Category: Television

Comicon for Virgins 2013

Emerald City Comicon Exclusive by Alex Ross courtesy Emerald City Comicon

This is the year! You know you want to go. You cheered in The Avengers and The Dark Knight Rises. You may have said “say what?” when the picture of Superman smooching Wonder Woman hit mainstream news sites.

Geek has gone global! Nerd is no longer niche. There’s no better geek experience than a comic book convention! Make 2013 the year you attend one!

In just two months the city I call home will host my favorite 3 days of the year! This March Emerald City Comicon will bring Sir Patrick Stewart, Billy Dee Williams, Carrie Fisher, Adam West, Burt Ward, stars of The Walking Dead and a huge roster of comic book creators to Northwest fans.

If you’re a sci-fi or comic fan but have never gone to a con this post is for you. By special request here’s a guide to Comicons for Virgins!

1. Have fun. Bring cash. You never know when you will find an awesome back issue or amazing print!

2. Do a little homework to maximize your con time. I have a wish list of stars and creators I hope to meet and panels I want to attend.

3. You know what they say about best laid plans! If you miss something don’t worry, there’s always something cool around the corner.

4. When it comes to autographs from writers/artists. Know when they have panels booked so you’re not waiting in line and then they have to leave for a panel. Autographs/photos from media guests (TV and movie stars) are on a schedule and do have fees.

5. I take only a max of 4-6 books to be signed by a writer/artist. Respect the other fans waiting just like you. Don’t drop dozens of books to be signed. You can buy books new at their table usually. This is your chance to talk with the creators. If you’re going to be critical, be constructive and respectful. If the writer killed off your favorite character, don’t worry, they’ll be resurrected eventually. This is your moment with the creator but remember your fellow fans are patiently waiting for their moments too.

6. Sketches. Most artists charge a fee – it’s worth it! Ask the guys ahead of you what they’re charging. Sometimes you might catch an artist in a mood and sketches are free but most have a fee – many have already been commissioned. Even if they’re drawing they will still autograph your books. Be patient.

Claremont/Byrne era Phoenix & Nightcrawler at ECCC, ComicsBlend.com

7. Let your geek flag fly! Don’t be self-conscious. If you want to go all out with a costume – go for it or just wear a cool t-shirt celebrating your favorite comic, sci-fi or fantasy thing. This is your chance at a second Halloween so go for it!

8. Panels – If it’s a big name star or show the expect a huge crowd so get there early.

9. Expand your horizons! This is a great time to discover a new artist, book, writer. If you’re just a superhero comic fan – why not try a crime, western or indie series.

10. Have fun! Bring cash! Be Patient!

Hope to see some of you at Emerald City Comicon March 1-3, 2013. Keep checknig out this site for updates and coverage.

By Editor

 

Battlestar Galactica Lives in 2013

 

courtesy Amazon
courtesy Amazon

   I still miss SyFy’s Battlestar Galactica. One of my geekiest highlights of 2012 (and maybe ever!) was meeting Edward James Olmos at Emerald City Comicon. I was literally speechless for a while.

  I haven’t watched the series since it ended but I did get to swoon at the exhibit at Seattle’s Sci-Fi Museum – sigh!

  The saga continues in 2013 with Battlestar Galactica: Blood and Chrome set during the First Cylon War. This is the pilot turned web series now (almost) available. Luke Pasqualino plays the William Adama – a Viper pilot assigned to the Galactica. This collection arrives February 19th.

  Battlestar Galactica: The Complete Series can soon be seen on glorious Blu-ray in April.

By Editor

 

Comic Book Movies 2013

As we celebrate the finale of The Dark Knight Trilogy, the success of The Avengers and the return of James Bond in in Skyfall in 2012, it’s time to look at some of the genre films that will thrill us in 2013.

Here are my most anticipated comic book films of 2013.

Hugh Jackman as The Wolverine courtesy Marvel and 20th Century Fox

The Wolverine Hugh Jackman plays the X-Man in his second solo movie based on the classic story by Chris Claremont and Frank Miller. It’s Logan in Japan fighting Yakuka, Ronin, the Hand and The Silver Samurai! This film introduces three iconic women of Wolverine’s list of romantic conquests: Lady Mariko – daughter of crime lord, Yukio – the wild assassin who inspired Storm to get a mohawk, and Viper – ruthless terrorist leader.  With James Mangold (Walk the Line, 3:10 to Yuma) directing from the classic source material, I think this film will be a showcase of action and great acting Jackman. Jackman and Wolverine are one of the greatest combining of actor and role ever.

Thor: The Dark World Chris Hemsworth as the Thunder God goes home again when a new threat targets Asgard! Malekith (played by former Doctor Who Christopher Eccleston) leads the Dark Elves on a quest for vegeance that threatens the Nine Realms. Adwele Akinnuoye-Agbaje plays another classic comic book enemy: Kurse. I hope to see a bigger role for Lady Sif (Jaime Alexander) and look forward to that bloody Shakespearean drama from Anthony Hopkins, Hemsworth and Tom Hiddleston as Odin, Thor and Loki.

Iron Man 3 Marvel is injecting new creative blood (director Shane Black) and a classic enemy – Ben Kingsley as the Mandarin – in Tony’s third solo movie. The story is based on the classic Extremis story and introduces new armor including the Iron Patriot.

Man of Steel With a team like director Zach Snyder, producer Christopher Nolan and writer David Goyer will this darker, realistic Superman work the way Dark Knight did? Henry Cavill will face Michael Shannon as Zod and possibly more evil Kryptonians.

Star Trek: Into Darkness To boldly go where no franchise has gone before! J.J. Abrams rebooted the sci-fi classic by honoring the original series while moving forward at warp speed. Kirk, Spock and the Enterprise crew track a mystery villain (Benedict Cumberbatch) villain out to destroy the Federation.

What’s on your list to watch for in 2013?

By Editor

 

 

Doctor Who Christmas Wish List

Matt Smith as The Doctor courtesy BBC America

As we celebrate the Christmas episode of Doctor Who I was inspired to make a wish list for second half of the season in 2013. The Snowmen will introduce the Doctor’s new companion: Clara Oswin (Jenna-Louise Coleman) and bring some humor back after the heartbreaking end of The Angels Take Manhattan.

The Return of Madame Vastra, Jenny and Strax! Check these off! The Doctor’s allies appear in the holiday episode.

Neil Gaiman Returns! The Sandman creator wrote one of the most emotional episodes of all time. The writer of The Doctor’s Wife is working on script for the upcoming second season starring…

Cybermen! Those sinister cyborgs will return in an episode penned by Gaiman.

Torchwood! Can you imagine Captain Jack Harkness hitting on Matt Smith’s Eleventh Doctor? I’m curious if there is an organization like Torchwood now. It was fun to meet Kate Stewart in The Power of Three. Kate is following in her father’s (Brigadier Lethbridge-Stewart) footsteps with UNIT.

The Doctor faces Brian Williams! Will the Time Lord break the news of Amy and Rory’s fate to Rory’s dad? Moffat would write a heart ripping scene I know Matt Smith and Mark Williams would play the hell out of

Zygons! My favorite aliens of the series! The Tom Baker storyline Terror of the Zygons creeped me out because it involved the Loch Ness Monster but when I saw the Zygons for the first time it gave me childhood nightmares. I thought sure we might see one in The Pandorica Opens. Fingers crossed for the return of those creep suction cup crustacean looking bastards!

Queen Nerfertiti and John Riddell! Riann Steele and Rupert Graves played the Egyptian Queen and big game hunter who joined the Doctor in Dinosaurs on a Spaceship. How about the Doctor, Riddell, Clara and her Majesty united for an adventure in ancient Egypt that brings back Sutekh, another villain from the Tom Baker days in Pyramids of Mars.

Doctor Who in Seattle!  Why should New York City and Utah have all the fun? Emerald City Whovians like me would love to have the Doctor come to the home of the Space Needle – maybe it’s a real spaceship waiting to blast off or a Tardis?

That’s my wish list but I trust in Steven Moffat! Happy Holidays to my fellow Whovians around the globe!

By Editor

Teen Wolf Star Joins ARROW

courtesy The CW

Producers of The CW hit Arrow are adding another DC comics icon to the hit series! TV Guide reports Colton Haynes of MTV’s Teen Wolf will join the series as Roy Harper.     Green Arrow fans know Harper is Ollie’s sidekick Speedy. The young marksmen was created in 1941 and in the 1970’s became a drug addict and source of frustration for his mentor. Harper grew up to become Arsenal of the Titans and went by the code name Red Arrow as a member of the Justice League.

In the DC Comics New 52 Harper is using the code name Arsenal again as a member of Red Hood and the Outlaws.

On Arrow Harper will be a love interest for Thea (Willa Holland) who goes by Speedy on the series.

Did producers hit the bullseye on this casting? Should  be go by Speedy or skip to Arsenal?

By Editor

Burt Ward, Robin of Batman Coming to Emerald City Comicon!

Burt Ward as Robin in Batman – photo courtesy Emerald City Comicon

   Burt Ward is coming to Seattle’s Emerald City Comicon 2013 for the first time! The actor played Robin on the 1960’s Batman series will join his castmate Adam West at next year’s big convention. Ward is the author of Boy Wonder: My Life in Tights. Ward will appear all three days: March 1-3, 2013 at the Washington State Convention Center.

  In the late 70’s my dad took this young geek to see Burt Ward (in Robin costume) and get his autograph!

By Editor

 

Top 5 Comic Book Picks for 12/12/12

 

Avengers Arena #1 courtesy Marvel

Avengers Arena #1 Sixteen superpowered teens (including members of Runaways, Avengers Academy) wake up on an island with an ultimatum: fight or die! One of the biggest surprises of Marvel Now kicks off this week by Dennis Hopeless and Kev Walker. Imagine X-23 in Battle Royale and The Hunger Games and that gives you an idea!

Batman #15 The Joker holds all the cards. He knows Batman’s biggest secret. He’s predicted when all Batman’s allies and friends will be dead. The Riddler finds out the hard way that not even other villains are safe from the Joker’s mad final scheme.

Cable and X-Force #1 The son of Cyclops is back with a brand new team. Why have these mutant heroes been branded terrorists?

Fantastic Four #2 Marvel’s First Family blasts off across time and space. Can Reed keep the real motivation for this family vacation hidden from Susan? What new threats are waiting for them?

Space 1999: Aftershock and Awe A disaster blasts the moon out of orbit and across space. The crew of Moonbase Alpha will face outrageous aliens as they try to find a way home. I was a huge fan of this classic sci-fi series from the swinging 70’s but I didn’t know there was a comic book series. This trade paperback collects new stories of the crew of Moonbase Alpha.

By Editor

STAR TREK: INTO DARKNESS Picture Names Villain

 

Star Trek: Into Darkness courtesy Paramount Pictures

After seeing the new Star Trek: Into Darkness trailer you think Benedict Cumberbatch is playing…Khan? Gary Seven?

Paramount Pictures revealed this new photo today with the caption stating Cumberbatch is playing…John Harrison?

Fascinating.

The villain is locked in what appears to be a brig. Is Harrison a human? Could the new Trek film explore genetic cloning – is he a super human? an alien hybrid?

Thanks to the excellent and thorough StarTrek.com – a great source for all things Trek.

By Editor