A couple of weird things happened on Saturday, I had my photo taken (someone thought I was cosplaying?) and I was prompted for "free hugs." If you offer hugs for free then it's a cheap hug AND hugs in poor quality are just in bad taste.
So on to the panels, it was a Batman kind of day. The CAC panels for Is the Joker a Psychopath and Becoming Batman/Batman Becoming definitely offered up a slice of academia into panels full of mega movie stars, glitz and CGI effects.
Most would think that this panel (Is the Joker a Psychopath?) would be a one minute panel, but you can always get knee-deep into comic folklore. After all, comics are sort of a postmodern myth for people. The panel included psychologists as well as Jerry Robinson and a surprise guest from Adam West. West provided stories from the set of Batman that many people probably did not know.
Steve Engleheart also phoned in to basically sum up, that yes, the joker is insane. However, his specific diagnosis is uncertain. What piqued my interest was the question posed by the panel itself, if the joker is insane, then on the flip side of the coin is Batman also?
The question is complex so is the answer. The panelists all left it up to the audience to conclude. Interesting sidenote: Robinson went on to say the reason there is no solid "origins story" for the joker is because it would kill the mystique. It's easier to predict someone if you know where they've been, then you know where they're going.
Becoming Batman/Batman Becoming was a very heady experience. I love the Batman series and I love the layers that the comic has brought to many fans. This particular panel hosted by E.Paul Zehr and Gearoid O'Brien proved that you can indeed use the skills you've learned in physics, anatomy, psychology and philosophy to enjoy as well as deconstruct your favorite comic.
If this all sounds a bit too much like schoolwork, simply put to become Batman you probably needed to have started at the age of three. Furthermore don't expect your career to last more than 2-3 years.
My favorite part of this panel, though was the intricate panel by O'Brien. Although, most of the terms he used to deconstruct the Batman mythos I will need to look up it did pique my interest. Words like Apophenia floated around as well as name checks to Foucult, Darwin and Nietzsche.
Nietzsche and Batman? What a combo.
In random notes:
A quick way to block an entire aisle of Comic-con goers---host a hamster dance conga line.
Anime fans of all ages, began (on cue!) to dance in almost perfect synchronization to high speed eurobeat music the end result : hilarity.
And now for my short list of "Things YOU can't do at Comic-con"
(Well you could do them, but, I rec
1. Cosplay as Ryu
I know, I know he's the greatest--but until someone can bring this character justice, I propose no one do it until they are certain that they can.
2. Make fun of the Twilight Nerds
Talk about the kettle calling the pot black.
3. Being Rude
It's called courtesy, pass it on.
And I pose this question, can someone please explain what is Steampunk, exactly?
Sunday, July 26, 2009
Friday, July 24, 2009
Everyday is Halloween (if you're at Comic Con)
The Art of Immersion Part 2: creepy goodness
Since I was jokingly dubbed the leading goth correspondent I think I should mention just how wonderful Tim Burton's Alice in Wonderland looks (yeah I know, I'm totally a day late on mentioning this). Admittedly I originally didn't have high expectations for the project and I do hope that Tim Burton will forgive for losing faith.
Luckily (thanks to the moderator Patton Oswalt), I got to see the trailer not once, but three times so it's burned in my memory pretty good.
The oh so very short teaser trailer was filled with loved characters from the classic tale but as to be expected with a fantastic, sweetly spooky take. As per usual, my favorite but often overlooked part of any Burton film are the trees which look awesome. Add Burton's imaginary friend Johnny Depp to the mix and you have a very noxious combinations culminating to lots of sold out theaters coming 2010...not to mention all the new dreadful Hot Topic merchendise we'll be seeing unleashed upon the world and teenagers alike.
It's already online too; but ye be warned, it won't be the best quality since it was in 3D.
But tomorrow brings new life with the promise of Gerard Way and Roman Dirge panels, and you can bet you're entire Siouxie collection all be there!
Soundtrack: "Come Saturday" by The Pains of Being Pure at Heart
"Funny thing happened on my way to Hall Hell"
Friday's Report
It's late as I blog this, but that's because I just got back from Angel of Death the Paul Etheridge assassin-shoot'em up blood fest that stars the awesome Zoe Bell (Death Proof). It was a late showing with a preliminary quick and easy Q&A panel ( I even got to pose a question to Bell) which was full of jokes from the lively cast as well as the full length screening of the movie. Anyone who likes "high octane" action should check this out, it doesn't have all the CGI eyecandy effects of some of the big budget films, but it's satisfying, not to mention it's great fun.
Moving on from the high octane, today was the day I spent most of my time in line or cruising for a panel to get into another panel. If you head over to Tim's blog, he can probably offer up an amazing review of the Warner Bros. panel, but for the most part the only thing I can sum up is The Box will definitely be worth seeing.
On that note if you plan on *ever* attending a panel in Hall H, (Hall Hell is more like it) keep in mind---you may want to show up the day before Black Friday just to secure your tent spot. Waiting in line is probably my next favorite activity to---next to nothing. Bring with you a sense of humor and an endless supply of junk food.
I managed to miss the G4 Attack of the Show panel, that line was c-r-a-z-y. It's sad to see a thousand people lined up and to realize that only a good third of that number is going to fit inside the actual room. My fangirl dreams of seeing Olivia Munn and Kevin Prereira up close? Denied.
Yet, when one Comic con door closes another is surprisingly just opening up. Instead of seeing AOTS, I decided to do something "artsy." Shameless promotional plug alert!! I draw in my spare time, and not to sound self-aggrandizing but I think I'm pretty good. Showing up to the CBLDF (Comic Book Legal Defense Fund) with Camille D'Errico (Nightmares & Fairy Tales), David Mack (Kabuki) and Amanda Palmer (Who Killed Amanda Palmer?) opened my eyes up to the unique experience of watching artists in action. Amazing stuff here, folks. Did you know? Camille D'Errico does her work in the glorious blue ink of a Bic Pen. Awesome.
In other news, the Fear net panel for Fear Clinic starring Robert Englund probably the best panel of the day. Why? full of passionate people and well thought out answers. It couldn't be avoided, someone did bring up the proverbial elephant in the room, how does he feel about the slated remake of Nightmare On Elm Street? Englund's answer cleared up any rumours that might be circulating of unfriendly fires towards the remake, he summed it up as it's "show business." Also adding that he respected the new Freddy, Jackie Haley.
Before I round off this very random blog, let's close it as if you've never gone to a Klingon Lifestyles Presentation, you don't know what you're missing.
It's late as I blog this, but that's because I just got back from Angel of Death the Paul Etheridge assassin-shoot'em up blood fest that stars the awesome Zoe Bell (Death Proof). It was a late showing with a preliminary quick and easy Q&A panel ( I even got to pose a question to Bell) which was full of jokes from the lively cast as well as the full length screening of the movie. Anyone who likes "high octane" action should check this out, it doesn't have all the CGI eyecandy effects of some of the big budget films, but it's satisfying, not to mention it's great fun.
Moving on from the high octane, today was the day I spent most of my time in line or cruising for a panel to get into another panel. If you head over to Tim's blog, he can probably offer up an amazing review of the Warner Bros. panel, but for the most part the only thing I can sum up is The Box will definitely be worth seeing.
On that note if you plan on *ever* attending a panel in Hall H, (Hall Hell is more like it) keep in mind---you may want to show up the day before Black Friday just to secure your tent spot. Waiting in line is probably my next favorite activity to---next to nothing. Bring with you a sense of humor and an endless supply of junk food.
I managed to miss the G4 Attack of the Show panel, that line was c-r-a-z-y. It's sad to see a thousand people lined up and to realize that only a good third of that number is going to fit inside the actual room. My fangirl dreams of seeing Olivia Munn and Kevin Prereira up close? Denied.
Yet, when one Comic con door closes another is surprisingly just opening up. Instead of seeing AOTS, I decided to do something "artsy." Shameless promotional plug alert!! I draw in my spare time, and not to sound self-aggrandizing but I think I'm pretty good. Showing up to the CBLDF (Comic Book Legal Defense Fund) with Camille D'Errico (Nightmares & Fairy Tales), David Mack (Kabuki) and Amanda Palmer (Who Killed Amanda Palmer?) opened my eyes up to the unique experience of watching artists in action. Amazing stuff here, folks. Did you know? Camille D'Errico does her work in the glorious blue ink of a Bic Pen. Awesome.
In other news, the Fear net panel for Fear Clinic starring Robert Englund probably the best panel of the day. Why? full of passionate people and well thought out answers. It couldn't be avoided, someone did bring up the proverbial elephant in the room, how does he feel about the slated remake of Nightmare On Elm Street? Englund's answer cleared up any rumours that might be circulating of unfriendly fires towards the remake, he summed it up as it's "show business." Also adding that he respected the new Freddy, Jackie Haley.
Before I round off this very random blog, let's close it as if you've never gone to a Klingon Lifestyles Presentation, you don't know what you're missing.
Wake Up
Okay, lets make this short and sweet:
May I present (da da duh da!): The art of immersion part 1
It seems to me the whole goal of Comic Con is to be immersed in everything entertaining; to lose yourself in whatever you so chose. Be it sneek peaks in movies, upcoming events in television, or just a really good costume the folks here are all for it. With that said the participants of this years San Diego Comic Con have immersion down to an art form.
So today I received a crash course in immersion as I went to Hall H for the first time Thursday. Now, I thought I was almost a pro this being my fourth year, but oh how naive of me to think such things. What with all the Twilight fan girls, and hardcore Tron enthusiatist I was lost in a crowd of excitment that felt electric to the touch. The whole thing was just terribly overwhelming after awhile. I salute the people who stick it out all day in Hall H, they are real troopers!
Alright, I'm off in search of a tea party!
May I present (da da duh da!): The art of immersion part 1
It seems to me the whole goal of Comic Con is to be immersed in everything entertaining; to lose yourself in whatever you so chose. Be it sneek peaks in movies, upcoming events in television, or just a really good costume the folks here are all for it. With that said the participants of this years San Diego Comic Con have immersion down to an art form.
So today I received a crash course in immersion as I went to Hall H for the first time Thursday. Now, I thought I was almost a pro this being my fourth year, but oh how naive of me to think such things. What with all the Twilight fan girls, and hardcore Tron enthusiatist I was lost in a crowd of excitment that felt electric to the touch. The whole thing was just terribly overwhelming after awhile. I salute the people who stick it out all day in Hall H, they are real troopers!
Alright, I'm off in search of a tea party!
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