I recently blogged about my thoughts on a couple of films...  Which weren't comic book movies per se.   Those were the latest Terminator film, and the Star Trek film.  Both of these franchises have been transformed into comic books, but I don't classify them as 'comic book' movies.

It was interesting to see the comments on both versions of my blog, in both the eBay and our own domain named formats.   Which reminded me that a lot of new readers of this Blog aren't aware of my 'tastes' in films. 

Additionally I was just reading the FCBD 2009 'Hot Lists' edition published by Wizard / Anime Insider / ToyFare, which had its' own '50 Best Comic Book Movies Of All Time' listing.   Which made me feel I should update my earlier blogs as to what films I enjoy in this genre.

So for the purpose of this list, I will be considering a 'comic book movie' as any feature length film where the story and/or characters originally appeared in a "comic book".  To me a "comic book"  would include comics, comic books, comic strips, graphic novels, or manga.

So unfortunately I won't be including films with comic book themes that didn't originate in the world of comics.   Those would The Incredibles (which would be in my Top 10 for sure!), and Hancock. Although again, each has had a comic book treatment afterwards.

Also other properties that originated elsewhere as Toys or Sci-Fi TV Shows,  but have since become comic books, such as Transformers are not included! Also, films like 'Sky Captain and the World of Tomorrow', altho looking like a comic book movie is not one.

One last point... This is MY List of My Favorite Comic Book Movies.  I realize that some of the choices will be on others 'Worst' Comic Book Movies Lists, or even on the 'Best' or 'Top' Lists.  For example I believe 'Watchmen' is one of the 'Best' ever filmed comic book movies, but I don't believe I would watch that as much as others that rank higher on my list.

The following are those films that I would stop channel surfing and pick up part way through the movie to watch again.  They are the ones I would most likely pull out of my DVD or VHS collection to watch again.  These are my faves, and as readers to this Blog, I should inform you of my tastes as a background.  This would guide you as to what I think of new films that have been released that I have recently reviewed, and of course more to follow. 

  # 1 - Iron Man (2008) Ever since seeing the special program at the SDCC previewing the trailer and cast, I knew this would be 'right on'!  It exceeded even my expectations!  

# 2 - Spider-Man 2 (2004) This movie was done right!  'Nuff Said!

# 3 - Superman II (1981) No One can top Christopher Reeve for me as Superman!  And the villains were top-notch as well!

# 4 - Spider-Man 1 (2002) This was a Marvel Comics movie that set the bar for me for future comic book movies!

  # 5 - Spider-Man 3 (2007) Maybe just a few too many characters to watch in this film, but seeing Sandman was a dream come true!  BTW, Spider-Man is NOT my favorite comic book character, the Thing of the Fantastic Four is... But these 3 Spidey Films were done right! 

# 6 - Fantastic Four 1 (2005) This I waited for decades to see this Marvel Comics group hit the Big Screen.  Even after the 1994 non-released film.  I am a bit biased here, as the FF are my favorite comic book ever because of the Stan Lee - Jack Kirby original series! 

# 7 - Superman: The Movie (1978) Seeing this DC Comic book translated to film was a highlight, and I waited many many years for Marvel Comics to get it as right as this one!

# 8 - Rocketeer (1991) This movie was Fun. I don't care what the critics said about it.  The film itself made me go back and buy the rest of the Dave Stevens comics to see what I had missed!

# 9 - Men In Black I (1997) I was, and still am surprised at how many mainstream people don't know this originated as a comic book!  This one is fun to watch over & over!  

  #10 - The Dark Knight  (2008) I am not a big fan of the 'grim n gritty' comics genre to watch over and over.  Once or twice is usually enough.  That being said, this film because of the villain, would be one that I would watch again...   

#11 - Men In Black II (2002)

#12 - The Mask (2005)

#13 - Watchmen (2009)

#14 - X-Men 3: Last Stand (2006)

#15 - Daredevil (2003)

#16 - Fantastic Four II: Surfer (2007)

#17 - Ghost Rider (2007)

#18 - Catwoman (2004)

#19 - Barb Wire (1996)

#20 - The Spirit (2008)

The above 20 listings were chosen from over 75 different 'comic book movies'  I have viewed over the years.  There were a lot to choose from.  Some I would never watch again, those being 'Popeye' from 1980, and 'Steel' from 1997.  

Again, these are my current favorites and reflect what I would watch over and over if given a chance, or stranded on a desert island...

Here at Make It So Marketing's Blog, we post daily on comics and pop culture news and events.  Check those out as well as our new listings of comics, graphic novels, Comic Con exclusives and more pop culture items for sale in our online Store! 

Thanks again to all of YOU reading our current and archived blog posts!!

As I blogged about yesterday, we are right in the midst of a long Comic Con Season...  So today I am blogging about another one day show that is happening in the New England area this upcoming weekend!

Here are the details as known:

Date:           Sunday, May 31st, 2009
Time:          10:00am - 4:00pm
Location:    Radission Center of NH - 700 Elm Street
City/Town: Manchester, New Hampshire 

General Admission is $5.00

Children 10 and under free with paying Adult

This Con is in New England, so Tina and I will not be attending this one.

However, I do have four Facebook Friends that are guests / exhibitors at this Con.  They are: 

  S. Marek Bennett known for his "Mimi's Doughnuts' will be there! Ask him about his new 'Xeric' book while you are at his table!

  Pop Mhan is a well known comic book artist who pencilled 'Spyboy' for Dark Horse Comics, 'Batgirl' for DC Comics, and most recently 'Bioncle' for DC Comics.

  Amy Fletcher started modeling for Jim Balent and Holly Golightly from Broadsword Comics, when Holly G! discovered Amy on MySpace back in 2007!  Amy has continued to model for comic artists ever since! Amy also draws and does crafts!

  Kris Carter has had his works published by both Arcana and Blue Water Comics. His new publication 'Leprechaun' #1 hits the stands this week!   

So who / what else is at this Con besides the above named guests?  Well... There will be comics dealers at several tables.  There are also supposed to be 'events', but as of this posting, the events shedule was not posted, so I can't blog about those... 

Hope all of the above named persons and YOU, if you can make it, "Have Sum Fun" at this Comic Con!  BTW, if YOU are a comics creator / exhibitor at this show, please let me know so I can add your name to this blog post!

Here at Make It So Marketing's Blog, we post daily on comics and pop culture news and events.  Check those out as well as our new listings of comics, graphic novels, Comic Con exclusives and more pop culture items for sale in our online Store! 

Thanks again to all of YOU reading our current and archived blog posts!!

We are right in the midst of a long Comic Con Season...  And I am blogging about another one day show that is happening this time in the Pacific Northwest this upcoming weekend!

Here are the details as known:

Date:       Saturday, May 30, 2009
Time:       10:00am - 5:00pm
Location: Spokane Falls Community College Build 17SUB Street: 3410 W Fort George Wright Dr
City/Town: Spokane, WA

General Admission is $5.00

Children 10 and under free with paying Adult

Free Gift Bag for the first 100 paid attendees!

This is only the 3rd Annual Spokane ComiCon, so I have not been to this one before.

However, I do have four Facebook Friends that are guests / exhibitors at this Con.  They are: 

  Steve Lieber's works have been published by DC Comics, Marvel, Dark Horse, Image, Carus Publishing, among others.  However he is currently best known as the artist of the graphic novel 'Whiteout', which is a film that Warner Brothers is releasing in 2009 starring Kate Beckinsale.

  Brandon Jerwa is a well known comic book writer who writes various comics for Dynamite Entertainment.  Some of those works are Battlestar Galactica Season Zero, and G.I. Joe.

  Paul Guinan is best known as the co-creator of 'Chronos', a monthly title published by DC Comics, with writer John Francis Moore.  Paul also pencilled eleven issues of the series.  Currently Paul is working on the Sci-fi graphic novel 'Heart Breakers'.

  Lars Brown will be selling copies of the two volumes of his graphic novel 'North World'.  He will also be selling original art and taking commissions at this Con.

So what else is at this Con besides those four guests?  Well... The amount of dealer tables has doubled to 53 tables set up.  And for the first time there will be full day programming...  I noticed that Gabe Strine of 'Brinkerhoff' will be on a panel about 'Webcomics'.

Also, per the Con's press release... "Returning are $1 raffle prizes, freebie table, and the ever popular costume contest at 4pm. There will be prizes for best adult and child costumes donated by The Comic Book shop on Division. Kids will get to meet Darth Vader and other Star Wars characters of the 501st Legion that will be on site taking complimentary photos".

Hope all of the above and YOU, if you can make, have sum fun at this Comic Con and Pop Culture Show!  BTW, if YOU are an comics creator / exhibitor at this show, please let me know so I can add your name to this blog post!

Here at Make It So Marketing's Blog, we post daily on comics and pop culture news and events.  Check those out as well as our new listings of comics, graphic novels, Comic Con exclusives and more pop culture items for sale in our online Store! 

Thanks again to all of YOU reading our current and archived blog posts!!

We've been asked... As to why we haven't posted our thoughts on the latest Star Trek Film.  Well, although I have all the Star Trek Films on tape, watched most of the multiple TV series, and went to the Star Trek Experience in Las Vegas... I don't consider myself an expert on the Franchise.  Additionally, Tina just hasn't been that much of a Trek Fan of any of the series or films, believe it or not!  Even with the name of her company the way it is...!

Yet, after several emails and messages to us asking about where's our 'review'?, I've decided we should post our thoughts on this 'reboot' film.   First, we are both fans of JJ Abrams works, including 'Alias' and 'Lost'.  Secondly I usually don't like 'reboots' or re-imagining of series or characters that I've been reading or watching for quite a while...

Karl Urban as Bones was there from the beginning and I could see how he would develope into the Bones that I enjoyed in ST: TOS.   Great casting here.

Simon Pegg as Scotty came in much later in the film, but his role was vital and true to the man that I enjoyed watching on TV.  Another great bit of casting here.

Anton Yelchin as Chekov had several funny lines, and several that weren't overly meant to be funny, but with the Russian accent it broke up some 'heavy' scenes.  Good casting here.

I enjoyed John Cho as Sulu.  The fencing bit was a good homage to the original Sulu.  Pretty good casting here.

Already mentioned Quinto as Spock.  The only thing topping him was Leonard Nimoy as Spock Prime!  Great scenes and casting (d'oh!) for both.

So that leaves Uhura and Kirk as the major characters not mentioned.  Zoe Saldana was reminiscent of Uhura could have been, I just didn't like the way her part was written in this film.  And try as I might, I just couldn't get Chris Pine as James T Kirk.  It might again have to do with the script, not Chris as Kirk per se, as I could glimmers of him as the Kirk I grew up with...

So, what would I give this film for a rating?  Well, it was a good story even though it changed the 'canon' of the Franchise.  It was worth the money we paid to see it at the Big Screen.  But the time travel which allowed the changing of the Star Trek that I grew up with kept me from giving it more than a Near Mint Minus (NM-) 9.2 out of a 10.0 scale.

~ Michael 

So as promised above, here's Tina POV: 

Star Trek: 9.0

That's my rating for the latest Star Trek movie.

Here at Make It So Marketing's blog, we post daily on comics and pop culture news and events.  Check out our daily blog posts, and new listings of comics, graphic novels, Comic Con exclusives and more pop culture items for sale in our online Store! 

Thanks again to all of YOU reading our current and archived blog posts!!

Partway through this Memorial Day Weekend...  And I am taking the time to see what is coming up in the way of Comic Cons & Shows in the near future.

One that I've heard is a "good one" for creators that are in independent comics, small press, or self-published comics is the upcoming MoCCA Art Festival that is being held two weekends from this one.

The Museum of Comic and Cartoon Art, (MoCCA), announced a short time ago that the MoCCA Festival 2009 will be held June 6th & 7th at the 69th Regiment Armory at Lexington Avenue and 25th Street in New York City.

Besides hearing good reports from Facebook Friends, I see that the Village Voice calls the MoCCA Festival ""the best small-press nexus (anywhere!)". Plus MoCCA itself says that this year's Festival is  "Now BIGGER than ever!".

So if you are in the area during during that time, prepare for an incredible weekend of comic and cartoon art exhibitors, panels, lectures, sketches, autographs, and more!

So Where Is It?
69th Regiment Armory
68 Lexington Avenue, between 25th and 26th Streets

When Is It?
June 6th and 7th, 11am-6pm

So What's the Cost?
$10 per day
$15 per weekend
MoCCA Members: $10 per weekend.

Who's Going To Be On Panels?
Scheduled to appear are John Green, Tom Hart, Charles Hatfield on Jack Kirby, Al Jaffee, Arnold Roth, Tom Kaczynski, David Mazzuchelli, Dave Roman, Frank Santoro in Conversation with Gary Panter, Seth, Raina Telgemeier, Adrian Tomine, Marion Vitus, and more.  Please Note: Guests and scheduling are subject to change!

Thousands come every summer to meet and purchase works from some of the world's best cartoonists, animators, and graphic novelists. I am including just a few of those in the listings below:

  Kevin H Dixon will be there, along with copies of his works including Gilgamesh, which I blogged about earlier here: CLICK HERE!

  Paul Friedrich, creator of Onion Head Monster will be there also!

  S. Marek Bennet, known for his "Mimi's Doughnuts' and his Comics Workshops will be there. Ask him about his Workshops, which is comics education for all ages!  Plus:  Marek will be debuting his new 'Xeric' book so stop by and find out what that is!

  Danny Hellman, publisher of many comics related publications including Typhon will be there. For my review on Typhon Volume 1, CLICK HERE! 

  Michele Witchipoo, Publisher - Artist - Writer at WitchesBress Press will be there.  She is well known for Psycho Bunny and Babalon Babes!  

  Howie Noeldechen, a.k.a  H.C. Noel says... "I'll have Mr. Scootles, Vincent: The Painter of Death and some promo items for
my new webcomic Tara Normal! Tons of fun!"! 

  One of my all time favorite artists who passed away in 1994, has an active organization carrying on his legacy.  Representatives from The Jack Kirby Museum and Research Center will have a table there also. This Museum is organized exclusively for educational purposes; more specifically, to promote and encourage the study, understanding, preservation and appreciation of the work of Jack Kirby. Check it out!

As the 69th Regiment Armory is a much larger venue, nearly 100 more exhibitors will be attending than the previous year.  The above listings are just those creators whose work I am familar with.  Note: If you are a creator reading this post, and wish to be mentioned in this post or future posts, please see my note at the bottom left corner of this blog post!

Here at Make It So Marketing's Blog, we post daily on comics and pop culture news and events.  Check those out as well as our new listings of comics, graphic novels, Comic Con exclusives and more pop culture items for sale in our online Store! 

Thanks again to all of YOU reading our current and archived blog posts!!