This is Entry 84: Guest Blogger *Really*

Well, actually what is posted here in was to be Entry 80 & technically still but I don't feel like have to make my readers (I've heard rumors that they exist) to have too scroll down the page, it's a long way down to Entry 80. 83 is a whole big mess of text, 82 is pictures to be distracted by & 81 is a video to be distracted by so I post it what 80 was to be here.

To refresh your memory: I designated 80 & now 84 to be the review of Emerald City ComiCon 2009 by that of ComiCon Newbie & Lurker of this here blog o' mine, Caleb McGary. This post been almost a month coming from him being busy with other things (Work), his computer being a bit pissy with him & according to him "I keep forgetting". Also in talking with him (he being one of the few readers that I talk to in real life) it sounded like (to me) his review was going to be this mega long entry. But it's not & that's ok. :)

Here for the first time on MyBlog/Stuff by Brian I hand off the reigns to another person. Here is Caleb's review of the 'Con & he even titled too!

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Comicon: First Impressions


So,

This was my first time attending the Emerald City Comicon. I had prepped in advance, by pre-registering and making sure that I knew who was showing and whatnot. I also had cleared out a book bag and gotten some plastic covers, with which I could use to contain comics I purchased. However, I wasn’t sure exactly what to expect.

On arrival, my friend and I snagged a close parking spot and walked into the convention center. Almost immediately I encountered a raging Chewbacca tromping down the hallway at a dangerous speed. I politely moved out of the way and continued towards the Con. As we got closer, it became more and more evident that this is a hard core comic convention. The hallways were filled with fans, people in costume, fathers showing their sons the likes of Superman and Batman. People were standing around reading all shapes, sorts and sizes of comic books, ranging from web comics to old school books that had been out longer than I have been alive. It was awesome.

I had wisely withdrawn a limited amount of funds in advance so my spending budget was already allocated and I was not planning on spending any more than that. On entering the Con, which occupied one of the larger rooms at the convention center, space rapidly disappeared. You had to squeeze to move anywhere. I opted to take a snake like approach to the Con, going up one isle and coming down the next side. This, while it guaranteed that I would see everything, also increased the amount of time at the Con it would take to find what I was looking for. I quickly learned a few key things:
1. Check the boxes. Good stuff is in them.
2. Ask the exhibitors questions. They know where the rare stuff is.
3. Don’t stop for food. It takes too much time.
4. The Storm Trooper’s weapon is fake, even if it does make noise.

About midway through, I encountered Half Pixel’s booth and was able to meet Scott Kurtz, an author of a webcomic (PVPOnline) that I read on a daily basis. I also had my photo snapped with the famous 501st Legion (a group of Star Wars impersonators that raise money for charity – from Arizona). I didn’t make any panels the first day as the time was spent entirely reading comics (substantial portion on the Superhero Civil War).

The Second day was much more laid back. I had already spent the majority of my allocated funds, and so I more or less took it easy, walking through areas I enjoyed and stopping at one panel discussion to learn about comics.

When all was said and done, I had acquired some very nice comics, thoroughly enjoyed myself and felt as if I had participated in a great knowledge transfer. See at the event, there was a large number of new people, and significant numbers of the younger generation. It was if the older generation was passing the torch and instilling the value of comics in them.

To quote Daniel L. Hardin
The time has come for me to go
We’re stronger, we are in the know
Progress made just as was planned
The torch is now in another hand
End quote.

It was a legendary experience, one I hope to repeat next year.

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That's it. That's all he wrote. Much of what Caleb rings true for me & probably many Con goers. After reading this I have a few questions: Where is his picture with the 501st? Where are his other Photos? What does he think of Civil War? Did he just read the main series? Any tie-ins? Which ones? Did he buy any other comics? Did he buy anything else? Did his friend, Bryce, buy anything? Which panel did he go to? Did he enjoy it? Why didn't he mention meeting me there?

And lastly: Who the frell is Daniel L. Hardin?

I will echo 2 things Caleb said: It was Awesome & I will be there next year.

Until next time: Stay Jazzy!

- Brian

This is Entry 83: Comic Book Backlog!

Well, since I'm here & all I might as well do what I've been planning on doing for sometime: Review the Backlog of Back Issues (& Graphic Novels)!

These books go everywhere from last October to Emerald City ComiCon earlier this month. That's 7 months!!!!!! This will follow my normal method of reviewing: they will be divided into 3 main groups (Marvel, DC & Other) & each will get a brief statement about the books. These will be extremely brief statements as I have a lot of books to get through if you'd like me to talk a book or tow in more length: reply & I'll do so.

Let's start.. NOW!

DC COMICS

- Detective Comics #482: I bought this issue from 1978 for one of the back-up stories. It's Bat-Mites' last story appearance for over 20 years & I have a soft spot for the guy.

- Detective Comics #567: The cover story is written by Harlan Ellison!

- I picked up 4 Bat Annual which all are alternate takes on characters from that group of characters. Batman: Legends of the Dark Knight from '94 is an Elseworlds book & other 3 ( Azrael, Batman: Legands of the Dark Knight & Batman: Shadow of the Dark) are are part of the Legends of a Dead Earth books, from 1996 & all seem to have a Medieval feel to them.

- Batman: Legends of the Dark Knight #191 is a story about Mr. Freeze.

- I got 3 "official comic book adaptations of the Warner Bros. motion picture" for 3 of the Batmen films (Batman Returns, Batman Forever, Batman Forever). Interestingly enough all 3 are written by Denny O'Neil.

- 7 Issues of The Brave & Bold: #95: Batman & Plastic Man, #111: Batman & The Joker, #120: Batman & Kamandi, the Last Boy on Earth, #123: Batman, Plastic Man & Metamorpho, #157: Batman & Kamandi, the Last Boy on Earth, #191: Batman & The Joker & #200: Batman & Batman. (Yes, that is not a mistype 2 different Batmen show up in this book).

- The New Adventures of Superboy #50: Superboy teams up with the The Legion of Super-Heroes to fight someone who as gotten a hold of the H-Dial (from the old "Dial H for Hero" series) and is using it for evil. So, I guess that would make it a V Dial now. :)

- Superman #175 From 1965, It's an "imaginary story" when Lex Luthor becomes Clark Kent's brother!

- Superman #330: an issue where they explain who no one guess that Clark Kent & Superman are the same person. The answer: Super-Hypnotism!

- Superman #349: an issue where Superman travels to a world where the genders are reversed. There is a Superwoman , a Wonder Warrior & a Batwoman among others. There is even a Leslie Luthor!

- Superman #421: An issue where Superman faces off against not 1 imp but 2!

- Superman #2 & 11: this is the second & eleventh issue after the Post Crisis on Infinite Earth relaunch. It's restarted a whole bunch of things. In Issue 2 Lex thinks he finally knows who Superman is & 11 is the "first" appearance of Mr. Mxyzptlk.

- Superman #137, Action Comics 745-747, Man of Steel #80 & 81 are all part of a multi-book, multi-month storyline involving a villain called Dominus & a various different eras of Superman.

- Adventures of Superman #508 & 510: The Challengers of The Unknown show up in 508 & Bizarro is in 510.

- Man of Steel #37, this book takes place during Zero Hour & Supes meets up with many, many different versions of Batman.

- Man of Steel #92: part 4 of the "One-Man JLA" storyline. It poses 4 different questions all being "What if Baby Kal-El didn't come to Earth but to *insert different Planet here*?" The story has him on Oa, Tanagar, Mars & Rann.

- Action Comics # 375 & 385 from '69 & '70. 375 with Superman having Amnesia & 385 Superman is 100,00 years old.

- Superman's Pal Jimmy Olsen #71 & 78: one of the weirder mainstream books of the past I know about. The plots fall in like 3 different categories, Superman is a jerk in most of the stories & Jimmy has a fan club!

- LEX 2000: a book celebrating Lex being elected to being President of the United States.

- Superman Inc.: An Elseworlds story where the man who would be Superman was not raised by the Kents by was a foster child & how that changed the course of history.

- 1st Issue Special #10 & 11 a "try out the character(s)" series from the '70's. 10 is about The Outsiders, it's not based off of the book or the later comic series & team by the same name. 11 is about Codename: Assassin who is in the current Superman storyline.

- Space Ghost Coast to Coast #10, the comic sort of based of the show of the same name.

- Darkseid #1, part of the New Years Evil event DC ran back in '98.

- Hourman #1, 2 & 6: 3 issues from the late '90's series about the 3rd character to used the name.

- Forever Maelstrom #1: Issue 1 of a miniseries about a time traveling history professor.

- Sugar & Spike: a book of reprints of the classic DC characters.

- 'Mazing Man #1: I'm not sure how to explain 'Mazing Man. it;s series from the late '80 with a short would be super hero in a yellow helmet with a red M on it. He has a talking anthropomorphic dog as his best friend (The dog has a human sister). There is more but moving on.

The Spectre #0: this issue is from just post Zero Hour.

Tales of the Teen Titans #50: This issue is about Donna Troy (the original Wonder Girl) marriage to some guy named Terry.

- My dad knows a guy (I'm not sure how) but every time we've been to the ECCC: he's there & I gets some comic book for free. This year I got an "exclusive preview" for the over sized JLA: Liberty & Justice book from a few years ago. This was partly because my Dad told him I like the art of Alex Ross.

- Lastly is a series I've been looking for some time: It's Zero Hour, the graphic novel has been out of print for some time & I've never seen them at Cons' so when I saw some guy have the complete series for sale I bought it right up. ZH happen 10 years post Crisis on Infinite Earths to try & tie of some loose ends left over from CoIE & some other stuff. ZH also made a few goofs of it's own which where resolved with until recently (Every 10 years DC likes to tidy up the shop a bit, it doesn't always work out).

- 4 Graphic Novels: The Justice Society Returns, Superman/Batman: Vengeance, All-Star Superman Vol. 1 & Batman RIP. JSR told a story form the JSA's past which help set up the the relaunch of their title in the '90's. S/B:V was story arc from that series which featured multiple dimension & Bat-Mite! A-SS is the first half of that series. B:RIP tells of how Batman dies, features Bat-Mite in a bit part & also tries to explain a few of the crazy 1950's Batman stories, too.

Marvel Comics

- Marvel Tales #230: Spider-Man teams up with Dazzler.

- Peter Parker, The Spectacular Spider-Man #80 & 96: 80 is devoted to J. Jonah Jameson & 96 is from the mid 80's. I picked up mostly because Black Cat is in it.

- Amazing Spider-Man #262 which has a photo cover since the story inside involves Peter's picture being take as he changes into his costume & how he deal with it.

- 2 issues from the Marvel's Flashback event: Peter Parker, Spider-Man -1 & Untold Tales of Spider-Man -1. UToS is a story about Peter's Parents & PP,S is about events that foreshadow event in Peter's teen life.

- 2 issues of The Incredible Hulk: #148 & 156, both involving Jarella & the subatomic universe she hails from.

- Uncanny X-Men #137 & 461, 137 is a milestone issue: Jean Grey's first death. It was important back then in 1980 but since it's still important but Jean dies ever few years now it seem like. 461 features the Mojo, The X-Babies, The Exiles & a few other things that are cool.

- The Uncanny X-Men for this year. I consider this a back issue & not a new issue since I bought it at a Con which it was already bagged & boarded. It ties into the Dark Reign even that is running through the Marvel Universe.

- Cable #77 part of the "Ages of Apocalypse" event.

- Domino #1 & 2: the first 2 issues of a mini series featuring the X-Force member.

- Dazzler #1: It has a painted cover. Funny thing about Dazzler: she was created in part to cash in on Disco but didn't come out until 1980. :)

- Wolverine #-1, it's a Flashback book!

- Heroes for Hope starring the X-Men: the cover says all the proceeds from this book goes to helping famine relief & recovery in Africa. But this book came out in '85 & I bought at a 'Con so I'm not so sure that entirely true.

- a 4 issue mini series about Rogue decked out in her '90's glory!

- Captain America #250: Cap is asked to run for President.

- Fantastic Four #210 & 262: both issue involve Galactus, 262 is the cooler story.

- Iron man #178: I liked the first story but the second story kind of depressed but I guess it should have.

- 5 Issues of Marvel Two-In-One: #1 The Thing & The Man-Thing, #74 The Thing & The Puppet Master, #78 The Thing & Wonder Man, #91 The Thing Vs The Sphinx, #96 The Thing & multiple guest stars!

- Marvel Team-Up #10: Spider & the Human torch go up against Kang the Conqueror!

- 3 issues from the comic based off of the short live & much reviled The Avenger: United they Stand cartoon. I didn't think it was that bad (The comic or cartoon).

- The Avengers #1 from the "Heroes Reborn" fiasco.

- The last issue (#3) to the Daydreamers series. a cute series.

- Masters of Evil & Doom from the the cool "Heroes Reborn" series (not to be confused with the other bad one).

- Call him Thor from the maligned by like by Me "Marvels Comics Group" mini series.

- What If.. #12: What If.. The X-Men had stayed in Asgard? this verges from an adventure the group took in the 1980's.

- The Powdered Toastman Special: a whole comic devoted to the super hero from the Ren & Stimpy show.

- SuperPro #1: in the '80 there was a man in a high tech football uniform who fought crime.

- Godzilla the King of Monsters #1: he had his own comic for awhile & it was set inside the Marvel universe proper so the monster could interact with all your favorite heroes & villains!

- 2 issues from the Marvel Classic Comics line from the mid '70's. I bought issue 2 (The Time Machine) & 35 (Alice in Wonderland).

- 2 Graphic Novels: Civil War & Secret Invasion. Two of the biggest Marvel events of the recent years. I thought SI was better then CW maybe because: 1. I read more if the tie-in issues connected to that so wasn't as lost as lost or wondering where certain events where -OR- 2. I'm just more interested in the story of SI then in the story of CW. Both had some cool books spun out of them.

OTHER BOOKS

- Radio Shack presents Archie and the history of Electronics: It's a giveaway comic from sometime in the '80's. I happen to have a mild fascination with Archie comics. Not sure what it is but they just seem to draw me in. Maybe it's because I started out reading this Archie digests. I don't know.

-Adventures of The Mask #1: a comic based off the movie.

- Imagine #1: a "Limited Giant Size Special" which I picked up for one thing: It has a story involving The 3 Geeks in it which is only like 5-10 pages of the entire book. The rest of the book I could do without.

- Walt Disney's Autumn Adventures #2: much like with Archie comics I also like the Disney comics of the early 1990's, they are some of my first comics so they are a call back to my childhood.

- In all these books none are as weird as Fruitman! He makes horrible fruit pun & turns into fruit. It's from the summer of 1969 which might explain a few things. This comic may have to give it's own entry to as it is that weird.

The Last Book & it's an Graphic Novel!

It's The 3 Geeks: Going to the Con, a fitting end to this post. The 3G book is produced by one guy (Rich Koslowki). The is a book about 3 comic book geeks & the comic book adventures/misadventures! It's a love letter to comics & the people who read them. I think I have most ever story they have appeared in (mostly in graphic novels). They are awesome!

So, that's it. Up next the "new" issues!

Until then: Stay Jazzy!

-Brian

(This took me from shortly before 8:30 p.m. to shortly before 11 p.m. to do).

This is Entry 82: Emerald City 2009 part 3

While I wait for Caleb's Con review (which was first referenced in Entry 80) I'll do something Con related that I hadn't done yet: post my Con pictures. Now, I had posted these to my Facebook account sometime ago but I thought they need to be up here, too.

Speaking of Caleb...

Here I am with him & his friend Bryce. Behind us is the the freebie table.

Now let's play a game of Where's Brian?

I'm here at one the larger (maybe largest) dealer booths. It was almost like a real store! (They also had a lot of Back Issues you just can't see them in this photo).


Here's a picture of Jeff Parker & the back of my head.


Here's a picture of Jeff doing the sketch I posted in Entry 78

Here is a picture of Me & Jeff (neither of us are in focus) talking about Comics:

He really seemed to like my Question I asked. It was a really nerd, kind of maybe reading to make into something kind of question. But it wasn't. :)


Here is Me getting my sketch from Colleen Coover. The sketch can be seen in Entry 78 (You can all see Jeff Parker in the background, too).


Me with "Princess Leia" and...


... The Bacon Salt "mascot".

Lastly, this illegal picture:


What makes it Illegal? Well, it's a picture of Noel Neill, mostly famlously of the 1950's Superman TV show. Now she's not illegal but what makes this illegal is that after taking this picture my Dad was told by someone at her booth to stop taking pictures of her. Now he was not told to erase it so that's why I have it now.

Well, that's my photos.

Until next week meet in the Interconnected web of tubes with call this thing we call The Internet: Stay Jazzy!

-Brian

This is Entry 81: Video Games!

Check out Harley Quinn! She's uh.. filled out some since he first appeared all those years ago in Batman: The Animated Series




This is how she'll look in the upcoming Batman: Arkham Asylum video game:



Here's a Link to where I got the game trailer from.

And as always: Stay Jazzy.

- Brian

This is Entry 80: Guest Blogger

This entry will be a special one: It's Caleb McGary's review of the Emerald City ComiCon.

Or will be special when I get his review from him. Check back later.

-Brian

This is Entry 79: The System

So, I have this system for what I do with my Comics after I boughten them & read the the first time:
1. They sit in a pile staring me in the face to do something with them.
2. I enter them into my Excel spread sheet to keep track what I have for the most part (I think I have missed an issue or two here & there).
3. Review them here on my Blog.
4. Bag them & store them away in my Boxes.

So, I've now done steps 1 & 2 for the my Back Issues & Graphic Novels. In the upcoming days I'll be doing steps 3 & 4. The, I'll do the steps 1-4 for the new Issues. Look for all this soon.

As always Stay Jazzy!

- Brian.

This is Entry 78: Emerald City 2009 Part 2

Sketches!


Bob Grayson (Marvel Boy) by Jeff Parker.


Bat-Mite by Colleen Coover.

I have a few pic's from the 'Con which I'll get sometime. There is also my Comic Books reviews that I need to do. Speaking of reviews: I've asked & he excepted! Soon here on MyBlog/Stuff by Brian fellow 'Con goer (& member of the Jim Nation) Caleb McGary will review his 'Con experience. There maybe pictures!

Until then: Stay Jazzy!

- Brian

This is Entry 77: Emerald City 2009

Con review!

I got lots of comics, not a whole lot of them off my list but still cool comics.

I went to 2 panels which were awesome: One revolving around Mark Waid & the other was the "DC Nation" panel. Dan Didio, Editor-in-Chief of DC Comics, sat in the backrow during the panel. Where was I: five seats down. :) Much hilarity was had in both.

I posed for 2 pictures: One with "Princess Leia", she was dressed like when she was a slave to Jabba the Hut. The other with a man dressed up as Bacon. One cool costume was a guy dressed up as a Ghostbuster with all the trimmings (Proton Pack, etc.), The pack had blinky lights & played the Ghostbuster theme song, too.

I got 2 sketches one from Colleen Coover & one from Jeff Parker. I got books signed both by Coover, Parker & Paul Tobin. I would have 3 sketches since I also got the Sketch list to have Adam Hughes draw me Bat-Mite but the order of the list was not in order (1,2,3,4,5, etc.) but was what he wanted to sketch at the the moment (4, 8, 10, 16, 35, 42, 3, 6, etc). Also I spend some time at his booth, just hanging out & found he takes a long time to do the sketches, He does lots of detail. So that's means that every sketch is awesomely done but takes a long time. I also being Number 40 on the list & my choice of subject matter might not of been who he really wanted to draw. Plus, he had a few other distractions through the day (people wanting him to sign stuff, etc.). Sadly to say I left with out my sketch but I did leave with 2 others & they are awesome!

I saw 1 guy I know (who know who you are), my dad (who's not into the comics) saw 7.

There was free stuff: the free stuff table was blah but the DC booth (a first this year) had free stuff galore: Pins, posters, comics, a plastic Flash ring, plastic Wonder Woman crown. They are awesome!

I also left with about half of the money I went with.

Pictures should be up soon.

Over all the Con was awesome but with only a few bumps here & there. I await next year's festivities.

Stay Jazzy everybody!

- Brian

This is Entry 76: Emerald City 2009 Prologue

It is tomorrow!

Tomorrow is Emerald City ComiCon. Look for my review of of the Con tomorrow, too.

As for the comics I have & will have at that time: I'm not sure how I review them. I'll probably have one post on the new books & am extra long post about all the back issues I have.

Until then & always: Stay Jazzy!

- Brian