Fanboys Anonymous

Fanboys Assemble! The highly anticipated and sold-out New York Comic Con is just a few days away—and the Javits Center is packed with four days of panels, events, booths, and more! From Batman's 75th birthday to LGBT in comics and body image in cosplay, we've compiled a list of everything you need to make your weekend super exciting. Grab your cape and set your phasers to stun, this is your ultimate guide to NYCC!

Top 10 Must See Panels:

50 Years of Fandom! How Comics Took Over the World
Thu. Oct. 9 | 3:15–4:00 p.m. | 1A06 | more info

Comic Cons dominate the entertainment industry and have come a long way since the first comic-focused convention in 1964. Now with over 180,000 guests, join a panel of celebs and pros as they talk about the growth of a $2 trillion industry, accompanied by images of the first Comic Cons and cosplayers.

Bob's Burgers Panel
Thu. Oct. 9 | 3:15–4:15 p.m. | Main Stage 1-D | more info

The hilarious and talented cast and producers of the hit animated show will come together for a Q&A panel discussion that will feature never-before-seen footage.


New York TimesOUT and GeeksOUT Presents LGBT in Comics
Thu. Oct. 9 | 7:00 p.m.–7:45 p.m. | 1A10 | more info

Join in on the discussion of LGBT characters and creators in comics with Phil Jimenez (Wonder Woman), Kieron Gillen (Young Avengers), Jamie McKevle (Young Avengers), Luciano Vecchio (Marvel Infinite Comics Ultimate Spider-Man), Noelle Stevenson (Nimona), and Annie Mok (Screentests).

MARVEL 75th Anniversary Day
Fri. Oct. 10 | 11:00 a.m.–3:45 p.m. | 1A18 | more info

Have a look back on 75 years of Marvel history, bringing together creators from all different eras under one roof to discuss the evolution of Marvel from a small publishing company to the multimedia giant it is today.

Doctor Who: 10 Years of New Who
Fri. Oct. 10 | 4:15 a.m.–5:00 p.m. | 1A24 | more info

Jump in the Tardis for a look back on the past 10 years of Doctor Who in a discussion panel about the Eccelston, Tennant, Smith, and Capaldi years and what the future will bring. Allons-y!


DC Entertainment — Batman 75th Anniversary
Sat. Oct. 11 | 2:00 p.m.–3:00 p.m. | Empire Stage 1-E | more info

Throughout his 75-year history, the Dark Knight has become one of the most popular and widely recognized super heroes in the world. Come by for a look at Batman's rich history and what the future holds for this pop culture icon with industry titans and other special guests.


AMC'S The Walking Dead
Sat. Oct. 11 | 3:30 p.m.–4:30 p.m. | Main Stage 1-D | more info

Join Andrew Lincoln, Norman Reedus, Steven Yeun, and the rest of the zombie-killing cast and producers of AMC's The Walking Dead to discuss the upcoming fifth season with a never-before-seen sneak preview!


The NYCC Eastern Championships of Cosplay with Special Performance from KÀ by Cirque du Soleil
Sat. Oct. 11 | 7:30 p.m.–10:00 p.m. | Main Stage 1-D | more info

KÀ by Cirque du Soleil will deliver an exciting live performance you won't want to miss! Following the thrilling aerial and acrobatic journey, the NYCC Eastern Championships of Cosplay will make its debut in its first stop on the "Quest for the Crown" global competition circuit. Join the celebration of dedication and skill of some of the best cosplayers NYCC has to offer.

The Karate Kid 30th Anniversary Cast Reunion
Sun. Oct. 12 | 11:00 a.m.–11:45 a.m. | 1A10 | more info

"Wax on, wax off!" It's been 30 years since Mr. Miyagi taught us that mercy is for the weak, and now the cast of The Karate Kid will be high-kicking their way to NYCC. Join Billy Zabka, Martin Kove, and the Karate Kid himself, Ralph Macchio, for a conversation about their experience.

American Dad! Moves to TBS: World Premiere of the Brand New Season
Sun. Oct. 12 | 2:00 p.m.–3:00 p.m. | Empire Stage 1-E | more info

American Dad! is making a permanent move to TBS starting Oct. 20 at 9/8c with original uncensored episodes. Get a first look at the first episode of the new season, premiering exclusively at NYCC. The screening will be followed by a Q&A with cast and producers.


Other Noteworthy Panels: 

The Lord of the Rings: The Music of Middle-Earth
Thu. Oct. 9 | 4:00 p.m.–4:45 p.m. | 1A18 | more info

In anticipation of The Lord of the Rings Trilogy in Concert at the Lincoln Center in April, join Academy Award-winning composer Howard Shore and author Doug Adams for an enlightening look at the music from The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit.

Reinventing Horror
Fri. Oct. 10 | 12:15 p.m.–1:00 p.m. | 1A05 | more info

Mark L. Miller (Ain't It Cool News, Pirouette) has been gathering a ghoulish ensemble of creative minds for the past seven years at NYCC. This year, he gathers a talented panel of filmmakers, writers, and artists to discuss how to reinvent and revitalize the horror genre, pushing new limits, twisting new concepts, and crafting new terrors to keep you up at night!

So They Say You Shouldn't Cosplay
Sat. Oct. 11 | 3:00 p.m.–3:45 p.m. | 1A18 | more info

Cosplay is not limited to one demographic and body type. Led by international costume designer and cosplayer, Ivy Doomkitty, this panel tackles important topics in cosplay such as body image, skin color, age, crossplay, and how to push past boundaries that others try to place on you.

The Future of Video Games
Sat. Oct. 11 | 5:00 p.m.–5:45 p.m. | 1B03 | more info

Bringing together top game designers to talk about the direction of the video game market, the panel will explore new technologies that will shape the next decade of games and how you will be gaming in the future with new consoles, mobile games, and the rise of digital downloads.

New York TimesOUT Presents Geeks, Gaymers, and Crossplay
Sat. Oct. 12 | 5:15 p.m.–6:00 p.m. | 1A24 | more info

The LGBT community has found a safe haven in the con culture. Equality and self-expression are encouraged in the space and fans are able to take their online relationships into the real works through these gatherings. Let's discuss the appeal of cons to the LGBT community and how the Internet is playing a major role in mainstreaming both of these cultural subsets.


Highly Anticipated Spotlights and Autographs:

Patrick Stewart Autographing
Sat. Oct. 11 | 10:30 a.m.–1:30 p.m. | Autographing Table 5 | $80
Sat. Oct. 11 | 3:00 p.m.–6:00 p.m. | Autographing Table 5
Sun. Oct. 12 | 11:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m. | Autographing Table 5

Patrick Stewart Spotlight
Sat. Oct. 11 | 1:45 p.m.–2:45 p.m. | Main Stage 1-D | more info

Bill Nye Autographing
Sat. Oct. 11 | 5:00 p.m.–7:00 p.m. | Autographing Table 14 | FREE

Stephen Amell Autographing
Fri. Oct. 10 | 11:00 a.m.–8:00 p.m. | Autographing Table 6 | $50
Sat. Oct. 11 | 10:30 a.m.–4:15 p.m. | Autographing Table 6
Sun. Oct. 12 | 11:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m. | Autographing Table 6

Stephen Amell Spotlight
Sat. Oct. 11 | 4:30 p.m.–5:30 p.m. | Empire Stage 1-E | more info


Fun for Kids:



501st Legion: Empire City Garrison's Blast-a-Trooper
Thu. Oct. 9 | 4:00 p.m.–6:00 p.m. | Family HQ - 1C04 | more info
Fri. Oct. 10 | 4:30 p.m.–6:30 p.m. | Family HQ - 1C04
Sat. Oct. 11 | 5:00 p.m.–7:00 p.m. | Family HQ - 1C04
Sun. Oct. 12 | 3:00 p.m.–5:00 p.m. | Family HQ - 1C04

Harry Potter NYC Presents: The Art of Wand Dueling
Fri. Oct. 10 | 1:45 p.m.–2:45 p.m. | Family HQ - 1C04 | more info
Sat. Oct. 11 | 12:15 p.m.–1:00 p.m. | Family HQ - 1C04
Sat. Oct. 11 | 3:30 p.m.–4:15 p.m. | Family HQ - 1C04

Design Your Own Cape with the Art Force Five
Thu. Oct. 9 | 5:15 p.m.–6:45 p.m. | Family HQ - 1C02 |  more info

Make Your Own Superhero Mask
Fri. Oct. 10 | 1:45 p.m.–2:45 p.m. | Family HQ - 1C02 | more info
Sun. Oct. 12 | 3:15 p.m.–3:00 p.m. | Family HQ - 1C02 |

Make Your Own Puppets with Noel MacNeal
Fri. Oct. 10 | 4:45 p.m.–5:15 p.m. | Family HQ - 1C02 | more info

Kids Costume Parade
Fri. Oct. 10 | 4:45 p.m.–5:30 p.m. | Family HQ - 1C03 | more info
Sat. Oct. 11 | 3:15 p.m.–4:15 p.m. | Family HQ - 1C03
Sun. Oct. 12 | 11:45 a.m.–12:45 p.m. | Family HQ - 1C03

Story Pirates Superhero Training
Sun. Oct. 12 | 11:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m. | Family HQ - 1C02 | more info

Build-Your-Hero with the Art Force Five
Sun. Oct. 12 | 4:15 p.m.–5:00 p.m. | Family HQ - 1C02 | more info

For a full list of events geared towards kids, click here.


Best After Parties for Adults:

Rave of Thrones: Kristian Nairn aka Hodor DJ set w/ Special Guests
Fri. Oct. 10 | 11:00 p.m.–midnight | B.B. Kings Blues Club | $40-50 | tickets

Adult Swim TYRANNIC Maiden Voyage (21+)
Sat. Oct. 11 | 8:00 p.m.–midnight | Pier 81 | FREE | RSVP


Important info for Guests:

Don't forget to download the official NYCC app for your phone for panel details, autographing schedules, and exhibitor information. (WiFi is spotty in the center, especially on the lower levels, so open the app before you enter.)

To help with the heavy flow of panels, ReedPOP organizers set up a new policy that includes panel-specific wristbands and clearing out the Main Stage after each panel. Once you enter the Queue Hall, large signs on the right will announce which panels have reached maximum capacity and which still have space available. Line up on the left of the Queue Hall for a specific panel and wait for security to put a wristband on you that will guarantee admittance to that panel. You will then be able to leave the line, but make sure you arrive at least 35 minutes prior to the panel start time.

NYCC has a ZERO TOLERANCE policy for sexual harassment, making it easy to report any harassment through the phone app. Cosplay is not consent and no means NO. Be respectful to all exhibitors and fans. If you would like to take a photo of a cosplayer, ask before you take them. Let's make this a fun weekend for everyone!

What are you most anticipating for NYCC? 
Is there someone on this list we missed? 
Let us know in the comments below!

On this edition of Channel Surfing, we join Chris "The Dace Man" Dace as he reviews the second episode in the second season of ABC's The Goldbergs entitled Mama Drama.

He'll give you the scope on this week's episode as to what went down with a hint of Dacetacularness.  So put down that remote control and sit back and enjoy this brand new edition of Channel Surfing. I'm calling for the few, for the proud, and for The Dacetacular let's start channel surfing!



As always, check back regularly to see what Chris "The Dace Man" Dace is looking at (and no, not just porn), as well as all of the other bloggers here at Fanboys Anonymous. Remember, keyboard warriors: leave your feedback! Until the next time, for the few, the proud, and, of course, the Dacetacular, grab a beer—and in this case a TV remote—and check out what's going on here in the Dace-Sphere. See ya next time!


Follow on Facebook: Mega Powers Radio | Fanboys Anonymous | The Dace Man Show | Nerd Court | Sports Talk Weekly | Addicted to Anime

On this edition of Channel Surfing, we join Chris "The Dace Man" Dace as he reviews the fifth episode in the sixth season of FX's The League entitled The Hot Tub.

He'll give you the scope on this week's episode as to what went down with a hint of Dacetacularness.  So put down that remote control and sit back and enjoy this brand new edition of Channel Surfing. I'm calling for the few, for the proud, and for The Dacetacular let's start channel surfing!



As always, check back regularly to see what Chris "The Dace Man" Dace is looking at (and no, not just porn), as well as all of the other bloggers here at Fanboys Anonymous. Remember, keyboard warriors: leave your feedback! Until the next time, for the few, the proud, and, of course, the Dacetacular, grab a beer—and in this case a TV remote—and check out what's going on here in the Dace-Sphere. See ya next time!


Follow on Facebook: Mega Powers Radio | Fanboys Anonymous | The Dace Man Show | Nerd Court | Sports Talk Weekly | Addicted to Anime

As a follow-up to our discussion last week on whether or not we think games nowadays are being remastered too quickly, the Press Start crew ponders on what classic or retro games they believe deserve to be remastered.

Find out what Shawn, Paul, Don, and Naj want to see brought back into the current generation of gaming! From Crimson Skies to Crash Bandicoot, here's what these fellows think about this topic!


Do you have a classic or retro title that you'd like to see remastered? Chime in at the comments below and join the discussion!

Press Start films weekly and can be followed on Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube.

Uncanny Avengers #25 cover by Paul Renaud

'The Low Road'

Hey Fanboys and Fangirls. Check out the latest preview from Valiant for:

X-O MANOWAR in Ancient Times

X-O MANOWAR #0

Written by ROBERT VENDITTI
Art by CLAY MANN
Cover A by JELENA KEVIC-DJURDJEVIC (AUG141713)
Cover B by CLAY MANN (AUG141714)
Interlocking Cover C by DAVE JOHNSON (JUL148184)
Interlocking Cover D by DAVE JOHNSON (JUL148185)
Interlocking Cover E by DAVE JOHNSON (JUL148186)
Interlocking Cover F by DAVE JOHNSON (JUL148187)
Interlocking Cover G by DAVE JOHNSON (JUL148188)
Variant Cover by JEFF LEMIRE (AUG141715)
Variant Cover by BRYAN HITCH (AUG141716)

Lock missiles and ZERO in on the can't–miss origin of Aric of Dacia, a.k.a. X-O MANOWAR!

With the fairly recent re-release of The Last of US for the PlayStation 4 and a new Grand Theft Auto V remaster hitting store shelves soon, the Press Start crew take to the discussion lounge to chat about whether or not they think games nowadays are being remastered too quickly.

Should these games be left to marinate in the hands of gamers first before being given a second breath of life? Should they be remastered at all? The crew discusses all of this and more.


What are your thoughts on this subject? Let us know in the comments below. Next week, the crew will be discussing what classic or retro games they would like to see remastered eventually!

Press Start films weekly and can be followed on Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube.

Death of Wolverine #3 Cover by McNiven, Leisten and Ponsor

Seppuku.

The Japanese ritual suicide by disembowelment.

Seppuku was originally reserved only for Samurai, which Wolverine was once. Does he now head to his own suicide willing?

When last we saw Wolverine, he was bloody, bruised and on his last legs.

Having just faced his nemesis Sabretooth in a deadly fight to satisfy the whim of the equally deadly Viper, Wolverine was saved by the unlikely intervention of Deathstrike. As she next turned on the failing hero, a surprise twist from writer Charles Soule brought Kitty Pride quickly into the fold to stop Deathstrike from ending this event an issue too soon.

Soule has shown a very suitable way to continue to tell this story. It starts by easily linking back to the previous issue, but crucially we are given so much of the history of Wolverine as we enter into his final acts. By doing this, there are some obvious turns in the plot which are convenient, such as the use of a healing serum in Death of Wolverine #3, which shouldn't be bemoaned. These literary devices allow us to continue the story that we are paying to see through to the end, within an enriched sense of characterization.

For the story itself, Death of Wolverine #3 shows one of the best scenes so far in the series. We are witnessing the matured character Wolverine has become as a result of the loss of his healing factor. After Kitty and Wolverine have arrived in Japan, following their flight from Madripoor, they are enjoying the scenery in the Koishikawa Korakuen Gardens. It is here, amongst the beautiful artwork from Steve McNiven, Jay Keisten and Justin Ponsor, that Wolverine has a very sentimental moment about how he would like to end. We seldom associate this level of emotionality with this character, which makes it such a great contrast to presumed expectations. It also foreshadows the next issue which will reveal Wolverine's death in detail, but points to the notion of the prospect within the story of accepting the inevitability of death.

The beautiful colors of Justin Ponsor bring to life the work of pencils of McNiven and inking of Leisten.

Soule uses the same tried and true basic plot outline in Death of Wolverine #3. The main focus is centered on Wolverine in conflict with a main protagonist—in this case, Ogun. Supporting characters such as Kitty Pryde provided some balance to the conflict, but foremost the attention remains with Wolverine journey, allowing the transition from each conflict to build to the next, which will be next time the ultimate one.

This issue certainly feels a little longer due to the pacing. The action is secondary to the plot development and this means we see more dialogue as a result. This is quite necessary to tease out the hidden Ogun but adds so much more weight to the narrative. Veteran letterer Chris Eliopoulos incorporates the continued novelty of the Wolverine's senses, but shows a lot more work in this issue due to the added dialogue. Despite what seems like more caption boxes or speech bubbles, the art by McNiven is of the highest quality.

Wolverine wonders at his ultimate ending.

A standout feature of the entire series, McNiven's pencils, Leisten's inking and Ponsor's colors tell as much with the dialogue, as they could without it. The setting in a Japanese Garden allows McNiven to indulge a soft background sense which is contrasted by Madripoor and urban Japan. Ponsor's colors a vividly gorgeous. Through these artists we get to see the beauty and savagery that have surrounded Wolverine since we have known the character. This artistic team is as good as it gets and the delivery is utmost quality.

We are treated again to the 'directors cut' at the end of Death of Wolverine #3. I continue to appreciate this extra content. Despite comments I have seen about the cost of the series, per issue, the quality that has been put into it and the insight we are given into the creative process I feel is worth the extra. It makes the final result feel more worthwhile as we infer the pains that have gone into getting the story to the audience. This is a special event series and we should treat it as such as readers and buyers, not just from the creators and publisher.

While there has been a delay in the original scheduled release of the final two installments of the series, the wait seems easier to bear the issues are finally in your hands. As sad as it will be to finish the Death of Wolverine, there is still one more issue to delight fans. Before that arrives be sure to retread the earlier issues, savor it and let us know what you have thought so far. Make sure you leave a comment below.

Want to know what happened the past few days in nerd culture? WEEK IN GEEK is your quick fix to catch up with the rest of the fanboys out there.

I admit to missing a few things this week but here's my take on what I caught!

MOVIES

Tetris: The Movie?

My take: I don't see what Threshold Entertainment can possibly do better than their take on Mortal Kombat but they're going to try! Apparently this will be a sci-fi adventure of some kind and not just shapes dropping into lines. Thank goodness. It's very safe to assume this is a gimmick to attach a familiar name to a, basically, brand new property. Unfortunately, it's already working on my weak mind. I'm interested to see what this will be about.

Fantastic Four Sounding More Grounded Than Fantastic.

My take: Miles Teller, who will play Reed Richards in the reboot, recently mentioned the movie is more grounded than it's predecessors. I don't know about you but when I think of "fantastic", I don't want "grounded" and "day-to-day", as he describes. I want adventure that only those four can handle.

Justice League: Throne of Atlantis Trailer.

My take: When it comes to the beloved DC Animated videos, I'm not a huge fan of the choppy animation style or the New 52-ish universe they've taken a turn to. Putting Aquaman in the spotlight is another push DC seems to putting on us, I wouldn't be surprised if Cyborg: The Techno-Dome Initiative or something wasn't coming up soon. I sense this movie will be loaded with posturing speeches and moments with a lick of "wasn't that neat, everyone?" to them. Don't get me wrong, I'm an Aquaman supporter, I'm just not a fan of DC's methods these days.

TELEVISION

DC TV Properties May Cross Over, After All.

My take: Originally thought impossible, the CW President seemed excited about all the superheroness going on TV these days. The potential for CW, TNT and CBS to cross storylines across The Flash and Arrow with Titans or Supergirl might give them the edge they need to keep up with Marvel's movie success. Considering how messed up their comic book universe these days (*personal opinion), it will be refreshing to see them avoid the multiverse completely. If they even consider introducing it before establishing a cohesive universe first (and I'm talking a decade minimum), they can kiss their TV dreams goodbye.

Gotham is Two Episodes Deep.

My take: I can't say I'm enthralled with the show so far. Can the villains truly shine without Batman as their enemy? Do we want them to? Are there any good guys on the good guys side that we can warm up to? A producer recently talked about avoiding a "villain of the week" scenario with the series. Apparently they're accomplishing this by simply not revealing the villain, except by name. I'm only two episodes in and I'm already hoping for a time jump in season two or three. I don't see why they can't have Batman, if they're after ratings, that's a no-brainer.

COMIC BOOKS

Marvel Universe Upside Down.

My take: The Marvel Universe (the 616, to comic book aficionados) is near unrecognizable these days; a female Thor, an evil Iron Man, a rehabilitated Doctor Doom and possibly Carnage as a hero soon? I'm all for shake-ups, so bring it on, I say. However, I fear the status quo will come back all too soon. "The more things change", as they say. I've always considered that it would happen around the release of Avengers: Age of Ultron but things might trickle around longer than I thought. I really enjoyed Dark Reign and was sad that, when it ended, it was a complete do-over. Very few repercussions. At least we're getting some new characters and mixtures of characters. It's just a shame there are so many Avengers titles to capitalize on the name. I'm a 20+ year veteran comic book reader and even I get lost in the shuffle of relaunches.

The End of The New 52? Please.

My take: More clues as Future's End continues! If all the nonsense that DC has been throwing at the shelves this year culminates in another reboot in 2015, I might be okay with it. I gave The New 52 a 12-issue chance back in 2011, following several core titles for a year. I couldn't get on board. Not after reading since 1991. They lost me. Signs point to another major shake-up next spring and, if they do it, I might just give them (yet) another try. With their TV universes about to find new audiences, they'll be smart to do away with the multiverse and "evil twin" stories.

Marvel and Jack Kirby's Family Reach Settlement.

My take: To little acclaim and even less financial compensation, Jack Kirby created dozens of Marvel's well-known heroes. The family has been battling for what is compensation is owed to his estate since his death in 1994. This past week, they reached an out of court agreement that we may find out details about one day but it's good know the finale was amicable. The sad thing is, with so many other creators left out to pasture over the decades, the terms of this settlement could really help their cases. I understand business is business but sharing the love is good press, as well as the right thing to do.

On this edition of Channel Surfing, we join Chris "The Dace Man" Dace as he reviews the second episode in the premiere season of FOX'S Gotham entitled Selina Kyle.

He'll give you the scope on this week's episode as to what went down with a hint of Dacetacularness.  So put down that remote control and sit back and enjoy this brand new edition of Channel Surfing. I'm calling for the few, for the proud, and for The Dacetacular let's start channel surfing!



As always, check back regularly to see what Chris "The Dace Man" Dace is looking at (and no, not just porn), as well as all of the other bloggers here at Fanboys Anonymous. Remember, keyboard warriors: leave your feedback! Until the next time, for the few, the proud, and, of course, the Dacetacular, grab a beer—and in this case a TV remote—and check out what's going on here in the Dace-Sphere. See ya next time!


Follow on Facebook: Mega Powers Radio | Fanboys Anonymous | The Dace Man Show | Nerd Court | Sports Talk Weekly | Addicted to Anime

On this edition of Channel Surfing, we join Chris "The Dace Man" Dace as he reviews he third episode in the premiere season of ABC's Forever entitled Fountain of Youth.

He'll give you the scope on this week's episode as to what went down with a hint of Dacetacularness. So put down that remote control and sit back and enjoy this brand new edition of Channel Surfing. I'm calling for the few, for the proud, and for The Dacetacular let's start channel surfing!



As always, check back regularly to see what Chris "The Dace Man" Dace is looking at (and no, not just porn), as well as all of the other bloggers here at Fanboys Anonymous. Remember, keyboard warriors: leave your feedback! Until the next time, for the few, the proud, and, of course, the Dacetacular, grab a beer—and in this case a TV remote—and check out what's going on here in the Dace-Sphere. See ya next time!


Follow on Facebook: Mega Powers Radio | Fanboys Anonymous | The Dace Man Show | Nerd Court | Sports Talk Weekly | Addicted to Anime