LoneStarCon 3 -– the 71st World Science Fiction Convention -– [Read it all...]]]> The World Science Fiction Convention will return to Texas — San Antonio to be precise — for the first time since 1997. On Aug. 20, voters at Renovation, the 2011 Worldcon, awarded the right to host the international conference to the Texas in 2013 bid.

LoneStarCon 3 -– the 71st World Science Fiction Convention -– will take place Aug. 29-Sept. 2, 2013, at the Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center. The Mariott Rivercenter and Mariott Riverwalk will serve as the host hotels.

The guests of honor list for LoneStarCon 3 includes Ellen Datlow, James Gunn, Norman Spinrad, Darrel K. Sweet and Willie Siros, with Paul Cornell serving as toastmaster and featuring special guests Leslie Fish and Joe R. Lansdale.

Founded in 1939, the World Science Fiction Convention is one of the largest international gatherings of authors, artists, editors, publishers and fans of science fiction and fantasy entertainment. The annual Hugo Awards, the leading award for excellence in the field of science fiction and fantasy, are voted on by Worldcon membership and presented during the convention.

LoneStarCon 3 is sponsored by ALAMO, Inc., (Alamo Literary Arts Maintenance Organization), a 501(c)3 organization. Membership for LoneStarCon 3 may be purchased at www.LoneStarCon3.org. In addition to individual memberships, LoneStarCon 3 will also offer a family rate. For more information about LoneStarCon 3, memberships or hotel information, visit www.LoneStarCon3.org.

Guests of Honor

Paul Cornell is a writer of science fiction and fantasy in prose, television and comics, and is the only person to have been a Hugo Award nominee for all three media. He’s written Action Comics for DC Comics and Doctor Who for the BBC. His novels are Something More and British Summertime. His forthcoming novel, an urban fantasy, will be published by Tor in 2012.

Ellen Datlow has edited science fiction, fantasy and horror short fiction for three decades. She served as fiction editor of Omni magazine and SCI Fiction, and has edited many anthologies for adults, young adults and children. She has won multiple Locus, Hugo, Stoker, International Horror Guild, Shirley Jackson and World Fantasy Awards. She was the recipient of the 2007 Karl Edward Wagner Award for “outstanding contribution to the genre.”

Leslie Fish is one of the best-known authors of filk songs including “Banned from Argo,” a comic song parodying Star Trek which has spawned more than 80 variants since first performed.

James Gunn is a science fiction author, editor, scholar and anthologist. His most significant writings include fiction from the 1960s and 70s and his scholarly Road to Science Fiction collections. Gunn is a founding director of the Center for the Study of Science Fiction. He won a Hugo Award for non-fiction in 1983 and was honored in 2007 as a Damon Knight Memorial Grand Master by Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America.

Joe R. Lansdale is the author of more than 30 books and is known to his fans as Champion Joe, Mojo Storyteller. His is known for his horror stories, the Hap and Leonard mystery/thriller series and the theatrical film Bubba Ho-Tep. Lansdale’s many awards include 16 Bram Stoker Aawards, the Grand Master Award from the World Horror Convention, a British Fantasy Award and the American Mystery Award.

Willie Siros was instrumental in starting the long-running Austin science fiction convention, Armadillocon, serving as chair of the first three editions. Siros also contributed to the founding of the Fandom Association of Central Texas, the original LoneStarCon (the 1985 North American Science Fiction Convention) and Adventures In Crime & Space Books. He is a former para-librarian at the University of Texas Harry Ransom Humanities Research Center where he developed its speculative fiction collection.

Norman Spinrad is the author of more than 20 novels, including Bug Jack Barron, The Iron Dream, Child of Fortune, Pictures at 11, Greenhouse Summer and The Druid King. He has also published approximately 60 short stories collected in a dozen volumes. Spinrad has written teleplays, including the classic Star Trek episode “The Doomsday Machine.” He is a long time literary critic, occasional film critic and songwriter, and perpetual political analyst.

Darrell K. Sweet is an artist most famous for providing the cover art for the fantasy epic saga The Wheel of Time. He is also the illustrator for the well-known Xanth series by Piers Anthony, the Saga of Recluce series by L.E. Modesitt, Jr., and the Runelords series by David Farland. He is also the original cover artist for Stephen R. Donaldson’s series The Chronicles of Thomas Covenant the Unbeliever.

On January 22nd, First Storm Manga is holding their first Mezasu Mini-Con at C4 Workspace. This is not your typical anime convention, but aimed at people who are interested in creating comics and supporting original art from local comics and manga artists. We made it our mission to find [Read it all...]]]>

Austin Rogers of Redbeard Comics

On January 22nd, First Storm Manga is holding their first Mezasu Mini-Con at C4 Workspace. This is not your typical anime convention, but aimed at people who are interested in creating comics and supporting original art from local comics and manga artists. We made it our mission to find out more about Mezasu Mini-Con, so we dialed up First Storm’s Austin “Redbeard” Rogers looking for answers. Here are the straight facts, directly from the bearded one.

Missions Unknown: What is the Mezasu Mini-Con?

Austin Rogers: Mezasu Mini Con is a new event that First Storm Manga has put together in order to create opportunities for original artists and writers, mostly in the form of manga and comics. We have a no “fan art” policy, so the public gets to experience only original art at the event. Creators can promote their art and stories without having to compete with the mainstreams of their genre.

MU: What kind of exhibits or activities can attendees expect? Who should attend?

AR: Every hour will be filled with workshops and panels that deal with everything from how to draw chibis to character development.

First Storm Manga presents Mezasu mini-con!

Three raffles will held throughout with various prizes. Also, most artists will be available for commissions as well.

All attendees will find something to enjoy, but those who are aspiring artists and writers, or just enjoy local art, will benefit the most.

MU: How many creators are you expecting?

AR: We will have nine creators in all, each with their own style and experiences to share.

MU: Tell us about the workshops you have scheduled and the presenters; which one are you looking forward to?

AR: A few of the workshops we have include “Organizing Your Story: Outlining & Scripting” by Ket Naki (head organizer for First Storm Manga), and “Introduction to Brush Inking Your Comics/Art” by Amanda Coronado. Amanda’s a local San Antonio artist whom I’m really looking forward to her workshop because I’m about to make the switch to brush inking with my own comics.

MU: The con is at C4 Workspace, that cool co-working place in Southtown, a seemingly unusual venue for this sort of event. How did you get hooked up with C4?

AR: In the early days of planning the event, I came to C4 for an unrelated meet-up and I had a good feeling about the place. I was able to visualize the convention there and the staff has been very accommodating.

MU: Explain briefly to our readers who may be unfamiliar, what is First Storm Manga? How many people are involved?

AR: At its core, FSM currently consists of four artists and writers that are working to create opportunities for aspiring creators in the manga/storytelling genre. We do everything from holding free workshops at local libraries to we create free compilation books with local artists. Find out more at www.firststormmanga.com.

MU: OK, my Japanese isn’t that good, what’s ‘Mezasu’?

AR: The word Mezasu is Japanese for “to aim at” or “to aim for” which is the heart of what the convention is all about. Also, the symbols mean creativity.

MU: How’s the San Antonio manga scene? What’s the latest locally-grown creation we need to check out?

AR: With more and more events being held in the manga genre, I think it’s doing pretty good. As far what’s locally grown, you’ll have to come to the con to find out!

This past weekend I took the family out to Our Lady of the Lake University on the shore of Lake Elmendorf in San Antonio’s near west side to enjoy [Read it all...]]]>

Clockwise from top left: Japanese eggs, Andy Anderson's Fighting Generica Art, just one of many cosplayers, steampunk optical gear, origami demonstration (photographs by Soren Vaughn)

This past weekend I took the family out to Our Lady of the Lake University on the shore of Lake Elmendorf in San Antonio’s near west side to enjoy the sites, sounds and people of Mizuumi-Con 3. Put on by OLLU’s Mizuumi Anime Club, the con drew a large active crowd of anime, manga and video game fans. The turnout was great, with a registration line well out of the building and a steady stream of new attendees throughout the day. Many, many people were decked out in costume which lent a fun, frivolous air to the event.

The opening ceremonies, while sincere, were underwhelming. The best part was the the introduction of the guests, mainly the utterly charming artist Valerie Lynn Aguilar, winner of the badge art contest. Aguilar, a student at St. Phillip’s College, explained how this was the first time she had won something like this, that she loved seeing her art on all the badges and that she was floored that people could “buy my chibis on a thong!”

We enjoyed screenings of several anime features including new favorite S.O.S. Brigade. Carey Martell‘s documentary Cosplayers: The Movie was an interesting look at the cosplay subculture, capturing some of the energy of the people involved. I felt that the film lost some focus at the end, degenerating into more of an explanation of the woes of the anime industry, but overall it was a good, insightful piece. Otaku Hell with Spike and Maria was a rollicking fun time hosted by a candy-throwing naughty nurse and video-playing ninja. The show alternated between choice web and anime video clips and goofy contests. The dealers room was well stocked with artists, toys, manga and anime. Plenty of things to look at and buy. I even ran into my old friend Grego Hernandez, proprietor of Bean Pot Toiz.

Other festivities included a Japanese flute recital, Japanese egg making demonstrations, origami lessons, a Twitter-based scavenger hunt, karaoke and a steady stream of J-POP videos with only a mild Rickroll interruption. You can catch some video reports of the con from guests, including Kyle Hebert on the impressive Mizuumi Con line and Random on Contra Dancing.

Even through we did not stick around for the later events including cosplay skits and musical performances, this was a fun con and the Mizuumi Anime Club did a great job pulling it off. This was the third year of the con and organizer Darrell Hoberer noted that they combined the best of what worked in the previous two years for this event. I look forward to seeing what they distill from this one next year’s con.

Capricon 31 announced its Guest of Honor lineup this week. John Scalzi will be Author Guest of Honor; John Picacio will be Artist Guest of Honor; and Janice Gelb and Stephen Boucher will be Fan Guests of Honor. [Read it all...]]]>

(L to R): Capricon 31 Guests of Honor: John Scalzi, John Picacio, Janice Gelb, Stephen Boucher

Capricon 31 announced its Guest of Honor lineup this week. John Scalzi will be Author Guest of Honor; John Picacio will be Artist Guest of Honor; and Janice Gelb and Stephen Boucher will be Fan Guests of Honor. The convention will be held February 10-13, 2011 in Wheeling, IL, a suburb of Chicago. Erik V. Olson is chairing the event.

According to Wikipedia, “Capricon is an annual, four-day-long (Thursday through Sunday) science fiction convention, which draws approximately 900+ people. Capricon attendees share an interest in science, science fiction, fantasy, and related genres. The Capricon convention has been held each year since 1981. Capricon is the annual gathering for Phandemonium, a not-for-profit organization, and is entirely volunteer run. The purpose of Phandemonium is to promote Science Fiction as a literary genre and to promote the Chicagoland Fannish community.”

The Capricon website is planning a makeover and update soon with details about the con. Capricon 31′s theme will be “Escape!”

San Japan, San Antonio’s major Japanese Culture and Anime Convention, has announced the first round of guests for its July 2010 convention. The convention is proud to announce that voice actors Carrie Savage, Chris Ayres and Josh Grelle will be making return appearances to San Antonio. San [Read it all...]]]>

From San Japan 2009. Photo ©2009 SkyPirate.

San Japan, San Antonio’s major Japanese Culture and Anime Convention, has announced the first round of guests for its July 2010 convention. The convention is proud to announce that voice actors Carrie Savage, Chris Ayres and Josh Grelle will be making return appearances to San Antonio. San Japan is also proud to announce the return of new school hip-hop act Maja and local cover band LoliHolix, along with popular artist Amelie Belcher.

Christopher Ayres has been working professionally in theatre, television and film since the age of 6. He currently works as a voice actor for ADV and FUNimation. Chris is also an A.D. R. Director for ADV and Amusement Park Media.

Carrie Savage has voiced many anime characters: from California, she has voiced such characters as ‘Fuko’ in I, My, Me! Strawberry Eggs, ‘Rakka’ in Haibane Renmei, ‘Hakufu’ in Ikki Tousen, ‘Nancy Makuhari’ in R.O.D. the TV series and ‘Maromi’ in Paranoia Agent.

A native Texan, Josh Grelle was raised on stage and in the art studios of Central Texas. He performed on stage for over 15 years prior to starting work for A.D.V. Films at the start of 2004. Since then he has worked for ADV and Funimation on numerous projects.

Amelie Belcher travels the country selling her award-winning art, doing one-of-a-kind commissions for con goers, and being paid tribute by her army of fans known as the “Ami Army” in the form of Pocky and manga. Known as “the angriest chick on the net”, she is the creator of the popular web comic “The Real Life Adventures of Amelie” at Cordeval.com.

Maja is an American lyricist who loves Japanese animation, video games, and the Japanese language. In fall 2009, Maja released a brand new album called “Bleach’d Out”, a brand new hip-hop twist in tribute to the anime series Bleach which can be downloaded for free.

LoliHolix bring a line up of songs influenced by video game music, Japanese styles, and all types of assorted musical diversities.

San Japan will be bringing many popular events to the convention including the Ouran Host Club, Hetalia Olympics (formally Otaku-lympics), an enduring otaku competitive event along with Ani-Idol, a karaoke and singing competition. San Japan is currently taking entries for its upcoming AMV Competition along with art submissions for its art contest with prizes given out for winning entries.

San Japan will be happening on the weekend of July 9th – 11th, 2010 at its new convention location to happen at the San Antonio Marriott Rivercenter Hotel, adjacent to the Rivercenter Mall in the middle of the famous Riverwalk. Pre-registration is currently happening for $30 for a discount 3-day weekend pass. Hotel rooms will be available at the Marriott Rivercenter Hotel for a special convention rate of $117 per night (normal nightly rate is $219). Pre-registration is open until June 10th and the discount hotel rates are available until June 17th.

Show founder and organizer Dave Henkin says, “San Japan is very excited to be returning for its third year. We plan to invade the center of the Riverwalk. We will moving to a brand new location which will be able to hold our growing convention
in one large spot (the Marriott Rivercenter Hotel). We plan to build on the continued success of our previous conventions in
bringing the best fandom experience we can offer for our attendees and patrons.”

More information on registration, additional details about the convention, guest announcements, along with streaming music tracks of the performing music guests, can all be found at the official revamped San Japan website. San Japan is also on Twitter and on Facebook, which will include the latest up-to-date news about the convention.

For photo galleries of the past two years of San Japan fun, please visit SkyPirate.

Remember that FIELD OF DREAMS line “Build it and they will come”? Pat and Jeannie Wilshire have done just that — built the best annual sf/fantasy art event of the year in their hometown of [Read it all...]]]>

top left: Jordu Schell's Werewolf sculpture / top right: Julie Bell paints. / Bottom: A view of IlluXCon 2.

Remember that FIELD OF DREAMS line “Build it and they will come”? Pat and Jeannie Wilshire have done just that — built the best annual sf/fantasy art event of the year in their hometown of tiny Altoona, PA, and lo, the artists came. IlluxCon 2 happened this past weekend, and it was a blast. It’s a gathering of some of the best sf/fantasy artists in the world for a four-day weekend, exhibiting their art and hanging out with hardcore collectors, art directors, and sf/fantasy art afficionados — and unlike most sf/fantasy cons, this one’s all about celebrating the visual arts.

I was honored to be amongst the select list of invited artists who exhibited their work and talked shop — and it was definitely a diverse all-star list including Michael Whelan, Dave Seeley, Vincent Villafranca, Bob Eggleton, Eric Fortune, Bruce Jensen, Daren Bader, Donato Giancola, Boris Vallejo, Julie Bell, John Jude Palencar, Brom, Jordu Schell, Justin Gerard, Justin Sweet, Lucas Graciano, Michael Hayes, and many more. Pyr’s Lou Anders and Wizards of the Coast’s Jon Schindehette were amongst the art directors present to review student portfolios.

Like most art shows, the exhibition and selling of original art and merchandise is a big focus of the show, but what I liked about this one was the energy and camaraderie. The programming was terrific and art-centric ranging from demos to virtual studio discussions to art director q&a’s. IlluxCon was a first-class affair. Pat and Jeannie organized this from scratch. They’re passionate about sf/fantasy art and they’ve got a progressive can-do spirit. I think that makes all the difference in the world. They’ve presented a stellar case study for how to run a first-class art show, how to properly market a first-class art show, and they did it without the infrastructure and resources of larger sf/fantasy conventions.

It was an unforgettable trip, and I’m strongly considering returning for next year’s show. Here’s a Flickr set of iPhone shots to give you a taste of the action.