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Thursday, April 28, 2011
Is There A Need For: The Unauthorized San Diego Comic-Con Survival Guide?!
Mood:  caffeinated
Topic: Comic Cons

                                        

Michael D Hamersky On Comics Asks The Question... Is There A Need For:

The Unauthorized San Diego Comic-Con Survival Guide

By Doug Kline?!

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Above: The Display Stand at the 2011 Long Beach Comic Con Expo (LBCC EXPO) with the copies of 'The Unauthorized San Diego Comic-Con Survival Guide by Doug Kline!

 

 

TODAY'S FEATURE - Blog #3401:

Last Saturday I had the pleasure of attending the 2011 Long Beach Comic Con Expo, (LBCC EXPO), with my youngest son, and this Friday through Saturday, I'll be attending the 2011 Wizard World Anaheim Comic Con.  So as you can see I'm at several comic cons here in Southern California, as well as sci-fi / fantasy cons & other cons such as the 2011 AnimeConji that was held recently in San Diego.

My official comic con going experience goes way back to August 3rd of 1970, when I was told there was some sort of  'comic show' at the U.S. Grant in downtown San Diego.  I was working at the San Diego Zoo at the time, and I got off early to go check it out.  At that time this 'show' was known as the 'Golden State Comic Con', (with approx 300 attendees).

I missed the 1971 'Golden State Comic Con', as it was during the summer, and up at Muir College on the UCSD campus.  I was still at the San Diego Zoo, and the Summer (August 6th-8th), was a difficult time to arrange time off... And I needed the dollars to continue attending San Diego State College. (That year there approx 800+ attendees.)

It wasn't until August 20th of 1972 when I first bought out a comic book dealer who had to leave to go back home on a Saturday, that I first set up as a comic book dealer on Sunday at the 1972 'San Diego's  West Coast Comic Convention' - note change of name. (Attendance approx 900+ at this show.)

It was during the August 16th - 19th of 1973 at the Sheraton Hotel on Harbor Island in San Diego that I first set up as a comic book dealer with my own booth. This was the first year that the 'con' became known as the 'San Diego Comic-Con'. (With approx 1,000+ attendees.)

I'm not going to bore you with the in-between years of the SDCC being held at the El Cortez Hotel and then moving to the Convention and Performing Arts Center in Downtown San Diego, but I am going to mention the explosion in the number of attendees at this con starting in 1991!

The final year at the Convention and Performing Arts Center, (held August 2nd through 5th of 1990), saw approximately 13,000+ attendees.

The first year at the new San Diego Convention Center for the SDCC saw an increase to approximately 15,000+ attendees.  This was held during the July 4th Weekend of 1991, which did affect attendance.  I remember seeing the fireworks during this con, which was a great opening for this con to be there for the first time.

I jump to the year 2001, when I first brought my then-fiancee, Tina, to her first ever comic con of any size.  The con was now called 'Comic-Con International' officially, as it had changed to that name in 1995.  The number of attendees was approx 53,000!  That was the year that Hollywood 'discovered' Comic-Con!   It was at that point that Comic-Con started become even more wilder and craizer than in the years before that!

I've thought how much harder it has become over the years for me, as a 'local' to attend this comic con.  Last year the 'pre-paid parking' program started... You should have seen the looks Tina and I received after leaving the elevators that took us up from the underground parking at the convention cneter to the street level.  We were asked repeatedly how we were able to obtain underground parking!  Which I blogged about the availability here last year, !

It's even 'worse' this year.  The underground pre-paid parking was not available online for Preview Night this year.  We have to park over at the Hilton Garage and walk over the exhibit hall.  So there WON'T be any purchases of comics from the dealers section for us to resale on that 'Preview Night' for sure!  I made the 'mistake' of buying a long box of comics a few years ago at 'Preview Night' from a NY comics dealer who 'flipped' it to me, and I had to walk it out to the Hilton Garage Parking Structure.  Never again!  No matter how Great a deal it is!

I've posted blogs about the recent Comic-Cons in San Diego that we have attended, as seen in the thousands of links found at Google, but never formatted them together to put together a 'Guide' to this Comic-Con...

Which brings me to my thoughts on this mini-book I found at last Saturday's LBCC Expo.  Seriously, at the LBCC Expo in a display rack on a table that the exhibitor was missing at, temporarily!  

The author, Doug Kline, was sharing a table with comics creator, Luis Calderon, in the Artists Alley section. Luis was kind enough to talk to me about the book, but I had already 'seen' it at the Facebook Fan Page that I had temporarily 'Liked', until I could come back and check it out further.

Luis allowed me to thumb though the book, which I did, and saw the table of contents.  For $4.99 it seemed a fair amount for what purported itself to be 'The Unauthorized San Diego Comic-Con Survival Guide'.

Glancing through it, I could see that the author knew quite a bit about attending the Comic-Con International: San Diego convention, although the title called it by one of the popular names 'San Diego Comic-Con'.  I had thought that only 'old farts' like me called it that anymore, or others that had been attending for many years, LOL!

The naming problem of the Comic-Con International: San Diego is basically that those running the con, chose the generic name 'Comic-Con' several years ago.  Heck, there were even attempts to make the name 'Comic-Con' theirs and theirs alone.  However the usauge of 'comic con' had already grown to common usage such as 'kleenex' for 'facial tissues', or 'xerox' for photo-copying, so that didn't go too far...

Here's just a few thoughts on this Survival Guide.

Last year, the Comic-Con had grown to over 130,000+ in attendance. Way too big for the San Diego Convention Center.  Way too big for anyone, and I mean anyone to see it all.  Last year was the first time when attending, that I didn't walk every aisle at least once during the four day + preview night. 

This 'mini-buk' is going to help the first-timer to this comic convention see most of what the first-time should / could see, with tips on how to get to the con, stay near-by, possibly park close, and where and how to stand in line for those panels / programs that are near impossible to get into!

Please note that this book is copyrighted 2010, so the information is as 'current' as at the time it was published.

The front cover is pretty cool in that it shows the Gaslamp Quarter signage along with the SD Convention center.  Because that is where 'life' is during the 5 days of the Comic-Con.

The inside title page adds the Twitter name for this book, (mini-buk), as well as the Facebook Fan Page.  Which you should keep on your smart phone.

The Contents page has the following chapters:

Acknowledgements, Foreword, and Introduction, which are good to read once to find out the background of this book's author.  There you will find that he has been attending since 2004, which is right during when Hollywood came down 'in force' to help over-size this con into the two wings of the SD Convention Center.

Before the Show - A good chapter that first-timers should read.  Plus those of YOU that even think you may want to attend a future Comic-Con.

Acquiring Lodging - Tina and I are lucky in that we are locals and that this Comic-Con is in our own 'backyard', only 30 miles South of us. For those of YOU that aren't that close, this chapter contains important info.  I can't comment too much on the topic, but I do know that I wouldn't want to be in Mission Valley, which has the rooms for usually a lot less cost, but don't have the close facilities where you can drop off the swag that you pick up during the day.  Plus the 'After-Con Events' are not close at all to the Mission Valley hotels.

Transportation To San Diego - Again, I can't evaluate the info in this chapter, as I haven't had to fly in, or take a train to the Comic-Con.  However the tips about driving there I can relate to.  In fact, I was at my Doctor's office in 'Uptown San Diego' and the receptionist there asked me what days the 2011 Comic-Con was running, as she always takes a different way leaving work because of the traffic!  So read this chapter carefully!

Make A Game Plan - This chapter is worth the cost of this minibuk alone!  Tina and I always double check our 'Game Plan', before and during the 5 day Comic-Con! 

At The Show - 'Getting around San Diego' and 'Getting Into The Show' are sub sections that you should read and study.

Daily Necessities - And trust me... These 'Daily Necessities' are necessary!  Doug does a fine job on going over what you will need during the con.  If you don't have pre-paid underground parking, and have to carry around all this stuff with you... You may opt not to bring it or carry it with you, in lieu of picking up 'swag'.  After reading this chapter, you'll think twice about that...!

Panels - Doug does a good job on this long chapter, with several sub-sections. You should read it before you get to the con.  The only notable exceptions would be a comment or two by my wife, Tina, who has been a Hall 'H' goer since 2001.  She says that the attendees there, in between panels are more like a 'pack of rats, not a flock of birds' as Doug calls it, during those times, LOL.  So it is even more serious in obtaining good seats.  She also stated that Doug didn't mention 'line buddies', which we always make during the Comic-Con, but that may have been on purpose.  We have made many 'line buddies' during the years, and couldn't enjoy the Comic-Con as much without them!

Exhibition Hall - This is a good 'read' on what to expect on the floor.  There are so many attendees there now, that aren't interested in comic books, (what?!), that there are sections of the floor that I am intending on staying away from... Now that I no longer feel the need to see every aisle, after breaking my string of successive years of doing so.  Blog readers:  This place is as good / bad as Disneyland... You can't see it all in one day, and anymore you can't see it all in four days even with 'preview night', as the Comic-Con is now also held at the Hilton next door, and the Marriott on the other side of the SD Convention Center.   My words to you... Read. This. Chapter.

People Management - It used to be when this Comic-Con was getting bigger and bigger, I'd say 'What People Management?', but the Comic-Con staff and security was pretty darn good last year.  Other than the lines management in the early morning to let people in... Getting there first in the first line doesn't mean that you will be let in first, otherwise how did all those people get in the hall before you?... The people managment aspect has gotten better.  More than likely because there is now a more manageable 'cap' on number of attendees.

Night Life - We have attended several 'After-Con Events' during the past years, depending if I brought any of my under-age kids with us. This chapter is good for those that don't, and how you can see more after the Comic-Con officially closes for the day.

Things You Really Should Do - This from the author's POV. 

After The Show - Really important for you out-of-towners!  You won't believe how much swag you picked up!  And what are you going to do with it, when you leave town?!

Whew!  For a 'mini-buk', there's a lot of content in this!  With 169 mini-pages!  Is it worth it?  Is there truly a need for a mini-book like this one? 

Well... My review rating for this comic book series is a VERY FINE / NEAR MINT  (VF/NM) 9.0 out of a 10.0 possible comic book grading scale.

That's because no matter how 'current' a book can be published, there are always 'new' developements that aren't in a hard copy format.  Which is good that Doug has a 'Twitter' account and a 'Facebook Fan Page' for updates.

Would I recommend this book for those that would like to attend Comic-Con next year, 2012, as the 2011 event is already sold out?! Yes, I would.

Would I recommend this book for those that have already purchased their Comic-Con memberships, whether for one day or multiple days or all four days, maybe even with 'Preview Night', and are 1st Timers to this event?  Yes, I would!

Would I recomment this book for those that have been to many Comic-Con International: San Diego events in the past few years, or have been there a while ago, but not lately?  Yes, I would.

Because there is a wealth of information that isn't on the Comic-Con International web site, or Facebook Fan Page that is shared with the reader of this mini-buk, 'The Unauthorized San Diego Comic-Con Survival Guide' for only $4.99 plus S&H, (currently $3 at the posting of this blog)!

Oh, for those of you that prefer not to carry a mini-buk (mini-book), you can order the same info as an e-book for download for your computer or mobile device for the same $4.99 without any shipping/handling! 

The odds are that you will be spending hundreds of dollars just to come to San Diego... Stay in San Diego... And eat n' play before, during, and after the daily con occurs for all five days. This cost of the mini-buk is negligible in relation to that overall total cost.

You can check out this mini-buk, and see more at:

The Unauthorized San Diego Comic-Con Survival Guide web site

The Facebook Fan Page for the mini-buk

The Twitter page for this mini-buk.

Again, my thanks to Luis Calderon for talking with me at the LBCC Expo, (I'm reading your comics next, Luis!), and my regrets for not meeting the mini-buk's author, Doug Kline at the same show!

 


My thanks again to all of YOU reading this blog and our archived blog posts, now at 3,401 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!  We currently have over 2,399 'Followers'!  Thanks to ALL of YOU that have already clicked that button! 

And for those of YOU that haven't yet... I would appreciate it if YOU would!!!

~ Michael D Hamersky

 

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 that was reviewed here today...!

If I have it... You can find it 'Under The Big Top Of Comics' at:  

http://www.ComicBooksCircus.com/ 

Web Page Note:  This blog post is written for the IE Browser standards.  Chrome, Safari, Netscape, Firefox and the other browsers serve the page up differently, sorry about that!

The screen display resolution is best seen at the setting of 1024 x 768 on your laptop or desktop computer.

NOTE: All images and characters within this blog post are copyright and trademark their respective owners.

Comics Creators: If you are breaking into, or already work in the comic book industry or other pop culture productions, you are welcome to email or mail us press releases, news items, and updates that you feel would be of interest to our blog readers. Including YOUR own works!

To mail printed items to us for possible review, send to:

Make It So Marketing Inc., PO Box 130653, Carlsbad, CA 92013

 Also, if you are a Facebook member, I would have liked you to send me a 'Friend Request'. However, I have reached the maximum limit of 5,000 Facebook Friends and Fan pages already, so I've added a New 'Facebook Fan Page' so that even more of YOU can 'Like' what I am doing, and be interactive with me and others there.  Here is the link to that 'Facebook Fan Page': Michael D Hamersky On Comics! Please click the 'Like' button on that page! 
Site Meter

 

 

 


Posted by makeitsomarketing at 5:45 AM PDT
Updated: Thursday, April 28, 2011 8:20 AM PDT
Post Comment | Permalink
Wednesday, April 27, 2011
Vinnie's Take On: Fraggle Rock Vol 2 #3 (of 3) From Archaia Entertainment!
Mood:  caffeinated
Topic: Comic Books - New

                                        

 Vinnie's Take On...
Fraggle Rock Vol. 2 #3 (of 3)
 From Archaia Entertainment!

Click Here to see our ARCHAIA COMICS for sale!

Click Here add This ComicBookCollectorsBlog.com to Your list of NetworkedBlogs!

 
 
Click here to see the MOST COLLECTIBLE ITEMS we have in our online store for sale!
-
Above: Cover 'A' to Fraggle Rock Vol.2 #3 (of 3) illustrated by Katie Cook for Archaia Entertainment's final issue in this 2nd volume.  Cover 'B' (not shown) by Lindsay Cibos is part of a 50/50 print run split.

 

 

TODAY'S FEATURE - Blog #3400:

I'm here with 'My Take On': Fraggle Rock Vol. 2 #3 of 3.

This comic was published by Archaia Entertainment, and it continues the stories of previous Fraggle Rock issues.

This comic is an anthology comic, meaning multiple stories, this one by different creative teams. Each story will be briefly reviewed separately. The promo issue I received was with Cover 'A', done by Katie Cook, (as seen at the top right of this blog).

Here is some information about the publication, provided by Archaia, before I get started on my review:

FRAGGLE ROCK VOL. 2 #3 (OF 3): (W) Katie Cook, Paul Morrissey and Katie Strickland (A) Nichol Ashworth, Katie Cook and Lindsay Cibos

(COV) Katie Cook and Lindsay Cibos (50/50 Split)

Ready to return to the Rock? Gobo, Red, Mokey, Wembley and Boober are ready to lead you on a new set of adventures and this time they're bringing some friends. Fan favorites Large Marvin and Cantus and the Minstrels make appearances in the third issue of our second volume of Fraggle Rock.  Expect songs, dances, games, competitions, exploration, Doozers, Gorgs, fur, hardhats, lucky walking sticks, semi-carnivorous pet plants and maybe a radish souffle or two! 

My Gift is My Song: This story had well-drawn art, and an interesting storyline with a good moral. It taught that presents shouldn't be boughten items, they should just come from the heart. The art was similar to the other volumes and issues, and it was in the style that I enjoy.  The story and art was by Katie Cook.

Sleeping with Silly Creatures: This portion was very short, but it included a funny story. Gobo had received another post card from his Uncle Traveling Matt, who goes on adventures in 'space'.  The 'space' he is referring to is the land that humans inhabit!  The story took place at a laundromat, but Uncle Matt hadn't realized that.  It told of his adventures of people throwing old clothes into deep pits where beasts would eat the clothes, and this happened to just be washing machines.  The same fantasies were about drying machines, which were supposedly magical caves where they could get new clothes.  The are was more on the 'realistic' style, which changed it up a bit. The art was illustrated by Lindsay Cibos.

Red's Chomp-A-Thon: This story had an art style in the middle of 'cartoony' and 'realistic'.  The story was fairly good, and contained a good moral. The art looked like what I would associate with Fraggle Rock, just because of the style.  The story began with a problem, and Red decided to host an eating competition.  In the final stretch, Boober forfeited himself, and Large Marvin took his place.  (SPOILER ALERT!!) He eventually won, which caused Red to feel even more of a loser. That is when her friends told her about the memories they will have of the competition, and that winning isn't everything.  Although they all lost, they still had fun, and that was all that mattered. (END SPOILER ALERT...)

Overall, Fraggle Rock Vol. 2 #3 of 3 was a good anthology. It had great art, great stories and good morals and life lessons!

My Review Rating for this publication is a NEAR MINT MINUS (NM-) 9.2 out of a possible 10.0 comic book grading scale. 

Retail Price: $3.95 U.S.  - Page count: 32 pages

Format: staple bound, 8" x 8", full color.

For:  All Ages.

Here is the Facebook Fan Page for Archaia Entertainment, which I suggest YOU 'Like' also to keep up with what this publisher is presenting next. Plus YOU can be interactive with them on the 'wall' of the Fan Page!

~Vinnie

(Blog Publisher's Note from Michael: If YOU liked Vinnie's guest review blog today, you may also enjoy reading Vinnie's other reviews on: 2011 FCBD Edition Mouse Guard / The Dark Crystal Flip Book,  Classics Illustrated #142 - Abraham Lincoln - 8th EditionCelebrating Captain Rochester at the Aftercon PartyMortifera #3ConDor XVIII - Sci-Fi & Fantasy Convention,  Kleeman and Mike #1Jim Henson's Fraggle Rock Vol 2 #2 of 3,  Fraggle Rock Vol 2 #1, Space Punks #2, Mouse Guard - The Black Axe #1 of 6Bear and Fox #2Space Punks #1The Daughters of Merlin #1Sea Ghost #1Mouse Guard: Legends of the Guard #4 (of 4)Clutch Cargo DVD, The All New Super Friends Hour Season 1 DVDThe Ultimate Underdog Collection Volume 1Planet HulkCoraline, Ponyo, X-Men Origins: Wolverine, Sonic the Hedgehog TPB Vol 1, Cloudy With A Chance of Meatballs, The Possum #1 comic book, Vinnie's Take on Berona's War: Field Guide, just to name a recent few!)


My thanks again to all of YOU reading this blog and our archived blog posts, now at 3,400 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!  We currently have over 2,399 'Followers'!  Thanks to ALL of YOU that have already clicked that button! 

And for those of YOU that haven't yet... I would appreciate it if YOU would!!!

~ Michael D Hamersky

 

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 that was reviewed here today...!

If I have it... You can find it 'Under The Big Top Of Comics' at:  

http://www.ComicBooksCircus.com/ 

Web Page Note:  This blog post is written for the IE Browser standards.  Chrome, Safari, Netscape, Firefox and the other browsers serve the page up differently, sorry about that!

The screen display resolution is best seen at the setting of 1024 x 768 on your laptop or desktop computer.

NOTE: All images and characters within this blog post are copyright and trademark their respective owners.

Comics Creators: If you are breaking into, or already work in the comic book industry or other pop culture productions, you are welcome to email or mail us press releases, news items, and updates that you feel would be of interest to our blog readers. Including YOUR own works!

To mail printed items to us for possible review, send to:

Make It So Marketing Inc., PO Box 130653, Carlsbad, CA 92013

 Also, if you are a Facebook member, I would have liked you to send me a 'Friend Request'. However, I have reached the maximum limit of 5,000 Facebook Friends and Fan pages already, so I've added a New 'Facebook Fan Page' so that even more of YOU can 'Like' what I am doing, and be interactive with me and others there.  Here is the link to that 'Facebook Fan Page': Michael D Hamersky On Comics! Please click the 'Like' button on that page! 
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Posted by makeitsomarketing at 12:01 AM PDT
Updated: Wednesday, April 27, 2011 7:10 AM PDT
Post Comment | Permalink
Tuesday, April 26, 2011
Vinnie's Take On: The 2011 FCBD Edition - Mouse Guard / Dark Crystal Flip Book
Mood:  caffeinated
Topic: Comic Books - New

                                        

 Vinnie's Take On...
The 2011 Free Comic Book Day (FCBD) Edition of
the Mouse Guard / Dark Crystal Flip Book
 From Archaia Entertainment!

Click Here to see our ARCHAIA COMICS for sale!

Click Here add This ComicBookCollectorsBlog.com to Your list of NetworkedBlogs!

 
 
Click here to see the MOST COLLECTIBLE ITEMS we have in our online store for sale!
-
Click here to see the ITEMS ENDING SOONEST we have in our online store for sale!

 

 

TODAY'S FEATURE - Blog #3399:

Welcome to 'My Take' On: the Free Comic Book Day (FCBD) 2011 Mouse Guard / Dark Crystal Flip Book!

This FCBD flip book, published by Archaia Entertainment, contains a never-before-seen story of 'Mouse Guard', and a prelude of the fourth series of the Dark Crystal. The promo information provided by Archaia is as follows:

MOUSE GUARD: (W, A, COV) David Petersen

THE DARK CRYSTAL: (Concepts, Art Direction, Cover) Brian Froud, (W) Brian Holguin, (A) Alex Sheikman and Lizzy John.

Archaia presents two, amazing, all-new stories in one fantastic flip book - David Petersen's Eisner Award winning MOUSE GUARD and Jim Hesnon's beloved THE DARK CRYTAL which share the spotlight on Free Comic Book Day!

On one side of the book, a brand-new tale of the fan-favorite Mouse Guard, elite warrior mice tasked with protecting common mice from predators, the elements and other dangers. It's the perfect introduction to Mouse Guard for new fans, and a rewarding treat for existing ones!

On the other side of the book, Archaia Entertainment and The Jim Henson Company are proud to present an exclusive prelude to its forthcoming series of the DARK CRYSTAL graphic novels, featuring covers, art directions and concepts by Brian Froud, conceptual designer of the original film! This prelude begins the epic creation story of the world of Thra, and explores the origins of the world of the Dark Crystal!

The Mouse Guard story was great, to put it simply. The art looks like the art from the regular issues, which I had liked as well. However, the story just blew the others I have read, out of the water!

This story contained action, adventure, and the use of thinking and being clever. It took the format of the other issues, meaning someone asks a question, and the question is answered by a story that has a hidden moral. The story was only eight pages, yet it showed so much!

There was a promo story, Season of the Dapper Men, which followed Mouse Guard. It was short, with only four pages, and I don't believe it had enough content to serve as a promotional item, but more as an advertisement. I haven't read the actual book, and I don't know any more about it, from reading this story, to put it bluntly.  But hey, it does let people know it's out there to check it out, and that's what these FCBD comics are for!

(Editor Michael's note:  Tina LoSasso has guest blogged on the earlier 'Return of the Dapper Men' book, as seen in this link.)

The next promo piece was information about an upcoming graphic novel called 'A Tale of Sand'.  Jim Henson had worked on it for six years, but had set it aside. Now, Archaia Entertainment is producing it in a 120 page graphic novel. It sounds interesting, so I will be watching for it when it comes out on Septemeber 20th of 2011, four day before what would have been Jim Henson's 75th birthday!

The final item was an origin story of The Dark Crystal. It gave quite a bit of  insight about the storyline, as I have been building interst in it due to seeing issues in the Archaia promotional packages.  It showed a lot about what the story was about, which is exactly what these FCBD edition comics should do.  Overall this portion of the FCBD comic had a great lead-in to the series, since this was part of the prelude to the comics already out.

All in all, this was very good FCBD edition comic!  Be sure to pick up a copy for yourself and a friend when you go to a FCBD event on Saturday, May 7th of 2011... Which is coming soon!!

My Review Rating for this FCBD Edition Comic is a NEAR MINT MINUS (NM-) 9.2 out of a possible 10.0 comic book grading scale. 

This FCBD edition comic is available on May 7th, for the 2011 Free Comic Book Day event, in comic book shops that are celebrating FCBD!  Yes, it's available For FREE!

Retail Price: Free (On FCBD) - Page count: 32 pages

Format: staple bound, 8" x 8", full color.

For:  All Ages.

If you aren't close to a Local Comic Book Shop, (LCBS), several of them, and online comic book dealers such as ourselves here at ComicBooksCircus.com, usually have them for a minimal charge plus shipping afterwards.

Here is the Facebook Fan Page for Archaia Entertainment, which I suggest YOU 'Like' also to keep up with what this publisher is presenting next.

(Note from Michael: If YOU liked Vinnie's guest review blog today, you may also enjoy reading Vinnie's other reviews on: Classics Illustrated #142 - Abraham Lincoln - 8th EditionCelebrating Captain Rochester at the Aftercon PartyMortifera #3ConDor XVIII - Sci-Fi & Fantasy Convention,  Kleeman and Mike #1Jim Henson's Fraggle Rock Vol 2 #2 of 3,  Fraggle Rock Vol 2 #1, Space Punks #2, Mouse Guard - The Black Axe #1 of 6Bear and Fox #2Space Punks #1The Daughters of Merlin #1Sea Ghost #1Mouse Guard: Legends of the Guard #4 (of 4)Clutch Cargo DVD, The All New Super Friends Hour Season 1 DVDThe Ultimate Underdog Collection Volume 1Planet HulkCoraline, Ponyo, X-Men Origins: Wolverine, Sonic the Hedgehog TPB Vol 1, Cloudy With A Chance of Meatballs, The Possum #1 comic book, Vinnie's Take on Berona's War: Field Guide, just to name a recent few!)


My thanks again to all of YOU reading this blog and our archived blog posts, now at 3,399 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!  We currently have over 2,396 'Followers'!  Thanks to ALL of YOU that have already clicked that button! 

And for those of YOU that haven't yet... I would appreciate it if YOU would!!!

~ Michael D Hamersky

 

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 that was reviewed here today...!

If I have it... You can find it 'Under The Big Top Of Comics' at:  

http://www.ComicBooksCircus.com/ 

Web Page Note:  This blog post is written for the IE Browser standards.  Chrome, Safari, Netscape, Firefox and the other browsers serve the page up differently, sorry about that!

The screen display resolution is best seen at the setting of 1024 x 768 on your laptop or desktop computer.

NOTE: All images and characters within this blog post are copyright and trademark their respective owners.

Comics Creators: If you are breaking into, or already work in the comic book industry or other pop culture productions, you are welcome to email or mail us press releases, news items, and updates that you feel would be of interest to our blog readers. Including YOUR own works!

To mail printed items to us for possible review, send to:

Make It So Marketing Inc., PO Box 130653, Carlsbad, CA 92013

 Also, if you are a Facebook member, I would have liked you to send me a 'Friend Request'. However, I have reached the maximum limit of 5,000 Facebook Friends and Fan pages already, so I've added a New 'Facebook Fan Page' so that even more of YOU can 'Like' what I am doing, and be interactive with me and others there.  Here is the link to that 'Facebook Fan Page': Michael D Hamersky On Comics! Please click the 'Like' button on that page! 
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Posted by makeitsomarketing at 6:24 AM PDT
Updated: Tuesday, April 26, 2011 7:13 AM PDT
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Monday, April 25, 2011
Photos & Recap From The 2011 Long Beach Comic Con Expo!
Mood:  caffeinated
Topic: Comic Cons

                                        

Michael D Hamersky On Comics Presents:

Photos From The 2011 Long Beach Comic Con Expo

Taken Saturday, April 23rd - Plus A Recap of the Expo!

Click Here to Meet The Sellers at ComicBooksCircus!

Click Here to add This ComicBookCollectorsBlog.com to Your list of NetworkedBlogs!

 
 
Click here to see the MOST COLLECTIBLE ITEMS we have in our online store for sale!
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Click here to see the ITEMS FROM DIFFERENT COMIC CON we have in our online store for sale!
Topmost Above Photo: Opening Hour at the 2010 Long Beach Comic Con (LBCC) Expo. (L-R) Phil Lawrence, Martha Donato, Tom Pinchuk!
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Above Photo: Phil Lawrence (background), Michael D Hamersky, and Bob Bretall before the Opening Hour. Bob is a podcaster and will be reviewing the LBCC Expo in an upcoming show.

 

 

TODAY'S FEATURE - Blog #3398:

Okay... The 2011 Long Beach Comic Con Expo is NOW part of Comic Book History!

I have now attended all FOUR of the Long Beach Comic Con 3-Day Conventions and the Long Beach Comic Con 1-Day Expos, (as shown in my multiple blog posts from those cons & expos seen here, which have been 'picked up' by others re-posting and now number about 4,980 links in total on Google alone for all 4 shows!).

As mentioned in my earlier blog #3384, stating that this 2011 Expo would soon be here... Each of the Long Beach Comic Cons & the Expos have had their different guests, exhibitors, cosplayers, and attendees show up, but each has also had the same 'good time' feeling that makes me want to attend this con or expo each time!

My youngest son, Vinnie, and I arrived an hour before opening time. We saw a crowd already outside of the Long Beach Convention Center building itself, which turned out to be part of a group that was also inside. 

There was filming going on already, and both the inside and outside crowds were part of 'crowd shots' that the Knights of Good Productions, Inc. were filming for their webseries presently titled 'The Guild - Season 5'.

After watching the filming session going on briefly... Vinnie and I went down to the registration area that was located in the large inside lobby, yet still outside of the doors to get into the exhibition hall.  There was already a crowd there, mostly of those that had already picked up their entry badges and were talking with others.  The badge registration was going smoothly already, about 45 minutes before the doors to the hall were scheduled to open.

Martha Donato, one of the event's organizers came up to Vinnie and myself, and greeted us warmly!  She took the time to ask where my wife, Tina was at, and introduced herself to Vinnie.  Martha is well suited for organizing this type of event, a real people person! (Martha is pictured at the top right of this post.)

Tom Pinchuk, of 'Hybrid Bastards' fame as well other projects, came up to Vinnie and me, and re-introduced himself from an earlier con.  I wasn't aware that Tom was going to be giving the 'Opening Speech' before the exhibit halls opened in just a while.  His welcoming speech to those in attendance for the oening hour was a heartfelt one, and just added to the camaraderie that others felt in the crowd before and during the opening speech.  (Tom is also pictured in the top right photo of this blog post.)

Phil Lawrence, another of the event's organizers, came up to Vinnie and me and welcomed us, and thanked me for continuing to blog, and mobile Facebook on the LBCC's events.  (Phil is also pictured above in the same photo with Martha and Tom.)

I mentioned the camaraderie that I felt and saw at this Expo, before the Opening Ceremony.  It continued on inside shortly after 10AM when the doors opened.

There wasn't a mad rush to run in, instead, everyone was respectful of each other, and greeted those exhibitors inside with similar respect. Especially those creators that were in 'Artists Alley', which took up a big part of the Expo.

The 'Artists Alley' section was broken up into two blocks of 'Artists Alleys', plus there more creators along the sides of the hall.

I've started uploading some of the pics taken at this Expo already, starting on Sunday, so here is the link to that special photo album at my Facebook Fan page, titled:  2011 Long Beach Comic Con Expo

There were approximately 60 creators in attendance at this Expo.  About a third are Facebook Friends of mine.  So I stopped to say hello to those FB Friends, and centered in on meeting those that were 1st timers at this LBCC Expo / Con series of shows that I had not met before. 

I'll be review blogging several of those creators works in the near future, as several gave me copies for possible review in this blog.  Thanks to those that have previously done so, and who told others of my endeavors in this aspect of the comic book industry!  It's good to be known for a positive influence in the indie / indy comics field!

I took a quick look at a section of comic book dealers that were there, recognizing several of them, and at the same time remembering when I used to do that... Stand by or behind tables of comics / mags that I had brought to sell... That is hard work! 

It's much more rewarding and satisfying doing what I now do at cons, whether they be comic cons, sci-fi cons, or even anime cons!   I had several Facebook Friends who didn't have tables at this Expo, come up to me and greet me and my son, while others unkown to me came up to us and thanked me for writing this blog.  Again, a true sense of camaraderie!

As the morning wore on though, my son Vinnie, started feeling a pain in his abdomen area.  This continued for a while, and I suggested he sit down at a table in the lobby area for a while until he felt better.  He did, and re-joined me, being the 'official photographer' for this blog at the event.

However as the late morning wore on into the early afternoon, the pain he felt increased.  After calling his HMO's screening nurse service on the phone, it was decided that he should see an Urgent Care facility right away, as the screening nurse thought it was too close to appendicitis. 

Vinnie and I still had more panels that we both wanted to see, as the Expo lasted till 6PM, but unfortunately, Vinnie did not feel any better while I was making the phone call and we ended our stay at the Expo before closing time.

For those of YOU reading this blog, and didn't see us inside, or us stop by your table... That is the reason.  Sorry about that, but Vinnie didn't get out of the emergency room that I ended up taking him to... Until 11PM Saturday night!

However, he and I enjoyed what we were able to see at this LBCC Expo... and are looking forward to the upcoming Long Beach Comic AND HoRRoR Con that will be taking place on October 29th & 30th later this year!

In the meantime, please see this link to the 2011 LBCC Expo photo album at my Facebook Fan Page. I'll be uploading more pics in the days / weeks to follow. Vinnie and / or I took a couple hundred shots before we had to leave.

Also, feel free to come back to this Blog, as I'll be review blogging several of the publications / graphic novels / books that I was given at this Expo for possible review blogs.

My thanks to all of those named above that organized and presented the 2011 Long Beach Comic Con Expo, PLUS those that I didn't have a chance to meet this time that also help organize this Expo.  This LBCC Expo reminds me of the earliest SDCCs that I attended, (and sold at!) in the early 1970's. 

Where an attendee can rub shoulders with comics pros, pick up comic books that they are missing from comic dealers, and attend panels with good topics that are presented.  My kind of 'comic con', which I've now shared with Vinnie, and my wife, Tina.  I'm looking forward to next year's LBCC Expo, and of course the bigger scale Long Beach Comic Con later in October of this year!  

In closing... I've already shared a link to the 2011 LBCC Expo photos, so here's my special photo album on the 2010 LBCC Expo that I have already shared at my own Facebook Fan Page.  There are more to be uploaded from the hundreds of pics I took back then, but I rather place 'text copy' and links with each photo to the creators own websites, instead of just throwing them up.

Oh, and for those of YOU didn't get to go, or were able to attend but not see everything, here's the link to the Long Beach Comic Con Facebook Fan Page, where both the 3-Day Cons & 1-Day Expos are shown and talked about. Plus others' photos are linked there to their photo albums.

Not enough room in this blog to write about everything, so here's the link to the 2011 LBCC Expo event page on Facebook,  where you can find out more info on just this event.  More Facebook event pages for the LBCC Expo itself can be found in this link.

Lastly, here's the link to the Long Beach Comic Con's own web site, where there is even more info on where and how you can purchase tickets for the October 2011 Long Beach Comic & Horror Con... You won't want to miss that!!

Thanks again to the organizers, my Facebook Friends, the new creators that we met, and to the attendees for making this another great 1-day Long Beach Comic Con Expo!


My thanks again to all of YOU reading this blog and our archived blog posts, now at 3,398 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!  We currently have over 2,393 'Followers'!  Thanks to ALL of YOU that have already clicked that button! 

And for those of YOU that haven't yet... I would appreciate it if YOU would!!!

~ Michael D Hamersky

 

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 that was reviewed here today...!

If I have it... You can find it 'Under The Big Top Of Comics' at:  

http://www.ComicBooksCircus.com/ 

Web Page Note:  This blog post is written for the IE Browser standards.  Chrome, Safari, Netscape, Firefox and the other browsers serve the page up differently, sorry about that!

The screen display resolution is best seen at the setting of 1024 x 768 on your laptop or desktop computer.

NOTE: All images and characters within this blog post are copyright and trademark their respective owners.

Comics Creators: If you are breaking into, or already work in the comic book industry or other pop culture productions, you are welcome to email or mail us press releases, news items, and updates that you feel would be of interest to our blog readers. Including YOUR own works!

To mail printed items to us for possible review, send to:

Make It So Marketing Inc., PO Box 130653, Carlsbad, CA 92013

 Also, if you are a Facebook member, I would have liked you to send me a 'Friend Request'. However, I have reached the maximum limit of 5,000 Facebook Friends and Fan pages already, so I've added a New 'Facebook Fan Page' so that even more of YOU can 'Like' what I am doing, and be interactive with me and others there.  Here is the link to that 'Facebook Fan Page': Michael D Hamersky On Comics! Please click the 'Like' button on that page! 
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Posted by makeitsomarketing at 6:46 AM PDT
Updated: Monday, April 25, 2011 8:50 AM PDT
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Saturday, April 23, 2011
Kristen's Take On: The Action Bible from the Christian Comic Arts Society!
Mood:  caffeinated
Topic: Comic Books - New

                                        

Kristen Hamersky's Take On...

The Action Bible!

God's Redemptive Story... From the Christian Comic Arts Society!

Click Here to Meet The Sellers at ComicBooksCircus!

Click Here to add This ComicBookCollectorsBlog.com to Your list of NetworkedBlogs!

 
 
Click here to see the MOST COLLECTIBLE ITEMS we have in our online store for sale!
-
Above: The front cover to 'The Action Bible'!
-
Top Left: The Christian Comics Arts Society booth at the 2010 Long Beach Comic Con, where they were awarding 100 of these to winners during the three day con! BTW, the CCAS will be presenting a panel at the April 23rd 1-day LBCC Expo from 5Pm to 5:45 PM!

 

 

TODAY'S FEATURE - Blog #3397:

I'm getting ready to leave Carlsbad, California to drive up to the 1-day Long Beach Comic Con Expo, that I've been blogging about and also mentioning at my Facebook Fan Page, 'Michael D Hamersky On Comics'.  My youngest son, Vinnie, will be going up with me to help photograph and mobile Facebook from the Long Beach Convention Center.

So I'm really pleased that my oldest child, Kristen Hamersky, is pinch hitting today for me, with a timely topic to blog about.  Plus the Christian Comic Arts Society is also presenting a panel at the LBCC Expo this very afternoon, from 5PM to 5:45 PM. Definitely a timely blog today!

Also... This is Kristen's first guest blog in this Blog... So please welcome her! 

-----------------------------

Hello Blog Readers, I am Michael D Hamersky's daughter, Kristen Hamersky. I am an Avon Independent Sales Representative and you are invited to visit my site to purchase some great products, after reading this blog of course!

My father asked me to write a blog about The Action Bible: God's Redemptive Story, a bible of the Christian faith-in sequential art form. He has asked me to do this as the Easter Holiday is just around the corner, (tomorrow!).

The illustrations are by Sergio Cariello, and the text is by David Cook. The below contents of this blog include my thoughts on the artwork, storyline, who I would recommend it to and why. This blog comes from the point of view of an active Catholic.

The drawings and stories closely correlate to the stories from the bible. For example, the designs of the people in here are what you see on some of the older paintings - the same facial features, hair design and color, and it all looks exactly what you would imagine from reading the bible. The same is likewise for the stories. They are transferred flawlessly from the bible to the Action Bible without fail. I have seen no major differences when reading this graphic novel, that it is in fact a different book. The stories are so much alike, that this could be an exact substitute for reading the bible.

The artwork looks realistic, especially in the drawings of the people. The colors used were very vibrant. The scenery in the art makes the stories look like you're actually there in the book. It can also make you feel like you are "adventuring" to that time period. The art was very crisp and clean, and obviously time was spent to make such detailed works, and was definitely not rushed. It showed that the creators put a lot of thought into this before just jumping right to it and putting it out on the market.

The storyline in the book flows well. Some of the stories are based upon more than one section from the bible. Putting the stories together helps the book flow better because you can read about one bible character in a few sections of the novel. The story also is strongly based upon the bible, which allows for one to read this if they prefer fewer words with detailed pictures, rather than reading about every single detail. However, this can also be used to back up some information, such as if you are reading the bible and come across a section you don't quite understand. Just pull out the Action Bible, and read the section from there. You can now visualize the section better, allowing to understand it more.

This book will appeal to a graphic novel fan who wouldn't regularly be reading a bible. The stories are easy to understand and bibically correct. Im not usually a person who likes graphic novels but I found the artwork and the story to be targeted to someone who would like to learn more about the Bible through their favorite art format.

I would give this book to a friend that favors sequential art or believes in the Christian Faith or to those who don't, as this book can appeal to these three groups equally.

All in all, I find this story to be a great read, and I definitely would recommend this to people interested in reading the Christian bible in the form that comics are presented in, sequential art.

I give this hard cover publication a comic book grade of Very Fine Plus (VF+), an 8.5 out of a 10.0 grading scale. I thank you for reading my blog, and I hope you can find this to be a good book to read and cherish.

~Kristen Hamersky

-------------------

Thanks Kristen for sending me this blog for the 'Weekend Edition' of my Blog! And it is rather timely for the Easter Weekend too!

Here's the links that YOU, the blog reader, should have:

The Action Bible - Where you can purchase it online - The Action Bible

The Christian Comic Arts Society - Facebook Fan Page

The Christian Comic Arts Society web site - For more info

My thanks to the Christian Comic Art Society for presenting me with a copy for possible review!

~Michael D Hamersky


My thanks again to all of YOU reading this blog and our archived blog posts, now at 3,397 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!  We currently have over 2,388 'Followers'!  Thanks to ALL of YOU that have already clicked that button! 

And for those of YOU that haven't yet... I would appreciate it if YOU would!!!

~ Michael D Hamersky

 

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 that was reviewed here today...!

If I have it... You can find it 'Under The Big Top Of Comics' at:  

http://www.ComicBooksCircus.com/ 

Web Page Note:  This blog post is written for the IE Browser standards.  Chrome, Safari, Netscape, Firefox and the other browsers serve the page up differently, sorry about that!

The screen display resolution is best seen at the setting of 1024 x 768 on your laptop or desktop computer.

NOTE: All images and characters within this blog post are copyright and trademark their respective owners.

Comics Creators: If you are breaking into, or already work in the comic book industry or other pop culture productions, you are welcome to email or mail us press releases, news items, and updates that you feel would be of interest to our blog readers. Including YOUR own works!

To mail printed items to us for possible review, send to:

Make It So Marketing Inc., PO Box 130653, Carlsbad, CA 92013

 Also, if you are a Facebook member, I would have liked you to send me a 'Friend Request'. However, I have reached the maximum limit of 5,000 Facebook Friends and Fan pages already, so I've added a New 'Facebook Fan Page' so that even more of YOU can 'Like' what I am doing, and be interactive with me and others there.  Here is the link to that 'Facebook Fan Page': Michael D Hamersky On Comics! Please click the 'Like' button on that page! 
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Posted by makeitsomarketing at 12:01 AM PDT
Updated: Saturday, April 23, 2011 5:43 AM PDT
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