Bittersweet Comic Book Love

Bittersweet: sweet with a bitter aftertaste.

This is actually the best word I can think of when I read comic books. I thoroughly love the feeling of getting my hands on a comic that is rich in visual images, flawless in storytelling, and the gutters that pull me even deeper into the story.  

Then - it happens.  The last panel, the last image, the last word balloon...and then the three words I hate: TO BE CONTINUED!

I am suddenly jerked back into reality- and if I am reading a current issue - I momentarily spasm with anticipation for the story to continue.  Being a research fanatic, I immediately scour for updates and issue news all the while mentally willing the next issue to be available.  The feeling of sorrow usually sets in when I realize I have to wait a week, a couple of weeks, or god forbid a MONTH! 

The question I want to pose is WHY?  Why do we do this to ourself?  What is this magical allurement that comic books can have over us?  

For a while I decided to wait for story arcs to play out and then buy the trades as soon as they were available.  Then I would binge read until my eyes were bleary and panels and gutters turned into one full page.

Although this was satisfying my "everything or nothing", "fight or flight" emotions - I still had the same aftertaste of  - really, no more?  

I have come to finally accept that comic books just do it for me.  I love the stories.  Especially the background tales of how subjects came into fruition, the interactions between characters, and how the hero may or may not save the day.  I love the art and how colors can play an impact on an emotion in the story.  I love the idea of lettering and placement of word balloons and how they subtly make or break a comic books flow.  In general, I love the world I get pulled into through a comic book.

We have all experienced that magical feeling as a child when we knew Christmas or a birthday was just around the corner.  The anticipation was relentless.  As an adult, I have like many others, lost that humble innocence of excitement and anticipation during these events.  That feeling of waking up everyday and thinking, "YES only X amount of days left."  I guess in a way, when I read comic books it taps into these long lost emotions.  Because of this, I actually really enjoy the bittersweet words - "to be continued". 

JL Flashpoint Paradox is Spittin' Hot Fire Awesome!

I just finished watching, Justice League The Flashpoint Paradox, and let me just take a moment to flip into child mode and speak a million miles too fast and say: 

"whattheheckjusthappenedthatwastotallyamazing-
andihardlytookabreathandwhendidauquamanhaveit-inhimtoeverbeabadguyandhowdidtheyjustgetaway-
withallofthat...andwowohwow!!!!!!"

Whew...ok now back to adult mode. DC animation is in full form with Flashpoint. With a winning production team of Geoff Johns (who wrote the original story), James Krieg (Screenplay), and Andy Kubert (illustration), along with a whole slew of amazing voice talent who you can check out on IMBd, it was bound to be a dang good watch anyway; but I was blown out of the water.  

Nathan Fillion as Green Lantern/Hal Jordan

In other reviews I have read, there have been many negative connotations regarding this animation. The way I feel about it is this - it does stray from the comic story line a bit, and it is a bit more graphic than your average Saturday morning cartoon genre, hence the PG-14 rating, and it is a bit shocking seeing your favorite Super Heroes in a different personality presence.  

But, isn't that what makes a good story?

Isnt that what constitutes as good art?

When something or someone stirs a passion inside of us or challenges something we were accustomed to believing?

I find a lot of times that the fans in the comic book industry are are a little too strong or critical on the very people who make the industry possible.  It is a very strange catch-22, if you ask me. 

I believe it is 100% ok to have an opinion, to have a voice, and to by all means be an individual...however, I do not believe it is ok to invoke those feelings and beliefs so strongly on others - that it influences the sales or purchases of products within an industry that collectively we are all hoping will thrive. 

With this being said, here is a generic review of Flashpoint Paradox:

WARNING SPOILERS not a lot but some...

While visiting his mother's grave, lamenting his inability to save her when she was killed in a home invasion when he was a child, Barry Allen (the super-speed superhero known as the Flash) is alerted to a break-in at the Flash Museum by Captain Cold, Captain Boomerang, Heat Wave, Mirror Master, and Top. Defeating the Rogues, he discovers that they have been hired by his arch-enemy Professor Zoom to lure him in as part of a plan to destroy Central City. With the help of his allies in the Justice League of America, Barry foils Zoom's plot. However, Zoom taunts over the death of Barry's mother. Despite Batman's urging not to let Zoom get to him, Barry runs off.

The next day, Barry awakens to discover that the world has radically changed around him: his powers have disappeared, his mother is alive, his wife Iris is married to someone else, and the Justice League does not exist. In this new timeline, Aquaman and his Atlantean forces have sunk most of Western Europe, while Wonder Woman has led the Amazons in conquering Great Britain. The Atlanteans and the Amazons are at war with one another after a failed attempt at peace resulted in Wonder Woman murdering Aquaman's wife Mera. Government agent Cyborg has put together a team to end the war by taking out the two leaders, and approaches Batman to join them, but he refuses, causing the President to abandon the plan. Instead, pilot Hal Jordan is assigned to fly an alienspacecraft in a bombing run on the Atlanteans.

Aquaman is one mean motha!

Barry visits Wayne Manor, but is attacked by Batman, who he realizes is not Bruce Wayne (who died in this reality) but his father Thomas Wayne. Attempting to explain things to an incredulous Thomas, Barry retrieves his Flash costume from the ring in which it is kept, but Professor Zoom's costumes appears in its place, causing Barry to believe Zoom is responsible for changing history. Convinced to help Barry by the knowledge that Bruce lived in the original timeline, Batman helps him recreate the accident that gave him his Flash powers, only for Barry to wind up being severely burned.

In London, Steve Trevor attempts to exfiltrate undercover reporter Lois Lane, but is discovered by the Amazons and killed. With Trevor's information, the Amazons hunt Lane down, but she is rescued by the local resistance and falls in with them. Meanwhile, amongst the remains of Paris, Deathstroke and Lex Luthor are attacked and killed by Aquaman's forces while tracking the energy trail of Aquaman's new superweapon: a captured and weaponized Captain Atom.

Realizing that his memories of the original timeline are fading, the injured Barry insists Batman recreate the accident again, this time resulting in the successful restoration of his powers. Although he regains his powers back, Barry discovers that he is unable to travel through time himself because there is another super-speedster using Speed Force in this timeline, preventing Flash to gather enough energy to break the time barrier.

Oh, it is just all good and fun and a mix of EVIL on the side.

Flash seeks to recruit more allies instead, beginning with Superman, who in this world is a prisoner of the government after his ship crashed into Metropolis, rather than Smallville. With the aid of Batman and Cyborg, they break into the bunker in which the withered Superman is held and liberate him. Empowered by the yellow sun, Superman holds off the government agents who confront the group, but then flies off in fear and confusion. Flash collapses as his memories continues to alter, and is taken to the home of Billy Batson and his foster siblings to recover. Learning of Jordan's failed attack and the beginning of the final battle between the Atlanteans and the Amazons, Flash convinces Batman to join them in an attempt to stop the war.

On board Batman's jet en route to Britain, Batman shows Flash a message intercepted from Lois Lane of a super-speedster she captured an image of, who Flash identifies as Zoom. As they wonder why Zoom would let Lois live if she saw him, the jet is shot down by the Atlantean fleet, and the battle begins. Batson and his siblings combine into Captain Thunder (the Captain Marvel of this world) to fight Wonder Woman, while Flash, Cyborg and Batman occupy Aquaman only for Batman to be gravely wounded. At this point, Zoom reveals himself to Barry and explains it was not he, but Barry himself who was responsible for changing the timeline when he went back in time to save his mother and caused the fabric of reality to fracture. The battle continues around them with Wonder Woman using her lasso to force Captain Thunder back into Batson and killing him, and Superman arriving too late to save Cyborg from Aquaman (culminating in a wounded Aquaman giving the order to trigger the Captain Atom bomb). As the explosion tears across the landscape, Zoom mocks the Flash, when he is suddenly shot through the head and killed by the injured Batman, leaving Flash to be the only user of Speed Force in this timeline. Before dying, Batman urges Barry to fix everything, giving him a letter addressed to his son, Bruce. Barry races back in time, and stops his earlier self from preventing his mother's death.

Barry reawakens at his desk, and finds that everything is back to normal (although all the heroes in this timeline have their costumes slightly altered because this is now The New 52 timestream). He visits Batman to tell him about everything that occurred and gives him the letter from his father, prompting the tearful Batman to tell him: "You're one helluva messenger."

Bats and Flash having a tender New 52 moment.

Now if you need to read "Flashpoint" again or hhhmmm...for the first time, no fear GEEKSELIXIR is here! and well Instocktrades.  These people are just fantastic.  I purchased the whole flashpoint set ( 6 trade paperbacks) for only $55.59 and the shipping is free because my order was over $50! Yes miracles do happen folks.

To read the Flashpoint series in order you need:

* Flashpoint
* Flashpoint: Batman
* Flashpoint: Wonder Woman
* Flashpoint: Superman
* Flashpoint: Green Lantern
* Flashpoint: The Flash

I will be receiving my order any day now to re-read the series and catch up on the ones I missed. I am giddy with excitement! And check out Flashpoint Paradox, I think you will enjoy it.

MMMM, It's the Smell of Comics

There is nothing quite like the smell of a new comic book.  I have actually been told my whole life that this is how ALL new books smell, however, in my mind I have reserved it for ONLY comics.  

When I get my new comic books - single issue, trade paper back, or the beloved hard cover -I feel like I am part of a super secret club.  There is something magnificent about ripping off the shrinkable plastic cover and having that "new comic" smell smack you right in the face. 

The kind of comic book smell that I do not like however, is B.O. that can fester at comic cons.  Ask any person on the street and they will agree body odor is not the first on their list for whoopee ki aye smells.  In the heat of the comic con season - the "con stench" or "comic funk", is written about repeatedly.  Almost to the point that it is annoying.  The smell subject seems to be a fun topic for non con goers and con goers alike.

What is con stench - well, sexy to the power of NOTHING!

Crowds have been stated as pushing the 200,000 mark especially in large scale cons - like San Diego and New York.  In fact, the Comic Con has been referenced as "The sold-out Super Bowl of Pop Culture."   2012 broke records across the board for individual cons.  Averages were up in attendance, in sales, and for the amount of articles written about Comic Con Goers as smelling to high heaven.

Even Superman has odor!

Personally, there have been many comic cons that I have attended where I have NOT noticed any type of odd smell.  Granted - there have been those cons where odor is a "punch you in the face" moment of sour oddity.  

Reality is, that Comic Cons are insanely crowded.  

Reality is, when you smell ---YOU ARE THE LAST to notice it.  

Reality is, when you are around individuals that do smell - it will always be rude to make  ridiculous comments to the cosmic abyss - like "In Gods name, WHAT is that SMELL?!?"

Reality is, Cosplay is a give and take with re-wearing costumes, ventilation, and body heat.  

Reality is, others in the mass of comic clad happy goers may stink; but ultimately you don't have too.

Keep your comments to yourself!

Whether you are interested in having a positive comic con experience or not, is what is at stake.  Basically, every gathering with thousands of people is going to have some kind of smell. The wrap that comic cons have gotten for being the ODOR FEST of culture...is just not fair. 

"Excuse me, but I am trying to define your BRAND of odor."

Personally, when I go to comic cons I find that it is good to focus on two things:  Keep your self clean and Just smell the books!

There is much that is unexplained...However Beast with hygiene is not one of them.

Marvel NOW list in PDF

Of course you should visit Marvel.com...

After I wrote the "Marvel Now What?"
I had several requests for the timeline list in a printable form. 
As requested: PDF of HC and TPB dates.  With checkboxes and everything. So happy collecting.

My Son the Hero

There is something innately disheartening when someone you care about relocates, for better or for worse.  It is a feeling inside that is tough to explain – especially when the move is for happiness and greater experience in life. It is just hard to let go.  Much like a character in a book we grow accustomed to, we feel security in knowing that their actions, mannerisms, speech, and reflexes are something we can just count on.  Page by page, or day by day – it is always there.  Until, the time comes to move on.   I believe we ultimately take for granted that security we feel everyday.

My son, the youngest of my three kids, has just graduated from high school and has moved out to spend time with his Dad before his enlistment into the military.  Today, I was wrapping up his many soccer trophies, certificates, and medals and sitting in his room contemplating how my life has changed from having this 17-year-old kid in it.

As I wrapped each trophy, it brought back a flood of memories. Memories that will always be there.  My son is very much a charismatic character and one that has beat the odds many times. A hero – of course – but hey I am his mom.

He was born premature with a collapsed lung and dealt with severe asthma from the beginning of his life. We had heard that consistent exercise could be beneficial for kids like him. Thus, we put him in soccer at 5. Little did we know that we had created an exercising monster.

With every asthma attack, my son would get mad, and beg to be put back on the field. He did not like to have boundaries.  Year after year, his goals were to push himself farther and farther. Using soccer as his way to conquer a physical ailment.

He had set backs, but you would not know it. Just like Robin, he kept coming back and he was stronger, faster, and more stubborn than before.  Eventually earning an MVP during his High School soccer career.

Comic Box:The Rotating Roster of Robins

Even though my son has never shared the intense love of comics that I obsess over, but he is proud of me with each of my new endeavors.  He even gets excited when I tell him about new projects I am working on…I am so lucky.  We do however share the same tenancity to achieve a goal and for this I could not be any more proud.

Today, I feel like a part of my security blanket is skewed a little. We create strong kids so they can take off and be something in the world. However, we forget – in order to take off – they have to leave. I am proud to be a mom. I am proud to have a son who in all respects is the only true super hero I know. 

Now go conquer the world Jonathan!

Art by Robert Atkins

I just finished Axe Cop volume 1,2,3, and Hawkeye: My Life as a Weapon volume 1. When you are flying cross country there is a little bit of time on your hands, and I am a fast reader. 

Axe Cop was downright FABULOUS! Freaking bad to the bone!

 I loved volume 2 that was in color and told in three part episodic story arc, which veered from volumes 1 and 3 which were web comic style. 

Vol. 1 and 3 are also Interjected with the "Ask Axe Cop" question and answers that had me laughing out loud on a full plane. (For those of you that have heard me laugh...it is not a a quiet adventure.) 

The volumes read quick and easy. The story is fun and delightful and definitely makes one yearn for the day when our imaginations would just randomly go wild with no interference of adulthood. I definitely recommend picking up all three volumes.

Axe Cop is also available on the web comic site so you can experience a daily dose of chopping off heads and Axe Cop and his crew hitting the night scene in their cat suits to defeat sleeping bad guys! This stuff is just great! : axecop.com

Volume 1 in print Dark Horse 

Volume 2 in print Dark Horse

Volume 3 in print Dark Horse

Hawkeye, My life as a Weapon Volume 1, (Published by Marvel) was definitely a far cry different from Axe Cop. 

Volume 

 Personally I enjoy different. So this was right up my alley. The art was not your daily average comic book art. With David Aja and Javier Pulido as the artists - it is an adventure just to dive into the artistry. Matt Hollingsworth pulls some amazing play with the color art as well. All in all, Hawkeye, is a great example of how all parts of a comic need to work together to tell a story. Not just the story lines, which is told by Matt Fraction and is great, but subtle clues and hints through the flow of drawn lines and corresponding shades of similar color.

The story is raw and gritty.  Not what you would expect from Hawkeye.  Barton has a dark side, but there is a reason and S.H.I.E.L.D. is willing to use a self made hero who knows no boundaries.  I was definitely surprised! 

I also enjoyed getting to know the character (ex-Young Avenger) Kate Bishop in a different light, which is more complex.

I will be heading out to the nearest comic book shop to pick up the additional Hawkeye: Little Hits Volume 2

This just goes to show there is humor in all things!

Zombies are Goal Driven! Featuring art by Brian Atkins

Zombie Reading by Brian Atkins

It has been longer than a fortnight and I have no excuse for the time - except that I have conquered much in the world of comic books, action heroes, and movies.  In short - I have been sitting on my behind being extremely happy! 

Christmas has now come and gone. I prevailed through yet another birthday! I have discovered some long lost loves: "Big Trouble in Little China", Sean Connery as James Bond, Space Ghost: Coast to Coast, and stickers - yes - real meaty STICKERS! 

For me it is the little fantastic things in life that keep me smiling!

So now, it is that time again where much of the world is preparing to make goals for the next year, 2013.  Goals that will never be accomplished.  Goals that will sound great once said, but will never make it past the first week of January. 
Not necessarily because the intent was never there, but because - we are a progress forced culture. 
Sometimes our own needs get lost in the mix. 

Now Zombies, on the other hand, THEY ARE GOAL DRIVEN! 
And I mean 24-7! They have a singular want in site and boom they are determined. Zombies don't care about cultural norms and pressures to: first conform to society before putting their own wants and needs on the table. 
NO! They know exactly what they need. They know what they are lacking in their, ahem, dead existence. 

Zombies are the eternal optimists. The "glass half full" guys! Keeping it simple.

A glass this cool can be purchased!

Unlike, our goal driven, optimistic, simple life foes - as a society we tend to put our needs and wants on the back shelf. Then, when we are brainless and exhausted from keeping our own needs met - we simply fall apart. 
Basically turning into villains and monsters worthy of any comic book plot. 

"Murder Lane" by Brian Atkins

So, how do we become like the Walking Dead without, you know, dying?

To get the scoop, I spoke with my good friend, Chris O'Hearn - Life Coach for  Strong Within (his personally owned coaching business has been featured on the likes of MTV and can be found through the above link...this guy is great!)  

According to Chris, we need to break it down. (stop dancing) Break it into two steps:

1. Action

2. Maintenance

Ask yourself what is going to be your actions to make a change for 2013. For me, I need to have visual recognition - and a lot of it. BAM in my face! Using wipe board markers on my bathroom mirror to remind me of my goals, for example, will get the job done. 
Actions are the energetic liveliness of the goal or the need that keeps you invigorated.  Think zombies...they never quite moving.

Then, it is important to actually recognize how the maintenance will be played out for those actions. What are you personally going to do to remember why you want to change? How are you going to keep moving towards your goal? Do you need to write your accomplishments down?  I do.  That is the ego in me coming out.

If you want to be more creative - look beyond what is creative and look at creativity in yourself. Remind yourself of past goals or habits you have had that has worked in the past.  Reinvent them if you need to.

Chris stated, "Allow yourself to become in a state of mind where you want to be action driven." I felt like I could take over the world at this point.

Finally, a fantastic suggestion by Chris, "Brainstorm 20 things where you want to put yourself first.  Think of different ways you can do this during 2013. Whether it is habitual, daily, weekly, monthly, or yearly.  It is not being selfish. It is recharging, refueling, and organizing. Sometimes, when we only list a couple of ideas we do not fully analyze what we truly need to be happy, and when we are taking care of everyone else's needs and problems, there is not enough energy or time to take care of ourself."

For 2013, make it a goal... be a zombie! Go after what you truly want! 

Whether you want to be:

Silas the Serpent King

or

Carl -The Worlds Best Janitor

Art by Brian Atkins

Anime: It's a Family Affair and Growing

Day 2 of Anime Bonsai's three day event is done and anime is on the brain. I am mesmerized and catching the fever that 4000 - yes 4000- people today so brilliantly portrayed at the Layton, UT Davis convention center. The attendance is up, there are more cosplayers, and the atmosphere is fantastic! 

Anime Banzai is officially in it's eighth year and is enjoying its  most successful event to date. Anime Banzai started as most cons do, as a simple idea for lovers of a hobby to "get together" and bond. The idea blossomed and took off. The convention now reaches not only into the corners of Utah and surrounding states, but boasts of attendees traveling from as far as Florida and California. 

Adam Bates, Jose Cruz-Rojas,Aaron Gordon

Half way into the cons growth spurt it was decided to move from Salt Lake City, UT  (SLC Community College Campus) to Layton UT Davis Convention Center to accommodate the growth.  Aaron Gordon, Convention Director, stated "[a] major spike in attendance occurred when we moved to the Layton Davis Convention Center. Approximately a 25% increase. Larger than we expected and it has grown every year. We attribute this to an excellent staff here at the Convention Center and of course to the crew that helps us make the con possible. We have volunteers every year who are dedicated. Very dedicated. It is 6 weeks of intense preparation right before the con and then 4 days of no sleep but in the end you know it was all worth it. It just feels great." 

As I mentioned before, the swag one receives for pre-registering is pretty nifty.
Adam Bates, Graphic Designer for the Con, and one of the founding members of the original con stated: "We treat our guests very good, and we want them to have the best experience. We want to go out of our way for them and make them feel special."

It is the little things that you notice at this con that  do make a difference! For example, the  3-day event schedule is printed on an impressive fold out and color coded program. The program book is loaded with volunteer art that is beautiful.
I was also introduced to Grant and Jeana Bradbury - The Guest Liaisons. I am currently unaware of another con having such a thing.  Basically their job is to help the special guests and make them feel more comfortable in the new environment and around the con.  In my opinion, this is fantastic PR! Way to go Anime Banzai! You win the PR award! 
I was also impressed with the amount of volunteers.  The attitude to help is phenomenal. I have yet to encounter one single person with an attitude that is unwilling to help or explain yet another character to me. 

So exactly who is the other half that makes the con possible? 
The loyal following of course. They come for the panels. They come for the exhibits. The interactions with other loyal fans. The cosplay. They come for the game room - a room dedicated purely for gaming! The dances - yes I said dances! Friday and Saturday night there are dances till 12:30 and 1:30 am. This con is serious about entertainment! They come for the chance to buy swag and art. They come to meet special guests. But most of all they come for the chance to interact. Aaron Gordon stated all ages are present at the con every year, however about 60% of attendees are female with the approximate age demographic in whole (male and female) being between 14-21. While we were chatting I laughed and said considering all the comic cons I have been to the higher percentage is male, it sounds as if we need to merge. 

Adam Bates stated: "There is not another con around here so about 1/3 of the cosplay is non manga [anime]" I was sincerely shocked to see this myself. Especially when a herd of Deadpools came running by! Avengers seemed to also be a popular theme this year as well as Dr. Who and GI JOE. Basically anything goes...I even got a picture of Mary Poppins and she was practically perfect in every way!

Japanese anime is made for all ages. It is ultimately a family affair.  It is a large part of their culture.  Anime Banzai in Utah is treated the same way.  It is family friendly.  It is volunteer run by loyal fans.  For three days from dawn until dusk and into early hours of morning again it is a culture where everyone is accepted and encouraged to give anime and manga a try.                                                 

"While we spend energy and imagination on new ways of cleaning the floors of our houses, the Japanese solve the problem by not dirtying them in the first place."

                                                             -Bernard Rudofsky 

I Think i'm Turning Japanese...Anime Banzai

What is Anime Banzai?

Anime Banzai is an educational convention focusing on Japanese anime (animation), manga (comics) and culture. Anime Banzai is sponsored by Utah Anime Promotions, a non-profit educational organization dedicated to bringing the culture, art and fun of Japan to Utah. In 2005, the first Anime Banzai was held and hosted 600 attendees, which was double what we had planned for. In 2011, we had around 3300+ fans join us, and we're looking to have another excellent year in 2012!

The goal of Anime Banzai is to bring an event to Utah where fans can come together to celebrate Japan and Japanese Culture in a fun, safe, family-friendly atmosphere. To that end, we hold our convention three days each year with panels, events, and contests that will let fans enjoy their favorite aspects of Anime and Japanese popular culture. www.animebanzai.org Day 1 - Friday  I arrived with my stepdaughter who was donned in an amazing Korra cosplay.  We were quickly directed to the registration line.   Registration - ahhh yes. That pesky thing you continually forget to do AHEAD of time - hence the name PRE-registration. Not only do you get to go in the shorter line, get to pay LESS cash, but you get EXTRA goodies and a NICE SWAG bag at this ANIME con to boot! After waiting in line for 2 hours and 20 minutes - I would advise all - pre register. It is so worth it.  I would like to give a big round of applause to  all Utah Anime Banzai staff and committee.   As with all Cons the wrath and powers that be - will and always do happen.  And the train wreck happens just when all believe that they can smile and breathe. The darkest forces and foes begin to dance and party and cause chaos ...in short ...the credit card machines ALWAYS go down and twice as many fans show up!  Personally, I was actually thankful for the 2 hour line wait so I could be slowly introduced into the new worlds, regions, universes, fandoms, dimensions, of these characters that were so foreign to me. Just the colors and amount of time that goes into these costumes, WOW, add the unpronounceable names and tragically heroic yet feisty back stories and let me tell you - I was ready to buy every book in the expo hall! After registering and getting our name badges, and coveting the pre-registration swag bags, (mental note PRE-REGISTER FOR EVERYTHING!!!!!!)  I  was told that last year, 2011 - on the Friday they had a total of 600 guests, this year 2012 - by noon they had 600 guests! It was 1 pm and their were still three lines out the door and around the building! I was impressed.  I am excited to go back tomorrow and hear the final numbers for day one. The rest of the day was a crazy blur of A LOT of hugging.  Probably, one of the biggest differences I noticed from my experiences at my Comic Cons verses my first Anime Con so far. Comic Cons there is more hand shaking. This hugging is called glomping. For a more intense description of what exactly a GLOMP is, be sure to read below. I enjoyed Artist Alley, just sitting back and viewing the amazing COSPLAY - even though I had no idea who half of the characters were. (One major factor and trend in manga and anime - is animals. If it is an animal: you can bet it is a hot item. Especially if it is a cat, or a creation that has a cats ears, or a tail resembling a cat.) I also enjoyed going to a couple of panels with special guests in the Anime journalist community, Voice talent, and film industry. I also got a peak at the expo area but then there is also two more days. All ages were represented, and well I might add. There were full families in cosplay, and all ages of OATKU- a Japanese term used to refer to people with obsessive interests, particularly (but not limited to) anime, manga or Japanese video games. Fans and cosplayers were full of smiles and enjoying GLOMPING - which I discovered was hugging another person out of shear excitement. For a further introduction to the GLOMP I did find this amazing tutorial: Glomping 101 ~By Shimegami-chan Glomp. Definition: A method of greeting or attack using hugging/tackling. Word origin: Unknown, but has Japanese manga roots. The Basic Glomp: 1) Approach your target from front, back, or side, usually at a running or jumping start. 2) Throw your arms around them, usually around the ribcage or surrounding area. 3) Squeeze. Different Forms of Glomping: 1) Flying Glomp: Usually used as a surprise attack, this airborne glomp can be attained with a running start or by standing on a conveniently-placed high object such as a table or chair. This type of glomp is often found in Sailormoon or other shoujo manga. 2) Glomp of Death: Similar to the Flying Glomp, the Death-Glomp can easily injure someone. It is usually executed from behind and without the target's knowledge. 3) Tackle Glomp: As the name indicates, this glomp is meant to knock the target to the floor. Should not be performed on concrete floors or near sharp objects. This type of glomp is often found in fanfics. 4) Twirl-Glomp: Less dangerous than other types, this glomp usually has the target's prior knowledge or, at the very least, excellent aim. The target may glomp back and/or spin around in a circle with the assailant. For optimal effect, the assailant should be a lighter weight than the target, preferably by at least half. Variations: 1) Arm Glomp: Attach yourself to your victim - I mean, target's - arm They cannot escape. Sometimes called the Jun glomp by the author of this guide, having Digimon origins. Also employed frequently by Shampoo in Ranma 1/2. 2) Neck Glomp: Can be utilized as a choke hold. Encircle your target's neck. Use with care unless aiming to cease their respiration. 3) Jogress Glomp: Another glomp with Digimon origins, with the Jogress the target is glomped from two sides at once. An Arm or Neck glomp may be used simultaneously. Other variations can easily be made using the placement of the arms, depending on the target's size/relationship to you/patience. The span of time before the glomp is released also depends on these factors. Popular Glomping War Cries: Random Japanese phases are often the choice of glompers, and the most common (as this author knows) are: 'Ohayo!' ('Good Morning') 'KonbanWA!' ('Good Evening') 'Konnichiwaaaa!' ('Good Afternoon') 'Mou!' (Indignant noise) The target's name may also be shouted, with the option of adding the suffix '-chan,' a term of endearment. This concludes 'Glomping 101.' I hope that this has been an informative guide to the little-known tactics of the Glomp. Thank you! To Glomp