I’m thrilled to share that I moderated two San Diego Comic-Con virtual panels.
The first, Young Adult Dark Fantasy, Sci-Fi & Horror, features bestselling authors Kendare Blake (Three Dark Crowns), Mylo Carbia (Violets are Red), Sarah Beth Durst (The Queens of Renthia), Jonathan Maberry (Rot & Ruin), and Seanan McGuire (October Daye). They’ll share their insights into writing dark speculative fiction and the publishing industry, including book to TV/film.
The video stream can be viewed on YouTube.
The second panel is Meet the Creators and Cast of Netflix’s Norsemen. Norsemen is Netflix’s hilarious historical comedy series—think Vikings meets The Office. Participating in this Q&A are actors: Kåre Conradi (Orm), Trond Fausa (Rufus), Nils Jørgen Kaalstad (Arvid), Øystein Martinsen (Kark), Marian Ottesen (Hildur), and series producers/directors/writers Jonas Torgersen and Jon Iver Helgaker.
The video stream can be viewed on YouTube.
I am pleased to announce that Blackstone Publishing has bought a young adult project edited by me and Bryan Thomas Schmidt, The Hitherto Secret Experiments Of Marie Curie. The anthology will comprise 18 dark stories of science fiction, fantasy, and/or horror set during Marie Curie’s high school years in Poland. What might she have done had she applied her genius in darker directions? The rockstar cast of award-winning and bestselling authors is: Scott Westerfeld, Jane Yolen, Mylo Carbia, Alethea Kontis, Jonathan Maberry, Scott Sigler, Stacia Deutsch, Seanan McGuire, Sarah Beth Durst, Lissa Price, Christine Taylor-Butler, Jo Whittemore, Dee Leone, Susanne Lambdin, Emily McCosh, Steve Pantazis, myself, and Bryan Thomas Schmidt & GP Charles.
The project is scheduled for 2022 release simultaneously in print and audio. We hope to include real science and history, while also having fun with the subject matter and the fascinating character of one of the most important and well-known female scientists in world history, a double Nobel Prize winner. The art below is NOT part of the project, but it conveys a sense of the tone.
Inspired by some wooden robot photos posted online by author/illustrator Steve Light, I decided to make my own. They will serve as the basis for a future picture book manuscript.
I built five. I used neodymium magnets for rotating junctures, like necks, wrists, and instrumentation panels. The first one is the least humanoid. Perhaps a robot pet.
For subsequent robots, I added Lego Bionicle ball and socket parts to articulate shoulder, elbow, hip, and knee joints.
I gave the third robot wheels, big eyes, and small ears. I think it may look better with the small bumps serving as eyes and the larger bumps serving as ears.
I think this one is my favorite. Perhaps because it has big ears and “earrings”.
Last, but not least, a squat robot with long arms. I can’t wait to put robots like these into a story for kids!
260-page 2020 Comic-Con Souvenir Book is now available as a FREE PDF. <– that’s the link
Please note:
This is a 141 MB file. The PDF is set up in 2-page spreads, to better mimic the feel of an actual book. Remember to zoom in for easier reading of the articles. The main feature is the Ray Bradbury Centennial, honoring the 100th birthday of the beloved author and favorite Comic-Con guest. In addition, the Souvenir Book also celebrates the following anniversaries:
• Ray Harryhausen Centennial—The 100th birthday of the stop-motion animation legend
• 75th Anniversary of EC Comics—They brought us Tales from the Crypt and MAD magazine
• 75th Anniversary of Moomin—The world-wide comics sensation for all ages
• 50th Anniversary of Conan in Comics—Robert E. Howard’s barbarian conquered comics starting in 1970
• 50th Anniversary of Jack Kirby’s Fourth World—The King of Comics moved to DC in 1970 and created a whole new world of characters
• 50th Anniversary of Last Gasp—The pioneer underground comix publisher and distributor
• Plus the Proverbial “Much More”—Comic-Con Museum, 2019 Award Winners, and the “In Memoriam” section
Emily Harstone has compiled a list of markets that accept unagented fantasy and science fiction novel manuscripts. You can see the complete list at Author’s Publish.
I’m thrilled to reveal the cover of my next picture book, 2 PIRATES + 1 ROBOT, coming from Kane Miller next month! Art by Shiho Pate.
Space pirates Flotsam, Jetsam, and their robot’s rejoicing at their newfound plunder is cut short when they’re attacked by other pirates. They evade by flying into an asteroid field, but their ship is damaged. Despite the robot’s repair efforts, they don’t have enough fuel to reach port. Will Flotsam and Jetsam accept his valiant offer to be jettisoned in order to save them? It’s Firefly meets THE GIVING TREE. An author’s note explains some of the math and physics behind the shenanigans. My engineering degrees finally paid off!
Had a fantastic time at San Diego Comic-Con. I participated in three panels and got to hang out with some amazing authors. Took a ton of pictures for my friends who couldn’t be there. Enjoy!
My little Predator? One of my favorite pictures from the convention.
My sons and I outside the San Diego Convention Center
In the San Diego Convention Center, no one can hear you scream!
The Dark Crystal, Planet of the Apes, and Lord of the Rings sculptures
A giant Mr. Krabs from Spongebob Squarepants!
“Not with 10,000 men could you do this.”
Ah, Dungeons & Dragons humor…
Samurai Batman!
Puppets from the upcoming TV show Crank Yankers
Tiki Yoda and Moana !?
Godzilla doesn’t like waiting in lines either.
Gundam figures
Batman: Family
A sketch of me by the creator of Mr. Toast
The importance of good dental hygiene…
I’ve got my eye on you!
He-Man!
Domino from X-Men
Stephen King’s IT
Final Fantasy characters
3A figures from Ashley Woods
Magic Wheelchairs ❤
Met the kind and talented author of THE NIGHT CIRCUS, Erin Morgenstern
The wonderful author of SHADOW AND BONE, Leigh Bardugo, wins the Inkpot award
Leigh Bardugo and Erin Morgenstern: talented and funny
Are You There, Gods? It’s Us, the Protagonists panel with authors Rebecca Roanhorse, Scott Westerfeld, Margaret Rogerson, Ann Leckie, and Joan He
Ruby Rod cosplay from The Fifth Element. Supergreen!
Joffrey cosplay from Game of Thrones
The Future as I See It panel with authors Gini Koch, Tim Zahn, Steven Sears, Jonathan Maberry, Javier Grillo-Marxuach, and Seanan McGuire
The Fantastic Flavors of Fantasy panel with authors Renee Ahdieh, Lauren Shippen, Katy Pool, Nicole Conway, Sherrilyn Kenyon, and Marissa Meyer
Those Toy Story green army “men” are real people!
Jonathan Maberry gives Nancy Holder the Scribe Award
Star Wars samurai cosplay!
Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild cosplay
Wherefore Dystopia and Darkness panel with bestselling authors Jess Rothenberg, Richard Kadrey, S.L. Huang, Ally Condie, Rachel Caine, and Marie Lu
Admiral Ackbar cosplay from Star Wars. “It’s a trap!”
Fembot cosplay from Austin Powers
Shego and Kim Possible cosplay
Tank Girl cosplay
The Writers Coffeehouse author panel with (l to r) me, Jonathan Maberry, Delilah Dawson, Peter Clines and Scott Sigler.
I can’t wait to see this urban fantasy series!
Carnival Row stars Orlando Bloom and Cara Delevingne. Is it hot in here, or is it just me?
Cara Delevingne’s fairy character takes flight off the edge of a cliff.
Six-foot tall LEGO Batman minifigure
Monty Python and the Holy Grail cosplay. “There are some who call me… Tim.”
Wakanda (Black Panther) / Spiderman basketball team cosplay. SDCC is known for such creative mashups.
Chun-Li cosplay from Street Fighter video game
Green Arrow cosplay
Peter Pan Lost Boy Rufio cosplay from the movie Hook
Beetlejuice cosplay. Don’t say his name three times
ALF cosplay
Stellar Stories and Awesome Adventures panel with authors Maura Milan, Mark Siegel, Tochi Onyebuchi, Ashley Poston, and Maryelizabeth Yturralde
Disney Hyperion Publishing panel with authors/editors Emily Meehan, Brittany Rubiana, Serena Valentino, and Jocelyn Davies
Theseus and the Minotaur cosplay
Three interpretations of Judge Dredd cosplay
Lord Voldemort: He Who Shall Not Be Named. Oops.
Skeleton warrior cosplay
Wonder Woman cosplay
Game of Thrones cosplay: Cersei, The Mountain, The Night King, Arya wondering why SHE isn’t killing the Night King
Rick and Morty cosplay
Global debut of the cover of my upcoming picture book, 2 Pirates + 1 Robot, from Kane Miller Books.
My fantasy/sci-fi author panel with (l to r) Tomi Adeyemi, Lev Grossman, A.G. Howard, Aditi Khorana, and Jonathan Maberry.
They packed the room!
Fans of The Magicians may recall Umber asking for little cakes. I brought Lev Grossman some little cakes.
After the panel, the authors signed their books. Many added graffiti to the tablecloth. Someone drew salmon. Author Chuck Wendig apparently has no respect for sustainable salmon farming. And the feeling is mutual.
Lev Grossman (The Magicians) left his own graffiti.
Mostly, we signed books. Here author Lev Grossman signs a fan’s chest.
My favorite cosplay of the convention: Warhammer 40K Sisters of Battle! Adepta Sororitas
My KidLit literary agent panel with (l to r) Hannah Mann, Thao Le, Kelly Sonnack and Stefanie Von Borstel.
Writing Craft panel with authors Sarah Gailey, Annalee Newitz, Charlie Jane Anders, Seanan McGuire, and Cory Doctorow
Godzilla, Ghidorah, and Rodan resin miniatures
Sci-fi author greats Larry Niven, Greg Bear, and David Brin
Fandom Meets YA panel with authors Livia Blackburne, Mary Pearson, Tricia Levenseller, A.G. Howard, and C.B. Lee
Lord of the Rings cosplay. A Minas Tirith dress! “For Gondor!!”
Reinventing the Modern Girl panel with authors Seanan McGuire, Danielle Paige, Sarah Kuhn, Nila Macgruder, Cecil Castellucci, and Jenn Fujikawa.
Here, in no particular order, are photos from San Diego Comic-Con 2017
Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. Only D&D fans will get that pun.
A classic Comic-Con mashup. Elvis Boba Fett!
Cabbage merchant: An obscure, but lovable character from Avatar: The Last Airbender
A huge dragon you could ride. Stuffed animal sold separately.
D.VA’s mech video game character from Overwatch
A flying (thanks to magnetic repulsion) Iron Man and friends.
NY Times bestselling fantasy author Gail Carriger
Harley Quinn and Poison Ivy from Batman
NY Times bestselling fantasy author Ilona Andrews
Life-sized Iron Man model
Pint-sized General Grievous and Boba Fett
The eloquent First Second editorial director Mark Seigel
NY Times bestselling fantasy author Mary Pearson
Megaman video game character
My fantasy novel panel with Seanan McGuire, Robin Hobb, Gail Carriger & Mary Pearson
The authors of my panel packed the room!
Authors Todd McCaffrey, the Winner twins, and Seanan McGuire
The world’s largest Pikachu (from Pokemon)
Two fun posters. “Gandalf Airlines. Fly you fools! Our planes are never late. Nor are they early.
They arrive precisely when they mean to. You shall not need a boarding pass!” and
BatPug: “I am the night… but mostly I just piddle on stuff”)
Three princesses, or perhaps two princes and a Mother of Dragons
NY Times bestselling fantasy author Robin Hobb
Even the animals get in on the cosplay action. Ye scurvy dog!
Does this Skyrim helmet make me look fat?
Super Saiyan Blue from Dragon Ball Z
Some fun toothy artwork I bought.
Fantasy/sci-fi authors Bryan Thomas Schmidt, Jonathan Maberry, Seanan McGuire and Scott Sigler.
Finally, a use for all those collectible action hero figures gathering dust on the shelf, thanks to Hot.kenobi and the mad geniuses at Bored Panda.
“Japanese photographer Hot.kenobi plays with his action toys and uses photography to tell their entertaining stories. Osaka-based Hot.kenobi creates a universe where box office rivals DC and Marvel comics (sometimes Disney’s Star Wars as well) not only battle each other, but also have some fun in both surreal and everyday situations. Most of his compositions are explosive and feature a lot of movement, perfectly supplemented by special effects and a healthy dose of humor.
Whether it’s Hulk smashing a can of soda, or Spiderman trying to ‘play’ Captain America’s shield on a CD player, these images bring the colorful personalities of unlikely friends and foes.”
Some fun toothy artwork I bought.
henryherz.com 