Final Day of San Diego Comic Con 2022

 

Jeri Jacquin

Sunday, the final day always seems a little bit more relaxed when gathering my things to head over to Hall H. Everyone is heading to the convention center to get the last-minute collectable, see friends one more time before heading back to where ever they have journeyed from, get pictures taken with kids who are spending their Sunday meeting their favorite super heroes or characters.

Me? Well, I’m back to Hall H for two of my favorite television shows and both from the fantastic FX channel. This morning it is the return of MAYANS M.C. and the vampire comedy WHAT WE DO IN THE SHADOWS.

The crowd is told some good news when Elgin James announces that the motorcycle club drama is being given the green light for another season. That’s good news considering we have to know who is responsible for blowing up the warehouse that EZ says in the final episode of season four is ‘the clubs legacy’. The entire cast is not only excited but a few tears of joy were shed.

The panel, along with Elgin James, consisted of J.D. Pardo, Clayton Cardenas, Danny Pino, Sarah Bolger, Emilio Rivera, Michael Irby, Raoul Truillo, Frankie Loyal, Gino Vento, JR Bourne, Vincent Vargas, Emily Toasta, and Vanessa Giselle. Each and every one spoke on their experiences working on MAYANS MC and, most of all, thanking fans for its continual success and, from my perspective, it felt absolutely sincere.

James says of the show, “And every single member of the Mayans family, from our top of the call sheet to our set Pas and every single person in between have put their blood and sweat into making MAYANS something special on the set and on the screen. I’m deeply indebted to John, Eric, Nick and all of the FX and particularly Colette Wilson who’s been in the trenches with us from day one for allowing us to continue to explore and create.”

The last episode of the season left us with EZ taking over the top dog seat, Bishop in a shocked second and Padrino walking away from a club he was trying to keep alive. With the last battle in their own ranks, the vote to go to war with the Sons of Anarchy is ahead. Now, the we are all going to have to take sides!

“Kurt Sutter and I talked about how EZ has this path. The universe was going to spit him out back where he belongs – that was always going to be his fate.” James talked about EZ never knowing if he was in or our because we all saw the mistakes he was making yet still rising in the ranks. “That’s what he’s doing now with the club where there are egos in the way like Bishop and Angel, and I don’t say ego in a negative way.”

Bishop spent the season licking his wounds and Angel spent the season going in and out of love and sadness as his own family starts to change his feelings toward life. But, EZ, well, EZ has the look of a man that is either going to succeed in taking down SAMCRO or, well, lets leave it at that. There will be more on this in a longer article once I have recovered from Comic Con, hey, a girl has got to get some beauty sleep here!

Attendees are told as well that their gift ticket is none other than a MAYANS MC t-shirt and trust when I say that it is the first best nightshirt in my 2022 collection for Comic Con this year.

Next up, the FX hilarious comedy WHAT WE DO IN SHADOWS. The cast panel included Executive Producer and writer Paul Simms, Executive Producer and writer Stefani Robinson, Kayvan Novak, Matt Berry, Natasia Demetriou, Harvey Guillen, Mark Proksch and Kristen Schaal (who cracks me up EVERY time).

Starting out watching an exclusive screening THE NIGHT MARKET, Simms teases that it is the biggest episode yet. That’s fine by me because it had me giggling for half an hour. The process was “Lot of hours of twiddling with my sword and playing with my sword and putting my sword up against Harvey’s sword. Take that as you will, my fellow Nandermo lovers”. The crowd loved it!

Demetriou as Nadja, talks about the hottest vampire club saying, “The reason we have the nightclub is because they’ve seen me dance. When you see a talent like that, you have to use it.” What the audience doesn’t know at this point is that the Comic Con gift from WHAT WE DO IN THE SHADOWS is a tee-shirt with Nadja’s outline and club on it, suitable for becoming the next best nightshirt in my collection.

Simms says that future episodes including the gang in one room and a ‘boys weekend’ which is going to be epic when you think about it. Other tidbits are teasing that viewers are going to meet Guillermo’s family while he tries to find love. WHAT WE DO IN THE SHAWDOWS is on FX and can be seen Tuesday nights with new episodes and streaming the next day on Hulu.

That, my friends, is how I ended my journey through San Diego Comic Con International 2022 at the convention center in San Diego. There was excitement, surprises, trailers, talent and things to do walking around downtown to welcome back fans after a two-year absence. Comic Con did their utmost to protect attendees and with that, masks became part of costumes and it worked!

It a joy to see friends once again, reconnect with our fellow attendees and the excitement that we will once again come back to San Diego Comic Con International in 2023!

See you then!

 

 

The Final Day of SDCC Brings Goodbyes, Tears and MAYANS MC

Jeri Jacquin

We all made it, every one of us! The final day of San Diego Comic Con International 2019 is in the bag. Now all that’s left to do gather all the swag, goodies, Funkos and characters and find a place for it all in our homes. I mean that in good fun because I really love all the Comic Con goodies because they continue to be a reminder of just how much fun there is to have.

The morning started off with the Supernatural final appearance in Hall H. A friend of mine reminded me of how this show started in 6BCD and grew into Ballroom 20 and grew so big that it had to be moved into Hall H. Every Sunday morning the fans would gather to celebrate the Winchester brothers and attendees never knew what was going to happen. I do have to admit that my favorite year was when the band Kansas came to perform Carry On Wayward Son which is the theme song of the show.

This year was bittersweet as every person in line, and it stretched from Hall H around the back to the embarcadero, wanted a chance to say goodbye to the cast they have come to enjoy. The show will be ending it’s fifteen season run later this year which means you have enough time to binge watch fourteen seasons before it all wraps up.

Entering into Hall H, each attendee was given a small replica of the Winchester Bros. car ‘Baby’ and I have to say it’s pretty cool. The panel this year included Jensen Ackles, Jared Padalecki, Misha Collins, Alexander Calvert and executive producers Robert Singer, Andrew Dabb, Eugenie Ross-Leming, Brad Buckner and Robert Berens. Each took terms talking about the past season, making jokes and only giving hints on the final season.

When asked about their feelings regarding the final season and the fans, Ackles and Padalecki both broke into tears and leaned on each other. They followed with an emotional thank you to the fans that have made the series such a success. All the of sadness would soon be put away as the announcement was made that any of the fans who asked questions were now in the running of a car – a replica of Baby. When I say replica, I mean a real car! The lady who won it is now going to have a million new friends.

Thunderous applause broke out as the panel hugged it out and made their way off the stage.

The CW series Riverdale took the stage next and began when the show’s creator Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa arrived to talk about the passing of Luke Perry. “I remember when Luke auditioned, I was so socked that Luke Perry was auditioning. He came up to me and said ‘I read the script and I love the character Fred because he’s just like me. I have a son and this character speaks to me’”. Playing a video tribute was very touching.

Aguirre-Sacasa also shared that Shannon Doherty will make an appearance in the show. It was something Perry had asked for and now the show is fulfilling that request.

Coming to the stage was the cast including Madelaine Petsch, Camilla Mendes, KJ Apa, Lili Reinhard and Cole Sprouse. It must be said that Sprouse has been my favorite because he seems like such a jovial handful. In regards to the series, the theme is wondering if Archie and the gang can possibly have a simple life both in school and at home. It’s unlikely to my way of thinking and the show would be short lived if they did but the next season promises to be intense. The show returns in October on the CW.

The final panel in Hall H for Comic Con is the new FX hit series Mayans MC. Taking over the motorcycle club helm from its predecessor Sons of Anarchy, creator Kurt Sutter, Elgin James and executive producer Kevin Dowling bring the new club to fans. On the panel were JD Pardo, Clayton Cardenas, Edward James Olmos, Sarah Bolger, Michael Irby, Antonio Jaramillo, Raoul Max Trujillo, Danny Pino, Emilio Rivera, Frankie Loyal, Joseph Lucero and Vincent Vargas.

The panel discusses their roles and how intense the show is with its portrayal of the Mayans motorcycle club and their dealings with the cartels. A fan asked if they were worried about stereotyping and it was Olmos who said that in all stereotypes there are rings of truth to some of it. He also says that season two, airing in over a month, promises to get even darker than the first season.

If you haven’t seen the new series Mayans MC yet, might I suggest you do so. There are people you will remember from SOA and a storyline that is a tad familiar but taken to places you wouldn’t expect.

What I can tell you about this cast is that they have the same spirit as the cast from Sons of Anarchy. They are very funny, seem to know each other very well and joke in a way that tells me this is a strong group of actors. That is important when you have an ensemble series, to feel as if they true are a family in their sense of the word. This is a storyline that is violent, telling and contains turns that put every character on notice – no one is exempt from danger!

That’s it, that’s all there is for this year. It was filled with stories, meeting with friends that although I might be friends with on Facebook or other social media platforms, I can be guaranteed we can see each other once a year. SDCC is a place to share in our likes and try to convert each other to see or experience something we don’t think we’d like. Trust when I say I’ve been taken in by shows I didn’t think would hold the slightest interest for me.

SDCC is a time to catch up, dress up, play up, and enjoy all of that with over a hundred thousand of your closest people. That is why SDCC keeps coming back and especially why we all go year after year.

Sunday at San Diego Comic Con Brings the Familiar and the New!

Jeri Jacquin

Here it is, the final day, the day that I long for and at the same time the saddest day that it’s all ending. There is mileage on these feet to be sure and a case of uncomfortable seat-itis but at the same time knowing that all the people I only see once a year will again be gone.

This year was a little more enjoyable for me at a grandparent because I made time to see my dressed up in costume Batman (don’t say Batgirl – she doesn’t like it!) granddaughter seeing all her hero’s and the characters she adores. That would include the mixture of Peppa Pig and the awestruck when seeing her beloved PJ Masks in person. What totally wigged her out was seeing Batman again, and again, and again.

But, Naynay has a job to do so let’s jump in!

In Hall H, there is a feeling of crazy anticipation because it is Sunday at San Diego Comic Con 2018 and that can only mean one thing – Supernatural! There is something very special when the panel consisting of Jensen Ackles, Jared Padalecki, Misha Collins, and Alexander Calvert along with executive producer Andrew Dabb talking about their 14^th season of the show and reaching the historic 300^th episode.

What makes the Supernatural panel so much fun is the obvious chemistry between Ackles, Padalecki and Collins and the way they have also taken Calvert into their exclusive and humorous group. It is almost like watching brothers just rag on each other in the most biting and loving way possible. Of course this delights the 6,999 people that are in Hall H with cheers and even some egging on.

It’s going to get even darker (is that even possible?) in this season as fans are treated to a very eerie look at Jensen Ackles character Dean and his – well – transformation. There will also be a return of Kim Rhodes character of Jodi Mills and the Wayward Sisters. Is there more to the Rowena and Cas hint given?

Find out when Supernatural returns to the CW on October 11^th.

Riverdale comes to Hall H with a huge panel including Luke Perry, Skeet Ulrich, Camila Mendes, Casey Cott, Cole Sprouse, KJ Apa, Lili Reinhart, Madelaine Petsch Marisol Nichols, Mark Consuelos, Vanesa Morgan, Ashleigh Murray, Madchen Amick and executive producer Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa and producers Jon Goldwater and Sarah Schehter. Moderated by Mrs. Mark Consuelos (aka Kelly Ripa), fans were teased with what is to come.

Ripa talks about her husband’s character and asks what is in store for his character. “His character is into everything. Right now he is focused in being a thorn in his daughter’s side. She is just as stubborn as he is so I think they are going to butt heads”.

I couldn’t have been more thrilled to see the next panel in Hall H – Mayans M.C. is the much anticipated spin off of the FX beloved series Sons of Anarchy. The panel started off with an ear splitting cheer for the shows creator Kurt Sutter (who I actually saw smile and it threw me off!) along with co-creator Elgin James.

The panel was filled with the new Mayan motorcycle club including JD Pardo as Ezekiel EZ Reyes, Clayton Cardenas, Sarah Bolger, Michael Irby, Carla Baratta, Antonio Jaramillo, Raoul Max Truillo, Danny Pino, Richard Cabral and the beloved Edward James Olmos.

The premise of the series is in the three year aftermath of Jax Teller and the Sons when EZ Reyes is released from prison and becomes a prospect for the Mayan MC. His older brother is already a member and shows his brother the ropes with a charter that is located on the California-Mexico border. Olmos is their father who owns a business and knows that the club is a difficult life.

JD Pardo may have a familiar face to some, but to Twilight fans he forever engrained in their hearts as part of THE TWILIGHT SAGA: Breaking Dawn Part 2. He has also done his time in television with the series S.W.A.T., The Messengers as well as Blood & Oil.

Another familiar cast member is that of Richard Cabral who most recently played the psychotic burglar Duncan in the film BREAKING IN. He has also had his share of television roles including the outstanding characters of Hector Tonz/Isaac Castillo/ Sebastian De La Torre in the absolutely excellent series American Crime.

The one actor on that panel who needs no introduction because the sound of the fans cheering drowns out hearing his name is that of Edward James Olmos. Playing the role of Felipe Reyes in Mayans M.C., this actor is never far from the big screen or small. He has produced, directed and starred in some of the most beloved shows and memorable movies. I am excited to see the life he brings to this character.

Sutter also talks about the loose language and explains that the f-word is part of the world we live in now. “I’m not quite sure where the shift happened, but there is a lot more freedom in terms of language and we will be able to say ‘f**k’ on FX.” He also tells the fans with humor, “I always do a ‘f**k’ inventory at the end of every script and go, ‘oh, that’s way too much.’”

The creator was also asked if there would be any cross over between Sons of Anarchy and Mayans M.C. (you could hear a pin drop in that room waiting for the answer). “I’m really protective of that mythology and the way it ended and letting fans, whether they enjoyed it or not, to have that experience and for that idea of how that club continued. I really want to leave in the minds of the fans. Right now there’s no intersecting stories that will interfere with that, but Sons is a big world and there was a lot of peripheral players so there will be those kind of intersections.” I take that as an answer non-answer which can always be found with the cryptic Sutter.

Thank you FX from the bottom of this fans heart for bringing the anticipation for the new series which is set to premier Tuesday September 4^th at 10 p.m. on FX.

Finally in Hall H, FX is hardly done with us as the break out his series by creator Noah Hawley LEGION bringing its panel of stars including Dan Stevens, Aubrey Plaza who plays Lenny, Navid Negahban as Farouk, writer/producer Nathaniel Halpern and executive producer John Cameron.

The panel started out quickly when Halpern was asked if he could tell the fans anything about Season 3. A quick and decisive ‘no’ was heard and that was that. Stevens, who plays David Haller, admitted to the audience, “I know that Lenny is obviously gonna have a part to play in it. We’re off together in some form. Syd’s a bit mad. But I don’t know very much at this stage.”   

Then added, “If you know the comics at all, you know there’s the potential for this guy you have sympathy for to turn into one of the greatest villains in the universe!” It is Negahban who says, “I have never played a villain in my life. I think every villain looks at himself as a hero.”

It seems what the panel could agree upon is that they are confused and that, to me, is an amazing way to keep the fans guessing about the upcoming third season which returns to FX in 2019. Until then, keep the theories coming because I’m always interested to discover whether or not others see the series as I do and if they don’t, well, that can be fun too!

And with that, my reader friends, comes the end of the panels for me at San Diego Comic Con 2018. It is time for me to put the recorder, camera, pencil, pen, paper and anything else work related into my awesome Edna Mode bag and leave the hallowed room also known as Hall H.

It is time for me to go out and enjoy the rest of the day seeing Comic Con 2019 through the eyes of my granddaughter who can not get enough. I love what I do to be sure but it is also good to get a fresh perspective and see it all through the excited eyes of a kid in a Batman outfit with flashing tennis shoes and a cape that reads, “I’m Batman – not Batgirl!”

So until next year Comic-Con’ers – I hope your journey home was a safe one and that TSA didn’t give you too much trouble with the tons of goodie bags I know you left San Diego with!