Harley Quinn is one of DC’s most popular characters. Attend any comic con and you’ll find as many Harley cosplayers as there are Deadpool. She even heads several comics- with her own ongoing written by Sam Humphries, and a Black Label miniseries by Stjepan Sejic.
This past new comic
book day, she received another Black Label miniseries entitled Joker/Harley:
Criminal Sanity. It is written by Kami Garcia and illustrated by Mike
Mayhew and Filipino artist, Mico Suayan.
Joker/Harley is a reimagining of the pair’s dynamic where Harley is a forensic psychologist and criminal profiler hunting down a serial killer called the Joker. The case gets personal and Harley finds herself jeopardizing her morals and integrity in order to solve it.
At this year’s New York Comic Con, the DC booth hosted a pre-release signing with Garcia and Suayan, and Mayhew’s signature could be added with a quick visit to artist alley.
The DC Black Label imprint allows creators the freedom to pursue stories with recognizable characters without being bogged-down with continuity. Joker/Harley: Criminal Insanity is an interesting take on this nefarious duo, and the first issue is currently available at your local comic book store.
The CW Black Lightning superhero television show follows high school principal, Jefferson Pierce, as he tries to better and save his community as a civilian and as his vigilante alter ego.
Much like the other
Berlanti-verse programs, Black Lightning had a significant presence at
this year’s San Diego Comic Con. They held a panel teasing season three
and hosted a signing with most of the main cast.
What many don’t know
was there was a second signing for the show. Away from the flashy Warner Bros.
booth on the show floor, in the Sails Pavilion, the women behind Black
Lightning had their own signing.
The signing featured writers, costume designers, and a few ancillary characters. Though not as glamorous as the cast signing, it was nice to meet some of the underappreciated members of the show. Plus, the autographed extra-sized poster was great SWAG!
Black Lightning
recently returned for its third season. Watch it Monday nights at 9pm on the
CW.
New York Comic Con is one of the largest conventions around- attracting attendees representing every corner of pop culture. With so many big names from comics, TV, movies and video games, you can believe there are many great opportunities to pick up SWAG. Each day provided something new.
Here’s what one of the Swag Collector team members picked up.
Thursday was the biggest day volume wise. It was a large haul, with the vast majority coming from a single exhibitor, Kabam. The company was promoting their recently announced game, Marvel Realm of Champions and gave away a special banner and pin based off of which house you selected in the demo. I was fortunate to obtain all eight.
Panels are also a good
source of SWAG. That’s where I picked up the Servant water bottle and
the This Week in Marvel gloves, who hosted the Spider-Man Spectacular
panel.
Finally, I picked up two comic related items. I went to Colleen Doran’s signing at the Dark Horse booth where they gave out posters for Snow, Glass, Apples, her graphic novel collaboration with Neil Gaiman. Also, I received a small, quick sketch from artist Chris Eliopoulos.
Friday’s haul, though smaller, was also video game influenced. The Eisner winning comic series, Blacksad, is receiving a video game set in the anthropomorphic crime noir universe. They handed-out a themed t-shirt and faux newspaper along with a bag from the developer. At the Marvel Games panel, audience members could receive a Ms. Marvel fan fiction comic. Outside of the con at the Watchmen Afterparty, I picked up a coaster and a Swatch watch.
Saturday was all about comics. From DC, I picked up a pair of their samplers and a signed poster for Joker/Harley: Criminal Insanity. In addition, I attended two of the panels where Marvel provided exclusive variant covers. Even hit up artist alley to get them signed. The Netflix show, Seis Manos, gave away posters at their presentation.
I made a cameo
appearance on the last day. I only rolled in for The Dragon Prince
panel. There, I picked up an enamel pin, which was a Dark Horse show exclusive.
There was so much SWAG
I had a hard time fitting it all into my bag home. NYCC is definitely a
premiere event for a significant haul.
Genndy Tartakovsky has had a prominent career in animation. He is the talent behind such favorites as Dexter’s Laboratory and Samurai Jack. After spending time in movies with the Hotel Transylvania franchise, the creator is set to make his return to television.
Tartakovsky’s mature themes series, Primal, explores the relationship between a caveman and dinosaur, after tragedy unites them. The unlikely pair must work together to survive the prehistoric landscape.
Primalhad a nice presence at this year’s San Diego Comic Con, with a panel and events at the offsite, Adult Swim On the Green. At the latter, the first two episodes were screened, followed by a Q&A.
Primal goes against current trends by being completely hand drawn with no dialog save for occasional grunts and growls. The engaging and compelling show is a testament to Tartakovsky and crew’s story-telling prowess. The combination of art and score are effective in communicating emotion and tone, throughout, and the action sequences are brutal and intense.
Tartakovsky also held a signing at On the Green. Those fortunate enough to score a ticket received an autographed card and a pin.
More news or sneak peaks for Primal can be expected during New York Comic Con, where the show will also have a panel. The first episode airs Monday, October 7, at midnight on Adult Swim.
Catalyst Prime is the superhero imprint from comics publisher, Lion Forge. It began in 2017 with the free comic book day issue, Catalyst Prime The Event. The focus of this superhero universe is to promote diversity and inclusion in both characters and creators.
The Catalyst Prime Universe (CPU) spawned seven different titles in over two years. Now, the CPU will experience its first major cross over event, Catalyst Prime Seven Days– engineered by comics scribe, Gail Simone.
A month prior to Seven Days, Lion Forge held a week-long, daily giveaway to promote the signature mini-series. Amongst the SWAG were t-shirts featuring heroes of the CPU. Below is the shirt featuring Noble, star of the flagship book.
Lion Forge made the most of the shirt’s marketing power by including the series’ logo on the front and name on the back- with the Catalyst Prime logo and the Lion Forge logo prominently displayed on each sleeve.
In addition, after a mailing error, Lion Forge went above and beyond by correcting the mistake with even more SWAG! This included a shirt featuring hero, Summit, a button, and a decal. Best of all, The “Impact Shelter” decal is a wink to readers who recognize the shelter’s significance to the story’s near extinction-level event that granted powers to regular joes.
Lion Forge did a nice job promoting the crossover event, and it will be exciting to see the superheroes of the CPU team up for the first time.
Catalyst Prime Seven Days #1 hits stands Wednesday, October 2.
New York Comic Con is almost here and many comic companies are revealing their schedule for the show. These events can be great opportunities to pick up SWAG either at Panels like Marvel or signings like Skybound.
Dark Horse is the latest to reveal their plans, including signings. The publisher stands-out from other publishers by providing items such as cards, comics and posters to be autographed, in case your floppies or trades aren’t handy.
In addition, Dark Horse sometimes host talent from television shows, and this year is no exception.
Friday, October 4, from 4:00 – 4:45 pm, cast and creatives from the upcoming SyFy series, Resident Alien, including fan favorite, Alan Tudyk, will be signing. There is a limit of three items per person, with prints provided by SyFy and Dark Horse.
Sunday, October 6, from 1:30 – 2:15 pm, The Orville will be doing a signing. There is a limit of two items, with Dark Horse providing a print.
Both signings require wristbands that can be drawn for when the show opens both the day before and of each signing. Head over to Booth # 1554 for a chance. Check out below for the entire Dark Horse autograph schedule and rules for the wristband events.
THURSDAY, OCTOBER
3
11:00 a.m-11:50 a.m.
FLAMING CARROT:
Bob Burden
12:00 p.m.–12:50
p.m.
WANDERING
LUMINATIONS, BUNNY IN THE MOON, LOST CONSTELLATIONS: THE ART OF TARA MCPHERSON:
Tara McPherson
1:00 p.m. – 1:50
p.m.
STRAYED: Carlos
Giffoni, Juan Doe TRAIGE, TOMB RAIDER: Philip Sevy
2:00 p.m.–2:50 p.m.
BLACKSAD: Juan
Díaz Canales, Junajo Guarnido
3:00 p.m.–3:50 p.m.
MANOR BLACK, HARROW
COUNTY, TALES FROM HARROW COUNTY: Cullen Bunn
BEASTS OF BURDEN,
THE MASK, BLACKWOOD, DORK!, MILK & CHEESE, CALLA CTHULHU, THE ELTINGVILLE
CLUB: Evan Dorkin
BEASTS OF BURDEN,
DORK!, MILK & CHEESE, CALLA CTHULHU: Evan Dorkin, Sarah Dyer
RESIDENT ALIEN:
Peter Hogan (Resident Alien co-creator / Series Writer), Chris Sheridan
(Executive Producer), Alan Tudyk (Harry Vanderspiegle), Sara Tomko (Asta),
Corey Reynolds (Sheriff Mike)
WRISTBAND REQUIRED
NO POSED PHOTOGRAPHY
LIMIT 3 ITEMS PER PERSON (MAXIMUM)
ALLOWED ITEMS:
1 PURCHASABLE COPY of RESIDENT ALIEN GRAPHIC NOVEL,
from Dark Horse Comics
1 FREE PRINT PER PERSON provided by SYFY
1 FREE PRINT PER PERSON provided by Dark Horse Comics
OTHER RESTRICTIONS MAY APPLY—SEE STAFF FOR INFO
5:30 PM–6:20 PM
FINAL FANTASY,
VAMPIRE HUNTER D, YOSHITAKA AMANO: THE ILLUSTRATED BIOGRAPHY, THE SKY:
Yoshitaka Amano
WRISTBAND REQUIRED
NO POSED PHOTOGRAPHY
LIMIT 2 ITEMS PER PERSON (MAXIMUM)
ALLOWED ITEMS:
1 FREE PRINT PER PERSON provided by Dark Horse Comics
1 OTHER ITEM
OTHER RESTRICTIONS MAY APPLY—SEE STAFF FOR INFO
SATURDAY, OCTOBER
5
11:00 a.m.–11:50
a.m.
FINAL FANTASY,
VAMPIRE HUNTER D, YOSHITAKA AMANO: THE ILLUSTRATED BIOGRAPHY, THE SKY: Yoshitaka
Amano
WRISTBAND REQUIRED
NO POSED PHOTOGRAPHY
LIMIT 2 ITEMS PER PERSON (MAXIMUM)
ALLOWED ITEMS:
1 FREE PRINT PER PERSON provided by Dark Horse Comics
1 OTHER ITEM
OTHER RESTRICTIONS MAY APPLY—SEE STAFF FOR INFO
12:00 p.m.–12:50
p.m.
THE UMBRELLA
ACADEMY: Nick Filardi
BAD LUCK CHUCK: Matthew
Dow Smith, Lela Gwenn
1:00 p.m.–1:50 p.m.
THE LEGEND OF KORRA:
RUINS OF THE EMPIRE: Michelle Wong
WRISTBAND REQUIRED
NO POSED PHOTOGRAPHY
LIMIT 2 ITEMS PER PERSON (MAXIMUM)
ALLOWED ITEMS:
1 FREE PRINT PER PERSON provided by Dark Horse Comics
1 OTHER ITEM
OTHER RESTRICTIONS MAY APPLY—SEE STAFF FOR INFO
5:00 p.m.-5:50 p.m.
MYSTERY SCIENCE
THEATER 3000: Todd Nauck
BLACK HAMMER/JUSTICE
LEAGUE, HELLBOY: Michael Walsh
BLACK HAMMER/JUSTICE
LEAGUE, STRANGER THINGS, THE MASK, CRIMINAL MACABRE, FIGHT CLUB 3, WILLIAM
GIBSON’S ALIEN 3: Nate Piekos
6:00 p.m.-6:50 p.m.
ELFQUEST: Wendy
Pini, Richard Pini
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 6
11:00 a.m.-11:50
a.m.
MINECRAFT VOLUME 1: Sarah
Graley
MINECRAFT: STORIES
FROM THE OVERWORLD, MODERN FANTASY: Rafer Roberts
12:00 p.m.–12:50
p.m.
DISNEY: SNOW WHITE
AND THE SEVEN DWARFS, DISNEY THE LITTLE MERMAID, SOUPY LEAVES HOME: Cecil
Castellucci
DISNEY PRINCESS,
DISNEY: RALPH BREAKS THE INTERNET: CLICK START—A-SELECT-YOUR-STORY ADVENTURE: Amy
Mebberson
DISNEY: RALPH BREAKS
THE INTERNET: CLICK START—A-SELECT-YOUR-STORY ADVENTURE, DISNEY FROZEN: Joe
Caramagna
DISNEY: ALADDIN FOUR
TALES OF AGRABAH: Diego Galindo
1:30 p.m. – 2:15
p.m.
THE ORVILLE: David
Goodman (Writer/EP), Brannon Braga (Writer/EP), Jon Cassar (Director/EP), Adrianne
Palicki (Commander Kelly Grayson), Penny Johnson Jerald (Dr. Claire Finn),
Scott Grimes (Lt. Gordon Malloy), Peter Macon (Lt. Commander Bortus), Jessica
Szohr (Lt. Talla Keyali), J Lee (Lt. Commander John Lamarr), Mark Jackson
(Isaac), Chad Coleman (Klyden)
WRISTBAND REQUIRED
NO POSED PHOTOGRAPHY
LIMIT 2 ITEMS PER PERSON (MAXIMUM)
1 PURCHASABLE COPY OF THE ORVILLE COMIC from Dark
Horse Comics
1 FREE PRINT PER PERSON provided by Dark Horse Comics
Skybound Entertainment, Robert Kirkman’s imprint, will be exhibiting at this year’s New York Comic Con with Image Comics at Booth # 1444. They will have a number of convention exclusives for sale and host signings for some of their creators.
Though the full signing
schedule has yet to be released, the creators for the new YA series, Heart
Attack, will be in attendance. You can find writer, Shawn Kittelsen,
and artist, Eric Zawadzki at their signing on Friday, October 4, at 5:00
pm.
Fans won’t able to bring a copy of Heart Attack to the signing since the first issue doesn’t drop until November. However, the first 100 attendees will receive a free poster for Kittelsen and Zawadzki to autograph.
LightBox Expo (LBX) held their inaugural show recently in Pasadena. The art-focused event attracted exhibitors from different media including video games, comics and animation. It had some nice SWAG opportunities, but more importantly, LBX could be a show with great potential.
Animation, in particular, was well represented, with plenty of talent in Artists’ Alley, in addition to big studios like Sony, the people behind Spider-Man: Enter the Spider-Verse.
Some studios, like Netflix and Warner Bros, even held panels promoting upcoming projects. There were a few giveaways at the Scoob! panel including a button from the animators, Reel FX Creative Studios, and appropriate snacks.
A few other Hollywood companies also offered nice SWAG at their booths.
The Disney booth handed out posters promoting a couple of their television shows. Amphibia is an all-ages fantasy adventure about a teenage girl who is transported to a magical island, with frog people, and learns to become a hero. The Owl House is a horror-comedy set to premiere in 2020.
DreamWorks had plenty of stickers from their movies Trolls, How to Train Your Dragon and Boss Baby.
They also handed out
pins from their hit Netflix animated show, She-Ra and the Princesses of
Power.
LBX could become a very promising show if it continues to grow. There is already a significant entertainment presence on the show floor and in panel rooms. Though it may not attract “big time” actors for signings because of its art focus, LBX could serve as a place Hollywood studios can promote their animated shows and movies.
In the 90’s, quality children’s animated programming could be found on broadcast syndicated television every weekday afternoon.
Young viewers were ready for an escape after arriving home from school. Some of the most memorable programming came from Disney Afternoon with shows like TaleSpin, Chip ‘n Dales Rescue Rangers and Gargoyles.
One favorite, DuckTales was recently relaunched in 2017 — bringing the adventures of Scrooge McDuck and company to a new generation.
The show’s second season has served as a springboard to reintroduce characters from Disney Afternoon. Already, new versions of Darkwing Duck and Don Karnage have debuted.
Then at this year’s DuckTales panel during San Diego Comic Con, it was announced even more fan favorites will be making a comeback in the third season. These include Darkwing’s Gosalyn Duck and Taurus Bulba and TaleSpin’s Kit Cloudkicker and Molly Cunningham.
Appearing from other cartoons will be the Rescue Rangers and obscure characters, Rhinokey and Butterbear from The Wuzzles. Even classic characters, Daisy Duck and Goofy plan to visit Duckburg.
Many of these announced characters (and those unannounced like Bubba the Caveduck and Gene the Genie) join the already extensive existing cast on the awesome poster given to attendees at the signing.
Talent included:
Matt Youngberg – Developer Sergio Angones – Developer Tad Stones – Creator of Darkwing Duck Kate Micucci – Webby Vanderquack Ben Schwartz – Dewey Duck Bobby Moynihan – Louie Duck Paget Brewster – Della Duck
The original art serves both as a nod to the present and a glimpse to the future of DuckTales, making the poster great promotional SWAG. Knowing that beloved characters from the past are coming next season generates excitement and nostalgia. Plus, meeting celebrities and receiving autographs is always a fun experience.
DuckTales recently returned from hiatus and the rest of the second season can be viewed weekday afternoons at 3:00 pm Disney Channel or weekday mornings at 7:00 am on Disney XD.
New York Comic Con,
one of the biggest shows in the industry, is fast approaching and the show is
an opportunity to pick up great exclusive SWAG.
Marvel will have a significant presence and the publisher recently released their panel schedule for the four-day event. As they have done before, special exclusive variants will be handed out to attendees at certain panels.
At the Spider-Man
Spectacular panel on Thursday afternoon (1:30 pm – 2:30 pm, Room 1A24), non-specified
SWAG will be available.
On Friday, at the
Marvel: Cup O’Joe panel (1:30 – 2:30 pm, Room 1A06), a yet to be announced
exclusive variant will be handed out to audience members.
There are two opportunities to pick up SWAG on Saturday. The first chance is at the Marvel Comics: Marvel Fanfare panel (2:15 pm – 3:15pm, Room 1A06), where an exclusive Absolute Carnage: Miles Morales #2 variant containing a classified image will be given to attendees.
Later, at the Marvel
Comics: X-Men panel (5:00 pm – 6:00 pm, Main Stage) people can receive a
stunning exclusive variant cover version of Powers of X #5 illustrated
by Arthur Adams.
Many of these exclusive variants handed out at panels are highly sought-after items by collectors.
This can make these panels hard to attend and require staking a claim early to guarantee a seat. Two of the three variant covers still need to be revealed but this SWAG is usually worth the effort.
All of the Marvel Panel
Programming can be viewed below.
MARVEL
ENTERTAINMENT PANELS SCHEDULE:
THURSDAY,
October 3rd
Making Comics the
Marvel Way
1:30 – 2:30 PM ET,
Room 1A24
Talent Scout Rickey
Purdin and an assortment of Mighty Marvel Guests take you behind-the-scenes and
show you how a Marvel comic book is made! Learn about every aspect of
production including writing, penciling, inking, coloring, editing, and more –
with creators on hand to offer personal insights and anecdotes. If you’re
interested in the ins-and-outs of the comic book industry, this is the one
panel you can’t miss!
Spider-Man
Spectacular: A This Week In Marvel Special Event
2:45 – 3:45 PM ET,
Room 1A24
The return of
Spider-Man 2099! The hype for Ghost-Spider, Miles Morales, Mary Jane, and more!
Join This Week in Marvel cohosts Ryan Penagos and Lorraine Cink for a deep dive
into all things Spidey with writers Saladin Ahmed, Seanan McGuire, and Leah
Williams. Hold onto your butts for news, reveals, swag, and more!
FRIDAY,
October 4th
Marvel: Cup O’Joe
1:30 – 2:30 PM ET,
Room 1A06
Join Marvel’s Chief
Creative Officer Joe Quesada and special guests as they look back across decades
of Marvel history and share their personal experiences from some of the most
defining moments in the Marvel Universe! Don’t miss this intimate
behind-the-scenes look at some of your favorite Marvel characters and
stories. PLUS – attendees of the panel will receive an exclusive variant
comic to be announced!
Marvel Games Panel
3:00 PM – 4:30 PM
ET, Madison Square Garden
Get an inside look at
the latest and greatest from Marvel Games! Attendees will
see exciting new content from Marvel’s Iron Man VR and Marvel’s
Avengers, with many unannounced surprises
and panel exclusives. Hosts Angelique Roche (Marvel’s
Voices) and Josh Saleh (Marvel’s Let’s Play) will be joined
by Bill Rosemann (VP & Creative Director, Marvel Games) and
other special guests from titles throughout the
Marvel Games family!
MARVEL COMICS: Next
Big Thing
4:00 – 5:00 PM ET,
Room 1A06
From War of the
Realms to House of X to Absolute Carnage, 2019 was jam-packed
with all-new thrilling tales – but what’s next for the Marvel Universe?
Editor-in-Chief C.B. Cebulski, Donny Cates (Absolute Carnage, Guardians of
the Galaxy), Al Ewing (Immortal Hulk, Marvel Comics #1000), and Dan
Slott (Fantastic Four, Tony Stark: Iron Man) are here to tell you! What
universe redefining events will Incoming lead to in the coming year? And – what
other senses-shattering stories loom on the horizon at the House of
Ideas? Find out in this can’t-miss panel!
Marvel’s Runaways
5:30 – 7:00 PM ET,
Madison Square Garden
Marvel’s
Runaways is headed back to Madison Square Garden with an
action-packed panel you won’t want to miss! Be the first to
experience the premiere episode of the highly-anticipated third season with the
stars and creative forces of Marvel’s Runaways. After the exclusive
screening, join Jeph Loeb, Head of Marvel Television, along with the
cast and executive producers, to discuss what’s to come in season three. All
episodes of Marvel’s Runaways season three drop on
Friday, December 13th only on Hulu.
SATURDAY,
October 5th
MARVEL COMICS:
Marvel Fanfare with C.B. Cebulski
2:15 – 3:15 PM ET,
Room 1A06
This is your chance to
meet the head of editorial at Marvel! In an exclusive and intimate panel
experience, Editor-in-Chief C.B. Cebulski, along with living legend Chris
Claremont, will talk about anything and everything involved with Marvel Comics.
Who were their favorite characters as kids – and have their favorites changed?
Who is on Chris’ dream team of X-Men? Ask these questions and more in the
Q&A! Plus – attendees will receive an exclusive Absolute Carnage: Miles
Morales #2 cover featuring a CLASSIFIED image that you won’t be able to get
anywhere else!
Marvel’s Hero
Project
3:30 – 4:30 PM ET,
Room 1A06
In life, it doesn’t
take wearing a suit of iron, carrying a mythical hammer or swinging from spider
webs to be a real hero. Sometimes the person who can make a positive difference
in the world is the person who simply sees a problem and has the passion to
find a creative solution. Come experience, for the first time ever at NYCC, Marvel’s
Hero Project – an inspiring, brand-new, unscripted series that reveals the
remarkable, positive change several young, real life heroes are making in their
own communities. Join some of the creative team behind this series for a
world premiere screening of the first episode along with a special Q&A that
you won’t want to miss! Marvel’s Hero Project will premiere with the
launch of the new streaming service Disney+ on November 12, 2019.
MARVEL COMICS: X-Men
– Dawn of X
5:00 – 6:00 PM ET,
Main Stage
The Dawn of X is about
to break! Join Editor-in-Chief C.B. Cebulski, Senior Editor Jordan White, and
merry mutants Ed Brisson (New Mutants), Tini Howard (Excalibur),
and Benjamin Percy (X-Force) on NYCC’s Main Stage in a discussion about
the revolutionary new status quo for the X-Men. Plus – be the first to hear
exciting new announcements for the Children of the Atom! Stay until the end of
the panel to receive an exclusive variant cover version of Powers of X #5,
featuring a stunning Dawn of X-inspired image by Arthur Adams!
SUNDAY,
October 6th
Women of Marvel
(Including the World Premiere Screening of Marvel Rising: Operation Shuri)
12:15 – 1:45 PM ET,
Room 1A06
From comics to
games, animation and more, the Women of Marvel assemble to
celebrate nerddom and all the women who help make it great! Join the
conversation as some of the best talent in the industry discuss the
creative process, being a woman in entertainment, and what they’ve got planned
next.
Then stick around for
the world premiere of “Marvel Rising: Operation Shuri”!
