Disney to talk up Epic Mickey & TRON: Evolution games at New York Comic Con

Jim Hill

14 years ago

Yesterday, Nancy twittered that we were headed down to the
City this weekend to cover New York Comic Con. And Daniel W. twittered back:

(I) was thinking about going Saturday, but it looks kind of
lame! What Disney booths/programs are going on there? Just Epic Mickey
?

Sample pages from the Disney Epic Mickey graphic novel which was previewed at San
Diego Comic Con back in July. Copyright Disney Enterprises, Inc. All rights reserved

Well, yes. There is Saturday night's Disney Epic Mickey
panel. Which is being held in Room 1A21 at the Jacob Javits Center from 7:45 –
8:45 p.m. Where Warren Spector (i.e. the creative director of Junction Point
& Disney Interactive Studios) will be talking about this eagerly
anticipated video game. Not only that, but award-winning comic writer Peter
David will be on hand to discuss the Disney Epic Mickey Digicomic as well as
the Disney Epic Mickey graphic novel.

But – to be honest – this year's New York Comic Con has a
lot more to offer Disney enthusiasts than just Saturday's Epic Mickey panel. Take
– for example – Booth 1823 out on the exhibition floor. Which is where Square
Enix will be showcasing Kingdom Hearts Re:coded. Which is where stateside KH
fans get their first chance to playtest the English version of this game.

Better yet, head on over to Booth 2135. Which is where
artists for BOOM! Studios like Travis Hill, Amy Mebberson & James Silvani
will be doing sketches and/or signing autographs all weekend long. If you're
looking to walk away with a special souvenir from this year's event … Well, this
is the booth where you can pick up a copy of "Mickey Mouse and Friends" #300
and/or "Darkwing Duck" #1 with their NYCC exclusive covers.

If you'd prefer your Disney news straight from the Mouse's
mouth, you should probably plan on being in Room 1A21 tomorrow afternoon from
4:45 – 5:45 p.m.. Which is when Disney Publishing Worldwide will be previewing
the comics & graphic novels that it has in the works for 2011.

That's what I love about events like New York Comic Con.
They often allow you to look into the future. Get a peek of what lies just over
the horizon.

If — on the other
hand – you long to return to your childhood … Well, why not swing by Booth
2300. Which is where Big Bird himself (AKA Caroll Spinney) will be signing
autographs to benefit ToonSeum.

FYI: The ToonSeum,
Pittsburgh's Museum of Cartoon Art, will be hosting "KA-BLAM! III: The Return
of Saturday Morning" on November 6^th. This special fundraiser for the
ToonSeum (which is only one of three museums in the country dedicated to the
study of comics & cartoon arts) will feature appearances by Mr. Spinney ,
David Newell (AKA Mr. McFeely from "Mister Rogers' Neighborhood") and Jim Martin
(AKA Gary Gnu from The Great Space Coaster). So if you're a Saturday morning TV
fan, you should probably check this event out.

In fact, if you'd like a little taste of what "KA-BLAM! III:
The Return of Saturday Morning" will be like … Well, drop by Room 1A21 from
2:45 – 3:45 p.m. Which is when the ToonSeum will be presenting its Children's
TV Legends panel. Which promises to bring together " … the most iconic and
beloved characters and puppeteers" ever to present a behind-the-scenes look at the
history of children's television.

Getting back to the Disney-based programming now, animation
historian John Canemaker will be on hand at the Disney Publishing Worldwide
booth (No. 2409) from 1 – 2 p.m. on Saturday. Where he'll then be happy to sign
copies of his acclaimed new Disney Editions book, "Two Guys Named Joe: Master Animation Storytellers Joe Grant & Joe Ranft."

Later that same day, artists Andie Tong and Jai Nitz will be
on hand in Booth 2409 to sign copies of a sneak peek sampler of their new
graphic novel, "TRON: Betrayal." Which isn't actually due to hit store shelves 'til
November 16^th.

And speaking of TRON … On Saturday night between 6:30 – 7:30
p.m. in Room 1A21, the developers of TRON: Evolution
(i.e. the video game that
will bridge the storyline of Disney's original "TRON" with its highly
anticipated sequel) will be presenting an inside look at this project. Showing
off previously unseen areas in this game. Not to mention talking about their
intriguing collaboration with "TRON: Legacy" director Joseph Kosinski.

Mind you, if you're in the mood to learn more about what the
Mouse has in the works for its latest acquisition, Marvel Entertainment,
Inc. … Well, you might want to spend
some of your Saturday in Room 1A08. Where — from 1:30 – 2:30 p.m. — Marvel
Television will be presenting two full-length episodes of "The Avengers: Earth's
Mightiest Heroes!" That new animated series which won't have its official
premiere on Disney XD until Wednesday, October 20^th.

Then if you'd like to see a bold new take on an iconic
Marvel character, come by Room 1A24 on Saturday evening between 6:15 – 7:15
p.m. Which is where Marvel Television will be screening an episode of the
highly anticipated Iron Man anime series.

If – on the other hand – you prefer your Marvel characters
more kid-friendly … Well, swing on by Room 1A08 on Sunday afternoon between
12:15 – 1:15 p.m. Which is when Jeph Loeb, Marvel's new Head of Television will
be talking up the upcoming season of "The
Super Hero Squad Show" and "Iron Man Armored Adventures."

What? All of the panels & programming that I've
described above isn't special enough for you? Well, then how about a screening
of "Light & Magic: Creating the Impossible." Which is Leslie Iwerk's
terrific new documentary celebrating the 35^th anniversary of
Industrial Light & Magic. This hour-long special (which features interviews
with George Lucas, Steven Spielberg as well as John Lasseter, chief creative
officer for the Walt Disney and Pixar Animation Studios) isn't due to debut on
Encore 'til November 12^th. But you can see it this Saturday if you
can find a seat in Room 1E02 between 1 – 2 p.m.

All this … plus celebrities like Cary Elwes (AKA Wesley /
The Dread Pirate Roberts from "The Princess Bride") and Noah Wyle (AKA Dr. John
Carter from NBC's long-running "ER" TV series and/or the title character from TNT's
"The Librarian" trilogy) will be on hand to pose for pictures & sign
autographs.

Truth be told, this is just the tip of the iceberg when it
comes to all the geeky fun that can be had October 8 – 10^th. Which
is when the Jacob K Javits Center will be home to New York Comic Con.

For further information on this pop culture event, please
click on this link. More importantly, if you can't make it down to NYC this
weekend but would like to learn more about some of the events that I've just
described … Well, swing on by JHM next week. When I'll try and share what Nancy
& I saw and heard while we wandered the halls.

Your thoughts?