From noon to 7 p.m. today Geoffrey's Comics presents the sequel to their 31st anniversary sale.

50 percent off back issues and DVDs, 25 percent off trades and 31 percent off cards.

However, to participate in the savings you have to bring in a packaged toy to donate to Toys For Tots.

There's more info on the flier to the right -- enjoy your day comics fans. 

Ivan Dixon, left, and Steven Perry star in the 1960 Twilight Zone episode "The Big Tall Wish."

On what is usually considered a movie night at Geoffrey's Comics in Gardena the regular comics club crew gathered Tuesday to watch a handful of "Twilight Zone" episodes.

Before I made the journey from Long Beach I was asked by a friend which episodes we would watch this evening.  I said I didn't know, but any of the older Zone episodes were a can't-miss when it comes to quality, theme and sheer entertainment value.

We watched the episodes "The Big Tall Wish," "Nick of Time" and "Living Doll."

There were some fine moments in "Nick of Time" starring William Shatner, who plays a seemingly well-adjusted man who becomes obsessed with the future.  And who could ever forget the creepy, classic "Living Doll" starring Telly Savalas?

There's man vs. man, man vs. nature and in "Living Doll" writer Charles Beaumont introduces us to man vs. doll.

"Hi, I'm Talking Tina and you're gonna be sorry," the doll says to Savalas.

Who loves ya, baby?  Apparently not Talking Tina... baby.

My favorite episode was "The Big Tall Wish," which was the first one we watched last night.  Yes, there was some heavy-handed acting and the story is pretty straightforward, but that's just me being silly because Wish is a fine example of what a good episode of "Twilight Zone" can do.  A hard-luck boxer named Bolie Jackson -- played by Ivan Dixon -- gets a little magic through the wishes of a kid named Henry. 

What interested me as a filmmaker is how this episode was composed with such a creative economy of shots (due to budget limitations).  What impressed me as a fan of the "Twilight Zone" is how Rod Serling's science/fantasy/fiction shows never lose sight of the fact that they are about more than the plot.  "The Big Tall Wish" would serve as a fine example to some of the current science fiction television creators who need a reminder of how effective sci fi can be for social commentary.

Watch "The Big Tall Wish" yourself at Veoh.
 

It's going down tomorrow Saturday Sept. 19 from 10 a.m to 7 p.m.

I spoke with long-time Geoffrey's Comics customer Alex "Lex" Tibbs (22 years!) and he tells me it's gonna be 25 percent off trade paperbacks, 31 percent off cards, 50 percent off of back issues, 31 percent off toys and statues, 30 percent off the Overstreet Guide price on Silver age and Golden age comics and ... 50 percent off DVDs.... whew!

Or you could, uh, just click here and get a better look at the Newsletter ad.

For more information:

Geoffrey's Comics
15900 Crenshaw Blvd.
Gardena, CA. 90250
(310) 538-3198

Megan Fox and Josh Brolin from "Jonah Hex" appear at the Warners booth to the delight of crowd of fans. Robert Meeks/Press-Telegram

And here I thought the convention would be less crowded Friday than it's been in the past -- silly me.

I'll sum it up the way Geoffrey's Comic Book Clubbers Marcus and Soyini stated it ealier today while we fought through other Con-goers filling the Convention Center's upper floors:

MARCUS: "You think there's even more people than last year?"

SOYINI: "I don't know -- after a while there's so many I just stop counting."

 

                                                      ___________

Friday at the San Diego Comic-Con has become as well-frequented as the Saturdays were three years ago. There's little distinction anymore.  Now I'm concerned Saturday will be even more crowded.

An announcement that cast members were appearing from the comic book-adapted supernatural western "Jonah Hex" caused a big traffic jam around the Warner Bros. booth. Alright, let me set that straight: The announcement that MEGAN FOX would be at the booth caused a small traffic jam not unlike Robert Downey Jr.'s when he appeared for "Iron Man" two years ago.

Security urged people to take their pictures and move on, but they may have well been blowing kisses at a tank to stop it from rolling. That crowd around "The Fox" and Josh Brolin's sudden appearance was a juggernaut.  I stayed on the outer layer of those folks just to stay alive (see video).

 

                                                       ___________

BOOM! Studios, the comics publisher with comics writer extraordinaire Mark Waid as its Editor-in-Chief, announced additional publications of licensed properties "Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?" A Hardcover edition for Sheep encompassing the first four issues.

Also, "Jennifer's Body," "Die Hard: Year One" and "28 Days Later" will be part of the BOOM! family as well. The "28 Days" seems particularly interesting as it focuses on thhe machete-wielding Selena portrayed by Naomie Harris.

The most grateful cheers from the audience came for the BOOM! Kids comic series "The Muppets Show." A title that is gaining quite an appreciative fanbase.

 

                                                         ___________

Of all the interesting costumed guests and professionals walking the exhibit hall, it was little old un-costumed me who got grabbed for a pic. "Oy!" I heard and as I turned to respond, a guy in a funny hat wraps his arm over my shoulder, points the camera at both of us, cheeses and takes a photograph. "Cheers!" he said as he hopped back to join his friends.

I slinked away wondering if I'm a funnier picture to put on Flickr than that shirtless Wolverine Guy making the rounds today? Or the stilted monster?  I'm flattered, but I looked at myself carefully in every reflective surface I walked by for at least 30 minutes after.

I have my take on Saturday at the Comic-Con and a bit on the Eisner Awards ("The comic book Oscars") winners later.

 

Talk about being out of the loop. 

I've been around some comic stores recently but my April work schedule totally hindered my ability to make the last few Comic Book Club gatherings at Geoffrey's.

It's a shame too, because I missed our talk about writer Mark Waid's "FLASH: THE RETURN OF BARRY ALLEN."  Old school Mark Waid years before he became BOOM! Studios' Editor-in-Chief and and even longer before his recent step to the dark side as the writer of "Irredeemable."

This collection of "The Flash" issues #74-79 is a testament to the art of telling the monthly comic book story and carrying it into the next issue. This run not only illustrated Waid's ability to set up a world and character in a few sentences, it showed off his talent for starting a story at the best possible point. Once you're introduced to Wally West and know he's the fastest man alive (usually), it's time for some action.

Trade paperbacks of this kind run more than a hundred or so pages, so I usually expect to put it down and come back later.  Nope, didn't do that.  I read this in a single sitting because it's The Return of Barry Allen (the O.G. Flash before Wally West (Kid Flash) took over) and if you were traumatized like I was after Allen's death in Crisis on Infinite Earths, then you would also want to know what the deal was.

If something was on the stove let's just say your boy would've been calling the fire crews.

Obviously, this wasn't a story I read when it originally dropped in the early 1990s, so yeah, I missed out.

Note: Please don't confuse this work with the current return of Barry Allen to active DC Comics continuity. We'll discuss that another day.

Now, as per tradition... the casting of Flash: The Return of Barry Allen courtesy of the Comic Club M.C. Geoffrey Patterson Jr.:

Barry Allen - Guy Pearce

Jay Garrick - David Strathairn

Wally West - Ryan Reynolds (soon to play Deadpool again.)

Johnny Quick - Brad Pitt (Despite the expense, some believe if the role is good enough then Pitt would do it.)

Green Lantern - Adam Baldwin (alt. Matthew Fox "Lost")

Max Mercury - Christopher Lloyd ("Back to the Future")


Hold up... CHRISTOPHER LLOYD???

"You'll have to read a lot of 'Flash' comics to understand my answer to this," Patterson said. "He's exactly like Doc from 'Back to the Future' except he can run fast."

All right, I'm sold.


Next: On Tuesday at Geoffrey's Comics, the Comic Club discusses "Ex Machina, Vol. 1: The First Hundred Days."

This guy doesn't like anything.

At least that's what I heard about one notably churlish customer at Geoffrey's Comics who had seen an early screening of J.J. Abrams' rebooted "Star Trek."

Turns out he thought it was pretty darn good.

During comic day Wednesday this week I picked up some new titles and talked with customers and employees alike about the latest summer blockbusters; "X-Men Origins: Wolverine" and "Star Trek."

The love for "Wolverine" was dicey, but almost everyone was interested in seeing the new Enterprise crew in action this weekend.  This enthusiasm for the "Star Trek" film -- which intends to draw new fans while satisfying stalwart ones -- is shared by most of the critics I've read this week.

Kenneth Turan of the LA Times says:

"this 'Star Trek' has in general bridged the gap between the old and the new with alacrity and purpose."
The Los Angeles Times review.


Mick LaSalle at The San Francisco Chronicle says the flick can give you goosebumps:

"The emotions they (younger Kirk and Spock) incite are as strong as ones associated with the most beloved historical figures, and the great thing about the new 'Star Trek' movie is that the filmmakers know it."
The Chronicle review.
 

Associated Press film reviewer Christy Lemire admits there are some plot holes but gives the movie credit for jumping over them:

"It's a daring and exciting approach that's sure to tickle and provoke purists, while at the same time probably cause neophytes to feel a bit lost."
Read the entire AP story.


Roger Ebert called "Star Trek" fun but doesn't dig some of the science in this science fiction:

"like so many franchises, it's more concerned with repeating a successful formula than going boldly where no 'Star Trek' has gone before."
Get the skinny from Mr. Ebert here.

Not bad, huh?  I guess I'll have to see for myself.

Just thought I would drop everyone an update on Free Comic Book Day last Saturday and share some pics as well.

At Pulp Fiction in Long Beach the FCBD copies of Avengers and the Green Lantern offering Blackest Night went quickly, said owner Mike Lerner.  Also, visitors filled two large barrels with food donations for the Food Bank of Southern California.

"I started pulling out some long comic boxes and filled up those as well," Lerner said. "People were bringing bags of food. Everybody was really cool and went along with it."



Geoffrey's Comics over in Gardena had a bit of a line on Free Comic Book Day (see pictures) and store owner Geoffrey Patterson (In Captain Greedy attire) enlisted a little super-help to manage the flow of customers. 

As for superhero guests? It was cool to see Iron Man and Wolverine in the house.

By the way, are there any trade paperbacks left for me after the sale, guys?




At The Comic Bug in Manhattan Beach, inker Scott Koblish (Final Crisis: Legion of 3 Worlds) and artist Jamilyn were in the house doing sketches and signing along with a host of others (see last week's post).

Susan Weyl, a local ambassador from the Hero Initiative -- a non-profit organization that raises funds to support comic creators who are down on their luck -- was at the Bug on behalf of Hero.  She let me know that Ralphs shoppers and comic fans who wish to support the Hero Initiative can arrange to have donations contributed every time they use their Ralphs Rewards card. I understand it costs nothing to consumers to have the Hero Initiative set up as your charity of choice (Ralphs makes the contribution) when you use your cards.

"Every time they shop they can be a hero for supporting our organization," Weyl said.

Rewards cards will have to be re-set and instructions for interested parties can be found here. 

Writer Joshua Dysart (Unknown Soldier) couldn't make it to Bug due to scheduling conflicts. I hope to catch him next time he comes around to talk about his fine work on Unknown Soldier.

While waiting in line outside of The Comic Bug it was nice to see Batman and Robin come out to greet the guests. Who knew Batman had such a sense of humor? (He asked me where my Green Lantern costume was -- I told him I wimped-out and left it at home.)

Maybe I'll get my Lantern on next year -- Ha! 

Free Comic Book Day is a national event in which participating national and international comics retailers give away select comics (while supplies last) on the first Saturday in May every year.

And that is only a day away.

Some local comic stores will have special guests and offer special gifts for customers. But the important thing is that most will offer free titles from Marvel (Avengers and Wolverine), DC Comics (Green Lantern Blackest Night #0 and the DC Kids Mega Sampler), Top Cow (Cyberforce/Hunter-Killer preview) and others.

This list is not a comprehensive roundup of every retailer in the Long Beach or South Bay area who are participating but these are the ones I visit: 


Pulp Fiction (4501 E. Carson St. Long Beach, CA., 562-496-3343)

Comic book lovers and those in need of food will benefit this Saturday.

Along with giving away a bunch of comics Pulp Fiction owner Mike Lerner will be collecting donations for the Food Bank of Southern California from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Lerner said customers who make Food Bank donations will get additional free merchandise, including comics, movie passes, coffee and cup cake vouchers and other surprises. Monetary and non-perishable food donations will be accepted.

I should mention that the movie passes Pulp Fiction will give out to Food Bank donors is for a midnight showing of "Battle Royale" at the Art Theater (2025 E. 4th St. Long Beach CA. 90814, 562-438-5435).  This film is not for the kids. However, for adult fans of "Battle Royale" who may want a chance to see it on a bigger screen than the one in their living rooms these tickets would be cool indeed.

Visit www.pulpfictiononline.com for more information.


Geoffrey's Comics (15900 Crenshaw Blvd. Suite B Gardena, CA., 310-538-3198)

For Geoffrey's Comics  FCBD starts from noon and goes to 8 p.m. In honor of "X-Men Origins: Wolverine" opening this weekend they will have an appearance by Wolverine and he'll have Iron Man there just in case things get rough.

Don't worry If the free stuff goes fast (Geoff Jr. says that's not likely) Geoffrey's is selling everything except new books for 30 percent off. So if you missed any trades that you want (I know I have) then Geoffrey's is the place for you.  DVDs will be 50 percent off and there will be an additional 30 percent off already discounted trades.

Enough from me, the flier can be found here.


Metropolis Comics (16509 Bellflower Blvd., Bellflower, CA., 562-263-0277)

Metropolis Comics will have free comics as well as signings, sketches and appearances from Joshua Fialkov (writer, "Rampaging Wolverine" and "Cyblade"), artist Brett Nance ("S.P.a.Z." and "Man-Boys") and some creators from The Antidote Trust entertainment collective and "The Wicked." The fun starts at 11 a.m.

Check out the press release for signing times.


The Comic Bug (1807 Manhattan Beach Blvd., Manhattan Beach, CA., 310-372-6704)

I spoke with The Comic Bug co-owner Mike Wellman yesterday and he mentioned so many special guests doing sketches and signings on Free Comic Book Day I could barely keep up.

I may not be able to list them all, but here are some: Writers Joshua Fialkov ("Cyblade" and "Rampaging Wolverine") and Joshua Dysart ("Unknown Soldier"), artists Scott Koblish ("Final Crisis: Legion of Three Worlds"), Chris Moreno ("Toy Story") and Rafael Navarro ("Gumby").

Wellman says artists Rafael Gonzalez and Jamilyn will be doing sketches for customers as well.

I am told that Joshua Dysart may have some copies of Unknown Soldier #7 to give away to certain guests.  If I have not said enough about that series yet let me tell you it's darn good.

www.thecomicbug.com/index.php


Amazing Comics & Cards (5555 Stearns St. Long Beach, CA., 562-493-4427)

This is my usual haunt and I will likely drop by. Amazing will be participating in FCBD and I hear there may be a superhero or two in the house.


Comic Cult (12329 Imperial Highway, Norwalk CA., 562-868-2772)

Comic Cult will be involved in FCBD again this year and will be open their regular Saturday hours from 12 p.m. to 6 p.m.

The tour of writer Zeb Wells and artist Todd Nauck continues. Visitors can get their copies signed and meet these local comic creators from 12 to 2 p.m. at Geoffrey's Comics -- address and more details below.   

I have been absent form the Comic Book Club the last few weeks and have not been able to offer a proper update in a bit. To make up for it I will suggest the latest graphic novel "Scott Pilgrim's Precious Little Life Vol. 1."

The crew was still hyped from the election results only a few weeks back. They were supposed to discuss "All Star Superman" that night, and from what Geoffrey's Comics co-manager Geoffrey Patterson Jr. said, the group was watching the television coverage most of the time.

After some settling down last night we finally did get to "Scott Pilgrim." Written and drawn by Bryan Lee O'Malley, the graphic novel follows 23-year-old Scott Pilgrim -- an unemployed all around "awesome" dude  living in Toronto.

Scott, who is recovering from a breakup, starts dating a 17-year-old high school girl named Knives Chau. Not long after that he meets the girl of his dreams -- literally. I liked this graphic novel, and even though I am not a regular reader of manga-style works it drew me in.

Beyond the art style is the writing. O'Malley creates characters that are so vivid it seems like people you know. Knives, the 17-year-old who thinks Scott is the greatest thing in the universe, was spot on. So was Scott himself who is a lot like some dudes were when they were 23. Not me, but, um, other dudes. 

Check it out and please save some money for the following volumes because you're going to want to read more. Did I hear 'gift idea for the Holidays?' (I Hope my wife reads that last part.)

Later, we checked out the new J.J. Abrams Star Trek trailer and man, it sparked a discussion. I was one of the ones who liked it, but there was a hardcore fan in our midst who was concerned.

Did you see it during the Sarah Connor Chronicles on Monday? No? Click the image below to peep it out or go here and let me know if you are appalled, thrilled or still think Sylar looks like Sylar and not Spock.

(So far the video is only offered through Apple Previews so it's in Quicktime format right now.)



Image courtesy Paramount Pictures

This is the first comic store I have ever attended regularly -- congrats you guys! 

There is a collection of special guests and deals for visitors (30% off everything except new comic books. Check out the trade paperbacks).

Guests scheduled to appear today: Mark Waid ("Kingdom Come" and "The Incredibles"), Josh Dysart ("Unknown Soldier"), master inker Danny Miki ("Ultimatum") and Mike Wellman ("Mac Afro" and "World of Warcraft").

The event is from 12-6 p.m. There's more info on the image below.

 
 

Yeah, I didn't catch on until recently.

Here we are reading and discussing the "Starman Omnibus Vol. 1" tonight and I'm the only one who did not at least try an issue when it was all the critical rage several years ago. I knew of its existence and heard good things but like many of us I became quite disillusioned with most comics in the nineties.

Oh, don't act like I was the only one. Trust me, we'll talk about the near-comic company apocalypse of the last decade another time. 

The "Starman" series by writer James Robinson ("Superman") and artists Tony Harris ("Ex Machina") and Wade Von Grawbadger does a retake on the Golden Age super hero by dropping his legacy into the lap of the outcast son who didn't want the mantle in the first place.

I can relate to not initially wanting to carry on the family business and the struggle the main character Jack Knight has with that.

This omnibus collects the first 17 issues of Robinson and Harris' "Starman" and the real value of their work has become apparent to me. It suggests a kind of realism. Shadow illusion creatures and belts that make you fly aren't part of the real world - unless you're self medicating - but Robinson manages something all the best creators of superhero fiction do...

They give you stories that could play whether you have the fantastical elements in them or not.

If you can handle the hefty $49.99 of the Volume one omnibus it's a keeper for fans of good comic fiction. (There are some used ones online too at around $25.)

If you stop by Geoffrey's Comics tonight come by and say hi.


Cover image Courtesy DC Comics  

You can never hear enough interesting stuff about "Y: The Last Man" from me, so here's some more.

The comic book club meeting at Geoffrey's Comics tonight will cover the first volume of the graphic novel series.

But that's not the only reason why I'm here.

I have info on some casting and story hints by likely film director D.J. Caruso revealed last week that are worth noting.

"Y: The Last Man" published by DC Comics shingle Vertigo ran 60 issues and ended its five-year run last summer. The comic by writer Brian K. Vaughn and artist Pia Guerra has been in the hands of New Line Cinema (now part of Warner Bros.) and is to be adapted into a film.

I have already mentioned Caruso reportedly wants to cast his "Eagle Eye" star Shia LaBeouf for the role of Yorick, the last man on earth after a holocaust that kills just about every male on the planet. The name of singer-musician Alicia Keys was floated to play Agent 355.

For the record: I love you Alicia but not as three-fifty (Edit: You guys know I'm talkin' about 355, right?).

Anyway... As the last man Yorick is a living target. 355 is a member of a secret special forces unit who crosses Yorick's path in the story and is charged with protecting him.

But it isn't that cool fantasy-women chasing after you thing depicted in those Axe body spray commercials; this is real danger here. And some would even call the story a little controversial considering that this devastated world run by various factions of women, at least in the initial stages, is borderline terrifying. The book reminds us though that this is what could happen to almost any society after a worldwide disaster.

Expect a wish-casting list for the film version of "Y: The Last Man" with some help from the book club at Geoffrey's later this week. And word has it that "Y" is planned to be a movie series speculatively starting in 2010. If you can't wait, there are reprinted collections of the series that can be ordered at most comic shops and major book stores.

There is a more detailed rundown on "Y" at Splashpage and an interview with D.J. Caruso at UGO.

I don't take it for granted there are certain comics (and we can call them graphic novels too), that have led me to accept many comic characters as archetypal creations... I mean, I titled this place Modern Mythology for goodness sake.

Even more obvious, I agree that this concept doesn't apply to every comic character. (Howard the Duck has his appeal but even I haven't figured out how to work him into a mythology yet.)

Nevertheless, it was good to sit in with a book group club at Geoffrey's Comics in Gardena as they dissected Grant Morrison and Dave McKean's "Arkham Asylum." Published in 1989, an unforgettable story - whether you like it or not - where the inmates of the asylum (Joker, Two-Face, etc.) are free and holding hostages until Batman turns himself in to them.

While he is their prisoner the Joker plans to drive him insane.

The artwork and writing were progressive and aggressive. Both creators turned out to be stars in their own right 15 years later. Morrison is a top writer at DC Comics and McKean directs films and is a well-known collaborator of Neil Gaiman ("Sandman," "Coraline").

I learned a thing or two while listening to the "Comic Book Club" examine the graphic novel's art, pacing and meaning.

"This story is Batman 'Through the Looking Glass,'" said Geoffrey Patterson Jr, who co-manages the store and runs the book club. 

 Some even described the story as Batman's descent into hell. Each ex-enemy he visits he is judged by.

Morrison and McKean play with several pieces of cultural judgment mythology. Even using the image of Anubis over the entrance (the Egyptian trickster figure.) as Joker welcomes Batman into the asylum.

Enough from me, check out some excerpts from the video of the gathering if you haven't already. Hopefully, I'll bring you more insights and discussion from the group in the near future.