Tuesday, October 8, 2013

FOX FANFARE is at New York Comic Con 2013



FOX SERIES “THE FOLLOWING,” “SLEEPY HOLLOW,” “ALMOST HUMAN,”
“COSMOS: A SPACETIME ODYSSEY” AND “BOB’S BURGERS”
DESCEND ON NEW YORK COMIC CON 2013
 
ALMOST HUMAN Screening Kicks Off NYCC on Thursday, October 10
 
Panels, Autograph Signings 
Continue Through Sunday, October 13
 
 
PANELS, SCREENINGS & AUTOGRAPH SIGNING SCHEDULE (by day)
 
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 10
             ALMOST HUMAN
Screening:  6:15 PM – Empire Stage 1-E
Step into the future with a special screening of the highly anticipated action drama from J.J. Abrams and J.H. Wyman. ALMOST HUMAN, premiering Monday, Nov. 4 (8:00-9:00 PM ET/PT) on FOX, takes place approximately 30 years in the future – when being a cop has only become a more dangerous job than it is today. Following an unprecedented increase in the crime rate, every police officer must partner with an android. The series will follow the week-to-week missions of John Kennex (Karl Urban), a detective and sole survivor of a devastating police ambush, and his robot partner, Dorian (Michael Ealy), as this buddy-cop duo solve cases and fight to keep the lid on dangerously evolved criminals in this futuristic landscape.
 
 
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 11
 
BOB’S BURGERS
Panel:  7:45-8:45 PM – Empire Stage 1-E
Creator and executive producer Loren Bouchard and the comedic voice cast, including H. Jon Benjamin, John Roberts, Dan Mintz and Larry Murphy, will serve up hilarious BOB’S BURGERS footage, followed by a Q&A panel discussion about FOX’s Emmy-nominated animated series that centers on the trials and tribulations of a man, his family and their burger joint.
 
 
 
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 12
 
COSMOS: A SPACETIME ODYSSEY
Panel: 6:45-7:45 PM – Room 1A23
World-renowned astrophysicist and series host Neil deGrasse Tyson joins executive producer/writer Ann Druyan, executive producer/director Brannon Braga and executive producer Mitchell Cannold to debut never-before-seen footage of stylized animated sequences from FOX’s upcoming COSMOS: A SPACETIME ODYSSEY, followed by a Q&A panel discussion. Druyan and executive producer Seth MacFarlane have teamed to conceive a thrilling new 13-part series, premiering in 2014, which will serve as the successor to Carl Sagan’s Emmy Award- and Peabody Award-winning “Cosmos: “Cosmos: A Personal Voyage,” as it ventures across the universe of space and time and explores humanity’s heroic quest for knowledge and the laws of science.
 
 
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 13
 
THE FOLLOWING
Panel: 1:30-2:30 PM – Empire Stage 1-E
Become a follower and join THE FOLLOWING creator/executive producer Kevin Williamson, executive producer/director Marcos Siega and stars Kevin Bacon, James Purefoy, Connie Nielsen, Shawn Ashmore and Valorie Curry for a special video presentation and Q&A panel discussion. Heading into its intense, spellbinding second season this January on FOX, hit psychological thriller THE FOLLOWING catches up with Ryan Hardy (Golden Globe Award winner and Emmy Award nominee Kevin Bacon) in the wake of a horrific new murder spree, as he begins to suspect that Joe Carroll’s (James Purefoy) reign of terror is far from over.
 
 
SLEEPY HOLLOW
Panel: 2:45-3:45 PM – Empire Stage 1-E
Join SLEEPY HOLLOW co-creators/executive producers Alex Kurtzman and Roberto Orci, director/co-creator/executive producer Len Wiseman, co-creator/supervising producer Phillip Iscove, executive producer Heather Kadin and series stars Tom Mison, Nicole Beharie, Orlando Jones and Katia Winter for a special exclusive sneak peek at an upcoming episode and Q&A panel discussion. FOX’s newest breakout hit, SLEEPY HOLLOW, which was recently renewed for a second season, is a thrilling mystery-adventure drama spanning two and a half centuries, in which a resurrected Ichabod Crane (Mison) pairs up with a present-day cop (Beharie) to save the enigmatic town of Sleepy Hollow – and the world – from unprecedented evil.
 
 

Monday, October 7, 2013

New York Comic-Con to Host Anti-Bullying Coalition & Panel on Sunday, Oct. 13, 3:45 p.m.


Pop Culture Anti-Bullying Coalition
at New York Comic-Con 2013

New York Comic-Con Hosts Pop Culture Anti-Bullying Coalition
 
Geekerati Teams Up with NOH8 Campaign, Anti-Defamation League,
Cartoon Network’s “Stop Bullying: Speak Up” and Team Husbands at Pop Culture Mecca

   In a groundbreaking move, New York Comic-Con has invited Pop Culture Anti-Bullying Coalition to exhibit at its upcoming event, which draws 100,000 fans annually and will take place at the Javits Center on October 10 – 13, 2013.

Created by actress Chase Masterson (“Star Trek” / “Doctor Who Big Finish”) and award-winning author Carrie Goldman (Harper Collins’ “Bullied”), the Coalition will have experienced staff on-hand all weekend at Booth 630 to talk with teens, young adults, kids, parents, and educators on how to overcome bullying.

“We’re not just here to stand up against bullying. Everybody knows that needs to stop,” said Masterson. “NYCC’s invitation to Pop Culture Anti-Bullying Coalition marks the first time that the movement to overcome bullying is at the heart of a con experience. With the NYCC team, we’re making a safe, go-to place where kids and adults can find resources, healing and answers.”

The Coalition will also hold a panel, “End Bullying! Responding to Cruelty in Our Culture,” which will be hosted by Masterson and moderated by Goldman on Sunday, October 13, at 3:45 pm in Room 1A14. Panelists include Cartoon Network VP Alice Cahn, Adam Bouska & Jeff Parshley (Founders, NOH8 Campaign), Ashley Eckstein (“Star Wars’” Ahsoka Tano & Founder of Her Universe), Brad Bell (Executive Producer and star of CW Seed’s “Team Husbands”), author Bonnie Burton (“Mean Girls”), Jenna Busch (Fan TV Entertainment Editor), and a rep from the Anti-Defamation League.

Pop Culture Anti-Bullying Coalition is also bringing the NOH8 Campaign to NYCC for their 1st-ever pop culture con photo shoot, which will be held at Booth 630 on Sunday, October 13, from 12 – 2 pm. "NOH8 is proud to continue our partnership with the Anti-Bullying Coalition and keep the discussion of bullying and discrimination alive at New York Comic Con,” said Founders Adam Bouska and Jeff Parshley. “We're grateful for the opportunity to share our message and empower comic con attendees by showing them they are not alone. We want them to know there really is hope for a future without hate!"

“October is National Bullying Prevention Month, and New York Comic Con is a leader in the movement to bring anti-bullying programming to attendees of pop culture conventions.  The Anti-Bullying Coalition is excited and grateful for the opportunity to educate attendees on ways to stand up to bullying!” says Goldman.

"STOP BULLYING: SPEAK UP uses the inspirational power of entertainment media to motivate young people, and the adults who care for them, to speak up safely and effectively when they see bullying happen,” said Alice Cahn, Cartoon Network vice president of social responsibility. “Working together, we can create a culture of kindness in our schools and communities."

Lance Fensterman, Global Vice President for ReedPOP, notes:  "All ReedPOP events and especially New York Comic Con are about community.  We are about getting together with friends you know and friends you haven't met yet to celebrate a shared passion. That community only works if everyone involved feels safe and secure.  We are proud to support the anti-bullying coalition as their beliefs match up with our desire to create a safe and fun place for all of our fans."

The unprecedented Coalition’s members include several international non-profits with anti-bullying initiatives, including the United Nations Association, the Anti-Defamation League, NoH8 Campaign, Cartoon Network’s Stop Bullying: Speak Up, GLSEN, International Bullying Prevention Association and Girl Scouts of America.

“So much of pop culture revolves around superheroes,” concluded Masterson. “Since we love them, why not band together – and be one?”

Pop Culture Anti-Bullying Coalition will be at Booth 630 at NYCC. For details on the booth and panel, please see http://www.AntiBullyingCoalition.com

Twistory Entertainment Studios Features 10 Foot Tall PADZILLAS at NY Comic Con


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Twistory Studios, creator of graphic stories, digital film and video games unveils its just released video game Belle’s War at New York Comic Com, October 10-13 at the Javits Center in Manhattan.  Visitors will be able to play the game on two gigantic iPads called PADZILLAS, as well as see Twistory artists create their magic on the ten-foot tall touch screens.
Belle’s War is Twistory’s take on the classic game of War re-imagined in western fantasy-1860s.  The innovative game play has its roots in Twistory’s 13 Chambers graphic narrative, featuring the gritty and sharp-witted heroine Belle as one of 13 U.S. Marshalls to have served under Abraham Lincoln.   Players decide whether to play against the computer or another person in a quick-fire round where weapons and wits determine the winner.  Belle’s War can be played on any game platform and is available at iTunes, Google and Play Station Network.  
Belle: The Television Series is currently in development at Twistory and its star, Danielle Vasinova will be at Twistory’s Comic Con booth and available for interviews Friday, October 11th  through Sunday October 13thwww.twistory.com/portfolios/belle-the-film/
Also appearing for Twistory are Christopher “mink” Morrison, the Studio’s Founder and Master Storyteller; fantasy illustrator Paolo Parente, the artist for graphic stories Belle, 13 Chambers and Dust; and Matthais Haddad, the designer of Belle’s Handbook, making its debut at Comic Con as the first in a 13-book series chronicling Belle’s adventures and her extraordinary discoveries.   (See schedule below).
Twistory will also be showcasing its stunning graphic art book Shinjuku, illustrated by legendary artist Yoshitaka Amano (Final Fantasy, Vampire Hunter D), and the Studio’s official publication, Twistory Magazine.  Also in the works at Twistory:  Shinjuku: The Film, animated, directed and illustrated by acclaimed artist and director Robert Valley (The Gorillaz, Aeon Flux) and narrated by actor Danielle Vasinova (To Hell with a Bullet, White Trash Noir).  Shinjuku: The Film is a feature length animated adaptation of the graphic art book Shinjuku.  www.twistory.com/portfolios/shinjuku-the-film/

Watch Twistory’s artist in action on the PADZILLA!  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E6qyIwWjoqk
  
SCHEDULE -- Twistory Booth # 1568/1669
Thursday Oct. 10th:
All Day             Christopher “mink” Morrison, Twistory’s Founder and Master Storyteller
4pm-5pm        Paolo Parente (Artist for Belle, 13 Chambers and Dust)
7pm-8pm        Matthais Haddad (Designer of Belle's Handbook)

Friday, Oct. 11th:
All Day              Christopher “mink” Morrison, Twistory’s Founder and Master Storyteller
11pm-12pm     Paolo Parente - (Artist for Belle, 13 Chambers and Dust)
                            Matthais Haddad - (Designer of Belle's Handbook)
2pm-4pm         Danielle Vasinova  (Star of Belle: The Film)
6:30-7:30pm    Paolo Parente / Matthais Haddad 

Saturday, Oct.12th:
All Day             Christopher “mink” Morrison, Twistory’s Founder and Master Storyteller
11am-12pm    Paolo Parente - (Artist for Belle, 13 Chambers and Dust)
                                    Matthais Haddad - (Designer of Belle's Handbook)
2pm-4pm        Danielle Vasinova (Star of Belle: The Film)
6:30-7:30pm    Paolo Parente / Matthais Haddad

Sunday, October 13th:
All Day              Christopher “mink” Morrison, Twistory’s Founder and Master Storyteller
11:30am-
12:30pm           Matthais Haddad - (Designer of Belle's Handbook)
12-2pm            Danielle Vasinova - (Star of Belle: The Film)
1pm-2pm        Paolo Parente - (Artist for Belle, 13 Chambers and Dust)

TWITTER: 
TWISTORY ENTERTAINMENT STUDIOS:  @Twistorytweets
DANIELLE VASINOVA:  @Vasinova
ROBERT VALLEY:  @massiveswerve

FACEBOOK: 

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Talk Show Host, STEVE WILKOS, To Attend Comic Con this Friday, October 11th


http://www.wireframe.com/wireworks/steve_wilkos/images/gallery_stevewilkos.jpg


Steve Wilkos, host of “The Steve Wilkos Show,” will attend New York Comic Con to meet fans and sign autographs.  


Friday, October 11 from 1:00 – 2:00 pm/ET


                               
BOOTH # 2016




VAMPIRE ACADEMY at NYCC


VAMPIRE ACADEMY is coming to New York Comic Con this weekend with a cast & filmmaker panel and exclusive new footage from the film.  The following cast are expected to attend:

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Zoey Deutch (Rose)
Lucy Fry (Lissa)
Sami Gayle (Mia)
Dominic Sherwood (Christian)

VAMPIRE ACADEMY Panel
Date: Friday, October 11 
11:00 am - 12:00 pm
Location: 1A06

Description:
Staying up all night is easy, when you sleep all day....welcome to VAMPIRE ACADEMY! Come hang out with Rose, Lissa and the rest of the gang as they take a bite out of New York Comic Con. Based on author Richelle Mead's worldwide bestselling series, VAMPIRE ACADEMY, tells the story of two 17-year-old girls who attend a hidden boarding school for Moroi (mortal, peaceful Vampires) and Dhampirs (half-vampire/half-human guardians). See the cast together for the first time and check out exclusive, never before seen footage! VAMPIRE ACADEMY hits theaters Valentine's Day.

Synopsis
Based on author Richelle Mead's worldwide bestselling series, VAMPIRE ACADEMY tells the legend of Rose Hathaway (Zoey Deutch) and Lissa Dragomir (Lucy Fry), two 17-year-old girls who attend a hidden boarding school for Moroi (mortal, peaceful Vampires) and Dhampirs (half-vampire/half-human guardians). Rose, a rebellious Guardian-in-training and her best friend, Lissa - a royal vampire Princess - have been on the run when they are captured and returned to St.Vladamirs Academy, the very place where they believe their lives may be in most jeopardy. Thrust back into the perils of Moroi Society and high school, Lissa struggles to reclaim her status while Rose trains with her mentor and love-interest, Dimitri (Danila Kozlovsky), to guarantee her place as Lissa's guardian. Rose will sacrifice everything to protect Lissa from those who intend to exploit her from within the Academy walls and the Strigoi (immortal, evil vampires) who hunt her kind from outside its sanctuary.

Official Site: va-movie.com


NY Comic Con: Incredible Bionic Man






THE WORLD’S FIRST COMPLETE BIONIC MAN COMES TO USA FOR
TV DOCUMENTARY PREMIERE AND SPECIAL SNEAK-PREVIEW IN NYC

THE INCREDIBLE BIONIC MAN

APPEARS AT NEW YORK COMIC CON OCTOBER 10-13
PREMIERES ON SMITHSONIAN CHANNEL OCTOBER 20


WHO:
THE INCREDIBLE BIONIC MAN
Dr. Bertolt Meyer - Social psychologist at the University of Zurich
Rich Walker – Managing Director, Shadow Robot
Robert Warburton – Shadow Robot

WHAT:
“The Incredible Bionic Man” Appears at New York Comic Con – including panel discussion with scientists, special sneak-preview of film, and public display and demonstration of robot.

Smithsonian Channel is the exclusive U.S. television home to chronicle the behind-the-scenes story of the world’s first real Bionic Man – a 6-foot-tall robot built entirely from bionic body parts and implantable synthetic organs – complete with a functioning circulatory system. The result of billions of dollars of research and featuring components borrowed from some of the world's leading laboratories, THE INCREDIBLE BIONIC MAN shows how far we’ve come in efforts to simulate the human body. A new one-hour documentary about the ambitious project premieres on Smithsonian Channel on Sunday, October 20, 2013 at 9 p.m. ET/PT.

TRAILER: http://www.sho-pr.com/Smithsonian_Channel/Bionic_Trailer_Final.mp4


WHEN & WHERE:
Booth 537 at Jacob Javits Convention Center
655 W 34th St, @ 11th Ave., NYC 10001
Thursday, October 10 from 3-9pm
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 11 (10a-7p **(PANEL & DEMO @ 4pm!)**
Saturday, October 12 from 10am-7pm
Sunday, October 13 from 10am-5pm

**Panel Discussion and Demonstration RM. 1A14
Friday, October 11 from 4-5pm








Comic Con 2013


Wikia Panel Schedule @ NYCC - FT. Anime legends and Cosplay events

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 11, 5:15 PM – 6:15 PM

WIKIA [LIVE] PRESENTS: LEARN FROM THE MASTERS

Afro Samurai. Hells Angels. Lone Wolf and Cub. Ninja Scroll. What do these titles have in common? They represent some of the greatest works in anime/manga, from an equally diverse group of creators. “New school” artists like Shin-ichi Hiromoto and Takashi Okazaki; legends like Kazuo Koike and Masao Maruyama. Join Wikia as we celebrate these “industry leaders” by putting the spotlight on their careers, their works, and what the future has in store for them. Now’s your chance to get up close and personal with some of the genre’s greatest. Who knows? They may just offer some advice that sets you on your own path to stardom.

PANELISTS:

Kazuo Koike (Crying Freeman, Lone Wolf and Cub), Takashi Okazaki (Afro Samurai), Shin-ichi Hiromoto (Hells Angels) and Masao Maruyama (Trigun, Ninja Scroll, Studio Madhouse).

 

MODERATOR:

Eric Moro (Wikia’s Director of Programming, Entertainment).

 

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 12, 1:45 PM – 2:45 PM

WIKIA [LIVE] PRESENTS: THE MASTERS OF ANIMANGA

Throughout the month of September, manga/anime legends Kazuo Koike, Yoshitaka Amano, Takashi Okazaki, Shin-ichi Hiromoto and Masao Maruyama partnered with Wikia for “The Masters of Animanga: A Wikia Collaborative Writing Project.” This once-in-a-lifetime initiative offered Wikia community members the opportunity to write stories based on fully rendered illustrations and brief character descriptions created by these “Masters” in a one-paragraph-at-a-time format (one user contributed a paragraph to the story, then another built upon that, etc. until the project was closed). In fact, three different stories across three different genres were developed: Vampires, Girls and Samurai. Join Wikia and the “Masters” as they celebrate/unveil the three final stories and discuss this never-before-attempted fan collaboration. The future of this style of storytelling – one that takes the legitimizing of “fan fiction” to a whole new level – will also be discussed!

PANELISTS:

Kazuo Koike (Crying Freeman, Lone Wolf and Cub), Takashi Okazaki (Afro Samurai), Shin-ichi Hiromoto (Hells Angels), Hiro Ikegami (Space Battleship Yamato 2199) and Masao Maruyama (Trigun, Ninja Scroll, Studio Madhouse)

 

MODERATOR:

Eric Moro (Wikia’s Director of Programming, Entertainment)

 

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 11, 7:45 PM – 8:45 PM
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 12, 8:30 PM – 9:30 PM

WIKIA [LIVE] COSPLAY CONTEST

Wikia is THE social universe for fans by fans, and it’s no secret that pop culture enthusiasts love the costumes and look of their favorite characters. To celebrate that amazing fandom, Wikia will be hosting the Wikia Heroes & Villains Cosplay Contest at New York Comic Con. Wikia is posting a cash/gift-card prize, along with several runner-up prizes. Wikia Stars (leading admins/experts in our comics, video game, and entertainment communities) will serve as judges for the contest.

MODERATOR:

Jennifer Betka (Wikia’s SVP of Marketing)


************************************************************

 

ANIME WORLDS TO COLLIDE AT NEW YORK COMIC CON
Voltron® and Robotech to team up for the first time
at New York Comic Con this October.

Fresh off the blockbuster comic series team up announcement this summer from Dynamite Entertainment, New York Comic Con will host a joint panel of two of anime's greatest legends—Voltron® and Robotech—for the first time on Friday October 11th at 11:00 a.m. in Room 1A14 ! This historic event will be the first time representatives of both properties will be together discussing the much buzzed about Robotech / Voltron crossover from Dynamite Comics.  
To give fans the latest news, sneak peeks, and insights into the creation of this historic crossover, World Events Productions (WEP,LLC) and Harmony Gold U.S.A. can confirm the following members of the creative team will be attending the New York Comic Con: 

Jeremy Corray Voltron Creative Director
Tommy Yune Robotech Creative Director
Bob Koplar Vice President, World Events Productions 
Kevin McKeever Vice President of Marketing for Robotech
Joseph Rybandt – Senior Editor, Dynamite Comics

Tommy Yune is co-writing the story with Dynamite Comics who will produce and distribute the comics. The first issue of the Robotech / Voltron Crossover is expected to be released in December 2013.
Voltron fans at New York Comic Con have always shown us tremendous amount of love and enthusiasm,” commented WEP’s Jeremy Corray. “This opportunity to form up with our friends at Harmony Gold for the first ever Robotech / Voltron crossover panel has been a pop-culture event years in the making that fans of classic ‘80s cartoons, anime, and giant robots won’t want to miss. Fans planning their panel hits should mark it down now.” 
"Robotech and Voltron share many common roots as two of the best known series in anime history,” said Tommy Yune, Creative Director, Harmony Gold. “We're thrilled to be a part of this exciting project with our colleagues from World Events Productions."
“The New York Comic-Con is the perfect venue for the inaugural Robotech / Voltron teamup panel! I think fans are really going to enjoy it!,” said Kevin McKeever, Vice President of Marketing for Robotech.
In addition to the Robotech / Voltron Crossover panel on Friday, fans can also catch the annual Robotech Industry Panel that Friday at 12:30 p.m. in Room 1A15 and the Voltron 30th Anniversary Sneak Peek panel Sunday, October 13th at 2:30 PM Room 1A06 for prizes, previews and more.

Saturday, October 5, 2013

James V. Downey Way


  Mosholu Avenue between West 254th & West 255th Street today officially became James V. Downey Way. This stretch of Mosholu Avenue in front of Sid Augarten Field where children play baseball was a significant part of the North Riverdale Baseball League and was very important to the man who helped make it happen, Mr. James V. Downey. Downey was also involved in his church St. Margret's of Cortona, and the Knights of Columbus Pro-Patria Council. Those three organizations and a slew of others requested the street renaming in 2012, three years after Mr. Downey passed away due to loosing his battle with cancer. 
   Community Board 8 voted for the street renaming in September of 2012, and it was off to the city council where Councilman Oliver Koppell guided the street renaming through. Below are some photos.

 













Left - Mr. Jerry Woods gives the introduction.
Right - Councilman Oliver Koppell says a few words. On the pole under the Mosholu Avenue sign you can see another sign awaiting to be uncovered.

 













Left - James V. Downey Way is unwrapped as cheers are heard from the almost 200 people in attendance.
Right - In a traditional Irish ceremony a lone bagpiper plays.