Austin Comic Con 2013: Michael Rooker Vs. The Audience
Arguably the most colorful actor from the cast of The Walking Dead, Michael Rooker headlined his own discussion panel, casting aside the need of a moderator. After all, Rooker is a man of many words, so why let someone else use them? There was much for the actor to say, even touching on his latest project just completed overseas. Michael made his entrance to a resounding applause as yours truly had front row seats for the event. After expressing his appreciation for the room’s welcoming, Rooker quickly mentioned he just returned from Europe as filming wrapped up on Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy. The very animated actor plays a very real Yondu in the film; a blue alien whose specialty comes in the form of hunting. When asked just how much of his body was painted, Rooker quickly replied, “Why? Are you looking for a job?” As the audience’s laughter subsided, he did say he had quite a lot of blue paint in quite a lot of parts. We’ll take his word for it.
Continue reading ‘Austin Comic Con 2013: Michael Rooker Vs. The Audience’
As a child of the 70’s, what youngsters did not grow up with Ralph Macchio and The Karate Kid? Is that the true definition of a rhetorical question or what? I know firsthand that flick had a profound impact in my life. It gave me the much needed strength and confidence to stand up to bullies in school and also got my a$$ involved in martial arts, fighting competitions and even the donning Chuck Norris inspired Century uniforms. So as you can see, I was clearly a karate nut growing up and I owe it all to one skinny kid (well I guess he really wasn’t a kid when filming these) who took on and did the impossible in The Karate Kid. Brilliant stuff! And now after all these years I’m finally face-to-face here in the front row with the man responsible for all my fighting fervor…Mr. Ralph Macchio ladies and gentlemen. 
I feel fortunate that I was able to check out the happy go lucky Q&A chat with Stan Lee Saturday morning in the large Hall D. As usual he was very nice, cordial, candid and engaging with the captive audience. You can’t say he didn’t feel comfortable with his time spent on the panel as he was cracking jokes left and right. I must admit, it was a good time had by all as I enjoyed myself tremendously as did the rest of the extremely excited audience. So as I took it all in and relished in the man’s rich history, which I envy, I was able to jot down a few notes and highlights on some of the questions asked and statements made by the “legend.” They are as follows. Enjoy! 
With only two more days separating us Austinites from total geekdom at Austin’s own Comic Con this year, here’s some news that we just learned about that should excite everyone that’s planning on going. Below is today’s official announcement from Marvel that it will be debuting its new animated film Marvel’s Iron Man & Hulk: Heroes United at Wizard World Austin Comic Con on Saturday, and that Fred Tatasciore, the voice of Hulk, will be appearing to introduce the film, do a general Q&A with fans, sign autographs and meet with press. How cool is that? I hope to see you all there! In them meantime though, do check out the press release below. Enjoy! 
Who doesn’t like escaping everyday life and being someone else?! Cosplay is flourishing at Wizard World events, and groups showing off their affinity for all-time classics like Star Wars, “Star Trek,” Ghostbusters and many other movies, TV shows, comics and other characters will be on hand at Wizard World Austin Comic Con, November 22-24 at the Austin Convention Center. Famed cosplayer Ivy Doomkitty will lead the way as thousands dress the part in a celebration of ultimate fandom all weekend. Not to be outdone, “Doctor Who,” “Battlestar Galactica” and steampunk organizations will also represent their favorite genres well during the event. Check out the full details in the rest of the press release below (and wait until you get a gander at this “full” list)! 
I’m always down for a good cause especially when it involves helping out the children as St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. So it’s with great honor that I present the following press release I just received regarding this month’s Austin Comic Con. Comics Legend Neal Adams will conduct Charity Art Auctions at Wizard World Events beginning at Austin Comic Con, November 22-24 with an initiative to benefit St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. The below Wonder Woman shot is one that he will be donating to the auction. I love it! And of course…I want one! Check out the full press release below. 
I’m a couple days late in posting this Earth shattering news so please accept my deepest apologies. Hot off the press down here in Austin, TX, Austin Mayor Lee Leffingwell will declare November 22nd “William Shatner Day” in Austin. TV’s Captain Kirk, T.J. Hooker, “Priceline Negotiator” will accept “Honorary Austin Citizenship” from Mayor Leffingwell at Wizard World Austin Comic Con. For more information on this Trekerrific news, check out the below press release from Wizard World. Enjoy! 
One of the events I’m excited for in the month of November this year besides all the turkey eating is my first Austin Comic Con put on by Wizard World events. Gregg Senko and myself will be attending and reporting on anything we possibly can. In the meantime, I wanted to steer your attention towards the below press announcement released today about some exciting news happening exclusively at Austin Comic Con…the debut of Rob Guillory’s Variant Cover of Robert Kirkman’s The Walking Dead #1. This is the Skybound and Wizard World’s Final 2013 Limited Edition Cover in the Wizard World series, which is free to Full-Price Attendees; VIPs To Receive Additional B&W Sketch Cover. Check out the full press release below for more information! 
I was given the chance to interview the two lead stars of the 1984 cult horror-comedy favorite, Night of the Comet. Both Kelli Maroney and Catherine Mary Stewart were happy to answer a number of questions, leading up to the screening of the film in Los Angeles at the “Lethal Ladies of Horror Film Fest” on October 17th (details 
I should start by noting this is a location-specific event, as this awesome-looking horror event will be taking place at the Historic Regency Village Theater, in Los Angeles. With that out of the way, this upcoming event is a themed horror marathon, the “Lethal Ladies of Horror”, featuring the films Night of the Comet, Christine, and the upcoming remake of Carrie. This event is being brought to audiences by the same folks involved in putting together the “Evil Dead Fest” earlier this year, which screened all four Evil Dead films and was a ton of fun. This means the films will have a lot of additional fun going on in between films and within the theater lobby as well, which includes Q&As with cast and crew from the films, prize giveaways, props from the film (such as a very specific car) and more! I’ll note right now that I’ll be posting an interview from two of the stars of one of these films in the very near future, but for now, continue on to learn more about this exciting, upcoming event. IMPORTANT UPDATE: This event has been cancelled.
All the magic and excitement of the past, present and future of Disney entertainment will come together once again when D23: The Official Disney Fan Club presents an all-new D23 Expo at the Anaheim Convention Center on Aug. 9-11, 2013. Among the highlights of D23 Expo 2013 will be expanded capacities at some of our most popular venues; the 2013 Disney Legends Ceremony, which honors the talented men and women who have made significant contributions to the Disney legacy; Treasures of the Walt Disney Archives, a treasure trove of crown jewels from the Walt Disney Archives; the bustling aisles of the Collectors Forum, where Disney fans can buy, sell and trade Disney collectibles, memorabilia and merchandise; and a massive show floor full of special opportunities to see what’s on the horizon for Disney around the world—and where guests may bump into their favorite Disney stars, characters, Imagineers, animators and filmmakers. 
Last night I realized why I was alive. It wasn’t because of the technology I fool myself into thinking that I love and can’t live without, the Blu-rays that overflow on my shelves or the V8 engine that roars in my dream car…it’s because of the music in my life that I didn’t know how much I missed until I saw Rob Zombie close out the 
Exclusively at Disney’s D23 Expo August 9–11 at the Anaheim Convention Center, Disney fans are invited to explore the incredible roster of film, stage, and music projects on the horizon at The Walt Disney Studios, with a variety of panel discussions, sneak peeks, and exhibits. This year the Studio will present two arena shows, kicking off the Expo at 10 a.m. Friday, August 9, with “Art and Imagination: Animation at The Walt Disney Studios,” a showcase of upcoming animated films from Walt Disney Animation Studios, Pixar Animation Studios, and DisneyToon Studios. John Lasseter, Chief Creative Officer of Disney’s Animation Studios, will host a lively exhibition chock-full of never-before-seen footage, celebrity and filmmaker appearances, and live performances from films like Disney’s Frozen, Pixar’s The Good Dinosaur and the Mickey Mouse short Get a Horse! Then at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, August 10, Walt Disney Studios Chairman Alan Horn, Disney Live Action Production President Sean Bailey, and Marvel Studios President and Producer Kevin Feige will host “Let the Adventures Begin: Live Action at The Walt Disney Studios,” an expedition through the Studio’s exciting live-action offerings from Disney as well as several powerhouse pictures on tap from Marvel Studios, with exclusive clips and surprise guests from a range of films including Saving Mr. Banks, Tomorrowland, Thor: The Dark World, Captain America: The Winter Soldier and much more. 
