Comic – Page 54 – Incoherent Leaves

Comic-Con: Captain America

By Timothy|2024-12-04T17:12:48-08:00July 31st, 2010|

The panel for Captain America: The First Avenger brought out director Joe Johnston, and actors Chris Evans and Hugo Weaving. Johnston went on to explain that they only began filming five days ago, but they really wanted to share footage with us. He cued the clip and World War II propaganda footage played superimposed on Captain America’s shield. As it ended, it showed Chris Evans in the costume turning towards the camera — the audience went crazy. The title showed, then we suddenly see Captain America throwing his shield at the camera — thunderous applause from the crowd.

What we saw was a costume test, but from our reactions, they’re very much on track with its direction.

Chris Evans wasn’t shy about talking about some people’s apprehension about him portraying Captain America, but he believes that if the movie is good, people will be accepting of him. Evans feels the pressure, but he’s trying not to think about how big the scope is due to the character being one of the biggest names in Marvel Comics — saying he might have a panic attack if he thinks about it too much. He went on to say that he really likes the costume and hopes to do the character justice.

Hugo Weaving refused to do his German accent, but did inform the audience that he’s been working with the Red Skull mask. It’s a series of lightweight pieces on his face, enabling him to convey emotions — though in V for Vendetta he’s proven that he doesn’t need his facial expressions to emote.

The president of Marvel Studios Kevin Feige wanted to show us rough footage despite it still having the time-stamp on it. It begins with Hugo Weaving as Johann Schmidt (before he becomes Red Skull) leading a group of Nazi soldiers to open a sarcophagus, looking for something that belonged to Odin. The jewel in the sarcophagus ends up being a fake, but it doesn’t affect Schmidt who quickly finds it in a secret compartment on a wall.

The feel of the footage felt a lot like Indiana Jones, which is exciting to me. After all, the movie does entirely take place during World War II, and it’s a perfect fit. Hugo Weaving is very effective as the antagonist with a demanding screen presence. And the footage we were shown was already tying in with Thor, furthering the universe Marvel Studios is creating with their films. The audience went crazy for it. It’s a highly anticipated film and one of the landmarks for Comic-Con this year.

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Comic-Con: Green Lantern

By Timothy|2024-12-04T17:12:49-08:00July 29th, 2010|

Warner Bros.’ Green Lantern panel kicked off with director Martin Campbell who went on to bring out stars Ryan Reynolds, Mark Strong, Blake Lively, and Peter Sarsgaard. Reynolds was wearing a Green Lantern ring which many in the audience were quick to notice.

Campbell referred to the EW cover of Green Lantern while describing the costume. It’s done entirely in CG, and he informed the audience that it’s still a work in progress and it’ll look really cool in the finished product.

The teaser of the movie had a cosmic feel, traveling to the home planet of the Green Lantern Corps. and showed glimpses of them. A scene was shown of Reynolds brandishing the ring and conjuring a giant, green fist knocking out a bunch of guys. We didn’t see Reynolds in the costume — most likely because it’s still being worked on.

During the Q&A a boy asked Reynolds to recite the Green Lantern oath, who was more than willing and got into character gravely performing the monologue. The boy was in awe and reacted by making a fist up at Reynolds displaying his Green Lantern ring. Reynolds in return made a fist back and pretended that their rings were at odds. He then proclaimed that the child is so cute and he wants to give him an autograph. The audience cheered for the kid — I’m sure it’ll be a very cherished memory for him.

At the close for the panel, Ryan Reynolds told the attendees that he had kept the ring during production and hasn’t parted with it, but he felt that Comic-Con was the perfect place to pass it down. He had us reach under our chairs, and a lady who found the paper Reynolds described earned the ring from the man himself. It was a successful panel and got all of us stoked for the film.

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Comic-Con: Scott Pilgrim vs. the World

By Timothy|2024-12-04T17:12:49-08:00July 27th, 2010|

The panel for Scott Pilgrim vs. the World was entertaining, with a lot of the reason being the director himself, Edgar Wright. He called each cast member out on stage while forcing them to describe their feelings in one word — and had an obsession to ask the audience in attendance if they love chocolate.

Courtesy of Hickey

After all the cast members at hand were situated, Wright informed the attendees that there’s two very special guests that he wanted to introduce — he then announced Simon Pegg and Nick Frost. They walked on stage with arms victoriously raised while the crowd erupted with uproarious cheers. Just before shaking hands with the director, Wright then informed the audience, “And they will not be in the movie . . . nor are they special guests.” Pegg and Frost acted disappointed and sad, pathetically walking backstage while the lights dimmed — with “Aww!” from the crowd in unison.

Courtesy of Hickey

Edgar Wright then finally introduced the star of the film, Michael Cera — who came out in a crude Captain America costume; it was a way to tease cast member Chris Evans who couldn’t make it to the panel due to filming Captain America, and the fans ate it up.

Asked of when he first heard of Scott Pilgrim, Edgar Wright answered that he first caught wind of the comic in 2004 when it came out and instantly fell in love with it. He got in talks with the creator Bryan Lee O’Malley (who participated in the panel) and began work to bring a film adaptation of the comic into fruition.

Wright then went into detail about the fight scenes being approached as video game levels; and that the actors were trained by the likes of accomplished stuntmen — one namely being Brad Allen.

Michael Cera talked about a kiss scene and how he was worried about it — since it was a kiss with another guy — so Edgar Wright did the sensible thing and took him aside and casually kissed him on the lips and said, “See? That isn’t so bad!” Wright then cut in, jokingly adding, “I bet Stallone didn’t kiss any of his cast members!”

At the end of the panel Edgar Wright informed us that the film is shot in 2D and that tickets will be at regular price; the audience cheered; then he excitedly said, “So see it twice!” which garnered louder cheers. The panel came to a close when Wright announced that those in attendance who have a 1-Up button will get to see a screening with him and the cast.

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Convention Whoa

By Timothy|2012-10-01T18:16:55-08:00July 23rd, 2010|

I was meaning to write new posts everyday during Comic-Con, but frankly, it just isn’t possible unless it’s quick tidbits. Then by the time I get home I’m too exhausted to write — but trust me, I’m putting together some posts for my few readers to check out that I’m working on with what ever free time I have. It’ll be worth it. Maybe.

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Preview Night at Comic-Con

By Timothy|2024-12-04T17:12:49-08:00July 22nd, 2010|

Yesterday was preview night for Comic-Con, but it didn’t feel like it at all. Downtown was congested with traffic and parking lots were quickly filling up; there were droves of people walking to and from the convention center. It was already packed when I got inside with a friend. It became a physical feat for us to reach the meeting spot with another friend. It felt like a normal day at Comic-Con . . . and it was only preview night.

We eventually got to the Marvel booth, which had a life-size version of Odin’s throne. There was a queue for posters, so being the comic nerds we are, we got in line. We reached the front and were handed the Thor posters of the art pieces I wrote about yesterday. Score. We asked if they’ll be giving away the Captain America posters as well — we were told that they’ll be handed out later; to check back later. Naturally we headed back to the booth and glanced over the table — they were handing out the Captain America posters. We booked it to the end of the line; one of my friends lightly shoved a kid out of the way. What can I say? It’s exclusive posters and we must have them. So yes, I now have both posters — mission accomplished. I’m ecstatic over it.

What feels like forever ago, preview night at Comic-Con was more of a way to pick up our badges and take a quick look around the floor. There were hardly any booths set up and many were still in the process of getting ready. Yesterday, it felt like an actual Comic-Con day; all the booths were open for business. Today the real fun begins. God help us all.

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Thor and Captain America Concept Art Pieces

By Timothy|2024-12-04T17:12:50-08:00July 20th, 2010|

Recently Marvel released concept art pieces for Thor and Captain America. They’ll be available at Comic-Con as mini-one-sheets. Obviously this means I’ll be getting them. What? Don’t look at me like that — just look at them!

[Marvel]

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Ghost Rider Sequel

By Timothy|2024-12-04T17:12:50-08:00July 18th, 2010|

Despite the failure that the Ghost Rider film was, Nicolas Cage will be reprising the title role. Directing the new movie will be Crank directors Brian Taylor and Mark Neveldine. The screenplay will be based on an old draft written by David Goyer.

Film rights to Ghost Rider would have went back to Marvel if Sony didn’t put a movie into production by November 14th, so of course they pushed forward.

As big of a fan Nicolas Cage professes to be, he simply isn’t right for the role. He doesn’t seem capable of portraying the character’s inner struggles, as evident in the prior film.

The first Ghost Rider movie also suffered from the fight scenes. There were no emotional weight behind any of the fights. Nor was there any real sense of endangerment for Ghost Rider. It merely felt like scenes to segue into the next. The villains were ineffectual and didn’t impose a real threat.

If there’s going to be any chance of success, they need to stick to the horror elements that they nearly ignored in the first film. They tried to make it a dark action movie, which ultimately hurt the flick. It should have been filmed in a similar vein to Blade, but with the horror ramped up. Shying away from the violence made the film feel cartoon-like — Ghost Rider is a violent, horror comic book; the feel of the comic should be used for the movies.

[The Playlist] [UPDATE on Ghost Rider Sequel]

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Comic-Con Being Protested

By Timothy|2024-12-04T17:12:51-08:00July 16th, 2010|

The hateful Westboro Baptist Church will once again arm themselves with picket signs and this time head to California to protest Comic-Con.

Their reasoning:

“Are you kidding?! If these people would spend even some of the energy that they spend on these comic books, reading the Bible, well no high hopes here. They have turned comic book characters into idols, and worship them they do! Isaiah 2:8 Their land also is full of idols; they worship the work of their own hands, that which their own fingers have made: 9 And the mean man boweth down, and the great man humbleth himself: therefore forgive them not. It is time to put away the silly vanities and turn to God like you mean it. The destruction of this nation is imminent – so start calling on Batman and Superman now, see if they can pull you from the mess that you have created with all your silly idolatry.”

For years now Comic-Con has been deviating from comics and encompassing different mediums of entertainment. Westboro Baptist Church is a little behind the times there.

As someone who has been attending Comic-Con for over ten years now, I can safely say that there’s no idolizing going on at the convention. I’ve never seen a fan kowtow before someone — if one had, I’d imagine that security would be swift to drag the person away while other fans ridicule him or her — unless we’re talking Twilight, but that won’t be at Comic-Con this year, so that point is moot.

Comic-Con has always been a way to reach out to the fans and interact. Of course Westboro Baptist Church doesn’t know this — they’re too busy slinging hate left and right at any person who doesn’t identify with their fringe. But hate is paramount for them — they harness hate to further their own interests. It’s no coincidence that they’re constantly protesting and that most of them are lawyers; set one person off to physical confront you, then cry “freedom of speech” and sue the person for assault.

Their protest will be at Comic-Con on Thursday, July 22nd, at 1:15 PM to 2 PM. They’ll have to pick a spot down a few streets if they want a secure spot; otherwise they’ll become lost in the sea of attendees from around the world.

I really doubt that somebody who paid $100 to attend the convention would waste time to get into a scuffle with a fringe — there’s panels, events, and people to see. So let’s hurt them where it’ll hurt most: ignore them, and their “cause” will become inconsequential. Let’s have a great time at Comic-Con.

[Blastr]

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