Rose City Comic Con ’14: Dark Horse Panels and Signings

Rose City Comic Con is coming up quick, starting this Saturday at the Oregon Convention Center, in Portland, OR. That means it’s time to plan out your schedule for the show; know what comics to bring; who will sign them; where, when, etc. To make that a bit easier for you, one of the Oregon local publishers has provided a list of their grand involvement in the two day comic con, and you can see it below. Considering Rose City Comic Con is right in Dark Horse’s backyard, it should be no real shock that the comic company is coming on strong with several big name signings and a handful of great panels that include spotlights on great creators like Greg Rucka and Matt Wagner! But that’s not all, as Dark Horse will be giving away free comics and prints at all their various free signings, they’ll have a keen Alien themed convention exclusive, and even throw an after party open to the public! If that’s not reason enough to go to Rose City Comic Con we’re sure some of the other publishers might be doing things, but huge credit to Dark Horse on the following:

Dark Horse’s packed signing schedule starts at 10AM with the creators of Neverboy. Remember all their signings are free and the company provides stuff to get signed if you don’t already have your own. In fact, on Saturday night they’ll even have Buffy’s own Xander, Nicholas Brendan, on hand to sign Buffy related items if you’re lucky enough to get a wristband!

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 20

10:00 a.m.–10:50 a.m. NEVERBOY Tyler Jenkins, Kelly Fitzpatrick

11:00 a.m.–11:50 a.m. THE VICTORIES Michael Avon Oeming

12:00 p.m.–12:50 p.m. NEXUS Mike Baron, Steve Rude

1:00 p.m.–1:50 p.m. HELLBOY AND THE B.P.R.D. Alex Maleev

2:00 p.m.–2:50 p.m. POP Jason Copland

3:00 p.m.–3:50 p.m. STAR WARS Jeremy Barlow (Darth Maul), Corinna Bechko and Gabriel Hardman (Legacy)

4:00 p.m.–4:50 p.m. DREAM THIEF Jai Nitz

5:00 p.m.–5:50 p.m. SUNDOWNERS Tim Seeley
LADY KILLER Joëlle Jones, Jamie S. Rich

6:00 p.m.–6:50 p.m. FIRE AND STONE Chris Roberson and Patric Reynolds (Aliens), Joshua Williamson (Predator), Christopher Sebela (Alien vs. Predator), Paul Tobin (Prometheus)

6:00 p.m.–6:50 p.m. BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER Nicholas Brendon*
*This is a ticketed event. Only Buffy the Vampire Slayer comics or materials provided by Dark Horse Comics, please. Two items per person. No photos. Wristbands will be distributed on Saturday at show opening at the Dark Horse booth.

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 21

10:00 a.m.–10:50 a.m. PROJECT BLACK SKY Joshua Williamson (Captain Midnight), Christopher Sebela (Ghost)

10:00 a.m. .–11:50 a.m. LEAVING MEGALOPOLIS, TOMB RAIDER, CONAN RED SONJA Gail Simone

11:00 a.m.–11:50 a.m. EMILY AND THE STRANGERS Cat Farris
12:00 p.m.–12:50 p.m. TERMINATOR SALVATION Pete Woods
TREKKER Ron Randall

1:00 p.m.–2:50 p.m. LEAVING MEGALOPOLIS, TOMB RAIDER, CONAN RED SONJA Gail Simone

1:00 p.m.–1:50 p.m. CONAN RED SONJA Jim Zub
BAD HOUSES Sara Ryan

2:00 p.m.–2:50 p.m. BANDETTE Paul Tobin, Colleen Coover
PLANTS VS. ZOMBIES Paul Tobin, Ron Chan

3:00 p.m.–3:50 p.m. GRENDEL VS. THE SHADOW Matt Wagner, Brennan Wagner
FEAR AGENT Tony Moore
DREAM THIEF Jai Nitz

On the panel end, Dark Horse may not be hosting each of the below presentations, but they do all feature many of the great creators currently working on awesome Dark Horse books. These are well worth checking out while allowing you to rest your feet and escape the exhibit floor for some great entertainment.

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 20

Spotlight: Alex Maleev

Room: Panel Room 7
Time: 11:00 a.m.–11:50 a.m.
Alex Maleev, best known for multiple collaborations with Brian Michael Bendis for Marvel comics, is returning to the world of Mike Mignola’s Hellboy this fall. In December, Dark Horse will launch Hellboy and the B.P.R.D., Maleev’s first work on the beloved beast of the apocalypse since 2003’s “Still Born” from the anthology series Hellboy: Weird Tales. Join us for an exclusive first look at the upcoming series, as well as a career-spanning discussion.

Spotlight: Greg Rucka
Room: Panel Room 7
Time: 1:00 p.m.–1:50 p.m.
Eisner Award–winning writer and novelist Greg Rucka has made a name for himself by crafting powerfully complex and human stories that can make the most fantastical characters feel real. Sit in on a conversation with the writer of Lazarus, Stumptown, Whiteout, and Veil that gets to the heart of how he gives characters souls.

Demented Heroes: The Dark Side of Superhero Comics

Room: Panel Room 2
Time: 2:00 p.m.–2:50 p.m.
While film may favor the classic depiction of capes and cowls, many of today’s comics continue to push the definition of “hero.” Some of the industry’s biggest and brightest have taken the superhero concept and turned it on its head. Many are creating characters and worlds that revel in a much darker vision of high-powered heroes and villains, making it hard to determine whom the reader should be rooting for. Join us for a discussion about the darker take on costumed characters with writers Tim Seeley (Sundowners), Jai Nitz (Dream Thief), and writer/artist Michael Avon Oeming (The Victories), moderated by Dark Horse editor in chief Scott Allie.

Buffy the Vampire Slayer Panel

Room: Panel Room 1
Time: 3:00 p.m.–3:50 p.m.
The heart of the Scooby gang and one of the most powerful big bads join forces for a panel guaranteed to slay the audience. Join Nicholas Brendon (Xander Harris), and Clare Kramer (Glory) as they give you all the details and answer every question about working on one of the greatest shows in pop culture. Moderated by the editor in chief of Dark Horse Comics, Scott Allie.

Baron and Rude: 30 Years on Nexus

Room: Panel Room 6
Time: 3:00 p.m.–3:50 p.m.
Join writer Mike Baron and artist Steve Rude, the award-winning creators of the long-running comic series Nexus. After three decades and three publishers, the creators reveal for the first time the behind-the-scenes trials involved in creating such an enduring book.

Spotlight: Tony Moore

Room: Panel Room 7
Time: 3:00 p.m.–3:50 p.m.
Tony Moore is an Eisner-nominated artist and the cocreator of The Walking Dead and Fear Agent. He’s worked on some of the biggest characters in comics, including the Punisher, Ghost Rider, and Deadpool. Join Tony to find out what it takes to be one of the most influential comic artists of the last decade.

A Universe of Terror Drawn to One Panel: Prometheus, Aliens, Predator, and Beyond!

Room: Panel Room 2
Time: 5:00 p.m.–5:50 p.m.
Nearly thirty years ago, Dark Horse rewrote the rules of licensed comics with the release of Aliens, continuing the story of Ridley Scott’s iconic film franchise! Predator and the iconic crossover Aliens vs. Predator followed. Now, the publisher partners with 20th Century Fox again, to bring sci-fi epic Prometheus to comics! Two months away from the launch of the ambitious and highly anticipated crossover Fire and Stone, join Dark Horse editor in chief Scott Allie, writers Paul Tobin (Prometheus), Joshua Williamson (Predator), Christopher Sebela (Alien vs. Predator), and the Aliens team of writer Chris Roberson and artist Patric Reynolds, to discover what’s in store for this grand universe!

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 21

Dark Horse Manga: An Afternoon with Carl Horn
Room: Panel Room 2
Time: 12:00 p.m.–12:50 p.m.
Dark Horse’s history with Japanese comics can be traced back to the company’s earliest years, with a legacy that includes such legendary series as Oh My Goddess!, Lone Wolf and Cub, Berserk, and many more! Today Dark Horse continues to publish some of the industry’s best-selling titles, like Neon Genesis Evangelion, Oreimo, and the works of the creative powerhouse CLAMP. Join Dark Horse’s resident manga guru and editor extraordinaire, Carl Horn, for a look at the past, present, and future of manga at Dark Horse.

Spotlight: Matt Wagner

Room: Panel Room 7
Time: 1:00 p.m.–1:50 p.m.
Writer/artist Matt Wagner began his career in 1982 with the publication of his most well-known character, Grendel. Since that time, in addition to his own creations, he has lent his talents to the likes of such notable characters as Batman and the Shadow, along with many others, and is currently pitting Grendel against the latter in an upcoming series copublished by Dark Horse and Dynamite Entertainment. Join us for a look back at Wagner’s storied career, as well as current and future projects.

30 Years of Masters of the Universe

Room: Panel Room 2
Time: 3:00 p.m.–3:50 p.m.
Next year, one of the most beloved toy and entertainment franchises of the 1980s will receive a deluxe hardcover treatment from Dark Horse chronicling thirty years of the powers of Eternia! Now, we invite you to join writer Tim Seeley, original series animator Tom Cook, and more for a sneak peek of the upcoming The Art of He-Man and the Masters of the Universe, and a discussion of what makes He-Man one of the most enduring cartoon legacies of all time!

Spotlight: Ethan Nicolle

Room: Panel Room 7
Time: 3:00 p.m.–3:50 p.m.
Ethan Nicolle is one half of the dynamic duo that brought you the hit comics series and animated series Axe Cop. Sit in on this already-legendary panel that is all about the world he and his little brother made. If you’re lucky, you’ll even get to ask some questions.

Now if the panels aren’t enough entertainment or you’re looking for a party after the con closes Saturday night, Dark Horse has you covered there. At 8:30PM, if you’re 21+, you and your friends can swing by Dante’s at 350 W Burnside St, Portland, OR 97209 for drinks with many of your favorite Dark Horse creators! There will also be pizza, a charity raffle and silent auction benefiting the CBLDF, a fun photo booth, and live music from Fine Pets, Vodka Wilson Overdrive, No Parts, and Jahai (whose lead singer is Dark Horse’s own Aub Driver!). Can your weekend get any better?

Well, perhaps only by grabbing that final cherry atop Dark Horses rather impressive dessert like weekend, a Rose City Comic Con exclusive cover to Dark Horse Presents #2 which features Aliens:

So make sure you swing by the Dark Horse booth (#701) this weekend and enjoy your trip to Rose City Comic Con!