Tomorrow (Saturday, May 3) is Free Comic Book Day!
So if you walk into any participating comic shop you can pick up an assortment of cool books for free!
Check out the FCBD website for more info on stores near you and all the awesome comics that will be free of charge.

In fact some comic shops will be giving away comics of the original all-Avatar Nick Magazine! So if you never got a copy of that, call your nearest shop and see if they've got it. And even if they don't, I'm sure there's at least one or two other free comics worth going there for! Support the awesomness that is comics and graphic novels (by not even having to spend money)!

[link]

And if you do go to the comic shop, I encourage you to check out the just released first chapter of my new graphic novel series The Adventures of Tymm: Alien Circus.

It's 64 pages in FULL COLOR for only $5.95! A bargain!
Featuring brilliant art by L. Frank Weber!

A billion thanks to everyone who came out to the NYCC...especially those who came to the Friday Nick Mag panel or swung by the Comics Bakery to say hello. I'm still buzzing on the great time. Special props must be given to the amazing puppets by Kevin Coppa aka alternatecoppa.

I posted a bunch of photos and a con summary here: [link]

There are links to all the fan stuff we showed here:
[link]

In other big project news...over at About.com there is a report (with photos) from the Del Rey panel at NYCC where they debuted some character designs from the X-Men manga that I am co-writing with my wife, Raina.

"...Then [Del Rey publisher] Dallas Middaugh showed Anzu's version of Hank McCoy, a.k.a. Beast, and audible gasps and giggles rippled through the crowd. "Anzu's version of Beast shows how far we've re-imagined the basic premise of the X-Men story," said Middaugh as he showed off a very Totoro-esque, cute 'n cuddly badger version of the blue n' furry hero who's one of the professors at the Academy. Can't wait to hear the fanboy blogosphere let it rip on this one -- but it's a bold move that shows how much Del Rey is committed to appealing to the tastes of manga readers versus catering to the superhero crowd."

To that end, Blog @ Newsarama has clearer versions of designs along with LOTS of feedback from readers.

Of course, I'm a big fan of Anzu's designs and think they reflect the story really well! But I've also read the script.

This is the first time I've seen the designs for Wolverine (he'll appear in a separate book than the one Raina and I are writing) and thought they looked cool, too! I like the direction they are going for and think it shoud work really well as a action-based shonen series. Looking at the criticism, it's clear fans still expect the characters to reflect the pre-existing versions they are familiar with. Which for the most part will not be the case.

"Del Rey's approach was to ask the authors to strip the premise of the X-Men story down to its essentials, and start from scratch from there. These creators were freed up to explore different aspects of these iconic characters and put them in manga-inspired situations, without the burden of decades of Marvel Universe continuity."

The main thing Raina and I are hoping for is to write a book that captures the spirit of everything we love about the X-Men mixed with the expressive opportunities of manga storytelling. There will be more focus on the emotions of the characters and also a lot more light-hearted humor...and chibis! The goal is a book that is fun! And thus you get Beast as an overstuffed badger who walks like a penguin!


Last note:

I’ll be at the Stumptown comics fest in Portland Oregon this weekend! It's an amazing alternative comics and art festival that has so many great people attending and doesn't cost that much to get in. It should be super-rad!

[link]

In case you haven’t already heard… There will be a TON of events for Avatar fans at the New York Comic Con on April 18th-20th.

It will be a once in a lifetime chance to celebrate your love of all things Avatar, reflect on the series with fellow fans OFF THE INTERNET—one last time before the final episodes begin airing! Show the world (including attending Nick folks) just how passionate and diverse the fandom is! Convince con-goers at NYCC they missing out if they aren’t already a fan of Avatar: the Last Airbender (not to be confused with the Avatar comics publishing company!)

Tell your friends and family! Ready your cosplay, make signs, flyers, and creative t-shirts! Draw some fan art and help spread the excitement! The series finale is coming soon…let’s all help Avatar go out with a bang!

Here is the rundown of all the events:

NICK MAG PRESENTS…AVATAR COMICS & FANDOM SPOTLIGHT
Friday at 6:00 PM - 7:00 PM in ROOM 1E08
-Nickelodeon Magazine gives a behind-the-scenes look at comics produced for Avatar: The Last Airbender and spotlight all the creativity surrounding the fandom for the popular show. There will lots of audience participation, trivia-bending, and prizes for the best cosplayers! We’ll also be showing an amazing collection of AMV’s, and a special puppet surprise!

Featuring: Johane Matte aka Rufftoon (storyboard artist), Dave Roman (comics editor), and Alison Wilgus (comics writer).

*Special note we are looking for people to sign up for a short but hopefully hilarious talent show section! If you have a funny or cool Avatar related skill or you and your friends can do dead on impersonations of Aang and the gang and/or something we haven’t thought of, please contact us!

AVATAR HAIKU SLAM & Cosplay photoshoot
Friday at 7:05PM (At a location that will be announced during the comics/fan panel)
-Nick Mag will be taking photos and videotaping enthusiastic fans for a video to appear on Nickmag.com
*You must sign a release form to appear in the video!
Anyone under age will need a parent’s signature.
*contact Ethereal-Glutton aka avatar_mom if you’d like to participate in the Haiku Slam!

NICKELODEON BOOTH
This will be the place for the show creator signings, giveaways and all sorts of cool stuff like a chance to take your picture with the new Aang costume character!

INTO THE INFERNO: Nickelodeon's Avatar: The Last Airbender FINALE
Saturday 3PM-4PM in Room 1E10-1E11
- Get an insider's look at the explosive 2-hour movie event as the adventures of Aang, the last Airbender culminate in a head to head battle with the Fire Lord Ozai. The panel will be packed with exclusive sneak peeks of upcoming episodes, production art, the official trailer for the highly anticipated finale and a Q&A with special guests, show creators Bryan Konietzko and Mike DiMartino. Moderated by Megan Casey, Executive in Charge for Nickelodeon."

-Obviously the CAN’T MISS event of the convention! Save me a seat!

BONUS STUFF:

You can find me and Johane/Rufftoon hanging out at the Comics Bakery, which is booth # 2247. We’ll be selling original comics, graphic novels, t-shirts, and all things awesome. And we’ll even have some fun stuff for Avatar fans as well (*cough water tribe cough*). Be sure to stop by and give us a hi-5!

FLIGHT EXPLORER - A CONVERSATION WITH KAZU KIBUISHI AND CREATORS
Sunday 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM in Kids, Teen Room 1E08
-Flight Explorer, a spin-off of the award-winning Flight graphic novel anthology series, features fun characters and stories that appeal to young readers and parents who want to introduce their children to graphic novels. Join Flight and Flight Explorer editor Kazu Kibuishi and Flight contributors Amy Kim Ganter, Johane Matte, Phil Craven, Jake Parker, Kean Soo, and Dave Roman for their take on the amazing world of Flight Explorer and all-ages comics!

Nickelodeon [TV] will also have panels for shows like The Mighty Bee and Back to the Barnyard as well as Nicktoons Network shows like Speed Racer, Kappa Mikey and Three Delivery.

And just like last year, Nickelodeon Magazine will be organizing interactive events like the following:

NICK MAG PRESENTS…GAG CARTOONS & FUNNY DRAWINGS
Sunday 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM Kids Room 2D02-03
Nickelodeon Magazine editor. Chris Duffy walks you through the stages of making hilarious cartoon drawings. Learn tips for brainstorming ideas, drawing funny scenes and coming up with the clever captions guaranteed to make your friends shoot milk through their nose. Featuring gag cartoonist Karen Sneider, Gary Fields and Alec Longstreth!


NICK MAG PRESENTS…3-D COMIC CAROUSEL
Sunday 3:00 PM-4:00 PM in room 1E09
A series of cartoon slide shows presented by an array of comic strip makers, performers, and other characters. Plenty of gags, goofiness, audience participation and 3-D action! Definitely for kids and alternative-comics-loving adults.
Featuring R. Sikoryak, Kim Deitch, Michael Kupperman and Nick Mag editors, Chris Duffy and Dave Roman.

We are especially encouraging kids and families to come out ALL of these Nick Mag events!

So I hope to see lots of you there! And hopefully I won't infect you with my germs!! (Seriously...these antibiotics I'm taking and frogs I'm sucking better kick in quick!) Even if I have to show up in a protective bubble...It will be the best time ever!!

And remember to check out some of the other cool stuff while you are there! Comics are fun!

Just a quick status report post!

My productivity has really fallen behind as I’ve been dealing with an assortment of health issues. Everything from a tear in my wrist, to hospitalization for bacterial colitis, and non-related throat/ear infectiond that are currently in relapses mode. If you want read more about sad stuff like that you can check out the post over on my livejournal: [link]

But yeah basically an assault on my body that has forced me to loose 2 weeks of work, say “no” to a lot of people, and cancel several fun events or comic related appearances. As someone who loves to multi-task and take on more than he can handle…it’s been very hard to “just relax and take it easy” when deadlines are looming!

But I’m still planning a billion things for the New York Comic Con and am thankful to have awesome friends and co-workers keeping things moving forward.

The Comics Bakery, my collective of artist friends will have a booth on the main floor, and will be the biggest (most expensive) set up we’ve ever assembled. Hopefully people will check it out our tasty selection of comics, t-shirts and other swag.

Nickelodeon will be at the NYCC in full force with a ton of panels, a killer booth, costumed characters, creator signings etc. etc. I will make a separate post soon about all the Avatar and Nick Magazine goodness. But please know that the Friday Avatar Fandom Panel will be especially awesome, thanks to the powers of Alison Wilgus. No Mike and Bryan won’t be at the one, but Rufftoon will! And we’ll be spotlighting so many great fan works that your head might explode with glee.

Speaking of fandoms, I got to see a great documentary called We Are Wizards that everyone who has ever been a fan of anything should go see! But it’s an indy film so you gotta spread the word so it can play in your town!

OTHER SIDE NOTE:

There's a funny comic about me in the April issue of Nickelodeon Magazine. It's has me being mean to cosplayer at a comic con and paying the price. There's a scan of it here:

[link]

This issue also features a new Avatar comic, an illustrated interview with the creator of "Chowder" and lots of funny stuff for cartoon lovers and shippers!

Consider this a call out:
Nick Magazine would love to show/debut fan-made things at NYCC…if they are FUNNY, short, and PG rated!

Wouldn’t it be great if there was…
-A short/funny tribute video that covers the fandom as a whole or plays to the anticipation of the big finale.
-A well edited compilation of the coolest Avatar cosplay all in one place set to music.
-Something similar with the best of the best in fan art (or this could be mixed with the cosplay!)
-Short fan made videos/confessionals where people (or puppets, or cartoons) explain what they love about Avatar and/or why other people should watch it.
-a compilation of Avatar AMVs (Animated Music Videos). There’s so many already out there and we probably won’t have time to show more than 1-2. But it would be even better if somehow there was a compilation/best of edited as a 3-5 minute clip reel.
-Original parodies that are PG (or slightly PG-13). Think: Harry Potter Puppet Pals & Zuko The fire lord (we love those!)
-Bender-rock: Musical acts inspired by Avatar.
-Skits, live reenactments, you name it. Could be on video or if you are going to be at NYCC contact us and perform it live on stage!

Reply to this post with links! Tell your friends with video cameras, editing software, & puppet making skills!

NOTE: We are not looking for straight up fan art images at the moment—just multi-media compilations.
ALSO: WE CAN NOT guarantee that we will show ANYTHING we are sent!
No promises! But we do hope to do some really fun stuff no matter what. More info soon!