Magic Bullet #18 is out

Magic Bullet 18 - Cover and ToC

http://magicbulletcomics.blogspot.com/2019/03/magic-bullet-18-cover-and-toc.html

MAGIC BULLET 18 is officially on the streets! The new issue has been printed, picked up, and the initial distribution run has begun. Look for it in comic book stores, music stores, book stores, coffee shops, etc!

We're excited to present the cover, from Eric Gordon, as well as the full table of contents.

Bozo      

Santiago Casares 

Carlos Torres 

Bizhan Khodabandeh 

Matt Rawson 

G.R. Lear 

Stephanie Butto and Evan Keeling 

Art Hondros 

Gabe McOwen 

Rafer Roberts 

Mike Brace 

Mike Cowgill 

Adam Griffiths 

Troy-Jeffrey Allen and Matt Rawson 

John Kinhart 

Maria Sweeney 

Rob Ciesielski

Dale Rawlings 

Steve Wallet 

Gordon Harris 

Andrew Cohen 

Kit Fraser 

Jon Poliszuk 

Teresa Roberts Logan 

Steve Steiner 

Beppi and Mary Knott 

William A. Anderson   

R.M. Rhodes and Evan Keeling 

Carolyn Belefski and Joe Carabeo

David Ross

Bruce Fasick 

NPR Talks to Darrin Bell

Pulitzer-Prize Winner Darrin Bell On How Trayvon Martin's Death Inspired His Work

Ailsa Chang

·  All Things Considered April 16, 2019

https://www.npr.org/2019/04/16/714073919/pulitzer-prize-winner-darrin-bell-on-how-trayvon-martins-death-inspired-his-work

https://ondemand.npr.org/anon.npr-mp3/npr/atc/2019/04/20190416_atc_pulitzer-prize_winning_cartoonist_darrin_bell_on_how_trayvon_martins_death_inspired_his_work.mp3

Josh Kramer reviews Brian Fies' A Fire Story

Reviews: A Fire Story

Brian Fies
Abrams
$24.99, 160 pages

REVIEWED BY Josh Kramer Apr 17, 2019

http://www.tcj.com/reviews/a-fire-story/

April 17-20 Popular Culture Association meeting in DC

Registration information is at https://pcaaca.org/conference

The guest registration option is available only for a one-day pass (24 hours) or for spouses and family members of presenters.  If you are attending the conference for more than one day, are a presenter or a returning member of the Association, you should pay the full conference fee.  Those violating this policy are subject to cancellation of their registration.

Please join us in Washington, D.C., for the 2019 PCA National Conference from April 17th through the 20th, 2019. We will convene at the Washington Marriott Wardman Park.  The Popular Culture Association is highly regarded in academe with thousands of academic oral presentations given internationally, two top-tier journals (Journal of American Culture and The Journal of Popular Culture), and over 3,000 members. This year's conference should be exciting with papers on a wide array of subjects.

Here's some items of interest to blog readers:

Animation

1314.

Animation I: Through the Eyes of Animators

Wednesday, April 17 – 1:15 pm to 2:45 pm

Jefferson

1414.

Animation II: Technology and Animation

Wednesday, April 17 – 3:00 pm to 4:30 pm

Jefferson

1514.

Animation III: The Wonderful Worlds of Disney Animation

Wednesday, April 17 – 4:45 pm to 6:15 pm

Jefferson

1614.

Animation IV: Animation and the Real World

Wednesday, April 17 – 6:30 pm to 8:00 pm

Jefferson

1714.

Animation Dinner

Dinner

Wednesday, April 17 – 8:15 pm to 9:45 pm

Off-Site Dinner

2114.

Animation V: Animation History

Thursday, April 18 – 8:00 am to 9:30 am

Jefferson

2214.

Animation VI: Commercialism, Consumerism, and Fan Aspects of Ani-

mation

Thursday, April 18 – 9:45 am to 11:15 am

Jefferson

2414.

Animation VII: An Examination of Gender Roles in Animation

Thursday, April 18 – 11:30 am to 1:00 pm

Jefferson

2514.

Animation VIII: Critical and Theoretical Approaches To Animation

Thursday, April 18 – 1:15 pm to 2:45 pm

Jefferson

2614.

Animation Special Screening I: "Mni Wiconi: Water is Life"

Thursday, April 18 – 3:00 pm to 4:30 pm

Jefferson

Asian Popular Culture

3428.

II. Manga: Japan

Friday, April 19 – 1:15 pm to 2:45 pm

Park Tower STE 8209

3628.

VI. Anime: Japan

Saturday, April 20 – 8:00 am to 9:30 am

Park Tower STE 8209

Comics and Comic Art

1362.

Comics and Comic Art 1: The Form

Wednesday, April 17 – 1:15 pm to 2:45 pm

Thurgood Marshall

North

1462.

Comics and Comic Art 2: Historical Perspectives

Wednesday, April 17 – 3:00 pm to 4:30 pm

Thurgood Marshall

North

1562.

Comics and Comic Art 3: Political Topics

Wednesday, April 17 – 4:45 pm to 6:15 pm

Thurgood Marshall

North

1662.

Comics and Comic Art 4: Shifting Identities

Wednesday, April 17 – 6:30 pm to 8:00 pm

Thurgood Marshall

North

2162.

Comics and Comic Art 5: Sex and Superheroes

Thursday, April 18 – 8:00 am to 9:30 am

Washington Room 1

2262.

Comics and Comic Art 6: Issues of Masculinity

Thursday, April 18 – 9:45 am to 11:15 am

Washington Room 1

2462. Comics and Comic Art 7: Screen Influences

Thursday, April 18 – 11:30 am to 1:00 pm

Washington Room 1

2562.

Comics and Comic Art 8: Heroes

Thursday, April 18 – 1:15 pm to 2:45 pm

Washington Room 1

2662.

Comics and Comic Art 9: Graphic Mothers

Thursday, April 18 – 3:00 pm to 4:30 pm

Washington Room 1

2762.

Comics & Comic Art 10: Roundtable on Comics Censorship

Round table

Thursday, April 18 – 4:45 pm to 6:15 pm

Washington

Room 1

2862.

Comics and Comic Art: Area Dinner

Dinner

Thursday, April 18 – 6:30 pm to 8:00 pm

Off-Site Dinner

3162.

Comics and Comic Art 11: Historical Perspectives Deux

Friday, April 19 – 9:45 am to 11:15 am

Washington Room 1

3362.

Comics and Comic Art 12: Monsters Inside and Out

Friday, April 19 – 11:30 am to 1:00 pm

Washington Room 1

3462.

Comics and Comic Art Area Meeting

Meeting

Friday, April 19 – 1:15 pm to 2:45 pm

Washington Room 1

3662.

Comics and Comic Art 13: Roundtable on X-Files

Friday, April 19 – 3:00 pm to 4:30 pm

Washington Room 1

3762.

Comics and Comic Art 14: Good Intentions

Friday, April 19 – 4:45 pm to 6:15 pm

Washington Room 1

3962.

Comics and Comic Art 15: Exhibitionist Behavior and Underground

Comics

Friday, April 19 – 6:30 pm to 8:00 pm

Washington Room 1

4162.

Comics and Comic Art 16: Form and Function

Saturday, April 20 – 9:45 am to 11:15 am

Washington Room 1

4262.

Comics and Comic Art 17: Stan Lee

Saturday, April 20 – 11:30 am to 1:00 pm

Washington Room 1

4362.

Comics and Comic Art 18: Comics in Performance

Saturday, April 20 – 1:15 pm to 2:45 pm

Washington Room 1

Baltimore's Marc Nathan interviewed

BUSINESS 3X3: MARC NATHAN AT CARDS COMICS COLLECTIBLES AND THE BALTIMORE COMIC CON

'Making a Jump into a Much Larger Location Was Key'

Posted by Jim McLauchlin on April 16, 2019

 

https://icv2.com/articles/columns/view/42984/business-3x3-marc-nathan-cards-comics-collectibles-baltimore-comic-con

Library of Congress collection used for wartime comic book research

#22 from Grand Comics Database

Paul Hirsch used the papers of the Writers' War Board held in the Library of Congress, specifically Box 11 of the collection, to look at how a semi-official government body influenced the depiction of the Axis in comic books during the war. DC Comics, Fawcett Comics, and Street & Smith are specifically mentioned.

The WWB also encouraged racial reconciliation in America at the same time, with a 'Race Hatred Committee' which helped with an anti-lynching story in Captain Marvel, Jr. #22.

Here's the citation and the abstract:

"This Is Our Enemy" The Writers' War Board and Representations of Race in Comic Books,1942–1945

Author(s): Paul Hirsch

Source: Pacific Historical Review, Vol. 83, No. 3 (Aug., 2014), pp. 448-486

Published by: University of California Press

Stable URL: https://www.jstor.org/stable/10.1525/phr.2014.83.3.448

Abstract

During World War II, the U.S. government, through the Writers' War Board (WWB), co-opted comic books as an essential means of disseminating race-based propaganda to adult Americans, including members of the armed forces. Working with comic creators, the WWB crafted narratives supporting two seemingly incompatible wartime policies: racializing America's enemies as a justification for total war and simultaneously emphasizing the need for racial tolerance within American society. Initially, anti-German and anti-Japanese narratives depicted those enemies as racially defective but eminently beatable opponents. By late 1944, however, WWB members demanded increasingly vicious comic-book depictions of America's opponents, portraying them as irredeemably violent. Still, the Board embraced racial and ethnic unity at home as essential to victory, promoting the contributions of Chinese, Jewish, and African Americans.

That darn Dilbert

'Dilbert' speaks truth on power

John Kohout, Alexandria

Washington Post April 13 2019 p. A17

online at https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/readers-critique-the-post-an-omitted-flag-raiser-at-iwo-jima-and-bad-stereotypes-about-appalachia/2019/04/12/db1b0fb0-5d4c-11e9-9625-01d48d50ef75_story.html

The Post talks to Jerry Craft

Jerry Craft shares school experience and love of drawing with main character in 'New Kid'

Graphic novel is about a boy who transfers to an elite school and has trouble fitting in.[in print as Novel shows how it feels to be the 'New Kid' at school].

By Mary Quattlebaum

Washington Post (April 1 2019).

online at https://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/kidspost/jerry-craft-shares-school-experience-and-love-of-drawing-with-main-character-in-new-kid/2019/03/29/237416e4-41c8-11e9-922c-64d6b7840b82_story.html

Jerry Craft's new middle-grade graphic novel "New Kid" is about an African American boy who transfers to an elite middle school in New York that his parents favor. He would rather go to art school. (HarperCollins)

The Post talks to Darrin Bell about his Pulitzer Prize

How the Trayvon Martin tragedy led to Darrin Bell's historic editorial cartooning Pulitzer

By Michael Cavna

Washington Post April 15 2019

https://www.washingtonpost.com/arts-entertainment/2019/04/15/how-trayvon-martin-tragedy-led-darrin-bells-historical-editorial-cartooning-pulitzer/

NPR talks to Cathy Guisewite

After Decades Of Comics, 'Cathy' Cartoonist Found Writing 'So Liberating'

Lynn Neary

Heard on Weekend Edition Sunday

April 14, 2019 

https://www.npr.org/2019/04/14/712791381/after-decades-of-comics-cathy-cartoonist-found-writing-so-liberating

https://ondemand.npr.org/anon.npr-mp3/npr/wesun/2019/04/20190414_wesun_after_decades_of_comics_cathy_cartoonist_found_writing_so_liberating.mp3

https://www.npr.org/templates/transcript/transcript.php?storyId=712791381

Tonight: Roz Chast and Patricia Marx -— in conversation with Melissa Block

Roz Chast and Patricia Marx - Why Don't You Write My Eulogy Now So I Can Correct It?: A Mother's Suggestions — in conversation with Melissa Block

Friday, April 12, 2019 - 7 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Finding she couldn't get her mother's words of wisdom out of her mind, Marx, a long-time writer for The New Yorker, decided to put them in a book. Not just any book—one illustrated by her colleague, the legendary Roz Chast. No stranger to parental idiosyncrasies, Chast—author of the best-selling graphic memoir, Can't We Talk about Something More Pleasant?—has come up with just the right images for declarations such as, "If you run out of food at your dinner party, the world will end." Given free rein of the "rules, guidelines, principles, precepts, decrees, no-nos, yes-yes's, and arbitrary judgments of Patty's mother," Chast unleashes the full range of her witty, full-color art. Marx and Chast will be conversation with Melissa Block, special correspondent for NPR and former co-host of All Things Considered.

 

This event is free to attend with no reservation required. Seating is available on a first come, first served basis.
Click here for more information.

5015 Connecticut Ave NW   Washington   DC    20008

April 26: Animezing!: Napping Princess

Enjoy a FREE Japanese ANIME film at the JICC!

Animezing!: Napping Princess Featuring a story set in Kurashiki City -- co-presenter of the JICC's current exhibit: Indigo Threads / 藍・つむぐ: Weaving Japanese Craftsmanship & American Heritage. From the director of Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex and Eden of the East The year is 2020, three days before the opening of the Tokyo Olympics. While she should be studying for her exams, Kokone Morikawa often dozes off, entering a dream-world called Heartland full of fantastic motorized contraptions. But when her father, a talented but mysterious mechanic, is kidnapped for stealing technology from a powerful corporation, it's up to Kokone and her childhood friend Morio to save him. Together they realize that Kokone's dream-world holds the answers to the mystery behind the stolen tech, uncovering a trail of clues to her father's disappearance and ultimately a surprising revelation about Kokone's family. In Japanese with English subtitles | Not Rated | 2017 | 111 min | Directed by Kenji Kamiyama Registration required Image: © 2017 "Ancien and the Magic Tablet" Film Partners You are invited to Animezing!: Napping Princess Friday, April 26th, 2019 from 6:30 PM to 8:30 PM (EDT) Japan Information & Culture Center, Embassy of Japan 1150 18th Street Northwest Suite 100 Washington DC 20036 US CLICK HERE TO REGISTER This event is free and open to the public, but registration is required. In the event of a cancellation, please contact us at jicc@ws.mofa.go.jp. Program begins at 6:30PM. Doors open 30 minutes before the program. No admittance after 7:00PM or once seating is full. Registered guests will be seated on a first come, first served basis. Please note that seating is limited and registration does not guarantee a seat. The JICC reserves the right to use any photograph/video taken at any event sponsored by JICC without the expressed written permission of those included within the photograph/video. 1150 18th Street NW, Suite 100 | Washington, D.C. 20036-3838 TEL: 202-238-6900 | FAX: 202-822-6524 | jicc@ws.mofa.go.jp © 1981-2019 Japan Information & Culture Center, Embassy of Japan

The Post on Disney's new streaming service.

Disney's new $6.99 a month streaming service, Disney+, will include Star Wars and Marvel movies [in print as Disney unveils streaming service, but questions linger about its success].

By Steven Zeitchik

Washington Post April 12 2019, p. A19

online at https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/2019/04/10/three-big-questions-disney-streaming-presentation-will-address/

PR: Awesome Con Announces Full Schedule of Events

Awesome Con Announces Full Schedule of Events

Three Days Packed with Special Guest Appearances, Industry Expert Panels, Exclusive Screenings, and More Fill the Walter E. Washington Convention Center April 26-28

 

Washington, DC (April 12, 2019) – Awesome Con, Washington DC's Comic Con powered by Third Eye Comics, is proud to announce three days of programming complete with panels, workshops, celebrity appearances, and more, taking over the Walter E. Washington Convention Center from April 26-28. Family-friendly pavilion Awesome Con Jr presented by the Toy Association returns with even more events planned to educate and entertain kids of all ages and parents alike. Smithsonian is partnering with Awesome Con once again to present Future Con, a science pavilion showcasing the intersection between science and science fiction with live demonstrations and experts discussing everything from space exploration to spy technology, and more. Back for the third year is Pride Alley presented in partnership with Geeks OUT and Washington Blade, shining a spotlight on LGBTQ creators and fans in an even more robust section of Artist Alley and presenting special programs addressing diversity in pop culture. Attendees can start planning their Awesome Con experience and view the full schedule online at: www.awesomecon.com/programming.

 

Highlights from Awesome Con 2019 include:

 

Celebrity & Comic Guests

Hear from some of the biggest influencers from the world of pop culture and comic books at panels, screenings, Q&As, and more. For a full lineup of confirmed guests visit www.awesomecon.com/guests. Main Stage events include:

• Weird Al Q&A (2:30PM – April 26 – Main Stage)
• Karate Kid Q&A (4:15PM – April 26—Main Stage)
• The Office Q&A (6:00PM – April 26 – Main Stage)
• Riverdale Q&A (11:45AM – April 27 – Main Stage)
• Princess Bride Q&A (2:00PM – April 27 – Main Stage)
• Star Trek: Next Generation Q&A (3:45PM – April 27 – Main Stage)
• Matt Smith Q&A (11:45AM – April 28 – Main Stage) 
• Weird Science Q&A (2:00PM – April 28 – Main Stage)

 

Future Con

• Exploring the Future of Crime (11:00AM – April 27 – Room 150) – Technological advances have benefited our world in immeasurable ways—but there is an ominous flip side. Criminals are often the earliest, and most innovative, adopters of technology, and modern times have led to modern crimes. From big data to artificial intelligence and genetics to robotics, today's criminals are at the forefront of the tsunami of technological threats coming our way. In this session, Marc Goodman, author of the New York Times best-selling book Future Crimes, rips opens his database of hundreds of real cases to give the audience front-row access to these impending perils. While many of the stories Goodman will tell sound like science fiction, they are indeed fully rooted in startling scientific facts. This discussion will raise raises tough questions about the expanding role of technology in our lives and propose a path forward to ensure we all benefit from humanity's technological advances rather than become imperiled by them.
• The Science of Voltron: Legendary Defender (5:00PM – April 26 – Room 144) – Come along, Paladins! The Voltron: Legendary Defender series has come to a close, so it's time to explore some of the best science in the series. We'll learn about wormholes, crystals, gluon fields, and much more while we discuss how much the series got right (and a few things they got wrong). Kids of all ages are welcome!
• Science of Aquaman (7:00PM – April 26 – Room 144) – This panel will discuss the actual science behind Aquaman's powers. He can communicate with marine life, is adapted to live and thrive in harsh underwater environments and has superhuman strength. All these abilities, including being able to "talk to fish," as Batman would say, are rooted in science. Come learn about the incredible adaptations that allow life to thrive in the extremes of the deep ocean, the methods scientists use to study the undersea landscape, and the bio-inspired technologies being developed that could allow a human to effectively take on the abilities of Aquaman.
• Germ Warfare: A Very Graphic History (12:00PM – April 27 – Room 146) – Join world-renowned author Max Brooks (World War Z) for a conversation about his newly-released graphic novel on the dangers posed by biological agents. Members of the Blue Ribbon Study Panel on Biodefense will also be present to discuss the novel and its message about the threat of biological attacks and naturally occurring outbreaks in the 21st century.
• Astronomy 101 Through Science Fiction (5:00pm – April 27 – Room 144) – Welcome to Astronomy 101! Always wanted to learn astronomy? Science Fiction fan? Dr Erin Macdonald will take us through the first semester of astronomy with hardly any math and a whole lot of science fiction references. We'll blaze through the science of planets, the solar system, and stars at warp speed; come ready to learn!
• Intelligence Super Models: 3D Modeling in the Intelligence Community (8:00pm – April 27 – Room 144) – Join U.S. Intelligence Community experts on digital and physical 3D modeling who will demonstrate and discuss their experiences impacting national security missions. 3D modelers will exhibit a variety of capabilities utilized by NGA and CIA across the 3D disciplines, including leveraging imagery and geospatial information to visualize human activities that occur on the Earth.
• The Story and Science of Gravitational Waves (2:00pm – April 28 – Room 144) – In 2015 our quest to study and explore the universe took a giant leap forward with the discovery of gravitational waves. The LIGO Scientific Collaboration has detected ripples in spacetime from the collision of black holes as well as a neutron star merger that showed up in every spectrum possible. Dr Erin Macdonald (a former member of LIGO) will discuss the history behind the detection, share some fun stories, and what these discoveries mean for astrophysics going forward.

 

Awesome Con Jr

• Monster Battle Time KO! (3:45PM – April 28 – Awesome Con Jr Stage) - Three teams of artists go head-to-head in the biggest Monster Battle Time of the season! This year there are three teams of stellar cartoonists to design your monsters and battle for ultimate artistic glory! Free comics to all attendees.
• Dreamworks Screening (4:00PM – April 26 – Awesome Con Jr. Stage) – Dreamworks will surprise guests with a special feature screening.
• Kids Costume Parade (12:00PM – April 27 | 12:00PM – April 28 – Awesome Con Jr Stage) – Awesome Con is excited to announce the Kids Costume Parade! Registration is limited to the first 30 kids (and their parents).
• National Wildlife Federation Animal Show with Naturalist David Mizejewski (1:30PM – April 27 – Awesome Con Jr Stage) – An educational presentation of exotic animals from all over the world with a message about conservation.

 

Pride Alley

• Fabulous Fictional Females (1:30PM – April 26 – Room 152) –  featuring a diverse panel of female writers, artists, and editors discussing the 'Strong Female Character' trope, breaking down what goes into telling a great story and sharing our professional experiences in the realms of comics, literature, and theater.
• Gender in SFF Fiction: Women & Nonbinary Authors (2:30PM – April 26 – Room 152) – From the elusive Strong Female Protagonist to LGBTQ representation, and what an individual author's responsibility is, this panel will explore what it means to be a female or nonbinary author in the male-dominated genre of sci-fi and fantasy fiction.
• Diversity Amongst the Stars (4:30PM – April 26 – Room 144) –A celebration of the diverse characters we love and a discussion about how the galaxy has changed over the last few years and where we still hope it may go.
• Strengthening Geek Culture (4:30PM – April 26 – Room 152) --A spotlight on queer creators and fans, Strengthening Geek Culture will unite the LGBTQ and allied creators attending Awesome Con through a panel celebrating the diversity and creativity of queer geekdom and LGBTQ contributions to pop culture. 
• Exploring Gay & Lesbian Comic Creators (5:30PM – April 26 – Room 144) – This panel will explore some of the creators and their contributions to producing gay and lesbian comics and how they have influenced the mainstream comic industry to this day. Some of the creators that will be explored are Howard Cruse (Stuck Rubber Baby), Trina Robbins (Wimmen's Comix), Alison Bechdel (Fun House), and Joe Phils (Joe Boys) to name a few. 
• Resistance, Feminism, & Fandom (6:30PM – April 26 – Room 144) – Science fiction is often a form of social commentary, and engaging with sci-fi fandom means voicing that commentary via social media. As women, people of color, and other LGBT+ participants who are quite visible in fandom during this charged era in American politics, we want to discuss our experiences speaking out on various social platforms even when it may not be the popular thing to do.
• We ARE Gaymers! Be Proud! (11:30 AM – April 27 – Room 152) A discussion surrounding the collective identity of gamers, outside negative feedback, and how the community can response
• Pro Wrestling Connection for Marginalized Fans (1:30PM -- April 27 – Room 152) Centering women, non-binary, & LGBTQ+ voices in wrestling fandom-these fans have crucial perspectives to share. If you've never felt comfortable at a wrestling panel before, this one's for you.
• Crossplay 101 (2:30PM – April 27 – Room 152) – An introductory lecture about what crossplay is and educating how to crossplay safely.
• Representation Matters, So Make It Good (4:30PM – April 27 – Room 152) Stories matter. More diverse media representation is incredibly important, but not all representation is created equal. The result of years of narrative research, this panel lays out a comprehensive and easy to follow guide to creating healthy and compelling queer characters and stories, with examples and suggestions across media and genres. 
• The BLERD Panel (5:30PM – April 27 – Room 152) – Picking up where we left off last year, the BLERD Panel will give the black nerd state of the union with comedy, connection, and community!
• Cositivity (12:30PM – April 28 – Room 152) – This panel is designed to be a safe space for cosplayers to discuss their experiences with cosplay. Mediated by the panelists, we will be sharing our experiences as well as opening the floor for others to discuss theirs.

Additional Programming Highlights:

• Voice-a-Palooza (6:30Pm – April 26 – Room 146) - VIDEO GAME VOICE ACTORS BEHAVING BADLY. Join professional voice actors as they reinterpret movie scripts, poetry, songs and more in their character voices, read the craziest phrases that YOU provide in their character voices, and create an entirely new video game from YOUR suggestions. A Classic and a MUST NOT MISS.
• Awesome Con Short Film Fest -- Grabbing some popcorn, all your friends, and a seat, as Joe Carabeo (Award winning Director, Astray Productions President, Project Resolution Producer) brings the Awesome Con Short Film Festival to you! There will also be an exclusive filmmakers Q&A after the screenings afterwards moderated by TV host Molly Nevola.
• Sci Fi / Action / Horror (2:00PM – April 26 – Room 101)
• Awesome Con Short Film Fest – Comedy & Drama (12:00PM – April 27 – Room 101)
• Awesome Con Short Film Fest – Documentaries & More (12:00PM – April 28 – Room 101
• Helping Kids Understand the World Through Nonfiction, Fact-Based Fiction, and Real Science (1:00PM – April 28 – Room 150) - National Geographic Kids Editors talk about writing exciting non-fiction for kids, how to infuse your story with a good dose of real science, and how to keep 'em coming back for more of the good stuff: facts.
• Very Secret, Very Cool, But Not Aliens: The U-2, the A-12, and Area 51 (5:00PM – April 26 – Room 140) - CIA historians will present the development, deployment, and capabilities of the CIA's most famous spy planes, as well as the testing site the helped make famous.  Come learn about the U-2, the A-12 (and the vastly inferior SR-71), and Area 51.  Also, join a discussion of studies conducted by Gerald Haines about UFO sightings and the correlation with the operations conducted by these aircraft.
• DC Celebrates 80 Years of Batman Comics (5:00pm – April 27 – Room 150) – Eighty years after his debut, Batman continues to be one of the most popular and iconic Super Heroes of all time. Meet some of the key players in the Dark Knight's world who create and bring you the best Batman comics stories ever. Buckle up for an incredible ride in the Batmobile and hear what these creators have to say about one of your all-time favorite DC Super Heroes!
• Some Heroes Wear Cardigans: Librarians at CIA (1:00PM – April 27 – Room 140) - Madam Pince in Harry Potter. Giles in Buffy the Vampire Slayer. Dr. Barbara Gordon in Batman. Librarians and libraries have been depicted in pop culture a variety of ways throughout the years, but are often portrayed as sidekicks. The librarians at CIA think differently. Come hear them talk about what it's like to be a librarian working in espionage and discuss why they think some heroes wear cardigans.

 

WEBSITE: www.awesomecon.com is updated regularly with new guests, exciting exhibitors, and special programming.

 

SOCIAL MEDIA:

• Facebook: facebook.com/AwesomeConDC
• Twitter: @AwesomeCon
• Instagram: @awesomecons

 

 

About Awesome Con

Awesome Con is the biggest annual comic and pop culture convention in Washington, D.C., having welcomed over 71,000 attendees in 2018. Awesome Con celebrates all aspects of geekdom and pop culture, with a wide assortment of engaging events, comic books, collectibles, toys, games, original art, cosplay and more. Awesome Con is presented in partnership with LeftField Media, an event organization company developed by the founder of New York Comic Con. Learn more at www.awesomecon.com.

 

About LeftField Media

LeftField Media, LLC is an events company focused on developing face-to-face events in a range of communities rooted in contemporary culture and shared passion. LeftField was formed in 2014 by Greg Topalian (President, LeftField Media) and is now owned by Topalian and Clarion Events Ltd. With a keen sense of the evolving needs of businesses and their consumers, as well as new opportunities created by change, LeftField takes a clean slate approach to its work. LeftField's portfolio includes Play Fair (playfairny.com), a family-focused celebration of toys and play built with the Toy Industry Association; Awesome Con (awesomecon.com), Washington D.C.'s Comic Con; Rose City Comic Con (rosecitycomiccon.com), in Portland, O.R.; Anime NYC (animenyc.com), a Japanese pop culture festival presented by Crunchyroll; and the Classic Auto Show (theclassicautoshow.com), a vintage auto show launched in Los Angeles. LeftField Media is headquartered in historic Trumbull, C.T. (leftfieldmedia.com).