Random Thought: Authors Who Give Up on Their Series

I was staring at my bookcase, not really paying attention to what I was looking at, when one of my books caught my eye. It was by an author I used to read. I started thinking about him. He had a popular series of books of few years ago. They weren't super popular but did well. I loved them. The characters were interesting and funny, and the stories were always twisted and complex but great, quick reads. Perfect to read on a train or at the beach or curled up at home.

Anyhoo, as the series progressed, I got the feeling that the author was growing tired of the characters. He moved his main protagonist to a new location and the plots made a little less sense. Finally, he announced the ending of the series. I was sad, but every story has its time. However, when I read the final book, instead of sad I became angry.

What made this series so good was not only was the main protagonist an extremely likable character, but the group around him was equally incredible. Think Buffy and the Scoobies. That's exactly what this was like, and in the final book, the few who made it into the story were underutilized and some of them completely disappeared, and the explanations given for their disappearance made no sense. Not only that, but the story itself was convoluted, rushed, and lacked all the wonderful elements that had made the series so good. There are books my favorite authors have written that I have not cared for, but rarely have I read something that's made me question the quality of their writing.

I found out later the reason the author ended the series was because he had written a book unrelated to the series that he was extremely proud of, and the fan reception he had gotten was "this is nice, but when does the next ---- book come out?" This understandably upset him. He had put a tremendous amount of work into his book, and it wasn't fair that it was being treated as a placeholder. I read that book; it was great, but I feel like his response was unfair to the fans.

He should have anticipated that kind of response. He created a wonderful series, and that was what he was known for. Yes, he wrote other stuff, but he was best known for his series. It's what made him popular. Of course, that's what the fans were going to want.

I respect his decision to end the series so he could pursue other projects. You can't hold creativity back, but what I don't respect is not giving the characters a proper send off. Sure, we're lucky he was even willing to tie everything up, but in some ways, the final book was so subpar that it might have been better if he didn't write it, did other projects, and may some years down the road revisited the characters and given them a better ending. 

Have you had this experience? Are there writers out there who you felt really dropped the ball on their series'? And for any writers reading this, am I being overly harsh or have you ever felt this way? I'd love to know your side of the story. 

Like what you just read? Let us know in the comments below and keep up to date by following us on Twitter, Facebook and Tumblr!

Meme'd

I made my very first meme!  Super proud of myself and just wanted to share it with the world.  And yes, this is totally real and actually happened to me.

You can share it or add a new caption if you want!  Make sure you post the link to it below and/or share it on our FB Page!

Like what you just read? Let us know in the comments below and keep up to date by following us on Twitter, Facebook and Tumblr!

Random Thought: Will Supernatural Ever Get Adam Out of the Cage?

*Editor's Note - This was published later than when written to ensure that the writer wrote this coherently, and it was not just a string of letters that she thought made a post.

It's 3 AM, and I'm trying to sleep with no luck. I'm laying in bed, computer off, listening to soothing music, doing relaxation techniques, yadda, yadda, yadda, when I suddenly find myself wondering about Supernatural and the *SPOILER ALERT* third Winchester brother, Adam. 

Save me!!!

For those of you who might not remember, Adam is Sam and Dean's half-brother, who was killed by ghouls in season 4, only to be brought back to be the meat suit for the Archangel Michael when Dean refused. Both Sam/Lucifer and Adam/Michael fell into the Cage in hell during the climatic finale of season 5. Sam got out but was lacking a soul, and Dean tried to get it back and Adam out but was told he could only choose one. Naturally, he chose Sam. It wouldn't be a show without Sam, but is that it? Are the Winchester men really going to let Adam stay in hell? Or will this be one of those plots that get mysteriously dropped and never spoken of again similar to the younger sister on Family Matters, who went upstairs and never returned? Or before the show comes to an end, will the Winchesters mount an epic rescue mission, taking on the hordes of hell to save the last piece of their family?

More importantly, why is this what pops into my head when I am trying to sleep? Does this happen to anyone else? I'm going back to bed. Clearly, I need some sleep.

Like what you just read? Let us know in the comments below and keep up to date by following us on Twitter, Facebook and Tumblr!

5 Signs That The Article You’re Reading May Not Be Written By A Geek

Let's give a nice [IGH] welcome to our newest guest contributor, LoudmouthLee!

My name is LoudmouthLee, and I am a nerd.

I am also a geek, but I’m pretty sure that nerd encompasses who I am more than anything else. I love trivia, I have an unquenchable desire to learn. I have odd hobbies, and I like to read… a lot.

I’m really proud of my offbeat sense of humor. I’m a teacher, and my students will tell you the same thing… Mr. D is WEIRD…. but we love him.

Back in the day, no one wanted to be called a nerd. It meant you were an outcast. You were picked on, bullied… It hurt. I vowed to myself that when I became a teacher, I would do everything in my power to make sure that the future geeks, nerds, goths, potheads, etc. all had a safe haven with me… And throughout my career so far, I’ve been successful.

The past few years have seen a boon to the geek subculture. All of a sudden, being labeled a geek was… well… awesome. Hot girls started wearing I <3  Geeks shirts. Even television began to embrace geeky characters.

The geeks embraced this to no end.

However, there’s something wrong… and we need to unite!

After being linked to and reading Jenn Hoffman’s column entitled “10 Signs She’s Not Really A Nerd," I stared blankly at the screen for a few moments. I began to have this pit in my stomach… and I think it’s time for someone to set these pseudo-geeks straight.

Jenn Hoffman has done her best, in one single post, to try to exclude people from the subculture. The geek subculture is predicated on acceptance. As a geek, or a nerd… most of us have felt excluded at one time or another… possibly ashamed of who we were.

Why would we go out of our way to do exactly what others have done to us forever?

With that, I give you this: 

5 Signs That The Article You’re Reading May Not Be Written By A Geek

If you aren’t expecting a sarcasm bomb… consider this your fair warning.

1) If the article excludes people from being a part of the club.

Face it, all of us are geeks, in some way, shape, or form. Some just hide it better than others. Some people neglect to embrace their geekiness in fear of rejection or backlash. We need for these people to feel more confident in who they are, not knock them down a few pegs, thereby pushing them to the side of a subculture that they are begging to be a part of.

2) If the article resorts to appearance in order to classify between real geek and fake geek.

I don’t need glasses. I still have me a nice pair of nerd glasses. I use them when I’m looking at the computer screen for a long time, or when I want to look smarter than I really am (AKA: Parent Teacher Conferences). Whether or not I actually have the glasses on doesn’t make me a nerd or not one. It just makes me come to the realization that, to this day, I am still completely clueless about fashion.

3) If the article uses “Ranch Dressing” as an appropriate test for anything…

You better not, EVER, sully the name of ranch dressing every again. I want me some cheese fries with bacon and ranch dressing. Yum.

4) If the article thinks that listing other geeks in your blog posts gives you credit.

Chris Hardwick is funny as hell. Seriously. He makes me laugh. Just because I’m namedropping doesn’t mean that you should take me any more seriously. Anyway, I prefer Alton Brown over all of the other nerds that Ms. Hoffman may have listed. I have met some pretty clueless nerds out there, except for their field. I have a few friends who are not book or science smart, but are ridiculously awesome bowlers. Some have amazing marble collections. Are they geeks/nerds? Sure. Don’t hate and don’t name drop. PS: I <3 Wil Wheaton! OMG

5) If the article finds a way to completely ostracize the writer’s own gender in an article.

The article referenced above does a very good job in pointing out the girls are stupid, fakers, and some don’t belong in the super-secret geek club. They fake their way to fit in, because they’re not fitting in anywhere else.

Oh wait. That sounds familiar.

I am the proud father of a 1 ½ year old daughter. I’m going to raise her to know that she can do ANYTHING that she wants to do. She can be ANYTHING she wants to be. Just not a porn star. Sorry. I have to draw the line somewhere.

The truth of the matter is, well… everyone has flaws. Everyone wants to be accepted. Please don’t tell me that you’ve never tried to be someone else just to impress someone. Bullpoop.

We’ve all been pushed down, spit at, and told we aren’t good enough. Now that we’re in the limelight, don’t you DARE go and be one of them. Ms. Hoffman, you’re the bully in this situation, and I think you owe the geek girls of this world an apology. You’ve done them a disservice.

Like what you just read? Let us know in the comments below and keep up to date by following us on Twitter, Facebook and Tumblr!

Funny, Geeky Conversations

The other day Wysefyre and I were rereading texts we have sent and decided that we were funny.  In fact, we crack ourselves up.  We can probably crack other people up.  Also, we figure that very few people have realized there are two of us, so here is a inside peek of our very disturbed brains. 

BEWARE THE MACHINES!


Wysefyre
Death to the machines!!!

Wilderowens
??????

Wysefyre
Skynet's attacking by making it impossible for me to do my laundry before my first rehearsal.

Wilderowens
Bastard computer

Wysefyre
Yup



I AM THE NIGHT

Wysefyre
What exactly did we want to do today?

Wilderowens
I'm Batman.

Wysefyre
Um... Ok. You know that didn't really answer the question. :P

Wilderowens
It answers everything.

Wysefyre
It answers nothing other than your identity and possibly your desire to hibernate.

Wilderowens
I was also Robin and Superman. Then I saved.

Wysefyre
Oh fuck.

(For the record, Lego Batman 2 is awesome!)

Post your funniest text conversations below in comments!!!



Like what you just read? Let us know in the comments below and keep up to date by following us on Twitter, Facebook and Tumblr!

SDCC Booth Tour of Awesome

QUANTUM MECHANIX BOOTH!

Yes, I got a booth tour of Quantum Mechanix to see what's coming up on their roster.  These girls and guys are true fans, and it shows in the painstaking details in their work.  Some of these models look like they plucked them right off the screen!

Check out some of the things that will be draining your bank account soon.

So Say We All

They debuted plushie BSG Raiders and Vipers at SDCC!  I really regret not buying these but I bet my roommate is happy I'm not "flying" them around the apartment, making ship noises.

Random Thought of the Day: John Barrowman - Real or Robot?

I was watching The Nerdist' 2012 Special SDCC Episode, and John Barrowman was one of the guests. I loved the episode, but as I was watching, I came to the conclusion that John Barrowman is not real.


Wait, that's not true. He's real, you can touch him, but he's not human. Why do I think that? Simple. Have you seen the guy?

Even as he's gotten older, he doesn't age. And he's too damn good looking. I don't know what it is, but I'm convinced he's not human. 

But I can't decide what he is. Is he robot with a synthetic skin? Or is he an alien sent here to infiltrate us with his good looks, sense of humor, and his ability to sing and dance for reasons still to be determined?

I know he's not the most traditionally beautiful female, but he's got great legs, and when he sings, who cares what he looks like?


But if this is not your taste, then watch these Torchwood outtakes.




Even when he's goofy, he's still pretty perfect. Not many life forms can do that.


So, in conclusion, John Barrowman is not human. He is awesome, and I desperately want to see him perform in NYC, but I repeat, he is not human.


For more proof, check out The Nerdist' SDCC episode when it repeats, you'll see what I'm talking about.


This has been my random thought of the day. Thank you.


PS Barrowman does something pretty special in The  Nerdist episode. It's worth watching just for that.

Like what you just read? Let us know in the comments below and keep up to date by following us on Twitter, Facebook and Tumblr!

Comic Store Heroes: A Look Inside Midtown Comics

Attention National Geographic Channel: You have a mission should you choose to accept it. The mission is to give Comic Store Heroes a pickup for more episodes. Should you choose not to accept, then you will have scores of disappointed fans.

Before I go any further, I have a confession to make: I cannot write this without being somewhat biased. Midtown Comics has been my main comic book store for nearly a decade. During a time when it wasn't as acceptable to be a "geek girl," they treated me wonderfully and barring my leaving the state or some bizarre circumstance I can't think of, they have a life-long customer in me. We also happen to know a few of the people who work for Midtown and think they're great. Now, onwards.

Friday, July 13, 2012 saw the premiere of Comic Store Heroes, a hour viewing, that exposed us to the inner workings of the largest comic book retailer in America, Midtown Comics. It followed the adventures of Midtown crew members, Alex "The Negotiator" Roe, Thor "The Marketeer" Parker, and co-owner Gerry "The Boss" Gladston as they prepared for last year's New York Comic Con.

What I liked most about is the feeling of pulling the curtain back and letting us, the viewers, into the world of Midtown. It was fun to see how Thor and Alex related to each other and how they handled their jobs and the people.

Alex was given two missions from Gerry. The first was to get an additional 10,000 back issues for NYCC, and the second, which I found to be the most suspenseful part of the show, was to track down a near mint copy of "Hot Stuff the Little Devil #1." It came out in 1957. This was Gerry's very first comic, and it's what started him down his path towards to creation of Midtown. I can definitely relate to that. I spent years trying to find the very first Nancy Drew book I ever read because it was the book that made me go from a casual reader to hardcore book nerd. I just wish I had a someone like Alex to help me find the book because you can see how good he is at his job.

Thor's big mission was to book the one and only Frank Miller for a signing at the Midtown booth. I wish we could have seen more of what he went through, but instead we were treated to seeing some of the other aspects of his job, such as getting people hyped up for NYCC.

Last year, Midtown threw a "Not at Comic-Con" party for those of us who couldn't make it out west for SDCC. Wilderowens and I went and had tons of fun. I knew there was filming going on, but I didn't know it was for this. You can tell by watching that fun was had by all. I think Thor told me he had downed a few too many energy drinks, so he could get his "swag" on. An extra treat for me while watching this is Wilderowens appears a few times in a "blink and you miss her" kind of way, and I also got to see a few other people I know pop up. Special thanks to Ted and the Midtown Downtown crew for helping make it a great time.

Another aspect of Thor's job is working with new creators. In this case, it's Christopher Notarelli. He is the creator of The Protector. He went to Thor and asked what does he need to do to get on the shelves at Midtown. Thor gives him the info and off he goes.

Christopher is followed as he not only finishes his comic, but also as he creates a short film to help sell Thor on The Protector. I really admired Christopher's drive and determination and ambition. I thought he put everything into the book, but of all the different elements of this show, he was the one element that I found a little off-putting. He was a little intense. It might have been how the show was edited, but he wanted to be in Midtown so badly, he came across as a little desperate, and when that's added to his intensity... well, let's just say I wouldn't want to meet him in a dark alley. That said I think Thor handled him incredibly well and that, more than anything I've seen Thor do, and if you read us, you know we go to a lot of events Thor's put together, showed me how good he is at his job. It made me appreciate him more. (That's right, Thor. I think you're great. Please don't let that go to your head. ^_^) While I might not have connected with Christopher as a person, I thought his story was handled well. As to whether he made it onto the coveted Midtown shelves, you should watch the encore presentation of Comic Store Heroes.

One other great part of the show was the customers. Geek girl extraordinaire, Jill Pantozzi, was followed and interviewed about what comics meant to her. It also showed how Midtown customers come in all shapes and sizes and personalities. You had males, females, kids, adults, people in costume and others in business attire. Comics appeal to all types of people, and it was great seeing that realized onscreen. On a bittersweet note, at various points in the show, the late C.C. Banana kept popping up. I only got to meet him once at last year's NYCC, but I heard he was a Midtown regular, and he seemed like a really good guy. It was nice to see him again, if only for a few moments.

Overall, I really enjoyed this. I liked seeing Alex haggle for comics and getting to meet a few hardcore collectors like Vincent Pei and Don Corrado, who had an evil villain mustache. I"m not saying he's evil, far from it, but he actually twirled his 'stache. That alone should make you want to see it. I enjoyed watching Thor be Thor, and I loved getting to relive some of the great moments from last year's NYCC. Even in the NYCC footage, there were people we knew showing up (I mean non-Midtown people).

I thought the show was well constructed, entertaining, interesting, and my biggest complaint about it is that there wasn't more. I would have liked to learn more about Gerry and seen more of the inner workings of Midtown. One hour was not enough. I don't watch a lot of reality television because it's not appealing to me. It doesn't hold my interest. I've watched the episode on my DVR three times already. I think there's an audience for the gang at Midtown.

If you don't believe me, see it for yourself when NatGeo presents it again today, July 20th, at 4 pm EST. Watch and find out if Christopher 's comic made it into the store or if Thor booked Frank Miller, or more importantly if Alex found "Hot Stuff the Little Devil #1. You can also just watch it because it's a great show. You can find more information about it here.

Interview with a Real-Life Comic Store Hero!

Courtesy of Midtown Comics & National Geographic

That's no typo kids, I got a chance to chat with Thor Parker, one of the stars of Comic Store Heroes!  That's right, I got a chance to chat with the Events Director of Midtown Comics, one of the biggest comic stores in the world.


Unlike other shows, Comic Store Heroes tries not to focus on the in-store sales and trades. Gerry is one of the owners, while Thor runs events and Alex handles major buys. So they spend more time focusing on their customer stories and how comics can change lives. Thor really expressed his caring side (that's a new side) about how Midtown Comics can bring people together, and I have to admit he is right. I have met so many geeks that are now good friends in their stores.


If you have been to the Midtown stores then you will know that the show takes place in all three, despite only showing the front of the Times Sq store. Fun Easter egg! Filming stretched out over a year, so there is even a chance you might see someone you know!


Thor said he hopes no one judges this show based on Comic Book Men, and that it is a different store in a similar setting. I asked for some feelings about the lack of women on CBM, which Thor said is not an issue with CSH. Midtown staffer Zoe Gulliksen appears along with customer and blogger Jill Pantozzi. I'm sure some of the other store employees also make some quick cameos. Thor said that the CSH producers tried to take the complaints about CBM into account when planning the show. Thor's wish is that this show promotes a positive view of fans and who we are to the world.

Courtesy of Midtown Comics & National Geographic

Knowing Thor, I was quick to ask for embarrassing stories from the show. While he didn't divulge anything, he did promise that he is very comfortable making a fool of himself on camera and that I will be pleased. Thor did say he would love it if they did a blooper reel so he could see all the stuff that was cut. I also made a point to see how big Thor's ego had grown. Thor said with a laugh "My ego is already huge, so [the show] hasn't affected it at all."


While this is a one episode deal, there is potential for more if enough viewers tune into National Geographic at 8pm est to watch! Yes, a lot of geeks are at SDCC tonight but as Thor put it, everyone is focused on comics now. Get your non-geek friends to watch too!


Just remember, tune into National Geographic Channel at 8pm est to watch!


Like what you just read? Let us know in the comments below and keep up to date by following us on Twitter, Facebook and Tumblr!

SDCC '12: Thursday Recap

I'm actually writing this early Friday morning on line to get into Ballroom 20. Yesterday was a whirlwind of waiting on lines and putting faces to names.


We started off the day checking out the Batmobiles. All of them. It was very awesome. The owner was there, and he showed me a pic of a Keaton-era Batmobile limo. That exists. I will now make it my mission to ride in it.


After that, Getsuyobi wandered the floor and took pics of cosplayers while I went off to finally meet Bryan Young in person. Yup, our favorite writer is a real person! It's one of the best parts of con, getting to meet people that you have chatted with online.


Then, I went over to the San Diego Blood Drive. If you ever get a chance, please give blood. It's a worthy deed. However, my time was exceptionally busy, so it took me two hours to finish draining.


After that, Getsuyobi and I went around town for a bit, checking out all of the popup stores. In case you haven't been to SDCC, not all the action happens in the convention center. Plenty of companies have popup locations available to everyone. We hit up the Magic The Gathering store for some variant art cards, then went to the Yahoo Movieland for pics related to Expendables 2, Paranorman, and Total Recall. While on line there (lines being a general theme), we heard about free AMD processors being given away a few blocks up. We decided to check it out and randomly found it at the Geek & Sundry HQ! Best part is yours truly got the very last spot for their autograph signing! Woohoo! Got a small hug from Felicia Day and a pic and some FaceTime with Sandeep, who I'm mildly obsessed with. And of course, a fee AMD processor from AMD.


If our day ended there, it would be complete but after a quick ice cream break, it was off to w00tstock 4.0!!!! Now the offical recap will follow with lots of juicy goodness about the 270 minutes we spent there but I will give this. Levar Burton on stage singing the Reading Rainbow theme song with Wil Wheaton as a backup singer.


Will our plucky reporters make it into Ballroom 20 for panels? Will they get coffee? Stay tuned to twitter for minute to minute updates! Until tomorrow, Wilderowens signing off!


Like what you just read? Let us know in the comments below and keep up to date by following us on Twitter, Facebook and Tumblr!

SDCC '12: Panel Q&A - A Guide for Fans

One of the main highlights of any large con is the opportunity to interact with the writers, artists & actors that bring your favorite characters to life. Throughout the numerous panels here at SDCC hundreds of fans will do just that through the obligatory Q&A sessions that most panels end with. These Q&A's can be enlightening and enriching experiences or cringe-worthy train wrecks depending on the quality of questions asked.

That's why I've decided to come up with a quick guide based on my own experiences at various cons across the country. Hopefully with these tips you can get the very most out of your panels and maybe even help you be the rock star that instigated a memorable SDCC moment for all.

What you should do:
A convention the size of SDCC takes months, even years, of preparation. In most cases panels are scheduled months in advance and the host and panelists come prepared with jokes, stories and anecdotes to share with the audience to keep things entertaining. Out of respect for all of this work the least we can do is put some effort into our questions. These tips should help you get started:

1. Think Ahead About Your Question - All too often the Q&A line is too long to get to everyone, that’s why it’s important to not waste anyone's time.  There are about five panels that I know I’m definitely going to attend this weekend, and I’ve been thinking about what, if anything, I’m going to ask to the panel if given the chance. Remember, every “Umm” & “Uhh” said while you're trying to think something up on the spot is a missed opportunity for the other fans at the end of the line.
2. Ask Questions to Provoke Discussion - The real purpose of the Q&A sessions is for the fans to either try and gleam some new info from the panelists or to try and make a connection with the people they look up to. There’s no better way to engage everyone than with a thought provoking question that doesn't have a simple yes or no answer. The only thing you need to remember here is...
3. Ask Questions That Are Revelent to the Panel - The mere fact that there’s a room full of people there in the first place means that most of those people are fans of the panels subject. While you may want to know about one panelist's side project you should remember that the audience and the panelists themselves are all there because they want to discuss the subject of that panel.
4. Ask Questions to Engage the Whole Panel - There’s nothing more awkward than question after question being directed at the same person. True, some panelists may outshine others in star-power, but that doesn’t mean the others don’t have anything to contribute.
5. Keep It Short & Simple - Again, there are a lot of other people on the line behind you.  Be courteous and try to keep the line moving. Also, if someone already asked your question, then bow out gracefully and get off the line. Be happy that you got to hear your answer and let someone else have a shot.

What not to do:
It would be all too easy to start bashing people and turn this section into a smoldering pile of nerd rage, but that’s not what I’m about here. This is meant to be advice for those attending their first con, or maybe just people looking for a better experience. There’s a saying at my job “Assume positive intent”. Simply put, we’re all fans and we all want a great experience. We can all help each other out by avoiding the following:

1. Don’t Go Up Unprepared - I know I technically already said this, but it cannot be stressed enough. As I mentioned there are more fans than minutes for Q&A, so be fair and don’t jump on line just because you can. You may think that you can make something up while you wait, but you aren’t doing the audience any favors with your half-hearted attempt.
2. Don’t Ask Generic Questions - There’s nothing more boring that asking the actor or writer "who their inspiration is", or asking some silly “what’s your favorite blank?” question. Many of these generic questions have probably already been answered in published interviews, so be sure and have a little more substance.
3. Don’t Ask More Than One Question and/or Follow Up Questions - I cannot say it enough, there are people behind you that have their own questions. Let the panelists elaborate as much as they want, but when they’re done say Thank You and step aside.
4. Don’t Ask Something That’s Already Been Answered - Getting up in front of a room full of people to speak is no small task, doing it to talk to someone you look up to and who may or may not be very famous can be outright terrifying. So it’s understandable that while on line you might not be listening to other people’s questions, but you’re only hurting yourself by doing this. Obviously you don’t want to ask something twice, but by paying attention you may also hear something new that alters your question. Also you can calm yourself by watching the successful interactions of your fellow fans and reassure yourself that no one was mauled by the panelists or booed out of the room.
5. Don’t Get In Line Just to Say Thank You - You can say this by starting a standing ovation when the panel is over, or by stalking them after.
6. Don’t Ask For Things - The panel has a topic and a purpose, don’t be the person that hijacks the whole thing with their own agenda or request. Unless the panel is specifically about breaking in to the field, don’t ask to career advice. You may think you're funny, but don’t ask for a photo-op, autograph or sing along mid-panel. The fact is that by doing this you’re alienating a large portion of the audience and potentially taking the whole thing off topic.

Well, hopefully we’re all more prepared and ready to contribute to another great weekend of discussions in San Diego and beyond. Just remember that we’re all fans here and be sure to show the respect and appreciation that you’d want to receive.

See you on the floor!

Like what you just read? Let us know in the comments below and keep up to date by following us on Twitter, Facebook and Tumblr!

SDCC '12: Preview Night Recap

It's been a long day filled with comic-filled booths, fun freebies and lots of waiting.  In case you don't about Preview Night at SDCC, it is a chance for a few fans to raid the floor and check out all of the booths before it gets so crowded you can't walk.  [IGH] Tip: Always get the ticket for Preview Night.

However, we started off the day kinda slow.  Getsuyobi and I, still on east coast time, woke up and got breakfast before taking a walk around the downtown area.  There are a lot of awesome pop-up stores that are going to be open tomorrow.  Then we headed over to the convention center to wait to get in.  Yeah, that was 10 am.  We made it to the floor about 5:45 pm.  The waiting was kinda like waiting, nothing special.  I did go over and visit the Hall H crowd.  There were people there that started camping on Sunday.  Dedication.

This was it for about 7 hours.

Once we got to the floor, Getsuyobi went off to take pics, while I went hunting for exclusives.  My first stop was the Mattel booth for a Mystery Machine and then to the Archana booth for a Tesla GN.  (BTW, Happy Belated Birthday Nikola!)

I needed this.

After that, I hung out with the crew at Dark Horse and got some autographs from the Orchid creative team of Tom Morello and Scott Hepburn.  Very awesome.  I also got some freebies and a pic of myself getting harnessed at the Falling Skies booth.  Can't wait to see that on their site!  Some other highlights were playing Castle Crashers on an arcade machine and Cat Grab at the Adult Swim booth.

Yeah, that's me getting ready for Cat Grab.  

It was a fun night and we are so ready for tomorrow.  Can't wait to start panels and see friends!  Stay tuned for more fun from SDCC!



Like what you just read? Let us know in the comments below and keep up to date by following us on Twitter, Facebook and Tumblr!

Happy 4th of July!!!

It's Independence Day!!! A day of barbecues, fireworks, ball games, and fun times with family and friends. But let's not forget what today is really about - celebrating the adoption of the Declaration of Independence thereby making today USA Day! So to celebrate, here's Felicia Day and Tom Lenk.

And if that doesn't put you in the patriotic spirit, here's Captain America doing what he does best.

For all of us at [IGH] have a happy, healthy, safe, and fun 4th of July! And don't forget to wear your Pride Pants!

Fred Van Lente and Ryan Dunlavey at Midtown Comics Book Club!

Zoe, Thor, Ryan and Fred
chatting about Comic Book Comics!

This month, the Midtown Comics Book Club featured the ever-awesome Fred Van Lente and Ryan Dunlavey, who were talking about the collected edition of Comic Book Comics!

In case you haven't been reading Comic Book Comics, this series chronicles the history of comics through creative storytelling and design.  Many of the stories are ones that we hear as comic readers but never get the full story.  Van Lente and Dunlavey do their best to provide an unbiased look at how the comics industry came to be.  We have all been big fan since this release party for the fifth issue, the All-Lawsuits Issue!

Here are some tidbits from their Q & A, masterfully moderated by Midtown's Thor Parker and Zoe Gulliksen:

[IGH] at the Movies: Rock of Ages

The alternative title to this post is What the Frak Did I Just See?

Since I can't write this without some spoilers, be warned. There are SPOILERS in this.


Now that we've gotten that out of the way, Rock of Ages is a story 

"which uses 80s rock and heavy metal songs, features a young would-be couple, Drew and Sherrie, who meet while working in a famous rock and roll club in the Sunset Strip at the same time the city decides to raze the club for re-zoning. When a famous band that first made their name in the club returns to help by staging their farewell show, it sets up a series of events that sends both Drew and Sherrie spiraling into opposite directions in terms of their love and their dreams." (metalinjection)

Rock of Ages got its start on Broadway, and from what I understand, for the movie, the plot was considerably expanded. This could have been a great thing, but the general feeling was too many plot points with not enough depth leading to quick and unsatisfactory conclusions.  This was especially apparent with Tom Cruise's character, Stacee Jaxx, and Catherine Zeta-Jones' character, who was created specifically for the movie, Patricia Whitmore.

Patricia Whitmore was created to the voice of the opposition, all those people who were against rock music and its presumed bad influence. What could of been an interesting debate about how rock influences individuals was instead turned into a weak story of a bitter ex-groupie and her campaign for payback. That could have been fine if left at that, but the way Patricia Whitmore's character achieves resolution is very sudden, unexplained, and in my opinion, a little lame. There was a subplot involving her husband, played by the always fantastic and somewhat twisted, Bryan Cranston, that is never resolved and feels as if it was thrown in just to give Cranston something to do.


Stacee Jaxx is the jaded, complicated, difficult, boozy, lead singer of Arensal, the biggest rock band in the world. Stacee is everything you'd expect of a rock star, wait, scratch that, he's not a rock star; he's a rock legend. Women fall over him and do all other kinds of stuff to/with him. He even has a baboon (possibly the biggest breakout star of the movie). When he has to give an interview with Constance Sack (Malin Akerman) from Rolling Stone, she sees through his BS and calls him on it. This somehow gets through his facade and after she runs from him and his seductive ways, he supposedly can't stop thinking about her, except you don't really find that out until it's close to the end and he tries to call her in one of the funniest scenes of the entire movie. *Quick note - I have to give kudos to T.J. Miller for his work in that particular scene.* Anyway, again, the resolution with Stacee and Constance is very quick and barely explained. Come on, someone calls you on your BS when you're not used to it, fine, have sex with them, but you don't necessarily need to obsess with them. You're the superstar; you get stalked, not the other way around. Eh, maybe that just me.


This is what it is like for the entire story - too much, little depth and quick and easy resolutions. Even in musical theater terms, where everything moves quickly and fairly neatly, this was a little too quick and easy.


But what about the acting and music and all that good stuff?


I was pleasantly surprised by several actors, but before I get into that, let's talk the not so good.


Catherine Zeta-Jones is a wonderful singer and actress, but while she sounded great when she sang, her acting was over the top in a not-so-fun way and the choreography she and the other protesters were given was very odd. It was clunky and didn't fit and full of high kicks. This was not one of her better roles.


Alec Baldwin can carry a tune but he's no rocker. I really liked his story and his chemistry with Russell Brand was great. They are hilarious together but something about how Baldwin was acting was awkward. He's not a soft actor and watching him play a non-aggressive character didn't seem to suit him.


Julianne Hough is a decent singer and actress and phenomenal dancer, but while she did a good job as Sherrie, she's not a rocker. She has a great range but her voice is a little thin and she's known for being a country singer. Rock music is not her thing. Her singing was just too pretty and innocent for these songs. (I know Sherrie's an innocent character but it was too innocent.)


As for the other actors -


I hated Russell Brand's wig but loved his acting and singing. I was genuinely surprised by how much I enjoyed him in this. I've never been a huge Brand fan, but I would love to see him to more music.

Malin Akerman only sang briefly but she's got a great voice. I would have actually preferred her doing Sherrie's songs. Constance has a very small role, but she went for it. What she does with Tom Cruise is hilarious and mortifying and so awkward. Seriously, whoever thought to pair up "I Want to Know What Love is" with a dirty stripping scene is either clueless or genius. I honestly can't decide.


Mary J. Blige was perfection because she's Mary J. Blige. Hers was a small role but she made Justice a fully realized person, and when she sang, Mary did what she does best.


I had no idea who Diego Boneta was before this, but he is wonderful as Drew, the would-be rock star. He's got a great voice, is extremely charismatic, and just what the role needed. Also, his transformation later in the movie had me nearly peeing in my pants. 


Finally, I have to talk about Tom Cruise. I have a love/hate relationship with him. I used to love him, then he went all crazy, and I couldn't bring myself to support his work, then he was in Tropic Thunder and made me laugh so hard I felt like I needed to slowly give him another chance. After all, he went crazy but not Charlie Sheen crazy. More importantly, he is not afraid to make a fool of himself or laugh at himself. 

Cruise's performance for this movie was incredible. It's dark, weird, twisted, and kind of funny. You whole-heartedly believe he is a rock legend who has seen it all. I wouldn't be surprised if there was a little method acting going on considering how big a star he is in real life. BUT can he sing? Yes he can. He is a very good singer, but like Julianne Hough, his voice is a little too clean for my tastes. Stacee Jaxx is supposed to have been around for years. He's a heavy, heavy drinker, but where's the wear and tear on his voice? If you're wondering what I'm talking about listen to Steven Tyler singing "Dream On" and then compare it to "Cryin'" or "I Don't Want to Miss a Thing." There is a noticeable change in his voice, and that roughness, that grit is what Tom Cruise is missing. I think he's better suited for alternative rock instead metal.


I guess the question now is should you see this move? I don't know if it's worth paying $12 - $13 for it. If you can get free passes or discounted tickets, go for it. It's a fun time. You'll laugh a lot, sometimes for the wrong reasons. You'll cheer for the characters and if you're like me, you'll be singing along. However, if you're on a budget, save up for Spider-Man or The Dark Knight, and rent this when the time comes. I don't think it will do well in the box office, but I see this becoming a cult classic.

Like what you just read? Let us know in the comments below and keep up to date by following us on Twitter and Facebook!