Marvel Cancels King Variants: Openly Geek Customers Disappointed

As everyone already knows it is possible from time to time to actually score a variant comic book at cover price from Openlygeek.com. We release them with the rest of the comics and the lucky ones get their hands on them.

Unfortunately, customers with orders in place have been disappointed to find out that Marvel has pulled 8 King Variants including the highly anticipated Wolverine Origins #34 and and Secret Warriors #2. Even Spidey got the cold shoulder. Emails will be going out sometime today.

Furthermore, there has been no word on whether they would be re-solicited or that they are doing different issues instead.

Oh and the McFarlane Incentive Cover for Spawn #190 was canceled as well....sheesh.

Stay tuned next Thursday for regular post Comic Book Day coverage.

Marvel Announces 5 Reprints of Popular Variant Covers

Marvel has officially announced a reprint of some extremely hot variants. All of these are expected to ship on March 11th, 2009. They are not the same artwork as the originals but then again that's what makes them interesting. Technically they are new variants.

From top left: Skaar Son of Hulk #7 Jackson Guice Variant (2nd Printing), Invincible Iron Man #10 Salvador Larroca Variant (2nd Printing), Secret Warriors #1 Stefano Caselli Variant (2nd Printing), Black Panther 2 #1 Ken Lashley Variant (2nd Printing), Agents of Atlas #1 Carlo Pagulayan Variant (2nd Printing).

New York Comic Con Moments and Impressions

The 2009 New York Comic Con was, in a word, just plain fun. Silver and Golden Age comics were available everywhere. Current Comics were limited, but then again most people already have their current issues. Most of the crowd was rummaging through back-issues looking to fill the holes in their collection. Some even carried spreadsheets which is a darn good idea since I forgot to look for Spawn #7.

In a lot of ways it was like the floor of the New York Stock Exchange as buyers and sellers bought, sold, and traded their "gold". Deals we're being cut everywhere including on my Watchmen Absolute First Edition. M friend Pete got a kick out of my jubilation on that one.

There was a larger video game section than I had expected. The section was occupying close to 30% of the show floor. Many of the games being ashowcased were based on comic book characters, and movie characters though several were not.

Speaking of movies, a Terminator Salvation Trailer and a Watchmen Preview were available for sneak peeks. I actually skipped the Watchmen Teaser. That's right, skipped it. I don't want to see 18 minutes of the movie. I want to see the whole darn thing. As for Terminator, let's just say, awesome.

The autographing area was a cool place to meet your favorite actors but the lines to see them were pretty long. Pete was on line for 2 hours to score autographs from Jared Padalecki, Derek Mears, Andrew Form and Brad Fuller who were there signing Friday the 13th one sheets. However, when Pete got to them he had a slightly different request.
Brad Fuller's expression was priceless as Pete unfurled this baby. Padalecki was actually excited to sign this piece which is an Original Movie Poster from the Original Friday the 13th Film signed by just about everyone who has ever been in all of the movies. And no, it's not for sale.

(Incidentally, I was blocking Lou Ferrigno while I took this picture. God, he's huge. He can still play the Incredible Hulk today)

What was especially cool was Artist's Alley where you could watch talented Comic Book Artists, young and old, draw you're favorite characters right in front of you. It was truly mesmerizing to watch. All of them were highly accessible and were glad to speak to you about comic books and art. George Perez, Jim Lee, Joe Kubert, J. Scott Campbell (my second favorite Spider-man after Todd McFarlane), Georges Jeanty, Marko Djurdjevic, and many more.

If you have never gone to Comic Con and you read and/or collect comic books or just collect Movie memorabilia, I highly recommend attending. Bring a friend or two and hunt for comics together.

This place has more t-shirts then us.

A Crowded Comic Con

Score

Found it. Bought it.

A First Edition Absolute Watchmen Hardcover. It is the only one we saw at the show.

Joe Kubert

Mr. Kubert signing at the Joe Kubert School booth next to George Perez signing old Avengers comics for the Hero Initiative.

We just missed Mr. Perez before we could take a picture.

New York Comic Con

Just arrived. Pete's already inside and I am hoping to have a signal to post live updates. Stay tuned.

Mobile Blogging

My first mobile post in preparation of New York Comic Con coverage!