2008 Merchandise & Miscellaneous News Archives
May 1, 2008: Calgary Comic Con 2008 Report
By Neal BaileyTRUNKING FABLES
I'm going non-linear this time, because I've tended to go in sequence. I figure this time out, I'm going to run this baby stream of consciousness. The end. Get it?
Regardless, the surreal weekend at the Calgary Comic Con, was a blast. A full weekend with multiple grand experiences, I finally feel as if these comic cons have gotten into my blood and made me READY AND PREPARED to face the comic book world. I always felt a geek liason, being a construction worker and a writer, but now, I feel a part of the culture.
Nothing assured me of this more than being stuck in a trunk with Bill Willingham.
Last year, at the San Diego Comic Con, I got to watch Bill accept an Eisner, multiple Eisners, as I recall. His comic, Fables, is a fan favorite, and with good reason.
The first day they wheeled us to pizza, all you can eat (for the love of monkeys, a con that FEEDS a dude, holy hell!), and I got to sit next to the director of Harmony Gold, watching across the room as a series of comic professionals ate and had a good time. Awesome atmosphere, great conversation.
For the ride home, we went in a series of cars. I waited and let the professionals go first (just wouldn't do to cut in front of Greg Rucka or Mark Waid), but Laurie, the wife of the organizer, offered to let me squeeze into the trunk of the van. SURE, says I, and I hop right in. Sounded fun. As they were about to close the lid, I heard, "WAIT!"
In hops Bill Willingham. I'm in a trunk with Bill Willingham.
Click "Read More" below to read the rest of Neal's report on the 2008 Calgary Comic Convention.
So I'm quiet there, for a second. I play it coy, adopt my geek voice, and say, "So... you're Bill Willingham."
"Yep."
"So, uh... what's it like... WRITING FABLES!?"
He smiles. "Hard work. But fun."
He realizes, of course, that I'm just pretending to be smitten stupid with a nerd lighning bolt, at least I hope, because then I had a nice casual conversation with the man about the trip over, the way Calgary was well organized as a city. I'm not sure how we got into real estate, but he asked me what I did. I told him I was a real estate novelist, which made him chuckle, and he remembered it the next day.
Back in the hotel, I picked up the phone and called my friend John Munn, who owns Comic Book Ink.
"How's it going?"
"I was just in a trunk with Bill Willingham."
Long silence...
BEAUTIFUL WOMEN
The people in Canada are polite. It's just like South Park indicates. Well, without the war. The folks I chatted with talked about Calgary like it was the scariest place in Canada. I live in a fairly rough neighborhood in Tacoma, WA, in a place called Hilltop. I've had my windows shot out, people catcall, they hit my car, there are drug deals, gang violence, all kinds of family entertainment.
I walk down the streets in Calgary and there's no graphitti, no screaming people. I didn't even hear a SIREN the whole time I was there.
In my town, when you look a gal in the eye, she averts her gaze or scowls. In Calgary, I had women meeting my eyes and smiling, walking down the street in a general cheerful, joyous mood. People held doors.
I met fine gals, like Diana, Serafina, and Chelsea, who came by in a Batman shirt, a "Hot comic book nerd" shirt, and a Spider-Woman outfit. They bought two of my Smallville Magazines, flirted, chatted, and were just generally kind people.
As I explained to them, many of the girls I meet at comic conventions tend to be (perhaps rightly) maladroit due to the factors present. There are a ton of larger, semi socially maladjusted men running around likely leering at them.
Usually, when I give them my most charming grin and say, "Hello!" many can't even make eye contact. It's sad, and I can't exactly understand it. Har har, smarty-pants, I know you're saying, "It's you, dillweed!" But no.
There's this culture at the conventions, guys who are intellectuals but somewhat... afraid of women. I'm always amazed when I see a gal wearing next to nothing in, say, a Wonder Woman outfit, and a guy kind of sneaks his cell phone around and takes a sly picture of her butt, when if he'd just have the courage to say hello and ask her, she'd probably hang in his arms while he took a photo. She's THERE for attention, fun, and social interaction, fer crying out loud. This kind of fear, I'm guessing, leads to the quiet lack of interaction.
I mean, I met this dude... he had me sign World War Hulk 3, and I told him I had nothing to do with it. He just... he made me sign it. There are some weird ones.
But the point I'm getting at is that there are occasions where the exact opposite is true, and in Calgary, it was more than present. In the hotel lobby, there were some post-teen gals screaming and laughing until three in the morning, there was a ton of great guy/gal interaction everywhere I went, it was just a healthy scene.
Diana, Serafina, and Chelsea yakked with me about boomerang shoes, how rad comics are, how women should be a part of the scene, and for it, I am better. Next time I roll into town I'm going to grab them and boogie.
Come hang with us a year from now.
Top row, left to right: Diana, Me, Chelsea, Serafina
Bottom row: Will Vavra, victim of the dreaded camera head removal.
MY CONSCIENCE
Will Vavra, pictured just above, is my conscience. I met him several years ago, and he was my first Candian friend, in the respect that Colbert has a "black friend." He instant messaged me, I soon realized he GOT philosophy and writing, and we've been pretty damned close buddies ever since.
Most of the stuff I do I bounce off him. He's a conscience, and he's arrogant enough to tell me exactly when I am wrong, which is often. Most people will pad their critique. Will tells me exactly how it is, and without being a dink about it.
He drove eight hours to help as a roving reporter, and we got semi-drunk and argued Existentialism vs. Philosophical Pragmatism. If that isn't what a buddy does, I don't know what is.
FOLKS
I met Apocalipstix creators Ray Fawkes and Cameron Stewart, and a gent named Scott Redding, who was kindly enough to give me a few of his prints.
Also present was Chauncey Carter, AKA Xan-El on the site. We discussed the JSA, Action Comics, Countdown, and all manner of fun things.
I sat next to Bob Bowen, who sat and drew Family Guy and Futurama characters until his hand nearly fell off. He was gracious enough to share his insight into the scripting biz, and told me (reassuringly) that I was on the right track in terms of writing in groups, as I'm practicing with Jeffrey Bridges and company on The Kingery, a serialized audio drama.
Laurel Espenell told me the story of her visit to the Smallville sets, and showed me a bunch of amazing pictures. She also told me Google is a great place to find a Smallville tour. I'm going to see if I can find her and get an article for you guys on the locations... IF you promise not to bug the people who live in the surrounding towns... heh.
I also finally got to shake Karl Kerschl's hand, a guy who was cool enough not to kill me when I lost a tape of an interview we did... he remembered who I was, which was a fine compliment, and I plan on getting in touch with him soon about some original art from the Adventures run.
Also present were Mark Waid and Greg Rucka, who chatted with me on several occasions and were truly awesome. I didn't want to bother them too much, but I did get to spend some time with both, and it was amazing to hear their advice and talk. Rucka's a major role model for both my work and in my personal life, and remains one of those guys who has pushed me on and urged me forward, even though he's been at no obligation to do so. At my worst times writing, Greg has told me to keep my head up, and for that, I am eternally indebted to the man.
Mark Waid I am indebted to as well, because he didn't kill me when he remembered I'm the guy who wrote the Birthright reviews for this website. Heh. He joshed me, and I swore to god and Waid before me (as is the truth) that I enjoyed Birthright as a story, and that I own the trade, and read it.
The more I think about it, the more I realize that Waid really got a bit of a bum rap for Birthright. I took the book to task for its continuity problems (and I still do), but as a piece of writing, it's an accomplishment.
It's ironic that now we have a rather chaotic continuity that would have been rectified had they simply adopted Birthright and discarded the past continuity, as they promised. Time has proven Waid correct. And for that, I owe him an apology, and editorial that did not let him fly a scolding.
"Said the bucket to the thimble," I believe the line in that series goes... but I can still say it.
MANITOBA, HO!
I also met Violet Paille, who is organizing the Manitoba Comic Con. I just learned of it, and I will be trying to attend. She is doing a great deal to organize charity money for the Chrisopher Reeve Foundation, and if there is anything I can do to support that cause I will. Look for more information on that here soon.
BAUM, BABY!
I always ask at the cons if I can get an interview with any of the Superman related folks, excepting Noel, mostly because I'm so in awe of her and nervous, and I don't want to take up her time. I will have to get over that, because she's so nice, and I should try.
Usually, they say, "We'll come over to the booth and help you with that", and never show.
Steve Hodges, at the Calgary Con, along with Jim Demonakos, organizer of the Emerald City Comic Con (which you'd better attend, brother), got me TEN MINUTES WITH MICHAEL ROSENBAUM!
Will had the computer, and thus the microphone, and they took us to the green room. After a few seconds, the door opened, and we were told to go set up our mic. I took my "BAUM INTERROGATION SHEET" and entered, with Will close behind.
There was George Takei, eating a sandwich.
I had a flashback to being in a trunk with Bill Willingham, "White Rabbit" started playing in my head, and I nearly soiled myself. SULU! FRICKIN' SULU!
He says, "Oh, I'm sorry!"
I shake my head. "No! No! It's fine. It's REALLY, REALLY fine!"
We got to talk with George Takei while setting up, and he offered us food, chatted us up. Star Trek is... well, I'm geeking out, but the man is LEGEND.
Baum pops in, and I grin, shake his hand, we start recording... you'll hear it all in a few days, no doubt. But I got to meet Michael, finally! My single favorite Lex Luthor actor, period, in all respects. The guiding light for Smallville, and a guy whose exploits I wrote about for seven years, and BANG, I got to hang in a room with him.
For that alone, this con was insanely cool.
As I was walking to the green room, Rucka said, "Don't worry! He puts his feet into his pants one leg at a time, and he poops sitting down, just like you!"
And I know that, just like I know the same thing about Greg... but still, when I talk to either of those guys, guys who, in a word that I am greatly cynical toward, produce work I admire and respect, it just gets me that they're willing to talk to a schlub like me. It makes my day.
Of course, Rosenbaum has probably done eight million of those interviews, but hey, it was important to me.
SUMMATION
Kandrix and Laurie, the organizers, went to all possible extents to make me and everyone else feel welcome. For that, this con will become one of my staples, and is fast becoming one of my favorite experiences in all of the cons I've done over the years. I felt like family, as opposed to someone patronizing a business, and it was RAD.
Calgary is a beautiful city. I'm glad I got my passport together, and like Douglas, I SHALL RETURN.
CALGARY HONOR ROLL
Will Vavra
Michael Rosenbaum
George Takei
Steve Hodges
Jim Demonakos
Kandrix Foong
Laurie Foong
Mark Waid
Greg Rucka
Bob Bowen
Karl Kerschl
Bill Willingham
Tom (I forgot your last name, but I will find it in Seattle!)
Chauncey Carter (Xan-El)
Diana, Serafina, and Chelsea (Awesome babes, you rock my world!)
2008 Merchandise & Miscellaneous News
Listed below are all the Merchandise & Miscellaneous News items archived for 2008.- January 2, 2008: Heroes Alliance update... SUCCESS!
- January 8, 2008: Superman in the Mass Media and Marketing
- January 9, 2008: Indianapolis Super Heroes Museum Closes
- January 12, 2008: Artist Scott Stewart Soars with Superman
- January 31, 2008: Cleveland to Celebrate Superman
- February 1, 2008: Boys of Steel Book Illustrates Superman's Creation
- February 9, 2008: Second Annual Metropolis Comic Show
- February 9, 2008: Cleveland Gearing Up for Superman Celebration
- February 10, 2008: Mattel to Release More JLU Action Figures
- February 13, 2008: Writers Vote to End Strike
- February 13, 2008: Who Wants To Create A Super-Heroine Contest
- February 14, 2008: Superman vs. The Abomination Fan Animation
- February 17, 2008: DC Direct on Display at Toyfair 2008
- February 17, 2008: Howard Soars as Superman in Dunk Contest
- February 19, 2008: Exclusive Superman vs Hollywood Interview with Jake Rossen
- February 21, 2008: Superman vs Hollywood Exclusive Excerpt
- February 22, 2008: Mattel Reveal DC Figures at Toyfair 2008
- February 22, 2008: Modern-Day Athletes Emulate Superman
- February 22, 2008: Superman Featured in New Movie Museum
- February 22, 2008: Podcast on Superman in the Golden Age
- February 25, 2008: Book Preview: Guess Who's Adopted?
- February 25, 2008: Metropolitan Museum Salutes Superhero Fashion
- February 27, 2008: Otis, Chloe & Lois at Metropolis Superman Celebration
- March 2, 2008: Alex Ross Age of TV Heroes Book Cover
- March 5, 2008: Superman Exhibits in New Movie Museum
- March 5, 2008: Press Release for 2008 Superman Celebration
- March 11, 2008: Superman Rollercoaster Takes Top Spot Again!
- March 13, 2008: The Search For Superman in Metropolis, IL Begins
- March 13, 2008: Superman Celebration Fan Film Contest
- March 13, 2008: 15th Annual Superman Auction & Dinner
- March 28, 2008: Superman Homepage on Tonight Show with Jay Leno
- April 1, 2008: Superman Items Sold in Hollywood Auction
- April 1, 2008: Superman Homepage Pranks for April Fools Day 2008
- April 2, 2008: New Speeding Bulletin Logo
- April 2, 2008: Superman Related Names in America
- April 4, 2008: Superman Homepage Merchandise Now Available
- April 7, 2008: Superman Theme to Up-Coming Funky Winkerbean Comic Strip
- April 17, 2008: Radio's Lois Lane Accuses Money Adviser of Fraud
- April 19, 2008: Batman & Superman Invade Mortal Kombat's Outworld
- April 23, 2008: Mattel and DC Direct at New York Comic Con
- April 24, 2008: Superman vs. Attax Fan Animation
- April 28, 2008: Bob Holiday Recovering From Heart Surgery
- May 1, 2008: Calgary Comic Con 2008 Report
- May 2, 2008: A Review of Michael Daugherty's Metropolis Symphony
- May 3, 2008: Giorgio Armani Joins Forces With Superman
- May 3, 2008: House That Superman Was Created In To Be Restored
- May 5, 2008: Superman Exhibit at Summer of Superman Event in Cleveland
- May 5, 2008: Kevin J. Anderson Working on Second Superman Novel
- May 6, 2008: Stylish Superheroes at NY's Metropolitan Museum of Art
- May 7, 2008: Superheroes: Fashion and Fantasy Exhibition Opens Today
- May 7, 2008: Superhero: The Secret Origin of a Genre
- May 9, 2008: City of Metropolis, Illinois Attempts Superman-Themed World Record
- May 12, 2008: Five Finalists Revealed in Metropolis' Search for Superman
- May 13, 2008: Brad Meltzer Writes Book on Jerry Siegel's Father's Murder
- May 13, 2008: Superman Exhibit at Summer of Superman Event in Cleveland
- May 14, 2008: Schedule of Events for Superman Celebration in Metropolis, Illinois
- May 15, 2008: New Superman Checks and Accessories
- May 18, 2008: Josh Boultinghouse Wins Metropolis' Search for Superman
- May 20, 2008: Superman Image from Mortal Kombat vs. DC Universe
- May 21, 2008: More DC Character Checks Available
- May 22, 2008: Bizarro on Cover of Sports Illustrated Magazine
- May 26, 2008: Joe Shuster Heritage Minutes Video
- May 30, 2008: Superman Celebrations in Spain and Costa Rica
- June 2, 2008: U.K. DC Comics Super Hero Collection Magazine
- June 2, 2008: Monthly Update for Superman Bob Holiday Website
- June 4, 2008: MSN Rates Superhero Costumes
- June 4, 2008: Redesign Superman's Costume and Win Prizes
- June 6, 2008: Licensing Expo to Expand Supergirl Products for Girls
- June 10, 2008: TONNER Expands Superman Figure Line
- June 10, 2008: Mattel Coy on Superman Movie Action Figures
- June 11, 2008: Spokane Comic Con 2008 Report (from June 7)
- June 12, 2008: DC Comics Postal Stamps in Singapore
- June 13, 2008: Comic Book Rabbi Making Florida Personal Appearance
- June 14, 2008: Video News Report from Metropolis Superman Celebration
- June 14, 2008: Florida Recruits Superman to Combat Smoking
- June 14, 2008: AFP Looks at Superman's 70 Year Legacy
- June 15, 2008: Site Owner Steve Younis Honored in Metropolis
- June 17, 2008: JLU Action Figure Line Continues with New Look
- June 20, 2008: Mattel Could Release Superboy Action Figure
- June 25, 2008: Director Peter Segal Talks Captain Marvel and Superman
- June 26, 2008: Mortal Kombat vs. DC Universe at San Diego Comic Con
- June 28, 2008: Exclusive DC Cartoon Tumbler available at Wizard World Chicago
- June 28, 2008: Details on DC Universe Online Emerge
- June 28, 2008: Seinfeld and Superman Interview
- June 28, 2008: Bob Holiday Updates Broadway Memories
- June 28, 2008: The Heroic Life Story of Scott Cranford
- July 1, 2008: Update on the Superboy Legal Debate
- July 2, 2008: The Other Building Where Superman Was Created
- July 2, 2008: Honda Accord Euro Commercial Shows How It's Done
- July 7, 2008: Redesign Superman's Costume Winner
- July 8, 2008: RedEye's Best Superhero Tournament
- July 9, 2008: Midway Reveals Mortal Kombat vs DC Universe Game Play
- July 9, 2008: DC Universe Online - Artwork Trailer
- July 10, 2008: Tonner Announces Comic-Con International Exclusives
- July 11, 2008: Comic-Con International 2008 Schedule
- July 13, 2008: Comic-Con International Friday and Saturday Schedules
- July 13, 2008: Superman 70th Anniversary Celebration in Chile
- July 15, 2008: Steve Younis Interviewed on Perth Radio
- July 16, 2008: DC Universe Online and MK vs DC Trailers
- July 17, 2008: Alter Ego #79 Special Superman Edition
- July 17, 2008: The Homepage Jamboree on Views From The Longbox
- July 21, 2008: Superman World Record Attempt
- July 23, 2008: Jim Lee Talks DC Universe Online
- July 25, 2008: Comic-Con - DC Universe Online Panel
- July 25, 2008: Comic-Con - Mortal Kombat vs. DC Universe Panel
- July 25, 2008: Comic-Con - Mattel & DC Direct Panels
- July 25, 2008: Glu to Bring Superman/Batman Game to Mobile Phones
- July 25, 2008: A Report on Toledo's Superman Celebration
- July 29, 2008: Fans Visit Jerry Siegel's Home
- July 31, 2008: Comic-Con - Part 1: DC Universe Online MMO RPG
- July 31, 2008: Al Gore is Jor-El
- August 1, 2008: Comic-Con International Report: Part 2
- August 2, 2008: Sales of Fake Superman Suits on the Rise
- August 8, 2008: More Documents from the Superman/Superboy Lawsuit
- August 19, 2008: Marc Nobleman Talks Boys of Steel: The Creators of Superman
- August 19, 2008: The Book of Lies Trailer Released
- August 20, 2008: A Videogame Examination - Superman III and Atari
- August 27, 2008: USA Today Examines Mitchell Siegel's Death
- August 28, 2008: Meltzer's Novel Weak on Actual Facts?
- September 1, 2008: Superman Krypto-Collectibles at Jollibee in the Philippines
- September 1, 2008: New Content Now Online at SupermanBobHoliday.com
- September 1, 2008: Brad Meltzer Explains Why He Loves Superman
- September 2, 2008: Charity Auction to Save House Where Superman Was Created
- September 3, 2008: Exclusive Artwork Images for Siegel House Fundraiser
- September 9, 2008: DC Super Heroes Shoes
- September 11, 2008: Over $34,000 Already Raised For Siegel House
- September 14, 2008: Full Roster Released for Mortal Kombat vs DC Universe
- September 16, 2008: Geoff Johns Writing for DC Universe Online
- September 16, 2008: Kevin J. Anderson Talks About First Encounter
- September 17, 2008: Second Week of Auctions Raises $50,000 for Siegel House
- September 17, 2008: Six Flags Makes Superman: Ride of Steel Even Better
- September 19, 2008: Pre-Order Mortal Kombat vs. DC Universe
- September 19, 2008: A Chat with Brad Meltzer
- September 20, 2008: A Report from Dragon Con '08
- September 20, 2008: Exclusive Interview with Brad Meltzer
- September 22, 2008: A Chat with Brad Meltzer
- September 24, 2008: Part 2 - Kevin J. Anderson on First Encounter
- September 24, 2008: Northeast Ohio Volunteers Join National Day of Action
- September 25, 2008: Top Trumps DC Super Heroes 2
- September 25, 2008: Superman Visits Trinity Church
- September 25, 2008: Neal Bailey Writes Hillary Clinton Comic for Bluewater
- September 29, 2008: Superman/Superboy Lawsuit in WB Quarterly Report
- September 30, 2008: Hallmark Celebrates Superman
- October 1, 2008: $117,222 Raised to Save Siegel House
- October 2, 2008: Dwight Howard to Wear Superman Shoes
- October 4, 2008: Mortal Kombat vs. DC Universe Box Art Revealed
- October 5, 2008: Superman/Batman Painting Sells For Record Price
- October 7, 2008: Mortal Kombat vs. DC Universe Kollector's Edition Details
- October 9, 2008: Internet Blog Becomes Part of Superman Lawsuit
- October 13, 2008: Robert Erwin Helps Save Siegel House
- October 13, 2008: Mortal Kombat vs. DC Universe Updates
- October 14, 2008: DC Universe Wave 6 Action Figures
- October 14, 2008: Historic Lost Superman Footage Now Online
- October 17, 2008: I was born on Krypton Jokes Barack Obama
- October 21, 2008: Screaming Tiki Con Report
- October 22, 2008: First Ever Superman Toy Listed on Ebay
- October 22, 2008: Mortal Kombat vs. DC Universe Video - Alex Ross Paints Cover
- October 22, 2008: Prepaid Superman Visa Card in Australia
- October 25, 2008: Two Superman Stories in This American Life Podcast
- October 27, 2008: Superman Joins David's Cookies
- October 27, 2008: The Dark Knight Meets Superman
- October 28, 2008: Mortal Kombat vs. DC Universe Super Moves & Pro Moves
- October 28, 2008: Senior Producer Yanagi Talks DC Universe Online
- October 29, 2008: Noel Neill Statue Website Launched
- October 30, 2008: Mortal Kombat vs. DC Universe Story Trailer
- October 31, 2008: T-Shirts Show Superman's Universal Appeal
- October 31, 2008: DC Universe Online Website
- November 6, 2008: Mortal Kombat vs. DC Universe - Kombat Modes
- November 6, 2008: Superman Court Case Dates Set
- November 7, 2008: Superman Wall Calendars for 2009
- November 7, 2008: Mortal Kombat vs. DC Universe - Holofoil Postcards
- November 8, 2008: Mortal Kombat vs. DC Universe - Ultimate Mash-Ups
- November 10, 2008: Mortal Kombat vs. DC Universe Rage Trailer
- November 12, 2008: More Mortal Kombat vs. DC Universe Videos
- November 14, 2008: The Superman Orchestra - Tonight!
- November 14, 2008: The Joker in Mortal Kombat vs. DC Universe
- November 17, 2008: Beethoven & Superman
- November 18, 2008: DC Universe Battle for Metropolis Action Figures
- November 19, 2008: New Superman Video Game Stalls?
- November 19, 2008: More Videos Added to SupermanBobHoliday.com
- November 22, 2008: Super Bricks Available from Siegel House
- November 26, 2008: Jim Lee Discusses DC Universe Online
- November 27, 2008: Superman at the Macy's Thanksgiving Parade
- November 27, 2008: Superman Movie & TV Costumes on Auction
- November 28, 2008: Supermen of America Member Ring on Ebay
- November 29, 2008: Patricia Marand - Broadway's Lois Lane - Dies
- December 3, 2008: All-New Superfriends Hour - Season One, Volume Two
- December 4, 2008: Superman During World War II Lecture
- December 5, 2008: Gray and Palmiotti Talk Mortal Kombat vs. DC Universe
- December 9, 2008: DC Universe Online Austin Studio Tour
- December 10, 2008: Superman Defeats the Ku Klux Klan
- December 27, 2008: Superman Be@rBrick in Japan
- December 29, 2008: DC Universe Action Figures in 2009
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