September
6 Vaughan's "Pride"; Meltzer on tour

The New York Times profiled comics writer Brian K. Vaughan in its Sunday edition in advance of the upcoming release of "Pride of Baghdad," his original hardcover graphic about Baghdad zoo animals trying to make sense of and survive the current war in Iraq. Vaughan, writer of "Y: The Last Man," "Ex Machina" and "Runaways," is working on adaptations for "Y" and "Ex Machina" from his West Hollywood abode. Expect to see a big media push for "Pride of Baghdad" from DC/Vertigo. Vaughan is set to sign copies of the book Sept. 13 — the first day of release — at Golden Apple comics' Melrose store from 6 to 8 p.m. He also will appear at Golden Apple's booth at the West Hollywood Book Fair the following Sunday.

As long as we're talking about signings, dig out your copies of "Identity Crisis" and "Justlce League of America" as writer Brad Meltzer is coming to Southern California on a tour promoting his new novel, "Hands of Fate." If you picked up a copy of the Meltzer-scripted JLofA #1, you got a preview of the book. Meltzer, who also co-created the late TV skein "Jack & Bobby," will appear at Book Soup in Hollywood on Sept. 26 and then at Vroman's in Pasadena on Sept. 27.