Movies Features

Nicholas Cage Channels Leadbelly at WonderCon

By J.C. Marvez Apr 8, 2010, 7:12 GMT

Actors Nicolas Cage and Jay Baruchel with producer Jerry Bruckheimer Fame Pictures, Inc - Santa Monica, CA, USA -

San Francisco: You know convention season is in full swing once WonderCon rolls around, and this past weekend was a lot of fun for everyone who made it, in spite of the seasonally bad San Francisco weather (I should have finally had the guts to dress up and chosen the Gorton’s Fisherman complete with whaling slickers).

The Moscone Center was a wonderful venue as always and I am beginning to wonder if this convention might actually become preferred in time over the almost unwieldy San Diego ComicCon, where the emphasis is more on cable television stations it seems, than comic books and comic book-inspired movies.

Having said that I will say that I did enjoy this years featured panel, the cast of “Kick-Ass, based on the comic book by Mark Millar (writer of “Wanted”) and artist John Romita Jr., this is a movie that is daring comic book nerds not to love it.

After rumors of possible cancellation fizzled, Nicholas Cage made an appearance, complete with (new?) blonde hair (apparently the coif was some big deal over at Huffpo, where the entertainment writer seemed to want to mention only that).

Brian Malmstrom photos ©M&C

Though suffering from laryngitis and sounding “like a black blues musician” Cage gave really interesting thoughtful answers to even the most trivial question from fans, that made me feel like I was attending an episode of “The Actors Studio – with Miles Davis” (if you remember Miles’s voice, that’s what he sounded like).

“I like to make bad sounds into good sounds to challenge myself to see if I can do that”, was part of the answer to a question about how Cage chooses which movies to do. Cage also explained his reason in a way that was both humorous and poignant, for choosing to perform his part in “Kick Ass” with an Adam West styled voice and delivery. 

It really was surprising to see an actor that has had such a long and often commercially successful career give thoughtful, even philosophical answers that seemed to show he is just as excited about the creative craft of acting now, as he was when he was just starting out in “Valley Girl” and may explain in part the reason for his (mostly, in spite of some misses), critically successful career.

Fellow cast members Clark Duke (“Hot Tub Time Machine”) and Christopher Mintz-Plasse received the next largest amount of adulation with many cries of “McLovin” shouted out to the later for his now famous “Superbad” character.

Kevin Smith was there too, the night before, and I have to say I like Kevin Smith a lot, he was quite funny even if he did only touch on the Southwest thing briefly, but I have to say it’s a guilty pleasure laughing at the mortifying observations about cannabis and it’s effects on anal sex and incontinence that every response to fans questions inevitably seemed to lead to.

Fortunately it’s very easy to pass on the moderate smattering of Hollywood flack that crashes the gates of WonderCon and enjoy some of the best one-on one-access with the great artists and writers of the very comic book industry  that is responsible for the hall filled with fans, many of them, yes, in full superhero costume.

Brian Malmstrom photos ©M&C

Artists signed prints, on the spot sketches and comic books for their fans. Frank Cho, (pictured here with his popular creation ‘Jungle Girl’) was among the many who made appearances on the exhibit floor, he and “Power Girl” artist Amanda Conner were both well received by lines of attendees seeking their signatures.

Comic book writers were also in attendance and easy to chat with. 

Gail Simone - Brian Malmstrom photos ©M&C

Gail Simone, (subjectivity alert, I have previously mentioned how much
I love her run on “Wonder Woman”) showed the patience that so many artist and writers did as they sat and waited for long lines to subside, always pleasantly taking the many questions and saying ’thank you’ for the many compliments from fans.

I can’t resist mentioning again that you should pick up “Wonder Woman: The Circle” by Gail Simone available in a collected trade paperback from DC if you still haven’t read it.

Fans at the Con - Brian Malmstrom photos ©M&C

So if you are looking for a convention that you can manage with a little less logistical preparation then ComicCon, with perhaps more opportunities to directly connect with your favorite artists and writers you might want to put WonderCon on your annual “must attend” list.