Breaking News: DC Invasion coming to Auckland in October

Above: Cover art from 'Flash:Rebirth' by Ethan Van Sciver. Copyright DC Comics 2009.

Today saw the unveiling of the brand-spanking new Armageddon Expo website, launching with it's special guest announcements for the annual Auckland show, to be held this year at the ASB Showgrounds, 24-26th of October.

After a big response last year with superstar artist Jim Lee, it seems that DC are sending in the big hitters for a visit: starting with the big boss himself, Dan DiDio.

Dan DiDio is the Senior Vice President of DC Comics and Executive Editor of the DC universe.

With a background in television programming and writing, he joined DC in 2002 and quickly became the public face for the DCU line of comics, signing talent and helping chart the creative direction of the books for the company.

He's also the first editorial professional to visit these shores since Dark Horse's Diana Schutz back in 2001; so if you looking to get your artwork noticed, start sharpening your pencils and preparing those sample pages now!

Above: Cover art from 'Green Lantern:Rebirth' by Ethan Van Sciver. Copyright DC Comics 2009.

Following Dan to Auckland is DC's star writer/artist team of the moment: Geoff Johns and Ethan Van Sciver.

This will be Johns' second visit to NZ, having previously appeared at Armageddon Wellington in 2005.

Johns has spent the last couple of year re-vitalizing both the Superman and Green Lantern comic franchises and is currently doing the same on Flash:Rebirth, re-introducing Barry Allan back into the present day DCU with his GL:Rebirth artist, Ethan Van Sciver.

Above: Cover art from 'New X-Men' by Ethan Van Sciver. Copyright Marvel Comics 2009.

Ethan Van Sciver has been drawing comics professionally since high school, starting with his own title 'Cyberfrog' back in 1995. With his trademark attention to detail, he's become one of the most popular artists in the superhero genre. Aside from his work at DC, he's also well remembered for his fill-in run on New Xmen with Grant Morrison (one of my fav's anyway;).

Above: Cover art from 'Secret Six' by Nicola Scott. Copyright DC Comics 2009.

Rounding out the guest list is Secret Six artist, Nicola Scott.

Nicola is also a returning Armageddon guest, having previously appeared at the Auckland show in 2007 with her close collaborator, Secret Six and Birds of Prey writer Gail Simone.

For more news on the Auckland Armageddon show check out the site, and I'll keep you posted on any new developments (also I'll find out what's happening on the NZ Comics side of things and let you know..).

-AK!