Did we mention one of the contributors is Russell Lissau, whose story “Greedy” can be found in the second issue of Omega Comics Presents this summer? No? WELL NOW WE DID. Get clickin’!

Jason Copland, who illustrated Dino Caruso’s short story “(All We Are Saying Is) Give Pizza a Chance” in the debut issue of Omega Comics Presents, will be at the PGTI table starting at 2 p.m. on Saturday, March 13. Jason’s a crazy talented artist whose work has been most recently featured in Image Comics’ Perhapanauts: Molly’s Story. He’ll be on hand to chat with folks, draw things, sign stuff, and generally keep PGTI publisher Pj Perez company.

As an added bonus, we’re going to give away the two pages of Jason’s original art from “Give Pizza a Chance.” Anyone stopping by the PGTI table who signs up for our mailing list will receive one free raffle ticket, and if you buy any of our comics or prints, you get two raffle tickets! We’ll draw a winner at 2 p.m. on Sunday, so be sure to swing by, say hi, and enter to win! Hope to see you there.

PGTI editor/creator Pj Perez will be on hand at Artist Alley booth M-12 with a slew of goodies, including the first issue of our new anthology series, Omega Comics Presents, special packages of The Utopian print comics, and free swag including the all-new Utopian buttons. Come by, say hi, hang out, buy stuff, get stuff signed, pester Pj for sketches and possibly meet other PGTI creators. Stay tuned to our Twitter feed for updates on guest appearances, merchandise, promotions and more!

See you in Seattle!

Over in today’s “Indie Jones” column, “Ambush Bug” reviews OCP #1, and graciously gives kudos to the entire issue overall, as well as the specific features within. But don’t take our word for it — take the Bug’s:

OMEGA COMICS PRESENTS offers a handful of stories of various genres by different talents. The good thing about a book like this is that if you don’t like a story, there’s another one down the pike that could be better. The bad thing is that sometimes you want more than what the 7 to 8 pages each story has to offer. Luckily for OMEGA COMICS PRESENTS, each of the stories in this premiere issue is pretty good.

And that’s just the start. Read the entire review at AICN’s website, and if you haven’t picked up your copy yet, well it’s not too late to fix that.

The second title from Pop! Goes the Icon, Omega Comics Presents is a quarterly, black-and-white comic featuring a variety of features from some of the hottest new talents in independent comics. Anchored by the serial action epic “OMEGA,” Omega Comics Presents will feature never-before-published works from around the country and the globe.

The first issue features chapter one of Pj Perez’s “OMEGA,” “The Taking,” in which a mundane school field trip to Hoover Dam takes a turn into nightmare territory when the students become hostages in a terrorist siege. In the issue’s second feature, “Odd Job” (by Alex De-Gruchy and Robert Durham), a routine house clearing gig for young Hank goes awry when he comes across unexpected residents – the ghosts of a mobster and his wife. Issue one’s third feature, John Dimes‘ “Making No Magnifisense,” stars ambiguous Evelyn Gurlimann as he encounters his superheroic idol, Magnificent Man – with disastrous results. And a little comic relief awaits readers in the two-page gag strip “(All We Are Saying Is) Give Pizza a Chance” by Dino Caruso and Jason Copland.

The print version of Omega Comics Presents #1 is $3.50 per copy and available for direct order or at select stores in the United States and Canada. It is also available as a digital download for only $2.50.

If your local comic shop doesn’t carry Pop! Goes the Icon’s titles, you tell ‘em to contact us and we’ll fix that.

We asked for your help to contribute to relief efforts in Haiti. From Jan. 14 to 22, we offered the first issue of Omega Comics Presents, our new anthology series debuting Feb. 10, for only $3 (even waiving shipping charges!), donating 100 percent of sales to Save the Children’s  emergency relief efforts in Haiti.  Save the Children provides immediate lifesaving assistance, such as food, water, shelter and child-friendly spaces to those in need in Port-au-Prince and the surrounding region.

Readers from across the United States and Canada pitched in — even some retailers and creators — and we made a $100 donation to Save the Children on Jan. 23. We appreciate all the people who helped spread the word as well as those of you who tossed in your coins. And media outlets such as Comics Bulletin and KTNV Channel 13 Las Vegas for carrying the story.

Remember, you can still make a difference for the devastated people of Haiti by donating directly to Save the Children now!

At the end of last issue, James’ secret was uncovered by nosy but alluring school reporter Michelle Matterson. Now James must not only deal with that new development, but also with the witch hunt started by school principal Richard Praglin and the abusive behavior of the school football hero, Nate Aguila. The issue builds to a dramatic ending sure to leave readers asking for more.

“Although billed as ‘America’s Most Emo Comic Strip,’ The Utopian doesn’t read anything like a My Chemical Romance lyrics sheet,” writes Las Vegas CityLife’s Jarret Keene. “It owes more to teen adventure series like The Bloodhound Gang, Buffy the Vampire Slayer or early issues of Amazing Spider-Man.”

Two versions of the 24-page comic, a “deluxe,” full-color edition ($5) and a “standard,” black-and-white edition ($3) will be released this Wednesday, Jan. 13, featuring respective covers by Hernan Valencia and Perez with Steve Downer. Both editions feature new splash page artwork, never-before seen sketches, a new letter column, exclusive event photos and more.

The comic is available in select stores and for direct purchase online at theutopiancomic.com. If your local shop doesn’t carry The Utopian, all of Pop! Goes the Icon’s titles can be ordered by retailers through Haven Distributors.

Of course, unlike the rest of the titles featured in this week’s column, Omega Comics Presents #1 doesn’t hit stores until February. But you can ensure a copy is delivered directly to your doorstep if you pre-order now! Only $3.50 for 32 pages packed with action, comedy and drama from some of the hottest new talents in comics. Be sure to check out the previews before you buy!

Check out our exclusive preview of the first four pages from Pj Perez’s new multi-part epic, “OMEGA,” coming to the pages of our new anthology series, Omega Comics Presents, in February 2010. Just click on the thumbnails to view in EPIC size!

Want to find out what happens next? Pre-order Omega Comics Presents #1 now!

Check out our exclusive preview of the first four pages from the surreal take on superheroics by John Dimes, “Making No Magnifisense,” coming to the pages of our new anthology series, Omega Comics Presents, in February 2010. Just click on the thumbnails to view in AWESOME size!

Want more? Pre-order your copy of Omega Comics Presents #1 NOW!