Category: comic books

Don’t Miss Your Chance To Get A Photo With Con Man Star Alan Tudyk at LBCE ’16!

Don’t Get Shut Out! Alan Tudyk Photo-Ops Are Available For Advanced Sale!
There’s been a lot of excitement about the Con Man & Firefly star’s appearance next Saturday at the Long Beach Comic Expo. If you are one of those people we are happy to offer you the chance to get a professional photo with Alan.
Alan will only be taking a limited amount of photos with fans so to guarantee your spot in line be sure to purchase your photo-op in advance. 
You may be asking “Hey, LBCE! What is a photo-op and how does it work?” 

Well here’s how it’s done. You just follow this link over to the Epic Photo-Ops website and pick out your favorite celeb coming to LBCE ’16. From there you can get info on prices and when the photo sessions will take place. Some guests may only be available on certain days. 

If you like you can pre-purchase your photo-op on Epic’s website and you will be emailed a receipt. Bring that receipt to Epic’s booth at the 2016 LBCE to check-in during your designated photo-op time. Photo-Ops can also be purchased at the Epic booth at the LBCE, but all on site sales will be cash only. 
From there you get in line with other fans, you enter the photo studio, pose with your celeb, snap a photo and Epic will print a beautiful 8×10 for you right there! Or you can get digital copy or both! You can have up to 4 people in a photo so bring your friends!

For more info and to purchase your photo-ops click here.

In addition to photo-ops with fans and signing autographs in our Celeb area, Alan will be taking part in a special Con Man/Spectrum panel. 

Taking place 2/20 at 1:30pm in our Thunderdome programming room, Alan will be joined by Con Man Executive Producer PJ Haarsma and comic writer & editor Shannon Eric Denton to discuss the IndieGoGo financed series and Spectrum, the comic based on the fictional sci-fi show featured in Con Man.

Dwayne McDuffie Award for Diversity in Comics

For Immediate Release: Announcing the Finalists for the Second Annual

Dwayne McDuffie Award for Diversity in Comics

February 10, 2016) The finalists for the second annual Dwayne McDuffie Award for Diversity in Comics were announced today. The five nominated titles are:

ANDRE THE GIANT CLOSER TO HEAVEN by Brandon Easton (writer), Denis Medri (artist) (IDW Publishing);

FRESH ROMANCE edited by Janelle Asselin (Rosy Press);

MOON GIRL AND THE DEVIL DINOSAUR by Brandon Montclare and Amy Reeder (Writers), Natacha Bustos (Artist) (Marvel Entertainment);

MS. MARVEL by Willow Wilson (writer), Adrian Alphona (artist) (Marvel Entertainment);

ZANA by Jean Barker (writer), Joey Granger (Artist) (Emet Comics)

The winner will be announced at the second annual Dwayne McDuffie Award for Diversity in Comics ceremony event to be held later this month at Long Beach Comic Expo on Saturday February 20 at 2:30 PM PT, on Dwayne McDuffie’s birthday. Acclaimed comic book writer (GENIUS) and reporter (THE HOLLYWOOD REPORTER) Marc Bernardin will be the event’s Keynote Speaker.

“We were thrilled to receive more than three times as many submissions this year as we did for the inaugural award,” said Neo Edmund, the Director of the Dwayne McDuffie Award for Diversity in Comics. ““After weeks of careful deliberation, we were able to narrow down the submissions from over 100 titles to the five nominees, all of of which speak to Dwayne’s inclusive vision for the industry in unique and significant ways.”

The Award is named in honor of Dwayne McDuffie, the legendary writer and producer who co-founded Milestone Media. As a writer, Dwayne created or co-created more than a dozen comic book series, including DAMAGE CONTROL, DEATHLOK II, ICON, STATIC, XOMBI, THE ROAD TO HELL and HARDWARE. Nilah Magruder was the recipient of the first annual Dwayne McDuffie Award for Diversity in Comics for M.F.K..

“It’s hard to believe Dwayne has been gone for 5 years this month,” said his widow, Charlotte McDuffie, “but it is gratifying to know that his presence continues to be felt in the comic book industry, through this award in his name shining a spotlight on those creators and content that are carrying on his mission to make the world of comics more accurately reflect the diversity of the real world.”

The Dwayne McDuffie Award for Diversity in Comics Selection Committee consists of six prominent comics and animation professionals who knew McDuffie and have demonstrated a commitment to inclusiveness:

Neo Edmund – Novelist, animation and comics writer;

Joan Hilty – Nickelodeon Comics Editor; editor-in-chief of Pageturner, former DC/Vertigo Senior Editor;

Joseph Illidge – Former Editor, Milestone and DC Comics; Columnist, Comic Book Resources; Writer, First Second Books;

Heidi MacDonald – Editor in Chief, The Beat;

William J. Watkins – Writer; Former owner, Chicago’s first African American-owned comics store;

Matt Wayne, Former Managing Editor Milestone Media.

“Diversity has been central to Long Beach Comic Con and Long Beach Comic Expo since I co-founded the event seven years ago,” said Martha Donato, Executive Director of Long Beach Comic Expo. “The Dwayne McDuffie Award for Diversity in Comics ceremony is one of the highlights of our programming slate and it’s a great honor to have this historic and important event return to Long Beach Comic Expo this month.

Follow Long Beach Comic Expo on Facebook and Twitter for the latest news and information about Dwayne McDuffie Award for Diversity in Comics.

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ABOUT LONG BEACH EXPO: Long Beach Comic Expo is an annual event held at the Long Beach Convention Center that celebrates comic books and pop culture and showcases the exceptional works of talented writers, artists, illustrators and creators of all types of pop culture. At Long Beach Comic Expo, you’ll find exhibitors promoting and selling all types of related products, as well as entertaining and educational programs for all ages, guest signings and meet & greet sessions with celebrities. Long Beach Comic Expo is a MAD Event Management, LLC production. To learn more and purchase tickets, please visit www.longbeachcomicexpo.com.

ABOUT THE DWAYNE MCDUFFIE AWARD FOR DIVERSITY IN COMICS SELECTION COMMITTEE:

Neo Edmund (Member of WGA-W/SFWA) is a native of Long Beach California, who has worked in the entertainment industry as a Screenwriter, Comic Book Writer, Story Development Exec, Novelist, Virtual Reality Producer, and Actor. He is the author of the bestselling novels ‘The Red Riding Alpha Huntress Series’ published by WordFire Press, and the comic series Clan of the Vein. Several of the graphic novels he has written are listed among titles that meet the United States Common Core Standards for English Education. He is currently the V.P. of Creative Development for Reverse Engineering Studios, overseeing the creation of numerous projects for Film, TV, and Virtual Reality.

Joan Hilty is Comics Editor at Nickelodeon and editor-in-chief of Pageturner, a boutique comics/graphic novel production house. She was formerly a Senior Editor at DC/Vertigo and syndicated cartoonist. She teaches at the School of Visual Arts in NYC and the Maryland Institute College of Art.

Joseph Phillip Illidge is a writer, editor, columnist, and public speaker on the subjects of race, the medium and business of comics, and the corporate politics of diversity. His editorial career began at Milestone Media, Inc., the first Black-owned mainstream comic book company and creators of “Static Shock!”. His work as an editor of the Batman line of comic books for DC Entertainment included the introduction of Detective Crispus Allen, appearing in the FOX television series “Gotham”, and the female vigilantes Black Canary and Huntress, appearing on the top-rated CW series, “Arrow”.Joseph is the Head Writer for Verge Entertainment. Verge has developed an extensive library of intellectual properties for live-action and animated television and film, video games, graphic novels and web-based entertainment.His graphic novel project, “The Ren,” about the romance between a young musician from the South and a Harlem-born dancer in 1925, set against the backdrop of a crime war, will be published by First Second Books, a division of Macmillan.Joseph’s newest comic book project is the upcoming Scout Comics miniseries “Solarman,” a revamp of a teenage superhero originally published by Marvel Comics. His weekly column, “The Mission”, appears at Comic Book Resources.

Heidi MacDonald is the editor-in-chief of Comicsbeat.com and a former editor for Disney and DC Comics. She also edits the graphic novel review section for Publishers Weekly and can be heard on PW’s weekly podcast More To Come.  

William J. Watkins is a freelance Writer, the former owner of Chicago’s first African American-owned comic shop and a former DC Editorial Assistant.

Matt Wayne is the former Managing Editor Milestone Media and was a Story Editor for Justice League Unlimited, Ben 10: Omniverse, and Niko and the Sword of Light.

THE SIXTH ANNUAL LONG BEACH COMIC EXPO RETURNS ON FEBRUARY 20 AND 21, 2016!

THE SIXTH ANNUAL LONG BEACH COMIC EXPO RETURNS ON FEBRUARY 20 AND 21, 2016!


Long Beach Comic Expo Officially Announces First Wave of Guests, Discount with the Aquarium of the Pacific,
Teases Programming Highlights and Opens Press Registration


January 29, 2016) Mad Entertainment Management officially announced today the first wave of guests for this year’s Long Beach Comic Expo along with a new discount program with the Aquarium of the Pacific. The spring counterpart to Long Beach, CA’s annual celebration of the best in comics and pop culture returns as one of the two best weekends of the year for fans and families!.  Attendees can meet celebrity guests, cosplay stars and comic book writers and artists including Chris Claremont, Amanda Connor, Terry and Rachel Dodson, Joshua Hale Fialkov, Agnes Garbowska, Paul Jenkins, Scott Kolins, Jae Lee, Aaron Lopresti, Fabien Nicieza, Michael Avon-Oeming, Jimmy Palmiotti, James Tynion IV, and over 100 guests! Mad Entertainment Management also announces that, for the first time ever, convention attendees will receive admission to the Aquarium for just $9.00 (regularly $29.95) when they visit the Aquarium after 12:00pm on either the weekend of Long Beach Comic Expo or the following weekend.


“This will be the biggest Long Beach Comic Expo ever. Throughout the month of February, as we lead into the show, fans will hear more about our stellar programming including the second annual Dwayne McDuffie Awards and the return of the Columbia Memorial Space Center innovative Space Expo,” said Martha Donato, Long Beach Comic Expo Executive Director and Co-Founder. “And we’re thrilled to announce that, for the first time ever, Long Beach Comic Expo attendees can receive one discounted admission ticket for the popular Aquarium of the Pacific when they present their official badge at the Aquarium ticket windows.”


In 2016, the Expo will take over two entire exhibit halls with over 150 exhibitors featuring some of the continent’s best vintage and modern comic book dealers, over 100 creators in Artist Alley, the all-new Animation Island, Cosplay Corner, a kids area and the annual Comic Expo Costume Contest.


Fans can enjoy an exciting weekend full of exceptional guests, exhibitors, and engaging panels, at Long Beach Comic Expo, Saturday, February 20  from 10:00 am – 7:00 pm and Sunday, February 21 from 10:00 am – 5:00 PM at the Long Beach Convention Center. Tickets are available now at www.longbeachcomicexpo.com.


Follow Long Beach Comic Expo on Facebook and Twitter for the latest news and information.


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ABOUT LONG BEACH EXPO: Long Beach Comic Expo is an annual event held at the Long Beach Convention Center that celebrates comic books and pop culture and showcases the exceptional works of talented writers, artists, illustrators and creators of all types of pop culture. At Long Beach Comic Expo, you’ll find exhibitors promoting and selling all types of related products, as well as entertaining and educational programs for all ages, guest signings and meet & greet sessions with celebrities. Long Beach Comic Expo is a MAD Event Management, LLC production. To learn more and purchase tickets, please visit www.longbeachcomicexpo.com.

Stan Lee’s Comikaze Expo Convention (Los Angeles, CA) 2016 Report: Day 1 Photo Parade

 Aspen Comic’s Peter Steigerwald sketching a commission of Silk

 

Cover artist Joyce Chin

Dirty dogs available in the parking lot!

Pin-up model, Dita Von Teese signing posters

Tank Girl artist, Jim Mahfood

X-Men writer, Len Wein

Marvel artist, Arthur Adams working on a commission piece

Lady M. Bison

Cosplayers on the prowl

Stan Lee’s Comikaze Expo Convention (Los Angeles, CA) 2016 Report: Day 1 Photo Parade

This year’s 3-day Stan Lee’s Comikaze Expo convention event was again held at the Los Angeles Convention Center from October 30 – November 1, 2015. 

 Good foot traffic around the convention center

Comics, art, toys and more!

The Comikaze Expo continues its tradition of both comic book related and media-style events with tons of activities to see and attend.

Hawkman putting the hurt on

 Brian Lee O’Malley, creator of Scott Pilgrim

 Ninja Turtles meets the Egg!

C.H.I.P.s TV Stars!

Comic Cons: Comikaze Expo 2015 in Los Angeles this week!

Let’s make a deal and meet Wayne Brady at Comikaze!
Comedy legend Wayne Brady is coming to the show, and will be at Comikaze on Saturday October 31!

Just added!!! Meet the star of CW’s THE FLASH Danielle Panabaker! Say hello to Caitlin Snow Saturday Oct 31st for signings and photos! Pre-order your photo and autograph NOW, so you will get your guaranteed chance to meet her!

You can also PRE-BUY your Summer Glau and Carrie Fisher Photo and Autographs. Prices can go up on Saturday, so SAVE and BUY ONLINE! 

CLICK HERE TO PRE-BUY AUTOGRAPHS AND SAVE!!

Grumpy Cat is coming Comikaze…and she ain’t happy about it!

She’s the most famous cat that hates you! Grumpy Cat will be meeting fans at the Hot Topic Booth #949 in the West Hall on Caturday Oct 31st. Grumpy Cat hopes you don’t show up…
Plan your show PANELS,  SIGNING AND PHOTO SCHEDULES with the Comikaze Expo Survival Guide!

Plan your show PANELS,  SIGNING AND PHOTO SCHEDULES with the Comikaze Expo Survival Guide!

The Best Place for Kids on Halloween!

Stan Lee’s Comikaze Expo is the place for kids to be for the ultimate in Halloween thrills and chills! Bring your kids to the West Hall from noon to 2pm some trick-or-treatin’ Comikaze-style!

Then’ it’s on to the biggest Kids Costume Contest in all L.A. at 3pm, sponsored by Disney•Pixar’s THE GOOD DINOSAUR!

All info for kids costume contest is HERE.

This year, we also have a whole hall of open gaming and tournaments! Headlined by Ascension and YuGiOh tournaments, and a celebrity D&D tournament.
Don’t miss it!

Long Beach Comic Con 2015 Report: Day 1


The Long Beach Comic Con held on Sept. 12th & 13th has greatly expanded this year with a larger amount of space covering comics, toys, media and even space exploration!

 Special guests this year included never before seen guests like Stuart & Kathryn Immonen (Uncanny X-Men, Journey into Mystery), Adam Kubert (X-Men) Clayton Crain (Ghost Rider), Jim Calafiore (Red Lanterns, Secret Six), David Peterson (Mouse Guard), Art Adams (X-Men, etc.), and returning guests such as Kris Anka (Spider-Woman), Tim Bradstreet (Punisher), and Garry Brown (Catwoman).

 
Media guests such as John Barrowman (Torchwood) and Chloe Bennet (Agents of SHIELD) and cosplayers such as Vampy Bit Me, Nicole Jean Marie, Destiny Nickelson, etc.

There were photo ops available with the Supernatural Impala car as well as the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles van!

Long Beach Comic Con Announces Highlights From Its Guest List, Full Programming Slate & Key Initiatives for September 12 & 13th, 2015

Long Beach Comic Con Announces Highlights From Its Guest List, Full Programming Slate
& Key Initiatives for September 12 & 13th, 2015

Long Beach, CA (September 2, 2015) – In advance of the seventh annual Long Beach Comic Con, MAD Event Management announced today highlights from its guest list, the full slate of programming for the convention and several major initiatives. All told, the convention will play host to more than 175 guests, 100 panels, and 300 artist alley exhibitors and more than 475 exhibitors. The convention will be held September 12th and 13th in the main exhibition hall at the Long Beach Comic Convention Center.

This year’s Long Beach Comic Con guest list is amazingly diverse with over 175 guests, including:
  • Popular TV, Film & gaming stars:
    • John Barrowman (Merlin from ARROW);
    • Chloe Bennet (Skye on MARVEL’S AGENTS OF SHIELD);
    • Peter Shinkoda and Tommy Walker (Marvel’s DAREDEVIL)
    • Maitland Ward Baxter (BOY MEETS GIRL).

  • Acclaimed TV & Film writers:
    • Tara Butters and Michele Fazekas (Marvel Entertainment’s AGENT CARTER);
    • Christos Gage and Ruth Fletcher Gage (Marvel’s DAREDEVIL);
    • Marc Guggenheim (ARROW);
    • Jeff King (WHITE COLLAR);
    • Man of Action’s Joe Casey, Joe Kelly, Duncan Rouleau and Steven T. Seagle), the creators of BEN 10  and the team/characters in BIG HERO 6

  • More than 150 comic book writers and artists:
    • Legendary artist Art Adams (GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY TEAM UP);
    • Kris Anka (Marvel’s CAPTAIN MARVEL)
    • Joe Casey (SEX)
    • Adam Kubert and the Joe Kubert School, making their first appearance at a Long Beach Show;
    • Joshua Hale Fialkov (THE LIFE AFTER);
    • Kyle Higgins (C.O.W.L.)
    • Joe Kelly (I KILL GIANTS)
    • Dustin Nguyen (DESCENDER);
    • David Petersen, celebrating the 10th anniversary of MOUSE GUARD;
    • Duncan Rouleau (THE GREAT UNKNOWN)
    • Stan Sakai, the legendary creator of USAGI YOJIMBO;
    • Steven T. Seagle (It’s a bird …)
    • Marc Silvestri, popular artist and CEO of Top Cow Productions;
    • STAR WARS artists Stuart and Kathryn Immonen;
    • Legendary writers Len Wein (SWAMP THING) and Marv Wolfman (NEW TEEN TITANS).

  • Cosplay fan favorites:
    • Nicole Marie Jean
    • Miss Chrissy Lynn;
    • Raychul Moore;
    • Destiny Nickelsen;
    • International Cosplayer Giada Robin;
    • Vampy Bit Me;
    • Vegas Power Girl.

“Long Beach Comic Con is a celebration of the creative arts,” said Long Beach Comic Con Executive Director and Co-Founder Martha Donato. “In addition to panels devoted to DC Entertainment, Marvel Entertainment, Aspen Comics, Image Comics and Dark Horse Comics, we have amazing, family-friendly programming dedicated to animation, tv, film and novels and exhibitors and sponsors such as Columbia Memorial Space Center, Lionsgate Films, and T-Mobile and sponsors like Bernina and Kettle.

Programming highlights include:
  • Anniversary panels for 30 Years of ROBOTECH animation and 10 years of MOUSE GUARD graphic novels;
  • Breaking Into Hollywood A conversation with Ralph Garman (BATMAN ‘66 MEETS THE GREEN HORNET), Joshua Fialkov (AFRO SAMURAI: RESURRECTION), Marc Guggenheim (ARROW) and Kyle Higgins (THE LEAGUE), moderated by Aaron Couch, LA Digital News Editor of People Magazine;
  • Buffy the Vampire Slayer panel;
  • “Couples Therapy”, in which KROQ ‘s Ralph Garman talks with Hollywood power couple Tara Butters (MARVEL’S AGENTS OF SHIELD) and Marc Guggenheim (ARROW);
  • The Devastator Presents: Funny Book Fest;
  • Dwayne McDuffie Awards Announcements of nominees for the award, to be presented at Long Beach Comic Expo next spring;
  • GeekFest Film Fest, including three full length feature films, short films, web series and fan films including a “Star Wars Musical”;
  • How to Conquer the Animation World with James Ganiere (CEO at Rio Vista Universal), Dean DeBlois (writer and director of HOW TO TRAIN YOUR DRAGON 3), Mike Morris (Animator for THE SIMPSONS), Terran Gregory (Project Director at Blizzard Entertainment) and Forrest Whaley (ForrestFire101 – Maker Studio/YouTube).
  • #PerformanceMatters. Creating your Character in Video Games. Troy Baker (BATMAN: ASSAULT ON ARKHAM), Crispin Freeman (WORLD OF WARCRAFT), Phil LaMarr (MWETAL GEAR SOLID 2), Liam O’Brien (WORLD OF WARCRAFT), America Young (HALO 5) and Thom Willams (MIDDLE EARTH: SHADOW OF MORDOR)
  • Psychology of Daredevil. Join Dr. Andrea Letamendi, who has a Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology, Christos Gage and Ruth Fletcher Gage, writers on Netflix’s original DAREDEVIL series, and actors Tommy Walker (Francis) and Peter Shinkoda (Nobu) as they discuss the intersection of psychology and comic books, specifically focusing on the characters they write and play on DAREDEVIL.
  • A Q &A with John Barrowman;
  • Shades & Shadows Reading Series including a live show;
  • A STAR WARS panel with Brian Miller , illustrator for Topps, novelist Cecil Castellucci (STAR WARS: MOVING TARGET), and Stuart Immonen, artist for Marvel’s best selling STAR WARS comic books.
  • 2 days of #MakeComics panels devoted to teaching aspiring writers and artists how to make comics.

New initiatives and exclusives include:

  • Girl Scouts of Greater Los Angeles
Girl Scouts of Greater Los Angeles
Due to generous donations and grants, 200 greater Los Angeles girls—including 100 girls from underserved communities—will take part in a program that includes meeting comic professionals, playing laser tag and attending a workshop where they can earn their Comic Book Artist and Novelist badges. This year actress Chloe Bennet, who plays Skye on MARVEL’S AGENTS OF SHIELD, will be presenting the girls with their Comic Artist badges.  

“At the Long Beach Comic Con, middle school and high school Girl Scouts will be able to work one-on-one with professional comic book artists, writers, editors, and young adult novelists to create a comic book page from start to finish,” said Lise L. Luttgens, Girl Scouts of Greater Los Angeles’ Chief Executive Officer. “Girl Scouts is all about giving girls access to hands-on experiences that empower them to discover and pursue their passions, and this unique collaboration with the Long Beach Comic Con is a perfect example of that.”

  • Golden Apple LBCC-Exclusive STAR WARS variant cover
Exhibitor Golden Apple Comics will sell a Long Beach Comic Con exclusive edition of STAR WARS: SHATTERED EMPIRE issue 1 with a cover by artist Phil Noto. The comic is an exclusive available through Golden Apple and GameFly. Golden Apple will be exhibiting at LBCC at booth # 1024.

  • The Hero Initiative Limited Edition Beer designed by artist Clayton Crain
The Hero Initiative, a charity dedicated to helping comic book creators in financial need, has partnered with Los Angeles brewery MacLeod Ale for a limited-edition label for The King’s Taxes Scottish Ale, designed by GHOST RIDER and CARNAGE artist Clayton Crain. The art will appear on a limited run of bottles, signed prints and commemorative glasses. Hero Initiative will host a special tasting from 6 PM to 9 PM Saturday, and have a full selection of The King’s Taxes merchandise available.

  • LifeStream Blood Bank, a not-for-profit blood bank with host a blood drive on site

  • A MAGIC: THE GATHERING tournament
CoastCardsAndCollectibles.com will host a Magic the Gathering tournament, which will include on-demand Origins Drafts and Standard Constructed as well as running Standard Constructed and Modern Main Events.  Kids(12 and under) will also have exclusive Pokemon and MtG events on both days!”

  • The Inaugural Long Beach Space Expo
The Columbia Memorial Space Center is partnering with Long Beach Comic Con for Space Expo 2015, an innovative and one-of-a-kind program that will connect comic book convention attendees directly with the world of scientific discovery. Panels will be held featuring top aerospace industry notables discussing hot button scientific topics and there will be interactive exhibits featuring robotics, 3D printing, and even a spacesuit – all curated by Columbia Memorial Space Center, the prestigious CA-based learning center dedicated to bringing the wonder and excitement of science to audiences of all ages and backgrounds.

“The Space Expo is an innovative way to connect the public to space and science,” said Columbia Memorial Space Center President Ben Dickow. “Instead of making people come to us, we’re taking science and technology to them with two full days of activities and speakers who are at the top of the space field. The Expo will give the public the opportunity to interact directly with NASA professionals and space explorers. We’ve put together the largest collection of JPL scientists we know of, outside of an academic conference, all ready to share their love of space with you!”

Enjoy an exciting weekend full of exceptional guests and exhibitors, and engaging panels, at Long Beach Comic Con, Saturday, September 12 from 10:00 am – 7:00 pm and Sunday, September 13 from 10:00 am – 5:00 pm at the Long Beach Convention Center. The show opens to advance ticket holders both days at 9:30 AM. Tickets are available now through the website: www.longbeachcomiccon.com.