Emerald City Comicon 2012 Preview

Special Comic Guests

So who are this year’s comics guests? Creators like: Gail Simone, Steve Niles, Robert Kirkman, Greg Capullo, Michael Avon Oeming, Jhonen Vasquez, Erik Larsen, Matt Fraction, David Mack, Ben Templesmith, Tony Moore, Darick Robertson, Greg Rucka, Nei Ruffino, Tim Seely, Camilla d’Errico, Dan Slott, Nick Spencer, Bruce Timm, Jacen Burrows, Brian Wood, Jim Woodring, Mike Wolfer, Rick Remender, Joe Casey, Brandon Jerwa, Kurt Busiek, Joe Benitez… and so, SO many more! The list of guests is so extensive and full of amazing creators, that I am bound to unintentionally leave out someone whose work I really respect by trying to list them all. It is probably best if you just check out the complete guest list on the official ECCC website. Even as late this week, new guests like Brian Lee O’Malley (Scott Pilgrim series) were added. And these are just the comic creators!

Media and Voice Talent Guests

A plethora of awesome media guests and voice talent will be attending ECCC this year, including but not limited to: George Takei (Star Trek), Wil Wheaton (Star Trek: TNG), Jon Bernthal (The Walking Dead), Jason Momoa (Game of Thrones, Conan the Barbarian), James and Oliver Phelps (Harry Potter series), Kevin Conroy (Batman: The Animated Series), John DiMaggio (Bender on Futurama), Tara Strong (Batman: The Brave and the Bold, My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic, and SO many more), Maurice LeMarche and Rob Paulsen (Pinky and the Brain), and Billy West (both Ren and Stimpy, and Fry from Futurama). This is by no means a complete list, so again I urge you to check out the media guests and voice talent line ups on the ECCC website.

Special After Hours On/Off-Site Events

ECCC always includes lots of fun after hours events at the Convention Center and around town, and this year is no exception. Some of these special events can be found on the ECCC website. Be sure to get the “full” convention experience, and come out to some of these cool shindigs:

Kracklefest: A Night of Nerd Music

No comic convention would be complete without the musical stylings of everyone’s favorite nerd rock band, Kirby Krackle! Catch their set on Friday the 30^th (the opening night of the convention) at the Hard Rock Cafe Seattle (just a few short blocks from the convention). Get advance tickets here or at the door for $10 (while they last).

Fantagraphics Emerald City Pinball Party

After ECCC, on Saturday March 31^st, from 7-10pm, Fantagraphics Books will be throwing the Fantagraphics Emerald City Pinball Party hosted by artist Jim Woodring (Frank), at Shorty’s Pinball Emporium in Belltown. Shorty’s is always a fun time, and will offer visitors from out of town a genuine look at Seattle nightlife. Stop by, play some pinball or an arcade game, have a pint, and meet Mr. Woodring! Right after this event and close by is the:

ECCC Official Live Art Event

Live painting on canvasses and… other mediums, adult beverages, and pumping music– all to raise money for charity?! DO NOT MISS THIS EVENT! Come out and see industry heavy-hitters like: David Mack, Camilla d’Errico, Lar DeSouza, Dustin Nguyen, Ray Fawkes, and many others; along with some of Seattle’s finest local artists like Redd Walitzki and Carl Faulkner, sling paint and create. This event will be held a short but easily manageable distance away from the convention in Belltown, at Seattle’s legendary The Crocodile. This 21 and over event will be held on Saturday night from 10pm-2am. Get all of the details at the Official ECCC Live Art Event FB page. See you there!

Jay and Silent Bob Get Old Live Podcast Recording

Jason Mewes and Kevin Smith (AKA “Jay and Silent Bob”) will be in town and recording their Jay and Silent Bob Get Old podcast in front of a live audience at the Washington State Convention Center. This is a separately ticketed event. To purchase tickets to what is sure to be a riotously good time, go here on the ECCC website.

As always, this year is going to be another epic Emerald City Comicon! I am buzzing with an excitement that only grows as I start seeing talk of ECCC spread across the social networks like wildfire, and as fans and creators from across the world start arriving in our beautiful city of Seatlle, WA. For even more info about Seattle and getting the most out of your convention experience, please feel free to check out my Geek’s Guide to Seattle for all sorts of information about local attractions, entertainment, transportation, and alternate lodging options from an actual Seattleite. I have also written the Comic Convention 101 – A Con Survival Guide, that is full of tips and advice to get the most out these amazing events. You can read both of these articles for free, right here on ComicBooked.com. We also have ECCC related articles about Dark Horse Comics at ECCC,  Image Comics ECCC Exclusives and Programming, as well as BOOM! Studios ECCC Schedule currently up on our site. Complete programming, guest lists, schedules, gaming, and ECCC exclusives information can be found on the (extremely useful and well designed) Emerald City Comicon website. Be sure to download the FREE ECCC Guidebook app for your smartphone, to stay up to date on the fly. Check back in here at ComicBooked.com for coverage of all the news that is sure to be announced over the weekend at ECCC. Feel free to follow me (@RobbOrr) on Twitter for live tweets from the convention.

 I’ll see you at the ECCC panel discussions, events, and on the show floor!