New Sin City

[jimlee]

So the original plan was to fly to LA for the premiere but given how late I am on Superman, that plan was tossed...luckily there was another one right here in the Big Apple last night and while Bruce Willis, Mickey Rourke, Jessica Alba and Rosario Dawson were not milling about like in LA, the NYC premiere had an all-star guest list that would have filled many a volume of Who's Who in American Comics.

Seen hobnobbing at the Regal theater on Broadway and 13th last night were none other than Jeff Smith (who introduced Frank before the film began stating like many of us, that he would not have been in comics today if it were not for Frank), living legends Neal Adams and his son, Joel, Jerry Robinson (creator of the Joker and Robin), and Joe Kubert (and his two sons, Adam (munching away on some hot popcorn) and Andy). Got to chat up these guys for a while as the premiere was delayed for a bit til everyone got there.

Also got to catch up with Walt Simonson who came by after the class he teaches at the School of Visual Arts (I think) was over and Gareb Shamus, owner of Wizard magazine. Marvel men in charge Joe Quesada, Alex Alonso, Jenny Lee and CB Cebulski were in the house. Representing DC were Paul Levitz, Bob Wayne, Dan Didio, Eddie Berganza, Will Dennis, Michael Wright, Anton Kawasaki and a host of other DC employees. Batman and Robin editor Bob Schreck was seen holding court, having jetted back from the LA premiere as well and the Beat's Heidi MacDonald was her usual social butterfly self.

Also spotted was a certain tequila chugging Superman scribe--Brian Azzarello, artists Jae Lee, Lee Bermejo, JG Jones and Cammo of the Intimates. I meant to ask Garth Ennis what he thought of the Irish accents of some of the actors in the flick but lost him in the swarm of artists, publishers and retailers like Mimi and Alan from Night Flight comics in Salt Lake City.

Eyespyed other talents like Paul Pope, Bill Sienkiewicz, Amanda Conner, Cliff Chiang, Trish Mulvihill, and Jimmy Palmiotti. Even got to chat up the lovely and talented Lynn Varley who along with Frank were the incredible hosts of the evening, both at the theater and later at the after party.

I know I missed a ton of other peeps but that was what I saw. Few creators could amass such a diverse and incredible group of talent, executives, and retailers...thank God for Frank Miller.

Oh and the movie ROCKED. A visual feast filled with bone crunching chiaroscuro action. I think Mickey Rourke pulled off one of the best roles of his career and Jessica Alba is smoldering wicked hot.

What else can I say but if yer a fan of comics, hell, of good movies, check it out when it opens this weekend. Afterwards, go check out the comic he did and be amazed at how Robert Rodriguez and Frank Miller brought the art to life!