ANOTHER review!

A look at Closer over The Fourth Rail!

Thor deems me worthy...

"Norton understands the visual essentials of this series..."

Cool!

CHANTLER, MOORE, NORTON, RICKETTS, AND TORRES "NOW SIGNING" AT WIZARD WORLD CHICAGO

At this week's Wizard World Chicago 2004, comic book artists Scott Chantler and Mike Norton join writers B. Clay Moore, Mark Ricketts, and J. Torres for what promises to be a spirited three days of signing, sketching, and meeting fans in the convention's large corporate area.

While not representing a single studio or publishing venture, the group, under the banner "Now Signing", is made up of like-minded creators who share a past collaboration, a publisher, or just a similar sensibility.  "A lot of the five of us have worked together on stuff, or are planning to in the future," said B. Clay Moore of the arrangement.  "But for the most part, it's just a group of guys who like hanging around with each other at shows."

The group hopes that by holding their signings together in the corporate area rather than as separate entities in Artists'Alley, that they'll be more visible and therefore easier for fans to find.

"The Artists' Alley at bigger shows like this are so huge that it's easy for fans and creators alike to get lost in them," Scott Chantler admitted. "You've got hundreds of creators in there, with no particular rhyme or reason to their seating positions, so if you're looking for someone specific, it can be really tough."

The group's roster boasts some of the most interesting and exciting talents in comics, with serious cred in both the indie and mainstream:

SCOTT CHANTLER is the artist of the graphic novel DAYS LIKE THIS, which made the American Library Association's list of the Best Books for Young Readers 2003, as well the much-anticipated Oni Press graphic novel SCANDALOUS, both written by fellow group member J. Torres.  He is also a well-known magazine illustrator, and animator.

B. CLAY MOORE is the PR & Marketing Coordinator for Image Comics, as well as the writer of HAWAIIAN DICK (which was recently optioned by New Line Cinema), and the upcoming BATTLE HYMN.  When he isn't working the Image booth as one of the "suits", he'll be hanging with the "Now Signing" gang.

MIKE NORTON is the art director for Devil's Due Publishing, the studio that brings you G.I. JOE and VOLTRON.  He'll be splitting his time between the Devil's Due and "Now Signing" booth, where he'll be promoting his creator-owned work such as his recent run on Oni's QUEEN & COUNTRY, as well as the graphic novel CLOSER with writer Antony Johnston.

MARK RICKETTS is the critically acclaimed writer/artist of the graphic novel NOWHERESVILLE from Image Comics and the winner of the 2000 Klasky Csupo screenwriting competition. He is currently writing an arc of Marvel's IRON MAN illustrated by Tony Harris.  His next graphic novel, LAZARUS JACK, illustrated by Horacio Domingues, drops Sept. 29, 2004 from Dark Horse Comics.

J. TORRES is the writer of DC's TEEN TITANS GO, Marvel's X-MEN: RONIN, as well as Oni Press' Eisner-nominated ALISON DARE, the Harvey-nominated SIDEKICKS, the forthcoming LOVE AS A FOREIGN LANGUAGE, and JASON & THE ARGOBOTS (co-created with booth-mate Mike Norton).

All five will be appearing at various times, throughout all three days of the show, at the “Now Signing” booth at Wizard World Chicago, August 13th-15th, 2004 at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center.