The San Diego Comic Con is a friggin' intense experience. There are all kinds of bizarre things to see...









The rarest site of all at Comic-Con... an empty hallway!!!



Going to Comic-Con takes a lot of energy. You don't attend Comic-Con; you survive it. However, it is still sad when it's over and all you're left are the memories... and sore feet.

Till next year, San Diego... Stay classy.

JR

Another day of the awesome sauce that is the San Diego Comic-Con!

There is lots to see at Comic-Con. There are celebrities like Stan Lee being mobbed by the press or Sergio Aragones receiving the prestigious Icon Award...



My buddy over at The Missing Digit comic got to meet his hero, Jim Davis, creator of Garfield. This was Jim Davis' first Comic-Con appearance.



Besides notable cartoonists, there were more cosplayers...







Come back tomorrow, and we'll wrap up Day Four.

JR

Let's just jump right into the cosplayers, shall we?













Lots of nice costumes. But, by far, the most authentic costume was this one of a hack-cartoonist.



JR

Comic-Con.

My first convention was in 1994. I drove down to San Diego with a couple of friends. We didn't have passes or even a hotel booked. Back then, you didn't need to worry about planning ahead. Things have changed a lot, but some things have remained the same.



You can still meet your favorite comics creators like Jim Lee...



You can see and purchase almost anything imaginable...







It's all a little intense. After a long day at the Con, it's a good idea to hit the Gaslamp District and get a drink... or two.



JR

PS I saw this guy walking around the convention. I tried throwing balls at him, but I couldn't seem to catch him.



PPS Come back tomorrow. Hopefully, I'll have some pictures of cosplayers. I mean, why post pictures of Comic-Con unless you post pictures of cosplayers?

WonderCon.

The San Diego Comic-Con's less attractive sister.

Even though this year's convention was practically in my backyard, I wasn't really planning on going. But then a friend invited me, so I thought I would make a day of it.

Without anymore yapping on my part, here's WonderCon 2016...



The badges were kinda cool this year. In an attempt to prevent scalping and counterfeit badges, these badges were equipped with RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) tags. And it had some nice artwork on it.

Kinda cool. You just had to remember to tag yourself in and out whenever you were going somewhere.



This convention is pretty crowded... not SDCC-crowded, but you better like people.

Of course, there's lots of awesome things to see and learn. Lots to things to buy.




And lots of cosplayers.



Did I say cosplayers? There was certain emphasis on Deadpool this year. Wherever you looked, there was a Deadpool.






Speaking of Deadpool, there was this guy...



I only checked out WonderCon for a day. Going to these super-mega conventions can wear a guy down. After a few hours, I was ready to take my purchases and go.



"Tapping out" seemed appropriate.

JR

Okay, maybe the title is a little over the top.

I don't know if these are the best comic book covers of all time, but they are the ones that stood out the most for me throughout my life. If you have opinions different from mine... well, you write your own blog. I promise that I'll read it.

Before I go down the list, what exactly constitutes a noteworthy cover? Lots of elements go into an interesting comic book cover. There were lots of great comic book artists that were not great cover artists, and lots of cover artists that were failures at the interiors. Good design, composition and drawing skills go into a fine cover.

In the past, it was easier to spot the truly memorable comic book covers because nothing else on the stands even remotely resembled them. Nowadays, there are lots and lots of exceptional covers by artists that are phenomenal. It's actually kinda hard to point out just one cover because they're all so good.

Anyways, in no particular order, here are my ten favorite comic book covers.

Famous Funnies #213



I saw this cover years ago inside a magazine talking about older comics. This comic was published way before my time, but, man, I would snag it up right away! I have no idea what the inside story was about, but this cover said everything you would need to know.

Turned out that this amazing cover was illustrated by Frank Frazetta. This work here foreshadowed many of the themes that Frazetta would revisit later in his breathtaking sword 'n sorcery paintings.

Uncanny X-Men #136



This was the comic that hooked me on the X-Men. This issue was towards the end of the now-famous Dark Phoenix Saga. I really had no idea what was going on with the story, but I was mesmerized by the action, drama and storytelling.

This is the power of a great cover. It'll get you to open up a book you would have no intention of doing otherwise.

This cover was penciled by John Byrne (and inked by Terry Austin). Not sure if Byrne copied this cover from anywhere else, but countless covers have definitely been inspired by this one.

Moon Knight #23, vol. 1



This was one of the first direct-market comics. This was only a precursor of what artist Bill Sienkiewicz was capable of doing. The mood, the texture, the stark black & white image. This definitely stood out from everything else in the early 1980's.

Foxhole #1



It might be blasphemous to say, but I don't think Jack Kirby was necessarily a great cover artist. He drew lots of iconic covers, no doubt... but those were probably because of something important that happened inside the comic itself.

Not many of his covers stand out on their own, but this one is definitely striking. The soldier's one eye would captivate you from a thousand yards away.

Strange Adventures #207



Word balloons on covers were gimmicks that publishers used so much in the past that it's super hokey to a lot of readers now. But it works on this cover. It sets up an intriguing mystery that sucks you inside.

Plus, it doesn't hurt that it was drawn by Neal Adams.

Nick Fury, Agent of SHIELD #7



Along with Adams, Jim Steranko revolutionized art in comics back in the 1960's. He brought aspects of design that comics had never seen before. Steranko's work was even influenced by gallery art styles like surrealism, pop and op.

The Killing Joke



In the mid-1980's, comic books took a turn down the dark side. Books were tough and gritty and twisted. None more twisted than Alan Moore's "The Killing Joke."

The cover by artist Brian Bolland is a compositional masterpiece. Everything, from the word balloon to the title blurb, points to the Joker's camera. "What is he taking a picture of," you may have asked? You had to look inside to find out.

Of course, due to DC's retconning their entire universe, this story doesn't exist anymore.

Man-Thing #1, vol 1



I stumbled across this comic while I was rummaging through a used comic book bin. Since it was sealed in a mylar bag and board, I couldn't look inside but I knew I wanted it. I was 12 or 13 at the time, and the price tag was more money than what my parents gave me in an allowance. For three weeks, I saved my nickels and dimes until I could afford to make the purchase.

This atmospheric cover, by Frank Brunner, almost made up for the mediocre artwork inside.

Crime Suspenstories #16



Holy Crap! No wonder EC Comics got themselves banned! I mean, dude... this cover is intense! Art by Johnny Craig.

Mad #1



Speaking of EC, this is one of the most iconic covers ever. The cover to the first issue of "Mad" is not only clever and funny, but it makes great use of color to emphasize the unique art style of Harvey Kurtzman.

So, those are the top ten most memorable covers to me. But before you click away or leave me a despairing comment, here is an honorable mention to this line up of covers.

Action Comics #434



I think Nick Cardy was the artist here. Looks like Superman is like everybody else when it comes to the dentist's chair. The dental assistant looks like she's about to faint... probably in embarrassment for poor ol' Superman.

I had never seen this cover before a few days ago, but seeing it encouraged me to write this piece. Which goes to show that a memorable comic book cover does more than just sell a book. It can also become a source of inspiration to cartoonists for years.

So blame DC and the artist if you don't like this article.

JR

By the Eye of Agamotto, there are a lot of comic-related movies coming out!

And, as in their publishing identities, Marvel and DC super heroes are getting the most attention. This year's films have got some the better known characters like Superman, Batman, Iron Man and Captain America, but there's also some lesser known heroes and villains hitting the silver screen as well.

Therefore, let's take a look at what's coming out...

Deadpool



Release Date: February 12
Director: Tim Miller
Star: Ryan Reynolds

Deadpool is gonna start things off for us... literally with a bang.

Gotta say though, personally speaking, I didn't think a lot of good was going into this film. Deadpool was created by Rob Liefeld, who I used to despise until I came to realization that I was just as much of a hack as he was; the movie stars Ryan Reynolds, who usually sucks (If you watched Green Lantern, you know I'm right); and Deadpool's last foray into motion pictures with X-Men Origins: Wolverine was less memorable than Kim Kardashian's first husband.

But, damn, those trailers are funny!

Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice



Release Date: March 25
Director: Zack Snyder
Star: Ben Affleck, Henry Cavill, Gal Gadot

"Tell me... do you bleed?"

This movie better not suck. There's been so much that's been a turn off. This film's predecessor, Man of Steel, was a disappointment; Ben Affleck's being cast as Batman wasn't a popular choice (what's up with Batman carrying a gun anyway!?); and all the preview trailers make this movie look super depressing.

I'm going to see it, but I'm not going to be happy about it.

Captain America: Civil War



Release Date: May 6
Directors: Joe and Anthony Russo
Stars: Chris Evans, Robert Downey Jr.

Marvel's Phase Three kicks off with Civil War. You don't need a hundred trailers when the first one is done right. I am amped for this movie.

Plus, Spider-Man's going to be in it! Nuff said, right? Excelsior!

X-Men: Apocalypse



Release Date: May 27
Director: Bryan Singer
Stars: Jennifer Lawrence, James McAvoy, Michael Fassbender

The X-Men franchise is alive and well. Who needs Hugh Jackman as Wolverine when you're going to have Olivia Munn as Psylocke? Actually, I'm going to miss Jackman when he retires from the role next year, and it's a shame there's no Wolverine in this film (or is there?).

Suicide Squad



Release Date: August 5
Director: David Ayers
Stars: Will Smith, Margot Robbie, Jared Leto

Of all of the super hero movies coming out this year, I'd say this one has the biggest chance of flopping. Will Smith hasn't had a good track record as of late, and I don't envy Jared Leto's playing the Joker and the comparisons he's going to get to Heath Ledger. But it will be fun to see Harley Quinn on the big screen.

Between this film and Batman v Superman, we should get a pretty good idea of how the DC cinematic universe is going to shape up.

Doctor Strange



Release Date: November 4
Director: Scott Derrickson
Stars: Benedict Cumberbatch, Rachel McAdams, Tilda Swinton

As of this writing, there's no teaser or trailer for this movie. How this film is going to look is a complete mystery, which seems appropriate for the Sorcerer Supreme.

Personally, I'm super jazzed.

I can't wait to hear Benedict Cumberbatch say something like, "By the Hoary Hosts of Hoggoth."

JR

It's a new year. A time for a fresh start. You can leave behind the old year, whether it was good, bad or whatever, and look forward to a brand new beginning which will, hopefully, be more prosperous and happier than the year before.

I really enjoy bringing in the new year by watching a movie. And if it's by a filmmaker that I trust, then I know I'm starting the year off right.

I sure do like me a good Tarantino film, so, of course, I was anxious to see his newest movie, The Hateful Eight. But the movie got me to thinking even before seeing it.

Quentin Tarantino and cinematographer Robert Richardson decided to shoot this movie in Ultra Panavision 70, a special anamorphic lens that captures images on 65mm film, creating a spectacular and panoramic picture. Only a handful of films have been shot in this format, including Ben-Hur, Mutiny on the Bounty and It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World.

The 70mm Roadshow engagement of The Hateful Eight wanted to recreate the feelings that made going to the movies special. With each performance, you got a souvenir program book and extra footage not included in the regular digital release. There was a musical overture at the beginning and even an intermission.

Before I go any further, let me say that I've worked in and around movie theatres for a long time (since the late 80s, if you want to be nosy). Currently, when I'm not making webcomics, I service and repair digital projectors for various theatres. However, before that, I was a projectionist who threaded film, both 35mm and even 70mm. All this experience doesn't make my opinions anymore valid than somebody else's, but I know my around a movie theatre.

I remember my first experience watching a 70mm print. It was Stanley Kubrick's "2001: A Space Odyssey." I was blown away. I had never seen anything like it before. The image was rich in color and detail, steady as a rock and the sound was amazing. To me, the film was a cut above the norm. I was in the presence of a king. True nobility for all to see.

Shortly afterwards, I got to thread my first 70mm projector. It was nerve racking because if I mis-threaded the projector and damaged the print, it would cost the theatre over $10,000. Be that as it may, when that projector started running, it was like witnessing a space shuttle launch. There was power in 70mm.

Having said all that... the 70mm Roadshow sucked donkey balls.

The Hateful Eight is everything you would expect from Quentin Tarantino, and doesn't disappoint; but the extra few minutes of footage and the musical overture doesn't make up for the dim and shaky image and a picture that doesn't fill the screen but is, instead, filled with shadows. Rather than a special experience, we were rushed in, like cattle, out of the cold, a few minutes before the lights dimmed.

This doesn't really come as a surprise. Most movie theatres haven't played regular film in years, let alone something as cool as 70mm. A lot of very talented engineers and technicians installed this film equipment on a very tight schedule. In a matter of days, they did what would normally take weeks to do in the past. It was incredible what they accomplished.

There is quite a deal of talk about film vs digital. You can discuss light sensitivity, range and resolution all you want (there is an undeniably organic and beautiful feel to film), but it doesn't matter if the theatres can't show it properly. Digital projectors have given decent presentation to more theatres than were ever possible with film.

Like New Year's Day, we have to learn from the past, whether it was good, bad or whatever, and try to incorporate it as we move on. Only then, can we attempt to make a better future. Change happens regardless; however, progress depends upon us.

But it's not all doom and gloom. Just a couple weeks earlier, I got to see the newest Star Wars film on a large screen with laser projection and Atmos sound. It blew my mind. I was, again, in the presence of royalty.

The future is bright... even in a darken movie theatre.

JR