[Mark Finn]

Ladies and Gents,

Is anyone else going to San Diego Comic-Con this year? I'll be onhand, pressing the flesh, and as of right now, moderating a panel on Saturday. What's the panel, you ask?

Saturday July 24
Robert E. Howard in Comics: Then. Now. Always.:
3:30-4:30
Room 24ABC
Robert E. Howard is seen as the grandfather of the sword and sorcery fiction genre. He's created such classic characters as Kull the Conqueror, Red Sonya, and Conan the Barbarian that have lived in comics for more than 40 years! Explore worlds of magic, bravery, and savage revenge as this panel delves in to Robert E. Howard's timeless fiction in comics of the past, present and future.


This was brainstormed by a buddy of mine from Boom! Studios, and it's going to be a multicompany panel. If any of you are attending this year, I thought this would be a good place for a meet-up. It would be nice to meet you (well, some of you...) face-to-face and shake your hand after the panel. Does this sound like a plan for anyone? If you're attending, please reply below so we can get an idea of who we're looking for.

[deuce]

Give 'em hell, Finn!

[Strom]

Mark Finn, on 08 July 2010 - 10:45 PM, said:

Ladies and Gents,

Is anyone else going to San Diego Comic-Con this year? I'll be onhand, pressing the flesh, and as of right now, moderating a panel on Saturday. What's the panel, you ask?

Saturday July 24
Robert E. Howard in Comics: Then. Now. Always.:
3:30-4:30
Room 24ABC
Robert E. Howard is seen as the grandfather of the sword and sorcery fiction genre. He's created such classic characters as Kull the Conqueror, Red Sonya, and Conan the Barbarian that have lived in comics for more than 40 years! Explore worlds of magic, bravery, and savage revenge as this panel delves in to Robert E. Howard's timeless fiction in comics of the past, present and future.


This was brainstormed by a buddy of mine from Boom! Studios, and it's going to be a multicompany panel. If any of you are attending this year, I thought this would be a good place for a meet-up. It would be nice to meet you (well, some of you...) face-to-face and shake your hand after the panel. Does this sound like a plan for anyone? If you're attending, please reply below so we can get an idea of who we're looking for.

What a great panel Mark - truly the legacy of Robert E. Howard has been infused with the American mythology called sequential storytelling. The Robert E. Howard Foundation mission statement on the importance of imagination and storytelling realized each and every month over the last 40 years (for the most part). Talk about getting the word out in Bob's name each and every month.

From day one of Howard's comic book publishing history, Robert E. Howard has been honored as the creator - with little to none of the drama that followed his prose work - letting his work encourage and inspire fellow artists, writers, gamers, fans, etc.. Howard's comic book publishing past should be celebrated as a positive example of expanding and respecting Howard's legacy (with a few exceptions) while setting a foundation of appreciation for the immense diversity and quality of Bob's creations. A foundation that future Howard comics should strive to maintain or exceed, understanding the relative importance of playing in Bob's sandbox.

As a fan of Bob Howard - and a fan of comic books - I'm very proud of REH's comic book publishing history and the success it has had, is currently enjoying and hopefully will continue to experience lonnnnnnnnng into the future. I wish you the best with the panel - I wish I could be there to partake in the discussion.

[Tex]

Strom, on 09 July 2010 - 09:54 PM, said:

What a great panel Mark - truly the legacy of Robert E. Howard has been infused with the American mythology called sequential storytelling. The Robert E. Howard Foundation mission statement on the importance of imagination and storytelling realized each and every month over the last 40 years (for the most part). Talk about getting the word out in Bob's name each and every month.

From day one of Howard's comic book publishing history, Robert E. Howard has been honored as the creator - with little to none of the drama that followed his prose work - letting his work encourage and inspire fellow artists, writers, gamers, fans, etc.. Howard's comic book publishing past should be celebrated as a positive example of expanding and respecting Howard's legacy (with a few exceptions) while setting a foundation of appreciation for the immense diversity and quality of Bob's creations. A foundation that future Howard comics should strive to maintain or exceed, understanding the relative importance of playing in Bob's sandbox.

As a fan of Bob Howard - and a fan of comic books - I'm very proud of REH's comic book publishing history and the success it has had, is currently enjoying and hopefully will continue to experience lonnnnnnnnng into the future. I wish you the best with the panel - I wish I could be there to partake in the discussion.

Truer words were never spoken, Strom!

If only it weren't so late in the game, I'd say your posting should be worked up and printed in the program book for the convention.

Ain't no telling how many folks came to the Howard table via the comics.

Tex
(whose first Howard ANYTHING was the first paperback collection of Conan comics. Thanks, Mom!)

[Strom]

Thank you Tex - I also came to Howard via the comics and talking about truer words, you are right. There is no telling how many fans have come to Howard via the comics. A huge part of REh's legacy that deserves it's own recognition, which is why this panel is so appropriate.

Nice shout out to Mom Tex - very cool! My Mom bought me my first comic as well - it just wasn't a Conan one. Thanks anyway, Mom.

[Taranaich]

Whoa whoa whoa whoa whoa whoa whoa WHOA... You're going to be at Comic-Con? At the same time the Conan film is expected to be making its grand debut, possibly including guests and even footage?

Somebody has to take a video camera!

Seriously, though, this is a fantastic idea. Howard's presence in comics is astounding: even beyond the Sword-and-Sorcery, you have his impact on the infamous chillers, not to mention the aforementioned gateways to Howard's prose via the comics. With the buzz around the film, this is a fantastic opportunity. Best of luck, Mark and all!

[Seamvs]

Finn, I wish I could be there to shake the hand that wrote Blood and Thunder. It's great that you will be there to promote Howard's true vision. It's going to be interesting as Walgeist points out on his blog. The man who is so forthright on the front lines against the new production based on leaked info(and rightly so) will potentially be under the same roof as the new cast and or production team.
But, wait for it..... None other than John Milius himself is rumoured to be at Comic-con. It will be a veritable trifecta.
Now's your chance Finn, take 'em all down one felt swoop. Or at least if you have the chance ask the right questions to the right people. Or, Finn may be too busy so any of you who may be going here's your chance.
BTW Finn, I really like what they are doing over there at Boom! Studios with Hawks of the Outremer.

This post has been edited by Seamvs: 11 July 2010 - 04:48 AM

[Mark Finn]

Well, there's no word as yet that there will be a Conan panel. If there is, don't worry--I'll be there.

And I too like what Boom! is doing. Nice and straightforward.


Well, nertz. I was hoping a few of you (even the lurkers) were going to raise your hand, but it looks like I'll be hanging out with Jim and Ruth Keegan, Paul M. Sammon, Gary Gianni, Mark Schultz, Kurt Busiek, etc. etc. all by myself...

(bet you're wishing you were going now, huh?)

[Tex]

STEP RIGHT UP, FOLKS! STEP RIGHT UP AND PLACE YER BETS FOR THA FIGHT OF THA CENT-URY!

Mark "Fightin'" Finn takes on the "Conan" 2011 cast, production team, and John "Millie tha Model" Milius in a knock-down, drag-out BATTLE ROYALE!

Yeah, I know, kid. This ain't a fair fight. So they're flyin' in Ahnuld, Kevin Sorbo and a man-eatin' leopard to help balance tha scales against tha battlin' biographer.

Tex
(betting the fight ends after Finn throws the first punch--DOMINOES, baby!)

PS--All seriousness aside, have a great time at the Comi-Con, Sword-Brother. It looks like it's gonna be a mini-Howard Days there!

[thundarr]

Sounds like an awesome panel. I'll be there! I loved Blood & Thunder & I'm really liking the direction of Boom Studios' Hawks of Outremer comic. If the new Conan movie had half the talent that's going to be on this panel I would be WAY more excited about it (that's if they actually listened to their input of course). The Solomon Kane movie Panel was a definite highlight of the Con for me last year & this just might be my highlight this year. Anyways, looking forward to it.

[crossplain pilgrim]

Great news, Mark! Man, I wish I could be there. I can't think of anyone who is better equipped for the job. The Pro from Paducah has arrived. Robert E. Howard then, now, and always. I want to add my voice to those who will be happily awaiting your reflections on the panel and the ComicCon in general.

[Jay@Paradox]

Guys-

We wanted to be the first to let you know that the REH panel, unfortunately, has been cancelled by Comic-Con programming. Due to scheduling restrictions that would not allow the existing panel to be transferred to Robert E. Howard Properties or one of its licensees, the decision was made by Comic-Con not to proceed. We would have been supportive of a panel on Robert E. Howard and his important role in the world of comics, as we have been in the past. We hope that next year a more collaborative effort will be made to create the ultimate REH panel.

[Kortoso]

Thanks Jay, but that's a bummer, especially as it seems that Jason Momoa and the new Conan crew will be mounting some kind of presentation there this year as well.

[terryallenuk]

Kortoso, on 13 July 2010 - 07:24 PM, said:

Thanks Jay, but that's a bummer, especially as it seems that Jason Momoa and the new Conan crew will be mounting some kind of presentation there this year as well.

Extremely disappointing news - glad I'm not flying over

Terry

[Jay@Paradox]

Kortoso, on 13 July 2010 - 11:24 AM, said:

Thanks Jay, but that's a bummer, especially as it seems that Jason Momoa and the new Conan crew will be mounting some kind of presentation there this year as well.

It is our understanding that Lionsgate will not have a presence with Conan at Comic-Con this year.

[Kortoso]

Thanks, I was wondering about that, they were sending mixed messages.

[Taranaich]

Jay@Paradox, on 13 July 2010 - 08:33 PM, said:

It is our understanding that Lionsgate will not have a presence with Conan at Comic-Con this year.

How could Empire magazine lie to us! Those fiends!

[Mark Finn]

Folks,

Though the panel has indeed been cancelled, I will still be at Comic-Con this year. If folks are still interested in a meet-up, let's figure out where and when to do it. Otherwise, you'll take your chances at finding me at the Dark Horse booth, or maybe even the Paradox booth, provided I'm still welcome there.

And I didn't mean to confuse anyone when I listed the other Howard-related guests that would be at the con, as well. I just wanted you guys to know who else was going to be onhand, should you need to get a book signed, or engage in some chitchat about Our Favorite Author.

[thundarr]

Mark Finn, on 14 July 2010 - 02:17 AM, said:

Folks,

Though the panel has indeed been cancelled, I will still be at Comic-Con this year. If folks are still interested in a meet-up, let's figure out where and when to do it. Otherwise, you'll take your chances at finding me at the Dark Horse booth, or maybe even the Paradox booth, provided I'm still welcome there.

And I didn't mean to confuse anyone when I listed the other Howard-related guests that would be at the con, as well. I just wanted you guys to know who else was going to be onhand, should you need to get a book signed, or engage in some chitchat about Our Favorite Author.

What! Well, that sucks. I was really looking forward to the panel. Is Boom Studios doing anything special or are they running a booth at the Con? Anyways, I'll be down in San Diego Wed. night thru Sunday so if any kind of meet-up is being planned I would definitely be interested.

[terryallenuk]

thundarr, on 14 July 2010 - 07:10 PM, said:

Mark Finn, on 14 July 2010 - 02:17 AM, said:

Folks,

Though the panel has indeed been cancelled, I will still be at Comic-Con this year. If folks are still interested in a meet-up, let's figure out where and when to do it. Otherwise, you'll take your chances at finding me at the Dark Horse booth, or maybe even the Paradox booth, provided I'm still welcome there.

And I didn't mean to confuse anyone when I listed the other Howard-related guests that would be at the con, as well. I just wanted you guys to know who else was going to be onhand, should you need to get a book signed, or engage in some chitchat about Our Favorite Author.

What! Well, that sucks. I was really looking forward to the panel. Is Boom Studios doing anything special or are they running a booth at the Con? Anyways, I'll be down in San Diego Wed. night thru Sunday so if any kind of meet-up is being planned I would definitely be interested.

According to Kurt Busiek BOOM will be in the room at the same time .
http://busiek.com/si...el_goes_boo.php

Also DH are doing an REH signing session
http://www.darkhorse.../Blog/35/sdcc10

Terry