MEGACON 2009 (27 Feb – 01 Mar 2009)

Mega Con 2009: Talking to George Perez
By Steve Ekstrom posted: 02 March 2009 04:34 pm ET

This year at MegaCon in Orlando, Florida—the special guest of honor was none other than the legendary comic book artist, George Perez. During the DC Universe panel on Saturday afternoon, DC Comics Executive Editor, Dan Didio, presented Perez with an official proclamation from the Mayor of Orange County Florida, Richard Crotty, stating that February 28th, 2009 was officially ‘George Perez Day’. Perez took the time to thank his fans and colleagues as well as meet and greet two fans dressed as characters he had made popular during his career—Wally West and Starfire. Over the course of the weekend, Perez provided auctioned sketched artwork to help raise money for the Heroes Initiative.

Newsarama sat down with George Perez on Sunday as the convention began to wind down to talk about his award, his career, and the next healthy 35 years of his career as a comic industry legend.

Newsarama: First off, let’s talk about ‘George Perez Day’ yesterday in Orlando. What was your reaction to that?

George Perez: Well, to say that I was blown away is an understatement. Not only was I surprised by [the award] but I was totally impressed by how many of my friends—and, of course, my wife—knew about it for weeks now; I had absolutely no clue. It was a very big surprise and my wife was there—I’ve won awards before but she’s rarely at conventions with me—so I was able to thank her publicly for all of her support and everything she’s done for me in all of our years of marriage during my career.

[ read more www.newsarama.com ]

MEGACON 2009 (27 Feb – 01 Mar 2009)

MegaCon 2009 Coverage: DC Universe Panel (audio)
Author: Felix

DC Universe Panel - MegaCon 2009, Feb. 28, 2009 [57:49m]: Download

Prime Time Geek’s coverage of MegaCon 2009 continues with this recording of the DC Universe Panel, hosted by Senior VP and Executive Editor Dan Didio and featuring panelists Tony Bedard (R.E.B.E.L.S), Dan Jurgens (Booster Gold), Jimmy Palmiotti (Power Girl, Jonah Hex), George Pérez (Legion of 3 Worlds, Brave and the Bold), Ethan Van Sciver (Green Lantern: Rebirth, The Flash: Rebirth), and Billy Tucci (Sgt. Rock). Listed below are some highlights of the panel and the time index during the audio file when they occur. Enjoy!

3:00 - Dan Didio reads the official Orange County, Florida proclamation, signed by Orange County Mayor Richard Crotty, declaring Saturday, March 28th as George Pérez Day.

(excerpt)

12:54 - George Pérez discusses Legion of 3 Worlds and tries to be vague about his next “epic” project.

MEGACON 2009 (27 Feb – 01 Mar 2009)

GEORGE PEREZ (Mar 2009), at MEGACON 2009, photo by skyofoctober

CAROL LYNN (Mar 2009), at MEGACON 2009, photo by skyofoctober

MEGACON 2009 (27 Feb – 01 Mar 2009)

MEGACON 2009 (27 Feb – 01 Mar 2009)

GEORGE PEREZ (Mar 2009), at MEGACON 2009, photo by CABridges

GEORGE PEREZ (Mar 2009), at MEGACON 2009, photo by Ross N.

GEORGE PEREZ (Mar 2009), at MEGACON 2009, photo by J. Webcrafter

GEORGE PEREZ (Feb 2009), at MEGACON 2009, photo by J. Webcrafter

GEORGE PEREZ (Feb 2009), at MEGACON 2009, photo by candide121

GEORGE PEREZ (Feb 2009), at MEGACON 2009, photo by candide121

MegaCon 2009 Day 2 Floor Report
By Todd H. Latoski posted: 01 March 2009 03:06 pm ET

Dressed in costumes of their favorite heroes or shorts and t-shirts, fans filled up the Orange County Convention Center again today to see their favorite comic creators and television and movie stars as MegaCon 2009 rolled into its second day. The turn out was much larger than expected, and the lines for tickets sales were quite long. Inside, there was excitement in the air, and the floor was abuzz with news.

With this year’s guest of honor, George Perez, as well as Dan Jurgens and Dan DiDio, The Hero Initiative booth has had lines all weekend. The first ever federally chartered, not-for-profit organization dedicated to helping comic book industry veterans who may need assistance with necessities or simply a helping hand back into the comics industry, The Hero Initiative has become an annual staple at MegaCon, and the fans always flock to their booth.

Tabitha Johnson was excited about this year, talking about Friday’s “Lunch with Sketches” winners from e-bay, who bid to win a lunch and sketch from Perez and the two Dans.

They also held their Hulk signing for their Hulk 100 special with 100 different drawn covers like those that they did with Spider-Man last year (some of the Hulk covers were on display at MegaCon last year). Today, George Perez and Dan Jurgens were at the booth all day signing, sketching, and talking with fans.

The Hero Initiative also hosted the DC Universe panel, where Perez was given a very special surprise, in that Saturday, February 28, 2009 was declared by the County as “George Perez Day” in Orange County! Talk about a worthy tribute to a living legend! Sunday will see Perez and Dan DiDio at the booth all day. Johnson did admit that some MegaCon attendees were upset that the art auction usually held in Orlando each year was held at New York Comic Con this year, which raised for the Initiative a considerable sum of needed funds. They sold nearly everything they had, so they are ready to accept art donations for next year’s auction!

[ Read more www.newsarama.com ]

JACK OF HEARTS (Feb 2009), art by Perez at MEGACON 2009. From Jack Stutzman

MEGACON 2009 (27 Feb – 01 Mar 2009)

I HUGGED GEORGE PEREZ AGAIN! by ladyjare

Tagged with orlando, megacon, 2009, megacon2009

Taken on February 27, 2009, uploaded February 27, 2009

See ladyjare's photos or profile.

Mega Con: Day One From the Floor
By Todd Latoski posted: 28 February 2009 08:51 am ET

It was a sunny 70 degrees as Orlando welcomed back the Southeast’s premier comic convention today – MegaCon. And despite the tight budgets and  economic concerns, there was still a line for tickets around the bend and out the door. Comic, anime, and sci-fi fans from all over weren’t about to let this  show pass them by. Back in its old venue in the original Orange County Convention Center building, Mega Con 2009 boasted more space and a better layout than last year.

(excerpt)

Another MegaCon regular, Brian Pullido, was present and accounted for, promoting not only his Lady Death work, but also his new movie, The Graves. He reminded fans that 2009 marks Lady Death’s 15th anniversary, which first appeared in 1994. To celebrate, he had three Lady Death exclusives – Lady Death #1 Blood Edition, limited to 200 copies; Lady Death Moments #1 – MegaCon Edition, limited to 169 copies; and Lady Death Visions #1 with a George Perez cover signed by Perez [reported in error]. He did have seven new Lady Death stories through Avatar Comics, but he was unsure as to when those books would hit the shelves. He quickly moved on to his most exciting news, the movie he wrote and directed – The Graves, starring Bill Moseley, Tony Todd, Amanda Wyss, and D. Randall Blythe. He had a preview airing all day at his booth, and announced he should have it ready to go on the film festival circuit soon. Fans curious about this new horror flick can find more info at www.thegravesmovie.com.