Thu, 11 Nov 2010 20:01:16 -0800WeeblySat, 24 Jul 2010 00:00:00 -0800http://www.thebettsbunch.com/2/post/2010/07/comic-con-day-2.htmlI have decided that Comic Con is made up of 2 totally different conventions. The first is the Industry Convention filled with authors, artists, editors, publishers. The panels that involve these people are amazingly interesting and often educational. What's more, you normally don't have to wait in a HUGE line to see them. Then there is the second convention - Hollywood! This is the movie studio's opportunity to drum up interest in upcoming movies and TV shows and to give back to the fans.

I had a very interesting moment however, that changed the way I view things. Stasi (Anastasia as she's known professionally) was asked by two people to give an interview for documentaries about the convention. The was for Morgan Spurlock (Super Size Me). The second was for Dig Comics' Miguel Cima. What was interesting was that we went upstairs to the video room for Spurlock's shoot and I walked within about 10 feet of Hugo Weaving (Matrix, Lord of the Rings). I looked at him and my first thought was "OMG it's that's guy from the Matrix" - but I couldn't remember his name (I'm bad like that). He was wearing glasses so I wasn't 100% sure it was him and I wasn't about to go up to him and say "OMG you're that guy from the Matrix" only to find out I'm wrong. Anyway, once I had the name, I went around the corner again and he was now sitting down in the MTV booth to film the MTV News or whatever. Then as I sat back down, Morgan came out and I mentioned to him how Super Size Me disturbed me for a long time (I still don't like McDonalds so much). He replied "Great, then it did its job". Then the production assistant mentioned that Anastasia was one of their industry experts for the documentary. This was where I had the aha moment. Morgan's eyes got big, he smiled, shook my wife's hand and said "It's so great to meet you. Thank you so much for doing this." Now whether he was sincere or not, though I believe he was, the role of celebrity changed and suddenly he was just a guy who happened to make Documentaries for a living. As we walked back to leave, I didn't even care if Hugo was around the corner. Yes it was cool to see him but he's just a guy that is able to act.

So back to the convention - as we walked toward a panel we wanted to see, we passed line after line that extend down the hall. One is for Star Wars Old Republic - a panel from the creators about the game. It wrapped clear around one side of the building. You had to stand single file as close as possible. And not everyone there has discovered deodorant yet. Then we passed a line for a panel that had actresses from Scott Pilgram vs. the World, Fringe, etc. As they started to let this line into the panel room someone mentioned "I've been waiting for 4 hours". I couldn't believe it. Wait 4 hours to sit in a room with 6,000 other people to hear some actresses talk about a show you've already seen every episode for speak for when just down the hall is a room with maybe 300 seats with Marv Wolfman (New Teen Titans, Crisis on Infinite Earths) who spent an hour with us teaching us about writing and the structure of Story. Or the panel with the creators of Amelia Rules, and Babymouse telling us about how they feel about trying to get comics into the classroom. What's even more amazing - THERE WERE NO LINES! There is something definitely for everyone but as for me, I think I'll have a 30 min conversation with the creator of Ax Cop or An American Born Chinese than wait twice that to get a poster signed by a TV star (but I'll still take pictures of them as I walk by)]]>Fri, 23 Jul 2010 00:00:00 -0800http://www.thebettsbunch.com/2/post/2010/07/comic-con-day-1.htmlComic Con is definitely on a whole new level of crazy than the Anime Expo. The main exhibit hall looks something closer to E3 than it does Anime Expo. There is so much going on, you have to bring at least 2 clones to get into everything. Today we checked in and took pictures of the many people in costume. We looked into attending a Star Wars panel about the new video game Old Republic that is coming out. We decided to read about that one online after seeing the line. Instead, we went to a couple of panels that were "less" popular. We got an opportunity to see Michael Zulli - artist for the highly acclaimed Sandman comics. He is very cool and down to earth. Refusing to sit on the "panel" bench like "some kind of greek God", he sat in a chair at our level. Next, we saw a panel called "Graphic Novels: The Personal Touch". It was with a few personally published writers that create semi-autobiographical graphic novels. Not what I was expecting but kinda cool. We then saw a panel called "Digital Comics and You". This was a pretty cool panel. The owner of Isotope comics in SF was there, Micah from Graphic.ly (online publishers), and Ben Templesmith, co-creator of 30 Days of Night. They talked about digital comics and how it is changing the industry. Personally, I think its a great thing if the powers that be can figure out how to allow people to pay for digital media (cause the music and movie industries have done such a "great" job). After that panel, it was time to hit the Exhibit Hall. Pictures will be coming soon. I think the only other place I have seen so many people is at Disneyland during Fantasmic.


One of the coolest things about the Con so far has got to be the "SWAG"!!! T-shirts, books, even a Green Lantern ring. I can't wait to see what we discover today!]]>Thu, 22 Jul 2010 00:00:00 -0800http://www.thebettsbunch.com/2/post/2010/07/first-post.htmlAfter a long hiatus, I am back blogging about all manner of craziness. I'l share my opinions about anything and everything. From movies to sports. Hopefully there will be something of interest to you. 


Thanks for stopping by.


Aaron]]>