Media Release -- The Baltimore Comic-Con is happy to welcome the collector services of CGC, ComicLink, ComicsPriceGuide.com, The Restoration Lab, Collectibles Insurance Services, and Desert Wind Comics to the line-up of exhibitors at this year's show. The 12th Annual Baltimore Comic-Con will be held August 20-21, 2011 at the Baltimore Convention Center.
Certified Guaranty Company, better known as CGC, is an independent, impartial, third-party comic book grading service. Providing their customers with expert grading and conservation through their slabbing process, CGC has graded more than 1 million comics over the last decade. In addition to the many levels of grading services provided, CGC also provides witness services for authenticating signed collectibles.
As one of the largest online comic auction houses, ComicLink has built its reputation on the quality of the services provided to their customers. Focusing on vintage comics and original art, ComicLink also serves as a brokerage house and direct sales platform for collectors to sell their items. In recent years, ComicLink has seen many record-breaking sales for Golden and Silver Age keys.
ComicsPriceGuide.com (CPG) is the premiere online price guide. CPG offers a host of information to their subscribers and visitors alike, including: accurate and up-to-date pricing information; coverage of the vintage comic auction market and other industry news; and forums for collectors to meet and share information. In addition, CPG allows subscribers to create an online database to store and track their collection as it continues to grow.
For 25 years, The Restoration Lab, under the direction of Susan Cicconi, has restored and helped preserve vintage comic books. Services provided by the Restoration Lab include cleaning, pressing, and restoration of books to improve their aesthetic appearance. All services provided adhere to the strict guideline of paper conservation and Cicconi is recognized throughout the industry as the foremost expert in restoration.
Collectibles Insurance Services provides insurance coverage for a wide variety of collectibles, including: artifacts; books; clocks; coins; comic books; dolls; guns & knives; military paraphernalia; quilts; model trains; and much more.
Desert Wind Comics is an independent CGC Signature Series Service provider that secures witnessed autographs for collectors by working closely with such creators as Stan Lee, John Romita Sr., Joe Simon, and Carmine Infantino. Over the last decade, Desert Wind has organized signings all over the United States and Canada with some of the most sough-after creators in the comic industry.
"We're delighted to have all of these companies exhibiting at this year's show," said Marc Nathan, show promoter of the Baltimore Comic-Con. "The fans and collectors are the ones who make comic conventions possible and these vendors provide valuable services to help them preserve and protect their collectibles."
Don't forget, individual Stan Lee Autographs and Photo Ops, as well as VIP Packages, are still available for pre-purchase by visiting baltimorecomiccon.com/tickets/! Don't miss out on this opportunity to meet one of comics' Living Legends!
Confirmed guests for this year's Baltimore Comic-Con include: Guest of Honor, Stan "The Man" Lee; Jason Aaron (Scalped, PunisherMAX); Charlie Adlard (The Walking Dead); Nick Cardy (Aquaman, Teen Titans); Greg Capullo (Spawn, Batman); Cliff Chiang (Greendale); Frank Cho (50 Girl 50, X-Men: Schism, New Ultimates); Todd Dezago (Super Hero Squad, The Perhapanauts); David Finch (Brightest Day, Batman: The Dark Knight); Ron Frenz (Spider-Girl); Jose-Luis Garcia-Lopez (Wednesday Comics, Batman Confidential); Mike Gold (former DC Editor); Michael Golden (creator of Bucky O'Hare); Mike Grell (Action Comics, The Pilgrim); Brad Guigar (Evil, Inc., Courting Disaster); Steve Hamaker (Bone); Cully Hamner (Red, Red: Eyes Only); Marc Hempel (Sandman: The Kindly Ones); Dean Haspiel (The Alcoholic, Act-i-Vate); Jamal Igle (Supergirl, Zatanna); J.G. Jones (Doc Savage, DC Universe Legacies); Barry Kitson (Secret Invasion, Amazing Spider-Man); Laura Martin (New Avengers, Thor); Mark Morales (Fear Itself cover artist); Kevin Nowlan (Wednesday Comics); David Petersen (Mouse Guard); Brandon Peterson (Ultimate Vision, Strange); Craig Rousseau (Marvel Her-Oes); Stan Sakai (Usagi Yojimbo); Walter Simonson (Thor); Jeff Smith (Bone, RASL); Nick Spencer (Morning Glories, Iron Man 2.0); Brian Stelfreeze (Wednesday Comics); Karl Story (DC Universe Legacies); Robert Tinnell (The Wicked West); Tim Truman (Conan the Cimmerian); Neil Vokes (Flesh & Blood, Eagle: The Original Adventures); Mark Wheatley (Blood of the Innocent, Mars); and Thom Zahler (Love and Capes).
Attending the Baltimore Comic-Con? Show your support online!
Simply change your social network (Facebook, Twitter, blog, etc.) avatar pictures to the "See You in Baltimore!" image and let the world know you're attending the show!
In coming weeks, look for more announcements from the Baltimore Comic-Con. We are looking forward to highlighting our guests, the Harvey Awards, industry exclusives, and programming. The latest developments can always be found at our website, Twitter, Facebook, and MySpace pages.
This year's Baltimore Comic-Con will be held August 20-21, 2011. Convention hours are Saturday 10 AM to 6 PM and Sunday 10 AM to 5 PM. The ceremony and banquet for the Harvey Awards will be held Saturday night, August 21st.
Contact Information
Please use the following e-mail addresses to contact the Baltimore Comic-Con:
press@baltimorecomiccon.com - for any general press inquiries or to be added to our PR distribution
promoter@baltimorecomiccon.com - for requesting exhibitor, publisher, and Artist Alley applications
registrar@baltimorecomiccon.com - for inquiries about submitted registrations
harveys@baltimorecomiccon.com - for communications regarding the Harvey Awards ceremony and banquet
general@baltimorecomiccon.com - for general Baltimore Comic-Con inquiries
About The Baltimore Comic-Con
The Baltimore Comic-Con is celebrating its 12th year of bringing the comic book industry to the Baltimore and Washington D.C. area. With a guest list unequaled in the industry, the Baltimore Comic-Con will be held August 20-21, 2011. For more information, please visit www.baltimorecomiccon.com.
About The Harvey Awards
The Harvey Awards are one of the comic book industry's oldest and most respected awards. With a history of over 20 years, the last 6 in conjunction with the Baltimore Comic-Con, the Harveys recognize outstanding achievements in over 20 categories. They are the only industry awards nominated and selected by the full body of comic book professionals. For more information, please visit www.harveyawards.org.
