10:15-11:15 Spotlight on Ralph Bakshi— On par with such auteurs as Walt Disney, Tex Avery, Chuck Jones, and art spiegelman, Comic-Con special guest Ralph Bakshi redefined animation and became a hero to countless generations of fans and filmmakers. His name is synonymous with the great tradition of American cartooning. Bakshi is responsible for such memorable films and television shows such as Fritz the Cat (the first X-rated animated feature film), The New Adventures of Mighty Mouse, Spider-Man, Heavy Traffic, Wizards, Cool World, and The Lord of the Rings, which celebrates its 30th anniversary this year. Join Ralph Bakshi for a rare, in-person appearance as he discusses his legendary career. Moderated by Jon M. Gibson and Chris McDonnell, co-authors of Unfiltered: The Complete Ralph Bakshi, the only book chronicling the career of one of the pioneers of animation. Room 6B

Ralph Bakshi's Wizards is still one of the movies that has left an impression on me after some thirty-plus years. I've wanted to see a Wizards comic book for almost as long. When I was serving as Editor at IDW Publishing I was trying to arrange a discussion with Bakshi's "people" to see about making it happen. Hell, I want to write the Wizards comic book. I know there was talk of it possibly happening in the past. Maybe this panel will shed some light on whether or not it could happen.

11:00-12:00 IDW Publishing: Ideas and Dreams 2008— IDW publisher Chris Ryall presides over a superstar panel including writer Joe Hill; artists Gabriel Rodriguez (Locke & Key), Ben Templesmith (Welcome to Hoxford), and Darwyn Cooke (announcing a surprise new project and offering up an exclusive signature card available only at this panel); writers Brian Lynch (Angel: After the Fall), Steve Niles (Epilogue), Rick Remender (Legion of the Supernatural), and David Lapham; actors Shawnee Smith and Ken Foree; IDW special projects editor Scott Dunbier, and others. And they all guarantee at least a few surprise announcements of things to come! Room 3

Alright, here's one panel that I'm not going to miss. I have it on very good authority that a couple of announcements are of projects very dear to my heart. Though, it will be weird to view an IDW panel from the audience as opposed to being up on stage and behind the table. No special SDCC chocolate for me.

3:30-4:30 Spotlight on Ray Bradbury— The legendary science fiction and fantasy author has been a perennial guest at Comic-Con since the first show in 1970. Ray Bradbury talks with interviewer Arnold Kunert about his career and what's up next. Room 6CDEF

Any opportunity to see and hear Ray Bradbury speak is an opportunity not to be missed. A true master in the craft of writing.

10:00-12:00 World Premiere! Mutant Chronicles— Special "work-in-progress" feature film screening hosted by stars Thomas Jane (The Mist), Ron Perlman (Hellboy II), and Devon Aoki (Sin City). This is the first public showing in our hemisphere of this steampunk action-adventure. A disparate squad of former enemy soldiers undertakes a suicide mission deep into the seething heart of the otherworldly mutant scourge bent on human extinction. Unrated, uncut, unreal. Q&A with cast, director Simon Hunter (Lighthouse), and producer Edward R. Pressman (The Crow). Room 6CDEF

This flick looks pretty damn cool -- bleak, but pretty damn cool. Though, a ten p.m. screening on a Saturday night when there are numerous parties, drink-ups, and general practices of debauchery happening in and around all of the bars and hotels within the Gaslamp District and general Convention Center area. I don't think I'll make it.

That does it for Saturday. One day left to survive... Er, uh... enjoy.

I’ll say it again; IDW’s run on Transformers has been hit or miss. All Hail Megatron has a lot of potential to be a hit, and if the creative team can keep it up through issue #2, I’ll be more convinced. The basic setup is that Megatron is running the show on Earth. There are no Autobots, and we of course aren’t equipped to fight off The Decepticons. How these events play out will be key as to whether or not the series is successful (in my mind).

One of the things I like best about the comic is Megatron, himself. Megatron is a bad dude, and we get to see this a number of ways. We see him take out a skyscraper with one shot of his arm cannon, we see his followers terrified of failing him, and we see him sweep away Earth’s defenses with an insane amount of ease. Shane McCarthy does a great job of setting up the next several issues with minimal dialogue. The reason for The Autobots absence is hinted at, but not totally explained which is a good choice for issue one. I’m also thankful that we don’t get a lengthy tear-filled monologue as to why Prime is down. It’s a powerful moment that resonates better without any potentially cheesy dialogue.

Not since Pat Lee and Brad Mick have The Transformers looked so detailed in their G1 forms. Guido Guidi does an excellent job of showing the devastation the ‘Cons unleash while making everyone stand out from the wreckage. Megatron walking through the fire while laughing is my favorite shot, very Terminator-esque, very cool. I love the various covers to the comic as well. Trevor Hutchison’s feel like political propaganda posters, though I hope the story doesn’t go that route. Klaus Scherwinski’s covers have more of menace to them, especially the one with Megatron holding Prime’s head. The different covers peak my interest for different reasons and all are strong in presentation.

All Hail Megatron #1 is an excellent pilot and does everything a good first issue should. It sets up the world quickly and efficiently while leaving you wanting more. How does Megatron seize complete control of the planet? How did he take out Prime? Why haven’t The Autobots attempted to save us? I want to know, and if you read this comic, so will you. (Grade: B)

- Ben Berger

Art by: Sean Murphy

Color by: Leonard O’Grady

Lettered by: Chris Mowry

Edited by: Chris Ryall

Covers by: Sean Murphy and Zach Howard

January 2008

SYNOPSIS:

In the vast Star Trek universe, many diverse alien races abound, and now they finally get their due! Continuing a series of one-shots, each by a different creative team and featuring a different Star Trek alien race. Now, the spotlight shines on the Borg. The Enterprise must face its most deadly confrontation with the Borg—drones from the future, when the Collective believes it has achieved perfection! Sean Murphy handles art and cover chores, while his Outer Orbit cohort Zach Howard provides a second cover for the issue.

PRO:

At first glance I was taken by the artwork. Previously I had seen the first Star Trek series produced by IDW and was taken by how horrible the likenesses were. Knowing how strict Paramount and the actors are about making sure they were "on model" so-to-speak, it really surprised me that they got away with really terrible likenesses. So going into Star Trek: Alien Spotlight - Borg, at first glance, I thought I was in for another repeat performance. Though there were some panels where it was borderline, I was extremely impressed with the almost "Mort Druker influenced" artwork by Sean Murphy. It really infused a lot of action and emotion and really helped the personalities we all know come thru. Very nice.

Regarding the story, it was extremely well written, which in someways leads to the "con."

CON:

Having worked on other Star Trek comics I am aware of the what goes along with producing a Star Trek book in regards to maintaining the likeness’s and such. I picked up this book in the .25 cent bin at a local comic show. I go the "photo" cover of the Borg Queen that appeared in Star Trek: First Contact. Much to my surprise because she only appears in a 2 panel flashback sequence, so it’s a bit out of place - I’m sure they could have found a better picture to represent the BORG. Another note, I should add was the lack of the price. I wonder how that was handled in book stores?

Disappointing was the advertised 32page where 22 where story and 10 were ads. Of which were excellent, but too much was stuffed into 22 pages; this deserved a mini-series because it felt as there was more to do and say as it ends pretty abruptly. Another issue was the production of the book in which pages looked like the printer ran out of ink. I know it’s a new "fad" to do digital inking but it looks like only parts were DI and some inked. It looks really bad in several panels. I don’t think it’s the coloring, which though muted, works very well.

High Point:

Well drawn, intriguing Star Trek: TNG story.

Low Point:

Story is crammed into 22pages. Bad production.

Review ©) 2008 Mark Robert Bourne

Art ©) IDW Publishing.

Written and Drawn by: John Byrne

Colors by: Leonard O’Grady

Letters by: Neil Uyetake

Edited by: Chris Ryall

Covers by John Byrne and Zach Howard

February 2008

SYNOPSIS:

Legendary writer/artist John Byrne, in his first-ever full Star Trek work, concludes this special series of one-shots in which the many alien races of the Star Trek universe get their due. The Romulan Empire has a new "ghost ship" that can't be detected by normal means. Will the Praetor use it as a weapon to thrust his people into full-blown war with the Federation—or are his motives even more sinister? A tale of loyalty, betrayal and intrigue, with scripting, pencils, and inks handled by Byrne.

PRO:

Definitely John Byrne. Though his "internet reputation" seems to be in flux, I am a big fan of his work and am glad to see him on a Star Trek book. Though sometimes I find his layouts and panels to be a-typical, meaning it’s a standard shot that he seems to use a lot, its still all Byrne.  The coloring was very vivid and worked well with Byrne's style.

CON:

Thought the story is good, I feel as though I am left out of "something." I’m not sure if it has anything to do with the fact that, though knowledgeable, I’m not a Trek Encyclopedia. I’m curious if this story has anything to do with what happens in the Original series or not - that might be the reason.

Another, and this happens a lot in books I review, is the whole 22pages of story advertised as 32pages for $3.99. But, lucky for me it was .25 cents at a local comic show, so that’s more in my budget.

Additionally, there is a cool "making of the cover" page in the back of the book, that although always impresses me to see Byrne’s pencils and the process, it gives a blaring production/ editorial error on the front cover. The right claw of the "Bird of Prey" is missing on the final cover. If you look at the "Making of" page you’ll see that Byrne drew half of the bird design and in production, the artwork was just going to be mirrored. It was but the claw was somehow missed. Not worth doing prison time, but obviously an error.

High Point:

Wonderful art by Byrne.

Low Point:

Blatant cover production error. Did I miss a reference to an OS Star Trek episode?

Will I Aquire the Next Issue:

Seeing as this is a one-shot, nope!

Review (c) 2008 Mark Robert Bourne

Art (c) IDW Publishing

Influence Meter: ++++++++

Influence Meter: +++++

For the past month or so I've been reading through Trade Paperback Novels for "Fallen Angel" written by Peter David. It's a dark, gritty and noir-ish tale about a fallen angel who takes up residence in a city called Bette Noire - which is one of three cities or so that the world is apparently modeled after. The idea is that, whatever happens in the city - decides the fate of the rest of the world.

Liandra has retained all of her angelic powers, and most likely some of her angelic rationalizing, but is decidedly human in many of her relationships, and her alcoholism.

She is a morally ambiguous character, so right away - it's hard to determine which and whose side she will be on in any given situation. That's a key element of any exciting anti-hero.

The first TPB that I read caught my attention right away, and I could barely put it down once I started reading it. The artwork was engaging and the coloring gorgeous - the main character Lee is visually arresting and almost fully covered in a cape - with only her arms and feet (she goes everywhere barefoot) visible most of the time. She looks tough, and talks even tougher. It's impossible not to be intrigued.

Back when it was first published in 2003 by DC, it was quite a departure for them. And quite a departure for Peter David. I'm excited to see that so much of his talent and ideas have leeched over into his latest run on X-Factor, dark and noir with a hint of moral ambiguity.

"Fallen Angel" of course - is much darker than "X-Factor" could ever hope to be, and the heroism is a little harder to define.

For all the accolades I've heaped on the book - there are some issues I need to bring up. The first of that being the artistry.

Because DC dropped the book in 2005 - and it was picked up again by IDW in December 2005 - the artistic work of the book changed hands. And, I've unfortunately not been able to read the books in order either - so I got to watch the art switch back and forth between the fine penciling of David Lopez and Fernando Blanco, who had created a beautiful and harsh world in the original 6 issues of the series to the work of J.K. Woodward. Not that Woodward is bad - indeed, his paintings are even more gorgeous than the consistent work of Lopez.

My beef? The consistency. The art of JK Woodward bounces between painting, hand coloring, and the digital coloring that is most prominent in recent comics. Sometimes - in the same book, or on the same panel.

The latest collection - "Heroine Addiction" was probably the most attractive and most consistent throughout the story-line involving Shi and Liandra. Though the art style shifted between pages - I thought it flexed very well to match the story line. In the more dreamier sequences, the color was muted.

Unfortunately - later on in the book, during "Chapter 4" it took on a rough, sketchy and pixal-ated quality.

I don't know how I feel about Woodward. I can't get a handle on how he views the characters, because the style shifts, sometimes in conjunction with the story - other times with what appears to be a mere whim.

To me - consistency in art of the character is just as important as consistency in writing of the character. This is something I've taken umbridge with in the other regular books I collect too. It may sound stodgy, and like a strange complaint for someone who loves on-going series comics, but having a regular style of art sets the mood for the reader. The art and the story are integral.

I was going to complain about how jumpy the stories were, but I realize now that's my own fault for reading out of sequence. Although for the sake of the entire series, it would be beneficial for DC and IDW to better label their books. I couldn't tell them apart without doing some research on the net.

I will definitely be following the book in the future. The heroine, minor characters and the city itself are compelling...enough for me to overlook the erratic art.

Much Love, Mindy C

Cory Doctorow’s Futuristic Tales of the Here and Now HC
Dara Naraghi, James L. Kuhoric, Dan Taylor, J.C. Vaughn (w); Dustin Evans, Paul McCaffrey, Esteve Polls, Daniel Warner, more (a); Paul Pope (c)

Writer and BoingBoing.net co-editor Cory Doctorow has won acclaim for his science-fiction writing as well as his Creative Commons presentation of his material. Now, IDW Publishing is proud to present six standalone stories adapted from Doctorow's work, each featuring cover art by some of comics' top talents. Stories collected include: The Locus Award-winning “When Sysadmins Ruled the Earth”; "Anda's Game”, a story selected for inclusion in the Michael Chabon edited 2005 Best American Short Stories; “Craphound”, a story selected for Year’s Best Science Fiction XVI; “Nimby and the D-Hoppers”, selected for Year’s Best Science Fiction 9; The Hugo-nominated and Locus Award-winning “I Robot”; and the special finale, “After the Siege.”

This special hardcover edition includes a Doctorow-signed and numbered tip-in plate.

*Note: These stories will also be offered digitally through Doctorow’s Creative Commons license.
HC • FC • 144 pages • 6.625” x 10.187” • $24.99 • ISBN: 978-1-60010-172-4

You can find the listing on page 307. The Diamond Order Code is MAR08 3807. Please pop into you local comic book retail shop and order yourself a copy. I believe this will be my first time published in a hardcover edition as opposed to soft cover or paperback.

And, I'll even throw in a copy of the Ninja Bandito Preview comic book as a bonus! That's two comic books written by yours truly, with art by Dustin Evans.

For those of you that might be late in on the game, Cory Doctorow's Futuristic Tales of the Here and Now #4 features the comic book adaptation of Cory Doctorow's story "Nimby and the D-Hoppers" -- adapted by yours truly with art by Dustin Evans, and a kick-ass cover by Ben Templesmith.

If your local comic book shop doesn't have the title in stock (shame on them), or if you don't have a local comic book shop, you can order the issue direct from IDW Publishing here. If I knew for sure it was hitting shelves tomorrow I'd really be doing some hype -- so be ready for some post-release hype. Thanks for the support.

So, I want to make sure that you all know about Cory Doctorow's Futuristic Tales Of The Here And Now #4. I adapted the Cory Doctorow story Nimby And The D-Hoppers, with art by Dustin Evans, and a cover by Ben Templesmith (see below).

Cory Doctorow’s Futuristic Tales of the Here and Now #4
Dan Taylor (w); Dustin Evans (a); Ben Templesmith (c)
IDW Publishing continues to bring the stories of acclaimed science-fiction author Cory Doctorow to comics, this time offering up "Nimby and the D-Hoppers.” Night after night, the peaceful serenity of a non-technocratic society is shattered by the chaotic and disruptive arrival of fully automatic, laser-guided, armor-piercing, self-replenishing personal sidearm wielding dimension hoppers. Well, for the once-involved couple of Barry and Sally—enough is enough. With a cover by Ben Templesmith (30 Days of Night)!
*Retailers: See your order form for a special incentive
FC • $3.99 • 32 pages

Now comes the pitch, people... Please visit your local comic book retailer (if you're not sure of where your local comic book retailer is located check out www.comicbooklocator.com) and pre-order a copy or two. The important info that you need to know is the Diamond order code, which is:

NOV07 3652

And, of course, the title:

CORY DOCTOROWS FUTURISTIC TALES HERE AND NOW #4

Be sure to pick up a copy in January. (I'll be reminding you.) I thank you, and my mom thanks you.