Debuting as a featured event at The National Expo, the Golden Panel Awards will be presented in a ceremony at The Metropolitan Pavilion scheduled for approximately 7 p.m. at a reception hosted by the New York City Comic Book Museum. (The Metropolitan Pavilion is located at 125 West 18th Street, between 6th and 7th Avenues.)

"As New York City is the birthplace of comic books, it is well past the time that we have our own industry awards to celebrate this art form," said David J. Gabriel, Executive Director of The New York City Comic Book Museum (NYCCBM). "We intend for the Golden Panel Awards to become the leading award for the incredibly talented artists, writers and other creators currently broadening the appeal and reputation of this purely American art form.

"There have been other awards programs in the past, and there are current awards associated with comic book conventions and other gatherings, but the Golden Panel Awards is the first that has an affiliation with a museum," Gabriel said. "We've collected nominations from comic book readers and professionals for the first Golden Panel Awards, and plan on growing this awards program over the next several years as the premier award for the comic book art form."

In addition to the Golden Panel Awards, The National Expo will be host to the NYCCBM's highly-acclaimed exhibit, "Heroes Among Us: The Art of 9-11." The exhibit consists of artwork loaned by Marvel Comics and Alternative Comics. The artwork was created in the aftermath of the attacks, and expresses both grief and support.

A number of comic book creators share their passion for heroes by lauding the real-life heroes of the September 11th attacks. These heroes, New York's firemen, policemen and medical technicians, are performing their heroic deeds in these works of art. After successful showings in Texas and Oregon, "Heroes Among Us: The Art of 9-11" makes its triumphant return to New York City at the National Expo November 8-10.

There will be a panel discussion in the afternoon of Sunday, November 10, featuring a number of the artists and editors who contributed to the various 9-11 tribute comic books that have been produced over the past year.

"Heroes Among Us: The Art of 9-11" includes art from such comic book legends as Spider-Man artist John Romita Sr.; fan favorite Neal Adams (Batman, Deadman); leading popular artists such as Alex Ross (Kingdom Come, Marvels) and Frank Cho (Liberty Meadows), and many more.

New to this exhibit are pieces from Astonish Comics, featuring the popular Herobear and the Kid, an original piece from Civilian Justice by Graig Weich, artwork from the highly acclaimed Moment of Silence from Marvel Comics, and an original print from legendary comic book artist Jim Steranko.

"We are grateful to Michael Carbonaro and the team at Big Apple Conventions for providing exhibit space for this tribute," said Gabriel. "Michael has been dedicated to this cause since the attacks, after losing some friends of his own. He wants us to remember our Heroes."

The NYCCBM was recently named "the Best Comic Book Museum of 2002" by the Village Voice. According to Carol Cooper writing in the Village Voice, "...since 1999 they've been generating special events, school curricula, and public seminars to promote the historical and artistic legacy of comic book culture within the context of a changing society."

The NYCCBM is nearing their third anniversary, with a number of events scheduled over the coming weeks.

In addition to The Golden Panel Awards, NYCCBM is co-hosting a film festival featuring the classic "Superman" cartoons of the early 1940s by the Max Fleischer Studios with Symphony Space on Saturday, November 23 starting at 2:00 p.m., and inaugurating Comic Books Fight AIDS World AIDS Day at St. Luke's-Roosevelt Hospital on Sunday, December 1.

NYCCBM also sponsors the C.O.M.I.C.S. Curriculum instructional comic book program.

The National Expo, hosted by Big Apple Comic Conventions, brings together the National Comic Book, Comic Art and Fantasy Convention and the New York Toy, Sci-Fi and Collectible Show. The National will be conducted Friday, November 8 through Sunday, November 10 at The Metropolitan Pavilion.

Additional information about The National is available at the Big Apple Comic Conventions web site at http://www.bigapplecon.com.

About The New York City Comic Book Museum:

The New York City Comic Book Museum started its mission in 1999 to preserve the historical and artistic legacy of comic book culture, place it in the context of a changing society, show its usefulness in educating and entertaining, and instill in audiences the value and joy of this rich American heritage. It is the nation's only museum dedicated to the art of the comic book.

The NYCCBM, a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization, has concentrated on its outreach programs with traveling exhibits, industry gatherings, panel discussions, virtual exhibits and comic book promotions all around the city and the country.

The museum is searching for its permanent home to serve as a research facility, library, and showcase for comic books and the creators of this American art form. Additional information about The NYCCBM is available on their web site at http://www.nyccbm.org.