ACME Comics to present Fan Film Fest at Geeksboro

"GREENSBORO, NC – Whether it’s Star Trek or Star Wars, Marvel Comics or DC Comics or even popular video games – fans all over the world have been making short films about their favorite characters since the dawn of the internet!

So on May 1st through 7th, Geeksboro & ACME Comics will finally give these “Fan Films” their moment of movie theater glory when they present the first-ever Fan Film Festival as part of their week-long Free Comic Book Day Celebrations!

More than 10 masterfully created live action and even animated short fan films from around the world will be screened as part of the festival. This 85-minute presentation will play daily at 12 p.m. and 7 p.m. Tickets are only $4 each!

Geeksboro will allow audience members to select awards for the following categories: Best Live Action Fan Film, Best Animated Fan Film, Best Acting, Best Special Effects and Best Costumes.

This year’s nominees include the locally produced short film “Self Defense with Solid Snake.” Inspired by the popular “Metal Gear” video game series, the live-action short was produced by Beat Down Boogie, a production company co-owned by Greensboro native Blake Faucette.

Geeksboro and Acme Comics’ First Annual Fan Film Festival was curated and produced by Kristin Mehaffey, Junior Events Coordinator at Geeksboro Coffeehouse Cinema.

“I was blown away by the production value of these films.” Mehaffey says. “Just the amount of creativity that went into them -- they are a true labor of love and genuine works of art.”

Other nominees include films inspired by Ghostbusters, the video game Starcraft, Alien, and more.

Geeksboro Coffeehouse Cinema is located on 2134 Lawndale Drive at the Historic Lawndale Shopping Center. For tickets or more information, visit www.geeksboro.com or facebook.com/geeksboro."

- A Press Release

Comic Book artist Erica Henderson will host premiere weekend release party for her Marvel Comics debut, Sat, Jan. 10

"Comic Book artist Erica Henderson will be hosting a premiere weekend release party for her Marvel Comics debut, “Unbeatable Squirrel Girl” # 1, at ACME Comics on Saturday, January 10^th. 

Henderson, a professional comic book artist from Boston, snagged major headlines from such major publications as Entertainment Weekly when the announcement of Unbeatable Squirrel Girl went out in October. The book marks a changing tide within the comics industry to cater to female audiences by producing books about female characters by female creators.

Created by Will Murray and Marvel Comics legend Steve Ditko (the co-creator of Spider-Man), Squirrel Girl (aka Doreen Green) was a mutant born with squirrel-like attributes as well as the ability to control squirrels. While never a major character, the cult fave Squirrel Girl became known by comic book devotees as the woman who single-handedly bested major supervillans like Dr. Doom and Thanos. 

“Unbeatable Squirrel Girl” #1, featuring writing by indie comics scribe Ryan North with art by Henderson and Charlotte-based colorist Rico Renzi, will attempt to revamp the off-beat character, making her relevant to readers both young and old. Boasting Henderson’s signature art style and unique visual characterization, the book is poised to stand out amongst the scores of brawny superhero books that fill most comic shop racks. 

“Marvel has brought together powerful independent voices for one of the most understated and powerful characters in their universe,” says Stephen Mayer, co-general manager of Acme Comics. “It’s captured the attention of both women and men – as well as rodents of all kinds.”

Henderson, who will be joined by fellow collaborator Renzi, will host a signing party for Unbeatable Squirrel Girl at 12 to 2 p.m. at Acme Comics on 2150 Lawndale Drive in Greensboro. Both artists will also take part in a Q&A session as part of a live ACME Comics podcast event at 8:30 p.m. at Geeksboro Coffeehouse Cinema on 2134 Lawndale Drive. Admission for the live podcast event is $5 and includes a free copy of “Unbeatable Squirrel Girl” #1 (a $4 value). 

“Unbeatable Squirrel Girl” #1 is set to debut both nationwide and at Acme Comics on Wednesday, January 7^th.

For more information, contact Acme Comics at (336) 574-2263 or email acmebat@gmail.com."

- A Press Release