Michael D Hamersky On Comics Reflects On...   The Disney-Oz Connection As Presented by Eric Shanower At The 2015 Winkie Con / OzCon

TODAY'S FEATURE IS BLOG #4043 -   Yesterday I blogged about my thoughts on the  2015 Winkie Con, (newly renamed to OzCon), which ran this past weekend, July 31st thru August 2nd.  (In blog #4042.)

In the addendum to that blog post, I mentioned I would additionally be blogging about certain panels / programs that I found to be interesting to me, and possibly to readers of this Blog.

The first program I want to blog about is the one on Sunday, presented by Eric Shaower, titled 'The Disney-Oz Connection'.

I saw the Disney film 'Return To Oz' this past weekend at Winkie Con.  Twice.  Once on Friday and then again on Sunday morning with three persons that had been in the film or produced it.  Emma Ridley who played Ozma, Justin Case who played the Scarecrow, and Paul Maslansky who was the producer of the film.

Other than that, I was not aware of any Disney-Oz connections.

Well... Eric's program showed what there was of that connection!  The connection goes way back!

The program ran for about an hour.  I videotaped the first half hour of the talk w/slide show presentation. That video can been seen at this link on my YouTube channel.  My camera ran out of battery power at that point and I decided to not video tape the rest of the presentation.  Photos of the rest of the presentation can be seen in my Sunday photo album from Winkie Con, at this link. 

Eric did a great job in researching this topic and his verbal talk along with the slide show was very interesting, even to someone like myself who is somewhat of a 'newbie' to Oz history.  I did not know of all the history between Disney & the World of Oz, so this was a great presentation for me on Sunday.

My thanks to Eric Shanower for his presentation!

BTW, here are other links from this year's con:

My photos from Friday

My photos from Saturday

My photos from Sunday

Winkie Con / Oz Con Facebook Fan Page

The Winkie Con / Oz Con web site

Oz Con schedule all three days

Here are links to the photo pages from last year's Winkie Con (2014) that I shot:

Days 1 & 2

Days 2 & 3

And again, here is the link to the half hour video on Eric's presentation on my YouTube channel.  

~ Michael

NOTE FROM Michael D Hamersky On Comics:  My thanks again to all of YOU reading this blog and our archived blog posts, now over 4,000 total posts in number!   I do appreciate your continued reading and support of this Blog!

BTW, You can 'follow' this blog by clicking the 'Follow' Button at this NetworkedBlogs app link!   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!!!

Note:  My online 'Local' Comic Book Shop (LCBS), carries many different genres of comics, magazines, graphic novels, and comic con promotional items. Possibly even copies of the item(s) that was mentioned here today...!  If I have it, you'll find under the BIG TOP of Comics, at Comic Books Circus.com!     

Web Page Note:  This blog post is written per the IE Browser standards.  Chrome, Safari, Netscape, Firefox and the other browsers serve the page up slightly 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:  Your computer's resoulution may be set differently, but the above resolution is the most commonly used resolution at the time of this blog post. 

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 my blog readers. Including YOUR own works! To mail printed items to me for possible review, just contact me. 

 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!

---------------            

      

In Addition, I started a YouTube Channel just before the 2011 Comic-Con International, where I am slowly uploading videos from conventions or other events that we attend that are also pop culture related.  You are invited to 'subscribe' to that channel also!  As found at 'HamerskyOnComics'!

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Michael D Hamersky On Comics Presents His Take On...   The 51st Winkie Con / Oz Con!

TODAY'S FEATURE IS BLOG #4042 -   I am back from the 2015 Winkie Con (newly renamed to OzCon), which ran this past weekend, July 31st thru August 2nd!

As mentioned in blog #4041, I attended the 50th Winkie Con last year, and blogged about it at this link, (blog #4012). I also blogged about Batton Lash interviewing the Wicked Witch, (blog #4013), which features a pretty darn funny video!

So this year was the second year I've attended this convention.  As per last year, registration at the con was smooth. Thanks to Jack Plummer and others who ran this department! 

I've attended other cons at this location, as it is quite popular with the smaller conventions. (Town & Country Resort.) Also it is all centrally located at the East side of the resort, which is by the rooms that Resort rents out to con attendees.

The nice thing about this con is that there is a Meet n Greet at 9:30 am the first day, and then a 'welcome' program in the main hall before attendees go to the individual track programs.  That is very good.  There was a mention at the Con Wrap Up program that they are thinking about having a 'First-Timer' program to assist those attending the first time at this con.  That would be helpful!

There were enough program tracks to keep me busy Friday and Saturday.  However, there was, (in my opinion), too much time allowed inbetween attending different programs. Ten minutes would be enough since the con rooms are quite close together.  Having 40 minutes between programs was a bit too much.

There were a few programs on the 40th Anniversary of The Wiz, and the 30th Anniversary of 'Return To Oz'.  I've not seen either before this con, and took in Return to Oz on Friday, and then followed it up by viewing it again with several stars of the film on Sunday in the 'Live' program. 

Once again I was fascinated by the programs / panels that I attended.  I read most of the L Frank Baum books when I was in high school, but none by the other Oz authors.  I've only seen the 1939 MGM Wizard of Oz film, so I'm not totally a 'newbie' to Oz, but also not a fanatic.   This year's convention, as well as last year's, kept my attention for the most part with entertaining programs / panels / dealers room / Oz book room / Oz research room.  

There was a few mentions of 'communal meals' again at the Con Wrap Up.  The old timers to this con missed the fellowship of eating meals together.   You see, the attendees of the earlier cons were at locations that had this feature.   The only two meals together were the cookout on Friday night, and the Banquet on Saturday.  For me, that was enough.  Still, this was only my second year attending this con which has been running for 51 straight years.  I can see the old timers point, but I would rather have more panels / programs instead.

Other than a few programs starting later than listed, the con ran pretty smoothly.  I had a good time although like I said, I'm not an Oz Fanatic.  I'm sure that you would enjoy attending this con if you only had a passing interest in Oz. 

Next year's con will be in Portland, Oregon.   The first time in 52 years that the con has moved outside of California!

Here are links from this year's con:

My photos from Friday

My photos from Saturday

My photos from Sunday

Winkie Con / Oz Con Facebook Fan Page

The Winkie Con / Oz Con web site

Oz Con schedule all three days

Here are links to the photo pages from last year's Winkie Con (2014) that I shot:

Days 1 & 2

Days 2 & 3

So... That's My Take on this year's Winkie Con / Oz Con!   For those of you in the Pacific Northwest, I'd suggest taking a look at next year's con schedule / event page.   With the con being in Portland, Oregon next year you can take advantage of it being closer to you.  Oh, and this year's con had attendees from as far away as Australia and the East Coast of the USA, so all Oz fans are welcome to attend! 

~ Michael

Addendum:  I'll be blogging and uploading videos from certain panels / programs from this Winkie Con in the days / weeks to follow.  Just read this blog and see my Facebook Fan Page as items are posted.

NOTE FROM Michael D Hamersky On Comics:  My thanks again to all of YOU reading this blog and our archived blog posts, now over 4,000 total posts in number!   I do appreciate your continued reading and support of this Blog!

BTW, You can 'follow' this blog by clicking the 'Follow' Button at this NetworkedBlogs app link!   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!!!

Note:  My online 'Local' Comic Book Shop (LCBS), carries many different genres of comics, magazines, graphic novels, and comic con promotional items. Possibly even copies of the item(s) that was mentioned here today...!  If I have it, you'll find under the BIG TOP of Comics, at Comic Books Circus.com!     

Web Page Note:  This blog post is written per the IE Browser standards.  Chrome, Safari, Netscape, Firefox and the other browsers serve the page up slightly 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:  Your computer's resoulution may be set differently, but the above resolution is the most commonly used resolution at the time of this blog post. 

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 my blog readers. Including YOUR own works! To mail printed items to me for possible review, just contact me. 

 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!

---------------            

      

In Addition, I started a YouTube Channel just before the 2011 Comic-Con International, where I am slowly uploading videos from conventions or other events that we attend that are also pop culture related.  You are invited to 'subscribe' to that channel also!  As found at 'HamerskyOnComics'!

---

Michael D Hamersky On Comics Mentions That...   Next Weekend Is The 51st Winkie Con / Oz Con!

TODAY'S FEATURE IS BLOG #4041 -   I've been so busy celebrating my Birthday that I almost forgot to blog about the upcoming Winkie Con / Oz Con that is taking place in San Diego next weekend, July 31st thru August 2nd!

I attended the 50th Winkie Con last year, and blogged about it at this link, (blog #4012). I also blogged about Batton Lash interviewing the Wicked Witch, (blog #4013), which features a pretty darn funny video!

So yes, I'm familiar with Winkie Con, which is changing its name to Oz Con this year.

I'm attempting to attend most of the three days the convention is running, and suggest you take in at least one day if you are in Southern California.  One day tickets will be sold at the door, or multiple day tickets.  The online purchasing availability is already closed.

Here are a few links to help you decide to come down to Oz Con:

Winkie Con / Oz Con Facebook Fan Page

The Winkie Con / Oz Con web site

Registration Page for this year's con - Tickets will be sold at the door

Oz Con schedule all three days

Here are links to the photo pages from last year's Winkie Con that I shot:

Days 1 & 2

Days 2 & 3

So... I'm letting you know that you don't have to be a Wizard of Oz fanatic to enjoy going to this convention.  Last year was the first Winkie Con I ever attended!   As a kid I had watched the Wizard of Oz film with Judy Garland several times on TV, and had actually read many of the Oz books by L. Frank Baum.  But a fanatic about Oz? No, and I still had loads of fun at the 2014 Winkie Con.  I'm sure you would enjoy at least a day at this con at the centrally located Town & Country Resort in the Mission Valley area of San Diego!

Thanks for reading, and I hope to see YOU there! 

~ Michael

NOTE FROM Michael D Hamersky On Comics:  My thanks again to all of YOU reading this blog and our archived blog posts, now over 4,000 total posts in number!   I do appreciate your continued reading and support of this Blog!

BTW, You can 'follow' this blog by clicking the 'Follow' Button at this NetworkedBlogs app link!   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!!!

Note:  My online 'Local' Comic Book Shop (LCBS), carries many different genres of comics, magazines, graphic novels, and comic con promotional items. Possibly even copies of the item(s) that was mentioned here today...!  If I have it, you'll find under the BIG TOP of Comics, at Comic Books Circus.com!     

Web Page Note:  This blog post is written per the IE Browser standards.  Chrome, Safari, Netscape, Firefox and the other browsers serve the page up slightly 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:  Your computer's resoulution may be set differently, but the above resolution is the most commonly used resolution at the time of this blog post. 

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 my blog readers. Including YOUR own works! To mail printed items to me for possible review, just contact me. 

 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!

---------------            

      

In Addition, I started a YouTube Channel just before the 2011 Comic-Con International, where I am slowly uploading videos from conventions or other events that we attend that are also pop culture related.  You are invited to 'subscribe' to that channel also!  As found at 'HamerskyOnComics'!

---

Michael D Hamersky On Comics Mentions That...   It Is His Birthday Today!

TODAY'S FEATURE IS BLOG #4040 -   That's right!  Today is my Birthday!

It seems that I'm usually celebrating the special day at Comic-Con International: San Diego, or at least it seems that way... As I did it in 2014, 2011, 2010, 2009, 2008, and 2004 in recent years.

This year however, the Comic-Con ran July 9th thru 12th, so I find myself here at home, without a convention to attend...

I did view the new comic book film, Ant-Man, as reviewed in blog #4035, this past Sunday.  That was a very good birthday present to myself I might say!

Which got me to thinking this morning as I got up.   I was reading Animation Magazine, the July 2015 issue that I picked up at the Animation Magazine booth at the 2015 Comic-Con last night... The article on pages 30 thru 33 must have stuck in my head while I was sleeping.

The title of the article was 'Page to Screen: Upcoming Comic-Book Movies'.  Now that was a good article to read! You see, when I was younger, I dreamed of seeing my favorite comic book characters on the Big Screen. 

There weren't many of them... Batman in 1966 was the biggie!  But Marvel Comics was more my reading pleasure and collecting bug.

Nowadays there are usually three big films each year with a comic book character.  Click this link for the comic book movies I have reviewed the past few years in my blog.  Just keep clicking the last blog shown for 'Older' to see the next five films reviewed.   The link goes back several years, but you can just go back as far as you'd like.

This morning I wish there was a 'Future' link, as in the Animation Magazine article there are several I'd like to see.  Now if only I live that long! 

Here are the ones mentioned in the article, and my thoughts on them.  Hey, it's My Birthday you know!

2015:

Ant-Man - July 17th.  You know my thoughts on that one.

Attack on titan - August 1 (Japan) -  No thoughts on this. I didn't know it was even coming out.

Fantastic Four - August 7th -  From the trailers I've seen so far, I don't have any interest in this.  And this from a guy who has stated that Fantastic Four was his favorite comic book series!

Bakuman - October 3 (Japan) - What the heck is this?!

2016:

Deadpool - February 12 - I'm not gaga over Deadpool.  He wasn't created until 1991 by Faian Nicieza and Rob Liefeld.   I'll wait to see how I feel about going in February of next year.

Batman v. Superman: Dawn of Justice - March 25 -  This could be good. And hey!  It has the first live-action theatrical feature appearance of Wonder Woman!  That would do it for me!

Captain America: Civil War -  May 6th -  I've liked the Cap films so far.  The topic doesn't excite me much though.

X-Men: Apocalypse - May 27th - The X-Men set in the year 1983. Ehhh... This is a maybe to see.

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Half Shell - June 3rd -  I've had enough of Turtles films...

Suicide Squad - August 5th - I didn't read this series from DC.  Don't have any thoughts on this one.

Gambit - October 7th - No thoughts on this... Gambit is not a character that I'm that interested in.

Doctor Strange - November 4th -  I need to see more on what the film is about, but this could be of interest.

2017:

Untitled Wolverine - March 3rd -  I believe this is to be Hugh Jackman's last time as Wolverine. I like Hugh Jackman.  This will be on my list to see.

Ghost in the Shell - March 31st -  Haven't read this series.

Guardians of the Galaxy 2 - May 5th - Definitely on my 'Must See' list.  I enjoyed the first film in this trilogy.

Fantastic Four Sequel - June 9th - You gotta be kidding me! 

Wonder Woman - June 23rd - All I can say is... Its about time for a Wonder Woman film!

Untitled Spider-Man - July 28th - Right after my projected Birthday... Don't know if I will take this one in or not.  The first Spidey Trilogy was damn good to me.  The second one... Not.

Thor: Ragnorak - November 3rd -  Hey its got Chris Hemsworth as Thor.  He is the embodiment of Marvel's Thor to me, so I'm hoping to see this one.

The Justice League: Part One -  November 17th - This could be good...

2018:

The Flash - March 23rd - Starring Ezra Miller, Jordan Flash Rose... Who??

Avengers - Infinity War - Part 1 - May 4th -   Should be one I would be interested in...

Black Panther - July 6th - I've read this character's appearances since he was introduced in Fantastic Four.  I should be going to this one...

Untitled X-Men - July 13th -  I'm kind of tired of X-Men films...Probably will be even more so in 2018.

Aquaman - July 27th - Haven't read his series for decades...

Captain Marvel -  November 2nd - Hmmm... A female Captain Marvel...

2019:

Shazam -  April 5th - DC's Captain Marvel... Starring Dwayne Johnson...No thoughts on this one.

Avengers - Infinity War - Part II - May 3rd - Long time to wait...

The Justice League: Part Two - Same thoughts on this one... A long time to wait.

Inhumans - July 12th-  Could be interesting.

2020:

Cyborg - April 3rd - From DC... Have not read this character's appearances.

Green Lantern - June 19th - I enjoyed the recent Green Lantern film, but this one is probably not a continuation.

Whew!   That is it for upcoming book films!

As you can see from the above list and my comments, there are a few I'd like to see should I be around that long...

That's the Blog for today... On My Birthday.  Thanks for reading! 

~ Michael

NOTE FROM Michael D Hamersky On Comics:  My thanks again to all of YOU reading this blog and our archived blog posts, now over 4,000 total posts in number!   I do appreciate your continued reading and support of this Blog!

BTW, You can 'follow' this blog by clicking the 'Follow' Button at this NetworkedBlogs app link!   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!!!

Note:  My online 'Local' Comic Book Shop (LCBS), carries many different genres of comics, magazines, graphic novels, and comic con promotional items. Possibly even copies of the item(s) that was mentioned here today...!  If I have it, you'll find under the BIG TOP of Comics, at Comic Books Circus.com!     

Web Page Note:  This blog post is written per the IE Browser standards.  Chrome, Safari, Netscape, Firefox and the other browsers serve the page up slightly 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:  Your computer's resoulution may be set differently, but the above resolution is the most commonly used resolution at the time of this blog post. 

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 my blog readers. Including YOUR own works! To mail printed items to me for possible review, just contact me. 

 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!

---------------            

      

In Addition, I started a YouTube Channel just before the 2011 Comic-Con International, where I am slowly uploading videos from conventions or other events that we attend that are also pop culture related.  You are invited to 'subscribe' to that channel also!  As found at 'HamerskyOnComics'!

---

Michael D Hamersky On Comics Presents His Take On...   The Zone Show Episode Featuring Jack Kirby! As Previewed At the 2015 Comic-Con International!

TODAY'S FEATURE IS BLOG #4039 -   I'm still continuing blogging about items, people, panels, etc. that I saw at the 2015 San Diego Comic Con International.

On Thursday, July 9th at 4:30 PM, in Room 26AB, there was a program / panel on 'The Zone Show:  The Jack Kirby Interview.

You see, In the early 1980s Ray Zone operated a cable access show in Santa Monica, CA. 

It was in October of 1984 that he interviewed Jack Kirby on his show.  To the panelists' knowledge it was broadcast just once in November 1984 to the local Los Angeles audience.  To my knowledge it was just broadcast that one time. Until the 2015 Comic-Con International panel / program.

The episode itself was found in a garage containing Ray's effects after he passed. I understand that it was transformed to digital media before the showing at Comic-Con. So this episode was not seen for over 30 years!

The Zone Show was a cable access show, so the production effects were just a little on the inexpensive side.  The shots of Ray & Jack talking had bizarre artwork around them, and then comic book covers superimposed that had nothing to do with the current topic being discussed.  Although they were Jack's artwork on the covers.

Yet despite the somewhat laffable effects, the stories that Jack told and that Ray listened to were mighty fine to look back on now.  With Jack being gone 21 years ago, this was a pretty good video record of Jack's thoughts on comics and the comics business up to the 1980s.

If you get a chance to view this video or take in the panel at a comic convention near you, you should do it!

Here's the link to the video that I shot of the panel.  Note:  It is just the first eleven minutes of the panel, not the video itself.  Panelists included: Eric Kurland, (3-D Space), Randolph Hoppe (The Jack Kirby Museum),  Lawrence Kaufman (National Stereoscopic Association), and John Morrow (TwoMorrows Publishing) . 

My thanks to those involved that shared this video at Comic-Con!  

~ Michael

NOTE FROM Michael D Hamersky On Comics:  My thanks again to all of YOU reading this blog and our archived blog posts, now over 4,000 total posts in number!   I do appreciate your continued reading and support of this Blog!

BTW, You can 'follow' this blog by clicking the 'Follow' Button at this NetworkedBlogs app link!   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!!!

Note:  My online 'Local' Comic Book Shop (LCBS), carries many different genres of comics, magazines, graphic novels, and comic con promotional items. Possibly even copies of the item(s) that was mentioned here today...!  If I have it, you'll find under the BIG TOP of Comics, at Comic Books Circus.com!     

Web Page Note:  This blog post is written per the IE Browser standards.  Chrome, Safari, Netscape, Firefox and the other browsers serve the page up slightly 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:  Your computer's resoulution may be set differently, but the above resolution is the most commonly used resolution at the time of this blog post. 

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 my blog readers. Including YOUR own works! To mail printed items to me for possible review, just contact me. 

 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!

---------------            

      

In Addition, I started a YouTube Channel just before the 2011 Comic-Con International, where I am slowly uploading videos from conventions or other events that we attend that are also pop culture related.  You are invited to 'subscribe' to that channel also!  As found at 'HamerskyOnComics'!

---