WIZARD WORLD LOS ANGELES: ASPEN COMICS PANEL

LOS ANGELES -- Aspen Comics, ever-present at the convention circuit, staged its Wizard World Los Angeles panel on Friday.

Following are highlights:

* Aspen reiterated the delay of Soulfire #8 because of Michael Turner's recent health complications. The company plans on release the remaining three issues when it can guarantee shipping.

* The second volume of Soulfire will immediate follow, with guaranteed shipping. It is written by J.T. Krul, with art by Marcus To, Saleem Crawford, and Beth Sotelo.

Fathom returns this summer with its third volumen, written by Krul and featuring the art of Ale Garza, Sal Regla, and John Starr. The maxi-series will launch with Fathom #0 this summer. A six-page preview of Fathom #0 will be in Aspen's Free Comic Book Day offering, Worlds of Aspen.

The title of writer David Wohl's new series is now Executive Assistant: Iris. Featuring art of Eduardo Francisco, Jason Gorder, and John Starr, the series will also be previewed in Worlds of Aspen.

* The second installment of Aspen Showcase will focus on Aspen Matthews. It will be written by C.B. Cebulski, with art by Talent Caldwell. Upcoming Showcases will feature David Schwartz, J.T. Krul, Peter Steigerwald, Micah Gunnell, Turner and more to be announced.

* Aspen will be releasing a new five-issue Soulfire mini-series named Soulfire: Shadow Magic, written by Vince Hernandez and Sana Takeda later this year. It will focus on Grace.

* The convention pinup book the Aspen Splash returns this summer and will feature art by Turner, Steigerwald, Gunnell, To, Ale, Sana, Randy Green, Francis Manapul and others.

* The Kiani Statue Lava Edition will be released in the spring.