I’ve been praying for The Flash for years…

The Christian Comic Arts Society (CCAS) celebrates its 15th Year at Comic-Con International with the announcement of their annual Comic-Con events including panel discussions featuring some of the most respected professionals in the comics industry.  The International Comic-Con (www.comic-con.org), one of the largest events in all of entertainment, takes place Thursday-Sunday, July 22-25, 2010.  The sold out event is again expected to fill the city of San Diego, CA to capacity with an attendance of over the 100,000 individual attendees, pros and exhibitors.

In partnership with David C Cook, CCAS will be celebrating the upcoming release of The Action Bible: God’s Redemptive Story on September 1, 2010. Boasting over 750 pages depicting 215 Bible stories in chronological order, The Action Bible will become the most comprehensive picture Bible on the market. Based on David C Cook’s bestselling The Picture Bible, this updated version features fully revised and expanded text plus all-new illustrations from renowned Marvel and DC Comics artist Sergio Cariello.

Cariello, who has drawn Spiderman, Superman, Batman and dozens more iconic characters for Marvel and DC Comics, has labored for three years on new illustrations for The Action Bible. Comic-Con attendees can meet Cariello at the CCAS Booth and register to win an autographed limited edition illustration from The Action Bible. Sample chapters of the book will also be available to attendees at the CCAS booth.  David C Cook is publishing the project.

Cariello comments, “I’ve worked on many comics that I’m proud of but there is nothing like doing a relevant story with eternal value. All those other characters and stories will someday end, but the stories and impact of The Action Bible will last forever. It is a privilege and the honor of a lifetime for a Christian cartoonist to get to draw and bring to life God’s own stories.”

The CCAS Programming at Comic-Con International includes:

How can comics help communicate timeless truths through new media to new audiences? Discuss the latest trends of spiritual themes in comics with panelists Holly Golightly (School Bites), K. J. Kolka (The Cardinal), and Clint Deron Johnson (Faithwalker), moderated by Scott A. Shuford. (FrontGate Media) Location: Santa Rosa Room, Marriott Hotel and Marina.

Creators and fans alike are invited to attend an open meeting of the Christian Comic Arts Society for an informal time of Christian fellowship, networking, laughter and prayer. Think of it as the social hour after church…just with comic books instead of coffee and cookies.  Location: Room 24ABC.

From Andre LeBlanc’s classic Picture Bible to Robert Crumb’s recent adaptation of Genesis, there is a long tradition of Bible-based comics. Moderator Buzz Dixon (Serenity, Snokie Stories) and panelists Sergio Cariello (The Action Bible, David C Cook) and Eric Jansen (The Christ of Prophecy, Foursquare Missions Press) discuss the challenges involved in adapting the words of scripture into visual media. A short devotional message will precede the panel discussion. Location: Santa Rosa Room, Marriott Hotel and Marina.

The CCAS exhibit space is located in the Small Press section of the exhibit hall, at table N-06.

The Christian Comic Arts Society (CCAS) was formed in 1984 to locate and link Christians who are interested or active in the comic book/strip medium. It sponsors Alpha Omega, the APA of Christian comics and Christian comic displays at various comic conventions across the country.  The goal and purpose of CCAS is to support Christians who are industry professionals, hopefuls and enthusiasts within the Comic Book and related industries, accomplishing that by providing opportunities for the following: 1. The sharing of the Christian message and our Christian and our Christian faith, primarily within and through the comic book industry and art form. 2. Mentoring, training, friendship and networking. 3. The collaboration on and creation of visual storytelling. The Christian Comic Arts Society social network can be found at http://christiancomicart.ning.com.