COMIC CON INTERNATIONAL - SAT. JULY 22, 2006
Saturday. The craziest day of Comic Con. This is the madhouse we’ve been waiting for, and dreading. It all depends upon your point of view as attendee vs. people watcher. Then again, the crowds are thick as molasses in the Convention Center. That was meant as a metaphor for many people, not that everyone is fat.
“WGA Animation Writer’s Caucus: Something Funny This Way Comes” - Every year, the WGA Animation Writer’s Caucus sponsors panels on the craft of writing for animation. This year the focus was on comedy writing. As anyone in the industry knows, it is much harder to actually “write” comedy, than it is to “be” funny, or to write for any other genre. Amongst the subjects covered are how comedy differs from drama, and language barriers for humor translation.
“Wayans Bros: In Living Color!” - The Wayans brothers hosted a panel about their new comic book company, 5-D Comics, and the titles that they are bringing out.
“DC Talent Search 3” - An informative panel for anyone interested in getting into comics. This explained what DC looks for in new talent, and how work is reviewed.
“Lost: Season 3” - Actors Jorge Garcia and Daniel Dae Kim hosted this panel along with the producers of “Lost” as they presented clips and more.
“Gumby’s 50th” - It’s the 50th anniversary of Art Clokey’s “Gumby,” as Art hosted this panel, along with his son Joe, to chat about the experiences in making the lovable green guy (no, not The Hulk).
“Grindhouse” - The anticipated Quentin Tarrantino/Robert Rodriguez co-made film that owes homage to the great 1970s horror/action exploitation films. “Grindhouse” really is two films, “Death Proof” and “Planet Terror” with trailers of unreal films in between. The panel was hosted by the two directors, and also featured actors Rose McGowan, Rosario Dawson, Zoe Bell, Marley Shelton, Sydney Poitier, and Mary Elizabeth Winstead. During this panel they announced Kurt Russell as the main villain of “Death Proof.” Fun and frolic in a slasher wasteland. Fun panel.
“The Simpsons” - This panel focused on Matt Groening’s now famous cartoon, “The Simpsons.” The panel discussed how it was entering into it’s 18th season on television, which is unheard of, and the upcoming 400th episode. Matt hosted the panel along with a few of the producers. For all cartoon fans, and there were many.
“Bradbury, Harryhausen, and Ackerman” - The three legends of filmdom chatted and reminisced on this panel, about horror, Sci-Fi, film, and more. Always interesting, when any of these guys tell their stories.
“Spotlight On Basil Gogos” - The infamous cover artist of “Famous Monsters” appeared for the first time at Comic Con, to talk about his life, works, and comic book history.
“Adventures Of Brisco County Jr.” - Star Bruce Campbell appeared on this panel, along with co-star Julius Carrey, producer John McNamara, and writer Carlton Cuse, to talk about the cult-fave, short-running TV series “The Adventures Of Brisco County Jr.” The big announcement was an upcoming box-set featuring the entire series, along with extras. Everyone on the panel seemed very excited, as did the fans, about finally getting this out to the public. I couldn’t help but feel an ominous dread that somehow it would not come to be as hoped. [Update: And as it was, it never was released to the major outlets, and only to Amazon.com eventually, and without any fanfare nor advertisements. - Ed.] As always, it was fun to hear Bruce Campbell reminisce his tales.
“The Costume Designers Guild: Costume Centric Session 3” - A great panel about costume designs, and their effect on culture and film. This was quite interesting to watch, and something different that many film viewers don’t often think about.
“The 4400” - This panel focused on the continuing series “The 4400,” which had become a cult phenomenon with fans. On the panel were actors Joel Gretsch, Jacqueline McKenzie, Patrick Flueger, Megalyn Echikunwoke, and Billy Campbell, along with producers Ira Behr, and Craig Sweeney.
SUNDAY, JULY 23 -
Sunday was a day of much needed rest, although it wasn’t going to happen at the hotel. We basically slowed down and got to enjoy the Exhibit Halls, while meeting up with friends at the Autograph Section and the booths. Soon it would all be over, and regardless of how tired we are, we were going to miss it and begin making plans for the next year.
Sunday evening we did go out to eat at our favorite Chinese restaurant, China Too. This place is something different to check out. It claims to be "New York style Chinese food." No joke, you get the New York attitude. Robert, the owner, is hilarious to watch as he runs around trying to accommodate all the orders. They are busy. One time he yelled at a woman on the phone as she kept asking for pizza. "No! No! No pizza. China food!" and hung up. The first time we went there, the owner greeted us at the door. "You come in. You eat. If you no like, you no pay." Simple enough, we thought. He then followed with, "Everybody pay!" For a moment, we weren't sure if he meant because the food was so good, or if we were getting a Mafia styled threat. In we went, and sat at a big, wobbly table, which has since become "our table." We amused at the idea of the food staying still during the wobble. He then took our orders, and, excellent. The best Chinese food we've had in a long time. However, keeping in mind with how busy they get, this year we were told to service our own table. My friend Tony and I were handed the wait forms and told to take our orders. Good grief! Somewhere along the line, the food got mixed up (blame the new waiters - us), but in the end, same great food, with the same great attitude. Don't miss this place.
Written by Philip Anderson with contributions by Keith Denison / Perlito Godoy |
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