Comic-Con International to stay in San Diego
Announced via a press release, Comic-Con International, the largest gathering of comics fans in the U.S., drawing about 125,000 to San Diego each summer, has announced it will stay in the same location through 2015. Other cities had made offers to Comic-Con, as its deal with San Diego was expiring. Release below.
- Matt Price
San Diego – Comic-Con International: San Diego (Comic-Con), the largest comics convention of its kind in the world, today announced it will be staying in San Diego for the foreseeable future.
Comic-Con reached a self-imposed attendance limit at the San Diego Convention Center (SDCC) in 2007 and has had to cap attendance at approximately 125,000 people each year since. In looking at ways to better accommodate the growing demand from attendees and exhibitors, the nonprofit organization considered proposals for a move to larger facilities in Los Angeles or Anaheim after the expiration of its SDCC lease in 2012. This decision keeps Comic-Con in San Diego through 2015.
“We are grateful for the tireless efforts all three cities put into to their proposals,” said David Glanzer, Comic-Con’s director of marketing and public relations. “In the end, we feel this decision is the best for all those who attend Comic-Con and for the organization itself. We are happy that the community has worked with us to ensure that we remain here.”
Comic-Con was first held in 1970 at the U.S. Grant Hotel, where it attracted 300 people. As the event grew, subsequent homes included the downtown El Cortez Hotel in the 1970s and the San Diego Convention and Performing Arts Center in the 1980s. Comic-Con moved to the then newly built SDCC in 1991. Comic-Con celebrated its 41st year in 2010.
The San Diego Convention Center Corporation has scheduled a press conference for Friday, October 1 at 11:45 a.m. at Lobby E of the convention center.
RIP Tony Curtis
Tony Curtis
Actor Tony Curtis, star of “Some Like It Hot,” “The Defiant Ones” and “Sweet Smell of Success” has died at age 85. NewsOK has the full report.
The Oscar-nominated actor died about 9:25 p.m. PDT Wednesday at his Henderson, Nev., home of a cardiac arrest, Clark County Coroner Mike Murphy told the Associated Press on Thursday.
Tony Curtis and Marilyn Monroe in "Some Like It Hot."
Curtis will always be one of my favorites for his role in “Some Like It Hot,” in which he and Jack Lemmon impersonate female musicians in an attempt to escape the Chicago mob. Along the way, Curtis’s saxophone-playing Joe falls for the band’s vocalist and ukulele player, Sugar, played by Marilyn Monroe. The film was directed by Billy Wilder.
The American Film Institute named “Some Like It Hot” the greatest American comedy and the #14 American film. It’s one of my favorites, and I rewatch it at least once a year.
- Matt Price
Superman races Flash in oversize extravaganza
Superman races Flash
I’m running as fast as I can again today, which often inspires me to post a cover of the Flash. Here, he’s racing Superman in this Treasury edition that reprinted the two Superman-Flash races that had been printed up to that time. Find out more about the issue, and other super-cool Treasury editions, at TreasuryComics.com.
- Matt Price
Superman-Batman book Enemies and Allies out in paperback
"Enemies and Allies" by Kevin J. Anderson
The Kevin J. Anderson book featuring a Superman-Batman team-up, “Enemies and Allies,” is released in paperback today. I believe that’s an Alex Ross cover on the paperback edition.
I interviewed Anderson for The Oklahoman when the hardcover edition of the book came out in 2009.
Anderson sets the first meeting of Superman and Batman in the 1950s, at the height of the Cold War.
“It seemed unlikely to set a story in the modern day, and say that Batman and Superman have never heard of each other before,” Anderson said. “It felt more in keeping with the spirit of the universe if we set it back in a more nostalgic time. And of course the ’50s is the time we all remember from George Reeves as Clark Kent and Superman, and Noel Neill as Lois Lane, and that was the flavor I wanted to pick up on.”
Ultimately, the 1950s setting became interwoven completely with the story.
“It became not just window dressing, but the ’50s setting and everybody’s attitudes about the Cold War, the paranoia about flying saucers, and all of these details became integral to the plot rather than just little backdrops,” Anderson said.
- Matt Price
Iron Man 2′s Clark Gregg connects superhero films as Marvel’s Agent Coulson
Clark Gregg in "Iron Man."
Starting with a small role in 2008′s “Iron Man,” Clark Gregg’s Agent Phil Coulson has become the connective tissue of the cinematic Marvel Universe.
After being tasked with keeping an eye on Tony Stark (Robert Downey Jr.) in the first two “Iron Man” films, he’ll join the cast of Kenneth Branagh’s “Thor” in 2011, then move on to Joss Whedon’s “The Avengers” in 2012, which will join Iron Man, Thor and Captain America in one film. “Captain America: The First Avenger” will be set in the European theater of World War II in the 1940s (and thus isn’t expected to feature Agent Coulson); “Thor” explores the alternate realm of the Norse Gods and its intersection with modern New Mexico; and Iron Man is a technologically advanced real-world environment. All of these worlds will collide in “The Avengers,” which is set to begin filming in March.
“I was trying to remember what there could be that was quite like this, because there are very few things you can’t find a precedent for, in life or in movies,” Gregg said in a recent phone interview promoting “Iron Man 2,” out Tuesday on DVD. “There’s just something about this that I don’t feel has been done before. … These are kind of pop culture, American hero legends. And what’s interesting about this is they really span a wide range of styles.”
Coulson is an agent of S.H.I.E.L.D., which in the films stands for Strategic Homeland Intervention, Enforcement and Logistics Division. It’s stood for a couple of other things in the comics, but it’s generally been an espionage agency dealing with high-level threats. S.H.I.E.L.D. was likely at least in part inspired by the James Bond films of the early 1960s; Gregg said he was also inspired by 007.
“I’m a huge Bond fan; I’m a huge (Sean) Connery fan. I grew up, I remember very clearly the day my dad was like, ‘All right, listen, I think you’re old enough — well, I’m not sure I think you’re old enough, (but) I’m going to let you watch “Goldfinger” on TV,’” he said. “And just being like, ‘Whoa, this is the greatest thing I have ever seen.’”
Gregg also enjoyed the humorous takes on spydom.
“There were so many of these things when I was a kid,” he said. “There were the James Coburn ones, ‘In Like Flint,’ which were very funny and tongue-in-cheek and spoofy, and also there were the drunken, horny Dean Martin ones, ‘Matt Helm,’ and I loved ‘em all,” Gregg said.
His role as Coulson allows for both serious and humorous moments.
“It really is the funnest part of the gig, is to be able to be the deadpan guy with a lot of secrets, kind of masquerading as a generic suit,” Gregg said. “And then also to get to roll some punch lines along with Robert Downey (Jr.)”
Gregg, who also writes (“What Lies Beneath”) and directs (“Choke”), is working on a new project. After being thrilled to see Agent Coulson in comic book form, Gregg said his new project might first see the light of day as a graphic novel.
“The new thing that I’m writing, I’m actually interested in exploring the idea of doing it as a graphic novel before the film comes out,” Gregg said. “It’s called ‘Trust Me.’ It’s a dark, noir-ish comedy about an agent for child actors in Los Angeles.”
Gregg said he’s trying to determine if his raised profile from “Iron Man 2” will make it easier to get new writing and directing projects off the ground. And he’d like to see further development of Agent Coulson as a character, perhaps with a love interest or fight scene. But he’s enjoying the ride regardless.
“I would love to scrap with somebody at some point,” he said. “I think Coulson has probably got more game than we realize. But I’m just happy to be there.”
- By Matthew Price
From Friday’s The Oklahoman
Tuesday TV quote challenge #6
“Sidehackin’ is the thing to do/When it doesn’t hurt to have a low IQ.”
Identify who said the above quote in what show in the comments!
Bob Harras named editor in chief at DC Comics
DC Comics has announced via the Source blog that Bob Harras, former Editor in Chief of Marvel Comics, has been named Editor in Chief of DC Comics.
According to the blog, Harras will oversee editorial for DC Comics, DC Universe, MAD Magazine and Vertigo and will be based in New York City, reporting directly to co-publishers Jim Lee and Dan Didio.
“Bob Harras’ personal and creative integrity is respected and renowned throughout the comic book industry,” said Jim Lee, DC Comics Co-Publisher, at the Source. “As an editor, he provides invaluable insight into storytelling and character.”
“We could not be more excited to make this announcement,” said Dan DiDio, DC Comics Co-Publisher at the Source. “Bob is a tremendous evaluator of talent, character and story. He is a proven leader who brings a keen understanding of the marketplace to the position.”
Harras was the group editor of collected editions at DC prior to being named Editor-in-Chief.
Harras was Editor-in-Chief of Marvel Comics from 1995 to 2000.
- Matt Price
Stargate Atlantis stars Joe Flanigan and David Hewlett auctioning lunch for charity
Joe Flanigan
David Hewlett
Joe Flanigan and David Hewlett, stars of the science fiction show Stargate Atlantis, are currently auctioning off a chance for a fan to have lunch with them in Los Angeles. The auction will raise funds for the nonprofit organization Friends of Sarah Geary.
Joe Flanigan played Lt. Colonel John Sheppard in Stargate Atlantis; David Hewlett played Dr. Rodney McKay. The two appeared in 99 episodes of “Stargate Atlantis” before the show’s 2009 finale.
From charitybuzz: Joe and David are joining with countless others to help their friend Sarah Geary survive a devastating diagnosis of ALS, a motor-neuron disorder that destroys the brain’s ability to control the rest of the body. Without disability or life insurance, Sarah and her family do not have access to the critical care needed to prevent her ALS from becoming fatal. The funds raised through charitybuzz will go directly to giving Sarah the care she needs.
Fans can bid to have lunch with Joe Flanigan and David Hewlett through October 14 at charity auction site charitybuzz at: http://www.charitybuzz.com/catalog_items/223701 . For more information about Friends of Sarah Geary, visit http://www.charitybuzz.com/auctions/joeflanigan.
- Matt Price
Monday movie quote challenge #98
“So this is planet Houston.”
Identify who said the above quote in what film in the comments!
Ghost Rider: Spirit of Vengeance movie gets release date; Clark Gregg talks Iron Man 2; Teri Hatcher coming to Smallville
Iron Man 2 comes to DVD; Clark Gregg talks Agent Coulson
The summer hit “Iron Man 2” comes to DVD on Tuesday, and Clark Gregg, who plays Agent Coulson in “Iron Man 2” spoke with us about what he’s looking forward to with his character. Coulson will appear in “Thor” next year and in “The Avengers” in 2012.
Smallville gets Teri Hatcher
Entertainment Weekly reports that former Lois Lane Teri Hatcher will appear on Smallville’s final season as the mother of Lois Lane Erica Durance.
Teri Hatcher as Lois Lane
In episode 8, titled “Abandoned,” Lois discovers old videotapes of her mother… which according to EW’s report will be Teri Hatcher.
As you know, Hatcher spent four years as Lois Lane on ABC’s Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman.
Ghost Rider 2 gets release date
According to Superhero Hype, Sony and Columbia Pictures have scheduled “Ghost Rider: Spirit of Vengeance” for a release date of February 17, 2012. The “Ghost Rider” sequel will be directed by Mark Neveldine and Brian Taylor (“Crank”). Nicolas Cage will return as Johnny Blaze/Ghost Rider in the film that will be released in both 2D and 3D.
WildStorm to shut down
As part of the DC Comics restructuring announced this week, the WildStorm imprint, home to books like “Gen 13” and “The Authority” will close down at the end of 2011. WildStorm was originally founded by Jim Lee as part of Image Comics, and was sold to DC Comics in 1999. Some books from the line will move into the DC Comics imprint; others will cease. The DC Source blog says other WildStorm characters may return in the future.
Reviews: Avengers #5, Supergirl #56, GI Joe Origins #19 and Fantastic Four #583.
