This year’s Baltimore Comic-Con was more than just me running amok in Artist’s Alley a good time. The ‘Con is where the annual Harvey Awards are held, and this year it looks like Saga stole the show. (Deservedly so; if you’re not reading Saga, you really need to get on that asap.)
I’m also excited to see the Web comic Battlepug get a Harvey, Because pugs are awesome, and a Battlepug doubly so.
Read on for the complete list of winners — and CONGRATS to all!
Happy Friday the 13th, mah witches!
Army of Darkness vs Hack/Slash #2: (Dynamite) The first issue in this series took a look at the action from Cassie Hack’s POV. This time? It’s an Ash-eye view, and it’s a lot of fun. Ash puts his own particular spit & polish on the action, which makes for laughs coupled with Daniel Leister’s artwork. This time the duo head to prison to find an evil doppelganger; blood, deadites and Ash’s trademark quips abound. The final panel is gorgeous, and promises tons of action (and splatter) to come. This series is coming along nicely, and I can’t wait to see what’s next. (4 out of 5)
Baltimore – The Infernal Train #1: (Dark Horse) I love Lord Baltimore. He’s a guy that has a mission, and does whatever he has to do…and he just so happens to be a vampire. No flash. No sparkle. Just a guy kicking major butt. What’s not to like? The Infernal Train is a good jump-in point for those of you who haven’t had a chance to read this series. For folks already well versed? This three issue mini pits Baltimore against not his nemesis Haigus, but a man who could be very dangerous in his own right, the Priest Duvic. Duvic wants Baltimore dead; seems the priest believes the vamp has seen and done too much to be unscathed. Like anyone ain’t, buddy. This should be a Grade A showdown. Here’s to finding out how these two work it out amongst themselves…. (5 out of 5)
Dexter #3: (Marvel) Looooove the cover art in this issue! Ahh, the suburban serial killer. (Thanks for that, Michael Del Mundo!) I also love the panels here; a mix of styles that drew me in and propel the story visually. Excellent. Because the story gets really good in here, with Dexter doing a little of his special kind of “research”. Dexter’s high school bully – turned – “saint” is too good to be true, but he’s also no dummy. Two more issues in this series, and here’s hoping there’s a little of the ol’ ultra-violence soon! (4 out of 5)
Screwed #4: (Zenoscope) Hooray – I’ve heard that this series is getting a second arc! Huzzah! Okay, back to this one; Anne, who is stitched together and can’t remember much of anything about her life, still sees monsters everywhere she looks. Unfortunately, those monsters are simply brainwashing, thanks to dirty rotten no-good scientific dinking with her brain. They’re really just innocent people. Not good, as she kills any monsters she sees. More information is revealed about how and why Anne got this way, and the explanation definitely sets the stage for more arcs. This issue is a little jumpy in terms of the story, but there’s a ton that has gotta be packed in, so for the most part I’ll let it slide. With a final panel that delivers an unexpected twist, next issue should be a real jolt to the system. Get it? Okay, fine. (4.5 out of 5)
The Horror Show: (Broken Icon) One shots can be fantastic, or craptastic. This one has a deliciously nasty surprise that may not be a first, but is a lot of gory fun. I only wish there were more than 17 pages of story. Not only to flesh things out a bit more, but because it’s a damn fine comic and I want more. Love the use of only black, white and red with the coloring; it makes the action really jump out. I’m definitely expecting bigger and better things from writer James Maddox and artist Todd Beistel after this. Til then, I’ll be re-reading this later for a quick Halloween chill. (5 out of 5)
Friday the 13th-eve has something special for y’all. A horror double-feature! Yaaaay!
Missed Insidious? Or can’t quite remember exactly what happened? Wanna catch it again in theaters? This is a perfect time for a one-two punch of The Scary. Insidious 2 hits theaters Friday the 13th, 2013, but why not see it before everyone else does? That way you can spend your F13 curled up in the fetal from fear. (Just me?)
Here’s the deets; theaters are all over the place, and with the full theater list on Fandango, there’s certain to be at least one multiplex running this double-feature near you.
Read beyond the jump for the full release. Go get your scary on!
Summer is winding down (though with today’s 95 degree weather you’d never know it), but it’s always a good time to hit the movie theaters. Especially when it’s for free! Today’s screening giveaway extravaganza is for the Baltimore area screening of Baggage Claim. Wanna know what it’s about? Here’s the info from our lovely and talented PR folks:
Determined to get engaged before her youngest sister’s wedding, flight attendant Montana Moore (Paula Patton) finds herself with only 30 days to find Mr. Right. Using her airline connections to “accidentally” meet up with eligible ex-boyfriends and scour for potential candidates, she racks up more than 30,000 miles and countless comedic encounters, all the while searching for the perfect guy.
Check out the Web site for the film for the trailer and more info: http://www.foxsearchlight.com/baggageclaim/
Here’s the basics:
Monday, September 23, 7:30pm
AMC White Marsh
How to get your pass? Just head over to GOFOBO: clicky this link – http://l.gofobo.us/HPt4w5Ur – and grab your pass!
REMEMBER: seating is first-come, first served and is not guaranteed. So make sure you get to the theater early to grab your seat. Good luck!
So, you weren’t able to check out the Baltimore Comic-Con this year? Man, you missed a good time. But hey, there’s always next year, amirite? Who knows what special guest stars could make an appearance (please say Robert Kirkman. Please say Robert Kirkman….)
Here are a few pics of some of my favorite places and things at this year’s con. Want a few tidbits?
* This year’s con broke attendance records! WOOT! Yeah baby, that’s the nerd stuff. (Thanks, ABC News, for that info!)
* Word on the street is that Screwed will be getting a second chapter! For folks like me that are absolutely loving this miniseries, that’s Happy Dance Time, for certain. (For those of you who haven’t started reading this series yet? Get. On. It.)
* Wanna know what most comic book colorists use? Photoshop. And RBG in particular. Newbies should read up on color theory, and especially focus on color values, contrast and saturation. Not to mention that you’ve got to bear in mind how much in the paper it’s printed on can handle, and choose your colors accordingly. It’s a whole lot more than just picking out colors y’all!
* Saga cleaned up at the Harvey Awards this year, with 6 statuettes. Adventure Time scored two awards…and I’ll have the full list o’ winners up soon. Suffice it to say that Saga and Adventure Time — who have already nabbed Eisner Awards this year — are the big stars of 2013.
* I’d have pics of the Comic Book Men crew, but the line was hella long, and the PR folks surrounding them looked fierce. What? I’m scared of important looking people with clipboards. It’s a thing.
Okay, that’s the gist of what I was able to see. Next year? I’m going to get a minion of my own to cover some of the panels I can’t get to. Or I’ll get a Time-Turner. Whatever’s easier. Pictures!
Better late than never…okay, so I’m just a week late. But: Baltimore Comic-Con! Okay fine. August has a slew of awesome comics, and here’s the Ghastly Awards picks for the best of the best (including a pick from yours truly.)
Time to get your Electric Boogaloo on y’all! Because there’s 50 ADMIT TWO screening passes to the dance movie Battle of the Year! Yippee! (Okay, enough with the exclamation points.) Battle of the Year sounds like a fun way to ease into the fall,
Battle of the Year stars Josh Holloway (LOST), Laz Alonso, Josh Peck, Caity Lotz and Chris Brown. Wanna know more? Of course. Take it away, fabulous PR people!
Battle of the Year is the Olympics of break dancing, a tournament held every year that attracts all the best teams from around the world, but the Americans haven’t won in fifteen years. Los Angeles Hip Hop mogul and former B-Boy Dante (Alonso) wants to put the country that started the Sport back on top. He enlists his hard-luck friend Blake (Holloway), who was a championship basketball coach, to coach his team. Armed with the theory that the right coach can make any team champions, they assemble a Dream Team of all the best b-boys across the country. With only three months until Battle of the Year, Blake has to use every tactic he knows to get twelve talented individuals to come together as a team if they’re going to bring the Trophy back to America where it started. Inspired by the actual world championship held yearly in France.
Oh, and the poster says 3D — woot! Here’s the deets on the screening:
Day: Thursday, Sept 12
Time: 7:00 PM
Place: Cinemark Egyptian
Here’s the GOFOBO link; get ’em and start your Monday off right! — http://l.gofobo.us/Emgk9HNb
(REMEMBER: screening passes do not guarantee admittance, as seating is first come, first served. So? Get there early to make sure you get a seat!)
Now if you’ll excuse me, I’ve got to see if I can remember how to moonwalk….
If you were there? You are awesome. If you weren’t? You’re still awesome, but you missed a really good time.
Drink and Draw is a fantastic way to not only watch comic book artists get their talent on, but actually chat, and have a beer with, them. Huzzah, amirite?
Just a few pictures of tonight’s event, in “comicify” effect. Because yeah, I’m going there. It’s as close to any kind of talent I’ll ever have….
Really cool artists getting artisty.
Yeah. You wish you could buy this. For charity!
Did I go home with this? YES. All hail!
I love reading about folks that get Lifetime Achievement Awards. I’m either happy that someone I’ve admired is getting recognition, or I learn something about an absolutely amazing individual. Win-win, right?
This time it’s kind of a little of both; while I’d heard of the talents of Rick Carter, I hadn’t really known much about his work. Y’know. aside from his Oscar for Lincoln, and his nomination for the absolutely breathtaking War Horse (I now know he got a nom for Forrest Gump as well.) Now? He’s getting a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Art Directors Guild. Bravo, Mr. Carter!
Read on for the full press release!
Here ’tis. Enjoy!
BALTIMORE, MARYLAND – August 29, 2013 – You demanded it and we are ready to deliver — the 2013 Baltimore Comic-Con panel schedule! This year is even more chock-full of comic book goodness than in the past, with sessions ranging from creator spotlights to industry tutorials, and featuring expanded Children’s programming in the Kid’s Love Comics area on the show room floor! There is something for everyone!
Got a dollar to spare? A quarter?
Atomic Fangirl 