Tags: the comic-con experience 2008

One of the most amazing things about Comic-Con is the floor itself, and the people it attracks. The crowds are overwhelming, the enthusiasm is contagious, and the costumes are alternately impressive and terrifying. The sixth and final installment of the Comic-Con Experience is going to be mostly photography, since pictures speak much louder than words. Without further ado, we give you the 2008 Comic-Con Exhibition Floor.

All photos by Nate Yapp unless otherwise noted.(read more...)

One of the trademarks of Comic-Con is its nostalgia for what has passed. While this mostly manifests in the plethora of comic book vendors dealing in rare and vintage comics, there are some definite highlights for those of a more cinematic persuasion. One such highlight is Reel Art, a dealer in vintage movie and pop culture memorabilia, and our Comic-Con Experience 2008 #5.

Cory Glaberson is a self-proclaimed pop culture enthusiast: cult television, classic movies, vintage comic books – he loves it all. He loves it so much, in fact, that he’s made it his business. You can’t help but notice the Reel Art booth, since the back of it is lined with posters, many of them beloved classic horror films, which, of course, drew us right in.

The wall of posters at the Reel Art booth

One of the many constants on the Exhibition Floor is Artists' Alley, a section dedicated to independent artists. Offerings in this section are mostly comic-book related, but can range from the beautiful to the bizarre. It is in this section of the exhibit floor where we find our Comic-Con Experience 2008 #4, artist Robert Aragon.

While many artists in Artists' Alley have horror-themed offerings, Aragon's pieces are one-of-a-kind tributes to classic horror films, with a particular emphasis on Universal and Hammer. Aragon licenses the likeness of many of his subjects from the actor's estates, including those of Boris Karloff and Lon Chaney, and his art accurately and artistically captures the spirit and images of the old films. You'll find no grotesque, trendily warped images of Dracula or the Mummy here, no modern gothic influences. After all, Boris Karloff's Frankenstein's Monster needs no embellishment.(read more...)

Everybody loves toys. Everybody - including Comic-Con. There are entire parts of the Exhibition Floor devoted to toys – action figures, statuettes, plushies, etc. At Comic-Con, toys are everywhere. And, because toys are everywhere, The Comic-Con Experience 2008, Feature #3 is Sideshow Collectibles.

While Sideshow originally got its start making chintzy little toys and figures of pop culture notables, the company has grown and now specializes in high-quality, screen-accurate replicas of well-known genre characters. These figures, statuettes and life-size replicas do not come cheap, ranging in price from $35 for some of the more common, smaller items to thousands of dollars for their more elaborate display pieces.
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There is nothing more awesome than superheroes, supervillains and superstars singing and dancing their hearts out. So, with that in mind, the second installment of The Comic-Con Experience 2008 is Dr. Horrible’s Sing-Along Blog. A web-based production directed and co-written by Buffy the Vampire Slayer creator Joss Whedon, starring Neil Patrick Harris (forthwith known as NPH), Nathan Fillion and Felicia Day, Dr. Horrible is something that, superficially, has nothing to do with horror. But, for our purposes, we’ll pretend it does. Because I say so.
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There is nothing, and I mean nothing, that compares to the terrifying awesomeness of Howard Phillips Lovecraft. Oh, sure, there are people who say that he was bland, repetitive, or even cliché – and to them I say, “Bugger off.” Fact of the matter is, I like me some tentacles. Which is why The Comic-Con Experience, Feature #1 is the Cthuliana booth, run by The Source Comics and Games.

Cthuliana Corner in just part of its glory