The comic book Community

The first time I ever went to a Big comic book convention I thought the purpose was to buy comics. Conversation was a means to buy more comic books. "How much?", "Got any Out There or Incredible Hulk comics?" I raced from booth to booth trying to see every issue from every vendor. I racked my brain trying to remember prices, issue numbers and my want list. Not exactly sure if I noticed anyone else at the convention besides the paid models who dressed up in superhero outfits. People were a hinderance to my sworn mission PROCURING COMICS and I completely ignored the artist area.

Now after years of attending conventions I have a different perspective. It's become much more social. For example this year I spoke with the creator/artist of Mouse Guard, Christopher Jones from Batman Strikes, Greg Horn who is working on Ultimate Fantastic 4 and many other lesser known artists. Hung out with some of the great people from www.ComicsPriceGuide.com like Murray, Shadow, Jeff. I never knew how much I liked Marshall Rogers until these guys talked about him. Classic work by Marshall Rogers A convention for me is much more about meeting and talking to people than racing to the next line for an exclusive toy to sell on Ebay. Think about it the next time you're waiting in a line. Collecting comics is much more enjoyable when you make it about learning from fellow collectors instead of hoarding pages of colored paper that have been stapled together. In the end, Bryan is right it's about the community.

Big Brother All Stars, Star Wars Maquettes and Burnt Carmel Apples

Be forewarned I am all over the place tonight, hopped up on a burnt caramel apple. Just so you know if the caramel is burnt while dipping the apple, the caramel becomes a nearly impenetrable shell.

I tell you this so when your local chocolate shop vendor offers you a caramel apple at a steep discount, run! I am over an hour behind schedule trying to tear into the apple that was hiding smuggly behind beneath the caramel.

On to the cool stuff, Gentle Giant announced several sweet pieces this last week in their animated line. The CP3O Jawa piece (pictured) and the Luke Skywalker Maquette both standing over 8 inches tall will be awesome additions to the line. I personally own all the Animated Clone Wars except one Padme. (Please email if you are willing to part with her, at a reasonable price). It looks like early 2007 could be a great year or statue collectors. Bowen Designs has solid statues on the horizon and some awesome albeit obscure busts. And DC direct is continuing to put out some solid pieces in their Batman:Black and White and Superman:Cover to Cover series. As an avid collector I cant wait.

I am the pop culture geek of the group so I have to mention Big Brother All-Stars. I don't consider it "Reality TV" , but I do have to say it is my guilty pleasure. My wife, a confessed reality show addict, got me hooked on it early in the season. Dr. Will and Boogie from season two crack me up. I am saying it right now CBS needs to sign them on for their own sitcom or talk show. Dr Will/Boogie if chill town needs a manager give me a call. I think I can negotiate a solid deal for you guys.

One last thing, Marvel knocked it out of the park(Sports reference) with the Ultimate's 2 Cartoon feature. As a cartoon fan still mourning the loss of JLU and the Teen Titan this is a solid watch. If you don't fan boy it is a good ride. Good action, well drawn and even some humor. Give it a watch.

I gotta run, there are Zombies that need slaying.

The DVD and Comic Affect!!!

V for Vendetta topped both the DVD sales and rental charts in the week following its home video release on August 1st. The film, which is based on the graphic novel by Alan Moore and Dave Lloyd, earned $70.5 million at the domestic box office earlier this year(from Neilson Video Scan and ICv2.com).

If you haven't seen the movie, I would highly recommend it. Solid adaption, great visual and solid acting. If you havent read the graphic novel, I would also say give it a viewing. Visit comicspriceguide.com for the pricing of the first print of the 10 book series. Go and get the Trade, the story is awesome and the art fits the mood of the book, remember reading is FUNdemental. GOTTA RUN!!!!!

Civil Discontent.

Civil War is Delayed!

Tell me how in the world Marvel's Civil War can be delayed???? Did they forget that issue 3 would be followed by issue 4? Was it a surprise that it lasted this long? Really. If this is the biggest event in Marvel this year how could it possible be late? It's gotten great press for the whole Spiderman revealing his identity and the storyline that can be read a couple of different ways (superhero and political). The idea behind this story is solid and worth reading which makes this delay all the worse.
A quick glance over at DC shows that they are publishing their big event EVERY WEEK. Come on Marvel we want to like this story but delays are the best way to kill excitement. Just a thought.
Ron

Dead Rising

Dead Rising, where to start. The concept is awesome, zombie(THOUSANDS of them), you and and an array of odd weapons. Starting the game it feels like you are a part of a John Romero classic. Great music, cheesy capcom dialogue, tension, plenty of bloody gore and even a few laughs. Then it happens, you come upon the saving feature, a term used loosely. One SAVE! You can either save or start over. Granted when you start over you keep the stats you at your previous save, which can help you speed through the parts you have mastered. It is basically groundhogs with zombie and no cute young Andie Mcdowell.

The has so much potential, I am praying for a patch from capcom. PLEASE Capcom, give us a reasonable saving system. I am currently learning the map and what each weapon does. Love the soccerball, hockey stick and the Chain saw. Tonight I will be hunting for the Kitana and the machine gun(Alright, I googled the Dead Rising walkthrough, just for a couple of hints). Looking forward to playing so enough of me typing. I am off to battle the dead. Give it a rent.

Back alittle late.

I thought i would have time to write around lunch time, however it is now a few minutes away from dinner(Looks like it will be bone-in ribeye's at Gibsons). I will try to not listen to the grumblings in my stomach and talk alittle about the show. Friday's show seemed a little light attendance wise, but the dealers I talked to said their sales were brisk for new books and trade paper backs.

Saturday was crazy as usual, The aisles and booths were filled with the usual suspects. I will have pictures up as soon as I can get the camera connected to the Mac.

Sales on Saturday were more than brisk, the popular booths did not have enough people collecting money, most people were waiting in decent size lines just to pay. Kirkman's hard cover Walking Dead Volume 1 and Invincible TPB's were flying off the shelve's at DCBS booth. Also it appears alot of the inexpensive Marvel Showcase's were disappearing quickly from the racks as well. Comic wise, if a creator, writer or artist was signing the book was moving. From an independant book standpoint, Petersen's MouseGuard series were all over the place and his booth had a steady flow of autograph seekers. The biggest suprise would be the line for Liefeld's line was insanely long for the entire day. Overall I would think the vendors and talent were pleased. Back in a bit.

Wizard World Chicago:Day one-Flat Tires and not much floor time.

We arrived in Chicago about 9:30 Thursday night, just in time to get Geno's Pizza and some pre-show chat time. We woke up early and arrived at the show about 30 minutes before the official start time. I am will be writing more at downtime today. I will be getting more information and pictures on the site, today at lunch.

On the Road

Well off to Chicago. I can't wait to see what is going on at the show. I will keep you posted over the weekend. Will have 3 to 4 hours on the road to start debating the main points of the show and make sure the comic universes are in alignment. I will try to get some exclusive scoops and who knows maybe some interviews.

Peace
LVZ

Wizard World Chicago and consistent Blogging.

Before I start quoting Grandma's Boy. We are about 2 days away from Wizard World Chicago. The cooler is cleaned, rockstar is on ice, laundry is almost done and I have been scouring ebay for current pricing of comic collectiables. It appears the Women of the DC unverse bust will be a good long term investment, currnet pricing for the first in the series(Wonder Women)is trending like the black and white batman series. I will be coming home with several of Wonder Women, if some poor, non-internet based, mom and pop comic store ordered a large batch of them.

As for Bowen statues and busts, not sure what I will be doing. Most of the newer busts and statues are more obscure or secondary Marvel characters. It will be quite a while before you see good margins on any of them. I am still surprise at the ability to get Scarlett Witch, Ghost Rider and Vision below MSRP. Logan, Juggernaut and of course Silver Surfer are really starting to take off. Still shocked about how much The Vindicator is going for. I think the Limited Edition Frankie Ray will be a good buy. I will also be snagging all the Old Warner Brother store stuff, as long as the pricing is reasonable.

Wow I did not think I would be speculating today, but there you have it. I hope I dont throw the market out of whack. Well I promise we will focus on getting more post up and more consistently. XBOX 360, Kids and Summer have thrown me off. I will make sure I will play less G.R.A.W and ZUMA and focus more on keeping the blog current.

WOO!!! That Game is fun, What is high score mean? New High score is that bad? Did I Break it?

Off to Xbox Live Arcade and Street Fighter-Hyper Force. Peace!!!