Seattle’s self-proclaimed super villain is giving back! Rex Velvet has become a YouTube sensation and gained fans around the globe. Velvet appeared in the role of a “the bad guy” in this story in which a young boy wanted to be a secret agent!
Rex Velvet is hosting a benefit concert at Fremont Mischief Distillery Saturday May 4th to benefit “Make-A-Wish” “MDA” and “Freedom Isn’t Free Foundation.” All ticket proceeds are going to be donated to these three preferred charities.
Comic book writer Kelly Sue DeConnick will appear at GeekGirlCon 2013. The event celebrates the contributions of women to geek culture in comics, science, gaming, film and more.
DeConnick has been in the industry for the last decade, writing comics and adapting manga into English including the scripts for Kare First Love, Black Cat, Sexy Voice and Robo and Blue Spring.
DeConnick’s best-known mainstream comics work is with Marvel Comics. Ms. Marvel became Captain Marvel with DeConnick at the helm of the new series that debuted last year with Carol Danvers in a new costume and role.
You don’t have to go to Westeros to see dragons! Seattle’s EMP Museum invites you to their latest exhibit Fantasy: Worlds of Myth and Magic featuring elements from The Hobbit, The Wizard of Oz and The Princess Bride to Harry Potter and Snow White and the Huntsman. You can take off on a fantastical journey to discover the inspiration behind this genre’s most magnificent creations.
See iconic costumes from television and the big screen including The Wizard of Oz, Xena: Warrior Princess, Labyrinth, and The Princess Bride; pet a dragon designed by Seattle Opera; sit atop the Iron Throne from HBO’s Game of Thrones; and witness original hand-edited manuscript pages from J.R.R Tolkien’s The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings.
courtesy EMP Museum
Now about that dragon…Of the 902 name ideas submitted 10 were selected and put to a public vote. EMP presented Adalinda, scaly guardian of the gallery!
Built by Seattle Opera Scenic Studios, Adalinda’s head is approximately six-feet-long and her “bite” would be slightly bigger than that of a great white shark. Her claws have a grasp of 18 inches, her tail is about the length of an adult saltwater crocodile, and if she were to spread her wings they would stretch to more than 36 feet.
Xena’s costume at EMP Museum, photo by ComicsBlend
The Opening Night party gave excited fans a first look at the collection, meet Knights in shining armor, enjoy a taste of cider, grog or meed and a photo op on the Iron Throne from Game of Thrones.
Fantasy: Worlds of Myth and Magic is now open at Seattle’s EMP Museum! While you’re there don’t miss Icons of Science Fiction and Can’t Look Away: The Lure of the Horror Film.
Phil Jimenez at Fan Expo Vancouver, photo by ComicsBlend
Acclaimed artist Phil Jimenez (Fairest, Wonder Woman, New X-Men) has transformed Warrior Woman! It’s the latest character redesign victory in a stellar comic book career.
Jimenez recently made his first trip to Vancouver, B.C. to appear at Fan Expo Vancouver. Along with sketching for fans and signing comic books Jimenez appeared on a Sketch Duel panel with Stephen Sadowski (JSA, Starman, Avengers) that was an insightful and hilarious highlight of the Expo.
Jimenez and Sadowski are known for their popular redesigns of characters so the first half of the sketch duel challenge was to give a B (or C or maybe D level depending on your opinion) character a new look while they shared insights on their design work and answered fan questions.
After a wave of suggestions from the audience (including Modok, Ma Hunkel, Booster Gold and Legion – that was mine) Jimenez decided on Dazzler and Sadowski took on Jack of Hearts!
As the sketching began Jimenez revealed how fashion design and trends have affected his work citing a Donna Troy look he said was inspired by Emma Peel (played by Diana Rigg) of The Avengers (as in the classic British series!) He went on to say how comics should be fantastical and his design influence was more haute couture than ready to wear.
Sadowski revealed his new takes on Atom Smasher and Hawkgirl on his JSA run as his favorite character redesigns. Busts and body images of female superheroes was a popular audience topic. Sadowski shared that he fought to give Kendra smaller breasts because he felt it would be more appropriate for her hawk-like appearance and the need to be more aerodynamic.
The first half hour ended with a Sadowski revealing a bolder, cleaner and more built version of Jack of Hearts while Jimenez went retro giving the Disco Dazzler big sunglasses and Farrah Fawcett inspired hair!
Dazzler by Phil Jimenez, photo by ComicsBlend
The second half hour was the most unique version of Pictionary you might ever experience. The audience submitted comic book characters, iconic weapons (like Thor’s hammer) or items of a costume (I chose Storm’s headpiece) on cards. Mystique and Wonder Woman cosplayers joined Team Jimenez while Beast and one of a trio (imagine an all male version of the X-Men’s Stepford Cuckoos) of Phoenixes played on Team Sadowski.
Jimenez vs. Sadowski sketch duel at Fan Expo Vancouver, photo by ComicsBlend
One of my favorite moments at Fan Expo Vancouver this past weekend was this robot ready for romance!
When you think of protocol droid C3PO you may not immediately jump to thinking of him as “ladies man.”
I wanted to share this cosplayer’s clever pick up line inspired by the greatest sci-fi movie of all time. At Fan Expo Vancouver over the weekend this Star Wars fan sported the goldenrod droid’s look with this sign:
“Ladies, this is the droid you’re looking for!”
No word on if he made a connection!
The actors who played Darth Vader (David Prowse) and young Boba Fett (Daniel Logan) were among the celebrities greeting fans. I’m sure this 3PO was in line!
For more cosplay from Vancouver here’s a link to day one and two.
Stan Lee with Marvel Cosplayers at Fan Expo Vancouver, photo by ComicsBlend.com
Fan Expo Vancouver celebrated a second year by bringing in the biggest geek God of all – Stan Lee! The legendary creator inspired huge lines for autographs, photos opportunities! Stan the Man delivered a special surprise – posing with dozens of these Marvel inspired cosplayers! It’s amazing to think nearly all these characters were created or co-created by this incredible writer who still have spectacular energy and wicked sense of humor.
The cast of the hit sci-fi show Continuum greeted fans and teased the almost here season premiere (tonight, April 21st.) Rachel Nichols recalled her favorite fights (as Scarlet vs. the Baroness in G.I. The Rise of Cobra) and her many action packed roles (Alias and Star Trek.)
X-Men cosplayers at Fan Expo Vancouver photo by ComicsBlend.com
Phil Jimenez and Stephen Sadowski participated in the expo’s first sketch duel! The first challenge was to redesign a B-level character. Sadowski pumped up and scaled down (briefly an Avenger) Jack of Hearts while Jimenez styled up Dazzler. Beast, Mystique, Wonder Woman and Phoenix consplayers joined the two artists for a game of comic book Pictionary with hilarious results. Sunday’s big sketch duel is between David Finch, Bob Layton and Kaare Andrews!
Fans has the chance to cheer and ask questions of Stan Lee, The Walking Dead star Michael Rooker among other celebrities. Sunday Nichelle Nichols of Star Trek, Elvira, Michael Hogan of Battlestar Galactica are the big Q&A sessions so grab your guide and plan ahead to get a great seat.
Thor/Cosplay leader at Fan Expo Vancouver photo by ComicsBlend.com
Vancouver could be renamed Fancouver as lovers of comic books, anime, video games, science fiction and fantasy converged on the convention center. There’s an amazing sense of community as geeks gather to share and cheer for the fan-favorite creators and legendary stars.
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Keep coming back for more stories, pictures and interviews!
Fan Expo Vancouver is this weekend. Stan Lee, Nichelle Nichols, Michael Rooker, Michael Hogan and Sean Astin are among the celebrities can meet but there’s some extra fun for comic book fans.
Sketch Duels are a great interactive take on the panel in which two or more comic book artists create their work of art in a friendly competition while answering fan questions during the hour and one lucky fan walks away with the unique sketch.
This year’s scheduled sketch duels are:
Stephen Sadowski (JSA, Hawkman, Fairest) vs. Phil Jimenez (Fairest, New X-Men, Wonder Woman)Saturday at 1pm
Steve Epting (Captain America, New Avengers) vs. Alex Maleev (Daredevil: End of Day) Saturday at 4pm
David Finch (Batman, The Dark Knight, Justice League of America) vs. Bob Layton (Iron Man) vs. Kaare Andrews (Ultimate Comics X-Men) Sunday at 1pm.
This photo is one of lucky audience winners (in stunning Mystique cosplay) who left with this amazing Sadowski sketch!
Attention Pacific Northwest geeks! If you missed out on Emerald City Comicon or just can’t get enough then get ready to head north on April 20th and 21st for Fan Expo Vancouver! This is the second major comicon for the beautiful British Columbia city where many sci-fi films are shows are filmed. Since my Comicon for Virgins helped some first time Seattle fans enjoy Emerald City Comicon here’s an updated version that might inspire you to head north!
