Conventions

How many times can one man pact? Stan Lee is pushing the boundaries of human endurance with, interestingly, a story which involves "forces beyond comprehension." This time he's bringing along Todd McFarlane and the duo are teaming with Japanese musical/chat show star Yoshiki for a projects called Blood Red Dragon. Details of the project will be announced at, where else, San Diego. While we're not familiar with Yoshiki's career, based on the photos we found, it appears that Lee and McFarlane may be embarking on their first yaoi project. Which would be fantastic.

A licensed massage therapist/cosplayer named Amber is concerned by some Wizard shows where something called cosplay massage has been exhibiting, something she feels is unsuitable for a family convention. and it's not just skimpy costumes. Its the element of fantasy entering into a therapeutic service.

The Comic-Con film festival has become an increasingly important part of the show, with a variety of premieres in the fiction and non-fictin categories. Of note are screenings of comics-related documentaries Superheroes, Comic Books Go to War, My Comic Shop DocumentARy, and To Romero With Love. Complete list follows:

While badges are long sold out, there are still a few chances to get into this year's San Diego Comic-Con; about 1500 badges have been refunded and will go on sale via an announcement on Twitter, Facebook and RSS. In addition, a pricing change has been made to make buying tickets more equitable:

Was the giant SCOTT PILGRIM banner on the Bayside Hilton the shark jumping moment we've all been suspecting for the love affair between Comic-Con and Hollywood movie studios? Brooks Barnes and Michael Cieplyreport that the bloom is finally off the Comic-Con rose for some movie studios:

Is the San Diego Comic-Con only 6 weeks away? Why, yes! And so the avalanche of exclusives and announcements is well underway. Here's what Diamond is offering this year:

Just a few links while we're on the road.

Sorry for the silence, but we've been busy here on the road in Charlotte where everything has been just as cordial and relaxing as expected. And believe me, we're gathering lots of intelligence on the ground about many things. Oh yes.

In all the ruckus we have forgotten to talk about the show that is probably, if pressed, my very favorite show of the year, or at least ONE of my very most favorite: HeroesCon, in Charlotte. As always Shelton Drum and his crew -- now aided by the maestro, Rico Renzi -- throw the best damn comic party you can imagine, a three day fest of art, comics, dinner, panels, sketches, strolling, grits and everything else enjoyable you can imagine.

Once again, BookExpo America, “the leading North American publishing event” took place at the Javits Center in New York City. Just like various comic cons, attendees and journalists love to analyze the zeitgeists floating around the exhibition hall, while others prefer to ignore the elephants in the room. So, following in the grand tradition of industry analysts and bloggers (beware the Camel’s nose!), I will give you my opinions at what I experienced this year.

The Maine Comics Art Festival gains momentum with each passing year like the gentle fog we kept hoping would come visit this year. The Saturday night before the show started out just right with a stop off at Casablanca Comics.

The Maine Comics Arts Festival is in its third year of providing Portland, Maine - Yes, the other Portland - with a wide array of comics by East Coast cartoonists. Sitting on the beautiful waterfront, attendees and exhibitors will be graced by a fantastic view of the water and the perpetual fog that sleeps atop Portland.