Tag: The Walking Dead

Emerald City Comicon: This Geek’s Odyssey Day 2

Stormtroopers keep the crowd in line at ECCC, ComicsBlend.com

  My second day at Emerald City Comicon in Seattle was packed with geek fun, great moments and exclusives. Any tiredness from day one was suddenly gone as we got the signal to enter the hall after an hour plus wait packed among hundreds of fans.

 

Robert Kirkman get a thank you gift from a fan at ECCC, ComicsBlend.com

  I immediately raced to the Image/Skybound booth for a chance at getting a ticket to get an autograph from Robert Kirkman, the creator and Executive Producer of The Walking Dead.  His story is a geek dream come true. A few cons ago you waited a little while to get his autograph. Now he’s got a hit television series, successful imprint producing hit after hit series, has several con panels dedicated to his work, and you need a ticket for an autograph. Ask any of Kirkman’s fans and you’ll agree he’s earned all his success.

 

Multiple lines for several media stars at ECCC, ComicsBlend.com

 

Edward James Olmos from his panel at ECCC, ComicsBlend.com, photo by Cliff Olmstead

I descended into lower level where eager geeks lined up for autographs and photo opportunities with their favorite sci-fi celebrities from television and movies (for a fee.) Edward James Olmos was my number one. The veteran actor of Blade Runner and Admiral William Adama on Battlestar Galactica had a rugged but regal presence. I chose the cast photo and he signed along with writing the quote “Roll the Hard Six…So Say We All…” Admiral Adama. I’m rarely speechless but I finally expressed my love of his performance and the episodes he directed. A handshake, smile and exchange back and I think I was floating, glowing and certainly grinning as I walked away and down the exit line. Fellow Galactica followers still in line smiled back at me knowing their upcoming moment with the Admiral could be just as satisfying.

 

A young trooper at ECCC, ComicsBlend.com

  The 501st is a Northwest group of Star Wars fans who dress up like the iconic characters and take fan photos for donations. After years of trying to meet up with him I finally saw Chewbacca! I’ve always wanted a photo with the coolest Wookie in the galaxy. Luckily this Chewbacca was visiting from the Oregon branch of the 501st.  A big win on my geek checklist!

 

Chewie Rules! at ECCC, ComicsBlend.com

  Terry and Rachel Dodson (X-Men, Defenders) Clay Mann (X-Men Legacy) Chris Burnham (Batman Inc) Brian Wood (X-Men, Northlanders) Matt Whitlock and Shane Houghton (Peanuts) Joe Eisma (Morning Glories) were the creators on my quest for autographs and exclusive prints.

  A big thank you to DC Comics who gave away so many free issues, posters, buttons and swag. Once again, I had great timing with Dustin Nguyen (Batman, Batman Beyond) offering free sketches for a brief time. I had Chris Burnham sketch Batgirl the day before so I kept it in the Bat family. I was thrilled with Nguyen’s sketch of the Huntress.

Iron Fist raises his hands for a question at a panel at ECCC, ComicsBlend.com

  Marvel definitely offered their fans access to top talent: Ed Brubaker, Matt Fraction, Rick Remender, Dan Slott were among the writers answering fan questions and giving teases about the future of Avengers, X-Men and Spider-Man in multiple panels.

 

Marvel favorites at ECCC, ComicsBlend.com

  Saturday is always the busiest day with a variety of panels and the most cosplay since the big costume competition is that night. From popular choices like Avengers, Batman, Superman to rare surprises like Dazzler (from the disco era) and the worlds of Star Wars, Trek, and Firefly. Saturday was a star packed, panel filled and costumed crazy day at Emerald City Comicon. The fun doesn’t slow on Sunday with more photo ops, signings and more.

  Stay tuned for most posts including a gallery of costumed craziness!

 

Top 5 Picks for 3/28-12

 

Astonishing X-Men #48 courtesy Marvel

  Astonishing X-Men #48 New creative team. New adventure. The first chapter of what Marvel is calling “the most controversial story of the year.” Wolverine, Gambit, Iceman, and Warbird are joined by fan favorite GLBT characters, Northstar and Karma, on a mission in New York City. Marjorie Liu and Mike Perkins take over the team and have you saved the date? A June X-Men wedding has been promised so stay tuned to see the rocky road to the altar.

  Avengers Vs. X-Men #0 The return of the Scarlet Witch and her connection to Hope, the mutant messiah. Can the fallen Avenger redeem  herself? This is the book the kicks off the war between two of Marvel’s biggest teams as the Phoenix Force speeds on a collision course with Earth.

 

courtesy Terry Moore

Rachel Rising, Shadow of Death A young girl digs herself out of a grave with no memory of how she got there. This horror mystery is by legendary independent writer/artist Terry Moore. A preview of Rachel Rising will appear in this week’s The Walking Dead #95. Rachel Rising was the Zanadu Comics Book Reading Club Book of the Month.

  Dark Shadows Volume One If you’re excited by the upcoming Tim Burton/Johnny Depp movie based on gothic soap opera then sink your fangs into this collection by Dynamite starring Barnabas Collins, the reluctant vampire tortured by a witchy woman.

  Archie #631 Betty and Veronica watch out! Riverdale’s triangle is about to get cattier! Valerie of Josie and the Pussycats is moving into town and into Archie’s heart.

The Walking Dead Actress on Making Michonne Badass

 

Danai Gurira courtesy IMDB

  If you think Shane and Daryl are badasses on The Walking Dead get ready to be blown away by the badassness of Michonne! Fans saw the hooded figure slice her way onto the storyline during the season finale on AMC. Right after 9 million viewers watched Michonne’s debut, creator Robert Kirkman announced Danai Gurira will play the character next season. The actress talked with The Hollywood Reporter about how the comics version will influence her on-screen portrayal.

“I’m going to develop that with [showrunner] Glen Mazzara and the whole creative team. They have their own take on the source material. I’m going to be meeting with them next week to get an understanding of what their take is and how she grows and develops. I’ll find out the answer to that in the coming weeks in terms of exactly how she will map out with what she is in the books vs. what she will be on the screen. I’ll be learning as I go in some regards. I do know that she remains an absolute badass and I will be training with katana swords. I’m really excited about that.”

The reporter asked a great question that had me thinking of a badass showdown: Shane Vs. Michonne!

 

The Walking Dead Video Game Trailer

The Walking Dead promo art courtesy AMC

 Hungry for more The Walking Dead? A new TellTale Games video game adaptation of the hit series may satisfy you until the AMC returns next Fall.

Here’s the trailer for the game:

 
Warning! It’s zombies so watch our for gore!

For Northwest fans we can get a more personal “Dead” fix when creator Robert Kirkman, Jon Bernthal and Laurie Holden appear at Emerald City Comicon in less than 2 weeks.

Thanks to Dark Horizons.

The Walking Dead Season Finale Savior & Casting Michonne

WARNING: GRAPHIC VIDEO AHEAD!

WARNING: THIS SHOWS A PIVOTAL SCENE FROM THE FINALE!

IF YOU HAVEN’T SEEN THE FINALE DON’T WATCH!

It was a pivotal moment of The Walking Dead Season Three Finale and perhaps THE fan favorite moment in an episode filled with incredible moments. Here it is again!

 

 

Right after that episode creator Robert Kirkman revealed that Danai Gurira was cast as Michonne on The Talking Dead. Kirkman tells The Hollywood Reporter how he kept the casting secret.

Danai Gurira courtesy IMDB

  “It was very carefully done. The scene was shot — that wasn’t Danai in the costume — so we held the casting until later so it wouldn’t leak because we knew that once we cast Michonne there would be so many agents, managers and casting people that would be aware of it that it would be impossible to keep it under wraps. We waited until later to do it and worked really hard to preserve that reveal.”

  Robert Kirkman explained why Gurira stood out when auditioning for the role.

“Danai really portrayed the power and strength that we need Michonne to exhibit. Michonne is a very complex character who’s dealing with a lot of things and has a very intricate personality. There’s a lot to that role, and Danai, more than any other actress, showed us that she could exhibit that strength and show what an intense character she could be and, at the same time, have that emotional core and be able to show a vulnerability to a certain extent that we don’t see much of but is definitely there. She really was the whole package, and I think she’s going to do a really good job.”

For his entire interview here’s THR link.

The Walking Dead Season Three Preview

Warning Graphic Video Ahead!

The Walking Dead promo art courtesy AMC

The Walking Dead came to a dramatic and horrific end Sunday with two surprises for faithful fans of the comic book series. AMC released a video with cast and Co-Executive Producer Greg Nicotero talking about season three.

 “Next season we follow the arc of the graphic novel with a few departures,” Nicotero promises. “The departures are significant and dramatic, and just continue to add spice to already-great material.”

  That means bring on the Governor, Michonne and the Prison! Take a look:

 

Season Three returns with 6 episodes this Fall.

 

The Walking Dead Michonne Cast!

Danai Gurira courtesy IMDB

  Creator/Executive Producer Robert Kirkman announced that Danai Gurira has been cast as fan favorite character Michonne in Season Three of The Walking Dead. Kirkman made the announcement on last night’s Talking Dead.

  Kirkman told The Hollywood Reporter that the series was “transitioning into a new world” where the survivors are “faced with more adversaries, danger and different kinds of threats” and that Michonne is a “big part of that.”

  Michonne was introduced in issue 19 of the comic book and became a trusted ally of Rick.

“The Walking Dead” More Twists Coming

  The Walking Dead Season 2 Finale is this Sunday. After two shocking episodes (I won’t give away what happened) back to back stay tuned for more surprises says executive producer Glen Mazzara.

“I haven’t seen other shows do two back to back deaths. We don’t play them for shock value – we really wring our hands over these,” Mazzara tells TV Guide.

Many fans had already figured out one character’s fate based on the comic book series and an ad for the Season 2 dvd.

“We still have major plot twists and revelations coming,” he continues,”That cat got out of the bag, but have a lot more cats.”

One big question I hope will be answered this week: What Dr. Jenner told Rick in the final episode of Season 1.