Jon Michael Lennon takes over c2e2!

Jon Michael Lennon is the author, artist and creator of the Product Of Society books and of Cheese Lord Comics. Jon's a very interesting guy to say the least. Cliff and I had the pleasure of shadowing Jon and the director of Product Of Society Matt Zingale (which is a documentary about the creative force that is Jon Michael Lennon). As we followed Jon and Matt through their wandering and scoping out the Artist Alley of c2e2, I personally found myself thinking "These guys are my kind of people". Not in the fact that they enjoy comics, and stupid movie and pop culture references but because they can put up with over the top antics and situations that Cliff and myself can put you through.

Over the last month or so I volunteered to help Jon pass out postcards of his Cheeselordcomics.com site to help him promote. Jon always retweets my stupid tweets and comments on my Facebook so as a friend I thought I'd do him a solid. I don't think I owed it to him, I just thought I'd help a friend out and have some fun in the process. I started telling people that the comics were drawn and written by a cancer survivor, Jon is in good physical health.. Ok I'm going to rephrase that. Jon doesn't have cancer yet. At comic cons you get stuffed passed out to you all the time, so my cancer scheme helped sway those who initially turned down the offer of a post card. At one point Jon said "Can't you just say it's your awesome friends comic?" I turned his suggestion down and explained how everyone has an "awesome" friend, but a "cancer surviving" friend is much cooler. If any of you ever want to read Product of Society (which you should) you'll quickly find out that Jon is a "one of a kind" kind of guy. Handing out his post cards couldn't have been done any other way.

I missed a few panels by hanging out with Jon but it was worth it, I saw a side of a creator that many of us don't see. A human side. The guy will hang around Artist Alley and support his fellow indie creators and drop money where he can. I know he does it because he loves indie stuff, but a part of me thinks it's his way of paying it forward. C2E2 rejected Jon's application to have a booth, Jon responded by wearing a name tag with a caption citing he was "rejected but still here to chill". We went with them on a few cigarette breaks, talked about life and comics, and shot the shit with some cool dudes. Cliff and Matt ended up going to a Claudio Sanchez (lead singer of Coheed and Cambria) signing and I joined Jon as he had lunch. Sitting with Jon for an hour gave me some serious insight to a man that is risking everything to do what he's dreamed of doing. Making comics that express what's inside of him. Jon told me his story of college and past jobs he's held, Also of the creative process that he goes through. Jon falls in love with his work, he even went as far as saying that he gets a sort of Post Partum Depression when he's done with a story. The guy absolutely loves what he does and he won't quit. Jon gave me advice on how to continue my own dreams and made me feel like he'd even help me get on my way. Showing humility and respect for another artist while still being a guy who stays true to being himself, that's definitely a trait that has been lost in many people now a days.

Matt Zingale gave me a copy of his documentary to watch and review it. It's going to be hard to review a documentary of a man that I've already decided is a really good guy. Truthfully I'm kind of nervous to watch it because I don't want my opinion of him to change, but I doubt that would happen (unless there's footage of Jon beating a puppy to death with a spiked Nazi helmet). I asked Jon if he was going to try to get into c2e2 next year, I figured he'd say no and hold on to a bitter rebellious attitude towards it. Jon simply said "Yeah." even with the chance of being rejected by a convention that showcases his peers, he's willing to try again. The man is either a glutton for punishment or a fighter. I say fighter. I know we'll eventually see him there. After he beats Cancer again of course.

Thor Panel

The second day of c2e2 kicked off with the Thor panel! That's right pals, we're talking about one of the three highly anticipated Marvel Comics movies coming out this summer! (The other ones being Captain America: The first Avenger and X-Men: First Class) This panel was held in the IGN theater and wow was it packed! IGN invited Chris Hemsworth who will be portraying the Thunder God of Asgardian lore, and they did a quick Q&A with the actor.

The room was packed, and people waited with high anticipation for any goodie we could get about the film. Unfortunately the panel was just a simple Q&A and not a spoiler filled extravaganza, I have no one to blame but myself it says on the site that it's a Q&A. I just figured that we'd get a trailer or an extended scene of the film. Something to nibble on before the film hits the theater and we enjoy the main course. The Q&A served it's purpose, we got a very formal and fun interview between the host and Hemsworth. Hemsworth joked and showed a lot of interest in the film, he even gave the audience a "FOR ASGARD!!!!" roar. The actor kept pretty mute to questions about the eventual The Avengers film, and refused to talk about the Skrulls (rumored villains in The Avengers). Hemsworth spoke about working with Natalie Portman, and his experience with JJ Abrams on Star Trek but as far as spoilers and inside info on Thor we received none.

Again, I know it says Chris Hemsworth Q&A as the panel title, I just figured that they could have shown us some videos and trailers to go along with it. Whatever... I blame Cliff.

Food and Comics Panel at C2E2!!!

Why in the hell was there a culinary discussion happening at C2E2? Who would add a panel to the lineup that dealt with food and mash it with comics? Well C.B. Cebulski was bold enough to introduce and share his love for the culinary arts. Not only did he do that but he brought along one of the biggest names in food: Rick Bayless The Top Chef Master and creator of The Frontera Grill and Xoco. C.B. went BIG!

This panel was packed! By the time I found a seat (I was arrogant enough to show up 5 minutes before the panel started, I didn't think anyone would be there!) there wasn't an empty seat in the panel room, people were standing and everyone gave a extremely warm applause to Rick Bayless. The panel introduced Rick Bayless' accomplishments and related the culinary art form with the art and creativity that goes into comic books. Rick Bayless is as involved and passionate about his menus and cooking as any of the top writers and artists in the comic business is about their books. The panel talked about many parallels in both businesses such as the time to see a project go through, creative blocks and achievements through brainstorming, even went as far as to say that foodies are as vicious as fanboys! I won't say that I personally thought the panel was extremely informative or even that there is a direct connection between food and comics, but I was really entertained and I think that it's good for us nerds to learn about something other than the norm that you usually get from the panels.

Rick Bayless is a personal culinary hero of mine. This guy traveled to Mexico in the 70's and learned how to cook authentic Mexican cuisine from grandma's in pueblos throughout Mexico and put his own spin on them while keeping up with our tradition. I never ask any questions at panels... I decided to today. I decided to bypass a question and just give a statement of gratitude for Rick Bayless. When I stepped up to the microphone I simply said "Growing up in Pilsen we often argued over whose Grandma cooked better. Obviously that's a battle no one can win. Rick your menu pays great tribute to my Grandma and every Mexican Grandma out there because of the passion you put into your amazing food. It's also taught me to appreciate what I ate as a kid. When I'd walk into the kitchen on a random Sunday morning and smell my Grandma's "Menudo" I'd think "Oh Grandpa's drunk" (I received a big laugh from Rick) and thought nothing else, But now I realize that those moments, those meals weren't JUST to feed us but Grandma was cooking because she loved us. Just the way you love the food you cook and the people you cook for." I ran up to Rick while getting a warm ovation from the crowd and shook his hand and quickly left the panel cause I had to catch my train. Maybe I'll interview Rick Bayless in the future... today I just thanked a guy who makes me feel proud to be part of a culture who sees making food as an act of love and unity between family and friends.

Food and Comics Panel at C2E2!!!

Food and Comics Panel at C2E2!!!

C2E2! 2011!!!!

We're in high gear for C2E2!!! Last year we were a bit skeptical about C2E2 and how it would match up against Wizard World. Well... Wizard World ended up being a swap meet featuring ex pro wrestlers and Rod Blagojevic. Yeah... Garb Shamus brought Rod Blagojevic and charged $80 a picture. The only high profile comic book creator to show up was Brian Azzarello who was the only redeeming quality of Wizard World. All I can say is hopefully WW can knock the price off a few bucks this year, because the place is literally a swap meet. Very sad stuff since Wizard World Chicago has been fantastic in past years.

C2E2 however was the little convention that could! The crowds were small but the names were bit! Joe Quesada, Jim Lee, Geoff Johns, Brian Azzarello, Garth Ennis, Neil Gaiman and many other great names (I almost forgot that Alex Ross was there too!!). At first I felt like all that great talent was wasted at an event that no one showed up to, but it truly is a great convention to be at. Cliff (fellow napalmassault.com nerd) and I felt that last years C2E2 was perfect for nerdy first timers who'd never been to a convention. We thought it be the perfect place to get geared up for Wizard World. Until WW showed up and we quickly realized that C2E2 won the battle of the chi city cons by a very large margin.

Where will I be?
On Friday I plan to hit up the Food and Comics panel starring none other than Top Chef Master Rick Bayless who is a big hero of mine! The guy is the culinary genius who brought us the Frontera Grill and put a tremendous spin on traditional Mexican cooking! I'll score a few words with him and hustle up a picture! If I can get a pic of us high fiving each other my day will be made! Other than that panel, Friday will be a "walk around and take in the sites" day. If you're going Friday should be the least crowded day.

Saturday will be a really busy day, I'm going straight to the Chris Hemsworth Q&A (HE PLAYS THOR!!!) Maybe we'll even get a glimpse of some footage of the movie or some type of freebie! Vertigo and Dynamite will have a panel at 2pm, then at 5:30 we'll head over to Marvel's Cup O' Joe panel where Joe Quesada will give a Marvel state of the union address. I won't be doing much DC stuff because I really haven't followed any. Sorry.

Sunday I'll have an interview with one of my favorite writers: Jeffrey Brown, I'll check out the Garth Ennis panel and I'll even squeeze in some Danny McBride action on Saturday! Please follow myself @napalmassault, Cliff @WTFisCLB, and John Bruni @tusitalabruni for ALL your C2E2 needs! We do NOT disappoint!

What If... Lebron played for the Bulls?

We are all witness... To the BEST Chicago Bulls team since 1998. After a dominating 5-1 circus road trip, The Bulls will be back in town to take on the Orlando Magic. This games brings two things: The debut of our other Free agent Carlos Boozer, and a more than happy homecoming for our 13-2 Chicago Bulls. DRose and LBJ have combined for a total 62.3 ppg and 19.2 assists on their west coast tour!

I have to admit... this team GEEKS me the hell out! This town hasn't been this excited and hyped about basketball since the original #23 ran the court! Why is this team so good? Why are the NBA's ratings so high during Bulls games? One word: Chemistry. This team is all around NASTY! DRose has been commanding the offense, Lebron has been scoring like a beast, Noah has taken command of the boards and shows a athletic and defensive prowess that's unseen in most big men, Taj Gibson has stepped up and helped out with our lack of Boozer, hell.. even Luol Deng has become an all important 3rd option averaging 17.8 ppg!! So now Boozer's coming back? I don't think anyone in the NBA has an answer for this team. Back in LA after that incredible double OT game against the Lakers which ended 122-119 with the Lakers edging out the Bulls, Phil Jackson referred to the Bulls as a "Nightmare situation"! Phil was quoted as saying "This is a team that will take you to the limit, They have an amazing point guard in Rose and they have Lebron who will probably be the best player in the NBA during the next 10 years! Their role players step up and everyone plays their part! I think it's a definite possibility that these two teams (Lakers and Bulls) will see each other in the Finals."

Ever since Lebron decided to come to the Bulls back in July during that heartwarming tearful goodbye to the Cavaliers and their fans, he rushed to Chicago to begin a new chapter in the Lebron saga. "I just want to win. It's unfortunate that I couldn't do it in Cleveland, but with this Bulls team things are gonna be different. These guys have a lot of fire and passion for the game. DRose, Noah, Boozer, and Deng are a solid group of players and they love the game of basketball. I want to hoist a banner here. I'd like to be immortalized here, along with DRose. We can teach each other things, how to win, how to be united as a team, most of all we can show everyone in this league that the Chicago Bulls are a storied and legendary franchise like the Lakers and Celtics." Those were Lebrons words during his signing with the Bulls surrounded by family and friends. To quote Charles Barkley: "Lebron made the right move, he chose to play for a team that has high hopes and a lot of talent. It's still gonna be a lot of hard work, but Lebron is gonna make the Bulls better and the Bulls are above everything else gonna make Lebron better!"

The NBA's ratings are the highest they've been in years! Its all because we have a team that is committed to playing as one cohesive unit and showcasing two of the biggest stars in the game right now. Lebron was recently asked if he was nervous about playing against Cleveland next month "I'm nervous, I felt very humbled by the way the fans have wished me luck and given me their blessings to leave. I treated them with respect, I decided the day after we lost to the Celtics to explain to them why I had to leave. There was no theatrics, no big show... just my explanation, an apology and a promise that whatever happened in my future, it would have never been possible without the city of Cleveland and the state of Ohio."



Thanks for picking us Lebron... you sir are a class act. GO BULLS!!!

In that alternate reality the Bulls went 63-19 and beat the Lakers in 6 games. DRose made the winning basket on a floater and Lebron was Finals MVP.

In our reality the Bulls will have to work a little bit harder... but the gold isn't too far away.