2006 Comic Book News Archives

Wizard World

August 3, 2006: Wizard World 2006 - Superman Homepage Report - Day 1

Part 1 by Neal Bailey

DAY 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

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DC Animation Promo Bookmark
Promotion for up-coming DC Animated DVDs Superman Bookmark handed out



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