Posted by Frosty

Comic-Con 2005 was definitely not like 2004. Last year has been dubbed "The Year of Simon and Edgar", and anyone who had the good fortune to hang with the English lads behind the brilliant Shaun of the Dead knows exactly what I mean. This year we had some great stars and enormous footage from some upcoming films, but overall it was just run of the mill. Some years are better, some years are a waste, and some kick so much ass that you wish everyone could experience what you felt. Outside of a brilliant showing by Bryan Singer, Peter Jackson and Tenacious D, the rest was just like a meal at Burger King:  nothing fancy, exactly what you would expect.

While waiting for the Superman panel to start, I was listening to the announcer telling the audience what they could and could not do. Only at Comic-Con do you hear an announcement about putting away your lightsaber before a warning about piracy and audio recordings.

The Superman footage looks insane, as I had to be helped off the floor after watching it. The skyline is picture-perfect in every frame, and Bryan Singer looks like he has grown as a filmmaker in every possible way. Confident, assured and visually dazzling, he knows what to give the fans and he might now be considered king of all comic book directors. If he delivers, which in my view is a no-brainer, what property wouldn’t he be able to get? Also in the brief footage we saw, the framing of the image was astounding. When Clark leans up into the frame on his bed and through the window you can see the farm, but in my eyes all I could see was the future of film. The Genesis camera, which is the new Panavision digital camera... well, nothing I write here could visually describe what you will see on the internet or in theaters soon.

The footage was cut by Dan Harris, one of the writers of the film, and if he ever gives up writing his future is in trailers. Dan understood exactly what to show without giving away too much. Clark at home, lamenting about what might have been with Lois, Lex holding the green crystal that Superman used to build the Fortress of Solitude, and these majestic paintings of life on the farm. The footage on the farm was striking and tranquil, with only the clouds and sunlight able to break through the serene beauty. Meanwhile, when the film cuts to Metropolis, we are inundated with bustling people and movement with the camera. Again, this shows us this is a filmmaker with a vision and I for one will be the first in line. At this point Bryan could be selling snow in a blizzard, and I still might buy some.

Every so often, something comes along that is both artistic and commercial, and we need to appreciate when they co-exist as if it was that easy to do, the times they magically appear would not stand out so much.

I could go on and on about the other panels, but the coverage is everywhere on the internet. As I said earlier nothing else made me feel passionate like Superman. Of course King Kong is a huge movie, as my love for Peter Jackson has no limits. But Superman really moved me, and as a jaded film guy it is not too often I get that feeling. On Thursday night I posted a bunch of photos from Comic-Con, below you’ll find the last of them with a few words about each one. They were all taken from Friday through Sunday.

Clone troopers are everywhere, make sure you have your badges

The brand new Master Replicas Elite Edition Obi-Wan Saber arriving later this year.

A few pix from the Battlestar panel

The Lone Gunman meets his Bunny at a lightsaber party

Every though Simon could not attend the fans would not let Comic-Con forget

Makes you want to get a bite to eat

Han and Chewie are BFF's

My only good photo from the King Kong panel

And finally a Mr. Scott Swan after meeting a hero

See you next year....