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Viewing: Blog Posts Tagged with: CCI, Most Recent at Top [Help]

Results 1 - 9 of 9

1. Newly named Comic-Con HQ SVOD channel rolls out on May 7

By: Heidi MacDonald, on 3/14/2016
Blog: PW -The Beat (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
JacketFlap tags: Comic-Con HQ, Television, lionsgate, CCI, Add a tag

Last year, Lionsgate and the San Diego Comic-Con announced a joint venture to launch a SVOD (subscription video-on-demand) channel themed to all things nerd and con. Now they've just announced that a free beta of the service, named Comic-Con HQ, will roll out on May 7th (Free Comic Book Day). Plans for programing include including original scripted and unscripted programming, such as Kings of Con, a show based on the Her Universe fashion line, and an interview series with Adam Sessler, The ad-free service will also offer programming from Comic-Con's archives, and that should be an eye opener for comics historians.

1 Comments on Newly named Comic-Con HQ SVOD channel rolls out on May 7, last added: 3/15/2016

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2. Building a Comics Oasis: How to Stage a Comic-Conglomeration in Vegas

By: Heidi MacDonald, on 7/27/2015
Blog: PW -The Beat (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
JacketFlap tags: Top News, CCI, Mandalay Bay Convention Center, MGM Grand, Conventions, Las Vegas, Add a tag

As Comic-Con International approached, the comics media wonders: “Might CCI move from San Diego?” This year it became a more intriguing discussion for Bar-Con, as CCI’s contract with the convention center expired next year, in 2016. My prognostication was: CCI has a great relationship with the City of San Diego. They got a 63% discount […]

8 Comments on Building a Comics Oasis: How to Stage a Comic-Conglomeration in Vegas, last added: 7/28/2015

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GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY - THE MOVIE GLEANERTHE MOV said, on 7/27/2015 3:03:00 PM

[…] Building a Comics Oasis: How to Stage a Comic-Conglomeration in Vegas […]

James Van Hise said, on 7/27/2015 5:50:00 PM

This can only be intelligently discussed by people who have actually been to convention in Las Vegas in the summer where the average daytime temperature is 115 or higher. A lot of people come to Comicon from other states where it has never been 115 and never will be. People attending Comicon in San Diego find it rough when the outdoor temperature is 85 and you have to go to a restaurant or back to your hotel. 25 years ago I went to a convention in Las Vegas in summer and one time I walked out of a convention center (where the temp was about 65) outside to where it was 115 and across the street into an air conditioned hotel. Within minutes I felt light-headed and almost fainted, something which hasn’t happened to me anywhere else or since, and I was obviously a lot younger 25 years ago than I am now.

Tommy Raiko said, on 7/27/2015 6:04:00 PM

Are there any local factors aside from facilities (exhibition and hotel space) that make a city (Vegas or any other) particularly hospitable to a comics convention, Hyper- or otherwise?

Jimmy F said, on 7/27/2015 6:48:00 PM

This story delves into just the pros and not the cons. If the CCI were to be held in Mandalay Bay and the hotels surrounding it, how do you keep underage people out of the casino? Open container law is another issue. The weather/temperature would be a huge issue especially those in costume. Security being a big issue, the money that would have to be spent for it would be a lot more than what is paid in San Diego. Hotel rooms? All those hotels will not cater to CCI for a 4-5 day con especially with the traffic they receive during the summer. There are quite a few other things, this is just scratching the surface.

Ted S said, on 7/27/2015 8:07:00 PM

You know Wizard World did a convention earlier this year. And Amazing Las Vegas Comic Con just finished up it’s third year back in June.

Nerv said, on 7/27/2015 8:10:00 PM

Ugh. The people that talk most about moving the San Diego Comic Con out of San Diego are select media sites. If Las Vegas is such a great place for a comic convention then let someone start one and prove it. LA already has a convention too. It’s called Wonder Con which is run by the same people who run SDCC so why would they need both cons in the same city. So the last option for SDCC leaving is Anaheim which I’m guessing we’ll hear for the next few years. Las Vegas may want the SDCC but it hasn’t been a serious option if you believe what’s been said by the SDCC organizers. If you don’t like going to San Diego then go to one of the many conventions around the U.S. and quit worrying about when the SDCC is moving.

FYI, the bayside Marriott is currently expanding their convention space by a sizable amount which will be completed next year so future cons in San Diego will enjoy more in closed space as well as the convention and city looking at ways to continue to spread the whole thing out.

Torsten Adair said, on 7/28/2015 8:44:00 AM

This article is NOT about moving CCI to Vegas.
“What follows is not a specific “could CCI-San Diego become CCI-Vegas?” analysis. ”

Keeping kids out of the casinos: How do they do that now? Security keeps an eye on the traffic, makes sure they don’t stray from the carpeted path each casino has demarcated. (I recall Circus Circus (very family friendly) and MGM Grand both having “fairytale paths”.)

Yup. Last year, I attended the ALA conference at the end of June. 106F. That’s why I dismissed the LVCC as a site.
Yes, it’s too damn hot in Las Vegas in the summer. That’s why no one goes there from June-August! Except for those crazy music fans at the Electric Daisy Carnival. And the hordes of tourists on the Strip.

That’s also why I selected the Mandalay/Luxor/Excalibur site. It’s all connected, you don’t have to step foot outside (there’s a tram), and the overpasses on Tropicana make walking to the other hotels easy. (I recommend grabbing a $1 bottle of water from the vendors as you trek across.)

From June 2014, Las Vegas Review-Journal:
“Las Vegas tourism on record pace in June”
“The Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority on Friday reported 3.46 million visitors to Southern Nevada for the month, a 3.1 percent increase from a year earlier. At the halfway point of 2014, Las Vegas is on pace to attract more than 41 million tourists, well ahead of 2012’s record 39.7 million.”
“The authority also said city hotels had the second-best monthly occupancy rate of the year at 90 percent in June, 2.6 percentage points better than a year earlier.”

Open container law? You mean people walking around INSIDE with drinks? NYCC and C2E2 (with an official beer) sell light alcoholic drinks onsite. Outside? That’s a matter for the local sheriff.

Cosplaying? Anchor it at one hotel. I suggested that in the article… each hotel/casino could host a specific fandom via programming. Most cosplay happens near the Dealer Room (where the most traffic is), so that would mean Mandalay Bay.

Hotels offering rooms to the convention… Don’t they offer a block of rooms for using the convention/meeting space in the hotel? In San Diego, hotels DO set aside rooms, and it’s still a major headache for attendees to get a room! (And good luck finding a room under $100!) (Or trying to park your RV!)

As for CCI moving, return to the top of the screen and read my prognostication/analysis. CCI gets a SWEETHEART deal to remain in San Diego. Even if the Convention Center never gets enlarged, CCI will remain, so long as they get cheap rent and the hotels are happy to sell rooms at inflated prices to attendees.

Tommy Raiko said, on 7/28/2015 4:31:00 PM

OK. You’ve more than adequately shown how there is ample exhibition and hotel space in Las Vegas to support a huge convention. But that’s not the same thing as showing that Las Vegas could/should support a huge *comics* convention.

I mean, if this article is basically just a logistics exercise to figure out how you could take everything (or more) that San Diego does for Comic-Con and put it in Las Vegas, that’s fine, for what that’s worth.

But if this exercise (or the conversation it engenders) becomes about whether or not a major Las Vegas comics/pop culture is truly viable, then I’d hope to see answered other kinds of questions that get at the marketplace need for such a show. For instance: Does Las Vegas have a particularly robust local network of comics fans that are underserved by existing local conventions? Is there a time of year in the convention schedule without a major hyper convention that needs to be filled? Those sorts of things.

There’s got to be more to making a comics convention than just the logistics where to put the show’s elements and lodge attendees. The article is called “How to Stage a Comic-Conglomeration in Vegas.” But if anyone’s ever really going to get the opportunity to work out that “how,” they’ll first have to engage the question: “Why Stage a Comic-Conglomeration in Vegas?”

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3. SDCC ’15: Art of Comic-Con, Sergio Aragones, and Announcement from Mayor Faulconer

By: Heidi MacDonald, on 7/3/2015
Blog: PW -The Beat (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
JacketFlap tags: Conventions, Breaking News, San Diego Comic Con, SDCC, sergio aragones, Top News, SDCC '15, CCI, Convention Center, Kevin Faulconer, The Art of Comic-Con, Add a tag

Covers of Souvenir Guides arranged into an artpiece

By Nick Eskey

It’s one week and counting until the geek fest known as San Diego Comic-Con, a celebration of popular culture in television, comics, movies, cartoons and more, begins. Once known as “San Diego’s Golden State Comic-Con” which took place in the basement of U.S. Grant Hotel’s basement, the then three-day event has become the juggernaut that we all know today.

Much of Comic-Con is self-contained within the convention center. In recent years however, festivities related and unrelated to the C.C.I. have spread outward into downtown. There will be many offsite parties and exhibits coinciding with everything.

The Art of Comic-Con is right now on display at the Downtown San Diego Library. Situated on the 9th floor, it encompasses artwork spanning the life of the convention. The room is a history of artistry that have either been used for Comic-Con, or featured in their accompanying souvenir guides. Upon entering the space, a collage of artwork used for the Comic-Con guides covers a wall and spills to the floor. As the convention grew, so did the scope of the guides. It gives a glimpse into how things have changed for the convention. Simpler artwork and font begin to evolve, becoming edgier and commanding attention.

Logos throughout the years

The exhibit officially kicked off on June 20th with a reception featuring legendary cartoonist Sergio Aragones. In his usual fashion, he was more than willing to sign for autographs and pose for pictures.

Sergio Aragones, looking friendly as always

Going clockwise, more art is displayed. A timeline shows how the logos changed through the years, featuring much of the whimsical toucan. Posters used for hyping big movies and shows that were coming out that particular year are on display, flanking the logo used for Comic-Con today made in Lego bricks. At the end of the opposite wall, a giant mural made in 2009 by Sergio himself to celebrate 40 years of the convention commands the space. And to the right of that, framed in glass is some of the original artwork used for the convention guides. One of my absolute favorites is Dave McKean’s rendition of Morpheus (“Sandman”) used for 2013.

Dave McKean’s Sandman cover for 2013’s Souvenir Book

In the center of the room however is probably the most exciting stuff. In class cabinets, over 60 artists are featured; the likes of Sergio Aragones, William Rotsler, Joyce Farmer, and more have their work on display. Work celebrating the rise and existence of Comic-Con. After all, San Diego Comic-Con came into being with the purpose of celebrating the artistry of those that entertain us with their work.

Yesterday, San Diego Mayor Kevin Faulconer used this room as a platform for an announcement. He stated that Comic-Con’s stay has been extended into 2018. Not only that, the mayor assured that there are plans to expand the convention center.
It only makes sense that he’ll do what he can to keep the convention here. It brings millions of direct and indirect money to the city, and with the possibility that the Chargers football team will be relocating, we want to keep it here even more.

Next week as many will be engaged at the convention, we should all keep our ears peeled. It’ll be very likely that the details of Comic-Con’s future and the conventions development will be talked about more in depth. When it comes down to it though, it’s not the money or the tourism that we care about, is it? As fans of various genres, we want to keep the convention here so we may continue to celebrate our love of geekdom as one community.

So if you have the time, I highly encourage you to check out The Art of Comic-Con, if at least to remind yourself what it’s all really about.

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4. Inside Comic-Con’s offices and their million dollar war chest

By: Heidi MacDonald, on 6/29/2015
Blog: PW -The Beat (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
JacketFlap tags: Top News, SDCC '15, hall h, CCI, John Rogers, david glanzer, fae desmond, Add a tag

The people who work at Comic-Con International, the non-profit organization that put on next week’s extravaganza, keep a pretty low public profile—SDCC president John Rogers (who now works full time for CCI) and executive director Fae Desmond hardly ever do interviews. (This 2010 chat with Rogers is the only one I ever remember seeing) but the NY Times tried to dig in a little, and spoke with David Glanzer while looking at some of the numbers of the organization:

The nonprofit that puts on Comic-Con has a longstanding reluctance to discuss its affairs or even, for the most part, to share more than rudimentary details about its leaders. “It has always been about the event, and not about the people who do the event,” said David Glanzer, the group’s director for marketing and public relations.

But during an interview at the organization’s headquarters in mid-June, Mr. Glanzer agreed to part with past practice to address questions about its structure, resources and prospects. In addition to Comic-Con, the organization runs the similar but significantly smaller WonderCon in Anaheim, Calif.

He described a vibrant, if deeply conservative operation — it has largely eschewed growth in favor of preservation — that behaves less like a business or conventional nonprofit than a collective of shadowy guardians. The group began almost by accident, with 300 friends and acquaintances meeting in 1970 to swap notes and artifacts under the aegis of the comic strip artist Sheldon Dorf in the basement of San Diego’s U.S. Grant Hotel.

Among the nuggets gleaned: according to tax documents, CCI has a warchest of some $16.4 million as insurance against a catastrophe canceling the show with money left over to pay employees and get the show running again.

Other tidbits: the con costs $12 million a year to run and the 180 degree video screens in Hall H that Warner Bros. is expected to use for their panel this year cost $600,000 to turn on.

While the CCI staff may be viewed as “shadowy” to some, Rogers does do the annual “talk back” panel at all the CCI shows, and if you’ve ever dealt with the con on a business level, you know the staff is incredibly professional and helpful in getting stuff done. Perhaps the launch of next year’s SVOD service with Lionsgate will blow the doors open a little more, but the way CCI does business seems to be working.

8 Comments on Inside Comic-Con’s offices and their million dollar war chest, last added: 6/30/2015

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Teve Torbes said, on 6/29/2015 6:37:00 PM

wow, legally they are now in quite a pickle. By revealing that they have a profit, they can no longer BE a non profit. They had better spend that money down before fiscal year…

Cat said, on 6/29/2015 7:00:00 PM

The video screens in Hall H cost six hundred thousand to turn on? I think not. Some seriously screwed accounting was used to get that figure. Or Glanzer didn’t hear it right.

Brett said, on 6/30/2015 5:30:00 AM

The fact they have a profit isn’t news, you can see that in their 990 form they file every year. You can see how they spend their money that way. The same form shined light on the whole Denver Comic Con debacle. They claim their nonprofit status soley by the convention’s panels which are “educational.” That’s the part that baffles me.

comicsatemybrain said, on 6/30/2015 5:36:00 AM

@Teve: My understanding on non-profit isn’t that an organization isn’t allowed to accrue profit, it is that the profit stays within the organization for the purpose of furthering the organization’s mission rather than distributing that profit to its board of directors etc. (Note that distribution of profit is different from paying a contractual salary to directors.) Keeping a large reserve to allow the CCI event to re-start even in the aftermath of an unexpected cancellation is arguably in keeping with the mission of the organization (especially given the kinds of expenses necessary to run the event).

As a non-profit, they have to file paperwork with the IRS. While the extent of their reserve assets are a revelation to the general public, I doubt very much that it is news to the IRS.

Ben Towle said, on 6/30/2015 6:07:00 AM

There’s no prohibition about non-profits accruing surplus revenue, nor is there any requirement that a non-profit serve some sort of educational purpose. It’s pretty easy to find out this kind of information. Just for starters:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nonprofit_organization

Brett said, on 6/30/2015 8:00:00 AM

@Ben

That’s not quite correct about the “educational purpose.” Depending on the type of nonprofit is what they need to do to keep the status/qualify. A C3 is different than a C4 in what they have to do with their money, and what types of activities they can partake in. Part of that nonprofit is their educational component.

In an interview I never ran here was the response to that exact question:

2) As a non-profit, what are you required to do to keep that status?

SDCC must continue to operate as a non-profit corporation. To maintain tax exempt status, SDCC must continue to provide educational services. SDCC’s educational services include several hundred hours of panels, programs and workshops focusing on all aspects of comics and related popular art forms.

Torsten Adair said, on 6/30/2015 11:03:00 AM

This is all available through their tax filings. Form 990. It includes salaries.
Guidestar has the best data it seems.
Search by their corporate name: “SAN DIEGO COMIC CONVENTION”

Here’s a filing from 2012 (9/2012 – 8/2013): http://www.guidestar.org/FinDocuments/2013/953/072/2013-953072188-0a7a2126-9.pdf
In 2013, they made $8,295,991 from “memberships”. Tradeshow sponsorship was $1.183M; tradeshow income: $4.625M.
Total revenue: $14.976M. Total expenses: $12.106M End of year Net Assets: $16.445M
(Take a look at Schedule O to discover what they spend on “other expenses”! The Eisner Awards cost $8,790?)

Their mission statement: “Comic-Con International: San Diego is a nonprofit educational corporation dedicated to creating awareness of, and appreciation for, comics and related popular artforms, primarily through the presentation of conventions and events that celebrate the historic and ongoing contribution of comics to art and culture.”

It appears that they are a 509(a)(2) nonprofit. (They checked 501(c)(3) under “tax-exempt status”.)
“An organization that normally receives (1) more than 33 1/3% of its support from contributions, membership fees, and gross receipts from activities related to its exempt functions-subject to certain exceptions, and (2) no more than 33 1/3% of its support from gross investment income and unrelated business taxable income (less section 511 tax) from businesses acquired by the organization after June 30, 1975 See section 509(a)(2).”
—
I don’t criticize them for having a large war chest, or for being “mysterious”. It’s all part of the public record, thanks to the IRS.

My criticism is that they do very little to promote their mission outside of the three conventions they run.
(A mission, by the way, which is duplicated by many for-profit corporations in this country.)

Looking at San Diego, what is the legacy of Comic-Con?
Where is the amazing community of comics creators which exist in other cities?
Do local universities and public schools actively teach comics? Were they at the forefront, given the stature and prominence of CCI?

Why did it take them 40+ years to partner with the San Diego Public Library, located downtown since 1882?
Where is the community outreach? School visits? Tables for local art schools? Summer arts programs teaching kids how to make comics?
Do they have an employee responsible for community outreach?
Do they use their incredible rolodex of industry professionals to create a “speakers bureau” of creators willing to do school visits nationwide?

Why isn’t there a comics version of the Clarion Writers’ Workshop at San Diego State University?
(Or at the very least, shuttles and housing during Comic-Con?)
—
A big hypothetical: What would happen if CCI lost their non-profit status?
Does that affect their sweetheart rental discount with the convention center?
What would their tax burden be?

Miguel said, on 6/30/2015 3:56:00 PM

Were I they? I’d be very worried about Obama finding out about this. Could bring this whole town of cards crashing down.

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5. Convention Center Scorecard: San Diego: Marriott Builds a New Ballroom

By: Heidi MacDonald, on 6/27/2015
Blog: PW -The Beat (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
JacketFlap tags: Conventions, San Diego, hotels, Top News, CCI, convention centers, marriott hall, Add a tag

San Diego Marriott Hotel under construction 51-1980s

The San Diego Marriott Marquis (then known as the Intercontinental), under construction c.1983? (It opened in April 1984.)

The Marriott Marquis, c.1989 (The Grand Hyatt opened in 1992.)

As was mentioned in a recent Comic-Con blog post, the Marriott Hall in San Diego has been demolished to make way for a new, larger ballroom facility.

Harbor Drive, on the left of the map, is the street which runs in front of the Convention Center. On the right is the marina and waterfront.

The project has three components:

Marriott Hall
- “A lower exhibit hall level consisting of 35,900 square feet of exhibit space, 19,800 square feet of pre-function space (such as a gathering area for conference check-ins, cocktail space or exhibit space), 16,200 square feet of back of house space;
- “A 6,500-square foot mezzanine level; and
- “An upper ballroom level containing 35,900 square feet of ballroom space and 25,200 square feet of pre-function space, and 11,800 square feet of back house space.” [Hall H = 64,842 sq.ft.]
Marina Terrace
- “…a 25,000 square-foot flexible outdoor area used for hotel events such as cocktail parties, receptions, and luncheons up to 15% of the year. When not in use for outdoor hotel events, Marina Terrace will be accessible for use by the public as an open gathering and activity space 85% of the year.”
Marina Walk
- “…a minimum 50-foot-wide public accessway containing a 40-foot-wide public pedestrian access corridor and a 10-foot-wide landscape buffer, adjacent to the Hyatt parking structure, containing palm trees, evergreen canopy trees and drought resistant, non-invasive plants. Marina Walk will widen to 80 feet as it approaches the Embarcadero Promenade, and will widen to 145 feet at the Harbor Drive gateway to Marina Walk.”

The highlights:

27,000 square feet of ballroom and meeting space above a 25,000 square foot parking area replaced by two ballrooms, each with 35,900 square feet of exhibition space.
Relocation of cooling towers.
Removal of surface parking along the marina. (Check out this street view of what exists now!)
A new restroom! (Behind Sally’s Restaurant.)

Hotel owners plan to have the $70 Million project completed by next Summer.

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6. Laderman named EVP/GM for Comic-Con/Lionsgate SVOD service

By: Heidi MacDonald, on 6/24/2015
Blog: PW -The Beat (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
JacketFlap tags: Comings & Goings, Comics Media, Top News, CCI, Add a tag

Seth Laderman.jpg

That nerd-themed SVOD (subscription video on demand) service from Comic-Con/Lionsgate we told you about a while ago, just got an EVP/GM in the form of Seth Laderman, formerly of Legendary and Nerdist. This new service will offer programming themed to Comic-con attendees as well as archival footage from CCI’s library. Laderman was instrumental in growing the Nerdist brand via its podcast network and on YouTube, as well as programming such as All Star Celebrity Bowling, Magic Meltdown, The Doctor Who 50th Anniversary Live Show and the upcoming reboot of Electra Woman and Dyna Girl. At Legendary he ran operations and oversaw content acquisition and development for Amy Poehler’s Smart Girls at the Party and Felicia Day’s Geek & Sundry and worked with Spotify, Twtter and Xbox. So, It’s safe to say that he knows the terrain.

The service is launching early in 2016 — to get the first info on what will be offered, sign up for the mailing list here.

Mr. Laderman, in association with Comic-Con International, will be responsible for programming the service’s broad portfolio of content, including original short-form content created exclusively for the channel’s subscribers, films and television series from Lionsgate and other studios designed to appeal to the diverse interests of Comic-Con’s fans as well as exclusive archived footage from Comic-Con’s 45-year history. The Comic-Con International SVOD service is designed to expand the comics and pop culture event of the year into a year-round online experience for longtime fans and new audiences.

“We intend to differentiate our service through the depth and diversity of its content, the quality of its curation and the joys of discovering its rich mix of programming,” said Lionsgate President of Worldwide Television & Digital Distribution Jim Packer. “Seth is ideally qualified to create a line-up that delights fans and newcomers alike with a combination of beloved treasures, thrilling discoveries and unique original content designed exclusively to satisfy our audiences.”

“We are thrilled to have Seth join the team. He has the track record, skill set and creative instincts to produce programming that speaks to our fans and extends the magic of the Comic-Con International experience to online audiences around the world,” continued Comic-Con Director of Marketing & Public Relations David Glanzer. “His unique understanding of fan culture makes him the perfect choice for this position and he, along with Lionsgate, will help expand our horizons by delivering premium quality, fun, and educational content to an ever growing audience.”

“This is a world I know and love, a community I appreciate and respect. I’m thrilled to embark on this adventure with Lionsgate and Comic-Con International, two of the
boldest, most innovative and visionary brands in fan culture,” said Mr. Laderman. “It’s an incredible opportunity to engage this awesome fan base and launch a service that will expand the world of Comic-Con by bringing exciting new content to its fans.”

“I worked with Seth at Nerdist, and he speaks our language,” said Lionsgate President of Interactive Ventures & Games Peter Levin. “His understanding of the fan experience and his track record of launching great new digital shows make him the perfect choice to lead the expansion of the pop culture event of the year into a year-round online experience for future generation fans, geeks, nerds like us and newbies alike.”

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7. CCI ’15: Comic-Con Exclusives: A Shop Called Quest — ComiXology

By: Heidi MacDonald, on 6/19/2015
Blog: PW -The Beat (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
JacketFlap tags: Toys, Conventions, Top News, SDCC '15, CCI, CCI 2015, Con exclusives, Add a tag

A Shop Called Quest Booth # 4531

Adventure Time Fionna & Cakes Card Wars cover by Erica Wong and A Shop Called Quest

Adventure Time Fionna & Cake Card Wars #1 A Shop Called Quest SDCC Variant Cover

Adventure Time Fionna & Cakes Card Wars cover by Erica Wong. Adventure Time Cake is a Card Wars champ who can’t be beat, and Fionna … is really tired of getting beaten! They set off in search of a challenger who can really test Cake’s mettle. When they stumble across some gamer slugs, they think they’ve hit the jackpot, but these guys have never heard of Cake and refuse to even play with her!

Price: $4.99

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Abrams Hasbro Booth # 3213

My Little Pony: The Art of Equestria Exclusive Advance Sampler

My Little Pony: Art of Equestria Exclusive Advance Sampler Giveaway

A Pony Day (Friday, 7/10) SDCC exclusive! We’re giving away samplers from My Little Pony: The Art of Equestria to some lucky pony fans at the Hasbro booth! This is a sneak peek in advance of the book’s October release!

Price: $0.00

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Acme Archives Ltd Booth #5629

Galactic Glow

Limited edition Simpsons glow in the dark silkscreen print featuring Kang and Kodos.

Price: $50.00

Porkins Character Key

Limited edition Character Key created exclusively for San Diego Comic-Con 2015

Price: $39.00

Acme Ink/LBS Small Press Table K-09

Slayer Exclusive Metal Comic Cover

This is the real deal. Not a foil stamped cover, but 100% metal! If you love the band Slayer than this is a must! This 32 page comic book tells the story of how the greatest heavy metal band on the planet came to be. Only a limited amount of books made for the show, so don’t be slow before they’re all sold out!

Price: $20.00

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Action Figure Xpress Booth # 3345

Exclusive Alien 1979 Retro Minimate

In 1979, a nearly 2-foot tall Alien action figure appeared on toy store shelves, kicking off global excitement for the Alien film franchise and its numerous toy tie-ins. Now, 35 years later, Diamond Select Toys has created a 2-inch Minimates mini-figure of the Alien that pays tribute to that classic action figure! Contained in a classically styled window box, this single-packed Alien Minimate features 16 points of articulation and fully interchangeable parts, as well as a translucent skull dome with glow in the dark skull, just like the original toy! As an added bonus, the teeth glow too! Celebrate 35 years of horror!

Price: $7.00

Exclusive Arrow and Flash TV Super Hero Fight Club Mug Pen Holder

It’s an epic battle for the fate of your desk! Made from high-quality ceramic, this handsome new pen holder comes with a sturdy handle and is decorated with a beautiful wrap around diorama featuring your favorite heroes and villains from the CW Arrow and Flash TV shared universe – Flash, Malcolm Merlyn, Arrow, Heat Wave, Captain Cold, Black Canary, Ras Al Ghul, Firestorm, Arsenal, and Reverse Flash! * Pen not included. This is a single mug pen holder. Two mug pen holders are pictured to show the wrap around design.

Price: $15.00

Exclusive Avengers Age of Ultron Marvel Minimates Set of 5

The biggest Marvel movie yet continues to conquer the Minimates Universe! This five-pack of Minimates based on Marvel’s The Avengers: Age of Ultron features new characters and new looks that fans of the movie have been waiting for! Iron Man Mark 45, Tony Stark, Nick Fury, and Iron Legion #01 take on a more powerful Final Form Ultron in the must-have box set for any Marvel movie fan! Each 2-inch Minimates mini-figure features 14 points of articulation and fully interchangeable parts, as well as a clear display stand. Packaged in a full-color window box.

Price: $28.00

Exclusive DC Comics Bombshells Harley Quinn Die Cut Mouse Pad

Icon Heroes is dropping the bombshell … with the new Harley Quinn “Bombshells” Mouse Pad! Taken from the cover art of DC Comics Harley Quinn issue #7, this stunning, full color mouse pad is just the thing to put a smile on your face… and you know how Harley LOVES smiles! This mouse pad measures approximately 10″ W x 9″ H and is 1/8″ thick. It combines a superb tracking surface with vibrant color and the soft touch of fabric.

Price: $13.00

Exclusive Flash TV Deluxe Letter Opener

From the hit show The Flash comes this Action Figure Xpress San Diego Comic Con 2015 Exclusive letter opener! Measuring approximately 7 inches long, the lightning bolt letter opener is made of high quality metal and stores nicely on the scarlet circular base showing the Flash’s iconic symbol!

Price: $28.00

Exclusive Godzilla Vinyl Wars Marmit Godzilla 2000 Sofubi Vinyl Figure

From MEDICOM Toy. This recasting of the Marmit Vinyl Paradise Godzilla 2000 sofubi measures 8 5/8” tall and depicts the kaiju king with his head cocked slightly to the left in mid-roar. Cast in dark brown vinyl with black and blue spray highlights and gold, white and red detail paint applications. Polybagged with a header card.

Price: $65.00

Exclusive Godzilla Vinyl Wars Marmit Godzilla 2000 Sofubi Vinyl Figure

Price: $65.00

Exclusive Godzilla Vinyl Wars Marmit King Gogi Godzilla 1962 Sofubi Vinyl Figure

This sculpt of Godzilla from 1962’s King Kong vs. Godzilla was originally released in 2002 and has had several different colorway variations over the years. Standing approximately 8” tall, this Marmit “King-Goji” sofubi is cast in blue vinyl and features gold spray highlights and white detail paint applications. Polybagged with a header card.

Price: $65.00

Exclusive Godzilla Vinyl Wars Radon / Rodan Sofubi Vinyl Figure

From MEDICOM Toy. Known as “Radon” in his native Japan, Rodan premiered in his own solo Toho film, Rodan the Flying Monster in 1956, just two years after the premier of the classic Godzilla and noted as the first color Toho Kaiju Eiga. This “Overseas Exclusive” sofubi depicts the flying kaiju as he first appeared, cast in a light brown vinyl and featuring silver and gold spray highlights and red detail paint applications. Polybagged with a header card.

Price: $75.00

Exclusive Gothitropolis Dark Mist Decimus Hrabban Raven Action Figure

Utilizing his ability to transform into a foggy, ethereal entity, Decimus can swiftly and stealthily stalk the catacombs of Gothitropolis without detection. Utilizing his ability to transform into a foggy, ethereal entity, Decimus can swiftly and stealthily stalk the catacombs of Gothitropolis without detection. Includes bonus battle pack with alternate Screaming Raven head, war helmet, and Blood Saber!

Price: $35.00

Exclusive Predator Bottle Opener

The Predator is the ultimate hunter, and every part of him is a deadly weapon – even his distinctive metal mask! This Action Figure Xpress San Diego Comic Con 2015 Exclusive sculpted metal bottle opener of the Predator’s faceplate has magnets on the back so you can hang it on the fridge when you’re not popping the top off a beverage. Packaged in a full-color sleeve.

Price: $20.00

Exclusive Supergirl Blue Costume Femme Fatales PVC Statue

Move over Superman – there’s a new Super-person in Metropolis! This Action Figure Xpress San Diego Comic Con 2015 Exclusive Supergirl PVC statue shows her in her blue costume as she appeared in later episodes of Justice League. Supergirl measures approximately 9 inches tall atop a diorama base and comes packaged in a full-color window box.

Price: $50.00

Action Lab Entertainment – Big Monster Productions Booth # 2006

Cyrus Perkins and the Haunted Taxi Cab #1- SDCC Road Trip Edition

After a young boy dies in his taxi cab, Cyrus Perkins must solve the boy’s murder … or be haunted by the spirit trapped in his car! Get this exclusive SDCC “Road Trip” Edition of Cyrus Perkins and the Haunted Taxi Cab before the book’s official launch in October!

Price: $10.00

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Arcana Booth # 2515

Emerald City Goggles from The Steam Engines of Oz

Based on The Steam Engines of Oz, Arcana is excited to present the exclusive Emerald City Compass Goggles. As worn by Victoria in The Steam Engines of Oz, these green lens steampunk goggles are made of the finest quality and are an excellent accessory for any, and all. With the purchase of these one of a kind goggles, the collected hardcover edition of The Steam Engines of Oz is included.

Price: $50.00

H.P. Lovecraft’s Cthulhu Plush

Based on H.P. Lovecraft’s Cthulhu stories, this limited edition plush makes a great addition alongside your Lovecraft novels. This exclusive toy is a must for any Lovecraft fan and for those who must answer ‘The Call of the Cthulhu’. Come get your Great Old One, because this time, he might not return.

Price: $20.00

H.P. Lovecraft’s Necronomicon

H.P. Lovecraft’s grimoire is available as a very limited edition leather bound book! Abdul Alhazred has locked away the entire hardcover graphic novel series Howard Lovecraft & The Three Kingdoms.

Price: $20.00

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Arsenic Lullaby Publishing Booth # 2200

Arsenic Lullaby Laundry is Hell Poster

Featuring an illustration by Eisner and Harvey Award Nominee Douglas Paszkiewicz, known for his work on Arsenic Lullaby and Mad Magazine, his cartoonish yet skillfully precise style is one of a kind. 18×24,” gloss 4-color poster.

Price: $20.00

Arsenic Lullaby No. Zero Limited edition

This is an exclusive comic, reprinting the best stories of this landmark graphic novel. Aside from it being an Eisner Award Nominee for “Best Humor Publication,” characters featured in this issue went on to be seen on Comedy Central last season. The back cover has been left blank and every issue will be graced with a sketch by the illustrator of this issue, Douglas Paszkiewicz, known for his work on Arsenic Lullaby, and Mad magazine. Dimensions: 6 5/8 x 9″, 50-pound offset interior pages in black and white. 80-pound cardstock matte finish 4-color cover, 96 pages.

Price: $20.00

Cthulhu and the Last Man on Earth Poster

Price: $40.00

Atomic Art and Music Table # C-3

Wicked City Soundtrack

Wicked City original soundtrack on 180 gram vinyl produced on black and red splatter wax. original score by Osamu Shoji. The soundtrack comes with a lapel pin of the album artwork that is only included with the Comic-Con edition. Comic-Con 2015 is the official release of the soundtrack.

Price: $30.00

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Avatar Press Booth # 2701

Crossed: Badlands #75 School Day

Exclusive new cover by Raulo Caceres on Kieron Gillen’s first issue!

Price: $9.99

Mercury Heat #1 SDCC

Kieron Gillen’s ongoing new sci-fi series launches here with this exclusive edition!

Price: $9.99

Providence #2 Weird Pulp

Jacen Burrows and Michael DiPascale unleash this Weird Pulp cover on the second issue of Alan Moore’s masterpiece!

Price: $9.99

Uber #25 Brickhouse

Sieglinde busts loose on this exclusive cover by Michael DiPascale!

Price: $9.99

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Baby Tattoo Books Booth # 4712

Dressing Your Octopus Paper Doll Sheet

This sheet of Octo-Victorian paper dolls features Victoria Prismall and her pet land octopus Otto from Brian Kesinger’s popular book series that includes Walking Your Octopus, Coloring With Your Octopus, and Traveling With Your Octopus. The paper dolls are making their exclusive debut at Comic-Con 2015 to commemorate the announcement of the forthcoming book Dressing Your Octopus.

Price: $1.00

Benitez Productions Artists’ Alley # II-01

Lady Mechanika Tablet of Destinies #3 SDCC Sketch Edition

Lady Mechanika: The Tablet of Destinies #3 with an SDCC exclusive sketch cover by Joe Benitez. The lavishly illustrated steampunk series continues! The tabloids dubbed her “Lady Mechanika“, the sole survivor of a mad scientist’s horrible experiments which left her with mechanical limbs and no memory of her past. Set in a fictionalized Victorian England, Lady Mechanika is about a young woman’s search for her identity as she solves other mysteries involving science and the supernatural.

Price: $20.00

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Bill Plympton Studio Booth # 1537

Cheatin’ Blu-ray

Bill’s Plympton’s animated feature Cheatin’ available on BluRay for the first time! Partially financed by a successful Kickstarter campaign. After a theatrical run in April and May, Cheatin’ was named by IndieWire as #6 of the 15 Best Movies of 2015. Winner of over 15 festival prizes, including the Annecy Animation Festival’s Jury Prize, Cheatin’ tells the story of a newlywed wife who proves the depth of her love by becoming her cheating husband’s mistresses. 76 min. Not rated.

Price: $25.00

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Blizzard Entertainment Booth # 115

World of Warcraft: Funko POP! Murloc Vinyl Figures (3 pack)

The only thing better than Funko’s green Pop! Murloc, is an all-new 3 pack exclusive featuring never-before-seen blue, pink and orange murlocs! Be sure to grab a set now before they swim away forever!

Price: $29.99

World of Warcraft: Cute but Deadly Shadowform Illidan Figure

So angry! So cute! ‘You are not prepared’ to deal with how awesome-sauce Illidan looks as our new Cute But Deadly figure exclusive for 2015! Shadowform Illidan features an onyx black, semi-transparent body and glow-in-the-dark tattoos.

Price: $17.99

World of Warcraft: Nexus Whelpling Plush

We were rocking five colors of dragonflight before dragons ‘sold out’ and went mainstream. Celebrate the heyday of serpentine flight with this exclusive Nexus variant of our upcoming Dragon Whelpling plush series!

Price: $24.99

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Boots & Pup Small Press Table Q-14

Boots & Pup: Collected Graphic Novel

Boots & Pup: Collected is the ULTIMATE B & P experience! Collecting the first two all-ages graphic novels in the series, this 230 page Comic-Con exclusive book has it all! Part 1: Inspired Laziness. Boots craves normalcy and an honest living—too bad Pup and his free spirit ways interfere at every turn! Inspired Laziness tells the tale of two best friends, an oddball fish and office shenanigans against a sci-fi background! What ancient object does Pup keep under his hat and who are the worm and warlord obsessed with it’s secret? Part 2: The Amulet of Sum-Tin. Boots & Pup have a problem – the place they work has been invaded by an amulet obsessed warlord and his humanoid shark minions! Add to it a double crossing worm and a rocketship who thinks he’s a toaster. Boots & Pup: The Amulet of Sum-Tin tells the madcap tale of two best friends and how an ancient object has put into motion a grand pursuit that may soon span the galaxy! This book is a follow-up to the 2014 graphic novel Boots & Pup: Inspired Laziness and continues the tale of these two friends and the odd cast of characters that surround them. Bonus material: 21 pages of bonus art including 8 additional pages of comics!

Price: $20.00

Bored Inc. Booth # 609

Stinky Poo Poo-Bacca

Bored Inc’s annual Stinky Poo SDCC exclusive plush for 2015 features Stinky Poo dressed as his favorite character, Poo-Bacca! Each plush is lovingly handmade and measures approximately 6″ tall.

Price: $18.00

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Bored Inc. Hot Properties Booth # 609

Minions Keychain Set

6 piece Minion character keychain set for the special convention price of $37. Comes with a FREE Minion sticker!

Price: $37.00

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CineQuest.com Booth # 4738

“Ladies of the Con” SDCC Exclusive FanMail Mystery Box

CineQuest.com has partnered with FanMail, a new pop culture subscription box for women by women, to offer an exclusive mystery box! Only sold at SDCC, this mystery box features a show exclusive comic book and t-shirt as well as jewelry, trading cards and a Funko Pop! Vinyl figure. Buyers also receive a two-month subscription to FanMail’s great mix of pop culture goodies.

Price: $85.00

Orphan Black Exclusive “Road Trip to San Diego” IDW Comic Book

Welcome to the trip, man! Join Cosima, Sarah, Alison, Rachel and Helena for an exclusive “Road Trip to San Diego” Orphan Black comic book cover. Produced in cooperation with IDW and FanMail, CineQuest.com is proud to present an exclusive Orphan Black #4 cover featuring artwork by Alan Quah. Written by John Fawcett, this issue focuses on Alison Hendrix, a typical soccer mom with a typical husband and two adopted children. But she also happens to be a clone in pursuit of her origins.

Price: $10.00

Supernatural “Swan Song” 1:64 Die-Cast MeItallicar w/ Sam’s Army Man

We’re marking 10 years of Supernatural and commemorating one the most important episodes with our “Swan Song” variant 1967 Chevy Impala. In conjunction with Greenlight Collectibles, this licensed 1:64 scale die-cast car is a replica of the Impala as it appeared on the Rainbow Motors lot, where it was purchased by John Winchester. It features Rainbow Motors dealer plates, the price and year as marked on the windshield in paint and all the dust it gathered while on the lot.

Price: $19.99

Supernatural Exclusive”Road Trip to San Diego” T-shirt

10 years gone, more to come! Join the hunt as CineQuest.com marks the coming 11th season of Supernatural with a tribute to the Winchester brothers, featuring a great portrait in salt! This Exclusive Limited Edition licensed T-shirt will be the perfect commemorative for your trip to the 2015 San Diego Comic-Con International.

Price: $25.00

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Comic-Con International Marriott Marina Ballroom D

Comic-Con International 2015 Flash Official T-shirt

Just in time for The Flash’s 75th anniversary, this amazing image by Andy and Joe Kubert, on an ash grey shirt, brings the comics version of the mega-popular TV show star to his first SDCC shirt in decades. ADULT S-XL: $21.55; ADULT XXL: $24.79; ADULT XXXL: $28.03; WOMEN’S S-XL: $21.55; YOUTH S-L: $18.31. PRICES INCLUDE SALES TAX. Pre-order now to make sure you get your shirt! Click the ADVANCE PURCHASE link on this page to pre-order.

Price: $21.55

Comic-Con International 2015 Official Logo T-shirt

This year’s Comic-Con logo T-shirt is offered on both a black shirt and a “steel” (light grey) shirt in adult, women’s, and youth sizes. In addition, there’s a teal version for women! ADULT S-XL: $21.55; ADULT XXL: $24.79; ADULT XXXL: $28.03; WOMEN’S S-XL: $21.55; YOUTH S-L: $18.31. PRICES INCLUDE SALES TAX. Pre-order now to make sure you get your shirt! Click the ADVANCE PURCHASE link on this page to pre-order.

Price: $21.55

Comic-Con International 2015 Toucan “Moon” Official T-shirt

Back by popular demand, this Toucan T-shirt features our T-shirted Toucan dancing in front of the moon over San Diego on a black shirt. Toucan art by Rick Geary. ADULT S-XL: $21.55; ADULT XXL: $24.79; ADULT XXXL: $28.03; WOMEN’S S-XL: $21.55; YOUTH S-L: $18.31. PRICES INCLUDE SALES TAX. Pre-order now to make sure you get your shirt! Click the ADVANCE PURCHASE link on this page to pre-order.

Price: $21.55

Comic-Con International 2015 Toucan “Reader” Official T-shirt

This year’s Toucan T-shirt features art by Rick Geary saluting our OFFICIAL Blog. Imprinted in full-color on a Carolina blue shirt, featuring the Toucan reading a comic book! ADULT S-XL: $21.55; ADULT XXL: $24.79; ADULT XXXL: $28.03; WOMEN’S S-XL: $21.55; YOUTH S-L: $18.31. PRICES INCLUDE SALES TAX. Pre-order now to make sure you get your shirt! Click the ADVANCE PURCHASE link on this page to pre-order.

Price: $21.55

comiXology Booth # 2547

Aw Yeah Comics! #1 comiXology Submit Variant

Get comiXology Submit’s Aw Yeah Comics! #1 with special variant cover by Faith Erin Hicks. Aw Yeah Comics! #1 is written by Franco, Art Baltazar, Matt Brazee, Denver Brubaker, Jamie Cosley, Marc Hammond, Scott SCOOT McMahon, Chris Smits, and illustrated by Franco, Art Baltazar, Audrey Baltazar, Matt Brazee, Denver Brubaker, Jamie Cosley, Mel Dale, Scott SCOOT McMahon, and Alejandro Rosado.

Price: $0.00

BOOM! Studio’s Lumberjanes #15 comiXology Variant

Get BOOM! Studios’ Lumberjanes #15 with special variant cover by Hope Larson. Lumberjanes is created by Shannon Watters, Grace Ellis & Noelle Stevenson, with issue #15 written by Noelle Stevenson and Shannon Watters with illustrations by Brooke Allen.

Price: $0.00

Dynamite’s Will Eisner’s The Spirit #1 comiXology Variant

Get Dynamite’s Will Eisner’s The Spirit #1 with special variant cover by Jenny Frison. Will Eisner’s The Spirit #1 is written by Matt Wagner, illustrated by Dan Schkade and colored by Brennan Wagner.

Price: $0.00

IDW’s Onyx #1 comiXology Variant

Get IDW Publishing’s Onyx #1 with special variant cover by Gabriel Rodriguez. Onyx #1 is written by Chris Ryall, with art by Gabriel Rodriguez.

Price: $0.00

Marvel’s A-Force #2 comiXology Variant

Get Marvel’s A-Force #2 with special variant cover art by Siya Oum. A-Force #2 is written by G. Willow Wilson and illustrated by Jorge Molina.

Price: $0.00

0 Comments on CCI ’15: Comic-Con Exclusives: A Shop Called Quest — ComiXology as of 6/19/2015 4:35:00 PM

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8. Comic-Con International and Lionsgate team for new nerd-focused VOD service

By: Heidi MacDonald, on 4/9/2015
Blog: PW -The Beat (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
JacketFlap tags: lionsgate, Top News, CCI, video on demand, Television, Conventions, Add a tag

Fwd Lionsgate Comic Con SVOD Service Press Release Final heidi.macdonald gmail.com Gmail.jpeg

WonderCon isn’t the only part of the CCI empire that’s going “Hollywood.” CCI has just signed a deal with Lionsgate for a new subscription video-on-demand service that will launch later this year.

Lionsgate—the studio known for The Hunger Games and the Divergent series among many others—and CCI—that’s Comic-Con International) the non-profit organization that runs the San Diego Comic-Con and WonderCon—will team to present material deemed to be of interest to the Comic-Con fanbase. And yes, the channel will have original content, as well as studio fare from Lionsgate and other studios—and historical footage from past Comic-Cons.

While a VOD service may seem a little out of character for CCI, it’s not really for those who’ve been watching closely. The new service will serve as an outgrowth of SDCC’s
Comic-Con International Independent Film Festival (CCI-IFF), which is held at Comic-Con every year with various films of fan related-interest. The new VOD service will make this a “365-day-a-year online event.”

As a studio, Lionsgate was an early adapter, exhibiting at Comic-Con to promote the low budget films that made its name long before every studio in town decided SDCC was the biggest marketing event of the year. This new CCI VOD will be the third streaming service they’ve announced: Lionsgate Entertainment World, a joint venture with the Chinese company Alibaba, recently launched; and this summer will see the debut of Tribeca Shortlist, a partnership with Tribeca Enterprises that presents firms for discerning film fans. In addition to blockbusters like The Hunger Games movies, Lionsgate has also beome a player in TV, producing and distributing shows like Mad Men and Orange is the New Black.

VOD has become the hot place to cater to niche audiences and experiment with content; exploiting the “nerdcore” audience has been on a lot of radars. “The fan base for the kind of films and television series showcased at Comic-Con has grown exponentially, and a subscription video-on-demand service is the ideal platform to capture the magic and excitement of the Comic-Con experience year-round as well as the perfect vehicle for Comic-Con fans to discover new content,” said Lionsgate President of Worldwide Television & Digital Distribution Jim Packer.

It’s also a way for CCI to branch out. The Comic-Con brand is now somewhere between the Super Bowl and the Puppy Bowl in terms of mega-awareness, and launching new ventures like this seem like a smart channel to expand it even further. According to CCI’s Director of Marketing and Public Relations David Glanzer, CCI and Lionsgate have been working on the deal for two years; it was Lionsgate’s knowledge of fan culture that sealed the deal to “deliver the unique magic of Comic-Con and the celebration of comics and popular art to our fans 24 hours a day, 365 days a year and around the world.”

Frequent dealmaker Peter Levin (Nerdist, Deadline) was also involved. He’s now President of Interactive Ventures & Games at Lionsgate and expects to “expand and enrich the world of Comic-Con for existing fans and extend it to a whole new global audience with a channel distinguished by its imaginative curation, depth and diversity of content and fierce loyalty to the Comic-Con brand.”

Sign up at the above link to find out more about the launch of this new service. Maybe it will show those two dueling nerdlebrity convention shows we told you about the other week.WonderCon isn’t the only part of the CCI empire that’s going “Hollywood.” CCI has just signed a deal with Lionsgate for a new subscription video-on-demand service that will launch later this year.

3 Comments on Comic-Con International and Lionsgate team for new nerd-focused VOD service, last added: 4/10/2015

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9. APE ownership to return to Dan Vado and San Jose

By: Heidi MacDonald, on 10/4/2014
Blog: PW -The Beat (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
JacketFlap tags: Top News, CAFs, CCI, dan vado, Ape, Add a tag

There’s been a bunch of scuttlebutt going on around APE, the Alternative Press Expo now unfolding in San Francisco, and it is being announced today that CCI, which runs APE, the San Diego Comic-Con and WonderCon is returning ownership of the show to founder Dan Vado starting next year. Vado founded the show in his home base of San Jose in 1994 as part of the then-burgeoning scene of indie comics events that included the Small Press Expo in Bethesda and SPACE in Columbus. CCI took it over in 1995, eventually moving it to San Francisco. Vado has been mostly uninvolved with the show in recent years, while expanding SLG, his comics company, to a storefront and event space. And of course, CAFs have blown up everywhere, with TCAF, SPX, MoCCA, CAB, MeCAF, Thought Bubble, Short Run and many more showcasing the indie comics side of today’s comics world.

The Beat had a chance to speak briefly with Vado about taking the show back. He plans to move the event out of San Francisco and back to San Jose, and move it away from a date that conflicts with New York Comic Con. While he doesn’t have a venue secured yet, “My first choice is to work something out with the MLK Library here and run it in the same style as TCAF,” he told The Beat. “Mainly, free admission, lower table costs, trying to keep it as open as possible for new people.” Unlike TCAF, he doesn’t expect to run it on the curated model. However, like TCAF and MoCCA, he sees APE as expanding to a festival-like event with several venues and possibly a music festival attached.

Vado is hoping to get sponsorships from larger corporations involved, as well.

While Vado has often spoken fondly of APE in the past, taking on running a small press comics show in the middle of a boom seems like a big task. So why? “I kind of feel like I have some unfinished business with it,” he said. “APE was the first of its kind. I think it is a great show, and I’m happy to be able to continue it.

“Hopefully APE will turn into something even cooler than what it is,” he concluded.

While as we’ve reported here many times in the past, SF is the one city that doesn’t seem very interested in comics culture—despite or maybe because of being home to the dot-com culture that seems to love comics culture—it’s also home to the companies that have helped comics grow digitally such as Google and Apple. So there seems to be real potential to create a regional CAF with that taps into the unique culture of the area.

A panel is being held right now announcing the switchover.

11 Comments on APE ownership to return to Dan Vado and San Jose, last added: 10/8/2014

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Comic-Con International Returns Alternative Press said, on 10/4/2014 6:22:00 PM

[…] told The Beat that he wants to change a event’s date so it won’t dispute with New York Comic Con (APE […]

Denis said, on 10/4/2014 9:38:00 PM

As someone who recently moved to SF from the east-coast, I am very bummed that the one remaining comic convention IN the city will be gone. Seems so strange to me that such a cultured city can’t or won’t support a regular convention.

PRM said, on 10/4/2014 10:56:00 PM

A new owner, a new location, a new date, a new format, it sounds like he will be starting a brand new show. That’s a much more challenging proposition than just taking over an existing show.

Jimmie Robinson said, on 10/5/2014 9:14:00 AM

Dan Vado is a smart man and I look forward to his take on APE. He founded it, it’s back in his hands and he KNOWS the indy scene. I welcome this move and I’ll gladly support him.

tonyjazz said, on 10/5/2014 4:45:00 PM

I went to every Wondercon before CCI took it out of SF, and I certainly will never attend it again unless it returns. Besides, I have no interest in movie conventions.

Now the city has lost APE, too.

Yes, I am no fan of CCI and the damage they have caused the northern California comics community. ….

Torsten Adair said, on 10/6/2014 7:34:00 AM

I attended the show back in the early days, and it was a nice, small show with a killer guest list.

I believe APE used to be in February, which makes it a nice opening show for the convention season. I stayed at the youth hostel in the wilds west of Saratoga and drove in. Good climate downtown, a little chilly in the hills.

Here’s hoping he can franchise it. Both Berkeley and San Francisco have great libraries. No one has yet done a graphic novel book festival, which would truly be epic, as there aren’t even trade shows where all of the comics publishers appear. (Library + street booths + comics publishers and retailers)

Jennifer de Guzman said, on 10/6/2014 11:53:00 AM

I’m really pleased that Dan is taking over APE! I hope he can make it work out with the MLK Jr. Library in San Jose. For those who aren’t locals — the MLK Jr. Library is the biggest library building in the western U.S. and combines the city and the San Jose State University collections. SJSU has both a great illustration and writing program, too, so this locale has the potential to draw a big crowd. I’m a SJSU AND a SLG Publishing alumn, so I’ll be watching this.

NicoH said, on 10/6/2014 1:58:00 PM

I hope APE is moved out of San Francisco, I also hope Vado can keep his promise of lowering his table costs. This year I went to Ape and it is $300 per table (luckily I split the table), which I feel is way too high for a indie convention (or any convention for that matter). Parking and food is also insanely expensive in San Francisco. $10 to cross the bridge each day, and then $24 dollars for parking for each day at the Fort Mason center is way too much. I saved probably 20 bucks not buying food and just eating granola bars I brought from home because the food trucks out in front of the conventions were not cheap as well.

Sure, San Francisco is a “trendy” and “cultured,” but it just not as economical as the neighboring bay area cities. To visit San Francisco from any other bay area town you need to spend $10 to $20 just to get there.

Andrew Farago said, on 10/6/2014 8:16:00 PM

The San Francisco Zine Fest is within city limits, although as the name suggests, it’s not strictly a comic book show. I wish Dan Vado and APE well and plan to stick with the show as it returns to San Jose, but I’m hoping we’ll get a full-fledge comic show in San Francisco again before long.

Off-Panel: October 7, 2014 | PANELS said, on 10/7/2014 3:31:00 AM

[…] Beat reports on the altered state of the Alternative Press Expo, from CCI to its original owner and founder Dan Vado. Seems only appropriate that the premiere […]

fred said, on 10/7/2014 10:36:00 PM

Really annoyed SF is losing APE. Who said this city, is not interested in comic book culture?! We are & a lot of awesome artists are set here. Seems like a terrible idea to move it down to SJ… :c

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The project has three components:

Marriott Hall

Marina Terrace

Marina Walk

The highlights:

A Shop Called Quest Booth # 4531

Adventure Time Fionna & Cake Card Wars #1 A Shop Called Quest SDCC Variant Cover

Abrams Hasbro Booth # 3213

My Little Pony: Art of Equestria Exclusive Advance Sampler Giveaway

Acme Archives Ltd Booth #5629

Galactic Glow

Porkins Character Key

Acme Ink/LBS Small Press Table K-09

Slayer Exclusive Metal Comic Cover

Action Figure Xpress Booth # 3345

Exclusive Alien 1979 Retro Minimate

Exclusive Arrow and Flash TV Super Hero Fight Club Mug Pen Holder

Exclusive Avengers Age of Ultron Marvel Minimates Set of 5

Exclusive DC Comics Bombshells Harley Quinn Die Cut Mouse Pad

Exclusive Flash TV Deluxe Letter Opener

Exclusive Godzilla Vinyl Wars Marmit Godzilla 2000 Sofubi Vinyl Figure

Exclusive Godzilla Vinyl Wars Marmit Godzilla 2000 Sofubi Vinyl Figure

Exclusive Godzilla Vinyl Wars Marmit King Gogi Godzilla 1962 Sofubi Vinyl Figure

Exclusive Godzilla Vinyl Wars Radon / Rodan Sofubi Vinyl Figure

Exclusive Gothitropolis Dark Mist Decimus Hrabban Raven Action Figure

Exclusive Predator Bottle Opener

Exclusive Supergirl Blue Costume Femme Fatales PVC Statue

Action Lab Entertainment – Big Monster Productions Booth # 2006

Cyrus Perkins and the Haunted Taxi Cab #1- SDCC Road Trip Edition

Arcana Booth # 2515

Emerald City Goggles from The Steam Engines of Oz

H.P. Lovecraft’s Cthulhu Plush

H.P. Lovecraft’s Necronomicon

Arsenic Lullaby Publishing Booth # 2200

Arsenic Lullaby Laundry is Hell Poster

Arsenic Lullaby No. Zero Limited edition

Cthulhu and the Last Man on Earth Poster

Atomic Art and Music Table # C-3

Wicked City Soundtrack

Avatar Press Booth # 2701

Crossed: Badlands #75 School Day

Mercury Heat #1 SDCC

Providence #2 Weird Pulp

Uber #25 Brickhouse

Baby Tattoo Books Booth # 4712

Dressing Your Octopus Paper Doll Sheet

Benitez Productions Artists’ Alley # II-01

Lady Mechanika Tablet of Destinies #3 SDCC Sketch Edition

Bill Plympton Studio Booth # 1537

Cheatin’ Blu-ray

Blizzard Entertainment Booth # 115

World of Warcraft: Funko POP! Murloc Vinyl Figures (3 pack)

World of Warcraft: Cute but Deadly Shadowform Illidan Figure

World of Warcraft: Nexus Whelpling Plush

Boots & Pup Small Press Table Q-14

Boots & Pup: Collected Graphic Novel

Bored Inc. Booth # 609

Stinky Poo Poo-Bacca

Bored Inc. Hot Properties Booth # 609