2006 Comic Book News Archives
August 3, 2006: Wizard World 2006 - Superman Homepage Report - Day 1
Part 1 by Neal BaileyDAY ONE:
No major stars, as this is just the setup day. Surprisingly, even half of the booths were mostly empty, including most if not all of the talent signing.
People who came in were the gung-ho crowd, the folks who bought the three day ticket to take the full geek ride. As such, they were very discerning, but also truly friendly. I come from a pretty kind area of the world, but I'm surprised by the hospitality. Movies make Chicago out to be a place where no one turns their heads, and I find it surprisingly like home, a city that's spaced out and nonetheless much, much bigger than Seattle.
Meeting Barry Freiman was incredible. Readers, you have no idea how neat it is, after working with Barry for years, how neat it was to sit down and gab, pound out business like we do here for the site while in the same area. Awesome.
Wizard World, deserving extraordinary credit for their foresight and actual acknowledgement of the site, delivered me my awesome first press pass. I plan on using it for debauchery, interviews, debauchery, and copping autographs. Oh, and debauchery.
I do apologize for the rather congenial nature of this here missive, all, but really, not much happened today. HOWEVER, stay tuned to these reports, as we may be securing (or so I am told) interviews with Dan Jurgens, Michael Turner, Jeph Loeb, Geoff Johns, Mark Waid, and a TON of great Superman related artists.
I was told there was little chance of a Kevin Smith or Erica Durance one-on-one, but it wasn't totally ruled out.
More to come as the con RAGES!
Neal Bailey
Part 2 by Barry Freiman
Wizard World Chicago 2006 opened today to preview ticket holders as well as media for a special three hour preview. While the Mid-West's largest comic book convention opens to the general public tomorrow, the Superman Homepage's two Assistant Editors, Neal Bailey and myself, Barry Freiman, are on hand in a dual role - as industry creators and as Press.
Neal and I are manning the Superman Homepage booth as well as providing the Superman Homepage's press coverage of the event. After just the three hour preview, I'm exhausted and there's three days to go. But it's definitely a good exhausted.
We're trying to reach out to those Superman fans who may not know about the Superman Homepage by inviting people to sign up to receive information on registering with the website. One lucky fan who signs up with us during the weekend will be selected after the convention to receive an i-Rocks "Superman Returns" optical mouse.
Since today is only preview night, not much happened as Neal explained in his write-up. The highlight of the day for me has been meeting Neal face-to-face for the first time. I think I began writing for the Superman Homepage in 2002 or thereabout so I've known site owner/editor-in-chief Steve and fellow assistant editor and writer Neal now for at least four years. And I consider them friends. But I'd never met either of them face-to-face before today. Now that I've met Neal, you're next Steve.
I took advantage of the light crowds for preview night to photograph many of the Superman related displays. We will definitely have more pictures, more in-depth reports, and hopefully some cool interviews with such luminaries that may include planned attendees Noel Neill, Geoff Johns (who I saw doing his first signing of day one at the DC Comics booth right as I was leaving), Adam Kubert, Dan Jurgens, Jeph Loeb, and many more.
Wizard World Chicago is held at the Donald Stephens Convention Center in Rosemont. The entry into the convention floor is through an archway with Batman and Superman guarding the entryway with their images. Notice there's no Marvel heroes adorning the official entry - just the World's Finest.
One of the biggest booths on the entire convention floor belongs to DC Comics. There are huge posters mainly of Superman, Batman, and Wonder Woman. Shrewdly, Mattel has their display close to DC's and it includes a lot of very cool new Justice League Unlimited figures - the first packaging of the Big Three together in their traditional costumes, new JLU packaging that seems designed to evoke the heroes versus villains theme of this last season, and lots more including "Superman: The Animated Series" baddie Volcana, among many others.
Superman Returns is everywhere - even in the Mad Magazine giveaway! Some of the toys that are coming in the Superman Returns line - which appears headed to be retitled as the "Man of Steel" line - include Metallo (looking a lot like he is slated to appear in the "Superman Returns" video game, coming later this year) and Mongul. There's even an action figure that's a clear, see-through, hologram version of Jor-El in the image of Marlon Brando. There's a three pack of Clark, Superman, and Lex from the movie. And lots more.
DC Direct is showing some of the most beautiful and detailed statues and action figures that have ever come out of their gallery. The "Infinite Crisis" action figures are gorgeous and the house advertising photo included in recent months' comics don't do them justice. And speaking of "Justice", the next round of action figures based on the Alex Ross series includes Brainiac (with the monkey) and Luthor.
One of the most beautiful pieces was the newly revealed "Superman versus Wonder Woman" statue. While it evokes the "Sacrifice" storyline that preceded "Infinite Crisis", note that Wonder Woman is wearing her new costume that incorporates both the "W" and the eagle designs into her armor.
The Ed McGuiness action figures from the recent "Superman/Batman" storyline are beauties and include Superwoman, Kingdom Come Superman, and a great looking Natasha Irons Lady Steel.
Even outside the confines of DC and Mattel, Superman was everywhere. At the Wizkids booth, over at Alex Ross's AlexRossArt.com booth, and my favorite Superman spotting of the night - over at the table of artist Scott Ethan Ambruson who kindly let me photograph him with his two beautiful Superman-based paintings.
Neal and I will continue reporting in from the convention all weekend. If you're going to be at the con, please stop by and say hello to us. It's great to be able to put screen names with real faces. And speaking of real faces, we'll be sure to get some pictures of the Superman Homepage's display table tomorrow including pics of Neal and I.
Barry Freiman
Promotion for up-coming DC Animated DVDs | Superman Bookmark handed out |
2006 Comic News
Listed below are all the Comic News items archived for 2006.- January 10, 2006: Geoff Johns & Kurt Busiek Talk Superman One Year Later
- January 13, 2006: Gail Simone on Livewire's Comics Debut
- January 25, 2006: Dan Didio Talks Superman Comics
- January 25, 2006: Matt Haley on Superman Returns Comic Adaptation
- January 26, 2006: Kurt Busiek Talks About His Ideas for Superman
- January 28, 2006: DC Comics Announces Cover Price for 52
- January 31, 2006: Infinite Crisis #3 Sells Out, Second Printing Coming
- February 1, 2006: Superman - This is Your Life
- February 2, 2006: Infinite Crisis #4 Goes Back to Press for New Printing
- February 8, 2006: Supergirl #5 Gets Extra Pages and Two Covers
- February 15, 2006: Chuck Austen Talks About His Time Writing Superman
- February 15, 2006: DC Offers Superman/Batman #1 as Second FCBD Title
- February 17, 2006: Jeph Loeb on Sam and Superman/Batman #26
- February 24, 2006: Earth-2 Superman in Wizard Magazine #174
- February 25, 2006: Superman Comics Info From New York Comic-Con
- March 1, 2006: Matt Idelson Talks Superman Comics
- March 2, 2006: Supergirl #5 Goes Back to Press for New Printing
- March 8, 2006: Infinite Crisis #5 Goes Back to Press for 2nd Printing
- March 9, 2006: Exclusive Matt Idelson Interview
- March 15, 2006: Superman Returns Prequel Comics Announced
- March 19, 2006: Superman News from Wizard World L.A.
- March 28, 2006: Superman Featured in Wizard Magazine #175
- April 4, 2006: Olivetti Replacing Byrne on Superman Returns Prequel Comic
- April 5, 2006: Judge Says Siegels Own Superboy - Smallville in Question
- April 5, 2006: Superman Homepage Emerald City Comic Con Report!
- April 7, 2006: E! Online Report on Superboy Court Case
- April 14, 2006: New Team Back in Action
- April 19, 2006: Jim Krueger Talks Justice
- April 24, 2006: Exclusive Interview with Mark Verheiden
- April 26, 2006: History of Superman in Wizard Brazil
- April 27, 2006: Exclusive Interview with Geoff Johns
- May 9, 2006: DC Launches 52theComic.com
- May 10, 2006: Superman Returns Prequel Comics Now a Miniseries
- May 23, 2006: An Open Letter from Joanne Siegel
- May 26, 2006: Dan Jurgens Talks Superman/Doomsday Omnibus
- May 29, 2006: Gerard Jones Responds to Joanne Siegel
- May 31, 2006: Wizard World Philadelphia Comic Con
- June 1, 2006: Jimmy Palmiotti Talks Superman Returns Comic Books
- June 3, 2006: DC to Unveil Superman Confidential Comic Series
- July 3, 2006: PodCast on Martha Kent Prequel Comic
- July 18, 2006: Brad Meltzer Answers Fan Questions on Justice League of America
- July 18, 2006: Superman at the San Diego Comic Con
- July 21, 2006: Donner Joins Johns on Action Comics
- July 25, 2006: Donner, Johns and Kubert on Action #844
- July 28, 2006: Superman Flying to the Middle East
- August 3, 2006: Wizard World 2006 - Superman Homepage Report - Day One
- August 4, 2006: Wizard World Chicago 2006 - Day Two
- August 6, 2006: Wizard World Chicago 2006 - Day Three
- August 7, 2006: Nicieza Talks Action Comics
- August 7, 2006: Wizard World Chicago Report
- August 9, 2006: Wizard World Chicago A Success
- August 10, 2006: Read 52 Issues 1 to 5 Online
- August 31, 2006: Superman in Wizard #180
- September 19, 2006: Exclusive Interview with Ethan Van Sciver
- September 26, 2006: Matt Haley Talks Superman Returns Comic Adaptation
- October 2, 2006: Geoff Johns Talks Action Comics
- October 4, 2006: Donner's Last Son Previewed at EW.com
- October 4, 2006: Kurt Busiek Talks Superman
- October 6, 2006: Adam Kubert Talks Action Comics
- October 18, 2006: Behind the Scenes of an Action Comics Cover
- October 23, 2006: Talking Superman with Kurt Busiek
- November 17, 2006: Action Comics #844 Gets Second Printing
- November 22, 2006: Exclusive Interview with Matt Haley
- December 6, 2006: Exclusive Jesse McCann Interview
- December 9, 2006: Action Comics Scheduling Changed
- December 21, 2006: Superman Artist Hardin Burnley Dies at 95
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