Pony News: #BronyCon5 Q&A with Chiara Zanni!

BronyCon_2016-Chiara_Zanni-Announcement-Press_Release

No, I didn’t get her picture. It was late in the day and I was pooped.

First off, it’s Chi-a-ra, like tiara.  Gorgeous name, right?  Okay.  Bet you didn’t know the voice actress of Daring Do/A.K. Yearling (SPOILER) also worked on the original My Little Pony Tales series in the 90s!  Yep.  She was Bon Bon! Zanni has been a voice actress since she was a little kid – her mother saw an ad in a mall, and since Chiara was always singing and dancing, thought it would e a breat idea to enter her in a competition.  Naturally, Zanni won… “and I never stopped.”

And while she’s been hard at work for decades and says “it’s really all I know”, she says “it’s the best job in the world…I feel so lucky.”

Since this is not only her first pony convention, but her first convention ever, we had to know what she thought of the Brony fandom.  She’s a fan.  “I would hear…I didn’t really believe it….”  While she thinks the fandom is overwhelming, she sees that as an incredibly positive thing, and hopes the fans don’t lose that magic. She also says that she’s usually on the quiet side, and was nervous coming to BronyCon.  “It’s good for me, breaks me out of my shell.”

Does she watch the show?  Well, no.  But not because she’s boycotting, or doesn’t like the idea of sitting down and watching ponies if she’s not voicing ’em.  It’s just that she doesn’t watch a lot of TV.  “…[T]he little time I have at night is with loved ones.”  Can’t hate that.

Would she go back and re-do anything she’s done in the past?  She says that’s a natural feeling for actors.  “We’re very critical of ourselves…I could go back to a ton” and do it over.

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Pony News: #BronyCon5 Q&A with M. A. Larson!

Oh, like you don't want that sticker. WE ALL WANT IT.

Oh, like you don’t want that sticker. WE ALL WANT IT.

M.A. Larson is a pony ‘con phenomenon. With his trusty sharpie, he goes around making his mark – “M.A. Larson was here” – and generally being an all-around cool guy.  But he took the time to chat a little with us press folks, and as always it was a hoot.

First off, his novel series – which will definitely be a trilogy, btw – Pennyroyal Academy just had the second book in the series drop a few weeks ago.  And while Reese Witherspoon snapped up the movie rights, those rights have expired but the talks are “still going”.  The script is written, and Larson says he thinks it’s “better than the book”.  (Sweet.) There’s still discussion on exactly how to bring it to life, via film or TV, live action or animation. Continue reading

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Pony News: #BronyCon5 Q&A with the comics crew!

BronyCon Comics crew q n a

Sara Richard, Tony Fleecs, Jeremy Whitley, and Jenn Blake

First off, we got to learn what Jenn Blake would do if the world ran out of Fireball (“Die.” I feel the same way about stout, darlin’.) And with that, it was off to the races, with a press panel that was a lot of fun.

When asked about the My Little Pony offering for this year’s Halloween ComicFest, the crew didn’t know much about it.  Since Sara did the cover art for Friends Forever #4, it looks like a Halloweeny reprint of that title, with no hidden bells or whistles from IDW.  (I’ma still grab it tho’.) Continue reading

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Pony News: BronyCon 2016 Q&A with Michelle Creber and Gabriel Brown!

Michelle and Gabriel BronyCon 2016First Q&A of BronyCon, everypony! And it was a chill, fun way to kick off the weekend.

Michelle (aka the voice of Apple Bloom) answered our questions about her favorite overall episode she’s ever voiced – “The Cutie Pox”  –  and her favorite of this season, “Crusaders of the Lost Mark”.  Her favorite episode outside of the eps she’s worked on is “Party of One”, but she also particularly enjoys anything with Dischord (because awesome) and all of Season 1 and 2.  Gabriel’s favorite episode overall is “Do Princesses Dream of Magic Sheep?” Continue reading

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Baltimore Screening Pass-palooza: Ghostbusters (2016)!

Ghostbusters-Poster-600x889Oh yeah baby.  Slimer is back! And while we’ve got a new crop of ‘Busters, there’s sure to be no shortage of ghosts doing their worst to poor NYC.  Get your raincoat, it’s gonna get slimy.  Synopsis!

Thirty years after the original film took the world by storm, Ghostbusters is back and fully rebooted for a new generation.  Director Paul Feig combines all the paranormal fighting elements that made the original franchise so beloved with a cast of new characters, played by the funniest actors working today.  Get ready to watch them save the world this summer!

Ready to bust?  Me too!  Right this way… Continue reading

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Pony News: How To Bar Trot

Brony Bar Trot 2016 CollageThis year marks my second Brony Bar Trot during BronyCon.  It’s the fourth Trot so far, not too shabby considering BronyCon is celebrating its fifth anniversary, no?

I’ve gone “regular” and I’ve gone “VIP”.  And honestly?  Even though this year’s Trot didn’t include the free three-shooter tickets as have been included in the past, I didn’t miss ’em.  But hello sweet VIP commemorative t-shirt! So go VIP if you don’t want to think about what/where to eat, and figure you want another pony shirt to add to your pile.  This year it was an extra $20 to upgrade to VIP grub & shirt.  I could handle that.

Want to know what to do next year?  Dying to see how the other pony half lives (read: how the drinking poinies get down)?  Herewith, a step-by-step guide to how to get your Brony Bar Trot on, in easy-peasy bullet-point format because I’m kinda hungover for easy reading!* Continue reading

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“The Secret Life of Pets”: a fluffy, family friendly diversion

The Secret Life of Pets onesheet

Nutshell: Pets is absolutely adorable.  And it’s absolutely unbelievable.  But who needs a plot that makes sense when you’ve got talking animals?  Louis C.K., Kevin Hart, and Jenny Slate are hilarious voicing their pet counterparts.  The animation is lovely to look at, with lots of bright colors to wow the young’uns. This film doesn’t dig deep, but does every animated film need to be WALL*E?  With love, I say nay.  Grade: A-

“Be a good boy, Leonard.”

Yeah, I know you know that line.  But it’s awesome, right?  Of course it is.  I’ve been stoked for this film since I saw the first trailer last year.  Not just because the awesome Louis C.K. voices the lead pup, but because the idea about a film that looks at what our pets do while we’re not around sounded like fun.  It is. Now be forewarned; this story isn’t gonna reach deep into the power themes, as Finding Dory, WALL*E or Toy Story.  And while there’s not much social commentary here – except a brief whiff of adopt-don’t-shop (seriously people) and the importance of understanding the commitment and connection that is having another species dependent upon you – there’s plenty to enjoy for all ages in this sweet little trifle. Continue reading

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Baltimore Screening Pass-palooza – Ice Age: Collision Course

ice age collision courseWho doesn’t love Scrat?  Haters that’s who.  And we don’t like haters ’round these parts.  So, want passes to the Baltimore screening of Scrat (and company) doing their latest thang?  Of course you do.  But first?  Synopsis!

Scrat’s epic pursuit of the elusive acorn catapults him into the universe where he accidentally sets off a series of cosmic events that transform and threaten the Ice Age World. To save themselvWes, Sid, Manny, Diego, and the rest of the herd must leave their home and embark on a quest full of comedy and adventure, traveling to exotic new lands and encountering a host of colorful new characters.

I loved the teaser trailer.  So 2001.  And if you’re not completely convinced you need to dip your toe into the latest Ice Age, I’ve got three words for you: Neil DeGrasse Tyson.  Yeah, he’s in this.  You in?  Yeah you are.  Read on…

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Con News: Small Press Expo celebrates Fantagraphics’ 40th Anniversary

Small Press Expo 2016 bannerYeah yeah yeah; everyone’s all about San Diego Comic-Con right now, and probably will be ’til it wraps on July 24th.  But what about folks who actually want to, oh y’know, discuss COMIC BOOKS?  So many comic-cons get wrapped up with the Hollywood flash, and spend very little time or effort on the creators that got us jazzed for these ‘cons in the first place.  (Or the ‘cons are so freakin’ huge it’s rough getting from one creator panel to the next…)

But not Small Press Expo.  In Bethesda, MD, this September you’ll get to chat with artists, writers and more who keep things indie.  Way cool, man.  No, seriously; this year SPX is celebrating Fantagraphics, and all their awesomeness.  Y’know, the folks who brought you Ghost World, Hip Hop Family Tree, Usagi Yojimbo, and the chronological re-issue of Peanuts.  FREAKIN’ PEANUTS, PEOPLE.

With the Fantagraphics love comes creators like Trina Robbins (Vampirella, and all-around indie comix legend), Joe Sacco (whose work blends comics and journalism), and more.  Why such a short paragraph?  I’m lazy, and the PR distro does such a wonderful job of fleshing out these creators that I’ll let ’em take it away.  Read on for the full details!

SPX 2016 is this September 17th and 18th.  Get your indie on!
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2016 Harvey Award nominees announced: Pastis, Breathed, Staples, Waid, Lemire & more!

Harvey NomineeIt’s that time of year; the Harvey Awards has released its list of nominees!  The Harvey Awards “recognize outstanding work in comics and sequential art”, and will be presented September 3rd, 2016 at this year’s Baltimore Comic-Con.

Some of my favorites?  Saga, Lumberjanes, Bloom County (and huzzah for the return of Otis and the gang!), Pearls Before Swine, Battlepug, Batman, Archie, The Unbeatable Squirrel Girl, Usagi Yojimbo, Rachel Rising...and those are just the ones I’ve had a chance to get through this year.  Yeah, there’s a lot to love in this year’s noms. But what really floors me is the sheer number of nominations for Valiant. Boom! and IDW trail far behind in number of noms, but they’re the only ones who come close to the Valiant juggernaut.

Congratulations to all nominees – and if you’re dying to see the full list, read on!

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