W♥M

MicroCon III at Mermaid Center, Mounds View (08 April 2023)

Guests Hannah Boehme, Carl Borg, Cory Carani, Darla Ecklund, Aaron Grono, Bill Hauser, Jessica Hickman, Ryan Kelly, Jacqueline Murto, Tom Nguyen, Ben Pisek, Gordon Purcell, Chandra Reyer, Mark Stegbauer, Dave Wheeler, WhimsyGals, Brandon Wind, Kevin Wind Read More MCBA We attended the first Midwest Comic Book Fans show Spring Fling Comic Book Show at Mermaid Entertainment & Event Center, Mounds View, Minnesota, today, May 15th, 2021. ....

It’s an end of an era (and the beginning of another) for the Midwest Comic Book Fans, with its final show MicroCon III at the Mermaid Entertainment & Event Center in Mounds View, Minnesota.

As we noted in the very first MicroCon show in May 2021, we said the MCBF club spawned from the ashes of Midwest Comic Book Association (MCBA), who slowly disassociated over the years, starting with the passing of the main organizer Nick Post in 2014. They were directionless, re-branding their shows as MSP Comicon, but locally, everyone knows the shows as SpringCon or FallCon.

Anyway, last year, we got word from MCBF that “After 30 years we will not be holding anymore SpringCon or FallCon shows. Additionally, we are announcing our final event. Microcon III will be held at the Mermaid Event Center, in the Atlantis Ball Room, on April 8th, 2023. Microcon III will be a fan appreciation event and will be a free admission event. We hope that many of you stop by to say farewell and enjoy the show. Although the Microcon events have been smaller events compared to SpringCon and FallCon, everyone involved has been having a lot of fun. Lastly, we will be shutting down our website and twitter site at the end of 2023.”

Being the last show, we decided to pop into pay respect. We’ve been to the venue before, so we know it is smaller show… but it seemed even smaller due to how packed the room got with so many fans in attendance. It was a good sign for the comic book industry.

SpringCon (29 Apr 2023)

Before you get too depressed that there will no longer be another SpringCon or FallCon - apparently there is now a new Minnesota Comic Book Association (not to be confused with Midwest Comic Book Association), to stake claim in the MCBA acronym and will be holding their first show on April 29th. MCBF explains, “Volunteers who participated in the Midwest Comic Book Association’s shows at the state fairgrounds are starting a new business called the Minnesota Comic Book Association. This will be their first event… We wish the new Minnesota Comic Book Association the best of luck with their endeavor. And hope their events can bring the same excitement to the local community.”

Although I hate the fact that the new SpringCon show is in Bloomington (near the Mall of America), prices seemed decent at $6 with free grab bags for the first 150 attendees... so we’ll likely attend.

Minnesota Con (02-04 June 2023)

While we’re at it, there is also Minnesota Con, a three-day event, from June 2 to 4, 2023, at the Minneapolis Convention Center. It’s put together by Nerdin Out (we went to their Nerdin Out 2019 Show). Main guests are Michael Rooker, Sean Gunn, Rikishi, James O’Barr, Jae Lee, Dan Jurgens, etc. Check with their website, as more guests are announced closer to the June date.

So there you have it… while one organization is ending after 30 years, others will rise to take its place.

Personally speaking, I am excited about the new “MCBA”. Keep the prices low, offers those grab bags (we used to try and get a free grab bag in the early 2000 but have never ever gotten there early enough), bring it back to its roots.

With that said, we’ll see you at a future comic book convention.

MicroCon III

Wall Comics

Gordan Purcell

Tom Nguyen

MicroCon III at Mermaid Center, Mounds View (08 April 2023)

vu ([email protected]) ♥ weheartmusic.com ♥ twitter.com

MSP Comicon at Minnesota State Fair, St Paul (05 Oct 2019)

Featured Guests Scott Beaderstadt, John Bivens, Andy Brase, Drew Brockington, Zander Cannon, W.C. Carani, Keith Champagne, Steve Fastner, Otis Frampton, Paul Fricke, Ale Garza, Dan Jurgens, Ryan Kelly, Kickliy Yilkcik, Peter Krause, Rich Larson, Ant Lucia, Clara Meath, Tom Nguyen Gordon Purcell, Jason Walz, Dave Wheeler, Jin Wicked Read More MCBA We haven’t attended a MCBA (Minnesota Center for Book Arts, not to be confused with Minnesota Center for Book Arts) show since 2015, which was a massive disappointment for us. ....

Since we were already in the area (for the annual Half Price Books Clearance Sale), we stopped by the MSP Comicon show (aka Fallcon aka Fall ComiCon). Fallcon is currently a one-day small show, put together by the Midwest Comic Book Association (MCBA).

What that means is that it’s a little cheaper ($10 for Fallcon vs $15 for Springcon), but there are no comic book panels (who cares, because we saw some panels in May 2015 and it sucked). Take it from me, you’re not missing anything.

There were fewer comic book guests and limited to artists or writers from around the area. However, I would have to add that this year, they got Dan Jurgens back at their shows (not really sure why he stopped going).

The room was also smaller, with less dealers, and possibly less attendees (although attendance has always been strong for these shows).

Prices and inventories were based on dealers, so you may find something for $10 at one vendor and later see the same thing for $20. I recommend walking around and making notes of prices. Dealers are more inclined to cut you some deals, which personally, I’m terrible at haggling.

Since it’s based on independent sellers, they don’t all accept credit or debit cards… so your best bet is to bring cash. And also bring your own bags, as many dealers don’t have plastic bags for your purchases.

Since we never arrive early enough, the 300 free grab bags were all gone. What I love about what they’re doing now (I haven’t attended in four years so this might have changed recently) is putting out free comic books on freebie tables located near the bathrooms. They go quickly, so I’m assuming they re-stock these tables every hour or so.

The other (minor) complain is that parking was a little difficult due to the HPB and Twin Cities Oktoberfest also taking place in the same area. We eventually found parking, but it was a bit far to walk to the Fallcon entrance.

MSP Comicon at Minnesota State Fair, St Paul (05 Oct 2019)

vu ([email protected]) ♥ weheartmusic.com ♥ facebook.com ♥ twitter.com/weheartmusic

W♥M266: Wizard World Minneapolis 2017

W♥M266: Wizard World Minneapolis (26 mins) Read More Wizard World Minneapolis The fourth annual Wizard World Minneapolis is over. Come back later for reviews, in the meantime, here are some photographs from day two and three combined. Saturday’s costume contest was, as usual … "Weird Al" Yankovic I've seen the videos, "Weird Al" Yankovic put on a great show. Unfortunately, his appearance at Mystic Lake Resort and Casino on Friday, July 3, is sold out. The Casino …

Vu and John recounts Wizard World Minneapolis 2017.

See and read about the three-day event below:

Wizard World at Minneapolis Convention Center (05-07 May 2017)

Wizard World Costume Contest

You Oughta Know at Wizard World Minneapolis

Photos: Wizard World Minneapolis (06-07 May 2017)

Photos: Wizard World Minneapolis (05 May 2017)

Wizard World Minneapolis Programming

We also look at MSP Comic-Con (aka Springcon) coming up this weekend, May 20-21.

Bluray releases: Teen Titans: Judas Contract, The Vixen (coming out May 23, 2017), and Wonder Woman Commemorative Edition (coming out May 16, 2017).

Song of the show: Weird Al Yankovic’s ‘Ode to a Superhero’.

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Archive of this show at archive.org. More information on podomatic.com. Recording of this podcast was made possible by Skype, CallGraph, and Audacity.

W♥M265: The End of the Year 2016 (29 December 2016) Vu, John W♥M264: Golden Age of Superheroes (11 December 2016) Vu, John W♥M263: The Year in Deaths 2016 (08 December 2016) Vu, John W♥M262: KT Tunstall (25 September 2016) Vu, John W♥M261: The Heavy (22 September 2016) Vu, John W♥M260: Murder Shoes (11 September 2016) Vu, Tess

vu () ♥ weheartmusic.com ♥ podcast.weheartmusic.com ♥ twitter.com/weheartmusic

Comic Book Convention Season Kick-Off and a rewind to C2E2 2015

Read More C2E2 A road trip should be considered for Chicago’s C2E2 (Chicago Comic and Entertainment Expo), happening at McCormick Place April 24-26th. This massive show is very comic book-friendly …

Snow is melting, the days are longer, and clocks are about to spring forward—

The In Store Convention Kickoff

In addition to winter nearing an end, it also marks the beginnings of Comic Convention Season, with a virtual event to officially kick off the season.  For the second year, and now with distributor Diamond’s support, The In Store Convention Kickoff is an all-day event, happening TODAY at participating retailers.

The eight-hour-long live broadcast featuring interviews and specials with your favorite creative team and special guests, and hear about upcoming projects from Marvel, DC Comics, Image Comics, Dark Horse Comics, IDW Publishing, and more. It'll be like going to a whole day's worth of comic-con panels but without the lines, tickets, or crowds...and you can hang out with all your friends from your local comic shop.

For the collector, the event is also offering exclusive Convention Kick-Off Variant Covers for purchase on the following new releases- Boom Studio’s Jonesy, Marvel’s Power Man and Iron Fist, and DC’s Batman: Arkham Knight – Batgirl and Harley Quinn, as well as an exclusive gold Star Wars bank from Diamond.

C2E2 (18-20 March 2016)

The actual convention season kicks off big next week, with Chicago’s C2E2 (happening a little earlier than usual this year), our favorite of last year’s shows and the largest convention in the Midwest.  Held at the expansive McCormick Place (an even bigger area than the NYC Comic Con), last year’s show attracted 70,000 fans and the highlights were plentiful.

Wrestler-turned-writer CM Punk was announced as the Guardians of the Galaxy spinoff, Drax writer at the show, and remains on the book, with issue #4 out just recently. M. Night Shyamalan was on-hand with lead actor Matt Dillon, to give everyone a first look at the acclaimed 'Wayward Pines' mini-series.

Sylvester McCoy and Neve McIntosh provided plenty of humor at their Dr. Who panel, perhaps the most fun of the weekend, Hayley Atwell and Ming-Na Wen's panel called the "Kick-Ass Women of Shield" was the hardest to get into,  and Jason Momua mesmerized the crowd with his Games of Thrones tales and hints of his take on the Aquaman character he is set to portray in upcoming movies.

Stan Lee at C2E2 (2015)

93-year old Marvel Comics legend  Stan Lee was on hand as well, for a light-hearted and informative Q+A, with Lee retaining all of his unmissable personality, though his hearing is admittedly declining.

Lines were long to meet the most popular creators, with writers such as Scott Snyder, Rick Remender, and Jonathan Hickman, being among the most popular (which is a recent change, as comics are a primarily visual medium with artists traditionally getting most of the attention).

This year’s C2E2 is packed with guests as well—entertainment guests include Chicago native John Cusack, Melissa (Supergirl) Benoist, and several from the cast of Agents of Shield, along with the usual bevy of wrestlers, reality stars, and famous cosplayers.

Comic creator guests include the Batman creative team (soon to leave the book though) of Scott Snyder and Greg Capullo, famed X-Men writer Chris Claremont, longtime fan-favorite Art Adams, and Hellboy creator Mike Mignola.

If you can’t make it to Chicago for C2E2, there are several area comic shows happening as well—pack your pull list, wallet, and patience—comic convention season is officially here!

Upcoming area comic book-related shows so far announced include:

Mar 12 - Sound+Vision Pop Culture Collectibles Show- Woodbury, MN
Mar 20 - MortCon – Mound View, MN
Apr 8-10 - Wizard World – Madison, WI
April 16 – ComicCard- Bloomington, MN
May 6-8 – Wizard World - Minneapolis, MN
May 13-15 - Wizard World – Des Moines, IA
May 7 – Free Comic Book Day – participating retailers
May 14-15 - MSP ComicCon (formerly SpringCon) – Falcon Heights, MN
June 19 - MortCon – Mound View, MN
July 23 - Sound+Vision Pop Culture Collectibles Show- Woodbury, MN
Sept 11 - MortCon – Mound View, MN
Oct 8 - MSP MicroCon (formerly FallCon) – Falcon Heights, MN
Nov. 5 - ComicCard- Bloomington, MN
Nov 19 - Sound+Vision Pop Culture Collectibles Show- Woodbury, MN

C2E2 2015 Saturday admission crowd (25 Apr 2015)

john ([email protected]) ♥ weheartmusic.com ♥ twitter.com/weheartmusic

MSP Comicon at Minnesota State Fair, Minneapolis (16 May 2015)

Read More MCBA When the 26th annual SpringCon ended over the previous weekend and the dust settled, it became the largest attended in the group’s history and ended the so-called Minneapolis Comic Convention Wars ....

I originally wasn't going to go to the MSP Comicon (formerly Springcon) this weekend at the Minnesota State Fairgrounds, but ended up going at the last minute on Saturday.

This is the first year the Midwest Comic Book Association (MCBA) decided to rename Springcon to take advantage of the confusing "Comicon" name. No one I know liked the name change. We think it's too acronym-ey, the same way no one I know refer to this as the "MCBA" brand. Look, we understand why they want to rebrand, but given the 28 years of "Springcon" and "Fallcon", it is going to take a while for us to refer to this as the MSP Comicon show.

The last few times I've gone to Springcon or Fallcon, I felt like I wasn't getting anything out of it. Particularly the smaller Fallcon shows, which has no panels and only serves as something of a paid fleamarket for comics. Which is fine, especially if there are some books I'm looking for... but generally I get what I need at my local comic store or order them online.

The only advantage Springcon and Fallcon has right now is the affordable entrance fee. MSP Comicon cost $12 for both days, which is an unbeatable deal compared to Wizard World Minneapolis Comic Con which cost $75 for three days. With the cheaper price, it brought in more attendees/fans and more vendors (with cheaper prices). For example, the V for Vendetta Mask was $10 at Wizard, but only $5 at MSP Comicon. It's probably no secret that exhibitor pay more for a table at Wizard World, so they have to mark up their merchandise to pay for their space.

I'll address some of my complaints now about MSP Comicon/Springcon. While I like the free parking, I'm not a fan of the Minnesota State Fairground. We got lost trying to find the convention (since they move to different buildings depending on the show).

It also took us nearly one hour waiting in a very long line to get inside the convention, which I felt was kind of ridiculous. I understand there are a lot of fans, but how hard is it to take our money and let us in?

You're not going to see any actors like Gillian Anderson, but that's fine, we're only paying $12. We understand it's just going to be focused on (local) artists and writers. We saw/expect to see the same names like Dan Jurgens, Doug Mahnke, Gordon Purcel, Tom Nguyen, etc.

The panels were a joke. First of all, the title/description are all wrong. For example, "Scribbling with a Master" with host Angel Medina... featured no scribbling or drawing. The "DC Comics Today" with Aaron Kuder and Ben Templesmith had nothing to do with DC Comics. Templesmith came in and said he worked for DC but many of his works never saw the light of day and Kuder couldn't really talk much about his involvement in Superman. Instead the two just talk about "mullets" and Templesmith highly endorsed the latest Mad Max: Fury Road movie. Now... if they had change the "DC Comics Today" title to something like "Today in Mullets" or "We Love Mad Max", I would not have an issue. It just felt that none of the speakers were actually prepared for their topics.

The second problem is that it was incredibly noisy. The panel room basically had curtains. No one could hear anything, and even the speakers had trouble hearing each other (and they were speaking with a loudspeaker!) Questions that fans ask could not be heard. Maybe MCBA could set up a microphone for the audience?

Overall, these panels were the absolute worst this year, which is a shame because I've been to better panels from previous Fallcons/Springcons... and especially because we just saw Wizard World two weeks ago that had one thousand percent better panels.

We are not attending the MSP Comicon Sunday show, instead my friends and I would rather see Mad Max: Fury Road on IMAX and call it a day. Anyway, I said this last year, but I think this is probably my last year of going to Springcon/Fallcon. Based on the very strong turnout for the convention, I don't think the MCBA will miss us.

Aaron Kuder and Ben Templesmith at MSP Comicon, Minneapolis (16 May 2015)

vu ([email protected]) ♥ weheartmusic.com ♥ twitter.com/weheartmusic

Comic Book News: Convention Season begins

Read More Comic Books Don't forget that the second annual Wizard World Comic Con Minneapolis will be taking place May 1st and May 2nd (which is also Free Comic Book Day) and May 3rd. We had a fantastic time last year at the ....

Spring has finally sprung, meaning among other things, that comic convention season is moving into full swing.

Locally, the offerings are expanding and here are just a few of the upcoming shows—

Sound+Vision MN

We start small with the charming and varied Sound+Vision MN Pop Culture Collectibles Show, a Free Admission show happening this Saturday at Valley Creek Mall in Woodbury. The show is in its third year and offers not only comic books and toys to peruse, but a great selection of music collectibles (Vinyl Records, CDs, concert DVDs), various memorabilia, rarities, and things you didn’t know you needed… but you do.

Additionally, Eisner Award winning creator Zander Cannon is special guest, promoting his just released Kaijumax #1 (Oni Press) about Godzilla-like monsters in a super prison overseen by Ultraman-like guards. There’s also free Star Wars: Rebels items and a first chance to possibly nab Avengers: Age of Ultron advanced movie passes.

A road trip should be considered for Chicago’s C2E2 (Chicago Comic and Entertainment Expo), happening at McCormick Place April 24-26^th.  This massive show is very comic book-friendly with most publishers and many of today’s superstars in attendance.  Stan Lee, Dan Slott, Gail Simone, David Finch, and Amanda Conner are just a few of the numerous professionals attending.

Entertainment media guests include cast members of Arrow, Orphan Black, Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D., Agent Carter, Game of Thrones, and celebrities such as Kevin Smith, Matt Dillon, M. Night Shyamalan, and many others.  Panels, screenings, cosplay, and more fill the weekend with plenty to do and see.

FCBD

The next weekend brings not only Free Comic Book Day on Saturday May 2^nd, but also Wizard World Minneapolis May 1-3 at the Minneapolis Convention Center.  Free Comic Book Day encourages everyone young and old to visit their participating area retailer, to receive a selection of fifty different titles, available exclusively for this event.

All major publishers participate on Free Comic Book Day, with some of the free titles featuring well liked properties such as The Simpsons, Transformers, Bob’s Burgers, Sonic, The Avengers, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, and many more.  Retailers also offer other incentives such as sales and giveaways, to make the day a special one.

Wizard World Minneapolis

Wizard World Minneapolis returns with an impressive list of entertainment guests that includes Gillian Anderson, Karl Urban, Luke Perry, and the voice of Batman, Kevin Conroy.  Comic book professionals attending include Neal Adams, Chris Claremont, Larry Hama, and Michael Golden.  While entertainment guests have always charged for autographs, many premier comic professionals are now doing so as well, so check details at their booth.

MSP ComicCon

The Midwest Comic Book Association has re-branded Spring Con as MSP ComicCon, to take advantage of the name recognition, and always offers an intimate, yet expansive weekend experience.  Happening May 16 and 17^th at the State Fairgrounds, comic professionals scheduled to attend include Ben Templesmith, Kris Anka, Pat Gleason, Mike Norton, and others.

john ([email protected]) ♥ weheartmusic.com ♥ twitter.com/weheartmusic

Pop Culture / Comic Book Shows - this weekend and beyond

Read More Comic Books Of all the comic book-related television shows that I follow, I'm most excited about Constantine. I know the source material very well, having own nearly all the 300 issues run of Hellblazer comic book. .…

Though winter’s cold bite is upon us early, there are still a few pop culture-related events, worth getting out of the house for.

Sound+Vision MN is a Pop Culture Collectibles show in its third year that brings together selections of vintage and current, rare and hard-to-find music (Vinyl, CDs, concert DVDs), comic books, toys, science fiction, horror and fantasy memorabilia and more, to a 3x annual show held at Valley Creek Mall in Woodbury.

Appearing November 22: Otis Frampton

For the latest installment, happening this Saturday, November 22 (9am-3pm), the show features Image Comics writer/artist Otis Frampton as its special guest and a chance to win early The Hobbit: Battle of the Five Armies advance screening tickets and prizes.

Frampton’s latest comic, an all-ages book called Oddly Normal, has its third issue out the following Wednesday, and he’s also involved in the YouTube popular How It Should Have Ended animated shorts, along with his own ABCDEFGeek.   Other promotions are on-site and the admission and parking are Free, for this one-of-a-kind east metro show.

Wizard World Madison

If it’s this cold and snowy out in November, will people go to a comic-con in early February? That’s the hope, as Wizard World expands its nationwide pop culture shows for 2015, adding a show in Madison, WI at the Alliant Energy Center on Feb 6-8, 2015.

Wizard began extending its reach last year, with the inaugural Wizard World Minneapolis and the company hopes for similar success across the border. Media guests announced so far include William Shatner, Eliza Dushku, George Wendt, Michael Rooker, Edward James Olmos, Billy Dee Williams, and Batman's Adam West and Burt Ward (perfect to get that long awaited TV series box autographed!).

Comic book creators include Mike Grell, writer Gary Carlson, and up-and- coming Marvel Young Gun artist, Valerio Schiti. Cosplay contests, celebrity Q+A sessions, and industry panels are all part of the weekend.

MSP Comicon

Locally, the longtime two-day SpringCon has rebranded itself as the MSP Comicon, likely in response for Wizard coming to town and to take advantage of the “Comicon” branding term. The 27^th annual show will be held May 16-17 in the Grandstand at the Minnesota State Fairgrounds and features 100,000 square feet of comic book-centric collectibles.

Known as a fan and creator friendly show, the organizing volunteers suffered a heavy loss when Source Comics and Games co-owner Nick Post unexpectedly passed away, but the Midwest Comic Book Association carries on in his honor, to deliver a show that is both fun and satisfying to the comic book aficionado.

john ([email protected]) ♥ weheartmusic.com ♥ twitter.com/weheartmusic