To celebrate the release of Avengers #1 and Atlas #1, The Hollywood district Things From Another World is throwing a massive Avengers Day Party May 19 with special guests Brian Michael Bendis and Jeff Parker!

Here’s what you need to know:

* Get there early! The first 25 people in line at 7:00 p.m. will receive a free limited-edition Avengers print.
* There will be a Q & A with Bendis and Parker at 7:00 p.m., followed by a signing.
* They will have exclusive Avengers variants available for purchase, as well as copies of Avengers #1 and Atlas #1.
* Complimentary refreshments and snacks will be provided by Clean Plate Catering!
* Free beer! Must bring valid ID to prove you’re 21 or older if you wanna drink it, however.

Brian Michael Bendis is one of the most successful comic book writers in the world and the mastermind behind classic Marvel events like Civil War, Secret Invasion, Dark Reign, and Siege. He also consulted on the new Iron Man movie. Now he relaunches the Avengers May 19 with John Romita, Jr.!

Jeff Parker has also had a busy year, writing the critically acclaimed limited series Underground for Image Comics, as well as Agents of Atlas, Thunderbolts, and other books for Marvel! His new series, Atlas, premieres May 19.

We hope to see you all Wednesday, May 19!

“Mr. Pasty: UNDERGROUND (Image Comics) When Chief Running Site asked me to take a look at a book about small-town rangers fighting to preserve the integrity of some underground caves, I politely smiled and thought “Man this guy must hate my guts.” In fact, I even whipped out issue #1 after climbing into bed, expecting to conk out by page three. Instead, I was up for hours digesting the next two issues and marveling at how a series devoid of “superheroes” could be so friggin’ entertaining. UNDERGROUND grips you and envelops you in a world that is so completely realized and populated with characters so thoroughly fleshed out, it’s not an exaggeration to call this the year’s best miniseries. Hollywood writers who dig through a creative trash can to find anything salvageable for the next big movie or TV show could learn a lot about storytelling from just one issue of UNDERGROUND.”

UNDERGROUND #4 (of 5)
story JEFF PARKER
art & cover STEVE LIEBER
DECEMBER 16
32 PAGES / FC

Interest above ground explodes when a body is pulled out of Stillwater Cave. Deep inside and searching for a way out, Wesley leads Seth into a section she’s never explored for good reason: It’s almost always underwater!

CraveOnline: Jeff, what do you find to be most appealing about doing creator-owned material as opposed to work for DC or Marvel? Do you find it easier to understand the inner-workings of your own characters?

Parker: First, I don’t have to compete with reader’s preconceptions of how a character should be depicted, I get to start fresh. Also no troublesome or convoluted continuity to have to wrangle before I can get started. And yes, I can build a character on something I know from life, so he or she rings true. Wesley Fischer is not going to suddenly have a different personality because of the return of the Phoenix force.

Steve and Jeff talk to Joey Esposito at Crave Online.

Thanks!
Steve