Comic-Con 2007: It's a Wrap

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Here are a few of our personal highlights, low points and some of the projects we saw at Comic-Con that we look forward to catching in the future.

At the end … free hugs, anime and complaints

On Sunday, the stars and stargazers have mostly left, except for those who came for Nicolas Cage. But there was still activity in the convention center and an enterprising fashionista from Poway, right, who made this dress out of one of the highly prized Warner Bros. bags.

The anime rooms were at about 75% capacity, still showing many programs that may not ever air on U.S. TV.  A group of people near the rooms displayed handwritten "free hugs" signs, and commenced to squeezing passersby.

The Browncoats –- fans of “Buffy” and “Firefly” creator Joss Whedon -– congregated in a room as raffled prizes were dispersed. Last year, the space was big enough to accommodate the group, but this year there was at least three times the number of people who could comfortably sit in the room.

And then there was the final talkback -– Comic-Con’s feedback session where the fans are allowed to express their complaints, or compliments, to an assembled group of Comic-Con show runners. More than 20 people paraded in front of the microphone with various amounts of frustration and praise.

The positives: an excellent shuttle service (could use more stops), great disabled-access folk, a general feeling that the crowding had subsided on Saturday in contrast with last year’s craziness (though the same number of people showed up) and kudos on keeping the show relevant and continual. The negatives: courtesy not being enforced (cellphones, line cuts), strollers in the aisles bruising up ankles and calves, giveaways being gone too quickly (not a function of the Con, actually), being hassled by the elite security personnel and the debacle at Ballroom 20 that left possibly hundreds of "Heroes" fans out of the panel. An aside to Ballroom 20 were numerous complaints about the announcer. Both her style (someone called her a "'hot-pants-wearing show guide") and her tone were questioned: Many called Erin Fetters' dry wit and sarcasm demeaning, as if she were talking to children and name-calling. I wasn't offended by her comments, but I can see how another opinion could be reached.

-- Jevon Phillips

Charlyne Yi kills at the Con; Apatow ushers in a comedian

Judd Apatow, the Mayor of Comedy, wants the world to know about stand-up comedian Charlyne Yi.

Why else invite Yi onstage for Sony's "Superbad" panel Saturday night in front of a room full of 6,000 fans and media in San Diego? She's not even in "Superbad."

And unless the personal practices of Paul Wolfowitz at the World Bank were the inspiration, being "Superbad" costar Michael Cera's girlfriend alone wouldn't seem relevant enough to earn Yi a spot on the overflow dias, alongside Apatow regulars Seth Rogen, Evan Goldberg, Jonah Hill, producer Shauna Robertson and newcomer Christopher Mintz-Plasse. (Although Yi did have a memorable part as the stoner Jodi with Rogen and Hill in Apatow's "Knocked Up.")

Her surprise appearance must be because Yi is seriously funny, and Comic-Con's massive Hall H is the perfect venue, not only to launch new movies but also for new stars. And Apatow is nothing if not loyal to his comedy coterie. But there may have been something more intentional afoot, not only bolstering Apatow's rep as the sage of send-up but also demonstrating his commitment to finding funny ladies in addition to his headlining slovenly guys.

"Knocked Up" inspired David Denby, writing for the New Yorker last month, to devote 4,872 words to Apatow's misogynistic breed of romantic comedy and its presumed detriment to a future generation of comedic heroines.

The Cages' lovefest

Nicolas and Weston Cage are the archetype of a father-son relationship. With Weston's long black hair and goatee, he doesn't look much like his movie-star dad, but the closeness of their relationship was on display in Ballroom 20 as they presented "Voodoo Child," their first collaborative effort and a comic book being published by Virgin Comics.

Cage, a well-known comic-book proponent, reared Weston with images of superheroes.

"We had them all over the house," said the senior Cage. "They were even framed and hanging [on] the walls."

And the opportunity to create and produce a comic book is not lost on the younger Cage, who is 16.

His friends "say it's pretty radical." Weston says. "I mean, it's pretty awesome for somebody my age to create a comic book."

"Voodoo Child" writer Mike Carey described the book, which centers around New Orleans, as having supernatural horror and even political themes. But the main character is something we may not have seen yet.

"There's actually not enough of him left to even be a zombie. He's more like a living shadow."

An EMT from New York and a paramedic from New Orleans who happened to be in the audience each thanked Nic -- for his work in "World Trade Center," and his general support of post-Katrina New Orleans.

Here's the article on Nicolas and Weston Cage that appeared in the print edition of the L.A. Times

Photo: Spencer Weiner / LAT

-- Jevon Phillips

The panel of iron and rage

Marvel Studios held their first film presentation in Hall H tonight with a first (for me) at the 2007 Comic-Con: a standing ovation, for "Iron Man."

IRON MAN

Marvel exec Kevin Feige, producers Gale Anne Hurd and Avi Arad, director Jon Favreau, with actors (from left to right above) Terrence Howard, Gwyneth Paltrow and Robert Downey Jr. took the stage. All of the actors were Comic-Con first-timers and their camaraderie was palpable as they joked and whispered with each other throughout the presentation. Exclusive footage was about to be shown and, as Favreau told the crowd, "This is about comic-book fans."

The crowd LOVED the footage, and the panelists were seeing the images for the first time as well. They all looked stunned and happy, with Downey Jr. asking, "Couldn't there have been more of me?"

Some of the Q&A:

Paltrow was asked about her role as Pepper: "I love the dynamic between Pepper and Tony....  I was incredibly honored."

Terrence Howard was asked how it felt being in a movie like this (comic-book adaptation): "What do you mean ... a movie with a budget?"

Getting smarter with Pete Segal

One of the highlights of the Warner Bros. presentation was the panel and teaser for "Get Smart."

Steve Carell, Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson, Masi Oka, Nate Torrence and Ken Davitian joined director Pete Segal onstage. Carell and the Rock got most of the face time on the panel, so afterward I sat down for a quick talk with the director.

Why "Get Smart"?

"There have been a lot of TV adaptations over the last decade. Some are terrible, and some are very good. And I think you have to remember that 'The Fugitive' and 'Mission: Impossible' came from TV shows," says Segal. "I think the difference in success and failure is in how close you stay to the source material."

When casting the film, Segal said he wanted to get actors that were at equal comedic and dramatic skill levels. "Suddenly you're energizing each scene with guys who can not only deliver what's on the page, but bring something else to the role." He also mentioned that Anne Hathaway in her role as Agent 99 was the most surprising actor of those cast and that her gung-ho attitude in her action-packed role will blow away audiences.  "Her enthusiasm comes across on the screen."

Favorite episode from the original show: "Loved the pilot." Segal mentioned that it was one of the two episodes that Mel Brooks (who created the show with Buck Henry) actually wrote and that it deftly explained and defined Maxwell Smart.

Favorite scene from the new movie: When Smart and Agent 99 are on a plane, rehearsing their undercover personas. Segal says that you find out that with his weight problem and her recent plastic surgery, they each had troubled pasts, and "It's there that they find common ground."

Favorite Line: By Smart -- "You've underestimated the element of supri ... "

Favorite Gadget: Old would be the shoe phone, and from the new film would be "a Swiss army knife that has a crossbow that shoots a harpoon," and many other things!

It looks fun and action-packed.

-- Jevon Phillips

Late Kate spruces up 'Whiteout' panel

Greg Rucka's graphic novel "Whiteout" has become a Warner Bros. motion picture starring Kate Beckinsale, produced by Joel Silver, and directed by Dominic Sena.  All three were present with the comics' author for the film's WB panel, though Beckinsale arrived after the trailer had been shown twice and the assemblage had answered many questions.

Saying that she had been stuck behind a train, Beckinsale made up for her tardiness with crowd-pleasing remarks.  In her short stint on stage, Beckinsale touched on topics that included the clothing differences between her Antartica-bound character in "Whiteout" and that of her vampire character from "Underworld," her husband's seeming desire to put her in dangerous action movies, and her brush with possibly becoming Wonder Woman (which hasn't happened).

-- Jevon Phillips

Indy's back, with lil' Indy too

The archeologist with a whip and a penchant for getting into trouble with Nazis is back, and Steven Spielberg, Harrison Ford, Ray Winstone, Shia LeBeouf and Karen Allen made sure to address the Comic-Con crowd that has long supported the franchise (via "live" satellite feed).

Spielberg told the crowd that he had been making a lot of personal movies over the last 18 years (since the release of "Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade"), but that he was extremely happy to actually be on the 25th day of shooting.  He also said that he was making the movie for fans.

Harrison Ford was excited to be in Indiana's "old, dirty clothes" again, and he called the film "dynamite."  Ray Winstone, also receiving hype for "Beowulf," and Shia LaBeouf seemed just happy to be there.  Spielberg made a special presentation, bringing out her chair, to introduce Karen Allen.  There was no footage presented, but anticipation was high, and the reception was spirited.

-- Jevon Phillips

'Worst Cartoons Ever!' A chat with Jerry Beck

I've always wanted to go to Comic-Con and just hit the joke and bogus panels -- and there are plenty -- but I'm usually working.

Not that I haven't surfed in and out of a few ridiculous sessions. Some might even say that I moderated one of 'em last year. But if I may recommend just one annual favorite Comic-Con joke panel, it is Jerry Beck's "Worst Cartoons Ever!" session on Friday evening at 9:15PM to 10:15PM.

Among other amazing finds, this year Beck plans to show another installment of Spunky & Tadpole, about a boy and his brain-damaged bear.

Beck and I traded a few e-mails this weekend. Not only is he an animation historian, cartoon producer and ASIFA-Hollywood board member, but he also co-edits CartoonBrew, one of most superlative 'toon blogs in town. Here's what he had to say about his dream Comic-Con threads, his curatorial decision-making process when it comes to "truly worst ever!" and the rest of the ASIFA-Hollywood programming on tap this year.

Comic-Con Watch Overlord: Jerry, if you were going to wear a costume to the convention this year, who would you be?

Image: "Clutch Cargo," courtesy Jerry Beck/ASIFA-Hollywood.

Chat time with the Cages changes

On Comic-Con's homepage:

The Sunday panel with Academy Award-winning actor Nicolas Cage talking about comics with his son, Weston Cage, moves to 10:45-11:30am in Ballroom 20 on Sunday.

-- Jevon Phillips

Time to plan

Complete Official Comic-Con Schedule

It's finally available and is now posted for everyone to plan around.

We've already mentioned a few, but there are sooo many more panels, events, Q&A sessions and screenings to consider. With many events booked head-to-head, anyone going should get a good idea of where they want to be and when. Events will give you "the hand" when capacity is reached, and it's reached often.

-- Jevon Phillips

Strange happenings

Marvel has gotten great response so far to its animated line of DVD mini-movies. The Avengers pair and Iron Man have all been reviewed favorably by my local comic book shop loiterers, and their word is gold. So the company is planning to roll out their next vehicle at Comic-Con on Friday at 7:15 (oooo, primetime). It will star none other than the master of the mystic arts himself, Doctor Strange. Lionsgate and Marvel will present the world premiere with a panel featuring Marvel's senior VP of creative development animation, Craig Kyle, plus members of the cast and production team in Room 6CDEF

For your Saturday afternoon enjoyment, around 4:45-5:45, Dark Horse presents Joss Whedon. The "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" creator will talk about the hugely successful Season 8 comic book and his other projects. A sneak peek from the upcoming "Serenity - Collector's Edition" DVD will be shown, and with this being the 10th anniversary of 'Buffy's' exit from the airwaves, who knows who else might might make an appearance in Ballroom 20.

Also on Saturday, the CW will be screening the season premiere of "Smallville," with as-yet-unannounced castmembers attending, including the actress chosen to play Supergirl. Could be behind, but I could've sworn they already had her in an episode or two …

And if you're a comic book snob or comic book hater with nothing better to do on Sunday, you can join in the eternal debate over whether comics are really literature. Yes, at 11:30 a.m., Douglas Wolk (Reading Comics) will moderate a possibly heated discussion with Cecil Castellucci (The PLAIN Janes); Dan Nadel (PictureBox Inc.); Austin Grossman (Soon I Will Be Invincible); Paul Tobin (Spider-Man Family); and Sara Ryan (The Rules for Hearts) in Room 8. Could be interesting, but does it really matter? Teachers here and abroad are already using comic books to not only entertain, but to impart knowledge and increase reading skills. Whether it's Dickens or Daredevil, reading is reading, people!

-- Jevon Phillips

Jim Henson Co. announces line-up

The Jim Henson Co. will be on hand providing a live demo of HDPS, the Henson Digital Performance Studio that enables Henson puppeteers to perform CG chracters in real time. It is being used on "The Skrumps," which appears on Yahoo!Kids. The presentation will also feature live puppet performances from sketch comedians on Friday in Room 20. On the show floor Henson will be selling new DVD releases of "The Dark Crystal" and "Labyrinth," new collectible toys, and the new Legends of The Dark Crystal manga. Friday panel info:

4:15 - 5:45pm The Jim Henson Company: Presenting The Skrumps, Puppet Up! Uncensored and More - Join co-CEOs Brian Henson (Farscape) and Lisa Henson (MirrorMask) along with Halle Stanford (Muppets Tonight), Craig Bartlett (Hey Arnold!) and John Chandler (creator, The Skrumps) to learn about the Company's newest gang of characters, The Skrumps, and see a live demonstration of the revolutionary technology that brings this animated troupe to life. Also featured will be a live performance of a sketch from the Company's stage show Puppet Up! - Uncensored. And we'll be sure to include product and production updates. Special guest performers: Patrick Bristow (The Groundlings), Julianne Buescher (Puppet Up!), Michelan Sisti (Dinosaurs). Room 20

-- Sheigh Crabtree

'Masters of the Web' panel?

Since whoever is reading this most likely found it by trudging along on the information superduper highway, a particular panel being leaked out could interest you.

Called "Masters of the Web," it will feature many of the 'Net's popular bigwigs talking about what it takes to run their mega-successful websites. Here's a quick preliminary description of the Sunday event:

1:00-2:30 - Masters of the Web -- Hosted by Tom DeSanto (Transformers, X-Men), the biggest genre and movie websites are coming together to talk about how new media has affected movie making today, what it takes to run a popular site and much more in this panel discussion and Q&A session. Participating panelists include Robert Sanchez (IESB.net); Garth Franklin (Darkhorizons.com); Berge Garabedian (Joblo.com); Patrick Lee (Scifi.com); Ed Douglas (Comingsoon.net/Superherohype.com); Brad Miska (Bloody-Disgusting.com); Steven Weintraub (Collider.com); Devin Faraci (CHUD.com); Drew McWeeney (Aintitcool.com); Paul Christensen (Movieweb.com); Kellvin Chavez (Latinoreview.com); and Eric Moro (IGN.com). Room 6A

Of course, stuff is subject to change since there has been no official release yet.

-- Jevon Phillips

Kickin' it with Pixar and Clive Owen

What do Pixar short film directors and Clive Owen have in common? They all believe the eyes are the most important part of an actor's performance. Okay, it was a stretch. But they do both have panels planned for the same day at Comic-Con 2007.

First up are Pixar short men Ralph Eggelston ("For the Birds"), Andrew Jimenez (co-director of "One Man Bad") and Gary Rydstrom, the legendary Skywalker sound designer turned Pixar director of the short film "Lifted." The gents plan to screen some clips followed by a Q&A about the studio's short program on Friday, July 27 at 10:30-11:30. Room 6CDEF

Later that afternoon, New Line Cinema is promoting "Shoot 'Em Up," an action thriller starring Clive Owen. The funny thing about this movie is that it sounds a helluvalot like where Owen's last film, "Children of Men," left off. The story is described as "a man named Mr. Smith (Owen) delivers a woman's baby during a shootout, and is then called upon to protect the newborn from the army of gunmen." Okaaay. Is the new mother named Kee and is there a boat called Tomorrow on the way to take them to the Human Project? We shall see when "Shoot 'Em Up's" director Michael Davis describes the plot points and shows footage from the new film before it opens Sept. 7. New Line is also using the time to sneak peek "The Golden Compass," from from 2:15-3:00 in Hall H.

-- Sheigh Crabtree

Sci Fi channels in on Comic-Con lineup

The SCI FI Channel has set their Comic-Con 2007 schedule, highlighted by "Battlestar Galactica's" spotlight on women that includes Mary McDonnell (Laura Roslin), Katee Sackhoff (Kara "Starbuck" Thrace) and Tricia Helfer (Number Six). No Boomer! Oh well. And, the always prophetic Stan Lee will be on hand for his show "Who Wants to be a Superhero?"

FRIDAY, JULY 27

1:15 – 2:15 STARGATE ATLANTIS

The Stargate legacy continues to burn bright on SCI FI with the fourth original season of Atlantis. Amanda Tapping, one of the most beloved stars in the Stargate universe, travels to the Pegasus galaxy to join the Atlantis cast by reprising her role as television's favorite astrophysicist, Lt. Colonel Samantha Carter. Taking the torch from SG-1 as television's most thrilling adventure series, Atlantis, currently in production in Vancouver, promises to up the ante this season by introducing a powerful new race, welcoming new cast members and mourning the loss of some beloved friends.

Panelists: Amanda Tapping, Lt. Colonel Samantha Carter David Hewlett, Dr. Rodney McKay Joe Mallozzi, Executive Producer/Writer Nora O'Brien, VP, Original Programming, SCI FI Charlie Cohen, Senior Executive Vice President, MGM Studios Robert Cooper, Executive Producer/Writer

Moderator: Gary Jones, Chief Master Sergeant Walter Harriman, Stargate SG-1

4:45 – 5:45 EUREKA A small town with even bigger big secrets this season, Eureka is a community of geniuses assembled by the government to conduct top-secret research. What they've unwittingly created is a place where anything imaginable can happen…and does.

Eureka started off with a bang and remained a must-see dramedy on SCI FI. The season 1 series premiere holds the distinction of being the highest rated series telecast in SCI FI Channel history! Come see what all the buzz is about and get a sneak peak at the season ahead!

Panelists: Colin Ferguson, Jack Carter Salli Richardson, Allison Blake Ed Quinn, Nathan Stark Joe Morton, Henry Deacon Jaime Paglia, Co-Creator & Executive Producer Tony Optican, VP, Original Programming, SCI FI

Moderator: TBD

8:15 – 10:15 SCI FI SCREENING Don't get SCI FI in your hotel room?! Come to a commercial free screening of Eureka and Who Wants to be a Superhero! Come dressed as your favorite superhero!

Colin Ferguson, star of Eureka, will open up the evening's festivities. Catch up on Thursday's premiere of Superhero and watch an all-new episode of Eureka before it airs on SCI FI.

The first 1000 attendees will receive Feedback's Dark Horse comic book!

SATURDAY, JULY 28

10:30 – 11:30 WHO WANTS TO BE A SUPERHERO?

SCI FI Channel has once again joined forces with Nash Entertainment (Meet My Folks, For Love or Money, Who Wants to Marry My Dad?) and legendary comic book creator Stan Lee's (Spider-Man, Hulk, The Fantastic Four, X-Men) POW! Entertainment, to present an all-new season of Who Wants to be a Superhero? This year's winner walks away with their superhero character immortalized in a new comic book from Dark Horse Comics created by Stan Lee himself and a Shocker Toy action figure!

Panelists: Stan Lee, Star/Executive producer Andy Scheer, Executive Producer Feedback, 2006 Winner Hygena, Season 2 contestant Hyperstrike, Season 2 contestant Rob Swartz, VP, Alternative Programming

Moderator: TBD

2:15 – 3:15 BATTLESTAR GALACTICA Room 20 "An instantly addictive, girl-powered show that packs emotional punch, rip-roaring adventure and surprisingly sexy heat." People Magazine, Michelle Tauber

"…sheer hot science friction…" Chicago Sun-Times, Thomas Conner

Come see what all the buzz is about as SCI FI celebrates the ladies of Battlestar Galactica.

Panelists: Mary McDonnell, Laura Roslin Katee Sackhoff, Kara "Starbuck" Thrace Tricia Helfer, Number Six Ronald D. Moore, Executive Producer David Eick, Executive Producer Erik Storey, VP, Original Programming, SCI FI

Moderator: Marc Bernardin, Entertainment Weekly

SUNDAY, JULY 29

11:45 – 12:30 TIN MAN: STORY TIME Room 1AB

This December, SCI FI will boldly re-imagine L. Frank Baum's children's classic The Wonderful Wizard of Oz in the six-hour miniseries Tin Man. A sometimes psychedelic, often twisted and always outrageous take on the book, SCI FI's Tin Man is the epic tale of DG (Zooey Deschanel), a young woman plucked from her humdrum life and thrust into The Outer Zone (the O.Z.) – a fantastical realm rife with wonder, but oppressed by dark magic. In the adventure of a lifetime, DG discovers her true identity, battles evil winged-monkey-bats, and attempts to fulfill her destiny.

Celebrate Kid's Day at Comic-Con by joining Kathleen Robertson, who plays the evil sorceress Azkadellia, in a reading that pays tribute to L. Frank Baum's original classic and catch a sneak peak of the upcoming miniseries coming to SCI FI this December.

2:30 – 3:30 FLASH GORDON Room 6CDEF

Placing a 21st century spin on a science fiction classic, SCI FI's contemporized version of Flash Gordon follows the all-new adventures of Flash (Eric Johnson) and his companions, Dale Arden and Dr. Hans Zarkov. Ordinary people thrust into extraordinary circumstances, they find themselves as Earth's last line of defense against the forces of the merciless dictator Ming.

Panelists: Eric Johnson, Flash Gina Holden, Dale Peter Hume, Executive Producer Mark Stern, Executive Vice President, Original Programming, SCI FI

Moderator: TBD

We're on watch

Here at the Comic-Con Watch, we'll be updating you on celebrity appearances, panels, and any other tidbits about the con that we can get our hands on. Logistically and program-wise, here are some new additions and emerging trends.

- With Jessica Alba appearing for "Good Luck Chuck" and Seth Rogan showing up for "Superbad," Comic-Con's reputation of showcasing only sci-fi, animated, fantasy, horror, adventure and comic-based material should be slowly chipping away. (Though he is a comic book industry regular, Kevin Smith has brought the "regular guy" funny for a while, though.)

- A 15-minute break will be introduced between panels in the bigger programming rooms. Con brass fight a constant battle in dealing with overcrowding, and this may or may not help alleviate some of the mash-up.

- The Comic Arts Conference and the "Comic-Con Classroom" series of workshops and seminars will be housed in bigger rooms -- in a "classroom" style setting (complete with desks!). For fans and serious comics industry hopefuls, this will be a welcome addition and should make the learning environment more enjoyable.

- For the fans of NBC's "Heroes" out there, the show is making a big push to be active at Comic-Con. They plan to have art by Tim Sale (Issac's stuff from the show) at their booth (#3912), and an hourly raffle for goodies. Even more down and dirty, participants can now go to the "Heroes" Comic-Con site and create a comic book or a music video to enter into a contest. The winning entries will be announced at the con.

-- Jevon Phillips