Janet and Ronn - Rhymes with Comic-Con (Toronto and Ottawa)

After a successful Lucifers Sword MC:  The Life and Death in an Outlaw Motorcycle Club.graphic novel signing at Ottawa's Comic Book Shoppe on February 28, Ronn Sutton is packing his bags to bring more books to Toronto Comicon, taking place at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre from March 20-22, 2015.

Ronn and I (Janet Hetherington) are both guests at the convention, so look for us in artists' alley. Show hours are Friday: 4-8 pm; Saturday 10-7 pm; Sunday 10-5 pm. Ronn will have copies of Lucifers Sword available for purchase and signing, For whatever reason, the books have been hard to find in Ottawa, so this is a chance to get a copy from the artist himself if you don't have one.

I, alas, do not have any copies to bring of The Last Outlaw DVD, but if you have a copy and bring it, I will be happy to sign it.

Both Ronn and I will be taking commissions at the show, so see us for our availability and rates. Also stop by just to chat!

Then, on Mother's Day weekend, Ronn and I will be appearing at a show that's closer to home - Ottawa Comiccon. This comic-con is at the EY Centre in Ottawa (in Ottawa South, near the airport), The show runs May 8-10, 2015 on Friday from 2-8 pm; Saturday from 9:30-7 pm; and Sunday from 10:30-5 pm.

We always look forward to seeing old friends and new faces at the different comic-cons. And with spring finally in the air, it will be fun venturing out from the studio to get into the convention vibe.

See you there!

Hello Kitty! Original comic coming to Comic-Con International 2013

Hello Kitty - off to San Diego

VIZ Media, LLC (VIZ Media) has announced a new publishing deal with Sanrio, Inc., to develop a series of original graphic novels, and a special single-volume comic featuring a limited-edition Hello Kitty design.

The single-volume Hello Kitty comic is scheduled to debut at the 2013 Comic-Con Show in San Diego with a Comic-Con exclusive cover by Eisner-nominated artist Jacob Chabot. The comic will feature art by Victoria Maderna, Ian McGinty and Chabot.

The main graphic novel series is scheduled to launch in the fall of 2013 with Here We Go!, a collection of comic stories about Hello Kitty’s travels. Both offerings will be rated ‘A’ for All Ages, and will be published under the company’s VIZ Kids imprint.

VIZ Media previously teamed with Sanrio and video game company Capcom to develop a pair of fun STREET FIGHTER X Sanrio books that were released in November 2012.

HELLO KITTY: Here We GO!· MSRP: $7.99 US / $9.99 CAN · Available Fall 2013  

Hello Kitty has places to be and friends to meet! Join Hello Kitty as she explores an underground realm, chases an unsavory cake thief around the world, climbs the Himalayas, travels back in time, and discovers that sometimes, the best place to get away from it all is between the pages of a good book.

HELLO KITTY FASHION MUSIC WONDERLAND · MSRP: $6.99 US / $7.99 CAN · Available Summer 2013  

It’s Hello Kitty as you've never seen her, in stories filled with fashion, music and adventure!

Sanrio is the global company behind classic iconic characters Hello Kitty, Little Twin Stars, My Melody, and many more. Sanrio was founded in the 1960's in Japan by Shintaro Tsuji, whose simple dream of bringing smiles to people's faces grew into the brand's "small gift, big smile" philosophy. This philosophy has served as the inspiration for the broad spectrum of products bearing the likeness of endearing characters that have helped to skyrocket the brand into a $5 billion-a-year business. Sanrio recently acquired the classic Mr. Men Little Miss brand which also has graphic novels published by VIZ Media.

“Sanrio and Hello Kitty are synonymous with the very essence of pop culture, and we’re very excited to have Hello Kitty as part of the VIZ Kids family of titles,” says Beth Kawasaki, VIZ Media Senior Editorial Director. “The new wordless comic and graphic novel series will appeal to Hello Kitty fans of all ages. VIZ Media is having a blast creating the fun new original series and we can’t wait for everyone to see the books.”

For more information on VIZ Kids graphic novels and manga, visit VIZKids.com.

New "Castle" graphic novel from Marvel

Marvel Entertainment and ABC Studios have announced Castle: Richard Castle’s Storm Season, an all-new hardcover graphic novel inspired by the popular “Castle” television series.  I love watching "Castle." I'd love to write one of these books!

“Castle” stars Nathan Fillion as Richard Castle, Stana Katic as NYPD Detective Kate Beckett, Susan Sullivan as Martha Rodgers, Molly Quinn as Alexis Castle, Ruben Santiago-Hudson as NYPD Captain Roy Montgomery, Tamala Jones as Medical Examiner Lanie Parish, Jon Huertas as NYPD Detective Javier Esposito, and Seamus Dever as NYPD Detective Kevin Ryan.

The new 112-page hardcover, based the titular novel from noted author Richard Castle, hits comic shops, the Marvel Comics app, iBookstore, Nook Bookstore and everywhere books are sold on October 17, 2012.

(I love the way this press release reads like Richard Castle is a real person.) 

Private Investigator Derrick Storm is hired to bug the hotel suite of an African head of state, but this routine mission quickly spirals out of control when Storm overhears a woman’s terrifying scream on the wire. Plagued by the victim’s helpless cry, Storm—despite an ominous warning—investigates the truth. Soon he’ll discover an international conspiracy reaching further than he ever imagined…and perhaps the truth about Clara Strike, a CIA Agent the world thinks is dead.

“As a comic book fan, I couldn’t be more excited about Brian and Kelly Sue bringing Derrick Storm to life once again in Storm Season” said Richard Castle.  “Storm is a character near and dear to my heart, so I wouldn’t trust him with many people, but he is in some incredibly capable hands with this team.”

This is the second “Castle” original graphic novel to be released through a collaborative effort between Marvel, ABC Studios and the producers of “Castle.” In 2011, Marvel released Castle: Richard Castle’s Deadly Storm.

“Marvel has done an amazing job of bringing Derrick Storm to a new audience and we’re thrilled to keep the magic going with this next graphic novel.” said Andrew W. Marlowe, “Castle” creator/executive producer. “Fans can look forward to another fantastic adventure, filled with page-turning excitement. Storm Season is Richard Castle at his finest.”

Castle: Richard Castle’s Storm Storm reunites the lauded writing duo of Brian Michael Bendis & Kelly Sue DeConnick (Richard Castle’s Deadly Storm) for their second Castle story. They’re joined by rising star artist Emanuela Lupacchino (X-Factor), whose dynamic interior artwork brings the world of Derrick Storm to life like never before. This original graphic comes wrapped in a cover by acclaimed artist Dustin Weaver (S.H.I.E.L.D.).

“The Derrick Storm novels are full of action, intrigue and compelling characters—it’s no surprise that our graphic novel adaptations have taken the literary world by storm!” said Axel Alonso, Marvel Entertainment Editor in Chief. “Castle: Richard Castle’s Storm Season will be one of the most exciting graphic novels you read all year, whether you’re a longtime fan of Richard Castle or new to his exciting stories.”
 

CASTLE: RICHARD CASTLE’S STORM SEASON

Written by BRIAN MICHAEL BENDIS & KELLY SUE DECONNICK

Art by EMANUELA LUPACCHINO

Cover by DUSTIN WEAVER

Rated T+…$19.99

ON SALE OCTOBER 17, 2012