In-Store Convention Kick-Off 2016 Coverage

The In-Store Convention Kick-Off is over for 2016! See hour-by-hour coverage of the one-of-a-kind convention experience that happened at your local comic shop!

Hour One

The In-Store Convention Kick-Off happened live in 400 stores in 9 different countries. The event was hosted by Kevin White from the Geeks of Comedy.

Jim Lee: Keynote Speaker

• Jim Lee was the keynote speaker who opened the In-Store Convention Kick-Off with a fun interview and some information about DC Comics upcoming event, Rebirth.

• He spoke about the changes in the comic audience and the diversification of the market. Lee also said that DC is about “growing the whole business of comics” and that Rebirth will focus on monthly periodicals helping to push customers into shops for weekly comics.

• Speaking about the growing force of creator owned comics, Lee stated, that they are just “more opportunities for creators to do what’s best” and that “creators should love what they do best” to “just tell great stories”.

• He touched on the importance of DC Comics Rebirth, comparing it to the New 52 reboot 5 years ago. DC wants to focus on the mythology of the characters saying, that Rebirth will be “embracing the past, using that past to focus on the future” and “very character driven”.

• When asked what his favorite work is Lee said, “I love everything I’ve done” but mentioned Batman Hush to be a highlight. 

• More information of Rebirth will be revealed at Wondercon in a live streamed event March 26^th starting at 9am.

• Lee is excited about working on the post-Rebirth Suicide Squad series with Rob Williams, and stated that the best part of working with the villains of Suicide Squad is “picking B or C level characters to bring to stardom”.
   
• Lee closed out his keynote by stating that he hopes Rebirth with bring together both new and old fans of comics.

Dynamite Comics Panel

• During the Dynamite panel Marguerite Bennett spoke about how she fell in love with Red Sonja during Gail Simone’s run. She wanted to “hit the ground running” and create a very accessible world for new readers.
  
  
• Regarding the backlash of the character redesign, Bennett stated “You want to have comics that can reach a wider audience”, but that the classic costume may come back for special occasions.

Valiant Comics Panel

• The Valiant panel focused on their new event, the Summer of 4001 AD a four issue stand-alone event. An exclusive preview will be in the Valiant Free Comic Book Day special, and will be completely accessible to new readers as a great jumping on point. 
   
• 4001 AD will also have four stand-alone one shots of key characters; XO Manowar, Bloodshot, Shadowman, and a classified new female character in the Valiant universe. 

Matt Fraction & Kelly Sue DeConnick

• Matt Fraction and Kelly Sue DeConnick’s panel was interrupted by a fire alarm, but they were able to share some information about their new projects.

• Matt Fraction is gearing up for two new series and may even start working on a third new project, and worked with Kelly Sue and David Goyer on a television pilot. 

• Fraction is also working on the Sex Criminals pilot saying that, “this is not a show for NBC that can come on after Blacklist”.

• Bill Sienkiewicz is working with Kelly Sue on an unannounced book, but she is most excited to be working on Pretty Deadly. 

Hour Two
 

DC Comics Panel

• Dan Didio talked about Rebirth and how the history of DC was “what people loved” and that the new relaunch will reflect that. DC Comics will push monthlies with double shipping on best sellers and Didio reiterated that DC’s goal is to, “sell as many books to as many people as possible”.

• An online question brought up the fan petition for Young Justice season 3 to which Didio stated, “nothing ever rests forever, the voice of the people is getting louder”.

• On May 25^{th an} oversized DC Comics Rebirth Special by Geoff Johns will kickoff the Rebirth universe.

• Didio mentioned that “everything’s in play” in Rebirth’s continuity and that “we have plans for Captain Marvel”.

• DC is pushing for more all-ages content and targeting the right books to the right ages, “just like TV, one size doesn’t fit all”.

• Didio stated that Rebirth is about “staying true to the core of the character”, and that it will be a relaunch of numbers not stories.

• Fans asked Didio about his favorite Marvel series currently on the shelves, Vision. “Tom King did a brilliant job, that’s why we wanted him for DC.”

• Didio’s favorite DC comic is Prez, he loved the personality and attitude and said, “always root for the underdog books”.

Hour Three

Skottie Young 

• Scottie Young spoke about his Image Comics series I Hate Fairyland and his variant covers at Marvel Comics saying, “I think I’ve drawn almost everyone in Marvel”.

• Speaking about his Marvel series, Rocket Raccoon and Groot, “it’s just me having fun”.

BOOM! Studios Panel

• Sam Humphries and Hope Larson are leading the BOOM! Studios panel, Humphries with his new series Jonesy and Larson with her new series Goldie Vance.

• Larson says that Goldie Vance will have a “throwback retro tone” and is based in the Florida of the 1920s and 1930s. 

• Talking about the BOOM! Box imprint, Humphries talks about how “Lumberjanes blazed so many trails” and how Jonesy and Goldie Vance “have a similar tone”.

• Writing duo Jackson Lanzing and Collin Kelly also joined the BOOM! Panel to talk about their new series Joyride, a “punk rock teenage Star Trek”.

Rick Remender

• Rick Remender joins the In-Store Convention Kick Off to talk about his work with Image Comics and Marvel Comics.

• When asked about long term plans for Deadly Class, Remender answered that they have “another year or two planned”, and “very big things in other media”.

• Remender answered a question about working with Marvel or DC Comics in the future by saying that right now he’s “really enjoying making my own books”, but “who knows what the future holds”.

Hour Four

Chris Hastings

• Chris Hastings, writer for the upcoming Gwenpool series from Marvel Comics talks about how the character came to life.

• The first issue of Gwenpool will be in comics shops this April, and will feature tons of cool cameos like Batroc the Leaper, MODOK, and Thor.

Top Cow Panel

• The Top Cow panel features creators Matt Hawkins and Stjepan Sejic as they talk about their series Postal, Switch and more. 

• Hawkins told fans that his series Postal is now in development as a TV series, while Sejic showcased some of his art for the new series taking place in the Witchblade universe, Switch.

Dan Jurgens

• Dan Jurgens, writer of the current DC Comics series Superman: Lois and Clark and Batman Beyond talks about how these two series fit into the current DC continuity. 

• When Jurgens was asked about his favorite characters he said that Superman and Booster Gold are “near and dear to my heart” and that he would give Nathan Fillion his blessing to play Booster Gold in any live action adaptations. 

• Jurgens said that “readers are really going to like where we’re going” with the upcoming DC Comics event Rebirth. 

• The Heroes Initiative and the Comic Book Legal Defense Fund stopped by the In-Store Convention Kick Off to discuss how fans can help creators and the comics community. 

Hour Five

Jimmy Palmiotti

• Harley Quinn writer Jimmy Palmiotti talks about what’s new for everyone’s favorite villain, including an exclusive about an upcoming cross over.

• The classic Superman and Muhammad Ali story will be remade with Harley Quinn taking the place of Ali, and will feature art by Neal Adams.
   
• Zatanna will be featured in Harley’s Little Black Book and have art by Dawn artist Joseph Michael Linsner. 

Dark Horse Comics Panel 

• Dark Horse Comics opened their panel by celebrating their 30^th anniversary with special variants throughout the year, and Dark Horse Day which takes place on June 4th.
   
• Harrow County artist Tyler Crook is looking forward to the SyFy Channel adaptation of the series and said that it will be “keeping true to the spirit of the material”.

Ryan North 

• The Unbeatable Squirrel Girl writer Ryan North talks about his take on this unique and fun character at Marvel Comics. 

• North is excited for The Unbeatable Squirrel Girl and Howard the Duck crossover issue, which he is writing with Chip Zdarsky.

• The upcoming arc of Unbeatable Squirrel Girl will have Mole Man as the villain who has fallen in love with the title character.

Jim Zub

• Jim Zub, writer of the new Dungeon and Dragons series for IDW, Wayward for Image Comics, and more talked about juggling his various series.

• Showing off covers for Wayward, Zub said “we have at least two more arcs planned”, but would love to do more.

• The new Thunderbolts series will be full of “lots and lots of awesome stuff”, Zub promises. The series will also tie into the Marvel Comics event, Avengers Standoff.

• In an exclusive announcement from Udon, Zub revealed that he’ll be doing Street Fighter Legends: Cammy, set to be released this June.

Hour Six

Marvel Comics Panel 

• Brian Michael Bendis, Cullen Bunn, and Tom Brevoort head the Marvel Comics panel to talk about upcoming projects, including the upcoming event Civil War II.

• Bendis tells fans to keep their eyes on Invincible Iron Man for Civil War II, “lots will happen”. Brevoort also showed off pages for Civil War II.

• The X-Men will have a limited series that ties into Civil War II, writer Cullen Bunn said, “it’ll be a big encounter between the teams”.

• Bendis talked about writing his favorite Marvel characters in Civil War II, “I have such a love and respect for these characters”.

• When asked if the Fantastic Four will appear in Civil War II Brevoort quipped, “probably not” but the Guardians of the Galaxy and Inhumans will be a part of the event.

• Talking about possible Star Wars comics for the future Brevoort said, “I would imagine at some point they’ll want to do something with Boba Fett”.

• Regarding R-ratings for Marvel films Brevoort stated, to “let each thing just be what it is” while Bendis added that it should be based on the point of view of the characters. 

• Talking about diversity in comics, Brevoort espoused the work that Marvel has done and added,  “hopefully we can keep that up."

Zenescope Entertainment Panel 

• Writer Pat Shand spoke at the Zenescope panel about the finale of Robyn Hood, the launch of Hellchild, and the future of Charmed.

Hour Seven

Diamond Select Toys 

• Diamond Select Toys showed off new items coming in 2016, including X-Files Select figures, Teenage Mutant Turtles minimates, Gotham TV figures, Batman '66 character busts, Batman the Animated Series PVC figures and busts, Marvel Gallery PVC figures, Ghosbusters Select figures, Muppets Select figures, and an expanded line of Vinimates vinyl figures from licenses such as Aliens, Back To The Future, Lost In Space, Ghostbusters, and X-Files.

James Tynion IV

• Batman/Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles writer James Tynion IV talks about his work with DC Comics, including the upcoming issue 52 of Batman, and his BOOM! Studios series The Woods.

• When talking about how his series The Woods has been optioned for television and the interest in the project he stated, “I’m blown away”. 

• Tynion said for more information about his future projects, “definitely pay attention around Wondercon”.

Nathan Fillion, Alan Tudyk & PJ Haarsma

• Nathan Fillion, Alan Tudyk, and PJ Haarsma join the In-Store Con Kick Off to talk about their new film Con Man and comic series, Spectrum.

Hour Eight

Mike Deodato 

• Invincible Iron Man artist Mike Deodato talks to In-Store Convention Kickoff about working with Brian Michael Bendis and what’s next at Marvel Comics.

• Deodato will be staying on Invincible Iron Man for five more issues, and may be moving onto Star Wars as well.

• When asked about which story he thinks is his best, Deodato said that his work on Hulk #70 is the most important to him.

• Some dream projects that Deodato would love to work on include Tarzan, Conan, and Ka-Zar; “I love dinosaurs”.

Hanna Barbera Panel

• Jeff Parker and Evan 'Doc' Shaner talk about DC Comics new Hanna Barbara series of comics, including Scooby Doo Apocalypse, Future Quest, Wacky Raceland, and more.

• When asked about the world building of Future Quest Parker said, “We took it upon ourselves to give Space Ghost a new origin” and that Space Ghost and the herculoids are in the same galaxy”.

• Shaner said that there are “thirty characters at least” in the cast of Future Quest.

• Parker answered a fan’s question about spin off series from Future Quest with the statement that if DC Comics sees an interest in the series there’s more of a chance and that Future Quest is “definitely something to support”.

• Asked about the character designs, Parker stated that the tone of Future Quest is being set with Johnny Quest so some characters like Frankenstein Jr have had design changes; “to hold something like this together you have to have the same tone”.
  
  

IDW Publishing Panel 

• For the IDW panel the creative team behind the Wynonna Earp television show premiering on the SyFy channel later this year talked about the connection between the comic and the show and showed the trailer for the series. 

Kevin Eastman: Keynote Speaker 

• Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles co-creator Kevin Eastman delivered the closing keynote for the In Store Convention Kick Off. He talked about his long history creating the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.