Michael D Hamersky On Comics Covers: The Fantastic Four AND Doctor Doom As Seen April 30th, 2011 At The Wizard World Anaheim Comic Con!       It was Clobberin' Time! As seen at the Wizard World Anaheim Comic Con this past weekend!  I was fortunate to meet several of the stars of the 1994 Fantastic Four film once again!  I hadn't seen most of them since 1993 when several of them were at the 1993 San Diego Comic Con International promoting their then upcoming movie!  Although my latest published work was in the 'Gotham City 14 Miles' book (as mentioned in blog #3404), my favorite comic book title of all time was The Fantastic Four, created by Stan Lee & Jack Kirby!   I was surprised, (and pleased!), to see so many of the actors from the 1994 FF film at this convention. I'm going to mention a little bit more of each of them in the blog main article section below.    I will be sharing more photos from meeting all of these fine actors in the special photo album at my own 'fan page', along with other pics taken at the Anaheim Comic Con! My thanks again to those at Wizard World for giving me the opportunity to cover this Con and for sponsoring the special panel. Especially Jerry Milani, Peter Katz, and Stephen Shamus!    - The Fantastic Four (Minus One) AND Doctor Doom At Their Booth 17 Years Later! - - Alex (Mr. Fantastic) Hyde-White Holding A Copy of the Magazine I'll Never Sell! - - Carl (The Thing) Ciarfalio! - - Rebecca (Invisible Woman) Staab! -   - Joseph (Doctor Doom) Culp! -   - From the Same Year (1993) That I First Saw Several of the Film Stars From the Then Upcoming (1994) FF Film... Stan (The Man) Lee and I at the San Diego Comic Con!

TODAY'S FEATURE - Blog #3405:

As mentioned in a few previous blogs... This past weekend, Tina LoSasso and I attended the 2nd Annual Wizard World Anaheim Comic Con, held at the Anaheim Convention Center in Anaheim, Orange County, California.

I wanted to make sure that we attended this comic con for several reasons.

Sure, one of the major reasons for coming again to this con, was that we had attended the 1st Anaheim Comic Con last year, and obtained photos of several actors & actresses who had played roles in the 1966 Batman TV Series.  I had told each of them that there was a new book coming out at the end of 2010 that I would have written a chapter for.  They were gracious enough to pose individually for pics, plus ones with myself.  This year I wanted to share with them the fact that the book had come out.

Just before I attended that special 45th Anniversary of the Batman TV Show Panel... I saw that several of the film stars of the 1994 Fantastic Four Film were in a special booth!

Being a long time Fantastic Four fan, (since 1962), I immediately stopped to talk with them, and find out what had brought them to this convention.  I also asked for photos to go along with this blog post, some of which I have already posted above at the top right of this blog.

Alex Hyde-White, who portrayed 'Mr. Fantastic' in the film, was the first one I talked with.  Alex's IDMb page can be found here. The Wikipedia entry can be found here. I found Alex to be very excited about his latest project, 'Three Days', which is written and directed by him.  The film is a Hamlet-based documentary about fathers and sons, mothers and uncles, nature and nurture. 

Carl Ciarfalio, who portrayed 'The Thing' in the film was a great guy to meet.  Here is his IDMb page.  Carl was recently seen on 'The Green Hornet' as a stunt performer. He is well known as a stunt co-ordinator, stuntman, as well as as an actor.  You can see more of what he is doing on his own web site, CarlCiarfalio.com!  And I have a CD to listen to of his 'The Making of The Thing'!  Thanks again, Carl!

Rebecca Staab, who portrayed 'The Invisible Woman' in the FF film, has also been active in films since 1994.  Here is her IDMb page.  (I hadn't known that she had been 'Miss Nebraska', and placed 6th in the 'Miss USA' pageant!) She most recently played the role of 'Jenny' in 'The Perfect Ending' film, which is in post-production.

Joseph Culp, who I have met most recently at the San Diego Comic Con a few years back, is in the film being directed by Alex Hyde-White that I mentioned above, 'Three Days'.  Joseph played the role of 'Doctor Doom' in the 1994 Fantastic Four film.  Other projects since then are shown at his IDMb page. Joseph is also a writer, and a film maker, as well as being an actor.

Jay Underwood, who I met at the 1993 San Diego Comic Con International, and who played 'The Torch', was not present at this booth on Saturday.

Neither was Michael Bailey Smith, who played 'Ben Grimm' and not the alter ego of 'The Thing', which was portrayed by Carl Ciarfalio, as mentioned above.

Of course there is the question that I've been asked multiple times since 2005, when the supposedly 'first' Fantastic Four film was released. 

What did I think of the two different FF films with their different storylines and cast.  I've already covered that in an earlier blog, which was later reposted here. 

A lot of 'mainstream' film goers are still not aware of this earlier 1994 FF film, which was never released on the Big Screen or DVD.  I myself had to get a 'bootleg' copy.  I am also the proud owner of one of the rare 'One Sheets' / Film posters, that hangs prominently on my home office's wall to day!.

There are more pics of these film & TV stars, which will be shared in due time at the special photo album link.  I don't just upload photos, as I have promised the actors and actresses that I would also include links to their books and / or next projects, so that is why it takes a bit of time to upload pics after a large comic con such as this one...

My thanks to the above four actors for taking the time to talk with me and pose for pics.  This was definitely one of the highlights of this year's Anaheim Comic Con for me!  I hope I wasn't too much of a 'Fanboy' talking with all of you, LOL!

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Again, here's the links I want to point out for you about this special panel and on the Anaheim Comic Con itself:

First, here's my special photo album on the 2011 Wizard World Anaheim Comic Con that is at my own Fan Page.

Second, here is the special photo album on the 2010 Wizard World Anaheim Comic Con, that I wanted to share with you on my own Facebook Fan Page, to see who I met there last year. 

Third, here's the link to the Wizard World Anaheim Comic Con Facebook Fan Page, where the guests and creators who attended are shown and talked about.

Fourth, here's the link to the 2011 Wizard World Anaheim Comic Con event page on Facebook,  where you can find out reactions from attendees on just this event.  More Facebook event pages for those exhibitors that set up their own event pages can be found in this link.

Fifth, here's the link to the Wizard World Anaheim Comic Con's own web site, where there is even more info on where and how you can purchase tickets for next year's con.

Lastly:  The pics that were uploaded during this con went to my personal Facebook Profile Page, which is now maxed out for me to add anyone else. However the majority of the digital camera pics are being uploaded to my Facebook Fan Page - Michael D Hamersky On Comics, which is titled '2011 Wizard World Anaheim Comic Con', so that ALL web users can see, as it is a 'public' web page.  I encourage YOU to click the 'Like' icon there for easy access each time, and to bookmark it.

Again, my thanks to those at Wizard World for making this a Fun Event to attend once again, especially Jerry Milani, Peter Katz, and Stephen Shamus!

We are looking forward to attending the upcoming Wizard World Los Angeles Comic Con in September, that was just announced this past week!

BTW, You can 'follow' this Blog by clicking the 'Follow' Button at this NetworkedBlogs app!  We currently have over 2,409 'Followers'!  Thanks to ALL of YOU that have already clicked that button! 

And for those of YOU that haven't yet... I would appreciate it if YOU would!!!

~ Michael D Hamersky

If I have it... You can find it 'Under The Big Top Of Comics' at:  

http://www.ComicBooksCircus.com/ 

Web Page Note:  This blog post is written for the IE Browser standards.  Chrome, Safari, Netscape, Firefox and the other browsers serve the page up differently, sorry about that!

The screen display resolution is best seen at the setting of 1024 x 768 on your laptop or desktop computer.

NOTE: All images and characters within this blog post are copyright and trademark their respective owners.

Comics Creators: If you are breaking into, or already work in the comic book industry or other pop culture productions, you are welcome to email or mail us press releases, news items, and updates that you feel would be of interest to our blog readers. Including YOUR own works!

To mail printed items to us for possible review, send to:

Make It So Marketing Inc., PO Box 130653, Carlsbad, CA 92013

 Also, if you are a Facebook member, I would have liked you to send me a 'Friend Request'. However, I have reached the maximum limit of 5,000 Facebook Friends and Fan pages already, so I've added a New 'Facebook Fan Page' so that even more of YOU can 'Like' what I am doing, and be interactive with me and others there.  Here is the link to that 'Facebook Fan Page': Michael D Hamersky On Comics! Please click the 'Like' button on that page! 

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Michael D Hamersky On Comics Covers: The 45th Anniversary Of The Batman TV Show Panel Held April 30th, 2011 At The Wizard World Anaheim Comic Con!       I have been fortunate the past couple of years to be associated with a great new book that recently was published. The title of the book is 'Gotham City 14 Miles', edited by Jim Beard with contributions from 14 essayists,  (including myself!). Each one of the fourteen essays in the book represent one of the fourteen milestones to Gotham City from the Batcave. That is the reason I've had so many blogs on the 1966 Batman TV Series in this Blog of mine. So I was very pleased to be present at the 45th Anniversary Panel at the Wizard World Anaheim Comic Con this past weekend! That is where the photos in this blog post are from. Plus the ones I'm sharing in the special photo album at my own 'fan page'! My thanks again to those at Wizard World for giving me the opportunity to cover this Con and for sponsoring the special panel. Especially Jerry Milani and Stephen Shamus!    - Michael D Hamersky with The Batmobile and a copy of 'Gotham City 14 Miles' (GC14M). - - Julie (Catwoman) Newmar with a copy of 'Gotham City 14 Miles' - - Tina LoSasso in the front row for the 45th Anniversary of the Batman TV Show panel - - The 45th Anniversary Panel of the 1966 Batman TV Show - Featuring (L-R) Julie Newmar, Burt Ward, Adam West, and Lee Merriwether! -   - Cutting the 45th Anniversary Cake Ceremony -   - After the Panel - Lee (Catwoman) Merriwether with a copy of GC14M!

TODAY'S FEATURE - Blog #3404:

This past weekend, Tina LoSasso and I attended the 2nd Annual Wizard World Anaheim Comic Con, held at the Anaheim Convention Center in Anaheim, Orange County, California.

I wanted to make sure that we attended this comic con for several reasons.

One major reason was that we had attended the 1st Anaheim Comic Con last year, and obtained photos of several actors & actresses who had played roles in the 1966 Batman TV Series.  I had told each of them that there was a new book coming out at the end of 2010 that I would have written a chapter for.  They were gracious enough to pose individually for pics, plus ones with myself.  This year I wanted to share with them the fact that the book had come out.

I was able to do so with Julie Newmar and Lee Merriwether, who are pictured above.  Also with Malachi Throne, of which that photo will be shared at the special photo album.

I met Julie Newmar before the panel started, at her own booth, and she was pleased to see this book, and brought to my attention that her own book will be coming out soon!  It is titled: 'The Conscious Catwoman Explains Life On Earth', and I'll post a link to that when it is available for pre-order.

Somehow, Tina was able to guide me off the exhibit floor before the panel started!  So, Tina and I caught the 'intermission act' of 'Jedi Elvis' before the 4PM special Panel on Batman.  Thus we were able to obtain front row seats, as seen in the 3rd photo from the top right of this blog post.  (Tina is holding the GC14M book, while I take a pic of the crowd before the panels starts.)

There are more pics of the stars who came in for the panel, which will be shared in due time at the special photo album link.  I don't just upload photos, as I have promised the actors and actresses that I would also include links to their books and / or next projects, so that is why it takes a bit of time.

The special Batman panel started timely after 'Jedi Elvis' left the 'building', (wink!).  There was an introduction on the special event by the moderator of the panel, and then he proceeded to bring in the guests, Lee Meriwether, Julie Newmar... Followed by Burt Ward, and then Adam West!

The audience loved each and every one of them, and showed it by tremendous applause! Lots of camera flashes went off, and it was a great beginning!  Right away, the panel took multiple questions from those standing at the mic in the center of the room. 

When too many of the early questions were asked of just Adam and Burt, the moderator posed a question to Julie about her upcoming book that she already mentioned to me.

There were more questions asked, and Lee was asked her fair share of questions by those standing at the mic.

Tina and I noticed that Adam 'played' Batman a lot during this panel, answering a lot of the questions as if he was still in the role.  He appeared to have great fun replying this way to those asking questions. 

Whatever tensions had been between Burt and Adam in the past seemed to have subsided, as when the question about Burt's own book, 'Boy Wonder: My Life in Tights', was brought up by an audience member, he and Adam sort of laughed about it.

Lee Merriwether was the 'purrfect' panel guest.  I have appreciated her roles in so many of the TV shows that I've liked during the years, including Time Tunnel.  She explained how her role as the Batman film 'Catwoman' came into being... Stating she was being filmed by the 3rd day of her accepting the role. Great story with mentions of Frank Gorshin, and Cesar Romero. 

Julie told several stories also... And kept her fans in the audience enthralled as always!

The four on the panel came off the stage to cut the special 45th Anniversary cake, and gave the audience additional chances for photos by the cake before leaving. 

Because there was another panel scheduled right away in the same hall, Jerry Milani moved the cake table to outside of the hall, where I proceeded to take more pics and share a piece of the 45th Anniversary Cake with Tina!

Afterwards, I caught Lee Merriwether as she was leaving the Comic Con, and asked for her photo with the GC14M book, which was happy to do, as I had told her about it last year as well.

That's about it, exept for additional pics I'll be sharing at the special photo album on the Anaheim Comic Con. I have been at this blog post for several hours already...!

My thanks to all of those involved in organizing and presenting this panel.  It was one of the highlights of this year's Anaheim Comic Con for me!

-------------------------

Again, here's the links I want to point out for you about this special panel and on the Anaheim Comic Con itself:

First, here's my special photo album on the 2011 Wizard World Anaheim Comic Con that is at my own Fan Page.

Second, special photo album on the 2010 Wizard World Anaheim Comic Con, that I wanted to share with you on my own Facebook Fan Page.  There are several Batman actors / actresses that attended last year that are shown there and / or my blogs since then.

Third, here's the link to the Wizard World Anaheim Comic Con Facebook Fan Page, where the guests and creators who attended are shown and talked about.

Fourth, here's the link to the 2011 Wizard World Anaheim Comic Con event page on Facebook,  where you can find out reactions from attendees on just this event.  More Facebook event pages for those exhibitors that set up their own event pages can be found in this link.

Fifth, here's the link to the Wizard World Anaheim Comic Con's own web site, where there is even more info on where and how you can purchase tickets for next year's con.

Lastly:  The pics that were uploaded during this con went to my personal Facebook Profile Page, which is now maxed out for me to add anyone else. However the majority of the digital camera pics are being uploaded to my Facebook Fan Page - Michael D Hamersky On Comics, which is titled '2011 Wizard World Anaheim Comic Con', so that ALL web users can see, as it is a 'public' web page.  I encourage YOU to click the 'Like' icon there for easy access each time, and to bookmark it.

Again, my thanks to those at Wizard World for making this a Fun Event to attend once again, especially Jerry Milani and Stephen Shamus!

We are looking forward to attending the upcoming Wizard World Los Angeles Comic Con in September, that was just announced this past week!

BTW, You can 'follow' this Blog by clicking the 'Follow' Button at this NetworkedBlogs app!  We currently have over 2,407 'Followers'!  Thanks to ALL of YOU that have already clicked that button! 

And for those of YOU that haven't yet... I would appreciate it if YOU would!!!

~ Michael D Hamersky

If I have it... You can find it 'Under The Big Top Of Comics' at:  

http://www.ComicBooksCircus.com/ 

Web Page Note:  This blog post is written for the IE Browser standards.  Chrome, Safari, Netscape, Firefox and the other browsers serve the page up differently, sorry about that!

The screen display resolution is best seen at the setting of 1024 x 768 on your laptop or desktop computer.

NOTE: All images and characters within this blog post are copyright and trademark their respective owners.

Comics Creators: If you are breaking into, or already work in the comic book industry or other pop culture productions, you are welcome to email or mail us press releases, news items, and updates that you feel would be of interest to our blog readers. Including YOUR own works!

To mail printed items to us for possible review, send to:

Make It So Marketing Inc., PO Box 130653, Carlsbad, CA 92013

 Also, if you are a Facebook member, I would have liked you to send me a 'Friend Request'. However, I have reached the maximum limit of 5,000 Facebook Friends and Fan pages already, so I've added a New 'Facebook Fan Page' so that even more of YOU can 'Like' what I am doing, and be interactive with me and others there.  Here is the link to that 'Facebook Fan Page': Michael D Hamersky On Comics! Please click the 'Like' button on that page! 

---

 

Michael D Hamersky On Comics Reviews: The 2011 Wizard World Anaheim Comic Con! It Ran Friday, April 29th thru Sunday, May 1st - In Anaheim, California!       - Above: The 45th Anniversary Panel of the 1966 Batman TV Show - Featuring (L-R) Julie Newmar, Burt Ward, Adam West, Lee Merriwether! - Above: An unofficial 17th Reunion of the 1994 Fantastic Four Film Stars at the 2011 Wizard World Anaheim Comic Con in Anaheim, California!! (L-R) Rebecca Staab (Invisible Woman), Joseph Culp (Doctor Doom), Carl Ciarfalio (The Thing), and Alex Hyde-White (Mr. Fantastic)! I remember just like it was yesterday at the 1993 SDCC when most of them were there promoting their upcoming film for 1994...!

TODAY'S FEATURE - Blog #3403:

This past weekend, Tina LoSasso and I attended the 2nd Annual Wizard World Anaheim Comic Con, held at the Anaheim Convention Center in Anaheim, Orange County, California.

The Convention Center is next to Disneyland, but it has been at the Convention Center that I've enjoyed the most fun in the last two years!

That's because the Wizard World Anaheim Comic Con is actually more of what I call a 'pop culture con' than a 'comic con' that the mainstream American public thinks of a 'comic con'.

Here is 'my take' / 'review' of the 2011 convention:

Parking at the Anaheim Convention Center:  Friday night was easy to get to Car Park 1.  Which was great, because as soon as we were out of the underground parking structure, we walked right by the 'Arena' to Hall 'A' where the Wizard World show was being held.  However, Saturday was a different matter.  In Halls 'C' & 'D' there was the Pri-Med Convention that was also running.  So of the five available halls, only three were being used.  Yet, we had to drive around the Halls and park... Not at Car Park 1 or 2. but at Car Park 4.  Which was way around all five halls inside the building.  That was a trek!  And we were cut a 'break' because we were 'Press', and able to walk through the back of the building.  Definitely not good for someone attending the convention intending on picking up say... a box of comics they were hoping to purchase!   I won't give a 'comic book grade' for this, as Wizard
World can't have control over it.

Hall 'A' - This was the location for the Anaheim Comic Con.  The two rooms above this hall held the two tracks of panels / programs that were being held during the three days.  That was good, because it was the best place to sit down with carpet under your feet.  The Hall 'A' floor was concrete, no carpeting, and Tina was already tired from the first night, when the comic con was opened on Friday from 5PM to 9PM.  (Note: Tina has been at this convention center before for non-comic cons, and can't imagine how it could compete for the Comic Con International that has been held in San Diego since 1970.) I won't give a 'comic book grade' for this section, as Wizard World does not have full control over it.

That being said... About the parking and the convention center facilities... I still have fond memories of the 2010 Anaheim Comic Con which was also held there, and I left the 2011 convention with good memories.

That's because the folks at Wizard World once again threw a really good 'comic con'!  Special thanks to Jerry Milani, who took care of our registrations, and to Stephen Shamus, who found us on the exhibit floor and came over and introduced himself and made sure we were having a fun time!  Which we were!

Please note that I say 'comic con', which is the true name of this event.  However, as I've said before, this is more like a pop culture con, which what the Comic Con International: San Diego has evolved into, although on a smaller scale.

I find that those that are really into 'comics' can bring their friends to cons like this one that Wizard World held in Anaheim, because there is more than just comics.  That's why I am going to review some of the features of this con right now:

Artists Alley - I was really pleased how this section was set up this year.  It was more expansive and was easy to walk through.  Tina LoSasso and I spent a lot of time going through this section.  I said 'hello' to those that I had met before, and to those that are 'Facebook Friends' that I had never met before, but have networked with.  Additionally I met a lot of comics creators and other artists that aren't 'Facebook Friends' and introduced myself to them, and briefed them on what I do, at this Blog, and my Facebook Fan Page. I was given several dozen comics / graphic novels / TPBs for possible review blogs. My thanks to all of them for introducing me to their works.  Seeing this section in a 'comic con' is why I attend conventions such as this.  Comic Book Grade: VERY FINE / NEAR MINT (VF/NM) 9.0 on a 10.0 comic book grading scale.

Celebrity Guests Rows - This section is always so varied... And interesting in so many different ways.  However, attendance by the 'guests' was a little sparse on Friday night.  Then there were the 'photo ops' booth that several would be away from their own booths.  This section is always hard to 'control', as the 'guests' from TV shows and films seem to make their own hours to be there.  Plus even their own reps can't have them there at opening time, or have them stay till the end of each day.  So this section is always a roller coaster type of event, no matter what comic con you attend.  Some guests, like Richard Herd, were there before the opening on Friday night, setting up their booth, because they know how to present their booths for maximum exposure to ensure autographed pictures.  Others were there for the first time at any con.  Some were as young as the Winner Twins, who are already pros at this, and had a busy stream of attendees stopping at their booths.  My 'comic book grade' for this section is a VERY FINE (VF) 8.0 grade.  Again, this is presented more as a 'pop culture' section.  Which is why a comics fan can bring their friends who aren't into comics into this Wizard World con to have fun.

Gaming section - Quite honestly, Tina and I did not go into the gaming section, as my youngest son wasn't with us.  However, Tina did mention as we walked by, about the variety of gaming going on.  No comic book grade given for this section.

Dealer 'section' - The comic book dealers didn't appear to have a 'true' section to themselves.  Their booths were interspersed with other booths. However, there appeared to be sufficient numbers of dealers for those looking to get their new comics 'fix', or for those looking for older back issues.  As well as attendees at these booths.  I did notice several boxes of $1 comics, and one booth that had boxes & boxes of 50cent comics. No comic book grade given for this section, as I did not stop at each of the comics dealers, as I have multiple boxes of comics of own that need to be uploaded to our own online comic book shop.

Publisher 'section' - Same as for the 'Dealer section' - not a 'true' section.  There were some publishers in attendance.  Being that I'm already on a few indy publishers review lists, and that I received so many comics from self-publishers in the Artists Alley to possibly review blog... I didn't fully check these publishers out.  Thus, no 'comic book grade' given.

Promotional sections - Now this is something I really enjoyed and spent time at!  Of course, since I'm 1 of the 14 essayist on the new book 'Gotham City 14 Miles', I had to have my photo taken with the Batmobile that was featured at the front of the exhibit hall!  In addition I took photos of KITT, and Magnum P.I.'s car, and the other cars that were exhibited at the back of the exhibit hall.  Which I'll be sharing later in the special photo album link. Plus, Tina and I just had to become 'Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.' at the Acura booth.  That was pretty cool!  These two booths alone were among the hi-lights of the Anaheim Comic Con for me!  'Comic book grade' for this section(s), had to be a NEAR MINT (NM) 9.4, but I am a little prejudiced on this, LOL!

Panels / Programs - Tina and I didn't attend many panels, basically because I tend to talk a lot with new comics creators that I meet at Artist Alley, and to those that I already know.  Plus, since I always wear one of the half dozen indigo colored polo shirts with 'Comic Book Collectors Blog.com' on it, I'm easily recognizable, and am stopped quite a bit by persons wanting to say hello, becauswe they have either been 'following' this blog of mine and / or are 'fans' of my Facebook Fan Page. Which I truly enjoy!  Anyways... back to the panels.  We took in one of the Jedi Elvis performances on Saturday, which were staged to occur between the major panels in Room 'A'.  I liked the performance, which was 'Jedi Elvis' signing Elvis songs with Star Wars references.  Darn good!  Here's a link to one photo.  Then the 'main course' if you will...!   The panel we were there to mainly see was the 45th Anniversary of the Batman TV Show from the 1966.  THAT was worth the price of admission alone for any Batman fan of the show!  Here's a link to just one pic that has already been uploaded!  I'll be further blogging on that tomorrow!   Suffice to say... I am giving this a VERY FINE / NEAR MINT (VF/NM) 9.0 comic book grade!  In addition, Tina and I were very thankful we didn't have to camp out for hours in line just to get in, and sit through several other panels we didn't want to see, just to see this one!  Kudos to the Wizard World organizers for this!

I believe that just about wraps up 'My Take On' the Wizard World Anaheim Comic Con for 2011.  The 'combined comic book grade' for this con is a VERY FINE PLUS (VF+) 8.5 including the location at the convention center and the parking being taken into consideration. I'm looking forward to attending next year's con, that's how much I liked this year's!

Again, here's the links I want to point out for you:

First, here's my special photo album on the 2011 Wizard World Anaheim Comic Con that is at my own Fan Page.

Second, special photo album on the 2010 Wizard World Anaheim Comic Con, that I wanted to share with you on my own Facebook Fan Page.

Third, here's the link to the Wizard World Anaheim Comic Con Facebook Fan Page, where the guests and creators who attended are shown and talked about.

Fourth, here's the link to the 2011 WW Anaheim Comic Con event page on Facebook,  where you can find out reactions from attendees on just this event.  More Facebook event pages for those exhibitors that set up their own event pages can be found in this link.

Fifth, here's the link to the Wizard World Anaheim Comic Con's own web site, where there is even more info on where and how you can purchase tickets for next year's con.

Lastly:  The pics that were uploaded during this con went to my personal Facebook Profile Page, which is now maxed out for me to add anyone else. However the majority of the digital camera pics are being uploaded to my Facebook Fan Page - Michael D Hamersky On Comics, which is titled '2011 Wizard World Anaheim Comic Con', so that ALL web users can see, as it is a 'public' web page.  I encourage YOU to click the 'Like' icon there for easy access each time, and to bookmark it.

Again, my thanks to those at Wizard World for making this a Fun Event to attend once again, especially Jerry Milani and Stephen Shamus!

We are looking forward to attending the upcoming Wizard World Los Angeles Comic Con in September, that was just announced this past week!

BTW, You can 'follow' this Blog by clicking the 'Follow' Button at this NetworkedBlogs app!  We currently have over 2,406 'Followers'!  Thanks to ALL of YOU that have already clicked that button! 

And for those of YOU that haven't yet... I would appreciate it if YOU would!!!

~ Michael D Hamersky

If I have it... You can find it 'Under The Big Top Of Comics' at:  

http://www.ComicBooksCircus.com/ 

Web Page Note:  This blog post is written for the IE Browser standards.  Chrome, Safari, Netscape, Firefox and the other browsers serve the page up differently, sorry about that!

The screen display resolution is best seen at the setting of 1024 x 768 on your laptop or desktop computer.

NOTE: All images and characters within this blog post are copyright and trademark their respective owners.

Comics Creators: If you are breaking into, or already work in the comic book industry or other pop culture productions, you are welcome to email or mail us press releases, news items, and updates that you feel would be of interest to our blog readers. Including YOUR own works!

To mail printed items to us for possible review, send to:

Make It So Marketing Inc., PO Box 130653, Carlsbad, CA 92013

 Also, if you are a Facebook member, I would have liked you to send me a 'Friend Request'. However, I have reached the maximum limit of 5,000 Facebook Friends and Fan pages already, so I've added a New 'Facebook Fan Page' so that even more of YOU can 'Like' what I am doing, and be interactive with me and others there.  Here is the link to that 'Facebook Fan Page': Michael D Hamersky On Comics! Please click the 'Like' button on that page! 

---

 

Michael D Hamersky On Comics Notes That: The 2011 Wizard World Anaheim Comic Con Is Here! It Runs Friday, April 29th thru Sunday, May 1st!     - Above: Michael D Hamersky with TV & Film Star Yvonne (Batgirl) Craig, at the 2010 Wizard World Anaheim Comic Con in Anaheim, California! - Note:  Yvonne won't be at the 2011 Anaheim Comic Con, but her co-stars Adam West and Burt Ward will be!  PLUS: At 4:00 PM on Saturday only - Julie Newmar & Lee Merriwether join Adam & Burt at a Special Panel!

TODAY'S FEATURE - Blog #3402:

Last year I attended the 1st Annual Wizard World Anaheim Comic Con in Orange County, California , (as shown in my multiple blog posts from that con, as seen here, which have been 'picked up' by others also and now number about 1,930 links in total on Google alone!).

I believe the reason that my blogs on this convention were picked up and re-posted by so many others, is because the 2010 Wizard World Anaheim Comic Con was one of those 'hybrid' conventions, a 'comics & pop culture con', which had more than just comics and comic creators there.  I know that the 'highlight' for me was seeing many of the Stars from the 1960's TV Show, 'Batman', because my chapter in the then upcoming 'Gotham City 14 Miles' was coming out later in December of 2010!  Since I 'promoted' the GC14M book so much with those TV stars photos from the WW Anaheim Comic Con, I'm sure that is one of the reasons that the links to my Anaheim Comic Con blogs number over the 1900 number!

I'm bringing this topic up once more today, because the 2011 Wizard World Anaheim Comic Con starts later TODAY, April 29th and runs through Sunday, May 1st, and I wanted to bring this to YOUR attention again!

First, here's my special photo album on the 2010 Wizard World Anaheim Comic Con, that I wanted to share with you on my own Facebook Fan Page.

Second, here's the link to the Wizard World Anaheim Comic Con Facebook Fan Page, where the guests and creators who are coming are shown and talked about.

Third, here's the link to the 2011 WW Anaheim Comic Con event page on Facebook,  where you can find out more info on just this event.  More Facebook event pages for those exhibitors setting up their own event pages can be found in this link.

Fourth, here's the link to the Wizard World Anaheim Comic Con's own web site, where there is even more info on where and how you can purchase tickets is at.

As for myself, I intend to be there later today, along with my wife Tina, for at least the first 2 days of this 3 day con.  Feel free to stop me and say 'hello' when you see me there.  I'll be wearing one of my indigo colored polo shirts with the 'Comic Book Collectors Blog.com name in white letters on the left breast pocket, (as seen in the pictures on this page), and you can't miss my bald head, (or so Tina tells me!).

Here's the link to where YOU can buy a ticket NOW, online! Note: There are single day tickets, as well as 3-day con tickets, and other ticket packages!

After attending last year's 1st Annual Wizard World Anaheim Comic Con, I'm suggesting that if YOU like conventions that are 'comics / pop culture cons' in nature... Then this one is one that you would want to attend, at least for one day.  Especially if YOU are in the SoCal area of Metro Los Angeles / Orange County!

Again, here's the link to my Special Photo Album from the 2010 WW Anaheim Comic Con on my Facebook Fan Page for you to look at, just to whet your appetite for this year's Con!   April 29th is TODAY... So take a quick look and make your way to Anaheim for at least one of the days!

(Note:  The pics that are uploaded during this con go to my personal Facebook Profile Page, which is now maxed out for me to add anyone else. However the majority of the pics are uploaded later, (after the con), to my Facebook Fan Page - Michael D Hamersky On Comics, which will be titled '2011 Wizard World Anaheim Comic Con', that ALL can see, see it is a 'public' web page for all to see.  I encourage YOU to click the 'Like' icon there for easy access each time.)

BTW, You can 'follow' this Blog by clicking the 'Follow' Button at this NetworkedBlogs app!  We currently have over 2,402 'Followers'!  Thanks to ALL of YOU that have already clicked that button! 

And for those of YOU that haven't yet... I would appreciate it if YOU would!!!

~ Michael D Hamersky

If I have it... You can find it 'Under The Big Top Of Comics' at:  

http://www.ComicBooksCircus.com/ 

Web Page Note:  This blog post is written for the IE Browser standards.  Chrome, Safari, Netscape, Firefox and the other browsers serve the page up differently, sorry about that!

The screen display resolution is best seen at the setting of 1024 x 768 on your laptop or desktop computer.

NOTE: All images and characters within this blog post are copyright and trademark their respective owners.

Comics Creators: If you are breaking into, or already work in the comic book industry or other pop culture productions, you are welcome to email or mail us press releases, news items, and updates that you feel would be of interest to our blog readers. Including YOUR own works!

To mail printed items to us for possible review, send to:

Make It So Marketing Inc., PO Box 130653, Carlsbad, CA 92013

 Also, if you are a Facebook member, I would have liked you to send me a 'Friend Request'. However, I have reached the maximum limit of 5,000 Facebook Friends and Fan pages already, so I've added a New 'Facebook Fan Page' so that even more of YOU can 'Like' what I am doing, and be interactive with me and others there.  Here is the link to that 'Facebook Fan Page': Michael D Hamersky On Comics! Please click the 'Like' button on that page! 

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Michael D Hamersky On Comics Asks The Question... Is There A Need For: The Unauthorized San Diego Comic-Con Survival Guide By Doug Kline?!     - Above: The Display Stand at the 2011 Long Beach Comic Con Expo (LBCC EXPO) with the copies of 'The Unauthorized San Diego Comic-Con Survival Guide by Doug Kline!

TODAY'S FEATURE - Blog #3401:

Last Saturday I had the pleasure of attending the 2011 Long Beach Comic Con Expo, (LBCC EXPO), with my youngest son, and this Friday through Saturday, I'll be attending the 2011 Wizard World Anaheim Comic Con.  So as you can see I'm at several comic cons here in Southern California, as well as sci-fi / fantasy cons & other cons such as the 2011 AnimeConji that was held recently in San Diego.

My official comic con going experience goes way back to August 3rd of 1970, when I was told there was some sort of  'comic show' at the U.S. Grant in downtown San Diego.  I was working at the San Diego Zoo at the time, and I got off early to go check it out.  At that time this 'show' was known as the 'Golden State Comic Con', (with approx 300 attendees).

I missed the 1971 'Golden State Comic Con', as it was during the summer, and up at Muir College on the UCSD campus.  I was still at the San Diego Zoo, and the Summer (August 6th-8th), was a difficult time to arrange time off... And I needed the dollars to continue attending San Diego State College. (That year there approx 800+ attendees.)

It wasn't until August 20th of 1972 when I first bought out a comic book dealer who had to leave to go back home on a Saturday, that I first set up as a comic book dealer on Sunday at the 1972 'San Diego's  West Coast Comic Convention' - note change of name. (Attendance approx 900+ at this show.)

It was during the August 16th - 19th of 1973 at the Sheraton Hotel on Harbor Island in San Diego that I first set up as a comic book dealer with my own booth. This was the first year that the 'con' became known as the 'San Diego Comic-Con'. (With approx 1,000+ attendees.)

I'm not going to bore you with the in-between years of the SDCC being held at the El Cortez Hotel and then moving to the Convention and Performing Arts Center in Downtown San Diego, but I am going to mention the explosion in the number of attendees at this con starting in 1991!

The final year at the Convention and Performing Arts Center, (held August 2nd through 5th of 1990), saw approximately 13,000+ attendees.

The first year at the new San Diego Convention Center for the SDCC saw an increase to approximately 15,000+ attendees.  This was held during the July 4th Weekend of 1991, which did affect attendance.  I remember seeing the fireworks during this con, which was a great opening for this con to be there for the first time.

I jump to the year 2001, when I first brought my then-fiancee, Tina, to her first ever comic con of any size.  The con was now called 'Comic-Con International' officially, as it had changed to that name in 1995.  The number of attendees was approx 53,000!  That was the year that Hollywood 'discovered' Comic-Con!   It was at that point that Comic-Con started become even more wilder and craizer than in the years before that!

I've thought how much harder it has become over the years for me, as a 'local' to attend this comic con.  Last year the 'pre-paid parking' program started... You should have seen the looks Tina and I received after leaving the elevators that took us up from the underground parking at the convention cneter to the street level.  We were asked repeatedly how we were able to obtain underground parking!  Which I blogged about the availability here last year, !

It's even 'worse' this year.  The underground pre-paid parking was not available online for Preview Night this year.  We have to park over at the Hilton Garage and walk over the exhibit hall.  So there WON'T be any purchases of comics from the dealers section for us to resale on that 'Preview Night' for sure!  I made the 'mistake' of buying a long box of comics a few years ago at 'Preview Night' from a NY comics dealer who 'flipped' it to me, and I had to walk it out to the Hilton Garage Parking Structure.  Never again!  No matter how Great a deal it is!

I've posted blogs about the recent Comic-Cons in San Diego that we have attended, as seen in the thousands of links found at Google, but never formatted them together to put together a 'Guide' to this Comic-Con...

Which brings me to my thoughts on this mini-book I found at last Saturday's LBCC Expo.  Seriously, at the LBCC Expo in a display rack on a table that the exhibitor was missing at, temporarily!  

The author, Doug Kline, was sharing a table with comics creator, Luis Calderon, in the Artists Alley section. Luis was kind enough to talk to me about the book, but I had already 'seen' it at the Facebook Fan Page that I had temporarily 'Liked', until I could come back and check it out further.

Luis allowed me to thumb though the book, which I did, and saw the table of contents.  For $4.99 it seemed a fair amount for what purported itself to be 'The Unauthorized San Diego Comic-Con Survival Guide'.

Glancing through it, I could see that the author knew quite a bit about attending the Comic-Con International: San Diego convention, although the title called it by one of the popular names 'San Diego Comic-Con'.  I had thought that only 'old farts' like me called it that anymore, or others that had been attending for many years, LOL!

The naming problem of the Comic-Con International: San Diego is basically that those running the con, chose the generic name 'Comic-Con' several years ago.  Heck, there were even attempts to make the name 'Comic-Con' theirs and theirs alone.  However the usauge of 'comic con' had already grown to common usage such as 'kleenex' for 'facial tissues', or 'xerox' for photo-copying, so that didn't go too far...

Here's just a few thoughts on this Survival Guide.

Last year, the Comic-Con had grown to over 130,000+ in attendance. Way too big for the San Diego Convention Center.  Way too big for anyone, and I mean anyone to see it all.  Last year was the first time when attending, that I didn't walk every aisle at least once during the four day + preview night. 

This 'mini-buk' is going to help the first-timer to this comic convention see most of what the first-time should / could see, with tips on how to get to the con, stay near-by, possibly park close, and where and how to stand in line for those panels / programs that are near impossible to get into!

Please note that this book is copyrighted 2010, so the information is as 'current' as at the time it was published.

The front cover is pretty cool in that it shows the Gaslamp Quarter signage along with the SD Convention center.  Because that is where 'life' is during the 5 days of the Comic-Con.

The inside title page adds the Twitter name for this book, (mini-buk), as well as the Facebook Fan Page.  Which you should keep on your smart phone.

The Contents page has the following chapters:

Acknowledgements, Foreword, and Introduction, which are good to read once to find out the background of this book's author.  There you will find that he has been attending since 2004, which is right during when Hollywood came down 'in force' to help over-size this con into the two wings of the SD Convention Center.

Before the Show - A good chapter that first-timers should read.  Plus those of YOU that even think you may want to attend a future Comic-Con.

Acquiring Lodging - Tina and I are lucky in that we are locals and that this Comic-Con is in our own 'backyard', only 30 miles South of us. For those of YOU that aren't that close, this chapter contains important info.  I can't comment too much on the topic, but I do know that I wouldn't want to be in Mission Valley, which has the rooms for usually a lot less cost, but don't have the close facilities where you can drop off the swag that you pick up during the day.  Plus the 'After-Con Events' are not close at all to the Mission Valley hotels.

Transportation To San Diego - Again, I can't evaluate the info in this chapter, as I haven't had to fly in, or take a train to the Comic-Con.  However the tips about driving there I can relate to.  In fact, I was at my Doctor's office in 'Uptown San Diego' and the receptionist there asked me what days the 2011 Comic-Con was running, as she always takes a different way leaving work because of the traffic!  So read this chapter carefully!

Make A Game Plan - This chapter is worth the cost of this minibuk alone!  Tina and I always double check our 'Game Plan', before and during the 5 day Comic-Con! 

At The Show - 'Getting around San Diego' and 'Getting Into The Show' are sub sections that you should read and study.

Daily Necessities - And trust me... These 'Daily Necessities' are necessary!  Doug does a fine job on going over what you will need during the con.  If you don't have pre-paid underground parking, and have to carry around all this stuff with you... You may opt not to bring it or carry it with you, in lieu of picking up 'swag'.  After reading this chapter, you'll think twice about that...!

Panels - Doug does a good job on this long chapter, with several sub-sections. You should read it before you get to the con.  The only notable exceptions would be a comment or two by my wife, Tina, who has been a Hall 'H' goer since 2001.  She says that the attendees there, in between panels are more like a 'pack of rats, not a flock of birds' as Doug calls it, during those times, LOL.  So it is even more serious in obtaining good seats.  She also stated that Doug didn't mention 'line buddies', which we always make during the Comic-Con, but that may have been on purpose.  We have made many 'line buddies' during the years, and couldn't enjoy the Comic-Con as much without them!

Exhibition Hall - This is a good 'read' on what to expect on the floor.  There are so many attendees there now, that aren't interested in comic books, (what?!), that there are sections of the floor that I am intending on staying away from... Now that I no longer feel the need to see every aisle, after breaking my string of successive years of doing so.  Blog readers:  This place is as good / bad as Disneyland... You can't see it all in one day, and anymore you can't see it all in four days even with 'preview night', as the Comic-Con is now also held at the Hilton next door, and the Marriott on the other side of the SD Convention Center.   My words to you... Read. This. Chapter.

People Management - It used to be when this Comic-Con was getting bigger and bigger, I'd say 'What People Management?', but the Comic-Con staff and security was pretty darn good last year.  Other than the lines management in the early morning to let people in... Getting there first in the first line doesn't mean that you will be let in first, otherwise how did all those people get in the hall before you?... The people managment aspect has gotten better.  More than likely because there is now a more manageable 'cap' on number of attendees.

Night Life - We have attended several 'After-Con Events' during the past years, depending if I brought any of my under-age kids with us. This chapter is good for those that don't, and how you can see more after the Comic-Con officially closes for the day.

Things You Really Should Do - This from the author's POV. 

After The Show - Really important for you out-of-towners!  You won't believe how much swag you picked up!  And what are you going to do with it, when you leave town?!

Whew!  For a 'mini-buk', there's a lot of content in this!  With 169 mini-pages!  Is it worth it?  Is there truly a need for a mini-book like this one? 

Well... My review rating for this comic book series is a VERY FINE / NEAR MINT  (VF/NM) 9.0 out of a 10.0 possible comic book grading scale.

That's because no matter how 'current' a book can be published, there are always 'new' developements that aren't in a hard copy format.  Which is good that Doug has a 'Twitter' account and a 'Facebook Fan Page' for updates.

Would I recommend this book for those that would like to attend Comic-Con next year, 2012, as the 2011 event is already sold out?! Yes, I would.

Would I recommend this book for those that have already purchased their Comic-Con memberships, whether for one day or multiple days or all four days, maybe even with 'Preview Night', and are 1st Timers to this event?  Yes, I would!

Would I recomment this book for those that have been to many Comic-Con International: San Diego events in the past few years, or have been there a while ago, but not lately?  Yes, I would.

Because there is a wealth of information that isn't on the Comic-Con International web site, or Facebook Fan Page that is shared with the reader of this mini-buk, 'The Unauthorized San Diego Comic-Con Survival Guide' for only $4.99 plus S&H, (currently $3 at the posting of this blog)!

Oh, for those of you that prefer not to carry a mini-buk (mini-book), you can order the same info as an e-book for download for your computer or mobile device for the same $4.99 without any shipping/handling! 

The odds are that you will be spending hundreds of dollars just to come to San Diego... Stay in San Diego... And eat n' play before, during, and after the daily con occurs for all five days. This cost of the mini-buk is negligible in relation to that overall total cost.

You can check out this mini-buk, and see more at:

The Unauthorized San Diego Comic-Con Survival Guide web site

The Facebook Fan Page for the mini-buk

The Twitter page for this mini-buk.

Again, my thanks to Luis Calderon for talking with me at the LBCC Expo, (I'm reading your comics next, Luis!), and my regrets for not meeting the mini-buk's author, Doug Kline at the same show!

BTW, You can 'follow' this Blog by clicking the 'Follow' Button at this NetworkedBlogs app!  We currently have over 2,399 'Followers'!  Thanks to ALL of YOU that have already clicked that button! 

And for those of YOU that haven't yet... I would appreciate it if YOU would!!!

~ Michael D Hamersky

If I have it... You can find it 'Under The Big Top Of Comics' at:  

http://www.ComicBooksCircus.com/ 

Web Page Note:  This blog post is written for the IE Browser standards.  Chrome, Safari, Netscape, Firefox and the other browsers serve the page up differently, sorry about that!

The screen display resolution is best seen at the setting of 1024 x 768 on your laptop or desktop computer.

NOTE: All images and characters within this blog post are copyright and trademark their respective owners.

Comics Creators: If you are breaking into, or already work in the comic book industry or other pop culture productions, you are welcome to email or mail us press releases, news items, and updates that you feel would be of interest to our blog readers. Including YOUR own works!

To mail printed items to us for possible review, send to:

Make It So Marketing Inc., PO Box 130653, Carlsbad, CA 92013

 Also, if you are a Facebook member, I would have liked you to send me a 'Friend Request'. However, I have reached the maximum limit of 5,000 Facebook Friends and Fan pages already, so I've added a New 'Facebook Fan Page' so that even more of YOU can 'Like' what I am doing, and be interactive with me and others there.  Here is the link to that 'Facebook Fan Page': Michael D Hamersky On Comics! Please click the 'Like' button on that page! 

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