So yeah… the New York Comic Con.
First off, how was it? Anyone expecting some rambling tirade about how much it totally sucked, mostly because I wasn’t involved, ain’t gonna hear it. I was more or less over all that drama and nonsense the moment I was handed my press badge (again, I was somewhat expecting not to be allowed in, and if that had taken place, basically all hell would have broken loose). Overall, a pretty decent time was had! Though I will admit, I didn’t have as much fun as compared to cons past, due to assorted annoyances, which I’ll get into in just a bit. But for the most part, and a few other friends also echoed this sentiment, such as Joe Simko, that the novelty has kind of worn off. There wasn’t a whole lot to see this time around, at least stuff that was new. There was no gotta have it comic, shirt, or toy (well, that last part is not true, but again, I’ll get to that in due time). Plus, the main thing I look most forward to, that being wacky fanboys and fangirls dressed as their fave characters, didn’t leave that much of an impression on me this time around. Sorry, but I guess last year’s Anime Fest has spoiled me.
I guess now is as good a time as any to go down the list of major complaints. First off, and I’m certainly not the least surprised with this one, but the whole thing was so poorly organized that it wasn’t even funny. Actually, poorly organized isn’t the right term…. underwhelmingly organized is perhaps more apt. The primary culprit was the ultra cumbersome and damn near unreadable program book; it really would have been nice to have the entire schedule laid out in a grid format, like 99.99% of every other convention out there. When you’re dealing with a crowded expo floor, the last you need is to decipher is a jumble of words. You absolutely need something readable in the heat of a moment. As a result, hardly anyone I knew checked out any of the programming. Not to get ahead of things, but I was pretty shocked that the Chip Kidd Bat-Manga session had hardly any folks in attendance. Well, it wasn’t a desert or anything, but given the subject matter, I was really expecting it to be standing room only. I also wasn’t all that personally affected by this, but Miss confessed to me on Saturday how utter sick and annoyed she was trying to hunt down info on the super secret Watchmen panels that were taking place. Can’t say I blamed her; yes, I guess given the insane amount of interest surrounding the film, perhaps organizers needed to do something to prevent 10,000 attendees trying to force themselves into a single room, but surely a better solution could be found.
The other biggest annoyance was not the fault of the con’s organizers but AT&T. I guess too many people have iPhones, because virtually everyone was unable to make calls or receive texts for the entire weekend, especially during Saturday afternoon. No joke, I had about a dozen plus people I was supposed to hook-up with on Saturday, quite a few of them business related, and I missed every single appointment. Apparently, those who use Verizon and T-Mobile also had problems, but us AT&T customers got hit the worst, and there were several points where I just wanted to throw my precious little toy on the ground out of frustration. Another unfortunate thing that wasn’t anyone fault was the large number of guests that had to cancel, due to last minute emergencies. Then there was that screening of Yatterman that got pulled at the last minute, which was a last minute call by the film’s production company (which I heard is insanely bad, so I guess show goers were all spared a few precious hours of their lives).
But there were a few positives. On the top of the list was how well video games were represented. To be completely honest, I was blown away by the staggering amount of game companies on hand, along with the huge number of titles, many of them really good. Though I’m not sure how much credit is entirely due for the show’s organizers; in this day and age, mega game expositions such as E3 are now pass? and not at all cost effective, even for major publishers, so the real key is hitting B level events (in their relative worlds, strictly speaking) like comic cons. Yet, I’m still pretty certain that if DigitalLife hadn’t been cancelled, it still would have blown in comparison.
Though as well as games themselves were accounted for, gamers themselves were an entirely different story. As expected, there was a woeful lack of video game-oriented programming; aside from the Totilo/Croal panel (which I’ll also touch upon in a few moments), an appearance by the Penny Arcade dudes, along with assorted sessions helmed by publishers that were primarily designed to promote some big release of theirs, such as Gears of War 2 and DC Universe, there was virtually nothing else, not an ounce dedicated to “fandom”, which is what such events are all about. The “organization” that I was passed over in favor for managed to drum up one paltry topic that wasn’t related to the release of some title. Good job guys. Additionally, I can’t recall that many other topics dedicated to stuff like TV shows or movies in general, unless once again they were meant to push something new coming down the pipeline. As I said, the show felt pretty underwhelming and phoned in to a large degree.
Still, after things considered, I enjoyed myself. Hell, if I didn’t, I wouldn’t have been there all three days! At this point, I’ve had my fill of indie comic shows and all the pretension, entitlement, and whininess that unfortunately comes with such territory. Perhaps it’s because of where I’m at in life, but I’d much rather rub shoulders with dorks that enjoy stories about men and women in spandex that try to save the universe or tear it apart via super powers than hipsters into tales by douche-bags, either complaining about how they can’t get women or boo-hoo-hooing about how they’re just a victim of life in general. And the stuff like New York Comic Con helps to remind me of my “roots”, why I got into comics into the first place, which some are often times embarrassed about, and that’s ultimately a real shame. But anyway, onto the report…
NYCC 2009 Day One
I got a fairly late start to the show; it wasn’t till 1 that I finally left the apartment, around when things were finally getting into full swing. Originally, I was supposed to cover the con for someone, which didn’t end up happening, but I was totally fine with that, since it meant zero pressure going into things. Anyhow, as I exited my building, someone dressed as the Predator emerged from the downstairs apartment, the one with the eternally yapping dog, and that was kinda neat. As stupid as it sounds, I still had to ask “Heading for the con, right?” Cuz in my neighborhood, you can never really tell.
Once on-site, general attendees had begun swarming in…
For some wacky reason, everyone was greeted by a gigantic blue He-Man statue…
… That’s Faker of course, the evil He-Man doppelganger that was so lame that I don’t even remember him appearing in the original cartoon. I believe there was a special Faker action figure to commemorate the show, though I never bothered to pick up mine. Anyhow, because I was already late, I rushed over to where the panels were taking place, to grab a seat for the aforementioned Totilo/Croal panel, featuring Todd Howard from Bethesda (you know, Fallout 3) and Ken Levine from 2K Boston (you know, BioShock).
Highlights can be found here, though I have a few notable bits and pieces of my own:
- On the subject of achievements and trophies, both guys noted that it’s definitely changed the way games are not only played but made. To the point that games today now have their own meta games, so to speak. I believe it was Levine who never anticipated a few years ago that he’s be staying up all night look, creepily looking over friends? lists of achievements and getting all wrapped up in the game of keeping up with the Joneses.
- Here’s a fun fact that I’m guessing most folks are unaware off: most games are only completed 20% of the time. Though in the case of Fallout 3, that number has a completion rate of 30%, which is well above average. How was this figured out? By achievements of course.
- What kills a game for a gamer? Not boredom, as so many people, especially game designers, believe but frustration. Which goes without saying is one of the hardest things to curtail. Mostly because, when in the midst of development, “You’re so in the weeks that you just don’t know” explained Levine.
- One primary solution is always offering players a way out. Yet even so, for the most part, get out of jail cards are usually never touched, because many believe that they’ll be needed at the end for some insane challenge or situation (that often never materializes). That and as Howard noted: “[If one uses the ultimate weapon when it doesn't seem right] you feel like a pussy!”
- Many folks complained about one of the endings in Fallout 3, though when it finally reached Howard, he had no idea what they were talking about. So he seriously had to look it up on YouTube… again, for a game that he produced, in the same building where it was made. Thus why the 3rd DLC for the game was born.
- When the subject of the Wii was brought up, a few folks in the audience booed. And do two dudes that don?t make games for the system feel about it? Howard exclaimed, “It’s a toy, but a great toy!” In addition to equating it with Teddy Ruxpin and the like, the Wii was explained as something for young kids, which was well and good, while they made “kill-fests” for their older brother’s Xboxes.
- The hour ended with a question about game journalism, with Levine stating “I’m really glad Kotaku started printing the world ‘rumor’ nice and big nowadays.” Both lamented how things have become so tabloid-y and so “Lester Bang-ish” in recent years. It was also Levine who stated that in all the years he’s been interviewed for a game that he’s worked on, not once has anyone conducted any follow-up fact-checking, which got a nice little uniform “yeesh” from the audience.
Staying on the subject of video games, I immediately hit the show floor and found myself in the middle of Sega’s booth. The featured attraction was, not surprisingly, MadWorld…
There was also a far better looking (and more complete) version of Sonic and the Black Knight on-hand…
… I still don’t get the whole collecting apples instead of rings thing, but whatevers. Right next-door was Atari, the new home for the upcoming Ghostbusters game, which I finally got my hands on…
… And it plays great! Can’t wait to hear all the familiar voices, along with the Elmer Bernstein music, most of which was for the original film but wasn’t used, plus find dig into the story, which was supposed to be for Ghostbusters 3 originally but couldn’t be made, for perhaps obvious reasons, and hence the game. Though Joe thinks its a stupid idea, and they should make an actual part three, never mind how old and fat the original actors are. Cue his idea for a movie where they pass the torch to their children, though the idea of a next generation of Ghostbusters, starring Shia LaBeouf, Justin Long, Haley Joel Osment, and Will Smith’s kid, sends serious douche-chills down my spine.
Anyway, not pictured is how when Pat was playing, while I was talking to the Atari PR rep, he kept zapping Akroyd’s character in the nuts with the proton pack in attempt to distract me. Anyhow, here’s a pic of a Slimer ice sculpture that was also on-hand…
It goes without saying that Watchmen was one of the most heavily hyped things at the show…
… And for good reason; easily one of the greatest comics of all time is finally coming out in film form. According to that furry from my message board who I became re-acquainted with at the show (I was going to enlist this particular person’s fine photographic abilities if I had indeed been called upon to cover the show for that one other party… who btw has a name, but since he/she prefers to stay anonymous, I will respect this individual’s wishes by not divulging too many details), they showed the first 20 minutes of so of the flick, which I’m pretty pissed that I missed. But I’m guessing that it was one of those secret things that Miss had made mention off.
Anyhow, the fun thing about the Watchmen hype train, as it comes into the home stretch, is finding out who’s a longtime diehard and who is not. Like Joe for example, who if memory serves me right, was just as appalled that day in comic writing class at SVA during our college daze, when copies were being handed out, that everyone else hadn’t already read the book fifty times over. Speaking off, I guess it was also revealed that our pal from back in the day, and current rock superstar, Gerard Way is handling the soundtrack, which is pretty neat. I’m still certain the film will stink, but still dying to see it on the big screen, but most importantly, I’m not one of those dumbass fanboys that believes a crappy movie will “ruin” the source material. If anything, I’m also pleased as punch like so many others that the hype surrounding the movie has gotten so many curious folks into comic shops to pick up the source material.
But otherwise, I couldn’t be bothered with any of DC’s offerings. Sorry, but it comes to straightforward super hero stuff, Marvel is still king. Not helping is that there wasn’t anything to help to acclimate new readers as to what the heck is going on (though I hear that there’s some storyline where everyone in Gotham City wants to be the next Batman, which sounds potentially interesting), and if there was, I certainly didn’t come across it. Meanwhile, Marvel always has tons of stuff to get you up to speed, which is especially good for someone like me, who doesn’t have the time to keep up. So apparently there’s some evil hybrid of Captain America and Iron Man? Whoa!
Going back to movies, there was also Yatterman, the latest from one my fave Japanese directors, Takashi Miike, based on the classic anime (which most recently made an appearance in Tatsunoko vs Capcom)…
… I missed the world premiere on Friday night, but was told the very next day by fellow game journalist and Miike junkie, Andrew Yoon, who managed to go that it was really bad. Oh well. At least I got the chance to see Miike in the flesh, as he was being escorted to his big presentation. Christ, the man looks like a TOTAL badass Yakuza type in real life. Didn’t take a picture because, quite honestly, didn’t want to piss the guy off and get my assed kicked.
I have no idea who the hell this guy is supposed to be, but I simply had to take a snapshot…
The one thing I always look forward to at comic con is seeing what designer toys are coming down the assembly line. Like this totally awesome transformable vinyl figure from Android 8…
Some various others by various others…
A bunch of heads. Obviously…
I unfortunately didn’t grab a pic of the girl walking around as the following, but at least I have one of the toy for some new comic or something…
Along with action figures and statues, there’s always plenty of creepy dolls for folks into that kinda stuff…
Hey, Master Chief for sale, and… for a reasonable price I guess?
I actually wasn’t around all that much for day one; Hilary invited me to a gallery opening featuring work from a friend of hers at SVA, so I left a bit early to join her and a few other folks downtown. The highlights of this excursion, in no particular order:
1. Making the trip in a car service vehicle, which popped a rod, though thankfully not on the west side highway, but immediately after we go onto Canal Street.
2. Discovering that at some point earlier that day, I had ripped one of my favorite shirts. Still pissed about that one.
3. Talking to all of Hilary’s SVA pals and sharing stories about how grungy the infamous GW dorm used to be when I was a student. Apparently, as of 03, the Yoda Woman is still alive?!
4. Also explaining to those that remember me when I used to work there some years later how I’m banned from the Computer Art Department, by request of the department head, who now hates my guts.
5. Finding out that one of Hilary’s pals is tight with my ex-roommate and ensuring discussion. Man, that sure wasn’t awkward or anything.
Afterwards, I joined up with Katie and Pat, who again was staying with us, for dinner at Tom’s Restaurant, aka the Seinfeld Diner, which Pat had always wanted to eat at. Had a few drinks at some Cuban joint a few blocks away, still in the Columbia University area, then turned in a bit early. While Katie and Pat talked (and bitched) about comics, I spent the rest of the night playing the American version of Retro Game Master for the DS, which had arrived earlier that afternoon.
NYCC 2009 Day Two
… Which is when the action really always goes down, on Saturday, traditionally the busiest day for any convention. Here’s the very first costumed person that crossed my path, a Cobra Commander who was also looking for stuff to take pictures off…
And here we have a Pokemon and its trainer…
… Saw no pervy dudes with slutty Pickachus this time around, either thankfully or unfortunately, depending on tastes.
Hey, it’s Jesse the Body Ventura, from Predator!
So at the show, you’ll find tons of people wanting to interact with you in some way, as part of shilling crap routine. Forcing hapless individual into hugging things is one method, and here we have Pat hugging some stuffed pink octopus against his best wishes. The annoyed look is no act…
… At least it was a Saturday morning, with the show just getting into gear, and not later in the day, in which much more sweat and BO could be attached to the thing.
Check this out: there was this guy selling high-priced, “original” art. Here we have an original Snoopy drawing by Charles Schultz…
… Now, does it seem a little off to you? Pat was convinced that it was a fake. There was another drawing too, which looked a bit closer to the real thing (it was another Snoopy drawing, but the nose didn’t appear all messed up), but done completely in crayon, and I can’t recall ever seeing an original Schultz done in such a manner. Admittedly, I’m not expert on the man’s work, yet I can’t help but agree with Pat when he assed that it had been traced. Pat then exchanged words with guy running the both, who was a grease-ball, snake-oil salesman.
Here we have both Jamie Tanner and Gia-Bao Tran, over at the artist alley…
Another surprise in the artist alley trenches was the return of Ryusuke Hamamoto, who I first encountered at the Anime Fest last fall. Once again, he plenty of stuff that was too good to pass up…
.. My favorite would have to be the collection on the right, which is his renditions of assorted American comic book characters, like…
Something else I spotted in the vicinity; some dude’s banner, which if I’m not mistaken, is supposed to be Eri Kasamoto from the Metal Slug series…
Oh, and here’s Pat and Miss with Asian Wonder Woman and Asian Superman…
Well that makes image #30! As a rule of thumb, I usually try not to go above that number for a single post. Which means, to be continued!
