Convention Part 2: Comics Review

Last Saturday, 14^th of April I attended the Wizard World Toronto convention at the MTCC. This was my second year in attending this convention, and this year was no disappointment.

The details of my day can be found in my last post.

I am always looking for new independent comics to read. And this year I was not disappointed. There were so many great books to choose from and found myself hard to pick the ones to take home to read. However the following are the ones I did end up purchasing.

At the Borderline booth they were giving out free comic by the name of Fanboys vs Zombies. This fun book is by Sam Humphries and Jerry Gaylord, and is published by Boom! Studios. This is a what if zombies invade a comic convention. You are introduced to a fun bunch of convention friends the “wrecking crew for 4 lyfe”. What makes this story fun is that the main characters are modelled off the typical convention goer. Plus have we not all thought what would happen if zombies invaded our favourite comic con. Humphries pens a fun story with Gaylord’s art make this an enjoyable read. But … yes there is a but, you have to continue the story in issue #2.

The next book I picked up was Bunch of Ice’s Adventures of the Unlikely. In this issue #1 you are informed at the beginning that the three stories have slightly different art styles for they were trying out the different styles for the series. The issue is a collection of three you think random stories about photographer June. Yet you realize at the end of the first story that June does not follow the “normal” stories. Each of artist’s Anya Craig styles in the three stories complements the writers Owen Craig and Curtis Westman introduction to this interesting character and series.

Next I stopped by the Paradise Comic’s booth to meet up with Andrew Uys. We were tweeting earlier in the week about my looking for interesting indy books. Andrew told me he had a book that I should check out. It was UysFaber Inc’s Totem Sacred: Salt Road. You are immediately introduced to Margaret Wilson the story’s protagonist. With Jaclyn Armstrong’s words and the compelling art by Mathew Salomen, you are drawn into the world of mystery and intrigue of Salt Road. By the end I was wishing for issue #2.

Then when I was visiting my good friend and artist extraordinaire Sean Ward, he asked if I had all his comics. I told him that I was only missing the one and will have to get it next time. In which in true Sean Ward style made sure I did not leave without his Tomorrow Never Knows. This book is about the interest time of The Beatles. I must admit not a huge The Beatles fan yet with Sean’s proses and interesting art you are gripped in the story he is telling.  Thank you again for this most generous gift and will treasure it always J

I would like to thank all the great and amazing artists, that I met and talked with about their work. I am looking forward to the next issues for your series

I do admit that these books will not appeal to everyone yet I do recommend that you check them out for yourself.                                                                                                                                                                   

I did also pick up David Petersen’s Mouse Guard hardcovers: Legend of the Guard and Winter 1152. Thank you to Paradise Comics for a great deal on these books! I will do a review of these as soon as I can rangle them back from my mum ;)

First Convention Adventure of the Year

On Saturday 14 of April was the first day of the Wizard World Toronto Convention. This was going to be the first convention of the year for me. And as I found out last year Wizard does put on a well organized convention. This year due to scheduling the convention was moved to the MTCC. In doing so gave a new space for a well placed layout and this gave a few more choices in the on sight food choices. As busy as it became during the mid afternoon, there was room to move about.

Met Up

One of the main reasons for going to the Con was to met up with friends. Most were friends I have met at conventions past as well as new friends that would be our first time meeting in person.

My good friend Kyle was coming all the way from Nova Scotia to partake the con and to have a fun day with me. For last year at Wizard World was his first convention and became hooked on the whole idea of such an event.

One of the highlights for me at any convention is to meet up with Sean Ward and Alice Quinn of Tdot Comics. I have met them years past and have become that no con is ever complete without meeting them J When visiting Sean I got to meet one of my online heroes, Toronto Batman. He is as generous and entertaining in person as he is in his videos. Alice is always a con must to meet up with and this year was no different, for she is fully launching her website.

Then I ran into Jean-Marc Douville of Happy Robot. He is a photographer friend and social media guru. It was truly amazing to finally meet him and have our brief chats throughout the day J

One of the main people to meet up with was Heada Cooper. I met her briefly last year and have since become friends online. We had a great afternoon hanging out and enjoying the con. Also I made up for her one of my silly hats. Which I was relieved at how much she loved it J

Then I met up with Andrew Uys of Paradise Comics and UysFaber Comics. He is truly amazing  person and introduced me to the Indy comic Salt Road . Mat the artist for Salt Road was great and a pleasure to met. While chatting with Andrew I met Andrea Fort. Who is a truly amazing person.

What is a convention without meeting up with the Canadian Garrison of the 501^st Legion. It was great to briefly met with Roy and receive one of his famous bear hugs J

Celebrities

One of the reasons that you go to conventions is to meet the actor behind your favourite character. This year I had the great pleasure to met Daniel Logan. The gifted actor, and most generous person, behind the character of young Boba Fett from StarWars: Attack of the Clones and StarWars: The Clone Wars.  He was very welcoming, easy to talk with and made you feel very special. Those that know me know that I am a huge Boba Fett fan, so I made up Daniel one of my Silly Hats of Boba Fett. Which he was so grateful in receiving it. After spending the short time with him you walk away feeling you made a friend with him.

I also had the pleasure to meet Sam Witwer. The gifted actor behind the Being Human USA character Aidan the vampire. I love this show yet I wish to met with him for he has also done the voices to the Son and this season of TCW Darth Maul. His one scene he did with Clancy Brown in my opinion was the best of the season. He was very gracious with my compliment over this scene.

From both Daniel and Sam I learned that the next season of TCW is going to be an awesome ride. Which I can not wait for the return of these amazing characters and the wonderful actors that give them life.

Again this year Jeremy Bulloch was in attendance. I have had the honour of meeting the man that gave Boba Fett life in the original trilogy at previous conventions. It is always a pleasure to talk with Jeremy and his wife Maureen. They always make you feel like an old friend and never gives the feeling of being rushed. This year I made him one of my Silly Hats of Fett. He was most gracious and impressed with his gift. And I thank him for his gift to me as well. I will treasure it always J

I also met Lance Guest that played Alex Rogan of The Last Starfighter. We talked about making the film and having the honour of working with the late great Robert Preston. If you never heard of Preston, I ask you to look him up and watching a few of his movies. In that matter I suggest you to watch The Last Starfighter, to me, a classic of the ‘80’s Sci/Fi movies genre.

I also met Sam Harrington of Being Human USA. Who is very much like his roles that he plays, a friendly and easy person to talk to with a sense of humour. And high point was meeting Meaghan Rath. She is so sweet. She loved my R2 hat and the one I made for my stuffie fox Phen’ik.  Phen’ik by the way is quite beside himself that he got a cuddle from Sally ;)

Swag

The other main reason for going to a convention is to find deals. This time out my big deal was finding the Mouse Guard hardcovers at a great price. I was able to pick up The Legend of the Guard and Winter 1152. I missed out with Fall 1152 yet I will be looking into getting this soon. Another great deal was I picked up at an amazing price the 2 disc DVD of Batman: Gotham Knight.

I usually don’t go to buy main stream books, I am an Indy girl by heart. This year was no different. I picked up the UysFaber’s Salt Road, BuchOfice’s Adventures of the Unlikely, Boom’s Fanboys vs Zombies and Sean Ward’s Tomorrow Never Knows. I will do a review of all these amazing reads in another post.

I was also able surprisingly to pick up a Catherinette Rings. If you have never seen Daniel’s Steampunk inspired jewelry then I recommend that you look him up. To see one in life the photos of them I have seen does them no justice.

It was a full day at the convention. Yet it was an amazing day for me. I met up with friends and made new ones. I do consider overall the planning and layout of Wizard World to other conventions. Not that I am not looking forward to the next convention adventure J

My First Blog Post

On Saturday 7th of April was the day I was born.
I laid in the bin at the Build-A-Bear store waiting for my forever friend. The day started with many visiting yet here I laid. I became to think that my crooked nose was a fault no one wanted in a friend. Then when I was giving up hope this person stood over the bin. With this happening many times I never dreamed this person would pick me up. Yet this time this person did. She looked me in my brown eyes and noticed my crooked nose. She said it was cute and gave me character. But like always she put me back in the bin. She walked away looking into the other bins. As I gave up hope of ever finding a home, she came back and picked me up. I hear the words I never thought possible. She said I had to come home. So she took me over to where the nice girl stuffed me, not too soft and not too hard. My person she gave me my heart and wished me to have many adventures. Then she looked around at all the outfits that I could wear. Then she said something about she could make me an outfit. I was feeling very special at this point. After this was the time to make up my birth certificate. Here is where my person named me, Phen'ik. For I am a fennec fox. Once this was done she went to the check out and the nice girl here placed me in my carrying box. I now had a forever friend.
After this she and her friend took me with them as they walked around the mall. I never saw this many people. We stopped in a music store, which I must say I like music. Then we went into a book store. w0w! I never thought a place like this existed! We looked around at all the different type of books. After a bit we had to leave, which I was a bit sad about. Once outside for my first time she placed me into the back of a car that looked like a giant orange turtle. Settled me into the back she said I was going on my first adventure. This was the adventure home! For my new home was a bit of a ways from the store. We drove until it got dark. Then when I thought we never would get home, here we arrived. As she took me out of my box I was in a room filled with books and other interesting things. My person she put on a pair of goggles and told me I looked adorable. Then she mentioned something about me having to come with the to the "Con" to find my very own pair. We watched a documentary on a monster living in a Loch in Scotland. I figured out I like this thing called telly. I then went to sleep wondering what a Con was and what was in-store.
My second day started with my person registering me . If I get lost and returned to any Build-A-Bear I will be returned home. Then my person mentioned that today was Easter and need to cook up dinner. So I watched as she cooked and baked. I am not sure of what it all was but smelled great. I watched a movie. Then ended my second day reading with my person. I learn too I love to read the books as much as looking at them.
Today was my third day and my person was sewing. I need to seriously figure out how to use these things called scissors!

 Now she is helping me to blog. Which is most interesting and hope others like my story.

I should also give a small bit of advice by saying that sometimes the flaws we see in ourselves is seen by others as not a flaw but as a character trait.

What Star Wars Means to Me

Certain events lately has drawn me to ask a question: What does Star Wars mean to me?

I grew up in a time before The Clone Wars, The Prequels and even the Special Editions. To me SW means something greater than good verses evil, that you are part of something greater than oneself, of something wonderful, and a part of a great community. Also no matter how flawed you are, you are important and matter. That you can contribute to the greater good (or evil).

Yet I have noticed on certain sites how people are reacting to SW.

I see TCW era fan has this intitled attitude towards SW. I see this in arguing over George Lucas’s vision of the story. About what is canon and what is EU. They argue with anyone not of their opinion. They tweet, post, and blog about how SW should be. In this I am very sad to see. They say they love SW but how can they truly say this? For they forget SW is not their story to tell. Only to enjoy the privilege of the ride.

Then there are The Prequels. These three films can divide the fandom, to haters and lovers. I have noticed die hard haters come back after seeing Episode I in 3D praising the film after hearing from them how horrid the film was and destroys the overall story of the originals.

The Special Editions have done the same. They have their haters and those that embraced them.

And then we can go back to the beginning to the fans that started it all. Some of them look only to the originals and only to them. To this group there is no EU. For until Zahn’s 1992 book Heir to the Empire this was all there was. To them there is no question for The Galaxy Far, Far Away. Don’t get me wrong they speculated yet never went hater when the story did not turn out they way they thought. For they have a love that transcends the fan that came after. They share this love in many different ways. They understand the privilege they have in sharing this wondrous adventure.

Understand SW was always a story of Anakin Skywalker and his children, Luke and Leia. I believe this is what is forgotten. GL had this vision of the greatest adventure. He wrote it and filmed it like an old movie serial plus he added a bit of myth and legend to it. He didn’t need to say a lot or go indepth. He let us the viewer fill in that with ourselves, to join the adventure. He gave us heroes that are flawed, baddies that were bad and some that can be redeemed, ships that didn’t work, and sometimes the baddies won. He made a story the viewer could be a part of. Who would not like to travel this Galaxy? And hang out with these characters? Some fans have taken that step to become these characters for charity.

Remember one time to be a SW fan was not cool. SW was for a while dead, a sleeping dragon waiting to be awaken. Books, comics, toys and games brought SW back to life. Then the release of The Special Editions came along, then The Prequels. A whole new generation came to love The Galaxy. Then came The Clone Wars. Which got many people thinking “what was GL up to?”

This is when, the ones I call nonfans came out. They say they love SW but always complain and nick-pick everything. I was on Twitter when haters ‘attacked’ Katie Lucas. It became so bad she had to delete her account. This shows how double-sized the Interweb is. The Interweb can bring fans together to share their love. Yet also brings out the Trolls. These people I don’t understand why they wish to ruin the enjoyment of others.

This is becoming a large problem on many SW sites and Facebook pages. So much so administrators and other fans are telling these trolls off and to leave their fan pages.

What a lot of people forget is GL has a vision and he is amazing enough to share this with us. We, fans, don’t own SW, GL does. And this can stop at any time he chooses.

I am very grateful for GL for sharing this wondrous adventure with me. To bring fond memories to my childhood. And through SW the wonderful people I have met and become friends with. For The Galaxy is populated with such diversity that is a varied as the fans are themselves.

For SW is a reflection of ourselves.

A Thought for your Day

Today I was visiting my local bookshop. When I was leaving I noticed a woman walking close behind to the doors. So I unconsciously held the door for her. Instead of saying "Thank you" she said "must be your good deed of the day" then continued on her way.
This perplexed me for I am constantly holding doors for others. I do this for  many reasons yet mainly is that I treat others the way I would like to be treated. I don't like coming up behind someone at the doors and have them let the door go and hit me :( Are these people in such a hurry or so immersed in to their smartphone to notice someone behind them?
It does not take any time to hold the door for someone. Yet in doing so will make their day. Especially if you smile and say a perky greeting (G'morning or G'day)
Why are we in such a hurry that a simple curtsey is forgotten? What happened to men holding doors for a woman?
So my challenged to everyone is to be mindful and hold a door open for someone else. You will be surprised how this little gesture can make someone else's day and  yours :)

The Marquis

"It was during the 18th century, a time of inquisition, when faith governed the land. A time when the souls of hell had escaped into this world to sin, murder and be free within the possession of the living...

"During this time a man began a holy crusade to hunt down the damned and reeturn them to hell. But as he wrestles with all he believes, the lines of good and evil begin to blur into a struggle between faith and sanity." Back of The Marquis: Danse Macabre Issue #1

Recently I took up the grand task of cleaning through my bookshelves. One book I found was my Guy Davis’s The Marquis: Danse Macabre.

Guy Davis is one of those rare artist/writers that have an unique style. This style works so well with the world of The Marquis.

You are first introduced to the character in The Marquis: Danse Macabre, a five issue story. In issue #1 you met Vol de Galle. He is an ex-Crusader, ex-Inquistator whom takes on TheMarquis to combat a new evil: demons.

Throughout the five issues you wonder if Vol de Galle is actually seeing demons or is his delusional. Davis is a true master at keeping you guessing this questioning. For me though you start not to care and just absorb yourself into this world.

Also with Danse Macabre is, Davis colours the first four issues in black and white, then in issue five he does it in black, white, and red.

After Danse Macabre Davis followed with the two part Hell’s Courtesan and the one shot A Sin of One. You think with sequels you loose the momentum of the original. However, with The Marquis you don’t. Davis tells his story in its parts and loose nothing with the overall story. He makes you want to follow the adventure of The Marquis. You begin to care for Vol de Galle and his mission.

The Marquis: Danse Macabre was first published in 2000, Hell’s Courtesan in 2002, then followed by A Sin of One in 2003 all published by Oni Press. A tradepaperback of Danse Macabre was published in 2001 (Oni Press). In this was the Les Preludes, a sneak peak he published years earlier with Caliber.

The Marquis then moved to Dark Horse were you can read Inferno: The Danse Macabre and Intermezzo (2007).

Next for The Marquis is the graphic novel: The Marquis and The Midwife.

The Marquis was always intended to have an end. Therefore Davis will publish two more graphic novels to finish off the story of Vol de Galle.

I do admit that The Marquis is not for everyone. However I recommend you check it out.

Friendship

   The subject of friendship has been on my mind a lot of late. I have been noticing certain trends that, has made me question things and people.

   For those that don’t really know me, I am an extremely shy person. It takes me an extremely long time to make friends. However, when last year a good friend gave me her old compy, I thought I could change this. I found an online world of people like me with similar interests. Slowly I warmed to some awesome people. And for the first time felt less insecure around new people. However, over time I started to notice some odd trends.

   The first is the busier one becomes the less other hear from them. Which I find an odd thing. You think in this day and age people could find it easy to send a simple “Hai” to friends. Or people use this as an excuse to stop talking another person. If you wish to stop talking either tell that person or just slowly fade to the background.

I do know that friendships change, grow, and at times die. But, don’t do silly things that burn bridges and hurt the other person. Whatever happens keep it between you and the other person. It is childish to involve other people especially when lies are involved.

This leads to another trend – people don’t always tell the truth. I know some people online (especially Twitter) RP characters. This is fine as long as at the core you are true to yourself. Nothing hurts more than to learn that a good online friend has told you nothing but lies and misrepresent themselves. This not only hurts the other person this can come back top haunt you.

   I am not saying tell every one every thing about you. I am saying don’t misrepresent who you are as a person, your values, and morals. If you, like me are private, just don’t say much personal information. Do protect yourself. Just don’t out right lie to people.

   The next trend I find is that with the geek world some girls will end up with having more guy than girls as friends. It is just the case of interests. With this guy do end up with girlfriends. Then these girls ( I will call them this no matter the age) then freak for their boyfriends have girls as friends. RELAX! Nothing is going on than two friends talking about like interests. For majority the gal pal is happy guy friend has found someone. Only thing I do see with this is that girlfriend always ends up telling boyfriend to get rid of gal pals. Which is so childish, and makes the girlfriend look insecure and pathetic.

   Another trend I have seen most is that a hand full of special caring people getting used in one way or another. These people are genuinely caring and supportive. They give this freely and ask nothing in return except maybe friendship. Yet too often people like this are needed at a certain time then when not needed just cast to the side. Most time without regards to their feelings.

   Must also have my personal say to online crushes. These I think are nothing more than a deeper feeling towards another person that someone feels a connection to, mostly a deep friendship. And, if someone online tells you this, don’t freak out and stop talking or contact. Realize this is something hard for them to tell you. Acknowledge it and respect that they find you a close friend.

   On a very personal note, I have recently found out who are my good friends are online. To them I thank you for your friendship.  Hope you realize how much I cherish each of you and home much your friendship has helped me to grow into a less shy person. :)

 Post Script: I wrote this over 4 months ago before I became deathly ill. Yet once I was on my road to recovery I have noticed that this is much truer now than when I originally wrote it.

A New Beginning

I am truly am sorry for taking this long to get this back up and going.
I hope that I can get back into this blogging busy and bring you some interesting topics.
Please feel free to comment and let me know how I am doing or if I need to work on something.
I look forward to writing some interesting things :)
Oh right and suggestions are always welcome too ^_^