July 29, 2008
Comic-Con Day 3
Day 3 was all about wandering the exhibit hall and taking in the sights.
We tried for the Pushing Daises signing, but the mob was immense and violent. The combination of bad logistics and rabid nutjob fans (people who couldn't get in line were crying...someone punched me in the stomach...and a crazy woman was using her child as a battering ram...) was just too much, so I gave up. No TV celebrities are worth this insanity.
So instead, here are a few cool floor displays:
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Sat was also the Masquerade. We didn't go (you'll see why below) but we got a ton of cool costume pictures, which I promise to put up soon.
Same time as the Masquerade was the Comic Book Legal Defense Fund auction. This was definitely the highlight of the day! These guys had amazing artwork available and though most were way out of our league (a Dave Gibbons Watchmen drawing went for $9K!) it was still awesome to see them. There was a 10-page unpublished Kirby story as well as a beautiful exclusive tribute anthology to The Endless, and the usual cheesecake, like a Bettie Page original, Danger Girl cover, and Bruce Timm pin-up. Vic and I were first to sign up (bidder #1, baby!) and won some lovely pieces, including these:
I need to check back with CBLDF on this one. It was done while a bunch of artists were drinking and I can't for the life of me remember who it was!
An original page from Patty Cake by Scott Roberts. So cute!
Hellboy tribute by Dustin Nyugen. I'm a huge fan of this guy - we have an original panel from him too. I adore the coloring.
The Fund pulled in $55K which is not bad for one night! It was totally worth attending the auction to see all the rare pieces. Plus, it was fun too. There's more CBLDF stuff coming up, but that's for the next day!
We tried for the Pushing Daises signing, but the mob was immense and violent. The combination of bad logistics and rabid nutjob fans (people who couldn't get in line were crying...someone punched me in the stomach...and a crazy woman was using her child as a battering ram...) was just too much, so I gave up. No TV celebrities are worth this insanity.
So instead, here are a few cool floor displays:
.JPG)
Sat was also the Masquerade. We didn't go (you'll see why below) but we got a ton of cool costume pictures, which I promise to put up soon.
Same time as the Masquerade was the Comic Book Legal Defense Fund auction. This was definitely the highlight of the day! These guys had amazing artwork available and though most were way out of our league (a Dave Gibbons Watchmen drawing went for $9K!) it was still awesome to see them. There was a 10-page unpublished Kirby story as well as a beautiful exclusive tribute anthology to The Endless, and the usual cheesecake, like a Bettie Page original, Danger Girl cover, and Bruce Timm pin-up. Vic and I were first to sign up (bidder #1, baby!) and won some lovely pieces, including these:
I need to check back with CBLDF on this one. It was done while a bunch of artists were drinking and I can't for the life of me remember who it was!
An original page from Patty Cake by Scott Roberts. So cute!
Hellboy tribute by Dustin Nyugen. I'm a huge fan of this guy - we have an original panel from him too. I adore the coloring.
The Fund pulled in $55K which is not bad for one night! It was totally worth attending the auction to see all the rare pieces. Plus, it was fun too. There's more CBLDF stuff coming up, but that's for the next day!
July 26, 2008
Comic-Con Day 2
Late yet again...but with good reason! We are totally having a blast and Day 3 is technically over as well, but let's take it one step at a time...so here are the highlights of Day 2:
Firstly, we got into the Watchman panel and watched exclusive footage! The whole cast was there, with Zack Snyder and Dave Gibbons. It was reassuring to hear the actors really did their research for the roles. The technology has finally caught up with the vision and while Zack admits to adding/omitting material, he didn't shy away from the darker themes. I think the movie will be beautiful and am really looking forward to seeing it brought to life.
Some people slept in line for the Watchmen panel (thank goodness not us!)
The massive Hall H, seating 6500
Director, Co-Creator/Artist, and Cast of Watchmen!
Secondly, got some great stuff at Artist's Alley (scans to be posted later). The crowds were insane at the big name booths, but small press and artists were pretty roomy, which suited us just fine. There's nothing like talking to someone whose work you admire, getting that connection with them, and taking home some of that talent personalized for you.
Third, the panel for The Goon was utterly hilarious. Eric Powell and two guys from Reno 911 put on an awesome skit complete with 30-story Godzilla cock and holy water exorcism. He's a really funny guy and the panel was a riot.
Eric and some Reno 911 buddies:
Last but definitely not least...the big screen debut of Dr. Horrible in glorious HD! The whole cast showed up, though they didn't run a panel because it was 10:45 PM and no staff was there to moderate. We had watched the Acts online, but seeing it on a big screen with two hundred fans and the cast was definitely an experience to relish.
The cast of Dr. Horrible and a lovely Joss Whedon NPH kiss!
Day 3 was pretty damn cool too. More on that later. All I can say is: this Con fucking rocks!
Firstly, we got into the Watchman panel and watched exclusive footage! The whole cast was there, with Zack Snyder and Dave Gibbons. It was reassuring to hear the actors really did their research for the roles. The technology has finally caught up with the vision and while Zack admits to adding/omitting material, he didn't shy away from the darker themes. I think the movie will be beautiful and am really looking forward to seeing it brought to life.
Some people slept in line for the Watchmen panel (thank goodness not us!)
The massive Hall H, seating 6500
Director, Co-Creator/Artist, and Cast of Watchmen!
Secondly, got some great stuff at Artist's Alley (scans to be posted later). The crowds were insane at the big name booths, but small press and artists were pretty roomy, which suited us just fine. There's nothing like talking to someone whose work you admire, getting that connection with them, and taking home some of that talent personalized for you.
Third, the panel for The Goon was utterly hilarious. Eric Powell and two guys from Reno 911 put on an awesome skit complete with 30-story Godzilla cock and holy water exorcism. He's a really funny guy and the panel was a riot.
Eric and some Reno 911 buddies:
Last but definitely not least...the big screen debut of Dr. Horrible in glorious HD! The whole cast showed up, though they didn't run a panel because it was 10:45 PM and no staff was there to moderate. We had watched the Acts online, but seeing it on a big screen with two hundred fans and the cast was definitely an experience to relish.
The cast of Dr. Horrible and a lovely Joss Whedon NPH kiss!
Day 3 was pretty damn cool too. More on that later. All I can say is: this Con fucking rocks!
July 25, 2008
Comic-Con Day 1
OK, I am so late with this (technically it's nearly the end of Day 2) because we are having way too much fun here. San Diego is absolutely gorgeous and the Con has been fantastic so far. Got to see lots of artists and get sketches, as well as cool displays. A few snapshots:
Outside the Convention Center (it is fucking HUGE!):
The crowd inside:
One of many cool statues:
For the Dr. Who fans out there:
Props from Showtime's Dexter:
I would love to post more, especially about today which was amazing, but we're actually heading out to grab some dinner before a panel. Hopefully I can find some time to write more later!
Outside the Convention Center (it is fucking HUGE!):
The crowd inside:
One of many cool statues:
For the Dr. Who fans out there:
Props from Showtime's Dexter:
I would love to post more, especially about today which was amazing, but we're actually heading out to grab some dinner before a panel. Hopefully I can find some time to write more later!
July 24, 2008
Comic-Con Preview Night
After an hour delay at Newark (what else is new) and a 5 hour flight, we made it to San Diego safe and sound. We were lucky to have the hotel booked through the BMS travel company, as it's on the free shuttle route and just six blocks from the Convention Center, meaning it probably sold out at the Con site in seconds.
Badge pick-up was a breeze. Took 5 minutes.
The line for Preview Night - now that was something else! We had nothing better to do (no car, tired) so we waited in line 4 hours to get into the doors opening at 6 PM. It actually wasn't too bad. There were freebies to read and free WiFi at the Center. It was also cool to see people from all over the country (your home city is printed on your badge).
Around the bigger vendors (NBC, WB, SciFi, Gentle Giant) it was a complete zoo. I don't know the official counts, but the crowd was completely suffocating and downright rude at times.
But outside the big names, towards the small press, artists, and exhibitors, it was pretty neat. Row after row of nerd heaven. Coming early did have its advantages. We were first to snag 1 of 10 personal commissions by Rebecca Guay. I actually love exploring the independents, as you often see beautiful art for very low prices. We grabbed a couple books and prints. Unfortunately, my camera ran out of battery and Vic forget to change his settings from RAW to JPG. So no pics to show yet, except for the funniest catch of the evening. We walked by this guy's booth and he had a sign claiming "free crappy drawings" so naturally we were intrigued. He said "think of a word" and I said "unicorn" and poof! there was the masterpiece you see.
Preview night didn't have people in costume - there should definitely be more today and a ton over the weekend. We will get our cameras all straightened out in time, promise!
Badge pick-up was a breeze. Took 5 minutes.
The line for Preview Night - now that was something else! We had nothing better to do (no car, tired) so we waited in line 4 hours to get into the doors opening at 6 PM. It actually wasn't too bad. There were freebies to read and free WiFi at the Center. It was also cool to see people from all over the country (your home city is printed on your badge).
Around the bigger vendors (NBC, WB, SciFi, Gentle Giant) it was a complete zoo. I don't know the official counts, but the crowd was completely suffocating and downright rude at times.
But outside the big names, towards the small press, artists, and exhibitors, it was pretty neat. Row after row of nerd heaven. Coming early did have its advantages. We were first to snag 1 of 10 personal commissions by Rebecca Guay. I actually love exploring the independents, as you often see beautiful art for very low prices. We grabbed a couple books and prints. Unfortunately, my camera ran out of battery and Vic forget to change his settings from RAW to JPG. So no pics to show yet, except for the funniest catch of the evening. We walked by this guy's booth and he had a sign claiming "free crappy drawings" so naturally we were intrigued. He said "think of a word" and I said "unicorn" and poof! there was the masterpiece you see.
Preview night didn't have people in costume - there should definitely be more today and a ton over the weekend. We will get our cameras all straightened out in time, promise!
July 22, 2008
July 19, 2008
July 18, 2008
Dark Knight
Yes, I watched a midnight showing of Dark Knight.
Yes, it was awesome. Yes, Heath Ledger steals every scene he's in. Yes, I believe in Harvey Dent. Yes, the fights were rough, the gadget pr0n spectacular, the special effects slick, and yes, Christian Bale proves again he is perfect both as Bruce Wayne and Batman.
There were a few things I would change regarding pacing and editing. But overall, this was a fantastic rendition of the darker Batman writings, along the lines of The Killing Joke and The Long Halloween.
Also...despite my misgivings, the Watchmen trailer looked really good. Really, really good. Even if they completely fuck up the story, at least it will be oh so pretty!
Yes, it was awesome. Yes, Heath Ledger steals every scene he's in. Yes, I believe in Harvey Dent. Yes, the fights were rough, the gadget pr0n spectacular, the special effects slick, and yes, Christian Bale proves again he is perfect both as Bruce Wayne and Batman.
There were a few things I would change regarding pacing and editing. But overall, this was a fantastic rendition of the darker Batman writings, along the lines of The Killing Joke and The Long Halloween.
Also...despite my misgivings, the Watchmen trailer looked really good. Really, really good. Even if they completely fuck up the story, at least it will be oh so pretty!
July 17, 2008
Summertime
Wow, July is already half over! Summer always goes by so fast.
This summer has been particularly good for movies. I think I've seen more in the past month than I did all of last year. It helps that most have been comic book based :)
Ironman: Like everyone else, I was blown away by how good this was. Easily the best movie of the year so far. Well paced, well acted, well produced, and very enjoyable!
Incredible Hulk: Satisfying portrayal with nice fan service bits and lots of Hulk smashiness. If Ironman hadn't come out this year, I think this would have been better received. A solid film, but not enough to meet the high bar that Marvel set beforehand.
Wanted: Pleasantly surprised! It had zilch relevance to the comic (too bad, because the comic was good) but the reckless fuck-you attitude and bold style really clicked with me. It's impossible to disagree with Angelina Jolie toting guns in tight leather, and the main actor is absolutely brilliant. The action is over the top and the premise incredibly silly, but it was damn fun!
Hellboy II: Gorgeous and visually inventive, the first 3/4 was great, but the resolution was disappointing, not consistent with the universe or characters at all. Two minutes after it ended, I already wrote a better way to reach the story's climax. Too bad.
Dark Knight tonight...
This summer has been particularly good for movies. I think I've seen more in the past month than I did all of last year. It helps that most have been comic book based :)
Ironman: Like everyone else, I was blown away by how good this was. Easily the best movie of the year so far. Well paced, well acted, well produced, and very enjoyable!
Incredible Hulk: Satisfying portrayal with nice fan service bits and lots of Hulk smashiness. If Ironman hadn't come out this year, I think this would have been better received. A solid film, but not enough to meet the high bar that Marvel set beforehand.
Wanted: Pleasantly surprised! It had zilch relevance to the comic (too bad, because the comic was good) but the reckless fuck-you attitude and bold style really clicked with me. It's impossible to disagree with Angelina Jolie toting guns in tight leather, and the main actor is absolutely brilliant. The action is over the top and the premise incredibly silly, but it was damn fun!
Hellboy II: Gorgeous and visually inventive, the first 3/4 was great, but the resolution was disappointing, not consistent with the universe or characters at all. Two minutes after it ended, I already wrote a better way to reach the story's climax. Too bad.
Dark Knight tonight...
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