Well, boys and girls, San Diego Comic-Con is this week — and for the first time ever, a representative of Multiversity (ie, yours truly) will be heading over to the show. Sure, part of that is from that whole Eisner nomination thing, I’ll grant you that, but as someone who has gone on record at the show being an insane madhouse (I’m amazed I could still find that link!) it’ll certainly be an experience, to say the least.
It is with anxiety and excitement that I attend the con, but easily the most exciting part is that for once in my life I’ll have the opportunity to grab some of the convention exclusives that I usually have to hound eBay for. I mean, who cares about personal interactions and meaningful, memorable experiences when you can get #madswag, you know?
So as part of this, I’ll be laying out the top 5 comics and toys that I’ll be on the lookout for myself this year. Sure, this article probably dooms myself because now all of you will go buy these things before I have the chance to, but hey, there’s still fun in sharing information. I think.
The Top 5 Toys of SDCC ’14
5. The Star Wars Black Series: Cantina Showdown Set
I’ve seen some cynicism about this one, but I’ll admit: I was flabbergasted with excitement when I saw this one. Featuring Han and Greedo pre-posed inside a paper replica of Mos Eisley Cantina, this is something essentially to buy for bragging rights; you could just buy a figure of Han and Greedo, I guess, but that’s a bit less fun, isn’t it?
No price on this one yet, but I imagine it will probably be in the $50s.
4. One of Funko’s Many Awesome POP! Figures
Funko always busts out a ton of POP! figures for various conventions across the country, usually for different companies. This year is no different, as they’ll be bringing a huge variety of POP! figures with them to the show catering to an excessive variety of fandoms. Into Ghostbusters? They’ve got figures covered in ectoplasm (though it looks like… well, you know)! Into Frozen? You better believe there’s exclusive versions of Anna and Elsa awaiting your pick-up. Everywhere you turn there will be Funko POP! figures, like a vinyl toy infestation.
Me? I want the blood-stained Hannibal based on Mads Mikkelsen’s portrayal of the character so that I can act out the Season 2 finale with all my other toys, because nothing says fun and games like blood and trauma!
No prices on this one yet, but I imagine it’ll probably run $20-25?
3. Hasbro’s Infinity Gauntlet
Did you ever own those Hulk or Thing hands that you could hit people with and catchphrases would be uttered? I know I did. Well, now is the time to upgrade those fists and control reality as we know it, because Hasbro is bringing an Infinity Gauntlet in the same style to Comic-Con.
Coming in at a whopping $74.99, the foam gauntlet comes with four figures of Thanos, Death, Starfox (not the barrel roll one) and Nebula (not the Amy Pond one). Mastery of cosmic power not included.
2. ReAction Figures Alien Egg Chamber Playset
I would dare declare this one of the hottest items of the convention, but Super7’s ReAction figures from the Alien film have been so popular so far that they decided to make a retro Alien Egg Chamber Playset — and man, does this tug all the right nostalgia strings for me. Sure, there would be no way I would’ve seen Alien when I was as old as the kids on the box (probably; Alien actually was the first rated-R film I ever saw), but as an adult who is still into collectibles as a hobby I can’t help but want this on my shelf.
It’s a $100 set, but it’s definitely a pretty awesome set.
1. The ROM: Space Knight Mighty Mugg
I certainly geeked out over this one already, but Mighty Mugg’s ROM figure is easily the only toy/swag I want from Comic-Con, hands down. By saying this I doom myself to probably not get it (he’s certainly a cult favorite, but you just know it’ll be a quick sell), but it’s a great rendition of a classic character. I’m a big fan of Bill Mantlo’s epic 75+ issue run on the series (throw in a few annuals and crossovers), and if there is only one thing pretty much tailored to me at this convention, it’s a ROM Mighty Mugg.
Continued belowAnd, hey, speaking of Bill, I of course want to make mention of our Guardians Month here at Multiversity, a month-long benefit for Bill Mantlo. All month, we’re posting Guardians of the Galaxy-related pieces created by some of our favorite artists, and at the end of the month there will be an auction of many of the pieces of original art to benefit Mantlo, creator of Rocket Raccoon. Please read more about Bill and his story here, and if you feel moved to donate to Bill yourself, you can do so by clicking here.
ROM is a $22.99 figure. If you want to pick one up for me before I arrive at the show, I’ll allow it.
The Top 5 Comics of SDCC ’14
5. “Adventure Time: The Original Cartoon Title Cards” from Titan
I suppose this technically isn’t a comic, but there is such a huge Adventure Time presence in comics these days that I think it sort of fits — because, as far as “Adventure Time” books at the Con, this is easily the best.
Featuring all of the title cards from the show in a big art book, this sounds like by far one of the prettiest offerings of the Con. It’s technically a limited release preview edition of a book that will be mass-produced later, but it’s definitely a book you wouldn’t want to miss out on as either a fan of the show or just art in general. After all, the show has some absolutely gorgeous title cards that quite frequently stun and awe me as a viewer, so having an art book of that seems like a no brainer.
The book will be available from Titan Comics at $15 a pop.
4. The G.I. Joe “Silent Interlude” 30th Anniversary Hardcover from IDW
I won’t even pretend that I’m a fan of “GI Joe” because I’m not, but I’ll be damned if I don’t give massive amounts of credit to the groundbreaking “GI Joe” #21, a silent comic from the perspective of Snake Eyes. Written and illustrated by by Larry Hama and Steve Leialoha, the book awakened a whole group of people to the beauty and grace of silent comics, and that’s something that has never worn off from me personally. Like I said, I’m not a big “GI Joe” fan, but I am of course familiar with this book out of all of them.
So IDW will be putting out a big hardcover edition of the book for $40, featuring a brand new Ashley Wood cover and all kinds of behind-the-scenes goodies in stores, and while it’s a bit pricey it definitely seems like one of the bigger steals of the con. If you’ve read the comic before you’ll want to get this, and if you’ve never read the comic before you won’t want to miss this.
3. Hellboy in Hell, Volume 1: The Descent—San Diego Comic-Con International Hardcover Edition from Dark Horse
Many people gush over “Hellboy in Hell,” and rightfully so. An absolutely beautiful, surreal adventure that is as close to Dante as Mignola may ever get, the book is an absolute treasure. Having Mignola back on interior arts to tell of Hellboy’s descent into the Pit gives us some of his most beautiful and poetic work yet, and while it may be a bit of a wait between issues, it’s a series where the wait is worth it.
Now, Dark Horse is putting out 1200 $40 copies of a Deluxe Library Edition version of the first volume, collecting the first five issues of the series in an edition that is the next best thing to getting your mitts on that IDW Artist Edition (of which there will be a special SDCC variant available as well). Oversized artwork is the best kind of artwork, and for a book like this it seems wildly appropriate to experience Mignola at his best in as massive a way as possible. Not that there is anything wrong with your standard floppy, but man, when you get to experience the artwork of one of your favorites in a much more intimate scale, it changes everything.
Continued below
2. The Six-Gun Gorilla Hardcover from BOOM!
I don’t think I would go so far as to call “Six-Gun Gorilla” an underrated gem, because it certainly wasn’t; people adored the series, and rightfully so. A fun and fast-paced romp that completely defied expectations (seriously: you may think you know what it’s about from the title, but you’re probably wrong), it’s Si Spurrier and Jeff Stokely at their unadulterated best.
While there’s a regular edition trade out there in the wild for you to grab, this convention exclusive $30 addition comes with a new cover and backmatter bound in a burgundy leatherette that basically screams “I love good comics and I love sweet editions of them.” Plus, look at this way: $20 gets you the trade; only $10 more gets you the fancy addition, and you get the same great book either way. Might as well plop down for the one that you can show off at dinner parties.
1. The Giant-Size Kung Fu Bible Stories Treasury Edition from Image Comics
This was something that I covered with feverish excitement, but the simple summation is this: for $20, you get a book edited by Erik Larsen and Bruce Timm that features the artwork of folks like Adam Warren, Tom Scioli and Art Adams — all in a giant format. I just extolled the virtues of art on a grander scale, and this is certainly no different; I’m already shaking with anticipation upon opening the book and seeing the extraordinary pencils and intimate details laid out by Art Adams, or the vibrant eccentricities of Tom Scioli and more.
It is of no doubt in my mind that you’ll be hearing about how Image stole the show with their comic presentation thanks to the smart timing of their latest Expo, but in terms of their presence on the show floor you can be sure that they didn’t skimp out on us by bringing one of the definitively coolest looking comics to the show. While I’d imagine a non-convention version will appear in the wild later, if you can grab this now you absolutely should.
If I don’t make it home with a copy of “Giant-Size Kung Fu Bible Stories” and a ROM Mighty Mugg, I’m calling this convention trip as a loss.
