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Sunday at NYCC 2012 Planning Guide

If this year is anything like last year, Sunday at NYCC 2012 will be very crowded. It won’t be Saturday crowded, but it will still be crowded, especially in the early afternoon. With it being Kids Day, at least the average height of the crowd will be greatly reduced.

Need a break from the crowds on the show floor? Get thee to a panel! There aren’t as many options as Saturday, but there are some very, very good options.

10:45 AM – 11:45 AM Minimates Turns 10: Small Toys, Big Plans
People seem to either love or hate Minimates. I’m in the love camp, despite not actually currently owning any Minimates. With Marina getting a Minimate this year, I have to ask what Marvel character is left that hasn’t received the Minimate treatment? D-Man? Maybe this is his year!

10:45 AM – 11:45 AM Marvel NOW!: Amazing Spider-Man and Beyond
Amazing Spider-Man writer Dan Slott has said that he will have to go into hiding once Amazing Spider-Man #700 comes out. What is he planning?! Expect some ominous clues here. And Mark Waid will also be here talking about my current favorite Marvel title, Daredevil.

11:00 AM – 12:00 PM DC Entertainment – Meet the Co-Publishers
The line for this was LONG last year. With the New 52 still as popular (or unpopular, depending on the person you ask) as last year, expect this to be crowded again this year, with Geoff Johns, Jim Lee, Dan DiDio and Bob Wayne talking about the plans for the New 52 in 2013. Get here early if you want to get a good seat. When do you think the first Wally West/Donna Troy question gets asked? I predict it will be before the 3rd question in the Q&A.

11:00 AM – 12:00 PM 666 Park Avenue Special Video Presentation and Q&A
It looks like the whole cast and the executive producers will be at this panel. I haven’t watched 666 Park Avenue yet. Is it any good? I did like Terry O’Quinn in Lost and once had a crush on Vanessa Williams when I was about 14.

11:00 AM – 12:00 PM Tom Felton Q&A
I really hope a young fan treats Tom Felton as if he were actually Draco Malfoy and asks why he’s always such a jerk to Harry. Or better yet, a middle aged fan does this.

11:00 AM – 12:00 PM Arrow Special Video Presentation and Q&A
Executive Producers Greg Berlanti and Marc Guggenheim, and the cast of Arrow are going to discuss the show and give a sneak peak of upcoming episodes. Arrow is very smartly making its TV debut the night before New York Comic Con starts. I’m excited for Arrow, but I think if I went to this panel, I’d end up asking questions about my current Netflix obsession, Eli Stone.

12:15 PM – 1:15 PM DC Comics: Batman – Death Comes to Gotham
Scott Snyder and Greg Capullo are killing it on Batman right now. I don’t remember the last time I enjoyed the main Batman title this much. The Joker is returning in the upcoming Death of the Family. If you read the other Bat-titles (I don’t), creators from most of those will be here as well, including Grant Morrison. At SDCC, DC handed out Court of Owls masks at the Batman panel. Hopefully we’ll get lucky as here.

1:30 PM – 2:30 PM Kirkmania!
An hour of Robert Kirkman taking questions directly from fans. Remember people, questions begin with what and how, not I.

2:45 PM – 3:45 PM Ian McDiarmid Spotlight
The listing says that Ian McDiarmid is going to talk about his entire prolific career, but I’m pretty sure I’ve only ever seen him play one role across five movies.

Written by Nick Doyle

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Saturday at NYCC 2012 Planning Guide

Saturday is the most popular day at New York Comic Con. You will find yourself in the middle of some slow moving crowds. But you will be rewarded with the best programming of the weekend.

8:00 AM Robot Chicken Autographing Ticket Giveaway
8:00 AM AMC’s The Walking Dead Autographing Ticket Giveaway
NYCC doesn’t start until 10 AM on Saturday, but if you want to get in on either of these autographing sessions, plan for an early morning. The lines for these officially start forming at 7:00 AM, but I wouldn’t be surprised if people show up even earlier. Assuming you can only get tickets to one, do you line up for Robot Chicken or The Walking Dead? And what do you do between 8:01 AM and 9:59 AM?

10:00 AM – 7:00 PM Celebrity Autographing and Photo-Ops
Miss getting your picture taken or your DVD signed by your favorite Hobbit/evil wizard/brother-kissing Rebel leader on Friday? You’re in luck! They’ll happily take your money today too!

11:00 AM – 12:00 PM The Image Comics Experience
Come here and hear announcements for what may be the best new series coming to your LCS in the months to come!

11:00 AM – 12:00 PM Kill Shakespeare: The Live Stage Reading
Are you fan of this IDW series? Then maybe you’d like to see the story performed by live actors. The costumes are almost guaranteed to be better than the Green Goblin’s from Spider-Man: Turn Off the Dark.

12:15 PM – 1:15 PM Batman: The Dark Knight Returns, Part 2
See exclusive footage of the second half of the animated Batman: The Dark Knight Returns Movie. DC Animation Legend Bruce Timm will be on hand for this one.

12:15 PM – 1:15 PM Mattypalooza
If you’ve got one (or more!) of mattycollector.com’s subscriptions, I’m guessing you are really going to want to be here to find out what is coming down the pipe for Masters of the Universe, DC Universe, Watchmen and Ghostbusters.

12:15 PM – 1:15 PM The Big Quiz Thing
Do you always get the comic book question right whenever there’s one at your local pub quiz? In that case, you might want to show up for this and clean house!

1:30 PM – 2:30 PM DC Comics – The New 52
I wonder if they’ll be making a New 52 Wave 4 announcement. I also wonder at what point we’ll stop calling it the “New” 52. It’s been over a year now!

2:45 PM – 3:45 PM Marvel NOW!: The Avengers
It’s hard to remember when Brian Michael Bendis wasn’t writing The Avengers. Now that he’s decided to move on to other projects, Marvel is putting two of their biggest writers on The Avengers: Rick Remender and Jonathan Hickman, who will both be on hand for this panel.

3:00 PM – 3:45 PM From Fight Club to Hell and Back
Chuck Palahniuk, the author of Fight Club, will discuss his latest novel, The Damned, which has the tag line “Welcome to the Inferno by way of The Breakfast Club. I am intrigued.

4:00 PM – 5:00 PM Vertigo – Fables: 10th Anniversary!
Fables is 10 years old? Wow. Time flies when you’re one of the best comic book series on the stands every month. You read Fables, right? The collections are all in print. Start now and get a head start on 2022’s 20th anniversary.

5:00 PM – 6:00 PM AMC’s “The Walking Dead” Panel Event
Practically the entire cast of The Walking Dead are being interviewed by Talking Dead host Chris Hardwick. I’m not sure how you could make this more enticing. This is must-see for me.

5:15 PM – 6:15 PM DC Comics: Justice League
When the New 52 was announced, Geoff Johns and Jim Lee’s Justice League was my most anticipated series. Unfortunately  it hasn’t lived up to the admittedly very lofty expectations I had for it, but with Lee leaving and longtime Johns collaborator Ivan Reis coming on for art duties, maybe we’ll see a turnaround in the New 52’s flagship title? I’m interested to hear what will be coming up for Justice League in 2013.

6:15 PM – 7:15 PM Firefly 10th Anniversary Special Event – First Look
On 11/11/12, the Science Channel will be airing a Firefly 10th Anniversary Special Event. They will be showing an exclusive preview of it at NYCC. There will also be “special surprise guests” at this panel. Maybe an appearance by Nathan Fillion? That would be awesome.

6:45 PM – 7:45 PM Saga: Sex, Drugs and Rock N’ Roll
Brian K. Vaughn and Fiona Staples are going to take about their new series Saga. Why does this have to overlap with the Firefly panel?!?

7:45 PM – 8:45 PM Bleeding Cool Panel With Rich Johnston
Are you constantly hitting f5 on comics news and rumors sites? Then you will definitely want to be here, as Rich Johnston is promising to break some secrets about 2013’s major events that no one has reported before.

8:00 PM – 10:00 PM NYCC Charity Art Auction
The art that’s already up on the New York Comic Con website for this auction looks amazing. I can’t wait to see everything that makes its way into this event. The money raised goes to St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital, so don’t feel bad about bidding high.

Written by David Henehan

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Friday at NYCC 2012 Planning Guide

Friday is the first full day of NYCC. If you can get out of your day job, I highly recommend going on Friday. You won’t face anything near the large crowds of Saturday and you’ll have much more programming options than Thursday. Friday is the sweet spot on the NYCC baseball bat.

10:00 AM – 7:00 PM Celebrity Autographing
If you’re interested in meeting Adam West, Burt Ward, Tom Felton, Sean Astin, Peter Davison, Lou Ferrigno or Christopher Lloyd, they’ll all be signing autographs today. Costs vary by person. For example, Batman’s signature is $10 more than Robin’s.

11:00 AM  – 12:00 PM CBLDF: The History of Comics Censorship
Attention all Media Studies majors!

11:00 AM – 12:00 PM Wondrous Worlds, Fractured Futures: Speculative Fiction and Image Comics
A few years ago, I saw Brian K. Vaughn speak with JMS, Colleen Doran and Jeff Smith at a panel called World Building. Brian K. Vaughn quipped that the comics he was writing both took place in New York City, so he wasn’t sure why he was invited to the panel. His new comic with Fiona Staples, Saga, takes place far, far away from New York City. This is a can’t miss panel for fans of what Image Comics is doing right now.

11:15 AM – 12:15 PM Marvel: House of Ideas
The focus of this panel is on Marvel’s digital comics offerings: Infinite Comics, Marvel.com and the Marvel mobile app. Oddly, Mark Waid will also be on this panel. Not sure what that’s about. Maybe a digital Daredevil exclusive?

11:15 AM – 12:30 PM Comics, Hollywood – What Creators Need to Know
Thinking about turning that spec script you wrote into a graphic novel? Thinking about trying to sell your graphic novel as a feature? This may be the panel for you.

12:15 PM – 1:15 PM Marvel Now! All-New X-Men
Rick Remender is going to be here talking Uncanny Avengers. That’s really all you need to know, right?

12:15 PM – 1:15 PM How to Get a Job in the Video Game Industry with Capcom
Go to this and get your girlfriend/mom/loan officer off your back about not paying your bills and spending all your money on video games.

12:15 PM – 1:15 PM Adam West and Burt Ward Spotlight
I picture this being very similar to the famous William Shatner Star Trek convention skit from SNL.

12:15 PM – 2:45 PM The 501st Legion’s “Shoot a Trooper”
If you’ve been to NYCC before, you’ve no doubt spotted at least a few members of the 501st Legion. They’re the guys in the very well done Stormtrooper costumes. These guys are super fans. They’ve even been incorporated into the Star Wars expanded universe and had an action figure made after them. They’re showing their softer side at NYCC this year: for a small donation to charity, you can take shots at Troopers with a Nerf gun.

12:30 PM – 1:20 PM – Tom Felton Photo Op
4:35 PM – 5:35 PM – Tom Felton Photo Op
To Do List: 1. Buy a Slytherin robe. 2. Pick up a twig. 3. Head to Tom Felton Photo Op.

1:20 PM – 1:45 PM – Sean Astin Photo-Op
Wear your Hobbit feet and your Notre Dame jersey.

1:30 PM – 2:30 PM Oni Press – RevolutiONIzing Comics
1:30 PM – 2:30 PM Marvel NOW! Join the ReEvolution
What’s the theme of NYCC 2012? Fun with the word revolution! Oni wins this round for working their company name into it.

1:30 PM – 2:30 PM Inside “The Batmobile”
On the down side, they didn’t work the word revolution in this title. On the upside, you get to see the entire one hour documentary on The Batmobile before anyone else. I will probably be here. If I am, I will definitely have a review of it up soon after NYCC. Going to this kind of derails my “Draco and Me” photo idea though.

1:30 PM – 2:30 PM Digital Price Showdown
Maybe you want to debate how much digital comics should cost. Or maybe you want
to see a bunch of people yell at the co-founder of comiXology that digital comics cost too much.

1:30 PM – 2:30 PM Vertigo: A View From the Cutting Edge of Comics
American Vampire and Fables are two of the best comics being published every month. Both American Vampire writer Scott Snyder and Fables writer Bill Willingham will be on hand for this panel.

1:45 PM – 2:45 PM Grant Morrison Spotlight
News on Multiversity, please?

1:45 PM – 2:40 PM Stan Lee Photo Op
One of my regrets from this year’s Pittsburgh Comic Con was not springing for the Stan Lee Photo Op. Sure, the background screen that Froggy uses couldn’t be tackier, but a picture with Stan Lee would be a very cool souvenir from this year’s NYCC.


2:15 PM – 3:30 PM Writing to be Drawn (Comic Book Writing and Art Tutorial)
If you didn’t get enough Bill Willingham at the Vertigo panel, he’ll be here with Jerry Ordway, Cully Hammer and Michael Oeming to talk about the specific methods of storytelling in comics. Learn how to effectively break down a script and the ins and outs of story flow.

2:45 PM – 3:45 PM DC Comics: Green Lantern – The Third Army Arrives
With Green Lantern, Geoff Johns is writing one of the most consistently best comics on the market. On the one hand, I’m excited to see some preview artwork and hear Geoff talk about the title. On the other hand, I feel like this panel is going to mostly be cryptic announcements from Johns and non-answers to questions from the audience. I’m not complaining about that. I’d hate for this story line to get spoiled at a con panel. I’m setting the over/under of number of people dressed as Guardians of the Universe at 1.5.

2:45 PM – 3:45 PM VALIANT: The Future of VALIANT
I was a huge Valiant fanboy the first go-around. In fact, I stuck on the Valiant train way too long. On the upside, it meant I was one of the lucky few reading Quantum and Woody. On the downside, I also read The Visitor. There were rumors for years of a Valiant comeback. Now that it’s finally here, it’s almost hard to believe it’s actually happening. According to the listing, everyone in attendance gets a special door prize. Gold books, anyone?

2:45 PM – 3:45 PM Skybound On The Rise
Skybound is the current jewel in the Image crown. If you have a bad case of Kirkmania, get yourself here, stat!

4:00 PM – 5:30 PM Robert Kirkman Autographing at the Image Booth
Don’t show up to this line at 4 PM. With the popularity of all things The Walking Dead, the line will be capped by that point. I’d say to get there by 3:15 at the latest…which means leaving the Skybound panel early. Hello, Catch-22.

4:30 PM – 6:30 PM Carrie Fisher Autographing
I met Carrie Fisher a few years ago at a Big Apple Con. Childhood dream fulfilled. Now’s your chance!

5:15 PM – 6:15 PM Terry Pratchett Meet and Greet
According the NYCC website, Terry Pratchett won’t be signing anything, but will be handing out pre-signed book plates. BUT MY COPY OF GOOD OMENS IS ALREADY SIGNED BY NEIL GAIMAN AND IT NEEDS TERRY PRATCHETT’S AUTOGRAPH!

6:00 PM – 6:30 PM Carrie Fisher Photo Op
Keep it clean, gentlemen.

6:30 PM – 7:30 PM Be a Comic Book Retailer!
Don’t go to this panel if you’ve ever been talked into buying a time share. With a shrinking market and an ever increasingly move to digital, this seems like an equally bad idea.

6:30 – 7:30 PM Robot Chicken
Last year’s Robot Chicken panel was my favorite panel of NYCC 2011. Don’t miss this panel. Unless you have no need for joy in your life, then by all means, miss this panel. I am half hoping, half dreading that the pothead who sat near me last year who cackled at everything that was said sits near me again.

8:00 PM – 9:00 PM CollegeHumor Live at New York Comic Con
I love comics, sketch comedy and stand-up. I can’t think of one reason why I would miss this.

9:00 PM – 10:00 PM Steampunk 101
If you buy a top hat, goggles and a velvet topcoat, you can proceed directly to Steampunk 102.

Written by Sarv, who likes us on Facebook. You should like us on Facebook too.

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Thursday at NYCC 2012 Planning Guide

Last year, New York Comic Con extended the con from three days to four days for the first time. I love it. If you don’t like crowds, Thursday is for you. You can only attend NYCC on Thursday if you have a 4-Day or VIP pass.

Thursday is the day to check out the big booth displays on the show floor. With not that many people around, you can get some great photos without a sea of heads at the bottom of each shot. Want to take a picture of yourself in a life size Darth Vader action figure bubble card? The line for it on Thursday might be one or two people. On Saturday, that line is going to be much, much longer.

No line!

The only downside to Thursday is Artist Alley is the least populated on this day. But on the flip side, this is a great time to sketches from the artists who are there and get first crack at buying some original art.

There are also quality panels and screenings to attend. Here are what I think are the best panels and screenings to check out on Thursday. Unfortunately, working time turners haven’t been invented yet, or else I’d attend all of these.

3:45 – 4:45 Hasbro: Transformers
If you’re a Transformers fan, you know you’re going to be here…unless you’re at the Hasbro booth, buying whatever their unannounced exclusive is. Unfortunately, this panel starts 15 minutes before you’re probably able to get in the door to NYCC.

4:00 – 5:00 Protecting and Selling Your Comic Book or Graphic Novel – The Building Blocks
True story: I once paid a few hundred dollars to take a class at NYU SCPS to learn the same things you’ll probably learn in this class for free. If you’re a creative type looking to break in with your own comic, novel or screenplay, I recommend checking this out.

5:00 – 6:00 Spotlight on Irwin Hasen
I missed the Joe Simon panel last year and then he passed away not too long after. Our Golden Age legends are getting older. If you’re a fan of DC’s Wildcat, Irwin Hasen is his creator. I had the pleasure of meeting Mr. Hasen a few years ago. He’s a really nice guy. I’d like to hear what stories he has to share.

5:00 – 6:00 DC Collectibles
When it comes to character related merchandise, DC stands head and shoulders above their competitors. I seem to always be tempted to buy the latest Batman Black and White statue every time a new one gets released. Come see where your money will be happily disappearing to over the next year!

6:30 – 7:30 The Image Revolution Documentary
I’m definitely interested in seeing this documentary once it’s released. Image Comics has had an amazingly fascinating history. It was started by seven artists fed up with not having financial and creative control of their work. It was originally very much “an artist’s company,” and often scripts seemed to take a backseat to the art, but these days there is a writing renaissance going on at Image. The comics they’re currently releasing are some of the most diverse and best on the market. This documentary is recounting Image’s entire 20 year history. Personally, I can’t wait.

6:30 – 7:30 DC Comics – The New 52: Superman
I’m of two minds on this panel. On the one hand, the main Superman series has been one of the most disappointing series of the New 52. On the other hand, Grant Morrison will be on hand for this panel, and Action Comics has been one of the most fascinating series in the New 52. Maybe Mr. Morrison will give some hints about Multiversity here as well?

7:45 – 8:45  Surviving Collaboration
Collaboration can be hard, especially if it’s with someone you’re friends with, and also especially if you both have clear visions that don’t always mesh with each other. Unless you’re doing everything yourself, making comics is all about collaboration. Like the Protecting and Selling panel at 4:00, this might be a must for people looking to break in. Who knows, maybe you’ll meet your next collaborator here?

7:45 – 8:45 Roddenberry Entertainment Pizza Party
I have to hand it to the people at Roddenberry Entertainment, they know how to get people in the door with the oldest trick in the playbook: free food. And I do like pizza…

8:00 – 10:00 NYCC Kick Off Concert with Ben Folds Five
When I first heard of this, my reaction was “What?!? Ben Folds Five is playing NYCC?!?” The answer is, yes, yes they are. If you have a 4-Day or VIP pass, you can get in the door…for free! In case you needed a reason to splurge on the 4-Day over the 3-Day, here it is. Kudos, NYCC. This is quite exciting! Just get to the IGN Theater early. Seating is limited.

Written by Billy Henehan. Revenge of the Jedi Darth Billy photo by David Henehan.
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NYCC 2012 Exclusives (UPDATED!)

UPDATED 10/5/12!
UPDATED AGAIN 10/9/12!!

New York Comic Con is less than three weeks away and I am getting seriously excited for it. One of the best things about New York Comic Con is having access to limited edition items, many of which are either debuting or only available at NYCC.

Here are the ones I’m more excited about! …and some that just have me shaking my head.

4-LOM and Zuckuss Christmas Ornaments (Hallmark)

Price: ???, Limited to 800 sets.
True story: I love Christmas and I love Star Wars. I already have a lot of Star Wars ornaments on my tree each year, but what’s two more, right? Last year’s droids two-pack sold out pretty quickly. This might be the first thing I buy on Thursday.

The Dark Knight Returns Christmas Ornament (Hallmark)
Price: ???, Limited to 700 sets
This was an SDCC exclusive, and I was jealous of anyone who bought it! I love Frank Miller’s The Dark Knight Returns. It’s one of the few comic book stories that I go back and read year after year. Would I be more excited if it was a David Mazzucchellli Year One Batman? Yes. Am I complaining?
No. This will be mine!

Cylon Centurion Christmas Ornament (Hallmark – Booth 1229)
Price: ???, Limited to 600
While you’re at the Hallmark booth, you might want to pick up this limited edition Cylon Centurion Christmas Ornament. It’s a gold plated variant of last year’s Cylon ornament. It makes sound. I probably won’t buy this one. My only exposure to Battlestar Galactica was playing with my cousin’s Cylon action figure when were kids. I never watched either the original show or the recent series. But that Cylon toy from my youth was so cool looking. It looked like a more bad-ass Stormtrooper. Did Cylons shoot beams out of the their eyes? Five year old me thought so.

The Walking Dead Hardcover Compendium NYCC Red Foil Version (Image/Skybound)
Price: $100, Limited to 1500
It’s the big Walking Dead phone book sized collection, but in hardcover. SDCC had a similar exclusive. This is going to go fast. I don’t know how Skybound plans on selling this: if it’s just first come, first served; if they’re planning on allocating a supply for each day, but I get the feeling that no matter how they decide to sell this, it is going to sell out and sell out quickly.

Thief of Thieves Volume 1: “I Quit!” NYCC Exclusive Hardcover (Image/Skybound)
Price: $30, Limited to 1000
I want there to be a Thief of Thieves movie, and I want Kyle Chandler (Friday Night Lights) to star in them. If you haven’t read Thief of Thieves yet, I highly recommend picking up this collection of the first storyline, “I Quit!”

Saga Bookplate (Image) (Image)
Price: Free with purchase of Saga Volume 1, Limited to 200
You know what, Image, just go and take all my money. Saga, by Bryan K. Vaughn (Lost, Y: The Last Man) and Fiona Staples has quickly become one of my favorite comic books. If you’re one of the first 200 people to buy Saga Volume 1 at the Image booth, they will include an exclusive NYCC bookplate. Plus, both Vaughn and Staples will be at NYCC if you want to get it signed. I expect this to be gone by Friday.

Skullkickers #15 Kitten Variant (Image/Jim Zub and Edwin Huang)
Price: $10 signed, $5 personalized.
I’m not sure if I read that price right. Is it $10 if you want a signed version and $5 cheaper if you want it personalized? If so, that is very cool. Because, basically, if you’re a true fan, you’re getting it personalized, and if your goal is just to throw it on eBay for some quick cash, then you can pay a little more.

Master of the Universe Skeletor Power Sword Letter Opener (AFX)
Price: $20
Remember the He-Man Power Sword Letter Opener from SDCC? Here’s its evil twin. The Skeletor Power Sword Letter Opener is best for opening bills, junk mail and letters from the IRS.


Alpha Flight Minimates Series 2 (AFX)
Price: ???
AFX brought you Series 1 of Canada’s premier superhero team at San Diego Comic Con this year, and now you can add Sasquatch, Snowbird, Talisman and Aurora to join Guardian, Puck, Marina and the recently married Northstar to defend the northern part of your bookshelf. Both Series 1 and 2 will be available at the AFX booth.


Thundercats Minimates Series 2 (AFX)
Price: ???
The Alpha Flight Minimates where distributed much more evenly in terms of coolness compared to the Thundercats Minimates (but maybe that’s because all of Alpha Flight is lame. What? I said it!). Thundercats Series 1 nets you Lion-O, Panthro, Jaga, Mumm-Ra and a bonus Snarf figure, while if you buy Series 2, you’ll find yourself owning Mumm-Ra’s lackeys: Jackalman, Monkian, Slithe, Vultureman and Wolfrat, aka “That one, the other one, the lizard guy, the bird dude and oh, who cares?” No wonder, with the exception of Mumm-Ra, I only remember the good guys from Thundercats. Both sets will be available at NYCC. Honestly, I think you’d be better off buying two sets of Series 1.

Doctor Who Masterpiece Collection: Tenth Doctor (Sound of Drums Variant) Maxi-Bust Comic-Con Exclusive (Titan Entertainment)
Price: ???
I don’t usually buy statues. I’m usually content enough to just see them in the comic book store. But I kind of want to buy this one. I just got into Doctor Who last year and love David Tennant as The Doctor. Shameful admission: I actually haven’t reached the end of season three yet, so I haven’t seen the episode from which this statue is based. Okay, if I don’t watch Sound of Drums by NYCC, I won’t buy this. That seems fair, right?

Aardman Batman Action Figure (DC)

Price: $25, Limited to 2000
I haven’t seen the shorts that this figure is based on, but that doesn’t stop me from thinking this guy would look awesome on my desk, peeking over my Mr. Met Bobble Head. 


John Stewart and Atrocitus Action Figure Two-Pack (DC/Graphitti Designs)
Price: $25, Limited to 2500
DC wins the “Phoning It In” Award with this two-pack. Where’s Baz, the Green Lantern who made his debut right before NYCC? Or how about Green Lantern Jon Stewart? If they did either of those, I wouldn’t be able to hand them my money fast enough. And what is going on with that John Stewart action figure? He looks terrible. He’s posing for the cover of Muscle & Fitness. His head looks like a white guy in black face make-up. The only cool thing about this two-pack is John’s rifle construct, which is hopefully green and not yellow in the final product. I’m guessing if you’re buying this two-pack, it’s for that constuct. I think John Stewart is an awesome Green Lantern. The sculpt of him here in this two-pack is an insult to the character. 

The Walking Dead: The Official Magazine #1 with NYCC Exclusive Michonne Cover by The Walking Dead Artist Charlie Adlard (Image)
Price: ???
First there was The Walking Dead: The Comic, then there was The Walking Dead: The TV Series, followed by The Walking Dead: The Action Figures and The Walking Dead: The Prose Novel. Now there’s The Walking Dead: The Magazine. The Walking Dead is becoming the new Spaceballs. I’m not kidding. I saw a Rick Grimes plush doll last week. We’re 10 months away from The Walking Dead: The Toiler Paper, you take my word for it.

This isn’t the only The Walking Dead, The Official Magazine #1 Exclusive Cover that will be available at NYCC. Midtown Comics has their own exclusive variants as well, both of which will probably be available at their booth.

Wolverine Brown Classic Costume Funko Pop Figure (Zappi comics)
Price: ???, Limited to 1000
This is, without a doubt, my favorite Wolverine costume. I don’t own any of Pop Funko’s figures, but I think they’re very cool looking. I’ve come very close to buying their Han Solo before.

The Walking Dead Bloody Rick and Daryl Funko Pops Figures (Harrisons)
Price: ???, Limited to 3000
You know what, Kirkman? just take my money.


DC Skelanimals Dark Knight Batman Jae Plush
Price: ???
12”, plush, too adorable not to make this list.


G-Man: Coming Home #1 (Chris Giarrusso & Jacob Chabot)
Price: ???
Stop by Chris’s table and you’ll be able to pick up this issue before it hits stores!


Khem, Captain Action’s Black Panther (Captain Action Enterprises)
Price: $25, Limited to 200
I’m a little too young to have any memory of Captain Action, but in the 60’s, Captain Action’s sidekick, Action Boy, had a pet; Khem the Black Panther. Frankly, this just makes me question whether or not Captain Action is fit to have a sidekick. You’re giving a kid a black panther to play with? Shame, Captain Action, Shame.

UPDATE!! Marvel has announced some pretty cool NYCC exclusives. Check them out!

Rocket Raccoon Coffee Mug (Marvel)
Price: $12
Something I don’t need: another coffee mug. Something I want: This coffee mug.

I Survived the Battle for New York T-Shirt (Marvel)
Price: $20
What’s the over/under on the number of people you see wearing this while waiting in line opening night of the Guardians of the Galaxy movie?

Avengers Album T-Shirt (Marvel)
Price: $20
Need a t-shirt that works on both Free Comic Book Day and Record Store Day? You’re welcome.

Avengers Vs. X-Men #12 Avengers Variant (Marvel)
Price: $10
Sure, the Giants won the Superbowl and the Avengers came out on top in AvX, but I look at this cover and all I think is that Thor looks so much like NY Jets Center Nick Mangold.

Avengers Vs. X-Men #12 X-Men Variant (Marvel)
Price: $10
Considering the ending of AvX, it’s fitting that the X-Men are representing my beloved NY Jets. Considering the strategic placement of Emma’s football, I’m guessing Marvel couldn’t get license rights to the Jets name. “Jets? Why would you think they’re spelling out that? They could be spelling anything. Like Mets…oh, wait, never mind.” I’m happy to see that Beast is down with Tebow Time. You hear that, Rex Ryan? The smartest X-Man thinks you should play Tim Tebow more! Listen to him!

Wolverine: Old Man Logan Action Figure (Marvel)
Price: Free with Marvel Digital Unlimited Subscription
Jonesing for a Hasbro exclusive? It looks like this will be the only one at NYCC this year. And this isn’t even a true exclusive, as it was available at SDCC and will be available on the Marvel Digital Unlimited website as well. My theory on why we’re not seeing more from Hasbro is that until recently, you could still buy last year’s NYCC exclusives on their website. That’s unfortunate. I find Hasbro’s lack of faith in NYCC disturbing.

UPDATE THE SECOND!!!

Skybound has announced some more Walking Dead exclusives for NYCC!

Michonne and Pets PVC Set
Price: Gray – $15, Limited to 1000; Purple – $20, Limited to 250; Glow-in-the-Dark – $20, Limited to 250
Just in time for Michonne’s debut in the TV show, Skybound will be selling these Michonne and Pets PVC figure sets. They look very nicely detailed. The numbers on these are VERY limited. I doubt the glow-in-the-dark version will make it past Thursday. Grab this while you can!

The Remains T-Shirt
Price: $20, Limited to 250
If you’re up to date on your The Walking Dead, you get what the names around the Great Seal refer to. If anyone asks, tell them Rick, Andrea, Carl and Michonne formed a Ramones tribute band in #100.

I was already planning on hitting up the Image booth as soon as I stepped onto the show floor. Now it looks like I’ll be speed-walking there.

This list will continue to be updated as more exclusives get announced!

Written by Nicholas Doyle, who thinks it would be a great idea if you like Tuesday Night Movies on Facebook.

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Les Miserables – Extended First Look

My good friend Sarv alerted me to this video. It’s an extended first look at the new Les Miserables movie that is coming out this Christmas. I always look forward to Christmas, but I’m especially looking forward to this Christmas.

Check this video out.

My thoughts:
– They. Are. Singing. Every. Take. Live! They’re not singing along to a prerecorded soundtrack. Instead, a pianist is playing along with the actors as they sing, and letting the actors set the tempo. No wonder Anne Hathaway’s rendition of I Dreamed a Dream was so haunting. And Tom Hooper is right. There is something false or unreal in people singing along to playback. It never looks as good as it does live.
-I like Anne Hathaway as an actress more than I ever have before.
– This will probably become my favorite Russell Crowe movie.
– The sets look amazing.

– I can’t help but think that One Day More is going to be EPIC.

– Hugh Jackman explaining his process for how he approached What Have I Done is awesome.
– I am somehow even more excited for this movie now than I was before.
– I’m going to end up watching the trailer at least 10 more times tonight.
If, like me, you feel the need to watch the trailer again, like right now, you can find it here:

-Billy
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Green Lantern (On The Couch 2012 #9)

As summer 2011 was approaching, with its hoard of superhero movies, I was excited for Green Lantern most of all. I am a huge fan of what Geoff Johns has done with Green Lantern since he started writing the character in 2004. When I found out that he was on set during the production of the movie, I had a feeling that we were in store for something amazing.

Unfortunately, my enthusiasm for the Green Lantern movie puttered out before I saw it in the theater. It got so many bad reviews from critics and people on the street that I figured this would be DC’s version of Daredevil. The only people I know who like this movie are the guys who work at my local comic book store, one of whom has worn a Green Lantern ring since before I met him AND has a Green Lantern tatoo. So maybe he’s a little biased. 

Basically, I missed it last summer and wasn’t that upset about it.
Greg Berlanti and Marc Guggenheim are two of the writers on the Green Lantern screenplay, and Berlanti produced the movie, so I’m shocked how flat and boring the whole thing felt. Usually at the end of a Greg Berlanti production, the response in my house is “Damn you, Berlanti,” but it’s meant as a compliment for his uncanny ability at tugging on our heartstrings and manipulating our emotions. Here, any exclamations of “Damn you, Berlanti,” would just be about delivering a disappointing movie.

I think they should not have had Parallax be the main villain. Parallax bogged down the movie with cuts that had to be made to what it was doing in space, which was usually making an angry face. We could have done without all the exposition as to what Parallax was. These wasted minutes in long movie. Instead, the story should have been borrowed almost whole form from Geoff Johns and Ivan Reis’s excellent Green Lantern: Secret Origin comic book.

There were positives about the movie. I thought that Peter Sarsgaard was great as Hector Hammond. I think the movie in general would have been better off focusing on Hammond as the main villain, and Sinestro as Hal’s rival/future nemesis. But instead, I’m stuck on my couch wondering why we keep cutting back to a space cloud with a pouty face.

Go away, angry space cloud. You’re bringing down our green vibe.


Mark Strong was great as Sinestro. If I were involved in the production of this movie, my note would read, “More Mark Strong as Sinestro, less pouty space cloud Parallax.”

This is either Mark Strong, or Sinestro found his way into the bleed, made it to our earth and is hiding out in Hollywood. Crafty, Sinestro, very crafty.


In the past, I’ve liked Blake Lively in the roles I’ve seen here in. But while her last name might be Lively, she delivers a completely wooden, flat and basically DOA portrayal of Hal Jordan’s love interest Carol Ferris in Green Lantern. Carol Ferris is woman with a lot of spirit, but Blake Lively sounded like she was half asleep and reading off cue cards.

  
Blake Lively could have been replaced with a Blake Lively cutout to the same effect.


I still wish Nathan “Captain Tight Pants” Fillion was cast as Hal Jordan/Green Lantern, but at least we got him as Hal Jordan’s voice in Green Lantern: First Flight.

The best part of the Green Lantern movie is the scene after the credits start rolling. I liked that scene so much that I almost forgave the rest of the movie for being such a disappointment. Almost.

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The Adventures of Tintin (At The Theater 2012 #10)

Except for while on the airplane, I didn’t expect to see any movies during my trip to Kauai. But when we heard on the radio that the Poipu Rotary Club would be hosting a screening of The Adventures of Tintin on Poipu Beach, we decided to check it out.

I was worried that with The Adventures of Tintin being a children’s movie, there would a mob of noisy, crying kids at the beach for the screening. The kids were there, but they couldn’t have been better behaved. I’m guessing a lot of the younger ones didn’t make it through the entire film, but they were joined by their fair share of adults in not staying awake for the whole movie. I don’t blame the movie. The Adventures of Tintin is great. I’m guessing that after a long day of hiking, swimming, surfing, kayaking or a combination of all four, it’s easy to fall asleep on your beach blanket, especially if you’ve had a glass or two of wine (the adults that is, not the kids!).

We were running late and didn’t get to stop by a wine store, so I was happy to find that the deli across the street from Poipu Beach sells alcohol. It doesn’t have the best wine selection, but I was very happy to find a chilled bottle of pink with a screw top. The guy behind the counter let me grab a couple of plastic cups as well, so more praise to them.

You guys, The Adventures of Tintin was so good. If you haven’t seen it, I highly recommend you do. The tone of the movie is similar to The Secret of Monkey Island computer games I couldn’t play enough of as a teen. I’ll be honest, I have never read a Tintin book, so I can’t comment on how true to the original this movie is, but the movie definitely stands on its own.

I knew that Simon Pegg was in The Adventures of Tintin before seeing the movie. I also knew that he wasn’t playing Tintin. But for some reason, I kept expecting his voice to come out of Tintin’s mouth. That reason being that they kind of look alike.
Twins?
 


I look forward to watching this a second time, but I know my couch just can’t compete with a beach blanket and the breeze of the nearby ocean.

Thank you, Poipu Rotary Club, for giving us a great evening in Poipu. The Poipu Rotary Club is currently raising money to make the beaches of Kauai safer for swimmers. You can see what they’re doing and find out how you can help here.

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Win Win (On The Couch 2012 #8)

Win Win came on during our flight to Kauai as soon as The Lucky One ended. I had wanted to see Win Win in the theater, so I kept my headset on. But the combination of the beginning of Win Win being a little slow, the disappointment of The Lucky One and a bout of sleepiness had me wondering if I’d be better off taking a nap instead. I’m glad I opted out of the nap and watched Win Win. I really enjoyed it.

In Win Win, Mike, played by Paul Giamatti, is a down on his luck lawyer who does some underhanded things to keep his business afloat and groceries on his family’s table. Don’t get me wrong, he didn’t start working for the mob. What he did falls into that gray area of “This is definitely wrong, but if I were in his situation, would I do the same thing?”

I really like Paul Giamatti for the same reasons I like Stanley Tucci and Mark Ruffalo. The three of them always bring a sense of realness to the characters they play. Can we get the three of them in one movie, please?

My favorite part of Win Win is when Kyle asks Mike to give him a slap across the face before a wrestling match. When we got to Hawaii, I asked my wife to do the same when we went zip lining. Based on their reactions, I’m guessing the other people in our zip lining group didn’t see Win Win on their flight in.


“Give me a slap.”


In the battle of movies shown on planes during my trip to Hawaii Win-Win beats both The Lucky One by a three count pin and Men In Black III via DQ (I fell asleep before the opening credits of MIB3).

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The Lucky One (On The Couch 2012 #7)

This one is more “On the Window Seat” than “On the Couch.” I saw The Lucky One, which I keep mistakenly calling The Vow on a flight from California to Hawaii. I’m not sure why I chose watching this movie over reading my book or playing with my iPad, but I did, and here we are.

Wrong movie.

The Lucky One is Rambo, if Rambo were made by Lifetime. Both Logan, Zac Efron’s character and John Rambo are veterans trying to find their place in the world. Both Logan and John Rambo move to new towns and immediately become unfairly targeted by a sheriff who has no respect for veterans. Rambo has explosions. The Lucky One has montages.

Don’t get me wrong, I have no problem with montages as a storytelling device. But The Lucky One has lots of montages. I had to double-check to make sure the movie wasn’t directed by Garry Marshall. There are at least a half dozen montages in it. This just comes off as lazy storytelling. It seemed like whenever time needed to move forward, The Lucky One would jump into a montage.

I want to propose a new law. This law would limit the number of montages allowed in one movie. I’m calling it Logan’s Law. Please lend your support and contact your local congressman or screenwriter.

The Lucky One also has Zac Efron in a beard, because if he wasn’t, you’d spend the movie wondering, “What kind of country sends a 12 year old off to war?”

In the battle of Zac Efron movies involving dead brothers, Charlie St. Cloud beats The Lucky One.