7.25.2008

Thursday

So Thursday was a busy day. The morning saw information imparted by some independent creators about an organization they founded and how forming such an organization has helped them realize a success in comics that they otherwise might not have found. It was called the Antidote Trust and I will look into it some later.

From there it was to the Doctor Who panel (sans Russel T Davies who is apparently 'hard at work' writing Torchwood) in which we were treated to Stephen Moffat telling about his enjoyment working on the show and his new position as showrunner. We got to see some clips from his episodes, listen to him be hiliarious and hear some good and terrible questions from the audience. At the end we got to see a trailer for the christmas episode that comes out this year. It involves Cybermen and it is set in Victorian England. And having Stephen Moffat in charge is going to make this season give Russel T Davies previous 3 a serious run for their money.

Next up, the Torchwood Panel began with Jason Barrowman leaping up onto the stage and the very table like a rockstar at his introduction. He was joined by David Gareth-Lloyd and Naoko Mori for what was a very entertaining about working on the show. We weren't treated to anything new really here but I did leave early so it may have come at the end. I did get to hear John Barrowman express his desire to play Captain America though in response to a fan question about it and apparently he's a contender. A good one in my oppinion.

Next came a panel that Entertainment Weekly put together featuring Grant Morrison, Jim Lee, John Cassaday, Mike Mignola, Robert Kirkman and Matt Fraction. It was interesting to hear them all speak about comics, the impact of hollywood on comics, the impact of comics on hollywood. The nice thing is all of them are very down to earth and it was just cool to see these people that could be you or I (except for Grant Morrison who we all know is an alien) sitting up there talking about the future of comics. It was at this point that I started to really get a feeling for just how possible it is to be a comics creator. We also cut off about a hundred other people to be in this panel. It's funny all you have to do is act bewildered and innocent at all times and then the end of the line is anywhere you choose for it to be.

Next up, Richard and I skipped next door to the Afro Samurai Panel and got to hear the man himself, Samuel L Jackson express his liking for the character of Afro and his excitement at being involved with this creation. The RZA was running late but he made it still. I enjoyed hearing him talk about the creative process for the music of the original series and the new movie coming out. He said he was trying to essentially capture the spirit of a crazy bitch in his sound this time since the antagonist is a woman in the movie. We then got to see a trailer and also got to watch the producer for the new video game play some of it. They did an excellent job capturing the feel of the show in the game. and the music is all by the RZA and the voices from the original show returned for the game. It looks really slick production-wise with tons of stylistic blood and samurai action. Worth a rent at least.

The last panel of the day was one about creating a graphic novel. A lot of people were there, the only name I really knew was Stephen Grant but there were some others that I'm sure I'll be embarassed later at not knowing. At any rate, it was interesting enough but mainly amounted to the same advice anyone can give. Create what you want, don't compromise your art for the sake of being adapted to another medium and if you are a writer and want actual good art, be prepared to pay for it. sigh.

The feeling of walking through the exhibit hall is something that can only be expressed through pictures. I'm sorry for not having uploaded them yet. I haven't really had the opportunity but if I can tonight, I will. I've been trying to get as much free shit as possible but so far i've been beaten by the early risers. Today will be no different I'm sure but tomorrow...

7.24.2008

Preview Night

so it's only been one day and not even a full day and already my eyes have seen more than my brain wanted to bother processing. At the Marvel booth, we saw a mock up of the iron-monger. Ed Brubaker and Humberto Ramos stood idly around chatting with people while Matt Fraction and others signed autographs off to the side. The DC booth was a whirlwind of activity that I barely spent any time in but will definitely check out more later. DC Universe Online was on display in pre-alpha stage and the rest of the exhibit hall was awash in color and light. So many artists are there and so many writers. The Spirit is the theme as everything from busses to bilboards are advertising the movie. I imagine only during comicon will you see something like the stargate MMORPG advertising covering an entire bus in downtown SD.

Today I will simply have to take pictures of everything. And try not to go crazy spending money...

There are so many panels I want to go to yet so many that conflict with each other. Plus with the number of people that are there it may be a matter of not even being able to fit into the rooms. I guess I haven't been learning kung fu for nothing.

Richard and I got to have a special studio pass and sit in a mostly empty reserved section for the screening of Fringe. It looks interesting, already we have a sort of Lost like conspiracy-mystery and drug induced science. Which is the only kind of science if you ask me. The show takes it's name from the idea of "fringe science" which you may know as pseudo science or crap. However, the premise is one of science fiction and once the mysterious Massive Dynamics corporation rears it's ugly head as a result of an investigation into flesh devouring chemicals you quickly get a sense of the kind of show you're watching. Ultimately it's a question of where the show is going and what it will be about as it goes on. Thumbs sideways I say so far.

a zombie

braaaaains...

7.23.2008

Wednesday

Alright so today has been okay so far. I went to the zoo for a while and took pictures before my camera finally said "FUCK YOU GREG, I'M DONE." and promptly turned off. I then remembered that with these new fangled technological devices it generally helps to charge them. Seeing as how I haven't since I got it, I suppose it's to the camera's credit that it lasted this long.

I'm off to downtown to the convention center to pick up my badge. Still haven't decided how badly I want to see fringe.

7.22.2008

Comicon 2008 - The Prequel

Well I am sitting in here in the hotel. The wireless is up and running so hopefully I will be able to diligently record the events of the coming week for you all here. My companions and I are going to chill here for a bit before heading to downtown and getting an idea of where everything is at, the layout of the convention center and all. Once I have it set up, I will post a link to a public place where you will be able to view pics as I upload them. The flight out here was very smooth with plenty of alcohol imbibed beforehand and just enough time in the air for a viewing of harold and kumar escape from guantanamo bay. With not much else to say, I'll leave you with a quote from Robert Kirkman:

“I wouldn’t feel creatively fulfilled if I was 40 and still writing Spider-Man and hadn’t done anything on my own.”

It's comicon baby. Let the madness begin.