26 July '08

Chasing Olivia

Saturday's AOTS panel was well-produced, with just the right amount of fanboy mania and botched bits to make it seem authentic. Cobra Commander overshadowed both Kevin and Olivia, and Blair Butler held her own despite the heavy emphasis on the raunch and sturm that is AOTS.

But the main attraction of Day Three was the calmer crowd vibe, somehow smaller and more focused on comics than the usual publicity fest of loosely-related media. There is something special about an event built by people who have felt like outcasts most their lives. It creates a feeling of acceptance and curiosity that extends from the smallest press to the heavyweights. My only other industry comparison is the BEA, which doesn't count because I was working the BEA and couldn't fade into the crowd as a fan. But the Comic-Con rocked, and I can't wait to return.

As for my interview with Kevin and Olivia, it ended where it began: with a shrug. After watching their panel, I left the room. No more jockeying for position with their publicist. I have never felt entirely comfortable with being a journalist--it's the interview part that annoys me, unless I feel the interviewee has something good to say (like Bella Stander, for example). Kevin and Olivia spoke enough during their panel. How many blowjob jokes and memes do I need to listen to?

The late-night showing of Simon Pegg's Spaced was terrific. Think of it as the proto-Shaun of the Dead.

A few side-notes to wrap up this woefully-abridged recounting of the 2008 Comic-Con:

1. If your budget allows, stay at the Hyatt Regency in La Jolla. Excellent hotel, even better location. La Jolla is a twelve minute drive from the Con, and provides the perfect small-town antidote when the Con crowds become too much.

2. Eat at Trattoria Acqua in La Jolla. I'm skeptical of most restaurants with ocean views--the location translates to subpar cuisine because they can get away with it. Not so with Acqua.

3. Dark Horse has the best display, and the best lineup.

4. Support small presses. Your favorites once were small, and became big because of fan support.

In unrelated news, the NYT has a good article on trolls. I expected the worst, what with the first page academic breakdown of "lulz," that had the same tone as those public service movies from the 50's, on the dangers of "marijuana cigarettes." But the article righted itself.

The 6-month challenge begins: First draft finished by winter '08/'09. Entries will be sporadic, and email response will be delayed. Slightly.