Comments on: Vampire Weekend: A 2008 Comic-Con International Wrap-Up http://www.bookgasm.com/reviews/entertainment/2008-comic-con-wrap-up/ reading material to get excited about Sun, 21 Mar 2010 16:22:49 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: Josh Jabcuga http://www.bookgasm.com/reviews/entertainment/2008-comic-con-wrap-up/comment-page-1/#comment-53601 Josh Jabcuga Sat, 09 Aug 2008 12:16:40 +0000 http://www.bookgasm.com/?p=3685#comment-53601 JAK, I've seen all of Randy's fights, and the adage has never been more true: "Never judge a book by its cover." I think it's safe to say that out of 125,000+ people at the Con, he was probably the toughest cat there. But you wouldn't know it by looking at him, and that's the coolest part, since he was such a gentleman. The one person that really surprised me (who was equally as pleasant to speak with) was WWE wrestler Mick Foley (Cactus Jack, Mankind). That dude was HUGE in person, and clearly not someone you'd pick a fight with (unless you were stupid). Not exactly the well-defined 'roided up physique of so many of those "superstars," but just a BIG dude (not really fat, either...more like, bulky, I guess). AND Mick Foley is a NY Times Top 10 List bestselling author. Again, never judge a book by its cover. =) JAK, I’ve seen all of Randy’s fights, and the adage has never been more true: “Never judge a book by its cover.” I think it’s safe to say that out of 125,000+ people at the Con, he was probably the toughest cat there. But you wouldn’t know it by looking at him, and that’s the coolest part, since he was such a gentleman. The one person that really surprised me (who was equally as pleasant to speak with) was WWE wrestler Mick Foley (Cactus Jack, Mankind). That dude was HUGE in person, and clearly not someone you’d pick a fight with (unless you were stupid). Not exactly the well-defined ‘roided up physique of so many of those “superstars,” but just a BIG dude (not really fat, either…more like, bulky, I guess). AND Mick Foley is a NY Times Top 10 List bestselling author. Again, never judge a book by its cover. =)

]]> By: JAK http://www.bookgasm.com/reviews/entertainment/2008-comic-con-wrap-up/comment-page-1/#comment-53590 JAK Fri, 08 Aug 2008 21:35:59 +0000 http://www.bookgasm.com/?p=3685#comment-53590 Not that you're small or incapable, Josh, 'cause you look pretty big in the photo ... but I've seen The Natural fight a time or two on the tube. Good to hear he's not a thug. Doesn't come across that way. Good rundown of the convention. Never been to one but I've got the picture now. Told my daughter your line, "Harry Potter for Goth kids!" and got a kick out of it. She's reading Meyer now. Not a Goth though, and hope stays that way. Not that you’re small or incapable, Josh, ’cause you look pretty big in the photo … but I’ve seen The Natural fight a time or two on the tube. Good to hear he’s not a thug. Doesn’t come across that way.

Good rundown of the convention. Never been to one but I’ve got the picture now. Told my daughter your line, “Harry Potter for Goth kids!” and got a kick out of it. She’s reading Meyer now. Not a Goth though, and hope stays that way.

]]> By: Josh Jabcuga http://www.bookgasm.com/reviews/entertainment/2008-comic-con-wrap-up/comment-page-1/#comment-53551 Josh Jabcuga Thu, 07 Aug 2008 23:29:02 +0000 http://www.bookgasm.com/?p=3685#comment-53551 At Couture's signing that day, he looked like any other regular dude. Besides the cauliflower ears, I wouldn't have suspected him of being "one of the baddest fighters ever." I did run into him later that night at a party and, I dunno, maybe it was the Kangol style cap he was wearing, but he came across more like the barbarian/gladiator we all know he is. As polite and gracious as can be, though. But yeah, JAK, I could take "the Natural" Randy Couture...with a bazooka...and with a running start. Maybe. At Couture’s signing that day, he looked like any other regular dude. Besides the cauliflower ears, I wouldn’t have suspected him of being “one of the baddest fighters ever.” I did run into him later that night at a party and, I dunno, maybe it was the Kangol style cap he was wearing, but he came across more like the barbarian/gladiator we all know he is. As polite and gracious as can be, though. But yeah, JAK, I could take “the Natural” Randy Couture…with a bazooka…and with a running start. Maybe.

]]> By: JAK http://www.bookgasm.com/reviews/entertainment/2008-comic-con-wrap-up/comment-page-1/#comment-53547 JAK Thu, 07 Aug 2008 18:52:39 +0000 http://www.bookgasm.com/?p=3685#comment-53547 Dude, you totally look like you take Couture. With a bazooka. Dude, you totally look like you take Couture.

With a bazooka.

]]> By: RP http://www.bookgasm.com/reviews/entertainment/2008-comic-con-wrap-up/comment-page-1/#comment-53542 RP Thu, 07 Aug 2008 16:33:24 +0000 http://www.bookgasm.com/?p=3685#comment-53542 The average adult on the street probably doesn't think zombies have a place in every Hollywood movie, either, so I wouldn't put too much stock in him. The average adult on the street probably doesn’t think zombies have a place in every Hollywood movie, either, so I wouldn’t put too much stock in him.

]]> By: Adriana Moore http://www.bookgasm.com/reviews/entertainment/2008-comic-con-wrap-up/comment-page-1/#comment-53535 Adriana Moore Thu, 07 Aug 2008 10:30:00 +0000 http://www.bookgasm.com/?p=3685#comment-53535 This site is really great and worth cheking every day This site is really great and worth cheking every day

]]> By: Josh Jabcuga http://www.bookgasm.com/reviews/entertainment/2008-comic-con-wrap-up/comment-page-1/#comment-53525 Josh Jabcuga Thu, 07 Aug 2008 00:26:32 +0000 http://www.bookgasm.com/?p=3685#comment-53525 I hear you Bruce. People put way too much stock into that website, both fans and insiders alike. I think insiders overestimate the amount of pull Aint It Cool News actually has. Sure, some of us more regular Net surfers know about AICN, but ask the average adult on the street if they're familiar with it. I'm sure AICN pulls some big traffic numbers, but I'm not sure that actually equates to getting people to spend their money on a given product. AND I take everything on that site with a grain of salt, although I confess I check it out daily. Gospel or not, it's still a fun site. I hear you Bruce. People put way too much stock into that website, both fans and insiders alike. I think insiders overestimate the amount of pull Aint It Cool News actually has. Sure, some of us more regular Net surfers know about AICN, but ask the average adult on the street if they’re familiar with it. I’m sure AICN pulls some big traffic numbers, but I’m not sure that actually equates to getting people to spend their money on a given product. AND I take everything on that site with a grain of salt, although I confess I check it out daily. Gospel or not, it’s still a fun site.

]]> By: Bruce http://www.bookgasm.com/reviews/entertainment/2008-comic-con-wrap-up/comment-page-1/#comment-53523 Bruce Thu, 07 Aug 2008 00:08:58 +0000 http://www.bookgasm.com/?p=3685#comment-53523 R - I just hope the nerds don’t go mad with power or something Sadly that has already happened, just look at the people that follow Aint It Cool News like it was the gospel. R – I just hope the nerds don’t go mad with power or something

Sadly that has already happened, just look at the people that follow Aint It Cool News like it was the gospel.

]]> By: Josh Jabcuga http://www.bookgasm.com/reviews/entertainment/2008-comic-con-wrap-up/comment-page-1/#comment-53522 Josh Jabcuga Wed, 06 Aug 2008 23:46:44 +0000 http://www.bookgasm.com/?p=3685#comment-53522 Some might say mainstream Hollywood has always listened a little too closely to the audience and not enough to the artist. This is the same industry that has altered the vision of directors (and writers) based on the opinions of test-audiences for advance screenings. It's not so much about the "nerd" or "fanboy" as it is about the "repeat spenders," those willing to pay to watch a movie 2-3 times AND buy the DVD AND THEN purchase the special-edition director's cut version of the same movie. "R", to your point, I do feel that sometimes Hollywood appears to be "sucking up to them," but I suppose they're just trying to take care of their best customers. It always comes down to the bottom line ($$$$). Case in point: fans (consumers) resurrecting Fox's "Family Guy" from the grave. (Although the rise in popularity of DVD also helped to play nicely into that equation.) But it's a strange, often unpredictable audience. Remember all the advance buzz for the Tarantino/Rodriguez double-bill GRINDHOUSE? And then it just tanked at the box office. Even worse...SNAKES ON A PLANE. The "geeks" made that an event movie...but the hype eclipsed the actual event and that flick just fizzled out. Geeks, nerds, fanboys, call them what you will, can see through the garbage in most cases. And whoever has the expendable income will always be the person in power. (Although when I was a kid I certainly didn't have the amount of power that today's kids and teens seem to possess...or maybe it was just my measly allowance.) Glad you liked my article. Some might say mainstream Hollywood has always listened a little too closely to the audience and not enough to the artist. This is the same industry that has altered the vision of directors (and writers) based on the opinions of test-audiences for advance screenings. It’s not so much about the “nerd” or “fanboy” as it is about the “repeat spenders,” those willing to pay to watch a movie 2-3 times AND buy the DVD AND THEN purchase the special-edition director’s cut version of the same movie. “R”, to your point, I do feel that sometimes Hollywood appears to be “sucking up to them,” but I suppose they’re just trying to take care of their best customers. It always comes down to the bottom line ($$$$). Case in point: fans (consumers) resurrecting Fox’s “Family Guy” from the grave. (Although the rise in popularity of DVD also helped to play nicely into that equation.) But it’s a strange, often unpredictable audience. Remember all the advance buzz for the Tarantino/Rodriguez double-bill GRINDHOUSE? And then it just tanked at the box office. Even worse…SNAKES ON A PLANE. The “geeks” made that an event movie…but the hype eclipsed the actual event and that flick just fizzled out. Geeks, nerds, fanboys, call them what you will, can see through the garbage in most cases. And whoever has the expendable income will always be the person in power. (Although when I was a kid I certainly didn’t have the amount of power that today’s kids and teens seem to possess…or maybe it was just my measly allowance.) Glad you liked my article.

]]> By: Rod http://www.bookgasm.com/reviews/entertainment/2008-comic-con-wrap-up/comment-page-1/#comment-53521 Rod Wed, 06 Aug 2008 23:31:56 +0000 http://www.bookgasm.com/?p=3685#comment-53521 Um, okay: Unlike most men, I actually enjoy voreplay, and women dig that. (Too obvious?) Um, okay: Unlike most men, I actually enjoy voreplay, and women dig that. (Too obvious?)

]]> By: Josh Jabcuga http://www.bookgasm.com/reviews/entertainment/2008-comic-con-wrap-up/comment-page-1/#comment-53519 Josh Jabcuga Wed, 06 Aug 2008 23:25:40 +0000 http://www.bookgasm.com/?p=3685#comment-53519 Alan, Thanks for the kind words about my article. Good to hear you survived the Con. Josh www.myspace.com/buffalohack Alan,

Thanks for the kind words about my article. Good to hear you survived the Con.

Josh
http://www.myspace.com/buffalohack

]]> By: R http://www.bookgasm.com/reviews/entertainment/2008-comic-con-wrap-up/comment-page-1/#comment-53518 R Wed, 06 Aug 2008 23:23:21 +0000 http://www.bookgasm.com/?p=3685#comment-53518 Good article. Part of me is still surprised that Hollywood suddenly takes the nerds so seriously, almost sucking up to them. I just hope the nerds don't go mad with power or something. Good article.

Part of me is still surprised that Hollywood suddenly takes the nerds so seriously, almost sucking up to them. I just hope the nerds don’t go mad with power or something.

]]> By: RP http://www.bookgasm.com/reviews/entertainment/2008-comic-con-wrap-up/comment-page-1/#comment-53516 RP Wed, 06 Aug 2008 23:07:43 +0000 http://www.bookgasm.com/?p=3685#comment-53516 When you say nerd, I interpret it as "Not Even Remotely Dorky." Yours truly, Sailor Moon When you say nerd, I interpret it as “Not Even Remotely Dorky.”

Yours truly,
Sailor Moon

]]> By: 60 in 3 - Health and Fitness http://www.bookgasm.com/reviews/entertainment/2008-comic-con-wrap-up/comment-page-1/#comment-53490 60 in 3 - Health and Fitness Wed, 06 Aug 2008 18:41:23 +0000 http://www.bookgasm.com/?p=3685#comment-53490 LARPing is too easy, unless you want to really quiz him about the differences between 1st and 2nd edition Mind's Eye Theater rules and the origin of NERO. Let's try some hard stuff. Rod, please define "Vore Play" and provide examples. Use the word in a sentence to show you really understand it. :) Gal LARPing is too easy, unless you want to really quiz him about the differences between 1st and 2nd edition Mind’s Eye Theater rules and the origin of NERO. Let’s try some hard stuff.

Rod, please define “Vore Play” and provide examples. Use the word in a sentence to show you really understand it. :)

Gal

]]> By: Allan http://www.bookgasm.com/reviews/entertainment/2008-comic-con-wrap-up/comment-page-1/#comment-53485 Allan Wed, 06 Aug 2008 15:12:05 +0000 http://www.bookgasm.com/?p=3685#comment-53485 <i>I feel like less of a nerd now that I had to look up “cosplay.”</i> Aha! And here I thought it would be months before I would be able to recover from my Hanna-Barbara humiliation at the hands of our humble editor, but with this admission I now know that Mr. Lott lacks the heart and knowledge of a true geek. I mean, he didn't know what cosplay was? Shall we have to include a detailed explanation into the arcane mysteries of larping just to help him catch up to the 21st century? <i>(Insert sound of gleefully evil laughter here)</i> I feel like less of a nerd now that I had to look up “cosplay.”
Aha! And here I thought it would be months before I would be able to recover from my Hanna-Barbara humiliation at the hands of our humble editor, but with this admission I now know that Mr. Lott lacks the heart and knowledge of a true geek. I mean, he didn’t know what cosplay was? Shall we have to include a detailed explanation into the arcane mysteries of larping just to help him catch up to the 21st century?
(Insert sound of gleefully evil laughter here)

]]> By: Alan Cranis http://www.bookgasm.com/reviews/entertainment/2008-comic-con-wrap-up/comment-page-1/#comment-53481 Alan Cranis Wed, 06 Aug 2008 14:17:38 +0000 http://www.bookgasm.com/?p=3685#comment-53481 This is, without question, the most accurate and insightful account of what is both wrong and right about Comic-Con I have read to date. And I was there -- standing in line, snaking through the crowds, stuffing bags full of swag, hating and loving the experience at the same time. I salute you, Mr. Jabcuga. Especially for the final paragraphs about Bradbury and the reminder of why we are all there to begin with. Thank you. This is, without question, the most accurate and insightful account of what is both wrong and right about Comic-Con I have read to date. And I was there — standing in line, snaking through the crowds, stuffing bags full of swag, hating and loving the experience at the same time. I salute you, Mr. Jabcuga. Especially for the final paragraphs about Bradbury and the reminder of why we are all there to begin with. Thank you.

]]> By: Rod http://www.bookgasm.com/reviews/entertainment/2008-comic-con-wrap-up/comment-page-1/#comment-53479 Rod Wed, 06 Aug 2008 11:46:04 +0000 http://www.bookgasm.com/?p=3685#comment-53479 I feel like less of a nerd now that I had to look up "cosplay." I feel like less of a nerd now that I had to look up “cosplay.”

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