The Superbowl of Comic Conventions

Day 1:

This being my very first Comic-Con (not that I haven’t been to other conventions) I was jazzed to see all the sights and hear the sounds, and I was determined to do so in a manner similar to my previous convention experience, i.e, no game plan.

That was a mistake.

I should have taken the Mike Shanahan approach. Now for those that don’t know Mike Shanahan, he’s the ex-head coach of the Denver Broncos and current head coach of the Washington Redskins and anyway, Shanahan is known as an offensive guru who would script the first 15 offensive plays of the game.

I should have scripted my first day out. I mean, I had all the best intentions of going to several panels (and having a couple of nerdgasms at them) and possibly getting a few autographs along the way. Instead, with this being my first Comic-Con and all, I got overwhelmed. I almost lost my mind and in fact lost track of time.

So in closing, tomorrow Day 2, I’m going to plot out my day to insure that I do all the things that I can possible to at the Superbowl of Comic Conventions.

SDCC Update

Capcom  and Assassin’s Fist Limited have signed an agreement to produce a live-action series based on Capcom’s successful ‘Street Fighter’ game franchise.

More details from Comic-Con as they roll in.

After Twilight #4 Review

Rating: 4/5
Publisher Name: Nu-Classic Publishing
Publisher Website: www.aftertwilightcomics.com

Writer: Gary L. Watson w/ Richard P. Alvarez & Sandra E. Yates
Pencils: Douglas Brown
Colors: Chandran Ponnusamy
Number of Pages: 24
Price: 3.99
Color: Color
Safety Content Label: MAX – EXPLICIT CONTENT – 18 years old.

Publisher’s Blurb:
Jessie the Liberator: Spiritual leader to The Witnesses, a dozen disenfranchised, nonviolent followers rebelling against a corrupt political/religious establishment. When the Apparitors come busting down your door, just hope that Jessie is there to save you.

Reviewer’s Comments:
There was a little bit of a drop off from the excitement in issue 3, but not in the intensity. Issue 4 gives us a closer look at the government who is running the show; The Witnesses, and their enigmatic leader, Jessie the Liberator; and, in my opinion, most importantly, the inner workings of Camp Purity. There is still tons of mystery shrouding all the above mentioned affiliations though. Just enough to keep you craving just a little bit more.

At the end of the day, this was a “setup issue”, which means that the purpose of this particular issue was to pave the way for things to come. These types of issues are inevitable and can often times leave a sour taste in your mouth. I’m sure you can all relate to the pains of waiting a month to see what happens next, only to be told “wait another month to see what happens next”. Not the case in this issue though. The flow of the story is still virtually seamless and the art team is still knocking it out of the park, making even the most mundane of panels jump out at you and demand your attention.

Lastly, we are treated to a twist ending which I did not see coming. I admit, I was leaning towards giving this issue a 3/5, but the ending was so damn good it earned the extra star. Also, for all you big boys out there who enjoy the drawn female form(a group of which I am a card carrying member), you fine folks are treated to an eyeful. I’ll leave it at that.

Bottom line(cause Stonecold said so): Though this was not my favorite issue of the series, it STILL gets a 4/5. A very strong sense of storytelling by all involved and a very unique story for the comics medium makes this series one you don’t want to miss.

SDCC Update- Stan Lee’s World of Heroes

After standing in line for way too long, I was finally able to get a seat and boy was I in for a treat. Stan Lee and company (namely Peter David and Mark Hamil to name a few) announced Stan Lee’s World of Heroes YouTube (youtube.com/worldofheroes) page including Super.Model and Adrianne Curry’s Super Fans.

For more news on Comic-Con 2012 stay tuned.

SDCC Update

Jesse Blaze Snider (“Deadpool”) and Jason Craig (“Freddy vs. Jason vs. Ash”) launch new “Evil Ernie” series for Dynamite Entertainment a property acquired from Chaos! Comics in 2010.

More Comic-Con updates stay tuned.

Ape Entertainment to Develop Comic Series Based on Temple Run

SAN DIEGO, CA – July 11, 2012 – Ape Entertainment, developers of the massively popular Pocket God Comics and Cut the Rope Comic, along with Imangi Studios, developers of the hit mobile game Temple Run, announced a new licensing agreement to create a series of original digital comic books and graphic novels based on the popular game. In a global rights’ licensing agreement, initiated & brokered by Dimension Branding Group (DBG), the comics series will explore the yet untold backstory of the characters found within the game and delve into the mysteries surrounding the ancient temples they run through.
“The Temple Run game left a lot to the imagination, with more questions than answers. We look forward to exploring the world of Temple Run and the adventures of Guy Dangerous in more detail with Ape Entertainment and the comic series,” said Keith Shepherd, CEO of Imangi Studios.

Created by Imangi Studios, Temple Run® is the most exhilarating running game on the App Store. Players test their reflexes as they race down ancient temple walls and along sheer cliffs. They swipe to turn, jump and slide to avoid obstacles, collect coins to buy power ups, and run as far as they can through an ever more challenging terrain.

Ape Entertainment plans to release the full-color comic book series in print as well as through a standalone Temple Run Comics app for iPad, iPhone and iPod touch in the coming months.

“Temple Run is by far one of my favorite adventure games on the App Store,” said David Hedgecock, CEO of Ape Entertainment. “The thrilling gameplay plays into our plans very nicely for an extraordinary storyline that we know fans will enjoy.”

“In the fast paced world of apps, Temple Run gives “fast” new meaning,, delivering an exotic and ever changing world with characters ripe for story development,” says Marsha Armitage-Bristow, EVP Licensing at DBG

For more information, please visit www.ape-entertainment.com or www.imangistudios.com.

KaBOOM! STUDIOS LAUNCHES BRAVEST WARRIORS

July 12, 2012 – Los Angeles, CA- This October, KaBOOM! is proud to announce BRAVEST WARRIORS, based on the new Pendleton Ward cartoon, written by Joey Comeau (A SOFTER WORLD) and drawn by Mike Holmes (ADVENTURE TIME).

Additionally, KaBOOM! Studios is pleased to announce a last minute signing at San Diego Comic Con with Pendleton Ward, creator of the brand new animated series that BRAVEST WARRIORS is based on. Ward will be signing in the designated Comic-Con signing area in the Sails Pavilion on Saturday 1:30pm-2:30pm. In order to be eligible to participate in the signing, fans must come to the BOOM! booth (#2743) to obtain a ticket. In order to obtain a ticket for the Pendleton Ward signing, fans must purchase the Adventure Time #1 Pendleton Ward SDCC exclusive variant cover on Wednesday night, Thursday, or Friday during show hours. The tickets will be limited to 500 total and numbered. Ticket holders will be entered into a lottery for one of 30 guaranteed signing spots on Saturday. Winning ticket numbers will be posted at the BOOM! booth on Saturday morning. Winning ticket holders will be eligible to get one item signed by Ward.

POWER! RESPECT! Join Chris, Wallow, Beth and Danny, four 16-year-old heroes-for-hire, as they warp from galaxy to galaxy, saving alien races with the power of their…emotions. They’re noble, righteous and totally bodacious! This new series of original comics based on the new series from ADVENTURE TIME creator Pendleton Ward is sure to be a smash!

“I love the good natured respect of friendship and silliness at the heart of Pendleton Ward’s work,” commented writer Comeau, “I’m excited for people to see what I have planned for the characters!”

BRAVEST WARRIORS ships in October with main covers by Tyler Hesse and Maris Wicks. As well as Marc Bell, Jim Rugg and Pendleton Ward variants. This title is a six-issue mini-series which is accessible to all ages. Each issue will run a full 32 pages and will carry a $3.99 price point.

VIZ MEDIA INVITES YOUNG FANS TO KIDS DAY AT COMIC-CON

VIZ MEDIA INVITES YOUNG FANS FOR KIDS DAY AT 2012 COMIC-CON INTERNATIONAL

VIZ Media welcomes younger fans and the young-at–heart on Sunday, July 15th for KIDS DAY at the company’s expansive Booth 2813 at the 2012 Comic-Con International, the nation’s biggest comic book, science fiction and pop culture event, in San Diego, CA. The day will celebrate the company’s VIZ KIDS imprint with a free graphic novel sampler, VOLTRON FORCE® and WINX CLUB lanyards, and special guest appearances to delight visitors of all ages.

Fans are invited to meet artist Ray-Anthony Height, from VIZ Media’s new original graphic novel series, REDAKAI, who will make an in-booth personal appearance at 12:30pm. This will be immediately followed with an appearance by fellow REDAKAI artist Dan Ciurczak at 1:30pm. Based on the animated action series currently airing on Cartoon Network, REDAKAI is set in exotic locales with amazing battles, monstrous warriors, and super powers and follows the adventures of Team Stax as they race against competitors searching the world for mystical kairu energy, the primal power of the universe

Visitors are also invited to meet VOLTRON FORCE Vol. 1 graphic novel artist Jacob Chabot, who will be on-hand to meet fans of the series at 2:30pm. VOLTRON® is a hugely successful, globally recognized brand that was introduced in the early 1980’s. The new Voltron Force animated series and VIZ Media’s graphic novel series are a continuation of the classic ’80s cartoon, Voltron: Defender of the Universe, with updated storylines and characters for a whole new generation. VIZ Media’s VOLTRON FORCE graphic novels are all-new, original adventures featuring Larmina, Daniel and Vince, the Voltron Force cadets.

VOLTRON FORCE fans are encouraged to come learn the fun new VOLTRON Dance at 11am and 3:30pm. The first 30 fans who attend each session receive a free copy of the VOLTRON FORCE® Vol. 1 graphic novel.

WINX CLUB fans will also want to catch a special appearance by the Winx fairies. Come and meet Bloom, Aisha and Stella at 11:30am and 4pm. Based on the smash hit Nickelodeon animated TV program, VIZ Media’s WINX CLUB graphic novels offer fun fairy-inspired magical adventures for girls, and follow the magical adventures of five best friends— Bloom, Stella, Musa, Tecna and Flora — at Alfea, a school for fairies in the amazing dimension of Magix. With powers of sunlight, science, music, nature, and flame, the girls learn together even as they regularly battle their rivals, a trio of witches known as The Trix.

For more information on REDAKAI, VOLTRON FORCE, WINX CLUB or other VIZ Kids properties, please visit: www.VIZKids.com.