Wednesday, September 29, 2010

ESO Podcast #26


For the record, here were my predictions for the summer movie season:

1) Toy Story 3
2) Iron Man 2
3) Prince of Persia: Sands of Time
4) Shrek Forever After
5) The Twilight Saga: Eclipse

How'd I do? Listen up!
This week on ESO, Mike, Dan, Mike are joined once again by Kat to talk about our all our favorite summer movies, and what quiet didn’t hit the mark. We also take a peek at the Doctor Who story “The Invasion” featuring the 2nd Doctor and his companions Jamie and Zoe. Also this week we premier our new crew rant section were going to call “Crew Kudos”.

Join us for another fun filled podcast that goes along with Episode 26: I Saw What They Made Last Summer!

Table of Contents
0:00:00 Intro / Welcome
0:01:58 Crew Kudos – R.E.B.E.L.S. / Comedy Club / Fall TV
0:24:58 Doctor Who: The Invasion
0:57:25 Summer Movie Wrap Up
1:40:06 Show Close
Listen to ESO #26 here, or download this podcast from iTunes.

Wednesday, September 22, 2010

Cover Rave - Brave and the Bold #79

It was a thrill meeting Neal Adams a couple of weeks ago at Dragon*Con 2010! I have been working on a complete collection of the Brave and the Bold series since I can remember. IMHO, one of the best issues of the series was the first to feature interior art by (then) newcomer Neal Adams - Brave and the Bold #79. I believe it is also the first encounter between Batman and Deadman. It is a great issue and even greater is the reprinted version featured in the Batman Illustrated by Neal Adams Volume 1. After my purchase of the hardcover, I compared the re-coloring to the original and it is a definite improvement. These days, you can get the collection for about the same cost as the single issue in very good condition. Unless you are trying to complete your collection like me, I would strongly recommend adding the collected edition to your library!

Brave & the Bold #79
Artist: Neal Adams

Sunday, September 19, 2010

ESO Podcast - Episode 25

This week on ESO, Mike, Dan and Mike return to the Star Wars universe and try to decide if Jar Jar was an underrated character or just as bad as we remember when we take a peek at Episode I: The Phantom Menace. Then we review another Doctor Who story once again featuring the 10th Doctor and his companion Donna, in a episode we like to call “Man that’s a lot of fat running around” or you can call it “Partners in Crime”.

Join us for another fun filled podcast that goes along with Episode 25: Wow, Jedi Really Do Kick Ass!

Table of Contents
0:00:00 Intro / Welcome
0:03:36 Mini Movie Review – Resident Evil: Afterlife / 3D Movie Rant
0:14:38 Doctor Who: Partners In Crime
0:36:01 Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace
1:10:37 Dragon*Con Rant / Show Close
Listen to ESO #25 here, or download this podcast from iTunes.

Thursday, September 16, 2010

Dragon*Con 2010 - Celebs and Signings


The highlight of this year's Dragon*Con for me was meeting two true legends of the comic book industry - Stan Lee and Neal Adams. I have been to conventions that one or the other had attended in the past, but a couple of years ago it occurred to me that the next time I had the opportunity to thank those who had inspired me, I should not pass it up. In particular, Stan "The Man." It is no secret that I am a huge fan of the "Distinguished Competition," but I do love Marvel characters as well, especially Spider-Man. And the chance to show my appreciation to one of Spidey's creators? Could not pass it up! I originally was thinking of bringing my copy of reprinted stories from Amazing Spider-Man for Stan to sign, but the wear and tear is too great. It probably would have crumbled to dust as soon as he placed ink on it. So, a couple of months ago I took advantage of a sale on Marvel hardcovers and purchased Marvel Visionaries: Stan Lee. Awesome collection of his early work and I strongly recommend it and if you can get it signed by Stan himself, so much the better! In addition to the signing, I also attended his panel on Saturday and listened to him recount to old days as well as hype his new projects, for which he has many. And I'll be damned if he didn't sell me on the new stuff! I pre-ordered the first issue of Soldier Zero and will actually keep an eye out for his upcoming project with Archie Comics. "The Man" has still got it!

I also was super excited to see Neal Adams in the Dragon*Con Comics and Pop Art area! I purchased a hardcover of the first volume of Batman Illustrated by Neal Adams collection and had it personalized. I hope Neal returns next year and the year after so I can get volumes 2 & 3 directly from him as well! I was sad to have missed the Batman panel featuring Adams, Paul Dini, Brian Stelfreeze, and Tim Sale, but did meet a few of those guys in the artist area. Speaking of great Batman artists, I also met Kelley Jones for the first time and reconnected with many writer and artist folks. The Comics and Pop Art area was hopping this year and I look forward taking part in it more directly in 2011.

But Dragon*Con is not just about comics (hee hee)! This year, I was able to complete my Star Trek Captains Collection of autographs with Scott Bakula. To be honest, I was a bit stunned by his signing rate, but he is a nice guy and we had a great little conversation about Porthos. I also added another cast member from Deep Space 9, Rene Auberjonois and another from The X-Files, William B. Davis.

However, my fave non-comic-book-related celebrity meeting was Adam Savage from Mythbusters. Adam busted the myth that "the first time is the greatest" as his panel this year was even more entertaining than the previous year's (which was great as well). I also got to meet the man himself and can confirm the myth that even a Savage can be a decent, down-to-earth bloke.

Dragon*Con 2010 - Kit Fisto Rules!

It just wouldn't be a con without getting a sketch or two of my favorite Jedi - Kit Fisto!

Stephanie Gladden

Randy Martinez

Wednesday, September 15, 2010

Dragon*Con 2010 - Costumes


It is hard for me to believe that this is my first actual blog post about Dragon*Con. I've attended 17 of them (in a row!) and each one has been one of the highlights of my year. Last year, I met William Shatner, Leonard Nimoy, Patrick Stewart, Kate Mulgrew, Terry Gilliam, Ben Browder, and even got to enter a TARDIS! Still no blog post.

In my defense, there are few words that can easily describe Dragon*Con. To paraphrase Morpheus, "No one can be told what the Dragon*Con is. You have to see it for yourself." To directly quote Voltaire, "Dragon*Con is where the freaks get geeky and the geeks get freaky!" It is the beautiful merging of a sci-fi convention, a comic con, a gaming tournament, a celebrity signing, a trick or treat night, a music festival, a holiday parade, a spring break party, a writer's seminar, a film fanfest, a renaissance fair, an art exhibition, a peep show, a flea market, a masquerade, and a sight-seeing tourist attraction. And more!

Last week, my fellow ESO podcasters and I attempted to vocalize this year's Dragon*Con event. Rather than repeat myself (please download and listen to last week's show), here's some bonus material. First, since I did not get the chance to name my personal fave costumes of the weekend, here's my top three (with visual aids!):

#3 Loki
(photo courtesy of Jeremy Dale)
Any con that is attended by Riki is a good con in my book! The ONLY reason the debut of her Loki costume did not win first place with me is because I did not actually see it with my own eyes. But I was on the lookout all weekend!

#2 Weeping Angel
(photo courtesy of Bobby Nash)
Don't blink!
Or you'll miss this awesome costume!

#1 Ironettes
(photo courtesy of Rick Stafford)
One of my favorite moments this year was looking down at the mass of costumed humanity that was the Marriott and seeing the sea of people part as this chorus line of girls from Iron Man 2 made its way through the crowd. Worth another pic!

(photo courtesy of Andy Chang)

As you may have noticed, I was too lazy to take my own pictures this year. So thanks to all of the many folks who have shared galleries of images!

Another reason that I probably have not posted about Dragon*Con before, is that the event is one of the most draining experiences I've ever had. I have been to a lot of shows and conventions and none are more tiring than Dragon*Con. Even making this post is wearing me out! I'll post more tomorrow!

Sunday, September 12, 2010

ESO Podcast - Episode 24

Join the Earth Station One Crew Live @ Dragon*Con 2010 in Atlanta, GA . We actually meet face to face for the first time and talk about all our experiences at this years show. A show so big we just had to call it Earth Station One Episode 24 – Live from Dragon*Con 2010.
Listen to ESO #24 here, or download this podcast from iTunes.

Thursday, September 2, 2010

ESO Podcast - Episode 23

This week on ESO, Mike, Dan and Mike go back to where it all started and talk about “An Unearthly Child” the very first story of Doctor Who back in 1963 which introduced William Hartnell as the Doctor. Then we be joined once again by our friend Kat as we talk about Superheroes on live action TV.

Join us for another fun filled podcast that goes along with Episode 23: How Did That Police Box End Up in a Junk Yard?

Table of Contents
0:00:00 Intro / Welcome
0:02:00 News
0:12:35 Doctor Who: An Unearthly Child
0:44:35 Live Action Super Heroes on TV
1:45:35 Show Close
Listen to ESO #23 here, or download this podcast from iTunes.