FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - April 23 - Zeus Comics wraps up a weekend of festivities for CAPE 3: Bride of CAPE with its first Big Gay Brunch for comic fans on Sunday May 6th, 2007. Guests of honor at the event include famous comic writers and artists such as Gail Simone, Marc Andreyko, Ian Shaughnessy, Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa and Jose Villarrubia.
The guests at this year’s gay and lesbian brunch are responsible for positive representations of gays and lesbians in comics. The brunch starts at 10:30 am on Sunday May 6th at Ciudad in Dallas, 3878 Oak Lawn, 214-219.3141. Tickets are $20 and seating is limited to 60 people.
“Openly gay writers such as Roberto and Marc highlight the importance of being “out” while progressing the concept of writing for major characters such at Spider-Man and the Fantastic Four,” said Zeus owner, Richard Neal. “And from the other side we have fearless contributions from non-gay writers and artists such as Gail Simone.”
Honored guest Gail Simone writes popular books for DC Comics including Birds of Prey and Wonder Woman. Her previous work includes stints on Action Comics featuring Superman and Marvel Comics Deadpool. Marc Andreyko currently writes Manhunter for DC Comics featuring the openly gay character, Obsidian. Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa works for rival publisher Marvel Comics. Aguirre-Sacasa writes for Sensational Spider-Man. Accomplished painter, photographer, colorist and digital artist, Jose Villarrubia’s work can be seen most recently in Desolation Jones, Batman Year 100, Ghost Rider and Spider-Man Reign. Co-creator of Strangetown with Chynna Clugston, published by Oni Press. His newest book is his first original graphic novel, Shenanigans, with artist Mike Holmes. His work includes editorial assist on various Oni comics including Queen & Country, Blue Monday: Painted Moon, Scott Pilgrim’s Precious Little Life, Scooter Girl, Love Fights, and Too Much Hopeless Savages.
The gay and lesbian brunch hosted by Zeus Comics is part of a broader Free Comic Book Day event called CAPE 3, the Bride of CAPE. CAPE features over 70 national, local and international comic guests in an indoor/outdoor setting in Dallas, Texas on Saturday, May 5th, 2007. Its purpose is to celebrate the comic art form while attracting new readers, including an outreach to children.
CAPE is in its third year and is hosted by Zeus Comics, PVPonline.com and Popsyndicate.com. Recently, the City of Dallas issued a proclamation declaring this year’s event on May 5, 2007 “Free Comic Book Day” in Dallas in honor of CAPE for the second year in a row. Last year’s event brought out over 6,000 people.
Zeus Comics has garnered nine local awards since its inception in 2000 including one for its gay and lesbian comic fan mixers. Its owner, Richard Neal, has even been featured in the national gay and lesbian magazine, The Advocate, several times.
CAPE would not be possible without the generosity of its sponsors: 28 Weeks Later, Korn Bowdich & Diaz LLP, St Pete’s Dancing Marlin, LiveWire Special Events, Courtyard Marriott, Orbitz, Christon Company, iDoc and Liquid Logixx.