Jonah Weiland
CCI: Mike Allred on the CBR Yacht!
Alright, we continue rolling out photos of guests who made it out to the CBR Yacht during Comic-Con International in San Diego. Next up it’s me with Madman creator Mike Allred! This was the first time I’ve interviewed the guy — in print or on camera! Real pleasure and easily one of the most confident creators I’ve ever met. We’ll have the video interview up shortly.
CCI: Jim Lee on the CBR Yacht!
Hey folks,
It’s time we started rolling out some photos of guests who came out to the CBR Yacht during Comic-Con International in San Diego! 2011 was our biggest year ever — the site saw it’s best convention traffic ever, we had our largest team of reporters and support staff ever and had more guests out to the yacht than ever before (I BELIEVE the count is 45, but I had to double check that). It certainly was the busiest convention I remember in recent memory — oh, and we won’t a little Eisner award (thanks!), too! It certainly ranks up there as one of the best Comic-Con’s I’ve been to in 19 years and I hope they just keep getting better.
One thing we were much more diligent about this year compared to years past is documenting all the guests that came out to the yacht. So, once a day until we’re out of photos I’m going to share a photo with you of one of our wonderful guests. First up, since we’re running his interview today, is DC Comics Co-Publisher and artist on Justice League Jim Lee, who was interview by CBR News Editor Kiel Phegley. More photos tomorrow — every day for some time — at 3:00 PM Pacific.
Sincerely,
Jonah Weiland
Executive Producer, Comic Book Resources
Buffy wines at Golden Apple
A Buffy signing Jane Espenso and Georges Jeanty is about to go off at Golden Apple in Hollywood and here’s a look at the custom bottle of wine they made for the occasion.
I have been chosen! The Green Lantern ring has arrived!
Received a fun bit of movie marketing in the mail today. It appears that I have been selected as the new Green Lantern of sector 2814 — take that, Hal Jordan!
Sitting on my desk as I entered my office today was a box from Warner Bros. I opened it up to find a bunch of green tissue paper — clearly we’re talking Green Lantern now.
When I opened the box, I found a DVD and a lovely little ring box. The DVD just had the latest trailer, but the real prize was inside the ring box — at first I thought, “Wow, Warner Bros. is asking me to marry them. I’m not sure I’m ready for a commitment.” But once I got over my commitment phobia, I opened the box to find the precious, err, the ring inside!
The ring is illuminated by a green LED, which really adds to the effect. The ring itself has a metal band with an emerald green plastic in the familiar Green Lantern shape. Even outside the LED, the “crystal” has a nice bit of glow to it. And on the inside is inscribed the name of the movie and the release date.
Also on the inscription it says, “Jonah, you are awesome and we want you in the Corps. Bad! Please, help us defend the galaxy! It’ll be awesome!” But no one else in the office today seems to be able to see that same inscription. Clearly it’s because the ring chose me!
Seriously, fun little bit of movie marketing. Thanks, WB!
Viagra Man? Please say it ain’t so.
I’ve seen super hero style imagery used to promote any number of items over the years and with the rise of super heroes in popular culture, we’ve seen much more of it recently. Some of it good, most of it embarrassing.
This past weekend I found myself in Ensenada, Mexico and as I walked down a street in their down town I passed this pharmacy who found a unique way to promote one of the many drugs they sell. Is this Viagra Man’s Fortress of Solidness? His Boner Cave? The Wang Watchtower?
I apologize for inflicting those horridly cliched jokes on you, but I think you can understand knowing I had to experience this bit of advertising.
Ladies & Gentlemen, the BatMacTruck!
A couple of weeks back I posted some photos our good friend and CBR Video director Lincoln Morrison sent us from his trip to Bolivia. While those were some fun examples of knock off comics merchandise, this latest batch of photos is even better. As Lincoln was making his way around the country, he passed by this DC Comics inspired truck and took some quick shots for us to share with you. We’ve all heard of the Batmobile, but this BatMackTruck is something entirely new to me! Love it!
Batman, keep rollin’, rollin’, rollin’ …
Super Dinosaur RAWR!
So Awesome! Super Dinosaur was just unveiled at Golden Apple Comics, Hollywood! That thing looks HOT! (In every sense of the word!)
Keeping Spirits High
Nice costume. Too bad yer movie kinda wasn’t of the good. At Golden Apple Comics, Hollywood.
Playing Games
The line for the Robert Kirkman signing is so long, these two are entertaining themselves with some gaming. Golden Apple Comics, Hollywood.
FCBD: Sneak A Peak at Robert Kirkman’s Super Dinosaur!
Saturday at Golden Apple Comics in Hollywood, Robert Kirkman will unveil the life sized Super Dinosaur! What a way to celebrate Free Comic Book Day! Here’s a sneak peak of what the costume looks like. Robert will sign with series artist Jason Howard from 2:00 – 4:00 in the afternoon. For more on “Super Dinosaur,” don’t miss our interview with Kirkman.
Thor’s Alexander and Kyle at Golden Apple
I forgot I took this photo the other day while THOR Producer Craig Kyle and Jaimie Alexander (who plays Sif in the film) were signing at Golden Apple in Hollywood. Good times.
FEAR ITSELF: Advanced Screening Variant
After being out of the office for more than a week due to WonderCon travels and what not, we came home to a mail box full of comp copies, publicity requests and bills. Amongst all of that was one very special comic — the “Fear Itself: Advanced Screening Variant” #1! This special, very limited edition of the first issue of Marvel’s next big cross-over (which launches April 6th, yo!) includes a personalized and signed letter from series writer Matt Fraction. We’ve scanned the cover and letter printed on the inside front cover for all of you to share in as well.
Want to know what CBR thought of the issue? Check out the CBR Review of “Fear Itself” right now!
Has Banksy hit the office building CBR is in? [UPDATED]
Has graffiti artist/political activist/painter Banksy hit the building CBR’s offices are in? It’s possible.
LAist has been publishing photos taken of street art that popped up overnight throughout Los Angeles with at least four of the five pieces confirmed via Banksy’s official site. A fifth piece believed to be the work of Banksy appeared outside the building that houses the CBR home office at 7024 Melrose Ave., the corner of Melrose & La Brea in Hollywood. Here’s two photos of the piece picturing a little girl in a pink dress holding a mallet that’s been posted between the windows outside Golden Apple Comics. Click the images below to make with the big.
While it’s still not confirmed whether this is a Banksy piece, it makes sense that the artist would choose this building as his canvas. For one, 7024 Melrose Ave. is something of an epicenter for pop culture in Hollywood, home to both Golden Apple Comics and Gallery 1988, a fantastic pop-culture art gallery. The building is also located at the eastern edge of a shopping district popular with tourists in Hollywood (the legendary Pinks hot dog stand is across the street). And finally, Banksy has been in the area before – in 2006 an image of a rat with a paintbrush and the phrase “I’m out of bed and dressed – what more do you want?” popped up on a building just two blocks from this location (it’s since been removed).
Lots of people have been stopping by the Apple to check out the piece. If you’re in the area, stop by, take a picture with it, then pop inside the store and buy some comics. It is New Comics Wednesday, ya know!
UPDATE: Aaron posted in our comments below that the piece of art is not by Banksy, but by LA’s own stencil artist Dog Byte. MELROSEandFAIRFAX has more details about the piece and the artist. It doesn’t matter who it’s by, it’s still damn cool and we want more!
Batman Live Ad as seen on London Tube
Saw this ad for “Batman Live” as I was traveling around London today.
And yes, I was tempted to rip it off the wall and run with it, but, ya know, I didn’t want to get thrown in to British jail and be forced to eat haggis for the remainder of my days.
The Most Bizarre Piece of Mail Ever Received at CBR (NSFW)
Here at the Comic Book Resources global headquarters in Los Angeles, California, we get a lot of mail.
A lot.
Most of it is comp comics. Some good, lots of bad, mostly looking for reviews or feedback of some sort. We get some fan letters occasionally, which is always quaint in this very digital world. We get some fun promotional items, like the recently arrived The Walking Dead Press Kit. Video games, a CD or vinyl disc here or there (yeah, our “Marvel Vs. Capcom 2” vinyl is prominently displayed in the office, as is the “Watchmen” vinyl). We get lots of mail.
Occasionally, we get some letters of a more unexpected variety. Some are from inmates, but those are usually very nice, asking for details on how they can subscribe to a particular comic. One guy asked if we could write back with suggestions on how to open a comics shop once he got out of prison. I was tempted to write back, “Don’t – crime pays better than comics,” but that’s certainly not helpful.
I’ve had letters written by young adults basically asking us to do the research for some school assignment for them, Those always crack me up.
Sometimes we get odd, generic letters meant for Marvel or Top Cow or some other publisher. Not sure what that’s about.
The other day I was going through a pile of papers in my home office and came upon a piece of mail I got a while back, maybe three or four years ago, that I couldn’t in good conscience throw away. It’s easily the most disturbing and unique piece of mail we’ve ever received here at CBR. I’m really glad I rediscovered this and am able to share this with you because, well, it’s just not something one can live with alone. It must be shared. And note, this is likely Not Safe For Work for most of you.
One of the Best Personalized License Plates
Driving around Los Angeles, you really never know what you’re going to see. One day you may see an example of road rage that shocks you, while the next day you may pull up next to some big name celebrity. It’s always an adventure on the freeways and byways of Los Angeles. You also see a disproportionate number of personalized plates — yeah, we like ‘em out here. I admit, at one point I even had one. It said (this is so embarassing) — “LA CLIPR” — of course, I was not a member of the NBA’s perennial cellar dweller, but it was my way of showing support for my (then) favorite team.
Yesterday while driving the streets of the City of Angels, I came to a stop and what did I see in front of me but this beautiful example of a personalized license plate. I’ve no idea who this is, but clearly they’re a DC fan.
