Neal Adams: 3rd Anniversary of His Passing

Above, the Neal Adams cover of Batman no. 200.

It is hard to believe that already it has been three years since the passing of comic book giant, artist Neal Adams.

The third anniversary came yesterday. Adams passed at age 80 from sepsis (which also took my mother in 2010). 

Yesterday, Dennis Hayes wrote this about Adams:

On this date April 28, 2022 Neal Adams died in New York City at the age of 80..

Adams was an American comic book and commercial artist known for helping to create some of the definitive modern imagery of the DC Comics characters Superman, Batman, and Green Arrow; as the co-founder of the graphic design studio Continuity Associates; and as a creators-rights advocate who helped secure a pension and recognition for Superman creators Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster.

Adams was inducted into the Eisner Award's Will Eisner Comic Book Hall of Fame in 1998, and the Harvey Awards' Jack Kirby Hall of Fame in 1999.

When he came on the scene in the later 1960s, I didn't like his style at first. It was too jarringly different. But his artwork grew on me and he became one of my favorite comic book artists (just behind Curt Swan).

I had the pleasure of meeting him in 2012 at the Comikaze Expo at the Los Angeles Convention Center. He was quite friendly and was easy to talk to. I was there to take part in a Godzilla panel.

Above, Neal Adams and I at Comikaze Expo in 2012.

His influence in the comic book industry is still felt today.

R.I.P.

Neal Adams Passing One Year Anniversary

Above, Neal Adams and fans at the 2012 Comikaze Expo. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

It is hard to believe that a year has already flown by since the passing of legendary comic book artist Neal Adams in New York at age 80.

He died in his sleep from complications of sepsis. This was also the cause of death of my mom thirteen years ago. 

Above, Neal Adams and yours truly at the 2012 Comikaze Expo,

Adams was known for his definitive artwork on Batman and for his work on Superman, Deadman, Green Lantern and Green Arrow.

I had the honor of meeting him at Comikaze Expo in Los Angeles in 2012. 

The man may be gone, but his artwork still lives on.

William Shatner At L.A. Comic Con December 4

An email came in from the Los Angeles Comic Con announcing that William Shatner will be a special guest:

William Shatner is Coming to L.A. Comic Con

William Shatner, best known for his iconic role as Captain James T. Kirk in Star Trek, will be appearing on Sunday, December 4th for autographs, photo ops and a Main Stage panel with Legion M, the world's first fan-owned entertainment company. Pre-purchase William Shatner's autographs and photo ops today!

GET TICKETS TODAY

I couldn't pass up adding this to commemorate Shatner's suborbital trip into space aboard Blue Origin:

From Wikipedia:

L.A. Comic Con is a three-day multi-genre convention held annually in downtown Los Angeles, California. L.A. Comic Con is one of the largest independent conventions in the United States and encompasses several categories, including comic, horror, sci-fi, anime, gaming, and pop culture, with a particular focus on the local Los Angeles community.

The convention was founded as Comikaze Expo in 2011 by Regina Carpinelli and her two younger brothers, fans of geek culture from Temecula, California.

Forbes Interviews Jessica Tseang On Her Pop Culture Career

Above, a Godzilla panel at the 2013 Comikaze Expo at the Los Angeles
Convention Center headed by Jessica Tseang, the second I participated in.

A dozen years ago, I was contacted by Jessica Tseang with an invitation to participate in a panel discussion on Godzilla at Comikaze Expo in Los Angeles.

I accepted and met with her beforehand at a Starbucks in Studio City to talk about the panel. I found her to be very knowledgeable on Godzilla and, best of all, very easy to talk to and work with. 

Since then, I have noticed her involvement in many different conventions and her vast knowledge on comic books and pop culture in general. Her knowledge is quite impressive, to say the least.

Forbes has also taken notice of Jessica's pop culture knowledge and how she turned her interests into a career. Recently, they posted a question & answer article with Jessica.

They begin it with:

Jessica Tseang is an international comics historian and public speaker on pop culture. Tseang is currently an Eisner judge (one of the top peer-based awards in the comic book industry) for 2022 and has appeared on AMC’s Robert Kirkman’s Secret History of Comics, and Nerdist’s award-winning documentary The Impact of Black Panther. She is a moderator, panel discussion producer and PR representative for over 500 panels at pop culture and comic conventions around the world. Tseang’s work has been built on many partnerships and projects with preeminent figures in the pop culture community including launching The Haruo Nakajima Scholarship based on the original Godzilla actor and moderating panels such as the 25th anniversary of Twin Peaks and the 10th anniversary of Parks and Recreation.

Tseang’s notable pop culture convention panels include The Forgotten Trio: Colorists, Inkers, and Letterers, The 75th Anniversary of Moomin, and Native American Representation in Comics and Pop Culture with Taboo (Marvel Comics writer and member of the multi-Grammy award-winning Black Eyed Peas). Her panels have been covered by CNN, Newsweek, Los Angeles Times, New York Times and other international outlets. Tseang’s career journey has been deeply varied and she breaks down how she has build a very memorable speaking, producing and PR-based brand.

It is an interesting read, one that many can learn from.

Above, Jessica Tseang and yours truly at G-FEST XXVI in Chicago three years ago. Photo by Steve Ryfle.

To read the full article, go here.

Comics Great Neal Adams Dies At 80

Above, Neal Adams and yours truly at the 2012 Comikaze Expo in Los Angeles.

Very sad news!

It is the kind of news that forces one to shout, "Aw, f*ck!"

Comic book artist great Neal Adams has passed away at age 80. He was the man who created the definitive Bronze Age Batman for DC Comics.

Don Glut posted the following on Facebook:

I just heard the sad news that artist Neal Adams -- who  back in the 1960s changed the look of comics -- has died at 80.  Neal illustrated one of my earliest professional stories, "Goddess from the Sea," in VAMPIRELLA #1. What a thrill it was for novice me to open that magazine and find that Neal had done the art for one of  my stories - and made it so much better than it actually was. And I'm so glad that last year -- finally --  in his Crusty Bunkers comic book shop right here in Burbank, CA, he autographed my original copy of that issue.

He also posted:

FYI, I just received this email message from Jim Steranko: Yeah, I was the first that Chris Adams called with the bad news. No prolonged suffering; he died in his sleep about 2-3 in the morning. Don't believe I can accept it—just cannot imagine the Comix World without Neal. At last weekend's show, a couple fanboys mentioned stories about he and I being adversaries—completely fabricated for PR hacking. Even though we were both hard-headed, opinionated SOBs, we NEVER had a negative word between us. Never!!! And I attributed that mostly to Neal!"

I was privileged to meet Neal Adams at the 2012 Comikaze Expo at the Los Angeles Convention Center.  

I heard he was in ill health in recent months, but this was totally unexpected, at least to me. This is a big loss for comic book fans.

My sincerest condolences to his family and friends. 

Happy 80th Birthday Neal Adams!

Above, Neal Adams and yours truly at the 2012 Comikaze Expo in Los Angeles.

Neal Adams, the comic book artist who many (including me) consider to be the definitive Batman artist, turned 80 today.

Adams recently was released from the hospital after a bout with sepsis. Thankfully, he overcame it and is enjoying his birthday.

It is hard to believe Neal Adams is 80. Then again, it is also hard to believe that I'm 67. But, there you go.

I became aware of Adams's work around 1967 when he started drawing covers for DC's Superman Family of comic books. Then, he started doing some Batman/Superman stories in World's Finest Comics.

Not long after that, he started illustrating stories in Batman and Detective Comics. And, around about that time, he took over the illustrating chores for the Green Lantern/Green Arrow series of stories in the Green Lantern comic book. Adams also illustrated Deadman stories, some included Batman. Those were great reads.

I got to meet Adams at the 2012 Comikaze Expo at the Los Angeles Convention Center. I was there as a panelist on Godzilla.

Adams is still very much artistically active and appears at numerous comic book and science-fiction conventions around the country.

A big Happy Birthday to Neal Adams!

UPDATE (06/17/21):

A nice tribute to Neal Adams was posted in an unlikely place: National Review. I am aware that Adams is politically liberal (and decidedly anti-Donald Trump), but he is lauded in the article as the "Reigning King of Comic Books".

To read the article, go here.

Adam West, TV's Batman, Dies At 88

Above, Adam West at the 2012 Comikaze Expo at the Los Angeles Convention Center. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Some sad news this morning.

Television's Batman, Adam West, died at age 88.

According to The Hollywood Reporter:

Adam West, the ardent actor who managed to keep his tongue in cheek while wearing the iconic cowl of the Caped Crusader on the classic 1960s series Batman, has died. He was 88. 

West, who was at the pinnacle of pop culture after Batman debuted in January 1966, only to see his career fall victim to typecasting after the ABC show flamed out, died Friday night in Los Angeles after a short battle with leukemia, a family spokesperson said. 

West died peacefully surrounded by his family and is survived by his wife Marcelle, six children, five grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

The West Family issued this statement:

It's with great sadness that we are sharing this news...Adam West passed away peacefully last night after a short but brave battle with leukemia. He was a beloved father, husband, grandfather, and great-grandfather. There are no words to describe how much we'll miss him. We know you'll miss him too and we want you to know how much your love and support meant to him throughout the years. Hug your loved ones today.  

- The West Family

To read more, go here. 

Miscellaneous

My patio thermometer says it is 50 degrees outside, but when I went out to The Beast to put my Clamper barbecue apron inside (photo, above), I found it to be too cold out to stay out for long. It has to be colder than 50 out.

******************

Jessica Tseang posted this photo of Super-Cholo, Captain Mexico and Vato-man (photo credit: Hollywood Firsts) from WonderCon at the L.A. Convention Center (San Bernardino could use these guys to keep order):

Too bad I missed the show. Oh, well. There's always next year.

Stan Lee's Comikaze Expo 2015 Is Coming!

Above, last year's Godzilla panel at Comikaze Expo.

That time of the year is fast approaching!

The 2015 Stan Lee's Comikaze Expo is just around the corner. It will be held October 30 to November 1 at the Los Angeles Convention Center.

The word from our Godzilla panel organizer, Jessica Tseang, is that the show's schedule is not as yet finalized. Once I receive word on scheduling, I will post it here.

For more information, go here.

Japan Expo Returns To Los Angeles

Above, a Gita dancer performs.
 Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Since 2007, there has been no Japan Expo in Los Angeles.

Japan Expo was held at the Los Angeles Convention Center annually and it featured Japanese food, kitchenware, housewares, art, toys (including Godzilla toys), travel vendors, performers, cars and pretty much everything else Japanese.

Now, eight years later, Japan Expo is back and it will be held October 17 and 18 at the Los Angeles Convention Center.


I, for one, am glad it's back! It is one great show!

Above, a display of samurai figures.
 Photo by Armand Vaquer.

For more information, go to the Japan Expo 2015 Facebook page.

"A Good Cast Is Always Worth Repeating!"

As the end title cards of Universal Pictures used to state back in the 1930s, "A Good Cast Is Worth Repeating!"

Here are the participants of last Friday's Godzilla/Gamera anniversary panel at Stan Lee's Comikaze Expo at the Los Angeles Convention Center:

From left to right, yours truly; Tom Franck, comedian and respected authority on Jumbo Machinders, Comics and Comics; Chris Eaton and Jessica Tseang, hosts of the Kaiju Kingdom Podcast; and Mark Jaramillo, of Kaiju Gaiden and Godzilla vs. The Wolfman.

The panel's participants differed from the official listing in Comikaze Expo's website and program. Thanks goes out to Mark Jaramillo for the information.

More Comikaze Expo Photos

Above, Envy Model Management's Constance Nunes promoting the movie
Muck at Comikaze Expo. She appears in the movie. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

When I set out to the Los Angeles Convention Center for Stan Lee's Comikaze Expo yesterday afternoon, the plan was to hang around there after our Godzilla/Gamera panel for a couple of hours and then head directly to work in Toluca Lake.

It was a good thing that I did so as it began to rain at around 8:45 PM tonight. Had I not gone directly to work, I would have had to go back home to Tarzana, change clothes and then head to Toluca Lake in rainy driving conditions. So, it worked out pretty well and we sure can use the rain!

I have some more photographs of Comikaze from yesterday. As I mentioned previously, the convention continues through Sunday.

Here they are:

Above, a view of the main exhibition hall. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Above, Godzilla toys for sale. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Above, plenty of posters for sale. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Above, two displays of Spider-Man at the Marvel super-heroes display. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Above, the Incredible Hulk at the display of Marvel super-heroes. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Above, plenty of stuff to see. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Stan Lee's Comikaze Expo 2014

Above, the gang's all here for the Godzilla/Gamera panel.

Another successful Stan Lee's Comikaze Expo is in the record books. The convention runs through Sunday, but this was it for me this year. It was a good way to celebrate Halloween.

Our panel on the 60th anniversary of Godzilla, the 50th anniversary of Gamera and other assorted topics (such as Godzilla 2014) were discussed by the panel as well as the audience members.

The number of audience members were down from last year. We were in a much bigger room and, which is the unfortunate part, further away from the stairs, elevators and escalators. The problem was probably caused by the scheduling error in which the Comikaze organizers had to reschedule us an hour earlier as they had our moderator, Jessica Tseang scheduled on two panels at the same time. I am guessing that this was the only meeting room available.

Still, we had an enthusiastic audience and a good discussion. All agreed that the Legendary Pictures/Warner Bros. Godzilla was much better than the abomination of 1998.

Following the panel, I managed to sell many copies of The Monster Movie Fan's Guide To Japan, so the trek more than paid for itself.

After this, I wandered around in the exhibit hall and there were plenty of things to see. I did a double-take when I spotted Christine Nguyen on a banner at the New York Times booth (yes, they were there selling subscriptions). I'll have to send a photo to Christine.

I did pick up a 1970s Mechagodzilla coin bank for myself.

I ran into a comic book dealer I knew in Woodland Hills (before he closed his shop in 2004), Mike Frank. We caught up on things and I gave him a copy of The Monster Movie Fan's Guide To Japan.

As usual, Comikaze Expo was an enjoyable event and I am looking forward to next year's.

Here's some photos:

Above, there were plenty of comic books for sale. I almost bought
several Silver Age issues of World's Finest. Photo by Armand Vaquer

Above, Mile High Comics was represented by this booth. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Above, there were two kaiju dealers at Comikaze Expo this year that I found. This was one. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Above, a vacationing Godzilla waited to make a purchase at the above kaiju toy booth. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Above, Comikaze Expo's main stage. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Above, a cosplayer celebrates Halloween. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Above, a display of Marvel characters. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Above, I couldn't resist getting this Mechagodzilla coin bank. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Above, Envy Model Management's Constance Nunes at the Muck booth. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Above, a familiar face (Christine Nguyen) advertising the New York Times. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

More Comikaze Expo photos!

One More Day Until Stan Lee's Comikaze Expo!

Above, last years' Godzilla panel will be back again Friday at Comikaze Expo.

Tomorrow's the big day that Stan Lee's Comikaze Expo opens at the Los Angeles Convention Center.

The show runs through Sunday.

Our panel on Godzilla's 60th Anniversary and Gamera's 50th Anniversary will be held at 5:00 PM tomorrow. The panel will be broadcast LIVE via Kaiju Kingdom. Following the panel, I will have copies of The Monster Movie Fan's Guide To Japan available.

For more details on Comikaze Expo, go here.

Godzilla/Gamera Anniversary Panel Schedule Change

Due to a goof by the organizers of Stan Lee's Comikaze Expo, they had our panel leader Jessica Tseang scheduled for 2 panels at the same time, ours and one on James Bond.

Since she wasn't born twins, our panel will begin Friday, October 31 at 5:00 PM, one hour earlier. I made the change at the original post.

This is good for me as well as I wanted to attend the James Bond panel as a spectator. Now I can.

We'll see you at the Los Angeles Convention Center on Halloween!

Monster Japan Travel Guides Ready For Shipping

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

Sales of the print edition of The Monster Movie Fan's Guide To Japan have been doing well last week and this weekend. 

All orders are ready for mailing, so I will be heading off to the local post office to mail them all out.

In case you've "missed the show," the guide is in the midst of a close-out (or clearance) sale of $9.95 per copy (that's $5.05 off the cover price) plus $2.00 shipping & handing.

The guide will also be available at Stan Lee's Comikaze Expo at the Los Angeles Convention Center following the Godzilla/Gamera anniversary panel discussion on Halloween (that's Friday, October 31). The one-hour panel begins at 6:00 PM. (Comikaze Expo begins October 31 and runs through November 2.)   

For ordering information (including PayPal), go here.

Godzilla's 60th Anniversary/Gamera's 50th Anniversary Panel October 31 At Comikaze Expo

Note: The time has changed for our panel. It will now begin at 5:00 PM, an hour earlier.

Stan Lee's Comikaze Expo 2014 schedule is now out and a panel on Godzilla's 60th anniversary and Gamera's 50th anniversary will be held at 5:00 PM on Halloween, October 31 in Room 404AB of the Los Angeles Convention Center.

The participants, along with yours truly, will be the same as last year's panel and will be headed up by Jessica Tseang. I will have copies of The Monster Movie Fan's Guide To Japan available following the panel discussion. Our panels on Japanese monsters have been some of the best-attended (standing-room-only) at Comikaze, so make sure you get there early enough to get a seat.

Above, the panel at last year's Comikaze Expo.

Stan Lee's Comikaze Expo will be held October 31 through November 2.

For the full schedule for Friday, October 31, go here (.pdf format).

To access Stan Lee's Comikaze Expo's website, go here.

Comikaze Expo 2014

Above, last year's panel on Pacific Rim and Godzilla.

The previous blog post to this one announced that tickets are now on sale for the 2014 Stan Lee's Comikaze Expo.

The show runs from Halloween (October 31) through November 2 at the Los Angeles Convention Center. Yes, I know we are not even in summer yet, but Halloween will be upon us before we know it.

Above, there's plenty of displays to see, like this Iron Man one. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

I have taken part in panels at the past two Comikaze Expos. Last year's panel was on Pacific Rim and Godzilla. We will be having one on Godzilla (2014) most likely at this year's show where the panelists and audience members will be dissecting Legendary Pictures/Warner Bros.'s blockbuster.

Above, the Munster Coach made an appearance at last year's show. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Stan Lee's Comikaze Expo is one great show with plenty of celebrities, comic books, exhibits, cosplay and all kinds of terrific stuff to enjoy.

Above, one of many comic book dealers at Comikaze Expo. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Don't miss it! Mark your calendar!

Stan Lee's Comikaze 2014 Tickets On Sale Now!

STAY CONNECTED   We know you’ve been patiently waiting for us to give it to you again, so here it is! STAN LEE’S COMIKAZE 2014 TICKETS ARE ON SALE NOW!!! 3-Day Passes are available now, and for a limited time we are offering you – our HARD-CORE FANS – a super-sweet deal on tickets: 3-Day passes - regularly priced $70 – NOW ONLY $50! 1-Day Passes will sell for $30, and this deal gets you 3 full days of fun and geek-dom for just $50! This is the absolute, guaranteed 100% BEST DEAL we are going to offer anyone, so take advantage NOW… before it’s too late! CLICK HERE TO GET YOUR DISCOUNTED 3-DAY PASSES ! Comikaze 2014 will have everything you loved about last year… and MORE! - MORE CELEBRITIES, COMIC ARTISTS & PANELS! - MORE EXHIBITORS AND EXCLUSIVES, including Funko and Hot Topic! - MORE EVENTS, like an exclusive SpongeBob SquarePants 15th Anniversary fan giveaway, our biggest-ever Cosplay Contest, a special appearance by the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles… … and this is just the beginning! Want MORE FUN? Join us in a world record attempt at the World’s Largest Game of Human Tetris® to celebrate the 30th Anniversary of Tetris! For a limited time you can get your official TETRIS costume at the special Comikaze price of only $20 (regular $48). Pick up your costume at the Comikaze show and be a part of history! CLICK HERE TO BUY TICKETS NOW !