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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

Justice League vs. the Color Stealing Man

By on July 28, 2014 in Commentary, The Full Bleed

Superman, Wonder Woman, and Batman.

Who sucked all of the color out of the DC Universe? Everything is so drab. I’m really hoping the Justice League film will be Justice League vs. Instagram Color Filter Man.

In this context Wonder Woman looks more bad ass than Bats and Supes. Batman looks like a stuffed sausage who fights crime by bear hugging evildoers into compliance. I’d be okay with skipping the Justice League film and going straight to a Wonder Woman origin film (if it isn’t completely sepia tone).

And whats with all of the glowing eyes? Was Batman all like “Oh, you have glowing eyes? Well check this out!” *pushes button on utility belt* “BATGLOW!” *stare* What color do you think Wonder Woman’s eyes will glow?

BATGLOW!

Cartoon Art Museum Curator Andrew Farago profiled in Washington City Paper

By on August 30, 2013 in Bay Area Comic News, Exhibits
Neal Adams cover for Action Comics 419

Neal Adams cover for Action Comics 419

Want to know more about what goes into curating San Francisco’s Cartoon Art Museum? Curator Andrew Farago was recently profiled by DC’s alt-weekly Washington City Paper. Farago gives insight into what it means to be the curator at one of the few museums in the country dedicated specifically to the medium of comics. Next weekend the museum will be closing out it’s 75th anniversary celebration of Superman and during the interview Farago cited his exposure to the Smithsonian’s exhibit during Superman’s 50th anniversary as possible panting the seeds for the possibilities of comics in museums.

“As a kid who grew up near Cleveland, Superman’s hometown, that’s always been an important connection for me. And my first exposure to comics in a museum setting was when my sixth grade class visited Washington, D.C. during Superman’s 50th anniversary, where we saw the Smithsonian’s Superman exhibition, and that must have planted the seeds for me going into museum work. I made sure to include the “I Am Curious—Black!” comic book in our current Superman: A 75th Anniversary Celebration show,  since I saw that as a kid and was thoroughly confused by it. I felt an obligation to baffle the next generation of Superman fans with it, too.”

The full interview can be read at Washington City Paper.

The Superman exhibit runs until September 8. While at the museum be sure to check out the exhibits dedicated to Will Eisner and San Francisco-based illustrator Roman Muradov.

Comic Art Museum
655 Mission St.
San Francisco, CA 94105

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