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Whitechapel bartender goes global with a Hal Jordan cocktail

By on October 10, 2018 in Bay Area Comic News, Ephemera, Mixed Media

If you’re creating a Hal Jordan cocktail you can’t get much more on the nose than making it an Aviation variation using Aviation American Gin. Whitechapel‘s Megan Daniel did exactly that for Virgin Atlantic’s Clubhouse pop-up bar at London Cocktail Week.

The San Francisco bartender took top prize at Virgin Atlantic’s cocktail competition. The fierce but friendly competition asked 13 bartenders to create an original cocktail using Aviation Gin as the base spirit. Daniel’s Hal Jordan cocktail, a riff on the classic pre-Prohibition era Aviation cocktail, is described by Virgin Atlantic as “a beautiful riff on the classic Aviation. Simple and elegant in presentation.”

Hal Jordan Cocktail

Whitechapel’s Megan Daniel builds a Hal Jordan cocktail. Photo courtesy of Virgin Atlantic’s Ruby blog.

She stirred together a combination of Aviation American Gin, Pomp and Whimsy gin liqueur, Maraschino Luxardo, and lemon bitters. The cocktail bearing the alias of the first Green Lantern Space Sector 2814 will be served in Virgin Atlantic clubhouses around the globe.

As mentioned above, when it comes to designing a cocktail after Hal Jordan using Aviation American Gin in a Aviation variation is an inspired concept. In the comics, prior to becoming a member of the Green Lantern Corps and for a time while concealing his identity on Earth, Jordan is a fearless aviator. The base spirit of the cocktail, Aviation American Gin, is partially owned by Ryan Reynolds. The actor famously portrayed Hal Jordan in the 2011 Green Lantern film.

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Marvel Returns to San Francisco for More “Ant-Man and The Wasp” Filming

By on November 6, 2017 in Bay Area Comic News, Ephemera, Film

On the heels of Thor crushing the box office this weekend, Marvel has returned to San Francisco to shoot more scenes for next year’s Ant-Man and The Wasp.

The film crew, operating under the moniker PYM Particles Productions shooting a movie called “Cherry Blue,” spent Monday down at Pier 39. Thanks to additional signage posted around North Beach we know more filming is planned for this coming Wednesday near the Transamerica Building.

 

This is at least the second time this year the company has been to the city to shoot scenes for the second film involving  Marvel’s smallest (and sometimes largest) superhero. In September, PYM Particles Productions spent a week flipping cars near Nob Hill.

Ant-Man and the Wasp will be released in theaters on July 6, 2018. Most of the first film’s cast will return including Paul Rudd, Evangeline Lilly, and Michael Douglas. Both Michelle Pfieffer and Laurence Fishburne have signed on for the sequel.

BalboaCon presents a weekend of superhero cartoons and films

By on September 15, 2016 in Bay Area Comic News, Ephemera, Film

strangeThe late-1970s must have been an interesting time for comic book fans eager to see live-action adaptations of their heroes. Three heroes made the leap from page to pilot to, at the least, one season: Spider-Man, Wonder Woman, and Hulk. One hero that wasn’t so lucky was Marvel’s Dr. Strange. In 1978, CBS produced a pilot for the Sorcerer Supreme that, unfortunately, didn’t get picked up for a full season. Outside of comic book super fans the two-hour pilot has remained mostly forgotten and unseen.

That same year DC smashed through the comic book pages and elevated their flagship hero, Superman, from funny books to the level of a cinematic star. Christopher Reeve defined the role of the Man of Steel in Richard Donner’s Superman. Christopher Reeve would go on to play the hero in three more films.

This weekend at the Balboa Theatre, 1978 will be front and center as the Balboa screens both Dr. Strange and Superman. Those two films are only a small part of comic book film programming taking place this weekend as part of Balboa Con. The historic Outer Richmond theater will be showing no less than 12 comic book-based films including the first three Superman films, Darkman, Hellboy, Tank Girl, and more. According to the event’s Facebook page:

 

We are very excited to present the first ever Balboa Con! This is going to be a whole weekend dedicated to comic book art, movies, and cartoons! There will be four days of comic book movie programming along with Q&As, special guests, and lots and lots of affordable and amazing art in the lobby.

Dr. Strange will screen on Friday alongside the 1992 cult classic Dr. Mordrid. Dr. Mordrid is essentially Dr. Strange without a mustache because the film was produced by New Moon’s Charles Band who held an expired option for the Marvel character. He made the film with slight changes to the title character.

In addition to comic book-based film the Balboa will screen thematic cartoons and present a number of artists. The full screening schedule is below and artists will be appearing throughout the weekend.

balboacon

Event: A Salute to Chuck Jones (July 10)

By on July 8, 2016 in Bay Area Comic News, Ephemera

Chuck_Jones_bugs2The Cartoon Art Museum has partnered with the Chuck Jones Center for Creativity to host a night saluting the cartoon genius of Chuck Jones. The July 10 event at San Francisco’s Castro Theater feature screenings of rare 35mm prints of classic cartoons written and directed by the cartoonist. A number of special guests will be on hand to help honor Jones and introduce the selected cartoons. Programming includes: What’s Opera, Doc?, One Froggy Evening, Feed the Kitty, Duck Amuck, and Rabbit of Seville.

Guest presenters:

Andrew Farago – curator of the Cartoon Art Museum
Jon “Bean” Hastings – illustrator and cartoonist
Craig Kausen – Chairman of the Board for the Chuck Jones Center for Creativity
Jeff Pidgeon – Writer, artist, and voice actor with Pixar
Christian Roman – Story artist at Pixar
Allison Rutland – Animator at Pixar and illustrator of Sammy the Snail

The kid-friendly salute starts at 12 p.m. and will be followed by a VIP reception. Proceeds from the event will go to support the Cartoon Art Museum and Chuck Jones Center for Creativity. Tickets can be purchased in advance online.

PBA Galleries sets new Star Wars issue 1 selling record

By on April 25, 2016 in Bay Area Comic News, Ephemera

April-PBA-Galleries-March-24-Comic-Collection-Marvel-Star-WarsPBA Galleries set a new auction record for the 1977 35-cent variant of Star Wars issue 1. During the March 24 auction for Wayne Martin’s comic collection the very fine copy of the comic sold for a record-breaking $7200. According to PBA, “Marvel typically tested price increases on a limited basis before rolling out the increase to all titles, and approximately only 1,500 copies of the first printing priced at 35 cents are thought to exist; all others being priced at 30 cents.”

The auction additionally saw a copy of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles 1984 debut issue sell for $3900.

Other highlights include:

The X-men made a good showing as well, with a very nice copy of Giant Size X-men #1 going for $1,080. The book is a highly collectible milestone of Marvel Comics, featuring the first appearances of many of the X-men’s most popular characters, including Storm, Nightcrawler, Colossus and Thunderbird. This is the first issue of the X-men to feature the fan favorite Wolverine, and is his second full-length appearance in any comic book, after his debut in The Incredible Hulk #’s 180 and 181. X-men#94 sold for $300, the first issue in the regular series to feature the new team, signed by award-winning writer Chris Clairemont.

The collection featured a number of wonderful comics from the Golden Age (1930s–1950s), the highlight beingFlash 101 and 104 from the 1940s, the pair of them selling for an impressive $2,700. Issue 104 is considered to be the last Golden Age appearance of the Flash, who would not appear again in his own book for the better part of a decade.

This was the first comic lot to be auctioned off by the San Francisco-based auction house.

Discussion: The Complete Wimmen’s Comix At Green Apple Books on the Park (April 12)

By on April 10, 2016 in Bay Area Comic News, Ephemera

wimminslipcaseLast September, Fantagraphics released the 728-page The Complete Wimmen’s Comix  collecting all of the issues of the all-women comics anthology, Wimmen’s Comix. The Wimmen’s Comix Collective was founded in San Francisco and began publishing issues in 1972 to add the poorly represented voice of women underground comix revolution. The anthology series ran for two decades and acted as an important launching pad for many comics creators. Over the 20 years of Wimmin’s Comix contributors included  Aline Kominsky-Crumb, Penny Van Horn, Carol Tyler, M.K. Brown, Diane Noomin, Phoebe Gloeckner, Leslie Sternbergh, Dori Seda, Mary Fleener, Trina Roberts, and many more.

On April 12, Green Apple Books on the Park, 1231 9th Avenue in San Francisco, will be hosting a discussion about the history and influence of Wimmen’s Comix. Panelists include Trina Robbins, Sharon Rudahl, Lee Marrs, Caryn Leschen, and Kay Rudin. The talk starts at 7:30 p.m.

Roxie Theater to host Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle Pizza Party

By on March 6, 2014 in Ephemera, Film

When the programmers at San Francisco’s historic Roxie Theater looked at the cinemas long list of accomplishments they realized there had somehow never been a “totally tubular all-night pizza party.” They’re tmnt_poster-195x300planning to remedy that situation this weekend with the help of the 90s-era Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. On Saturday and Sunday the theater will be screening Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles II: Secret of the Ooze back-to-back. On March 8 the doors open at 7:30 p.m. and on March 9 at 2 p.m.  According to the Roxie:

Join us for a night of pizza, photo booths, costume contests, drinks, and those heroes-in-a-half-shell themselves: Raphael, Donatello, Michaelangelo and Leonardo!  Fun starts at 7:30pm!  Your ticket includes ALL YOU CAN EAT PIZZA (Vegan ‘za, too, brah!)

TMNT, originally created as a 1984 comic by Kevin Eastman and Peter Laird, has been experiencing a bit of a resurgence in the last couple of years. IDW started publishing a new TMNT series in 2011, a CGI-series was launched by Nickelodeon in 2012, a new film is scheduled for release later this year, and Vanilla Ice has been getting back in touch with his TMNT roots through a mac & cheese commercial and headlining an epic crowdfunded TMNT party.

Make*A*Wish: San Francisco to become Gotham City for a day

By on October 30, 2013 in Ephemera
Miles as Batman

Miles as Batman from Make*A*Wish

The Make*A*Wish Foundation will turn part of San Francisco into Gotham City on November 15 to fulfill the dream of 5-year-old Miles to become Batman. Miles, who has leukemia, is currently in training for his big day when he’ll save Gotham City from the Riddler and the Penguin while riding around in an actual Batmobile. Of course, Miles can’t do it alone, the Foundation is seeking volunteers to help call on Miles to save a “famous Gotham City mascot.” Below details from the Make*A*Wish Foundation website where they’ll be providing more information about the big day soon.

Miles may only be 5 years old, but he is fighting a very adult battle – one that we hope will save his life. Miles has leukemia.  He is a sunny, positive little boy and finds his inspiration in super heroes. When we interviewed Miles for a wish, he surprised even his parents:  he wishes to BE Batman!

The day starts with a breaking news story. Gotham City’s Police Chief asks if anyone knows the whereabouts of Batman because he needs his help solving crime and bringing the bad guys to justice. Our little Batman, Miles, in training with adult Batman, is ready to answer the call! Of course Batman will be riding in the “real” batmobile around the City, saving the day and performing feats of derring-do!

After rescuing a damsel in distress from the cable car tracks in Nob Hill, and capturing the Riddler in the act of robbing a downtown vault, Batman will eat his lunch at the Burger Bar in San Francisco – directly above Union Square.  While at Burger Bar, he will get a call on his batphone to go to the window – where he will look down and see a huge group of volunteers jumping up and down asking for Batman’s help.  Why?

Because the Penguin will be kidnapping a famous Gotham City mascot!  The getaway car will be visible on Union Square (a convertible so that everyone can see what is happening), and the chase will be on!

After catching the Penguin, Batman will make his final stop at City Hall, where the Mayor and the Police Chief of Gotham City will thank him and give him the key to the city. We plan on having hundreds of volunteers and donors collected to cheer and thank our Batman! This is a great opportunity to see the magic of a wish in action – and a perfect outing for kids, grandkids and Bat-fans everywhere!

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