This time last year I vowed I would get to Comic-Con. Again this year I could not make the journey over the Atlantic to San Diego to visit the Holy Grail of all that is Nerddom. I will some day, I swear it, it’s nearly top of the Bucket List. Instead I lived vicariously through the lucky ones, watched hours of panel footage, and compiled my list of Favourite/Best Bits. In Part 1 I gorge on the deliciousness of Game of Thrones, Breaking Bad, X-Men and a little Asgardian god thrown in there for good measure.
Game of Thrones
The panel apparently opened with an “In Memoriam” video, which showcased the (many) deaths of characters, both big and small, throughout the Game of Thrones series thus far. I chuckled at the beginning (“OLD DUDE” and “RANDOM WHITE WALKER”) but toward the end I found that I had something in my eye…
Following this concise clip the panel were introduced. The Game of Thrones Comic-Con 2013 guests featured writers D.B. Weiss and David Benioff, actors Peter Dinklage (Tyrion Lannister), Michelle Fairley (Catelyn Stark), John Bradley (Samwell Tarly), Kit Harrington (Jon Snow), Rose Leslie (Ygritte), Richard Madden (Robb Stark) and Emilia Clarke (Daenerys Targaryan), with author of the series George R.R. Martin bringing up the rear. Notable mention to the surprise appearance of Jason Mamoa (Khal Drogo), who ran on stage and planted a smacker on Emilia Clarke’s lovely face before running away amid rapturous applause from the audience.
So much eye candy on this panel. (Photo from LA Times)
Game of Thrones is, in my opinion, the best thing on TV. I might be biased though considering A Song of Ice and Fire is my favourite series of all time. That said, the writers and many of the actors on the panel seem to share my awe for the grandiose scope and genius of the books, and seem to have the utmost respect for their creator. They all appear to thoroughly enjoy working on this epic program, and Richard Madden even confessed to having a tearful whinge when he traveled home after wrapping up the Red Wedding. My heart soared at the shouts of “KING IN THE NORTH!” after this admission. RIP Robb Stark. (And Grey Wind).
There was a lot of looking back during this panel, and very little looking forward. Which was to be expected I suppose, considering, well, spoilers, but it only served to remind me that we have almost another year to wait until the next installment of Game of Thrones. One positive I did note was that there seemed to be a fire lit under GRRM’s great arse, as he conceded that he had a lot of work and pressure ahead of him to finish his saga. Hurry up with The Winds of Winter George, I for one, cannot wait to read it.
Loki Crashes the Thor 2 Panel
Tom Hiddleston turns up at SDCC in a rocking cosplay:
And there wasn’t a dry seat in the place.
Breaking Bad
Oh man, the end is nigh. Breaking Bad has brought us quality writing, a heart-wrenching story and a cast of superb, award-winning actors. This panel was an interesting one for me as I don’t often watch interviews (I find it sometimes colours my opinions on the characters/actors/shows the interviewees are involved with) so I learned a lot. An intelligent and articulate group of people they were, and I was pleasantly surprised at the ease with which they tackled a few difficult questions about their characters.
On this particular panel we had creator and writer Vince Gilligan, actors Bryan Cranston (Walter White), Aaron Paul (Jesse Pinkman), Anna Gunn (Skylar White), Bob Odenkirk (Saul Goodman), RJ Mitte (Walter White Jr.) and Dean Norris (Hank Schrader). We open with shenanigans from Bryan Cranston as he appears in a fan-made Heisenberg mask, which set an early, jovial tone to the procession and just downright tickled me. Cranston had apparently been walking around Comic-Con, having pictures taken by Breaking Bad fans who were completely unaware of who exactly was underneath Heisenberg.
“Bryan Cranston in a Bryan Cranston mask.” (Photo from Journal.ie)
In all it was nicely done, but I couldn’t help but feel the foreshadowing of this fine series’ upcoming end. Enjoyable nonetheless, with a couple of memorable quotes.
RJ Mitte: “Most people had high school, most people had school, I had Breaking Bad.” (Photo from IMDB)
I read that following the panel there was a video shown of the upcoming final episodes. I can’t seem to find it anywhere, so if anyone out there can link me to it I’d be ever so appreciative!
The final episodes of Breaking Bad will be back on our screens from August 11th. Only nineteen more days to go folks!
X-Men: Days of Future Past
I won’t even begin to list the participants of this panel, bloody hell, it was mammoth and entirely comprised of AWESOME. I nearly ****ing passed out and went to nerd heaven.
“I think Twitter just broke.” (Photo from nydailynews.com)
It was hard to hear sometimes over the squealing masses, but highlights included: Sir Patrick Stewart talking about experiencing such a sense of community with colleagues twice in his career, Sir Ian McKellan propositioning Michael Fassbender, Halle Berry’s Storm gettin’ no lurve, hilarious audience questions, James McAvoy looking spiffy in 70s ensembles, Wolverine the Musical and learning each cast member’s favourite character. I read a description of the trailer/sneak-peak that was shown before and after (in 3D) and wished I hadn’t, so I won’t go into it here.
To sum up, this was probably my favourite video of the lot, the most fun so far, and even though it was shorter and the panel had less individual talk time, it definitely got the most excited (read: I almost slid off my chair) reaction from me. Also, how much fun is Hugh Jackman!?
X-men: Days of Future Past comes in May 2014, can’t wait.
Unfortunately my geek-out over Comic-Con is running over my self-appointed character limit, so Part Deux will include fun from The Walking Dead, True Blood, more Marvel antics, the Superman surprise and Veronica Mars among others. Until then fanboys and girls!
Categories: Film, List ALL The Things!, Review, TV
My Top Tear-Jerking Moments In Entertainment 
The Verbal Spew Review 
SDCC is insane. I did it once. If you actually want to see anything, you have to stay home. The experience is more sitting in line for the ONE thing you absolutely have to see…and watching the updates on your smartphone LOL. Don’t get me wrong, it’s totally worth it, and I want to do it again…but it is INSANE to a level I had not experienced before.
if you can’t make it next year, just set your alarm for 4am, get a coffee and bagel, sit outside for 3 hours and then have someone open the doors and let you inside. ;-)
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Oh man, you’ve no idea how much better that makes me feel. All I’m seeing are these wonderful cosplay pictures, the lucky few who get snaps with their favourite stars… I would LOVE to see a panel and have a nice chuckle at all of the hyperventilating superfans. Though I’d wager that if I was there, I’d be the exact same. ;P It is good to hear that it is not all face paint and superheroes!
I will get there, definitely, eventually. Then afterward I’ll drive to Vegas.
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It should be experienced and there really is no way to prepare for it…but, yeah, it is crazy. I honestly almost started crying because to get Joss Whedon’s autograph you had to get a raffle ticket and they only picked, like, 20 names or something and I tried every day and on that final day, I was about shaking when they didn’t call my number, just ready to cry…but then I just sorta hung out around the Dark Horse booth and, luckily, the guy running the booth was a sweetheart and let a bunch of us in at the very very end.
So, it’s better to not get your hopes up for anything…but at the same time, magic can happen.
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Damn. Very glad you got to see JW in the end, seriously pleased to see that kind strangers (or kind booth attendants!) still exist. I’m glad I know now it’s not all magic and superheroes and getting pictures with your favourite characters. It just seems so shiny when I watch from home! Tell me, what else did you get up to/see when you were there? :D
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If going to the States is too much hassle perhaps you could go to one of the MCM Comic Cons. They had one in London recently and next year Ireland will be hosting one.
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Really!? Any linkage for me? Restricted here in work. ;)
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Scroll down, on the right, and click on the View All Comic Cons
http://www.mcmcomiccon.com/london/
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Thanks a mill! They’re coming to Dublin in April, should be fun. :)
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I am trying to go this year, I live in SD and I need to check it out. Are you going this year?
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Not sure yet, all depends on the funds. I live in Ireland so it’s a bit of a trek, but I will make it over, either this year or the next. Jealous of your close proximity, I hope you get to go!
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Oh wow I didn’t realize you were in Ireland, than yes that is a great trek. We should do that switch like they did in that movie the Holiday. I wanna go to Ireland!
Nice to meet u!
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