October 4, 2015 by Billy Henehan

NYCC 2015 Thursday Panels – Our Picks!

Written by Sarv Kreindler.

There are SO MANY panels and screenings at NYCC each year, and this year it seems like they’ve grown in number once again. These show guides will help you make the most of your time at NYCC. Here are our team’s picks for the best panels and screenings for Thursday at NYCC 2015!

88 MPH: A Celebration of Back to the Future – 11:00 – 12:00 – 1A06

Back to the Future turns 30 this year! Join the filmmakers behind “Back in Time,” the Steven Spielberg approved documentary about Back to the Future. “But wait, didn’t Robert Zemekis direct Back to the Future? Who cares if Steven Spielberg approved this documentary?” True, but Spielberg is the Executive Producer of Back to the Future. I’m setting the over/under of Marty McFly cosplayers in this room at 4. Are you taking the over or the under?

Hasbro Star Wars – 11:15 – 12:15 – 1A24

We haven’t seen any sort of announcement from Hasbro regarding NYCC exclusives at the time of this writing, but I’m hoping with the upcoming licensing monster that is Star Wars: The Force Unleashed, we’re going to get something. Whether or not we get any NYCC exclusives from Hasbro this NYCC, if you’re a Star Wars fan, this is a must-attend panel. With the new movie coming out this December, Hasbro has a lot of new product hitting the shelves soon. See your first look at it here.

Toddfather Talks Toys, Comics, Spawn and Insight Into Being an Independent Creator – 12:15 – 1:15 – 1A06

In all my years of attending conventions, I don’t think I’ve ever heard Todd McFarlane speak at a panel. I was able to get his autograph at two different New York Comic Cons, but I’ve never heard him speak on stage. He’s going to present the new Walking Dead and Game of Thrones sets that McFarlane Toys is producing. I may go to this just hear an hour of Todd on Todd.

Andre The Giant: The Man Behind the Legend – 12:30 – 1:30 – 1A24

If you attended last year’s Cary Elwes panel, this looks like a nice follow-up. Andre the Giant’s daughter, Robin Christensen Roussimoff, will be telling stories about her dad, aka Fezzik from The Princess Bride.

Star Wars Rebels Season 2 Panel – 1:30 – 2:30 – Empire Stage 1-E

Do you watch Rebels? If so, you’re going to want to come to this panel, which fill feature stars of the show. Be sure to come back at 5:30 PM for an exclusive sneak peak of the new season.

DC Comics: Master Class – Art History – 1:30 – 2:30 – 1A21

Babs Tarr and Ivan Reis talk art. Count me in.

Marvel: House of Ideas – 2:45 – 3:45 – 1A21

Stick around after the DC art panel for what is always a great panel, the Marvel: House of Ideas panel. Hosted by Ryan Penagos, aka Agent M, you’ll see exclusive previews before they hit the major comic book news sites. If you want to be the first to hear about new Marvel Comics news, this will be the panel you come to.

The Walking Dead: An Inside Look with Robert Kirkman – 2:45 – 3:45 Empire Stage 1-E

Robert Kirkman talks all things Walking Dead. What else do you need?

Nerdist Writers Panel – 3:00 – 4:00 – 1A10

The Nerdist Writers Panel is one of our favorite podcasts at the Tuesday Night Comics podcast. When Ben Blacker isn’t interviewing guests like the writers room from the first season of Friends (!), he interviews prominent comic book writers about their craft. Expect A list guests at this panel.

How Harley Quinn Conquered the World – 3:00 – 4:00 – 1A24

If you read the current Harley Quinn comics, this is the panel for you. Both Amanda Conner and Jimmy Palmiotti will be here to talk about their hit series from DC Comics.

Game of Thrones: A Panel of Ice and Fire – 4:00 – 5:00 – Empire Stage 1-E

Natalie Dormer aka Princess Low Cut! Keisha Castle-Hughes aka Slutty Princess Leia! Both in one place! And Finn Jones aka Ser Loras too! Before you go to this panel, go to the Dark Horse booth and buy the Joffrey crown and strut into the panel wearing it!

The Biggest Attack on Titan Manga Announcement Ever – 4:00-5:00 1A18

Heidi McDonald’s The Beat was the first to point out that among the panelists here is Jeanine Schaefer, who is known for her Marvel and DC work. Does this mean we’re getting Attack on Titan comics from non-manga creators? The Beat thinks so, and we’re inclined to agree.

Star Wars Rebels Season 2 Sneak Preview – 5:30 – 6:45 – Empire Stage 1-E

I wonder if they’re going to show the entire first episode of the new season. An hour and fifteen minutes certainly seems like enough time to get through a whole episode and then have Q&A after. Or even better, two full episodes and zero Q&A (“My question is…I love you, and think you’re great and awesome and on and on an on…Can I have a hug?”).

September 27, 2015 by Billy Henehan

The Best NYCC 2015 Exclusives

Every year, there is A LOT of exclusive merchandise available at NYCC. We’re here to highlight the cream of the crop, because not all exclusives are created equal. Note: This post will be updated continuously as New York Comic Con 2015 gets closer and more exclusive merch is announced. Be sure to bookmark this page and check back regularly.

Boba Fett and Han Solo Frozen in Carbonite Itty Bitties – Hallmark

I can’t lie; I have a small obsession with all things Han Solo Frozen in Carbonite. While I have yet to have a life size Han Solo Frozen in Carbonite hanging on my apartment wall, I will happily display this Han Solo Frozen in Carbonite, quite possibly the cutest Han Solo Frozen in Carbonite on my desk at work.

U-3PO and R5-D4 Keepsake Ornaments – Hallmark

Both of these droids appeared in the original Star Wars movie. U-3PO can be seen in the background of Princess Leia’s ship at the beginning of the movie and R5-D4 was almost purchased by Uncle Owen from the Jawas before the droid shorted out and he bought R2-D2 instead. This Christmas, both will be hanging on my tree.

Doctor Who Weeping Angel Statue of Liberty Christmas Ornament – Newbury Comics – Booth 2945

A cool exclusive Christmas ornament and it’s not at the Hallmark booth?! New England based comics retailer Newbury Comics has this exclusive ornament that features the Weeping Angel Statue of Liberty from the classic Doctor Who episode, Angels Take Manhattan.

Death Star Surface Modules Set #1 – eFX – Booth 1344 – $150

eFX is known for their screen accurate prop replicas. This year, they are offering a a very cool set of replicas of the Death Star tiles used in filming the original Star Wars movie. These modules were used to shoot the surface of the Death Star. ILM created different tiles for showing different altitudes. These particular tile replicas are the “high altitude: square tiles in medium altitude configuration.” They’re presented a very nice wall plaque. If you can’t make it to New York Comic Con, or just don’t want to deal with the crowd at the eFX booth, eFX has made a limited supply of these available for sale on their website.

Mega Man X-Kai Action Figure – TruForce Collectibles – $89.99 – Limited to 1/person/day

If you’re a Megan Man fan, you need to check out this figure. It features over 30 points of articulation, an LED X-Buster and translucent purple effects pieces.

Deadpool’s Chimichanga Truck Pop Vinyl – Funko – Booth 722

There are have been Funko exclusives at NYCC for years now with their exclusives being sold through partners, but this is the first year that Funko is setting up their own booth at New York Comic Con. And they are BRINGING IT. Funko has A LOT of exclusives available at NYCC this year, from all of their lines. This Deadpool and Chimichanga truck is one of my favorites. It’s limited to 3000 pieces.

Terminator 2: Judgment Day T1000 Frozen Patrolman Action Figure – Funko – Booth 722

Do you love Terminator 2: Judgment Day? Of course you do. It’s one of the greatest action movies of all time. And this figure recreates one of the coolest scenes in the movie, when the villainous T1000 is frozen solid. I love the design of this ReAction figure. It is perfect in its retro-Kenner aesthetic. It’s limited to 1500 pieces. Expect a quick sellout.

Clear Glitter Boba Fett Hikari – Funko – Booth 722

Funko’s Hikari figures are hit or miss for me, and mostly miss. To me, they just don’t look cool enough to justify the high price tag. But I am loving this clear glitter Boba Fett variant. It’s limited to 750, so if you want one, act quickly at NYCC. The high price tag might scare some people off, but this Hikari looks too dope to still be available on Sunday afternoon.

Iron Throne 6″ Super Sized Pop Vinyl – Funko – Booth 722

Could this be Funko’s most popular Pop Vinyl of NYCC 2015? Could this be the most popular exclusive at NYCC 2015? I see this being on the must-buy list for many, many people. I don’t think I have ever liked a Pop Vinyl as much as I like this interpretation of the Iron Throne from Game of Thrones.

Shaun of the Dead Vinyl Idolz Figure – Funko – Booth 722

TMNT Black and White Ninja Turtles Dorbz Set – Funko – Booth 722

So cute!! Has any set of Dorbz figures ever been as adorable as this four figure set? You get all four turtles in their classic black and white glory. And I absolutely LOVE the red spot coloring on their eye masks. Ahhh! These are just too cute

Game of Thrones Joffrey Baratheon 5″ Crown – Dark Horse – Booth 1636 – $60

When Dave from the Tuesday Night Comics podcast heard of this exclusive, he noted “$60 is well worth an excuse to bring out your inner spoiled entitled monarch.” You might want to avoid drinking wine while you wear this though. Limited to 400 total, limit of 2 crowns per purchase per day. $60 works out to how many gold dragons?

M.O.T.U.S.C.L.E Figure Packs – Super7 – $6

Like Hallmark’s exclusive ornaments, these were also available at SDCC in July. There are four packs of these figures, combining two of my favorite toys from the 1980s: Masters of the Universe and M.U.S.C.L.E! Each comes with three heroes or three villains and there are four different packs. I’ll be buying all four. They had me at Ram Man.

Harley Quinn Batman: The Animated Series Black and White Bust – Diamond Select – Booth 1644 – $60

Limited to 1,700 pieces. This is a fantastic looking bust of Harley Quinn, in all her Bruce Timm designed glory!

May 5, 2015 by Billy Henehan

Tuesday Night Comics Podcast Episode 70 – Free Comic Book Day Recap, First Photos of the Suicide Squad Cast in Costume

Billy and Dave compare their Free Comic Book Day war stories, talk about the new photos of the Suicide Squad cast and Billy gives a no spoiler review of Avengers: Age of Ultron. Plus, the guys give their picks for what comics to buy this week, and review Multiversity #2, Justice League #40 and more.

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August 22, 2014 by Billy Henehan

Batman: Assault on Arkham – Review

I’ve touted the team of screenwriter Heath Corson and director Jay Oliva before in my review of Justice League: War, and they live up to that high praise with the newly released Batman: Assault on Arkham. This movie, the latest in DC’s direct-to-video releases, takes place in the same continuity as the Batman: Arkham line of video games. The characters are modeled after the designs in those games, and like in the games, Batman is voiced by perennial Batman voice actor Kevin Conroy. Sadly, Mark Hamill does not voice The Joker.

What might be the best thing about Batman: Assault on Arkham is that this is almost a Suicide Squad movie in disguise. I say almost, because there is still plenty of the title character in Batman: Assault on Arkham. But the Squad is given as much screen time, if not more, than the Dark Knight. Batman: Assault on Arkham is the Suicide Squad movie we’ve always wanted.

Corson captured the voices of the individual squad members perfectly. Captain Boomerang and Deadshot barely get along. Harley is psychotic, flirtatious and hilarious all at the same time. And I love that the Amanda Waller we’re presented with is the pre-New 52 Amanda Waller. This Amanda Waller won’t be confused with Vixen anytime soon (unlike her New 52 counterpart). She’s large and she’s in charge.

Because it’s set outside the regular continuity of DC’s animated movies, Corson and Oliva are given free reign to really play around with the characters. Also, the Suicide Squad definitely lives up to its name, as not all of its members live long enough to appear in a potential sequel. Sure, you know that Batman, Deadshot, Harley and The Joker can’t die, simply based on when this happens in Arkham continuity, but everyone else in fair game.

Like many other DC Animated movies, the extras are just as good as the movie itself. We get a nice piece on Harley’s history, a preview for Throne of Atlantis that was so good that it has me ready to pronounce that as the next BEST DC animated movie, and some episodes from previous Batman cartoon series.

Batman: Assault on Arkham is not a movie I would recommend picking up for the tiny Batfan in your life. It is definitely not small child appropriate. The video games are all rated Teen, and I would consider that an appropriate rating for this movie as well. If you’re not comfortable with your child witnessing the violence and sexual humor in the games, you probably wouldn’t be with this film either. Stick to Batman: The Brave and the Bold for the Bat-tykes.

For the teen to adult fan though, Batman: Assault on Arkham should not be missed!

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