Get those schedules out, because MarvelFest is jam-packed with events! First, visit Forbidden Planet (www.fpnyc.com) for an x-tra big autograph signing session with Adams, Claremont and Slott! Then, at 6pm, head over to Union Square for giveaways straight from the House of Ideas and the MarvelFest Costume Contest, in which contestants (18 years old and older) will have a chance to win a variety of prizes, including the grand prize of being featured in a Marvel comic book! All contestants will receive a limited-edition Nick Fury Hasbro action figure (while supplies last), an exclusive Vengeance of The Moon Knight #1 MarvelFest Variant comic book and a 1 month subscription to Marvel Digital Comics Unlimited just for participating in the costume contest!! Plus, get free sketches from Rivera, Chabot and Brown AND have your picture taken in front of a life-size comic book cover!

Finally, at 7pm, in celebration of the release of the Astonishing X-Men Motion Comic, based on the award winning story by superstars Joss Whedon (Buffy The Vampire Slayer) and John Cassaday (Captain America), the landmark first episode of Astonishing X-Men will be projected three stories high so that fans can experience the adventure like never before!

You’ve heard about it everywhere from TV Guide to MTV to USA Today – now experience the most groundbreaking comic book event of the year as MarvelFest takes over New York’s historic Union Square! And don’t miss the Astonishing X-Men Motion Comic, available on iTunes tomorrow!

For complete details and official costume contest rules regarding MarvelFest NYC 2009 please visit www.marvel.com/fest.

The festivities begin at 4pm at Forbidden Planet (www.fpnyc.com), when some of Marvel’s most legendary creators, including Neal Adams (Uncanny X-Men), Chris Claremont (Uncanny X-Men, X-Men Forever), and Dan Slott (Amazing Spider-Man) sit down to meet fans and sign autographs. This is your chance to meet some of the most influential writers and artists in Marvel history!

Then, at 6pm, make sure you’re at Union Square on 14th street as New York City prepares for the world premiere of the Astonishing X-Men Motion Comics and join in a bevy of activities that’ll have fans of all ages excited, including cool Marvel giveaways, the opportunity to photograph yourself on a life size Marvel cover and sketches from Marvel creators all throughout the evening! Don’t miss the kick off of the MarvelFest Costume Contest, in which contestants (18 years old and older) will have a chance to win a variety of prizes, including the grand prize of being featured in a Marvel comic book! Costumes will be judged by a panel of celebrity judges and all contestants will receive a limited-edition Nick Fury Hasbro action figure (while supplies last), an exclusive Vengeance of The Moon Knight #1 MarvelFest Variant comic book and a 1 month subscription to Marvel Digital Comics Unlimited just for participating in the costume contest!!

And then at 7pm, make sure to get your popcorn ready as the Astonishing X-Men Motion Comic premiere rocks Union Square, introducing a brand new form of animated storytelling in a size that’ll blow your mind! Join Wolverine, Cyclops and all your favorite X-Men as they’re brought to life in one of their most acclaimed stories ever!

“MarvelFest NYC 2009 is a once-in-a-lifetime experience for anyone who loves Marvel’s great characters” said Mike Pasciullo, Vice President of Merchandising and Communications. “This is something that’s never been done in the comic industry and we can’t wait to see how New York turns out to celebrate the premiere of Astonishing X-Men. Not only do you get a front row seat for a piece of entertainment history, but you can meet your favorite comic creators and dress up like your favorite heroes or villains for awesome prizes. And who doesn’t like Mighty Marvel Giveaways?”

It’s the ultimate experience for Marvel fans of any age—so what’re you waiting for? On October 28th there’s only one place to be, bub, and that’s at Union Square in NYC for the Astonishing X-Men Motion Comic premiere in MarvelFest NYC 2009!

For complete details and official rules regarding MarvelFest NYC 2009 please visit www.marvel.com/fest.