HeroesCon Wrap up:  Part 3 - SWAG EDITION This will be the last of my HeroesCon wrap ups (I promise), but I just wanted to share with you guys all my new comic swag!  Going to cons is always hard, because really you want to buy EVERYTHING.  This year, I went in with a list and a budget and stuck to that… for the most part.  I knew I only wanted trades and I stuck with that… for one exception.  The thing I love most about cons are the prices, you can get some awesome items for some great prices, and Im very happy both with what I got, and what I paid. First Off The Gunslinger Born This is the first of the Dark Tower series, a series which I have a love/hate relationship with.  I really had no interest in the comics, having already read the book, and this was not on my list, but it was only $3… $3!  For that price, it has found a home in my TPB collection. Next Revival My pal Rick Titus actually introduced me to this series, which is a slightly different approach to the old zombie story.  I have only read the first issue thus far, but its unique and compelling enough to warrent the $5 investment. Moving on, Assimilation 2, part of the Star Trek Doctor Who crossover by IDW. Ho Boy!  Here is a series I have been waiting to dig into, but haven’t had enough motivation to start.  This was the first of my new purchases that I read, and just really fell into a fit of fan boy giggles.  Tony Lee, J.K. Woodward and the Tiptons (both of which I met last year at Heroes) have done such a great job with this cross over, both the TOS and TNG and with the new Matt Smith and older Classic Doctors.  I was very impressed and entertained, and I cannot wait to pick up volume 2! Here we go, The Walking Dead, Compendium Two This was my only “big” purchase, and was one had to think about (and beg my wife) for a little while.  I have read, but do not own, the first compendium, so this now allows me to continue the story, and I wanted to have this in my collection, but at $30, this was more than half my budget… but on the other hand, $30 is HALF the cover price for a very in demand book.  So I got it… and then asked forgiveness. Last, Nathan Edmonson’s Who is Jake Ellis, and the new Dream Merchant I LOVE Nathan Edmonson, I think right now, he is one of the best, most underrated writers out there, and I rabidly pick up everything he works on.  I missed Jake Ellis last year, but I picked that up, along with his new work Dream Merchant, both of which he graciously signed,and I am really excited to dig in. The final verdict?  4 traditional trades, the huge Walking Dead compendium, a signed double issue, a Hello Kitty Pirate Card (not pictured… not for me s.o. to Jamie), and TON OF FUN, all for about $46.  A pretty, good day I would say.
June 12, 2013 VIEW POST
HeroesCon Wrap up:  Part 2 - COSPLAY SUPER POST! Here it is guys, the most anticipated post of HeroesCon, the Cosplay Extravaganza!  Myself and Tim (NorthStateNerd) went Pokemon style and tried to catch all the great Cosplayers we saw at HeroesCon.  We didnt get everyone, but I think we were able to get pictures and speak to some of the best of Saturday! First I want to highlight our firend Caitlin from Contagious Costuming!  Caitin has been working on Warrior Woman for some time and chronicling the whole process on her Facebook Page (Must Like!).  Anyway, she debuted the work at Heroes and it came out great!  Further Kudos to Caitlin for winning the Ladies Cosplay division on Sunday for her Thanos, which I featured earlier on the site. For the full run down of all the great cosplay we saw, check the album below, compiled by myself and Tim.  Great work to everybody, I had a great time! BONUS VIDEOS!  If you want to see more, I HIGHLY recommend Blake’s Distratotron video from the day, pay close attention for my cameo as “Camera Guy on Left” at around 0:11: And Contagious Media Productions video rundown of the weekend:
June 11, 2013 VIEW POST
June 10, 2013 VIEW POST
Gearing up for Heroes Con 2013! I was recently reminded that we are only about 4 weeks away from Heroes Con 2012 “America’s Favorite Convention.” I have bee meaning to do this for some time, but I have been throwing around some business card ideas, hopefully to better keep in contact with all the great people we will meet in Charlotte. Let me know what you think, as well as if you are planning to attend the con. BUY YOUR TICKETS NOW
May 9, 2013 VIEW POST
Free Comic Book Day 2013 Left Overs Well another FCBD is in the books, and yes the haul was great, but one does not go and wait in line for nearly two and a half hours JUST for a bag of free comics.  You go for the people, to see old friends and make new ones.  I have been going to FCBD for more than a few years at my local shop, but every year seems to be better than the last.  The excitement, the comradeship, the fact that comic books, as simple as they are can bring a very diverse group of people together.   As one can see in the video above (Check me out at 2:51) you see parents and children, old folks and young, cosplayers, geeks and nerds of all ways shapes and backgrounds.  I had the distinct pleasure of spending the day with my pal Tim from NorthStateNerd and my pal Blake, the man behind Distractotron and BeatDownBoogie, and I ran into Xombirick, one of the kingpins of the Wicked Radio Network, of which this humble bog is a proud member of. I also met a ton of cool folks (one of which I plan to highlight later this week) and of course, got my comic fix on.  All in all, it was a great day to be a geek!  Check out the album below for some additional images, some are from me, but the better ones are from Distractotron’s Facebook Page (GO LIKE IT!)
May 6, 2013 VIEW POST
HAPPY FREE COMIC BOOK DAY! Just like every year, I will be spending this glorious day at my local shop, the multiple time Eisner nominated Acme Comics, right here in my home town of Greensboro North Carolina. This year I have the pleasure of spending with my pal Tim from North State Nerd. Should be a great day, if you are in Greensboro, give me a shout, otherwise keep an eye on the MG twitter page as I will be updating the day from there.
May 4, 2013 VIEW POST
March 27, 2013 VIEW POST
Marvel at SXSW! Awesome rundown of Marvel’s recent announcement’s by my buddy over at North State Nerd.  Check out his blog, if you arent already. “Marvel Comics made some pretty big announcements at SXSW this week. 4 of them to be exact. All geared towards the next generation of comic book fans, and they are all huge steps toward bringing comic books into the modern era. It has seemed odd to me that while magazines and newspapers die out or switch to an online only edition, comic books companies are pressing on as always. Well that is about to change in a big way!Marvel’s first announcement has already come to fruition, and the servers crashed. It was announced that Marvel would make over 700 of their comics free for download on the Comixology app (a free app that lets you download comics from all publishers!). Well, they began posting them and the Comixology servers have not been working since. The company plans to fix the problem and get the books back up ASAP.Marvel also announced that they are launching an updated, Java-less, version of the Digital Comics Unlimited service, allowing ipad/pod/phone users to download tons of books to their devices. Digital Comics Unlimited is a subscription based service that allows reader to view over 13,000 (and growing) comics from the Marvel Universe. Readers can also download up to 6 books at a time to read while they are not connected to the internet. The final two announcements are the most exciting. Marvel is launching a mobile based series of exclusive Infinite Comics. These stories will be a completely unique experience, designed specifically for the mobile device reader. There will be 4 stories over a year, each broken into 13 weekly chapters. No word yet on a price point, but each chapter should be about the same as reading a 20 page comic. Marvel said that these stories will take place in the regular comic Marvel Universe, but they hope to capture the attention of the movie fans by capitalizing on current themes. for example, the first story will be called Wolverine: Japan’s Most Wanted, and will lead right up to the movies premiere in July.Finally, and most intriguingly, Marvel announced Project Gamma. Project Gamma is described as adaptive audio for comics. These books will feature music and sound FXs played while you read. but it is not simply an overlaid music track. the music is based on how you fast you read the book and the way you read so each reader will have a different experience. I am very excited about all of Marvel’s new advancements and I expect that these ideas will help attract new readers who may have previously been just movie fans. These ideas will also attract new, younger readers who are already in love with the characters. Good work again Marvel! EXCELSIOR!” -northstatenerd
March 13, 2013 VIEW POST
March 5, 2013 VIEW POST