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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Enter for your chance to receive a pair of passes to a special 3D advance screening!

Marvel’s “Iron Man 3″ pits brash-but-brilliant industrialist Tony Stark/Iron Man against an enemy whose reach knows no bounds. When Stark finds his personal world destroyed at his enemy’s hands, he embarks on a harrowing quest to find those responsible. This journey, at every turn, will test his mettle. With his back against the wall, Stark is left to survive by his own devices, relying on his ingenuity and instincts to protect those closest to him. As he fights his way back, Stark discovers the answer to the question that has secretly haunted him: does the man make the suit or does the suit make the man?

Cast: Robert Downey Jr., Gwyneth Paltrow, Don Cheadle, Guy Pearce, Rebecca Hall, Stephanie Szostak, James Badge Dale, Jon Favreau, Ben Kingsley

Director: Shane Black

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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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Maybe you know a “geek.” Maybe you know several “geeks.” Ladies and gentlemen who dig stuff like science fiction, fantasy, and most of all, superheroes, comic books, and graphic novels. For these folks, comic book conventions (known colloquially as comic cons) are the culmination of their pop culture beings, where actors and actresses from their favorite films and TV series make appearances, where the authors of their favorite comics come and draw art and sign autographs.

For years, cities around the country have been hosting annual comic cons, to the delight of their denizens. St. Louis, however, has had no such luck, and folks hoping to attend one were forced to migrate to Chicago, Philadelphia, or any number of cities to attend – all while clamoring for an event to be held here in the Gateway City.

This year, though, Wizard World heard the pleas, and from March 22-24, America’s Center hosted St. Louis Comic Con 2013.

And there was much rejoicing.

Yay.

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