My first post on San Diego Comic-Con is up. Flash report: A dozen or so people in Flash T-shirts around the hall…plus every single member of the DC Booth staff. (This probably doesn’t mean anything — they’ll probably all be in GL shirts tomorrow, Wonder Woman on Friday, Superman on Saturday, and Batman on Sunday. But I found it interesting.) I also spotted Ethan van Sciver as he drew a sketch for the last person in the line.
Everything’s packed, and I’ll soon be on the road to San Diego for Comic-Con International. I’ll be posting both here and at K-Squared Ramblings (to go with my last 4 years of con coverage) over the next few days as I have time and internet access.
Update (post-con): my complete coverage of the con is here:
I’ll be attending Comic-Con International in San Diego next week. For the last few years I’ve been posting reports during the con at my other blog, K-Squared Ramblings, and I’ll continue that this year in the Comic-Con 2008 category. I will be posting stuff here as well, especially anything Flash-related — like these Flash hall costumes from last year, or the 50 Years of the Flash panel two years ago.
This will be my 19th year at the con, which I’ve attended every summer since 1990. Scary numbers, there.
If you’re interested, here’s a list of my past convention reports and photos, including San Diego from 2003-2007, Wizard World Los Angeles from 2007-2008, and WonderCon 2008.
It’s only two weeks to Comic-Con International, and the convention has started finished posting its schedule. These look like good bets for Flash-related programming:
Updated! Now includes the complete schedule!
3:00-4:00 TwoMorrows Publishing Today — Join the crew from TwoMorrows Publishing for a behind-the-scenes look at what goes into creating all their fan-favorite books and magazines on the art and history of comics! Publisher John Morrow, Modern Masters’ Eric Nolen-Weathington, Write Now!’s Danny Fingeroth, Brick Journal’s Joe Meno, and Keith Dallas, author of TwoMorrows’ new Flash Companion book unveil new products and offer exclusive previews of upcoming items. Room 10
3:00-4:00 How to Break into Comics: Freddie E. Williams II — A few years ago, Freddie E. Williams II (artist on Robin, The Flash, Seven Soldiers: Mister Miracle, and others) broke into comics through DC Comics’ Talent Search. Since that time, Freddie has worked on some of DC’s top-selling books. In this panel, Freddie lends his unique insights about breaking into comics by describing what editors are looking for, what you should include in your portfolio, and how to hang on to a job once you’ve gotten it. Room 32AB
Notes: Freddie Williams II has been the regular artist on The Flash since #233, and will wrap up his 10-issue run in August.
6:00-7:00 DC Nation — DC Senior VP/executive editor Dan DiDio hosts this gabfest with Keith Giffen (Reign in Hell, Ambush Bug: Year None), Geoff Johns (Action Comics, Green Lantern), Brad Meltzer (DCU: Last Will and Testament), and some of the top talent in the industry, talking and teasing upcoming stories! Come learn the secrets behind the most talked about events of the summer! Room 6A
Notes: If I had to bet on (a) Flash announcements and (b) when DC is announcing the mysterious Geoff Johns/Ethan van Sciver project, I’d say it would be at this panel.
11:15-12:15 Worlds Collide: The Making of Midway’s Mortal Kombat vs. DC Universe — Ed Boon (Mortal Kombat) and Jimmy Palmiotti (Painkiller Jane) discuss how two billion-dollar entertainment franchises collide as Mortal Kombat warriors battle DC superheroes for the first time in this highly anticipated video game. Ed and Jimmy provide an exclusive look at never-before-seen gameplay, unveil key characters on the game’s roster, and answer your questions. Room 6B
3:30-4:30 Spotlight on Geoff Johns — His ideas have breathed new life into Flash, Teen Titans, Green Lantern, the Justice Society of America, and now Superman. Is there anything writer Geoff Johns can’t do? Probably not, but come ask anyway. Don’t miss this panel hosted by Ian Sattler, senior story editor — DCU, interviewing one of the brightest minds behind the magic of the DC Universe. Room 5AB
6:00-7:00 DCU: Final Crisis Management — The Final Crisis is here! Senior VP-executive editor Dan DiDio talks with Grant Morrison (Batman, Final Crisis), JG Jones (Final Crisis), Geoff Johns (Final Crisis: Legion of Three Worlds and Final Crisis: Rogues Revenge), Brad Meltzer (DCU: Last Will and Testament), Greg Rucka (Final Crisis: Revelations), Phillip Tan (Final Crisis: Revelations), and others! Catch a glimpse of what will be one of the most talked-about events of the summer! Room 6A
11:00-12:00 Spotlight on Ethan Van Sciver — His stunning visions of the Flash and Green Lantern have made him one of the most popular artists working in comics today. Comic-Con special guest Ethan Van Sciver talks about his work and what’s next up on his drawing board. Room 2
12:45-2:00 DC: A Guide to Your Universe — Dan DiDio (senior VP/executive editor, DCU), Jann Jones (senior coordinating editor, DCU), and Ian Sattler (senior story editor, DCU), and countless DCU talent gather for a panel that’s not to be missed. Now that the Final Crisis is upon us, what lies ahead for your favorite heroes? Join Keith Giffen (Reign in Hell, Ambush Bug: Year None), Geoff Johns (Action Comics, Green Lantern), Aaron Lopresti (Wonder Woman), Brad Meltzer (DCU: Last Will and Testament), Grant Morrison (Batman, Final Crisis), Gail Simone (Wonder Woman), Phillip Tan (Final Crisis: Revelations), Peter Tomasi (Green Lantern Corps), Judd Winick (Titans), and others to get the answers. Room 6B
2:15-3:15 A Look Back and Forward at DC Universe Animated Original Movies — From the heralded premiere of Superman Doomsday through the unparalleled launch of Justice League: The New Frontier and the blockbuster release of Batman Gotham Knight, the DC Universe animated original movies have ignited a new passion for comic book fare within the made-for-DVD realm. DC Comics, Warner Premiere, Warner Home Video, and Warner Bros. Animation presents the creative forces behind these acclaimed films for a glance back at their resounding success, and the inside scoop on future DCU releases — including a Comic-Con exclusive first look at the next film in this exciting series! DC Comics senior VP — creative affairs Gregory Noveck moderates a panel that includes DC Comics president and publisher Paul Levitz, DCU films executive producer Bruce Timm, director Lauren Montgomery (Superman Doomsday), voice director Andrea Romano and, quite possibly, members of the voice talent behind the next superhero to grace the animated screen — in full color (well, at least red, white, and blue)! Room 6CDEF
Notes: Next up is Wonder Woman. But the Flash had a major role in New Frontier.
11:45-12:45 DC Nation: One Weekend Later — Did you think one DC Nation panel was enough? You thought wrong! So much has happened with the DCU during Comic-Con but right here senior VP–executive editor Dan DiDio saves one last blockbuster announcement for the Nation! This is the panel to be at! Room 6A
Notes: Okay, under the circumstances, I’m amending my earlier guess. This is probably where the Van Sciver/Johns project will be announced. Either that, or DC is being re-branded Warner Bros. Comics and being rebooted to 1938 after Final Crisis. đ
2:30-4:00 Cover Story: The Art of the Cover — It’s our annual soul-searching question: whether or not you can tell a book by its cover. Moderator Mark Evanier interviews four of the top cover artists in comics (and all Comic-Con 2008 special guests): Jim Starlin (Captain Marvel, Warlock), Bryan Hitch (The Ultimates, Fantastic Four), J.G. Jones (52, Final Crisis), and Ethan Van Sciver (Flash, Green Lantern). Evanier presents examples of each artist’s cover work and talks to them about the covers and the process of creating them. It’s a fascinating look at what many regard as the most important part of any comic. Room 5AB
In just three weeks, The Flash Companion will hit the shelves — just in time for San Diego Comic-Con. Written by Keith Dallas and published by TwoMorrows, the book covers the entire history of the Flash from 1940 to the present.
I’ll let the official summary speak for itself (with a bit of reformatting):
The Flash Companion details the publication histories of the four heroes who have individually earned the right to be declared DC Comicsâ âFastest Man Aliveâ: Jay Garrick, Barry Allen, Wally West, and Bart Allen.
With articles about legendary creators Shelly Mayer, Gardner Fox, E.E. Hibbard, Julius Schwartz, Robert Kanigher, John Broome, Ross Andru, Irv Novick and all new interviews of Harry Lampert, Carmine Infantino, Cary Bates, Alex Saviuk, Mike W. Barr, Marv Wolfman, Mike Baron, Jackson Guice, Mark Waid, Kolins, among others, The Flash Companion recounts the scarlet speedsterâs evolution from the Golden Age to the 21st century.
Also featured are âlost covers,â never before published commission pieces by Flash artists throughout the decades, a Rogues Gallery detailing The Flashâs most famous foes, a tribute to late artist Mike Wieringo by Mark Waid, a look at the speedsterâs 1990s TV show, and âFlash factsâ detailing pivotal moments in Flash history.
Written by Keith Dallas, with a cover by Don Kramer (Detective Comics, JSA) with colors by Moose Baumann (Green Lantern).
Dallas recruited a number of fans from the Comic Bloc Forums to help write articles, conduct interviews, and contribute artwork and photos. I contributed three articles to the Rogue Profiles section: Abra Kadabra, the Reverse-Flash, and Zoom.
I’ve had a chance to read some of the other articles and interviews, and I’m really excited about this book. It’s going to be a fascinating read and a great resource for Flash fans.
Over the next few weeks, with the author’s permission, I’ll be posting an excerpt each week up until the release date.
One more item: This is small press, and I’m not the main author on the book, so I’m not getting paid for the articles I contributed (unless you count the comp copy). But I do have an Amazon Affiliate account, so if you order through this link, I’ll actually get paid a little in a roundabout way.