Tagged: San Diego Comic-Con

SDCC: Vertigo and WildStorm News

  • News
  • July 27, 2008

Vertigo and WildStorm — both imprints of DC Comics — talked about their respective futures at a couple of Comic-Con panels.

While Vertigo (led by editors Karen Berger and Will Dennis and a ton of creators) talked about an array of new projects and the Vertigo Crime imprint, WildStorm had just a little bit of news on already existing properties.

Newsarama has an exhaustive roundup of the Vertigo panel, including some insight into Vertigo Crime:

New Vertigo Crime books that are coming out include Dark Entries, a new book by writer Ian Rankin with Werther Dell’edera artist. Rankin is best known as the writer of the Rebus novels, on which the BBC show is based. "It’s using the character of Constantine from Hellblazer," Dennis said. The story follows what happens when John Constantine is called in to investigate what went wrong on a reality television show.

Filthy Rich is a new Vertigo Crime book by writer Brian Azzarello and Victor Santos, an artist from Spain. "Basically, it’s a story of a big man who makes even bigger mistakes through his life," Azzarello explained. "He is hired to be a clandestine bodyguard for a wealthy automobile heiress."

Filthy Rich takes place in the early ’60s so it has that "upbeat vibe," he said. "It’s all about the celebrity culture of wealth and why people find that fascinating."

Meanwhile, CBR kept tabs on the WildStorm panel.

SDCC: Legion of Superheroes Panel

  • News
  • July 27, 2008

At a convention known for its fans’ devotion and passion, Legion of Superheroes devotees are truly in a league of their own.

Throughout Saturday’s “Legion of Superheroes Panel,” fans from across the globe shared their personal connections to the DC superteam with panelists, Paul Levitz, Mike Grell, Keith Giffen, Colleen Doran, Geoff Johns, Tom Bierbaum, and Mary Bierbaum, as well as questions about the varying specifics of a series that has one of the broadest mythos of any in the comic universe.

Being such a beloved series, its no surprise that many in attendance were extremely concerned about the future of the series. Johns let out a minor spoiler, revealing part of Una’s character arc: “You turn the page and she’s multiplied into like a hundred of her and she says ‘I don’t know how I ever got anything done with just three of me,'” he added. “She’s going to be called ‘Duplicate Damsel’.”

Continuing, Legion of Three Worlds writer Johns certainly tried to ease any fears that his run would be lacking anyone’s favorite character, asserting that George Perez, “wants to draw every Legionnaire ever.” Unfortunately, the Superpets will not be making an appearance.

A question about the lack of African-American representation in classic Legion stories drew muffled sighs from the more senior members of the panel. Levitz responded by saying, “I think it’s important to look at the broader context, that’s the way things were being done in comics in ’67 or ’68.”

Levitz went on to say that the Teen Titans were going to introduce the first black superhero, however DC ardently opposed this move and redrew the character as a white character. Allegedly the creative team was blacklisted for a year.

“[There was] a certain trepidation that they wouldn’t do it right,” Mike Grell said, and then added his own anecdote about the trouble he had adding a black Legionnaire, “It was a story about a Science Policeman who makes a mistake at the beginning of the story, and corrects the mistake and becomes a hero by the end of the story… My editor said, ‘No you can’t do that, they’ll send letters.'”

Fortunately, Grell was not completely cowed by DC’s demands, “As my silent protest, I very mildly redrew the character, and sure enough we got letters saying, ‘Hey, that’s a brother painted pink.'”

All of the panelists had numerous fond memories of working with The Legion of Superheroes, and no dearth of appreciation for the fans, but perhaps Levitz summed it up best when he said, “We got to play with some really cool toys, and the only reason we got to play with them was because you guys kept coming around and saying, ‘Go ahead, have fun with them.'”

SDCC: Jeph Loeb Presents ‘Heroes’ Panel

  • News
  • July 27, 2008

The NBC show Heroes went from fan-favorite to afterthought very quickly during last year’s strike-impaired season two. The cast and producer Jeph Loeb set about rebuilding momentum with an energetic panel at Comic-Con.

From the L.A. Times comes word that a full episode was shown and it did the trick:

Tim Kring came in with a briefcase handcuffed to his wrist. He held aloft a DVD, the DVD for the premiere of season three’s villains-themed offerings.

Then we got to see "The Second Coming."

It’s a great episode, and it should draw back those who’ve dropped off. It may even bring in new viewers. And if not, maybe you’ll want to watch simply because, as the guy in my row said, "Hayden is hotter than ever!"

If you’re inclined, there are some spoilers in the link.

Overheard at San Diego 2008, part 4

Overheard at San Diego 2008, part 4

  • News
  • July 27, 2008

The San Diego Comic-Con Masquerade is in full swing right now, but people are still letting their personal masks down at the most interesting times…

On the dealer’s floor:
Let’s face it, comics aren’t for kids anymore. So get ’em out of here and let me enjoy the last ten years of the industry.

In an elevator with fourteen people at the Westin:
There are no girls in this elevator…

Over in the Webcomics section, at the Girl Genius booth:
Phil Foglio: We’re giving away free sandwiches! Want one?
Me: Sure! Are you sure?
Phil: Yeah, we bought sandwiches for every booth here, but a few weren’t hungry.
Me: Web cartoonists aren’t going hungry? This is front page news!

In the hallways between conference rooms:
Joe Straczynski is doing the Impact books for DC? Are they sure it’s not supposed to be Len Strazewski and somebody’s spell-checker got confused?

On the way to the trolley in the crush of people, a man was jostled by David Gerrold, leading to a retort of, "Hey, watch it, Cusack!"

And finally, ComicMix‘s Editor-in-Chief Mike Gold and media mogul Michael Davis were seen lunching at the Marriott with Denys Cowan. Old home week or something more? Mike’s not talking.

 

SDCC Interview: Justin Marks on the ‘Hack/Slash’ Movie [UPDATED]

SDCC Interview: Justin Marks on the ‘Hack/Slash’ Movie [UPDATED]

  • News
  • July 27, 2008

[EDITOR’S NOTE: Our original link to this interview didn’t play nice with the formatting of the film’s title, so I’ve fixed the link and reposted the article here on ComicMix. -RM]

Writer Justin Marks has come a long way as a Hollywood screenwriter in a relatively short span of time. After working as a producer’s assistant for several years, while writing scripts in his off-hours, Marks has achieved nearly A-list status by writing several high-profile screenplays including Streetfighter and He-Man. He’s also worked on Supermax, co-written with A-List scribe David S. Goyer, and featuring the DC Comics hero Green Arrow who, after being wrongly incarcerated, has to join forces with the very villians he put behind bars in order to escape.

Marks is also writing another big-budget Hollywood film, this one an adaptation of the very popular comic series Hack/Slash, created by writer and artist Tim Seeley and published by Devil’s Due Press. I caught up with Marks at the San Diego Comic-Con to talk a bit about the Hack/Slash film, what we might expect story-wise and the film’s current status.

COMIC MIX: Hey Justin, thanks for talking with me. How did you get involved in the Hack/Slash movie?

JUSTIN MARKS: It was a book that was given to me about a year or year and a half ago. at the time it was already set up as a movie and I thought that was great because I thought it would make an increadible movie. Actuallly, I was kinda jealous.

But then a few months ago I got a call, I was actually in Bangkok working on the Streetfighter movie, and the producers of Hack/Slash asks if I would be interested in working with Todd (Lincoln) the director on the script to sort of push it throuhg and get it ready for production.

So I got on a plane for seventeen hours back to LA to try and get that job.

CMix: It seems you really wanted the job?

(more…)

SDCC: Joss Whedon and the Doctor Horrible’s Sing-Along Blog Panel

  • News
  • July 27, 2008

At San Diego Comic-Con’s Doctor Horrible panel, Joss Whedon and company used the opportunity to make a few announcements regarding the future of the Doctor Horrible franchise, as well as a surprise bit of information on the return of a popular character in the Buffy: Season Eight comics.

The big announcement of the panel was the development of a fourth act of the Doctor Horrible saga somewhere on the horizon. While they wait for Act IV, fans of Doctor Horrible’s Sing-Along Blog can expect the release of the soundtrack on iTunes in “a couple weeks.” In addition, for the planned DVD fans will be invited to submit their own three-minute video applications for admittance to the Evil League of Evil, the show’s writers will decide on the best 10 and include them as a special feature.

In news not related to the topic of the panel, Joss Whedon announced that fan favorite character Oz will be returning in the Buffy: Season Eight comics.

Featuring Horrible director and writer Joss Whedon, actors, Neil Patrick Harris, Felicia Day, Nathan Fillion, and Simon Helberg, as well as co-creators and writers, Jed Whedon, Zach Whedon, and Maurissa Tancharoen, if nothing else the panel served to confirm suspicions that Joss probably has the best job in the world.

(more…)

SDCC: The Eisner Awards

SDCC: The Eisner Awards

  • News
  • July 27, 2008

The staple of Comic-Con, the Eisner Awards, occurred yesterday evening, and Heidi MacDonald over at The Beat did everyone a favor by liveblogging the ceremony.

Check out her coverage right here.

The Eisners, in case you aren’t familiar, are essentially the Academy Awards of the comics world.

Here’s a taste:

Next up…Best Painted Work, and it’s Eric Powell! Eric says he poured his blood, sweat, and years into CHINATOWN and he’s very gratified.

Best Cover Artist…James Jean…big shock! No one saw that one coming.

Our next presenters…adorable Paul Dini and Misty Lee! But Misty isn’t here– what the….Paul goes off to call her…and brings out a big giant empty box…and next thing you know….MISTY LEE was in the box all along? How did that happen? Is it…MAGIC?

The first award they present is Best Colorist and Dave Stewart wins the popular vote in the hall and the award.

SDCC: ‘Greatest American Hero’ Returns

  • News
  • July 27, 2008

Here’s some Comic-Con news that’s sure to have the old "believe it or not, we’re walking on air…" song stuck in your head, the people behind the ’80s superhero show The Greatest American Hero have unveiled some upcoming projects.

At a panel session involving the show’s creator (on video) and some stars, it was announced that a new comic book series and an animated series are in the pipeline. CBR reports:

The comic coming out in November is a retelling of the origin story from the show with a few changes. The story takes place in present day, there will be less of a focus on Ralph’s teaching job, he no longer has a son and his hair is … not as big.

But everything else fans loved about the show is still there. "We’re retelling how I got the suit and met Bill Maxwell and Pam," said Katt. He went on to say that the book is initially planned as a six issue story, but that after they’ve retold the origin, they have Cannell’s blessing to branch off in other directions.

And how about a GAH movie?

Finally, the cast was asked about the long running rumors of a feature film adaptation of the series. Katt did confirm that producer Stephen J. Cannell has a finished script for the feature film. He went on to say that he has read the script and thought it was fantastic.

He also said that Cannell currently has funding for the film but is looking for a distributor and that he is in talks with 20th Century Fox and director Steven Spielberg’s company, with production beginning sometime in 2009.

SDCC: Marvel Adapts ‘Ender’s Game’

  • News
  • July 26, 2008

Marvel continues to expand on its comic adaptations of literary properties with the news out of Comic-Con that a six-issue miniseries of Ender’s Game is on the way.

The famed sci fi series was written by Orson Scott Card, who also has written Ultimate Iron Man for Marvel. The artist on that book, Pasqual Ferry, has signed on for this new Card project, which is scripted by Christopher Yost.

"I’m a fan, a big fan. So talking with him was one of the best experiences that I have had working on comics so far," Ferry told CBR News. "When talk of the adaptation started, Orson sent a lot of explanations and details about environments, outfits ships. It was a nice work of discovery and creativity between [Editor] Nick [Lowe], Orson and me."

Ferry said "Ender’s Game" is rich with quality ideas and concepts, giving the artist plenty to explore and develop when bringing the book to life visually. He gushed, "The human feelings of the characters and his interrelatedness of the work, the incredible quality of the story, the Battle Room action sequences…"

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