Weekly Forecast: July 25th, 2007

By Christopher Hoerdemann

San Diego Comic Con is coming........

With San Diego Comic-Con right around the corner, we should get lots of cool movie news (Iron Man, Watchmen), some new creative team announcements (Astonishing X-Men, Amazing Spider-Man), and quite a few other goodies to boot. I think the big announcement will end up being that Warren Ellis and Simone Bianchi will be taking the reins on Astonishing X-Men after John Cassaday and Joss Whedon finish up (but that’s just me). So, before I talk about any of the comics this week (scroll almost to the very bottom for my thoughts on the coming weeks comics), I would like to suggest a few things, and give you a look at some of the schedules for the San Diego Con.

Here's my suggestion: Hit up the Marvel events/panels.  Marvel has stated that they want to make a really big splash at San Diego this year, and from the schedule (which you can read below), it appears that they will.  Marvel has the momentum right now.  Other than the DC Nation panel, and maybe a Countdown panel or two, you really should probably focus on Marvel stuff at San Diego.  It might be a different story in Chicago a couple weeks later, but the fact is that Marvel is going to blow people's minds!  Okay, here's the full Marvel schedule, and the Dark Horse schedule......
   

Marvel Panel Schedule

THURSDAY, JULY 26

Paramount Pictures Panel
1:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.
Hall H
Paramount Pictures, DreamWorks Pictures, and Nickelodeon Movies reveal their bold new visions for adventure films. Be here for a one-of-a-kind presentation put together just for the fans at Comic-Con as they get a look at such highly anticipated movies as "Beowulf," "The Spiderwick Chronicles," "Stardust," "Hot Rod," "Iron Man," and the next installments of Indiana Jones and Star Trek as well as a few surprise features. Attendees: JJ Abrams, Neil Gaiman, Roger Avary, and SNL's Andy Samberg.

Mondo Marvel
4:45 p.m. – 5:45 p.m.
Room 6A
2007 has already been a major turning point for all things Marvel. Join Marvel creators, editors and special guests as they discuss WORLD WAR HULK, ANNIHILATION: CONQUEST and all things Marvel! Attendees: Jim McCann, C.B. Cebulski, Dan Buckley, David Sexton, Brian Reed, Dan Slott, Matt Fraction, JMS and Fred Van Lente FRIDAY, JULY 27 Cup O' Joe; 11:45 a.m. – 12:45 p.m.; Room 6CDEF Join Joe Quesada, the EEK himself, as he unveils what's in store for all your favorite Marvel characters & creators, reveals surprising announcements, and takes on all questions. As always, it's the no-holds barred panel that everyone's gonna be talking about. You don't want to miss it! Attendees: Joe Quesada, Jim McCann, C.B. Cebulski and Charles Knauf

Sony Pictures Television/Kids' WB: The Spectacular Spider-Man
12:45 p.m. – 1:45 p.m.
Room 6CDEF
Get an early look at the stunning art and exciting storylines for the renowned webslinger's newest animated adventures in The Spectacular Spider-Man, a Culver Entertainment production coming to Kids' WB! on The CW in early 2008. Michael Vogel (from Sony Pictures Television Animation) will moderate a panel headed by supervising producer Greg Weisman (Gargoyles), producer/supervising director Victor Cook (Hellboy: Blood and Iron), character designer Sean "Cheeks" Galloway (Hellboy animated films), Marvel senior VP of creative development-animation Craig Kyle, and the newest voice of Spider-Man, Josh Keaton (The Young & The Restless). Then join Weisman, Cook, Galloway, and Keaton at the Marvel booth for a special signing from 2:15 p.m. - 2:55 p.m.

Marvel Video Games
3:30 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Room 5AB
The interactive world of the Marvel Universe has never been more exciting. Come meet the creators of your favorite Marvel video games and hear the inside scoop on the upcoming line-up of console, PC and handheld games featuring Marvel Super Heroes. Get an in-depth, behind-the-scenes look at what it takes to make a great Super Hero videogame and participate in a Q&A with the game developers.

"Doctor Strange" World Premiere Screening and Panel
7:15 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
Room 6CDEF
Lionsgate and Marvel Studios present the world premiere of the newest Marvel Animated Feature "Doctor Strange" with a film screening and Q&A panel featuring Marvel's senior VP of creative development animation Craig Kyle and other members of the cast and production team.

SATURDAY, JULY 28

Ultimate Universe
10:45 a.m. – 11:45 a.m.
Room 6B
It's the beginning of something huge, true believers! The architects of the Ultimate U – including JOE QUESADA and JEPH LOEB – are on hand to unveil the most shocking development in the 6-year history of the Universe that'll re-define the industry! Attendees: Joe Quesada, Jim McCann, C.B. Cebulski, Jeph Loeb and Brian Michael Bendis

Spider-Man
3:00 p.m. – 4:15 p.m.
Room 6B
This is the panel we've been teasing for months! Join Joe Quesada, Spidey editor Steve Wacker and the new creators of the thrice monthly AMAZING SPIDER-MAN to find out what's in store for Peter and his supporting cast, and why 2008 will see the dawning of a BRAND NEW DAY! Attendees: Joe Quesada, Jim McCann, C.B. Cebulski, Steve Wacker and the new Amazing Spider-Man Creative Team

Iron Man/ Hulk Movie Panels
4:15 p.m. – 5:15 p.m.
Hall H
Marvel Studios proudly presents its Summer 2008 blockbuster line-up! First up, in association with Universal Pictures, comes Marvel's exciting new take on superhero icon The Incredible Hulk. Edward Norton, Liv Tyler, Tim Roth, William Hurt, director Louis Leterrier and producers Avi Arad, Gale Anne Hurd and Kevin Feige will be on hand to discuss the sure hit. Next up, in association with Paramount Pictures, Marvel is proud to present the big screen debut of legendary Marvel hero Iron Man. Director Jon Favreau, producers Avi Arad, Kevin Feige, and Tony Stark himself, Robert Downey Jr., are proud to unveil exclusive, never before seen footage from the film. Don't miss this sneak peak at two of comics' movie projects.

SUNDAY, JULY 29

X-Men
11:45 a.m. – 12:45 p.m.
Room 6A
ENDANGERED SPECIES is underway, and MESSIAH COMPLEX is looming. ED BRUBAKER, CRAIG KYLE, CHRIS YOST, MIKE CAREY, and executive editor AXEL ALONSO are unveiling huge plans and unleashing some mutant mayhem that you'll have to see to believe! Attendees: Jim McCann, C.B. Cebulski, Ed Brubaker, Craig Kyle, Chris Yost, Mike Carey, Axel Alonso, Peter David, Marc Guggenheim and Daniel Way

Marvel Signing Schedule

THURSDAY, JULY 26

11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Peter David, Steve Lieber, Paul Jenkins and John Romita Jr.

12:30 p.m. – 1:30 p.m.
Reilly Brown, Charles Knauf, Esad Ribic and Joe Quesada

1:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m.
David Sexton, Stuart Moore and Leinil Yu

2:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Todd Nauck, Brian Reed, Robert Kirkman and Tim Bradstreet

3:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Karl Kesel, Billy Tan, Matt Fraction and Dan Slott

4:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Tommy Ohstuka, Gurihiru, C.B. Cebulski and David Finch

5:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Mike Choi, Chris Yost and Craig Kyle

FRIDAY, JULY 27

10:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. (both stations; special sketching session)
Khoi Pham, Reilly Brown, Pierre Alary, Tommy Ohtsuka, Cafu, Ramon Bachs and David Nakayama

11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Sherrilyn Kenyon, Mike Carey, David Morell and Orson Scott Card

12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Fred Van Lente, Michael Ryan, Christina Strain and John Romita Jr.

1:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Jonathon Green and Laurell K. Hamilton This is a ticketed event.

1:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.
Jeph Loeb

2:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Daniel Way, Dexter Vines, Simone Bianchi

2:15 p.m. – 2:55 p.m.
Spectacular Spider-Man Animated Series Creators Sean Galloway, Greg Weisman, Victor Cook and Josh Keaton

3:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.
John Laymen, Robert Kirkman, Adi Granov and Arthur Suydam

4:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.
David Finch, Ron Lim, Dan Slott and Greg Horn

5:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Esad Ribic, Joe Linser, Leinil Yu and Brian Michael Bendis

SATURDAY, JULY 28

9:00 A.M. – 10:00 A.M. (special sketching session)
Todd Nauck, David Nakayama and Tommy Ohtsuka

10:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.
Michael Ryan, Peter David, Todd Nauck, Dan Slott and Matt Fraction

11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Ramon Bach, Paul Jenkins, Christina Strain and John Romita Jr.

12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Paul Benjamin, David Nakayama, Khoi Pham and Joe Quesada

1:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m.
David Finch, Brian Reed, Leinil Yu and Brian Michael Bendis

2:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Jon Favreau and Robert Downey Jr.

3:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Frazer Irving, David Hine, Ed Brubaker and Bryan Denham

4:00 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Stan Lee This is a ticketed event.

5:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. (both stations)
Raymond Fiest Amazing Spider-Man Creative Team (TBA)

SUNDAY, JULY 29

11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. (both stations; special sketching session)
Pierre Alary, Reilly Brown, Ramon Bachs, Cafu Tommy Ohtsuka, Jeff Parker and Khoi Pham

11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Jeph Loeb

12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Leinil Yu, Simone Bianchi

1:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m. (both stations)
Michael Ryan, Matt Fraction and Paul Jenkins

2:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Dan Slott, Roy Thomas, Phil Jimenez and Bill Reinhold

3:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. (both stations)
Giant-Sized X-Men Signing Chris Yost, Peter David, Marc Guggenheim, Ed Brubaker, Humberto Ramos, Daniel Way, Billy Tan, Mike Carey and Craig Kyle

Marvel Events Schedule

THURSDAY, JULY 26

11:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.
Iron Man Video Game Demo*
Sega will be unveiling their new game inspired by the highly anticipated new Iron Man movie. Come to the stage to catch a 15-20 minute exhibition of the next generation game! Demos will also be available throughout the day at the Marvel booth.

1:00 pm. – 2:00 p.m.
Ask Marvel*
True believers will have the chance to be video recorded by Marvel.com, asking their favorite creators their most-desired questions. Questions and their subsequent recorded answers will be posted on Marvel.com!

2:30 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Spider-Man Video Game Demo*
Activison will be showcasing their upcoming superhero (and villain) studded next-gen game, Spider-Man: Friend or Foe. Fans can look forward to a 15-20 minute presentation of the game on stage along with playable demo kiosks available all day at the Marvel booth.

3:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.
The Palm Event
The Palm Restaurant 615 J Street San Diego, CA 92101 Superstars Simone Bianchi and Leinil Francis Yu lend their talents to the walls of The Palm Restaurant (located outside of the San Diego Convention Center). Open to the press and diners alike!

3:30 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Iron Man Video Game Demo *See previous event for description

5:00 p.m. – 5:30 p.m.
Spider-Man Video Game Demo *See previous event for description

6:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.
Ask Marvel *See previous event for description

FRIDAY, JULY 27

11:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.
Spider-Man Video Game Demo *See previous event for description

12:00 p.m. – 12:30 p.m.
Iron Man Video Game Demo *See previous event for description

1:00 p.m. – 1:30 p.m.
Bendis on Loeb
Fan-favorite writers Brian Michael Bendis and Jeph Loeb will engage in an open interview and discussion session. Bendis might put the heat on Loeb but not without a chance for Loeb to turn the tables back on Bendis!

2:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Marvel Giveaways
Don't miss a chance to win loads of free cool Marvel stuff! Answer questions correctly and you may walk away with great comics, sweet variant covers, radical trade paperbacks and more!

3:00 p.m. – 3:15 p.m.
Simone Bianchi Announcement
Simone Bianchi divulges his upcoming Marvel project that will be cause for quite the unique celebration ritual. Come see what it is!

3:00 p.m. – 3:15 p.m.
Astonishing X-Men Creative Team Announcement
Be on hand at the Marvel Booth to get the official word on the new Astonishing X-Men creative team!

4:00 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Bendis on Quesada
Brian Michael Bendis is at it again as he grills Marvel Editor-In-Chief Joe Quesada in an open interview that's sure to backfire on the NEW AVENGERS scribe!

5:00 p.m. – 5:30 p.m.
Ask Marvel *See previous event for description

6:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.
Marvel Costume Contest
The inaugural event that will bring fan-favorite Marvel heroes to life! All costume entries must arrive at least 15 minutes prior to the event and must also be deemed 'family-friendly' by Marvel. A grand prize will be awarded to the best costume.

SATURDAY, JULY 28

10:00 a.m. – 10:30 a.m.
Iron Man Video Game Demo *See previous event for description

11:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.
Spider-Man Video Game Demo *See previous event for description

12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Marvel Giveaways *See previous event for description

1:30 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Iron Man Booth Event Join director Jon Favreau and Tony Stark himself, actor Robert Downey, Jr., for an exclusive unveiling and one-hour signing event!

5:00 p.m. – 5:30 p.m.
Brubaker on Fraction
CAPTAIN AMERICA scribe Ed Brubaker conducts an interview with his IMMORTAL IRON FIST cohort Matt Fraction.

6:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.
Marvel Giveaways *See previous event for description

SUNDAY, JULY 29

11:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.
Spider-Man Video Game Demo *See previous event for description

12:00 p.m. – 12:30 p.m.
Iron Man Video Game Demo *See previous event for description

1:00 p.m. – 1:30 p.m.
Ask Marvel *See previous event for description

2:00 p.m. – 2:30 p.m.
Spider-Man Video Game Demo *See previous event for description

3:00 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.
Iron Man Video Game Demo *See previous event for description

4:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Marvel Giveaways *See previous event for description

   

Dark Horse Schedule

Dark Horse Comics Booth #2615 2007 Signing Schedule!

WEDNESDAY, JULY 25 (Preview Night):

6:00 - 7:00
Sergio Aragones: Celebrating 25 years of Groo!

7:00 - 8:30
The Artist Within: Greg Preston (Special Book Release Reception - Expect Special Guests!)

THURSDAY, JULY 26:

12:00 - 1:00
Joshua Dysart: Conan and the Midnight God

1:00 - 2:00
Tara McPherson: Lonely Heart

2:00 - 3:00
Will Vinton & Andrew Wiese: Jack Hightower

2:00 - 3:00
Chris Grine: Chickenhare

3:00 - 4:00
Matt Wagner: Celebrating 25 years of Grendel!

4:00 - 5:00
Jeff Smith: The Art of Bone

4:00 - 5:00
Eric Powell: The Goon, Chinatown

5:00 - 6:00
Rick Remender: Fear Agent

FRIDAY, JULY 27:

11:00 - 12:00
Eric Powell: The Goon, Chinatown

12:00 - 1:00
Bryan Talbot: Alice in Sunderland

1:00 - 2:00
Rick Remender: Fear Agent

1:30 - 2:30
Stan Sakai: Usagi Yojimbo

2:00 - 3:00
Adam Hughes: Star Wars Legacy

2:00 - 3:00
Matt & Shawn Fillbach: Star Wars Clone Wars Adventures, Maxwell Strangewell

3:00 - 4:00
Yasuhiro Nightow: Trigun (*ticketed event: See Dark Horse employee for details)

4:00 - 5:00
Ron Marz & Clement Sauve: Pantheon City

4:00 - 5:00
Travis Charest: Star Wars Legacy

5:00 - 6:00
Dustin Weaver & Michael Atiyeh: Star Wars Knights of the Old Republic

5:00 - 6:00
Steve Niles & Bernie Wrightson: City of Others

5:00 - 6:00
David Lloyd: Kickback

6:00 - 7:00
Tony Millionaire: Sock Monkey

6:00 - 7:00
Arvid Nelson: Rex Mundi, Zerokiller, Kull

SATURDAY, JULY 28:

12:00 - 1:00
Who Wants to be a Superhero?
Meet the contestants from Stan Lee's reality show on the Sci-Fi Channel: Iron Enforcer, Monkey Woman, Nitro G, Feedback, Lemuria, Creature

12:30 - 2:00 G
gerard Way, Gabriel Ba, James Jean: Umbrella Academy (*ticketed event, see Dark Horse employee for details.)

1:00 - 2:00
Georges Jeanty & Andy Owens: Buffy the Vampire Slayer

2:00 - 3:30
Joss Whedon: Buffy the Vampire Slayer (*ticketed event, see Dark Horse employee for details.)

5:00 - 6:00
Mike Mignola: Hellboy (*ticketed event, see Dark Horse employee for details.)

6:00 - 7:00
Yoshitaka Amano: Vampire Hunter D; Fairies (*ticketed event: See Dark Horse employee for details)

SUNDAY, JULY 29:

11:00 - 12:00 Bryan Talbot: Alice in Sunderland

12:00 - 1:00
De: Tales: Fabio Moon & Gabriel Ba

1:00 - 2:00
Emily The Strange: Creator Rob Reger; Artist Buzz Parker

2:00 - 3:00
Yoshitaka Amano: Vampire Hunter D; Fairies (*ticketed event: See Dark Horse employee for details)

3:00 - 4:00
Susan Bernard: President of Bernard of Hollywood, Author of 7 books, star of the classic cult film "Faster Pussy Cat, Kill! Kill!"

And Check out these Dark Horse Related Panels and Events!

SPOTLIGHT ON MATT WAGNER
THURSDAY, JULY 26
1:30-2:30pm ROOM 1AB

ACTION FIGURE TIMES TOYMAKER Q & A PANEL (featuring Dark Horse Vice President of Product Development, David Scroggy)
THURSDAY, JULY 26
5:00 - 6:00 pm ROOM 4

DARK HORSE COMICS *Don't miss the biggest announcement of this year's Con!
FRIDAY, JULY 27
2:30-3:30pm ROOM 1AB

JOSS WHEDON
SATURDAY, JULY 28
4:45-5:45pm ROOM 20

THE GOON PANEL
SATURDAY, JULY 28
6:00-7:00pm ROOM 8

EMILY THE STRANGE
SUNDAY, JULY 29
11:30am-12:30pm ROOM 2 


   

Whew!  Okay, now that that's done, on to the Weekly Preview.........

BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER #5 $2.99
• If I’m not mistaken, Brian K. Vaughan is writing this issue, and the rest of the next arc, so count me in.

FEAR AGENT LAST GOODBYE #2 $2.99
• Fear Agent is like a dumb version of Star Wars with more explosions and drinking. Plus Tony Moore is the artist. I rest my case.

ALL STAR BATMAN AND ROBIN THE BOY WONDER #6 (RES) $2.99
• At this point, I’ve decided why not? It can only get better.

COUNTDOWN 40 $2.99
• It might be getting a little better. Last issue was one of the strongest yet, and I think the writers and artist might be getting into a rhythm.

GREEN LANTERN CORPS #14 $2.99
• The Sinestro Corps War continues here. This is can’t miss stuff. Buy it now, or you’ll be paying out the nose for it in a couple months.

WALKING DEAD #39 (MR) $2.99
• This is my favorite book right now. If it would just come out when Kirkman says it is supposed to, I’d be even happier with it. It’s getting close to the point where if you don’t jump on now, it’s going to be too late. So go out and pick up the first six TPB’s and read em’!

AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #542 $2.99
• This is the penultimate issue of this Back in Black story arc, and I think we might see some mighty big ramifications. Seeing Spider-Man as angry as he is is a bit strange, but enjoyable all the same.

BLACK PANTHER #29 CWI $2.99
• There’s Marvel Zombies in this issue, so that’s just about all I have to say to get people to buy it.

IMMORTAL IRON FIST #7 $2.99
• One of the better books that Marvel is publishing. This is also a good jumping on point because it’s a stand-alone story that might give a nice little recap of what has already occured.

INCREDIBLE HULK #108 WWH $2.99
• If there’s one title besides the main mini series to buy for the World War Hulk event, this is it.

IRON MAN #20 WWH $2.99
• Butch Guice’s art is worth the price of admission alone, but Christos Gage is a good up and coming writer to watch as well.

MIGHTY AVENGERS #4 CWI $2.99
• Frank Cho drawing naked Ultron. Oh, and Brian Bendis can write okay too. I think if this book came out more often, I would enjoy it as much as New Avengers.

SENSATIONAL SPIDER-MAN #39 $2.99
• Venom returns! This looks to be the issue where Eddie Brock and the symbiote come back together, and the real venom makes his reentrance.

WOLVERINE #55 $2.99
• I’ve read this issue, and there is a payoff. So far all the people out their whining about the empty hype going on with this story, you need to reconsider buying this.

X-MEN #201 $2.99
• It’s kind of hard to not want to read this after last issues cliff hanger. The Marauders have made their move, so will the X-Men bounce back.

Pick of the Week........
Walking Dead #39: There's not a whole lot not to like about where the story is heading in this series.  No character is safe, and if my predictions are correct, it looks like we might be seeing someone getting put in the ground here pretty soon.
 

Cover of the Week........ 
Mighty Avengers #4