Many fans of the comic book medium grew up reading about larger-than-life, muscle-bound heroes throttling diabolical villains, but now those titans now seem more tied to the silver screen than the ink-stained page.\u00a0So what has this done to the comic book? Has the writer, the artist or the creator ever been closer to their reader?<\/p>\n
On Saturday and Sunday, Feb. 16 and 17, Long Beach Convention Center will host the Long Beach Comic Expo<\/a>, which regularly attracts one of the most diverse cast of voices and talents in the industry. This year is no different, and those voices will be asked to consider exactly what is the comic book medium today?<\/p>\n Sure everyone knows the Big Two\u2014Marvel and DC\u2014when it comes to comics, but how many character reboots can you take?<\/p>\n The Expo will host several rising and established indie publishers such as newsprint publisher Alterna Comics<\/a>, Aspen Comics<\/a>\u2014celebrating 15 years of independence\u2014as well as the self-described \u201cComic Shop to the Stars\u201d and crispy publisher Golden Apple Comics<\/a>. Attendees will meet some new voices and artists and maybe even find a new story or find some answers. Speaking of which…<\/p>\n GUESTS<\/b><\/p>\n Are comics more personal now? Are people turning pages to see imploding planets or something more intimate? The Expo explores that question with a spectrum of talents including English literature luminary Margaret Stohl<\/b><\/a>, an author who brings her Ivy League savviness to the gaming world. She\u2019s decorated for her design lead on the computer game \u2018Zork Nemesis\u2019\u2014yep, that Zork\u2014as well as pages on the “Life of Captain Marvel”, the lead-up to the upcoming cinematic feature.<\/p>\n If you\u2019re all about the business, then you\u2019ll likely find the bold mind of Joseph P. Illidge<\/b><\/a>\u00a0fascinating. An executive editor with more than 25 years deep in the industry\u2014from Valiant to Lion Forge\u2014the visionary Illidge turns an eye to comics\u2019 future as well as his next move<\/a>.<\/p>\n Or maybe you just want to get animated, then you may find yourself chatting with Canadian animator\/voice actor Eric Bauza<\/b><\/a> whom you may remember from Adult Swim\u2019s surreal\/ultra-violent \u201cSuperjail\u201d or the fan-favorite and criminally underwatched \u201cScooby Doo Mysteries Inc\u201d. So you may just enjoy that creative banter.<\/p>\n Passion, skills, hype. What are these without good company?<\/p>\n CHOICE PANELS<\/b><\/p>\n The Expo presents panels for a variety of tastes including the return of the GeekFest Film Festival<\/b><\/a> panel<\/b>. Join the buzz with Jackie Dallas<\/a> of \u201cStranger Things\u201d as she frames rising GeekFest talents and tomorrow\u2019s genre movie shakers. Catch the panel on Saturday at 1:30 p.m.<\/p>\n Are you looking for a Real American Hero? Drop in on the Expo\u2019s first G.I. JOE Fandom panel<\/b> and live podcast recording led by Joe Slepski<\/a> of the JOE on JOE podcast<\/a>. He’ll be chatting up one of the most enduring fan communities in pop-culture. The panel starts at 2:30 p.m. on Sunday.<\/p>\n