I had the privilege of moderating a couple of panels at last weekend's CGS SuperShow.  One of those panels was entitled "Meet the Simonsons--Comic's First Couple."  For those of you that don't know, Walt and Louise Simonson are comics legends, who between them helped define comics in the 1980s and 90s on titles such as Fantastic Four, Thor, and Superman: Man of Steel, and Uncanny X-Men. They have written my all-time favorite books and favorite characters.  (Louise killed two of them :-)  In fact, their work has had such a profound effect on my writing that both of them are listed in the acknowledgment section of my new novel, Sky Girl and the Superheroic Legacy.

Needless to say, this was a thrill beyond measure.  The experience was made even more so by the fact that they are not only the great creators, but great people as well.  I look forward to seeing them in the future and for our friendship to grow.

I'm not sure if I have mentioned this before on this site, but it's great to be a comic and sci fi fan.  I can't think of another industry where you can get as close to the talent that makes the material you are a fan of.  For example, if you a music fan, the best an average person can hope for a seat at a concert.  For comic fans it's different,  Every convention floor is like a backstage pass that allows up close access to writers, artists and editors.  The Supershow had this feeling, but to the nth degree.  I realized, at one point on Friday night, that not only did I get to hang out with my buddies and talk comics, but, I got to hangout with my buddies that made the comics we were talking about.   

But I digress, here is a recording of the podcast.  I hope you can hear the exuberance and excitement in my voice.  It was an awesome experience with two awesome creators that was given to me by the awesome guys at Comic Geek Speak.  It can also be found here.

I had a few visual aides for the panels.  here they are.

Universal has announced that the Wizarding World of Harry Potter is scheduled to open in June.  I will be there in late May.  Hopefully, there will be some early previews of the attractions.

I previously reviewed what would be in the park here.  Pictures and video can be seen at the Inside the Magic web site.

The Press release after the Jump.

V returns to ABC tonight at 10pm.  If you missed the first half of the season, here is everything you need to know.  ABC has prepared a mini V-cap (like a recap--but for V) for newbie Losties that want to hang out for the Visitors.

Catch it before it gets canceled. . .  uhm, I mean or it may get canceled.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~   Kensington Day of the Book Festival
"Kensington street festival celebrates the International Day of the Book"
www.dayofthebook.com

Where: 3786 Howard Avenue to 3716 Howard Ave, Kensington Md 20895
When: Sunday, April 25, 2010, 11am-4pm, rain or shine

The 5th annual Kensington Day of the Book Festival will be held on Sunday, April 25, from 11am to 4pm on Howard Avenue in historic Old Town Kensington. This afternoon street festival celebrates the International Day of the Book with over 100 local authors, poets, bookartists, booksellers, small publishers, literary groups, and community organizations set up along Howard Avenue to show and discuss their works. Visitors will enjoy listening to poetry readings, author panels, live music, and more. Featuring authors from the Mystery Writers of America Mid Atlantic Chapter, among many others. Discover the unique charm of Old Town Kensington and the literary talent of our area. All activities are free to all. Rain or shine. Co-sponsored by the Town of Kensington and the Pauli Bellet Foundation Catalan Library.

Activities for children and adults will include:

* Live Music by Mark Wenner's Kensington Blues All-Stars featuring Big Joe Maher, JP McDermott & Western Bop, Doris Justis, and others
* Open Mic Poetry readings
* Children's books author readings
* Author panels including Vietnam War Novelists, and Mystery Writers of America
* Chess exhibit by International Chess Master and chess book author Allan Savage
* Free rare book evaluations by Dale Sorenson, founder of Waverly Book Auctions
* The Twinbrook Tellers tell tales of magic and adventure
* A Literary Scavenger Hunt for children of all ages
* Free books from Bookcrossing
* Book art activities

Parking will be available in the neighborhood and a number of parking lots in the town.
Food will be available at established food venues.

Contact: Elisenda Sola-Sole
Phone: 301-949-9416
Email: kensingtonbookfestival@gmail.com

Follow the Kensington Day of the Book Festival on facebook:
http://www.facebook.com/elisenda.solasole?ref=profile#/pages/Kensington-Day-of-the-Book-Festival/197428863289?ref=mf

There will be copies of these at the show.  But if you wanted a sneak peak at the complete schedule, here it is:

Come to the Supershow this weekend and see some great guests (and me, of course) and possibly learn a thing or two.  :-).

Here is the press release about the panels I help set up for this years show.

CGS SuperShow Provides Intimate and Educational Views into the World of Comics

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
           
Reading, PA /March 24 — Very soon, Comic Fans from across the country and the world will invade Reading, Pennsylvania to attend this year's CGS SuperShow, a creator focused comic convention, which will be held March 27 through March 28th at the Greater Reading Expo Center in Reading, PA. The show, created by the Comic Geek Speak Podcast in September, 2008, provides an intimate setting for self-proclaimed geeks to meet each other and the creators of the medium they love. But, this year’s show will be different.

Science fiction author Joe Sergi, who helped organize this year’s panel programming, said “Panels are an important part of the convention experience. But, we wanted more out, so the focus is more than just a look at what is coming out in the future. We have educational panels on everything from making web comics to costuming to the production, distribution and marketing of independent comic books.” These panels also provide fans a chance to get up close and personal with comic creators. For example, one panel features a Q&A session with comics legends Walt and Louise Simonson, who between them helped define comics in the 1980s and 90s on titles such as Fantastic Four, Thor, and Superman: Man of Steel, and Uncanny X-Men. Bryan Deemer, co-creator of Comic Geek Speak and one of the show’s founders, explained, “When you go to a big show to see someone like the Simonsons, you would end up in a room with hundreds of people and be one of many. Our show will be more much more intimate--you will be one of few.” The show kicks off on Saturday with a “Comics in the Classroom” panel at 10:30. Dan Ryder, a high school English teacher and co-host of the Wicked Decent Learning podcast, suggests area teachers “come for an interactive opportunity to ask questions, share ideas, and walk away with practical skills and materials you can use immediately.”

About the CGS Supershow

This year's CGS SuperShow will be held March 27 through March 28, 20101 at the Greater Reading Expo Center in Reading, PA. More information is available at the CGS Supershow website: http://www.comicgeekspeak.com/supershow/.

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I guess it's official, I am a novelist.  The print version of Sky Girl and the Superheroic Legacy (from iEnovel) is listed on Amazon.com and will be available on Kindle shortly (both print and ebook versions are also available from iEnovel at a discount).

 I guess now it's time to find out if I can become a successful novelist.  That is up to you :-)

I hope that you will buy the book and, if you enjoy it, then I hope that you would pass that on.  Also, if you have positive comments, then I would certainly appreciate your taking the time to post a review on Amazon.com.

Please visit the official website for the book, www.skygirlnovel.com, where you will find a wealth of information about the book.

Thanks
Joe

According to his publicist, Fess Parker has died at the age of 85. Parker began his show-business career by summer 1951 when he had a $32-a-week job as an extra in the play Mister Roberts. Parker then became a contract player with Warner Brothers appearing in small roles in several films such as Springfield Rifle (1952), Island in the Sky, The Bounty Hunter and Battle Cry. In 1954, he appeared as Grat Dalton in the Jim Davis western anthology Stories of the Century in the episode The Dalton Brothers.  Parker also had a small scene in the movie Them!  Walt Disney was so impressed by Parker's portrayal of a man who was unswerving in his belief in what he saw despite the forces of authority against him, that he would star in the Walt Disney’s Davey Crockett. Disney's portrayal of Crockett in three episodes depicted his exploits as frontiersman, congressman, and tragic hero of the Alamo, in what has been called the first television miniseries, though the term had not yet been coined. Davy Crockett was a tremendous hit with children, and led to a merchandising frenzy for coonskin caps and all things Crockett.  Parker then became a contract star for Disney appearing in many films such as The Great Locomotive Chase, Old Yeller, and Westward Ho, The Wagons!.

In the 60s, Parker played another historical figure when he took on the role of Daniel Boone.  Over its six years (1964 to 1970) Daniel Boone became one of the highest rated shows of its time, Parker was not only the star of the series but also the co-producer and director of five of its most popular episodes.

For his work with Disney, Parker was honored in December 2004 with his own tribute window on a facade in the Frontierland section of Disneyland.

Parker married Marcella Belle Rinehart on January 18, 1960. They had two children — Fess Elisha III and Ashley Allen Rinehart — along with 11 grandchildren and a great-grandson. He died at age 85, of natural causes according to a spokesperson, at his home in Santa Ynez, California, near the Fess Parker Winery on March 18, 2010.[1] His death came on his wife's 84th birthday.

STATEMENT BY ROBERT A. IGER, PRESIDENT AND CEO, THE WALT DISNEY COMPANY, ON THE PASSING OF FESS PARKER

"Like many kids growing up in the 50's, Davy Crockett was my first hero, and I had the coonskin cap to prove it. Fess Parker's unforgettable, exciting and admirable performance as this American icon has remained with me all these years, as it has for his millions of fans around the world. Fess is truly a Disney Legend, as is the heroic character he portrayed, and while he will certainly be missed, he will never be forgotten."

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If I can copy other people's press releases, i can certainly copy mine. :-)

  Sky Girl’s Superheroic Legacy Takes Off at a Super Show

Contact:    Carly McCracken
 Email: Carly@ienovel.com

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Saint Louis, MO/March 22 — Imagine living up to a legacy that no one can remember. Sky Girl and the Superheroic Legacy, a new young adult novel from Joe Sergi, tells the story of DeDe Christopher, an ordinary teenager with an extraordinary destiny.  After she begins to develop the powers of a fictional superhero, DeDe must deal with capes, apes, and aliens to find a way to live up to a legacy that no one can remember and become Sky Girl.

Mike Imboden, Creator and Writer of Digital Webbing's Fist of Justice says, "'Sky Girl' has the potential to become a 'Harry Potter' of the super-hero scene.” Steve Younis from www.SupermanHomepage.com calls the book, "a thrill-a-minute read that is sure to please both male and female readers alike." And Brian Carr, owner of Resolution Comics, says, "Sky Girl is on par with Neil Gaiman’s Interworld. I dare you not to fall in love with this book."

Mr. Sergi will be previewing and signing copies of Sky Girl and the Superheroic Legacy at this year's CGS SuperShow, a creator focused comic convention, which will be held March 27 through March 28th at the Greater Reading Expo Center in Reading, PA.  More information is available at: http://www.comicgeekspeak.com/supershow/.

For a complete press kit, go to www.skygirlnovel.com. To place orders for the book, go to www.iEnovel.com.  

About the Author

Mr. Sergi lives outside of Washington, DC with his wife, Yee, and daughter, Elizabeth. He has published comics, short stories, and articles in the romance, horror, science fiction, and superhero genres.  A complete list of Mr. Sergi’s publications can be found at www.joesergi.net.

To arrange a book signing or interview, contact the author at joesergi@cox.net.

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Last week, I mentioned that Walt Disney World will be giving the Epcot monorail a Tron Legacy facelift.  Well, thanks to Ricky Brigante from Inside the Magic podcast, you can see what the monorail overlay looks like.   unfortunately, only one of the trains was redone.  Still,  I present:

TRONORAIL:

"Tron: Legacy" will come to theaters in Dec. 2010.

Video shot & edited by Ricky Brigante. Music by Kevin MacLeod.

View photos of the Tronorail at http://www.distantcreations.com