I meant to continue my new series on comics and graphic novels that I found out about in the Artists Alley at the 2009 Long Beach Comic Con from this past weekend...

But an email came in yesterday that I didn't want to wait on telling my blog readers about.

That's because the email came in from Mike Towry, who I met at the September 20th event at Mysterious Galaxy Bookstore in San Diego.  For full story of that event, (Click Here).

A photo from the Mysterious Galaxy event is shown at the top left of this blog post, and includes both Mike Towry and Richard Alf, plus others named above. 

The reason I mention Mike and Richard in particular, is because I asked them both if they were on Facebook (FB) or some other social media platform at the book signing event.  Or if they had a web site.  Richard said no, that he was basically just on for email, and Mike was not on FB either, which was unfortunate because I wanted to communicate further with them both more easily.

I mentioned to Mike about seeing them at the July 2009 SDCC, when they were on a special panel about the 1970's origins of the San Diego Comic Con International.   Matter of fact I had talked with Richard Alf at a later panel, and re-introduced myself to him.  That's because many years ago, Richard had bought my duplicate copies of my comics, before I went into selling them myself!

I had asked Mike and Richard follow up questions about the early days of the SDCC, and then followed up by sending both of them emails about the event held at Mysterious Galaxy.  (I included a link to my blog post for that event.)  So I was very pleased when the below email came in yesterday from Mike with the new Tribute web site news:

"Hi Michael,
 
I thought you might be interested to know that Richard Alf, Barry Alfonso, and I have just launched the ShelDorfTribute.com Web site. There's just a single posting on the site at present, which is a welcoming and explanatory message from we three. We're looking for people to share reminiscenses of Shel, tributes to what he's meant for them and for others, and also any pictures of Shel they might have.
 
BTW, I enjoyed seeing the pictures of our Mysterious Galaxy session on your Web site.
 
Regards,
 
Mike Towry

I took a look at the web site, realizing it was brand new, and decided to help them kick off their new endeavor.  BTW, I did not see Barry Alfonso at the Mysterious Galaxy book signing event.  He lives in Pittsburgh, PA, and was not able to come to this event.

Here is just a small portion of what YOU can see at the web site that the above three named persons have created in the 'Shelf Dorf Tribute' web site:

Shel Dorf has lived for comics, for bringing their fans and professional creators together, and for helping many of those fans to become professionals themselves.

In 1969, Shel came to San Diego already possessing years of experience in producing comic conventions and other fan activities along with a host of fan and professional contacts. He was certainly in a position to claim a preeminent place for himself as the chairman, the great leader of the comic convention he proposed for San Diego. It would not have seemed unreasonable had he viewed the inexperienced young fans he gathered as fit only to be his gofers and flunkies. Another man might have done so, but that wasn’t Shel. He always wanted to help his friends and associates to realize their dreams, to discover what they could do, to find their own places in the sun. From the beginning, he always was content to be known simply as Comic-Con’s founder and the advisor to its committee. He was surely those things and more.

At the time we first met Shel in 1969, we ranged in age from 12 to 17. How could we think we could put on our own convention? Shel showed us the way. It was an experience that few kids could have, one that we’ll always remember, one that Shel made possible.

Through Shel, we got to meet the comics pros, something that we had never considered possible – isolated as we were in our sleepy little Navy town in the southwest corner of the United States. And thanks to Shel, we started at the top with our first visit to see Jack “King” Kirby in November of 1969. To us Kirby truly was the King of comics, and because of Shel’s efforts in arranging our visit, we found out first hand that Kirby was a fascinating thinker, full of boundless ideas and creative energies matched only by the kindness and consideration he showed his fans.

Would there have been a Comic-Con in San Diego without Shel? Probably, someday, sure. Would it have been the one we have today? Certainly not. Comic-Con got its spirit, its positive, non-profit, welcoming vision from Shel. The Con committees throughout the years have done a fantastic job in building the Con into what it is today, but, to paraphrase Isaac Newton, “If they have seen further than others, it is because they stood on the shoulders of a giant.”

Shel was always better at doing for others than at doing for himself. How many fans and pros did he bring together, how many fans became pros because of the man and his work: these are questions we hope this site will start to answer for all to see.

Since we three – Richard Alf, Barry Alfonso, and I – were kindly invited to attend Comic-Con this year as 40th-anniversary guests, we’ve come to learn more of the state of knowledge regarding Comic-Con’s founding. That there is a paucity of accurate information available about this matter is perhaps not a surprise as we who were there at the beginning had not before related the facts in public. One purpose of this site is to remedy that situation and thereby assure Shel his just recognition. As the only three of the original founding members of the Comic-Con Committee available, we want to set the story straight and fill in the gaps regarding Comic-Con’s earliest days.

Shel, unfortunately, cannot speak for himself. He has been in the hospital for over a year. He is currently unable to communicate: unable to speak or even to read or hear much of anything. We of course hope that his condition will improve, but we have not been given reason to believe that it will. However, we will be sure to let you know of any change in his condition. If prayer is something that you do, we’re sure you’ll want to pray for Shel.

—Mike Towry

So now, with respect, gratitude, and affection, we launch this site in tribute to Shel Dorf. Our best wishes go out to Shel and to all his friends and admirers. Please let us hear from you.

—Richard Alf, Barry Alfonso, and Mike Towry

Again, I must mention that this web site is brand new, and will grow in the weeks to come.  If you have any early memories of the San Diego Comic Con, and with Shel Dorf in particular, feel free to visit the Tribute web site and submit your memories there!

Here is the url for doing that:

http://www.sheldorftribute.com/ 

My Thanks to Mike Towry for informing me so quickly of their new endeavor.  I look forward to coming back and seeing more stories about Shel and the good ol' days of the Comic Con!

~ Michael @  ComicBookCollectorsBlog.com

Continuing my new series on comics and graphic novels that I found out about in the Artists Alley at the 2009 Long Beach Comic Con ...

Is the 'Mysterious Adventure Magazine' comic book series from Matt (Crap) Bennett and Scott Godlewski.

Their table caught my attention because the way the covers of their publications were laid out on the table made me first think that they had several publications for sale.  Upon closer examination there were only two publications, but each cover was striking enough to make me pick them up to look at closer.

In the photo to the above left is Matt holding the Spring 2009 issue and Scott at the right holding the 2nd issue (Summer 2009).  The photo insert to the right of their photo is a close up of the first issue.

You can see how striking both covers are.   The genre that the covers present is one that I like, so of course I struck up  a conversation with both of them.

The following is what their first issue of this comic book series is about:

"Written and Illustrated by Scott Godlewski, Matt Bennet, Joe Dellagatta, Ben Perkins, Matt Kaufenberg

Standard Comic
Black & White
Page Count: 40  Cover Price:  $2.99

The Flying Phantom must escape a deadly trap sprung by the manical Dr. Otto Metzger and the Dead Baron! Plus, an eerie retelling of the Selkie legend, a private eye with a frightening secret, and two ranchers discover an unbelieveabe creature on the Arizona desert!

Mysterious Adventure Magazine recaptures the magic of the great Silver Age anthologies with a modern twist!"

I put the above issue mentioned and the second issue toward the top of my list of comics to read first from the LBCC, because of the covers and the conversation I had with them.

The first story in the Spring issue did not let me disappoint me.  It was exactly what the cover indicated this 'magazine' comic book would be. Good job by Scott Godlewski and Matt Bennett.

Then I read the second story, 'The Fisherman's Wife'.  Although it was an enjoyable story by Mat Bennett and Joe Dellagatta, it was then that it really struck me that I was reading an anthology comic book.  An anthology comic book as I have mentioned in this blog before, is one of the hardest comic books to review.  That's because that even though the cover may pull a casual browser to stop and pick up the comic book, you would think that all the stories inside would fit the 'theme' or genre format that the front cover suggested would be inside.

I found the second story to be good, but the art style was so different from the cover and the first lead story, that it was kind of jarring to be the following story after the lead story.  Taken on its' own, the story and art was good, but somehow didn't seem to fit in this issue in my opinion as a reader and reviewer.

The third story 'Found in The Desert' by Scott Godlweski and Matt Bennett, got back on track with the genre that I would think would be in this comic book.  A good 4 page story.

The fourth and final story, by Matt Bennett and Ben Perkins, fit in the genre, and actually reminded me of the old stories by Stan Lee and Steve Ditko that were the pre-superhero HoRRoR / MoNSTer stories that I loved so much.

The last four pages were welcomes from Matt and Scott, and a great 'hook' for the reader to join the 'Mysterious Adventure Club' with a membership card, etc.  Now that is the branding and style that made me pick up these two issues in the first place!

So for me, the first issue this anthology comic book series did a pretty good job in delivering the promise of what the cover suggested would be inside.  Again I want to state that publishing anthologies with different writers and artists are one of the hardest things to do in comic book publishing.  Matt and Scott did a pretty good job delivering in the first issue of this series.

Wait, I said there were two issues, right?!

Here's the details on the second issue, Summer 2009 cover date:

Written and Illustrated by Matt Bennett, Scott Godlewski, Joshua Covey, Michael Kasinger, Michael Babinski, Dan Schkade, Matt Kaufenberg, Ryan Cody

Standard Comic
Black & White
Page Count: 40
Cover Price:  $2.99

Masked mystery men, water-borne legends, and demonic detectives await!

Mysterious Adventure Magazine recaptures the magic of the great Silver Age anthologies with a modern twist!

Again, Scott and Matt promise a 'Mysterious Adventure' comic book on the front cover.  And again for the most part they delivered that to me as a reader.

There were five stories in this second issue.  The front cover featured 'Night Shift'.  That lead story delivered what the front cover promised. But again the following story, although I enjoyed it in its' own right, was too different for me as a reader from what the front cover suggested would be in the comic book.

The third story, 'Saying Goodbye With Bullets' fit the story genre of the comic book although the art style was different.  But it wasn't that different from the issues's theme after reading the second story.  It kind of put the issue back on track for me as a reader.

The fourth story, 'Down To Zero' was another Flying Phantom story, who was featured in the first issue.  Again, another well done story and art here!

The fifth and final story. 'Death In Haiku', was another story with artwork that was too jarring for this comic book in my opinion.  It just didn't seem to jell with the rest of the issue's works.  This would be a good anthology story, but just not in this series in my opinion.

So... for me the first issue was a good first issue start for this series.  The second issue had a couple of stories that just didn't jell for me as a reader.  Again as I've said, publishing anthology comics is a hard undertaking to take on. 

The premise of the series is a good one, and the lead stories delivered what the front covers promised.  Being a long-time comic book reader, I'm wondering if instead of an anthology book, maybe a 'split book' would work better?

A 'split book' would be like the old 'Tales of Suspense' which basically ended up with Iron Man and Captain America sharing the covers for the most part and sharing the interior pages.  'Tales To Astonish' with the Incredible Hulk and the Sub-Mariner would be another good example.  However, just like anthology comics, the 'split book' concept doesn't always work to draw in readers.  Take for example 'Strange Tales' that had Doctor Strange and Nick Fury - Agent of S.H.I.E.L.D.  The readership of that split book probably didn't like both features, as they were too different.  That is probably why sales of that series weren't as high in numbers as TOS and TTA.

However, in 'Mysterious Adventure Magazine', the comic book series, I could see that 'split book' concept as probably working.  Especially with their own characters 'Flying Phantom' and 'Night Shift'.  Both of those features worked well and were actually the featured characters on the two front covers.  Those front covers promised and the interior pages with those two characters delivered! 

You can find more about the 'Mysterious Adventure Magazine' at their web site:

http://www.comicspace.com/mysterious_adventure/

You can purchase these issues at:

http://www.indyplanet.com/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=1785

I enjoyed both of these issues enough that I would be sure to come back for the third issue.  Like any new comic book title that is an anthology comic book series, the publisher does have to get a few issues out to see what the reading public enjoys before finding its' selling niche!

~ Michael @  ComicBookCollectorsBlog.com

Okay, this blog post is a bit later this morning in being posted...

That's because after a Great Weekend @ the Long Beach Comic Con, (LBCC), I had so much to catch up on first!

However, as I stated last night on my Facebook Wall, I am starting my 'reviews' of comics and graphic novels here this week on those copies that were given to me to read and possibly review here in my Blog. Those were given to me by creators that had enough faith in their projects to hand me a sample copy or two of their publications for possible inclusion here in my Blog.

Above left are pictured Steve Kozak - President of Cossack Comics, and David McAdoo - Story, Art & Design of 'Red Moon - The Rising', the prequel comic book to the upcoming Red Moon Graphic Novel.   You can see the comic book that they are both are holding in the photo, but I also ran a larger photo of just the comic book to the right of their photo, so that you my blog readers can see it better.

The comic book prequel jumped out at Tina on Saturday, as we both were together going through the rest of Artists Alley tables that I didn't get to on Friday when I was alone doing so.

So right off the bat I could see that there would be 'female' interest this project could play to.  Not all projects seen at the LBCC even try to bring in the female audience.  That being said, I thought we should stop and talk with Steve and David further.  I found that the project was also of interest to me, so I told them what I did industry-wise and went home with a sample copy.   Since Tina was going to read this right away, I thought I would do so also, and decided to blog about this project first.

I'm going to let their web site tell you what they believe the story will be about, as it is a work in progress at this time, and only a little is printed in the prequel comic book:

"Red Moon is an epic story of the power of nature, the essence of destiny and the unseen bond between all living things. It’s a mystical journey through the animal kingdom, known and unknown. It’s filled with friendship and sadness, action and drama, love and betrayal.

Raised in the quiet suburbs of middle America, the unknowing hero of this story is a small dog named Mox. The family that owns him seems different now that he’s not a puppy anymore and Mox is slowly coming to the realization that the world around him is changing quickly. Mox is unhappy in his suburban pen but Daeden, a street-wise stray dog, is there to help. Daeden breaks Mox out of his fenced-in yard and shows him that the world outside the fence can be unimaginably wonderful...and tragically terrifying!

Once freed of his confines Mox begins having horrific visions of a world in destruction; forests of fire, crumbling mountains and sunken cities, all under the ominous stare of a RED MOON. What do the visions mean? Why do they send Mox into an uncontrollable frenzy? Even Daeden’s vast knowlege doesn’t have an answer. But there is someone who does have an answer... Krigg. He’s a scarred brute of a raven, black as coal and as big as Mox if not bigger. The hideous bird recites a prophecy that tells the end of Man’s World comes with the visions of a Red Moon...

With that Mox and Daeden’s journey begins. And along that journey they will cross dangerous enemies, make powerful allies and come face to face with some of the most fantastic ancient sages of the animal world!" 

Okay, the above storyline was definitely touched upon in the prequel comic book. Here's my thoughts and at least one from Tina on the prequel comic book alone:

I found that having what would be the 'splash page' to the comic book be the 'Note page' instead would very beneficial to a new reader. Which was good, because the first of the three stories inside the comic book was just a little 'confusing' to Tina.  She wasn't able to keep track of which bird was which during the fight for supremacy of the flock in the first story.  (Hey, it's black and white interior pages and most wild birds do look the same!)

That didn't keep her from reading the rest of the stories, and actually suggesting it to a film producer friend to follow up on, when we met her on Sunday. 

I found that the theme of Daeden, who as a street-wise stray dog, suggesting to Mox, who as a house pet is no longer the center of attention in the household, to escape and be free with Daeden, to be somewhat familar as a theme in an old animated film, but that didn't keep me from enjoying the prequel stories.

The color cover to this prequel is striking, with a good layout, a great intro to the main characters, and the lettering on the cover is perfect in presentation.

The back cover is also striking, and gives the reader a good image to remember.  Very good 'branding' for this graphic novel!

The black and white interior pages are illustrated well, but I can see where others could have trouble like Tina had with the first story when identifying which bird was which during the 'One Must Fall' story. 

The last pages in this prequel were 'Early Character Sketches' of the three main characters.  Which was helpful.  The last article title 'My Process and Technique' was very insightful also.  This is the kind of article that makes new readers want to come back to see how the story continues in the graphic novel.  Very good marketing!

Anyways, I would have to say that I would add this to my list of graphic novels to check out when it is published.  It is supposed to be 196 action packed pages when published.

You can find more about the Red Moon Graphic Novel at their web site:

http://www.redmoongraphicnovel.com/

My thanks to Tina who brought this production that Steve Kozak was showing at the LBCC to my attention.  And thanks to David McAdoo whose creation this project was from the very start!

~ Michael @  ComicBookCollectorsBlog.com

Yeah, I'm up early again, the morning after the 2nd Day of the Long Beach Comic Con!

For those of you that are new to our blog, I have been blogging the last couple of days that the 1st Annual Long Beach Comic Con was running from October 2nd thru the 4th!  Which means... that TODAY will be the FINAL DAY of this Comic Con in Long Beach, California!

As You can see from the photos above, (taken from several hundred that Tina and I shot on Saturday to use in later blogs to come), it was another fun day at this comic book convention!

Please see yesterday's blog where I showed photos from Opening Day.  That's where I mentioned that I enjoyed seeing Stan Lee cut the Opening Day Ribbon, and of course the whole crowd joined in on congratulating Stan for having October 2nd, 2009 proclaimed 'Stan Lee Day' by one of the Long Beach City Councilmen.  It was great to be there to see this in person, and for those that couldn't be there 1st Day, I shared a couple of photos of this event in yesterday's blog!

Most of my half day on Friday that the con was open, was spent talking to comic book and graphic novel creators as I visited them in Artists Alley (AA).  I only saw 5/8 of the tables in the AA on Friday, plus a couple of booths on the way walking to AA.

So Saturday, with Tina along this time to help take photos and point me in the right directions, we saw the remaining 3/8 of the AA tables, the media guests tables, and then the exhibitor booths, and then walked by the retailer booths saying hello to those that we knew on the way out last night.  Tina and I have prior committments for today, (Sunday), so we had to take in the rest of it all on Saturday!

So, before I start commenting more on the photos shown above all of this text, I want to tell You that if YOU are in the Los Angeles / Long Beach area today, Sunday October 4th, drop in and see this comic con!  There are many good illustrators there that can draw sketches for you, media guests from several TV Shows and Films that have photographs and autographs to sell, Plus there are actual comic books that you can purchase direct from the creators, plus even older back issues and the newest issues from the retailer booths! 

Okay, I want to mention a little more about those that are pictured in the photos above:

First, the large vertical photo is of Michael with Reb Brown, who played Captain America in the TV Films.  Tina and I enjoyed talking briefly with Reb about those films and other films that he has played in since then.  I will be blogging about Reb's future con appearances as he makes them known to me.  I previously blogged about Reb Brown and published photos of his days as Captain America. (Click here to see that post.)

The photo shown below Reb's is of Michael with Trish Paytas and Melody Mooney, both of whom were contestants in Season 2 of Stan Lee's Who Wants To Be A Superhero?, which I enjoyed watching.  I have "seen" Melody before at the SDCC when the Season 2 was being first promoted, but in that setting there are so many persons there that getting a chance to talk with her was near impossible.  Here at the LBCC I was able to talk with her and Trisha.  I'll be sharing more about them in future blogs.  In the meantime, here is my previous blog post that they would be attending this LBCC:  (Click here for that post.) 

Below their photo is another photo of Michael,(Thanks Tina!), with Wonder Woman... again(?!).  Yeah, Tina puts up with my requests to have photos taken with Wonder Woman, who seems to be everywhere at Comic Cons, just like Santa Claus is everywhere during the Holiday Season!  My thanks to this Wonder Woman for posing with me! I do appreciate that!

The second column photos, in order from top to bottom are:

Nick Nugent, and his publisher Gary Spohn, who had a booth to promote Nick's book "The Knight Rider Companion".  Tina immediately pulled me to their booth when she saw it, knowing of my interest in the latest version of 'Knight Rider' that recently was on TV.  My thanks to Nick & Gary who furnished me with a preview copy.  I will be reading that book soon, and blogging a review of it here in this Blog!  Tina, who is in book publishing / promotions / book launches, was impressed in the high end quality of the book.  Just thumbing through the book while at their booth, I was impressed with the number of color photos the book contained. More on that book later and a link to their web site then...

The photo below that was taken from the 2nd floor of the convention center overlooking the exhibit hall floor.  My thanks to the con staff for allowing me to take photos from that special room using our press pass. As you can see, the room was full of attendees when I took that photo (and others) approx 1PM.

The third photo on the top right column shows Phil Schlaefer, a good comics retailer in Sunnyvale, California, who has set up at comic cons for years.  He recently had a Grand Re-Opening in Sunnyvale, and we spoke briefly about business there and at the recent SDCC and this LBCC.

In the fourth photo is 'Vem' who is a driving force behind the graphic novle 'HollyVood'.  If you are at the last day of the LBCC, look for him and others that are wearing the yellow shirts with the red letters 'HollyVood' and ask them more about this project.  I've already blogged about this project, (click here).

The fifth photo shows Steve Kozak and David McAdoo promoting their Red Moon upcoming graphic novel.  I received a sample copy of their prequel comic book, which I will review here later.

In the sixth photo is Andi Ewington, who along with others from the UK that were at the Comic.x booth, flew in from the UK to attend.  More on his works later in this blog!

In the seventh and last photo in the right column are Dale Wilson and Astra Price, who are the co-owners of DWAP Productions. Great to meet you this time Astra!  I've blogged about one of their titles, 'Caffeine Dreams' in this Blog before. (Click here!)

OK, I've run out of room in this post... But Who else is scheduled to be there?  Well, here is the link to the full comics creators and media guests schedule: http://www.longbeachcomiccon.com/guests.html  - Please note, appearances and times are always subject to possible change.  The link will also take you to the other tabs in the web site for FAQs, programs, etc, for this, the Final Day of the 2009 LBCC!

Also, our thanks to the folks at MAD Exhibits who are putting on this Con: Martha Donato, Phil Lawrence, Mike Scigliano, also known as "Scig!", Steven Hoveke, Kate Horn, Mike Horn, and Chip Carter.  Plus thanks to Drew Seldin of Seldin Gross Communications for handling our press requests. Tina and I both enjoyed attending and reporting about this comic con! 

OKAY, that takes care of 'con updates' from Saturday.  As mentioned earlier, I was there the first day, and Tina and I were there Saturday. Previous committments keep us from attending the final day.  But we know that those attending and also exhibiting there will have a Great Final Day at this year's LBCC!

BTW.... Whereas Tina and I don't publish comics or books (yet?) or set up at comic cons, (except at our own Facebook Virtual Comic Con Dealer Table), we do have thousands of indies and mainstream comics in our own online store. Be sure to check out our new listings of comics, graphic novels, Comic Con exclusives and more pop culture items for sale in our online eBay Featured Store that our blogs are based on!  It's due to sales at this online store that keep us going with the ability to post blogs like the one you have read here today! 

Thanks again to all of YOU reading our current and archived blog posts!  We do blog daily on comic book creators, comic book reviews, and other pop culture news and events including some TV shows and theatrical films! 

~ Michael @  ComicBookCollectorsBlog.com

Yeah, I'm up really early this morning, the day after the Grand Opening Day of the Long Beach Comic Con!

I  usually get that way whenever I've had a great time at a convention on opening day and am looking forward to the second or third day of the same con!

I have been blogging that the 1st Annual Long Beach Comic Con would be running from October 2nd thru the 4th!  Which means... that YESTERDAY was Grand Opening Day / Night!

As You can see from the photos above, (taken from several hundred that I shot to use in later blogs), it was a fun time!

Considering that yesterday was really a 'half-day' in that the con ran only from 3PM to 7PM, there was a good sized crowd in attendance!  Tina is joining me today for 2nd Day of the LBCC, which runs from 10AM to 6PM, so I'm going to just post this with a few comments, and then get ready to drive back up to Long Beach, this time with her.

Of course I've got to mention that I enjoyed seeing Stan Lee cut the Opening Day Ribbon, and yeah, the whole crowd joined in on congratulating Stan on having October 2nd, 2009 proclaimed 'Stan Lee Day'.  It was great to be there to see this in person!

Although this is the 1st LBCC, I wasn't able to see all of it yesterday.  I tend to spend time talking to comic book and graphic novel creators as I visit them in Artists Alley (AA).  I only saw 5/8 of the tables in the AA yesterday, plus a couple of booths on the way walking to AA.

So today, I'm going to finish seeing the other 3/8 of the AA tables, see the media guests tables, and then the exhibitor booth, and maybe a few retailer booths on the way out.  Tina and I have prior committments for Sunday, so we've got to take all of it in today!

So, if YOU are in the Los Angeles / Long Beach area today, drop in and see this comic con.  There are some good folks there that can draw sketches for you, plus comics that you can purchase direct from the creators, plus back issues from the retailer booths! 

Oh, and if you see me in my ComicBookCollectorsBlog.com blue-colored polo shirt, feel free to stop me and say hello to me and Tina!  And thanks to all of those that stopped me yesterday and said hello, I do appreciate that!

And one last thing... check out the photo of 'Wonder Woman' and myself at the LBCC, as seen at the bottom right 'Convention Photos' feature that is run in each blog post.

Okay... The following italicized paragraphs are yesterday's blog notes about the comic con if you haven't seen my earlier blog posts about the comic con and just a few of those that will be there, plus links to those posts...

I've already mentioned several of the comics creators guests that are attending and even published pictures of a few of them: (Click here for that post.) 

Plus, I previously blogged that there's going to be media guests, (please be aware that many of the following may charge additional for autographs):

I blogged about Hygena and Ms. Limelight from Stan Lee's Who Wants To Be A Superhero TV show on SyFy would be in attendance. (Click here for that post.)  (NEW Saturday morning:  Oh... I briefly saw Melody Mooney (Hygena) as we were both leaving late from the exhibit hall last night.  So today I'll get photos with her and Ms. Limelight to blog later!

Plus I blogged about Reb (Captain America) Brown would be there. (Click here to see that post.)

I have also mentioned that Stan Lee is the Special Guest of Honor.  He is also to be at the ribbon cutting ceremony for the Con Opening.  There is also a Stan Lee / Jim Lee 'Meet n Greet' Saturday @10:00 AM that is being sponsored by another outfit.  There is a charge for that special event of $350 if it isn't already sold out.  Plus @ approx 11:00 AM there are / were approximately 400 tickets being sold to have Stan Lee sign one item of your choice. Cost per ticket is $45. I thought my blog readers should know about this prior to attending the Con. These two events are being sponsored by another company outside of the LBCC folks.  I am presenting this here so attendees are not surprised when attending the Con and wondering what the buzz is during those hours on Saturday.

Who else is scheduled to be there?  Well, here is the link to the full comics creators and media guests schedule: http://www.longbeachcomiccon.com/guests.html  - Please note, appearances and times are always subject to possible change, just like at any other convention.

Something I haven't blogged about yet are the EXCLUSIVES that can be found only @ LBCC!  Even though this is the First LBCC, there is a long list of exclusives of comics that are being distributed or sold at this con for the first time.  Here is the link to those:  http://www.longbeachcomiccon.com/showexclusive.html

I've also blogged about a few of the programs that will be running, but here is the link to full programming schedule:  http://www.longbeachcomiccon.com/program.html

I also believe You can still buy your tickets online for the LBCC at:

http://www.longbeachcomiccon.com/p-1-long-beach-comic-con-registration.aspx

Also, It's not too late... If you would like to join with over 1,400 other members who have 'joined' the Long Beach Comic Con Facebook Fan Page, feel free to do so at:

http://www.facebook.com/LongBeachComicCon?ref=mf

You'll get more up-to-date information as the Con gets closer to its' opening day by signing up there!  They even added new guests that are appearing, as late as yesterday morning, (October 1st @ 5:30 AM PST)! Plus they added another blurb @ 6:00 AM PST this morning (Friday Oct 2nd).

And yes, I will be there @ LBCC both Friday and Saturday.  I will be wearing a blue colored polo shirt with white colored letters stating my Blog's name:   'ComicBookCollectorsBlog.com', as Tina made sure I have several of those for the cons to wear so I'm easier to find!  (Photo of me wearing one is shown at the bottom left of this post.)  Just stop me and say "Hi" anytime!

Speaking of Tina, she will be there Saturday Only.  There are more programs running on Sunday, but we have two prior committments to attend that day, so if You are looking for us, find me Friday, or both of us on Saturday!

Well that's it for blogging this morning.  I'll be closing up shop and driving North to Long Beach very soon.  I want to be there for the special ribbon cutting ceremony, and whatever else is in store for today/tonight!

I will be 'Facebook Mobiling' some photos from the LBCC, but am planning to enjoy meeting creators and media guests for the most part today.  Plus of course taking regular photos for blog purposes later!  I already have several invites to stop by and pick up new comics for possible review here in my Blog, plus a sketch that a Facebook Friend is illustrating for me.  So come back soon to check those upcoming blogs out as I like sharing new finds here in my Blog!

And since Tina and I will be 'working' the Con, we won't be blogging from the LBCC itself.  However, since I was asked about it, there is internet service there at the Long Beach Convention Center.  The Center does offer WI-FI service at the following rate: $4.95 per hour or $12.95 per day.

Also, my thanks to the folks at MAD Exhibits who are putting on this Con: Martha Donato, Phil Lawrence, Mike Scigliano, also known as "Scig!", Steven Hoveke, Kate Horn, Mike Horn, and Chip Carter.  I am looking forward to attending this first con later today and tomorrow! 

OKAY, that takes care of 'con updates' this Saturday early morning, and provides links to where you can go to check out what else is happening at this con.  Again, Tina and I will be at this con all day, so stop us if you want to say hello!

BTW.... Whereas Tina and I don't publish comics or books (yet?) or set up at comic cons, (except at our own Facebook Virtual Comic Con Dealer Table), we do have thousands of indies and mainstream comics in our own online store. Be sure to check out our new listings of comics, graphic novels, Comic Con exclusives and more pop culture items for sale in our online eBay Featured Store that our blogs are based on!  It's due to sales at this online store that keep us going with the ability to post blogs like the one you have read here today! 

Thanks again to all of YOU reading our current and archived blog posts!  We do blog daily on comic book creators, comic book reviews, and other pop culture news and events including some TV shows and theatrical films! 

~ Michael @  ComicBookCollectorsBlog.com