2008 Merchandise & Miscellaneous News Archives

Comic-Con

August 1, 2008: Comic-Con International Report: Part 2

By Neal Bailey

NOEL AND THE INKPOT

I'm proud to say that I got to see Noel Neill get an Inkpot award. That was probably one of the best experiences I had at the con. There was a short video, showing some of the more comical episodes she'd been in, and spotlighting times when Lois was a real standout on the program.

She took a number of questions, and I'm always amazed at how wonderfully kind she is while still maintaining an awesome sense of humor. Questions ran the gamut from what she thought about Superman Returns, to how it felt to play Lois Lane, to her thoughts on that OTHER Lois (said with a sense of sarcasm). She also spoke to elements of the work schedule, what it was like working with George, all around just an awesome panel to attend.

DC

I learned a great deal about what's coming up for DC, some stuff you likely already know from Newsarama and CBR, but still, stuff of great fodder for debate. I went to all of the DC Panels and one of the Superman panels and came away with the general gist that they're A) Going back to triangles, B) Trying hard to incorporate Supergirl into the mix, C) The uniqueness of Superman as a Kryptonian is gonna get a little more like, well, like a conformist is non-conforming. Still, all in all, it's very reassuring. It appears that they're taking Superman to a new level and trying to get a handle on who he is.

There's a broader fear I have when they say they have stories mapped out through 2010, mostly because I know the way that works. You either get locked into something that sucks, or due to the business, things change. Remember when Busiek had things planned for years in advance? Imagine if that had come to pass, number one, and look at how it flew about now that it has.

Regardless, I trust Johns, I think Robinson is getting on his feet, and the idea of Cat Grant as a foible for Supergirl and Lana as an aid sounds GREAT. Far better than... gag... CEO of Lexcorp.

Click "Read More" to check out Neal's complete report.

DiDio gave a few big ones away. Namely, we have it essentially confirmed that Bruce Wayne is either gone or dead soon. I don't like this. I will give the stories a shot, but I don't like it. It was very frustrating as a concept. Let's see, last year, Captain America dies, is replaced by his protégé, and sales spike. This year, Batman dies, is replaced by his protégé, and DC looks like copycat shills. I don't know if you all are old enough to remember this, but they did this already in the early nineties. Nightfall. It was a good story, but it's already been done, and its saving grace was that BATMAN CAME BACK. I mean, way to go. Release Dark Knight, then kill the guy. Good marketing there.

I know, I know, Geoff needs Black Lanterns. I dig that. But oy.

I AM A SCREWUP

That pretty much adds it up, right there. I came back, and Steve IMed me. He said, "You got any pictures?"

"No."

"Interviews?"

"No."

"Did you attend the con?"

"I think so."

Truth is, I was underestimating myself. I got pictures in the back of the Smallville CW publicity booth. Through a misunderstanding, I thought I wasn't allowed to have a camera, and then I arrive, and there's wall to wall cameras. No spot for us, but still, I misread something somewhere along the way. Either way, I stood in the back and took some notes, but again, it's stuff you guys already know. Doomsday is coming, he's gonna be a really nice guy. Tess Mercer is appearing as a foible. Doomsday is going to become more and more like Doomsday as the year progresses...

Reassuring: Allison will be directing an episode. The Legion will appear, and Geoff Johns is writing it. The premiere will have the Justice League. All good things.

But beyond all that and them vittles, here's the honest truth of the matter. I am utterly exhausted. Decimated. In the last few months, things have gone completely insane for me. In the last year I've been to California four times, Texas, cons in Seattle, Bellingham, Spokane, Calgary... there's stuff I can't even remember. I have spent two weekends of the last nine in my own home. I just learned I am writing no less than six comic projects, I have been given work at another magazine (beyond Smallville, which I can't announce here.) Wow. Just, wow. And those are excuses, and I know that, but I beg your forgiveness. Honestly, I just walked from panel to panel in a daze, grumpy, tired, exhausted. Three days home and now that feels foolish, because I know you demand (and deserve) media, but regardless, I figure you'll dig my honesty more than, I dunno, a candid pic of Geoff Johns (though I may have those as well).

Hanging with Chris Clow was awesome. I've known him for some time, and we're now working together on a few comic projects. One of the highlights of the week was him getting a picture with Grant Morrison. He had someone wearing a Joker costume hold the camera, and Morrison made him turn it sideways, saying, "Ah, Killing Joke! Killing Joke!"

This may be a tad in bad taste, so stop reading this paragraph if you're easily offended now, but another key moment of hilarity for me was listening to Keith talk about Ambush Bug, and the way that he wanted to have Mary Marvel lose her virginity and go from the white dress to the red dress. Isn't that awful? But it's funny, too, so I mention it.

Back to wholesomeness here.

As mentioned, the DC Universe Online MMORPG was awesome, good swag, good people.

The con is indeed bogged down by corporate interests, giant movie monopolies, craziness. I thought about it, and I like Lying in the Gutter's philosophy about it. Just ignore what you don't like. At the same time, I know that all of my creators I knew were so hectic, running from one booth to another, I honestly didn't get a chance to meet or visit with any of them for very long. It's the con of cons, so unlike Calgary, where you may get stuck in a trunk with Bill Willingham, here, there's more of a feeling of "Okay kid, move along!" Which makes sense.

All in all, this was a great convention, but a convention I was, alas, too tired to properly cover. Nonetheless, I hope this gives you some insight, at least, and feel free to berate me in the comments.

Next stop: Bell-Con, September 27th, where hopefully I will be at peace, rested, and have a comic to show you guys.

Note: My photos will be posted in the next day or two.

Neal Bailey



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