PRESS RELEASE
One week ahead of the opening of the exhibit hall at Comic-Con International 2018, Lion Forge reveals a full slate of signings, giveaways, and exclusive variants available at booth #5543.
Throughout the weekend, and while supplies last, Lion Forge will offer fans two exclusive variant covers for $15:
Voltron Legendary Defender Vol. 3 No. 1 by Keezy Young (Limited to 400)
Superb Vol. 3 No. 1 by Anthony Piper (Limited to 400)
Fans will get multiple chances to get these special Comic-Con exclusives signed throughout the show, with days and times outlined below:
Thursday, July 19
1:00–2:00 p.m.: David Walker, Superb
Friday, July 20
12:00–1:00 p.m.: Tim Hedrick & Mitch Iverson, Voltron Legendary Defender
2:00–3:00 p.m.: David Walker, Superb
Saturday, July 21
2:00–3:00 p.m.: Tim Hedrick & Mitch Iverson, Voltron Legendary Defender
In addition, Lion Forge will launch its new gaming imprint, Quillion, with a special free issue of the flagship publication Rolled & Told, available in the Lion Forge booth throughout the show (while supplies last).
For those looking to learn more about the publisher’s plans for this new hybrid of comics and gaming, join us at a special panel presentation on Thursday evening!
Representation in Gaming: From the Comic Shop to the Tabletop
Thursday, July 19, 7:00–8:00 p.m., Room: 32AB
Tabletop role-playing has been a staple in the nerd community, but it’s found a resurgence with podcasts like The Adventure Zoneand Critical Role. Now, Lion Forge brings readers the perfect combination between a tabletop RPG magazine and a comic anthology with Rolled & Told, a monthly periodical that offers casual gamers fun-filled adventure modules, comics, art, and so much more. Join D20 Dames co-host Jen Vaughn and Lion Forge associate editor Christina “Steenz” Stewart, alongside artists Max Bare and Shing Yin Khor, and writer Josh Trujillo as we discuss where the tabletop gaming industry is going and how inclusive we can continue to make it! Attendees will receive a special exclusive Quillion dice bag (while supplies last)!
Additional Lion Forge–related programming outlined below!
Indie Creators: What’s Next?
Friday, July 20, 11:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m., Room: 4
The Antidote Trust (TAT), a collective of indie creators, presents a roundtable discussion with industry professionals on independent creators and career development strategies they can use to further hone their skills and position themselves to take that all-important next step forward. Moderator Barbara Kesel (editor, DC/Crossgen; writer, Shadowzone, Mine!) will explore what hiring professionals are specifically seeking in independents with Karen Kirkland (creative strategist and founder of The Breakk, VP of talent development, Nickelodeon),Ashley Woods (Artist, Lady Castle, Boom Studios; Tomb Raider: Survivor’s Crusade, Dark Horse Comics),Geoff Gerber (president, Lion Forge Comics—Lighter Than My Shadow, Amazon’s Best Graphic Novel of 2017), Quinn McGowan (creator, Project: Wildfire; artist, Menthu: The Anger of Angels), and TAT co-founder Robert Roach (creator, Menthu: The Anger of Angels; storyboard artist, Insomnia; concept illustrator, Lion: Origin of the Wailers).
Diversity and Inclusivity from the Perspective of Libraries/Publishing/Authors in the Industry
Friday, July 20, 5:30–6:30 p.m., Room: 8
In the age where the inclusion of positive representation for marginalized groups in all media has grown but the need has not diminished, how has the conversation of increasing diversity in literature changed? How has the ground that’s been covered changed the landscape? Join Lion Forge’s associate editor Christina “Steenz” Stewart and senior editor Amanda Meadows, alongside a panel of industry experts, including award-winning filmmaker and writer Che Grayson, teen librarian Kathryn Kania, Eisner Award–winning retailer Jenn Haines, and nonbinary cartoonist and creator of Genderqueer: A Memoir, Maia Kobabe, for a discussion on how to truly produce “comics for everyone.”
Roaring into Adulthood: Young Adult and Middle Grade Comics in the Classroom and Beyond
Saturday, July 21, 11:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m., Room: Shiley Special Events Suite, San Diego Central Library
Lion Forge believes in publishing comic books for every reader at every age with stories to reflect the world at large. Middle grade and young adult fiction are the two fastest-growing categories in bookstores around the world, and the company’s Caracal and Roar imprints offer countless comic book tales in every genre for children, teens, and adults alike. The panel will discuss a broad range of titles from Lion Forge and other publishers, and offer librarians and educators expert advice on how to incorporate these books into schools, libraries, and living rooms. Join Lion Forge director of education outreach and collections, Jill Gerber, Lion Forge editors Jasmine Amiri and Carol Burrell, writers Rodney Barnes, Samuel Sattin, and David Walker, and Eisner Award–winning comic retailer and educator Jenn Haines for a discussion on how comics can be used as tools for education as well as entertainment.
Comics for Impact: Changing the World with Words and Pictures
Saturday, July 21, 4:00–5:00 p.m., Room: Shiley Special Events Suite, San Diego Central Library
Comics for Impact and Social Good—Find out how comics educate, change attitudes, and otherwise make a difference by, among other things, depicting persons with disabilities in a different light, raising funds for charitable causes, providing a tribute for victims of hate crimes, and fighting for international human rights in a presentation and Q&A with panelists Geoff Gerber (president of Lion Forge), Kelley Allen (director of books at Humble Bundle), Sarah Gaydos (Love Is Love), and Josh Elder (executive director of Reading With Pictures) with moderator Russell Shilling (senior innovation fellow at Digital Promise).
Lion Forge’s “Comics for Everyone” Fall 2018 Preview
Sunday, July 22, 11:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m., Room: 8
Lion Forge Comics strives to publish comics that everyone, regardless of background, ethnicity, or gender identification can connect with. With multiple imprints, including an entire line of books for younger readers, and one of the most diverse superhero universes in comics history, the St. Louis publisher makes good on that promise every Wednesday. Lion Forge senior publicist Jeremy Atkins and senior editor Amanda Meadows give attendees an exclusive look at what’s to come from Lion Forge this fall and are joined by a cast of the industry’s top talent and a special surprise guest for an exclusive announcement that will echo throughout the San Diego Convention Center!
