Thursday Morning Superhero: SDCC Edition

 After a multiple year hiatus, San Diego Comic Con welcomed hundreds of thousands of fans the opportunity to return to its annual four days of nerd-fueled paradise.  I took things a bit easy this year and am going to split this up into winners, losers, and notes for next year. Despite other conventions not being as careful, SDCC required proof of vaccination or negative test in order to make it anywhere near the convention center.  They also required masks in the convention center and I am pleased to report that the vast majority of individuals adhered to this mandate and my son and I felt safe throughout our experience.

Winners:

Funkoville was quite impressive

Funko:

Funko's presence on the floor was like nothing I have ever seen.  After acquiring Mondo shortly before the convention, Funko took over a wealth of real estate on the convention floor and created Funkoville.  Funkoville hosted numerous photo opportunities and the Funko, Loungefly, and Mondo booth.  The attention to detail was second to none and in addition to Funkoville, they returned to a successful in-person Fundays and closed things out with a phenomenal panel in Hall H on Sunday featuring William Zabka, Rosario Dawson, and Simu Liu.

My workstation at Lumon Industries

Severance:

While I am sad I did not get to attend the panel, I was lucky enough to experience Lumon Industries in the Severance offsite.  It was one of the hottest tickets at the convention and the immersive experience was one of the best third party activations I have attended in over 10 years of going to SDCC.  It created a lot of buzz and will hopefully bring more viewers to the critically acclaimed show.

The Dungeons and Dragons Tavern

Dungeons and Dragons:

The Dungeons and Dragons movie also had an offsite that generated a lot of buzz and had people lined up around the block for the entire convention.  In addition to their panel, the Dungeons and Dragons tavern featured a free drink (alcohol or alcohol free), some wonderful character actors who populated the tavern, a cool gelatinous cube photo op, and a dragon attack.  

Losers:

Convention Exclusives:

With the amount of uncertainty in the current environment, it felt that a lot of typical exclusives were either missing (Lego) or available online for purchase by scanning a QR code (Hasbro).  I think the move to purchasing exclusives online may be the wave of the future, as it dramatically reduces the workload at the convention and saves fans from having to Tetris their suitcases with all of the toys and swag they got.  Having said that, it feels odd and less exclusive to make online purchases and the amount of people selling the QR code was pretty entertaining as well.

Line Management:

It is critical to understand that SDCC relies a lot on volunteers and part-time event staff and this is in no way a criticism of these individuals.  They are doing the best they can with limited information, but at this point SDCC needs to clearly specify where people can start lining up early for Hall H.  While I am not someone who is willing to camp out with a team to make it into Hall H, there are a lot of people who are and groups were told a lot of conflicting information.   It is expected to have a few bumps returning to an in person event, but I know some people had a pretty negative experience, particularly the ADA line at Hall H.

Notes for Next Year:

I am going to keep this one simple, but one thing that was apparent from the get go was that the overall attendance was lower.  This was felt, in a good way, walking the convention floor and trying to get into panels.  While I am not going to hold my breath, it would be wise to reduce the number of badges sold to keep the numbers where they were a few weeks ago.  To my knowledge, this was due to SDCC rolling over people's badges from when it was canceled due to COVID. If you couldn't make it this year, you had the option for a refund. People thought there might be a general sale after the refunds were issued, but it never happened and there were clearly smaller crowds this year.  Not to say it wasn't crowded, but there was noticeably more space to walk around.

POSTED BY MIKE N. aka Victor Domashev -- comic guy, proudly raising nerdy kids, and Nerds of a Feather contributor since 2012.

Thursday Morning Superhero - SDCC Offsite Edition

If you ever find yourself in San Diego during SDCC and are not fortunate enough to have a badge to the convention center, there is plenty to do without a badge as the Gaslamp is transformed during SDCC.  Some of the activation require a badge, but most are available to the public and a lot of fun. Be prepared to wait, but if you can brave the crowds and the long lines there is a lot to do.  Here are five offsite events that I hope to partake in this year.

Amazon Prime Experience:
Amazon is building its own offsite experience to highlight The Boys, Carnival Row, and The Expanse. This massive activation is across the street from the convention center and allows fans to enlist in a UN peacekeeping mission for The Expanse, team up with some vigilantes to cover up a crime scene for The Boys, or visit a Victorian lounge as you find a safe haven from Carnival Row.  I have seen some pictures of the ongoing construction for this offsite and it is impressive. Fans can check it out Thursday through Sunday at SDCC.

Conan:
Conan is bringing his show for the sixth straight year and I am hoping to make it to at least one show.  In addition to hosting his show for four nights, the Team Coco House is returning to highlight some of the talented writers from his show and tickets are already sold out.  Conan remains a hot ticket at SDCC and there is no mystery as to why.  His show is wildly entertaining and his activities always pack some amazing swag.  I remember a great potholder I got at an art activation many moons ago.

Pennyworth:
Warner Bros. is promoting its new series that follows Batman's butler as he gallivants around 1960's London.  If there is one thing I love, it is figuring out a password to gain access to a secret location. Running Thursday through Sunday, fans will have to discover a password to gain access to the Velvet Rope. Inside they can play blackjack, enjoy drag and cabaret performances, and learn more about the world this series is set.  I am very intrigued by the premise of this show and hope I can figure out the password!

Detective Pikachu:
With the pending release of Detective Pikachu on digital video, Ryme City is getting the Comic Con treatment and an immersive offsite event will open on Wednesday during preview night outside the Omni Hotel.  The event will run through Sunday and participants will get to explore Ryme City, check out prop displays from the film.  As a big Pokemon fan I am very much looking forward to immersing myself in Ryme City with my son.

Funko Fundays:
This year's theme for Funko Fundays is Freaky Tiki Fundays and I am extremely fortunate to return for my sixth Fundays and get to take my son to his second. I am looking forward to the entertaining show that Funko always provides along with some food, drink, and exclusive Funko swag. This event blew my son's mind last year and he has been anticipating returning to this the entire year.

POSTED BY MIKE N. aka Victor Domashev -- comic guy, proudly raising nerdy kids, and Nerds of a Feather contributor since 2012.

Thursday Morning Superhero: SDCC Exclusives Edition

We are only three weeks away from the 50th San Diego Comic Con! I am fortunate enough to be returning to provide coverage for Nerds of a Feather and will  be bringing my son for the second year in a row. While details on programming are slowly starting to trickle out, the floodgates have been opened on what exclusives fans can hope to pick up at various booths throughout the convention. Here are my top five most wanted SDCC exclusives in no particular order.

Lego Marvel Super Heroes Captain Marvel and the Asis:

Holy flerken!!!  Look at that Lego Goose! Captain Marvel has been my favorite superhero movie I have seen this year and this set is a must have! Featuring minifigs of both Captain Marvel and Monica Rambeau, this set will run you $45 and has 271 pieces. This set will be available to attendees who are fortunate in the lottery which should be opening any day.

Funko Pop! The Black Cauldron: Taran and the Horned King:

There are a wealth of amazing collectibles in Funko's SDCC lineup, but this two pack was the most surprising to me.  The Black Cauldron was one of my favorite childhood movies and I have fond memories of playing the amazing Sierra computer game as I tried to stop the Horned King from raising an army of the dead. When I revisited this movie with my son I was surprised how dark it was, but happy that he liked it and to share this Disney classic that doesn't get as much love as it should.  Could a Gurgi Pop! be down the road?  This two-pack will be a shared exclusive with Amazon and available with the SDCC sticker to those who win lottery access.

Star Wars: The Black Series 6-inch Boba Fett by Hasbro:

This might be the most Comic Con toy in my selection. An exclusive Star Wars figure on a vintage card back of the famed bounty hunter Boba Fett. This is a true beauty and will only set you back $24.99.  Hasbro has some other nice looking exclusives (a razor scooter?), but none as pretty as this beauty. I am not sure if Hasbro is participating in the traditional lottery, but I may try to swing by the booth one afternoon and hope I am lucky enough to add this fella to my Star Wars collection.

Action Vinyls from The Loyal Subjects:

Featuring exclusives from Game of Thrones, Ghostbusters, My Hero Academia and more, The Loyal Subjects have grown by leaps and bounds since I started collecting their action vinyls a few years back and I am stoked for this year's lineup. This is only page one of the heat they are bringing, but I am most excited about the Hot Wheels. Vinyl Hot Wheels seemed like an odd pairing, but I saw some rolling around on Instagram and am excited for this blast of nostalgia. I grew up on Hot Wheels and have enjoyed passing that love onto both of my kids.  Super stoked to finally add some TLS Hot Wheels to my collection. Limited to 200 pieces on the SDCC floor, keep a close eye on the schedule to make sure you don't miss any drops.

Spittin' Contest Tiny Ghost by Bimtoy:

Reis O'Brien and his Bimtoy brand are partnering with Fugitive Toys and bringing a summertime twist to his spooky lineup of collectibles to SDCC. Bimtoy is a labor of love and one that has seen tremendous growth over the past few years. In addition to expanding its vinyl offerings, the Tiny Ghost variants are sure to make your shelf 100% cuter. In addition to this stunning piece, Bimtoy will have some pins, mini ghosts, and other possible surprised located at the Fugitive Toys booth. If they distribute these like last year it will be via lottery at the booth.


POSTED BY MIKE N. aka Victor Domashev -- comic guy, proudly raising nerdy kids, and Nerds of a Feather contributor since 2012.

Thursday Morning Superhero: SDCC Off Site Edition

The news out of San Diego is finally starting to pick up. SDCC is less than a month out and there are still a large number of moving pieces that organizers are sorting out. Rumors of online lotteries appear to be correct, but is not sure in what capacity.  More and more panels are hitting the schedule and the plan is to provide a 10 year old's take on what SDCC has to offer in future posts.  This week will focus on how the off site picture is developing.

Conan:
This marks the fourth year that Conan will be taping his show at the Spreckles Theater in San Diego.  While that news is exciting in its own right, some eagle eyed fans noticed that one of the trolley wraps in San Diego made mention of the Conan House. Fans are hoping this means more Conan Bingo and I cannot wait to learn more about this endeavor.

Funko Fundays:
My son is going to have his mind blown when he experiences the madness and controlled chaos that is Funko Fundays. Words cannot describe this event, but you can see some great video of it over the years in Making Fun, the Funko documentary on Netflix or enjoy the video from last year's celebration. Tickets sold out within seconds and I look forward to sharing a special evening with my fellow collectors.  Now if we could just have a theme reveal.

Taco Bell's Demolition Man Pop Up:
Nacho fries are on the table in this bizarre pop up celebrating the 25th anniversary of Demolition Man.  You had me at nacho fries.

Notable Comics:
While I don't think we needed a Charlie's Angels comic, I immediately was on board for the reboot when I heard the creative team of John Layman (of Chew fame) and Joe Eisma would be working together on this series. The debut issue came out this week and is delightful.  I sound like a broken record, but you really need to read Brian K Vaughan's and Fiona Staples' Saga.  Issue #53 this week and there are no signs of this book slowing down. There have been rumors of it making its way to the small or large screen and I am very curious how that adaptation would work.

POSTED BY MIKE N. aka Victor Domashev -- comic guy, proudly raising nerdy kids, and Nerds of a Feather contributor since 2012.

Thursday Morning Superhero

We are officially less than a month out from San Diego Comic Con! The normal Thursday Morning Superhero will deviate from its standard format to provide some coverage of SDCC and what I hope to accomplish. My son is joining me this year and I am very excited to write about attending in what will be a different experience for me this year.

Sneak Peek: Exclusives
There are two exclusives that have been announced that I want to briefly highlight. My son recently started watching, and is hooked, on Rugrats. It is easily one of his favorite shows and this limited XXRAY Reptar vinyl from FYE blew his mind. The detail is stunning, but it is a bit out of his budget.

As one of the resident Funko collectors here at Nerds, I need to quickly note my first must have item that will be mine if I am fortunate enough to make it to the booth.  I am a huge Wes Anderson fan and cannot wait to attempt to scoop up this adorable two-pack.

Notable Comics:

While my weekly recap of my pull list will be enjoying a short vacation, I want to make sure to highlight some books that you should probably check out. The four books that I am reading this week include a pair of books from Jeff Lemire (Hit Girl #5 and Gideon Falls #4).  Gideon Falls is one of the best surprises in 2018 and it was nice to see Hit Girl, which I haven't been wild about, given the Lemire treatment.  This week also included a stunning Ether: Copper Golems #2 from Matt Kindt and Daredevil #604 by Charles Soule.  Returning to the world of Ether has been extremely entertaining and Soule's run on Daredevil is absolutely divine.  

POSTED BY MIKE N. aka Victor Domashev -- comic guy, proudly raising nerdy kids, and Nerds of a Feather contributor since 2012.

Holiday Gift Guide: Toys and Collectibles

Vance - For anyone and everyone

Funko Pop! Vinyl

It probably seems weird to recommend something that has become so ubiquitous, but a new crop of Funko Pop! figures made me step back and really appreciate these things more than I had before. In the early 2000s, when I first became aware of designers producing toys specifically intended for adult collectors, things like McFarlane Toys' Edward Scissorhands and Ash Williams action figures and Simpsons Treehouse of Horror sets began decorating my bookshelves. But while each figure was cool enough, the assemblage quickly began to look ungainly. There was a lot of aesthetic disconnect, and the options for affordable collectibles of nerdy things I liked were pretty limited. Funko Pop! vinyl figures changed that, with a bewildering array of licensed properties and figures -- and at only $10. While I liked them (I mean, come on, they're stinkin' cute), it was sort of easy to make a punchline out of "Well, of course they have a Funko for that now." But here's the thing: I really like Warner Bros. Animation. And when Duck Dodgers, What's Opera Doc? Bugs and Elmer, Gossamer, the Animaniacs, Pinky & the Brain, and way more suddenly showed up over the last few months, I realized that there had been a Looney Tunes-shaped hole in my heart, that only adorably big-eyed collectibles could fill. And with even PBS (Bob Ross!) added to the lineup as well, I know that there's now a Funko Pop! for pretty much everybody on your list. 

Mike - For the nostalgic collector

Action Vinyls by The Loyal Subjects

The Loyal Subjects has really been upping its game lately. Featuring a line-up that included Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle, G.I. Joe, and Masters of the Universe, the crew at TLS has recently added Dragonball Z, Thundercats, My Little Pony, How to Train Your Dragon and more! These fun little blind boxes would make excellent stocking stuffers and each figure features articulation (so you can actually play with them!) a collector's card, and most include an accessory. I have quite a few myself and I love it when my kids take them down off the shelf and play with them. It allows me to share a part of my childhood with them.

Mike - For the comic book fan with good taste in comics

Saga toys by Skybound

I would be lying (sorry) if I didn't say that I want all of the Saga toys.  I mean all of them.  Look at The Will and Lying Cat! Look at them! In addition to this amazing pair, the Skybound shop has other action figures, a Ghus plush, and Lying Cat statues in multiple colors! Won't someone please buy me a pink Lying Cat!  I think I've been pretty good this year.

Mike - For the Star Wars fan

Anything Porg by Funko, Hasbro and others

If someone on your shopping list is a fan of Star Wars then you owe it to them to give them all of the Porgs.  There are amazing Porg stuffed animals, a Porg Pez dispenser, Porg bobbleheads, talking Porgs, Porg pillows, Porgs that you stick on your car window with suction cups, and more! Porgs are the best and everyone on your list will see their quality of life improve with one (or more!) of these cute little birds in their lives.

POSTED BY MIKE N. aka Victor Domashev -- comic guy, proudly raising nerdy kids, and Nerds of a Feather contributor since 2012.

Thursday Morning Superhero - SDCC Exclusive Edition

Welcome to my annual San Diego Comic Con Exclusive edition of Thursday Morning Superhero.  SDCC coverage will take over the next few weeks of TMS, with exclusives this week, my schedule next week, and a complete recap in two weeks.  Today I share with you my top 5 convention exclusives.  This task becomes more difficult each year as the exclusive side of SDCC grows every single year.  In no particular order I present my top 5 exclusives for SDCC.

1. Scott Pilgrim's Precious Little Card Game: Oni Press booth #1833
When I first heard that Scott Pilgrim was getting the tabletop treatment I was thrilled.  Since I'm not going to Gen Con this year (sad face), I am very pleased to announce that Oni Press is bringing a special Renegade Games Variant edition of Scott Pilgrim's Precious Little Card Game to San Diego complete with a Bryan Lee O'Malley autograph ticket.  They are only selling 50 of these per day so I am unlikely to snag one, but will give it the old college try.

2. Locke and Key: Heaven and Earth Con Variant:  IDW booth #2743
Limited to only 500 copies, IDW is bringing a limited hardback Locke and Key book that collects three one-shot stories from the Locke and Key universe.  Including "Open the Moon", "Grindhouse", and the 10th anniversary tale "In the Can!", this is a must have for any Locke and Key fan and it will be mine.  Oh yes, it will be mine.

3. The Will and Lying Cat action figure 2-pack: Skybound booth #2729
As if the Marko and Alana 2-pack wasn't enough from last year, Skybound is bringing the heat with The Will and everyone, yes everyone's, favorite feline Lying Cat!  Lying Cat would totally call me out if I said I wasn't interested in laying my grubby paws on this set.  I highly encourage you to check out the many other delightful offerings that Skybound is bringing this year. They are going to have one of the best booths on the floor in 2017.

4. Luna Lovegood Pop!: Funko booth #5341
Funko is once again bringing the heat this year with a ton of amazing items both in the convention center and in their very own Pop-up Shop.  It was very difficult to hone in on one item, but the charm and whimsy of the Luna Lovegood Pop! is enough to claim my number one spot.  She is one of my family's favorite character and looks absolutely amazing in her spectrespecs and her copy of The Quibbler.  Super cute.

5. Gravity Falls Exclusive 8pcs Figure Set : UCC Distributing booth #5625
Gravity Falls has a very near and dear spot in my heart and is one of my family's all-time favorite shows.  It brings me great joy to see the show carry-on in the form of collectibles and this set is going to be hopefully making the trip home with me.  Featuring Mabel, Soos, Grunkle Stan, Dipper, Wendy, Waddles, a barging Gnome, and Bill, this set is sure to put a smile on all fans of this amazing series.

POSTED BY MIKE N. aka Victor Domashev -- comic guy, proudly raising nerdy kids, and Nerds of a Feather contributor since 2012.

Thursday Morning Superhero

Some of the San Diego Comic Con exclusives have been announced and once again Funko is bringing the heat.  A much demanded Pop!, Princess Leia is getting the holographic treatment in a stunning two-pack.  Really hoping to make it to the booth in time to pick up this amazing set.  Enough toy talk, huuuuuge week of comics!

Pick of the Week:
Baby Teeth #1 - I was introduced to Donny Cates' work with Redneck, which is amazing, so I was excited when I heard he had a new titles coming out about the birth of the Antichrist.  The story opens with a scared mother, Sadie, recording a video to her child.  It tells the story of his birth, which included earthquakes, a near death experience for Sadie, and that this devil incarnate is named after a superhero. This comic, while the story of how the Antichrist was brought to this planet, still remained as a beautiful story of new life.  I am looking forward to learning more about how Sadie ended up where she is and the life of the young devil.

The Rest:
The Unsound #1 - Cullen Bunn treats us with a creepy new title set in some sort of haunted psychiatric ward.  At least it appears to be haunted through the eyes of Ashli, the new nurse who has a horrifying first day in the ward.  In what felt like the pre-credits scene to a psychological thriller, the first issue leaves you begging for more.  I am quite intrigued by this new title and anything that is scary and has Bunn's name attached to it is likely to be quite good.  Mix in the unique artistic approach from Jack T. Cole and you are introduced to a world that is beautiful from one angle and paralyzing from the other.


Paper Girls #15 - The girls learn the hard way not to mess with the time space continuum when they are compelled to help their new friend save her child.  We learn a bit more about the foldings, or time holes, that brought the girls into the past.  This was one of the more exciting issues as of late that resulted in overhearing something called "The Beta" that sounds very exciting (some sort of time fixer) and the girls are dropped into a surprising future.  I will avoid spoilers, but it gave me flashbacks and was terribly exciting.

All-new Guardians of the Galaxy #3 - It isn't surprising that I am really enjoying this series penned by Gerry Duggan.  In this issue we learn more about the secret that Gamora is holding back from the rest of the crew.  Still no word on why Drax gave up destroying, but the wrinkle that is Gamora's secret is a very interesting development.  This issue didn't have the trademark Duggan humor, but it was a stellar issue that has me fully invested in where this series is headed.  I can't recommend this one enough to anyone who enjoyed the films.  Being that this is issue #3, it would be easy to get caught up and pick up the other two issues as well.



Daredevil #21 -  Now that we know how Daredevil was able to make the entire world forget his secret identity, it is back to the usual crime fighting in Hell's Kitchen.  The start of a new arc, this issue felt like a throw back to Silver Age comics and is extremely effective for the man with no fear.   We even get a Toucan Sam reference thrown in for good measure!  The art and color from Goran Sudzuka and Matt Milla is phenomenal and has a retro feel that feels like a fresh start for Daredevil.  In addition to the classic crime stopping that takes place, Charles Soule gives us a tease as to why Daredevil wanted to put the cat back in the bag and I am a bit nervous about his plan.

Batman #24 - This issue is the straw that broke the camel's back for me.  Tom King has had his ups and downs, in my opinion, writing this series and this issue reached the point where I am comfortable dropping this series.  He had big shoes to fill, but even Scott Snyder had a couple of lackluster arcs in his amazing run.  I weathered it as long as I could and I am sure a lot of readers are enjoying his take, but it isn't for me.  If you have any suggestions as to what Batman series you recommend please drop me a note in the comments.  I won't spoil the moment that solidified it for me, but a quick Google on this issue should let you know if you don't care about spoilers.



The Walking Dead #168 - As we close the book on one chapter we open the door to what is next.  I am not sure what that will be in this series, but Robert Kirkman really delivered a touching issue that somehow brought up Negan's foot fetish.  The fine line between what Negan spews and the rest of what Rick and company are dealing with after the loss of Andrea works really well in this issue.  Negan has almost reached the point where you feel that you can trust him and that he is an asset for Rick and his crew.  It is a shocking development that will likely lead to the rug being pulled out from beneath my feet and I am looking forward to it.  The final panel was extremely powerful and moving and a somber reminder that this series is still a human drama at its heart, not a zombie book.



POSTED BY MIKE N. aka Victor Domashev -- comic guy, proudly raising nerdy kids, and Nerds of a Feather contributor since 2012.

Holiday Gift Guide: Toys and Novelties

Welcome to our annual Holiday Gift Guide where the flock takes a break from talking about all the awesome and not so awesome things to, well, talk about some more of the awesome things that you might want to consider for your Holiday shopping this year. Today we'll talk about toys and novelties, but throughout the week you will see other things to consider as well (games, apps, movies, and more).

And, as you can see from the first item on this list, everything is awesome and Legos are still the best!

Dean: for the gift to put under your tree

Lego: The Batman Movie set pictured, but any Lego set will do.

LEGOS

by The Lego Group

I say this every year, but you can't go wrong with Legos (shaddup about "the plural of Legos is Lego"). No, seriously, you can't. For anyone under 15, and a large number of people over, this is an easy gift. You can get some perfectly good kits for under $20, or if you want to put yourself in someone's good graces forever, anything from the Ultimate Collector Series is sure to impress, with myriad options in between.

Mike:  For the practical collector

Action Vinyls

by The Loyal Subjects

There are a wide range of vinyl collectibles on the market and they are great for the budget conscious collector who doesn't want to spend an arm and a leg.  What sets The Loyal Subjects apart against the competition is the "action" aspect of its vinyl figures.  Each blind box includes multiple accessories, and there are multiple points of articulation to boot.  Not only do you get the thrill of opening a blind box (who doesn't!), but you get a high quality figure that will really bring you back to your childhood.  They pull on all of your nostalgic heartstrings as any good collectible should, featuring Masters of the Universe, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, G.I. Joe and more.  In addition to looking great on the shelf, they are a blast to play with!  One thing my son enjoys on a daily basis is hanging out in my office and playing with my toys. He is particularly fond of my MOTU vinyls.

Dean: For the adult collector

Star Wars pictured, but lines include Marvel, DC, and many more!

1/6 Scale Figures

by Sideshow Collectibles

Let's be honest- those of us on this site (Mike and I, anyway) have not abandoned our childhood love of toys. I have shelves in my office dedicated to them, and am in the middle of a Lego project that is no less than 36"x48". Not every gift has to be of the Lego UCS magnitude, but if someone who likes such things and you want to make their holiday, allow me to direct you to Sideshow Collectibles.  Detailed, high-end figures (read: dolls) for every geeky walk. It will set you back a couple hundred, but I guarantee you, it will be worth the smile on my face. I mean theirs. Whatever.

Mike:  For the gift that keeps on giving

Collector Corps Subscription

by Funko

My love of all things Funko is no secret and I was thrilled when they began to offer a subscription box.  There are other subscription boxes on the market, but only one that includes 100% Funko exclusive goodness.  While I am recommending the Marvel Collectors Corps subscription, they also offer DC and Star Wars boxes as well.  I personally love that these boxes only arrive every other month so you don't get too much stuff, and that if you are a Marvel fan you will enjoy every item.  Other subscription boxes include filler that needs to be tossed each month, but with the Funko boxes you get at least one exclusive Pop!, t-shirt, patch, pin, and more.

Dean:  For the toy to cram into a stocking

Action Figures

by Hasbro

Action figures! There is a certain subset of (sub-)humanity who is boycotting Star Wars because of its emphasis on diversity and multiculturalism. I assume you, gentle reader, celebrate this movement instead of oppose it (if not, you are probably on the wrong website). That said, when The Force Awakens came out, there was a problem in the representation among even the most basic of toys. Rogue One is making efforts to correct that, and for under $10, you can stuff a stocking with Jyn, Saw, Baze or any other of the brave Rebels struggling against Imperial tyranny. That sort of ideal might come in handy. You can up to the $20 range for the larger, more detailed "black" series.

POSTED BY MIKE N. aka Victor Domashev -- comic guy, proudly raising nerdy kids, and Nerds of a Feather contributor since 2012. 

Thursday Morning Superhero: SDCC Top 3's

Not sure how it all started, but my annual write-up of San Diego Comic Con has taken the form of Top 3 lists in the past couple of years, so I thought I would continue that tradition.  I first of all want to thank the staff and volunteers who help make SDCC as good as it can be.  From the extra police who help direct traffic, to the volunteers who make sure that line integrity is intact, the collective work of these individuals ensures a good time for the nearly 130,000 attendees.

Top 3 Trends:

1. RFID - This year SDCC, after testing it at Wonder Con, debuted badges that were RFID enabled.  Attendees had to scan in and out of the convention center to verify that their credentials were legit.  Fans were worried that it would create delays and that there would be major issues, but I did not see one person who had an issue with the system.  I also noticed that it seemed less crowded and wonder if the new badges helped cut down on counterfeits.  I think it is safe to say the new system worked great and is here to stay.

2. Hall H Wristbands - For the first time in my SDCC career, I joined a group to obtain Hall H wristbands.  While there was minor drama during the issuing of wristbands in our area, the expectations seemed clear, the staff were all very polite and well informed, and the other attendees who camped out near us were a delight to be around.  While some people do camp out all day and overnight, one person can hold the spot for up to five individuals so many groups operated in shifts.  Once you have the prized wristband you are free to return to your hotel and are guaranteed admission the next day.

3. Lotteries - Everything came down to chance this year.  If you wanted a Hasbro exclusive or an autograph at the Warner Brothers booth, you had to line up early, proceed to the Sails Pavilion, and hope for a lucky draw.  This was an effort to prevent camping out for exclusives and to allow attendees the same odds as exhibitors and it seems like it will remain.  I was successful in an online lottery for the Funko booth and also was successful getting a Conan Pop! through this system.  Hooray for me!

Eddie shows off his wand from @noblecollection. Follow Wizarding_World on Snapchat! #FantasticBeasts #SDCC2016 pic.twitter.com/bob67OgIaI

— Fantastic Beasts (@FantasticBeasts) July 24, 2016

Top 3 Panels:

1. Warner Brothers - I was one of the few individuals who went through the effort to get a Saturday badge and bail after one panel.  Despite not getting the most bang for my buck, this panel absolutely blew me away.  Moderated by Conan O'Brien and featuring a line-up that included Suicide Squad, Wonder Woman, Lego Batman, Harry Potter: Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them, and more, fans were treated to a series of amazing trailers and brief conversations with the directors and stars.  The highlight was when Eddie Redmayne, who portrays Newt Scamander in the film, helped pass out over 6,000 wands so we could cast a Lumos Maxima spell to brighten up the usually dark Hall H.  I have chills just thinking about the site of the entire Hall H population raising their wands in the air.

2. Lego Dimensions - While I am a fan of Lego Dimensions myself, I attended this panel to get my son an exclusive Green Arrow figure and bring him the inside scoop of what the future held.  Moderated by Kinda Funny's Greg Miller, the panel was full of laughs and surprises and was a pure delight.  Miller had a great report with the creators and the tone was light and fun, just like the game.  They also brought out a pair of legendary voice actors in John DiMaggio, who I love as Bender, and Roger Craig Smith, the voice of Sonic.  Fans don't have to worry about purchasing another starter kit for at least two more years, and the next year will bring fans the new Ghostbusters, Harry Potter (both classic and Fantastic Beasts), Sonic, Adventure Time, Goonies, Gremlins, and more.  The number of licenses that they are including that will appeal to both parents and kids is absolutely amazing. 

3. South Park: 20th Anniversary - Featuring a clip reel that informed us how many times Stan has thrown up, Randy has been arrested, Kenny was killed, Cartman took a dump, and more, this panel was a pure delight from start to finish.  It was great to hear about how a viral video that was spread through VHS copies in the mail grew to one of the most dominating pop culture forces in the world.  My favorite anecdote was how they already had the perfect story for Pokemon Go, when the Chinpokemon that the boys included tacking chips so that the Japanese government knew where the American children were.  They plan on suing Niantic for stealing the idea for their game from a cartoon from 1999.  They may have been joking about that one.

Top 3 Exclusives:

1. Indiana Jones Funko Pop! - This was my grail item, pun intended, and thanks to my preview night wristband he is all mine.  I barely made the cut as he was down to single digits while the friendly Funko staff was loading up my bag.  He immediately made his way into a protector and is happily on display in my home office.  While it has been confirmed that Disney Parks will carry an Indiana Jones Pop! at its attractions, the one with Indy holding the idol was only available at SDCC.

2. Skeletor from The Loyal Subjects - I started collecting the action vinyls that TLS makes this year and had the good fortune of not only securing this, but attending a TLS dinner that was all about collectors.  It is clear that TLS cares about its collectors and is creating some of the best toys on the market.

3. Saga Action Figures - When I saw that the Skybound Booth was going to carry a two-pack of Marko and Alana I knew I wanted them.  I planned on passing on them as I felt I had spent enough on my annual journey, but as a buddy of mine and as Lying Cat pointed out, I was lying.  I picked this pair up on Saturday and am thrilled to have them in my collection.

Top 3 Off-Sites:

1. Funko Fundays - Being one of the lucky few to get pulled off the waiting list after it sold out in seconds, I was able to attend my third Fundays.  Through the kindness of another Funatic (the term for those who participate in the Funko forums) I was able to join his family and have an absolute blast.  Funko changed the format to keep fans from battling each other over the exclusive prizes, and brought out all of the stops as they entertained over 1,000 of their fans.  The highlight to me was when they passed out Funko bars to the fans, four of which contained golden tickets for a tour of the Funko headquarters.  This all occurred as Oompa Loompas danced down the stage and the Funko CEO was decked out in Willy Wonka attire.  While I didn't win, it was clearly one of the best promotions I have ever been a part of.

2. The Conan O'Brien Show - I had the good fortune to get tickets for the second year in a row for the taping of the Conan O'Brien show at SDCC.  As usual both Conan and Andy were hilarious.  The taping I went to included Nick Kroll, the stars from Arrow, The Flash, and Supergirl, with a musical performance from Weird Al Yankovich. This show was made to be taped at SDCC and I think it has been confirmed that it will return for a third year.  I wouldn't be surprised to see other shows follow suit as this has been wildly successful. 

3. South Park: 20th Anniversary - While basic in nature, the South Park off-site allowed fans to take pictures in iconic scenes from the 20 years of this show.  I was able to take my picture on the famous couch, with Awesome-O, in prison at Casa Bonita, and more.  It included fake costumes and props from the show, which was hilarious, and even had a brief shout out to Canada as you exited the event.  Each scene was extremely well made and the workers at the event all happily took your picture and did a great job.  I would love to see other events as simple and effective as this moving forward.

POSTED BY MIKE N. aka Victor Domashev -- comic guy, proudly raising nerdy kids, and Nerds of a Feather contributor since 2012.