Sorry for the long delay since I last posted.  The reason being is because the last few years at the Philadelphia comic book convention have been, well different lately.  I'm sorry to say that there has been little if any representation from the big two comic book publishers. (D.C. & Marvel).  The reason I believe is two fold.  Reason number one could simply be because that the economy is terrible and travel has become to expensive for the editors, writers, and artists to visit conventions any more.  Reason number two is the fact that very little is given out in terms of information.  It used to be that when you went to the convention you were rewarded with insider information that on one else could get.  With the advent of the internet and blogs like this one that instantly broadcast information the comic book executives are on the the fact that what is said in the convention does not stay in the convention.  This Las Vegas approach has diminished the convention goers experience because there is no feeling of getting that insider information any more.  You can't get angry with the comic book industry to much because they are trying to generate interest in their product.  So the information age has had some unforeseen consequences to the comic book fan.  The advanced preview of the stories and the art to be showcased in comic books at the conventions may be a thing of the past.

     There is some good news in all of this and that is I discovered that I spend more time with the comic book dealers on the convention floor.  I have to admit I always got a kick out of bartering and haggling over the price of a comic book that I want to occupy my grubby little fingers.  I also enjoy discovering a new book that I may not have considered looking at in the comic book stores.  The independent titles get more attention because they don't have to complete with the major more well known titles.  This is a good thing for  those new artists and writers who are trying to break out into the mainstream and get recognized.  The same can be said for the artists.  I also found myself spending time in the artists alley and discovering the work of new artists and finding out where their work is showcased and in what comic books.  I have to admit I love comic book art.  It's the thing that grabs my attention and gets me to pick up the comic.  I'm sorry to say, but I have to admit that if a comic has good writing but bad art, I won't buy it.  I hate to say it but there it is it's true.  I find that that is mainly what you pay for is the art.  Unfortunately I have had read many comics with art that was in my opinion just awful and yet had a good compelling story.  The bad artwork made the reading of the comic work.  The bad art was a distraction.  At the conventions as they are structured now I spend more time meeting artists and discovering their work.  I like not only to purchase their work but getting them to sign the art.  Hey you never know.  I enjoy taking the work home and putting it up on my wall at home.

     So while there is some diminishment because you don't get that inside scoop on the latest comics to come out in the fall, you do get to spend more time with the people who actually wheel and deal in the comics industry, make the art for the comics we like, and get that collectible or comic book we may have overlooked in the comic shop.  With a little bit of a change in attitude you can still enjoy the Philadelphia Comic book convention or any convention for that matter.  They still have use and value, it's just in a different way.

I've returned from the Philadelphia Comic Convention hosted by Wizard World. The convention had more vendors there than last year which was good, but the size of the convention overall was the same. The artist alley was slightly larger, so if you wanted to get that piece of artwork form that up and cumming artist you had a good chance of buying what might be a valuable piece, if not something to decorate the home or office. I wished the convention had grown in size however, but it seems to be staying the same. The usual suspects are there. Marvel had Joe Quesadda there along with Charles Pak who is writing the big summer event World War Hulk. As usual they were tight lipped about the outcome and what characters will have a large roll in the story. The preview for the story arcs art work is done very well. The cover of the Incredible hulk was especially drawn well. I'm sure that they will be posted at the sight for you to preview. Some information given at the convention was that the Thunderbolts will not be included in the story arc. There will be allies for the Hulk in his war to avenge those who ostracized him to another world. Namor and She - Hulk were dropped as to the potential allies that will join the Hulk in his quest for vengance against the group that decided to, and eventually sent the Hulk to another world. The group of heroes that send the Hulk to this other world are Dr. Strange, Reed Richards, Namor, Black Bolt, and Charles Xavier. When the decision was made to ostracize the Hulk Charles Xavier was not at the meeting because he was with the X-men who were fighting for their existence against the Governments attempt to register new mutants, and to control their powers. Because Charles Xavier was not at the meeting the Hulk will seek out Xavier and find out once and for all which side he stand on. Will he aid the Hulk in his quest for vengeance, or will he decide that the decision to send him to another planet was a good one and fight against the hulk. Charles back told the audience the the hulk will be a smarter version of character. He will be a strategist, and a tactician. If you have been reading the Hulk then you have a good indication as to how much of a tactician the Hulk will be in the World War Hulk story. The Marvel panel announced that the next story arch for the X-men will be the Messiah complex. The panel showed slides of Charles Xavier, Mystique, and Mr. Sinister. The panel as usual was tight lipped about the story. Mark Silvestry from Top Cow does the artwork on the cover that features Charles Xavier, Mysique, and Mr. Sinister. It looked well done, but I was left with the idea by the panel that this was just something of a stop gap until a greater story arc. The panel spent only several minutes talking about the X-men. Their major thrust was on World War Hulk. The panel did divulge that Gambit will not be coming back anytime soon, and neither will Jean Grey.