This is big news: independent comics publisher Image Comics — home of some of the best ongoing comics series in America today including Saga, The Walking Dead, and Bitch Planet — just announced that they're going to host Image Expo, their new-title showcase, at Emerald City Comicon this year. This is the first time they've partnered with a pre-existing convention for the Expo, and it's also the first time the Expo will take place in Seattle. Bleeding Cool reports:

They’ve allied themselves with ReedPOP to be part of the Emerald City Comicon this year in Seattle on Wednesday, April 6th, from 10 am to 6 pm at the Showbox Market theater... They’ve already announced Leila del Duca, Joe Harris, Rick Remender, Alison Sampson and Jonathan Hickman with more to come and they always have surprises they roll out on the day.

This is a significant nerd coup for Seattle. And it's followed by a spring formal dance, apparently, which sounds kinda incredible. Tickets are available now.