Category: Books

Emerald City Comicon:This Geek’s Odyssey Day Three

  The final day of Emerald City Comicon started with my moment with a sci-fi icon. When the doors opened I started feeling nostalgic and rushed down to the media guest level to meet George Takei. I chose a photo of Hikaru Sulu from Star Trek The Undiscovered Country in which the U.S.S. Enterprise helmsman was now Captain of the U.S.S. Excelsior.

  I thanked him for being a trailblazer in his career and in his personal life. It’s amazing to think how he could be a cultural breakthrough decades ago as the first Asian American on a network television series and now being a champion for equality as an openly gay and married man. Sulu is just cool – then, now and forever.

 

I'm Mutant and Proud with Emma Frost at ECCC, ComicsBlend.com

Back up to the show floor in search for rare comic book finds I was sporting my “Mutant and Proud” t-shirt starring the X-Man Beast and it really attracted the X fans in costume including Emma Frost and Gambit.

Gambit at ECCC, ComicsBlend.com

I went in search of autographs from some of my favorite writers and artists including Chris Yost, Dustin Weaver, Georges Jeanty and I got a sketchbook from DC Comics star Phillip Tan.

I had the opportunity to meet up and coming writer Sam Humphries. I bought a copy of his Fanboys Vs. Zombies (about a zombie outbreak at the San Diego Comic-Con) and talked about his new work for Marvel. Humphries will be co-writing with Jonathan Hickman then taking over the Ultimates.

Writers of the Marvel Next Big Thing Panel at ECCC, ComicsBlend.com

  I was surprised to see him again on the Marvel: Next Big Thing panel with other favorite writers (of Punisher, Hulk, Spider-Man, X-Force, Secret Avengers) in a no holds barred question and answer session. I think these panels are the real pulse of a con. It’s the real interaction between fan and creator that leads to praise, pans and always passion about comics.

As the final hour approached I was almost ready to head home when a friend invited me to see Star Trek: Phoenix.  This is a fan film written, produced and starring Seattle fans that takes place 42 years after the Star Trek: Nemesis. I went in to the screening on a whim but was really impressed. I left wanting more of the crew of the U.S.S. Phoenix and hope the voyage of these local fans continues. I didn’t plan it but my final day began and ended with Trek.

The ECCC Crusader and Crusaderette, ComicsBlend.com

Emerald City Comicon was beyond my expectations. When it comes to cons, always have a game plan but be ready for the unexpected: a moment with a new friend as you bond over the fate of the X-Men, discover a new comic book you want to try or experience the joy of seeing fanboys and girls express their love in costumes and cheers.

 

 

ECCC Report: Colossus and Kitty Pryde in AvX #5

Colossus and Kitty Pryde together again at Emerald City Comicon, ComicsBlend.com

  Colossus and Kitty Pryde are my favorite mutant couple so I was charmed and impressed by this couple at Emerald City Comicon.     During the Marvel: Pint O’ C.B. Panel, the costumed X-fans approached the microphone to ask the panel about Marvel’s most on again and off again mutant couple.  The young man asked with a Russian accent, “vat’s going to happen wiv Peterrrr and Kitty?”

  Writer Matt Fraction responded, “You are going to love Avengers Vs. X-Men #5.”

  Moderator and Marvel Talent Scout/Editor C.B. Cebulski asked, “Hey Kitty, have you told Colossus about Iceman?” which triggered laughs from the panel and audience.

Colossus and Kitty question the Marvel panel at ECCC, ComicsBlend.com

  Just in case you’re not caught up with the X-books, Kitty broke up with Peter after he assumed the power of the Juggernaut. Kitty moved back east with Wolverine to reopen the Jean Grey School in Wolverine and the X-Men. Iceman recently made a move and planted a big frosty kiss on Kitty.

Emerald City Comicon: This Geek’s Odyssey Day One

 

The Lines Room outside the massive line room at ECCC - ComicsBlend.com

  Emerald City Comicon is here! Stars, swag and geek dreams come true all on display for eager fans. The Washington State Convention Center became geek ground zero. At we waited for the 2pm opening the Skybridge was stuffed with fans then there were seven lines of eager geeks packed in a giant panel room with another huge line out beyond the entry way.

 

Matt Fraction at ECCC, ComicsBlend.com

Today’s agenda was autographs! Matt Fraction was my first – he recognized me from the previous two years – sigh! I had him sign Fear Itself #1 Casanova: Avarita #1 and #2, The Mighty Thor #1 and The Defenders #1. Matt draws clever word balloons on the covers too for that unique touch. Matt’s wife is Kelly Sue DeConnick. I was thrilled to talk about her upcoming new book starring Ms. Marvel now as the new Captain Marvel (she gave out some cool Captain Marvel promo buttons!) and scoop on her next Castle graphic novel.

Ed Brubaker at ECCC, ComicsBlend.com

  Seattle’s very own Ed Brubaker always has a huge line of fans and the celebrity status is well deserved. While he autographed Captain America #1, The Winter Soldier #1 and Fatale #1 we discussed the sell-out success of Fatale, his creator owned horror mystery and Bucky Barnes back as the Winter Soldier.

 

Gail Simone at ECCC, ComicsBlend.com

  Gail Simone is a fan favorite for her Birds of Prey, Secret Six and Wonder Woman runs and for being a trailblazing female writer. I had Simone autograph her recent Batgirl #1, and Wonder Woman #600. I also had her sign my copy of The Power Within, an anti-gay bullying comic published by Seattle’s own Northwest Press. She was a contributor. Simone and her outstanding career is celebrated in a Saturday panel.

With Gail Simone at ECCC, ComicsBlend.com

  Rick Remender had a breakout year in 2011. I had Remender sign several of his Uncanny X-Force issues and his first Secret Avengers issue. Remender talks about his Fear Agent series and popular take on Marvel’s undercover teams in a Saturday spotlight panel.

 

Monsters & Dames Charity Book courtesy Emerald City Comicon

Adi Granov is a conceptual designer on the Iron Man and upcoming Avengers films. He created the cover for this year’s Monsters and Dames charity book. I had Granov sign several X-Men cover issues and scored his illustration book packed with covers and concept sketches! Art lovers buy this limited edition book and then hunt for the artists at the con who contributed.

With "Batman" artist Greg Capullo at ECCC, ComicsBlend.com

  The biggest surprise was Greg Capullo. The man is built and looks tough. This guy should be in superhero movies. He’s been working for decades to become an overnight sensation. Capullo was known for his work on X-Force, Spawn and Angela and  now he’s winning raves for his Batman. Capullo even had sketches of Scarecrow with the ECCC logo to sign and give away to every fan who came to his table.

 

Chris Burnham, artist on Batman Inc at ECCC, ComicsBlend.com

  DC Comics was very giving all day with free issues, posters and more cool swag at their booth. I happen to walk by at the right time. Chris Burnham, the artist on the upcoming Batman Inc, was making fan dreams come true with free sketches of their favorite DC icons. I asked for Batgirl. He was great to ask “which one, which era?” Chris created a New 52 Barbara Gordon Batgirl head shot that I’m having framed!

  The big get for ECCC and for any lucky fan: Marc Silvestri. I had been following Marc’s work since his Uncanny X-Men (I got the famous Wolverine crucified on a X cross issue signed) and Wolverine runs in the late 80’s and 90’s. Silvestri became a founding member of Image Comics and head of Top Cow Productions where he created hits like Witchblade and The Darkness. I snapped up The Art of Marc Silvestri retrospective book collecting his years of work. I was just above the cutoff line so I made it into the last bunch of fans to get this awesome opportunity for his autographs and one on one moment with a legendary creator.

 

Inside the Hall waiting for the mighty Marc Silvestri at ECCC, ComicsBlend.com

  All that (plus seeing crazy costumed fans and meeting my friends in Garrison Titan – the Star Wars fans who raise money for charity) in just 6 hours. Saturday is a full day with more autograph seeking, photo taking, hunting for rare comics and enjoying wonderful geek moments.

  Watch for a new post with the gallery of costumed fans!

Guttertown Massive

Guttertown Massive by KC Silver and Dimi Mac

  Get the squid! The cover for Guttertown Massive seduces you in right away. A brutal beauty with bloody, bandaged fists is surrounded by a techno squid. Welcome to the twisted future created by K.C. Silver (aka  Casey Silvia) and artist Dimi Mac.

  Imagine the refugees of Mad Max, The Matrix and Johnny Nmenonic all fighting for fame and survival in a crowded industrial underworld. Davron and Reno are competitors in a war of beats. Seeds are planted for a bitter rivalry in a massive futuristic party scene in a dark, crowded world that the youth yearn to escape.

  After the creepy colored cover turn  inside for the black and white world of the gutter.  Dimi Mac packs the panels bursting with dark, stark energy. I think the crowded art reflects the overcrowded world these ravers are fighting to find their way out of. Find you way to Guttertown Massive and experience Beat fighting yourself. Expand your horizons and take a dose of this.

  Learn more about this world and local creators at guttertownmassive.blogspot.com. Get a copy in the Local Comics section at Zanadu Comics in Downtown Seattle.

Disclaimer: I was not paid to write this. The writer works at my neighborhood comic shop and asks if I would give his project a read and because Casey is so damn cool (and given me so many gret recommendations for books) I did.

Hulk Smash Avengers! Joe Casey Knows Avengers!

Hulk Smash Avengers #2 courtesy Marvel.com

  Hulk helped create the Avengers (thanks to Loki’s meddling) but didn’t stick around. When Marvel’s The Avengers hits the big screen the Green Goliath will be fighting with Earth’s Mightiest Heroes this May. Hulk Smash Avengers hits comic book stores that month too. The 5 part series will feature different teams telling tales of the big guy and his odd relationship with the team. Joe Casey and Max Fiumura reveal an untold tale of a clash between Hulk and the Avengers in issue two. Casey knows his continuity history and revealed when this story happens to Marvel.com.

  “This story fits in very specifically with Avengers continuity, right between issues #182 and #183,” he says. “For anyone who’s as obsessive about their Avengers continuity as I am, they would know that those were the members that would be hanging around the mansion at that point. Captain America’s in there, too, but there’s a reason why he’s not directly involved in going after The Hulk.”

Hulk Smash Avengers #2 courtesy Marvel.com

  “Like I said, I can be a nut about Avengers continuity, so I wanted to make sure this story fit perfectly into the timeline of a period that’s probably my favorite run of Avengers comics, the Michelinie/Byrne issues from the late 1970s,” he notes. “Those are the comics that really hooked me when I was a kid, so to find a way to fit our story into that continuity was extremely cool.”

For his entire interview and more awesome preview art by Fiumura here’s the Marvel link.

Geek confession: I had a subscription for the Avengers in the awesome Micheline/Byrne run and could kick myself for not saving them!

For an awesome retro X-Men tale by Casey – check out his Children of the Atom series with artist Steve Rude. Casey is appearing at Emerald City Comicon in Seattle this weekend.

Mutating My Radio Host Into A X-Men Geek!

ComicsBlend.com

  Every Wednesday I bring geek speak to Seattle Smart Talk Radio 570 KVI on The Buzz with Scott Carty. I share the latest in comics, science fiction and all things geeky with Scott – who is very non-geeky but I’m winning him over! As you can see – he’s siding with me and the X-Men when it comes to AvX! Here’s this week’s segment from my YouTube channel.

Astonished By Marjorie Liu’s X-Men – Updated

Astonishing X-Men #48 courtesy Marvel

  Marjorie Liu makes a powerful first impression with her first issue of Astonishing X-Men this week. The action kicks in with a peak into the near future where Northstar is being stalked by his new teammates. I have a theory about what’s behind the possible betrayal.

 The story jumps back to the present where Northstar is settling in to domestic bliss – until a fellow Canadian mutant calls – with boyfriend Kyle. Gambit is entertaining a surprise guest at his home away from the school. I’m thrilled to see this former X-woman back. After an entertaining look into the personal lives of  X-Men the drama explodes literally with the new version of a classic team of villains.  

  I feel like I’m experiencing a cool slice of life with these mutants in city. Mike Perkins style has a grit that feels right for this X-Men in New York City story. His talent really shines in the facial expressions. It’s amazing to see how much character and relationship development Liu weaves in one issue while still packing action and intrigue.

Update: I must have been so excited to have Northstar back that I missed the fact that Jean Paul is called Jean Claude three times in the issue. Mon Dieu!

Concrete Martians

Concrete MartiansbyMitch Cook

  Martians invaded Concrete, Washington back in the 1930’s or so the legend goes! Concrete is in the beautiful North Cascades north of Seattle. This old tale is the inspiration for a comic book just waiting for publisher.

  Mitch Cook is a good friend, fellow comic book reader and co-worker (our day jobs) with a dream of being published. I’m hoping this shout out will help. To all the editors and indie publishers at Emerald City Comicon – if you get approached by Mitch please give him a shot.

  This story of small town nightmares inspired by true events is chilling and fun. It’s the kind of creepy cool story Mulder and Scully of The X-Files would have loved digging into and you will too. If you enjoyed the stories of real panic inspired by the radio broadcasts of The War of Worlds this story has that flavor but with its own dark and clever twists.

Concrete Martians by Mitch Cook

    I love how the artist captured the small town 1930’s feel.  Enjoy this tale of paranoia, bizarre circumstances and the power of mass media on a small town. Hopefully Concrete Martians will be invading your comic book shop one day soon! Good luck Mitch! He also wrote a heckuva cool Kitty Pryde X-Men script that would be a perfect for an X-Anthology.