This was my first visit to WonderCon in San Francisco and I really enjoyed myself. WonderCon is known as the sister-show of San Diego Comic-Con. I’d say it’s a smaller sister, but even though it wasn’t as huge as SDCC, it has it’s benefits. Since it’s a smaller show, that means there’s less of a crowd and you could get more face time with the stars, which is nice. (Speaking of stars, I met and talked with Henry Winkler (Fonzie) and saw artist Jim Lee.) I also finally met Daniel M. Davis of Steam Crow Monster Commute and Michael Fleming of tweedlebop!

WonderCon features the best in a variety of specialty programming including the very best from, pop culture, Hollywood film and television, but comics are still king at this 23-year-old event. Watchmen was prevalent, but so was Star Trek, Star Wars, G.I. Joe and other comic heroes. This was a nice warm-up for me, as I await SDCC in July. Please enjoy my photos from the show with my slideshow or visit my WonderCon 2009 Flickr set. Perhaps you should consider going to WonderCon next year.

Hey, hey, hey, what is going on here? It’s alright cause I’m saved by a new art show called “Idiot Box” at Gallery1988: LA on April 2, 2009.

“Idiot Box” will feature almost 100 artists depicting their favorite television guilty pleasures. The shows you can hardly admit you love, but in all honesty, you LOVE the heck out of them. And yes. On April 2, the night of the opening reception, Dennis “Mr. Belding” Haskins will be hosting the extravaganza to not only celebrate the Gallery’s milestone, but also the 20th Anniversary of Saved by the Bell! “Diff’rent Strokes.” “Small Wonder.” “Double Dare.” “Flava of Love.”

And the cool Mr. Belding poster was done by our friend Andrew Wilson.

This popular Marvel mutant cartoon originally debuted back on Halloween of 1992. X-Men the Animated Series was not only one of the longest-lasting series on Fox Kids, it was the longest-running Marvel Comics-based show, running for five seasons and 76 episodes. Whenever I’d flip on the tube and see/hear that familiar opening theme, I’d be in mutant heaven! We’ve been waiting for these episodes to come to DVD for quite awhile and now they finally have. The Two 2-Disc DVD sets will be released on April 28, 2009 and Amazon.com has them up for pre-order for $17.99 each. Marvel X-Men Volume 1 and Marvel X-Men Volume 2. This was easily the best 90’s cartoon we had.

Afro Samurai: Resurrection just came on Spike TV and I watched it. Thankfully the movie was shown completely, as it was intended and it was pretty good. The animation was smooth and vibrant, the music was thumping and groovy, the story was ok and didn’t drag much, and the characters were well developed – in more ways than one. (Yes, there’s plenty of overly endowed and scantily clad, girly goodness to go around.) With the voices of Samuel L. Jackson and Lucy Liu, as Afro and Sio respectively, they’re quite convincing in their roles. Don’t forget, this movie is for adults only. Cause there’s plenty of action packed fights scenes, with people getting sliced and fountains of blood throughout. Some might call it dark, gritty and violent.

If you’re a fan of the series or like silent afroed warriors, go buy the DVD.

I liked Kuma, a swordsman who wears a cybernetic teddy bear mask. Very cool!

Happy Festivus everyone! It’s time again to gather your family and friends around the Festivus dinner table and begin the Airing of Grievances. Plus, no Festivus would be complete without an aluminum pole. No more of the Xmas tinsel to distract you! It’s a Festivus Miracle! Who’s ready to wrestle in the Feats of Strength? Remember the holiday only ends if the head of the household is actually pinned and I don’t think you have it in you. Festivus: The Holiday for the Rest of Us!

Fellow grievers, lets hear what really irks you! I’ll start it off: Leno moving to 10pm that’s crazy! A bag of potatoes costs under a dollar, but one potato costs a dollar – what?!?!

The Electric Company of the 70’s made literacy funny and hip for kids by channeling the pop culture of its time. The all new Electric Company will reinvent the popular show for today’s 6-9 year olds as a multi-screen and outreach educational experience! It’s a whole new show for a whole new generation, so don’t expect Morgan Freeman as Easy Reader or Rita Moreno to holler “Hey, you guyyyyys!!”

The all new ELECTRIC COMPANY, produced by Sesame Workshop and premiering on PBS KIDS GO! in January 2009, will reinvent the popular show for today’s six to nine year-olds. In addition to a national broadcast and a richly interactive online environment, Sesame Workshop and PBS KIDS GO! will implement community-based outreach activities. THE ELECTRIC COMPANY platforms focus initially on TV, outreach, and broadband, but will extend over time to include books and other print materials, portable media, hand-held and console games.

I’ve got some fond memories of the (mute) Spider-Man segments. I hope kids will enjoy this new version of the show, as I did with the original one.

Star Trek: In Theaters May 2009. It’s the eleventh Star Trek film and I’ve seen them all. It’s got Zachary Quinto as a young Spock and Leonard Nimoy reprises his role as the old Spock. Shatner wanted to be in the movie, but it’d be a bit tricky since his character died in a previous movie. He should have used his Negotiator powers.

From director J.J. Abrams and screenwriters Roberto Orci & Alex Kurtzman comes a new vision of the greatest space adventure of all time, Star Trek, featuring a young, new crew venturing boldly where no man has gone before.

Anyone else getting pumped about this movie? I wonder what Wil Wheaton thinks about it?

I just saw this at FAO Schwarz – it’s a Make Your Own Muppet Whatnot Workshop! The choices are limited, but where else can you make your very own Muppet to play with? Choose the color, eyes, nose, hair and outfit. Order now and get your Muppet just in time for the holidays. It’s too bad there’s not more body colors and shapes to choose from. I’d pick a Gonzo or Dr Bunsen Honeydew character.

The Drinky Crow Show is the new original series slated to debut on Adult Swim Nov. 23, 2008 at 12:15 a.m. (ET/PT). The animated series is based on show creator Tony Millionaire’s award-winning, syndicated comic strip Maakies and stars Drinky, a suicidal crow with a drinking problem, and Gabby, a depraved monkey. The two are crew members aboard the SS Maakies, and together they go on a number of misadventures. From co-creators and executive producers Tony Millionaire and Eric Kaplan, The Drinky Crow Show originally aired in May 2007 as part of Adult Swim’s Night of 1,000 Pilots and quickly became a viewer favorite.

The first episode to air is entitled Beer Goggles. It’s comedy is dark, existential and quite entertaining. So if you’re old enough, I think you should watch it. Another cool thing is that the series theme song is performed by They Might Be Giants. And you know when they do the theme song for a show – you know it’ll be a winner!

All I want for Christmas is Doctor Who… I saw this at the San Diego Comic-Con a few months ago, but it’s airing in England now. You can watch it on the BBC site if you’re in the UK, otherwise check it out on YouTube. It’s a one-minute long trailer for the Doctor Who Christmas special and there are spoilers! Cybershade attack!

As you might have heard, David Tennant has announced that he will leave the award winning BBC drama Doctor Who when he has completed the filming of four special episodes which will be screened in 2009 and early in 2010. I for one will miss the Tenth Doctor’s quirky ways and messy coif.