2007 Merchandise & Miscellaneous News Archives
June 16, 2007: Wizard World Philadelphia - DAY ONE
By Neal BaileyRED EYE
For some reason I thought it'd be a good idea to sleep on a plane. I said to myself, Neal, if you can sleep on a couch, if you can sleep on a floor, if you can sleep on a bus over the course of thirty hours, what's the difficulty in sleeping on a plane? Nothing, right? Hah.
So I set my flight for 11PM-7AM Wednesday night through Thursday morning, thinking, hey, that's most of eight hours. Then you get in, roll around town for a few hours, and then get checked into the hotel. Dig?
At about 11:14 I realized that I was going to a time zone that was three hours ahead of my own. At 11:16 I realized that I was seated next to the snoring-est old lady on the face of planet America West airlines.
Nonetheless, I managed to crash out for about two and a half hours, then found myself staggering semi-drunkenly into the main area of Philadelphia with two hundred pounds of baggage, mostly books, and an already sore shoulder.
PUBLIC TRANSIT
In the morning sun of 8AM, my 5AM, with my normal waking time around noon, I struggled verily with the choice between a taxi cab and public transit. After all, the El in Chi treated me well, and the cab trip, if I skipped it, would save me twenty dollars, which is three meals or one restaurant trip, or, more importantly, two books.
I arrive chewing the caffeinated gum from the last con, but where the hell are those hot chicks now, I mumble, dragging my bags up and down two flights of stairs, over the human transom and past stimulation.
I chose public transit. I don't regret the trip, they have a really awesome ticket system on the SEPTA train, whereby some dude comes by and clicks a small piece of paper about eighty times for a ten miles trip that stops twice. It was amusing. At least, I think it was, because I was trying not to pass out under the bags. About this time I drink energy drink number one on an empty stomach.
I jump off at the Market street stop, which, while not a country mile from my hotel, felt like three. Shouldering my bag, I hunch-walked, praying to Philadelphia that someone wouldn't attempt to grab any of my bags, because my muscles couldn't fight them off. However, I don't think that it would have been that much of an issue, given the fact that I was toting my vintage Star Wars pillow case, crunching as I walked with the chips I had in the space between the case and the pillow.
Seven blocks later, I staggered into the Travelodge next to the homeless shelter, the single cheapest one-star hotel in the city. Its windows open into the hallways, and I believe if I screamed the poltergeists would kill me. But it's a block from the convention center, so I can't complain.
Besides, joking aside, it's rather quiet when the pipes aren't leaking blood.
PHLASH
The Liberty Bell and Independence Hall are rather strictly guarded, and I guess I can understand why. I didn't think very much of the Liberty Bell. I mean, it was small, and the darned thing was cracked. What good is that, huh?
But that design flaw aside, I have to say it was a pivotal moment of my non-sarcastic life to sit and ruminate on the things that help to shape my own personal patriotism. Benjamin Franklin was a key inspiration for my fourth novel, and remains a key influence in my political thought process. The man's utilitarian spirit and belief in pragmatism, coupled with firebrands of intellectual thought, lead to all of the processes we're slowly forgetting, the precepts that allow us to be bold enough to take funnybooks and call them art.
I didn't have the two dollars it would have cost to visit his grave, but I looked through the fence and got rather emotionally sad, something not particularly frequent with me any more.
Lamentably.
ROCKY STEPS
Yeah, everyone does the Rocky steps. I did them rather impatiently, though, because I was quite interested to check out the art museum. Drinking energy drink number two, and wired sick, I walked my way in, paid my dues to the pretty desk lady, and began wandering through early Renaissance.
I don't like art that much. Most of it is pretentious crap, much like any other art form, poetry, novels, music, movies... but like most other things, there are some rare gems among the crap, and I love to find them anywhere, so even though generally I find painting one of the most lamentable art, I loved the museum.
They had a lot of the crap that I glossed over in college. It was strange to see "Why So Sad, Rrose Selavy?" a few feet away. I was utterly astonished that they had forty guys guarding every square inch of the Independence Hall, and yet I could have quite literally smashed that piece of Duchamp crap about the ladies and the chocolate and the marriage with my bare hands. I even felt a moral duty to do so, but being averse to jail, I decided that I never ever ever ever ever ever ever would dream of such a horrid thing. I still hate pretentious art that thinks it's deeper than it is.
I end up finding my favorite pieces among mid to late 1800s, usually, a piece with an extraordinarily solid light source in the middle of either a rural or an ocean setting, a precursor to what Kincade would later corrupt, those sublime times that would later be called the Golden Hour in film, captured perfectly, usually by some artist whose name is not sung but nonetheless has survived well. I hope to be like that ray of light, and like that artist. Beautiful, but nothing incredibly immersed in the cult of personality.
But besides, at that point my feet were tired, and I was onto my third energy drink. I walked the last fifteen blocks to the hotel and collapsed, sleeping for fourteen straight hours with one frantic wakeup at 8:30 PM believing I'd slept sixteen.
SHHHHH....BUSKING
The first day of the con was extraordinarily busy for a Friday, and filled with crazy, manic, cool people. There are those guys, I'm not sure if it's a disorder or a tic, but they seem very prominent in comic book conventions, the guys whose mouths are terminally open, or who blink their eyes as if eating a lemon repeatedly. This is usually before they stop to tell you how much they hate Superman, or Captain America, or what they ate for breakfast for about a half hour.
I was next to a fine group of people I kept listening in on, the creators and organizers of the Philcon, and two tables down from the 501st Imperials. Who knew there were girl Fetts, troopers, and heck, even a girl crimson guard. I've come to only one conclusion. Guys like girls in skimpy outfits. Guggenheim, please.
The books don't seem to sell like they used to, mostly because I have a comic now, and the comic is an easy way to say no to the more expensive book. Fine by me, because the comics are actually what I want to get into. The title of the book, suffice it to say, is something I can't name here, so I disclose it, put an adult warning, and almost hide it, but nonetheless, people manage to zero in on it. It's my first great success, thankfully, though I have yet to break even, there's promise, and a nice guy with a shop even offered to carry it.
The Black Knight tee and artist group was to my right. I met a really nice man named Skye, and just about chatted his ear off.
I didn't get a chance to go meet anyone, but I did meet a number of great people who frequent the page. You guys know who you are, and thanks. I think Philly's had pretty much the biggest turnout, at least so far, for folks who know that page, and they saw past the legalese "SuperFAN Homepage" sign.
All in all, a good, tiring day. I came back, ate some of Jake's Pizza (incredible) and then snuck Noah Runzo here. He's sitting next to me now, so enough! More tomorrow. Selah. Buy the cheesesteak, take the, well, excuse me...
2007 Merchandise & Miscellaneous News
Listed below are all the Merchandise & Miscellaneous News items archived for 2007.- January 2, 2007: New Superman Returns - Man of Steel Action Figures
- January 12, 2007: Up-Coming Dates to Remember
- January 16, 2007: Children's Treasury of Superman Musical Stories
- January 17, 2007: Theater for the New City Presents Kryptonite Hearts
- January 18, 2007: Fossil Releases Superman Rotor Watch
- January 22, 2007: Superman Musical Card Part of New Hallmark Range
- January 22, 2007: DC Skypecast - Featuring Steve and Neal
- January 25, 2007: Superman Rollercoaster Voted Best in the World
- January 27, 2007: New Mattel DC Super Heroes Action Figures
- January 28, 2007: Appearances, Movies and Theatre Notices
- February 1, 2007: Superman Returns to Radio
- February 1, 2007: Superman Returns Videogame Demo in Xbox Magazine
- February 11, 2007: DC News from Toyfair 2007
- February 13, 2007: Alex Ross Art Exhibition in Melbourne
- February 13, 2007: Seven Wonders of Illinois - Nominate the Superman Statue
- February 15, 2007: HeroClix Announces Legion of Super-Heroes Game
- February 21, 2007: A Closer Look at Mattel's Battleague
- February 21, 2007: Superman Easter Products
- March 2, 2007: Superman and Lois Lane to Reunite After 41 Years
- March 7, 2007: Superman Homepage Does the Wizard World Tour!
- March 7, 2007: Mego 8 inch Super-Heroes: World's Greatest Toys!
- March 14, 2007: Superman Homepage at Wizard World LA!
- March 14, 2007: It's a Bird! It's a Plane! It's Patricia Marand and Bob Holiday Together Again!
- March 16, 2007: Superman Superstore Massive Blow-Out Sale!
- March 16, 2007: Superman and Brainiac at Collectormania
- March 17, 2007: Superman Homepage Wizard World LA Report: DAY ONE (Neal)
- March 17, 2007: Superman Homepage Wizard World LA Report: DAY ONE (Jeffrey)
- March 18, 2007: Superman Homepage Wizard World LA Report: DAY TWO (Neal)
- March 18, 2007: Superman Homepage Wizard World LA Report: DAY TWO (Jeffrey)
- March 19, 2007: Superman Homepage Wizard World LA Report: DAY THREE (Jeffrey)
- March 20, 2007: Fossil Superman Rotor Watch Review
- March 23, 2007: Superman Homepage Wizard World LA Report: Closing Report (Neal)
- March 27, 2007: Superman Showbag at Sydney Royal Easter Show
- March 28, 2007: Exclusive First Look! Last Days of Krypton Book Cover
- March 28, 2007: Ferrero Justice League Promotion in Mexico
- March 29, 2007: Grand Opening of American Super Heroes Museum
- April 2, 2007: DC Comics Easter Eggs in Brazil
- April 3, 2007: Superman Homepage at the Emerald City Comic Con 2007
- April 12, 2007: DC HeroClix: Justice League Coming in August
- April 13, 2007: Photos from the American Super Heroes Museum
- April 23, 2007: Justice League Unlimited at Hardee's and Carl's Jr.
- April 24, 2007: Scientists Unearth Superman's 'Kryptonite'
- April 24, 2007: Superman Fan Animation in 2007 Let's Film Festival
- April 25, 2007: Guests Announced for Superman Celebration in Metropolis Illinois
- April 26, 2007: Scientists Discover Planet Orbiting Red Sun
- April 30, 2007: DC Comics Superheroes at McDonalds Argentina
- May 1, 2007: Superman Musical at UCLA's Freud Playhouse
- May 8, 2007: DC Superheroes Arrive at McDonalds Brazil
- May 9, 2007: Serbians Turn Out to See Kryptonite-like Mineral
- May 9, 2007: Metropolis Comic/Collectors Show - June 9-10
- May 11, 2007: Superman Musical on Stage in Illinois
- May 13, 2007: The Gospel According to Comic Books
- May 14, 2007: Technology Matching Comic Book Super Powers
- May 16, 2007: York Theatre Company Presents Superman Musical
- May 24, 2007: Free DC Comics Who's Who Mystery Box for Superman Homepage Readers!!!
- May 24, 2007: Exclusive Danny Fingeroth Interview
- May 26, 2007: Batter Up, Up and Away at the Metropolis Superman Celebration!
- JuneÊ7,Ê2007: Crocs Licensed to Produce Characters Superman & Batman
- June 10, 2007: Superman Homepage at Wizard World Philly!
- June 13, 2007: Review - Superman Musical at Drury Lane Theatre
- June 13, 2007: Metropolis Illinois 2007 Superman Celebration Report
- June 15, 2007: Report - 29th Annual Superman Celebration - 2007 Metropolis Illinois
- June 16, 2007: Wizard World Philadelphia - DAY ONE
- June 19, 2007: Wizard World Philadelphia - DAY TWO & THREE
- June 19, 2007: Review - Superman Musical by York Theatre Company
- June 20, 2007: Wizard World Philadelphia - PHOTOS
- June 22, 2007: Girl Badly Injured on Superman Ride
- June 25, 2007: Superman Homepage in Prism Comics 2007 Edition
- June 28, 2007: Superman Ride Accident Victim Stable
- June 29, 2007: DC Comics Inks Deal with Mattel
- July 1, 2007: Superman Homepage Logo Change
- July 1, 2007: Superman Homepage 2007 Survey Results
- July 1, 2007: Legion of Doom Show at Six Flags
- July 25, 2007: New Adventures of Superman DVD Contest Winners
- August 5, 2007: Legion of Super Heroes at McDonalds
- August 7, 2007: Audio Interview with Kevin J. Anderson
- August 7, 2007: Superman Video Trailers and Themes Available on Xbox 360
- August 8, 2007: It's a bird! It's a plane! No, it's a baby, 4Real!
- August 9, 2007: Historical Superman Documents For Sale
- August 10, 2007: Superman Homepage at Wizard World Chicago 2007, Day 1 - Friday
- August 15, 2007: Mattel Recalls Millions of Toys
- August 16, 2007: Superboy Court Ruling and Legal Analysis
- August 29, 2007: Robert Sanchez and Steve Younis on Krypton Fan Podcast
- September 6, 2007: HeroClix Justice League Now Available
- September 6, 2007: Superman Rollercoast Wins Best Steel Coaster Award
- September 8, 2007: Warner Bros. to Unveil T-Works Online Experience
- September 14, 2007: Superman Potato Chips in Italy
- September 18, 2007: Animated Short - Superman vs The Lava Monster
- September 21, 2007: Superman-like Figure Spotted Flying Over Romania
- September 23, 2007: Superman/Superboy Court Hearings Set for Early 2008
- September 24, 2007: Superman on Film, Television, Radio & Broadway Book Launch
- September 25, 2007: WB and Salvage Debut Superhero Apparel
- October 9, 2007: Superman vs. Hollywood - New Book Exposes Truth
- October 10, 2007: Superman on Stage in Williamsburg, Virginia
- October 11, 2007: AirHeads Out of Control with Superman
- October 12, 2007: Hallmark Release Two Superman Christmas Tree Ornaments
- October 19, 2007: Superman Homepage Launches Speeding Bulletin News Videos
- October 20, 2007: Get Your Fathead Superman Today!
- October 22, 2007: Bruce Scivally Talks Superman on KGO Radio
- October 25, 2007: Superman Jewish Museum Exhibition
- October 30, 2007: Two New Superman Returns Figures From Hot Toys
- November 30, 2007: Superman Ride at Kentucky Kingdom to be Torn Down
- December 3, 2007: 2007 SHIELD Awards Results
- December 12, 2007: Heroes Alliance - Help Kids for the Holidays!
- December 13, 2007: Fossil Releases Two New Superman Watches
- December 20, 2007: Will Cleveland Finally Recognize Superman?
- December 21, 2007: WizKids Superman & Batman Duo Figure
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