R.I.P. Stan Winston

There are lot of things that I should be blogging about that have happened to me within the past week or so. None of them are nearly as important as learning about the passing of a modern day wizard. I loved everything Stan Winston touched and he will be missed.

By Garth FranklinMonday, June 16th 2008 11:35am

Oscar-winning special effects and make-up legend Stan Winston passed away on Sunday night after a seven-year struggle with multiple myeloma.

The 62-year-old Winston was best known for his work in the Terminator, Jurassic Park, Aliens, and Predator franchises. Other notable films included Edward Scissorhands, Batman Returns, Interview with the Vampire, Pearl Harbor, A.I.: Artificial Intelligence, Big Fish, Constantine, End of Days, Lake Placid, Congo, Leviathan, The Ghost and the Darkness and The Thing.

He was only the second special effects artist to receive a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. His most recent work was creating the physical suit for use by Robert Downey Jr. in "Iron Man" and top-secret creations for James Cameron's upcoming project "Avatar".

To his friends, family, and many, many admirers - our thoughts, prayers and condolences go out to you. This is a very sad day for anyone whose ever loved the craft of filmmaking. Peace be with you Stan.

Crusading for comics

Newcomer brings Comicon to Spokane

By Isamu Jordan • Staff writer • JUNE 6, 2008

When Nathan O'Brien needed a hero to help with potty training his daughter, Lanna, he called on the likes of Spider-Man and Batman.

"We rewarded her for going to the bathroom with various comic-book related toys," said O'Brien, a 29-year-old comic book junkie whose daughter is named after Superman's first love, Lana Lang.

For the O'Brien's, the fantasy world of comic books is very much a part of real life.

When he moved to Spokane from Seattle two years ago he experienced some culture shock when he found that the metropolitan center of the Inland Northwest didn't have its own annual comic books convention.

He was used to going to three or four conventions per year while living in Seattle.

"I guess I was spoiled," O'Brien said.

He talked to Craig Barnett, owner of The Comic Book Shop, who informed him there hadn't been a comicon in Spokane for more than 15 years.

"Since then I have made it my personal mission to bring a slice of the comic and pop culture world to Spokane," said the comics crusader, whose alter-ego is a general manager for a food services contractor.

So O'Brien went to work to create the one thing missing from his quality of life in Spokane, and the 2007 Spokane Comicon drew a respectable 300 spectators to shake hands with some top-notch artists in the industry and celebrity guest Margot Kidder (that's right, Lois Lane from the Christopher Reeve-era Superman movies).

O'Brien is hoping Spokane Comicon 2008 will be even bigger, and he's got some super-powered plans for the event, such as a $1 raffle for an autographed issue of Batman from his personal collection, estimated at a $200 value, and prizes for a costume contest for kids and adults (nothing inappropriate).

Other highlights include a free gift bag for the first 50 paid attendees, a free hourly raffle, appearances by Darth Vader and various Star Wars villains, and tons of toys and comics collectibles.

Some of the special guests include Eisner Award nominated creators of PX!, Spokane's Eric Anderson and Manny Trembly; another Spokane talent, Andy Owens, who is inking the canonical 8th season of Buffy the Vampire Slayer in comic form; respected Spokane graphic artist Jim Koch, whose work can be found at Boo Radley's; Bellingham-based Blue Water Productions CEO Darren Davis, who landed a deal to release comic sequels to movies made by special effects wizard Ray Harryausen; and Seattle artist Clinton Crain, whose painted illustrations come to life on the pages of Marvel revamps Ghostrider, Spider-Man and X-Force.

Spokane Comicon 2008 takes place on Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. in The Globe Room in Cataldo Hall at Gonzaga University. Admission is $5; kids 10 and under are free with paid adults. Costume contests and $1 raffle take place at 5 p.m.

Captain America Shield in Iron Man

This is exciting. Everyone knows that Samuel L Jackson makes a cameo at the end of Iron Man. Now all the online geeks have pointed out that Captain America's shield makes a cameo too! Take a look on the left hand side just below his arm on the table.

Here are a few stills.
and a side by side comparison.