Usually, when I get ready to go to a con, I tell you why you should go. Well, that's a little silly when it comes to San Diego Comic-Con. So instead, we'll just get right to previewing what some of our favorite publishers are up to.
Here's what's going on for Lion Forge...
Speaking of Rolled and Told, if you get to their booth in time, the first issue will be yours for the low-low price of Free! That's so awesome! I don't care if I keep using exclamation points!
Here's their signing schedule for the con, starting today:
Thursday, July 19
1:00–2:00 p.m.: David Walker, Superb
Friday, July 20
12:00–1:00 p.m.: Tim Hedrick & Mitch Iverson, Voltron Legendary Defender
2:00–3:00 p.m.: David Walker, Superb
Saturday, July 21
12:30--1:30 Jen Vaughn and Shing Yin Khor
2:00–3:00 p.m.: Tim Hedrick & Mitch Iverson, Voltron Legendary Defender
Lion Forge has a rather large feature Panel schedule, too. Here's the highlights:
Representation in Gaming: From the Comic Shop to the Tabletop
Thursday, July 19, 7:00–8:00 p.m., Room: 32AB
Tabletop role-playing has been a staple in the nerd community, but it’s found a resurgence with podcasts like The Adventure Zone and Critical Role. Now, Lion Forge brings readers the perfect combination between a tabletop RPG magazine and a comic anthology with Rolled & Told, a monthly periodical that offers casual gamers fun-filled adventure modules, comics, art, and so much more. Join D20 Dames co-host Jen Vaughn and Lion Forge associate editor Christina “Steenz” Stewart, alongside Geek & Sundry’s Satine Phoenix, artists Max Bare and Shing Yin Khor, and writer Josh Trujillo as we discuss where the tabletop gaming industry is going and how inclusive we can continue to make it! Attendees will receive a special exclusive Quillion dice bag (while supplies last)!
Indie Creators: What’s Next?
Friday, July 20, 11:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m., Room: 4
The Antidote Trust (TAT), a collective of indie creators, presents a roundtable discussion with industry professionals on independent creators and career development strategies they can use to further hone their skills and position themselves to take that all-important next step forward. Moderator Barbara Kesel (editor, DC/Crossgen; writer, Shadowzone, Mine!) will explore what hiring professionals are specifically seeking in independents with Karen Kirkland (creative strategist and founder of The Breakk, VP of talent development, Nickelodeon), Ashley Woods (Artist, Lady Castle, Boom Studios; Tomb Raider: Survivor’s Crusade, Dark Horse Comics), Geoff Gerber (president, Lion Forge Comics—Lighter Than My Shadow, Amazon’s Best Graphic Novel of 2017), Quinn McGowan (creator, Project: Wildfire; artist, Menthu: The Anger of Angels), and TAT co-founder Robert Roach (creator, Menthu: The Anger of Angels; storyboard artist, Insomnia; concept illustrator, Lion: Origin of the Wailers).
Diversity and Inclusivity from the Perspective of Libraries/Publishing/Authors in the Industry
Friday, July 20, 5:30–6:30 p.m., Room: 8
In the age where the inclusion of positive representation for marginalized groups in all media has grown but the need has not diminished, how has the conversation of increasing diversity in literature changed? How has the ground that’s been covered changed the landscape? Join Lion Forge’s associate editor Christina “Steenz” Stewart and senior editor Amanda Meadows, alongside a panel of industry experts, including award-winning filmmaker and writer Che Grayson, teen librarian Kathryn Kania, Eisner Award–winning retailer Jenn Haines, and nonbinary cartoonist and creator of Genderqueer: A Memoir, Maia Kobabe, for a discussion on how to truly produce “comics for everyone.”
Comics for Impact: Changing the World with Words and Pictures
Saturday, July 21, 4:00–5:00 p.m., Room: Shiley Special Events Suite, San Diego Central Library
Comics for Impact and Social Good—Find out how comics educate, change attitudes, and otherwise make a difference by, among other things, depicting persons with disabilities in a different light, raising funds for charitable causes, providing a tribute for victims of hate crimes, and fighting for international human rights in a presentation and Q&A with panelists Geoff Gerber (president of Lion Forge), Kelley Allen (director of books at Humble Bundle), Sarah Gaydos (Love Is Love), and Josh Elder (executive director of Reading With Pictures) with moderator Russell Shilling (senior innovation fellow at Digital Promise).
Lion Forge’s “Comics for Everyone” Fall 2018 Preview
Sunday, July 22, 11:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m., Room: 8
Lion Forge Comics strives to publish comics that everyone, regardless of background, ethnicity, or gender identification can connect with. With multiple imprints, including an entire line of books for younger readers, and one of the most diverse superhero universes in comics history, the St. Louis publisher makes good on that promise every Wednesday. Lion Forge senior publicist Jeremy Atkins and senior editor Amanda Meadows give attendees an exclusive look at what’s to come from Lion Forge this fall and are joined by a cast of the industry’s top talent and a special surprise guest for an exclusive announcement that will echo throughout the San Diego Convention Center!
There will be a lot of publishers that may be new to you when you go to San Diego Comic-Con. If you'll be at the show and haven't started looking into Lion Forge books yet, please stop by and speak with them. I guarantee you'll leave with at least three new comics in your hands. Possibly more. And you'll quickly want to get them on your pull list.
