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July 2009
COMIC CON SELECTED HIGHLIGHTS

COMIC CON 2009
SELECTED HIGHLIGHTS

by Wilson Morales

July 27, 2009





Black talent from actors, producers, composers, and directors were in full effect at the 2009 San Diego Comic Con. Never before in the years that I have been coming has so much talent, including comic book writers the world doesn't even know about, shown up at the convention.

Zoe Saldana was on hand with Director James Cameron, Sigourney Weaver and to talk about the eagerly awaited 'Avatar.' From the looks of the footage shown, a hit is guaranteed.

 

Actress Zoe Saldana speaks at the "Avatar" Q&A during Comic-Con 2009 held at San Diego Convention Center on July 23, 2009 in San Diego, California.



In his first outing at the 'Con, Denzel Washington came out to promote to his latest film, 'The Book of Eli,' which was directed by The Hughes Brothers. These guys haven't made a big screen film since they did 'From Hell,' with Johnny Depp back in 2001.

 

Actor Denzel Washington speaks Actor Denzel Washington speaks during the panel discussion for Warner Brothers' "The Book of Eli" at Comic-Con 2009 held at San Diego Convention Center on July 24, 2009 in San Diego, California.




Tyrese came out last year while he was doing interviews for 'Death Race,' but this year, he came out swinging everyday to promote not one, but two projects. The first is his upcoming film, 'Legion,' which also stars Adrianne Palicki, Paul Bettany and Doug Jones. The second was his venture into the comic book world with 'Mayhem.' He was out everyday at the booth mixing with the crowd as they lined up to pick special edition of the book just for comic con fans.




 
Writer/director Scott Stewart with actors Tyrese Gibson, Adrianne Palicki, Paul Bettany and Doug Jones attend a panel discussion for Sony Pictures Entertainment: "Legion" at Comic-Con 2009 held at San Diego Convention Center on July 24, 2009 in San Diego, California.





Both Ludacris and Terry Crews were around the convention promoting their upcoming action film, 'Gamer,' with Gerard Butler and Milo Ventimiglia, and Alison Lohman.


Saturday was really a 'Black Day.' It started off with the annual 'Black Panel.' Moderated by Michael Davis, this year's panel included Ludacris, Michael Jai White (Black Dynamite), Kel Mitchell (Kenan & Kel, The Brash Brothers), Prodigal Sunn (The Wu Tang Clan), Reggie Hudlin (Black Panther animated series), Denys Cowan (Black Panther animated series). There was a standing ovation for surprised guest Nichelle Nichols (Uhura of 'Star Trek'). There was a female artist on the panel this year: Stacy McClain. Hudlin revealed a new comic book - 'Flags of our Fathers,' which is Black Panther vs. Captain America.

   



Right after that panel, I headed and talked my way in the crowded room where Sanaa Lathan, Reagan Preston, and Kevin Michael Richardson came out with creator Seth MacFarlane to promote 'The Cleveland Show,' which is a spinoff from 'The Family Guy.'


 


Actress Sanaa Lathan speaks at the "The Cleveland Show!" panel discussion at Comic-Con 2009 held at San Diego Convention Center on July 25, 2009 in San Diego, California.


The highlight and winner of this year's crowd pleasure moment was the footage shown during the 'Iron Man 2' panel. Everyone from Producer Kevin Feige, Director Jon Favreau, Robert Downey Jr., and new cast members Don Cheadle, Sam Rockwell and Scarlett Johansson showed up. The 4 minute was so good that Cheadle asked if they could play it again to the audience's delight. As we know by now, Cheadle has replaced Terrence Howard in the role of Jim Rhodes and in the footage shown, we get a fantastic glimpse of Cheadle as War Machine.

  Actor Robert Downey Jr., Don Cheadle and Scarlett Johansson speak at "Iron Man 2" panel discussion during Comic-Con 2009 held at San Diego Convention Center on July 25, 2009 in San Diego, California.



To cap the day, the cast of Sundance favaorite 'Black Dynamite' came to show fans some footage of the film. Moderated by Elvis Mitchell, the panel included Director and writer Scott Sanders, Michael Jai White, Bryon Minns, and the lovely Salli Richardson- Whitfield. It was also announced that cartoon version of the film has been picked up by a major network. The film hasn't even been released theatrically and there is life after the DVD comes out. In the audience to support Richardson-Whitfield was her Eureka co-star Joe Morton.

   




As the convention was winding down on Sunday, I stopped by the Exhibit Halls and met a couple of African African comic book writers, including Korby Marks, creator of 'Storm Bringers,' and his artist JoJo Seames.

   


   
   
   


 



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