Friday, July 18, 2008

Comic-Con Countdown

Prior to a Comic-Con International, you always see a certain amount of grousing and complaining, most of it from people who wouldn't miss going for anything. There are absolutely aspects of the con in need of a good bitch-slapping but it seems to me that moaning about the sheer size of the whole affair is like complaining that you can't get a small-sized anything at Costco. That's the nature of the beast, gang. If you want something smaller, go to something smaller. There are plenty of tinier, more intimate conventions in this country. Some of them are quite enjoyable even if they don't have ninety zillion things to see and do.

Last year, one friend sent me several e-mails denouncing the sheer size of the San Diego event. There were, he deplored, too damn many people there — an oft-heard criticism. This year, the convention organizers, with plenty o' advance notice, capped attendance and announced that no tix will be sold at the door. The result? That same friend and others are upset that they can't get in. No pleasing some folks.

The con is what it is, and it ain't gettin' much smaller. The length and breadth is what makes it the important gathering that it is. Go...don't go...whichever you want. I'm sorry it isn't the same con you loved in 1978 or 1986 or whenever but it's as likely to roll back to the San Diego Con of your favorite time as gas prices are likely to drop to the levels of those years.

I also think it's pointless to complain about how much of the Comic-Con is not about comics. It's a sad, unadmitted reality of our business that the vast majority of people you could call Comic Fans (by any reasonable definition) are a lot more interested in the Batman movie than they've been in the Batman comic book, lo these past few decades. They're probably more interested in the non-comic movies, too. The San Diego Con, whatever its name at the time, has always been a multimedia gathering, as I'm sure its old Mission Statements will attest. They didn't have movie stars and big videogame exhibitors there in the seventies...because those folks and companies didn't want to be there. Now, they do.

What you need to do — and I tell this to everyone, not just you — is find the convention that interests you. There are many in that hall from which to select: A gaming convention, an original art exhibition, a cel collectors' paradise, etc. If you just wander aimlessly, you could easily waste most of your time there in the sections about which you couldn't care less. Study the website before you go, especially the Programming Guide.

Me, I like the panels, which is why I host so many of them. One thing I enjoy is the little spotlight chats I get to do with folks I like. I already mentioned the Mike Peters Spotlight. Today, I'll mention that I'll be doing conversations with Todd Klein, Al Jaffee, Al Feldstein and Len Wein.

If you don't know who Todd Klein is: He's the guy who seems to win every award for Best Letterer. No one is shocked by this because Todd's a true artist with his calligraphy, and very wise about the design of lettering and logotypes for comic books. I asked for some extra time on the schedule for this one because I want to inquire about the details of Todd's career but I also want to project a mess of covers (some by him but most not) and debate/discuss logo designs. I have my theories, he has his, and I respect his so much that I want to hurl mine against his and see which ones survive. If you are at all interested in lettering, this is one you won't want to miss.

Al Jaffee, of course, was this year's Reuben winner as Cartoonist of the Year. He's probably wondering why now, since he's been doing the same outstanding work for more than half a century. He's best known for the Mad Fold-Ins which appear in almost every issue of that magazine but I always liked a feature he does occasionally for them called "Snappy Answers to Stupid Questions." I'm also a big fan of a newspaper strip he used to do called Tall Tales. A collection of them, with a foreword by Stephen Colbert, will be out shortly. You can order a copy here.

Al Feldstein needs zero explanation to fans of great comics. He was the editor of Mad for 28 years, during which time it became one of the best-selling magazines in this country. But he was a legend of comics before he got that job, having been the editor-writer of classic EC comics like Vault of Horror, Tales from the Crypt, Weird Fantasy and Crime SuspenStories. I've interviewed Al before at conventions and he's always interesting. For the last decade or two, he's been doing western paintings that are quite stunning. If you get a chance, drop by his table at the con and see if he has some on display.

Len Wein, I've known since 1970. He's been a writer and sometimes an editor for many of the major comic book companies and has handled, at one time or another, most of the major superheroes...and created or co-created a few biggies. You probably know what they are and if so, you might enjoy hearing me grill him on his life and times. I know things about this man that would curl Howie Mandel's hair. If you wanna hear some of them, come to the panel. Here are the formal listings for these events...

Thursday, July 24
2:00-3:00 Spotlight on Todd Klein — Eisner Award-winning letterer and logo designer Todd Klein (Sandman, Fables) is joined by moderator Mark Evanier (Fanboy, Kirby: King of Comics) for a discussion of his 30-plus years in comics, from early days on staff at DC and lettering by hand to his present-day freelance career on many titles for DC, Marvel, and others, mainly on the computer. Focus will be on the intricacies of lettering, logo design, and more, as Todd and Mark show and discuss images of classic comics logos. Todd will also cover his recent self-published signed prints by Alan Moore and Neil Gaiman and give away several copies of each. Room 8.

Friday, July 25
3:00-4:00 Spotlight on Al Jaffee — He's definitely one of "MAD's maddest artists!" Al Jaffee's work — including his incredible "Mad Fold-Ins" that grace the inside back cover of the magazine — has appeared in more issues of MAD than any other artist. Mark Evanier interviews this comics legend, who is making his first-ever appearance as a Comic-Con special guest. (We promise not to try and fold him.) Room 8.

4:00-5:00 Spotlight on Al Feldstein — Continuing our mini "Als at MAD magazine" programming theme, the dean of EC Comics, triple threat editor/writer/artist Al Feldstein returns to Comic-Con. Feldstein — who edited the EC line in its glory days and took MAD to new heights of popularity — talks with Mark Evanier about comics, painting, that magazine, and much more! Room 8.

Saturday, July 26
5:30-6:30 Spotlight on Len Wein — The writer who gave us Swamp Thing, The New X-Men, Wolverine, Brother Voodoo, memorable runs on all the top DC and Marvel titles and many more, was one of the first fans to become a professional writer...and editor at both companies. Comic-Con special guest Len Wein joins moderator Mark Evanier for a discussion on Len's 30+ years in the industry as one of comics' most popular talents. Room 8.

There they are. As I cut-'n'-pasted the listings in, I thought, "Gee, these all sound like things I don't want to miss." Then I realized: I can't miss them. I'm moderator. But even if I wasn't moderating them. I think I'd attend. Hope you feel the same way, as I'd like to get a nice turnout for these gents. More panel previews tomorrow.

• Posted at 11:49 PM · LINK

Joker, Joker, Joker!

If you're at the Comic-Con next week and you want to know how many people are in the hall, it's real simple. Count the number of folks dressed as The Joker and multiply by six. I'm betting there'll be more Jokers there than you'll find in all the Video Poker machines in all the casinos in Vegas.

The Joker has always been a popular costume. It combines the three most appealing characteristics of a convention outfit: It's inexpensive to do, it gets you noticed and it makes you look like you're out of your friggin' mind.

Of those, "inexpensive" is probably the big reason. At Halloween time, you can buy everything necessary to be The Joker from the neck up for about ten bucks at your neighborhood CVS Pharmacy. You need a cheap green wig (the cheaper, the better), some white grease paint, a lipstick in some garish shade and maybe an eyebrow pencil to arch your own brows in some manic way. Then all you need is a really hideous outfit — anything as long as its colors clash enough to blind a hippie. You may already have one in your closet. It's a great opportunity to wear your gayest, zootiest suit in public.

Imagine what would be involved in building a really impressive Iron Man costume. I'm guessing weeks of labor and a few thousand bucks. Then imagine what it would take to Jokerize yourself. It's a no-brainer.

I usually see six or seven Jokers per convention. Once, I had my picture taken with three of them at once but I decided not to post it because I look like the odd one in the photo. This year, with all the fuss about Heath Ledger and the upcoming Batman flick, I'm guessing they'll be out by the dozens. They may even outnumber Klingons, which will be fine with me. Just so long as they don't outnumber good-looking women dressed as warrior princesses, jungle ladies and, of course, the original Supergirl.

• Posted at 7:25 AM · LINK

Today's Video Link

There was a Hollywood Collectors Show out in Burbank last weekend. I usually go and wanted to attend this one, as three of the four "Sweathogs" I worked with on Welcome Back, Kotter were present. Alas, I was too busy so I got no closer than watching this short video report from the Slate folks.

Only a few folks are interviewed in this, one of whom is Lou Ferrigno. Mr. Ferrigno seems to be at every autograph show and convention in America. If you see him at one, stop at his table, say hello, and buy the little book he wrote about his days playing The Incredible Hulk. It's a good book and he's a nice man, who patiently endures being asked over and over and over what it was like to be painted green every day. It amuses me that most of the conventions he attends put his table up front on the apparent assumption that it might be nice to have the muscle guy nearby if there's trouble.

Here's the video...and by the way, I don't think that's Jay Leno in the background when they're interviewing the daughter of Mickey Dolenz. But it sure looks like him, doesn't it?

• Posted at 7:08 AM · LINK

July 19, 2008 • Current • July 17, 2008