Day 1 of the Registered Weapon Comic-Con Experience was a success, I’d say. Staying in a hotel instead of driving back and forth from LA has made it much more pleasurable than in past years. Here’s what it looks like from our balcony:
As you can (maybe) see, we’ve got both the freeway and the airport to contend with, but this is way better than the other offer we received (sharing a cot at the Y with a fat dude in a Power Girl costume). Actually, I guess I shouldn’t joke about fat guys at the con, as I think I’m winning the Sweatiest Dude at Comic-Con Sweepstakes despite heavy (literally) competition.
Watched Mike Mignola draw a sweet Hellboy in the CBLDF Master Sessions panel, which was basically like watching real magic, then sat through the Marvel Cup O’Joe panel (aka The Bitch at Joe Quesada Hour) to hear the actually shocking announcement that Marvel has bought the rights to Marvelman (aka Miracleman). The real shock, though, was that 3/4 of the audience didn’t seem to have any idea what Marvelman is. Oh, kids today. The Marvel folks were being pretty cagey about what exactly these rights allow them to do with MM; I get the feeling we’ll be seeing him join the Dark Avengers before we see reprints of Alan Moore’s classic run. (Chris and I were convinced that Marvel’s big announcement was that J.K. Rowling would be writing Thunderbolts, starring Moonstone and Draco Malfoy. Alas.)
We also met and chatted with some very nice folks, including Rich Johnston, Johnny Zito, Kieron Gillen, Ryan Ottley (Dave, you’re gonna be really happy), DJ Kirkbride, and Internet Jesus himself, Warren Ellis. Registered Weapon Vol. 1 seemed to be received well, so guys, if you read it, drop us a note and let us know what you think.
Saturday we’re getting up early to try to get Inglourious Basterds tickets and Orange Lantern Hal Jordan figures. Wish us luck.
–Gardner