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Friday, July 25, 2008

Live from San Diego!

UPDATE (07/27/08):
I've just returned from this year's San Diego Comic-Con International, and it was another crowded and frenzied affair! I met plenty of fans both old and new, and sold a lot of back issues and copies of my newest issue, Rob Hanes Adventures #11.
I plan to post my usual report and photogallery of the show shortly. In the meantime, below are some photos and comments posted live from the show...

I have little time to report anything substantive, other than to say that this show will no doubt be seen as another huge monster success, in terms of the number of attendees and the frenzied coverage it will receive. As always, many comic-book companies and entertainment companies have waited for the Comic-Con to make many major announcements. It's only Friday and I already feel tapped—and tomorrow is Saturday, traditionally the busiest and craziest day of the convention!

Anticipation for the Watchmen movie seems to be the main buzz of the show. On Friday (July 25), a packed audience was treated to the preview and a panel discussion with the director and the movie's stars. Cartoonist and new director Frank Miller was also on hand to present a extended clips from his upcoming Spirit film. (All this was just reported to me, of course, since I worked at my booth most of the day!)

Actors/celebs I spotted on the floor include Simon Pegg, Robert Culp, William Katt, Lou Ferrigno, Breckin Meyer, and, from The Office television show, stars Mindy Kaling, B.J Novak, and Melora Hardin. (Kevin Spacey, Keanu Reeves and Paris Hilton also have made appearances here.)

The other big news—though peripherally related to the convention—was the closure of the Interstate 5 freeway into San Diego on the first day of the show (Thursday, July 25), due to a car accident that occurred at 5 a.m. People I spoke with who drove in to the show from various points in L.A. got stuck in their cars for 5 to 7 hours, compared to the 2 it took me to drive down early Wednesay morning. My wife and children usually come down Thursday—a day after me—but this year they fortunately came down Wednesday afternoon and saved themselves a lot of grief and frustration.

Anyway, below are some preliminary pics from the show (you can click on them to see them full-size and in more detail).


With this head of thick curls, my wife could not resist dressing up our little boy as a hobbit...

Beam me up, Scotty!

Imperial stormtroopers

People dressed as Indiana Jones are a dime a dozen at the convention,
 but I just had to take a pic of this pair who came as Indy Jr. and Sr.

The batcycle...

Striking a pose...
Traffic at the convention center at 8 in the morning, hours before the doors officially open!

Ready for another busy day!

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