Comicon meets creativity

A quick review of “signature events” for this year’s Phoenix Comicon reveals the creative underpinnings of folks who do the geek. Think “Bleeding Cool Fan Awards” (Fri, May 25), “Brain Eating Contest” (Sat, May 26) and “Dr. Who Party Like a Time Lord” (Fri, May 25). I’m told that middle one involves JELL-O®, so not to worry that someone might be bent on sucking your brains out.

I’m most smitten with Comicon activities that draw on arts and culture, like the “Charity Art Auction” featuring chances to bid on original art, comic pages and sketches from Comicon artists. This baby supports “Kids Need to Read” and takes place at 6pm on Sat, May 26.

“Kids Need to Read” has another friend in the “Geek Prom” charity event sponsored by Bookmans, scheduled for 8pm that same evening in the Hyatt Regency Ballroom. Tickets are $20 onsite, and all proceeds to go “Kids Need to Read” — a nonprofit offering “unique and engaging literacy programs.”

More creativity inspired by Bookmans and Phoenix Comicon 2012.

Last year’s prom, also generously supported by Bookmans, earned $11,560 for the organization, and additional fundraisers held at Comicon Phoenix 2011 raised another $6,595. This is the third year Phoenix Comicon has welcomed “Kids Need to Read” as its featured charity.

“Kids Need to Read” seeks to increase literacy skills and reduce dropout rates among “disadvantaged adolescents” with diverse tools including e-books, multimedia games, literature circles and “curricula linking English language arts classes to science, math and social studies classes.”

Turns out there’s another little something for geeks who dance — a “Steampunk Ball” scheduled for 6pm on Fri, May 25. If you’re mystified by all things steampunk, just talk with the nearest theater kid. Or spend some time online with a PBS piece called “Off Book: Steampunk.”

If you’re a first-timer not sure what to expect at Comicon, I’ve got a quick rundown. Think poker tournament, fashion show, anime tea party, concert, comedy roast, bananas, sci-fi party, geek speed dating, costumes and zombies. Lots and lots of zombies. Also several “sketch-offs” featuring artists drawing works inspired by audience suggestions. Think you yell it, they draw it. Don’t try this at home.

Click here for more information on Phoenix Comicon 2012.

— Lynn

Note: Click here to read J. Frater’s “Top Ten Museums for Geeks” — and save the date (Oct. 11-14) for New York Comic Con 2012.

Coming up: Mischief with metal, Graphic novel tells Anne Frank story

One amateur’s take on “The Avengers”

Two rules of war. Never start one. Never lose one. It’s one of many gems I picked up while watching “The Avengers” — the Marvel movie based on a comic book series first published when I was three years old. It took several decades for the darn thing to get on my radar. It’s only there now because I have a daughter who digs it and respect for a critic who panned it. Take note, theater folk. There’s actually some truth to that whole “no publicity is bad publicity” mantra.

I took my 22-year-old son Christopher along for a Saturday afternoon screening. Seated to our left was a young father with his son, who looked like kindergarten might be in his future come fall. I saw “Jaws” as a teen, and spent half the movie covering my eyes. All the little guy two seats over needed during “The Avengers” was a few brief plot points and a little lap time during the final battle scene.

I wasn’t a fan of letting my kids see all that shoot ’em up bang bang stuff before their teens, but I’m even less inclined to tell other parents how to make such choices assuming there’s no real danger involved. Just be sure any kids you take along know that Hulk-esque moves won’t be tolerated on the playground. And remember that it’s rated PG-13 for a reason.

There’s a single scene in the film that’ll stick with me for some time. It features a lone elderly gentleman standing up amidst a crowd of people who’ve obeyed villain Loki’s “kneel before me” command. The setting is a street in Stuttgart, Germany — and the Holocaust reference is clear. The choice costs him dearly, but it was the right thing to do.

There’s plenty of philosophical fodder in “The Avengers.” Freedom is life’s great lie. The world is growing ever stranger. Sometimes people need a hero. The world is full of people we can’t control. We all follow our true nature. Failure stems from lack of conviction. It’s best to pay one’s debts. Seems superheroes also have their politics. Think nuclear proliferation as a lousy deterrent.

I give the action much higher marks than the acting in this baby, but it’s the writing that really rocks. Lizabeth told me as much after seeing a midnight premiere of “The Avengers” in NYC with some friends. She’s a longtime fan of Joss Whedon, who directs the film and wrote the screenplay.

At one point Loki tells Iron Man he’s got no idea what he’s dealing with. Iron Man responds with, “Shakespeare in the Park?” (Seems Iron Man feels Loki is a “full tilt diva.”) When Loki plays the “I’m a god” card, Hulk give him a jab and a “puny god” quip. When someone marvels over the differences between brothers Thor and Loki, Thor retorts with “He’s adopted.” There’s even a nifty reference to flying monkeys.

I don’t speak “Marvel,” but still enjoyed the film in novice mode. It’s funny enough that nodding off is a luxury rather than a necessity. I suppose I’ll have to delve deeper into “The Avengers” backstory now, though Lizabeth will likely advise against it. She’s already explained that only the true geeks really get it. But that won’t stop me from trying — because now I know just enough to be dangerous.

— Lynn

Note: Click here to learn more about “The Avengers,” and here for the scoop on Phoenix Comicon (coming to the Phoenix Convention Center May 24-27). Guests include Ed Asner, longtime friend of Arizona Jewish Theatre Company (whose Curtain Call youth theater performs “Annie” next weekend), and author Tom Leveen (known to Valley theater geeks for all those years at Chyro Arts in Scottsdale).

Coming up: Art meets Mother’s Day, Memoir tales