Michael D Hamersky On Comics Takes A Look At: The 2011 Free Comic Book Day (FCBD) In Metro San Diego! Part 2     - - Above Photos: Two additional Local Comic Book Shops (LCBS) that were visited on Free Comic Book Day.  Topmost Photo - Invincible Ink Comics in San Marcos.  Above Photo - San Diego Comics & Collectibles in La Mesa.

TODAY'S FEATURE - Blog #3411:

This past weekend, on Saturday May 7th, many of the Local Comic Book Shops, (LCBS) in North America celebrated the 10th Anniversary of Free Comic Book Day, (FCBD).

This blog is an update on a blog report series from the 2009 FCBD in the Metro San Diego Area that I previously posted.

At that time my wife, Tina LoSasso, and I attempted to visit the thirteen (13) LCBS that I was informed were participating in the 8th Annual FCBD.

Here are the links to the two blogs from that year's report, Part 1 & Part 2, for you to have an idea of what we found that year, after 130 miles of driving and 8 & 1/2 hours later.

This year, my youngest son, Vinnie, and I attempted to visit just ten (10) of the LCBS in Metro San Diego that were supposed to be celebrating the 10th Annual FCBD that is held in North America, (at least).  We visited 8 LCBS together, before I had to drop him off at his mother's, and then I finished driving to the last 2.  All together, I drove 147 miles during the 10 & 1/2 hours, emphasizing 'quality time' at the LCBS, instead of 'quantity time'.  Getting to see the owners of the LCBS a little longer, and watching the flow of attendees for FCBD for blogging purposes.

Of course... What would FCBD be without those FCBD comic book editions that are purchased by the LCBS owners to distribute for free at their LCBS to entice new readers into their shops, as well as to reward current patrons?!

For 2011 there were two 'tiers' of FCBD editions.  There were ten (10) different 'Gold' tier comics, and twenty-seven (27) Silver tier comics, as seen in the link just provided, for a grand total of thirty-seven (37) Whew, you gotta collect 'em all!

I don't say that in total jest, although we here in the San Diego Metro Area, didn't get to see all thirty-seven (37) of the FCBD comics in person.  As a matter of fact, between my son and I, we were only able to obtain a copy of only twenty-nine (29) of the possible thirty-seven different FCBD comics.  And this after driving all those miles and attempting to visit ten (10) different LCBS!

I did say this was 'Part 2' at the top of this blog, right?

Well, I'm not going to repeat the rest of Part 1 here.... You will have to read that at the link provided here.

Okay.... Are you back for more?

Here's the continuation of the ten LCBS that were visited. I've already posted on the first five in Part 1 for 2011, so this is the final five:

Crazy Fred's - (Michael) Tina and I had visited this LCBS back in 2009.  It was still listed as participating for 2011, thus I went to the location we had seen it at.  However, it had also moved, (the second one so far this day, and no sign on the previous shop's window as to where).  Thus I had to call the LCBS to find out where it had moved (hopefully?).  Turned out it was just up the street a bit.  Vinnie took a couple of photos, which I'll be sharing at the special album at my Facebook Fan Page soon. 'Crazy Fred' was as friendly as before, but I found that the 'limit' here was 1 FCBD comic, plus 1 Thor Saga comic, and 1 HeroClix of War Machine.  Turned out that the LCBS had just moved in the last month, and that it had been burglarized twice already in the new location, along with the person(s) taking almost all of the FCBD comics that had come in for the event. Thus the reason for the limit.  I talked with Crazy Fred for a while, noting that the new location had plenty of room for growth for gaming, which is a large part of his interests, and wished him luck at the new location.  (Vinnie) We headed to Crazy Fred's, a comic and card shop. The main emphasis was on Magic the Gathering, though. We stayed there awhile, doing what he intended his store to serve for; a place to chill out and relax. He allowed 1 FCBD comic, a Thor saga comic, and a Heroclicks War Machine mini figure.

San Diego Comics & Collectibles - (Michael) I have known Greg Pharis for several years, as I used to stop in and buy back issues for my personal collection years ago, when I used to live in central San Diego.  Tina and I did not see his LCBS during the 2009 FCBD event. The limit here was 1 FCBD comic. This is a long time established LCBS.  The shop was busy while we were there, but again it was a '1 FCBD comic' limit, with a small selection to choose from. Granted, we were there in the mid afternoon, after Vinnie and I had stopped for a quick lunch.  One of the employees, Bobby, was very helpful asking those in the shop if they needed any help, and knew where everything was.  He was also the one that gave me the FCBD poster to hold in the photo shown above.  I also talked about old times with Greg Pharis, the owner, as he also goes back quite a ways in the San Diego comics scene. (Vinnie) Then, we went to San Diego Comics and Collectibles. They limited it to 1 FCBD comic and 3 preselected back issues. We also picked up a couple of Thor wondersticks,which you inflate then hit against another to produce noise. It  was perfect timing, as the Thor movie just came out to theaters Friday. We also picked up some comics while we were there. They had a deal that I have never heard of. If a comic or magazine has the letter "m" anywhere on the front cover, the book is 30%. That, I found, was quite spectacular.

Comics n' Stuff - (Michael) We didn't bother driving to the two locations that this chain has in the South Bay of San Diego, as I figured it would be one (1) FCBD comic again, as it was in 2009.  I found after checking with the clerk at this location that I was right... And again, the selection was placed in a binder with clear plastic sleeves.  An attendee would have to wait until another attendee was finished looking at the binder to make a choice... Good thing we weren't there when it was busy late in the afternoon! I used to buy a lot of comics at this chain of shops, but over the years I couldn't keep up with the openings and closings in the malls where several of these LCBS were placed. I'm not for sure actually how many are still up and running at this time.  I forgot to pick up a business card, that usually has the most current list.  (Vinnie) Finally, we went to Comics n' Stuff. They sadly limited it to only one per person. We look around for awhile, and bought some dollar comics. This was the last one of stores I visited with my Dad, but you can read more from him; who would be visiting two other shops.

Invincible Ink - (Michael only) After leaving the East County area, I drove alone back up to the North County area of San Diego.  I stopped in at this LCBS, which my wife, Tina, always suggests to friends who have never seen a LCBS.  That's because it is the most friendly looking and well displayed LCBS she has seen in the whole of San Diego Metro Area.  (And she's seen at least 16 of the 19 possible comic shops still around in the area over the years!).  Rob, the owner, was present, along with his two employees.  There was still a good choice of FCBD comics from the 2011 selections, plus a few older FCBD editions from previous years to keep the table looking full.  The four of us discussed the THOR film that had come out on Friday, the FCBD event, and how it went during the day at their location.  When the LCBS started getting busy again with more persons coming in, I excused myself and set off for the last LCBS to visit for the day...

Sky High Comics -  (Michael only) I drove to Vista, where Sky High Comics was located.  However for the 3rd time that day, I found another LCBS that was not where I had last visited it!  Plus it wasn't all that long ago!  And again, no sign on the window telling me where it had moved.  As with the other two, that had moved, I had checked to make sure that the LCBS was participating in the 10th Anniversary of FCBD. So another phone call was placed.  Yes, the LCBS had moved... And there was "some kids comics left" from the FCBD event.  I decided that it just wasn't worth driving to, as it was now 15 minutes from that LCBS closing, so I stopped to do an errand (shopping) before heading on home...

(Michael only)  I'm here in my home office on Wednesday early morning, close to 6:30 AM, writing my thoughts of the final five LCBS that were visited this past Saturday for FCBD.  The thoughts of what FCBD for 2011 were for me, a long time comic book fan, just makes me sad for what this event has evolved into, at least for the Metro San Diego Area.  You would think that on the 10th Anniversary of this FCBD event, that it would be bigger and better than ever before in San Diego...

Sadly, for me it wasn't.  And for those other individuals that Vinnie and I saw at multiple LCBS in San Diego, looking for the FCBD editions that they wanted... I'm sure it wasn't what they were expecting either.  Yes, as one of the LCBS owners told me... There are people who go from LCBS to LCBS to LCBS, taking 'free' FCBD comics.  Well, after seeing the LCBS that Vinnie & I visited... I can see why.  Between the two of us, we couldn't put together one set of the 37 different issues.  And I really wanted that 'Misadventures of Adam West' FCBD comic!

So, I think that for the 2012 FCBD event, that I'll 'work' on Tina to join me in a drive to the Los Angeles Metro Area to see at least one LCBS for their FCBD event.  There was one that was planning a full day of FCBD events at their LCBS, and I know of several attendees at Semantink's Comic Savvy monthly meetup who were going for the FCBD event this year.  A few were setting up a table for their publishing company at this location.  I'll find out how they fared, and if it was worth the trip in their opinions, to help me forumulate my FCBD plans for next year.

So for a large metropolitan area that still boasts of having the Comic Con International in their America's Finest City... I found that the FCBD event for 2011 was rather... well... to put it nicely... rather 'lacking' overall.

Sure there were some bright spots, which have been mentioned in this 2 part blog series, and there were some not so bright spots also...  

With three LCBS having moved locations since 2009, and one that isn't around anymore that I visited in 2009, (Comic Gallery which once had three locations), this comic book retail shop business is still in turmoil during this economic downturn. 

Again, with San Diego being known world-wide for 'Comic-Con', you'd think that the retail distribution method of brick n' mortar shops would be stronger, and more supportive of the 10th Anniversary of Free Comic Book Day overall...

In closing... I invite you to tell me of your 2011 FCBD experiences in your area over at my Facebook Fan Page. 

Oh, wait... I couldn't close without saying this... I mentioned the FCBD editions, and that even we couldn't locate all 37 of the FCBD comics for 2011. (I had a Facebook Friend ask for a full set if we managed to put one together... No luck!)  So we are listing our duplicates in our own online LCBS at  ComicBooksCircus.com for online purchases for those of you that possibly couldn't find them in your area either and wanted to have specific issues. Plus I have a few from prior years of FCBD comics editions still available for sale, if you missed out then also...!

Plus as a reminder... Additional photos from this 2011 FCBD event in the Metro San Diego Area will be posted in a special photo album at my own Facebook Fan Page!

BTW, You can 'follow' this Blog by clicking the 'Follow' Button at this NetworkedBlogs app!  We currently have over 2,416 '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 Takes A Look At: The 2011 Free Comic Book Day (FCBD) In Metro San Diego! Part 1     - - Above Photos: The two different LCBS owners that both my son and myself chose independently, as having the best presentations for the 2011 Free Comic Book Day Anniversary Event out of the ten LCBS in the Metro San Diego Area that we visited on Saturday, May 7th!  Topmost photo - Jamie Newbold of Southern California Comics. Lower Top photo - Robert Scott of ComicKaze Comics.

TODAY'S FEATURE - Blog #3410:

This past weekend, on Saturday May 7th, many of the Local Comic Book Shops, (LCBS) in North America celebrated the 10th Anniversary of Free Comic Book Day, (FCBD).

This blog is an update on a blog report series from the 2009 FCBD in the Metro San Diego Area that I previously posted.

At that time my wife, Tina LoSasso, and I visited thirteen (13) LCBS for the 8th Annual FCBD.

Here are the links to the two blogs from that year's report, Part 1 & Part 2, for you to have an idea of what we found that year, after 130 miles of driving and 8 & 1/2 hours later.

This year, my youngest son, Vinnie, and I visited just ten (10) of the LCBS that were supposed to be celebrating the 10th Annual FCBD that is held in North America, (at least).  We visited 8 LCBS, before I had to drop him off at his mother's, and then I finished seeing the last 2.  All together, I drove 147 miles during the 10 & 1/2 hours, emphasizing 'quality time' at the LCBS, instead of 'quantity time'.  Getting to see the owners of the LCBS a little longer, and watching the flow of attendees for FCBD for blogging purposes.

Of course... What would FCBD be without those FCBD comic book editions that are purchased by the LCBS owners to distribute for free at their LCBS to entice new readers into their shops, as well as to reward current patrons?!

For 2011 there were two 'tiers' of FCBD editions.  There were ten (10) different 'Gold' tier comics, and twenty-seven (27) Silver tier comics, as seen in the link just provided, for a grand total of thirty-seven (37) Whew, you gotta collect 'em all!

I don't say that in total jest, although we here in the San Diego Metro Area, didn't get to see all thirty-seven (37) of the FCBD comics in person.  As a matter of fact, between my son and I, we were only able to obtain a copy of only twenty-nine (29) of the possible thirty-seven different FCBD comics.  And this after driving all those miles and visiting ten (10) different LCBS!

Here is the 'breakdown' of those ten different LCBS that we visited. The 'breakdown' is the 'Limit' that each LCBS allowed attendees / patrons / customers to receive by showing up at the LCBS. (Note:  This is the 'limit' at the time that Vinnie and I were visiting the LCBS, as the 'limit' may have changed afterwards, or the way the comics were being distributed may have been different before or after we were there.)

The 'Limit' is by the amount of FCBD comics that the LCBS allowed a person to pick up for 'Free', not in the order of the way we visited the LCBS chronologically. (Note: Each of the LCBS' presence on Facebook, if any, is shown in the link provided.)

10 - Southern California Comics - San Diego

 5 - ComicKaze Comics - San Diego

 5 - Invincible Ink - San Marcos

 3 - On Comic Ground - Hillcrest

 3 - San Diego Games & Comics (ex-Artifex)

 1 - San Diego Comics & Collectibles - La Mesa

 1 - Crazy Fred's - La Mesa

 1 - Comics n' Stuff - El Cajon

 ? - Sky High Comics - Vista

 0 - Book Off (wasn't participating)

To me, the above number of FCBD comics that were distributed at each LCBS seem just a 'tad light' in numbers, considering that FCBD is supposed to be a marketing 'event'...

With gasoline being approx $4.29 gallon in our area for regular, the FCBD editions comics would not be 'worth' driving for, as an 'introduction' to a LCBS.

Indeed I personally found it not to be very good marketing to have just 1 FCBD comic book distributed to an attendee, although my wife, "Marketing Tina", thinks it make sense.  After all it is Free Comic BOOK Day, not Free Comic BOOKS Day, she says!

Yet, after 10 Years of a program like this FCBD, you'd think that LCBS in our area would have figured it out better than this over all the years to be prepared... But I'll leave more of my editorializing for the end of this blog.

Here's my thoughts of each LCBS we visited, followed by Vinnie's comments. This done in the order that visited the LCBS, starting at 9:30 AM driving and ending at 7PM when I ended driving.

Book Off - (Michael) Turned out not to be a LCBS, but a used book & video store, that had a huge amount of manga (and anime) along with a small selection of relatively recent comics on a 'spinner rack' of all things!  (Vinnie) We first went to Book Off, which my dad understood that was taking part in FCBD, according to some website. However, that was not the case. But, we did find it to be a place worth coming back to on another weekend.

Southern California Comics - (Michael) After travelling 130 miles back in 2009 to do the earlier report on FCBD, I decided last year, (2010) to blog & mobile Facebook at this LCBS.  That's because the owner, Jamie Newbold, had a special feature at his 2010 FCBD event.  A Million Dollars of Comic Books!  As seen in this link.   This year he decided he couldn't top that, so he had additional collectors set up booths in his parking lot with their non-comics items for sale, which include G.I. Joe, Star Wars, etc.  An interesting concept to go along with the FCBD comics that were distributed by Jamie's LCBS.  Putting away any personal relationship I may have developed with Jamie over the years... I found this LCBS to be one of the two best presentations of the 10th Anniversary of FCBD of the ten LCBS that we visited.  (Vinnie) We then went to Southern California Comics, where we picked up free comics and joined in the festivities that other attendees were doing. We looked at the booths opened that were selling toys, action figures, and comics.

San Diego Games & Comics (Artifex) - (Michael) I have been to this shop before a few times.  However, I had no idea that the shop had moved, and there was no sign on the empty storefront to say where it had moved to! We found it using my smart phone's web browser, but had to go out of our way to get to it, as there are no left turns allowed in the area. The emphasis at the shop has always been on gaming, when I had been there before.  Which was no different for this year's FCBD 'event'.  There was a line out the door when we arrived there, but not for the FCBD event.  The line was to get in to pay for playing in the tournament for the newest release of MTG.  What was left of the FCBD comics were placed on a table outside of the shop, with no one to assist an attendee or to impose a 'limit'.  Since there were only three titles there, (left out of how many?), I'm assuming a 'limit' of three.  The inside of the shop was full of tables with gamers sitting & waiting for the tournament to start after everyone in line 'bought in'.  The comic books for sale were on shelves against the wall, but you couldn't get to them, without climbing over gamers to get to them... (Vinnie) After that, we went to Artifex, which is now SD Games and Comics. By the time we got there, most of the comics were already wiped out. As today was the release for a new set in Magic the Gathering, the place was crowded with gamers. As the main attraction, free comics, was nearly gone, we stayed for a short time to look at their new location. 

ComicKaze Comics - (Michael) I was pleased to see that the owner of this LCBS, Robert Scott, was not 'scanning' the FCBD comics like he had done in 2009, when Tina & I visited this shop. Which had caused a long line backup, IMO.  Instead, this year the FCBD comics were on a table outside of the LCBS, where either Robert or a store employee was overseeing the 'limit' of 5 FCBD comics that could be taken.  I had an interesting conversation with Robert, who is well known in the comics retailer world.  Robert's vision for FCBD event is to center on the FCBD comics to be distributed and be there to help guide the new attendees as to what comic books have to offer, and invite them in to the interior of his LCBS and show them publications / TPBs / Graphic Novels that could be of additional interest to them.  This LCBS is one of two LCBS that I believe has the best presentation for what FCBD is about. (Vinnie) We then went to ComicKaze, where they gave away more comics, with the limit of 5 per person. In addition, there was a marketing person passing out free tee shirts featuring the comic book movie "Priest" that is coming out May 13th. We picked up one for my dad, Tina, and I, as well as additional tees for an upcoming Facebook Fan Page contest my dad will be mentioning soon at:  "MIchael D Hamersky On Comics", so be sure to see that link of his.
 

On Comic Ground - (Michael) This LCBS is at the location that 'Comic Kingdom' was located at for many years.  This LCBS only has one of the small storefronts that Comic Kingdom used to occupy, (out of the three that are there now).  This is the only LCBS that we visited in 2009 and now in 2011 that has parking meters in front of it, and off to the side to park.  And SD parking enforcement does enforce the time meters! So, we went inside, and found our 'limit' of three FCBD comics each, and gave Vinnie time to see this LCBS, as he hadn't seen it before. (Vinnie) After that, we went to a store called On Comic Ground. It didn't seem to be too much involved in the FCBD event, other than a poster on the window, but we did pick up some FCBD comics there. However, they limited it to 3 per person. We didn't stay long, but it was good to see a new place for myself. 

(Michael) I just realized how long this blog post is scrolling, and I'm only halfway through commenting on the ten shops that we stopped at, plus I want to expand on my editorial thoughts of the 10th Anniversary of FCBD being 'celebrated' in the San Diego Metro Area.  So I'm going to stop at this point, and come back with 'Part 2', probably tomorrow, while all of Saturday's memories are fresh in my mind.

In the meantime, I mentioned the FCBD editions, and that even we couldn't locate all 37 of the FCBD comics for 2011. (I had a Facebook Friend ask for a full set if we managed to put one together... No luck!) So we are listing our duplicates in our own online LCBS at  ComicBooksCircus.com for online purchases for those of you that possibly couldn't find them in your area and wanted to have specific issues. Plus I have a few from prior years of FCBD comics editions available for sale, if you missed out then also...!

Please check out this Blog for Part 2 of this series, probably to be published tomorrow!

Plus, additional photos from this 2011 FCBD event in the Metro San Diego Area will be posted in a special photo album at my own Facebook Fan Page!

BTW, You can 'follow' this Blog by clicking the 'Follow' Button at this NetworkedBlogs app!  We currently have over 2,415 '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 Interviewed For: KPBS Feature On This Summer's Comic Book Movies     - - Above: The KPBS Logo, plus the photo from the 'THOR' film used by the 'Cinema Junkie' feature on May 6th, 2011 - Left Top Photo:  Beth Accomando a.k.a. 'Cinema Junkie'!

TODAY'S FEATURE - Blog #3409:

Last week, on May 2nd, I was contacted by Beth Accomando of the 'Cinema Junkie' feature at the KPBS organization.  KPBS is a public service of San Diego State University, with radio, TV, and web presences.

We weren't able to make contact in person, so Beth called me via my cell phone for a recorded conversation.  Thanks to the audio equipment at the KPBS studio, the sound quality of my end of the phone call was improved. There were a few questions that Beth had ready for asking, and I did my best answering them for possible usage either for audio or written purposes.

On May 5th & 6th, the radio spots were run.  Which can be heard at this link.

Then on the evening of May 6th, Beth sent me the link to the article that was posted on the KPBS web site, as seen here.

In addition to utilizing my knowledge of online comic book sales, and blogosphere, Beth also chose to reach out to Robert Scott, owner of ComicKaze Comics, a long time brick n' mortar Local Comic Book Shop, (LCBS),  in San Diego.  Beth was able to make connections to visit Robert at his LCBS in time to take a few pics there to emphasize the points that Robert made in his audio portion of his interview.

You can see the transcription of the audio portions of the interviews at the article at Cinema Junkie.

My thanks to Beth for reaching out me on this topic!  I was glad to be able to participate in her research for this topic. You can follow her news / blogs at this link in the future. 

Also... Be sure to 'Like' her Facebook Fan Page for 'Cinema Junkie' after reading the article and listening to audion portions.  There are many links there to earlier reviews and other great topics!

As for the film that Beth was referring to... My wife, Tina LoSasso, and I took in a Friday afternoon matinee to see it.

Here's the review that I blogged Friday night on THOR.

Here's the review that Tina composed on Saturday, while I was visiting ten different LCBS for Free Comic Book Day, (FCBD), in Metro San Diego, and posted on Sunday morning.

(Note:  The 2011 FCBD review blog has been re-scheduled for Tuesday morning, for those of you looking for it today.)

If you haven't viewed 'THOR' yet, check out Cinema Junkie' article one more time, then our reviews, see it at a Big Screen near you, and then check out a LCBS near you to see the comic books that the film is based on!  If you don't have a LCBS near you, feel free to check out our own online LCBS, ComicBooksCircus.com for online purchases.

Thanks again to Beth Accomando / Cinema Junkie for using my quotes in her great article and radio spots!

BTW, You can 'follow' this Blog by clicking the 'Follow' Button at this NetworkedBlogs app!  We currently have over 2,414 '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  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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