Yvonne Craig At Upcoming L.A. Comic Book and Science Fiction Convention

A mailer from the Los Angeles Comic Book and Science Fiction Convention showed up and they have an excellent line-up of stars scheduled for their upcoming August 18 show at the Shrine Auditorium Expo Center.

The original Batgirl, Yvonne Craig, will be appearing along with other stars from Star Trek (the original series) including Gary Lockwood, Sally Kellerman, Antoinette Bower, Joanne Linville and Jack Donner.  Craig appeared in the "Whom Gods Destroy" episode as Marta.

Plus, there will be a 50th anniversary (has it really been that long?) tribute to the original Outer Limits anthology series of the 1960s. Stars scheduled to appear include Joanna Frank, Joey E. Tata, Jacqueline Scott, Peter Mark Richman, Michael Forest and Barbara Luna.

The Shrine Auditorium Expo Center is at 700 West 32nd Street, Los Angeles. Show hours are 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.  Admission is $10.00 (children under 5 are admitted free).

Above, Yvonne Craig and Armand in 2005.

The Los Angeles Comic Book and Science Fiction Convention organizers have been putting on great shows since 1977.

For more information, go to www.comicbookscifi.com.

Great Month For "The Monster Movie Fan's Guide To Japan"

Above, Miki Hayashi with "The Monster Movie Fan's
Guide To Japan."  Photo by Armand Vaquer.

March is turning out to be a great month for sales of The Monster Movie Fan's Guide To Japan.

Besides the sales at the recent Mad Monster Party convention, both ComiXpress.com and the Amazon Kindle Store have been logging more sales.   I hadn't checked either for the past week.  Finally, I checked both this morning and they are reporting more sales since before I left for Charlotte, North Carolina.

Above, my table with "The Monster Movie Fan's Guide To Japan" at Mad Monster Party
just before the convention opened its doors for business.  Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Although sales of the travel guide were good the first two days of the Mad Monster Party, they were nothing like the third day (Sunday).  Attendance for conventions are generally down on Sundays, as in the case of the Mad Monster Party, but sales skyrocketed on Sunday.  I am guessing that people wait until the last day to make purchases.  One of my customers was actor Laurence R. Harvey of The Human Centipede II.

Quite a number of people picked up my business card.  So sales will likely be generated from that.  My business card states that the travel guide is available at ComiXpress.com.  A spike in sales at ComiXpress.com, immediately following the Los Angeles Comic Book and Sci-fi Convention last year, was the result of people picking up my business card.

2012 Half Over

2012 is almost half over and, thus far, it is going well.

It started out with the Los Angeles Comic Book and Science Fiction Convention in January (photo, left). I bought a table to sell The Monster Movie Fan's Guide To Japan. Despite threatening weather, sales at the convention went quite well.



Additionally, Jerry "Karlos Borloff" Moore and I had a good get-together with Don Glut in January in Burbank (below).

January through May saw stronger sales of the travel guide. They were the best since the guide "went live" in January 2010. It was probably due to the situation in Japan in the aftermath of Great East Japan Earthquake of March 11, 2011. Fears over radiation leaks subsided and tourists are beginning to see Japan as a vacation destination again.

In May, I received some additional good news.

In late May, The Japan Times published a good review of The Monster Movie Fan's Guide To Japan (above).

And, in early June, Tony Isabella gave it a good review in the Comics Buyer's Guide (below left). It was later posted at his blog, Tony's Bloggy Thing.

On the Adventures of Superman front, plans are proceeding well for an August 2014 plaque dedication of the location used in 1953 for the episode, "The Man Who Could Read Minds" in Tarzana, California. (Check out this rather tongue-in cheek post on the plaque dedication news.)

All in all, so far, so good!

July Already

Above, sunset in Malibu.  Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Independence Day is already upon us. It seems like only yesterday that it was January and I was at the Los Angeles Comic Book and Science Fiction Convention.

I have to work tomorrow (good ol' holiday pay) but the family will be gathering this Saturday in Lake Elsinore, so we'll celebrate then.

Another payment is on the way from ComiXpress for sales of The Monster Movie Fan's Guide To Japan. I generally wait and let the amount build up before requesting payment. This'll be the third for this year.

Have a safe and sane Fourth of July!

L.A. Comic Book and Science Fiction Convention In May

The Los Angeles Comic Book and Science Fiction Convention mailer arrived today. Their next show is set for May 6 at the Shrine Auditorium Expo Center and the special guest list is quite impressive.

Lara Parker (left), who played Angelique in ABC-TV's Dark Shadows.

Photo by Armand Vaquer.







Kathryn Leigh Scott (below right), who played Maggie Evans and Josette on ABC-TV's Dark Shadows.

Photo by Armand Vaquer.


















Barbara Leigh, the original Vampirella cover model for the classic run of Warren's Vampirella magazine.

Ian Ogilvy, who starred as The Saint in the 1978-79 television series The Return of The Saint.

Audrey Dalton, who starred in Boris Karloff's Thriller and The Monster That Challenged The World.

Ann Robinson, who starred in the George Pal (and still the best) version of War of the Worlds.

Georges Jeanty, Dark Horse comics artist on Buffy The Vampire Slayer.

Last January, I had a table for The Monster Movie Fan's Guide To Japan. I may just do it again at this show. I've a couple of weeks to decide.

It is timely that the show will feature two of the original Dark Shadows cast members as the Tim Burton movie version will be released the same month. Both actresses appear in a cameo.

Another Great Month In The Making

January was a great month for sales of The Monster Movie Fan's Guide To Japan.

Thankfully, sales have not tapered off as they are still coming in over at ComiXpress.com. Could they be from all the business cards that were picked up from my table at January's Los Angeles Comic Book and Science Fiction Convention?

Too bad ComiXpress doesn't provide the geographic area of each book sale.

A Great Month!

Above, yours truly at this month's Los Angeles Comic Book and Science Fiction Convention.

This month certainly flew by. But it was an excellent one as far as The Monster Movie Fan's Guide To Japan is concerned. It was a great start for 2012!

Sales for the travel guide were way up. This month's sales were the best since the initial months following its debut in 2010.

Sales were up in three categories:

1. ComiXpress.com.

2. Mail-order directly from me.

3. The Los Angeles Comic Book and Science Fiction Convention.

To all of you who purchased The Monster Movie Fan's Guide To Japan this month, a heartfelt "thank-you!"

2 Years...

Left, a glamour portrait of my mom from the early 1950s.

Yesterday marked the second anniversary of my mom's passing.

Since she was the one who got me interested in horror and science-fiction movies as well as comic books (she would read all the ones I brought home), it was only fitting that I spent yesterday at the L.A. Comic Book and Science Fiction Convention. She would have approved (and probably would've liked to have attended).

The last convention I took her to was a Dark Shadows Festival in Burbank a few years ago. She also attended the awards banquet at G-FEST 2000 in Hollywood.

L.A. Comic Book and Science Fiction Convention Photos

Above, lots of comic books for sale.

We (my roomie and I) had a great time at the Los Angeles Comic Book and Science Fiction Convention at the Shrine Auditorium Expo Center. Rain was predicted but none fell (I am sure exhibitors were grateful for that).

I managed to get away from my table where I was selling The Monster Movie Fan's Guide To Japan to look around.

I did see some Godzilla goods there. In my last post on the convention, I mentioned seeing kaiju fan Raven White there. I also bought a subtitled DVD of Space Battleship Yamato from him.

Here's a few photos of the convention:

Above, mannequins that one doesn't often see everyday.

Above, the Superboy panel group. Producer Ilya Salkind is at the far left and Superboy John Haymes Newton is second from right.

Above, the L.A. Comic Book and Science Fiction Convention, a collectors' paradise!

L.A. Comic Book and Science Fiction Convention: A Success!

The Los Angeles Comic Book and Science Fiction Convention was an enjoyable and successful event.

I was able to catch up with kaiju fan Raven White for a bit and sold many copies of The Monster Movie Fan's Guide To Japan. I sold more than enough to cover the table cost!

The day went so well that we went out for sushi.

AOL News Posts Monster Japan Travel Guide Release

Above, Miki Hayashi with "The Monster Movie Fan's Guide To Japan." Photo by Armand Vaquer.

AOL News carried the news release on The Monster Movie Fan's Guide To Japan at today's Los Angeles Comic Book and Science Fiction Convention.

To view it (cached), go here.

L.A. Comic Book and Science Fiction Convention Is Today!

Today's the day!

The Los Angeles Comic Book and Science Fiction Convention opens its doors at 10:00 this morning at the Shrine Auditorium Expo Center.

We're all packed up with The Monster Movie Fan's Guide To Japan and will be heading out to set-up our table.

C'mon down! It will be a fun show!

For more information, go here.

Perfectpeople.net Picks Up Monster Japan Travel Guide News

Above, Yuu Asakura with "The Monster Movie Fan's Guide To Japan." Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Perfectpeople.net's Yancy Butler Gossip and News page picked up the press release on The Monster Movie Fan's Guide To Japan at the Los Angeles Comic Book and Science Fiction Convention on January 15.

Ms. Butler (Witchblade television series) is one of the special guests of the convention.



To view the site, go here.

L.A. Comic Book and Science Fiction Convention

The Los Angeles Comic Book and Science Fiction Convention at the Shrine Auditorium Expo Center is four days away (specifically, Sunday, January 15).

I'll have plenty of copies of The Monster Movie Fan's Guide To Japan available along with some table signs printed up, so I'd be easier to find.

Additionally, the travel guide will be available at a special 20% discount for convention attendees. That means $3.00 in savings! So you can get it for $12.00 at the convention.

The Shrine Auditorium Expo Center is located at 700 West 32nd St. in Los Angeles. It is near the University of Southern California (USC) and Exposition Park. Doors open at 10:00 AM.

For more information on the Los Angeles Comic Book and Science Fiction Convention, go here.

Event Monsters Picks Up Monster Japan Travel Guide News

Above, Yuu Asakura with "The Monster Movie Fan's Guide To Japan." Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Event Monsters.com picked up the news release on The Monster Movie Fan's Guide To Japan at the January 15 (this coming Sunday) Los Angeles Comic Book and Science Fiction Convention at the Shrine Auditorium Expo Center.

About Event Monsters:

Have you ever thought to yourself, "Hmmm...I'm really bored. I really want to do something different but I keep doing the same old thing." Well,of course you have. The concept behind EventMonsters is to solve this very problem. If you're trying to find something new to do in your home city or on travel, then EventMonsters is the perfect site for you.

The passion behind EventMonsters is to build a community-based format to help you explore a city like never before. So take a stroll around our web pages, make sure to join our newsletter to get up-to-date listings of events and give us feedback on how to make this site better. Most of all, we want you to enjoy yourself.

To view the site, go here.

Monster Japan Travel Guide News In 7Life7

Above, Miki Hayashi with "The Monster Movie Fan's Guide To Japan." Photo by Armand Vaquer.

7Life7.com picked up the news release on The Monster Movie Fan's Guide To Japan at the January 15 (this coming Sunday) Los Angeles Comic Book and Science Fiction Convention at the Shrine Auditorium Expo Center.

7Life7.com is a search engine for all kinds of subjects.

To view the site, go here.

Monster Japan Travel Guide In California Travel Guide

Above, Yuu Asakura with "The Monster Movie Fan's Guide To Japan." Photo by Armand Vaquer.

California Travel Guide.net posted the news release on The Monster Movie Fan's Guide To Japan at the January 15 Los Angeles Comic Book and Science Fiction Convention.

The website focuses on news and features of California tourist attractions and places of interest to Californians such as the state's national parks, Disneyland, resorts, skiing, wineries and the Mother Lode country.

To view the site go here.

Monster Japan Travel Guide News In Movies n More.com

Above, Yuu Asakura with "The Monster Movie Fan's Guide To Japan." Photo by Armand Vaquer.

The Monster Movie Fan's Guide To Japan at the Los Angeles Comic Book and Science Fiction Convention news on January 15 (a week from this coming Sunday) has been picked up by Movies n More.com.

The site carries news and information on the movie industry, movie memorabilia, VHS, home theater systems, etc.

To view the site, go here.

Supergamesunlimited Posts News On Monster Japan Travel Guide

Above, Miki Hayashi with "The Monster Movie Fan's Guide To Japan." Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Supergamesunlimited.com posted (under Doc Savage News) the news release on The Monster Movie Fan's Guide To Japan at the Los Angeles Comic Book and Science Fiction Convention.

The site features news on all kinds of adventure games.

To view the site, go here.

Mid-Atlantic Science Fiction and Fantasy Writing Conventions Picks Up Monster Japan Travel Guide News

Above, Ai with "The Monster Movie Fan's Guide To Japan." Photo by Armand Vaquer.

The Squidoo website "Mid-Atlantic Science Fiction and Fantasy Writing Conventions" picked up the news on The Monster Movie Fan's Guide To Japan at the Los Angeles Comic Book and Science Fiction Convention.

The site covers science-fiction, fantasy, comic book and writing conventions.

To view the site, go here.