Programming

Schedule for the 2012 AMAZING ARIZONA COMIC CON

PROGRAMMING OVERVIEW:
AMAZING ARIZONA COMIC CON is pleased to announce a full schedule of programming featuring your favorite characters, creators, and properties. These panels take place at the MESA CONFERENCE THEATRE, with additional programming at the PALO VERDE BALL ROOMS. Signs should point you out to the location, but if you have any problems, please do not hesitate to ask someone from the AMAZING ARIZONA COMIC CON staff.

The MESA CONFERENCE THEATRE is a state of the art screening room, that seats 110 people, with limited standing room only areas. Each program should last about an hour.

Due to the popularity of a number of the panels, we cannot guarantee every-
one will be be admitted to any specific program. Line-ups will begin for each
event. After the close of each panel, the audience will have to exit, and the
room will have to be cleared before the next event can start.

MVP Ultimate Fan Experience
One of the major perks of the MVP Ultimate Fan Experience is that members of this exclusive club will have priority seating for all panels and programs taking place in the Mesa Conference Theatre. The first several rows will be “roped off” for MVP members only. There will be a separate line for MVP Members, with these first several rows held up until 10 minutes before the start times. At that point, ANY and ALL unoccupied seat will be open for General Admission. Please note: MVP Members are the ONLY people who can retain their seats between events.

FRIDAY JANUARY 6th

While General programming for the 2012 AMAZING ARIZONA COMIC CON will be occurring over the Saturday and Sunday time period, the 3 day weekend starts off with a single key event on Friday evening: The WALKING DEAD ZOMBIE WALK!

THE WALKING DEAD ZOMBIE WALK
Friday, 8pm
Mesa Convention Center Main Hall Front Doors

While the main hall for the 2012 AMAZING ARIZONA COMIC CON closes at 8pm, the Zombies will be gathering outside the Mesa Convention Center for a frightful kick off event. Here, Jessica Nigri and a team of cosplayers have some special surprises at the Convention Center before the group marches on to downtown Mesa, taking place in a special First Friday City Sponsored event. All are welcome to dress up, participate, and stager through a special route in Downtown Mesa, leading up to end destination of official sponsors, Gotham City Coffee & Comics and Monsterland. Monsterland will have a special exhibit at their storefront that should scare the pants of all who enter. There is no extra cost here, and this is a great way to show off your Comic Con spirit, and take great pictures

SATURDAY JANUARY 7th

Barry Bard’s AT THE MOVIES
Saturday 10am-11:30am
Mesa Conference Theatre

This is a favorite Amazing Arizona Comic Con event where you will get a sneak peak at trailers for some exciting new upcoming movies. After the trailer presentation we will hold a lottery for FREE movie promotional material (T-shirts, baseball caps, special posters and whatever else the studios have sent us). Sponsored by CASFS.org (Central Arizona Speculative Fiction Society).
Participants: Len Berger, Richard Bolinski, Marc Boniece
FREE MOVIE POSTERS, SCHWAG, WITH SPECIAL OFFERS!

CREATOR SPOTLIGHT:
Conversations with Scott Lobdell with Rob Liefeld
Saturday 12Noon
Mesa Conference Theatre

Scott Lobdell and Rob Liefeld are two top creators who made their marks in the 1990s revitalizing the X-Men franchise as the top property in all of comics. Between the pair, they were responsible for the mega event crossovers like the Age of Apocalypse, Onslaught, and the X-Cutioner’s Song, while Deadpool, Cable, X- Force continue to be the top charting titles for Marvel. Lobdell and Liefeld are proving to be far from a nostalgia act though, as they have teamed up with their former X-partners Jim Lee and Bob Harras at DC Comics, injecting new life into the Phenomenon called the DC52. Teen Titans, Superboy, Red Hood & Outlaws, Hawk and Dove, and more titles soon. This hour panel will spotlight the careers of two Hall of Fame comic creators, with an eye to future projects. This is the one panel that is NOT to be missed!

All Attendees will receive a special DC52 Special Promotional Comic.

THE WALKING DEAD PANEL
Saturday, 1:00pm
Mesa Conference Theatre

The Walking Dead has become the Pop Culture Phenomenon, with a top rated TV program on AMC, with merchandise, toys, action figures and video games that have followed. The creator of the award winning graphic novel and executive producer of the show, ROBERT KIRKMAN, will be interviewed by Skybound’s comic editor, SINA GRACE. As a special bonus, actor CHANDLER RIGGS (Carl Grimes) will be making a special appearance. They will discuss the challenges of adapting the comics into the television medium, as well as the similarities and deviations of plots and characters from the source material. Kirkman and company will also talk about what is in store in the upcoming season, and then answer some questions from the audience.
Special MVP Signing Session will immediately follow.

CREATOR’S WORKSHOP:
THE WRITER’S ROLE
Saturday, 2pm
Palo Verde Room II

Various writers talk about their craft, technique, style and approach in this special panel at the 201 Amazing Arizona Comic Con

WALKING DEAD GENERAL SIGNING
Saturday, 3:00pm-4:30pm
Main Hall, Skybound Booth #130

Robert Kirkman will be conducting a general audiance signing session on the main hall floor at the SKYBOUND booth, following the panel and MVP Special Signing Session. At the Skybound booth you can bring all your favorite items for Robert Kirkman to sign including The Walking Dead, The Infinite, and more. Skybound will also have a number of items on sale exclusive to the AMAZING ARIZONA COMIC CON.

SKETCH CARD MEET-UP
Saturday, 3:00pm
Palo Verde Room II

Sketch Cards have revolutionalized the non-sport trading card industry. From inserts to popular licensed sets to custom commissions, sketch cards have crossed over with the worlds of comic books, original art collecting. This panel will feature some of the best local sketch card artists, and serves as a meet up for collectors as well. With April Reyna, Ben Glendenning, John Hughes, Denea Frazier, and Jason Worthington

CREATORS WORKSHOP:
COPIC TECHNIQUE with Ebas
Saturday 4pm
Palo Verde Room II

Copic Markers are popular art tools, yielding shade, depth, and color. Popular bad girl artist EBAS conducts this Creators Workshop where he demonstrates what goes into selecting the right pens, and what techniques he uses in terms of rending and more. Copic Markers and the right skills can definitely take your artwork to another level. This is the perfect opportunity to peek behind the curtains of an Artist Alley Master.

ULTIMATE ZOMBIE SHOWDOWN: Hunters vs Lurkers
Saturday, 5pm
Main Hall- Near SKYBOUND #130

Contestants come out in your best Undead-wear and showcase your fiendish features and ghoulish costumes. Here, only the most wretched, hideous, and frightfully original will win the prize crown, and receive an Autographed WALKING DEAD Graphic Novel Package. And for 2012 there’s a new catagory too: The Hunter. Can you survive a zombie apocalypse? Showcase your survival gear and tough looks in this ultimate showdown.

CREATORS WORKSHOP:
Keu Cha & the Art of Powerful Women
Saturday 5pm
Palo Verde Room

The 2012 AMAZING ARIZONA COMIC CON welcomes Keu Cha back to Mesa on January 6-7-8. Keu Cha is an artist that broke into comics during the late 90s Image, working on titles such as Witchblade, Rising Stars, Tomb Raider, and others before moving into the commercial art world. His credits include the digital paints on the Hulk movie campaign. Keu Cha returns to comics with his current work for Top Cow’s MAGDALENA series, exclusive covers on Grimm Fairy Tales and Cavewoman, and the upcoming HEX the LOST TRIBE- a creator vision which combines savage monsters with powerful female protagonists.

In this creators Workshop panel, Keu breaks down the process of his artwork and the key figures which sets his work apart from the masses- The Powerful, alluring female protagonists. This Panel is HIGHLY recommended for up and coming artists, as well as enthusiasts.

Image Comics:
Delivering Creators’ Visions for 20 Years
Saturday, 6pm
Mesa Conference Theatre

The 20th Anniversary of Image Comics starts at the Amazing Arizona Comic Con! Image Comics has been a constant pipeline of creative vision since 1992. Come see the present and the future for the largest publisher of creator owned comics in the world. Richard Starkings (Elephant Men), Joe Casey (Butcher Baker & The Haunt), John Layman (CHEW), Joshua Fialkov (Last of the Greats, Echoes), Jon Goff (Spawn) & others talk about their current and upcoming projects.

AMAZING VIDEO GAMES-
Saturday and Sunday
10-6pm
Palo Verde Ballroom III

Please check out the video game player arcade created by the fine folks at the AZHP. Thaks takes place in its own room at Palo Verde III. Frank Castle and his gaming crew will be setting up tournaments all weekend long for: MODERN WARFARE , and CALL OF DUTY. Freeplay will also take place with Street Fighter and Mario Cart as well.

SUNDAY JANUARY 8th

KID’S DAY KICK OFF with AMAZING ARIZONA COMIC CON
Disney Channel’s PHINEAS & FERB FREE SKETCHES!
Main Hall

The Writer of the television’s coolest cartoon, MAT NASTOS will be sketching and chatting with fans of the show. Mat will be GIVING AWAY FREE SKETCHES to ALL KIDS 10 and under throughout the day! Check out his space in the Artist Alley at T29

ANIMATION SPOTLIGHT: Joe Casey MAN OF ACTION
Sunday 10:30- 11:30am
Mesa Conference Theatre

Joe Casey is perhaps the most diverse creator working in comics today. He is equally known for writing just about every character on the planet with memorable runs on fan favorite titles such as SUPERMAN, X-MEN, AVENGERS and more; with his edgy alternative creations like Image Comics’ BUTCHER BAKER, and more. But Joe Casey comes to the 2012 AMAZING ARIZONA COMIC CON in support of Kid’s Day Programming!

Joe Casey’s handiwork has been seen by millions of households worldwide with his Cartoon Network series BEN10 and GENERATOR REX, which he created with the MAN OF ACTION production company. His next foray into TV comes with the Disney XD cartoon, ULTIMATE SPIDER-MAN, set to air early 2012.

Sunday Morning in the Conference Theatre, a special mash-up of Ben10 & Generator Rex footage is teased to the fans, with a spcial Q&A to follow. All Kids will receive a Special ALL AGES book, complements of DC Comics

PRELIMINARY COSTUME CONTEST
Sunday 11am
Palo Verde Ball Room I

All those participating in the Costume Contest are required to register with the judges at this event. There will be TWO divisions with Youth contest, and Masters’ Division as well. Please show up in costume for pre-judging, and to clarify rules and regulations. Main Costume showcase and winners announced at Main Cosplay event, held at 3pm in the Conference Theatre.

ALL AGES Creative Workshop with Larry Marder:
How to Invent Your Own Comic Universe
Sunday 11:30-12:30pm
Palo Verde II

How To Invent Your Own Comic Book Universe!

Everyone has stories inside of them, especially you! Join Larry Marder, as he takes you on a journey of imagination to show you how you can turn your own characters into stories and start making your own comics! Larry Marder’s series of Beanworld graphic novels have delighted readers from grade school to grad school for more than a generation, earning him a spot on the New York Times’ Graphic Books Best Sellers List.

Batman Fan Experience: Batman Deathwish
Sunday 12noon
Mesa Conference Theatre

Batman is perhaps the most recognizable character in ALL of the comics, a true pop culture icon. With the new Christopher Nolan blockbuster- DARK KNIGHT RISES on the horizon with a summer release, the 2012 AMAZING ARIZONA COMIC CON gets an early jump on the excitement with weekend activities.

While you may have seen the BANE movie trailer recently, the 2012 AMAZING ARIZONA COMIC CON will have the debut of a different Batman movie project, the fan film: BATMAN DEATHWISH. Check out the Batman Deathwish trailer!

Here, the popular cosplay group, The GC5, create a fantastic movie experience. Film makers, Matt Hiscox and Jennifer Zhang, will be on hand with the cast to discuss the craft behind this passion project.

The DC52 rockd the comic world in the fall of last year. All classic superheroes were restarted and relaunched with brand new first issues, elimiating about 80 years of numbering and turning back the clock on heroes once considered vintage. At the 2012 AMAZING ARIZONA COMIC CON, there is a HUGE gathering of talent involved in this launch. At this center case event, hear what is in the future of Batman, Teen Titans, Green Lantern, and your other favorite titles. All people attending will receive a special DC52 Comic Book FREE to be signed at the show. MVP Signing will immediately follow.

COSPLAY: Everyone Can Be a Hero!
Sunday 1pm
Palo Verde Room II

COSPLAY is the fastest growing trend on the convention circuit, as fans tend to collect “expereinces” at comic cons more than just merely coming home with shopping bags full of schwag. People like taking pictures to share on Social Media, but what goes on with the people inside the costumes? In this special program, titled, “Everyone can be a hero!”, more than just construction or technique are covered. Here we look at the emotions behind cosplay from the thrills, to the insecurities, and the reasons WHY people decide to dress up. Fantastic COSPLAY guests include Dustin DIal, Cara Nichole Power Girl, Bane, Talya Knight, and others.

Steampunk & Comics
Sunday 2pm
Mesa Conference Theatre

Steampunk is an Alt history sub genre of Science Fiction, which often replaces modern technology with analog mechanics, placing them in various settings such as Victorian Era Britain or the Wild West era United States. This fantasy movement is taking off like wildfire on the convention circuit with scores of cosplayers, but it has equally matched in the world of comics.

The 2012 AMAZING ARIZONA COMIC CON is bringing together many of the key creators at the forefront of this trend:

*Lady Mechanika is one of the most recognized mainstream examples of Steampunk in the current comic market. Published by ASPEN COMICS, this creation by artist Joe Benitez blends supernatural elements with a crime procedural thriller. You can see more at http://www.AspenComics.com

*Steam Crow is making their first appearance at the 2012 AMAZING ARIZONA COMIC CON. This Phoenix company centers around husband/wife team Daniel & Dawna Davis, who create both print and web comics, gear, and the coolest stuff imaginable. You can visit their site at http://www.steamcrow.com

*Paul Roman Martinez and the Adventures of the19XX, may design under the name Kopetkei, but the comic work is pure speculative fiction. Perhaps slightly different than most classic steampunk, Martinez classifies his work as “Deiselpunk”. You can learn more at http://www.the19xx.com

*Brian Augustyn- Over 20 years ago, this veteran comic writer created what is widely regarded as the first mainstream steampunk comic book, GOTHAM BY GASLIGHT, with Mike Mignola. Here, the Batman mythos is set against an 1889 version of Gotham City, where the Dark knight must hunt down serial killer Jack the Ripper. Augustein revisits these trappings for a sequel work, Master of Fortune. Brian Augustyn was ahead of any trends, convention cosplays, but he comes to the 2012 AMAZING ARIZONA COMIC CON to share these game changing experiences and other career highlights

These Comic Creators will be joined by Arizona Steampunk Society Members in presentong one of the most fun panels of the 2012 Amazing Arizona Comic Con!

Sunday Sketch Off!
Sunday 2pm
Palo Verde II

A Convention Classic where the crowd calls out anything from the cool to the absiolute absurd for your favorite artists to draw, under time pressure. April Reyna leads an all star cast of Arizona favorite indy creators.

COSPLAY! MAIN EVENT CONTEST
Sunday 3pm
Mesa Conference Theatre

This is the Moment you have been waiting for- who has the best costume at the 2012 Amazing Arizona Comic Con? This will be answered in out $500 Cash Prize Cosplay Contest, taking place at the Mesa Conference Theatre. Youth and Masters Catagory will be judged by diverse costuming crew including LA Entertainment based costume constructors, Theatre designers from San Diego, and Local members of the Arizona Costume scene. All Entries will be on display on stage at this event. As a Special bonus- Take pictures with the winners following the crowning!

(Please note- Participants/ contestants must register at 11am at the Preliminary Costume Contest. We also recommend in checking out the website judging cr)

AMAZING ARIZONA COMIC CON
LAST SWEEP
Sunday 5pm
Main Hall

This is your last chance, your last hour to buy, collect, and consume the last bits of the 2012 Amazing Arizona Comic Con. Better hurry, or you might miss out…

We’ll See You Next Year!
January 2013