Every year, Comic Con comes to the San Diego Convention Center and with that comes over 3 miles of showroom floor. Celebrity signings, costumed fanatics, free giveaways, giant, oversized bags all take over the landscape of the generously sized convention. However, the highlight of my trip took place about 4 blocks away right in the middle of downtown San Diego.

In support of this years TRON: Legacy release, out December, Disney pulled out all the stops and recreated one of the more recognizable locations from the original film, Flynn's Arcade. Built inside of an abandoned segment of 6th Ave. downtown, Flynn's Arcade had all the charms of the original brick and mortar from the 1984 release , despite the warranted advertisements and press that an event like this would garner. Still, being inside the arcade was incredible. All the original machines were there, including movie stand outs Space Paranoids and the elusive TRON. And the best part… ALL THE GAMES WERE FREE!!! No fishing for quarters, or dealing with imperfect dollar bills. Yes.

What I didn't realize, is that wasn't all Flynn had in store for us this time. Located behind the TRON encasement was a narrow corridor that wound and led deep into the building. One more corner, and there it was, in person. Flynn's personal desk and laser terminal. The attention to detail was impressive. The desk itself was a flat top LCD screen very similar to the technology used in the Original TRON for Dillinger's desk at ENCOM. The only difference here, lies in the message on the screen, which appeared to be a countdown of sorts. Most likely a countdown to the actual release of the film itself. The laser was an upgrade to the previous versions, but still crazy to see in person.

I kept walking down the next corridor, this one considerably brighter. A long hallway with strobing lights (made to look like you were being digitized) led into the most impressive room in the whole arcade.

In here I found an illuminated recreation of the world inside the MCP. Everything was luminescent and stunning. The beams glowed white and all the walls were made up of thousands of LED's. There was a glass bar with many intricately shaped bottles to the back of the room. Although there were no dj's at this time, they were playing the new Daft Punk score interspersed with showings of an exclusive Flynn's Arcade trailer of the film.

O S A K A

HEY GUYS!!!
I have the latest CHROMEO REMIX and I must say it makes for some easy listening. The disco beats and smooth rhythm make my ears pretty happy, so i think you all should download it!!!!

Here's a free download of Chromeo-Don't Turn the Lights On(Aeroplane Remix) but you guys also have to check out the website to preorder Business Casual!! DO IT DO IT DO IT, NOW!

PREORDER BUSINESS CASUAL!!!!!
CHROMEO-DON'T TURN THE LIGHTS ON (AEROPLANE REMIX)

So far, 2010 has taken me many places, each with their own characteristics and charm. From SXSW to WMC to Coachella, each and every one of these places had their own experiences and lessons to be had. Comic Con was no exception, although compared to the other events and festivals i've seen, this was on an entirely different planet. From the classic Marvel / DC Superhero archetypes to high energy, seizure inducing video games to quiet but talented book artists, all the way back to in your face big Hollywood media, it was difficult to place myself in the midst of this Zion of fiction and fantasy. It was very easy however to get lost amidst the different worlds that would change from block to block, always having to look over your shoulder to try and get away from the legions of stormtroopers and Boba Fetts that may be tracking you down, or even just stopping to smile at one of the G4 girls while on the search for Olivia Munn.

Comic Con was an experience I am happy to have had. It was much more than just comics and movies. It was about people and their passions. This is the unifying idea. The idea of immersing yourself with like minded people that, for a few days, get to be whoever they want. Whether it's a writer, an illustrator, a memorabilia collector, a director, even a Spiderman or a Wonder Woman, there's a strong sense of knowing who you are here that I feel lacks in a lot of the day to day in LA. Is the music community so different? Shouldn't the love of a record or a band be the driving force behind why you go to a show or festival or convention? I believe so. That is why I do what I do.

Although I've picked up some books and written down some ideas for next year, I am most looking forward to engaging in the conversations and stories that are happening all around the convention center. Be it new friends recently met at the booths to the tried and true IHC crew i've come to know and love. I urge everyone to make the trek to Comic Con at least once in their lives. The people you meet here aren't afraid to be who they are, and neither are we. So Comic Con, i'll see you in 11 months, granted that the MCP doesn't de-res me by then.

O S A K A

P.S. One day i'll find you G4 girl who stole my heart.

It's SCION HOUSE PARTY time again! Next week starts off their new series focusing on techno and minimal. Gonna be a sweet show, so be sure to RSVP to get in for FREE! You can do that HERE!

HEY GUYS!!!
IHEARTCOMIX and MEDIA CONTENDER are proud to present the LOS ANGELES premiere & After-Party for THE ELECTRO WARS, the highly anticipated EDM documentary from director Stephen Alex Vasquez. Exploring the past, present, and future of electronic/dance music, The Electro Wars captures the perspective of the electro scene as told through the eyes and ears of the artists that are helping to define it. The film features unique footage right from the frontlines and includes in depth interviews with artists such as A-Trak, Moby, Justice, Boys Noize, Spank Rock, Diplo & Switch, Franki Chan, DJ Premier, Midnight Juggernauts and many more. To read more about the movie, visit the website at:
WWW.THEELECTROWARS.COM

All of the information is on the flyer but I'm posting it here too. So here's the deal:
The event features a Q&A with director STEPHEN ALEX VASQUEZ
Doors open at 6:30PM and the movie starts at 7:30PM

AFTER PARTY with DJ Sets by SECRET GUESTS, FRANKI CHAN, STEPHEN VASQUEZ
18+

$10 ADVANCED TIX TO SCREENING

$5 AT DOOR FOR AFTER PARTY ONLY

To purchase tickets in advance, click on this link:PRESALE TICKETS

AND CHECK OUT THE VIDEO!

The Electro Wars Final Trailer from Stephen Alex Vasquez on Vimeo.

Some long-time IHC! blog readers might recall a track of mine blogged on here a couple years back called Shark Attack (Ruff Cut). Well, after rummaging through an old hard drive I found the session files and finally got around to finishing this thing! And hey it's Shark Week so I figured, why not just loose the sucker while everyone's preoccupied with our chompy aquatic nemeses..

Shark Attack (Original Mix) by flufftronix

Comic Con this year was an experience unlike anything i've ever seen before. Here is a little sample of some of the incredible things that happened this year in San Diego. Be on the look out for the full story coming soon to IHEARTCOMIX TV!!!

IHEARTCOMIXCON 2010 Trailer from Brandon Riley Miller on Vimeo.

One of my favorite things about COMICON every year is all the amazing costumes. Some are good, some bad, some ridiculous, over the top, or out of control, but never do they fail to entertain. It's one of the things that makes the landscape of going to COMICON unique. Whether you are impressed or your making fun of them (or a little of both), it's that extra touch that really makes the week worth it.

Increasingly fashion has become a bigger part of the convention. As the crowd has increased, Hollywood has invaded and the populace become 'cooler', you see more people from different genres, sub genres and walks of life all joining in on the fun. Inevitably a more keen fashion sense outside of the world of super heroes and sci-fi will start to emerge within that OR you'll just have kids wearing the same shit they wear to shows and raves. Either way, it makes things more sexy and the extra element of youth really goes a long way in propelling the energy of the crowd.

Here's a bunch of photos from WASABI FASHION CULT, a rad fashion site that was at COMICON 2010 taking some snaps of the best dressed. These are my 30 faves, but if you want to see the complete sets, go HERE.

Time for another SCION RADIO 17 TOUR! This month is a blockbuster one featuring DON RIMINI, HARVARD BASS, FRANKI CHAN and GINA TURNER! We're hittin' four cities: TAMPA, MINNEAPOLIS, SALT LAKE CITY and KANSAS CITY. If you're lucky enough to live in any of these towns, all you gotta do is RSVP HERE
and the show is FREE!! Check out the full details below:

Monday 8/16/10
Czar Bar
1420 E. 7th Ave
Tampa, FL 33605

Tuesday 8/17/10
First Ave (Record Room)
701 First Ave North
Minneapolis, MN 55403

Wednesday 8/18/10
W Lounge
358 Southwest Temple
Salt Lake City, UT 84101

Thursday 8/19/10
Czar Bar
1531 Grand Boulevard
Kansas City, MO 64108

ALSO, DON'T FORGET TO CHECK OUT IHEARTCOMIX RADIO ON SCION.COM. YOU CAN LISTEN TO THAT HERE!!