SALE: Commander X Action Figures

In celebration of the release of the new Commander X Archer Knight action figure, from now through Wednesday, June 30, 2010 all Commander X action figures will be available at a special price of $15.00 (regular price $19.95) exclusively at this link.

There are five variants in this collection (Golden Age Commander X, 1950s Commander X, Western Knight, Barbary Knight and the new Archer Knight). Photos of all the figures can be viewed at this link.

Who says they don't make heroes like the used to? A video clip about the figures can be viewed at this link.

This collectible figure is created in a retro-style reminiscent of figures made by the Mego Corporation in the 1970s. Nemo Publishing is working with Paul Clarke, known as “Dr. Mego,” to create this collection and additional variants are planned for release this year.

Commander X is an integral character in Jay Piscopo’s all-ages graphic novel series, “The Undersea Adventures of Capt’n Eli.” Commander X is an amnesiac who has been sent from the future to save the earth from inevitable destruction. He is a based on the Depression-era heroes of the comic book and movie serials of the 1930s.

But wait, there's more!
When customers order a Commander X action figure they are automatically entered to win one of three super-limited-edition Sea Ghost action figure prototypes. The first winner was drawn Dec. 15, 2009 and the two final winners will be drawn July 15, 2010 and Dec. 15, 2010. Like Commander X, Sea Ghost is a key character in the “Capt’n Eli” graphic novel series. More details about the contest can be found at this link.

Maine Comics Arts Festival

Check out photos HERE.


May 23, 2010: The 2nd Annual Maine Comics Arts Festival was held at Ocean Gateway in Portland, Maine. Jay Piscopo and The Undersea Adventures of Capt’n Eli crew were there along with many, many other fantastic creators from Maine and away.

It was a sea of talent on the Portland waterfront!

Capt’n Eli’s Soda was enjoyed by all and Jay spent the day doing free superhero sketches for fans. MECAF is presented by Casablanca Comics.

More at www.captneli.com and www.mainecomicsfestival.com.

More photos!
Check out photos from Jay's drawing workshop HERE and photos from the art exhibit HERE.

FREE Graphic novel workshop for librarians and educators

Educators and Librarians: Check out today's Portland Press Herald to read about John Shableski's "The World of Graphic Novels" workshop for librarians and educators this Saturday at 11:00 at the Portland Public Library. More detail about this FREE workshop is below.

Families won't want to miss Jay Piscopo's FREE Kids Cartooning Workshop at the Portland Public Library on Saturday at 10:00. Click HERE for more detail.

And be sure to visit Jay at the Maine Comics Arts Festival on Sunday!

The World of Graphic Novels
John Shableski, Diamond Book Distributors
This free presentation is for librarians and educators who are interested in the world of graphic novels and are looking for definitions, explanations, and advice on where to begin or expand your collection or how to effectively use graphic novels in the classroom. John conducts this workshop nationally with librarians and educators and is known for his interactive, conversational style. This is his first time presenting in Maine. You won’t want to miss this unique opportunity!

WHEN: Saturday, May 22, 2010 – 11:00am

WHERE: Portland Public Library
5 Monument Square, Portland, Maine

THE PRESENTER: John Shableski is sales manager at Diamond Book Distributors, the world's largest distributor of English-language comic books, and one of the biggest distributors of graphic novels in the U.S. through its Diamond Book Distributors division. John has been a panelist at BookExpo America, a moderator for graphic novel panels at the New York Comic Con, a guest speaker at library events, regional book shows and a symposium coordinator. He's currently collaborating on several graphic novel symposiums across the country. His focus is on the independent bookstore market, public and school libraries.

FMI: Maine Comics Arts Festival

Jay Piscopo on Good Day Maine

Follow these links to watch video clips from Jay Piscopo's TV appearance on Good Day Maine:

Segment 1
Segment 2

This Saturday: FREE Kids Cartooning Workshop with Jay Piscopo

WHAT: The Maine Comics Arts Festival presents a kids cartooning workshop with Jay Piscopo.

WHEN: Saturday, May 22 from 10:00–11:00am

WHERE: Portland Public Library, 5 Monument Square, Portland

ADMISSION: Admission is FREE

DESCRIPTION: Kids Cartooning Workshop: In this hour-long interactive workshop, children ages 7-12 are invited to try their hand at cartoon art. Using simple shapes, comic book artist Jay Piscopo will demonstrate how to build figures and perspective to create art that tells a story.

For a behind the scenes look at this interactive workshop, visit this link.

Be sure to visit Jay at the Maine Comics Arts Festival on Sunday, too! For more information, follow this link.

Spain Club Batman exhibit features artwork by Jay Piscopo

Spain's Club Batman celebrates its 20th anniversary with
a special exhibit of Batman artwork. Agustin Padilla and Salvador Navarro will be at the opening on May 28. Poster illustration by Ernie Chan.

Portland, Maine comic book artist Jay Piscopo was invited to exhibit three works in this exhibit.

More information about the exhibit at this link.

Boyce McClain Reviews Commander X Archer Knight

Follow this link to read Boyce McClain's review of the new Commander X Archer Knight on Collectors' Corner.

"There’s something very nostalgic about this figure. It reminds me of the cool Mega Toy figures that were put out a few decades ago....This is really a fun figure with a clever presentation." ~ Boyce McClain

Kids Cartooing Workshop with Jay Piscopo

New Commander X Archer Knight Mego-style Action Figure

PORTLAND, MAINE (May 5, 2010) – Nemo Publishing has released its fifth action figure variant in the Commander X collection. The Commander X Archer Knight is a limited edition, Mego-style, eight-inch collectible action figure available for sale exclusively at www.captneli.com.

Commander X is an integral character in Jay Piscopo’s all-ages graphic novel series, The Undersea Adventures of Capt’n Eli. Commander X is an amnesiac who has been sent from the future to save the earth from inevitable destruction. He is a based on the Depression-era heroes of the comic book and movie serials of the 1930s. The collectible figure is created in a retro-style reminiscent of figures made by the Mego Corporation in the 1970s.

Piscopo worked with Paul Clarke, known as “Dr. Mego,” to create this collection. Other limited edition Commander X eight-inch Mego–style action figures currently available are Golden Age Commander X, 1950’s Commander X, Western Knight and the Barbary Knight. Each figure is $19.95 plus shipping.

Photos can be viewed at this link.

View a video clip at this link.

When customers order a Commander X action figure they are automatically entered to win one of three super-limited-edition Sea Ghost action figure prototypes. The first winner was drawn December 15, 2009 and the final two winners will be drawn July 15, 2010 and December 15, 2010. Like Commander X, Sea Ghost is a key character in the Capt’n Eli graphic novel series. More details about the contest can be found at this link.

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Sat, May 22: Free kids comics drawing workshop with Jay Piscopo

Jay Piscopo kicks off the Maine Comics Arts Festival with a free kids comics drawing workshop

PORTLAND, ME – (May 3, 2010) – Maine comic book artist Jay Piscopo will kick off the Maine Comics Arts Festival with a free kids comics drawing workshop. Piscopo is the author and illustrator of “The Undersea Adventures of Capt’n Eli” graphic novel
series. He has presented hundreds of workshops and classroom events teaching drawing and storytelling techniques.

WHAT: The Maine Comics Arts Festival presents a kids cartooning workshop with Jay Piscopo.

WHEN: Saturday, May 22 from 10:00–11:00am

WHERE: Portland Public Library, 5 Monument Square, Portland

ADMISSION: Admission is FREE

DESCRIPTION: Kids Cartooning Workshop: In this hour-long interactive workshop, children ages 7-12 are invited to try their hand at cartoon art. Using simple shapes, comic book artist Jay Piscopo will demonstrate how to build figures and perspective to create art that tells a story.

For a behind the scenes look at this interactive workshop, visit this link.

More about Jay Piscopo: Piscopo has been making state-of-the-art children's entertainment for nearly 20 years. He served as an art director at Tom Snyder Productions, where he led the creative team in the production of educational CD-ROMs, including the award-winning “Fizz and Martina Math Adventures” and was as an animator on the ABC Saturday morning show “Squigglevision.” He was also the co-creator of the internationally distributed comic book series featuring the world’s first disabled superheroes, “The Scrap City Pack Rats,” which he created in partnership with Goodwill Industries. Jay is an engaging presenter who has conducted hundreds of comics workshops and classroom events teaching drawing and storytelling techniques. He resides in his hometown of Portland, Maine.

More about “The Undersea Adventures of Capt’n Eli”: With his companions Jolly Roger, a 200-year-old parrot, and the faithful seadog Barney, Capt’n Eli takes readers into a mesmerizing world of time travel, high-tech ships, flying mini-subs, robots, lost civilizations, and undersea empires in conflict. Volumes 1 and 2 are available now and Volume 3 is scheduled for release in 2010. This series is published by Nemo Publishing and distributed nationally by Diamond Comics Distributors. Read more about the series at this link: http://www.captneli.com/gnseries.php

Capt'n Eli's origins are quite unique. He’s the namesake of real-life World War II veteran Eli Forsley who was also the inspiration for a line of hand-crafted sodas from Portland, Maine. Read more at this link.

More about the Maine Comics Arts Festival: The Maine Comics Arts Festival will be held Sunday, May 23 from 10:00am – 5:00pm at Ocean Gateway on the Portland waterfront. Admission is $5 and kids 12 and under are free. Workshops and panels will take place on Saturday, May 22 at the Portland Public Library. More information can be found at this link.

Website: www.captneli.com
Blog: www.captneli.blogspot.com

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Jay Piscopo: May Appearance Schedule

These two photos are from graphic novel artist Jay Piscopo's three-part comics drawing class at The Port Teen Center in Freeport, Maine. The Port is an amazing place and the students were lots of fun to work with.

In May, he will present his hour-long interactive Draw on Your Creativity workshop at the following schools:

May 21
Mahoney Middle School -- South Portland, ME

May 27
Elm Street School -- Mechanic Falls, ME

On Saturday, May 22 at 10:00am Piscopo will kick off the Maine Comics Arts Festival with a free Kids Cartooning Workshop at the Portland Public Library. In this hour-long workshop, children ages 7-12 are invited to try their hand at cartoon art. Using simple geometric shapes, Piscopo will demonstrate how to build figures and perspective to create art that tells a story.

For a behind the scenes look at this interactive workshop, visit this link.

On Sunday, May 23 he will debut his new "Creatures of the Sea" coloring book at the Maine Comics Arts Festival. He will offer free superhero sketches to convention goers all day long.

View his full appearance schedule at this link.

To schedule an appearance, contact Tami Kennedy at tami@maine.rr.com

Jay Piscopo is the author and illustrator of The Undersea Adventures of Capt'n Eli graphic novel series.