W♥M (Archive)

Nerdin Out Con 2019

Nerdin Out 2019 Special Guests Ming Chen Femi Taylor Yonas Paul Blake Jake the Snake Roberts Hacksaw Jim Duggan Monica Keena Sandi Sellner Read More Nerdin Out Minnesota: NerdinOut Con is taking place in Rochester (Sept 8-9, 2018) from Nerdin Out Guests: Jake "The Snake" Roberts , Ming Chen Comic Book Men , and more ...

We briefly mentioned Nerdin Out Con last year, because we like attending these comic book conventions (read our coverages on MN Fan Fest, MN Toy Posse, Wizard World, Blizzard World, MSP Comicon (formerly Fallcon/Springcon), Crypticon, and C2E2). We didn’t go on their inaugural show, but we did manage to attend their second show - which took place August 10-11, 2019.

The first thing you should know is that it was created by a comic book/pop culture store called Nerdin Out in Rochester, Minnesota. So naturally, their convention also took place Rochester. The city is over an hour’s drive from where we live (north of Minneapolis), so it’s really an effort for us to make it to the show.

The other thing you should know is that although they advertise their price as “low as $10”, that is a little deceiving. That price is reserved for children, adult ticket prices are about $20 ($25 at the door) for adults.

Last, if you’ve never attended these conventions, the admission prices do not include autograph fees or photo fees, etc. However, I would have to add, that the prices for the celebrities at this show are reasonable (about $20-$30 for autographs and $10-$20 for photos).

The main programming for Saturday was for Jake “the Snake” Roberts and Hacksaw Jim Duggan, reflecting on their wrestling days. There was also a costume contest later in the day and a paid comedy show, but since we were attending only as fans, there was no obligation to stay and fully cover the event from start to finish.

From my understanding, everything was improved over last year’s event: more guests, bigger space (there were two very large rooms), and more vendors (merchandise and food sellers).

We were impressed with the turnout (their Facebook page boasts at least 5,000 in attendance) and we loved talking to the friendly dealers (they were always willing to go down in prices). We think the convention can only grow larger and larger every year.

The only problem we have is that the convention is located in Rochester… which is a little too far for us.

P.S., We also checked out the Nerdin Out store, which was located near the convention. We were very happy we stopped by, because we found an action figure that were searching for 12 years. Anyway, the store had a little of everything: toys, back issues, new comics, gaming, and tables for gamers.

Jake “The Snake” Roberts and Hacksaw Jim Duggan

Hacksaw Jim Duggan

Hacksaw Jim Duggan

Jake “The Snake” Roberts

Ming Chen (from Comic Book Men)

Nerdin Out at Graham Arenas Park, Rochester (10 August 2019)

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

We♥Movies: Us / Shazam / The Best of Enemies film reviews

Spring has officially sprung, and while there’s still a good amount of snow left on Twin Cities streets and yards, winter is quickly in the rear-view mirror.

We got an early look at a few upcoming movies and as usual, will also make mention of the musical content in each--

Us Read More Tim Heidecker Little Record Company is releasing Heidecker & Wood's sophomore album Some Things Never Stay the Same on November 12th. The duo is basically comedian and actor Tim Heidecker with his longtime …

Us

This much-anticipated follow-up to writer/director Jordan Peele’s Get Out suffers no sophomore slump and does not disappoint – you’ll never think of the May 1986 Hands Across America event, in the same way.

Black Panther alumni Lupita Nyong'o and Winston Duke play the mother and father of a well-to-do West Coast family off to vacation in their summer home, along with friends Elisabeth Moss and Tim Heidecker (in a very different role since we last saw him on stage locally) who become confronted by their own scissor-wielding doppelgängers.

Peele (of comedy duo Key and Peele) stylishly and masterfully sets the tone, then builds the tension in a fresh and original story that, along with his previous film, now establishes him as the premier modern storyteller of this genre.

There are some other underlying layers to the story, about privilege, race, and our potential darker selves left in the shadows, but the film allows you to consider those topics or not, as it’s just as enjoyable to sit back, buckle up, and let the scenes take you where they will.

The third act suffers a bit, as things are fully explained and (mostly) resolved with an end reveal (I saw it coming) which also leaves the door open for another chapter, but it’s a minor complaint on an otherwise solid film.

Composer Michael Abels, who scored Peele’s Get Out, also provides the score here, with memorable scenes resurrecting hip-hop classics like 1995’s ‘I Got 5 on It’ by Luniz and N.W.A.’s ‘F—k tha Police’, as well as songs from Janelle Monae, Noname, and even The Beach Boys’ ‘Good Vibrations’.

Us is from Universal Pictures and opens in theatres today

♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ (W♥M rating – 9 out of 10 hearts)

Shazam Read More Aquaman Aquaman This much-awaited entry from the DC Universe returns Jason (Game of Thrones, Conan) Momoa to the title role, with Amber Heard as love interest Mera, and Nicole Kidman as his mother, directed by James Wan, best known for Saw …

Shazam

These are golden times for any comic book fan - who would have ever dreamed there would be two Captain Marvel feature films in less than a month? Ok, so it’s not exactly the Fawcett Comics character that was so popular in the ‘40s, then was sued and acquired by DC for a ‘70s rebirth, with a few reboots since then.

The grown up Billy Batson (played by Zachary Levi) this time is the New52 version complete with hooded cape and light-up lightning bolt (similar to TV’s Black Lightning costume) which doesn’t exactly elicit any nostalgia.

Comic book movie veterans Djimon Hounsou (of Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy/Capt Marvel and DC’s Aquaman – who’d of thought he’d be in both Captain Marvel films?!) and Mark Strong as arch-villain Dr. Sivana (who as Sinestro in Green Lantern was a film highlight, and was also in Kiss Ass and Kingsman) are also in the adult cast. The child acting cast (led by 16yr old Asher Angel as Billy) are fine, but not standout.

Set in Philadelphia (??), the film gives us the origin from the comics and culminates with a battle against Sivana (who isn’t too recognizable from the comics version either) with The Marvel Family appearing a bit too suddenly to help out with things.

Grounded in a good heart and set mostly in an adoption group home (Jerry from Walking Dead is the dad), it mostly plays things for laughs- maybe the studio antidote to so many of DC’s adaptations being so dark.

The comedy moments are entertaining, but often seemed forced, and the character is one you can never really emotionally bond with, or take very seriously.

As with most comic book films, there are two post-credit scenes- the first, a mid-credit scene setting up the villains for the possible sequel (not that the similar scene in Justice League will probably ever come to fruition) and a quick end credit scene done strictly for laughs. And no, Black Adam does not appear.

Minimal easter eggs for comic fans to pick up on (unfortunately), the film seems to value its silly and dumb tone over everything, so it can wait for a rental viewing or streaming, as the big screen doesn’t add much to the experience. The other Captain Marvel film (while it starts confusingly and is far from perfect) is the better choice.

Composer Benjamin Wallfisch did the movie’s score, previously collaborating with director David F. Sandberg on his previous Lights Out and Annabelle: Creation as well as doing additional music for Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice. Soundtrack songs are mostly forgettable except for Kendrick Lamar’s 2017 ‘Humble’. Other songs include those previously released by Imagine Dragons, NF, Rise and Jay Rock (zzz...)

Shazam is from Warner Brothers/New Line/DC and opens on April 5-

♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ( W♥M rating – 6 out of 10 hearts)

The Best of Enemies Read More If Beale Street Could Talk If Beale Street Could Talk At its heart, this overdue adaptation of a James Baldwin novel set in Harlem in the early 70s, is a just a simple love story. KiKi Layne and Stephan James play the young couple, he soon incarcerated for a crime he likely did not commit. …

The Best of Enemies

A surprisingly good film based on a true story set in 1971 in Durham, NC as a KKK leader and black activist organizer are forced to work together, after a fire at a local elementary school sparks debate on whether their schools should be racially integrated, on not.

The film’s veteran cast includes Taraji P. Henson, Sam Rockwell, Babou Ceesay, Anne Heche, Wes Bentley, and Bruce McGill and is adapted from the book by Osha Gray Davidson. Robin Bissell (born in Minneapolis) is the first-time director, adapting his own script for the project.

This is a feel-good and often inspiring story that in parts, would be too good to believed, if the story didn’t actually happen. Rockwell and Henson play well off each other, and the compassion about doing the right thing for their children, helps them find common ground when seemingly, none exists. Footage of the actual people is played just before the end credits.

Musically, Brazilian composer Marcelo (Wonder, Fences) Zarvos provides the film score with memorable montage scenes in the film set to Roy Orbison’s ‘Blue Bayou’ and Bill Withers’ ‘Grandma’s Hands’. Other songs from the 1971-era pepper the scenes and John Legend’s recent single, ‘Preach’ is part of the end credits.

The Best of Enemies is from STX Entertainment and opens April 5.

♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ (W♥M rating – 8 out of 10 hearts)

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

Comic book-related television shows (2018)

Read More Television I did enjoy The Punisher quite a bit, which was a win, considering that I thought Iron Fist and The Defenders were lackluster. Ever since The Punisher appeared on Daredevil, I knew he would spin off in his own series… …

As you may have noticed, I’m still in hibernation mode. Not going on and going on “staycation” have left me plenty of time for some gaming and watching plenty of television.

If you were interested in checking out Comic Book shows (2017), where we mentioned: The Punisher, Happy!, The Gifted, The Runaways, and the really disappointing The Inhumans.

Below are some recent 2018 comic book-based television shows.



DEADLY CLASS
syfy.com/deadlyclass

Originally meant to air in 2019, SyFy released their pilot episode of Deadly Class early on their website (December 20). The show is based on the 2014 Image Comics book the same name by Rick Remender and Wesley Craig.

I haven’t read the comic book, but watching the show sounds like “The Breakfast Club” for Assassin School. It’s based in the 80s, so there’s plenty of great 80s alternative songs on the soundtrack, including The Cure and Echo and the Bunnymen.

Perhaps the reason why SyFy is airing Deadly Class early, is to distance themselves from the upcoming Netflix’s Umbrella Academy (another school show - for Superheroes).

A couple of things worth noting: (1) former Black Flag singer Henry Rollins is the Science teacher and (2) a character referenced Chris Claremont and John Byrne’s classic X-Men run.

So far: I’m hooked! I can’t wait to see the second episode in 2019.

Sabrina

THE CHILLING ADVENTURES OF SABRINA
netflix.com

Not the first television show based on Archie Comics’ favorite witch Sabrina. This new Netflix show The Chilling Adventures of Sabrina is actually pretty good, thanks to its excellent writing team and lead actress Kiernan Shipka. The first season ended well and the special Christmas show A Midwinter's Tale arrived just before Christmas.

The show is not exactly horror, but is a cross between Harry Potter and Buffy the Vampire Slayer. Think of it as part of the Riverdale universe, only I don’t think we’re going to see a crossover anytime soon.

You can’t take show too seriously, but it isn’t exactly comedy either.

Titans

TITANS
dcuniverse.com

Titans was originally meant to air when DC Comics’ DC Universe launched in September, but instead was delayed a month because DC wanted to premiere it at New York Comic Con. I think it was a bad mistake, because the service launched with basically no original content, other than the 20-30 minute daily news show called DC Daily (which actually was put online for free).

Before finding its home on DC’s streaming service, the show was in development for TNT. Ultimately, TNT turned down the show... and based on the episodes I did watch, I can see why. It’s slow, and it’s unnecessary violent.

According to the showrunners, the show is based on Marv Wolfman and George Perez’s New Teen Titans, but with a much, much darker tone. The problem is that the Teen Titans have never been this super violent before (we’re talking about Robin stabbing a guy’s penis with a hedge trimmers or scrapping a guy’s face across a wall). Needless to say, I am a fan of the source material, but this TV show isn’t really a faithful adaption at all.

While there are fans of this new Titans show, I found it really disappointing. On top of that, the show ended an episode early (originally 12 episodes, but cut down to 11). There’s no real resolve, and fans will have to wait a full year to find out what happened next.

Fans outside of the USA, International Netflix is premiering the show on January 11, 2019.

Black Lightning

BLACK LIGHTNING
cwtv.com

I actually forgotten about this CW’s show Black Lightning, which debut in January 2018 to strong interests. The show is predominately a black cast (with plenty of hip-hop and modern black culture), definitely a first to stand out against the rest of CW’s shows: Arrow, Supergirl, Legends of Tomorrow, The Flash, etc.

My favorite thing about Black Lightning are the villains: Tobias Whale (an albino black character who hates/looks down on his fellow black gangbangers) and Syonide a mysterious assassin (originally male in the comics!).

Unfortunately the villains couldn’t save the show for me, I just stopped watching it, because the storyline felt somewhat boring to me. I would have really love a show about a black man struggling in a white man world, but instead, it’s typical CW super heroes stories. When they planted the seed that his daughters would become Thunder and Lightning, it’s almost too cheesy, and I just dropped out.

Again, I love the villains, but the standard super-hero stuff was just a little predictable to me and I just stopped watching it.

Cloak & Dagger

CLOAK & DAGGER
freeform.go.com

Originally, I was really excited to check out Cloak & Dagger, available on Freeform. However, after watching the first few episodes, it just didn’t reel me in. Maybe it’s because I couldn’t relate to either characters (a rich girl or an athlete).

Also, the pacing seems really slow to me, but critics loved it and Freeform has already renewed the show for a second season - to air in July 2019.

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

We♥Movies: Christmas Week film reviews

With Winter officially here (now according to the calendar) and temps staying frigid as the concert bookings slow around the holidays, it’s a perfect time to head inside and catch a movie.

Here’s a few that we’ve managed to see, to help navigate your holiday viewing, and we’ll also make mention of the musical content in each--

Aquaman Read More Films In the forthcoming Bumblebee film (to be release on December 21, 2018), a spinoff of the popular Transformers films, actress Hailee Steinfeld (as Charlie Watson) is seen wearing a The Smiths T-Shirt in the film trailer (youtube.com). …

Aquaman

This much-awaited entry from the DC Universe returns Jason (Game of Thrones, Conan) Momoa to the title role, with Amber Heard as love interest Mera, and Nicole Kidman as his mother, directed by James Wan, best known for Saw and the last couple Fast and Furious films.

Told mostly chronologically, the movie opens with his origin (including Kidman in some heavy action scenes that rival her ex-husband Tom Cruise) and the plot involves the Atlantian taking the throne from his evil half-brother Orm (Ocean Master), played by a stoic Patrick Wilson.

Less dark than any of the Zack Snyder DC films, it features a quick moving story (aided by comic book writer Geoff Johns on the script) but some sequences and dialogue come off as hokey or contrived, maybe better off staying in the comics, than on-screen. The third act amps up all the CGI and even features the voice of Julie Andrews (?!) as a monster guarding a sacred trident.

Hit and miss, it has its moments, but is no Wonder Woman, or wouldn’t rank high if it was a Marvel Studios movie. Ocean Master and the other villain, Black Manta don’t seem too menacing, though Heard does look good in her green bodysuit.

Musically, the film is well scored by Rupert (Wonder Woman) Gregson-Williams but also includes a Pitbull (ugh) remake of Toto’s “Africa”, snippets from Depeche Mode, Greta Van Fleet, Roy Orbison, and Sigur Ros, and a mostly forgettable end title song from Skylar Grey.

Director Wan throws in some quick easter eggs (H.P. Lovecraft paperback, Anabelle doll, and other movie homages) to keep the attentive on their toes and a short mid-credits scene doesn’t add much to the continuing storyline. Not terrible, but often shallow.

Aquaman is in theatres now

♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ (W♥M rating – 7 out of 10 hearts)

Mortal Engines

Mortal Engines

With a look that is part steampunk, part Terry Gilliam, part Neil Gaiman, this ambitious film directed by Peter Jackson protege Christian Rivers, is often a marvel to look at, but often weak in the storyline and dialogue.

A post-apocalyptic tale of moving and dueling cities stars a conniving Hugo Weaving and outsider female hero Hera Hilmar, in her first studio film. The film (based on books by British author Phillip Reeve) is mostly a case of too much icing/ too little cake, with the Junkie XL soundtrack being one of the high points.

Mortal Engines is in theatres now-

♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ (W♥M rating – 6 out of 10 hearts)

Spider-Man: Into the Spiderverse

Spider-Man: Into the Spiderverse

One of the only good things about seeing Venom in the theater recently, was the end-credit extended preview of this eye-poppingly good movie from Sony Pictures Animation, a movie that could have so easily been an over-confusing trainwreck, but instead is a hyper-fun rollercoaster ride.

Armed with original looking animation and a strong voice cast (including Mahershala Ali, Lily Tomlin, John Mulaney, Nicolas Cage, and Liev Schreiber), it overcomes any negative feelings I had going in for mostly lame characters like Spider-Gwen, Spider-Man Noir, and even Spider-Ham.

Musically, the soundtrack balances a Daniel (Oceans 8, Molly’s Game) Pemberton score with hip-hop tracks from Post Malone, Swae Lee, and Nicki Minaj (zzzz).

Spider-Man: Into the Spiderverse is in theatres now.

♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ (W♥M rating – 8 out of 10 hearts)

Bumblebee

Bumblebee

This is the sixth film in the modern Transformers film series, the first without director Michael Bay and is a prequel that shows the robots’ first journey from their home planet of Cybertron, to Earth.

Basically, a teen and her robot friend story, the action is more subdued than the previous films and there’s a little more script attention to character development than before. Hailee Steinfeld is tolerable in the lead tomboy role, with wrestler John Cena playing a Section 7 agent on her (and Bumblebee’s) trail while the Decepticons try to influence the humans to take their side. For a better version of a similar enough story, just re-watch The Iron Giant.

With Bay out of the director’s chair, Travis Knight takes over, with his previous credits being the son of Nike founder Phil Knight and starting out as a wannabee rapper called Chilly Tee (ok, he helmed the good Kubo and the Two Strings as well), but I actually started to miss the trademark Bay over-the-top fighting and effects at some point.

Musically, the film thinks because it’s set in 1987, that any familiar 80’s tune can be placed in randomly- from “Save a Prayer” (1982) to “Runaway” (1984) to “I Can’t Drive 55” (1984) and so on, whether it fits the year the film is set in, or not. Steinfeld proves her music street-cred by wearing Motorhead, Smiths, and Madonna tour shirts throughout and my colleague Vu will appreciate the numerous Smiths placements, from “Bigmouth Strikes Again” and “Girlfriend in a Coma” heard, to The Smiths’ album Strangeways, Here We Come being the first cassette tape inserted into Bumblebee- at least that one got the year right, released in 1987.

Bumblebee is in theatres now

♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ (W♥M rating – 6 out of 10 hearts)

Vice

Vice

Christian Bale’s literally transformative performance as former VP Dick Chaney is the main (and maybe only) reason to see this film, which starts chronologically but eventually devolves into an over-opinionated skewed character study, often to the point of Michael Moore-like parody.

Sam Rockwell as George W. Bush and Amy Adams as wife Liz Chaney are in fine form as well, but the problem lies in the script from director Adam (Anchorman, The Big Short) McKay which is as scattershot as Chaney himself was, when he accidentally shot his friend in the face while hunting in Texas, but Bale is worth the watch.

Oscar winner (for Moonlight) Nicholas Britell provides the musical score for the film, which is effective and never too intrusive.

Vice opens on Christmas Day

♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ (W♥M rating – 7 out of 10 hearts)

If Beale Street Could Talk

If Beale Street Could Talk

At its heart, this overdue adaptation of a James Baldwin novel set in Harlem in the early 70s, is a just a simple love story. KiKi Layne and Stephan James play the young couple, he soon incarcerated for a crime he likely did not commit.

Both sets of parents play into the story with a particularly strong performance from Regina King, who plays Layne’s character’s mother and writer/director Barry Jenkins continues the subtle less-is-more style he showed first in the Best Picture Oscar-winning Moonlight, portraying a quiet elegance in a closeup of a face, or on a slow pan of a living quarters.

Like Vice, Nicholas Britell provides the score, but it’s much more effective here, with slow jazz framing one scene, while mourning cellos help set another. Not quite as strong as Moonlight, it’s still a poignant and very literary film.

If Beale Street Could Talk opens Christmas Day

♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ (W♥M rating – 8 out of 10 hearts)

Escape Room

Escape Room

With a familiar set-up of six supposedly random strangers put together in a situation where things soon go wrong, this Adam (forgettable Paranormal Activity and Insidious sequels) Robitel-helmed psychological drama starring Taylor (who?) Russell and Logan (Love, Simon) Miller is somewhat entertaining for the first two-thirds as the group try to unravel the keys of getting out of five different and deadly rooms.

Where the train goes off the rails is the cheap and somewhat rushed ending, where the anticipated big reveal is underwhelming and the door is not only wide open for a sequel, it practically starts the next movie, over-confident that this franchise will continue.

The musical score is by Brian Tyler and John Carey, Tyler coming hot off of Crazy Rich Asians and having worked on Avengers Age of Ultron and Iron Man3, and the music while reasonable, is ultimately as forgettable as the film itself.

Escape Room opens in theatres on January 4

♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ (W♥M rating – 5 out of 10 hearts)

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

George Perez Website: 20th Anniversary

Read More George Perez George Perez receives the Will Eisner Hall of Fame Award George Perez canceled all comic book convention, because of recent heart attack …

Today, December 9th, is the 20th anniversary of my little George Perez Website (george-perez.net), a website dedicated to comic book artist George Perez.

I first discovered Perez’s work with Crisis on Infinite Earths #1 in April 1985 and have been collecting his art since then. In order to maintain a growing database of my Perez checklist, I had hand-coded html files, meant for my personal computer only.

After securing a webhost via Fresno State University, on December 9, 1998, I’ve decided to upload what I had written onto the world wide web. You have to remember, this was in 1998, when the internet was in its infancy.

The checklist remained somewhat static until I started collecting George Perez news in April 2000, and thus upgraded the website to version 2. Throughout the years, the website went onto many different servers, but ultimate, trying to keep cost down, I had to eventually had to shut down the website on July 10, 2007.

The current Version 4 of the George Perez Website went online Jul 12, 2008 3:56 PM, just slightly one year after it was shut down. Version 4 has been online for a decade now.

I’m still very proud of my work on the website and hope to be online for another twenty years.

Brief timeline:

December 9, 1998 - Version 1 May 6, 2000 - Version 2 October 27, 2006 - Version 3

July 10, 2007 - on break for one year Jul 12, 2008 3:56 PM - Version 4 (current version) December 9, 2018 - 20th Anniversary

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

Constantine: City of Demons - The Movie (UHD/Blu-Ray)

Constantine: City of Demons - The Movie Read More Constantine The new episode of Constantine is probably the best show so far! The best ones are the ones that is based on the comic book, and this new episode, the whole setup is quite similar to Mike Carey's Hellblazer: All His Engines. .…

I’m a big fan of John Constantine, so I was disappointed (but anticipated) that NBC cancelled the series. Of course, I also knew that the show producers and DC Comics (now DC Entertainment) wanted to bring the series to another outlet, possibly The CW, since they already had a string of successful DC shows like Arrow, The Flash, and Supergirl.

Constantine did live on The CW, but as a streaming-only format animated show as Constantine: City of Demons in April 2018, but we didn’t like the advertisements every five minutes.

Thankfully, all those segments are collected into one long 90-min ad-free Bluray/UHD release, re-titled Constantine: City of Demons - The Movie with a Rated R rating. To make it a full movie, 20 minutes have been added to the movie.

As for special features, there’s also a documentary “The Sorcerer’s Occultist - Understanding John Constantine” and the WonderCon Constantine Panel.

Unless you’re a massive Constantine fan, I wouldn’t recommend paying full retail price for the disc(s), but on sale for $7.99 (which is the current Black Friday sale price) - it’s almost an impulse item. All physical disc copies comes with a digital code (expires Dec 2019).

As for a live-action Constantine show, it would seem that Matt Ryan, starring as John Constantine, has been added to the regular cast of The CW’s Legends of Tomorrow. Although the series is somewhat silly at times, it’s kind of nice to see Constantine back on the small screen.

I did give up on the Legends of Tomorrow show after season one, but have started watching the show again this year, thanks to the addition of Constantine to the roster.

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

Sound+Vision at Valley Creek Mall, Woodbury (17 Nov 2018)

Read More Sound+Vision Rock 'n' Roll in Minnesota, with his next appearance being THIS Saturday in Woodbury, at the Sound+Vision MN Pop Culture Collectibles Show.…

We attended the Sound+Vision Pop Culture Collectibles show at the Valley Creek Mall in Woodbury, Minnesota, on Saturday, November 17. The show is free and takes place three times a year (Spring, Summer, Fall).

I am only guessing, but about 25 dealers line up along the hallway of Woodbury’s only indoor mall, Valley Creek Mall, from one end to the other. There was great foot traffic, with some people going to the show intentionally and some people there by happenstance.

Dealers sold everything from comic books to music (vinyls were the most popular), toys, sports cards/memorabilia, original art, movies, etc. If you collect something, chances are you might find it at the show. Prices were reasonable, nothing more than what you would pay full price.

The best part of this show is that every hour there were prizes given out. We like free stuff, so were pretty excited to see some free promotional items like posters (Ant-Man and the Wasp, plus various others), pencils (Sorry to Bother You), upcoming movie passes (Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse), movie downloads (Incredibles 2), shot glasses (Atomic Blonde), T-Shirts (Skyscraper and a few others that were snatched up before I saw it)… plus many others that I’m forgetting or never saw.

The next Sound+Vision will take place on a Saturday in Spring 2019 from 9am to 3pm. Date to be announced on soundvisionmn.webs.com.

Sound+Vision at Valley Creek Mall, Woodbury (17 Nov 2018)

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

Minnesota Fan Fusion at Rivercentre, St Paul (03-05 August 2018)

Read More Minnesota Fan Fusion Minnesota Fan Fusion (previously known as Minnesota Fan Fest) is coming up on August 3-5, 2018. The event is, once again, held at the Rivercentre in downtown St. Paul. Everything is an upgrade ...

The long three-day Minnesota Fan Fusion geek/comic convention is over..

Everything was a million times better this year vs MNFF’s debut last year. There was twice the space (last year they shared the second floor with some sort of shoe convention), twice the merchandise, twice the number of guests, and, get this, four times the number of panels.

With Wizard World not returning to Minneapolis, MNFF (organized by Phoenix’s Square Egg) is really one of the few companies that organize this type of “Comic Con” in the city. Let’s face it, while Springcon/Fallcon (officially known as MSP ComiCon) are fan favorites… they will never bring in these guests.

Although comic books are our thing, MNFF does offer other options for fans of television, films, books (wow at Harry Potter’s fanbase!), sci-fi (Star Wars), Doctor Who, cosplay, anime, gaming, etc. It was really fun to walk around and see what fans were into. While it shouldn’t surprise anyone, but there was a strong CW fanbase, thanks to its popular DC Comics’ shows like Arrow, The Flash, etc.

FRIDAY
MNFF added Friday to their show. This is usually the day that we come and get a lay of the land. There was a rather long line to get into the showroom, and once in, many went directly to John Rhys-Davies’ line for photo op and autograph.

Thanks to the Hero Initiative, they brought in some great comic creators: Kevin Nowlan, Christopher Priest, Howard Chaykin, Barry Kitson, etc. Friday wasn’t as busy as Saturday, so this is a great day to get all your comics signed and maybe talk to the creator and their works.

SATURDAY
Typically, Saturday is the biggest and longest show day. There’s a lot of walking around and most of the celebrities will work the Saturday shows. This is also usually the day for fans to hear the celebrity guest speak and do a Q&A with the audience.

Danielle Panabaker was the first speaker in the main ballroom. Since Manu Bennett cancelled, Dan Fogler was moved to his spot, followed by Walking Dead’s Laurie Holden, and then Ray Park.

With so many panels all taking place at the same time, you had to really choose what you were interested in and love and find the room. The printed schedule (probably printed months in advance), had some changes, so you had to really rely on MNFF’s phone app to get the latest information. However, I found it was just easier to look at the signs at the door to each panel for the most accurate information.

Saturday is also the day that most of the cosplayers come out to play, partly because of the Masquerade Costume Contest taking place later that day.

SUNDAY
Sunday was known as “Family Day”, so you did actually see a lot of parents and their kids in costumes. Sunday is usually the best day to go shopping.

There were only two celebrity speakers for Sunday, John Rhys-Davies and Summer Glau.

Bob Ross

Unbreakable David Dunn and Luke Cage

Ghost Busters

Indiana Jones & Harley Quinn

Luigi, Mario, and Princess Peach

Invisible Jet

Wednesday Adams

Professor Genki (Saints Row) and She-Ra

Nova and Supergirl

John Constantine

Link & Zelda

Cubone (Pokemon)

Spider-Gwen and Miles Morales

Jon Snow

Doctor Who

Casey Jones with Harley Quinn and Batman

Deathstroke, Hawkeye, and Thor

Kingpin

Ash (Evil Dead)

Super Saiyan White Goku (Dragon Ball Z)

Lara Croft (Tomb Raider) and Nathan Drake (Uncharted)

American McGee’s Alice

Jessica Jones and Jessica Jones

Iron Fist and Iron Fist

Star Wars

Star Wars

Star Wars

Thor: Ragnarok with Leeloo (Fifth Element)

Black Panther

Spider-Gwen, Riddler, and Jedi

Poison Ivy and Harley Quinn

Scarecrow

DJ Superstars: Daft Punk, Deadmau5, and Marshmello

Bloodborne, Punisher, Wolverine, Borderlands (Moxxi & Zer0), and Harry Potter

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

Masquerade Costume Contest at Minnesota Fan Fusion, Rivercentre (04 Aug 2018)

Read More Minnesota Fan Fest Minnesota Fan Fusion (previously known as Minnesota Fan Fest) is coming up on August 3-5, 2018. The event is, once again, held at the Rivercentre in downtown St. Paul. Everything is an upgrade ...

The big Saturday show of Minnesota Fan Fusion wrapped up yesterday with Masquerade Costume Contest organized by Best 3some Ever (a comedy podcast trio, featuring Nick, Robb, and Kevin).

Unlike last year’s Costume Contest at MN Fan Fest, this year had more contestants and a nice catwalk stage (which was a big improvement over Wizard World’s Costume Contest).

Some contestants strut their stuff, others quickly walk on and off. Don’t be nervous, it’s your chance to shine! Just a for any contestants, please strike a pose for about 30 seconds before turning and walking back. Some did a funky dance, some did what looks like a bad Fortnight dance, but it was all in good fun.

While the judges gave out points and made decisions, B3E entertained the audience with jokes and trivia. They didn’t interview the contestants, which is something that Wizard World did to buy some time.

I did agree with the first place winner (a themed group of Thor: Ragnarok), but it was somewhat unfair. Group cosplayers should have a different award category. If they had broken the awards out to two categories, then the Borderlands duo (Moxxi and Zer0) would probably be second place and Final Fantasy XV would have landed third. Maybe they take this suggestion into consideration and bring more random awards next time.

Personally speaking, I would’ve ranked The Rocketeer a lot higher, given the loving recreation of Dave Steven’s look and additional smoking/light-up backpack. Award for the most obscure reference is that lady from My Little Pony’s some episode featuring Fluttershy. What? No one would know what character that is except for some Bronies.

Winners of this year’s contest were:

Third Place: Freddy Fazbear from Five Nights at Freddy's
Second Place: Diablo III
First Place: Thor: Ragnarok

More photos soon in our writeup later (these are some selected photos I was able to dump). In the meantime, today is the last day for MN Fan Fusion. Sunday is usually the best day for shopping around, if you’re interested in picking up merchandises.

Thor: Ragnarok with Leeloo (did not compete)

Thor: Ragnarok

Thor: Ragnarok

Final Fantasy XV

Professor Genki (Saints Row) and She-Ra

Wolverine (did not compete) with Borderlands’ Moxxi and Zer0).

Firestorm

Nightcrawler

Splatoon

Freddy Fazbear (Five Nights at Freddy's)

Ant-Man

Diablo III

She-Ra

Professor Genki (Saints Row)

Minerva McGonagall (Harry Potter)

Masquerade Costume Contest group shot

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

Photos: Minnesota Fan Fusion at Rivercenter, St Paul (03 Aug 2018)

Read More Minnesota Fan Fest Minnesota Fan Fusion (previously known as Minnesota Fan Fest) is coming up on August 3-5, 2018. The event is, once again, held at the Rivercentre in downtown St. Paul. Everything is an upgrade from last year ...

Here are some photos from day one of Minnesota Fan Fusion.

TV & FILM

Dan Fogler

Danielle Panabaker

John Rhys-Davies

Laurie Holden

Ray Park

Summer Glau

AUTHORS

Andrew DeYoung

Brian Farrey

H.M. Bouwman

J.M. Lee

S.A. Bodeen

Sarah Ahiers

COSPLAYERS

AvantGeek

Kristen Lanae

COMICS & ARTISTS

Andy Kuhn

Barry Kitson

Brian & Kristy Miller

Chris Allo

Christopher Priest

Dan Jurgens

Dave Wheeler

Don Rosa

Gordon Purcell

Greg Land

Howard Chaykin

J.N. Monk

Jae Lee

Kevin Nowlan

Lee and Ty Blauersouth

Megan Sloane

Peter David

Rick Leonardi

Theo Nicole Lorenz

Z. Akhmetova

Nightwing(s)

Lord of the Ring

Loki

Dan Jurgens

Robin

Hi-Fi Colors

Howard Chaykin

Indiana Jones

Jae Lee

Kevin Nowlan

Animal

Black Canary

Barry Kitson

Christopher Priest

Don Rosa

Asajj Ventress

Captain America

Velma

Star Wars

Daredevil and Spider-Man

Peter David

Star Wars

Darth Vader

Andy Kuhn

Yu-Gi-Oh

Harry Potter

Harley Quinn

Greg Land

Gordon Purcell

Fallout (with Nuka Cola Girl)

Fallout

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