Way Of All Flesh

I opted to lead with this photo from San Diego Comic Con 2007, if only to satisfy Steve's burning desire for blog-coverage of Grindhouse's daring promotional activity. That is not a special effect, people. The rest of my photos (snapped on the D40 and, when I later grew tired of carrying it about, the SD600) may be found here. I think they give a good picture as to the nature of my Con experience this year. I had to leave early to attend my course at OSU and therefore missed Sunday, but the Hall H programming on Saturday was sufficiently thin that I was still able to get my proper fix of the convention floor. As I commented in the gallery, I think the Image Founders panel was the highlight of the Con for me. It really took me back to the time when I was most excited about reading monthly comics, discovering the Image flagship titles one by one, getting all jazzed about things like X Month, etc. Awesome. The Iron Man preview was also pretty amazing. But besides the programming, as usual it was the little moments that made the weekend for me. The best example is without a doubt tracking down Leinil Francis Yu in Artist's Allery, whose work continues to grow ever more phenomenal (Ultimate Wolverine Vs. Hulk has to be seen to be believed, and I think I may actually start picking up New Avengers on a monthly basis). When I arrived at his booth, he was in the midst of completing a transaction for some original art with a Japanese gentleman. As I waited patiently for their business to conclude, I came to the realization that his enthusiastic customer was none other than Yasuhiro Nightow (creator of manga/anime sensation Trigun). So I got to meet two comics legends for the price of one, and then geek out with Leinil Yu about Nightow, when I should have been geeking out at him about the Hulk rending Wolverine in twain. Surprises of this nature are by no means unique in the wonderland of the San Diego Convention Center, and are the kind of thing that keeps me coming back year after year (yes, I pre-reg'd).

Arriving in San Diego still flush with the wonder of witnessing Transformers in the Cineramadome the week before, I was quite disappointed to discover that I seemed to hold a minority opinion (though perhaps I shouldn't have been surprised). Of course, this didn't stop the vocal majority from queuing for hours to buy Bumblebee at the Hasbro booth, but such is also the nature of Comic Con. Nevertheless, I was quite pleased when I stumbled across this strip, which quite accurately reflects my movie-going experience. If you're interested, Joe's actual review (scroll down from the comic) is far more rational and well-considered than certain other opinions to which I was subjected...

If you've visited any comics-related website recently, you've probablay already heard that Mike Wieringo passed away last weekend at the age of 44. If you want some idea of the impact both the artist and his passing had upon the industry, Newsarama has compiled a collection of tributes from his friends and peers. To read them, it's a wonder the man had the time to turn out his monthly assignments with all the encouragment, advice, phone-calls, and pro bono work he spread freely across the field of comics. I remember hungrily consuming all the articles he wrote (and drew!) for Wizard's Basic Training feature several years ago, and thinking how cool it was that an artist of such professional calibre would take the time to produce these lessons for simple schmucks like myself. According to those who knew him, this was just par for the course. I would encourage you to go and check out the aforementioned article, where he is remembered in far more eloquent terms than I can muster.

I have not yet passed any comment of substance regarding my visit to Columbus, OH. The weather was unbelievable, the air so hot and humid I felt I was attempting to breathe soup. The course I was there to attend was both engaging and educational, and those with whom I shared it were not above lifting a glass or five of PBR (or Natural Light, when circumstances demanded it) in the night-time hours. I took the opportunity to attend the Ohio State Fair, wherein I witnessed the musical stylings of Mr. Weird Al Yankovic, rode the bumper cars with two lads from Harvard, and beheld the wonder of the World's Smallest Horse (it was pretty small).

Also, while I was in Columbus and preparing for the trip back to LA, I finally took my first timid steps into the world of podcasts (perhaps influenced by Lisl's burgeoning passion for the same). Further motivated by another entertaining evening with Kevin Smith at SDCC (hooray for dog semen!), I have started listening erratically to the SModcast, whilst also occasionally checking in with the boys of Around Comics for news and opinions on the world of funnybooks (links to iTunes). Marvel exclusive artist Skottie Young is a regular contributor to the latter, and I find some of his 'professional' insight particularly engaging.

Last Friday we went to the opening of the new Intelligentsia coffee shop at Sunset Junction. Free coffee, wine and beer (and plenty of well-dressed hipsters) in what turned out to be a pleasingly individual setting. It might prove an enticing alternative to our beloved Casbah Cafe, since it is, after all, Cheese Store-adjacent. Afterwards we went to the late showing of Superbad at the Vista, which delivered everything for which we might have hoped. While I have long been a fan of Mr. Apatow, I do believe that Lisl and myself are now both committed disciples of his good friend, Mr. Rogen.