MEGACON 2007 SUNDAY REPORT

[MattBrady]

by Todd H. Latoski

Click here for Saturday’s report

As MegaCon drew to a close Sunday, there were still lots of fans browsing the comic boxes, buying toys and art, getting autographs, and trying not to let the experience end.

The panels this year were very popular – from “Comic Inking with Drew Geraci and Rob Hunter” to “The Independent Comic Panel” to “Painkiller Jane with Jimmy Palmiotti,” as well as countless others, everyone had something to enjoy.

Dick Giordano was this year’s “Guest of Honor” at MegaCon. He was a big fan favorite, with lots of guests seeking autographs and sketches. Dick is currently working with Bob Layton on the internet comic, The Colony.

Brandon Peterson discussed the recent delay with Ultimate Vision, on which he is still working. He has had a lot of things happening at once, from being sick to computer problems, and he apologized profusely to his fans for the delays. He took full responsibility for the delay. He still has a couple of issues of that title to finish up, following which he has a couple of Marvel things he is working on. It’s all in the air right now, and he could not provide any more specifics. He did, however, announce that when his exclusive contract with Marvel ended last year, they did renew it, so he remains exclusive with them to 2010.

Steve McNiven, another Marvel exclusive, said he is taking some time off after having finished up the last of Civil War a couple of weeks ago. He will be going to New York next week for the New York Comic Con there, and he will be talking to Marvel about his next project.

Yet one more Marvel exclusive, David Finch, was celebrating his one-week wedding anniversary, having just married last weekend. His blushing bride was in attendance with him, and they were surprised with a cake from one of their friends while at the Con. David is currently working on Fallen Son: Spider-Man with Jeph Loeb, as well as covers for World War Hulk. David said will be starting the Fallen Son issue once he returns home. Further, he did a cover to the upcoming Dark Tower comic, which was a thrill for him since he is a huge Stephen King fan. He also has some secret projects in the works with Marvel, and he just recently did the cover for X-Men #200, which he was really excited about, as it will be a four page spread with every character that’s ever been in X-Men.

Jimmy Palmiotti, who seems to have his hand in just about everything out there these days, having just finished up with Uncle Sam and the Freedom Fighters, and currently finishing up Friday the 13th for Wildstorm, and is also working with Amanda Conner on the new Terra mini-series. He didn’t say anything about it, but he did have preview art for the first issue of the mini-series there, and all I can say is that this has to be some of Amanda’s best work yet! Jimmy is still working on Jonah Hex, and he hinted at a secret project that he and Justin are working on, but which will be announced in the next month or so. He said it is a “big one” for him and Justin, as they will be handling the “Big Guns” for a change. When asked where Justin was this year, Jimmy laughed and said, “Justin doesn’t exist. He’s my split personality.” In reality, Jimmy said, poor Justin was shoveling 12 feet of snow from his house and couldn’t make MegaCon.

Adam Kubert was present this year, to many fans delight. He is currently working with Geoff Johns and Richard Donner on Action Comics, which he says has been a lot of fun. He said that he has a great working relationship with Geoff Johns, and Adam couldn’t say enough good things about him. As far as what’s coming up after his run on Action Comics, he wasn’t sure. He will still be with DC for a couple of more years.

Adam Hughes shared some news about the upcoming All-Star Wonder Woman, saying that the book is coming along slow, since he is writing, penciling, and inking the book himself. While Adam said this was a dream project for him, he admitted it is also a nightmare, since he is terrified of screwing up. He asked that fans be patient with him on this project, as it will come out when he has it ready to come out, and not when anyone tries to speculate when it will come out.

J.G. Jones, who has been diligently doing the beautiful covers to DC’s ground-breaking 52, couldn’t give away any upcoming covers for the series, as he didn’t want to spoil any of the upcoming surprises in store for readers. He did, however, admit that we will see Black Adam taking on the entire DC Universe, good and evil. After 52 ends, he plans to take a little break, just do some covers for a while. He will be doing the covers for the 52 trade paperbacks, and DC is currently putting together the 52 cover gallery hardback book.

Brian Pullido is still hard at work, but not only with Avatar Press. His new mini-series, Chucky, based on the killer doll from the Child’s Play movies, will be coming out from Devil’s Due Publishing beginning in April. It will be based on a couple of characters introduced in Seed of Chucky. With Lady Death, Brian said there are a lot of neat things going on this year, one of the first being an all-new sculpture by Clayburn Moore.

The Lady Death mini-series, Cursed, is coming out – which is important as it the final chapter to the three-part series of mini-series, beginning with Abandon All Hope, continued in Backlands, and now culminates in Cursed. These stories basically tell the origin and first adventure of Lady Death. There are a host of other Lady Death things, including a one-shot that an artist has been painting for nearly a year. Very soon, Pulido added, Lady Death: The Art of Juan Jose Ryp will be released, which is 40 pages of the pin ups and new material by Ryp. There will be zero issues of Belladonna and War Angel coming out this year as well, and if sales are good, we may even see zero issues of Gypsy and Unholy.

An indy title that seemed to be making some heads turn at the convention was Gravy Boy, published by Jack Rabbit Stewdios. Brian Shearer, the co-creator and artist, described the series as the story of a kid who is destined to be the world’s greatest super-hero. Unfortunately, through a horrific mistake, instead of getting the power to control gravity at will, he gains the power to control gravy at will! Since his destiny is already foretold, he must fulfill it with the wrong power. The creators currently have four issues published, but they are re-issuing the entire series, one at a time, in color through Previews. Once all four issues have been re-issued in color, they will pick back up with the next issue, which they are working on right now. Brian said he wants to get far enough ahead to avoid any delays with issues coming out on time. Danny Paris, the colorist, was also there, signing copies of the quarterly title for fans who were eagerly buying up the books.

The weekend was a major success for vendors, celebrities, creators, and fans alike. Many fans are still clamoring for the big companies, such as DC, Marvel, and Image, to start making some appearances at MegaCon, which sees thousands of attendees each year.

Plans are already in the works for next year’s convention, and vendors, comic companies, and creators can contact Beth Widera, the convention director, for more information about attending 2008’s convention at bwidera@megaconvention.com.

[Street Carp]

This year was my first trip to Megacon, and all of the creators that I met, especially J.G. Jones, Adam Kubert, and Darwyn Cooke, were all super nice and willing to talk with you amongst all the commotion. Not only was it inspiring, but also appreciated. Thanks, guys!

(ian)

[STL]

52 Hardcover cover gallery? I am there. Beautiful stuff. I might not pick up the series or follow the threads or be a hardcore DC fan but those covers have been immaculate.

Brandon Peterson apologises for his lateness, Kubert doesn't even address it. Says a lot about how top level artsits at DC are feeling about their output rate.

Finch doing a 4 page spread for X-Men #200? Cannot wait. Hope they one-up that with Uncanny #500.

Nice to see that won't rush out All-star WW too.

[melperfect]

Whoops!

I slammed Newsarama for not covering McNiven, Finch or Peterson during day one's coverage. Sorry, my fault!

Thanks for continuing the coverage!

[The Guvnor]

Ah no worries, Brandon Peterson. I feel I can wait a bit to see some more of your stunning work on the excellent Ultimate Vision. It is also great new that he will be staying at Marvel for a good few years more.

Congrats on your marriage David Finch, I wish you and wife all the best. I can't wait until Finch gets back on interiors, I'm a big fan of his work

[TheWay]

Originally Posted by melperfect

Whoops!

I slammed Newsarama for not covering McNiven, Finch or Peterson during day one's coverage. Sorry, my fault!

Thanks for continuing the coverage!

I questioned the lack of coverage myself. Sorry guys, and thanks for the report!!! I especially hope the right people are reading the tale end of this report and we see some big stuff next year.

[Moriarty]

Originally Posted by MattBrady

...and DC is currently putting together the 52 cover gallery hardback book.

F&*$&* sweet!

[wiggum]

I love how the artists can take time to go to cons(and probably get paid extra) but they can't get their books out on time.

[Mendoza]

Can't wait for Lady Death: The Art of Juan Jose Ryp

I tend to get his covers when i buy the new lady death comics and I have always liked his art.

It will be nice to have a book of his Lady Death pictures and pin ups.

[The 'Nam]

and he just recently did the cover for X-Men #200, which he was really excited about, as it will be a four page spread with every character that’s ever been in X-Men.

Not even a big fan of his work, but this sounds pretty cool. Please tell me it's not a pricey variant.

[RIsanove]

Originally Posted by wiggum

I love how the artists can take time to go to cons(and probably get paid extra) but they can't get their books out on time.

You're right: no one should be allowed to take a week end off!

[ziza9]

Originally Posted by wiggum

I love how the artists can take time to go to cons(and probably get paid extra) but they can't get their books out on time.

It's not just about getting paid extra. It's about promoting the industry and interacting with the people that support it.

[thearticle]

This was my 2nd yr going to MegaCon it was really an awesome event i got to meet my 2nd favorite Artist Steve Mcniven he was a really cool guy he let me take some pics and he signed my civil war issues not only that but he was gracious and humble even funny when i asked him who would win Civil war without even thinkin he replied to me BATMAN
he also told me that i'd jus have to grab issue 7 he then thanked me for waiting in his line ( i was only the 5th person in line for his autograph but the linebehind me was HUGE) then he said he hoped i would enjoy issue 7. he was a really cool guy i was glad for the chance to meet him i have a few pics of the whole event which to me was just a great time
those are pics of steve during the signin and heres my issues of CIVIL WAR which i framed immediately upon getting back home

[RedRonin]

Very cool to hear about Peterson renewing his exculsive contract till 2010.

[Philminder]

Yeah, McNiven's a great guy. I met him last year in Toronto. One of the nicest comic creators I've spoken to. Those Civil War comics actually look pretty cool when framed!

[thearticle]

Originally Posted by Philminder

Yeah, McNiven's a great guy. I met him last year in Toronto. One of the nicest comic creators I've spoken to. Those Civil War comics actually look pretty cool when framed!

he was and i appreciate the cpmpliment on the framed issues