Documentary filmmaker Morgan Spurlock ("Super Size Me") lends his craft to telling the stories of several who trek to the king of geek gatherings, Comic-Con San Diego.
This behind-the-scenes featurette from Spurlock details the beginnings of the project and provides a glimpse at the technical and philosophical approach he took to filming it. Something a video journalist and Comic-Con geek like myself certainly appreciates.
Enjoy the clip. "Comic-Con Episode IV: A Fan's Hope" Hits L.A. Theaters April 5, video on demand April 6 and will debut on New York screens April 13.
For a synopsis of the film, read the press release from Wrekin Hill Entertainment here.
While major comic companies delve into multiplatform business models,
prohibitive print costs and declining sales may limit some mom and pop
publishers to digital-only storefronts.
At least that was the point made by one prominent industry professional who was part of a group discussing the
future of printed periodicals during the ominously dubbed "Is The Comic Book Doomed?" panel at the 2011 San Diego Comic-Con International.
The
answer to the panel's overarching question was an emphatic "no." Comics
will be around for a while in a number of formats. But more
specifically, the question that day was what is the state of the monthly
comic book?
Popular comics writer Mark Waid ("Daredevil," "The Traveler") set the tone for a
spirited back-and-forth between himself and other panel members when he
admitted he would hesitate to independently launch a print comic today
despite his considerable fan following.
"I know what they would cost to print and I would lose my shirt," Waid said.
The
panel moderated by Douglas Wolk included Comics Professional Retail
Organization executive director Amanda Emmert, Laura Hudson editor of Comics Alliance, Cartoon Books publisher Vijaya
Iyer ("Bone") and Waid.
Waid said he believed monthly periodicals
will be healthy for the big two for quite a while because they have the
deep pockets needed to put enough of their product out there and not
take a staggering loss.
Iyer estimated costs of about 40 cents
an issue on a print run of 3,000 for "Bone" when she and husband Jeff
Smith launched the successful series years ago.
Waid said the costs today per issue to print are at least double those from the "Bone" example (80 cents per issue).
The
panel considered what kind of sales numbers would be enough to make a
comic a hit. The recent example of John Layman's "Chew" from Image
comics was cited. "Chew" hit the direct market and had significant
sales numbers (averaging more than 10,000 copies) in its first few issues of its debut two years
ago.
Now, the imaginative comic about a federal agent who gets psychic clues from what he eats appears to be THE success story many comic publishers want to emulate.
Some
smaller publishers considered average sales
of 7,000 to 8,000 copies of an individual comic to be a solid run, said Emmert. And
she defended the notion that a dip in monthly comics sales means the
end.
"I feel like it's a redefinition of perspective," she
said "Did sales go down because of the economy and things like that?
Well yeah, things are down but does that necessarily point to doom?"
Emmert
said it's still about making a great comic and getting out there and
working hard to push a publication for some time to build an audience.
Waid says the path for a new publisher and small publisher is a tougher road nowadays.
"I think your chances were much better breaking even twenty years ago," he said.
For Cartoon Books, the costs of publishing a monthly book is pretty much subsidized
by sales and that readers enjoy them, said Iyer. However, she did admit "we
actually do make our money on the trade books."
Listen to the entire "Is the Comic Book Doomed?" Panel here.
As a side note: In the Digital Disruption: Comics, Webcomics, and the Business Model of the Future panel later that afternoon featuring Mark Waid and Scott Kurtz (creator of the popular web comic "PvP"), the "Daredevil" writer said he was planning to announce a digital comics venture of his own in coming months.
ABOVE: "Bone," one of the most successful comic book series from an independent publisher (Cartoon Books), celebrates its 20th anniversary.
It's become clear to me that I should not rely on Ms. Curry to only
dress in Slave Leia attire. That's Christy Marie's job. I should,
instead, expect a bevy of expensive geek-tacular outfits inspired by
everything from Star Wars to Aeon Flux.
Speaking of Aeon Flux...
Curry's latest costume was so "character accurate" it caused some
hurly-burly with the cops who reportedly told Curry she needed to cover
her bottom. Here's one site
that caught the "Cosplay Queen" after she had to wrap a red sweatshirt
or something around the outfit. Trust me, there are plenty more
revealing costumes around Comic-Con than this.
See the
photograph of Curry from her Twitter below. If you grown ups want to see
Curry's Flux outfit from another angle in an earlier design click here.
She also sported a dominatrix-inspired "Imperial Recruiter" outfit. See more pictures on Curry's Facebook.
What was the biggest news from the biggest pop culture, comics and entertainment show of the year? More than a week after the fact? Where do I start?
The 2011 San Diego Comic-Con International had its fair share of announcements and stunts. One of them was me navigating the crowds with a crutch and a broken leg (Everyone was extremely helpful by the way). I saw a girl with a full leg cast -- she made it to the show too so I shouldn't complain.
I will mention some quick items first:
The Black Dynamite animated series preview (and teaser trailer).
Jason Aaron and Marc Silvestri on the "The Incredible Hulk." (see comic trailer)
The 2011 Black Panel pays tribute and says goodbye to comics, animation writer-producer and icon Dwayne McDuffie (full audio).
OK, now I'll share a few of the things that caught my eye, ear and inbox that week and weekend in the countdown.
1. Legendary Comics prepares to launch Frank Miller's latest work and re-introduces us to some old friends.
Miller's terrorist vs. masked man graphic novel "Holy Terror" is set to hit the stands in September through his publisher Legendary Comics under the guidance of Editor-in-Chief Bob Schreck. A trailer for "Holy Terror" was released the week of the convention. It features a character know as The Fixer (he was going to be Batman before the plug was pulled on that idea). Check it out if you haven't caught it yet. The other news is that Legendary plans to release a new work from artist-writers Matt Wagner and Paul Pope.
According to the Beat, Wagner's comic will feature a "supernatural bounty hunter" and Pope's book will be an art book titled "PulpHope."
Sure, a lot of the work from Legendary Comics is likely to be considered for multiple entertainment platforms since it is an arm of Legendary Pictures. But how will the work of three creators with strong points of view translate to other mediums? Miller's vision may have influenced successful "300" and "Sin City" films but his adaptation of "The Spirit" was D.O.A.
I will say one thing, I am curious to see the comics.
This is was dubbed an official trailer to the latest screen rendition of "The Amazing Spider-Man." I only viewed it once at the time of this post, so let me get back to you with more after I see it another hundred times. Or maybe you can just tell me what you think? Enjoy!!
While I sat in the theater awaiting the end to my ten-year run of watching the latest Harry Potter film, this excellent teaser trailer for "The Dark Knight Rises" graced the screen. I watched this one a few times and I haven't been disappointed once.
OK, it's pretty much the Cadillac of teaser trailers. Can't wait until it hits the screens next summer (July 20, 2012).
On Saturday, Feb. 5, online registration for the 2011 San Diego Comic-Con will open at 9 a.m. PST at the Comic-Con website. Four-day (without preview night) and single-day passes will be available to customers while supplies last.
Hope it works this time.
Last November, would-be ticket buyers complained of the system overloading, kicking them out and failing to complete transactions. Amid a stream of online complaints and two stalled attempts to sell tickets online due to technical issues, Comic-Con organizers closed sales and went to work to remedy the situation before putting passes on sale a third time.
In December, a trial run was set up utilizing Comic-Con International's traditionally used EPIC Registration system and the platform used by retailer TicketLeap. The test yielded "informative" results with actual ticket sales to 1,000 customers on a first-come, first-served basis.
This Saturday, the EPIC online registration system will again join forces with online ticket seller TicketLeap. Buyers will be redirected to purchase through TicketLeap with an additional $2 charge per badge and have bar code confirmation sent via EPIC. In a recent blog post, TicketLeap CEO
Chris Stanchak expressed great confidence in their online sales system.
Still, the Comic-Con website detailed a few extra steps to ensure
confirmation of your ticket purchase:
At 9:00 a.m. PST on February 5th, 2011 click the button above that says
"Purchase Your Badge Now". You will be redirected to the TicketLeap
registration website where you may be able to purchase attendee 4-day (no
preview night) and 1-day badges. Discounted badges for Juniors (ages 12 - 17),
Seniors, and Active Military will also be available. You may purchase up to 4 of
each badge/admission type. There will be a $2.00 non-refundable TicketLeap fee
for each badge purchased. Children 11 and under are free with a paid adult
admission, and must be registered onsite only. You will need the first name,
last name, and a valid e-mail address for each badge/admission type you wish to
purchase. Please be aware that your TicketLeap session will time out after 15
minutes if you do not complete your transaction, and your badges will be
returned to inventory for sale
After you complete your badge registration and submit payment information, you
will receive one e-mail confirmation from TicketLeap.
Starting February 8th, EPIC Registration will begin to send out bar coded e-mail
confirmations. You should expect to receive your confirmation from EPIC within 3
to 4 business days of your initial TicketLeap purchase. You will receive one bar
coded confirmation for each badge/admission type. This is your "ticket" to
Comic-Con International. Please add the
epicreg.com domain to your safe senders
list so your confirmation will not go to your spam folder. If you do not receive
a confirmation within the timeframe above, please contact EPIC by e-mail at
registration@epicreg.com.
Your email should include your TicketLeap confirmation
number and the names for which you did not receive a bar coded confirmation.
Four-day passes to the 2011 event weren't available this time last year. And to say 'these are likely to go fast' is an understatement. There's going to be several pop culture entertainment events, films and projects during and after the summer months and fan interest will be stratospheric.
If 4-day tickets sell out there are the single-day passes. My crew of fellow Con-goers will probably purchase passes only for the days we're in town.
After technical difficulties stalled two previous attempts to sell passes online for next year's show, San Diego Comic-Con International will attempt a limited " live test" of a new registration system Wednesday morning.
According to the Comic-Con website, only 1,000 passes will be sold Dec. 15 at 8 a.m. PST to test a system that will utilize the traditionally used EPIC registration system and the ticket seller TicketLeap which bills itself online as a "social ticketing platform."
The live test will involve the selling of actual passes to Comic-Con 2011. The 1,000 four-day badges for July 21-24 sans the Preview Night on July 20 will be available two per customer on a first-come, first-sell basis (four-day passes including Preview Night for the 2011 event sold out during Comic-Con 2010).
"We realize having to log in to two separate sites is an inconvenience, but we
hope this will result in a successful and less stressful experience for
attendees," a Comic-Con website statement said.
If successful, the outcome would allow tickets to be requested through TicketLeap and purchasing/registration to be handled via EPIC.
If unsuccessful, it's another round of apologies from Comic-Con to fans who have made their frustration over purchasing show passes known in numerous online forums.
I recall a time when I bought tickets about three months in advance with the confidence that there would still be some available. That's changed as Comic-Con has increasingly become a studio-designated launching pad for new films, television, games and celebrity appearances.
And like the fans who camp outside the San Diego Convention Center in hopes of seeing their favorite celebs or getting a first-look at the secret trailer for a major film release, ticket buyers are aware they have to get there early if they want a spot.
With a host of new geek-interest movie projects happening during and after the summer months, the flood of online activity to buy passes is to be expected.
Major flicks opening in July:
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part II opens July 15 (One week before Comic-Con.)
Captain America: The First Avenger opens July 22 (During Comic-Con)
Cowboys and Aliens opens July 29 (One week later)
Also, The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn Part I opens Nov. 18, 201. It's highly unlikely Summit Entertainment will miss the opportunity to promote the new film at Comic-Con a few months before.
The outcome of tomorrow's test should be of interest to fans who enjoy the show and want to attend. If the new system works, expect an announcement of ticket saledates to be posted at Comic-Con.org very soon.
Post edited to reflect limit of two ticket to be purchased per customer in test sale.
SAN DIEGO - San Diego will remain home to Comic-Con for the next five years.
San Diego city officials and the company that puts on the huge pop-culture event announced a five-year contract Friday morning.
The San Diego Union Tribune reports the contracts that Comic-Con negotiated for discounted hotel rates through 2015 were key to the decision.Other cities that tried to woo the company with cheap hotel rooms and convention space included Anaheim and Los Angeles.
"It's never been a secret we'd hoped to stay here, but the real challenge was that those who want to attend the event can afford to attend, in terms of size and space and cost," said Comic-Con spokesman David Glanzer.
Comic-Con started in San Diego in 1970. The event showcasing upcoming movies, TV shows and video games - along with toys, collectibles, costumes and comic books - now draws about 130,000 fans and delivers an estimated $163 million to the city each year.
If you're like me, you're one of thousands, no, millions of comic and film fans who are still pouring over Web site stories trying to break down what happened at the San Diego Comic-Con.
I was there and it's still taken me a little more than a week to sort it all out.
Over the course of that week during Comic-Con International there were a dizzying number of announcements, a ton of celebrity appearances and several gossip-inducing incidents.
Ultimately, you'll gravitate to where your interests lie. For me, it was seeing the first "Nappy Hour" panel, hearing about Stan Lee's plans with BOOM! Studios and seeing the cast for Marvel's upcoming "Avengers" movie.
While there are many things I didn't catch first-hand, I did happen to list some standout items that piqued my interest:
8.Man arrested for assault in Hall H
During Comic-Con there were probably several confrontations to blather about, but none of them had been mentioned more than The alleged case of the pen-stabbing geek!
Reportedly, there was a scuffle over seating in the San Diego Convention Center Hall H. Police told the San Diego Union Tribune that a man was stabbed near the eye with a pen. One man was taken to the hospital, one suspect was arrested.
There were whisperings of that suspect being led out wearing a blood-splattered Harry Potter shirt (see for yourself here). Of course, before news organizations got a handle on the story, I was told by another attendee via rumors spread around the Con that someone's eyeball had been gouged out (it wasn't. The victim had a cut near the eye or on the eyelid, Police said).
As I was waiting for my train home I got some perspective from a young woman who was in Hall H during the said argument and altercation.
"It totally wasn't worth it," she said, rolling her eyes.
As I sat a seat or so away from her on the train, I resisted asking her what would have been worth it?
7.Is Adrianne Curry the new queen of the Slave Leias?
It seems that model-actress Adrianne Curry has decided to make the Star Wars-inspired outfit her own by appearing again this year in the chain collar and skimpy loincloth. Oh yeah, she wore other stuff too.
And no, the story isn't really that important but are you going to complain that I've included Adrianne Curry in this post?
6.The debut of the trailer for "Sucker Punch" by Zack Snyder
Love him or not, you gotta admit writer-director Zack Snyder ("Watchmen," "300") has a talent for blending reality and wild video game-style special effects. Some of the pyrotechnics in this trailer may turn you off and others may thrill you. Nevertheless, two things got my attention here:
It's based on Snyder and Steve Shibuya's original screenplay and it features numerous women in the lead roles. I only had the YouTube clip below to refer to, but the visuals I did see were pretty impressive.
Of course, Frank Miller's "The Spirit" had some of the same elements and it went south big time.
I'm expecting Snyder and crew to do a lot better than that.
5.The trailer for DC Universe Online "Who Do You Trust?
After its debut Saturday during Comic-Con, the DC Universe Online "Who Do You Trust?" trailer has received a warm reception from some game fans. That's if the comments on game trailer and YouTube sites are any indication. The opening action scenes depicting a twilight of the superheroes throw down was cool enough to even make non-gamers like myself want to give this a try.
Seeing some of the storyline play out helps me understand why there's up-close and personal involvement from writer Geoff Johns, Mark Hamill as the Joker and conceptual design by Jim Lee.
Games made twice the amount of money films did in 2009. It remains to be seen whether this project involving DC Comics' legacy characters will resonate enough with general audiences to make it a big seller.
If it becomes a hit across the board, something like this may turn out to be an interesting counter to Marvel's movie machine.
4.Here comes"The Avengers."
We expected a major announcement from Marvel Studios about the "Avengers" film and the comic book company turned multimedia powerhouse did not disappoint. I wasn't in Hall H as actors Samuel L. Jackson and Robert Downey Jr. brought out the squad like they were doing the starting lineup for the Lakers, but the call to assemble was Tweeted, YouTubed and blogged everywhere in a flash.
The video below is the announcement moment. You can see everything from the introduction of Mark Ruffalo as Dr. Banner/The Hulk (in lieu of Edward Norton) to fan-fave creator Joss Whedon as co-writer and director.
And even more awesome are the looks on the faces of the cast when Whedon jokes that he's "going to blow it."
For the studios' sake he better not "blow it." This move by Marvel is one of the most ambitious, geeky things I've seen a movie company do in awhile. They're counting on a respectable box-office performance for "Thor" and "Captain America: The First Avenger." And then they're going to put all these guys in a film together?
That's some gutsy stuff.
PS: The "Thor" trailer went over well at the Comic-Con and the responses weren't too shabby either when it was leaked online last week.
3.Dwayne McDuffie to adapt "All Star Superman" for animated film
A year ago, online forums were lit up about Dwayne McDuffie (writer, producer "Justice League Unlimited," "Ben 10: Alien Force") being out of sorts with DC Comics over a Justice League character issue. Now, he's the scribe chosen to refashion arguably the greatest Superman comic book story ever for the small screen.
If I haven't worn you all out over how terrific writer Grant Morrison and artist Frank Quitely's limited series was, let me repeat myself and tell you that it was AWESOME.
McDuffie is an animation veteran, widely known for being one of few creators who have successfully written the Justice League in any format. So you didn't like his run on the comic last year? Watch the other Morrison/Quitely animated adaptation he did on DVD "Justice League: Crisis on Two Earths." I watched the ending over and over again just to make sure I didn't pass out and dream up that finish.
Adapting All Star will be a challenge, but I believe DC and Warner Home Entertainment has the guy who can meet it.
And Of course, the top two topics are going to be about comic books.
2. Stan Lee is back!
Even non-comic book readers know Stan Lee as the fountain from which many classic creations have sprung.
Or I'll put it the way one star-struck dude did in front of my hotel while he spoke on his cell phone.
"I met Stan Lee today," he said excitedly. "I just met God."
Well,
"God" is having a go at working his magic for the dynamic BOOM! Studios
with three new comic series in association with POW! Entertainment. Lee will share story chores with the
creative teams that were announced during Comic-Con
Preview Night:
"Soldier Zero," co-written by Paul Cornell with art by Javier Pina.
"Starborn" is co-written with Chris Roberson and with art by Khary Randolph.
"The Traveler" teams the legend with newly announced BOOM! Chief Creative Officer Mark Waid and illustrator Chad Hardin.
In
a time when there's constant resurrection of ideas, it's always nice to
see new stuff from comic publishers. There isn't enough emphasis on
new characters for my taste from the big two comic companies and I
guess I am as much to blame for that as anybody. I still buy books
because of my nostalgic attachment to them. And hundreds of thousands
of Batman, Captain America and X-Men books are sold to fans who do the
same thing.
But who will create the next wave of classic
characters? Ed Brubaker with "Incognito?" Mark Millar with
'Kick-Ass?" Or how about Dr. Naif Al-Mutawa, architect of "The 99?"
Can
Lee create lasting characters that are relevant today? I guess we'll
see when "Soldier Zero," "The Traveler" and "Starborn" launches in
October, November and December respectively.
1.Marvel adopts the CrossGen characters
In the early 2000s, fans were introduced to the comics "Ruse," "Scion" and "Sojourn." Characters from fantasy, mystery and sci-fi worlds had a home at an ambitious comic company called CrossGen. A few years later, things didn't work out and after the company filed for bankruptcy protection, CrossGen ended up being acquired by Disney.
Now, in the house of the Mouse, CrossGen characters will live again under the Marvel Comics publishing shingle, executive editor Tom Brevoort said in an interview with Comic Book Resources.
Many of those characters were illustrated and written by major names in comics like Mark Waid (BOOM! Studios), Greg Land ("Uncanny X-Men") and Ron Marz ("Witchblade,"Green Lantern"). The word right now from Brevoort is that the stories they choose to publish will exist in their own worlds separate from Marvel Universe proper, much like the MAX line of comics.
Just imagining some of the interesting creative teams that could be formed to take on some of these properties has got me interested.
That's that, you
guys. If anyone wants to dare try and hit this show next year you better
start your planning yesterday because Comic-Con just keeps getting
bigger.
