In NY. This year Big Apple is proud to say that Mr. Peter Mayhew is appearing at the convention in addition to several other guests. I thought you might wish to mention this on your site. There is also an extensive list of guest artists as well as several other Celebrity personalities such as Kate Mulgrew from Star Trek and Michael Uslan, producer of several Batman films as well as a dealers room with a variety of vendors. Big Apple Con takes Place in NYC at the Penn Plaza Pavillion, 401 Seventh Avenue at 33rd St., New York, N.Y., 10001-2062

Hours and times are:

2008 November 14th, 15th and 16th

Friday 1pm-8pm, Saturday and Sunday 10am-7pm

Kids FREE Sunday - Under 12 with adult


PRESS RELEASE

NYC HAS A “LICENSE TO THRILL” as MICHAEL CARBONARO PRESENTS:
THE NATIONAL: BIG APPLE COMIC BOOK, ART, TOY & SCI-FI EXPO
Friday – Sunday, November 14th- 16th!
SPECIAL GUESTS: GEORGE LAZENBY – James Bond On Her Majesty’s Secret Service KATE MULGREW – Captain Janeway “Star Trek: Voyager"-Friday Only

On November 14-16, Michael Carbonaro will present the 2008 NATIONAL BIG APPLE COMIC BOOK, ART, TOY, & SCI-FI EXPO! This three-day annual event, NYC’s longest running Comic Book & Arts Convention now in its 12th year, will be held at the Penn Plaza Pavilion, on 7th Avenue at 33rd Street, directly across from Madison Square Garden. There will be more than 300 dealers & exhibitors, showcasing comics, toys, action figures, original art, videos, autographs, non-sports cards, TV & movie memorabilia & more. It’s the place to buy, sell or trade your collectibles!

Headlining the special guests at this year’s National Convention will be GEORGE LAZENBY, who portrayed James Bond in On Her Majesty’s Secret Service, just in time to celebrate the release of the new Bond film Quantum of Solace! Mr. Lazenby has also appeared in Gettysburg, “Alfred Hitchcock Presents”, “The Adventures of Superboy”, and as a voice actor in “Batman Beyond”. He will appear all three days. The National also proudly presents special guest KATE MULGREW, Captain Kathryn Janeway on "Star Trek: Voyager”, and promoted to Admiral in Star Trek: Nemesis! Some of Ms. Mulgrew’s many other credits include: Remo Williams: The Adventure Begins, “Mrs. Columbo”, “Roots: The Gift”, “Cheers”, and her one-woman play Tea at Five, portraying Katherine Hepburn. She will be appearing only on Friday for three hours from 3 to 6pm. We are also pleased to present Bond Girls GLORIA HENDRY from Live and Let Die and LYNN HOLLY JOHNSON from For Your Eyes Only, PETER MAYHEW ”Chewbacca” from Star Wars Episode 4, 5, and 6, JEROME BLAKE from Star Wars Episode 1, 2, and 3, KATHLEEN GARRETT from Star Treks “Deep Space Nine” and “Voyager”, MICHAEL BOATMAN from “Spin City” and “Arli$$”, WWE Hall of Famer JIMMY VALIANT, JAMIE LUNER from “Melrose Place”, MATT MITLER from The Mutilator and “Pokemon”, FRANK LUCAS, the real life inspiration for American Gangster, GREG TRAVIS from Watchmen and Starship Troopers, BIG KEV from Geek Stuff and "The Opie and Anthony Show",actress and model JASMIN ST. CLAIRE from ”Metal’s Darkside”, and Playboy Playmates CATHY ST. GEORGE, CHERYL BACHMAN, and NATALIA SOKOLOVA.

This year’s NATIONAL is our biggest comics show yet, getting back to our roots as the place to meet over 100 comic book artists, writers, and editors who will be present, including ROY THOMAS, legendary comic book writer (X-Men, Conan the Barbarian) and Marvel Comics founder Stan Lee’s hand-picked successor as editor-in-chief! Renowned artists NEAL ADAMS (Batman, Green Lantern/Green Arrow), JOHN ROMITA SR. (Amazing Spider-Man, Daredevil), legendary Eisner Award Hall of Famer STERANKO (Nick Fury, Agent of S.H.I.E.L.D, Captain America), RUSS HEATH (Frontline Combat, Sgt. Rock), ARTHUR SUYDAM (Marvel Zombies, Heavy Metal), BASIL GOGOS the world’s most famous monster artist, and British comics legend BRYAN TALBOT (The Adventures of Luther Arkwright, Judge Dredd) will be appearing all three days. Other fan favorites appearing are CHRIS CLAREMONT (X-Men), DAVID LLOYD (V For Vendetta), MARK EVANIER (Groo the Wanderer), KHOI PHAM (Mighty Avengers), J. DAVID SPURLOCK (Vanguard), BILLY TUCCI (Shi), IRWIN HASEN (Dondi), JIM SHOOTER (Legion of Super-Heroes), LARRY HAMA (G.I. Joe), MICHAEL GOLDEN (Doctor Strange), RUDY NEBRES (Vampirella), MARK SPARACIO (Green Lantern), MARK TEXEIRA (Moon Knight), RICH BUCKLER (Fantastic Four), BRIAN PULIDO (Lady Death), BECKY CLOONAN (American Virgin),STAN GOLDBERG (Archie), NAR (Inkworks cards artist on Family Guy, X-Men), TIM VIGIL (Faust), and underground cartoonist DAME DARCY (Meatcake). Appearing on Saturday only: CARMINE INFANTINO (The Flash), DICK AYERS and JOE SINNOTT (Fantastic Four), JOE GIELLA (Batman), HERB TRIMPE and PETER DAVID (Incredible Hulk), JAMES SHERMAN (Legion of Super-Heroes), WALTER SIMONSON (The Mighty Thor), and FRED HEMBECK (Fantastic Four Roast). Appearing on Saturday and Sunday only: KEN KELLEY (Conan), BOB HALL (Batman) and RON WILSON (Marvel Two-In-One). Many other comics professionals will be appearing as well, and the organizations COMIC ARTIST GUILD, FRIENDS OF LULU, and the MUSEUM OF COMIC & CARTOON ART.

There will be FREE GIVEAWAYS at the door and SPECIAL EVENTS including panels about comic books, Q&A sessions with celebrities, the fan favorites NY JEDI and CAPT. ZORIKH'S COSTUME CONTEST!

DATES: Friday – Sunday – November 14, 15, 16 / Fri. 1pm-8pm, Sat. & Sun. 10am-7pm
PLACE: Penn Plaza Pavilion, 401 7th Ave. @ 33rd St. (Across from Madison Square Garden)
TICKETS: $20 per day in advance/3 day pass - $35/Kids Free w/paying adult Sun. only!
INFORMATION: Press Contact Dan Fogel (510) 220-6314 or www.bigapplecon.com