I am sitting on a train heading home from Chicago, and I thought I would take the opportunity to give you my thoughts and news coming out of C2E2 2013.  What a great convention.

Where most cons nowadays have changed their focus to include both comics and other comic related things (movies, games, and other “geek” related ventures), C2E2 continues to focus on the comic culture.  Sure there are panels with special guests, but almost all of them are comic culture related (with the exception of Jason David Frank and some random Dr. Who folks).  C2E2 is a con for comic fans and the medium we love so much.  Whether you’re a Marvel fan, a DC fan, an Image fan, or just a fan of the culture itself, you will find something you can sink your teeth into at the show. If you’re looking for some back issues to fill out your collection, there are rows upon rows of vendors who are more than willing to help you find what you’re looking for. Maybe you’d like to get some of your comics signed by your favorite creators.  C2E2 has got you covered.  The show has one of the largest “Artist Alleys” on the convention circuit. C2E2 is quickly becoming “the” con to attend in the Chicago area (eclipsing the mighty Wizard World Chicago).  Before I get into my thoughts on the show, lets get to the news that came out if the show itself.

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Earlier this week, Warner Brothers released the third trailer for this summer’s Man of Steel.

In the latest trailer, we finally get to see some hints at what the film will focus on.  We see lots of action, what look to be amazing special effects, and an in-depth look at Superman’s origin story. Before I get into my take on the trailer, give it a look for yourself (as if you haven’t already).

Michael Shannon as General Zod

First off, we see the destruction of Krypton.  It looks like the planet is involved in some sort of war.  Not sure if that will be the catalyst for Krypton being destroyed or if they will follow the original story (Krypton’s sun goes super nova and explodes causing Krypton to be destroyed in the process). Just based off of this trailer, it looks like Krypton is a combination of the John Byrne version of Krypton, the New 52 version of Krypton, and the Superman: The Animated Series .  The movies version on Zod also seems to be a combination of a few versions of Zod.  The “battlesuit” he wears looks a lot like the pocket universe version of Zod seen in the Superman: For Tomorrow story arc by Brian Azzerello and Jim Lee. There also seems to be some nods to the original 1978 “Superman: The Movie” where Zod stand in front of what could be a jury of some sort and warns Jor-El that he will find baby Kal-El.  Michael Shannon is going to be a fantastic General Zod, on the level of Heath Ledger’s Joker. At least, I’m hoping.

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Action Comics #19
Written by Andy Diggle
Art by Tony Daniel

Finally!! Redemption has arrived.  After much suffering at the hands of the creative teams on both of the main Superman books (Grant Morrison/Rags Morales on Action Comics & George Perez/Jesus Merino on Superman), we are finally treated to the new creative duo in Andy Diggle (The Losers & Green Arrow: Year One) and Tony Daniel (Batman & Detective Comics).  The change is coming off of Grant Morrison’s departure from the book, and I will admit I wasn’t sorry to see him go.  Morrison is one of the best writers in comics today, but his take on Superman left something to be desired.

Morrison’s 18 issue run was supposed to center around the younger years of Clark/Superman.  The run started off really well, but it ended with a whimper.  Morrison was trying all kinds of high concept stuff (The Legion, Mr. Mytzlplk, alternate dimensions), and it just wasn’t working.  I’m sure I will catch some flack for my take of a Grant Morrison Superman book, but I don’t think I’m the only one that felt this way.  I was hoping to get something like All Star Superman, but that wasn’t the case.  Now with The Man of Steel set to release in June and two new Superman based books (Superman: Unchained and Batman/Superman) coming out this summer, the push is on to bring Superman back to the forefront.

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As I write this, I’m still in a euphoric state.  Not because I was finally able to get my hands on a few key issues and fill some major holes in my collection.  Not because I was able to get an amazing custom sketch from Chris Samnee.  Not because I was able to see a Q & A with Stan Lee (though that’s high on the list).  No, I’m in a state of euphoria, because we showed Wizard World and the pop culture community that St. Louis can be a power house in the pop culture community.  With a truly astounding turnout (yes, even Sunday after the terrible snow), patrons and retailers alike turned out in droves to the very first Wizard World Comic and Pop Culture convention in St. Louis.  I was blown away by the people who came to the show, and I’m even more excited to say that Wizard World will be coming back next year (April 4th-6th, 2014).

When the con was announced, I was really skeptical.  No one had tried to put on a show this size in St. Louis before.  I had no idea what the turn out was going to be or if there was a market for the show here in town.  I felt like the comic community was pretty small in our area, and I didn’t think we could support the show.  Man, was I wrong.  When I walked into The America’s Center, I was greeted by a line that went almost all the way to the back of the building.  As I made my way into the building, I was greeted with the sight of cosplayers and fans of every “geek culture” genre.  I felt overjoyed.  We did it.  We made this work.  We showed that St. Louis can be a powerhouse on the convention circuit.

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My mother always told me that if you didn’t have anything nice to say then don’t say anything at all.  Well, if I were to follow that rule then this would be a very short review.  This flick was a complete disaster from the get go.  It’s one bad thriller cliche after another and even ACADEMY AWARD WINNER Halle Berry couldn’t save it.

In The Call, Halle Berry plays Jordan Turner, a seasoned 911 operator for the LAPD who accidently causes the death of a young girl.  Six months later, a similar abduction takes place and Jordan finds herself desperately trying to save young Casey Welson (Abigail Breslin) and not getting her killed like she did before.  This is one of those “by the numbers” thrillers that an average person finds themselves in an extraordinary situation and finds that he or she has the skills and resolve to overcome the crazy situation that they have been thrust into.

The problems with the movie are far to many to list, but the main issues were the horrid script, the shit acting , and an ending that could have been pretty awesome (but they screwed that up).

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