The Celebrities Of Albuquerque Comic Expo 2011

The Albuquerque Comic Expo was chock full of amazing artist's, and exhibitors,as well as some amazing celebrity appearances. The headliner was of course, MARVEL comics legend Stan Lee. Lee, appeared at the Expo on Saturday and was on hand for a Q&A panel that was moderated by Troma Films founder Lloyd Kaufman.

Star trek fans had the chance to see two living legends in the form of Levar Burton & Marina Sirtis. Although, Burton was recognizable to a much larger audience as attendee's who may not have been Star Trek fans were still eager to meet Burton who spent over two decades helping to educate generations of children on his PBS television show Reading Rainbow.

On the surface, Ernie Hudson wouldn't appear to be a big draw at this kind of event, but what people fail to remember is that Hudson was not only a member of the Ghostbusters, he was also one of the main characters in the supernatural superhero classic The Crow. Coincidentally, the creator of the Crow comic books James O'Barr was also on hand.

Marina Sirtis, best known as the ship's counselor on Star Trek: The Next Generation was also on hand at Albuquerqe Comic Expo. She & Levar Burton appeared at special Q&A panel that resulted in probably the biggest laughs of the entire expo. The duo dished on their former Star Trek co-stars and talked about all of their post Trek exploits. Though, Levar Burton cleverly avoided our question about his appearance on NBC's Community.

Finally, the "Coolest Guy In The World" award goes to Jeremy Bulloch, the actor who originated the role of Boba Fett in Empire Strikes Back. Bulloch could be found at his booth meeting fans. He was also consistently roaming the show floor and talking with fans. In fact we found him hanging out with the folks from Mandalorian Merc's, a Boba Fett costuming group, a few different times.
-Admiral Duke

Albuquerque Comic Expo: Day 1

The premiere comic book and pop culture event in New Mexico is off and running and DisFanReview is there. The first ever Albuquerqu Comic Expo is pretty darn impressive. already seeing lots of costumes and our favorite Convention goers, the 501st Legion, Dewback Ridge Garrison is here to keep the peace! Some of the big events we will be covering today, include the BlackStar Warrior panel, The Star Wars Q&A as well as the Green Lantern Visual Effects panel later in the day. Keep watching here and on our Twitter page for updates throughout the day.

Filmmaker Matt Haley Brings 'BlackStar Warrior' To ACE

Was There A Black 'Star Wars' Film Staring Lando?
Last summer, while doing a lot of research and prep work for our coverage of Star Wars Celebration V, we stumbled upon a very strange, and totally cool collection of videos. They tell an absolutely unbelievable story about a supposed lost chapter in motion picture history. This collection of videos that is currently located at the Blackstarwarrior's page on YouTube, lays out a story where the greatest Sci-Fi Fantasy film of all time intersected with the 'Blacksploitation' films of the '70's.

In three separate documentary episodes, the story of independent black film maker Fredrick Jackson is explored. As the story goes, Jackson managed to convince George Lucas & 20th Century Fox to capitalize on the success of the film by make a version of Star Wars that was geared specifically towards the urban African American audiences of the late 1970's. Jackson was eager to create a Shaft in space so that black audiences could see themselves in this Galaxy far far, away. However, the filming of the project was ill-fated and 'BlackStar Warrior' was never completed.

However, as utterly fascinating as the story of Fredrick Jackson is, none of it is true. It turns out, all three episodes were simply to set up this absolutely stunning tribute. The BlackStar Warrior 'trailer' has the characters of Star Wars and the over the top action and bravado of films like Dolemite & Blackbelt Jones(and yes, we include that because, Blackbelt Jones himself, Jim Kelly will be at ACE). Hallmarks of both are purely evident in this masterfully crafted viral video.

I was so enamored with BlackStar Warrior that we featured it and the documentary episodes in our coverage leading up to Star Wars Celebration V. In fact it was the first thing I talked to people about during SWCV. I was stunned that a vast majority of people had never heard of it. So, I made it my personal mission to trumpet the cause of this amazing fan made saga, within a saga.

So, you can imagine my excitement when I found out that the creator of BlackStar Warrior, Matt Haley would be screening his creation at Albuquerque Comic Expo! The screening will be Friday at 3pm followed by a Q&A sessions. We have no idea if elements of the documentary will be shown as well, but the BlackStar Warrior experience is not to be missed.
-Admiral Duke

Full Schedule for ACE 'Q&A' And Panel Discussions

Friday 6/24
Panel Room A

12PM – Local Filmmakers Spotlight - Join a discussion with local Filmmakers about film in New Mexico.

1PM – Local Creator Spotlight - Join a discussion with local professional comic creators, including Andy Kuhn, David Williams, and more!

2PM – Babes, Boobs, Blood, and Balls* - Q&A panel focusing on the ins and outs of independent film production and distribution. Feat. Lloyd Kaufman, Scott Phillips, Kurly Tlapoyawa, and more!

3PM – Hero Initiative Live Art & Auction - Join the Hero Initiative as they pit professional comic book artists against each other in a live art extravaganza! Art will be auctioned off at the event to benefit the Hero Initiative!

5PM – Star Wars Q&A - Q&A with Star Wars actors Peter Mayhew and Jeremy Bulloch. Moderated by Clone Wars actor Tom Kane.

6:30PM – Green Lantern Production Feature - exclusive production panel with Green Lantern digital effects artists, including a never before seen making of reel and Q&A.

Panel Room B
11:30AM – Basic Drawing for Comics - Felipe Echevarria will demonstrate how to create 3-Dimensional form for the 2-Dimensional page. Designed for the beginning to intermediate artist. Bring your sketchbooks!

1PM – IGDA Independent Game Development - Join IGDA developers in an open form discussion about game development, design, promotion, and more!

2PM – Voice Acting for Video Games - Join voice actor Raphael Sbarge in a discussion about everything from Mass Effect to Knight of the Old Republic, and more!

3PM – Blackstar Warrior - Matt Haley will be screening his viral smash hit Blackstar Warrior. Q&A to follow.

Panel Room C
1PM – Comic & Manga Workshop - Tommy Yune, a veteran of hit comic series such as Speed Racer, Racer X, Robotech, and Danger Girl: Kamikaze, covers modern production techniques of the industry and new options available to hopeful comic creators.

7PM – Killer Ink Screening* – Join Colorado Filmmaker Christopher C Romero as he screens his new thriller. Featuring an introduction by Peter Mayhew.

Saturday 6/25
Panel Room A
10AM – Stan Lee Q&A - Stan Lee is here, and he’s ready to answer your questions! Moderated by Lloyd Kaufman.

12PM – Nicholas Brendon Q&A - Join veteran Buffy actor Nicholas Brendon in a Q&A.

1:30PM – Wild Cards Introduction and Q&A - Join Melinda Snodgrass, John Jos Miller, Victor Milan, Walter Jon Williams, and more as they discuss the Wild Cards universe.

3PM – ACE 2011 Costume Contest - Suit up for our first costume contest! Win cash and other prizes for participating, or just come to look at all the awesome costumes!

5PM – Star Trek Q&A - LeVar Burton and Marina Sirtis are here to talk to you about the Star Trek universe, their roles in the shows, and more!

6:30PM – Geeks Who Drink: Superhero Edition* - Pub trivia favorites Geeks Who Drink will be hosting a special triva night at ACE, with prizes and more!

Panel Room B
12:30PM – Local Independent Comics - Join 7000 BC, a consortium of local independent creators, as they discuss all aspects of indie creation.

2PM – Adventure Gaming 101 - Active Imagination will be giving this crash course in adverture gaming and role playing games.

3PM – Amtgard Demo – Members of the Duchy of Pegasus Valley will be on hand to give an introduction and demo of this live action fantasy game.

Panel Room C
3PM – Robotech Industry Panel - Tommy Yune, director of Robotech: The Shadow Chronicles, covers the history of the television series that introduced a generation to anime, and discusses new releases in the wake of the announcement of the live action feature film. We will also remember Carl Macek, the original producer of Robotech who started this whole phenomenon.

5PM – Anime Q&A - Anime voice actors Leah Clark and Christopher Bevins are here to talk about everything anime!

8PM – REPO! A Genetic Opera Shadowcast* - Doctor Steel’s Seventh Mountain Regiment will host this Shadowcast of the cult hit.

Sunday 6/26
Panel Room A
11AM – Create Your Own Comic - Get hands on and make your own comic book with members of 7000 BC!

1PM – Tall Paul Magic - Hilarious entertainer and magician Tall Paul is here!

2PM – Tom Kane Q&A - Clone Wars voice actor Tom Kane answers your questions!

3PM – So Say We All - Actor Richard Hatch shares his Journey on Battlestar from the original to the re-imagined.

5PM – DC Entertainment - Local company DC Entertainment will provide family friendly entertainment in this superhero themed show.

Panel Room B
12PM – How “Chuck Norris Facts” Came To Be - Hear the true story behind one of the internet’s most infamous memes, with Author Ian J Spector and illustrator Angelo Vildasol.

1PM – Martial Arts Q&A - Actor and athlete Jim Kelly discusses martial arts and martial arts filmmarking.

Panel Room C
2PM – Robotech Collector’s Panel - Did you miss Saturday’s panel? Do you still have questions about the past, present or future of Robotech? Here’s is your chance as Harmony Gold’s Tommy Yune opens the floor to fans in a town hall-style discussion!

Stan Lee Extends Appearance At Albuquerque Comic Expo

Visionary comic book creator and legitimate pop culture icon, Stan Lee will be in Albuquerque for more reasons than one this week. He was already scheduled to appear for one day at the Albuquerque Comic Expo on Saturday June 25th. And according to our sources inside the production of The Avengers, Mr. Lee is also in town to film his cameo for the film. Which is actually a pretty big deal given that Stan Lee has had a cameo in every single MARVEL studio's production.

Well, as it turns out Stan Lee loves his fans. Which is totally evident given the fact that his appearance at Albuquerque Comic Expo has been extended into Sunday. Here is what the A.C.E. had to say on their Facebook page.

Due to overwhelming demand from the public, and the support of thousands of dedicated fans, the Albuquerque Comic Expo is pleased to announce that Stan Lee will be extending his appearance through Sunday, June 26th. Mr. Lee will continue his signing appearance that was originally scheduled for Saturday, June 25th only through Sunday, allowing the public a better chance of meeting the comic book legend.

In addition to his signing appearance he will also appear in a question and answer session on Saturday at 10am. If you ask us any juicy tidbits about The Avengers will probably come out of the Q&A. Just a guess.
-Admiral Duke

DisFanReview Goes To The Albuquerque Comic Expo

June 24th, 25th, and 26th, 2011
Later this week, downtown Albuquerque will be teeming with the geeky masses who will flood the Albuquerque Convention Center for the inaugural Albuquerque Comic Expo. Sure it's not San Diego Comic Con or Wondercon or any of those other events that you've heard of. What it is, is the largest major Comic Book and pop culture convention ever in New Mexico. Featuring an appearance by MARVEL comics legend Stan Lee, Sony's visual effects panel for Green Lantern, and the New Mexico incarnation of the TROMADANCE Film Festival there is nothing lightweight about the guests and events that ACE has lined up.

There will also be plenty of film and television legends. As well there will be a Star Wars Panel, featuring fan favorites Peter Mayhew(Chewbacca), Jeremy Bulloch(Boba Fett, SW:ESB), and Tom Kane(Yoda, SW:CW). Star Trek fans can rejoice, as both Levar Burton and Marina Sirtis will be on hand for a Star Trek: The Next Generation Q&A Panel. Of course comic books fan can rest assured that they are well represented. After all they really couldn't call it a Comic Expo if they didn't have dozens and dozens of some of the best comic book artists and creators in the industry.

DisFanReview will be on hand for all three days to give you the low down on all the big events at ACE. As well, we will be wandering the Expo floor to find the very best fan made costumes at the event. We will be tweeting photo's and updates all weekend. So, be sure to follow us over at our twitter page and bookmark this page, because we will be providing full coverage of the biggest panels and bring you the Albuquerque Comic Expo's biggest stars.

AND Let's hope that MARVEL recognizes the Albuquerque fans for being so cooperative during the filming for The Avengers by giving us some kind of sneak peek or something! PLEASE MARVEL SHOW US LOVE!!!
-Admiral Duke