Hollywood Crashes Comic-Con With ‘District 9,’ Teen-Film Promos

By Michael White (Bloomberg) --

Stan Lee, co-creator of “Spider- Man” and “Iron Man,” used to stroll almost unnoticed among the booths at the Comic-Con International convention.

That was before Hollywood studios morphed the annual gathering of more than 120,000 comic-book fans at the San Diego Convention Center into a promotional vehicle for movies, including many that have nothing to do with comics.

“You almost cannot move on the floor,” Lee, 86, said in a telephone interview. “If you’re someone they recognize, and they seem to recognize me, it’s very tough.”

Studios will preview more than two dozen films at Comic- Con, according to the schedule, including thrillers, fantasies, science-fiction and teen pictures designed to appeal to the young and young-minded. Those not based on comics include “Sherlock Holmes,” from Time Warner Inc., and Sony Corp.’s “Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs,” from the children’s book by Judi Barrett and Ron Barrett.

“It can be a game changer,” said Sue Kroll, president of worldwide marketing at Time Warner’s Warner Bros. in Burbank, California. With communication through blogs and Twitter, “You can instantly go from obscurity to national awareness in minutes.”

This year’s convention opens tomorrow and runs through July 26. Warner Bros. is previewing new television shows tonight.

Last year, Comic-Con hosted cast members from Summit Entertainment LLC’s “Twilight,” a film based on the Stephenie Meyer books about teen-age vampires. The picture went on to produce $382 million in worldwide box-office sales, according to Box Office Mojo LLC, an industry Web site.

Vampire Sequel

Another not based on comics, Sony’s teen comedy “Superbad,” was introduced at a Comic-Con in July 2007, and took in $170 million in theaters worldwide after its release the next month, according to Box Office Mojo.

Summit, based in Santa Monica, California, is returning this year to introduce a sequel to the vampire movie, “The Twilight Saga: New Moon,” according to the schedule.

Previews of major films, with appearances by stars and directors, are held in a 6,500-seat auditorium. Buzz can build quickly. Bloggers and Twitter aficionados can relay their thoughts on movies during the presentations.

“If something screens well or doesn’t screen well, the word gets out quickly,” said Marc Weinstock, co-president of worldwide marketing at Sony Pictures Entertainment, in Culver City, California.

Robert Downey Jr. will take part in a panel discussing “Sherlock Holmes,” according to Warner Bros. The film is scheduled for release in December, according to Box Office Mojo.

‘Avatar’

James Cameron will show footage of the sci-fi film “Avatar,” his first feature film since the 1997 release of “Titanic.” The film is scheduled for release by News Corp.’s Twentieth Century Fox in December.

“Lord of the Rings” director Peter Jackson will make his first appearance at Comic-Con to talk about the science-fiction thriller “District 9,” according to Weinstock.

Jackson produced “District 9,” about an alien race that visits Earth. Sony will release the movie next month. The studio is also introducing “Zombieland” and “2012,” about apocalyptic events that threaten to destroy the Earth.

The schedule also includes previews or panels on television shows, including “Lost,” which airs on Walt Disney Co.’s ABC network, and “Fringe” from News Corp.’s Fox.

More than 126,000 people attended the convention last year, according to Comic-Con’s information hotline. Many come dressed as characters, such as Wolverine. Fake weapons must be checked by security, according to the Web site.

The first Comic-Con was held in 1970 with guests including authors Ray Bradbury and A.E. Van Vogt, according to the site.

‘Time Jumper’

Lee, who made cameo appearances in each of the three “Spider-Man” movies, said he has learned to avoid crowds by using the center’s underground passageways. He is attending this year to promote “Time Jumper,” a comic created by his Pow! Entertainment Inc. for mobile phones and other devices.

“It’s an event that brings together the most rabid fans of comics and movies,” Lee said. “It’s a place where you get a huge group of people who share the same taste. They all love the world of fantasy.”

To contact the reporters on this story: Michael White in Los Angeles at mwhite@bloomberg.net

New Comic Book Stars U.S. President's Teenage Daughter As Secret Superheroine

Keenspot's "The First Daughter" previews at Comic-Con before premiering on iPhone App Store, other mobile platforms.

In The First Daughter, the new family-friendly comic book series from Keenspot Entertainment, the Commander-in-Chief isn't the only one in the family with presidential powers. Attendees of next week's sold-out Comic-Con International: San Diego will get a sneak peek at the series, with the first 24-page full color issue available at the Keenspot booth (#1229) as a limited edition convention exclusive.

In the first issue, fictional first daughter Tasha Tasker learns her position calls for more responsibility than she bargained for when she begins to display amazing abilities after discovering a secret room in the White House basement.

His daughter's unusual situation adds to the many worries of presidential dad Brad Tasker, a character inspired in equal parts by Barack Obama and Arnold Schwarzenegger, who may know more about what's happening to Tasha than he's letting on.

The First Daughter may be the first comic book series to be produced specifically for the iPhone, with each panel drawn to display beautifully on its 320x480 screen without any cropping.

Publisher Keenspot Entertainment has had great success on the mobile platform with their reformatted comic titles like romantic comedy Marry Me, which accounted for the top three bestselling comic book issues on the iPhone App Store in March. That success spurred the company to produce The First Daughter as a made-for-mobile comic, with full issues debuting on the iPhone before they hit mainstream print publication.

Issue #1, scripted by Mike Rosenzweig and illustrated by Rob Nix, will be available as a free app download this fall, with subsequent issues priced at only $0.99.

"The First Daughter is a fun, quirky, hopeful heroine for a new generation of comic fans," said Keenspot CEO Chris Crosby. "The buzz is unbelievably high for this one, we don't expect the Comic-Con limited edition issue to remain in stock for very long. Get there early!"

Writer Rosenzweig will be appearing at Keenspot booth #1229 throughout the convention, and will also be featured on Keenspot's 9th annual Comic-Con panel discussion Sunday, July 26th at 11am in ROOM 32AB.

Keenspot will be debuting a number of other titles at their Comic-Con booth, including convention-exclusive editions of Dreamless, Crow Scare, and Sorcery 101 plus book premieres No Pink Ponies Vol. 1, The Essential +EV, Accursed Dragon! Vol. 1, Zap! Vol. 2, Out There Vol. 3: Draft Picks, and Wandering Ones Vol. 2.

IT'S VERONICA! COMICS KID PICKS HIS BRIDE

By DAREH GREGORIAN
Article Source: NY Post

Blondes have more fun, but brunettes get the world's oldest teenager.

Archie is spurning longtime love Betty and proposing to Veronica in August's "Archie" No. 600.

"Yes!" Veronica Lodge yells on the cover of the comic as Archie Andrews slips a diamond ring on her finger and Betty Cooper looks on in tears.

"I am so sad, I don't even know what to say," the blonde says on the Archie Comics Web site in a blog post titled "Saddest Girl in the World!"

The self-involved Veronica, meanwhile, writes: "I am so excited, I am getting married to Archie . . . I wonder if Betty wants to be my maid of honor? I bet she is so happy for me!"

The proposal appears to end the longest-running love triangle -- 67 years -- in comic-book history, with the perpetual Riverdale teen settling down with the rich heiress instead of the girl next door.

Archie Comics Editor in Chief Victor Gorelick insisted Riverdale's most sought-after bachelor isn't after the Lodge fortune.

"Veronica's had Archie wrapped around her finger for years. He does really love her -- he's not marrying her for her money," Gorelick said.

And while Veronica's initial interest in Archie was sparked by trying to beat out Betty, "she really loves him."

The six-issue story line centers around Archie taking a walk up "Memory Lane" and getting a glimpse five years in the future.

"At the end of the third issue, they've been engaged, got married, and they're at home with a couple of kids," Gorelick said.

But there may be hope for Betty fans yet.

Gorelick refused to divulge what happens in the next three issues, except to say Archie takes another trip up Memory Lane. "You think you've seen it all, but there's more to come."

dareh.gregorian@nypost.com

SEE THE ORIGINAL ARTICLE HERE