Emerald City Comicon is doubling down for Harry Potter fans! British actors and real life twins James and Oliver Phelps are coming to Seattle for the big event! They played George and Fred Weasley in the Harry Potter films. They will be appearing Saturday (March 31st) and Sunday (April 1st) only during Emerald City Comicon.
Tom Felton (Draco Malfoy) had to cancel his appearance due to a filming project.
courtesy Marvel
I know where I’ll be April 3rd at 8pm and I know which Marvel team I will stand with!
Earlier this week Marvel revealed new promo art and announced that more than 1,100 comic book stores are having Avengers Vs. X-Men launch parties.
I have been shopping at Zanadu Comics in Downtown Seattle since I moved to the Emerald City 14 years ago. I was thrilled when Perry told me Zanadu will stand with….The X-MEN!
I love you Avengers but I’ve been loving the X-Men longer.
Life With Archie #16 courtesy Archie Comics
Archie Comics has been praised for the introduction of gay character Kevin Keller. A Christian conservative group is targeting the all-ages publisher for their depiction of gay marriage according to Digital Spy. In Life with Archie #16 a look into Kevin’s future features his wedding to his African-American boyfriend.
The American Family Association is campaigning against Toys ‘R’ Us to stop the retailer from pulling any Archie titles with the subject matter from their shelves. Select stores are now selling the issue seen to the right.
The publisher’s CEO Jon Goldwater responded to Comic Book Resources:
“We stand by Life with Archie #16. As I’ve said before, Riverdale is a safe, welcoming place that does not judge anyone. It’s an idealised version of America that will hopefully become reality someday,” he wrote.
“We’re sorry the American Family Association/OneMillionMoms.com feels so negatively about our product, but they have every right to their opinion, just like we have the right to stand by ours.
“Kevin Keller will forever be a part of Riverdale, and he will live a happy, long life free of prejudice, hate and narrow-minded people.”
For the entire story here’s the Digital Spy link.
Archie Comics was nnominated for Outstanding Comic Book by GLAAD Media Awards. Kevin Keller now has his own series.
A Geek’s Opinion:
I think parents have a right to control what their children read or watch. Consumers can decide where or where not to shop. I’m always shocked at how conservative groups can be so upset over the most non-threatening portrayal of gay people in movies, television and now comic books but not the violence in video games and comics.
Archie Comics should be praised for depicting real life including the hopes and dreams of gay characters. Comic books always reflect real life. Seeing this issue may lead to an uncomfortable conversation with a parent and kid but more importantly, it may inspire dialogue that could prevent a gay youth from taking their own life or becoming a bully.
Wonder Woman of Earth 2 by Jim Lee courtesy DC Comics
DC Comics New 52 will launch a Second Wave of new titles including Earth 2 by James Robinson. The Source revealed this world’s Wonder Woman designed by Jim Lee and her background by James Robinson.
“Due the events that open the saga of EARTH 2, Wonder Woman is already the last Amazon of this world and she is determined to avenge her sisters…at whatever cost,” said Earth 2 writer Robinson.
“How did Wonder Woman come to be the last of the Amazons?” asks EARTH 2 editor Pat McCallum. “It’s one of the mysteries we’ll be getting into with the series. While there will be recognizable faces and settings on EARTH 2, don’t for a moment think you’re on familiar ground. Do that, and you let your guard down…and then you’ll end up like the rest of the Amazons.”
I love Jim Lee’s art. This design is heavy on the warrior element. I will definitely check out this title.
One of my favorite actors, Ewan McGregor, is in Seattle to promote his new film, Salmon Fishing in the Yemen. McGregor stopped by Fisher Plaza for interviews with Scott Carty. You can hear the story today (along with my Comics Blend segment) today on The Buzz on KVI from 1-3pm and you can see more on KOMO 4 First News at 4pm. I kept my cool and did exclain ”Obi Wan!” or ‘Christian” for the Moulin Rouge fans! He was extemely gracious and charming. Great stories – you should definitely tune in. Thanks to Mitch Cook for sharing the photos.
Superman by Jim Lee courtesy DC Comics
Here’s why the Superman Hompage says today’s the day to celebrate The Man of Steel’s birthday!
”Why February 29? Editor Julie Schwartz declared that Superman’s birthday was on February 29th in a number of letter pages during the Silver Age. Supposedly this is how Superman stays looking so young, after all he only has a birthday every four years!
In 1985′s “Superman Annual #11” his birthdate is mentioned as being February 29 in an actual story. While “Time” magazine published a story in 1988 that also stated this date as being Superman’s birthday.
Oddly enough, Clark Kent celebrates his birthday on a completely different day. Clark’s celebrates his birthday on the day Jonathan and Martha Kent pulled him from the Kryptonian rocketship that landed in Smallville. This was established in “Action Comics #241″ in 1958, and was specified in “Action Comics #263” in 1973 as being celebrated on June 18th.”
Thanks to Jerry Siegel and Joe Schuster for giving us a great hero. Thanks to Richard Donner and Christopher Reeve for bringing Kal-El to the big screen. Happy Birthday Superman and thanks for all the inspiration.
Fanboys Vs. Zombies #1 courtesy Boom! Studios and Emerald City Comicon
I’m a huge fan of Phil Noto’s art! Noto created this exclusive variant for Fanboys Vs. Zombies #1. It’s one of 6 Boom! Studios special variants for the 10th Anniversary of Emerald City Comicon in my home, Seattle. Check out all the amazing exclusives at this year’s con here.
Wolverine and the X-Men #7 art courtesy Marvel
Wolverine and the X-Men by Jason Aaron and Nick Bradshaw is my favorite book right now and a pure joyride with action, humor and outrageous storylines.
Here’s a quick recap: Wolverine built the Jean Grey School for young mutants after his schism with Cyclops. Kitty is pregnant – sort of. Beast and some kids are inside Kitty’s body trying to save her. Logan and Kid Omega – that brat – are in an outer space casino cheating at gambling to get money to keep the school open. There’s a nice Brood student who talks and won’t eat you. The school is being invaded by an army of Brood – the nasty kind you know and hate. Oh yeah – there are these baby nightcrawler looking things that steal Logan’s whiskey and are kind of like the Gremlins of the school.
Wolverine and the X-Men #7 courtesy Marvel
Nick Bradshaw is the artist making this joyride such a pleasure to read. He followed Chris Bachalo’s initial arc. When you see Bradshaw’s work you can’t help but think Art Adams. Which makes Bradshaw perfect for all the aliens in outer and inner space (in Kitty) on this book.
I wanted to share part of Comics Newsarama’s interview with this rising star. I was surprised to learn what some of his favorite books were prior to his success.
“Huge Marvel fan! I was into Rom: Spaceknight, Hulk, Defenders. My mom one Christmas bought me this orange box with like 50 different Marvel titles in it, got me interested in Fantastic Four, X-Men, New Mutants. Man-Thing and The ‘Nam were two big favorites of mine where I discovered Mike Golden.”
”X-Men was a book I sorta segued into from reading Wolverine. I read X-Men primarily in the 90′s but backtracked to a lot of Claremont’s older stuff with Byrne based off of that.”
Bradshaw revealed his reaction to working with Jason Aaron:
”I used to get a comp box from DC delivered to the folks’ house as my girlfriend and I were always working all day and couldn’t be home to sign for it. Scalped was one of the first books I used to have to fight with the old man over every month if he got to the box first. We both enjoyed it that much. So when I was told I was going to be working with Jason on Wolverine and the X-Men, I was a little apprehensive (as if the prospect of following up on issues after Bachalo wasn’t intimidating enough).
I felt kinda misplaced working on a project with him cause the first impression I had of his work was pretty mature and intense, and my style was the opposite of whatever you would find in that type of book like Scalped. When I read the first few scripts I got it, I knew what they were looking for from me. It was fun, big adventure, that I could do; was pleasantly surprised to see this stuff coming from Jason. He hits every single geek gene I have in my brain. It’s all there, I’m having a blast, drawing every page has been a joy.”
Wolverine and the X-Men current arc ends with #7 – with a healthy and happy Kitty Pryde! Hopefully Bradshaw will be back after the next Chris Bachalo AvX arc.
X-Men Regenesis cover by Nick Bradshaw courtesy Marvel
Bradshaw created variant covers for all the X-Men Regenesis relaunch books – I highly recommend picking them up at conventions in the variant box if you missed out last Fall. For the entire interview here’s the Comics Newsarama link.
Planet of the Apes #9 courtesy Boom! Studios and Emerald City Comicon
It’s the 10th Anniversary of Emerald City Comicon in my home, Seattle. Boom! Studios is helping fans celebrate with 6 exclusive variants for this year’s big event. From Planet of the Apes and Hellraiser to Peanuts and Adventure Time there’s a cool cover for a comic fan of every age.
Peanuts #1 courtesy Boom! Studios and Emerald City Comicon
My favorite was Planet of the Apes #9 by Mitch Gerads with gorillas storming the Space Needle and Matt Whitlock’s Peanuts #1 featuring Ace pilot Snoopy flying around our iconic landmark – which is celebrating its 50th Anniversary in April. You can check out all 6 exclusives at this ECCC link.
Earth 2 Robin courtesy DC Comics
Get ready to ride the Second Wave as DC The New 52 unleashes 6 new titles this May. Earth 2 by James Robinson introduces new heroes from a parallel Earth. The Source revealed the Robin of Earth 2 design and Robinson gave ‘her’ background.
Helena Wayne has been taught how to be the perfect Robin,” said James Robinson, writer of EARTH 2. “Assured as a detective, fighter, scientist, pilot and all around crime-fighter she’s been groomed by Batman to be the perfect caped manhunter (or should we say manHuntress) when she grows up.”
“Before coming to the main DCU Earth and taking up the mantle of Huntress, Helena Wayne fought crime alongside her father as the Robin to his Batman on Earth-2!” said WORLDS’ FINEST editor Wil Moss. “But how did she come to be on this Earth? And why did she decide to become Huntress? You’ll get some clues in next week’s HUNTRESS #6, but for the real scoop, pick up WORLDS’ FINEST #1!”