Long Beach Comic Con Friday: Programming Picks

The second annual Long Beach Comic Con is just around the corner, Halloween weekend, October 29-31 at the Long Beach Convention Center.
Between the usual array of publishers, film companies, artists and various vendors the floor will be even more fun Saturday and Sunday for families/kids who want to trick or treat, costumes of all kinds of welcome.  
Here are some programming picks for the first day of the LBCC, Friday, Oct. 29.

2 p.m.-2:45 p.m.
So You Want to be a Comic Book Retailer?
Seaside Ballroom B
ComicsPRO’s panel of experienced retailers is hosted by Joe Field(ComicsPRO president, Flying Colors Comics, Concord, CA) with fellow retailers Carr D’Angelo (Earth-2 Comics, Sherman Oaks and Northridge, CA), Thomas Gaul (Corner Store Comics & Beach Ball Comics, Orange County, CA), and Derrick Taylor (Comic Oasis, Las Vegas, NV).


4 p.m.-4:45 p.m.
LISTEN TO JIMMY PALMIOTTI –AMANDA CONNER SPOTLIGHT
Seaside Lobby
Jimmy Palmiotti (Jonah Hex) brings his popular “Listen to Jimmy Palmoitti” blog live during a spotlight panel with his partner,  artist Amanda Conner (Power Girl).


5 p.m.-5:45 p.m.
ADVANCE SCREENING!
Secret Origin : The Story of DC ComicsSeaside Ballroom A
Warner Home Video and DC Entertainment present a pre-release screening of the already acclaimed documentary, Secret Origin: The
Story of DC Comics, an insider’s look at 75 years of the home of Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman, Green Lantern, The Flash and so many more. Out on DVD and Blu-ray from Warner Home Video 
November 9, 2010.


TIM SALE SPOTLIGHT
Seaside Ballroom B
A program devoted to artist Tim Sale (Batman: The Long Halloween, Captain America: White, Heroes) and his body of work past, present and future, too. Moderated by ComicCraft’s Richard Starkings.


Writers Workshop presented by Aspen Comics
Room 301
Comic book writers J.T. Krul, Scott Lobdell,
David Schwartz, David Wohl, Frank Mastromauro,
and Vince Hernandez tell you what it takes to write comics and take questions.


7 p.m.
2010 FRIENDS OF LULU AWARDS
Seaside Ballroom B
The Lulu Awards recognizes the people and projects that helped to open eyes and minds to the amazing comic and cartooning work by and/or about women. This year awards will be givenfor categories including “Best Female Character,” “Best Kid-Friendly Work,” and “Lulu Of The Year.”


8 p.m.
DARK COUNTRY 3-D SCREENING
Seaside Ballroom A
A special 3D screening of Thomas Jane's directorial debut Dark Country, starring Jane, Lauren German and Ron Perlman (Hellboy) . 


For tickets to the Long Beach Comic-Con and additional show info, visit www.longbeachcomiccon.com.

'All-Star Superman' Slated as DC Universe Direct-to-Video Animated Film

The comic book series and graphic novels All-Star Superman will be made as a DC Universe direct-to-video film. 

The original tale, written by Grant Morrison and illustrated by Frank Quitely, first appeared in comic book form, running from 2006-2008 and was also published as the graphic novels, All-Star Superman Vol. 1 and Vol. 2. In the tale (elseworlds, imaginary, whatever you wish to call it), Superman faces death following over-exposure to radiation that even his Kryptonian body under our yellow sun can't handle. It's a powerful work.
According to the Hollywood Reporter's "Heat Vision," Superman will be voiced by James Denton (Desperate Housewives), Christina Hendricks (Mad Men) is Lois Lane, Ed Asner (Mary Tyler Moore Show, Lou Grant) plays Daily Planet Editor (shades of Lou Grant!) Perry White and Anthony LaPaglia (Without A Trace) is Lex Luthor. The voice cast will also include Linda Cardellini (Scooby-Doo live action movies) and Arnold Vosloo (The Mummy).
The script adapting Morrison's story will come from veteran comics and animation writer Dwayne McDuffie (Justice League TV series, Justice League: Crisis on Two Earths). 
As with all the DC Universe animated films in recent years, such as Batman: Under the Red Hood and Green Lantern: First Flight, All-Star Superman will be rated PG-13. 

Check out 'Superman/Batman: Apocalypse' Animated Film Stills

Warner Bros. Animation and DC Entertainment have released a preview clip and still images from the upcoming direct-to-video animated film Superman/Batman: Apocalypse, due September 28. 
The film is based on the comic book story arc and graphic novel, Superman/Batman: Supergirl, written by Jeph Loeb and illustrated by the late Michael Turner (Witchblade, Fathom).  In the original story, Superman's cousin, teenage Kara Zor-El, crash lands on earth in a spaceship, Batman is suspicious of who she is and her nature, Wonder Woman and the Amazons of Paradise Island step in to the train her then, enter Darkseid of Apokolips (the spelling of his planet of doom), from Jack Kirby's "Fourth World" mythos, who's been a big bad of the DC Universe for some 40 years.

The movie features Tim Daly (Wings) and Kevin Conroy reprising their previous voice roles in other DC Universe animated films and TV series as Superman and Batman, respectively.  Summer Glau (Firefly, Sarah Connor Chronicles) voices Supergirl, Ed Asner (Mary Tyler Moore Show, Lou Grant) is Granny Goodness and Andre Braugher (Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer) is Darkseid.
From the looks of things, the film will be true to the tale and here's hoping will see that dramatic confrontation between Batman and Darkseid right out of the comics. Look for a review soon here on That Writer Guy.