Comic Conventions - Updating Perceptions

For the first time since high school I went to a comic book convention. Not just any convention, but San Diego's world famous Comic Con.

There were lots of promotions for movies based on comic books; video games - some based on comics, most not; panels on upcoming movies and t.v. shows with actors and directors; an artist area; tables of female "models" selling pictures of themselves; toy companies like Lego and Hasbro; and oh yes a small area devoted to the selling of comic books.

I remember when, yes here I go dating myself, that comic book conventions consisted of a large room filled with tables loaded with comic books. Behind these tables on big boards would be pasted the highlight of comic fans the most prized and valuable of comic books: X-men #1, the first issue of Spiderman in his black suit, really old issues of Superman and so on. Scattered about would be a t-shirt seller or artist or comic related toys or supplies (boxes, boards, plastic covers of varying quality). There would also be one room that had science fiction or animated movies playing in between a rare speaker. The conventions were crowded and had the funk of too many sweating bodies in one area, but everyone was doing the same thing, buying comics, haggling for comics and sitting along the wall reading comics.

How things have changed. It hasn't changed in a bad way, it's just changed. And while I had a great time, it took a little while to get used to it. For example, the official DC and Marvel promotional stalls had lots of costumed superheroes walking around, movie displays and plastic models of characters, but I couldn't find an actual comic book - for sample or for purchase.

And then there was the Lego stand. My son loves Legos, and would've been like a kid in a candy store - for that's what it was - a full lego store in the center of the convention selling the newest lego sets. Complete with lego tables for kids to build to their hearts' content. Again, a bit odd for a comic book convention. Although they did have Mr. Farshety autographing his Bionicle comic books which both of my boys spend hours looking at again and again. This must have been Lego’s in.

Lucas films had a booth as well promoting the upcoming Clone Wars with Bobby and Jenga Feet and storm troopers. Very cool. Comic related? Sure, why not. Nowadays every popular t.v. series or movie seems to be depicted in a comic book. Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Star Trek and yes CSI. LOST must have a comic also, since their huge display area had one of the longest lines the convention for free t-shirts.

See what I mean. Very different from back in the day. An experience where one would be hard pressed to find themselves bored – especially men.

Which brings me to the men carrying around cameras. Not little digital cameras, but ones with the full on adjustable lenses. For you see, beautiful women have this weird power over men to make us do silly things. Before we know it we're lured into their booths staring at a hacked up corpse on a motorcycle or allowing a voluptuous brunette place a bright red lipstick tattoo kiss on our neck promoting her company's upcoming movie, The Secret.

Yes, I got kissed. And so did so many other men (and women I'll add) that by the end of the day, other vendors were asking me why everyone had a lipstick kiss on their neck.

So to conclude, I had a great time updating my perception of what a comic convention is, while grabbing free stickers and flash drives and bags and comics and gawking at beautiful models.

Will I go again? Sure. But next time I'll take a better camera.

: )

War of 1812

1812: The War that Forged a Nation by Walter Borneman was a very interesting and well put together read. Nothing like relearning one's American History.

Byproducts of the War of 1812 included the composition of the Star Spangled Banner, the USS Constitution being nicknamed 'Old Ironsides', the American victory over the British at the Battle of New Orleans, the burning of Washington DC by the British, discussion of secession by the Northeastern United States from the Union. A few of the notable Americans during the war were Andrew Jackson, the Pirate Lafeyette, Winfield Scott, Admiral Perry, Dolly Madison, James Monroe and many others. The subjects I mention above are only a few of the events and people the average American vaguely remembers from grade school - like me. Borneman does a good job fleshing out these iconic events and names, and relating them to the modern reader as to why these people and events were so significant. His discussions of battles and their imports were my favorite parts. They were well described and Borneman had plenty of maps throughout the book.

My only gray comment is a couple of the backstories were placed awkwardly just before a few of battles, while at other times, a general's or commander's name would be thrown out there and I had forgotten if the man was British or American and would have to go back a few pages to find out. But these were very minor flaws that happened very infrequently.

A very good book for anyone wanting a refresher on one of the most important events in our young nation's history.

Update to Topics Previously Discussed

Movie reviews: Saw Hancock, thumbs down. It wasn't bad enough that a white man had to show a black man how to be civilized, but then the movie committed the most mortal of sins, the hero couldn't even save himself (to make it worse, the white man had to save the black man). Talk about stereotypes. I'm surprised Will Smith signed on once he read the script.

Wall-E - two thumbs up. Aside from the visuals, the story itself was unique and very heartwarming. Endearing even. I took my kids with me, but over half of the audience was adults without kids.


Politics: Obama and McCain are both moving towards the center, what else is new. Whoever wins, will go back and serve their more radical constituents. Obama is probably wishing the elections were held next week so he doesn't suffer any more reversals.

Book Review: SPQR IX The Princess and the Pirates. The writing was very engaging although a bit unorthodox. The protagonist kept going into these speals about various historical details. Unlike Pompeii, the Robert's laying in of details seemed a bit smoother. Not as suffocating. But the tone of the story was strange, like the protagonist knew his audience was 21st century readers. Strange, but quite engaging. My only problem, just like Star Trek 3 (that was the one with the Hot Headed Klingon chasing Kirk all over the galaxy itching for a fight, right?) was that there was no fight. We read all of these nautical details about how good the pirate captain is and all these interesting tricks and all of the naval manuevers our protagonist is running his men through, but in the end, there is not single sea battle. Mind you, this novel is call the Princess and the Pirates. And with Roberts' eye for detail and good fight scenes on land and the book was less than 200 pages, not having the big fight he had been alluding to throughout the novel was a big let down. Isn't the old saying if there's a gun on page 1, it had better be fired by someone on page 50? If you've got warships, marines, sailors and pirates you'd better have a naval engagement.

That's all for now.