Michael D Hamersky On Comics  Presents... Tina's Review On: The 2011 Marvel Film 'Thor'! Which Opened On Friday, May 6th, 2011 At A Local Theater Near YOU In the USA! Today's blog is 'guest blogged' by Tina LoSasso, 'Agent of S.H.I.E.L.D.'!  As is customary with both Tina and I viewing comic book movies on the Big Screen... We usually have our own separate blogs about our 'takes' on the film! I already have posted mine on Friday evening, after we caught a mid-afternoon matinee, which you can see here in blog #3407.     Of course, my POV is from an 'old school' comic book fan, who read the stories of the Mighty Thor starting in 1962 when he was the main feature in 'Journey Into Mystery'. I no longer regularly read the titles that Marvel publishes, after the company decided to reboot the title with a new #1 issue, in an attempt to 'capture' speculators / 'collectors' into buying multiple copies of new #1 issues.  Thor was one of the titles I immediately dropped at that time, although others like Fantastic Four I kept up with until relatively recently...      Plus, although her brother and her cousin had a few comics during their childhood, Tina didn't get "re-introduced" to the 'comic book world' until 2001, when she and I were engaged to be married, and I took her to her first 'comic con', that of the Comic-Con International: San Diego, which, (IMO), 'spoiled' her.  She compares all comic cons, and comic shows that we attend now, to that one in San Diego, and there is no comparison! Of course, she realizes that Comic-Con International is too darn big to navigate, even in the four days + preview night' that we attend each year!  For the first time ever at the 2010 SDCC even I gave up trying to see every aisle, and the adjcacent locations at the Hilton, and the Marriott! Before I present Tina's "guest blog" below... If you don't know what the THOR film is all about... For more general info on the film, (SPOILER ALERT!), You can check the Wikipedia entry for Thor via this link. There is probably TOO much info there prior to seeing the film itself, thus the SPOILER ALERT!   Also... Just for fun, you can also check out the Journey Into Mystery comic book covers starting with Thor at this link from the Grand Comics Database starting at issue #83, and there is no spoiler alert for this, just some good clean fun of seeing how 'Thor' has evolved over the years since 1962, almost 50 years ago... 50 Year Ago?  Sheesh!    - ONE OF THE THOR FILM POSTERS! This film poster seems to best represent Tina's POV of the 'Mighty Thor' film in this blog, so it is being shown here. Of course there are others, including the one I shared with you in blog #3407, the international film release poster! - - CAPTAIN AMERICA & THOR FREE COMIC BOOK DAY (FCBD) COMIC - PUBLISHER: MARVEL COMICS - To capitalize on this brand new Thor Film, and the upcoming Captain America Film... Here is the FCBD comic book just in time for both during the FCBD event: (W) Roger Langridge (A) Chris Samnee - From the fan-favorite creative team of Thor: The Mighty Avenger comes a time-twisting tale of Camelot-craziness. When mischievous Loki's machinations throw Thor and a World War II-era Steve Rogers into King Arthur's court, it's an adventure neither noble Avenger will ever forget! - Addendum by Michael:  I did pick up a few extra copies of this at yesterday's FCBD, and will be listing them soon at my online LCBS, ComicBooksCircus.com for those of you that missed out on it! - - Sub-Mariner #59 - Guest-Starring The Mighty Thor - PUBLISHER: Marvel Comics - 1973  - Just to emphasize that Tina truly is a 'mainstream film viewer' of Thor.  She has not read any of the 'Journey Into Mystery' comics starring Thor (Issues #83 - 125), and none of the comic book series Thor titles.  Now if I, (Michael) had kept my run of Sub-Mariner, she would have seen Thor in issue #59, as Subby is her favorite Marvel Comics character! - - PHOTO TAKE AFTER SEEING THE THOR FILM - REGULAR VERSION (NOT 3D) - You can see by the photo above that somebody really liked it... What with Michael giving it a 'two thumbs up' gesture, further discussed in blog #3407, but what's with Tina's 'one thumb up' gesture?  Continue reading below to find out!

TODAY'S FEATURE - Blog #3408:

As noted in the previous blog from Friday night, blog #3407, Tina and I viewed the 'Thor' film on the Big Screen at a local theater during an afternoon matinee run.  I posted my own blog of the film, from a long time comic book fan's POV after viewing the film and having dinner.

Yesterday, (Saturday), while my youngest son and I drove to ten different LCBS for FCBD, (as reviewed by us in tomorrow's blog), Tina wrote out her own blog for the Weekend Edition of this Blog.  This review is by a woman who was re-introduced to the comic book world in 2001, but does not read 'mainstream comics'.  But she has attended almost every comic book movie that has come out since 2001 with me.

Plus, for some darn reason... Her review blogs on comic book movies seem to get more 'hits / views' than mine do!  Which she loves to point out to me after I mention this blog's stats to her... LOL!  So without further ado, (or introduction).... Here's Tina's 'Take' on the film:

First it's time for the SPOILER ALERT!

DON'T READ BELOW THIS ROW, UNTIL YOU SEE THE RED FONT FOR 'END OF SPOILER ALTERT' UNLESS YOU WANT TO BE INFORMED OF THE FILM BEFORE GOING - 'NUFF SAID!

Tina's Movie Review: Thor

A Thunderously Good Time!

Thor is the stuff of Shakespeare: aging King, deceitful scheming siblings aching to take over, grand battles, banishment, and redemption.  Is it any wonder Kenneth Branagh (Hamlet, Henry V, As You Like It) wanted to direct?

To my mind, Branagh is exactly what makes the movie work - besides the charming and well cut - I mean, well cast Chris Hemsworth as our God of Thunder, Thor.

Yes, fan boys - that stuffy Shakespearian guy makes your comic book Thor work on the big screen.  Probably because Branagh not only understands how to tell a mythological story, but he grew up in Belfast reading Thor! Who knew?

What I found most fascinating about the movie - besides the scene where Thor takes his putting his shirt on - is how the story cuts swiftly between the two worlds - Earth and Asgard.

I was pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed the drama on Asgard. In fact, as drama goes, Asgard rules. There's much more at stake in Asgard: devious Loki is engineering a coup with the help of the Asgardians' mortal enemies, the Frost Giants. Will Odin ever awaken?  Will Loki's henchmen kill him first? What will happen to Thor's band of warriors? Our viewing audience seemed enthralled. During some of the more emotional scenes, you could hear a pin drop.

Yes, there's crazy amounts of CGI in Asgard, but it is a beautiful, glimmering golden vision - and there's Anthony Hopkins (at least until he turns into an old man version of Sleeping Beauty) and some really cool gold furniture. Kind of like if Liberace and Donald Trump decided to move in together.

While the drama's on Asgard, the humor is firmly planted on Earth as Thor plays a Viking fish out of water in desert of New Mexico. The movie trailers are full of it and fortunately, there's even more in the movie. Loved it. The play between Natalie Portman (Jane Foster) and Chris Hemsworth is terrific - lively and funny. Who knew Padma had such a funny bone? 

However, the chemistry between the two is more fun than romantic. When Jane's colleague and father figure, played by the under used Stellan Skarsgard, remarks that he sees how Jane looks at Thor, I had no idea what he was talking about. While the final kiss is good, the romance was lacking and, for me, weakened the story and any subsequent sequel.  You just don't get that these two have fallen in love.

Speaking of love, as a newly minted Agent of S.H.I.E.L.D, I loved seeing so many of my colleagues in the movie - and especially all the screen time for Agent Coulson. I didn't see enough of him in the Iron Man movies, but in Thor we're treated to Coulson interrogating Thor who's been caught trying to steal his own hammer. Coulson can't decide if Thor is a terrorist or a mercenary.

Every comic book hero must have its sidekick. In Thor's case, he has four best described by a S.H.I.E.L.D as Xena, Jackie Chan, and Robin Hood. Luckily for the audience, Jane Foster also gets a wise-cracking sidekick, Darcy who has probably some of the best lines in the movie. My fav: (snapping a quick pic of newly arrived Thor) You're going on Facebook!

END OF SPOILER WARNING!

END OF SPOILER WARNING!

Michael has asked me to include two other items in my review:

1.) Who would enjoy this movie most? Comic book fans (d'oh), action movie fans, women (see comments about Chris Hemsworth 'nuff said), kids - there is not much in the way of violence, so for once, this is a comic book action movie you don't need to fear taking the younger members of the family.

2.) My Comic Book Rating:  8.5 - Very Fine Plus on a comic book grading scale.

Now, in the words of Thor, "I will end this!".

~Tina LoSasso

BTW, You can 'follow' this Blog by clicking the 'Follow' Button at this NetworkedBlogs app!  We currently have over 2,413 '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 Reviews: The 2011 Marvel Film 'Thor'! Which Opens Today... Friday, May 6th, 2011 At A Local Theater Near YOU In the USA! Sheesh!  Has It Been That Long Since I First Blogged About This Then Upcoming Film?  September 29th of 2007!  No Wonder It's Not My #1 Choice Of  The 4 Comic Book Movies To See in 2011!  I haven't blogged all that much about the new THOR film... Because I haven't really been that excited about seeing it, to tell the truth! You may find that strange, coming from a guy who has been there since the 'beginning of Thor' in the Marvel Comic title, 'Journey Into Mystery' #83, but I'm not alone in that feeling!  At the April 2011 Semantink's Comic Savvy Meetup in San Diego, only 12% of the attendees placed this film as their #1 choice of the 4 comic book movies they most wanted to see. (Between Thor, Green Lantern, Captain America, and X-Men.)     Of course, it was a different matter for what those same attendees, who are into comics, thought that 'mainstream America' would want to see of the four films. They figured that a whopping 44% of those 'mainstreamers' would place this film as their #1 choice!     So we will see how the Opening Weekend does... Will the vast amount of publicity that really started at the Comic-Con International in 2010 work?!  I know that I for one, had to sit on the Odin Throne during the SDCC!  But hey, I am a Big Kid at heart! This blog is being formatted prior to my going to the Big Theater with Tina in the mid-afternoon.  So that all I have to do is to write my review in the main body of this blog below the blog number (#). For more general info on the film, (SPOILER ALERT!), You can check the Wikipedia entry for Thor via this link. There is probably TOO much info there prior to seeing the film itself, thus the SPOILER ALERT!   Just for fun, you can also check out the Journey Into Mystery comic book covers starting with Thor at this link from the Grand Comics Database starting at issue #83!    - THE THOR INTERNATIONAL RELEASE FILM POSTER! This film poster seemed to sum it up best for me, as the film is more than just about the 'Mighty Thor' - - CAPTAIN AMERICA & THOR FREE COMIC BOOK DAY (FCBD) COMIC - PUBLISHER: MARVEL COMICS - To capitalize on this brand new Thor Film, and the upcoming Captain America Film... Here is the FCBD comic book just in time for both during the FCBD event: (W) Roger Langridge (A) Chris Samnee - From the fan-favorite creative team of Thor: The Mighty Avenger comes a time-twisting tale of Camelot-craziness. When mischievous Loki's machinations throw Thor and a World War II-era Steve Rogers into King Arthur's court, it's an adventure neither noble Avenger will ever forget! - - Journey Into Mystery #89 - Starring The Mighty Thor - PUBLISHER: Marvel Comics - 1963  - (W) Stan Lee (A) Jack Kirby (I) Dick Ayers - Yes, I realize that 'The Mighty Thor' feature started in Journey Into Mystery #83 in 1962, but this front cover is far more representative of the early issues of this feature.  WoW!  I still can recall those early years of the Thor feature, along with the 'Tales of Asgard' strip.  Those were the Days! - - AFTER SEEING THE THOR FILM - REGULAR VERSION (NOT 3D) - Okay... So you can see by the photo above that somebody liked it... but what 'comic book grade' did Tina and Michael individually give this film?  Well, in this blog #3407, you'll find out Michael's comic book grade... But you'll have to 'toon' back in again for Tina's!

TODAY'S FEATURE - Blog #3407:

Okay... Tina and I are back from watching the 'Thor' film on the Big Screen at a local theater during an afternoon matinee run.  Afterwards, we had to do some quick shopping for the weekend, (FCBD is tomorrow!), and have a quick bite eat here at home before finishing this blog.  I had templated all the above info & pics in the above section, with a revision using a different photo above with Tina & myself instead of a previously selected photo...

So... "What's My Take On The Film?" you ask?!

Well, since I've already given you the 'basics' of what this film should have been based on, (the comic book feature that started in Journey Into Mystery #83 that started in 1962), and what problems the screenplay for this film ran into... I'll jump right in without any further ado!

First, I can't help but say this... The film was FAR BETTER than what I expecting it to be!  Seriously!  As this film was not my personal #1 choice to 'must see' of the four films previously mentioned:  Thor, Green Lantern, Captain America, and X-Men. 

That's because the trailers I had seen previously showed a lot of what was happening in Asgard, and I knew that would be a lot of CGI.  Which usually means not a lot of character development.  And that I would probably hear from my wife, Tina, who has never read a 'Journey Into Mystery' comic book, or even a 'Thor' comic!

But I'll let her tell you her 'Point of View from a mainstream movie goer' in her own blog post!

Now it's time for the SPOILER ALERT!

DON'T READ BELOW THIS ROW, UNTIL YOU SEE THE RED FONT FOR 'END OF SPOILER ALTERT' UNLESS YOU WANT TO BE INFORMED OF THE FILM BEFORE GOING - 'NUFF SAID!

Okay... here's 'My Take' on the storyline, cast, direction, etc., etc., as much as I have time for...!

STORYLINE - I went in thinking okay... So Jane Foster is a scientist, not a nurse... So where's Donald Blake?  The answer was quite evident that someone knew enough to include that name in the film.  THANK YOU for that!  The story kept up with moving the film along... And the cutting back and forth between Midgard (Earth) and the other Realms was done quite well!  Very good post-production values!

STAN LEE CAMEO - Yes, Stan (The Man) Lee got his cameo, and a line!  And early on, so we didn't have to keep waiting for it!

WARRIORS THREE -  Loved Fandral & Volstagg characterizations and looks... But I missed Hogun's horned helmet... just didn't seem the same for me.

SIF - Pretty much the same Sif that was in the early years... kind of just there for the most part, as it was Jane Foster's turn in the 'spotlight' in this film.

FACEBOOK - Good plug for Facebook... where everything I do now is uploaded to, including this blog!

S.H.I.E.L.D. - Better usage of the agency, although the rank & file of the S.HI.E.L.D. agents seemed to be too easily beaten by a non-powerful Thor...

SUPPORTING CHARACTER DARCY LEWIS - Played by Kat Dennings, brought the younger mainstream movie-goers into the film, especially if they were dragged to this film by their comics loving boyfriend!

SUPPORTING CHARACTER CLINT BARTON - Yes, THAT Clint Barton... Looking good for a minor role in this film.  I dug the inclusion of the character for this film!

SUPPORTING CHARACTER HEIMDALL - Idris Elba really brought this role into the spotlight.  I enjoyed what the actor did in this film. 

MAIN CHARACTER JANE FOSTER - Perfect casting by Natalie Portman.  Take away the fact that she didn't play a nurse, as the role originally was back in 1962... I thought she was excellent!

MAIN CHARACTER THOR - I have to admit, this guy can act, both as 'Thor' and as a 'mortal' on Earth.  Excellent portrayal by Chris Hemsworth.

MAIN CHARACTER ODIN - I believed I really was watching 'Odin'.  Great casting of Anthony Hopkins in this role!

MAIN CHARACTER LOKI - Tom Hiddleston played this role just right.  Not over the top, and not underplayed either.

SHOUT OUTS TO OTHER NON-MARVEL CHARACTES - Loved it when certain individuals (Warriors Three & Sif), in this film were called 'Xena', 'Jackie Chan', '____' and 'Robin Hood'!  Some great funny moments in this film repeatedly!

GREAT MOMENTS  - Yeah, it brought a tear to my eye, when early on, a now-powerful Thor couldn't lift the hammer... That was great!

TRUE TO THE COMICS? - Yeah, not everything was true to the original comics, but I enjoyed the explanations given for Bifrost, Heimdall's powers, etc.

CREDIT TO WHERE CREDIT WAS DUE?  - Yes, at the end of the film, during the rolling of the credits, the three who had the most in the early creation of the Thor character in Journey Into Mystery were credited, Stan Lee, Larry Lieber, and Jack Kirby.  (Would have been nice to see some of the inkers like Joe Sinnott & Dick Ayers mentioned also but...).

CONTINUED... - Yes, 'Thor' will return... In the Avengers Film in 2012, as shown at the end of the film scenes... So will there be a sequel to Thor...?

THE CODA - The Final Scene At the End of the Credits -  No, I'm not telling what it was here... You gotta sit through it too, LOL!

END OF SPOILER WARNING!

END OF SPOILER WARNING!

That's it for 'My Take' on this Thor film!  I was very pleased with this film on the Big Screen.  It was definitely worth my 'investment' of 2 hours plus $$ to see it there in my local theater.  Would I see it in 3D?  I don't know...

So what's my 'comic book rating' for this Thor film?

Well... Quite honestly, up until the final scene, which went on too long IMO, I was giving this film a Near Mint, believe it or not!  However, it just had to have one more CGI fight scene, like in the 1st Iron Man film, which knocked it down a notch for me.  To a NEAR MINT MINUS (NM-) 9.2 out of a 10.0 possible comic book grading scale.

For comic book fans of the original Journey Into Mystery, and then the multiple Thor comics... I would have to say... Go See It!

For mainstream movie goers... I believe that you could catch on pretty quick what the producers / director / cast members are presenting on the Big Screen. If CGI is your 'thing' then you'll be pleased.  If you don't like 'CGI' then there is probably a little too much of it at the end.  But still a good storyline for those that don't know anything about the 'Thor' in the comics!

That's it for tonight's blog from me as... It's definitely a busy weekend for Tina and me... What with the new Marvel Film, 'Thor' that came out today, (Friday), Free Comic Book Day (FCBD) occuring on Saturday, and then Mother's Day on Sunday!  Whew!  After attending the Wizard World Anaheim Comic Con last weekend, and the Long Beach Comic Con Expo the weekend before that... I'm having way too much fun!  But I'm 'hanging loose' as Stan (The Man) Lee used to ask us ol' Marvelmaniacs to do... LOL!

BTW, You can 'follow' this Blog by clicking the 'Follow' Button at this NetworkedBlogs app!  We currently have over 2,411 '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 Suggests: That You Attend The 10th Anniversary Of Free Comic Book Day (FCBD)! Which Should Be Happening Saturday, May 7th, 2011 At A Local Comic Book Shop Near YOU! Tina & Michael At One of the Thirteen LCBS They Visited During the 2009 Free Comic Book Day!  I have blogged about Free Comic Book Day several times in the last few years of this blog, (as seen in this link). So you know where I will be this upcoming Saturday, May 7th, 2011... Somewhere that FCBD is being celebrated! So what is FCBD? Here's a link to the Wikipedia entry about that very topic!  In past years I have blogged about FCBD being celebrated in the San Diego Metro Area in different venues.   For example, in 2009, Tina LoSasso and I traveled to 13 different LCBS in San Diego County that were 'celebrating' FCBD in some way, and reported on them in Part I & Part II of that series.     In 2010, I blogged and mobile Facebooked from one of the major LCBS in San Diego, Southern California Comics, as seen in this link. This year, 2011, I am taking my youngest son with me to some of the LCBS in San Diego County to see what's changed since 2009, when I last did that. There will be a follow-up blog on that after May 7th. (Tina & I are going to see the Thor film tomorrow, so there will probably be a two part blog series on that first.) Anyways, this blog is about FCBD, so in the main body of this blog are links for you to check out before this Saturday arrives so you can figure out what FCBD edition comics you would like to pick up for Free.   As most of the LCBS don't have all of the 10 'Gold' comics and 27 'Silver' comics to give away. Usually there is a limit at each LCBS as they have to pay for each of the 37 different comics they give away for Free!    - CAPTAIN AMERICA THOR - PUBLISHER: MARVEL COMICS - (W) Roger Langridge (A) Chris Samnee - From the fan-favorite creative team of Thor: The Mighty Avenger comes a time-twisting tale of Camelot-craziness. When mischievous Loki's machinations throw Thor and a World War II-era Steve Rogers into King Arthur's court, it's an adventure neither noble Avenger will ever forget! - - GREEN LANTERN FLASHPOINT SPECIAL ED - PUBLISHER: DC COMICS - (W) Geoff Johns (A) Ivan Reis, Andy Kubert - This is the perfect jumping-on point for new readers who can't wait to see the Green Lantern major motion picture from Warner Bros.! Discover how and why Hal received the power ring that changed his life forever with this reprinting of Green Lantern #30, a pivotal chapter of the Green Lantern: Secret Origin graphic novel by Geoff Johns and Ivan Reis. Plus: No comic fan can afford to miss this exclusive first sneak peek of Flashpoint, DC's blockbuster event of 2011, by the all-star team of Geoff Johns and Andy Kubert! - - MISADVENTURES OF ADAM WEST #1 - PUBLISHER: BLUEWATER PRODUCTIONS - (W) Reed Lackey (A) Russell Dauterman (C) Matt Bellisle - The Man, The Myth, The Amulet? Legendary star of the small and silver screen, ADAM WEST, has his career youth-enized in this hip-whimsical,trans-dimensional epic of an adventure. When a mysterious fan delivers an exotic amulet to Mr. West's doorstep he is Dorothy-fied on an odyssey that will change his career, his love life and inadvertently make him the man that saves the universe! - - INSPECTOR GADGET - PUBLISHER: VIPER COMICS - (W) Dale Mettam (A/C) Jose Coba - Inspector Gadget, Penny and Brain are back... but so is M.A.D.! On what should be a peaceful vacation aboard the Orient Express, Gadget must locate Professor Sagan-Heisenberg and escort him safely back to Metro City. But with M.A.D. agents everywhere, perhaps this time, Dr. Claw will finally beat his nemesis. Go-Go-Gadget-Adventure!

TODAY'S FEATURE - Blog #3406:

As mentioned above... This year my youngest son and I are going to drive to several of the Local Comic Book Shops (LCBS) in the Metro San Diego Area, to see how their owners are celebrating the 10th Anniversary of Free Comic Book Day, (FCBD)!

With the price of gas as high as it is here in San Diego, ($4.29 gallon for regular), we won't be covering the full area from North County to the South Bay to East County, like Tina and I did in 2009.  See this link for Part 2 of that blog series, which has a link to Part 1.

Please Note:  I don't know of any LCBS 'locator' web page that has ALL of the LCBS that are in existence, as the industry is still experiencing the economic slowdown with store closings & openings, so you may want to try other resources besides this link that is on the FCBD web site. As it does state this disclaimer: "This list contains comic shops participating in Free Comic Book Day and is not necessarily a comprehensive list of all shops in your area. For a more complete listing of your local shops visit comicshoplocator.com".

For those of you that don't know the history of the Free Comic Book Day event, here is the Wikipedia entry that has a pretty good background.

For how much fun that Tina and I had back in 2009, here is a special photo album of that day in 2009 at my own Facebook Fan Page, 'Michael D Hamersky On Comics'. More photos will be transferred from my Facebook Group Page in the days to follow to that album, as Facebook has made another one of their changes this very week, in that they are changing the 'group page' format, where no photo albums will be seen in the 'new group page format'.

For how I spent my day during the 2010 FCBD, here is the link to that special photo album, also at my Facebook Fan Page. Same situation here, in that I have to transfer over the pics from my Facebook Group Page, which may be discontinued, because of the format changes.

Talking about Facebook, here is the link to the FCBD Facebook Fan Page, where you can post what you did on FCBD itself, as wall posts are encouraged there.

As for the Free Comic Book Day comic book editions for 2011, here is the link to the 10 'Gold' comics, and the 27 'Silver' comics. It is very doubtful that any of the LCBS near you will be giving away all 37 of them to each and every person that shows up at their doors!  Because these 'Free Comics' cost the LCBS owners $$ to buy to give away as promotions.  Several of the LCBS I visited in 2009 had limits of 3 different FCBD comics to an attendee.

As a 'heads up', my son, Vinnie, has already seen a preview copy of the FCBD edition comic from Archaia Entertainment, the Mouse Guard / Dark Crystal Flip Comic Book,  which he has review blogged here. Definitely one that you should pick up first, if your LCBS has a limit on how many you may choose!

As for what else is happening at the LCBS, besides their giving away FCBD comic book editions, there are several LCBS that do have comics creators signings and other events.  To see if there are any LCBS that have that near you, be sure to at least check this link.

Sadly, once again, I don't know of any San Diego Metro Area LCBS that has any signings going on... For a city that has the largest Comic Con in North America each Summer... This is a really sad state of affairs!  And please, if you are a LCBS owner that reads this and has one in the Metro San Diego Area, feel free to post that at my Facebook Fan Page, so that I can share that with others.  And if you, dear reader, are in the area and know of a signing or an 'event' at your LCBS, besides just distributing FCBD comics, feel free to do the same!

I do want to note however, that Southern California Comics is also having some other tables outside in their parking lot that feature local collectors selling toys and other items.  I had a good time at Southern California Comics last year, when they presented a Million Dollars Worth of Comics at their LCBS, and allowed photos of attendees to be standing next to the rare comics!

That's it for this blog post this morning.  It's a busy weekend... What with the new Marvel Film, 'Thor' coming out tomorrow, (Friday), FCBD on Saturday, and Mother's Day on Sunday!  Whew!  After attending the Wizard World Anaheim Comic Con last weekend, and the Long Beach Comic Con Expo the weekend before... I'm having too much fun!  LOL!

BTW, You can 'follow' this Blog by clicking the 'Follow' Button at this NetworkedBlogs app!  We currently have over 2,411 '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 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!

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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, 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! 

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