The Pre San Diego Comic-Con International Check Off List! For the 2010 SDCC - Part 3 Must See Programs for 1st Timers!       -------------- Above Photo: Michael D Hamersky in front of one of the Welcome to Comic-Con International signs in 2009! At the Top Left: I always thought my wife Tina was a real doll. At the 2002 Comic-Con we made it 'Official'! At the Bottom Left: The Logo for the Comic Con International: San Diego - a.k.a. San Diego Comic Con 2010.

TODAY'S FEATURE - Blog #3191:

Now it's only 6 days away until the 2010 Comic-Con International: San Diego, (a.k.a. SDCC), opens its' doors for Preview Night!

As stated in this blog series in Part 1 and Part 2, Tina & I will be there for all 5 days and 4 nights. Tina has been going since 2001 when we were engaged. That was also the year that Hollywood 'discovered' Comic-Con.  For those of you that don't know...I first set up as a comic book dealer back at the El Cortez Hotel in 1972 when the SDCC was at that venue. So we both have different expectations and outlooks about this comic convention.

This pre-check off list, which is now in its' 3rd Part today, is what we will be preparing with between now and when leave to drive down to the San Diego Convention Center. We are lucky that the Comic-Con is only 35 miles South of us here in Carlsbad, California at this time. (Note: this blog post is NOT about the possible moving of the Con out of San Diego in 2013.)

So what was 1st on our personal Check Off List? 

Here's the list of topics I covered in Part 1, along with any updates since then,(Note: please see that post for full details):

PREPAID PARKING: Addendum - Please note that the Underground Parking at the San Diego Convention is 'Sold Out'!

So don't be surprised when you show up there!

If YOU haven't bought your prepaid parking yet, please see Part 1 of this series to do so NOW!

PROGRAM SCHEDULES: Addendum - There have been some 'Updates' on the schedule at the main web site, including revisions.  Plus two cancellations at least that I noticed last night when I was finishing up my schedule.

CLOTHING:  No update.

FOOD & DRINK FOR MEALS & SNACKS: No update.

ACCESSORIES:  Addendum - Tina reminded me to mention that for those of YOU that enjoy picking up posters, to bring your own tube, as the booths selling these tubes are not plentiful. You don't want your poster to get bent or wrinkled!

Plus don't forget to bring the tube with you each time you go past the 'Freebies Table' in the area 'Under the Sails', as each day there are usually new posters and other freebies placed there that you haven't seen before...

Here is a recap of the Part 2 topics:

MAKE A PLAN ON WHERE TO MEET IF GROUP GETS SEPARATED: No update.   

BADGES FOR KIDS: No update. 

LINE BUDDIES:  No update. 

MAKING CONNECTIONS - No update.   

BALLROOM 20 IS THE 'NEW' HALL 'H': No update.

CASH IS 'KING': No update.

IMPORTANT NOTES ABOUT ATTENDING PROGRAMS, PANELS & EVENTS:  Just a reminder to be sure to read the notes on this Comic-Con Page.  There are several changes this year in venue for Anime Films, the Independent Film Festival, etc.  They aren't where they were last year!

Now for Part 3's topic - 'Must See' Programs for 1st Timers:

Which are the programs, panels, signings, etc., that I am going to hi-light here. First up are the 'perennials' - programs / panels that I HAVE to see at least part of EACH year:

Special Programs That I don't want to miss even if they conflict with other programs / events would have to include some of the ones that Mark Evanier moderates. Here is his own list of those that he set out on his own blog: Mark's Comic-Con List. Mark is actually taking a day off this year, and moderating 'only' 10 panels!

Of those I would personally state if YOU are attending this Comic-Con for the 1st time, make sure you attend at least some portion of the Quick Draw, Cartoon Voice Actors - either I or II. Then take in either 'Taking Back the Knight' or 'Remembering Dick Giordano' to get a 'feel' of how Mark moderates those type of panels.  I do realize that there are a lot of choices to be made at Comic-Con, but these are 'recommended' by me to check out if you are a 1st timer. Plus Quick Draw and Cartoon Voices are always 'Family Friendly'. 

PLUS, last but definitely not least, as I have not missed one yet since Mark started this series:  The Annual Jack Kirby Tribute on Sunday morning.  The comic book industry owes so much to this one man. The guests are always fascinating, and usually rotate on who will be there, as some have come back to be guests again.  But there's always new stories to be told!  Don't miss this one!  It's on the morning of the last day of the Comic Con.

Next for you 1st timers...You have to check out the Scott Shaw! Oddball Comics Slideshow!  You get a chance to sit down, see slides of some of the funniest comic book covers ever produced, plus do it in a setting where you aren't embarassed to laugh out loud with others doing the same thing. 

Where Scott keeps coming up with these great covers, I just don't know....But YOU gotta see this Slideshow at least once during your San Diego Comic Con going visits!

This next choice may seem way out of character for me...But I always take in at least part of this program that is always during an evening of the Comic-Con. 

That would be the Ric Meyers 'Kung Fu Extravangaza' program!  Yeah, I drag Tina to this, but after being on her feet a lot of the day, she doesn't mind watching some of these excerpts from good to not-so-good kung fu flicks!  But Ric's intros to these excerpts are worth the price of sitting through the so-so ones. 

You gotta see at least part of this program during the evening. It's on Thursday evening from 8:15PM to 11:15PM in Room 6BCF.

The Will Eisner Comic Industry Awards is like the Oscars for the Comics Industry!

For you 1st timers, this is a 'Must See'.  That's because you will see most of the headliners in the comics industry there in person. 

They may not all be there to win awards, but they are there to cheer their peers on when the winners are announced. 

This is held Friday Night from 8:30PM to 11:30 PM. This year at the San Diego Hilton Bayfront in the Indigo Ballroom.

This is also the program where the continuing misconception comes from that there is 'free food' for the attendees at the Comic-Con. Years and years ago, that was true.  The pros were let in first to have a buffet banquet, then the ret of the attendees.  Unfortunately as the amount of attendees increased...the amount of food decreased.  Down to where there is nothing for the general attending public today.  Those were definitely the 'Good Ol' Days'!

The above are what I consider to be the 'mainstays' or 'must sees' of programs and panels for the Comic-Con that a 1st timer should attempt to attend at least some of.  I do realize how hard that is with all of the choices there are to choose from.

I was going to list what new programs / panels / signings / special events I was planning on attending next, but it looks like I am once again out of room in this post!  Looks like there will be a 'Part 4' to this Series. And if Tina wishes to share her 'pop culture choices' with the blog readers...there could be a Part 5?  Again Tina is not a comic book fan(atic), she prefers to see the 'Hollywood' programs over the 'Comics' related panels I attend!

I do want to re-emphasize this here however in case you don't see that Part 4, or take the time to read Parts 1 or 2:

That there is NO WAY you are going to be able to do everything that you want to do or see at this comic con. It is too darn big to be at two places at once, especially when something is in Hall H at one end, and then someone is signing at a booth in the Small Press Section. You can't be at both within 10 minutes, not with these crowds anymore.  And if you add on the two hotels that have programming in addition at opposite ends of the convention center, it is almost as tough as Disneyland to get from one end to the other.  So have a 'backup' plan of what you would like to see if your 1st choice is full and you can't get in! 

Again, relax, prepare well on the topics I've blogged about today and the previous days, and enjoy what you can.  Have a backup plan for a program at Hall H and Ballroom 20 because some attendees sit through several earlier programs just to see the ONE they want to see in those two halls.  Because Comic-Con STILL doesn't clear the hall between programs!

And lastly...Wear comfortable shoes...You'll be walking many miles during the Comic-Con!  

My thanks again to all of YOU reading this blog and our archived blog posts, now over the 3,190 total posts in number!

~ Michael D Hamersky @ ComicBookCollectorsBlog.com

Note: Our online comic book store carries many different genres of comics, magazines, graphic novels, and comic con promotional items at:

http://www.comicbookscircus.com/

 

---

 

"Hammering Out the Web For You Since May 12th, 1998!"         Note: If you are breaking into, or already work in the comic book industry or other pop culture productions, you are welcome to email 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     ComicBooksCircus.com - It's Under The Big Top Of Comics! Click the Above Circus Tent to See Our Current Listings!

My thanks to those of YOU that have read today's blog post! I do appreciate that! For those of you that didn't know me before today... I first set up as a 'dealer' at the 1972 San Diego West Coast Comic Con (SDCC) at the El Cortez Hotel. So I've been around comic conventions for a little while, LOL!   My wife Tina and I now have an on-line exhibitor (dealer) table at the first "virtual" comic con titled the "Facebook Comic Con" (FBCC)! You can view our dealer table and interact with us there on Facebook by clicking this link, which takes you to our table named: 'Facebook Comic Con | Make It So Marketing'.  So if YOU are a Facebook member, please 'join' our Facebook Comic Con - Make It So Marketing exhibitor table for updates, specials, links to this blog, and other wall comments that we post every day!     Also, if you are a Facebook member and would like to also join my Facebook Network, feel free to send a 'friend request' to 'Michael D Hamersky'. I am reaching the maximum of 5,000 Facebook Friends soon, and I don't want YOU to be left out!         ------------------- Talking about comics: if YOU are a comics creator, (writer, penciler, inker, colorist, letterer, etc.), OR even a Comics / Magazine Publisher, feel free to contact me regarding YOUR works for a possible mention / review! I've made a special blog post about: "How To Best Submit YOUR Publication For Possible Review!" for those creators / publishers that would like to possibly have their publications mentioned or reviewed. Just click on the link provided in this paragraph! ~Michael @ ComicBookCollectorsBlog.com   WEB PAGE NOTE:  This blog post is written for the IE Browser standards. Chrome, Safarai, Netscape, Firefox and the others 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.

 

The Pre San Diego Comic-Con International Check Off List! For the 2010 SDCC - Part 2       -------------- Above Photo: Michael D Hamersky in front of the biggest Comic-Con International Sign in 2009! A lot of photos are taken below this signage! At the Top Left: Usually we are having breakfast in line at the Comic-Con International before the News Crews are fully set up! At the Bottom Left: The Logo for the Comic Con International: San Diego - a.k.a. San Diego Comic Con 2010.

TODAY'S FEATURE - Blog #3189:

Now it's only 8 days away until the 2010 Comic-Con International: San Diego, (a.k.a. SDCC), opens its' doors for Preview Night!

As stated in this blog series Part 1, Tina & I will be there for all 5 days and 4 nights. Tina has been going since 2001 when we were engaged. That was the year that Hollywood 'discovered' Comic-Con.  For those that don't know...I set up as a comic book dealer back at the El Cortez Hotel in 1972 when the SDCC was at that venue. So we both have different expectations about this comic convention.

This pre-check off list, which is now in its' 2nd Part, is what we will be preparing with between now and when leave to drive down to the San Diego Convention Center. We are lucky that the Comic-Con is only 35 miles South of us here in Carlsbad, California at this time, (again this blog post is NOT about the possible moving of the Con in 2013).

So what was 1st on our personal Check Off List? Here's the list of topics I covered in Part 1, (please see that post for full details):

REPAID PARKING: No Addendum.

PROGRAM SCHEDULES: Sunday's has been added here.

CLOTHING:  Updated:  Tina and I highly suggest comfortable clothing, especially if YOU are there the long hours that we are.  She and I have been shopping this past Sunday and yesterday for what we need for this year's con, including clothing. Because we do a lot of waiting in lines, long pants are best for both of us.  Those have been obtained.  Again, I'm going to mention that for myself, Tina suggested that I stop wearing comic book character t-shirts and 'brand' myself for easier recognition. Thus if you are attending and run into me, I'll be wearing my signature indigo colored polo shirt with the white lettering 'ComicBookCollectorsBlog.com' on the left pocket area.  I've got a half dozen of these, plus new dark blue jeans to go with those.  If YOU see me at the Comic-Con, feel free to stop me and say hello!

FOOD & DRINK FOR MEALS & SNACKS: Update: Please note that most con-goers looking for a supermarket for additional food for their hotel rooms will walk over to Ralphs located at 101 G Street, San Diego. 

ACCESSORIES:  No update.

Now for the Part 2 topics:

MAKE A PLAN ON WHERE TO MEET IF GROUP GETS SEPARATED: That's right! Because cell phones don't work in every nook and cranny of this convention center. So know where to meet up at! 

Here's the link to the .pdf of the whole Comic-Con. Note:  The Comic-Con has expanded again this year!  There are more adjacent locations that are holding programs.  Don't think you know where everything is.  Even 'old timers' like me should look, as the logistics of getting from the Hilton Bayfront Indigo Ballroom to the other side of the convention center at the Marriott's Hotel and Marina rooms are much farther apart when walking between them then seen on the maps!  

Plus, for those of YOU that get tickets for the swag that is not given away at the programs, but instead is given out at the 'Fulfillment Room', be advised that the room has MOVED to the Marriott.  That's a long ways to get your 'swag'!

BADGES FOR KIDS: Yes, each kid has to have a badge to obtain entry to the Comic-Con!

Check this option out before hand, and make sure your kids know how important the badge is. 

I've had to replace my badge once in the last decade, and it takes quite a while to do so. 

The Comic-Con staff are pleasant, but it is YOUR responsibility to keep track of the badges, not theirs.

LINE BUDDIES:  Because 'Press' is not treated 'special' at this con, we are in lines just like everyone else.  So 'Line Buddies' are important.  We have certain people we see almost every year at this con, and we trade off with those people.

Yeah, it may not seem to be 'cool', but the Comic-Con does NOT clear the halls between program.  You need to make 'Line Buddies' for self-preservation because of this.

Otherwise, You'll be seeing a LOT of signs like the one to the left... 

MAKING CONNECTIONS - Not the same as 'Line Buddies'.  I exchange business cards with creators all 5 days of the Comic-Con.  It's getting a little late, but if you do anything that is comic book or comic con related, you should have a business card to exchange with. 

I also use 'flyers' to pass out to comics creators and to persons I meet in line.  That's because those flyers promote my Blog:  ComicBookCollectorsBlog.com, our online store: ComicBooksCircus.com, our marketing company: MakeItSoMarketing.com, and my personal Facebook Group Page: Hamersky.com plus Tina's company's Facebook Fan Page: MarketingTina.com. So yes, we are always networking at this comic convention, even if we are attending a program just for fun.  

BALLROOM 20 IS THE 'NEW' HALL 'H':  Tina asked me to include this in the blog post.  Last year the Comic-Con changed the line set up for this room.  Ballroom 20 was almost as bad as Hall H to get into, because the Comic-Con had moved the line outside of the airconditioned hallway to outside in the sun. 

Yes there are 'tent' like structures there, but it is hot and uncomfortable when the line is not moving.  Be sure to carry a bottled drink for that room.  Plus have a small bottle of sunscreen. You'll think you won't get sunburned, but you will sunburn easier than you would think!  Note: there looks to be a change in line format for this year 2010, be sure to double check on the Comic-Con web site iteself!

CASH IS 'KING': Having been a comic book dealer who set up at comic cons, it always amazes me that several dealers here don't have enough currency on hand to make change.

So do yourself a favor and carry 1's, 5's & 10's instead of all 20's and 100 dollar bills on you.  A lot of dealers don't accept credit cards for small purchases.

You'll save time and hassle by doing this.  And yeah, ATM fees too.  You won't believe the lines those ATM machines have at times!

Plus heading off to an ATM could cause you to miss seeing a movie star, such as the one seen here. Most of them are at a booth for a limited time, so always carry extra cash on you!

IMPORTANT NOTES ABOUT ATTENDING PROGRAMS, PANELS & EVENTS:  Be sure to read the notes on this Comic-Con Page.  There are several changes this year in venue for Anime Films, the Independent Film Festival, etc.  They aren't where they were last year!

That's going to be it for this blog post, as I'm running out of room in this format.  I do want to re-emphasize this however:

There is NO WAY you are going to be able to do everything that you want to do or see at this comic con. It is too darn big to be at two places at once, especially when something is in Hall H and one end, and then someone signing at a booth in the Small Press Section. You can't be at both.  And if you add on the two hotels that have programming in addition at opposite ends of the convention center, it is almost as tough as Disneyland to get from one end to the other! 

So relax, prepare well on the topics I've blogged about today and yesterday, and enjoy what you can.  Just stick to your plan and don't get caught up in what's happening at a booth or table as you go by it enroute to the important program or signing you were enroute to. You may end up missing what you most wanted to see.  Yeah, I know..."Be Flexible".  Well that may be fine for some, but try doing that for a program at Hall H sometime that you just had to see.  Some attendees sit through several earlier programs just to see the ONE they want to see.  Because Comic-Con STILL doesn't clear the hall between programs!

And most of all...Wear comfortable shoes...You'll be walking many miles during the Con!  

My thanks again to all of YOU reading this blog and our archived blog posts, now over the 3,185 total posts in number!

~ Michael D Hamersky @ ComicBookCollectorsBlog.com

Note: Our online comic book store carries many different genres of comics, magazines, graphic novels, and comic con promotional items at:

http://www.comicbookscircus.com/

 

---

 

"Hammering Out the Web For You Since May 12th, 1998!"         Note: If you are breaking into, or already work in the comic book industry or other pop culture productions, you are welcome to email 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     ComicBooksCircus.com - It's Under The Big Top Of Comics! Click the Above Circus Tent to See Our Current Listings!

My thanks to those of YOU that have read today's blog post! I do appreciate that! For those of you that didn't know me before today... I first set up as a 'dealer' at the 1972 San Diego West Coast Comic Con (SDCC) at the El Cortez Hotel. So I've been around comic conventions for a little while, LOL!   My wife Tina and I now have an on-line exhibitor (dealer) table at the first "virtual" comic con titled the "Facebook Comic Con" (FBCC)! You can view our dealer table and interact with us there on Facebook by clicking this link, which takes you to our table named: 'Facebook Comic Con | Make It So Marketing'.  So if YOU are a Facebook member, please 'join' our Facebook Comic Con - Make It So Marketing exhibitor table for updates, specials, links to this blog, and other wall comments that we post every day!     Also, if you are a Facebook member and would like to also join my Facebook Network, feel free to send a 'friend request' to 'Michael D Hamersky'. I am reaching the maximum of 5,000 Facebook Friends soon, and I don't want YOU to be left out!         ------------------- Talking about comics: if YOU are a comics creator, (writer, penciler, inker, colorist, letterer, etc.), OR even a Comics / Magazine Publisher, feel free to contact me regarding YOUR works for a possible mention / review! I've made a special blog post about: "How To Best Submit YOUR Publication For Possible Review!" for those creators / publishers that would like to possibly have their publications mentioned or reviewed. Just click on the link provided in this paragraph! ~Michael @ ComicBookCollectorsBlog.com   WEB PAGE NOTE:  This blog post is written for the IE Browser standards. Chrome, Safarai, Netscape, Firefox and the others 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.

 

Torchwood The Comic Book Is Coming To The 2010 San Diego Comic Con! From Titan Publishing       -------------- Above Photo: The San Diego Comic Con 2010 Exclusive Cover for the Torchwood #1 Comic Book! At the Top Left: The Front Cover to the Season One DVD of the Torchwood BBC TV Series! At the Bottom Left: The Logo for the Comic Con International: San Diego - a.k.a. San Diego Comic Con 2010.

TODAY'S FEATURE - Blog #3185:

I woke up way too early again this morning...I must be in 'training' for the upcoming San Diego Comic Con, that is only 13 days away!

So I was getting ready to start blogging about a book that I just finished as a change of pace from this week's blog topics of vampires / werewolves / & more vampire!

However, just before that, it occured to me to look up on the GCD (Grand Comics Database) to see if there were any comics books on a BBC TV Show that Tina and I just finished watching last night, (see DVD cover at the top left of this blog).

That would be the Season One of Torchwood on DVD.

And No...There wasn't any comic books on this TV Show. I double checked on the Doctor Who comic book listings, which is where this TV show sprang from. 

Plenty of Doctor Who comic series, one-shots, etc., but no Torchwood.

For some reason I decided to check it out on Google. Premonition?  I don't know.

However, immediately up comes the fact that Titan Magazines is going to be publishing a comic book on this TV Show! The same Titan Magazines, whose booth I stopped at last year at the SDCC and picked up a few magazines for possible review. (See this link for those blog posts.) 

Well, I had to stop my scheduled blog post for this news. As Titan Magazines is promoting this new comic book with a variant cover just for the San Diego Comic Con, (as pictured at the above right of this blog)!

So why am I somewhat excited about this news?

Well, of course Tina and I are attending all 5 days of this comic con.  Heck, it's in own our own 'backyard' so to speak, as it is only 35 miles South of us. And that's where I got my start in dealing with comic books, way back in 1972 as a dealer at the El Cortez Hotel where that year's con was held. But that's a story that's been told before...

The real reason I am somewhat excited about this, and want to see about standing in line for this comic book, is that Tina and I just finished Season 1 last night on the DVD. 

This DVD was released back in 2008, and no...we are not selling any of them, and we picked it up because during the American Summer Season on TV, we usually don't have that many shows to watch, as most shows on are a 'repeat' basis.

Both Tina and I found this DVD to be very enjoyable.  I won't speak for her, but I found it to be even more enjoyable than I thought it would be because...There isn't any Doctor Who 'baggage' here!

When I say 'baggage', it's that a viewer of this DVD doesn't have to know any of the Doctor Who continuity, which goes back a long way...too far back for me to get involved in that, even though we sell Doctor Who comic books.

Suffice to say, I found that this 1st Season DVD held crisp, bold, and outright daring episodes, thirteen of them in number.

However, I do want to stress that this DVD is NOT for those that of young age, as several of the topics and scenes are graphic in sexual content and violence. Not my usual fare of watching TV, turst me on that one!

Yet it is the characterization of the five main characters that drew me into this Season One right from the start.  Yes, some of the accents from this BBC production threw me off, but I got the gist of each of the scenes.  And the storyline that each episode unfolded made me want to come back for the next episode.  It's taken us a few nights of watching this DVD set, but IMO it was worth the time invested in it.

I for one will be looking forward to seeing the Season Two DVD set. Plus will brave the probable long line to get a copy of the San Diego Exclusive Comic Book #1 for myself.

Oh, and what's this TV Series about?  Here's just a bit from the Wikipedia entry:

"Torchwood is a British science fiction television programme, created by Russell T Davies. It deals with the machinations and activities of the Cardiff branch of the fictional Torchwood Institute, which deals mainly with incidents involving extraterrestrials.

An initial 13-part series was commissioned by the BBC as a spin-off from the 2005 revival of the long-running science fiction programme Doctor Who with which it is closely interlinked. The main cast consists of John Barrowman, Eve Myles, Burn Gorman, Naoko Mori and Gareth David-Lloyd. Gorman and Mori left the programme after the second series, with Kai Owen promoted from a recurring role to the main cast in series 3."

I notice that there has been three seasons so far.  It was mentioned that a fourth season is in production right now, for release in 2011.

BTW, there is also a Facebook Fan Page for Torchwood, which I've 'liked' this morning.  So I'll be checking that out further between now and Comic-Con.

That's it for this blog post...funny how my Thursday morning blog got re-directed. Plus isn't it amazing on how many TV Shows and Theatrical Films get adapted for comic books?  We are truly living in a 'Second Golden Age of Comics' right now people!  

My thanks again to all of YOU reading this blog and our archived blog posts, now over the 3,180 total posts in number!

~ Michael D Hamersky @ ComicBookCollectorsBlog.com

Note: Our online comic book store carries many different genres of comics, magazines, graphic novels, and comic con promotional items at:

http://www.comicbookscircus.com/

 

---

 

"Hammering Out the Web For You Since May 12th, 1998!"       Note: If you are breaking into, or already work in the comic book industry or other pop culture productions, you are welcome to email 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     ComicBooksCircus.com - It's Under The Big Top Of Comics! Click the Above Circus Tent to See Our Current Listings!

My thanks to those of YOU that have read today's blog post! I do appreciate that! Plus thanks to my Facebook Friend, Norma Xenawannabe for designing the above poster! For those of you that didn't know me before today...I first set up as a 'dealer' at the 1972 San Diego West Coast Comic Con (SDCC) at the El Cortez Hotel. So I've been around comic conventions for a little while, LOL!   My wife Tina and I now have an on-line exhibitor (dealer) table at the first "virtual" comic con titled the "Facebook Comic Con" (FBCC)! You can view our dealer table and interact with us there on Facebook by clicking this link, which takes you to our table named: 'Facebook Comic Con | Make It So Marketing'.  So if YOU are a Facebook member, please 'join' our Facebook Comic Con - Make It So Marketing exhibitor table for updates, specials, links to this blog, and other wall comments that we post every day!     Also, if you are a Facebook member and would like to also join my Facebook Network, feel free to send a 'friend request' to 'Michael D Hamersky'. I am reaching the maximum of 5,000 Facebook Friends soon, and I don't want YOU to be left out!         ------------------- Talking about comics: if YOU are a comics creator, (writer, penciler, inker, colorist, letterer, etc.), OR even a Comics / Magazine Publisher, feel free to contact me regarding YOUR works for a possible mention / review! I've made a special blog post about: "How To Best Submit YOUR Publication For Possible Review!" for those creators / publishers that would like to possibly have their publications mentioned or reviewed. Just click on the link provided in this paragraph! ~Michael @ ComicBookCollectorsBlog.com   WEB PAGE NOTE:  This blog post is written for the IE Browser standards. Chrome, Safarai, Netscape, Firefox and the others 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.

 

Coming To San Diego For the Comic-Con? Then Read This Book Before You Get Here! For One of the Two Best Burger Chains In The Area! -------------- Above Photo: The Front Cover to In-N-Out Burger by Stacy Perman. At the Left: Issue #1 (and Only!) Hot Rod King published by Ziff-Davis from Fall of 1952!

TODAY'S FEATURE - Blog #3180:

Yeah, believe it or not...I do read other printed matter than just 'floppy' comic books and graphic novels, LOL!

I just finished reading the above book and thought about those of YOU that are coming to the Comic-Con International San Diego for either the first time, or a repeat visit, and have never had an In-N-Out Burger experience!

I keep getting asked each year about good places to eat during the Comic-Con. Well, Tina and I don't really go out to eat during the comic-con days, as we are there from the wee hours of the morning (standing in line for Hall H a couple of days at least), and staying till late at night usually.  I can't handle the all nighters any more, but then again, I started attending back in 1972 as a dealer when I was much younger!

So when I'm asked about good food, the question is counter-questioned by 'fast food' or 'sit-down restaurant with friends'?  If it's 'fast food' I usually think either 'Mexican Food' due to us being so close to the Mexican border, or burgers!

You see, of the burger chains that are in our area of Metro San Diego, there are only two that I frequent.  In-N-Out Burger and also the original Tommy's Burgers - home of the World's Best Chiliburgers!  (And Yeah, I lived in LA Metro Area for a few years, where both of these burger chains started!)

Well, Tommy's is a tale for another blog post, because I haven't found a book on that chain yet...

But I have to tell YOU about this book and the chain, and the relationship to comic books!

"Comic Books?" You say...?

Yeah comic books. But first a quick mention of the book pictured above.

This book was first published April of 2009.  Written by Stacy Perman, it just jumped out at me.  Why?  Because unlinke most other burger chains, this one fought off all kinds of efforts to go national via franchising.

Stacy presents a well written and well researched story in her book.  I was fascinated by it, quite honestly!

The family that started this burger business did not want publicity for years, and only recently has the general public been privvy to some of what was going on there.  The family wanted the product to speak for them, and did not have any spokesperson or character doing publicity for them.

The only real publicity in the early years was their endorsement of one of the sons' racing hobby, which turned out to be more than a hobby. 

That racing endorsement goes on to this day, (as of January 2010 at least), and that is why I chose to blog about this today.

You see there is a small genre of 'hot rods' and 'car racing' comic books.  The Hot Rod King #1 pictured at the top left of this post is from the Fall of 1952.  So yeah, hot rods and comics do go back a ways!

I've always stopped to read the hot rod racing comic books as they come in with collections that we buy from other dealers or those individuals that contact us to sell their collection. 

I don't go out of my way to buy them, but if I see that Jack Keller, who was my favorite artist on the Kid Colt, Outlaw comic book series drew it, then I stop to read them.

Anyways, back to the book itself.

Stacy does NOT do a tell-all 'yellow journalism' piece here. It is presented IMO without prejudice and without sensationalism of what has happened since the family first started in Baldwin Park, (Los Angeles Metro Area), of California.

The book starts with husband-wife team, (Harry & Esther), that started the first location, and then on to the the two brothers, (Guy & Rich). It ends with the grand-daughter, (Lynsi), who has taken over the business. 

Sharp story telling, AND it actually has eight pages of photos!

For those of YOU that are BIG Fans of this burger chain, (AND that includes my wife, Tina LoSasso!) this is a MUST Read for you!

For those of YOU that are just coming into San Diego for the San Diego Comic Con International (a.k.a. Comic-Con International: San Diego), then I suggest at least stopping in and checking out this burger chain.  PLUS check this book out if your are driving / flying into our area.

Here's the link to the locations finder for In-N-Out Burger. There are six locations within 8 miles of the San Diego Convention Center!  Just keypunch in 'San Diego CA' 92101 in the search bar.

Here's the link to their 'Secret Menu' as discussed in the book.

Oh, and Tina always orders a Double-Double with grilled onions, fries, and a soft drink, which is Not on the 'Secret Menu', but is actually pictured near the top of this blog post, just 3 photos above this paragraph!

I believe I've covered everything that I wanted to, and why this topic is related to comic books!

My thanks to Stacy Perman for writing this book!  Great Read! If it was a Comic Book or Graphic Novel, I'd give it a Near Mint (NM) 9.4 out of a 10.0 grading scale!

UPDATE...As of 09-07-10 I just found that there is a paperback format of this book coming to print soon! 

We won't have any for sale in our own online store as it doesn't fit our usual sales niche, but here's a link to where we suggest YOU get a copy if you are wanting to purchase one after reading this blog!  In Paperback format found here:

In-N-Out Burger: A Behind-the-Counter Look at the Fast-Food Chain That Breaks All the Rules!

AND My thanks again to all of YOU reading this blog and our archived blog posts, now over the 3,175 total posts in number!

~ Michael D Hamersky @ ComicBookCollectorsBlog.com

Note: Our online comic book store carries many different genres of comics, magazines, graphic novels, and comic con promotional items at:

http://www.comicbookscircus.com/

 

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"Hammering Out the Web For You Since May 12th, 1998!"       Note: If you are breaking into, or already work in the comic book industry or other pop culture productions, you are welcome to email 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

My thanks to those of YOU that have read today's blog post! I do appreciate that! For those of you that didn't know me before today...I first set up as a 'dealer' at the 1972 San Diego West Coast Comic Con (SDCC) at the El Cortez Hotel. So I've been around comic conventions for a little while, LOL!   My wife Tina and I now have an on-line exhibitor (dealer) table at the first "virtual" comic con titled the "Facebook Comic Con" (FBCC)! You can view our dealer table and interact with us there on Facebook by clicking this link, which takes you to our table named: 'Facebook Comic Con | Make It So Marketing'.  So if YOU are a Facebook member, please 'join' our Facebook Comic Con - Make It So Marketing exhibitor table for updates, specials, links to this blog, and other wall comments that we post every day!     Also, if you are a Facebook member and would like to also join my Facebook Network, feel free to send a 'friend request' to 'Michael D Hamersky'. I am reaching the maximum of 5,000 Facebook Friends soon, and I don't want YOU to be left out!         ------------------- Talking about comics: if YOU are a comics creator, (writer, penciler, inker, colorist, letterer, etc.), OR even a Comics / Magazine Publisher, feel free to contact me regarding YOUR works for a possible mention / review! I've made a special blog post about: "How To Best Submit YOUR Publication For Possible Review!" for those creators / publishers that would like to possibly have their publications mentioned or reviewed. Just click on the link provided in this paragraph! ~Michael @ ComicBookCollectorsBlog.com   WEB PAGE NOTE:  This blog post appears differently for different browser platforms. This blog is written first for the IE Browser standards. Chrome, Safarai, Netscape, Firefox and the others 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.

 

Gary Friedrich To Receive The Bill Finger Award  At The 2010 Comic-Con International: San Diego!   Above Photos: Top Photo:  Gary Friedrich Holding An Original Art Page by Bill Everett at the June 2010 Heroes Con In Charlotte, NC. Bottom Photo: The Comic Con International: San Diego Logo.     ------------  Above Photo: (L-R) Roy Thomas with Gary Friedrich at the June 2010 HeroesCon in Charlotte, North Carolina. ------------ Below Photo: (L-R) Gary Friedrich with Bob Bailey, at the same HeroesCon. ------------ All 3 Photos from HeroesCon Courtesy of Facebook Friend, Bob Bailey.  FYI: Bob Bailey is a North Carolina collector, former Kubert student & Disney artist and a regular contributor to Alter-Ego. Bob also owns the Everett artwork page shown in photo! ------------ Black & White Photos:  From the 1967 Fantastic Four Annual:  Photos of the Bullpen!  The Way I 'Remember' Gary Friedrich From the Silver Age of Comics...Along with Bill Everett and Stan G!

TODAY'S FEATURE - Blog #3174:

Please Note Date & Time of the Presentation:

"The 2010 awards are underwritten by Comic-Con International. DC Comics is the major sponsor; supporting sponsors are Heritage Auctions and Maggie Thompson.

The Finger Award is presented under the auspices of Comic-Con International: San Diego and is administered by Jackie Estrada. The awards will be presented during the Eisner Awards ceremony at this summer's Comic-Con on the evening of July 23 at the San Diego Hilton Bayfront."

My personal favorite stories written by Gary Friedrich would include several that he wrote at Marvel, including Kid Colt Outlaw, Black Widow stories in Amazing Adventures, The Gunhawks stories in the series of the same name, several Rawhide Kid stories, and of course several Sgt. Fury and His Howling Commandos! Plus Butch Cassidy stories over at Skywald Comis! The GCD has his credits listed here.

My thanks to the folks at Comic Con International: San Diego for posting this special event early!

Plus My Thanks to Bob Bailey who gave me permission to publish the above three photos of Gary Friedrich from the June 2010 HeroesCon in Charlotte, North Carolina.  You can find out more about Bob Bailey from his Facebook Member Page, and if you have the same interests, send him a Facebook Friends Request! Bob is a "North Carolina collector, former Kubert student & Disney artist and regular contributor to Alter-Ego"! 

AND My Thanks again to all of YOU reading this blog and our archived blog posts, now totalling over 3,170 posts in number! 

~ Michael D Hamersky @ ComicBookCollectorsBlog.com

Note: Comic books like the ones discussed at the group meeting can be found for sale at our own online comic book store at:

http://www.comicbookscircus.com/

 

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"Hammering Out the Web For You Since May 12th, 1998!"       Note: If you are breaking into, or already work in the comic book industry or other pop culture productions, you are welcome to email 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

Check Out More Of Our Own Endeavors:   Yeah, that's me in the photo shown to the left, taken at the 1973 San Diego Comic Con at the Sheraton Hotel at Harbor Island in San Diego! I first set up as a 'dealer' at the 1972 SDCC at the El Cortez Hotel. So I've been around comic conventions for a little while, LOL! Tina and I now have an on-line exhibitor table at the first "virtual" comic con titled the "Facebook Comic Con" (FBCC)! You can view our table and interact with us there on Facebook by clicking this link. So if YOU are a Facebook member, please 'join' our Facebook Comic Con - Make It So Marketing exhibitor table for updates, specials, links to this blog, and other wall comments that we post every day!    Also, if you are a Facebook member and would like to join my Facebook Network, feel free to send a 'friend request' to 'Michael D Hamersky'.         ------------------- Talking about comics: if YOU are a comics creator, (writer, penciler, inker, colorist, letterer, etc.), OR even a Comics / Magazine Publisher, feel free to contact me regarding YOUR works for a possible mention / review! I've made a special blog post about: "How To Best Submit YOUR Publication For Possible Review!" for those creators / publishers that would like to possibly have their publications mentioned or reviewed. Just click on the link provided in this paragraph! ~Michael @ ComicBookCollectorsBlog.com   WEB PAGE NOTE:  This blog post is written for the IE Browser standards. Chrome, Safarai, Netscape, Firefox and the others serve the page up differently. The screen display resolution is best seen at the setting of 1024 x 768. NOTE; All images and characters within this blog post are copyright and trademark their respective owners.