Comics: The Heart and Soul of Comic-Con (Caitlin)

It seems like it should going without saying, right? Comics and comic culture should be a big part of why people go to SDCC; however, for better or for worse, SDCC covers a lot more ground these days. Movies, television shows (even Glee? REALLY?), toys, webcomics (if you want to go comics-on-comics-meta, read The Gutters), tech/nerd toys and collectibles…I could go on. Now, as excited as I am to go to panels for things like Supernatural and Venture Bros., Hall H gods willing, I cannot wait to see some of my favorite comic book writers and artists. The list of special guests for this year’s SDCC  is a work in progress, according to their website, but I see some big names that make me smile!

CONFIRMED:

Grant Morrison
Yeah, he’s the crazy bastard who made Batman a pirate. The picture of him in this year’s SDCC annual (which is the same picture in Adam’s post below) makes Mr.

He was also a caveman.

Morrison look like a Bond villain. These are all…choices. Still, Grant Morrison is one of the top names in comics for a reason. All-Star Superman, Arkham Asylum, Batman and Robin (though his run has ended, his influence lives on in the current storyline), and Batman Inc. (which is an exceptionally fun read with astounding art, so stop what you’re doing and go catch up) are just some of his works for DC. The guy’s done a ton of stuff for Marvel, as well. He’s not Alan Moore talking-to-the-snake-gods-in-his-beard nuts, but he manages to juggle entirely silly amounts of references and character moments and plot points that you want to point at him and scream “You convoluted jerk! I’m going to be SO MAD when the smoke monster turns out to be some autistic Robin’s dream!”, but really…I can’t be mad at you, Grant Morrison. Please autograph my tits so I can get a tattoo of it.

Jo Chen
Don’t worry, dear readers, I won’t ask Jo Chen to sign my tits. She seems like a classy lady. Jo Chen is responsible for the stunning covers that accompany Buffy

Our Lady of Joss.

the Vampire Slayer: Season Eight. I have a special place in my heart for Chen’s work after Melinda and I stumbled upon a poster of her “Buffy with scythe” painting that had been signed by Joss Whedon and Chen herself at Forbidden Planet in NYC. Melinda put white candles around it on sconces and calls the painting “Our Lady of Joss”. Jo Chen’s iconic art has helped keep the Buffy legend alive and well, and for that I’m grateful.

Ed Benes
While his iteration of the Huntress costume is not my favorite (belly window +

Don't fuck with Oracle.

ass hanging out = FAIL), Ed Benes gave Gail Simone’s Birds of Prey a distinctive look that I can certainly appreciate. His art has a great sense of action, which is important for a team of badass ladies like the Birds. The SDCC website indicates that this year’s con will be his first US con appearance ever, which makes the occasion quite special!

 

 

WISHING AND HOPING:

Gail Simone
The writer for Birds of Prey, Secret Six, and a bunch of other stuff I care about, Gail Simone writes for those who enjoy badass, pro-GLBT characters with a sick sense of humor. Her Secret Six is easily one of the most wonderfully bizarre things on the market right now, and there’s no way to hate her Birds of Prey. Gail Simone made Hawk and Dove cool again, with the assist from Geoff Johns in his master plan for Blackest Night/Brightest Day, no easy task there. Her Huntress is a kick-ass woman, and it’s clear she loves the character even more than I do (which is to say, a LOT). Ms. Simone has also written some fantastic episodes of Justice League Unlimited and Batman: Brave and the Bold.

Bryan Q. Miller
The man behind the current run of Batgirl, Mr. Miller is known for his quirky dialogue that isn’t entirely unlike Whedon-speak (anyone who grew up with Buffy, Angel, and the like know what I’m talking about). He took a Batgirl a lot of
us weren’t sure about initially–Stephanie Brown–and made her likable and worthy of the cowl at the same time. Mr. Miller also wrote some of the better episodes of Smallville. Yes, I said it. Smallville. Got a problem with my not-so-secret nerd shame? (Side note: it’s okay to admit to watching Smallville. I promise. It’s the highest damn rated show on the CW, has been for years, so trust me when I say you’re not the only one watching.)

So what comic creators/writers/artists are you hoping to see this year at SDCC? Who have you seen at SDCC in the past that made you wet your pants with excitement/surprise/abstract horror? Shamelessly name drop in the comments!

Excited About Comics (Adam)

Sooo excited that we got our hotel setup and are one step closer to being at comic-con!  To prep for SDCC, I’ve been getting back into my comic roots. I used to work in a comic shop for 3 years during high-school. It’s probably one of the best jobs a nerd could ask for, especially at that age. However since my youth I grew apart from working with comics and these past months I’ve been working to get caught up in the comic book universe. Particularly Batman, because he is my favorite. I currently don’t have time to be catching up on the major publishers, so I’ve decided for now to just focus on DC. However if anyone has suggestions, leave a comment letting me know what is currently a “must read”! I am really trying to catch up in time for comic-con!

Getting caught up is hard! You leave a universe for 6-7 years and a lot happens! Apparently there was this thing called Infinite Crisis that hit right when I stopped reading, which sprung a bunch of other Crisis books and now we have the Green Lantern based Blackest Night series in 2010, which has NOW turned into Brightest Day. At least its not another crisis (or IS it?). There is so much to figure out in the DC universe since I left it.  I’ve been going through and catching up on a lot of the history which is ultimately leading up to Blackest Night.  My hope is to be caught up on Brightest Day by comic-con.

Besides Blackest Night, I’ve been catching up primarily on LOTS of Batman. I’ve recently finished up The Return of Bruce Wayne and I’ve moved on to Batman Inc. and the traditional back to basics Batman. Its always good to have an ongoing series to follow in your life and I’ve been enjoying these a lot. Also…

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Batman’s a PIRATE! Also a Caveman, Pilgrim and Cowboy. I’m excited with the Batman stories and where they have been in recent months. Can’t wait to see where this is all leading! Also Bruce Wayne recruiting people is a cool concept that I really can get behind. It just makes a lot of sense to me and I’m glad they have A) brought him back and B) are moving him in an interesting / new direction. I have also recently made the realization that a lot of this new Batman work is coming from someone I remember from way back in the day, Grant Morrison.

Yup, Grant Morrison. I remember him from back when I was in my comic shop days. Back then he was doing X-Men and shit (among other things, probably drugs), and now he is back on DC! It is really cool to see someone who I liked back then still making things happen in the comic world today. I’ve gotten even MORE excited now that I can go to Comic-con and MEET him. Really powerful stuff.

I think that the stories which come out of comics are the most interesting part. Thats why when writers, like Grant Morrison, get it right I’ll normally pick up whatever they tend to write out of principal. (Used to be into Warren Ellis like that, but he doesn’t really write much now. ❤ Planetary)

There are a ton of people from the industry that will be at SDCC this year and I’m very excited to meet them. Without the people behind comics, we wouldn’t have something as awesome as comic-con this year. I feel its really important to show these writers, artists, producers and publishers that their fans not only care about their creations but the people behind them. A lot of fans go to SDCC for other media, mainly films and television. But the core is comics. People forget that the reason we are there is because of comics.

To check out some of the people that are going to be there, hopefully you already have, check out the list of guests currently attending.

http://www.comic-con.org/cci/cci_guests.php

You should also walk down Artists Alley at least once while there. Check out the new talent. Today’s asshole in a Star Wars shirt could be tomorrow’s Stan Lee (in a Star Wars shirt). Who knows?

It’s going to be a great time this year at SDCC and can’t wait for all the comic goodness that awaits on my arrival!