San Diego Comic-Con

Comixology dominates digital at Comic-Con

SAN DIEGO -- After several years of percolating, digital comics are about to go ka-boom with marketplace and reader app Comixology at the center of the explosion.

If you wanted to be glib about it, you could describe Comixology's strategy as "divide and conquer." The company has made a series of digital comics "gets" by creating book-specific apps to accompany a number of exclusive agreements to add books to its regular, unbranded Comixology app, that further cement it as the largest digital comics marketplace around.

"Comics stores are like vinyl [record] stores. It's … Read more

Da-na-na-na, na-na-na-na, Batmobile!

SAN DIEGO -- To paraphrase Jack Nicholson's jealous Joker in the Tim Burton 1989 Batman flick, "Where does he get those wonderful cars?"

The answer, apparently, is: on the Warner Brothers studio lot.

To celebrate next week's release of the final Chris Nolan-helmed Batman movie, "The Dark Knight Rises," Warner put on display the six Batmobiles built for TV and film at the 2012 San Diego Comic-Con. From the iconic 1966 Batmobile used in the Adam West TV show to Christian Bale's tanklike Lambo-Humvee mashup "the Tumbler," fans could get up … Read more

Light day at Comic-Con? What's your neighbor wearing?

SAN DIEGO -- The bad news about Comic-Con Day 2 was that there wasn't the usual, noticeable uptick in energy and chaos from Day 1. The good news is that it gave us a chance to check out some of the cooler homemade costumes from around the show floor.

From a professional seamstress sporting Victorian Wonder Woman threads, to the original suit that Marlon Brando wore as Jor-El in "Superman: The Movie," to the saddest Darth Vader you've ever seen, there was plenty to look at and admire.

Bizarro world! Print comics boom as digital sales rise

SAN DIEGO -- Digital comics went boom last year, driven by as many reasons as there are varieties of Kryptonite. But defying the trend set by movies, music, and TV when they went digital, print comics sales in North America recently have been estimated at jumping nearly 18 percent since last year. How the heck did that happen?

Driven by a saturation of iPads and other tablets among people with disposable income, a massive line-wide reboot by DC Comics that encouraged other publishers to fully "go digital," and the obvious sales benefits of being able to buy a … Read more

Gonzo goes steampunk at Comic-Con

SAN DIEGO--In some ways, the first full day of Comic-Con can feel slower than the Preview Night. While a frenetic vibe feeds the panicked shopping of Preview Night, Day One has too many people for much sprinting.

But that doesn't mean that it's dead. Fan-favorite creator of Robert Kirkman was on the floor signing Walking Dead comics, there was a wide variety of cosplayers, discussion panels revealed the latest twists and turns for comics, movies and TV, and a woman outside the Con was vigorously rubbing her costume with a metal grinder to promote a VH1 event. In … Read more

Comic-Con Preview Night offers more than an early look

SAN DIEGO--The first night of the 42nd annual Comic-Con brought in the hordes, giving attendees far more than a mere preview last night.

Originally a chance for exhibitors and professionals to enjoy the Con, fans who buy four-day passes can opt to get a Preview Night ticket, too. In turn, this gives vendors a chance to sell convention exclusives to an even wider audience, but it does cut down on the opportunities for those working the show to enjoy what's on display. Preview Night passes sold out within 90 minutes of going on sale earlier this year.

So what … Read more

Comic-Con 2012: Gearing up for a geekgasm

July might mean summer doldrums to some, but if you love comics and pop culture, it can only mean one thing: San Diego Comic-Con. CNET's checking out the geekfest in full force, and we'll be on the hunt for the hottest news in comics, TV, and movies, and, yes, the best cosplayers.

Along with stories and galleries, CNET TV and The 404 are doing giveaways on location, and CNET's once again hosting its Base Station for the True Believers at the convention. If you're in San Diego, you'll be able to recharge your phones, play … Read more

Cut the Rope goes to comics

About 19 percent of respondents to a recent study say they have dropped their phones in the toilet, the Facebook for iPad app is hidden inside of the iPhone app version 3.4.4, and the popular iOS and Android game Cut the Rope makes its way to comic books.

Links from Monday's episode of Loaded:

Cut the Rope goes to comics Netflix and Dreamsworks deal in the works 19% of people drop phone into toilet Facebook iPad app in iPhone app Dolby rolls out consumer 7.1 Subscribe: iTunes (MP3) | iTunes (320x180) | iTunes (HD) | … Read more

Rock out with your Spock out

Update: Entertainment Earth mentioned to me that despite what it says on the box, the bobblehead doesn't talk. But you're free to pretend all you want.

Well, wouldn't you know it, San Diego Comic-Con International (affectionately known as Nerd Prom) is only a few days away, and guess who's mad he's not going?

I tried to console myself by thinking, "Aw, it's probably gonna suck anyway. You won't see anything interesting."

Even when I saw the guest list, I kept up the sentiment, though there were giant cracks in the facade (… Read more