Dark Horse Comics announces their official Phoenix Comic Con schedule

Comic Con season is in full swing now with this week’s Con taking place in Phoenix, Arizona. If you’re headed down to the big event, you’re going to want to see what Dark Horse Comics has in store.

So what’s on tap? Well, you know, more of the same really. And by that I mean pretty much everything. Dark Horse doesn’t disappoint at Comic Cons and will have their usual assortment of signings, panels, announcements, and assorted goodies on hand for Phoenix’ biggest show. How ever many special events you’re planning to attend, I’d make sure to pick up that variant edition of Star Wars: Rebel Heist #1, since this is the final year that DH will be publishing comics set in that galaxy far, far away.

Now bust out those smartphones and call up your calendar app, you’ve got some typing to do…

SCHEDULE OF EVENTS

Certain restrictions may apply. All events are subject to change.

Thursday, June 5 

Star Wars: Rebel Heist #1 Phoenix Comicon Exclusive Adam Hughes Cover Variant goes on sale!

Price: $5.00

Total quantity available for sale at the show: 1,000

Limit: 10 copies per person, per day

Note: Most copies will be released for sale on Thursday, but a set quantity will be set aside for sale on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday mornings.

 

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!