Best part of Marvel panel at D23

I just remembered I shot this, good memory, eh?

This was what played at the start of the Marvel Comics panel at the D23 Expo last weekend.

And, turned out, was the best part of the entire panel.

Enjoy.

(And yes, the sound was horrible... 98 percent their fault.)

D23 expo: So that happened

After all the excitement and build up to the D23 expo, it pains me to say that it wasn't quite as mind-blowing as the first one in 2009.

While the event was still fun and entertaining, some of the logistical issues got in the way of a good time.

Perhaps the biggest news to come out of the three day Disney convention was the much anticipated Avengers footage. Marvel specifically skipped comic-con to save the big reveal for D23. In hindsight that may have been a mistake.
While the Disney crowd gave the film's stars a hero's welcome, the buzz may have been stronger post comic-con than it has been post D23.

Tim was one of the lucky few to get into the studio presentation and was in full geek out mode as he described the footage in detail.

In one scene Nick Fury confronts a captured Loki, who is being held in a cell in the S.H.I.E.L.D. helicarrier. In the other clip, Tony Stark describes his team to Loki saying they have two assassins, a demigod, a living legend who actually lives up to the legend and of course The Hulk.
It sounds awesome and makes May seem too far away. Hopefully, Marvel will release the clips online soon, so the rest of the world can geek out.

The movie studio panel also included the first look at character drawings from "Monsters University." In the prequel Mike and Sully are in college learning how to become the Monsters fans know and love.

Billy Crystal was on hand to talk about returning to Monsteropolis with John Goodman and Steve Buscemi. Producers said the film will feature all the college cliches like jocks, nerds and goths.
The other big highlight was the appearance of The Muppets to promote their upcoming film. Kermit the Frog and writer/star Jason Segal previewed new clips and delighted crowds with classic Muppet humor.
It was an especially nice moment since Muppets creator Jim Henson had been honored as a Disney Legend the day before. Henson's son and daughter accepted on his behalf, with his son Brian performing a musical number accompanied by his puppet friends.

Also honored as Disney Legends were TV personality Regis Philbin, Disney princess voice actresses Linda Larkin, Lea Salonga, Anika Noni Rose and Jodie Benson.

Joining the expo for the first time was Marvel Comics. Chief Creative Officer Joe Quesada gave fans a history lesson on how the company was started, where some of its most popular characters came from and how they decided to develop "The Avengers" franchise.

Though it was interesting, the time could have been better served by promoting upcoming projects like "Ultimate Spider Man #1," the Richard Storm "Castle" graphic novel or maybe reshowing "Avengers" footage for those he didn't see it the first time.

For fans only familar with the films the studio produces, it was a wasted opportunity for Marvel to make a big splash its first time at the expo.

Overall it was a fun experience for die hard Disney fans to see everything they wanted in one place, however, event organizers were unprepared for the large number of attendees and the lack of preparation made for a hectic expo.

As of right now the D23 expo is scheduled to return in 2013.

D23 expo photo wrap up

Here are some photos of what could be seen around the D23 expo.

Melissa Joan Hart and Joey Lawrence of ABC Family's "Melissa and Joey" met fans in the D23 Welcome Center.

Wilmer Valderama and Sean Astin greeted young fans of "Handy Manny" and "Special Agent Oso."

Broadway star of "Rock of Ages," Constantine Maroulis introduced everyone to Rock Star Mickey.

The "Carousel of Projects" gave fans a preview of upcoming attraction like Disney California Adventure's Mater's Junkyard Jamboree and Buena Vista Street's Carthay Circle Theater.

Guests also had a chance to give back at the VoluntEars booth, where they could plant trees, decorate compost boxes and put together disaster kits.

Disney Channel fans waited in line for hours to see the stars of "Shake It Up," "Lemonade Mouth" and "Phineas and Ferb."

Surprises at D23 pt. 1

Last year at the big Disney D23 Expo, there were a load of surprises at the movies panel.

I think people were actually shocked to see John Travolta walk out to talk about "Old Dogs."

Especially after the tragic death in his family. And it turned out to be an unforgettable moment, because you could just feel the love and support from the audience. He did look touched by the response.

Johnny Depp also making an unannounced entrance as Capt. Jack was a highlight.

One of my favorite moments was the Muppets coming out and singing.

And that's where I think we might be in for another surprise.

Details were just announced for "The Green Album," which is a collection of Muppets songs redone by famous artists.

There are two bands that are mega popular that do covers on the release: Weezer and OK GO.

I checked and Weezer is on tour in Canada the dates of D23, but OK GO do not have a single show or anything listed for those dates.

Is it possible to have a live, unannounced performance of "The Muppets Show Theme" right there on stage?

I sure hope so.

Plus, it makes up for last year's live, unannounced performance from Miley Cyrus.

D23 Expo preview

There's only one event Tim and I get more excited about than Comic-Con and that's D23.

The D23 Expo is like comic-con, except it's all Disney. With the release of the complete schedule it's time to preview some of the most anticipated events of the convention.

One of the most exciting presentations of the weekend is the Walt Disney Studios panel that features all the company's upcoming big releases.

Obviously we're very excited about "The Avengers," but there will also be previews of "John Carter," Pixar's "Brave" and Tim Burton's "Frankenweenie" with stars and producers of those films scheduled to appear.

There is also a question if executives will discuss the company's recent production halt of "Lone Ranger." Last time, Johnny Depp showed up in character as Capt. Jack Sparrow, so maybe that will be how the studio deflects attention from the story since it's already announced "Pirates 5."

It was just two years ago at the inaugural D23 Expo that Disney announced it was making a new Muppets movie. Now the film is scheduled to come out Nov. 23. At the first expo, the Muppets appeared on stage singing "Rainbow Connection," and I can't lie, it melted my cold robot heart and made me cry a little bit. It will be interesting to see what happens this year when Jason Segal joins his furry co-stars on stage.

For Disney theme park aficionados, the company has several panels scheduled that focus on resort projects. There is a main panel in the arena, and also presentations on Disney California Adventure's "Buena Vista Street" and "CarsLand," Walt Disney World's "Fantasyland" expansion and new Art of Animation hotel.

Though the construction is public and hard to hide, this is a chance for fans to get an up close look at what the finished products will be and hear about upcoming projects.

Meet the new Inscaped correspondent

Stephanie and I will both be at the D23 convention in a few weeks.

But, it's a big place with lots to see and do.

And quite frankly the two of us couldn't cover everything.

We need a little help, especially with the Disney Channel stuff. I think Stephanie and I are a little out of the age demographic.

My 10-year-old niece Zoe? Perfect.

Zoe will be at the convention and has enthusiastically agreed to cover Disney shows like "So Random," "Fish Hooks" and "Shake it Up!"

She'll also be around to talk about other cool things she finds as well.

Yay! Comic-Con is over... wait, D23?

Comic-Con 2011 is over.

Stephanie is still curled up in a fetal position weeping uncontrollably.

She doesn't have much time to recover as the Disney convention D23 is right around the corner.

Scaled back from the first one two years ago, this one is fewer days.

The entire schedule isn't out yet, but we do know a few things of interest.

Especially to us. Marvel is going to have a big presence at D23. Helps make up for the limited participation at Comic-Con.

Saturday, Marvel Studios President Kevin Fiege will be on hand to talk about feature films. Mainly "The Avengers." Will we get more footage? Perhaps a repeat of Comic-Con with the entire cast showing up?

The next day, Marvel's Chief Creative Officer Joe Quesada will host an entire panel about Marvel Comics in the Arena. That is the Anaheim Convention Center's answer to Hall H.

Here is how that panel is being described:

An exclusive and unprecedented experience that will take you through the evolution of Marvel from its first comic book in 1939 to its current position as one of the most important creative forces in the world. During this presentation, which will include interactive Q&A segments, you will not only get an inside glimpse of the history of Marvel and its iconic Super Heroes but also discover why Marvel truly is the House of Ideas.

I just have a feeling that die-hard Disney fans are not going to be interested in this panel. They truly only care about old school Disney and not Marvel at all.

Which is fine, because that is more room for Stephanie and I.

Sad Comic-Con news

It's being reported... well, everywhere that Marvel Studios will NOT be making a presentation at Comic-Con this year.
Very sad news considering they had the best moment of last year.

Seriously I got chills seeing that in person and still get them watching it every time.

But, Comic-Con's loss could be Disney's gain.

In August, Disney will put on it's D23 convention. And since Disney will be doing "The Avengers" there is a very, very strong chance we'll see something there.

And Stephanie and I will be there to see it all. Really, it would take Thor himself to stop us.