EARTH PRIME TIME: JOHN DE LANCIE ‘Q’ AND A – RHODE ISLAND COMIC CON [VIDEO]

As part of our obsessive completist series here at Earth Prime Time, we fill in the time gap from a computer-less week with coverage of the first annual Rhode Island Comic Con (November 3-4, 2012). I was asked to moderate my first panel at a comic book convention with actor John de Lancie, best known to Star Trek: The Next Generation fans as the mischievous villain Q and to Bronies as Discord in My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic.
 

Fortunately for all involved, right before the panel, Forces Of Geek editor-in-chief Stefan Blitzinformed me that my ‘moderation’ was now to be downgraded to ‘introducing John and sitting next to him’. John is an engaging speaker and has spoken to hundreds of audiences in his time. He didn’t need my help up there. Self-doubt and nervous energy had already pervaded my senses just as the 11AM Red Bull started taking effect.

Somehow, I just knew that my 12 plus hours of Netflix ‘research’ and my 10 questions for an actor of John’s caliber were not good enough.

Well, not good enough in comparison to the questions his die-hard fans would have for him. I was still busy revising my queries on I-95 just minutes before.

I was showered, caffeinated and a strange combination of unprepared and over prepared.

In the panel room we delayed the start of the talk to allow more people an opportunity to get inside. The line outside was long as first-time convention volunteers attempted to process hundreds ofBrowncoats, Jedi, Finns and Fionnas. Day 1 of Rhode Island Comic Con was off to a slow start but there were already over 30 people here for John De Lancie’s panel. Snacking on a convention breakfast of leftover M&Ms, I broke out my 2007 White MacBook to take a final look at my questions. I was confronted by the gray Mac Screen of Death and Matrix digital rain. I’d seen it before. This was a gasp, a final plea from ol’ Lappy to for me to say ‘goodbye’ to her just one last time.

For some reason when it was time to go on to the dais, I brought her with me.

“Maybe Q can fix my computer”, I must have thought. Nay. No snapping of fingers could fix the logic board.

John did pick her up, though. Using her as a prop and coaster for his coffee was a right send off for the old bird.

Was I disappointed that I didn’t get to ask my all of my questions? The answer is unequivocally “No.” I got to sit back and listen to John with best seat in the house.

Below, please check out the full hour of John de Lancie (also Donald Margolis on Breaking Bad, Eugene Bradford on Days of Our Lives, Frank Simmons from Stargate: SG-1) discussing his craft, music, writing and his involvement with BronyCon: The Documentary.

[READ MORE at DIGBOSTON.COM]

Walt Simonson and Stafan Blitz from Forces of Geek BY YOUR COMMANDBatmobileBatcycle

Jumping On Point: THE NIGHTLY NEWS by Jonathan Hickman

The Nightly News was originally published as a six-issue limited series from Image Comics in 2008.

The collected edition is available in trade paperback and an anniversary hardcover.

In the months after #occupy, this is required reading for comic book fans angry with the media and the distortions portrayed by the beast.

Hickman currently works on Marvel’s flagship superhero family Fantastic Four as well as the Ultimate Universe version of The Avengers, The Ultimates.

His earlier work such as The Nightly News and Pax Romana showcases his abilities not only as the writer but also as letterer, colorist, designer and artist.

The best way to describe the art is as an infographic. Every page is footnoted, cataloged, referenced, carefully balanced as graphic design and just packed with words. I had several hard, false starts getting into the book. I’d read a few pages, get lost and distracted.   

[READ MORE at FORCES OF GEEK]

PEANUTS & CHARLIE BROWN GO KABOOM! at FORCES OF GEEK!

A new ongoing comic introduces the next generation to a strip synonymous with growing up with growing pains.

With the success of Happiness is a Warm Blanket, Charlie Brown, Kaboom! Studios releases the first original Peanuts stories since Charles Schulz’s death in 2000.

Peanuts #2 from Kaboom!

The monthly series reprints Sparky’s Sunday strips in full color, but also invites new creative teams to the mound.

[READ MORE at FORCES OF GEEK!]

DEBUT COLUMN at FORCES OF GEEK - T.H.U.N.D.E.R AGENTS / THE WORLD BELOW

AM I CRAZY? HERE’S A NEW SITE I’M WRITING FOR - FORCES OF GEEK! Enjoy! — Clay

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SPENCER FOR HIRE: T.H.U.N.D.E.R. AGENTS / THE WORLD BELOW

Joss Whedon’s The Avengers will surely be a blockbuster hit this summer and most teenagers are familiar with the Justice League from the cartoons, but today

we focus on the best superhero team you’ve never heard of, T.H.U.N.D.E.R. Agents.

Named after 60s spy thriller The Man From U.N.C.L.E., The Higher United Nations Defense Enforcement Reserves operates outside the boundaries of national interest, working to achieve world peace. The late artist Wally Wood and writer Len Brown created the first series, and now rising star Nick Spencer (Morning Glories, Iron Man 2.0) leads the team to the future.

Dynamo, NoMan, Menthor, Raven and Lightning fight the organization S.P.I.D.E.R. (Secret People’s International Directorate for Extralegal Revenue) and also a Subterranean society.

[READ MORE at FORCES OF GEEK]