Overheard at Midtown Comics, or How BKV was in NYC!

So Brian K. Vaughan (creator of Y: The Last Man, Ex-Machina, Runaways and Pride of Baghdad) was at Midtown Comics (Grand Central) yesterday so I went to get some stuff signed (in hindsight my choices weren't that inspired, only when I arrived did I realize I didn't have any Y's on me! But I did get my Pride of Baghdad signed and issues #1 and #2 of The Escapists (the latter which is also signed by cover artist James Jean).

But the most amazing part of the event was, of course, the lineup. And so I give you: Overheard @ Midtown Comics (or more like: along 45th while we waited to get in)

Random Guy #1 answering a question from an interviewer Re: 355 : Well, it's funny you should ask, cause we were discussing 355 online earlier today. 

Passerby #1: What's this for?

Random Girl #1: Brian K. Vaughan is doing a signing upstairs.

Passerby #1: What?

Random Girl #1: Brian K. Vaughan; he's a comic book writer.

Passerby #1: [disappointed look] Oh. [starts walking away]

Random Girl #1: He also writes for LOST.

Passerby #1: [smiles] Oh. THAT's cool! [walks away]

Random Girl #1 and me: [roll eyes]

Random Guy #1: So, what's your guys' theory on Agent 355's name?

Random Guy #2: Oh yeah. I hadn't even thought of that... cause Agent 5...3...er... yeah, whispers her name to Yorick.

Random Girl #2: Do you know what her name is?

Random Girl #1: Well, there's this theory that her name is... Well, you know her last cover. What's she doing? She's doing this [gives the Peace sign]: which is funny cause it's BOTH a Y and Peace, and that would make it so cool cause even though that's her name, like, all she does is war, right?

Random Guy #3 on being asked to talk about Y's ending: Well, from a writing point of view it was pretty good. But as a reader - I just... I'm just gonna miss the characters so much!

Random Girl #3: Is that an Ampersand? [upon looking at RG#2's stuffed &-like monkey]

Random Girl #3: I haven't finished reading Y.

Ramos's Runaways, or How A Picture is Worth More than My Words

So the first 'cast picture' of Runaways by incoming artist Humberto Ramos has hit the web, not without its critics (see the comments here, or Pop Colony's thoughts here)
I don't mean to be a hater but this, added to the fact that Mr Joss Whedon won't be telling more amazing stories featuring BKV's kids makes me want to treat whatever comes after Joss as non-canon.
Six things that are wrong with this picture (Left to Right)
1. Nico looks like a Sakura Cardcaptors supporting player. I know that as a Teen Comic Runaways might benefit from tackling the Manga-loving tweens, but... c'mon!
2. Everyone has HUGE feet. Where do they get these gigantic shoes?!
3. Chase looks like he regressed to his Frat-boy looks circa issue 1 and lost his sense of cool t-shirt sayings ('I do my own stunts' will never be eclipsed, but 'I fought in the Civil War'? Is this a plug for that 2007 Marvel event?)
4. Victor looks like he got his clothes/look out of a Kmart/Walmart catalogue, and stopped using his electric powers to self-style that now limp and greasy hair.
5. Karolina (it's with an "a" Mr Ramos btw) was morphed into a West Coast granola babe, crocs 'n all. I wouldn't be surprised if those were Lululemon pants.
6. Molly looks like she's 6. (Last time I checked Ms Hayes was 11/12)
[I have nothing to say about Old Lace nor Xavin, I kind of like their look]

Also, what I think bothers me most about this sketch is that the charm of the Runaways kids was that they were normal kids with interesting and everyday traits who happened to also kick butt and fight evil: Gert was a bit overweight, Molly was a bit excitable, Karolina was a healthy vegan, Nico was a self-styled Gothic-themed Japanese-American girl but it seems Ramos' art has distilled them into cliches: all the girls seem malnourished, Nico has become a walking Japanese/Harajuku stereotype (yes, her wardrobe has been sometimes eclectic, but never like this), Chase and Victor have become default 'male teen' cliches (the Jock and the outcast) and Molly went from cute girl with funny hats to pre-tween lost amongst the WB-styled teens that look less super-hero-y and more 'Dawson's 7th Everwood Felicity Summer Tree Hill' rejects.

Here's hoping that there'll be some tweaking prior to the first Moore-penned, Ramos-drawn issue.

Skrulling Faith, or How I am Seeing Double

I don't know why but as soon as I saw this (fabulous!) Faith cover in the Wizard Interview, I was reminded of yet another Jo Chen cover for another Vaughan-tastic series.