All-new series incorporates magic to revolutionize the comics experience
San Diego, CA (October 12, 2011)—Leading into New York Comic-Con, IDW Publishing today announced the all-new, creator-ownedSMOKE AND MIRRORS. Kicking off in March 2012, this five-issue series will set a unique standard for comics. Created by award-winning writer Mike Costa (GI JOE: COBRA, Blackhawks) and acclaimed indie-artist Ryan Browne (God Hates Astronauts, Blast Furnace), SMOKE AND MIRRORS is also the first comics project for Jon Armstrong who is one of the finest sleight-of-hand artists in the world and a consulting Imagineer for Disney Entertainment. This innovative team has incorporated engaging, mind-bending illusions and mentalism principles into SMOKE AND MIRRORS, creating an amazing magical experience using only ink and paper.
Award-Nominated Show “I Do Card Tricks and I’m Funny” Returns to the
Hollywood Fringe Festival, June 2011
Named Close Up Magician of the Year in 2007, Jon Armstrong’s amazing close-
up skills and comedy have brought him numerous awards and nominations
throughout his career. This year, he is bringing his award-nominated show “I Do
Card Tricks and I’m Funny” back to the Hollywood Fringe Festival for the festival’s
second year!
"There's an old saying: "If a man fools me once, shame on him. If he fools me twice, it's probably Jon Armstrong". At least that's my version. Let me explain why.
On April 30, 2004 (the day before the Academy
of Magical Arts Awards banquet), I joined Jon Armstrong for our usual Friday
Lunch, and used the opportunity to interview Jon for publication. As usual,
we dined with Dave Cox and Derek Hughes and as usual as I asked Jon Questions
they couldn't shut up.
"One night at the castle's W.C. Fields Bar I watched as a magician
named Jon Armstrong performed a card trick for a dozen
guests. Armstrong, who is 30 with blond hair and boyish looks, fanned
open a deck face forward at his audience. He asked someone to
choose a card with his eyes and remember it. Armstrong proceeded
to shuffle the deck, pull out a card, dampen it with his tongue, and
slap it onto his forehead, where it stuck.
Before Harry Houdini died in 1926, he promised his wife that if he could communicate from the beyond, he would deliver a coded message stating, ''Rosabelle, believe.'' After a decade of unsuccessful seances, Mrs. Houdini gave up. Undeterred, an association of magicians in Hollywood pledged to keep trying to contact the elusive spirit -- and they have.
