More San Diego Comiconing!
Signing at the Wildstorm booth is quite a different experience than what I've done in the past. I did a lot more drawing than I thought I would, which was quite fun. A lot of younger readers of comics didn't care who I was, they just wanted a sketch of something, and I was happy to oblige. I did get a request for "Batman" from someone who knew I was more of a cartoon-strip guy, so I drew an over-muscled Bats about to pounce on a kid dressed as a cat for Halloween (figuring Batman might have got a bit over the edge in regards to women with ears and tails). It wasn't until after I'd finished (and forgot to take a photo of the sketch, for which I apologize) that I noticed just about the entire drawing process had been filmed by a crew for DC Comics, who were shooting for an anniversary video. I have no idea if this video will ever see public distribution, but I'm figuring I'm going to get a letter from the home office sooner or later... :)
So since just about every other blog has exclusives about toys, comics, etc., I figured I could toss in a shout out for some food. On the way to the con hall this morning, Cristi and I spied this storefront on 7th street, which we think is fairly new to the area. It had that magical word "bakery" on it, it was brunch/lunchtime, so we headed in. I failed to snap pics of the blueberry crepes that quickly vanished, but I did get a shot of their pastry case (or at least part of it). The breakfast fare was great, the bacon was thick, the hash browns had small tomato chunks and onions cooked in, and it was about 7-8 dollars per diner, which wasn't bad for the amount of food we receieved. And the pastries came in muffin form as well as what I'd call "mini-cake," where you had single-serving upside-down cake, tiramisu, etc., and they all looked like full-size versions that had been hit with a shrink ray. So thumbs up to the place that gave my wife "blueberry tongue" for about an hour after we scarfed.
A trailer for the Tron sequel premiered at the convention, and it's looking very cool, indeed (link goes to the HD trailer with links to other media options). I passed a building with the old "FLYNN'S" in neon, and it turns out that it houses an actual arcade, complete with "Space Paranoids" games! The trailer looks like it captures the flavor of the old "computers are magic" era while updating the feel of current-day technology (like light-cycles that don't make right-angle turns). Just have "The Bit" make an appearance, and I'm sold.
Toplessrobot.com found the list of voice actors being cast for the young'un-oriented "Mavel Super Hero Squad" film, and it's got geek cred, for sure. Mark Hamill will always be "The Joker" to me, but I think I need to hear what he does with the Red Skull. And in case you feared that you'd never hear Stan Lee's voice as a regular part of a TV show again, he's going to be the Mayor of Townsville Super Hero City.
I've gotta get up extra early tomorrow (the transit system is getting hammererd by the Nerd Herds near the con center, bogging down even the rail system) to beat the hordes, so here's our link selection for the evening:
- "Fallout: The Motion Picture" may be upon us, at least if this trailer for "The Book of Eli" is any indication.
- I discovered more insight into why I'm as warped as I am after reviewing this list of disturbing 80's movies, most of which I saw in the theater.
- Warp Shot is kind of like "Stargate Golf." Shoot a ball through portals of light to reach the goal in the fewest "strokes."
- io9.com celebrated a musical episode of "The Brave and the Bold" on Cartoon Network next season, starring Neil Patrick Harris as a singing villain. However, they neglect two of Batman's greatest melodious moments: "Batman: The Musical" from "Batman: Beyond," and "Am I Blue" from "Justice League Unlimited." :)
- While I still think DragonCon wins the Cosplay Wars, SDCC 2009 isn't a slouch in the costume department, though results may vary in the eye of the beholder...
- Some sad news to those who watched Nickelodeon in its early days: Les Lye, one of the adult actors on "You Can't Do That On Television" passed away recently at the age of 84.
- An anime based on Halo is coming. Behold the trailer for "Halo Legends."
- But even better, there's a new Simon's Cat short!
- Finally, an action-y game that's almost like Tetris combined with a non-rebounding "Breakout" game: Pixel Grower has you moving your "bat" to catch as many pixels as you can to reach the finish line, above. Colored pixels cause unusual growths, so keep an eye out...