21 Days

With just three weeks to go before HeroesCon 2009, here's a breakdown of some of the guests who'll be at this year's convention:

• Mark Bagley
• Brian Michael Bendis
• Ed Brubaker
• Cliff Chiang
• Frank Cho
• Tommy Lee Edwards
• Matt Fraction
• Cully Hamner
• Adam Hughes
• Jamal Igle
• Steve Niles
• George Pérez
• Karl Story
• Ethan Van Sciver
• Dexter Vines
• Mark Waid

You can check out some of what Steve Niles and Ethan Van Sciver were kind enough to do at last year's HeroesCon.

Both of the Big Two publishers will have a presence there, and hopefully lots of information and goodies for everyone.

• DC Comics
• Marvel Comics

And for G.I. JOE fans, this year's convention is going to be fully stocked with talent who've contributed to the property over the years:

• Robert Atkins - Artist on IDW's 2009 G.I. JOE reboot.
• Jeremy Dale - Artist on several of the comics released in 25th Anniversary two-packs.
• Marc Deering
• Tom Feister - Cover artist on IDW's G.I. JOE Origins.
• S.L. Gallant - Artist on IDW's G.I. JOE and the movie prequel books.
• Michael Golden - Artist behind the incredible cover of G.I. JOE Yearbook #2 (which I can't wait to get signed).
• Rick Ketcham - Inker on IDW's G.I. JOE.
• Eric Layton - Inker in DDP run.
• Pat Quinn - Artist on G.I. JOE Declassified.
• Rod Whigham - Artist on about two dozen issues of Marvel's G.I. JOE: A Real American Hero.
• John 'Waki' Wycough - Inker on IDW's G.I. JOE.

And that's just a sample of who will be there. See the complete guest list for yourself, and start making plans to attend.

Sign Here, Please: Steve Niles

I've only covered illustrators thus far, so I'm going to change it up this time with the best horror writer in comics today, Steve Niles. 30 Days Of Night is one of my favorite vampire stories of all time, regardless of the medium. When I saw the film at a local theater, I was hoping it would live up to the comics, and it did not disappoint. I'm sure it didn't hurt that Mr. Niles was involved in the process of adapting his story into the movie's script. We were fortunate enough to have Mr. Niles as a guest here in Charlotte for last year's HeroesCon, so I armed myself with my 30 Days Of Night DVD. Yeah, I know, I've been posting about my signed comics, but bear with me. I'm getting to that.



Not only is Mr. Niles a master of horror, but he's also penned some of the most chilling Batman stories you'll ever read. Batman: Gotham County Line, a three-part miniseries with art by Scott Hampton, wasn't your typical DCU reading. A serial killer mystery, Batman finding it difficult to see beyond that in which he believes, an appearance by Boston Brand, and... zombies? If you haven't read it, it's topnotch Dark Knight, and something any fan of Mr. Niles or the Bat will want to acquire. His Batman: Gotham After Midnight series is in comic stores now, and it has been every bit as enjoyable as his first trip to Gotham. I felt compelled to take one of his Batman books to be signed, too, so here's book two, page one of Batman: Gotham County Line, signed by Steve Niles.



I said previously that I'm not one to set a stack in front of anyone to have signed, and I'm really not! I do, however, like to buy something from an artist or writer when he/she has something available for sale. I picked up a copy of Mr. Niles' Wake The Dead, which he was also kind enough to sign. I can't say enough about this story, which is next in line for the motion picture treatment (hopefully to be released next year?). I just hate that I waited so long to read it.



In addition to being at the top of the horror game and having a real knack for writing Batman, Mr. Niles is also an incredibly friendly individual. It was a pleasure to meet him and have a discussion about his work, and I hope he'll return to HeroesCon in the near future. I think I'll bring my Creeper #1 with me when he does.

Sign Here, Please: Steve Niles