Comics Experience Blog: conventions

Showing posts with label conventions. Show all posts

Tuesday, July 24, 2012

San Diego Comic-Con 2012 - Comics Experience Report

Another San Diego Comic-Con International is in the books, and we hope you had as great a time as we did!

Our FIVE panels on breaking in and comics craft were a hit, and we want to thank everyone who attended.

The Writing for Comics 01 panel, in particular, was packed.

The audience had the opportunity to hear Andy Schmidt, Josh Fialkov, and Peter David discuss all aspects of the comics writing craft.

Just a couple hours later, Andy and Josh continued the discussion in Writing for Comics 02.

And because it was the last panel of the day, we ran *very* long, with Andy and Josh doing their best to answer every audience question.

On Friday, we had two great sessions on Digital Art, both from the business side and from the craft/creative side.

Andy's guests for these two sessions were David Marquez (Ultimate Spider-Man), Brian Haberlin (Spawn, Anomaly), Comic-Rocket.com founder Tim Shields, and ComiXology co-founder John Roberts.

Plus, on Thursday, Andy did his ever-popular panel on Breaking In!

As far as the convention itself, Comics Experience instructors, alums and Creators Workshop members in attendance included: Allen Edger, Amy Chu, Andy Schmidt, Bobby Curnow, Brandon Seifert, Dave Castelnuovo, Joey Groah, Jon Witmer, Rob Anderson, Sean Chen, Shaun Manning, Tim Shields, Timothy Simmons, and Tracie Burch. Folks were attending or participating in panels, doing signings, pitching projects, covering the news, or just soaking it all in!

A good-sized contingent of Comics Experience folks also made their way over to Trickster for their various symposia and other events.

This is a shot of the "Character Development and the Shaping Of Emotion" session, attended by Allen, Amy, Rob and Joey, and that huge panel at the front includes Ed Brubaker (Fatale, Criminal), Matt Wagner (Grendel, Mage), Jimmy Palmiotti (Creator-Owned Heroes, The Pro), B. Clay Moore (Hawaiian Dick), Ivan Brandon (Viking, The Cross Bronx), Scott Morse (Strange Science Fantasy, Brave), Marc Andreyko (Torso, The Lost), and Ande Parks (Capote In Kansas, Union Station). This was a great, conversational session, and notes are available on the Workshop.

Finally, no major con would be complete without a Comics Experience Meet-Up.

We had a nice dinner on Saturday night with (clockwise, from left) Carl Peterson (& Libby, not pictured), Rob Anderson, Andy Schmidt, Tim Shields, Mike Costa, Allen Edger, Alberto Veloso & Elana, and Joey Groah. Good times, good comics talk!

We look forward to the next convention and hope to see you there!

If you want to make comics, write or draw comics, or improve as a comics creator, you'll find like-minded friends and colleagues in our online workshops and courses. We hope to see you there!

Posted by Rob Anderson
rob@ComicsExperience.com
Twitter / Facebook

Wednesday, July 11, 2012

Don't Miss our 5 Panels at San Diego Comic-Con International 2012!

Just a reminder that we'll be doing FIVE panels this week at San Diego Comic-Con 2012 (July 12-15)!

Comics Experience founder, Andy Schmidt will be moderating all five panels, featuring special guests such as writer Joshua Fialkov (I, Vampire, Last of the Greats, Echo), writer Peter David (X-Factor, Incredible Hulk), artist David Marquez (Ultimate Spider-Man), artist Brian Haberlin (Spawn, Anomaly), ComiXology co-founder John Roberts and Comic-Rocket.com founder Tim Shields

Check out the schedule and full description of each panel below.

Breaking In and Staying In
Thursday, July 12, 2012
6:00-7:00pm in Room 11AB
So you want to make comics? This panel is your first step toward actually doing it! Former Marvel and IDW editor and Comics Experience founder Andy Schmidt (X-Men, Annihilation, G.I. Joe, 5 Days to Die) discusses in detail the ins and outs of the comic industry -- specifically, what it takes to break into comics and how it's done. This is the panel that no writer or artist dare miss. Hosted by Comics Experience.

Digital Art, Part 1
Friday, July 13, 2012
4:00-5:00pm in Room 11AB
Digital artist pros David Marquez (Ultimate Spider-Man) and Brian Haberlin (Spawn, Anomaly) join former Marvel and IDW editor and Comics Experience founder Andy Schmidt (X-Men, G.I. Joe) for the first of two in-depth panels on how to create digital comics and how to use the medium to its full effect. In part 1, they take a deep dive into creating comics using digital tools and media as well as making effective storytelling decisions in a digital medium. This is a panel no artist can miss. Part 2 is at 7:00pm.

Digital Art, Part 2
Friday, July 13, 2012
7:00-8:00pm in Room 11AB
David Marquez (Ultimate Spider-Man) and Comic-Rocket.com founder Tim Shields join former Marvel and IDW editor and Comics Experience founder Andy Schmidt (X-Men, G.I. Joe) and ComiXology co-founder John Roberts for this final panel on how to create digital comics and how to use the medium to its full effect. In part 2, they discuss the future of comics and how digitally generated art can craft comics specifically for digital devices and how that differs from print. In other words, they illuminate how to get the most out of creating digital comics. Hosted by Comics Experience.

Writing for Comics, Part 1
Saturday, July 14, 2012
4:00-5:00pm in Room 11AB
Josh Fialkov (I, Vampire, Last of the Greats, Echo), Peter David (X-Factor, Incredible Hulk), and former Marvel and IDW editor and comics writer Andy Schmidt (X-Men, G.I. Joe, 5 Days to Die) present an honest and informative discussion on the art of writing for comics. Topics include process, enhancing creativity, and keeping your work honest. Want to write comics? This is the place to start! Hosted by Comics Experience. This is part 1 of a 2-part panel that continues tonight at 7:00pm.

Writing for Comics, Part 2
Saturday, July 14, 2012
7:00-8:00pm in Room 11AB
Josh Fialkov (I, Vampire, Last of the Greats, Echo) and former Marvel and IDW editor and comics writer Andy Schmidt (X-Men, G.I. Joe, 5 Days to Die) present an honest and informative discussion on the art of writing for comics. Take a more advanced look into how to craft your stories and get your idea from a notion to the printed page! Hosted by Comics Experience.

We hope to see you there!

If you want to make comics, write or draw comics, or improve as a comics creator, you'll find like-minded friends and colleagues in our online workshops and courses. We hope to see you there!

Posted by Rob Anderson
rob@ComicsExperience.com
Twitter / Facebook

Tuesday, July 3, 2012

Comics Experience Panels at San Diego Comic-Con 2012

San Diego Comic-Con 2012 (July 12-15) is only about one week away, and if you're interested in making comics or breaking into the industry, then mark your calendar for FIVE Comics Experience panels focused on writing for comics, digital art, and breaking (and staying) "in!"

Comics Experience founder, Andy Schmidt will be moderating all five panels, featuring special guests such as writer Joshua Fialkov (I, Vampire, Last of the Greats, Echo), writer Peter David (X-Factor, Incredible Hulk), artist David Marquez (Ultimate Spider-Man), artist Brian Haberlin (Spawn, Anomaly), ComiXology co-founder John Roberts and Comic-Rocket.com founder Tim Shields

Check out the schedule and full description of each panel below.

Breaking In and Staying In
Thursday, July 12, 2012
6:00-7:00pm in Room 11AB
So you want to make comics? This panel is your first step toward actually doing it! Former Marvel and IDW editor and Comics Experience founder Andy Schmidt (X-Men, Annihilation, G.I. Joe, 5 Days to Die) discusses in detail the ins and outs of the comic industry -- specifically, what it takes to break into comics and how it's done. This is the panel that no writer or artist dare miss. Hosted by Comics Experience.

Digital Art, Part 1
Friday, July 13, 2012
4:00-5:00pm in Room 11AB
Digital artist pros David Marquez (Ultimate Spider-Man) and Brian Haberlin (Spawn, Anomaly) join former Marvel and IDW editor and Comics Experience founder Andy Schmidt (X-Men, G.I. Joe) for the first of two in-depth panels on how to create digital comics and how to use the medium to its full effect. In part 1, they take a deep dive into creating comics using digital tools and media as well as making effective storytelling decisions in a digital medium. This is a panel no artist can miss. Part 2 is at 7:00pm.

Digital Art, Part 2
Friday, July 13, 2012
7:00-8:00pm in Room 11AB
David Marquez (Ultimate Spider-Man) and Comic-Rocket.com founder Tim Shields join former Marvel and IDW editor and Comics Experience founder Andy Schmidt (X-Men, G.I. Joe) and ComiXology co-founder John Roberts for this final panel on how to create digital comics and how to use the medium to its full effect. In part 2, they discuss the future of comics and how digitally generated art can craft comics specifically for digital devices and how that differs from print. In other words, they illuminate how to get the most out of creating digital comics. Hosted by Comics Experience.

Writing for Comics, Part 1
Saturday, July 14, 2012
4:00-5:00pm in Room 11AB
Josh Fialkov (I, Vampire, Last of the Greats, Echo), Peter David (X-Factor, Incredible Hulk), and former Marvel and IDW editor and comics writer Andy Schmidt (X-Men, G.I. Joe, 5 Days to Die) present an honest and informative discussion on the art of writing for comics. Topics include process, enhancing creativity, and keeping your work honest. Want to write comics? This is the place to start! Hosted by Comics Experience. This is part 1 of a 2-part panel that continues tonight at 7:00pm.

Writing for Comics, Part 2
Saturday, July 14, 2012
7:00-8:00pm in Room 11AB
Josh Fialkov (I, Vampire, Last of the Greats, Echo) and former Marvel and IDW editor and comics writer Andy Schmidt (X-Men, G.I. Joe, 5 Days to Die) present an honest and informative discussion on the art of writing for comics. Take a more advanced look into how to craft your stories and get your idea from a notion to the printed page! Hosted by Comics Experience.

We hope to see you there!

If you want to make comics, write or draw comics, or improve as a comics creator, you'll find like-minded friends and colleagues in our online workshops and courses. We hope to see you there!

Posted by Rob Anderson
rob@ComicsExperience.com
Twitter / Facebook

Monday, June 4, 2012

iFanboy's "Making Comics" Podcast, Episode #24 posted!

Episode #24 of the iFanboy Making Comics podcast has been released!

Take note! The Make Comics Podcast is moving to its own feed, which you can subscribe to in iTunes, or here manually.

In this episode, iFanboy host Josh Flanagan is joined by creator Mike Dawson to discuss "Running a Convention Table."

As explained over on iFanboy:

"We talk about everything from how to attract people to your table, how much product you need, and what sort of an image you want to project at conventions. It’s a big load of useful information for potential creators going out there to make a name for themselves on the convention circuit."

If you want to make comics, write, draw, letter, and color comics, or improve as a comics creator, you'll find like-minded friends and colleagues in our online workshops and courses. We hope to see you there!

Posted by Rob Anderson
rob@ComicsExperience.com
Twitter / Facebook

Thursday, April 26, 2012

COMMUNITY NEWS: CE Alum Joe Sergi Annotates the History of Comics Censorship for CBLDF!

CE alum, Workshop member -- and attorney -- Joe Sergi recently attended a C2E2 panel on the history of censorship presented by Charles Brownstein, the Executive Director of the Comic Book Legal Defense Fund (CBLDF).

Joe is a big fan of the CBLDF and the work they do, protecting the First Amendment rights of creators, retailers, and libraries.

Inspired by the panel, Joe shared his notes on his Cup of Geek blog, along with extensive thoughts, pictures, and annotations on the history of censorship. And the CBLDF liked it so much, they published it on their own website!

Charles' presentation -- and Joe's article -- covers it all; from Dr. Frederick Wertham's campaign against comics to the underground comix movement, and from the Spider-Man "drug" issues to the more recent cases involving Manga.

Check out the CBLDF site to read Joe's article right here:

CBLDF’s History of Comics Censorship Presentation, Annotated by Joe Sergi’s Cup of Geek

Posted by Rob Anderson
rob@ComicsExperience.com
Twitter / Facebook

Thursday, April 12, 2012

Comics Experience at C2E2!

If you're going to the C2E2 Convention this weekend, make sure to check out the Comics Experience panels, as well as exhibiting instructors, alums and Workshop members!

Here's where you can find everyone:

Art instructor and pro penciler Robert Atkins will be exhibiting at table N5
Writer Amy Chu (alum & Workshop member) will be at table D6, with copies of her comics Meridien City (1 and 2 in one volume!) and Girls Night Out. That latter volume is edited by CE staffer Paul Allor, who will also be in attendance at the show.
Artist Carl Peterson (alum and Workshop member) will be at table A14.
Writer and IDW Editor Bobby Curnow (alum and pro critiquer on the Workshop) won't be there in person, but you can pick up an ashcan preview of his new Battle Beasts series at Diamond Select Toys, booth 311.

Plus, don't miss our panels hosted by Comics Experience founder, and former Marvel and IDW Editor, Andy Schmidt along with Robert Atkins!

Comics Experience: Comic Art and Storytelling
Friday, April 13, 2012
2:45 PM - 3:45 PM in Room N426b
The greatest Comic book minds of our time divulge the greatest secrets of all time. Join us for the top tips for telling a clear and great story in comics. How, as an artist, do you approach great looking art and telling a story? How's it different from illustration work? What is the process used by most working professionals? These insights are not to be missed.

Comics Experience: Building Your Art Portfolio
Friday, April 13, 2012
3:45 PM - 4:45 PM in Room N426c
The most useful panel you’ll ever attend as an artist. Let’s cut through everything else and get right to getting you work! How to prepare your portfolio: what to include, where to get good scripts to draw from, what NOT to include, and how to handle a portfolio review in a professional manner (in other words, how to turn a negative into a positive!).

We hope to see you there!

Posted by Rob Anderson
rob@ComicsExperience.com
Twitter / Facebook

Wednesday, April 4, 2012

C2E2 Comics Experience Convention Panels!

If you have an interest in making comics and will be attending the C2E2 comic convention in Chicago, April 13-15, 2012, make sure to check out our Comics Experience convention panels!

Both panels will be hosted by Comics Experience founder, and former Marvel and IDW Editor, Andy Schmidt.

And both panels will include a number of special guests, including professional penciler and Comics Experience art instructor, Robert Atkins!

Mark your schedule for these sessions!

Comics Experience: Comic Art and Storytelling
Friday, April 13, 2012
2:45 PM - 3:45 PM in Room N426b
The greatest Comic book minds of our time divulge the greatest secrets of all time. Join us for the top tips for telling a clear and great story in comics. How, as an artist, do you approach great looking art and telling a story? How's it different from illustration work? What is the process used by most working professionals? These insights are not to be missed.

Comics Experience: Building Your Art Portfolio
Friday, April 13, 2012
3:45 PM - 4:45 PM in Room N426c
The most useful panel you’ll ever attend as an artist. Let’s cut through everything else and get right to getting you work! How to prepare your portfolio: what to include, where to get good scripts to draw from, what NOT to include, and how to handle a portfolio review in a professional manner (in other words, how to turn a negative into a positive!).

We hope to see you there!

Posted by Rob Anderson
rob@ComicsExperience.com
Twitter / Facebook

Tuesday, December 13, 2011

GUEST BLOG: Robert Atkins on the Advanced Comic Book Art course

In this guest blog, Robert Atkins, artist on Snake Eyes, GI JOE, and Heroes for Hire, and Instructor of the Comics Experience Advanced Comic Book Art class, shares his thoughts on the course. Classes will be held live, online, beginning January 12, 2012.

The Advanced Comic Book Art class is open for enrollment -- and I'm excited to be starting up a new class! We're filling up, but still have some positions available for those able and interested. The seven week course begins Jan 12th, so you still have some time to prepare.

While the Intro to Comic Book Art class is a bit more general, this Advanced class gets down to very specific rendering techniques and advanced storytelling methods that there isn't time to cover in the Intro class.

In the class, you will create an 8-12 page comic book story and "workshop" your storytelling pages. But in addition to that, you will learn how to:

network within the industry;
find good scripts that best suit your style;
pencil for inking and/or straight to coloring, (which is becoming a much more essential skill); and
render a wide variety of textures and objects.

Plus, you will receive very personalized and specific critiques of each assignment, all with a focus on a professional level of finishing and getting published!

The overall objective in the Advanced class will be to approach each individual student's needs, and taking into account their style, providing the means to make your portfolio as professional as possible.

The convention season starts back up in late February with Mega Con in Orlando and really starts rolling along mid-Spring with C2E2 in Chicago and Emerald City Comic Con in Seattle. Each of these conventions are fantastic opportunities to meet with editors and small publishers in a more laid back setting, as oppossed to the crazed frenzy of SDCC and NYCC later in the year. This class will end just in time to make the most of the coming con season!

For those who can't make the con circuit this year, it's still an opportunity to get one-on-one critiques of your work. With the extended time built into the schedule of the class, it allows me the opportunity to personally mentor each student. I will be able to address your assignment with specific, professional feedback.

I can't stress how much I wish I had a class like this available to me before I really started showing my portfolio around to get work! I get to share with you many of the techniques I have had to learn through trial and error and it's taken me years to put them all into practice. This doesn't mean the Advanced Class will be easy work for you, but it will definitely speed up your learning process.

Because the class will be made up of advanced students, we get to hit the ground running and really apply specific techniques over your solid storytelling foundation!

I hope to see you all in January!

Robert Atkins
Comics Experience Art Instructor

The next session of the live, online Advanced Comic Book Art course begins January 12, 2012. Enrollment is still open, but seats are limited, so sign up now!

Please note that past completion of the Comics Experience Intro to Comic Book Art class or demonstrated, significant comic art experience is a prerequisite for enrollment. If you have a question about your eligibility, feel free to send an email to Rob Anderson, Comics Experience General Manager, at rob@ComicsExperience.com

Friday, December 2, 2011

Convention Panel Notes on the Creators Workshop!

If you're like me, you learn a lot from comic convention panels, especially those on breaking in, craft, and process. But no one person can get to every panel or every convention.

And while many panels get recorded these days, not all of them do, and sometimes you just want to review the highlights rather than listening again from beginning to end.

Well, one of the many features of the Comics Experience Creators Workshop is a "Convention Panel Notes" thread where members share their notes from sessions related to making comics. In fact, going beyond conventions, we also have notes from various physical seminars and workshops from the past.

Want some examples? How about John Layman's Pitching Workshop, held in New York City in 2010? Or the Kickstarter panel from NYCC 2011?

We have notes from a Trickster writing seminar, held during SDCC 2011. And notes from panels on how to get news coverage for your comic from SDCC 2011 itself.

Plus, Breaking In panels, including the excellent one held by Scott Allie (Dark Horse) and Matt Gagnon (BOOM!) at this year's New York Comic-Con.

This is just one of the examples of a single thread from the Creators Workshop focused on breaking in and/or making comics.

If you want to make comics, write or draw comics, or improve as a comics creator, you'll find like-minded friends and colleagues in our online workshop and courses. We hope to see you there!

Posted by Rob Anderson
rob@ComicsExperience.com
Twitter / Facebook

Tuesday, November 15, 2011

Comics Experience at Coast City Comicon 2011!

On November 12 & 13th, the 1st Annual Coast City Comicon took place in Portland, Maine, and Comics Experience was there!

One highlight of the convention, at least for those interested in making comics, was the Breaking Into Comics panel, which included former Marvel and IDW Editor and Comics Experience founder Andy Schmidt as well as panelists Renae de Liz (creator of Womanthology ), her artist-in-arms husband Ray Dillon, former Marvel editor and editor in chief at Cracked magazine, Mort Todd, and Top Cow artist Chris Dibari.

The panel was moderated by Gerald von Stoddard, the co-founder of the comics shop running the convention, and a Comics Experience alum and Creator’s Workshop member.

According to Gerald, many topics were covered at the panel, including how each panelist broke into comics and their early work. The panelists also discussed what exactly an editor is, and the pros and cons of their job from both artist's and writer's points of view.

Andy also shared details about the internship he had at Marvel at the beginning of his career, and some tips on how writers could break in. Ray Dillon shared the same advice from an artist's point of view. The panelists finished up with the always helpful question: "If I knew then, what I know now," sharing the most valuable thing they have learned related to breaking in.

In addition, many Comics Experience alums and Workshop members were exhibiting or in attendance at the show, including: Gerald von Stoddard (Deadboy), Amy Chu (Meridien City), George O'Connor (Healed), Janine Frederick (Awaken), and Ken Frederick (AM.NESIAC).

Thanks to Coast City Comics for a great show!

Posted by Rob Anderson
rob@ComicsExperience.com
Twitter / Facebook

Monday, October 31, 2011

GUEST BLOG: What George O'Connor Learned from the Convention Circuit

In this guest blog, writer George O'Connor, Comics Experience alum and Creator’s Workshop member, talks about the most important lesson he's learned from the comic book convention circuit this year.

Here’s what I learned from exhibiting at ten conventions this year:

If you dream of making a comic, DO IT!

Please, trust me on this. Get your butt in gear, make your book, go to some shows and DO IT. It’ll be so worth it.

For 20 years now, I’ve been doing DIY projects: CDs, short films, web series -- and doing the comic book Healed has been the most rewarding creative endeavor I’ve had yet. Comic book people just seem to be the nicest people and if you have a book that interests them, they’ll support you.

Maybe it’s the structure of comic conventions? Or that fans of the medium walk in with an open mind and WANT to find something new? Maybe it's because comics aren’t mainstream "cool," so we all band together to support each other. Maybe it’s the low dollar entry point, where people feel comfortable taking a chance for $2-$4? And maybe it just doesn’t matter.

Through Comics Experience, I’ve met dozens and dozens of creative people who have great stories and visions –- many I get to call friends –- and I want them ALL to experience the confidence, excitement, and enthusiasm I got to feel this last year...

People buying all four issues of Healed just based off the pitch.
People buying two issues and then coming back later and saying, "I read the first two issues and I NEED the next two."
People remembering the book from last year and wanting to know what new issues are out.
The kid who *ran* up to our booth because he couldn’t wait to buy new issues and his friends saying, "He wouldn’t stop talking about your book the whole drive up here."

I want ALL OF YOU to experience that. There is nothing like it in the world. And there has never been a better time to make your book and get out there.

Print-on-demand services make small print runs possible. You can bypass the whole printing process completely and put your book on the web or available through Graphic.ly. And if you’re part of the Comics Experience Creators Workshop, you’ve got an incredibly supportive group to fall back on and learn from. (Look, I’m not just shilling Comics Experience; it’s the honest truth).

Do it. Do it. Do it. Use my little wins as the fuel to get out there and make your own victories. Talk to other creators and learn from them and get excited. There’s no reason to wait. You don’t have to get anyone’s permission.

If you have a story to tell, there’s someone out there that wants to read it. And there is no better feeling.

That’s what I learned from going to ten cons this year and I want to see YOU behind the table with me in 2012!

-- George O'Connor

George likes to write. A lot. He’s currently writing the ongoing comic series, "Healed," for Homeless Comics and has contributed stories to several anthologies published by Elevator Pitch Press. He was also the creator behind the webseries "664-The Neighbor of the Beast." And somehow he also juggles playing guitar in his metal and punk rock bands. By day, George is a mild-mannered copywriter in the advertising world. He once put a truck on the moon.

Posted by Rob Anderson
rob@ComicsExperience.com
Twitter / Facebook

Thursday, October 20, 2011

GUEST BLOG: Gerald von Stoddard on Coast City Comicon!

In this guest blog, Gerald von Stoddard, Comics Experience alum and Creator’s Workshop member, talks about the 1st Annual Coast City Comicon (November 12 & 13th), sponsored by the comic shop Gerald founded in Portland, Maine.

This November 12th and 13th, a dream that we had as fledgling comic shop owners is coming to fruition! Finally, after all these years, we will be hosting what we believe to be a real celebration of comics in all their glory: a true comic con!

Our inner nerds can barely contain themselves as the 1st Annual Coast City Comicon finally takes flight at the historic Eastland Hotel in downtown Portland, Maine.

It has always been Coast City Comic’s mission to support not just the mainstream, but the local/indie talent as well. This convention will maintain that same attitude; a real DIY event celebrating comics, pop culture, science fiction and vintage video games.

Comics Experience founder Andy Schmidt--former Marvel and IDW Editor--will be in attendance, discussing Comics Experience and participating in the Breaking Into Comics panel, which includes Womanthology creator, Renae de Liz and her artist-in-arms husband Ray Dillon as well as author Alex Irvine and Top Cow artist Chris Dibari.

There will also be a Self-Publishing 101 panel that was initiated and will be moderated by Comics Experience alum and Workshop member, George O’Connor. Many very talented locals and Comics Experience members will be part of this informative discussion on publishing one’s own work in today’s comic market.

In July, I joined the Comics Experience Creator’s Workshop, mainly due to being so impatient as I waited for the Intro to Writing class to begin. What I did not expect was to be welcomed so openly and warmly. It was here that I began to work out my first creator-owned comic, Deadboy.

Members were brutally honest and helped me give shape to the idea, and as a result, the first issue will be debuting at the Convention. I have also begun work with Workshop member, Ken Frederick, on a project titled AM.NESIAC and hope to be debuting our 6-page pitch as well. His awesome artwork can be seen as part of Workshop member Paul Allor’s creator-owned project, Clockwork.

In response to such support, I wanted to do something to give back what has been so freely given to me, so I have opened up a section for Comics Experience alumni and Workshop members to show off their creator-owned books at my expense. So far, our Comics Experience guests will include: Amy Chu (Meridian), George O'Connor (Healed), Janine Frederick (Awaken), Joshua Dahl (Rapid City), Ken Frederick (AM.NESIAC), and Rich Douek (Gutter Magic), in addition to Comics Experience founder, Andy Schmidt. If you’d like to come and be part of the Comics Experience Workshop tables, feel free to grab your schwag and head up to Maine and join us.

The festivities will be kicked off on November 11th with a special Nerd Rave featuring Portland sensation Waranimal at Space Gallery. There will also be a Drink and Draw at a local pub and all are welcome to attend. It will be a great way to meet some awesome local talent here in Southern Maine.

We’ll also be hosting the premiere of the remastered 35mm cut of Blade Runner in celebration of the release of Exegesis by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt and giving away all sorts of Phillip K. Dick books as door prizes! There will also be a PKD panel discussion with writer Alex Irvine, Zack Handlen of the Onion AV Club, Sam Pfeifle from the Phoenix, and others!

I hope to see as many of you as can make it. Just bring your awesome self’s and we will take care of the rest!

More info: Coast City Comicon

Gerald von Stoddard
http://www.rantingintongues.com
@gvonstoddard

Posted by Rob Anderson
rob@ComicsExperience.com
Twitter / Facebook

Wednesday, October 12, 2011

Comics Experience Creators Exhibiting at NYCC 2011!

New York Comic Con starts tomorrow, and Comics Experience alums and Creators Workshop members will be everywhere.

By our last count on the Workshop forums, more than 30 members will be attending! And quite a number of folks will also be exhibiting at the show as well.

Comics Experience alum, Jeff Marsick will be at Booths 2950, 2951 and 2952, showing off his books Z-Girl and the 4 Tigers, Wendover, and Dead Man’s Party. You can check out Jeff's recent Guest Blog right here.

Alum and Workshop member, Shaun Noel, will be showcasing his book, City of Walls, which you can check out at Booth 2546.

Alum and Workshop member, Monika Smyczek, will be at Booth 3047 with Moxie Comics.

And Booth 2939 will have a slew of Comics Experience creators and books, including:

Joe Sergi, Eric Drumm, Neil Fisher, and Dan Rivera of Elevator Pitch Press (see Dan Rivera's recent Guest Blog right here). Joe Sergi will also be joined by Comics Experience alum, DaFu Yu;
George O'Connor of Homeless Comics;
Amy Chu and Georgia Lee of Alpha Girl Comics;
Rich Douek of Sixgun Comics; and
Janine Frederick, showing off her preview of Awaken!

This is just a sampling -- stop by and check out all these booths and ask them about Comics Experience!

Posted by Rob Anderson
rob@ComicsExperience.com
Twitter / Facebook

Wednesday, October 5, 2011

"Writing for Comics" Panel - CGS Super Show 2011

For those looking forward to NYCC 2011 -- or even for those wishing they were going -- we thought we'd offer up a convention panel from earlier this year!

The "Writing for Comics" panel was presented by Comics Experience at the 2011 Comic Geek Speak Super Show on Saturday, April 30th, in Reading, PA.

The panel was moderated by Comics Experience founder, writer, and former IDW and Marvel editor, Andy Schmidt (5 Days to Die, GI Joe: Future Noir, Challenger Deep) with panelists Rob Anderson (Animal Control SCU, Rex Zombie Killer), Fred Van Lente (Incredible Hercules, Marvel Zombies 3 & 4, Action Philosophers), Drew Gaska (Conspiracy of the Planet of the Apes, Critical Millennium), and Bryan J.L. Glass (The Mice Templar, Thor: First Thunder, Valkyrie). The panel is introduced by Comics Experience alum and Creators Workshop member, Joe Sergi (Sky Girl, Great Zombies in History).

Topics included: what is a story, planning/outlining your stories, collaborating with artists, methods for breaking down panels and dialogue, and more!

Special thanks to Creators Workshop member, Joey Groah, of the In Production podcast, for recording and editing the session, as well as creating the cool Comics Experience logo introduction!

View the video here:

Comics Experience - "Writing for Comics" panel, 2011 CGS Super Show from Comics Experience on Vimeo.

Posted by Rob Anderson
rob@ComicsExperience.com
Twitter / Facebook

Monday, October 3, 2011

Panels for Comic Creators at New York Comic Con 2011

New York Comic Con 2011 (October 13-16) is only ten days away, and if you're interested in making comics or breaking into the industry, then don't miss Buddy Scalera's "Comic Book School" panels, including one panel moderated by Andy Schmidt, Comics Experience founder, and former editor and writer at Marvel and IDW!

Andy will be moderating the Writing: Story Structure panel on Friday, and here's all the details:

Writing: Story Structure
Friday, October 14
3:45 pm - 4:45 pm
Room 1A03

Speakers: Andy Schmidt, Buddy Scalera, Daniel Way, David Hine, Jimmy Palmiotti

Learn how to structure a complete issue from beginning to end. Pace, panel breakdown, and story arc discussed by professional writers who work for mainstream publishers like Marvel, DC, Dark Horse & more. Panelists include: Jimmy Palmiotti – comic book writer, The Pro, Powergirl, Jonah Hex; Daniel Way – comic book writer, Deadpool, Wolverine; David Hine – comic book writer, District X, The Bulletproof Coffin. Plus, a surprise pro writer, not yet announced. Hosted by Buddy Scalera of Comic Book School and moderated by former Marvel and IDW Editor and writer, Andy Schmidt of Comics Experience.

We are also pleased to announce that the surprise pro writer will be Christos Gage, writer of Avengers Academy (Marvel), GI Joe: Cobra (IDW), Area 10 (Vertigo), Absolution (Avatar), and the new hit Angel & Faith series from Dark Horse!

Don't miss what's sure to be an informative (and entertaining) writing panel!

But if you're interested in making comics, there's much more!

Don't miss any of Buddy Scalera's NYCC 2011 panels. If 2010 is any indication, Buddy's line-up of "Comic Book School" panels will be excellent again this year:

Editors on Editing
Fri. Oct. 14
1:15 pm - 2:15 pm

Comics, Hollywood - What Creators Need to Know
Fri. Oct. 14
2:30 pm - 3:30 pm

Writing: Story Structure
Fri. Oct. 14
3:45 pm - 4:45 pm

Penciling: Storytelling on the Page
Fri. Oct. 14
5:00 pm - 6:00 pm

Creator Connection
Fri. Oct. 14
6:15 pm - 7:15 pm

Coloring: Digital Techniques
Fri. Oct. 14
7:30 pm - 8:30 pm

See the full details on the NYCC website, right here, and we hope to see you there!

Posted by Rob Anderson
rob@ComicsExperience.com
Twitter / Facebook

Tuesday, August 23, 2011

COMMUNITY NEWS: Comics Experience at Baltimore Comic-Con 2011

The 12th Annual Baltimore Comic-Con took place on August 20-21, 2011, and Comics Experience alums and Creators Workshop members were everywhere!

At one point, Workshop member, Joey Groah, tweeted that the BOOM! Studios panel audience had "@ComicExperience member overload" because we had so many folks there!

Baltimore Comic-Con is a fantastic show for comics creators on both sides of the table, with crowds that seemed record-breaking to us, perhaps due to the appearance of Stan Lee. But the large Artists Alley portion of the convention still allowed for lots of direct interaction with creators.

Saturday night, we held a Comics Experience Meet-Up at Tir Na Nog on the Inner Harbor with alums, workshop members, and friends.

It was great to have a "real world" get-together with friends who we interact with on a daily basis in our online classes and forums, but don't always get to see face-to-face (unless you count webcams)!

As you can imagine, much of the conversation centered around making comics, and it was clear a lot of exciting work is in the pipeline.

Members/alums in attendance included Paul Allor, Rob Anderson, James Babbo, Gannon Beck, Amy Chu, Scott Dubin, Janine Frederick, Ken Frederick, Joey Groah, Elizabeth Amber Love, Dan Rivera, and George O'Connor (who joined us after the picture shown here).

Thanks to everyone who joined us, and we look forward to the next Comics Experience meet-up at New York Comic-Con 2011!

Posted by Rob Anderson
rob@ComicsExperience.com
Twitter / Facebook

Tuesday, July 26, 2011

Comics Experience at San Diego Comic-Con 2011

San Diego Comic-Con may be the place for gazing at Hollywood stars, but it's also still a destination for those who create -- or want to create -- comic books.

Many great panels were offered for comic creators, covering topics such as getting news coverage, editing, breaking in, and indy marketing, just to name a few. Trickster, the "con-away-from-the-con," also had some excellent sessions directed to artists and writers. And the ICv2 Conference, held the afternoon before Preview night, provided insight into the latest industry numbers as well as the future of comics, digital or otherwise.

Comics Experience put on three panels at Comic-Con, attended by several hundred people over three days. In Breaking and Staying In on Thursday, Andy Schmidt (former Editor at Marvel and IDW) chatted with writer Mike Costa (G.I. Joe: Cobra) and artist Zander Cannon (Top 10) on their own "breaking in" stories, and how they've managed to stay in the industry over the years.

In the Building Your Art Portfolio panel on Friday, Andy, artist Reilly Brown (Incredible Hercules), and artist Zander Cannon (Top 10) discussed the do's and don'ts of building your portfolio and making the right impression with your work.

And during the Pitch Perfect panel on Saturday, Andy, John Layman (Chew) and Mike Costa (G.I. Joe: Cobra) provided advice on pitching. A highlight of this panel was hearing John describe how many times Chew was rejected -- as the crazy "bird flu, cannibal book" -- before it eventually landed at Image. It was especially ironic hearing John's story on Saturday, with Chew having just won an Eisner for the second year in a row the night before!

Comics Experience Creators Workshop members also caught up on Saturday night over dinner and drinks and had a lively discussion about everything from the Direct Market and digital to the latest super-hero movies.

Pictured at left, from the Workshop meet-up, are: Amy Chu, Rob Anderson, Tim Shields, Carl Peterson, Joe Sergi, Frederick Kim, Shaun Manning, and Andy Schmidt. (Click the picture for a larger view.)

Also present at the meet-up were Bobby Curnow and Chris Murphy, who had to leave before we remembered to snap the picture!

One of the best parts of any convention is meeting up with people you don't get to see every day. Our thanks to everyone who attended our panels, hung out, or just caught up with us in San Diego!

Posted by Rob Anderson
rob@ComicsExperience.com
Twitter / Facebook

Monday, July 11, 2011

Comics Experience Panels at San Diego Comic-Con 2011

San Diego Comic-Con 2011 (July 21-24) is less than two weeks away, and if you're interested in making comics or breaking into the industry, then mark your calendar for three Comics Experience panels focused on building your art portfolio, pitching, and breaking (and staying) "in!"

Comics Experience founder, Andy Schmidt will be moderating all three panels, featuring some fantastic special guests including: artist Reilly Brown (Incredible Hercules), artist Zander Cannon (Top 10), writer Mike Costa (G.I. Joe: Cobra), and writer John Layman (Chew).

Check out the schedule and full description of each panel below.

We hope to see you there!

Breaking and Staying In

Thursday, July 21

4:00pm-5:00pm

Room 30CDE

It's well known that breaking into comics as a creator -- be it writer or artist or colorist -- is not easy. Learn how it's done from Andy Schmidt (X-Men, Five Days to Die, Comics Experience founder), who's broken in as an editor, a writer, and a teacher. Not enough? He's also going to talk about how to stay in comics once you catch that first break -- and you'll hear from writer Mike Costa (G.I. Joe: Cobra) and artist Zander Cannon (Top 10) for their tips, too!

Building Your Art Portfolio

Friday, July 22

5:00pm-6:00pm

Room 30CDE

You're at Comic-Con and you're surrounded by editors, artists, writers, and producers -- any of whom could represent a job for you as an artist. Former Marvel and IDW Editor Andy Schmidt (X-Men, Five Days to Die, Comics Experience founder), artist Reilly Brown (Incredible Hercules), and artist Zander Cannon (Top 10) discuss what to include in a portfolio, what to leave out, and how to conduct yourself to make sure your portfolio and your presentation shine.

Pitch Perfect

Saturday, July 23

5:00pm-6:00pm

Room 30CDE

Andy Schmidt (Comics Experience founder, former Marvel and IDW Editor) and panelists John Layman (Chew) and Mike Costa (G.I. Joe: Cobra) reveal the keys to creating the perfect pitch for a comics publisher: what must you have, what to leave out, and how to conduct yourself with interviews and correspondence. This might be the most valuable panel you ever attend!

-- Posted by Rob Anderson (rob@ComicsExperience.com)

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