Monthly Archives: July 2012

July 13, 2012 · 2:06 am

COMIC-CON 2012: Welcome To The Future

I’ve been reading “Comic-Con and the Business of Pop Culture,” by Rob Salkowitz. It is the perfect companion for those who attempt to make sense of Comic-Con and see the big picture. Having settled into San Diego, survived the line to get my official badge, and had some precious time to organize my thoughts and schedule, I marched into Preview Night to get my first whiff of the big event. Just before going in, I took a moment to admire a banner ad on one of the massive tour buses. It was for Showtime’s “Homeland” and had a photo of a tough and perplexed-looking Clare Danes with the catch phrase, “Your Mission Starts Now.” The irony was not lost on me. Indeed, my mission was just starting.

I shouldn’t be too hard on the collectors and fans who descend upon Preview Night but the consumer orgy, as Yoda would say, “Is something upsetting, I found.” Sure, I would enjoy the gift of, perhaps, a Buffy The Vampire Slayer action figure but, it’s just not something I’ll go out of my way to get. I have no driving need to own any of the exclusive action figures and toys that become availabe beginning on Preview Night. I might even go so far as to say that the buying frenzy is a prime example of American consumerism gone bannas. I witnessed numerous jazzed up fans with huge boxes of merchandise. If Salkowitz is trying to get a bead on what the future looks like from Comic-Con, I suggest that most, if not all, American/Western consumers can be quite a self-indulgent lot and that’s not likely to ever change. But all is not lost because that is only one aspect to this event. Comic-Con will surprise you every time. Where else can you find a scholarly discussion on superheroes with members of the audience dressed up as the same superheroes. Only at Comic-Con.

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July 11, 2012 · 7:23 am

COMIC-CON 2012: BEAR KARMA Debut

San Diego Comic-Con is many things. At its core, it is about comics and storytelling and the guys and gals that toil away making comics, as well as other creative and entertaining things. In that spirit, I present to you a comic that I recently completed. This should go to show you what a labor of love comics is to those caught under its spell. I’ve always been fascinated by comics, and movies, and stories, and all sorts of magic. With all that said, I hope you enjoy this little piece, “Bear Karma.” There are no words to this story, except for a sign that warns of what lies ahead…

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July 11, 2012 · 5:15 am

COMIC-CON 2012: IT HAS ARRIVED!

In honor of Comic-Con, and quality entertainment, let’s take a moment to pay tribute to the cult favorite TV show, “Andy Richter Controls The Universe,” (2002 – 2003). It is, by far, one of the all-time best offbeat sitcoms. More on that at a later date. When we meet again, some Pre-View Night observations.

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July 11, 2012 · 4:16 am

COMIC-CON 2012: Clare Kramer, Buffy The Vampire Slayer Star and Founder of GeekNation.com

Clare Kramer has an impressive acting resume going back to her college days. She graduated from NYU’s prestigious Tisch School of the Arts with a BFA in just three years. She appeared in numerous stage plays in New York. And, once in Hollywood, she got her big break in the role of Courtney, the cheerleader, alongside Kirsten Dunst and Eliza Dukshu in “Bring It On,” (2000). It was shortly after that movie that Clare gained herself a place in television legend as the arch-villain, Glory, in “Buffy The Vampire Slayer.”

Of course, excellent, creative actors are always looking for a new challenge and that’s what has brought Clare Kramer to host “Take Five,” a new show about the geek lifestyle at her new all-things-geek site, GeekNation.com, which makes its official debut at Comic-Con.

A lovely press release follows:

Known to Buffy fans the world over, Clare Kramer (‘Glory’ on Buffy the Vampire Slayer) is now host of ‘Take 5,’ an entertainment show on GeekNation.com, officially launching this weekend at Comic-Con. This year, Comic-Con will be hosting a Buffy the Vampire Slayer 20th Anniversary panel. We would love to discuss featuring Clare on your show to celebrate Buffy, Comic-Con, superfans, and discuss her new hosting and founding venture on GeekNation.com

Clare is not only the host of the podcast ‘Take 5,’ she is also one of the genius brains (aka Founder) behind the newly launched GeekNation.com. GeekNation.com, an online destination for all things entertainment including talk shows, web series, shorts, videos, podcasts, and game shows, is where science fiction, pop-culture and pure geek-ish fun coexist happily all on one site. As a full service web production company, GeekNation recently relocated to a 5,000 sq. ft. sound stage, acquiring a complete-package of state of the art production equipment to serve multiple shows across various platforms Geeks unite!

“As much as I love working in television and film, as an artists there is always a desire to create and to work on your own projects, no matter how big or small.  It’s the same reason why actors turn to directing their own feature films or shooting their own videos for YouTube.  Whenever my friends and I are not working, we spend most of our free time discussing our own projects that we’d like to produce ourselves and GeekNation has allotted us that opportunity.  GeekNation has a crew, a full-time editor, full camera and lighting gear and a 5,000 square foot sound stage… I’m creating now more than ever before and loving every minute of it.”—Clare Kramer, Founder of GeekNation &  Actress

Preview of GeekNation.com:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WJOsUeYkvpE&feature=player_embedded

Clare first rose to Hollywood’s attention appearing alongside Kirsten Dunst and Eliza Dushku in the comedy Bring It On, playing the hard-nosed cheerleader ‘Courtney’, for which she was nominated for an MTV Award.  Clare is also beloved for her role as ‘Glory’ on the TV series Buffy the Vampire Slayer, for which numerous action figures were modeled after!

Clare recently wrapped the Ghostbuster-like thriller Mega Spider, playing Greg Grunberg’s love interest, and her thriller Endure can currently be found On Demand.  Clare’s production company Defiance Entertainment co-produced the documentary Tyson, which screened at the Cannes and Sundance film festivals to critical acclaim.

Clare has been featured in Maxim, People, Entertainment Weekly, Stuff and Playboy magazines, to name a few.

Go Social:

Like GeekNation on Facebook http://www.facebook.com/pages/GeekNation/193685917347345

Follow GeekNation on Twitter (@GeekNation)

Follow Clare on twitter @ClareKramer

Like Clare on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/ClareKramerFanPage

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July 9, 2012 · 2:16 am

RACHEL MAXI’S “DICK’S DRIVE-IN,” OIL ON CANVAS

Check out this wonderful painting, by Rachel Maxi, paying tribute to Seattle’s own Dick’s Drive-In and evoking Edward Hopper’s “Nighthawks.” It is a recently commissioned oil on canvas, 26″ x 40″. For more of Maxi’s work, visit her here. If Maxi hasn’t made prints of the painting above, she should. It has everything an inspiring and iconic image should have. It makes you wonder who commissioned the work. I think it would make for excellent cover art for crime fiction, maybe some delicious noir mystery set in Seattle.

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July 9, 2012 · 1:27 am

COMIC-CON 2012: SPIKE TV’S “ALL ACCESS WEEKLY” HOSTED BY KATIE LINENDOLL…and STAR WARS related item: COURSE OF THE FORCE

Let’s hear it for Spike TV! And let’s hear for it for Spike’s “All Access Weekly,” hosted by the lovely Katie Linendoll. I don’t know, I just tuned in to a recent episode and I’m feeling the love. Check this one out if you’d like a nice overview with many of the cast members from “The Amazing Spider-Man.” And that is followed up by news about Activision’s new Spider-Man game which includes villains, Rhino, Scorpion and The Lizard! Plus, of course, there is a Stan Lee character! The episode closes with some choice observations by one of our favorite “geek” experts, Rick Marshall. He points to possible announcements for sequels to “Ghostbusters” and “Beetlejuice.” But the best he keeps for last. In comics, he recommends a close eye on the new Iron Man “Extremis” story arc, written by Warren Ellis; and a new Batman arc with one of the scariest villains of all, Bane. Watch the episode here.

And here a bit more news on Katie:

Katie Linendoll will run a quarter-mile segment in the inaugural “Course of the Force” lightsaber relay to benefit Make-A-Wish Foundation on July 11.  “Course of the Force” is a Star Wars tribute event beginning in Santa Monica and ending in San Diego just in time for Comic-Con.  See below for a sneak peek into Katie’s custom-designed R2-D2 costume:

 

To Read about Katie’s Excitement for the Race, Please Visit:

http://starwarsblog.starwars.com/index.php/2012/07/03/course-of-the-force-will-you-be-my-c3po/

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July 7, 2012 · 4:05 am

COMIC-CON 2012: ADVENTURE TIME

EDITOR’S NOTE: Go to the Comics Grinder Facebook Page to view new drawings of Adventure Time. Feel free to add your own! Updated 11 October 2012

What are we waiting to see at San Diego Comic-Con? Now, really, let’s get organzied.

There are two Adventure Time panels and they are both must-see.

So, see them both:

Saturday, July 14

11:15-12:15 Cartoon Network: Adventure Time—Not just any ol’ panel, this is Adventure Time! Join series creator Pendleton Ward (Lumpy Space Princess), Jeremy Shada (Finn), Tom Kenny (Ice King), and others to experience the all-out good time that is Cartoon Network’s Adventure Time!There will be singing, live readings, lots of exclusive clips, and other mathematical surprises! Room 6A

Friday, July 13
2:00-3:00 BOOM! Studios: Adventure Time Comic Book— What time is it? It’s Adventure Time! The top-rated Cartoon Network show is now a bestselling comic book published by KaBOOM! You won’t want to miss this all-star panel featuring the show’s creator Pendleton Ward, along with series artists Shelli Paroline and Braden Lamb (Ice Age) and writer/artist Meredith Gran (Octopus Pie) of the new miniseries Marceline and the Scream Queens, as they discuss what’s next for the Land of Ooo in the world of comics. Room 23ABC
UPDATE: Well, we weren’t able to make either one of these panels! How sad. Such is life in the high-octane world of Comic-Con. But we did get some neat Adventure Time merch.
“What’s for b-fast, Jake?”
“Everything Burrito! I love you, Everything Burrito!”
That’s from “Conquest of Cuteness,” from “Adventure Time,” Season 3, which you can find here! Jake has just planted a wet kiss on his larger-than-life burrito when King Snuggadoodle and the Huggaboopies invade Finn and Jake’s treehouse. Visit Cartoon Network and properly worship, “Adventure Time”!
What follows is the neat press release from Comic-Con featuring news of The New Children’s Museum:    

Cartoon Network Partners with The New Children’s Museum for

FIRST EVER San Diego Comic Con Take-Over!

Showcasing and Celebrating the Fandom of Hit Series Adventure Time

It’s a Finn and Jake take over, Comic-Con style! For the first time ever, The New Children’s Museum, located in Downtown San Diego, will be re-conceptualized to feature an exclusive, fully immersive Adventure Time experience.  Inspired by two fan-favorite episodes, the Adventure Time: Keyper Seeker experience will welcome guests into this lush re-creation of the Land of Ooo! The Keyper, a beloved Adventure Time character who just happens to wear a key shaped hat, will present guests with a special key that opens one of the many doors within the secret lair of the Door Lords. Before a door will open, each guest must decipher a riddle that if successful will grant access to an extra-special prize locked inside!

The New Children’s Museum of San Diego and Cartoon Network will also be partnering to host an Adventure Time exhibition featuring fan-generated artwork! Cartoon Network has assembled a diverse array of Adventure Time themed artwork which will be displayed for the duration of this year’s Con.

Celebrating the amazing fandom of this hit series, the Adventure Time: Keyper Seeker experience and the Adventure Time Fan Art Exhibit will be open to the public and Comic-Con attendees at the New Children’s Museum of San Diego Wednesday, July 11 – Sunday, July 15, 2012.  The New Children’s Museum is located at 200 West Island Avenue , San Diego , California 92101 , conveniently located directly across from the Convention Center.

The New Children’s Museum is a dynamic new model of a museum that provides inventive and engaging art experiences that are meaningful to children and families. NCM brings families together in a rich educational environment that fosters creativity — blending elements of art museum, children’s museum, and community center.

A non-profit institution funded by admissions, memberships, and community support, the Museum stimulates imagination, inquisitiveness and innovative thinking by exhibiting participatory works of art by contemporary artists and providing a venue for art making and play. Serving all ages, from toddler to teen, NCM inspires new ways to see the world through the language of art.

Cartoon Network (CartoonNetwork.com) is the #1 U.S. television network among boys 6-11. Currently seen in 99 million U.S. homes and 168 countries around the world, Cartoon Network is Turner Broadcasting System, Inc.’s ad-supported cable service now available in HD offering the best in original, acquired and classic entertainment for kids and families. In addition to Emmy-winning original programming and industry-leading digital apps and online games, Cartoon Network embraces key social issues affecting families with solution-oriented initiatives such as Stop Bullying: Speak Up and the Move It Movement.

Turner Broadcasting System, Inc., a Time Warner company, creates and programs branded news, entertainment, animation and young adult media environments on television and other platforms for consumers around the world.

When you’re in San Diego, be sure to visit The New Children’s Museum!

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July 6, 2012 · 1:50 am

Super Restaurants During Comic-Con

I will need this list, seriously.

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July 6, 2012 · 1:21 am

Beginner’s Guide to Comic-Con Podcast

Essential Reading Prior to SDCC.

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July 5, 2012 · 4:50 am

BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER SEASON 9 #11 Review

“BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER SEASON 9” takes another well-defined turn in the new story arc, “Guarded,” by Andrew Chambliss. Buffy, in many ways, is an artist. Her work as a Slayer has a singular vision. She is a Slayer down to the tips of her toes. And, like any good dancer or mime, she is completely dedicated to her art to the neglect of any kind of retirement plan. The world, magicless as it is, has pulled the rug out from under her. Barista work doesn’t seem to be cutting it anymore. Enter Kennedy, a savvy ex-Slayer, who offers Buffy that thing she’s been craving: stability, a “real” life. But, as any real artist knows, comfort comes at a price. Buffy doesn’t want to be a flake but she also doesn’t want to be a sellout. Buffy can’t stop being Buffy so her solution will forever be complicated. As she tells Kennedy, “I can’t just shut it off like you.”

But what’s a girl to do? So, Buffy goes corporate, sort of, and joins Kennedy’s venture, a highend security service where ex-Slayers are hired out as bodyguards for rich clients. Like it or not, Kennedy has breathed life back into a bunch of Slayers who were down in the dumps. Buffy and Kennedy are walking through the company training camp when Kennedy observes, “There’s not a lot ex-Slayers are suited for in a world that’s minus the magic. Most of us didn’t even finish high school.” Yeah, so it makes sense. What do you do after you’ve run away to join the circus? Maybe take the next job with a decent 401K? Of course, Buffy is hardly a circus act, but a harsh economy doesn’t care.

Buffy, the artist, is also a soldier who is not whole outside the fight. It plays with her mind. She can’t focus. Her big fail in training speaks volumes. Her goal was clouded at the first sight of a demon roaming the hotel corridor she was supposed to protect. It turns out that the demon she tackled into the maid’s closet was actually a bellhop and it was the maid who she should have had her eyes on. Try as she might, Buffy can’t push the pause button on who she is. Chambliss does a wonderful job of expressing the conflict Buffy feels as she struggles to do what she thinks she is supposed to do, earn a decent living in the modern world, as opposed to just doing what comes natural. Kennedy goads Buffy to go against her instincts. She chides her for not willing to try something new. She taunts her needing to do something larger-than-life. The simple fact remains that Buffy really is larger-than-life! It’s the way countless aspiring painters and writers feel as they toil away as receptionists and waiters. Chambliss knows. And Buffy feels your pain.

“Buffy The Vampire Slayer Season 9,” #11, is available June 11, which also happens to be the first day of the San Diego Comic-Con! I will be there to see what all the fuss is about. Be sure to LIKE the brand new snazzy Comics Grinder Facebook Page. And check out the merch at the Comics Grinder store. And, as always, be sure to visit Dark Horse Comics.

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