Wow...

I bought lots and lots of terrific stuff this at weekend's Wizard World Texas.  Truly, crazy with the cool.

As you can see, I picked up several boxes of Stikfas adding to strengths of my Frontier Battalion.  I am hooked on these things.  I am using them as miniatures for my THIS EMPIRE EARTH homebrew setting for the Savage Worlds role playing game.

Speaking of THIS EMPIRE EARTH, I picked up some original artwork for the player document I am developing.  I will post an image of that later...

A close examination of my haul will reveal LOTS of DC floppies.  Why is that you ask?  I'll tell you...

I have cut back A LOT on my weekly comic purchases.  Despite my love of DC's characters, the writing over the last year - with some notable exceptions - has really stunk.  The downturn for me started with COUNTDOWN and has spread into many DC titles reaching the greatest heights of suck in Morrison's Final Crisis.  With all the various sales at the con, it's a lot more affordable to check some things out... I was able to snag the first eight issues of the current Batman and the Outsiders, the first six issues of Black Canary & Green Arrow, Shooter's Legion of Superheroes run, and lots, lots more.

In trades, I hit the freakin' motherlode on the Jack Knight Starman books.  Very, very excited.

Here's a better look at the loot...

My favorite purchase this weekend has got to be Godzilla.  He is a Wizard World Texas exclusive from Far East Monsters.  He's beautiful and lights up with full on GROOOONK action.  Love.  Him.

If only the spirit of Wizard World could live in our hearts today and everyday.

Aron Head
www.EvilBastard.net 

Posted by Aron Head at 3:28 PM CST

Updated: Monday, 10 November 2008 3:29 PM CST

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Wizard World Texas was a total freakin' blast.  But...

...You knew there was a 'but,' right?

Over in my Friday at the Con article on Blog@Newsarama, I mentioned how crappy the lines were managed prior to the start of the con.  Honestly, I don't understand why that has to be so insanely bad.  Every year those lines suck. Every.  Year.

A little order, a little direction would greatly enhance the experience.

Last year, Stylin was absent from the show.  I was thrilled then to find them present this year at WWTX.  I've bought some great gear from them in the past and was ready to drop some greenbacks on them.  I found two SWEET shirts.  One was a Miller Dark Knight Returns and the other was a Mignola Hellboy.

"You need some help with those?" The retailer asked.

"Yes, please."  I indicated the shirts, "I need both of these in XXL."

"Oh, yeah... we won't have any of these shirts," He gestured indicating all of the really cool garments within his massive shop space, "In anything larger than an XL.  The double-Xs are outside."

To say the least, their choice of extended sizes was grim.

WTF?!?

If there is a fatter group of hobbiests than comic fanboys, I don't know what it is.   Looking around the showroom floor, the beefy boys were at least on equal number with the slimmer set.  Really, man, learn your demographic.

From there, I found a woman clad in a spectacular, vintage Wonder Woman outfit.  Anytime I snap a pic of the costumed set, I ask if I can take their picture.  It's courteous, I think, and it gives them the opportunity to pose.  I mean, they're dressed up because they want to be seen, right?

"Can I take your picture?" I asked.

"Yes," She smiled, "I'm charging $5.  I'm working with this booth."

"Really?" 

"Yes," She answered.

"Does that come with a hand-job?" 

It did not.

She wasn't a celebrity, and I wasn't even asking to be in the picture with her.  Totally don't get that.  I'd be real curious to know how many takers she had.  

On Friday, I blogged:

Posted by Aron Head at 1:21 PM CST

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At one of the DC Panels this past weekend, Senior DC Story Editor Ian Sattler revealed just a little about Run! the upcoming, post-Final Crisis story to be written by Matt Sturges.  The story will focus on a key super-villain from Final Crisis.  Sattler promised lots of chat-worthy moments in each book of the series, "It will kick total ass!"

I followed up with Matt Sturges today about the con and to see if there was anything else he could share about his upcoming Run!...

"WWTX was great - I had a blast.  I'd love to go on and on about RUN! but what you got at the panel was all they'll let me say... Trust me.  If I could talk about it, I would.  If you speak out of turn, DiDio comes to your house with a baseball bat and roughs you up!"

It was worth a shot, right?

Matt Sturges currently writes Jack of Fables.  He's working on #30 today!

Aron Head
www.EvilBastard.net 

Posted by Aron Head at 11:28 AM CST

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Okeydoke, here's some one-stop-shopping for you consolidating my Wizard World Texas coverage this past weekend.

• Friday at the Con
• Saturday at the Con
• Sunday at the Con
• All the pictures I took at the Con (the pics include the Heroe4Heroes Live Art Show as well!)

Posted by Aron Head at 10:56 AM CST

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Saturday was a big, full day of panels at Wizard World Texas.  I wrote all about it over on Newsarama, so check that out. 

I'm off for the third and final day of the show.  I will write all about that tonight and tomorrow, but if you want to stay looped in check out my live tweets on Twitter.

Hugs. Kisses.

Blog atcha soon.

Aron Head
www.EvilBastard.net 

Posted by Aron Head at 10:45 AM CST

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Friday was a lot of fun at Wizard World Texas.  I wrote all about it over at Blog@.  Check it out!

I will continue to live blog today on Twitter with regular updates and pictures from the con.  

Tonight is the live art show benefitting Heroes4Heroes.  That'll be tons of fun!

Aron Head
www.EvilBastard.net
Twitter + AronHead

Posted by Aron Head at 8:28 AM CST

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Yesterday, I covered all the cool panels to attend on Friday.  Today, let's look forward to Saturday at the con...

• 10:00 - Sick Girl Premiere -  "Witness the world premiere of the new shocker from writer/director Eben McGarr."  Once the film is over, you can hang out for a panel discussion with the director and cast members.  It ain't my thing, but it might be yours.
• 11:00 - The Return of Spawn - Spawn artist Whilce Portacio is gonna drop some knowledge on con-goers about the future of Spawn.  I'm sure this one will be interesting, but I'll be attending another panel at the same time...

• 11:00 - iVERSE MEDIA: THE FUTURE OF DIGITAL COMICS - According to the program, "iVerse Media is the first company to bring Digital Comics from major independent comic publishers to the iPhone and iPod Touch!"  In this panel, the folks from iVerse will unveil their launch titles and discuss the future of the digital comics landscape.  Let's see... I have an iPhone, I dig comics.  Guess where I'll be?

• 1:00 - DIRECTOR'S COMMENTARY: THE JOKER HARDCOVER - Brian Azarrelo and Lee Bermejo will be chatting about their lovely new book.  This oughta be a whole lot of fun.  Sadly, I will miss the Moral Orel panel which runs concurrently to this one.  Me so sad.
• 2:00 - DCU: CRISIS AND BEYOND! - DC's Sales VP Bob Wayne and other panelists will be talking up the Final Crisis and what lies beyond.  Perhaps they'll be able to explain why they made Final Crisis suck so hard?
• 3:00 - DIRECTOR'S COMMENTARY: ASTONISHING X-MEN - John Cassaday chats about his brilliant work illustrating 24 issues of Astonishing X-Men.  Y'know, I just finished re-reading issues 1-12.  Brother John really turned that mother out, y'know.
• 4:00 - DYNAMITE ENTERTAINMENT - "Dynamite President Nick Barrucci leads an all-star cast of creators-including Frank Cho, John Cassaday and Matt Wagner - as they discuss all things Dynamite and titles such as Jungle Girl, The Lone Ranger and Zorro!"
• 5:00 - AVATAR PRESS - "Avatar Press rolls out the big guns this Winter! Come hear EIC William Christensen talk about new projects with Alan Moore, Warren Ellis, Garth Ennis, and much more! With special guests Jacen Burrows and Christos Gage!"
  

Man, looking at this schedule it sure doesn't leave much time to hit the dealer room. I'll make it work, though.  You have to commit to the con, my friends, and have faith that there will ALWAYS be time to purchase.

Don't forget, I will be regularly updating via Twitter.  I'll post tweets and images all through the con.

Aron Head
www.EvilBastard.net
Twitter + AronHead 

Posted by Aron Head at 8:02 AM CST

Updated: Thursday, 6 November 2008 10:03 PM CST

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Tomorrow's the big day, the first day of Wizard World Texas.  Very exciting.  There's a lot to be said for the Friday con.  It's not nearly as crowded as Saturday since lots of folks aren't nearly so hardcore as I am and take the day off, yet all the vendors are on hand.  Gives you a good opportunity to scope out who has what as well as a chance to visit with the celebs.

Friday's programming looks good, too.

Here's what I'll be doing:

• Noon -  INCREDIBLE HULK RETROSPECTIVE WITH LOU FERRIGNO - Lou's a regular guest at WWTX.  I've seen him there at least three times, but this is the first time I have seen him appear on the programming.  I'm eager to hear him talk about his Hulk experiences.  Several years ago, I had him autograph a picture for Suzanne.  She really digs his role on King of Queens. 
  
• 3:00 - DRACULA AND THE ENDURANCE OF HORROR - From the program guide: "From EC Comics to today, horror never dies. Come listen to columnist and comics creator Tony Salvaggio (Psy-comm, Comic Book Resources) and Sword of Dracula: The Dracula War creator Jason Henderson talk about why horror stays in our blood, and why Dracula-after over 100 years-remains a favorite character." I've not read Sword of Dracula, but I've been interested.  Of course, who doesn't love a little Vlad and with the Fear Fest guys being in the house, this panel seems like a no-brainer.

It's in the four o'clock hour that they really screw you.  All kinds of cool stuff is going on...

•  4:00 - CREATOR-OWNED COMICS - Guys like Terry Moore, Matt Wagner, Frank Cho, Billy Tucci and Craig Rousseau will be talking abou 'doing it for themselves' in this panel that is sure to be informative.
• 4:00 - WIZARD WORLD UNIVERSITY: HISTORY LESSONS - A number of comics scholars from such stalwart institutions as the University of Texas at Austin and Henderson State University will discuss the history of the genre.  This sounds like tons of fun.
• 4:00 - DC NATION - DC VP of Sales Bob Wayne will be discussing the present and future of the DCU.  This is the one I will likely attend.  I mean, I need to ask him who in the world thought the kitty cat Rage Lantern was a good idea.  And I need an autograph on my Timemasters TPB, which he wrote.

Still... those two other panels look cool, too.

• 5:00 - WWU: THE DARK SIDE OF SUPER -  Another scholarly look at the genre, this time James Ford (The Truth of Buffy: Essays on Fiction Illuminating Reality) asks, "How Dark Is Too Dark? The Ethics of Violence in Super-Hero Films." David Bugg (SUNY-Potsdam) examines how life stresses turn fictional super-humans into law enforcers or law-breakers.  

Lots to do on Friday with plenty of time to roam the dealer room.  I will be posting my picks for Saturday and Sunday in tomorrow's blog.

BTW, you can follow me on Twitter for LIVE updates throughout the con.

Aron Head
www.EvilBastard.net
Twitter + AronHead 

Posted by Aron Head at 8:04 AM CST

Updated: Wednesday, 5 November 2008 9:05 PM CST

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Press Release

 

SPACEBALLS: THE ANIMATED SERIES TO SCREEN EPISODES AT WIZARD WORLD TEXAS!

New Cult Favorite Series To Entertain Fans At The Convention

Congers, NY (November 5, 2008) - The most recent animation sensation, the G4 sequel to the classic film "Spaceballs," will be prominently featured at Wizard World Texas. Two episodes from the series will be screened on Friday November 7th from 5-6 p.m. in the Michael Turner Room at the Arlington Convention Center.

The series has been entertaining fans since debuting in September. The episodes being screened for the Wizard World Texas attendees on Friday night are "Hairy Putter" and "Mighty Meteor." The cartoon series is a sequel to the beloved 1987 Mel Brooks film of the same name and follows the misadventures of Lone Starr, Barf, Princess Vespa and the rest. Mel Brooks, Daphne Zuniga and Joan Rivers have all reprised their roles from the film for the television series.

Posted by Aron Head at 7:18 PM CST

Updated: Wednesday, 5 November 2008 8:27 PM CST

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If you find that you'd rather kiss a wookie this weekend, Wizard World Texas is the place to be!  Peter Mayhew, the man beneath all that spectacular fur as Chewbacca in the Star Wars films will be signing autographs at the show.  Mroooowwr!

In the comments of Monday's blog, General Manager Chris Powell over at Lone Star Comics & Science Fiction wrote to my concerns about the reported record number of exhibitors at this coming weekend's Wizard World Texas.  I had pointed out some notable vendors missing from the retailer and exhibtor list - including Lone Star Comics.  Chris put my mind at ease:

"I'm pleased to say that Lone Star will be there. Wizard has had a lot of turnover in their conventions department in the last couple of months, and they haven't posted a full list of exhibitors..."

This is awfully reassuring to me.   I've got cash in my pockets ready to buy funny books and all manner of things that I-simply-must-have-but-didn't-know-I-needed.  I gotta have guys there to sell me t'ings, tho.  Glad to learn that the site simply hasn't been updated.  Thanks, Chris.  I can sleep again!

Confirmed guest Stuart Sayger reports that he will not be in attendance at WWTX.

But that's okay, because the Space Gun Studios kru will be knocking out some badass pages at the Heroes 4 Heroes Live Art Charity Auction.   These guys are great.  I've met Vinh-Luan Luu a couple of times.  He has a delightfully noirish style to much of his work.  I am a HUGE fan of Jake Ekiss' stuff.  In fact, Jake teased me earlier this week:

"Hey there Aron be sure to find me at the con; I'll have something for you (ooh, cryptic...)."

Please be a puppy, please be a puppy...!

By the way, I just realized that I got the date wrong for the H4H Live Art Show.  It is Saturday night.  Not Friday night as reported earlier.  Me am smart.  Sometimes Bizarro Aron writes the blog...

By the way, the Heroes Initiative is looking for volunteers:

The Hero Initiative is looking for volunteers to work the booth at Wizard World Texas from November 7-9.

What you get for your time:

• You get into the convention for free - all we ask is about four hours a day.
  
• You get to meet comics creators up-close and personal. In the past we have had Adam Kubert, George Perez, Ed Brubaker, Terry Moore & J.G. Jones.
• And you get to pimp, pimp, pimp for a good cause.

If you are interested in volunteering one, two or all three days, contact Bob Moser at spiderbob007@sbcglobal.net.

Tomorrow, I will be posting my picks for the cool panels and things to do at the con... can't wait!

Aron Head
www.EvilBastard.net
Twitter + AronHead 

Posted by Aron Head at 8:00 AM CST

Updated: Tuesday, 4 November 2008 11:00 PM CST

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