New York Comic Con 2012: AKA: Where the Geeks Come Out to Play

Photo Credit L. Lyles

As I write this I am standing, yup I'm standing, on a packed train home, battered, bruised, tired and poorer, and wouldn't trade this weekend for anything in the world.

The past four days in New York have been a geek paradise, for the Jacob Javits Center has been home to the 2012 New York Comic Con. I was extremely lucky enough to be able to be in attendance for three of the four days.

While not quite as large as it's San Diego brother, NYCC has been steadily growing. It is a whirl win experience, often boarding on sensory overload, that can be an amazing experience. I could probably go on for DAYS about the extraordinary time I had this weekend with my very amazing ladies, but rather than bore you all with self indulgent stories, although some personal antidotes are sure to poke through, I thought it's be best to talk about the dos and don'ts for making your comic con experience the best it can be.

DO

Plan Ahead
I can not stress enough how much easier/enjoyable this will make your life/overall experience.

Buy your tickets ahead of time. You can order tickets online MONTHS before con, and it is in you best interest to do so. This way your very own shiny NYCC pass will be mail to you & you will therefore avoid having to stand online to pick it up on the day of. Trust me there is A LOT to do, you are not going to want to waste time standing in line to get your badge.

Photo Credit: L. Lyles

The folks over at NYCC are nice enough to release a WEALTH of information Pre-event. Take advantage of it! Look up who going to be there, what panels are happening, what booths have those exclusives you can't live without and plan out your days! Download the official NYCC app for iPhones or Droid and take advantage.

Prioritize And Always Have a Back Up Plan

When you go through the list of fabulous panels, you will probably encounter a time when there are two things you want to do happening simultaneously, or at the very least slightly overlapping. So now you are forced to choose. However don't just cast you other choice aside. Keep it in mind as a back up. The panel rooms are not emptied between panels so there is a chance you may not get into your first choice. It's nice to have a back up then.

Speaking of the fact that the panel rooms don't empty out between sessions, it's a good idea to line up for the panel you want to see early. Actually, if the panel is a big deal, or you anticipate that it's gonna be full, it's a good idea to try and get in the room for an earlier panel and sit tight. Who know you may end up seeing something you become really interested in. Perfect example, this year Stan Lee came to NYCC. That's right, THE STAN LEE. I have loved the man for years and was dying to see him speak live, so as soon as I heard he would be there, I knew not seeing his panel wasn't an option. So my lovely gals and I decided the best way to accomplish our goal was to try and go see the Person of Interest panel before hand. Now I like Person of Interest, and am a huge fan of Michael Emerson and Jonathan Nolan. Jonathan Nolan being my "Below the Line Crush"*, so I did very much enjoy the session, however I probably would have skipped it, had it not been directly before Stan Lee.

Cosplay at NYCC (Photo Credit: L. Lyles)

For those of you curious, Stan Lee is probably one of the most entertaining people you will ever see/meet. I highly recommend seeing him I you ever have the chance. Also check out his new project, Stan Lee's World of Heroes on YouTube here.

Cate as an Ewok (Photo Credit: EM)

If you do decide to cosplay, which is awesome, I mean come on, any excuse to get dressed up should be capitalized upon as far as I am conserved, start planing/building/constructing your costume as early as possible. There is nothing worse than running around the last few days/hours before the con trying to get your shit together.

There is some EPIC cosplay that goes on at any con and NYCC is no exception. Be prepared to see a little bit of everything. Trust me if you ever want to put you pop culture knowledge to the test, play Name That Cosplay. I swear it maybe my fave past time.

Bring Food and Water

The convention center concessions are HIGHLY OVER PRICED. This is not an exaggeration, bring food and water even if you think you won't need it. You will. Take it from the girl who was suckered into buy a $4.95 bottle of Vitamin Water because she was dying of thirst. Sadly, I don't even really like Vitamin Water, I was just that damn thirsty. Seriously your best bet is to eat a decent breakfast, bring a bottle of water and a bunch of small snacks to graze upon throughout the day, then after con go out and find some dinner. There are plenty of wonderful places to eat you're in NYC for crying out loud. We opted for pizza on Friday, Thai on Say (Yum) and a dinner sit down on Sunday.

Pack a Phone Charger

The Javits Center has spotty service at best. Your battery will be put to the test, especially if you plan on being there ALL DAY! So pack your phone charger, or even an external battery. This year there was a charging station just outside Artists Alley, but if you're crafty enough to find one, there are outlets all around the convention center.

Be Kind and Considerate to All

For the duration of con you are in for some LONG hours. Everyone has been on their feet for hours, is tired and most likely weighed down buy a ton of swag (that's right I like the term swag, deal with it) and other assorted goodies. Common courtesies always apply, say excuse me, be careful not to whack anyone with your bags/poster tubes/costume pieces, and SHOWER! That's right each night you come home, or morning before you come to NYCC remember to shower and put on deodorant...the gals and I opted out of much of the floor today as the 4 day funk had set in and breathing had become hazardous.


DON'T

Play by the Herd Mentality.

Cosplay (Photo Credit: EM)

All your friends really want to go to the Carrie panel but you are DYING to see Stan Lee and the are both happening at the same time?!?! Well it's okay to split up for a bit. Sure things are often times more fun when you are with a group but don't let that stop you from doing something you really want to do. Make a plan to meet up with your crew when you get out, but go do what you want to do, otherwise you'll most likely whined up regretting it.

Be Afraid to Leave the Convention Center

Seriously the last thing you want is to be a crank-a-potamous. It's 3pm, you're tired but you really wanna go to that late panel at 7 pm? Go back to your hotel room/wherever take a nap and come back. Hungry but forgot to bring food and don't want to pay convention center prices? Leave get food and come back. You can venture out into the world, as long as you have your pass you will be welcomed back and you and everyone around you will feel a whole lot better.

Turn Your Opportunity to Ask a Question into a Gush Fest

Photo Credit: L. Lyles

I get it, you are given the rare opportunity so speak to someone who is your idle/the namesake of your child/your dream man/whatever, and you are a bit star struck and wish to tell them just how important they are to you. We get it, but don't waste a valuable Q & A slot with questions like "Can I get a hug/kiss/ect?" or "how does it feel to know you made a grown woman cry?" Likewise a long ramble on your love of whomever you are addressing before your question isn't overly appreciated either. It's great that you are getting this opportunity, but remember there are plenty of other people standing in the line behind you who want the chance too.

Forget to Bring Cash

Sure the Convention Center has ATMs, which are annoying to find, and sure there are some booths who take credit cards, but just do yourself a favor, make your life a WHOLE lot easier and bring cash. It's that simple.

NYCC Exclusive David Tennant Doctor Who bust (Photo Credit: EM)

Allow One Set Back to Ruin Your Day

You raced on to the floor on Saturday morning straight to the Titan Entertainment booth to get that NYCC '12 exclusive David Tennant Doctor Who bust only to find they are sold out? Go down to wait for The Walking Dead panel 2 hours early only to be told the IGN Theatre has been completely closed for the day unless people miraculously vacate the theater? Yeah, those things suck hardcore...seriously, but that shouldn't ruin your whole experience. This is comic con! Anything can happen! Nathan Fillion can surprise a whole theater and show up at the 10th Anniversary Firefly panel. Yup that happened. So park your ass in the garage and watch the live feed of The Walking Dead,  it may not be the same as being in  the room but hey, you still get to experience it. I would however bring something squishy to sit on, because ouch. Sure you did't get the bust, but where were you gonna put it? Further more, now you have that money to spend on other pretty things. Comic Con comes around once a year, make the most of your time there.


*Below the Line is what the department at my job that is for all the non actors (directors, writers, costume/set/makeup designers ect.) is called.


 Random Musings & Photos

50 points if you recognize this childhood favorite(Photo Credit EM)

• At some point on Saturday I walked past a female Zapp Brannigan in the crowd, there was no time to stop and get a picture of her, but ROCK ON girl, whoever you were for the awesome costume.
• I'm a Sucker for a good looking hero/Doctor
• Nathan Fillion surprising the Firefly panel caused the whole IGN Theatre to go Ape Shit.
• "Doctor Who is the worst thing ever to happen to your wallet isn't it?" - Andrea Towers remarking on my "bag-o-loot" from NYCC
• You can find anything and everything at NYCC, so look around you never know what you may find, childhood toys, mini top hats, giant photos of David Tennant and his perfect hair...
• Comic Shoes work better on heels than flats 
• Friends make life better.
• Arrow is going to be EPIC, and Stephen Amell is gorgeous. 

Photo Credit: L. Lyles

Mini Top Hat- Modeled by the lovely Cate (photo credit: L. Lyles)

My attempt at FemmeNine

First Day Loot (Photo Caption: EM)

Second Day Loot (Photo Credit: E)

 

Last Day Loot (Photo Credit: EM)

Me Meeting Thor...So Pretty 

Me, The Captain and Cate (Photo Credit L. Lyles)

DALEK!

The Fabulous Katie Cook drew me the Doctor/Donna

Gambit! With red eyes and everything (Photo Credit: EM)

Doctor Horrible: AKA: Whedon's Time to Shine

Illustration by CLIFF CHIANG

I think we can all agree that it has been a FANTASTIC year, and I think we can all agree it's about time!  Cabin in the Woods  finally saw the day, and was, for many, a surprise hit. Couple that with the HUGE success of The Avengers, and the 10th Anniversary of the beloved Firefly, which let's face it owned SDCC and is getting it's own tv special in November. S.H.I.E.L.D. is now casting, and it appears that Marvel has handed the keys to the superhero kingdom to our favorite nerd.

Tonight though the star of the Whedonverse was Doctor Horrible's Sing-a-long Blog, which had it's television debut tonight on the CW. Doctor Horrible, came to life during the writer's strike in 2008. While most of the networks turned to reality/unscripted shows, yep you can blame a good deal of the mindless drivel on tv back to that strike, Joss turned to a newer/less explored medium, The Internet.

He gathered together an AWESOME cast, Nathan Fillion, Felicia Day and Neil Patrick Harris, and did what he did best, create a moving story. The story itself is simple, an evil scientist wanting to take over the world and his struggle with his arch nemesis  except we need to throw in a love triangle and singing. Then you have the brilliant hodgepog that is a creature of Joss Whedon. Watching the show tonight and seeing the frenzy that took over tumblr, twitter and facebook put forth the idea that with hardwork and good material anything is possible. Also that Joss Whedon's fans are loyal as all hell. So accept it

It's the Most Wonderful TIme of the Year

Sorry for being MIA lately, my fabulous brother was doing some updates on my new laptop, and as I was off from work I was sans a way of updating. Plus the holidays are always a busy time. The Boy can attest to the fact that the entire month of December, our kitchen turns into a bakery.

It was a very pop culture Christmas this year, thanks to some brilliantly crafty and slightly sneaky friends. Major props go to my friend Leslie who not only cross stiched the entire Firefly cast (four times no less), but also managed to somehow sneak away at NYCC to get the lovely Jewel Staite  sign & personalize them.

Seriously how clutch is that?

Anyways, I've decided that this post, which will probibly be my last of 2011, is the perfect time for a Best Of list, are you guys tired of them yet? So here are some of my favorite pop culture things of 2011.

• Awkward - This was by far my favorite new show of the year. I knew the moment I read the pilot that I was going to like the show, despite it being on MTV. After the first episode I was hooked, even in all it's insanity, the show is still so real. It brings me back to when I was in high school, but in the good way. I am so excited that a second season is on the way and I can't wait to see where the characters are headed.

• The Resurgence of Mark Paul Gosslaar - 2011 saw the resurgence of one of my favorite childhood actors. I practically jumped for joy when I learned that Mark Paul Gosslaar and Breckin Meyers were doing a show together. I mean seriously what more could a girl raised on Saved By the Bell and Clueless want? The show itself is hysterical, better than I had expected. But things got even better, with both the TNT tv movie Hide, and ABC Family's 12 Dates of Christmas, it felt as though MPG was EVERYWHERE and that just made life better.

• Teemagnet.com - This has to be my new favorite website. Seriously all the best geeky tshirts on display. It's my homepage...it is why I am poor.

• Revenge - I fully admit to not really knowing how the show was going to work, I mean it sounded more like an awesome movie than a tv show, but after watching the first three eps I was hooked. I'm not generally a fan of "soapy" shows but Revenge is pure, gooey, guilty pleasure tv. Madeline Stowe is amazing and Ashley Madekwe is my fashion icon.

• Ring My Bell - Speaking of the lovely Ashley Madekwe, her fashion blog, Ring My Bell is my  newest obsession. This woman is fashion icon, she has a fabulous sense of style and is an all around amazing person. 

• The Return of the Muppets -  2011 also saw the return of the Muppets to the lime light, and I couldn't be more excited about it. Having always been a Muppet fan the fact that they were getting a new movie made me giddy, add in the fact that Jason Segel wrote and stared in it and I was in HEAVEN.  

• Pop Culture Art - So one of the greatest things about going to NYCC this year was getting to go through artist alley and seeing all the amazing pop culture inspired prints. Some of my favorites include, Katie Cook, Brian Kong, Scott Ethan Ambruson and Laurie B.

• American Horror Story - One of the most frustrating/thought provoking shows which I was sucked into this year. While not as scary as I had initially thought, it definitely kept me on my toes, and filled with emotions and tons of questions. While I didn't always love what went on with the story lines, and more often than not screamed in frustration over loose ends, but it was still a wild ride.

There you have it, some of the awesome pop culture stuff of 2011.

Tucker and Dale Vs. Evil: AKA: Hysterical Hysteria

Yes, I know there was A LOT of tv to discuss from last night but let's hold off for a momo to talk about the AWESOMENESS that is this little movie.

I had first heard about this the film from Alan Tudyk's tweets. Having always found him fabulous, and throwing in the fact that his costar was played by Tyler Labine (2-Ge+her anyone?) and my annoyingly overwhelming sense of loyalty to actors I enjoy, I need I HAD to see this film. I had planed to see the film opening night, then became aware that it was in limited release, which meant is was not playing anywhere near where I live and in only one theatre in all of Manhattan. Needless to say plans to go got put on hold.

However last night I was able to make the trek down to City Cinema Village East Cinema on second ave with a friend to check it out. Best. Decision. Ever.

Despite being a horror film the movie is full of wit and humor. The movie is a twist on the classic hill billies vs. college kids horror movies, only in this movie we are presented with a pair of Hill Billies with hearts of gold who are mistaken for psycho killers by a group of college students, who inadvertently end up killing themselves while trying to "get" the hill billies.

I spent almost the entire 90 mins laughing at the hilarity of it all, as did the rest of the audience. Alan's wisecracking, PBR guzzling Tucker, was a perfect match for Tyler's sweet natured, self doubting Dale, and the pair had amazing chemistry. Throw in the deranged asthmatic played brilliantly by Jesse Moss, and the charming innocence of Katrina Bowden and you've assembled a perfect cast.

Seriously, if you are lucky enough to live somewhere where Tucker and Dale vs. Evil you need to get out and go see it.

 

NBC Cancel's Playboy Club: AKA: Bye-Bye Bunnies

So yesterday the first official new show to get the axe was NBC's Playboy Club. They also announced a full season order for both Whitney and Up All Night.

The decision was made after three low rated episodes, to cancel the nostalgic series and not show any further episodes. Ironically I was watching this week's episode when the news of it's demise broke.

I admit to waiting till Tuesday mornings to watch the show, also the fact that I was mostly watching for Sean Maher, but axing it after only three episodes seems way too premature. I will never understand how a network can cancel a show after only three episodes. Personally it takes me a minimum of three episodes to decide whether or not I'm gonna fully commit to a show. Playboy Club was given a tough time slot to begin with, going up against already established shows,  like CBS' Hawaii 5-0, and ABC's Castle. Perhaps the network should have tried to move the show before giving up.

It is especially sad news as just last week actor Sean Maher, who plays a closeted homosexual character, also named Sean, who is married the also closeted, Bunny Alice, came out to EW.  After fourteen years in the business, afraid that his sexuality would limit the roles he would be offered, he admitted that this role aided in his decision to finally come out. “I was working on other stuff, and then this role came up, which was like a light bulb going off,” Maher remembers. “I was like, This is perfect. I want to do this, and I want to use it as a platform to come out.”  The full article can be found here.

Furthermore since they shot more than three episodes, why not show them? It isn't as though they are losing anymore money in showing them. NBC is planning to fill the Monday night slot with repeats of their new police drama Prime Suspect, which also isn't doing to well in the ratings.

So unfortunately we say Bye-Bye to the Bunnies and hope NBC has more faith in it's mid season shows.

Top Five: Female TV Characters I'd Want to Be Best Friends With

So today is the anniversary of the day two of my very best friends were brought into the world. Happy Birthday to my Andi & Amy!!!! While these lovely ladies both rock Hardcore, it got me thinking which TV (female) characters which make awesome besties. So here in no particular order are my top five:

Angela Montenegro

1)  Angela Montenegro - Bones - beautiful, smart, creative & artistic Angela is an awesome friend to have. She has a huge heart, and would do anything for her friends. Remember the time she helped Zack get a perminant job at the Smithstonian by giving him a make over? Or the countless times she's explained to Brennen how nonsquints do/interpert things? Always patient and understanding she'd be the perfect person to go to for advice. Plus she's not afraid to be herself and believes in love in all forms. Oh and she has a rockstar father. Bonus.

Abby Sciuto

2) Abby Sciuto - NCIS - a happy goth, what's not to love? Always full of smiles & good cheer, Abby is awesome. She is a loyal loving friend, who has been know to go upstairs and refuse to leave the pen till her friends come back from a dangerous mission. She's also willing to do anything to help a friend, like the time she got McGee to place a call in MTAC to allow her friend's nephew to see his mom on Christmas. Plus I knda LOVE her style and that she isn't affraid to express herself.

Kaylee Frye

3) Kaylee Frye - Firefly - by now you're probably sensing a theme...what can I say I like people who are their own individuals, & very cheerful. Kaylee is definately her own person. She's not afraid to be exactly who she is. She is a sweet, loving bit of sunshine on Serenity. She's the one persin who plays with River, & she dreams of simple things like going to a ball in a pretty dress. She's always there to offer a smile & kind word. Plus a best friend with tech skills is just awesome.

Lisa Turtle

4) Lisa Turtle - Saved By The Bell - going a little old school on this one, but seriously, who didn't want Lisa as their best friend. She was smart, sassy and had fantastic fashion sense, well at least for the '90's. She would tell you exactly how it was, and gave excelent advice. She was after all the best advice giver on the Teen Line. Lisa was always there to help her friends our even with the most hairbrained of schemes. She also is responcable for saying one of my fave lines of dialogue ever: "You can't give me pop corn & say no butter!" Seriously, how could you NOT want her as a friend?

Vanessa Doofenschmirtz

5) Vanessa Doofenschmirtz - Phineas & Ferb - Ok, so she's got a evil scientist father, kick ass clothing, she sings AND knows Perry the Platypus....get better? Don't think so!

Rewatching Firefly: AKA Joss Whedon's Ability to Scare the Hell Out of Me & Still Make Me Love Him

I have strange taste when it comes to television programing. I'm one of those people who love shows that are weird & keep you guessing as to what's next. I get annoyed by sitcom comedies where you know 3 steps ahead of the characters what's going to happen. I'm not saying they are bad or that there is no place for them, clearly the viewers of shows like Two & a Half Men enjoy that sorta shtick, it's just not my cup of tea.  Which is probably why I love the works of JJ Abrams & of course Joss Whedon. I have been a fan of The Whedonverse since back in the day when Buffy still aired on the WB (btws as far as I am concerned it will always be the WB). Let's face it the man is brilliant at creating characters you care about, keeping you guessing, & scaring the CRAP out of the viewer.

Since summer has come & taken most of my beloved shows into reruns I've begun my Rewatch Project. To kick it all off I've begun with Firefly, because with Castle in reruns I need a little Nathan Fillion in my life. Though I love the show, and am still baffled by the stupidity of FOX for canceling it, it had been so long since I had watched it I'd almost forgotten just how insanely strange & wonderful the show truly is, almost.

As I sat down & watched the (tragically only one season) series I was struck by several realizations. First off the cast is fantastical, it is impossible to talk Firefly without making some mention of the dream cast that was assembled. Seriously Nathan Fillion, Alan Tudyk, Gina Torres, Sean Maher, Morena Baccarin, Summer Glau, Jewel Straite, Ron Glass, & Adam Baldwin, all amazing in their portrayals. To have a cast that large & still manage to make each character interesting & important to the story is a pretty daunting task, however Firefly makes it appear almost  effortless.

Secondly I always forget just how fucking scary Joss's shows can be. Still there I sat, on my big comfy couch clutching Bear-ick Jetter (my NY Yankees pillow pet) in terror, watching "Ariel" as the blue handed men pulled out their little brain explody devise. I felt my stomach drop as River sing-songingly muttered "Two by two hands of blue". And no, this was not the first time I had seen this episode and I still had to stop after it ended for a breather, that is how terrifying I find those men to be.

Still, to me, the scariest moment in, probably, the entire series (& I'm not include Serenity in this) is in "Objects in Space" where Bounty Hunter, Jubel Early, has Kaylee cornered in the engine room and point blank asks "You ever been raped?" Seriously points to Richard Brooks for his deadpan delivery of the line, makes my skin craw. Between that & the look of sheer terror on Jewel Straite' s face, I was done. I've seen the episode before, & clearly knew that Kaylee & her virtue remain intact at the end, but watching it? I felt the same horror, dread & fear for her as I did the first time.

That's what is so truly special about the worlds that Joss Whedon has created. You get lost in them, & despite the fact that they are often have some element of fantasy/sci-fi to them (Buffy slayed Vamps, Firefly happened mostly on a Spaceship) they feel real. Which is probably why the Whedonverse has such die hard fans.

As I rewatched Firefly it reminded me just how much I loved these characters. How much, as much as it is in no way Utopian existence, & I'll admit it, River kinda wigs me out, I almost  wish I could be a part of that world, if for no other reason then to hang out with the inhabitants of Serenity. That to me is the best judge of just how great a show is.