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And I'm Back On The Air – Live, From Wizard World Big Apple

Good morning America! Hope you all survived yesterday's Bleeding Cool brownout, I was in mid air and internetless till, well, till Wizard World Big Apple Con turned on the Wi-Fi about ten seconds ago and I could press Publish. And you know what? it's faster than my home broadband, especially uploading. Appreciated, guys.

As I type this, I'm guessing a couple of hours before I press that button, everyone is setting up at the show, held at the Pier 94 in Manhattan (55th and 12th, fact fans) stretching over to Pier 92. Be careful though, 12th Avenue can be a pedestrian unfriendly car/bus/truck heavy death trap, and I'd hate to see any wookie roadkill out there.

I'm at the Avatar in-the-round booth (Aisle 300), circle it enough times and you'll find me, next to the Wizard booth. Probably.

I walked for about three hours this morning around Manhattan… it's a place that really does make my city soul sing, very much a gaudy taller London, with a can do attitude. I also passed by DC Comics Entertainment on Broadway and was recognised on I'm staying at Ink48, a new hotel that is, as the receptionist described, in "soft launch". Wizard have flown me in and put me up so I'm their bitch. I wonder why my cup size had increased this weekend…

This is certainly a step up from previous non-Wizard Big Apple Shows, it has room to stretch and Wizard's PR tactics seem to have worked attracting the crowds. From William Shatner to Jim Lee, the Big Apple guest list has stepped up a couple of notches too. Lots of media guests to bump into from Battlestars old and new, Lou Ferrigno lifting boxes, Linda Hamilton, Uhuru, the real Boba Fett holding court, the Batmobile, the De Lorean, plenty plenty wrestlers and "models", and… not enough carpet. Hey, what can I say, it gives it a grungey warehouse look which actually adds to the atmosphere. Less sterile, more basement comic shop writ large, And, unlike San Diego, lots of dealers. With the $10 graphic novels at Chris Cards And Comics doing swift business.

And Shocker Toys not only have plenty of product but the Mallowhead line is really really nice. Bumped into Josh Adams of this parish who promises he will get his column written from the con, circled the Shamus brothers who seem quite pleased with the turnout and the UFragTV.com people are all setting up for a live feed from the show. The retailers I speak to seem damn excited by an upcoming year full of Twilight manga and Michael Jackson comics. Are Marvel really using Lockjaw And The Pet Avengers to being back The Inifinity Gauntlet for a mega Marvel crossover? Let's see if I can find out…

So I'm here, I'm sporting my Bleeding Cool T-Shirt and I'm going for another walk around. Possibly by the Nintendo booth where they have hot chicks doing live Wii Aerobics. Hey, what can I say, it's Wizard. Might as well go with the flow…

P.S. Hey, did you know that William Shatner only takes cash for signed photos? Don't try to mug him on the way out though, he'll shiv you like the dirty dog you are… I hope to be speaking with him later. And asking him to review packets of different flavour Walkers crisps/chips. I'm not joking.

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