Media Release -- Brandishing Amazon bracelets and a golden lasso of truth, the star-spangled super-heroine Wonder Woman debuted in American comic books during World War II. In the nearly seventy years since, she has become one of the most recognizable female icons in the world, thanks to thousands of published adventures and a popular television series in the 1970s that became an international phenomenon. Now, for the fifth year in a row, the mythological champion is embraced as the iconic symbol for a charity benefit for multiple domestic violence prevention-intervention agencies.
Building on Wonder Woman's legacy and the life-saving work done by the heroic workers of the non-profit groups, Excalibur Comics in SE Portland will host the fifth and final Wonder Woman Day on Sunday, October 24th from noon to 6pm. The free all-ages event will include local and national artists signing comics and special edition prints, as well as a silent auction of original art contributed by more than 200 of the world's top artists. There will be costumed super-heroes and science fiction characters on-site, raffles and prizes, rare memorabilia, a karaoke tent, and more. The Portland event will benefit Bradley Angle, one of Portland's leading domestic violence agencies, as well as multiple domestic violence programs throughout the area.
Additionally, a second Wonder Woman Day benefit will take place on Sunday, October 24th, in Flemington, NJ, at Comic Fusion, as part of their "Super-Hero Weekend." This East Coast event will benefit Safe in Hunterdon, a domestic violence shelter in New Jersey. Comic creators will sign and sketch, and costumed characters will be available for photos.
Some key points:
o Almost 300 pieces of original artwork will be auctioned between the two Wonder Woman Day events. All art is posted to view at the event and at www.WonderWomanMuseum.com
o Portland's Mayor, Sam Adams, has officially declared October 24th to be "Wonder Woman Day" in the City of Roses.
o Previous Wonder Woman Day events have raised a grand total of more than $89,000 to benefit survivors of domestic violence and their children.
o The first Wonder Woman Day event was filmed for a half-hour documentary series, FANatical, shown on Canadian and Australian national television. Additionally, the event has been filmed for an upcoming worldwide documentary.
o October is National Domestic Violence Awareness Month.
Producing the annual event for the fifth year is best-selling author and DVD documentary director Andy Mangels, who is also the curator of the online Wonder Woman Museum, and one of the world's top experts on the famed super-heroine.
"Whether they are fans or casual purveyors of entertainment, people worldwide recognize Wonder Woman as an iconic female symbol of peace, strength, equality, and honesty," Mangels says. "Her story transcends the comic books she appears in or her animated and live-action adventures; the visual symbols of her costume and her ideals are known across the globe. During the Wonder Woman Day events, both fans and the general public have an opportunity to celebrate the character and the people who create her adventures; they also have the opportunity to be heroic themselves be helping raise money for the incredibly important and life-changing domestic violence organizations! Generous and talented comic book and animation artists all over the world have created art featuring the 'Amazing Amazon' for auction, and local groups representing costumed characters from the world of comics, fantasy, and science fiction will make the experience unforgettable."
Rebecca Norman, Director of Development for Bradley Angle, is thrilled to be a part of the fifth Wonder Woman Day. "At Bradley Angle, we walk side by side with survivors through some of their toughest moments to offer them options for safety, empowerment, healing, and hope. Wonder Woman is the perfect symbol of the strength, courage, and resiliency we witness every day, and we couldn't be more thrilled about this year's event. The outpouring of support and artistic commitment to this event over the past five years is humbling - over 200 individuals giving their time and talent to support our community - now that's heroic!"
Stacy Korn, co-owner (with Bill Meccia) of Comic Fusion, in Flemington, New Jersey, is co-producing the East Coast version of the event. She says that, "We at Comic Fusion are excited about this year's Wonder Woman Day. We are pleased to be working alongside Andy in bringing this event to the East Coast, and to our community. It is fitting to draw on the power of the most famous super-heroine of our time to bring awareness to the issue of domestic violence and sexual assault. We are also so grateful to the 'Wonderful' artists for their generosity in their donations. If you are in the area, there are plenty of great raffle items and costumed heroes to pose for pictures with!"
This year, the Wonder Woman Day event will feature an online component as well, as multiple items from the Portland art auction will be concurrently available on eBay. "One-hundred percent of the proceeds from the art auctions and other activities during Wonder Woman Day go to the domestic violence programs," Mangels stresses. "To date, over $89,000 has been raised; we hope this year to break the $100,000 barrier and show our communities that heroes do live among us."
Wonder Woman Day V - Fact Sheet:
Wonder Woman Day V (Portland, Oregon) is a free all-ages event which includes local and national artists signing comics and sketching, as well as a silent auction of original art contributed by nearly 200 of the world's top artists. There will be costumed super-heroes and science fiction characters on-site, raffles and prizes, rare memorabilia, a karaoke tent, and more. The Portland event will benefit Bradley Angle, one of Portland's leading domestic violence agencies, as well as multiple domestic violence programs throughout the area.
Wonder Woman Day V (Flemington, New Jersey) is a free all-ages event which includes local and national artists signing comics and sketching, as well as a silent auction of original art contributed by more than 75 of the world's top artists. There will be costumed super-heroes on-site, raffles and prizes, and more. It is part of Comic Fusion's "Super-Hero Weekend."
o Almost 300 pieces of original artwork will be auctioned between the two Wonder Woman Day events. All art is posted to view at WonderWomanMuseum.com
o Portland's Mayor, Sam Adams, has officially declared October 24th to be "Wonder Woman Day" in the City of Roses.
o Previous Wonder Woman Day events have raised a grand total of more than $89,000 to benefit survivors of domestic violence and their children.
o The first Wonder Woman Day event was filmed for a half-hour documentary series, FANatical, shown on Canadian and Australian national television. Additionally, the event has been filmed for an upcoming worldwide documentary.
o October is National Domestic Violence Awareness Month.
Wonder Woman Day V (Portland)
Sunday, October 24, 2010 - noon-6pm, FREE
Excalibur Comics, 2444 SE Hawthorne Blvd, Portland, Oregon
An ALL AGES celebration and benefit for domestic violence prevention-intervention agencies! Proceeds of the event will benefit Raphael House of Portland, and other domestic violence programs.
For additional information, text for the Mayoral Proclamation, or print-ready images from the Art Auction, contact:
Andy Mangels AmangelsSW@aol.com
Wonder Woman Day IV (New Jersey)
Sunday, October 24, 2010 - noon-5pm, FREE
Comic Fusion, 42 Main St., Flemington, New Jersey
An ALL AGES celebration and benefit for a domestic violence shelter. Proceeds of the event will benefit Safe In Hunterdon of Hunterdon County, New Jersey.
For additional information about the New Jersey event, contact:
Stacy Korn stacy@comicfusion.com
PORTLAND SPECIAL GUESTS SIGNING:
Guests will have special prints to sign, given away free! Sketches will be by donation.
o Matt Wagner (1pm-6pm, Trinity, Grendel, Mage, Zorro, Sandman Mystery Theatre)!
o Ron Randall (noon-5pm, Wonder Woman, Supergirl, Outsiders, Star Wars, Trekker)!
o Anne Timmons (noon-6pm, Go Girl!, Graphic Classics, Star Trek)!
o Rich Ellis (noon-6pm, Fantastic Four, Captain America, Twilight Zone)!
o Natalie Nourigat (noon-6pm, Between gears, This Is A Souvenir)!
o Dane Ault (noon-6pm, Zombie Greeting Cards, Marvel cards, Monkey Minion Press)!
o Emi Lenox (noon-6pm, Image's upcoming EmiTown)!
o Steve Dorris (noon-6pm, onsite caricatures of attendees as a super-hero)!
PORTLAND SPECIAL APPEARANCES:
There will be an Outdoor Block Party with Special Super-Hero & Sci-Fi Guests:
o Mandalorian Mercs - Northwest Confederacy Clan
o PDX Browncoats
o The cast of Trek In The Park
o The Alter Egos Society
o PDX Yar and Rose City Rogues Pirate Clans
o Cloud City Garrison of the 501st Stormtroopers
o plus an outdoor karaoke tent with GOOD TIMES KARAOKE
hosted with the cooperation of Quick Stop Photo / Picture Preview Pro
NEW JERSEY SPECIAL GUESTS SIGNING:
Guests will be signing and sketching by donation!
Saturday - Super Hero Day:
o Jamal Y Igle (Supergirl, Firestorm, Nightwing, 52)
o Ken Haeser (The Living Corpse)
o 501st Stormtroopers and Rebel Legion (Star Wars characters)
o Firestar and other live Super Heroes
Sunday - Wonder Woman Day:
o Charles Wilson III (The Stuff Of Legend)
o Michael Devito (Independent Artist)
o Nick Mockoviak (Independent Artist)
o Wonder Woman and other live Super Heroes
BOTH PORTLAND AND NEW JERSEY EVENTS:
Both events will include door prizes and raffles including autographed materials, merchandise and promotional items from Rizzoli / Universe Books, Quirk Books,
Del Rey / Random House, Exterminating Angel, Moebius, TwoMorrows Publishing, La-La Land Records, Warner Home Video, Tonner Dolls, Chronicle Books, Hallmark, LB Kids Books, Time Life DVD, Universal Studios, Dark Horse Comics, Mike Russell, Alliance Game Distributors, Diamond Select Toys, PHD Distributors and more.
Note: "WONDER WOMAN" and all related names, characters, and elements are TM and copyright 1942-2010 by DC Comics. Wonder Woman Day is not endorsed or sponsored by DC Comics, Warner Bros., or any parent or affiliate company. The community-based event, from which 100% of proceeds go to registered 501(c)3 charities is meant as a celebration of the character and the heroic values shown throughout her history, and of upholding those same values within the greater community.
SILENT ART AUCTION
Almost 300 artists from the comic book, newspaper comic strip, animation, and fine art worlds have donated original art depicting Wonder Woman for this event. All original art will be on display at the Wonder Woman Museum website until the event. The Silent Auction will take place the day of the event. Bidders need not be present to win; however, their bid must be on the bid sheet. Details about PROXY bidding, to allow for off-site bids, will be on the website from October 16-24th. Some Portland items will also be posted on eBay as of the 16th, and run concurrently.
Art images and Hi-Rez Poster at WonderWomanMuseum.com
In addition to the on-site guests, other artists contributing include such award-winning graphic art luminaries as Aaron Lopresti, Adam Hughes, Alex Ross, Barry Kitson, Ben Caldwell, Billy Tucci, Dan Parent, Dave Hunt & Jose Delbo, David Lloyd, Dean Haspiel, Ed Hannigan, Eduardo Pansica, Ethan Van Sciver, Ethan Van Sciver, Gary Frank, Gilbert Hernandez, Jamal Y. Igle, Jamie Hernandez, Jerry Ordway & P. Craig Russell, Matt Wagner, Michael Allred, Michael Golden, Phil Jimenez, Richard Howell, Ron Randall, Sergio Aragones, Terry Moore, and many others.
Additional art contributions showcase the incredible talents of artists from America, Canada, South America, and Europe, including:
Acir Piragibe, Agnes Hamilton, Al Milgrom, Al Rio, Alfredo Lopez Jr., Allison Sohn, Amy Pronovost, Andrew Harmon, Anne Timmons, Anthony D. Lee, Anthony Rizzo, Ariel Guzman, Avendano Army, Barry Sachs, Ben Dunn, Bennett Pisek, Bill Koeb, Bob Prodor, Brad Rader, Brandon Richardson, Brendon & Brian Fraim, Brian D Johnson, C.H. Miles, Caanan Grall, Carol A. Strickland, Carolyn Belefski, Cat Farris, Cat Staggs, Celina Hernandez, Chad Cicconi, Charles Valderrama, Charley Harjo, Chris Giarrusso, Chris Henderson, Chris Miller, Chris Moreno, Chris Samnee, Christian Ashlar, Christopher Chamberlain, Christopher Taylor, Clint Cearly, Conley Smith, Cynthia Franca, Dan Borgonos, Dan Capitumini, Dan Nokes, Dan Schoening, Dan Thompson, Dane Ault, Danielle Soloud, Dave Hoover, Dave Wachter, David Chelsea, Dean Motter, Dean Stahl, Denise Vasquez, Diane Carroll, DJ Jackson, Don Perlin, Dylan Williams, Elvis Moura, Emerson Vasconselos, Emi Lenox, Emmanuel Cappuccia, Everett Patterson, Filip Sablik, Frank Kadar, Fred Hembeck, Gabriel Hardman, Gary Lister, George O'Connor, George Zapata, Gerald Gachette, Giancarlo P. Lima, Gina Canady AdlerGiorgia, Greg Moutafis, Guy Davis, Heather Hudson, Helvio Avalar, Herb Trimpe, Howard Bender, Howard Simpson, Ian Nichols, Ian Walker, Ibrahim Moustafa, Ivan Velez Jr, J. Scooter Harris, J.A. Fludd, Jade Sheldon, James E. Lyle, James Fiorentino, Janet Hetherington, Jason Baroody, Jay Fife, Jay Fosgitt, Jay Kennedy, Jennifer Cox, Jerry Carr, Jim Stewart, Jodi Moisan, John Heebink, John Johnston, John Lustig, John Marcinkiewicz, John Ross, John Tyler Christopher, Jonathan Racimo, Jonathan Wayshak, Jose Weingartner Jr, Josh Heusinkveld, Josiane Keller, June Brigman, Justin Hall, Justin Pierce, Karen Krajenbrink, Katie Cook, Keith Tucker, Kelly Everaert, Kelly Varesio, Ken Branch, Ken Haeser, Kevenn T. Smith, Kevin Karstens, Kimball Davis, Kimberly Dunaway, Laura Guzzo, Laura Inglis, Lauren Perry, Lavonne Ruseell, Lisa Seudath, Liz Leonard, Mario Nissen, Mark Bloodworth, Mark Dos Santos, Mark J. Tannacore, Mark Padilla, Matt Grigsby, Matt Ryan, Matthew Dow Smith, Matty New, Mauricio Dias, Max Bretschneider, Mel Joy San Juan, Melissa Lee, Micah Gunnel, Michael L. Peters, Michael Laico, Michael T. Gilbert, Mike Cavallaro, Mike Collins, Mike Madrid, Mike Murphy, Mike Pascale, Monica Gallagher, Monte Baldwin, Natalie Kim, Natalie Nourigat, Nathan Schreiber, Neil Vokes, Nick Abadzis, Nick Mockoviac, Norm Rapmund, Oliver Simonsen, Paris Cullins, Patrick Fillion, Paul Gould, Phil Hester, R.L. May III, Raffy Arcega, Ray Caspio, Rich A. Molinelli, Rich Ellis, Rich Hennemann, Rick Stasi, Rob Jones, Rob Kramer, Roberta Gregory, Robin Ha, Rock Barcellos, Rodney Buchemi, Roger Medeiros, Rogerio DeSouza, Ron Chan, Ryan Odagawa, Saab Lofton, Salamao Hubner, Sarah Wilkinson, Scott Christian Sava, Scott Derby, Scott Koblish, Scott Neely, Scott Rosema, Shane Simmons, Sienna Morris, Simon Fraser, Sina Grace, Steve Buccellato, Steve Dorris, Steve Lieber, Steve Ott, Steven E. Gordon, Stuart Tipples, Taurian Witt, Terry Blas, Thom Zahler, Thomas Yeates, Tim Fish, Tim Hamilton, Todd Moniz of Thunder Road Laser Graphics, Tom Feister, Tom Fleming, Tom Smith, Tone Rodriguez, Tony Fleecs, Tram Ngo, Tyler Richlen, Veronica Hebard, Wayne Moraghan, Will Torres, and William O. Tyler.
About Bradley Angle - www.bradleyangle.org
Founded in 1975, Bradley Angle became the first domestic violence shelter on the West Coast (and only the fourth in the United States). Today their services have expanded to include a 24/7 crisis line, transitional housing, support groups, and three programs unique to Oregon: an economic empowerment program called Making Cent$, the Healing Roots Center (a culturally specific program for African and African-American survivors), and a program for LGBTQ survivors of domestic violence.
About Andy Mangels - www.andymangels.com
Andy Mangels is the USA Today best-selling author and co-author of over 20 fiction and non-fiction books - including Star Trek, Roswell, and Star Wars tomes - and is a comic book writer. He has produced Special Features and directed documentaries for over major 40 DVD sets. Andy is a national award-winning activist in the Gay community, and has raised thousands of dollars for charities over the years. He curates the online Wonder Woman Museum at www.WonderWomanMuseum.com
About Excalibur Comics
Founded in 1976 by Peter Fagnant and Kathy Putnam, Excalibur Books & Comics is the oldest comic book store in the State of Oregon. Currently managed by Debbie Fagnant - a Wonder Woman fan - Excalibur has an extensive line of comic books and graphic novels. Excalibur regularly donates books to schools and libraries, and welcomes fans of all ages for this spectacular event.
About Wonder Woman
Debuting in All-Star Comics #8 (December 1941-January 1942) as the creation of psychologist and lie-detector inventor William Moulton Marston, Wonder Woman soon graduated into two series of her own: Wonder Woman and Sensation Comics. In the 66 years since, over a thousand Wonder Woman comics have been published by DC Comics. Wonder Woman has appeared in animated cartoons such as Justice League Unlimited and Super Friends, but most famously was portrayed by statuesque actress Lynda Cater in the live-action series from 1975-1979.
