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.

Make your own comics!

Seems like there's lots of people and groups that now have their own comic book creator software and other peripherals out there.  The guy to the left seems pretty computer literate. Many have booths here, but a quick Google search displays sites and software from Toondoo's Comic Strip Creator to a Captain Underpants comic creator to the Original Comic Book Creator, which also has Marvel, Speed Racer and TokyoPop manga makers.

Some of the most interesting come from sources outside of comics.  The Dr. Who comic creator seems different, but if you're outside of the UK, you won't be able to see it!  There's also a build-your-own-Garfield comic strip generator, Designcomics.org offers lots of free clip art for folks to use in creating their own strip (not book), and even video game network G4 got into the act with a story explaining exactly how to do it and with what tools.

Marvel and DC don't yet have anything to fear, but an increasingly isolated society connected by computers could one day spawn a big web hit.  For those who want to create them but still enjoy the hard copies, there''s even a booth here (Powis) that sells a binding machine for comics, novels, dissertations, etc.

Photo: Spencer Weiner / LAT

-- Jevon Phillips

Con costume to beat: Orange CPDRC uiform

It's a little early to start campaigning for a winner in next Saturday's Comic-Con 2007 Masquerade. But check out this video and tell me if you don't think anyone resourceful and bold enough to wear a Cebu Provincial Detention and Rehabilitation Center prison uniform shouldn't win the costume competition hands down.

It looks like the whole thing was shot from a guard tower, and apparently CPDRC's warden is an aspiring Adam Shankman -- meaning an extremely ambitious choreographer who can get great performances out of non-professional dancers. Next up from Fox, if producers are paying any attention to hyper viral videos, a "So You Think You Can Dance" versus "Cebu Provincial Detention and Rehabilitation Center" showdown. (via BB)                     

-- Sheigh Crabtree

Sneak peek: Sideshow ropes 'Indy,' debuts 'Buffy,' 'Godfather'

Sideshow Collectibles, one of the largest exhibitors at Comic-Con, has sent in exclusive news and sneak peeks at figurines and collectibles debuting in San Diego next week.

The Thousand Oaks-based company plans to unveil 70 new collectibles on the floor in its "museum style" booth.

It has also struck a new licensing deal with Lucasfilm to produce collectibles from all four "Indiana Jones" films.

Anyone crazy enough can now stick a life-size bust of Indy right in the middle of the living room.

Meanwhile, Don Vito Corleone will be calling a meeting of the families down at Comic-Con -- all 16 pounds and 20 inches of him. They should hand those things out at the Oscars.

Some figurines are of Sideshow's own design, while others the company distributes for friendly vendors. In the latter case, it's showing Electric Tiki's animated-style Buffy the Vampire Slayer, the first 'toon version of Buffy to be released. Long live the Buffy! As you can see, this rendition is very, er ... perky.

Sideshow is also unveiling a line of wee little Hobbits, the new World of Warcraft line, not to mention a much-buzzed-about 12-inch figure for Lucas and "Star Wars." Code name: Storm Trooper on a Speeder bike.

For now, we'll just have to wistfully imagine what it looks like as we polish up our menacing white plastic armor and helmet for the masquerade. I want to see someone ride a life-size version of a Speeder into the convention center.

Photos: Ginny Guzman/Sideshow

-- 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