Yeah Dudes & Dudettes!  That's Right!  Surf's Up @ LBCC starting today!

I have been blogging that the 1st Annual Long Beach Comic Con would be upon us very shortly... That's because it starts at the beginning of October; running from October 2nd thru the 4th!  Which means... it Starts TODAY!

The photos published to the above right show the LBCC taking shape yesterday starting in the morning and ending in the evening.  They are published here so you have a 'feeling' on what it takes to put on a comic con!  Most attendees never see the 'before' photos when an exhibit hall is built up.  Thanks to Mike Scigliano for first publishing the photos at his Facebook member page.

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

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

I blogged about Hygena and Ms. Limelight from Stan Lee's Who Wants To Be A Superhero TV show on SyFy would be in attendance. (Click here for that post.) 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

~ Michael @  ComicBookCollectorsBlog.com

I have been blogging that the 1st Annual Long Beach Comic Con would be upon us very shortly...

That's because it starts at the beginning of October; running from October 2nd thru the 4th!  Which means... it Starts TOMORROW!

First I'll just mention a few of the comics creators guests:

Marc Andreyko, Corinna Bechko, Joe Benitez, Mike Choi, Amanda Conner, Andi Ewington, Ale Garza, Gabriel Hardman, Tom Hodges, Scott Koblish, Jim Lee, Stan Lee, Rob Levin, Rob Liefeld, Doug Mahnke, Danny Miki, Vince Moore, Chris Moreno, Tone Rodriguez, Steve Niles, Jimmy Palmiotti, Dan Panosian, Lauren Perry, Darick Robertson, Dave Ryan, Richard Starkings, Philip Tan, Steven Thadeus, Mark Waid, Dan Wickline,  Dale Wilson, David Wohl, among others.

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

Crystal Allen (Star Trek), Dian Bachar (Galaxy Quest), Reb Brown (Captain America!), Elisa Donovan (Sabrina the Teenage Witch), Richard Eden (RoboCop TV Series), Lou Ferrigno (Incredible Hulk TV), Jenilee Harrison (Three's Company, Dallas), Kynt & Vyxsin (Amazing Race), George Lazenby (James Bond), Melody Mooney (Hygena on Who Wants To Be A Superhero?), Eric Roberts (The Dark Knight), Nick Simmons (Gene Simmons Family Jewels), Trisha (Miss Limelight on Stan Lee's Who Wants... Superhero?), Garrett Wang (Star Trek: Voyager), Adrienne Wilkinson (Xena), and others!

I have previously blogged about Hygena and Ms. Limelight from Stan Lee's Who Wants To Be A Superhero TV show on SyFy would be in attendance. (Click here for that post.) 

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

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

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

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

Also, It's not too late... If you would like to join with over 1,300 other members who have 'joined' the Long Beach Comic Con Facebook Fan Page, feel free to do so at:

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

You'll get more up-to-date information as the Con gets closer to its' opening day by signing up there!  They even added new guests that are appearing, as late as this morning, (October 1st @ 5:30 AM PST)!

And yes, I will be there @ LBCC both Friday and Saturday.  Tina will be there Saturday Only.  There are more programs running on Sunday, but we have another prior committment to attend that day.

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

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

~ Michael @  ComicBookCollectorsBlog.com

This entry in our 'Spotlight On...' blog post series is about ...

Bruce Durham, who sent a Facebook Friends request to me at the beginning of September.  

As I do with everyone that either sends me a Friends request or accepts one that I send them, I check out the info and photos tabs on their Facebook wall to get to 'know' them a little better.

What I saw on Bruce's photo wall really got my interest, as he had attended the 'Howard Days' back in 2006!   For those that don't know which Howard, that would be THE Robert E Howard (REH), creator of such characters as Conan, King Kull, Solomon Kane and others!

I invited Bruce to send in a brief bio about himself, as I could see he had several interests and activities that he was doing that would make a good blog post. The following is what he submitted:

Hi, my name is Bruce Durham, or for those who frequent the Conan.com community forums, Crom’s Justiciar. I was born in Toronto, Ontario shortly before Hurricane Hazel and have spent the majority of my years in neighbouring Mississauga. Though I majored in film and television, it was before Toronto gained the moniker as Hollywood North. So, seeing as I predated the industry, I ended up in the cable TV business. For over 30 years.

In the 60’s I perused a selection of pocketbooks and came across a title with artwork that was, quite simply, stunning. The book was ‘Conan the Conqueror’, and the cover was by the legendary Frank Frazetta. From that moment on I was hooked, and anything that had the name Robert E. Howard attached, I bought. It was only later I came to understand the liberties that (Lancer) series editor L. Sprague de Camp had taken with Howard’s work, and it wasn’t until the Wandering Star and Del Rey editions appeared that I could read Howard as he was meant to be read.

In 2002 Conan Properties Inc. was acquired by Paradox Entertainment. In early 2003 they opened a website complete with community forums. At the time I was moderating another Paradox forum, and because of my knowledge of REH was asked to help out. After a short stint as a moderator, I was made Administrator. Over the years the forums have grown into a valuable resource on all things Howard, attracting scholars such as Rusty Burke, Mark Finn and Patrice Louinet. In addition to Howard’s writings there are forums covering the comics, frequented by various artists and writers, as well as debates over the films. Currently Michael J. Bassett and Paul Berrow, director and producer respectively of ‘Solomon Kane’, drop by to post updates. In addition, Berrow is keeping us posted on the new Bran Mak Morn movie. And it doesn’t stop there. We discuss the Hyborian Age, Rpgs and so on. The website can be found at http://www.conan.com

In my spare time I write, with over 20 stories published in various venues, as well as authoring an upcoming graphic novel. You can visit my website at: http://www.brucedurham.ca

So as you can see Bruce is a pretty busy guy!  You should check out the forums mentioned in the link above should you be interested in the Hyborian Age and other things Conan!

Bruce didn't mention that if You are on Facebook, You can find out more about what he is doing and also post input at his Facebook Comic Con | Bruce Durham creator table at:

http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=63716717402&ref=ts 

My thanks to Bruce for taking the time to update me and this Blog's readers as to what he is currently doing, and where you can contact him further and also get into some lively discussions!

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

While You are here today... Please check out our new listings of comics, graphic novels, Comic Con exclusives and more pop culture items for sale in our online eBay Featured Store that most of our blogs are based on!  It's due to sales at this online store that keep us going with the ability to post blogs like the one you have read here today!  And Yes, there are many Conan item listed there, plus hundreds more to be listed!

~ Michael @  ComicBookCollectorsBlog.com

I have brought to my blog readers attention that the 1st Annual Long Beach Comic Con will be upon us very shortly...

That's because it starts at the beginning of October; running from October 2nd thru the 4th!

When I was checking the guests lists, both comics creators and media guests, a few names jumped out at me.  I have previously blogged about Hygena and Ms. Limelight from Stan Lee's Who Wants To Be A Superhero TV show on SyFy would be in attendance. (Click here for that post.) 

Another name that jumped out at me was Reb Brown.  He may not be as well known to you as the other two persons named above, but if you have ever seen the two made for TV films that were pilots for a Captain America TV Show... then he is the guy that played Captain America!   

Reb was born in 1948.  After playing college football at USC, Reb began his acting career in 1973. His first appearance was in the film Sssssss. He then appeared in guest roles on several Universal Studios-produced television series.  Those included Emergency!, Marcus Welby M.D., Kojak and The Rockford Files.

He then played Captain America in two made-for-TV pilot films.  This was during that the time in the late 1970's that Marvel Comics worked with Universal Studios for CBS network development deals.  The main success that is remembered today is 'The Incredible Hulk' that starred Bill Bixby and Lou Ferrigno, (Lou will also be at this Con!).

Reb has gone on to play in other theatrical films and guest roles on TV Shows, none of which are of comic book based projects.

So anyways, I thought I would point out his appearing at the LBCC to you today because I for one, have never met him, even though I have watched both films.

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

Now that you know that Reb Brown a.k.a. Captain America will be there... You can buy your tickets online for the LBCC at:

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

Also, If you would like to join with over 1,300 other members who have 'joined' the Long Beach Comic Con Facebook Fan Page, feel free to do so at:

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

You'll get more up-to-date information as the Con gets closer to its' opening day by signing up there! 

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

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

~ Michael @  ComicBookCollectorsBlog.com

This past Saturday there was a special awards ceremony held in Toronto, Canada...

Which I was made aware of when sent the ballot results, as I'm a 'Fan' of 'The Joe Shuster Canadian Comic Book Creator Awards Fan Page' on Facebook.

So what exactly are these awards and who are they named for?

Well, here is that data from their Fan Page:  

"The first national achievement award for Canadians working on comic books, graphic novels and webcomics, the Joe Shuster Awards were established in 2004 and first presented in April 2005. The awards are named after Joe Shuster, the Canadian-born co-creator of Superman, and are named as such with permission of his estate. The Joe Shuster Awards honour the people who create comics, publish comics and sell comics.

Creator nominees are nominated for their BODY OF WORK during the previous calendar year, not just for one specific work. Hall of Fame and Retailer Awards are selected by individual committees after a review and discussion of eligible candidates. Four Hall of Fame candidates will be initiated into the Canadian Comic Book Creator Hall of Fame in 2009. Aside from the retailer award committee, active creators acted as advisors so as not to influence a bias in any of the creative awards categories.

The Joe Shuster Awards are run by the Canadian Comic Book Creator Awards Association (CCBCAA), a not-for-profit organization that relies on sponsorship, eBay and convention sales of prints and memorabilia or private donations."

My thanks to Kevin Andrew Boyd, Executive Director, who sent me the list of winners on Saturday night 9:34 PM, which is blogged here today:

"Announced a few hours ago at a packed ceremony held at the University of Toronto’s Innis Town Hall, the 2009 Joe Shuster Award winners are:

Artist/Dessinateur

* David Finch – Ultimatum #1-2 (Marvel Comics)

Cartoonist/Créateur

* Dave Sim – Glamourpuss #1-4, Judenhaas (Aardvark-Vanaheim)

Colourist/Dessinateur Couleur

* François Lapierre - “Gédéon et la bête du lac” Contes et légendes du Québec (Glénat Québec), Magasin général 4 (Casterman)

Writer/Écrivain

* Mariko Tamaki - Emiko Superstar (DC/Minx), Skim (Groundwood Books)

Cover/Couverture

* Niko Henrichon – Hostile Tome 1 (Dupuis)

Webcomics/Bandes Dessinées Web

* Cameron Stewart – Sin Titulo

Publisher/Éditeur

* Les 400 Coups/Mécanique Générale

Comics for Kids / Bandes Dessinées pour Enfants

* Kean Soo, Jellaby Book 1 (Hyperion)

Gene Day Award for Canadian Self-Publishers / Le Prix Gene Day pour Éditeurs Direct Canadian de Bandes Dessinées

* Jesse Jacobs for Blue Winter, Shapes in the Snow.

The Harry Kremer Award for Outstanding Canadian Comic Book Retailer /Le Prix Harry Kremer pour Détaillant Exceptionnel Canadien de Bandes Dessinées

* Legends Comics and Books (Victoria, British Columbia)

Canadian Comic Book Creator Hall of Fame / Temple de la renommée Créateur Canadien de Bandes Dessinées

* George Menendez Rae (1906-1992)
* Réal Godbout (1951-)
* Ken Steacy (1955-)
* Diana Schutz (1955-)

Congratulations to all of the winners and the nominees!"

The reason I published the cover of the winner of the Gene Day award: Jesse Jacobs for 'Blue Winter, Shapes in the Snow' at the top right of this blog post, is because I have blogged about Gene Day here before, of whom the award is named for. (Click this link for that story.) 

I think it is great that there is a Canadian Awards Ceremony for Canadian creators and comics and related items.  Yes, there are cross-overs of Canadians working in American (USA) comics and graphic novels, but still it is important to honor local born creators in their own countries. 

Matter of fact I had another Facebook Friend, (Bruce Durham), messaged me after learning I was going to blog about these awards that... "I don't think many people know that half of the creative team behind Superman was Canadian, and that the Daily Planet was named after the Daily (now Toronto) Star".

So if You are aware of other countries that have 'local' awards ceremonies, feel free to email / message me about them as they come up!  I'm willing to read about them and possibly blog about those awards also!

If you are on Facebook you can find out more about the Shuster Awards AND post your thoughts at their Facebook Fan Page at:

http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=6567185869 

If you don't belong to Facebook... You can find out more from the Awards web site:

http://joeshusterawards.com/ 

~ Michael @  ComicBookCollectorsBlog.com