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It’s 5:30 AM here in New York City, but only 2:30 AM in San Diego, which means that Bar-Con is approaching closing time. As our stalwart staff slumbers, recharging for our first full day of coverage, a skeleton crew remains in New York City and other locales to bring you up-to-the-minute (or hour) information!

So… what happened Wednesday? Let me fire up Google News, and see what’s hit the fandom…

(Click on the headlines for links and photos. We can’t post stuff directly due to copyrights, and because photographers need to make a living as well.)


New ‘Star Wars’ character revealed at Comic-Con

“Edrio Two Tubes is a mercenary pilot who flies alongside his eggmate, Benthic. The two share the nickname derived from the breathing apparatus that allows their Tognath physiology to process oxygen atmospheres. Edrio’s home world Yar Togna was conquered and occupied by the Empire, forcing him to flee as a refugee. Desiring to strike back at the Empire, Edrio and Benthic have allied with Saw Gerrera.”

Now you know how your parents felt when you excitedly told them about Han Solo and Darth Vader forty years ago!


Want to cosplay the movie version of Wonder Woman? You’ll need to start with the boots…


Hot Wheels X-wing Fighter Carship hits San Diego Comic-Con

To help kick off its new line of Carships (their name, not ours), Hot Wheels is bringing this life-size, four-wheeled X-wing Fighter to the San Diego Comic-Con. The miniature machine is slated to go on sale later this year, but you can witness the power of this fully armed and operational version in the video above.

You had me at “Hot Wheels X-Wing”.

Here’s how it was built.


Change.org has a petition to add Jack Kirby’s and Joe Simon’s names to the Captain America statue.


This is what Wonder Woman’s invisible jet looks like

The latest in a cool line of photo-ops for fans. Expect long lines.

(And for the record… I expect more from DC in regards to Wonder Woman’s 75th anniversary. You want to activate female readership? Make WW the centerpiece, add in Harley Quinn, Super Hero Girls… but not The Killing Joke.)


Fox 5 asks fans if a 4% rise in the hotel tax would deter them from visiting.

The last paragraph won’t surprise anyone.


The latest corporate comic characters? Nissan automobiles.

Marc Simonetti, illustrator of the “A Song of Ice and Fire” universe on which the “Game of Thrones” TV series is based,  created a special series of comic strips featuring Nissan vehicles as the storied heroes as they take on the ultimate Sci-fi-fantasy Apocalypse, which of course includes aliens, zombies and robots.

Individual frames from the comic strips will be shared on NissanUSA  social media channels, and when combined, will create one epic story of Good vs Evil.


Gizmondo reviews Damage Control Powerless


The annual “profitable non-profit” report from the San Diego Union-Tribune

Revenue to Comic-Con totaled $17.3 million in the 12 months ending Aug. 31, 2014, the most recent year for which information is available. With $13.9 million in expenses, that put the group $3.4 million in the black, for a new total in unrestricted cash of $20 million.

Organizers say the money they collect supports an awareness campaign that extends beyond the exhibit halls. They say the event is more than a promotions bonanza for comics, computer games and Hollywood talent.

“We have a mission to bring comics and related popular art to a wider audience,” spokesman David Glanzer said in a statement. “So while people see images in the media of many attendees dressed in costume, or big booths on the exhibit floor, there are also two floors of meeting space that are used for panels, workshops and programs that highlight areas of art that the public may not be generally aware.”

My opinion? I wish they did more outreach outside their annual shows. Forty-plus years of Comic-Con, and what legacy remains in San Diego? Is there a thriving comics community? Significant comics studies promoted at the high school and college level? A creator’s workshop similar to Clarion?


Disney teases the artwork for the upcoming Duck Tales reboot!


That’s the past 16 hours from Comic-Con… let’s see if Getty Images has anything worth embedding…

Remember when people complained that Gal Gadot wasn’t curvy enough to play Wonder Woman?

Yes, many people make clothing from the Comic-Con totes!

Nickelodeon… I hope you’re handing out smaller versions of this for people to wear…

Embed from Getty Images


Since you’ve read this far, here’s a footnote video, related to a news item above.


The uncut, #forgottentvlyrics, version of the theme song!

…and it’s now 7:45, so I’ll take a nap before heading to work.