NYCC '11: The Truth about October's FCBD

A lot of news comes out from New York Comic Con. It's hard to keep track of every piece, and no news outlet gets it all at first. Often, we even contradict each other. So, when I get a chance, I always get more details.


I began to see one-liner updates that there would be a new Free Comic Book Day in October. Personally, I think it is a great idea. So great that I went to the Diamond Comics Distributors booth to get more details.


Once I asked, I got a grimaced, aggravated look from the booth staff.  The DCD staffer I spoke with explained that the event was still in planning and nothing was confirmed.


Then, he introduced me to Bill Schanes, the Vice President of Purchasing for Diamond. Bill was the one that made the announcement at the Retailer Breakfast where this all started. He said it went down like this: Bill asked if the retailers would be interested in doing an October FCBD, possibly Halloween themed. A fair number of retailers raised their hands to express interest in taking part. Then he told the room that the day was still in early planning mode. After he left the room, reports came out online stating it was definitely happening and very soon.


Bill has no idea how it ballooned online to definitely happening. The only definite I got is that it will not be as big as the May FCBD.


Please keep in mind, they still want this Halloween FCBD to happen. Diamond Comics does events like this to benefit the retailers and fans. If you want a second FCBD, go to your local comics retailer and tell them you want it! Hopefully, we can show enough support to make this happen next year.




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NYCC '11: Sunday wraps it up!

New York Comic Con is done and we are still standing....sorta. I know it's bad when random people tell you how exhausted you look. I may look tired but I feel great. This was a really fun con, with so many awesome panels, companies and people!

Here are our highlights from today:

- At the DC Meet the Publishers panel, I finally heard someone from DC confirm that the mystery woman hidden in the issues will have a storyline coming. It was so awesome to listen to Dan Didio and Jim Lee talk DC.

- Getsuyobi went to the Jim Henson panel, where he learned about 3 upcoming books that sound amazing.

- Wysefyre went to the Spider-Man: Turn Off The Dark panel, with a surprise attendee Dan Slott.

- All of us attended a Marvel panel over the weekend and agree that Arune Singh is the best moderator ever. 

- Huge deals and freebies were on the floor today. Wysefyre got some amazing prints from Jon Hughes and Marc Wolfe, while I got a ton of free comics! I also got the best show exclusive......

  

It was a fantastic con and if you attended, I hope you had a blast.  I know I met so many new geeks that became fast friends.  If we talked, please leave a note on the blog and stay in touch! 

We will be bringing you recaps and overviews in the days to come, so stay tuned!

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NYCC '11: Oh God, It's Saturday

Well, we survived the biggest day at the con. The crowds were insane and way too big but once again, I'm amazed with how much I got done. Here are some of our highlights from the biggest day at the con:

- Getsuyobi met the CEO of Zlango and got to test out their new messenging app featuring Walking Dead icons.

- I went to the DC The Edge/ Dark panel and saw so much upcoming art! iVampire looks so amazing and is definitely a must read.

- Wysefyre and Getsuyobi camped out in IGN for 6 hours and saw all of the major announcements, including The Walking Dead and Avengers panels. Apparently Mark Ruffalo surprised the crowd with an appearance and Tom Hiddleston & Clark Gregg even broke into song.

- While they camped out, I went on a huge walk through the floor. I spoke with Diamond Comics about their October FCBD and I have so much more to share with you!

- I spent over an hour hanging at the Dark Horse booth and spoke with Angel and Faith's Christos Gage and Rebekah Isaacs and Conan's Brian Wood and Becky Cloonan.  Dark Horse has been so great to us during the con!  

- I also swung by I Am A Stuffed Animal for a very special photo...

Finally, we all ended the night at Geek Girls Network's Geek-Out, with a bunch of very, very tired geeks.

We are definitely spending more time on the floor for the last day of con. Sunday is a great day for deals, since no vendor wants to lug too much stuff home. Make sure you go prepared to shop!!!

See you on the floor!!!

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NYCC '11: Friday's Fun

I'm two steps closer to being a zombie after today, we are all just dead tired. NYCC is packed and it's not even Saturday yet. Still, I can't complain because it has been a whirlwind of adventure. Having a press pass for the first time has opened up so many doors to places of awesome. Here are some highlights:


- Getsuyobi got to see the pilot of Once Upon A Time and was pleasantly surprised.


- I got the chance to see the season finale of Husbands! If you aren't watching this web series from the fantastic Jane Espenson, just drop what you are doing and watch it.


- Wysefyre got an awesome surprise at the Spider-Man panel.....really wish I could say more but she threatened me with Twilight.


- I got to chat with Dark Horse's Scott Allie. I got a lot of interesting details and will be getting even more when I sit down with Christos Gage, Rebekah Isaacs, Brian Wood and Becky Cloonan tomorrow!


- Wysefyre went to the Mark Hamill panel and will be stalking him at the Next Gen booth for the rest of the weekend. If you see her there, ask her for a prezzie!


- We are all really excited that Getsuyobi went to the Felicia Day panel and didn't get arrested.


- I made some good connections that might kick our Seth Green for SNL host into high gear....and got to hear some fun tales from Matt Senreich!




I know I haven't given you a lot of detail but I promise more is on the way. We are just in so many panels that we don't have time to write! Keep following us on twitter; we will be updating every time the signal comes through.


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Road to NYCC '11: Best Show Exclusive Ever!

Do you want to know what the best New York Comic Con Exclusive is?  The one that every geek is dying for?  The exclusives that people will be posting for outrageous prices on eBay?  


This one is going to be hard to find and we are the only blog that will give you any help.  That's right, we have the exclusive line on the one of a kind......

[insertgeekhere] button!

My Preciousss...

We will be tweeting our locations as much as humanly possible at NYCC.  So if you can find us, you get one of these limited edition beauties for your very own!


This work of 8-bit art was created by Rob, who is an awesome producer of awesome.  We owe you brownies!





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Road to NYCC '11: Tips for Soggy Con-goers

NYCC has begun and everyone that was there today had to deal with some less than ideal weather.  Right now the forecast still calls for rain throughout the day on Friday.  While this may only pose a minor inconvenience for your normal commute, we have to think about the broader implications when it comes to con.  Attendees are faced with the 3 block walk from Penn, possible line waits outside and the ever-important cosplay hair maintenance.

A little rain can pose a bigger issue when you have a few thousand people all gathered in the same spot, so here are a couple of quick tips to think about this weekend:


1. Bring an Umbrella - This seems simple enough, but again you must consider the implications on the rest of your Con.  You're going to need to carry this thing for the whole day, so you want to make sure you have something compact.  Another option is to turn it into an accessory.  Since we'll also be at the Anime Festival you can break out your Japanese-style umbrella or find an authentic one at a vendor.


2. Prepare for the humidity - One of the biggest complaints about people at cons is the rapid decline in personal hygiene as the con goes on.  Now imagine the first two days of con are a humid mess.  That's a scary thought.  Be considerate, double up on the deodorant and dress for the warmer weather in the Javits Center.


3. Take your Vitamins - Thousands of people in one place also means that if one person comes in with the sniffles, we all leave with a cold.  Make sure to keep yourself healthy at Con and outside of it.  I'm a big fan of Airborne for proactive measures.


4. Cos-players take note: make sure you can transport and protect your outfit and props.  If you can, keep a plastic bag handy and change at the Javits Center.  If that's not possible make sure your stuff is protected.  Evaluate what you're bringing beforehand.  It may look great in your living room, but you have to get it into NYCC safely before you can strut your stuff.


With these steps you should be all set for a happy con.  Good Luck to you and see you on the floor.  Don't forget to find us for a gift!


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Road to NYCC '11: Con Celebrities 101

So, you are ready to head off to con, excited and fresh-faced to see your favorite writer/artist/editor/actor/designer/etc....  How are you going to handle the excitement of it all?  And, how are you going to not do something that gets you arrested?


Truth be told, I have made an ass out of myself in front of a celebrity.  Because of that shameful incident, bail money is always kept on hand.  I'm not the only fan who has crossed the line at cons.  Every year, there is always a fan who takes a little too much time with a celeb, or starts fights with other fans just to see this person.


For all of you overly excited fans, here is a little handy dandy guide to keep you on the safe path.

If you feel that this doesn't apply to you, the just remember a few golden rules:


* Please be respectful to celebs, Don't be rude. They deserve common decency from their fans, not vicious verbal attack.


* Please be respectful of other fans. We are all excited to see these awesome people but that doesn't mean we get to cut lines or start fights.  And no pens.


Following common sense and general courtesies will make this and every con a fun, happy dance party time!





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Road to NYCC '11: Special Events

Oh my god! I just realized NYCC is only three days away. That’s right. THREE days. What am I going to do? Who am I going to see? Will I remember to eat? More importantly, where am I going to go after the con?


Here is a list of all the great events happening after the Javits Center lights dim and the partying begins as well as a few taking place while the sun is still shining.



Wednesday, Oct. 12



Jim Hanley’s Universe is hosting a pre-NYCC MEGA-signing event. Several select creators will be on hand, snacks and drinks will be provided and the first 50 people to buy a comic from the featured creators will get a little something special. Starts at 6:30 PM.



Thursday, Oct. 13



Clutter Launch Party - 7 PM Join Clutter Magazine as they celebrate all the exciting new Clutter developments including the formation of the Clutter Media Group at Concrete Bar. 


Kick-Off Concert - 7:30 PM Available to anyone with a VIP or 4-day pass. Taking place in the IGH Theater with DJ Z-Trip and Tom Morello, this concert is sure to be a blast. RSVPs were required but there are always a few no-shows.

Jim Hanley's Universe - 8:00 PM Not only are they having a pre-NYCC event but they are also having a preview night event. This signing will feature some of the creators behind DC's New 52!

Friday, Oct. 14



Frank Miller Signing - 7:00 PM Join acclaimed writer, Frank Miller, at the Union Square Barnes & Noble, as he sits down with Legendary Comics EIC, Bob Schreck to discuss his long-awaited graphic novel, Holy Terror.



Geek Girls Unite - 7:00 PM Come by NYU Bookstores for what is billed as a “reading/signing/rock show” featuring Leslie Simon and Jenny Owen Youngs.



Drinks for a Cure @ NYCC - 9:00 PM Presented by iFanboys and Shirts for a Cure, stop by Idle Hands Bar, enjoy good music, great company, and support a great cause by purchasing specific drinks.



S.O.S.Gamers New York Comic Con HERO PARTY - 9:00 PM Head over to the Tenth Rail for a little dancing, drinking, or getting your game on.



Rock Comic Con 2 - 9:00 PM Over at Tobacco Road, nerd bands Kirby Krackle, Paul and Storm, and H2Awesome will be featured along with several other special guests. Various professional cartoonists will be on hand, creating pieces that will be auctioned off to benefit the Comic Book Legal Defense Fund. Doors open at 7:30 PM so get there fast because this is an event that WILL sell out.



Warren Ellis Captured Ghosts Sneak Peek - 11:15 PM Officially premiering at the Napa Valley Film Festival in November, this documentary on the amazing Warren Ellis (yes, I am a huge fan), will be shown at the Cinema Theater.



Saturday, Oct. 15



*updated Galactic Girl: Attack of the Starbarians - 6:00 PM Over at the Hasboro Stage to see this Off-Broadway play for free. 


Geek Girls Network #NYCC Geek-Out - 7:00 PM This year’s theme is... zombies! Come on down to Stitch Bar & Lounge. Meet up with old friends, make some new ones, and get some awesome swag. We're one of the sponsors so we will definitely be there, so be sure to say hi!



IGN/1UP Meet & Greet - 7:15 PM Hang out with the writers from IGN and 1UP at 300 New York Bowl Lanes. Eat, drink, bowl, and get a cool t-shirt.


Silver Circle Test Screening - 7:30 PM Participants will have an opportunity to view an incomplete flim, offer suggestions, and gain insight into the world of animation.



NY Comic-Con Artist Afterparty - 8:00 PM Located at the Identity Lounge and featuring the First Annual Fight Club Artist Battle, surround yourself with fantastic artists while enjoying good tunes and drinks.



The indy AFTER PARTY 2011 - 8:00 PM Celebrate all that is indie comics with creators and innovators over at Blaggard's Pub.


CYBERTRON vs STIMULATE - 9:00 PM Blacklight performances, go-go dancers, gaming, giveaways and more will be happening over at the Gramercy Theatre.


RUBY-OKEY 2011 - 10:00 PM Feel the need to get your karaoke on? Head over to Stout NYC for booze, song, laughs and fun.


James Marsters Concert - 10:30 PM You know him from Buffy, Angel, Torchwood, Caprica, Hawaii Five-O, now discover his music as he gives a performance at Broadway Bar in Amityville, NY, a mere 60 minutes away from NYC.


Sunday, Oct. 16



NYC Zombie Crawl - 4:00 PM Help take over NYC by getting gussied up in your zombie best and joining the crawl. Head over to the Beauty Bar NYC to get made up or get creative and do it yourself. The crawl will be filmed to be part of a music video and there will be a an afterparty at Arlene’s Grocery.



Comic-Con AFTER PARTY - 5:00 PM The official NYCC after party will be taking place at Radio Star Karaoke. There will be gaming, tv watching, Pokemon card battles, karaoke, and more! 


Dances of Vice: TOKYO BLADE RUNNER - 9:00 PM Live music and performances will be taking place at Le Poisson Rouge as a “neo-Tokyo glamour” takes places as a tribute to the classic film, “Blade Runner”.


I will continue to update this as more events appears. If I have left any out, throw them my way and I will include them. Hope to see you at some of these, and if anyone knows where I can get a clone or two to go to all of these, please let me know.

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Sunday Links for October 9

With NYCC in a few days, we are hard at work getting everything ready!!! Even so, here are some of our top headlines from the week...


We are still saddened over the loss of Steve Jobs this week. Our thoughts and prayers go out to his family. There are a lot of great tributes on the web to Jobs, but this one breaks my heart the most.
(via Buzzfeed)



DC wants to hear from you at NYCC, even if you are not there. They have open threads on their facebook page for each of their panels. If you can't be there in person, just leave your question in the open thread. At each panel they will pick questions from the thread to be answered. Go ask your question now and you may just get your answer!
(via DC Comics)



With a new James Bond film coming up soon, Den of Geek theorizes whether it should be the last for the franchise. they make a good argument, but do you agree?
(via Den of Geek)



We had a scare this week with the possible loss of The Simpsons. Fox gave us two more years of fun in Springfield though, despite cutting the salaries of the cast and producers. Hopefully, they will give us a Simpsons-worthy finish.
(via E! Online)





I am taking a Sunday Links break next week for NYCC, but I'll be back soon!  Have a great week!

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Video Friday! 10/7/11

Friday is upon us and you know what that means... videos! Here are some that are getting attention around the web. Enjoy!



2080 - My Megadrive (official video) by gourmetsrecordingz


via dailymotion



Ninja from Olivier Trudeau on Vimeo.


via The Daily What





via Geeks Are Sexy


As you know, the world lost a great innovator this week. Steve Jobs lost his battle with pancreatic cancer. He was a man who changed the world and his legacy will live on forever. Here is a video of his speech from the 2005 Commencement at Stanford University. Words of wisdom from a great man. RIP Steve Jobs. Thank you for all you have done. You will be missed.





via TED


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Road to NYCC '11: Con Tips

We are one week away from New York Comic Con!!!  Now is the time to get planning all the small things you might need.  Here are our top tips and recommendations for NYCC goers, new and old:

Do your Research (and carry it with you) – There is a lot going on at this con, and you won’t get to see it all.  Make sure that you go over the NYCC website and write down everything that you want to go to.  Then, it can get tricky.  In order to know all of the fun stuff going on, you need to do some searching online for everything that is not on the NYCC website.  Some of the best stuff is happening at the booths, and it is only posted on their website.  This includes NYCC exclusive items and celeb appearances/signings, so make sure you check out everything.  The reason to carry it with you is that there are some things, no matter how long you wait, that you will not get into.  Rather than be disappointed, you will have a handy, dandy plan of something else you want to go to. 

Loud Alarm Clock – Are you heading to NYCC for autographs?  Then you better get there early!  The line for autograph tickets starts outside the Javits Center and for the right celeb, people will sit out there all night.  If there is a must-have autograph on your list, make sure your alarm clock can wake the dead.

Layers of Clothes – The weather is becoming cooler in New York. Be sure to dress appropriately. It will get hot in the convention center but whether you’re waiting on line, outside at 4 AM for that coveted autograph ticket or you’re leaving the center at 11 PM when your panel lets out,  you’re going to get cold. Bring a hoodie or something else you can easily remove.

Good Shoes – You will be walking a lot.  While that can be said for every con, this one is in New York City.  Chances are you will be walking everywhere.  Take care of your feet.

Get a Metro Card – The closest subway/train stop is Penn Station on 34th St. & 8th Ave. The A, C, and E stop there as well as the 1, 2, & 3 (they involve a little extra walking). The Javits Center is three long avenues from Penn so pack your days things accordingly. If you have to bring several items such as half your comic book collection for signings or a sleeping bag, you can also take the bus from Penn. I've never done that but I've asked around and the best buses to take are the M32 and M42. They run crosstown on 32nd St. and 42nd St.

Pick a Meet Up Spot – You're going to get separated from your group at least a few times during the con. Whether it's because you want to go to different panels or there are too many people in the exhibition hall, you're going to lose each other. While everyone is sure to have a cell phone, the reception isn't always the greatest and batteries can died so it's best to arranged a particular time and place for everyone. Speaking of phones.....


Good Phone and Charger – They charge for wi-fi access at the Javits Center.  Bring an internet ready phone so you can get twitter updates.  Many booths announce giveaways and celebrity signings during con.  If you are draining your battery with all of your tweeting, try to charge during a panel or when you are taking a short break on the floor.

Go in the Correct Entrance – This year, NYCC is color-coding entrances to speed things up.  If you have a ticket, you go in the green door.  If you need to pick up your ticket, you go to the yellow entrance.  Professionals, VIPs or ticket buyers need to head to the blue door and according to the comments, us press people need to go to the red door.  Please, make it easier on everyone and go in the correct door.

Protect your stuff – If you are going to stock up on all the great comics that will be there, pack a few bags and boards to protect them.  You don’t want your brand new NYCC Exclusive Uncanny X-Force #1 to be wrinkled by a free junk toy you just shoved in your bag.  Additionally, you will have the opportunity to get all sorts of nice posters and amazing works of art.  Protect them by getting a poster tube.  If funds are already spent on the fun, keep your eyes out for freebie poster tubes.  There are always one or two of the major booths giving them away.

Feed Yourself Well – This can be said for every con but here it is again: DON’T BUY FOOD IN THE CONVENTION CENTER!  It is always overpriced and frankly, not that tasty.  Try bringing a refillable water bottle and some granola bars to get you through the next panel.  If you need to buy food at the con, head over to the Anime Festival area, where a lot of booths are selling tasty candy.  When you are ready for a real meal, don't go to the carts outside.  Check out our top spots right here.  There are a lot of options in the area, but you will have to walk a bit.  Make sure that you get food before you buy too much stuff to carry!

Stay Patient  –  The convention floor is always crowded and busy at NYCC.  Just like last year, the Javitz Center will be under construction during con.  This means part of the floor has a big tunnel going through it, which gets extra crowded very quickly.  Please, don't push at the people in front of you or complain that they are moving too slow.  On the other hand though, don't stop in the middle of the aisle/hall/staircase/street when there are people behind you.  It is just not safe.  Please move to a safe spot before stopping.

Keep Clean – This shouldn’t have to be mentioned but it is in every article written about cons. You’re going to be in a crowded space with several hundred people. You’ll be racing from one end of the center to the other to get to that one panel you HAVE to see; everyone else will be doing the same thing. It’s going to get hot and sweaty. The last thing anyone needs to be subjected to is someone who decided to save time by not showering. Bring some moist wipes to freshen up during the day and don’t forget to shower each morning/night.

Show Respect for the Professionals – As a dedicated lover of comics and all things geeky, you, of course, have strong opinions about particular artists and writers. That’s great. The professionals who go to the cons want to hear from their fans but be sure to ask for permission before snapping a pic or going in for a hug. Also, if you see a professional whose work you dislike and you feel compelled to tell them, do it in a calm and respectful way. Most pros are open to hearing complaints provided they are intelligent, thoughtful and not just because you didn’t like it. Not only is it disrespectful and mean, but it ruins the con for all the other attendees who wish to show their appreciation.  Keep in mind, the story will go viral and you will be subjected to ridicule and condemnation by not only the fans but the very professionals you so admire. 

Find People to Walk With – New York is definitely a safe city.   However, if you're from out of town or you're carrying a lot of things with you, the walk to and from the Javits Center can feel a little lonely and isolating, especially at night.  If you came by yourself, try looking for groups of people leaving the Con and stick close (but not creepy stalker close).  You might even make some new friends.  If you're going with friends, it just makes sense to leave with some of them, if not all of them. It's more fun, you're less likely to get lost and less likely to get jumped & robbed of all your sweet Con swag.


There is also a NYCC-sponsored bus that does dropoffs at local hotels and transportation hubs.  If you have a long haul, or feel completely lost, try taking one of these.  It is a safe bet.

Have Fun – You’ve done all your planing, you know exactly which panels and screenings you have to go to, you’re ready to wait all night to score a ticket to get Brian Michael Bendis’ autograph, and you’ve decided on the exclusives you must have,  so now what? Now it’s time for you to take a deep breath, relax, and enjoy the con. You’re not going to be able to do everything you want and that’s okay. The most important part of the con is the experience and the celebration of all things comics.

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Midtown Book Club: Matters of Life & Death with Dan Slott

The last Friday of the month can mean only one thing: payday!  Whoo!  Let's party!  Hmm?  That's not it?  Oh... did you mean the book club thing?  I see.  There's that too.  So, it's also time for Midtown Comics monthly book club.  I was actually very psyched for this one because they were putting the spotlight on one of my current favorites: Dan Slott's Amazing Spider-Man.  The book we were discussing was the trade of Matters of Life & Death.  A very meaningful story that marked a turning point in Peter Parker's career as Spider-Man.

If you've ever been to a book club at this Midtown Comics before (or read one of our posts about them), then you know they have a particular format they usually stick to; however things didn't quite start out as they usually do this month.  To start, the special guest, Dan Slott, was stuck in traffic due to the protests currently happening on Wall St. and in an even more disturbing twist the Dunkin' Donuts they usually have refreshments from Ran Out of Donuts!  Don't ask me how a Dunkin' runs out of donuts, it's beyond me... maybe the protesters bought them out earlier.  Anyway, we started the evening a few minutes late.  Once Dan arrived, he made up for his tardiness in spades and literally jumped right into his presentation.


Dan rushed in and was talking to the crowd before he even put his bag down.  Normally the hosts from Midtown, Zoe & Thor, are the ones who have questions prepared and will run the show for the evening, but in this case their guest was prepared with a special treat for everyone.  Rather than making it a question and answer session, Dan went right into an in-depth, behind the scenes look at his creative process.  In fact, he jumped right in before our two hosts even had a chance to introduce themselves.

He actually swung into the store this way.  It really does beat NYC traffic.

The book we were discussing is the collected trade of Amazing Spider-Man issues number 652 through 657, plus the special issue number 654.1.  The stories herein truly contain some of the most emotionally charged pages from the past year, but our discussion focused on one in particular.  "In Memory of Marla Jameson" was the issue immediately following the conclusion of Revenge of the Spider Slayer, in the climax Mayor J. Jonah Jameson's wife is killed saving his life.



Dan read through his original notes to artist Marcos Martin as we went through each page of the completely silent opening ten pages.  He shared his experiences between his initial impressions and what was actually interpreted by Martin.  Dan also shared with us that he still writes in a style called "The Marvel Way", which involves the writer only writing an overview or storyboard, but not actually scripting the book until the art is completed.  This used to be the way required by Marvel editors and that's how it was drilled into Dan's writing style, but since then this style has been largely abandoned even in Marvel's own offices.  Dan shared very high praise for the many "gifts" that Marcos delivered with his work.  


One page in particular was the one in which Peter is having a nightmare and reliving the fateful night his uncle Ben was killed.  While Dan's notes described the scene taking place in the hallway and being a rather basic re-telling of the scene, what was actually interpreted and delivered was a page truly out of a dream:

Dan went on to discuss his current cross-over event Spider Island and how his creative process started and has continued throughout.  There were lots of really interesting insights shared and we all got a great view into the mind and creative process.  All of this, plus he then went on to take questions from the audience!  I was really impressed with how much thought Dan had clearly put into this, and as a fan I felt that he really appreciated us.  It was a great night overall and a great addition to the Midtown Comics Book Club series.  Can't wait for the next one, see you next month!





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Road to NYCC '11: Find Your Geek-Mate!

Courtesy of New York Comic Con

There are so many amazing and unique things that happen at Comic Con. Any geek can walk in and find their niche. It's a place where we geeks are surrounded by our own kind, plus lots of toys and comics. So, when they announced the Lightning Fast Speed Dating would be holding sessions at NYCC last year, I thought it was a perfect idea. I didn't get to make it unfortunately, but I heard some wonderful stories. I even know that there were couples made by the end of the weekend. Well, they are back again for a second year in a row, with a chance for you to find a new friend or even more.

It can be said that geeks, like most people, have trouble dating. I know it can seem uncomfortable to just go sit down and talk to someone. You have to put yourself out there. This is different though. If it were just a run-of-the-mill speed dating event, you would have no idea who you might meet. At this, you know that you have something in common. For those two minutes you are together, even if there is no connection, you can at least talk about the last episode of Fringe, argue the benefits of DC52 or who shot first.

This year, they have added a new project; a geek dating documentary show will be filming at NYCC. The show will be following around a few geeks and (hopefully!) watch them find their match. A lot of the details are still under wraps, so I don't have a show name yet; I do know that it will be shown on a major cable network.

Now, before you start asking if some tall guy in a suit will be giving away a rose, I can assure you that the show has more substance than the standard dating show. That scenario was what I was picturing at first until I spoke with the showrunner, Michael Gara. A geek himself, Gara is so committed to making this a true and honest show. The show premise is that it is a chance for that guy/girl who doesn't get a date at the drop of hat to find someone. Gara told me each episode would follow 3-4 people as they try to find love. There are no producer organized surprises or date coaches behind the scenes either. These are actually real geeks, just like you and me.

The best part of talking with Gara was hearing how much he cared. He wants geeks to find love and be happy. As he put it, "I think this is lightning in a bottle and I don't want to blow it." That makes me feel that us geeks are safe in his hands.

If you are interested in trying for the show, right now they are still looking for girls to take part. Their biggest requirement is that they want honest, true people that aren't heavy daters. You can get more information about the show by emailing speeddatecasting@authentictv.com. To just learn more about the Lightning Fast Speed Dating, check out the session details here.

I hope that if you are interested, you take this chance. I will be there, totally nervous and probably talking to everyone about Fringe, so don't worry. You won't be alone. 

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