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There’s an Afterlife after all in Afterlift on ComiXology

AFTERLIFT (comiXology Originals) By Ed Sum
(The Vintage Tempest)

Spoiler Alert

Writer Chip Zdarsky has a hit with Afterlift! This digital comic sees the Fast and Furious take on tones from Dante’s Inferno in a tale which changes things up from Showtime’s almost forgotten classic, Dead Like Me. Instead of Janice Chen immediately taking on the role Georgia Lass became, she needs to learn something about what her purpose in life is first.

I assume this story is set in Los Angeles–a cesspool of industry and a place where many lives are struggling is a huge bustling melting pot. Not everyone has hopes and dreams that will come true here. Janice gives up her career in finance to more or less be a cabbie. The money she makes via ride share is better, and she gets to meet interesting people. They help give her perspective on what’s out there. Dumu is a strange individual and is a frequent rider.

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Equilibrium Urban’s Not So Convention Tour!

$Equilibrium Urban\'s Product Display$ By Ed Sum
(The Vintage Tempest)

Whether you are a college student or just in need of a new carry all bag (backpack or messenger-style), Equilibrium USG has a product you can customize. You can have specific types of smaller pouches to store items in. This company hits all major comic book conventions (well, those that are managing to continue during this medical crisis) and I was curious why cater to a specific audience? Why don’t they have a product to sell in a regular store? The reason is that they can’t decide on how much stock to keep. They take orders to build on demand. To note, due to the current global shutdown, their output has slowed until the COVID-19 cases are in control.

With pop culture conventions more or less year-round, it’s inevitable you will see this company showing off their product at a nearby show. I’m thinking of adding to what I currently have. While I’m waiting on last year’s Black Friday sale to arrive (it can take up to eight months, depending on workload, & coronavirus fears in Asian manufacturing notwithstanding), I’m already considering an upgrade.

Unless I missed a tutorial, you can’t carry the Assault Panzer style completely along its longer (horizontal than vertical) axis. The Recon Prime is closer to the traditional vertical axis messenger bag design, but not by much. I have a pdf where they were once advertised as messenger bags, but after some weeks of use it feels more like a backpack. I might as well turn it into a proper one. I just need to decide on which harness is best for me, and I did not want to mail order blind.

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Zombies come to Webtoon Digital Platform in Rot & Ruin!

Jonathan Maberry’s young adult post-apocalyptic zombie series, Rot & Ruin is not only getting developed for film but also is now available to read online through the Webtoon App (iOS and Android). This program allows users to choose what genres they like and also art styles. Since there’s a huge diversity in how artists like to draw, this additional filter is welcomed. Various signup options are available to access the huge number of free comics available.

The comic book series was originally published back in 2014. While the first three issues are available to read for free, further releases will require purchasing. For those who don’t want to wait, tracking down the comic books released by IDW Publishing shouldn’t be too hard. Five issues have been released to date, and there’s also the graphic novel, Warrior Smart.

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Van Isle Comic Convention, June 9th! at Sidney by the Sea

Van Isle Convention The third annual Van Isle Comic Convention is taking place June 9th and it promises to continue in the tradition of focusing on industry talents than star power.

Headliner Nick Kondo of Sony Picture’s ImageWorks will be present to talk about Spider-Man: Into the Spiderverse and perhaps hint at what’s next. Celebrity power is creeping in slowly; Two former Power Rangers (Blake Foster, Turbo, and Michael Sowell, Timeforce) are going to talk about their time in their role as Blue Power Ranger. No martial arts demonstrations from them are scheduled as most fans know those sequences were put in from original Japanese footage. This franchise’s staying power has made stars out of many and they delight in meeting fans.

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Emerald City Comic Con Top Picks in What to Do and Going Lyte?

By Ed Sum
(The Vintage Tempest)

Emerald City Comic Con is the jewel of the Pacific Northwest pop culture scene, and this event will be big! Instead of adjoining buildings to host the many events happening, it’s spread out just a little. Folks coming to meet the many entertainment guests will have to walk a few blocks away to the Hyatt Regency Seattle hotel and back again. Not everyone knows of this change, and it may be to thin the crowds so congestion is not as bad.

Although tickets have sold out for most days, this year offers a breath of relief–more or less. Fans hoping to get a ticket last minute instead of buying from a scalper (still a problem with this event) can sign up at Lyte. Here, those unable to attend can sell.

When considering there are more than 150 comic book industry talents to ply their trade, the other third of the show deserves their own building. In the main venue, the Washington State Convention Center, the exhibitor’s hall and artists alley make up the heart and soul of this event. A few names to mention include Rob Liefeld (Deadpool), Bob Camp (Ren & Stimpy), Mike Grell (Green Arrow), Irene Koh (The Legend of Korra), Chris Roberson (iZombie), Tim Sale (Batman The Long Halloween). For a complete list, please visit this convention’s website here and the schedule is up. This event has a lot of panels to update fans on what’s coming and the meet and greets are special unto itself.

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Highlights to Reel In at Fan Expo Vancouver 2019

Nearly half the cast appeared in the 2019 edition of Fan Expo Vancouver, and that was a huge thrill for me!

Fan Expo Vancouver (March 1-3, 2019) is returning to form, and that’s to offer a mecca of delights to kickstart the first weekend of March with. This includes a larger than usual list of talents behind many a fan favourite comic book, television show or internet streaming channel. There are some video games, especially with Sony spotlighting the latest for the PS4, and this area never disappoints. With everything announced, I feel two days must be spent, minimum.

Ed Sum with Genie I’m very excited to see Arthur Adams on the list. I can finally get my Longshot trade paperback autographed! Pamela Anderson is not a regular at pop culture conventions and to hear she’s appearing is just as wonderful. I can “dream of” other talents I would love to see in the future if what’s highlighted here is a sign of who this show wants to bring to Vancouver, BC!

Folks familiar enough with this event will find plenty to do over the three-day event. A tentative schedule is online for folks to plan.

This event will take place in the West Building, and like last year is to have everything put into one huge space instead of spreading out. No explanation is given. On the plus side: everything is within easy reach. On the negative side: noise levels and potential overcrowding. My wish for the future is to have it take up an entire building.

Of particular note to content creators and film enthusiasts are:

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