Mega Movie panel Wizard World

A low key day at Wizard Philly today. Although I only got there 1 hour after the doors, I walked right in to the exhibit hall. No waiting in lines. Traffic seemed very light. The panels - not announced on the site- were kind of small potatoes.

PhillyGirl and I saw MidJersey friends: Dave Perillo, Scott Derby, Louie from Geek Boy Press, Michael Parla.

Bought the excellent new trade "Tales of the Starlight Drive-In", available from Image Comics. MJCC inker friend Tom S did 2 stories. I read a few on the train ride home, and maybe it is the Jersey setting, but really enjoyed how the years passed from the 1950s on.

Went to the Mega Movie panel and took some notes, maybe 1/2 full, moderated by Wizard guys:

The Hulk -- Norton dust up might have been exaggerated, will do some press. Robert Downey will appear as Tony Stark.

Wanted- JG Jones and Millar GN movie "loosely based" on GN. Millar happy with the outcome. Rumor of "Kick Ass" movie based on new title.

Hancock was more popular than expected.

Hellboy II- Doug Jones role expanded, love interest in this one. Mignola collaborated on story and creature design, set design

The Dark Knight-
PG 13 (phillygirl said "aw"!)
not an origin story
Cillian Murphy as Scarecrow will appear!

The X-files: I want to believe July 25th
Not an alien mythology movie, just a creepy case

Nov 7th: James Bond: Quantum of Solace

Nov 21: Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince

Punisher War Zone- new Punisher, no Travolta, more action

Dec 25th: Frank Miller The Spirit
Looks good, maybe not The Spirit but like Sin City

Fanboys 2008
Lots of rewrites and reshoots

Trick 'r Treat
Mike D from Superman Returns with a creepy and scary old school horror film

Whiteout Sept 2008
Based on Greg Rucka GN, murder mystery with Kate Beckinsale in Anarctica

Watchmen
Current cut 3 1/2 hours, maybe 4 /2 for DVD. Flashbacks...

May 1, 2009 Wolverine
in Japan, Weapon X, Deadpool, Gambit, Sabretooth (Liev Schrieber?)

Magneto movie 2009

May 8, 2009 Star Trek

May 22, 2009 Terminator Sequel Christian Bale as John Connor

Aug 7, 2009 GI Joe movie
Eccleston from Doctor Who

Ronin- Frank Miller next film 2009

Y the Last Man 2009- BKV heavily involved

Iron Man April 30, 2010
Black Hole 2010

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Philly Wizard

Taking the train into to Wizard World Philly today. I grabbed my sketchbook, and a few 52's in case I get to artist J.G. Jones, Moon Knight for Finch, and some flyers for the MidJersey Comicon. With all that is going on with work and family, I haven't planned for the con like I usually do. Plus, the Wizard web site was not real friendly to let you know what was happening- just found the guest list, but no artist alley list, and no program list.

Anyway, I may be sending some camphone photos from the con.

Have you picked up Vertigo's House of Mystery 1 (sneak peak available)? This image is from a side story by Bill Willingham - The Hollows?. I never read HoM, but I know it has a long comic history and figured this was the place to jump in. I like the art and initial storytelling.

Flowers

Trying to return to normal the last few days after my sister's memorial service. It went as well as it could, with a lot of her coworkers, childhood friends, and family there.

I'll share a small portion of what I said at the prayer service.

I stand here wishing that I didn’t have to stand here – saying goodbye to L.

L loved life and laughing, and I think she would not have wanted our sadness and tears. So I’m going to just say a few good things I remember.

M said the other day that if you were at a party, and didn’t meet L, something was wrong.She would be sitting and laughing and talking loud, meeting everyone.Then she might find a flower arrangement and rip out a flower to put in her mouth and dance around the room...

People I would never expect sent cards, ecards, sent emails, or commented here-- even received a few sets of flowers myself. That really meant something to me. I went back to work and faced 700 emails and a brand new circulation system, but its OK.

Tomorrow some friends are coming over for grilling, maybe a dip in the pool, and some Wii.
Have a good long weekend (states)!

[anyone going to Wizard Philly? It seems so soon after NY Comicon, and of course I haven't focused much on it. Got my ticket the other day ]

My oldest sister passed away last Friday at the too young age of 50. Between family, friends and coworkers, we expect a lot of people to come to the memorial service and wake-- she was quite a character who people really loved. The arrangements and grieving will keep me occupied for a while. When I get back, be sure to fill me in on all the comic dramas I missed!

Gene Colan

Comic artist Gene Colan is suffering from liver failure, something I know intimately now that my sister is hospitalized for the same thing. Cirrhosis and kidney failure have caused the same symptoms Gene has- swelling (ascites and edema) and jaundice- and the host of problems with blood pressure, nausea, fatigue. Besides for the emotional cost to my family of time at the hospital and nursing home, wondering how much or if she will recover, what happens when she returns home...and my sister at least has insurance for her 7 weeks of testing, medications, and hospital visits. The Colons do not have these things. So if you can, just send a few dollars to the Colans paypal.

I can only hope Marvel can pony up some of that Iron Man movie revenue to help one of their legend artists.

Not a great day at work so I'm going to veg on the couch and then take a spinning class in the morning.

All the GIRL things

Some of the "floppy" comics that feature female protagonists that I can suggest:

The Sword
Luna Brothers
The Luna Brothers always show women as more than just "hot sex bomb". They have different body types, opinions, and in The Sword lead character Dara Brighton loses her family and gains an ancient and powerful sword.

Echo
Terry Moore
Only 2 issues of this new series, and it has brought us a new female protagonist in Julie Moore- way over her head, in the middle of a divorce.

Birds of Prey
Sean McKeever and Nicola Scott
No less than 5 strong women in the latest issue- Oracle, Zinda, the Huntress, Misfit, Manhunter and next month Black Alice again

Justice League of America-
Roster of the strongest DC female powers, like Wonder Woman, Hawkgirl, Black Canary.

Justice Society of America - the testing ground for many new and young female characters. Roster includes females with many different powers like Liberty Belle, Power Girl, Cyclone [redhead!], Stargirl, Judomaster and Lightening. Dale Eagleshams pencils are detailed, without too much cheesecake, and Geoff Johns writing gives a lot of depth and thought to characters, except there are so many that it may take time for your favorites to be highlighted.


Taki Soma Female artist and recent New Jersey resident shows off her skills in her webcomic "You'll Never Die"

Books I've enjoyed recently by female authors--
Have you found her? by Janice Ehrlbaum
This memoir of Janice's experiences volunteering the shelter she once lived at takes unexpected turns.

Three Girls and Their Brother
All four siblings tell their story, about celebrity, fame, family, and the cost of these things.

Hulk Smash and Grab

In the lobby of the movie theatre, there is the giant Hulk statue. Looking through the windows, shoreturtle was discussing how it could be stolen...leading me to the line...
Hulk Smash and Grab?

Shoreturtle and I went to see Iron Man last night. I did like it. But I didn't Love it, capital L. It does have a 94% Rotten Tomatoes review. Maybe because I went during the week after a long work day, I was a little tired. There were a lot of dudes in the audience.

Robert Downey Jr. was great casting after all. He could handle the wittiness and arrogance of Tony Stark, and even pull off the engineering genius scenes. I think I liked those best- it is always encouraging to see brains and not just brawn.

Pepper Potts is one of the greatest names, and Gwyneth of course looked great, but her intelligence shines though too.

I'm glad the final street fight scene didn't go on too long- it was little too much like Transformers to me.

I should have gotten the S.H.I.E.L.D reference way before I did.


I missed Free Comic Book Day, my LCBS still has a "shitload" , so he set some aside for me.

Rome, GA and the dismissal of the Gordon Lee case, editorial in the Rome, GA paper.
As you can imagine as a librarian I am VERY against censorship, and for intellectual freedom. This case with a single panel, a representation of a work of art no less, was a complete farce and waste of tax dollars and staff hours. Having lived in GA for 7 years though, I understand how it happened. Working in a public library there the "Family Friendly" group from the local Baptist megachurches would challenge books on a near daily basis. In 6 years at my NJ public library, I've heard only a complaint or two, and for that I am grateful.

Year's Best Crime Novels I haven't read one, so no suggestions, but looks like a great list.

Mom Bday

Happy Birthday to my Mom- we spent the day in PA doing several things:

• Getting the Broad Street Run packet at the Linc for shoreturtle
• Going to the Drexel Alumni Picnic- free hamburgers and picnic food, although it was a little cold outside today
• Philadelphia Park casino - where we only took home $7. I got no Super Jackpot Parties, or luck at Triple Stars, or Live Lobster slots
• A big dinner of trout, flounder, chicken parm, salads, soups
  
• Eating cheesecake with cream cheese icing

And no, I haven't seen Iron Man! I actually took Mom to see 88 Minutes yesterday, which has straight to DVD reviews but she likes Pacino. I was happy to see redhead Alicia Witt in it though.

Back to the work week tomorrow. May should be as busy as April because we are learning a new circulation system.

Sarah vowell njla conf

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