NerdHQ founder Zachary Levi (Chuck, Tangled) took to the stage as soon as the audience of approximately 200 people took their seats Sunday afternoon, July 24, at 4 o'clock. The small venue evoked an informal and more intimate feel, quite opposite to the 6,000-plus seating at Comic-Con's Exhibition Hall panels. In addition, Levi's organization raises funds from panel ticket admissions for Operation Smile, a non-profit group that raises money to pay for cleft lip and palate surgery for children around the world.

For five days each July, San Diego, CA, becomes a mecca for fans of all things related to popular culture, be it comics, films, novels, toys, art, video games, and every medium in between. Just a short walk down the street at The New Children's Museum, NerdHQ was in full swing Sunday afternoon, July 24th. Established by actor Zachary Levi in July 2011, the NerdHQ panels raise funds for Operation Smile, a non-profit organization that raises money to pay for cleft lip and palate surgery for children around the world.

At San Diego Comic-Con 2016, Fanbase Press Editorials Manager Michele Brittany talks with 2000AD's Michael Molcher about Judge Dredd, Halo Jones, the lasting power of the company, and much more.

At San Diego Comic-Con 2016, Fanbase Press Editorial Manager Michele Brittany talks with writer Kyle Higgins (Hadrian’s Wall, C.O.W.L.) about his work on his various Image Comics series, his attraction to alternate histories, his feelings on Alien Resurrection, and more.

At San Diego Comic-Con 2016, Fanbase Press Editorial Manager Michele Brittany talks with writer Peter Hogan (Resident Alien) about his work on the Dark Horse series, why he gravitates towards small-town America, and more.

As dusk waned, creators and publishers from the comics industry gathered for the “Oscars” of the industry, the 28th Annual Will Eisner Comic Industry Awards on Friday, July 22, at the Hilton San Diego Bayfront. Administrator of the awards, editor, and publisher Jackie Estrada opened the ceremonies by explaining the voting and nomination process, followed by thanking sponsors and organizers of the event. Then, she introduced the special host of the evening, actor John Barrowman, known for his roles on Arrow and Torchwood, but who has also co-written with his sister Carole for Arrow: The Dark Archer (DC) and Torchwood (Titan). He was the perfect choice: representing both comics and Hollywood.

The Battlecats were seasoned warriors in the realm of Valderia, and their reputation as heroes was known far and wide across the kingdom. It came as no surprise that King Eramand III would, therefore, mandate the group of warriors to search out and defeat the Dire Beast, who over many years has been responsible for numerous deaths. As proof of their success, the King requested that the Battlecats present him with the head of the beast. In the first two issues, readers followed the group as they fought a series of ambushes, and, in this third issue, the Battlecats finally face their arch nemesis in the rugged mountains.

Primarily set in Aspen, Colorado, Ipso Facto is a coming-of-age story with a twist: the main protagonist Mosel, who thought he was just another high school teenager, discovers he is an alien tasked with the decision to save humanity. Written by J.R. Rothenberg and illustrated by Jason Badower (True Blood, Castle), this trade paperback from Shenandoah Publishing collects the first six issues. For the first volume, Rothenberg and Badower were joined by colorist Annette Kwok (The Watch and Witch King, Witchblade), letterer Jim Campbell, and edited by Joan Hilty.

“We were somewhere around Barstow on the edge of the desert when the drugs began to take hold.”
Hunter S. Thompson, Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas: A Savage Journey to the Heart of the American Dream

“Darwyn always made me feel like when he was talking to me, he was 100% focused on me.
It's because he was...he was like this with everyone. It was his superpower.
To live in that moment and give it his all.
His art was a physical version of this. It's why his art reached so many people.
He was speaking directly to you and giving you every bit of himself. I'm going to miss you, man.”
- Shannon Eric Denton (Writer/Artist, Spectrum, Fleshdigger)