Hi all, if you've been browsing around ComicBookMovie.com over the past week and a half you've undoubtedly noticed the relentless coverage of the 2010 San Diego Comic Con International. For the most part, every tidbit of news that every attending journalist had learned at the Con has already spread far and wide across the internet. So instead of retreading over covered ground, I thought I'd just share with you some of my favorite parts of the show.
With this being my very first Comic Con, I still can't believe how lucky I am to have seen as much as I did. All the Green Lantern, Thor, Captain America, The Walking Dead, Resident Evil and Cowboys & Aliens footage is still replaying in my head! Not to mention being present for Harrison Ford's FIRST appearance at a Comic Con. Indy-freaking-Solo himself! Oh, and a surprise panel for The Avengers, with a teaser trailer and all? A pleasant surprise to say the least. After all the SWAG was collected, my bags were packed up and I dragged by sleep-deprived self to the airport, I couldn't help but be grateful for the whole, mind blowing experience. In no particular order, here's a little photo album I've thrown together:
TRON: LEGACY press panel: The one and only press panel I attended. I just had to see The Dude up close and in person. Add Micheal Sheen into the mix and it was a wonderful way to start a Thursday.
Abin Sur Movie Prop: I had to call my CBM counterpart (DogsofWar) as soon as I was within 10 feet of this thing. When I had heard the Green Lantern movie crew were planning on bringing a big prop to the Con with them, I didn't think it was going to be this impressive. I still can't believe two journalists (from two respectable comic-centric sites) walked right past this thing without a second glance!
Stan Winston School of Character Arts booth: I went by on Thursday for a brief interview with Matt, who not only is Stan's son but a pretty well known actor. Ran into him again of Friday waiting in line to meet Stan Lee.
Indy, Daddy Jones and the last Templar Knight FTW
The Walking Dead Zombie Squad: Everyone attending was impressed by the first footage of The Walking Dead, everyone that visiting the show's booth had fun with the exhibit; but what surprised me the most was the zombie hoard nonchalantly strolling around the Gaslamp District (in front of the convention center). Those f*ckers came out of nowhere!
Yes, I asked the girls to say, "Help us Poni, you're our only hope" .. yes, they obliged me.
Yes, it still makes me smile thinking about it.
The man with a plan himself, Geoff Johns. Shook his hand, thanked him for all the entertainment, got a comic signed.
Nice end to my Preview Night.
Talk about coincidence, ran into Robert Buckley at the DC booth. I asked him about all the Captain America rumors from way back when; he said, "After awhile, Marvel wasn't considering anyone who had a TV contract."
Easy followup: Would he have wanted to play Cap? "Hell yes! I would have played Cap, I would have played Bucky, I would have played a soldier selling churros. I'm a comics fans, being a part of one of those films in any capacity would be amazing."
Guess I'll just throw this out there now, then: Robert Buckley for Wally West/The Flash
Odin's Throne: Saw in pictures, not very excited. Saw it in person, freaked out. That about sums it up.
Thor Movie Helmets: We wanted to see helmets, we sure as hell got 'em.
Not replicas, not models, but the actual ones used for the film.
Unfortunately, Mjolnir was the ONE anticipated movie prop Marvel didn't showcase, but seeing it's likeness in the video game trailer settled me down enough until Saturday's Thor footage. Talking to one of the game's producers was pretty cool too.
The Walking Dead Panel: Second place only to the Marvel panel. Hearing Frank Darabont put some jackass in his place for getting snooty during the Q&A was priceless! Getting Robert Kirkman to autograph some stuff for me was a bit better.
The Green Hornettes: I didn't make that title up, that's what they actually called the girls. They sure did their job, though, I was actually excited to be in the Green Hornet movie booth.
Alex Ross' Avengers Painting: I checked out the print of this at one of the resale booths, but when I got up close to the original I was very impressed. If I had a few extra thousand dollars lying around I definitely would have bid on it.
Marvel Animation Panel: The panel itself was very 'Meh' but the fact that Stan Lee crashed it within five minutes of Jeph Loeb's introduction made me glad I didn't miss it.
Darkseid Cosplayer: A 6'4 man with a bodysuit and prosthesis on his face waiting in line at Starbucks. Yikes
How do you top 2 Slave Girl Princess Leias? How about 20 of them lounging on Odin's throne?
Best Star Wars/Marvel Comics crossover... ever
Even though I've spent so much time riding these Hawks I still get giddy like a little kid every time I see them.
Anthony Del Col, Conor McCreery and Andy Belanger. The creators of my favorite new comic series, KILL SHAKESPEARE. We'd been playing phone tag for the past five months, trying to put an interview together. Finally got the chance to chat with them!
I'm a movie statue, prop and replica collector. Kotobukiya has been my favorite for a long time, but I think Sideshow has finally taken the lead.
Speaking of collectibles, check out these Blackest Night Power Batterie & Ring sets that are coming out later in the year.
I want 'em all!
Three teenagers had to read the adjacent plaque to know what this was. The American education system has officially failed.
The Disney Princess Collection: Now available in adult sizes
Hanging with Matt Fraction and the Iron Man 2 crew
Holographic Green Lantern movie poster. The mask looks perfect!
TRON booth, worth the neon light induced migraine. I want that motorcycle jacket, by the way
Captain America's shield. On display for three hours before being sent back to England. Now THAT'S dedication to your fans. Bravo, Marvel, bravo
Blink and you'll miss it, the Destroyer! Bigger than I thought it would be but just as awesome
Ryan Reynolds wearing the Green Lantern movie ring. That alone would have made me a happy fan, but the footage kicked it up about 12 notches.
James Bond, in the flesh. Quickly becoming one of my favorite actors. Olivia Wilde had a busy week; TRON and Cowboys & Aliens. Did I mention Harrison Ford was there?
Seeing Chris Evans in the Captain America suit for the first time made it very clear to me that internet bitching, moaning and ranting is laid to rest once this stuff is shown on screen. EVERYONE freaked out!
"Ladies and gentlemen, The Avengers!"
Yep, I got chills from that sentence alone. Not one person in Hall H stayed sitting for this epic presentation.
It's going to be hard to top this next year.
As if the Destroyer, trio of Thor helmets and Cap's shield weren't enough... the Infinity Gauntlet.
The MOVIE PROP Infinity Gauntlet... Holy hell
That's it for now, folks. I've got a few more interviews to transcribe for you guys over the next week. A few comic creators, a prop master and a certain Thor movie castmember that, to date, has been relatively silent.
Stay Tuned!