase MC

Free Shuttles to the Party
Bus shuttles from the convention center at 6:30pm and again at 8:30pm. Note: This is one-way service only. No return trips will be made. The Bar is within walking distance to red line stops.

No Cover Charge
You must be 21 or older to get in.

http://www.windycitycomicon.com/images/stories/afterparty.png

[vash]

I can't believe I'm going to miss this. It makes me sad that I have to work on a Saturday.

[hank41]

i will be hosting another after-party at Chuck e Cheese for the really cool people

[brandeezy]

i will be hosting another after-party at Chuck e Cheese for the really cool people

Do they serve tequila at Chuck E. Cheese's?

[hank41]

Do they serve tequila at Chuck E. Cheese's?

uuhhhhhhhh.....yeah!!!

[enfuego]

So, who here is going today? Is one of the IFanboy crew going to be present?

[conorkilpatrick]

So, who here is going today? Is one of the IFanboy crew going to be present?

Ron is there already.

[enfuego]

Ron is there already.

Cool. Hopefully, I run into him and I get a chance to say hi. Is he going to be covering the event in some capacity?

[conorkilpatrick]

Cool. Hopefully, I run into him and I get a chance to say hi. Is he going to be covering the event in some capacity?

Nope, no coverage. Just hanging out and having fun.

[enfuego]

I just woke up from a post-convention nap and I have to say that this con was fun. Much more low key than something like Wizard World Chicago. I got a chance to talk with Ron, albeit briefly, and he was extremely cool. Really friendly guy and enthusiatic about IFanboy. I'm happy to know that the site I have been following since its infancy has good people running it.

I was unsure that any of Conor, Josh and Ron would have the same rapport with a stranger that they do with each other on the show, but he seems like a genuinely nice guy. At some point, I hope to meet and chat with all three of 'em.

[jaflanagan]

Yeah, but you didn't hear all the junk Ron talked about you afterwards....

(This was joke.)

[mmalone27]

The guys that put this together should be very proud. It was a great way to spend the day. Even with people shoulder to shoulder, it didn't have the hectic vibe of the Wizardworld show.

I got to introduce myself to Ron, and I got this sketch from Mike Norton for my wife. A good time all around.