Hot off of a debut year with one of the most diverse and fun-focused lineups in the comic book industry, Lion Forge Comics will be celebrating its star-studded 2016 releases with fans at New York Comic Con, here at the Jacob K. Javits Center next week.
Roar Comics, the young readers imprint of Lion Forge, will unveil artwork from its 2016 Madballs™ comic book series which updates the smash hit American Greetings franchise with modern interpretations from over one dozen superstar artists including Scarecrowoven, Gunsho, and Matt Crabe. The team — joined by Madballs designer Jim Groman — will be on-hand to sign a convention-exclusive oversized art comic and two limited edition screen prints before a launch party Friday night at Brooklyn’s Desert Island Comics.
Actor Flex Alexander (Snakes on a Plane, One on One, Flex & Shanice) makes his first appearance at New York Comic Con at two signing events throughout the weekend, with free prints showcasing art from his new graphic novel, Joshua Run. The high-tech hacker thriller launches today as an eBook exclusive on all digital comics platforms.
Lion Forge also has a special event in store for wrestling fans — an encore performance of its standing-room-only retrospective on Andre the Giant at this summer’s Comic-Con International in San Diego. The WWE Hall of Famer’s daughter Robin Christensen-Roussimoff will field questions about her father’s legacy along with comics editor and journalist Heidi MacDonald, cartoonist Jarrett Williams, writer Mike Kingston, and Shannon Eric Denton, editor of next month’s graphic novel biography, Andre the Giant: Closer to Heaven.
“Our first year was even bigger and better than I imagined it would be,” said Lion Forge CEO David Steward II. “It’s important that we give back to our fans and build on the huge response to our first books like Knight Rider, Miami Vice, and Saved By the Bell with an even more robust slate in 2016. New York Comic Con is going to kick things off perfectly.”
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PANELS & EVENTS
Andre the Giant: The Man Behind the Legend — Thursday, October 8, 12:30 p.m.-1:30 p.m. — Room 1A24
The beloved pro wrestler’s daughter Robin Christensen Roussimoff joins Shannon Eric Denton, editor of Lion Forge’s authorized graphic novel biography, to discuss the real man we all know as the Eighth Wonder of the World. With special guests Jarrett Williams (SuperPro K.O.) and Michael Kingston (Headlocked). Join us for fond reminiscences of one of sports entertainment’s most legendary figures! Hosted by Heidi Macdonald (ComicsBeat)
Madballs Comics Launch Party — Friday, October 9, 7:00 p.m.-9:00 p.m. — Desert Island Comics, 540 Metropolitan Ave., Brooklyn
Join the superstar artists of next year’s brand new Madballs comics series (and this year’s Madballs convention-exclusive art book!) for a rousing good time at Brooklyn’s own Desert Island Comics. Featuring Jimmy Giegerich, Matt Crabe, Sean Dove, Sacrecrowoven, Gunsho, Jenny Zych, Chuck Forsman, Ulises Farinas, Lale Westvind, and Jim Groman!
SIGNINGS
Signings and free sketch sessions for fans will be held throughout the weekend at Lion Forge Booth #1659. Below times are subject to change and more events to be announced — stop by the booth for up-to-the-minute news!
Thursday
11:00 a.m – 12:00 p.m. — JOSHUA RUN Signing — Flex Alexander
1:30 – 3:00 p.m. — ANDRE THE GIANT Signing — Robin Christensen Roussimoff and Shannon Eric Denton
Friday
1:00 – 3:00 p.m. — MADBALLS Signing — Jimmy Giegerich, Matt Crabe, Sean Dove, Sacrecrowoven, Gunsho, Jenny Zych, Chuck Forsman, Ulises Farinas, Lale Westvind, and Jim Groman
3:30 – 4:30 p.m. — JOSHUA RUN Signing — Flex Alexander
Sunday
11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. — SAVED BY THE BELL Signing — Joelle Sellner
1:00 – 2:00 p.m. — PUNKY BREWSTER Signing — Joelle Sellner
EXCLUSIVES AND GIVEAWAYS
Additional posters, ashcans, and giveaways will be distributed throughout the weekend at Lion Forge Booth #1659. Featured items below are extremely limited and subject to availability.
MADBALLS OOZING ART WAD
— Limited Print Run of 800
— Two collectible dust jackets
— $25
— 44 Pages
The Madballs invasion has begun! We found eight of the most reprehensible artists in the world to share their visions of an Earth overrun with these pus-filled, drool-spewing monstrosities, and the results are enGROSSingly disturbing! Flippable and reversible dust jackets envelop this oversized comic, with disgusting stories from Scarecrowoven, Dan Zettwoch, Gunsho, Jimmy Giegerich, Jenny Zych, Sean Dove, Matt Crabe, and Jesse Balmer. The Madballs Oozing Art Wad collects all eight backup stories and variant covers from the upcoming 2016 mini-series, adding artwork you’ll find in this edition ONLY, from James Groman (one of the original Madballs designers), Ulises Farinas (Judge Dredd: Mega City Two), Derek Ballard (Adventure Time), and up-and-coming alt-comix star Lale Westvind.
MADBALLS LIMITED EDITION SCREEN PRINTS
— Two different prints by Scarecrowoven and Gunsho
— Limited print run of 75 each
— $50
MADBALLS TEMPORARY TATTOOS
— Two different tattoos by Matt Crabe and Sean Dove
— Limited print run of 500 each
— Free!
AIRWOLF DOG TAGS
— Replica “Stringfellow Hawke” dog tag
— Limited print run of 500
— Free!
About Lion Forge Comics
Lion Forge is a St. Louis-based transmedia studio with a focus on digital publishing. With both original and licensed titles, Lion Forge brings together the brightest talent to acquire and develop content and character franchises within the comic book, television, film, and interactive gaming industries. Lion Forge applies cinematic elements to each property to create compelling, story-driven experiences from start to finish, bringing unique entertainment experiences to both traditional and digital marketplaces. For more information, please visit lionforge.com or the Lion Forge Facebook and Twitter pages.
About AG Properties
AG Properties (AGP) is the intellectual property and outbound licensing division of American Greetings Corporation. Built upon the successful re-launch of Care Bears™, AGP develops multi-platform campaigns for its properties through digital media, entertainment, marketing and merchandising. In addition to Care Bears, AGP’s active classic brands include Holly Hobbie™ and Madballs™, as well as new properties Boofle™, Packages from Planet X™ and Twisted Whiskers™. Children can experience AGP online at www.agkidzone.com. For more information on AGP, visit www.agpbrands.com.
