Sarompas, Spanish comics artist (Thomas, der Trommler, Tex & Mex, James Bond comics), passes away at age 55 or 56. Jon St. Ables, British-Canadian comics artist (Brok Windsor), dies at age 94. George Wilson, American illustrator and comics artist, dies at age 77 or 78. Bang Yeong-jin, South-Korean comics artist (Yakdongi, Yakdongiwa Yeongpali), passes away at age 59 or 60. Conventions February 27–28: Alternative Press Expo (San Jose, California) March 5–7: MegaCon (Orlando, Florida) April 2–4: Comics 99 (Watershed Media Center and Swallow Royal, Bristol, England, U.K.) — first iteration of Comic Festival; 2,500 attendees; presentation of the National Comics Awards; guests include Phil Winslade, Steve Pugh, Steve Dillon, Scott Dunbier, Peter Hogan, Grant Morrison, Charlie Adlard, Kev F. Sutherland, Glenn Fabry, Metaphrog, Al Davison, Dave Gibbons, Bryan Talbot, Shelly Roeberg, Kyle Baker, John McCrea, Rich Johnston, Gary Spencer Millidge, and Jamie Delano April 16–18: WonderCon (Oakland Convention Center, Oakland, California) April 23–25: Pittsburgh Comicon (Pittsburgh Expomart, Monroeville, Pennsylvania) — 7,500 attendees; guests include Martin Nodell, Alley Baggett, Lou Ferrigno, George Steele, and Steve Lieber May 7–9: New York Comic and Fantasy Creators Convention (Madison Square Garden Expo Center, New York City)—300 exhibitors, including Marvel Comics, DC Comics, Harris Comics, Crucial Comics, Visage Studios, and Wizard Entertainment; guests include Joe Simon and John Romita, Jr. May 14–16: Motor City Comic Con I (Novi Expo Center, Novi, Michigan) Summer: "Space CAPTION 99" (Oxford Union Society, Oxford, England) — guests include Bryan Talbot June 18–20: Heroes Convention (Charlotte Convention Center, Charlotte, North Carolina) July 1–4: Dragon Con (Hyatt Regency Atlanta/Atlanta Merchandise Mart/Atlanta Apparel Mart, Atlanta, Georgia)—19,000 attendees July 9–11: Wizard World Chicago (Rosemont, Illinois) August 13–16, Comic-Con International (San Diego Convention Center, San Diego, California)—42,000 attendees; special guests include Tom Batiuk, Chuck Cuidera, Samuel R. Delany, Paul Dini, Arnold Drake, Neil Gaiman, Sam Glanzman, Larry Gonick, Irwin Hasen, Patrick McDonnell, Mike Mignola, Mark Mothersbaugh, Jerry Robinson, Art Spiegelman, Jim Steranko, Jill Thompson, Bruce Timm, and Barry Windsor-Smith August 27–29: Fan Expo Canada (Metro Toronto Convention Centre, Toronto, Ontario, Canada)—9,620 attendees; guests include Jeri Ryan, Kevin Smith, Kenny Baker, Warwick Davis, Lou Ferrigno, Joe Quesada, Michael Turner, Mark Waid, Leinil Francis Yu, Keu Cha, and C.B. Cebulski September 17–19: Small Press Expo (Holiday Inn Select, Bethesda, Maryland) — guests include Charles Burns, Eddie Campbell, Jeff Smith, Jason Lutes, and James Kochalka. Held in conjunction with SPX are the fifth annual International Comic Arts