I’ll be on Channel 3’s Live at 9 morning show this Monday morning talking about the upcoming MidSouthCon (March 12-14 in Olive Branch, MS).

I’ve been on before with Alex and Marybeth pimping my comic Bushi Tales. This time I’ll be pimping the art and comics programming MSC will have to offer sci-fi fans next month at the con.

This year’s con will have Kevin J. Anderson, Gail Simone, Billy Tackett, John Jackson Miller, and many more!

I’ll have at least one of my paintings there, and should be doing some sketching live.

You can see one of my paintings in an interview about the con on Fox13 here. (Thanks, Carlin!)

Lin

This news has some JJM and KOTOR fans saddened. Not to worry, John will return to the Star Wars universe later this year with a new comic series Star Wars: Knight Errant. If that’s not good enough for you, a novel of the same name will be released next year! You can read more about it from JJM here.

In addition to his comic duties for Dark Horse, he is also writing a series of e-books in conjunction with the Fate of the Jedi novel series by Del Rey.  The 3rd e-book, Lost Tribe of the Sith: Paragon, is now available for download from StarWars.com, Barnes and Noble and Amazon.com (Kindle version).  You can download previous installments here and here.

And if he wasn’t busy enough, John also writes a webcomic, Sword and Sarcasm that you can check out here.

John will be attending the Midsouthcon this March 12th-14th. He was recently on a couple of podcasts- The Legion of Dudes and Fictional Frontiers.

Congrats, JJM!

Here are a couple of his new projects that are coming out soon-

JUSTICE LEAGUE: CRY FOR JUSTICE #7 (OF 7)

On Sale FEBRUARY 24, 2010

Written by JAMES ROBINSON; Art by MAURO CASCIOLI with SCOTT CLARK & DAVE BEATY!

This is the big one! After the catastrophes seen in issues #5 and #6, a hero loses control, leading to an unexpected ending that will fundamentally change the lives of the World’s Greatest Heroes forever. This issue launches a major storyline in the DC Universe and is not to be missed.

TITANS #23

On sale MARCH 17

Written by EDDIE BERGANZA

Art by ANGEL UNZUETA with SCOTT CLARK & DAVE BEATY!

Spotlight on Red Arrow! As Roy Harper lies in critical condition after the events of JUSTICE LEAGUE: CRY FOR JUSTICE #5, his fever dreams show him the perfect future life he wants for the Titans. Unfortunately for him, it’s a life the Titans will never see.

Be sure to stop by the Bushi Tales table at the Pheonix Cactuscon this May to see what else Dave has been up to.

Hopefully he’ll be able to announce what else he’s got lined up soon.

Congrats, Dave!

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Lex Luthor For Sale

If you’d like one of my paintings now’s your chance!

I originally did this to show at the Superman Celebration in Metropolis, IL a couple years ago, and ended up donating it to the HERO Initiative art auction at the Phoenix Cactuscon. Noel Neill (the ORIGINAL Lois Lane) was kind enough to sign it for me before the auction (she starred with Kevin Spacey in Superman Returns).

Well, it’s back up for auction- this time on ebay by Brandon Ladd Burkey, owner of Crossroads Entertainment Co., LLC. and the guy who bought it in Phoenix. Minimum bid is $200 and apparently you get one of my sketchbooks, too.

Best I remember this one is approx. 2′x3′ and it’s airbrush acrylic on canvas.

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PHOENIX OR BUST!

Speaking of PHX, it’s official- Dave and I have been listed as guests for this May’s Phoenix Cactuscon. We’ll be there with Micah and Nicki and are looking forward to checking out the new con digs!

Oh- Noel Neill will be there, too!

Hope to see you there-

Lin

I’ve been invited to participate in a book signing at the M.R. Davis Public Library in Southaven, MS on Sunday, January 31st from 2:30-4:30pm.

I’ll be singing/selling copies of my comic series “Bushi Tales“.

Other authors in attendance will include  Mark Grisham (John Grisham’s brother) and Daivd Donaldson- authors of “Bedlam South“, and Suzanna Maddox one of 150 teachers who contributed to “Teaching Hope: Stories from the Freedom Writer Teachers“.

The library is located at 8554 Northwest Drive, Southaven, MS 38671, and you can get directions here. Phone number is (662) 342-0102.

Hope to see you there!

Lin

“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.” -Margaret Mead

Monday, January 11th is National Human Trafficking Awareness Day. To participate, we formed the Comic Creator’s Alliance–a group of over eighty comic book creators (both web and print) who volunteered our artistic talents to raise money and awareness for this cause. You may not know it, but there are currently 27 million enslaved people worldwide- more than double the number of enslaved Africans during the trans-Atlantic slave trade. UNICEF estimates that 1.2 million children every year are sold into slavery, most of it sexual. The US Department of Justice estimates 16,000 victims of human trafficking are brought into the United States every year. Unlike slavery in the 19th century, what is happening today is happening in secret. So it won’t end until awareness is raised, and people like you and me take a stand.

So here’s what we did: each creator contributed an original drawing of one of our own female characters, and combined them into a single wallpaper image. The wallpaper features characters from The Phoenix Requiem, Girls with Slingshots, Earthsong, Looking for Group, Shadowgirls, Marsh Rocket, The Uniques and three IDW Publishing titles: Fallen Angel, The Dreamland Chronicles and The Dreamer, and lots, lots more! Donate today to download this unique, once-in-a-lifetime wallpaper. The Donations Drive will last for two weeks, from January 11th – 24th. All proceeds will be split evenly between Love146 and Gracehaven House- two organizations working on rehabilitation of victims and prevention of this crime. To learn more about the Comic Creator’s Alliance visit www.comicalliance.weebly.com. To learn more about the problem, visit http://love146.org/slavery. (Note: contains adult themes and actual accounts of sex slavery.)

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BushiTales.com has donated art to this wallpaper, too. 

Lin

Writer Marv Wolfman posted this on Facebook today and I thought I’d share:

“My latest blog is the beginning of an autobiography of sorts. Take a look at: http://www.marvwolfman.com/todaysviews.html “

Met Marv in Metropolis a few years ago and got to have dinner with him and some of the Memphis Mafia. Got to talk Teen Titans, Nova, and more, and heard stories about him and Len Wein growing up and getting into the comics biz. Looking forward to more from Marv!

Lin

Hello Superman Fans!

Here is the latest news from Metropolis, Illinois:

Comic Book & Toy Show set for March 6-7 in Metropolis, Illinois.

The city best known for its super hero connection will be the site of a Comic Book and Toy Show on Saturday and Sunday, March 6-7. The event will be held at the Riverfront Event Center inside Harrah’s Hotel, 100 Front St. in Metropolis.

For the second year in a row, the show is being produced by Marc Ballard, the owner of Comic City in Nashville, Tenn. Ballard says that those who enter the doors of the Riverfront Event Center will see a variety of vendors showcasing comics from the 1940s to present-day, vintage Star Wars toys, autographed celebrity items, games, t-shirts, western items and more.

Admission into the show is $5 each day. All attending will receive a free poster and will be eligible for door prizes. Also, all who attend the Comic Book and Toy Show will receive free admission into the Super Museum and Americana Hollywood in Metropolis that weekend.

Hours for the show are 10 a.m.-5 p.m. on Saturday and 11 a.m.-4 p.m. on Sunday.

The featured guest for this year’s show is Mark Goddard, who is best known as Major Don West in the cult 1960s television series, Lost in Space. Goddard, now a special education teacher in Middleboro, Mass., attended the American Academy of Dramatic Arts and received his first acting role as “Cully” on the television series, Johnny Ringo in 1959. He went on to act in The Detectives, Lost In Space, Perry Mason, Adam 12, The Fall Guy, Mod Quad and the movie, Blue Sunshine. He also appeared in One Life to Live, The Doctors and General Hospital as well as on Broadway in The Act with Liza Minnelli. Goddard made a cameo appearance in 1998 in the movie, Lost in Space, as the general in charge of the Jupiter Mission, and superior officer to his former character, Major Don West.

Other guests scheduled to appear at the Metropolis Comic Book and Toy Show include: Jacob Rougmont, a writer of Marvel Comics Handbook and Index; Jason Craig, artist of Freddy vs. Jason vs. Ash and Grim Fairy Tales; Gary Freidrick, creator of Ghost Rider; John Dugan, Grandpa from the Texas Chainsaw Massacre movie; Mike Nicolosi , actor from The Untouchables; and Tojo Yamamoto Jr., wrestler and owner of Renegade Pro Wrestling in Metropolis, and the son of the world famous wrestler Tojo Yamamoto. Regional artists, Will Woods, Jay Chuppe and Sean Dulany will be a part of the show as well as the Paducah Imperials Star Wars Fan Club. Celebrity guests and artists will be featured both days.

A popular part of the show is sure to be the costume contest. Anyone wishing to enter should attend the show in costume on Saturday and must be present at 4 p.m. in order to be eligible to win. The person chosen with the best all-around costume will be awarded a convention prize package consisting of passes to Nashville Comic Con, Fright Night Film Festival, Cincinnati Comic Con, next year’s Metropolis Con and a San Diego exclusive certified graded comic (only 10 made, valued at $200.)

A Saturday evening event is being planned, but details are not yet available.

For information about the Metropolis Comic Book and Toy Show, visit www.comiccitytn.com or call Ballard at 615-573-4537.

For information about attractions and other happenings in the Metropolis area, visit www.metropolistourism.com, call 877-424-5025 or visit Metropolis Tourism on facebook.

The CGS Super Show is a fun con and is growing by leaps and bounds, but Nicki’s never been to Phoenix and it’s a chance to hang out with Dave and Micah- my Bushi Tales partners as well as Noel, The Dude, and the PHX staff.

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Shadowcon XIV

January 8th & 9th, 2010

Holiday Inn Select

2240 Democrat Road

Memphis, TN 38132

http://www.shadowcon.org/

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Midsouthcon

March 12-14, 2010

Whispering Woods Hotel and Convention Center

11200 Goodman Road

Olive Branch, MS 38654

http://www.midsouthcon.org/

*Special guest- Gail Simone!

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CGS Super Show

March 27 & 28, 2010

Greater Reading Expo Center

Reading, PA

http://www.comicgeekspeak.com/supershow/

*Special guest- former Memphian  artist Mike Norton!

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Cape Comic Con (Cape-Con)

May 1st & 2nd

Cape Girardeau, MO

http://www.capecomiccon.com/

$5.00 Two-Day Pass
(Same rate applies for single day)

Children 7 and under FREE

$10.00 Two-Day
Gamer’s Pass
(Same rate applies for single day)

Guests:

DC artist Ethan Van Sciver

John Wesley Shipp- TV’s The Flash

Gary Friedrich- creator of Ghost Rider

Jay Chuppe- Creator of Red Mullet & Cow Boy

Lin Workman- Co-creator of Bushi Tales

and MORE!

Cape Comic Con is partnering with FCBD (Free Comic Book Day) and will be giving away free comics Saturday, May 1 while supplies last.

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Free Comic Book Day

May 1st, 2010

Comic Cellar

3620 Austin Peay HWY Ste 2

Memphis, TN 38128

http://www.comiccellaronline.com/

http://www.freecomicbookday.com/

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Phoenix Comicon (Cactuscon)

May 27-30, 2010

Phoenix Convention Center & Hyatt Regency

Downtown Phoenix, AZ

http://www.phoenixcomicon.com/

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Metropolis Superman Celebration

June 10-13, 2010

Metropolis, IL (off I-24 north of Paducah, KY)

http://www.supermancelebration.net/

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I’ll add more as I get the info.

Lin

…well, except for a couple geeks.

Welcome to the crazy world of Geek Syndicate. Geek Syndicate chronicles the adventures of Dave and Barry, two British geeks who love themselves some comics, sci-fi, and anything else geekworthy! Geek Syndicate is based on the podcast of the same name, and features art by Harold Jennett.

Their Christmas special is underway so grab a cup of cheer and head on over!
Comic link: www.geeksyndicatecomic.com
Podcast link: http://www.geeksyndicate.co.uk/
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Looking for something fun to do on Friday night? There will be an art show on Friday, December 11, 2009, at the studio of Adam Shaw featuring some of his art in a show titled “The Heidi Series.” There will also be other artists on display, so be sure you show up! The show is at 2547 Broad Avenue, Memphis, TN 38112.

www.abshaw.com

But, the “Adam” fun times don’t end there! On Saturday, December 12, you can meet and greet with Adam Shaw, the artist of the new graphic novel, HARPE (about the first serial killers in the U.S.), at Comics and Collectibles from 2 – 4 p.m. Comics and Collectibles is located at 4730 Poplar Ave. #2 Memphis TN 38117.

http://www.memphiscomics.com/

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But, wait! Your Saturday fun isn’t over just yet–you can also see Kevin Williams performing as Riverthing, the favorite mascot of the Mississippi Riverkings at the Desoto Civic Center. The game begins at 6:30 p.m. on December 12. If you’ve never been to a Riverkings game before, you should. Skate on down to the DCC and watch an awesome game, and if you show up and find Riverthing that night and mention you’re with the MSCA, you’ll get a special photo opportunity!!

http://www.muleythemule.com/

http://www.riverkings.com/

Watch the MSCA site for frequent updates, like this week’s very fun text version of “Mule on the Street” when Muley the Mule interviewed none other than our own Sam Ray!  Ever wanted to know more about an original member of the MSCA?  Sam Ray is one of the guys to talk to.  If you missed his talk at the December dinner meeting, this is your chance to get caught up.
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More PKD!

The second part of the interview Wonton and I did with Shawn Pryor and Jon Carroll for The Black Box podcast is now available. We talk more about digital comics, distribution, web comics, Jetta, Bushi Tales, my B/W art show and Comic Whore site.

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KOTOR Kitties

Our recently adopted kitties Zayne and Jarael were recently mentioned on Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic author John Jackson Miller’s webiste “Faraway Press”. JJM is a former Memphian and is a comics/writer guest each year at Midsouthcon. He’s written for things like the Comics Buyer’s Guide magazine, comics (Star Wars, Iron Man, Indiana Jones), role playing games, and does a web comic called Sword & Sarcasm. If you get the chance to catch one of his panels do, or if you see him running around with his short box of comics at a con stop and pick up a few issues from him. Be sure to tell him Lin and Nicki sent you!

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That’s all for this week’s Pimp It Friday. Stay warm!

Lin