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This goes out to the rest of the world on Monday, but here's a sneak peek for our CCAS members!

HarperCollins’ Zondervan & the Christian Comic Arts Society Deliver the Best In Talent, Themes & Topical Discussions at the Largest Comic Book & Pop-Culture Convention in the World

CCAS Features Work by Authors, Illustrators & Entertainment Professionals including Mike Miller & Brett Burner, Robert James Luedke, Billy Tucci, Buzz Dixon, Kurt J. Kolka, Gary Shipman, Dan Conner, voice actor Katie Leigh, Javier Saltares & Ben Avery, Rich Collins, Bryce Morgan & Mitch Martin, Forrest Rawls & Corey Clover, Christine Kerrick, R.G. Sewell, Dr. L.P. Beltran, and Director Barry Cook (Studio 4°C/The JESUS Film Project/Brethren Entertainment)

San Diego, CA – The largest pop-culture entertainment event in the world, THE COMIC-CON INTERNATIONAL: SAN DIEGO 2012 kicks off this week with sellout attendance of more than 125,000.  The CHRISTIAN COMIC ARTS SOCIETY (CCAS) in partnership with ZONDERVAN, a division of HarperCollinsPublishers, will deliver top talent and projects to create impact at the event.

Christian Comic Arts Society, in partnership with Zondervan, is hosting three events as part of the official Comic-Con programming, and will exhibit throughout the convention in the Small Press area #P08.

Events include:

Christian Comic Arts Society Open Mixer, FRIDAY, JULY 13:  8:00PM - 10:00PM, Room 23ABC
Come join the Christian Comic Arts Society for their annual fellowship mixer.  Open to all comics, media, and pop-culture fans!   Hosted by CCAS members Scott A. Shuford (FrontGate Media), Leslie Ezeh (Stop N Go Productions), and Ralph Miley (New Creation), fans and creators alike are invited to join an informal after-hours time of Christian fellowship, networking, laughter and prayer as we “talk shop” about the Christian comics movement.

Spiritual Themes In Comics, SATURDAY, JULY 14: 6:00PM - 7:00PM Room 4
This always lively CCAS panel examines spiritual themes in both contemporary comics and pop-culture in general, with a special nod this year to Ridley Scott's “Prometheus” and Terrence Malick’s “The Tree Of Life.” 

Panelists include:

WAYNE GARDINER         Crucidel Productions              http://www.crucidel.com
SERGIO CARIELLO          The Action Bible                    http://www.sergiocariello.com
LEO PARTIBLE                Behind the Screen: Insiders on Faith, Film and Culture http://www.actoneprogram.com
CHRISTOPHER KOELLE  The Book Of Revelation          http://www.christopherkoelle.com
moderator: BUZZ DIXON    Savage Angels                       http://www.buzzdixon.com

CCAS Sunday Devotional & Christian Comics Panel, SUNDAY, JULY 15:  10:00AM - 11:00AM Room 32AB
Join fellow Christian fans and creators for a brief devotional period, followed by an in-depth analysis on interpreting the Bible in graphic format.  Open to all who wish to attend. 

Panelists:

SERGIO CARIELLO                The Action Bible                        http://www.sergiocariello.com
CHRISTOPHER KOELLE         The Book Of Revelation             http://www.christopherkoelle.com
BILLY TUCCI                           A Child Is Born                          http://apostlearts.com
moderator: BUZZ DIXON           Savage Angels                          http://www.buzzdixon.com

SIGNING: Join The Book of Revelation author team: FR. MARK AREY, MATT DORFF, CHRISTOPHER KOELLE and CHRIS DIAMANTOPOULOUS (the actor who recently played Moe in “The Three Stooges”) for a signing at the HarperCollins booths 1016-1019 on Thursday at 2:00PM.

NEW for 2012, CCAS will distribute a “Passport to Christians In Comics” map of the Comic-Con floor designed to help attendees navigate to, explore, and support industry professionals who pursue excellence of comics craft in the context of their Christian faith through various adult, family, faith-friendly or faith-based projects.

CCAS and Zondervan, a HarperCollins Company, will be giving away signed posters by renowned artist CHRISTOPHER KOELLE, illustrator of The Book of Revelation, a graphic novel set to release February 2013. While supplies last, all CCAS event attendees will receive a sample copy of the graphic novel, at the events and though the CCAS booth on the exhibit floor. 

The book of Revelation has challenged, inspired, and astonished readers for nearly 2000 years; it’s been analyzed in countless interpretations and commentaries, and yet it remains the most mysterious.

The Book of Revelation is designed to give the text a visual resonance and physical vividness that makes it more real than ever before. This telling of Revelation is intended to have an immediate visceral impact, similar to the impact it would have had on its first and second century audiences, most of whom would have experienced it by hearing it told aloud. The Apostle John’s powerful descriptions have been transformed into imagery that makes the text come to life for contemporary readers.

“The translation by FR. MARK AREY captures the vibrant, pulsing word-image of the ancient Greek while the adaptation work of MATT DORFF moves the images from something you see to something you feel, but what really captures the reader is the masterful illustration by CHRISTOPHER KOELLE.” said Chip Brown, Senior Vice President and Publisher at Zondervan.

HOLLYWOODJESUS.COM Comics Editor Arnaldo Reyes will provide coverage throughout Comic-Con.  The action at Comic-Con is naturally a huge shaping force in what the comic-reading world talks about. "It's a fanboy culture," said Greg Wright, Editor-In-Chief, "and we're fans of fanboys." If you've got a special angle for HJ's "Pop-Culture from a Spiritual Point of View," connect with Comics Editor Arnaldo Reyes at Comic-Con. From Wonder Woman to Ghost Rider to Gladstone's School for World Conquerors, HollywoodJesus.com covers it all. HJ's latest comic reviews can be found at http://tinyurl.com/HJcomics.  

CCAS members are creating additional impact through Comic-Con related activities and projects:

Writer/illustrator, Robert James Luedke, will once again return to Comic Con International to share his award-winning Eye Witness graphic novel series.  This year Luedke will be featuring the REVISED EDITION of the first book in the series...A Fictional Tale of Absolute Truth.  The volume with feature totally remastered colors (by Luedke) and shore up what the author describes as "rookie editorial mis-steps."  Eye Witness, which premiered at Comic Con in 2004, has won five indy book awards and been named a finalist in five others, making it one of the most recognized and decorated series in the brief history of Christian-themed graphic novels.  Luedke and the series have been featured in diverse media from coast to coast including: LA Times, Washington Post, AP, Fox News, Publishers Weekly, Christianity Today, World Magazine, Comic Buyers Guide, Wizard Magazine and USA Radio Network. Visit booth Q-16 or see more at http://www.headpress.info.

It’s Christmas in July! Apostle Arts is pleased to announce the special hardcover edition of Billy Tucci’s A Child is Born available at comic and trade retailers nationwide for Christmas 2012. Adapted from the Gospels of Matthew and Luke, and lovingly illustrated by award-winning author and artist, Billy Tucci, A Child is Born offers a stunning portrayal of the events surrounding the birth of Jesus Christ. Awarded five Doves by The Dove Foundation and nominated for six CBG Fan Awards, A Child is Born is a wonderful Christmas tradition to be shared with friends and family for years to come. Visit booth #1801 or see more at http://apostlearts.com.

Described as "A World War Two Lord Of The Flies with Catholic schoolgirls", Buzz Dixon’s new prose Young Adult novel SAVAGE ANGELS will debut this fall from Snokie Stories.  Creator of the ground breaking and bestselling SERENITY Christian manga series, Dixon continues to craft new tales of faith and courage in a challenging world.    Meet Dixon at the CCAS panel events. See more at http://www.snokiestories.com.

Lamp Post is making the Comic-Con debut of Kurt J. Kolka's The Cardinal Adventures, Gary Shipman's Pakkins' Land Vol. 2, Dan Conner's Heaven Forbid Vol. 2: Awkward for Everyone [with an exclusive signed/numbered bookplate just for this show!], and Brett Burner's Hand of the Morningstar Vol. 7 & 8!  Come to the booth for signing by renown comics artist Mike Miller (Hand of the Morningstar, Game of Thrones, DC Universe Online Legends) and to receive a free crayon drawing by Dan Conner!  Quite honestly, Lamp Post may be the most fun you have at a table this year!  Mention this news piece and save $5 on one of Dan's books and get the ArmorQuest graphic novel for $1!  Twenty Twelve is going to be an amazing year for Lamp Post at San Diego Comic-Con. Stop by Small Press booth Q-01, on the corner against the back wall.   http://www.lamppostpubs.com

Katie Leigh is renowned for playing the voice of Connie Kendall for the last 25 years on Focus on the Family's "Adventures in Odyssey." A voice actor in Hollywood since 1981, she has starred in many cartoons including Jim Henson's “Muppet Babies” and Disney's “Adventures of the Gummi Bears.” Just last September she was the voice of Young Han Solo in the Cartoon Network Lego Special "Padawan Menace." She will be at the Soul Geek booth #5619 to meet and greet. Check the schedule for details. http://www.katieleigh.com.

Kingstone Comics is a publisher of premiere comics and graphic novels for the faith market. The company's latest release, The Book of God, is a one-of-a-kind graphic novel that tells the process of how we got the Bible.  Illustrated by Javier Saltares (Ghost Rider) and penned by Ben Avery (Hedge Knight) fans can see more at http://www.KingstoneComics.com.

Created by The JESUS Film Project in association with Brethren Entertainment, Barry Cook (Director of Disney’s “Mulan”), and Tokyo’s renowned Studio 4°C, “My Last Day” is a short film of regret, repentance and redemption. This 9-minute animé unfolds through the eyes of a criminal who receives the same brutal crucifixion sentence as Christ. The criminal’s own guilt causes him to realize Christ’s innocence. http://mylastdaymovie.com.

Giant chickens! Evil robots! Goblins and orks that are constantly on Facebawk! Enter the fantasy world of The Aydellon, penned by Dr. L.P. Beltran.  Koa the cheeky monkey has been called on a mission from the Great Creator Himself. With the help of a unicow, a toothfairy and a dragon, they must build a mysterious machine that will save all of Aydellon! Take a look at this fantasy cartoon epic made on the big island of Hawaii!! With a colorful cast of characters The Aydellon tells stories that are fun and comedic, told with a level of sophistication and positive biblical overtones that appeal to the broadest audience and captures the imagination of all people regardless of age.  This all audience graphic novel can be read for free at http://www.AYDELLON.com.

Raegan and RJ in Space! is a new graphic novel trilogy for Christian kids, written and illustrated by Rich Collins.  These graphic novels tell the story of the first Christians to leave Earth in a star ship to colonize other star systems.  Go to the trilogy web site at http://www.raeganandrjinspace.com to download a free adventure, deck plans, character details, and to listen to the theme songs for each book.

Rescue Me: What Superheroes Can Teach Us about the Power of Faith is a unique blend of comic book and kids' devotional. Using Captain Sun, a classic comic hero in a classic comic adventure, writer/pastor Bryce Morgan builds the story around eight spiritual lessons that connect the theme of each chapter to biblical themes like rescue, power, and the church. Kids of all ages will love both the action and Canadian artist Mitch Martin's amazing illustrations, and parents will love the gospel-centered lessons and additional discussion questions. The book is available at Amazon.com. For more, visit http://www.itscaptainsun.com.

The Legacy, written by Forrest Rawls and drawn by Corey Clover, is based on the idea and book “Legacy of the Holy Warrior.” Set in the 30th Century at the End of Days, this “what if” story imagines how the world would see the second coming of the Christ a thousand years in the future. See how the legacy of a family bloodline spans time by starting the story at the end. View a YouTube video featuring the first 8 pages of Issue 1. YouTube video: http://youtu.be/ScCqYamF8ms. Web Site: http://www.thelegacycomic.com.

Dating has changed over time, but one thing remains the same: There will always be Princes and Frogs. How To Tell A Prince From A Frog by Christine Kerrick gives you a glimpse into cognitive interviewing techniques for dating. It helps you develop other skills to detect the Frogs who will inevitably hop across your path. This book teaches you how to know your value, find your purpose, and do it, instead of sitting around waiting for your Prince. See more at http://www.christinekerrick.com.

R.G. Sewell was just interviewed by R-Squared Comicz. Sewell produces two webcomics: When Foxes Fly, an anthro-spoof of superheroes and villains, and Lost Legends of Whoelterran, a fantasy comic done in a LOTR style. See http://whenfoxesfly.thecomicseries.com and http://whoelterran.thecomicseries.com to view the webcomics, and for the interview: http://tinyurl.com/ccasrgsewell.

For more information on the Comic-Con International: San Diego, go to: http://www.comic-con.org.

ABOUT CHRISTIAN COMIC ARTS SOCIETY
Christian Comic Arts Society (CCAS) was formed in 1984 to locate and link Christians interested or active in the comic book/graphic novel medium. CCAS sponsors comic industry activities at various comic conventions across the country, and Alpha Omega, the APA of Christian comics.  The goal and purpose of CCAS is to support Christian professionals, hopefuls and enthusiasts within the Comic Book and related industries by providing opportunities for: 1. The sharing of the Christian message and our Christian faith, primarily within and through the comic book industry and art form. 2. Mentoring, training, friendship and networking. 3. The collaboration on and creation of visual storytelling. The CCAS is governed by a volunteer board which includes Buzz Dixon (Snokie Stories,) Ralph Miley (New Creation,) Holly Knevelbaard (Illustrator,) Leslie Ezeh (Stop n Go Productions,) and Scott A. Shuford (FrontGate Media) along with numerous volunteers from the comic industry and the Church. For more information on the Christian Comic Arts Society, go to: www.ChristianComicArts.com, Facebook.com/ChristianComicArts, or Twitter.com/ChristianComics.

ABOUT ZONDERVAN
Zondervan, a HarperCollins company, is a world leader in Christian communications and a leading Christian publishing brand. For more than 75 years, Zondervan has delivered transformational Christian experiences through general and academic resources by influential leaders and emerging voices, and been honored with more Christian Book Awards than any other publisher. Headquartered in Grand Rapids, Mich., with additional offices in Miami, Zondervan conducts events and publishes its bestselling Bibles, books, audio, video, curriculum, software, and digital products through its Zondervan, Zonderkidz and Editorial Vida brands. Zondervan resources are sold worldwide through retail stores, online, and by Zondervan ChurchSource, and are translated into nearly 200 languages in more than 60 countries. Visit Zondervan on the Internet at http://www.zondervan.com.

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For more information or interviews, please contact

Lori Heiselman – FrontGate Media
714-553-5181
Lori@FrontGateMedia.com