After being in Comic-Con outer space for so long, I have made my descent and come back to the rich soil that I call home. Ah, my tired roots are glad to be planted back in sunny L.A.! Now that I’ve caught my breath and gotten some hindsight, I’m ready to spill the beans on the real deal of this festive San Diego weekend.

The Good

In years past I’ve hit the Chicago Comic-Con, but that was a paltry pittance compared to this one! Being surrounded by the most talented and revered people in the comics industry is just a gas… If there were such a thing as a big “Fanboy Volume Dial” inside my head, it was cranked up to 10 for three days straight.

I met some of my heroes face-to-face; Scott McCloud, author of the quintessential Understanding Comics and the wonderful Richard and Wendy Pini (creators of the best fantasy graphic novels of all time, Elfquest).

Reunions are wonderful when you love and miss the people you are separated from, and it was truly extraordinary to be reunited with my old pals Brian Azzarello (100 Bullets, Hellblazer) and Jill Thompson (Sandman, the Scary Godmother series). Congratulations to Jill on her Eisner Award!!

The nicest people are the ones you’ve never even met, and this time was no exception. All the IGN folks were great to hang out with: Den Shewman, Genelle Larkin, Chris Bernier, and the very quiet Brian Zoromski. Many thanks to the lovely Lisa Stone for that cocktail… boy I needed it!

Friday night many of us gathered for a great dinner at Dick’s Last Resort with other Webheads from the best independent film sites on the Net. Our table was basically a Who’s Who including Patrick Sauriol, Widgett Robinson and Suni Sidhu from Corona’s Coming Attractions, Dave Davis and Nick Nunziata from CHUD.com (watch those flying forks, okay Nick?), Kenneth Plume from FilmForce, and Sean Jordan from ZENtertainment. Best of all was meeting fellow Tolkien fan Joram Manka from Ringbearer.org (Hoom-hrrrm, that boy is so tall I’m certain he’s been drinking my Ent draughts), a delightful fellow indeed. By the way, if you’ve never eaten at Dick’s, make sure somebody explains it to you before you go.

Saturday morning was dominated by the “Caught in the Net” panel discussion. Tom DeSanto (Executive Producer of X-Men) and Kevin Smith (Clerks, Dogma) joined Harry Knowles (Aint-it-Cool-News), Chris Gore (FilmTheat), the eloquent David Poland (Rough Cut), along with Nick and Patrick. Den had the unenviable position of moderating this Panel which focused on one primary topic: The journalistic ethics and working relationships of internet film sites. There were some moments of mud-slinging that threatened to derail the discussion, but Kevin very adroitly planted a cap on it by saying, “C’mon dudes, just do your thing and don’t stoop to the other guy’s level.” That summed it up nicely in my mind.

Let’s get some perspective here– with a limitless tool like the Internet, the more liberties people have the more you’ll see abuses. Some on the Panel made a call for a set of communal journalistic principles to rein-in the alleged bad behavior of certain Webheads. Realistically, I doubt that call will ever be answered. It will be interesting to see if Patrick’s prediction comes true… that within several years all the internet’s independent voices are doomed to be co-opted by large corporations (a dismal Orwellian concept to be sure). We’ll see.

After that, the energy picked up a great deal Saturday afternoon when Sir Ian McKellen showed up to surprise all the fans at the Marvel booth. Bryan Singer was also on hand as was Chris Clairmont (beloved author of the X-Men comics). It took mere seconds for a flood of fans to descend upon the Marvel booth… with cameras and news media hounds everywhere! What a great vibe.

Kudos to Marvel’s wonderful team of Matt Ragone and Adam Fenton for keeping things sane while Sir Ian was surrounded by the enthusiastic hordes.

While there I locked eyes with the new toys that Marvel has designed for the X-Men craze (extremely cool oversized figures and such), and then had a great conversation with Jesse Falcon. He works with merchandising and was totally stoked about Toy Biz doing the new action figures for The Lord of the Rings films. What better person to reveal the secrets of Peter Jackon’s creature designs? Jesse and his cohorts have certainly seen more than WE have, so I asked him the eternal question: “Wings or no wings?” But alas, he didn’t know. Don’t worry, I’ll get that information out of him sooner or later…

Further thoughts on LOTR: As you’ve read in my earlier report, the sheer volume of people attending the New Line screening was record-shattering. Joram and I were lucky enough to accompany Sir Ian and his entourage as we all snuck in the back door just at the last minute (as Vincent D’Onofrio and screenwriter Mark Protosevich of The Cell were stepping off the stage). In the darkness, we glided through the curtains and knelt down in the front row while the wonderful images played on the screen.

What a delicious irony… We were packed in a roomful of the most excited Tolkien fans, all of them drooling at the 6-minute clip… and not one of them knew that Gandalf was himself kneeling in the front row right under their noses!

And like I said, to see their collective surprise when he showed up in the spotlight was BRILLIANT! They went from total shock to wild adulation in a nano-second. You could feel the energy in the room snap like a loud cord being cut. I almost fell over. Some memories burn in your mind forever… and this one I will surely hold onto for twice as long.

The wonderment continued as Joram and I were invited to have lunch with Bryan Singer and Ian McKellen. The amiable Tom DeSanto was also there, as was John Cassell from Stan Lee Media. I was very impressed with the red-headed actor who played the young James Whale in Gods and Monsters, a fellow by the name of Brandon Kleyla. The camaraderie between Sir Ian and Bryan is infectious, and I can only imagine what it was like on the set of X-Men!

The warm San Diego sun glowed across our table as we snacked on shrimp, chicken, humus, and refreshing lemonade. It was literally the perfect moment for a Tolkien fan like me to be outdoors sitting next to Gandalf the Grey, munching on savory edibles in the summer afternoon. I felt like I had been transported to Bag End, were it not for the sound of the ships wafting over from the adjacent San Diego Bay.

I wondered if Sir Ian liked my blue hair. I asked in earnest, “Do you think it’s cool or does it look foolish?”

He tickled his fingers through it and replied, “Oh yes, it’s lovely… it looks rather like the color you would find on a duck.”

Laughter from all sides.

“So what can you tell me about the Balrog?” I asked, changing subjects. “Wings or no wings?”

His reply: “It’s like nothing you’ve ever seen in a movie monster! I can’t tell you whether it has wings or not because I’ve only seen it from the neck up. But what I have seen is remarkable. You will all be very surprised at what they’ve come up with.”

So there you have it, straight from the Servant of the Secret Fire.

The Bad

There were some things noticeably missing from the New Line reel. I wish we had seen more scenes from what we know has already been photographed. There was not much more Weathertop, no Rivendell, no fighting scenes from outside the Black Gate, no pictures of Hugo Weaving as Elrond. And where was the angelic Cate Blanchette as Galadriel? We saw a publicity still of her (from last year’s Oscar telecast) but that was it.

After reading all those juicy Spy Reports from sharp-eyed Ringers in New Zealand, I was rather looking forward to something new! I’m so eager to see more of the John-Rhys Davies makeup after what was shown on Saturday. Imagine this: If you could take every perfect, stylized Gimli painting by the Brothers Hildebrant or Darrel K. Sweet, and put it into the flesh with complete fidelity, you would have the amazing Gimli that I saw.

I’m so damn impatient… I want to see more NOW! Perhaps I speak for all of us when I say this.

The Ugly

Here I have to say something about Jeffrey Wells (Reel.com). Jeffrey, Jeffrey, Jeffrey, what are we to do with you? Early on Saturday morning I sat next to the acerbic Net journalist and watched uncomfortably while he ate a breakfast muffin. The problem was, he kept wiping his greasy fingers all over his jeans. Ever hear of a NAPKIN, Jeffrey? [Heh-heh-heh… just poking fun, kiddo.]

Oh, and Lou Ferrigno was there too. Yes, that’s right, the very same “Incredible Hulk” from the 1977 T.V. series. I’m afraid I have to be the bearer of bad news– he hasn’t aged well at all.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

That’s about it. I hope you folks enjoy the pictures I took… Next year promises to be even more wacky and wonderful, so be there!

Much too hasty,

Quickbeam

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Well it won’t be going to the UK Sunday Times I hope. I’m afraid I don’t think that latest article on Cate (see below) is totally wonderful. A few weeks I got a bit of flak for suggesting politely that I was surprised that there wasn’t more interest in the UK media about LOTR. Specifically, I noted that most of the big papers have done articles repeating each other, and without checking inaccuracies. Sure, we’re the pot calling the kettle black, but we’re amateurs, and you’re not shelling out any cash to buy our news.

The latest report of Cate in the UK Sunday Times, just down the page here, is exactly the kind of thing I’m talking about.

There’s not much in there that we haven’t heard from other interviews with Cate. The bit that IS new is this:

“For the uninitiated, Galadriel is the good sister of the evil but beautiful Queen Beruthiel, who imprisons the Fellowship of the Ring in the forest of Lothlorien. In the book, Galadriel frees them from her sister’s clutches.”

In the book, it says this? I rest my case.

Update!!

This just sent in from Carl:

I know where that misinformation about Galdariel came from, but I have no idea why in God’s name they actually used it. It’s from the synopsis of the Lord of the Rings (http://www.speakeasy.org/~ohh/homework.htm) It’s funny, but completely inaccurate. In the last paragraph of the Fellowship of the Ring synopsis, it says ” next they are driven into the dark forest of Lothlorien, where they are imprisoned by the beautiful but evil Queen Beruthiel. They make their escape when Beruthiel’s good sister, Galadriel, frees them from their prison-cell and floats them down the river in barrels.” Hope this helps

It sure did Carl, thanks!

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Here is the detailed text from Houghton-Mifflin.

…The forthcoming paperback set of the History of the Lord of the Rings, which ships August 3rd, is technically a subset of the History of Middle-earth and is available in the U.S. in paperback for the first time.

Those familiar with the 9th volume of the Middle-earth series in hardcover (Sauron Defeated) will know that it contains The Notion Club Papers and other material that does not pertain specificly to LotR. For this new paperback boxed set, called the Hist of LotR, the non-LotR material has been cut out of volume 9 to create a “new” book called The End of the Third Age, which has been re-indexed. THAT book, EofTA, will only be $12, not $50 as reported.

The full set of the paperback editions, Return of the Shadow ($14), Treason of Isengard ($14), War of the Ring ($14), and End of the Third Age ($12) will be offered in as a box set for $50, and is designed to match Houghton Mifflin’s current four-volume boxed set of LotR and The Hobbit…

Happy reading! It’s always a pleasure to find ‘new’ Tolkien material coming into circulation.

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Greetings — Quickbeam here.

I’m so excited and thrilled at what I’ve just seen, I can’t even tell you folks!! The events at the Comic-Con have been totally cool and entertaining so far, but nothing, and I mean NOTHING, could have prepared me for today. The new LOTR footage was indeed worth waiting for….

The largest Ballroom upstairs is on the 3rd floor of the Convention Center, and had recently been expanded to it’s largest size by removing the temporary walls. The Con organziners told me they had seating capacity for 6,000 people: but when I walked in I got the feeling that the massive crowd before me was much more!

I didn’t walk in until the very last minute, after the previous panel (which was discussing the new film “The Cell”) had stepped down and all the lights went dim.

The familiar music that came to my ears was the same as we’ve heard in the Internet Preview. The voice-over track was also the same:

“It has been called the greatest and most popular book of the 20th Century…”

However, now I was looking at a slew of new clips and behind-the-scenes images that departed from the Internet Preview. Some new things that were
intercut were:

1. More images of Troll and Orc models, evidently the kind they will render into a 3D CGI environment.
2. 360 degree shots of Uruk-hai armor.
3. “Big People” animatronics which will be for the Breelanders, including an amusing moment where Elijah Wood is walking in front of an actor on stilts (and he really does look like a wee hobbit in the foreground).
4. Close-up and some more distant shots of Hobbiton and Bag-End, which is SO LIFELIKE and unbelievably green you feel like walking into the image!
5. Close-up shots of each of the cast, with their name announced as credit and the character that they play. Viggo looks very handsome, I must say, for we are given a clearer view of his Aragorn than previously. When the shot of Ian McKellen came up “in the role of Gandalf,” the audience cheered noticeably. Liv looks suitably fey, Orlando Bloom comes off somewhat better as Legolas (must be the blond extensions). Sean Bean is given prominence in that still-shot we see on the Official New Line site (where he holds the Ring before him on the chain)… but here the clip is played and he actually says the dialogue from the book about how much grief and worry comes “from such a small thing.”
6. Many effects shots of MASSIVE are shown, giving you a good sense of the battle scenes the computer will create. Seems that this program is going to enhance all the thousands of extras in the combat close-ups. Very impressive!
7. The same clips of Peter Jackson and Elijah Wood are here, straight from the Internet download. However, later during the reel Peter offers some additional comments about the effects team he’s working with.
8. Alan Lee (or was it John Howe?) is given a moment to describe his contributions and paintings. Some of their most famous pieces are shown briefly, then we cut to an external shot with cameras running around the
   forest.
9. John Rhys-Davies is shown in close-up in full Gimli attire, and I have to say WOW! The makeup here is terrific.

There were more bits that I will try and describe later, but right now they’re closing the Exhibition Hall and I have to wrap up….

But I have to tell you the BEST PART!! After the clip was done (and it certainly went by quickly) the audience roared its approval as the lights
came back up. Then the announcer came up to the microphone and said, “I think we have another special guest who wants to say hello to you folks…
Ladies and gentlemen, Sir Ian McKellen, GANDALF HIMSELF!”

With that, all the wind was taken out of me.

Yes, it was true!! Ian McKellen stood before the podium as the lights focused on him and the audience shrieked with delight. There was a standing ovation and a wave of energy from these people that was awesome to behold.

I am still getting the shivers now, thinking back on it. He said the most eloquent things (including, “When I get back to New Zealand tomorrow, I will give them [the cast] all your love.”) but spoke very briefly, and the crowd laughed an applauded richly as he left the stage. Oh, what a moment.

Our very own Ian had made a special, unannounced visit to the Comic-Con just to greet the fans! Evidently, with the success of “X-Men” last weekend, he thought it would be a good idea to come and give a special treat to the fanboys (and girls). He had been downstairs in the Marvel Comics area, and just sauntered upstairs to watch the LOTR reel–which he himself enjoyed immensely.

That’s all that my brain can type out for now, I will try to fill in the blanks tomorrow. They’re closing up and I have to close.

Congratulations should be given to the lovely Wendy Rutherford at New Line and the equally lovely Den Shewman from IGN…. they really put together a spectacle. I acknowledge you both.

Much too hasty,

Quickbeam

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I’m currently sitting at the IGN booth in the San Diego Convention Center Exhibit Hall. It is an unbelievable cavernous space with thousands of people milling about in all directions. The atmosphere is at once casual and yet also energetic. Bright kiosks are littered across the Hall featuring the best new stuff from DC Comics, Marvel, Image, Dark Horse, and Wizards of the Coast.

I’ve been turned around so many times in this huge building that I’ve been hopelessly straining at the map every two steps I take. Many strange faces and bizarre costumes shine bright under the flourescent lighting. There’s nothing worse for Darth Maul’s complexion than that, believe me! Ironically, I have been reunited with some wonderful old friends from way back in my Chicago days, namely Brian Azzarello (who writes the award-winning “100 Bullets” for DC Vertigo). He is nominated for an Eisner Award for Best New Series… later this evening the awards will be announced in the Main Ballroom upstairs (good luck, Brian!).

All in all this place has a very positive vibe and is more fun than I expected. I’m afraid I won’t have any photographs from my digital camera until after I get back to Los Angeles on Sunday night.

I spent an hour at a special panel held by Harry Knowles of Ain’t-It-Cool-News where they discussed the perils and pitfalls of adapting popular comic book characters to the silver screen. It was very amusing and informative listening to Paul Dini (of “Batman the Animated Series” fame) and Harry yak it up about their dream comics-to-movies projects.

But the real anticipation bearing on everyone’s minds is the unspooling of the new LOTR footage. Tomorrow afternoon the largest room, which holds upwards of 6,000 people, will be standing room only as New Line Cinema shows the 6+ minutes of Peter Jackson’s work-in-progress. I will be there with bells on!

Look for more details here at TheOneRing.netª as I get them! Of course, I have to fight my way out of what will surely be a MOB SCENE and find a free computer, but when I do I will tell you all what my wondering eyes have beheld.

Much too hasty,

Quickbeam

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Title: 1st Day Report from San Diego Comic-Con!

Greetings — Quickbeam here.

I’m currently sitting at the IGN booth in the San Diego Convention Center Exhibit Hall. It is an unbelievable cavernous space with thousands of people milling about in all directions. The atmosphere is at once casual and yet also energetic. Bright kiosks are littered across the Hall featuring the best new stuff from DC Comics, Marvel, Image, Dark Horse, and Wizards of the Coast.

I’ve been turned around so many times in this huge building that I’ve been hopelessly straining at the map every two steps I take. Many strange faces and bizarre costumes shine bright under the flourescent lighting. There’s nothing worse for Darth Maul’s complexion than that, believe me!
Ironically, I have been reunited with some wonderful old friends from way back in my Chicago days, namely Brian Azzarello (who writes the award-winning “100 Bullets” for DC Vertigo). He is nominated for an Eisner Award for Best New Series… later this evening the awards will be announced in the Main Ballroom upstairs (good luck, Brian!).

All in all this place has a very positive vibe and is more fun than I expected. I’m afraid I won’t have any photographs from my digital camera until after I get back to Los Angeles on Sunday night.

I spent an hour at a special panel held by Harry Knowles of Ain’t-It-Cool-News where they discussed the perils and pitfalls of adapting popular comic book characters to the silver screen. It was very amusing and informative listening to Paul Dini (of “Batman the Animated Series” fame) and Harry yak it up about their dream comics-to-movies projects.

But the real anticipation bearing on everyone’s minds is the unspooling of the new LOTR footage. Tomorrow afternoon the largest room, which holds upwards of 6,000 people, will be standing room only as New Line Cinema shows the 6+ minutes of Peter Jackson’s work-in-progress. I will be there with bells on!

Look for more details here at TheOneRing.net as I get them! Of course, I have to fight my way out of what will surely be a MOB SCENE and find a free computer, but when I do I will tell you all what my wondering eyes have beheld.

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