Baltimore Comic Con#1 - Day 1: Rob and Grey arrive - Shop, Meet Characters!

 The Baltimore Comic Con is one of my favorite annual things to do, and my friend Grey enjoyed the con with me. Like me, Grey is a HUGE comic book fan and has also been collecting for decades. We love the same stuff- from DC superheroes like the Legion of Superheroes to old DC Comics horror comics- I LOVE "Ghosts" of course (being a medium).

(Photo: Rob and Grey) 

   The Comic Con happened Halloween weekend in Baltimore and it was really crowded.Both  Grey and I found a LOT of comics we wanted/needed for our collections, and some special ones. 

DOCTOR OCTOPUS - One guy really went all out and created an amazing costume of a famous Spiderman villain. 

Doctor Octopus, also known as Doc Ock for short, is a fictional character appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. The character was created by Stan Lee and Steve Ditko and first appeared in The Amazing Spider-Man #3.

COMICS, FIGURES, VIDEOS, OTHER STUFF- 
A couple of photos here give you an idea of what to expect in a comic con. There are lots of vendors who display very expensive and collectible comics on their "walls" - and some have discount bins. 

Others have lots of boxes of alphabetical comics- from the 1930s to the 2020s. 

Other vendors sell posters, figurines, tee shirts, keychains,  drawings, etc. 

There are also MANY artists and writers who have booths, too. Artists can be commissioned to do sketches of favorite heroes. Grey likes to get sketches done in a book -and has some amazing ones.

BLACK MANTA - One guy dressed up as Aquaman's nemesis, the Black Manta!  

Black Manta is a supervillain appearing in American comic books published by DC Comics. The character was created by Bob Haney and Nick Cardy, and first appeared in Aquaman #35 in September 1967. He has since endured as the archenemy of the superhero Aquaman. 

PREVIEW OF NEXT BLOG - Rob goes the to the Con as the Green Lantern- and

below poses with Captain America and Batman!  

NEXT: Rob Appears as the Green Lantern at meets Many Heroes! 

Rob's Fun at the Baltimore Comic-Con! as Superman of Earth 96 (Kingdom Come)

Last year, the Baltimore Comic-con was canceled due to the pandemic, but this year, thanks to everyone showing either a vaccination card or a recent negative COVID test to get in, it was back on! And, since on television (the CW Network's superhero shows) aired the famous DC Comics storyline of "Crisis on Infinite Earths"- people knew my character- I was Superman, but not the Superman of Earth-1 (that most people know) - I was Superman of Earth 96 (the Kingdom Come Superman).  One of the days, I attended with my friend Grey (whom I call Star boy from the Legion of superheroes - and he calls me Lightning Lad, from the same group). Today's blog shows photos of the heroes and villains I met in costume!

(Photo: Villain Carnage and Rob as Kingdom Come Superman) 

WHO IS THE KINGDOM COME SUPERMAN? -  This version of Superman resides on Earth-96 and dealt with a significant tragedy when Batman's villain, the Joker, gassed the Daily Planet, which took the lives of Lois Lane and his fellow co-workers. Following the incident, Clark became the new editor-in-chief and took on a red and black s-shield to remind himself that hope will always rise out of darkness. Covering the Yellow on his S-shield was also a tribute to Lois, Jimmy and Perry White who all perished from the Joker's deadly visit.

CARNAGE THE VILLAIN -  Cletus Kasady, also known as Carnage and later Dark Carnage, is a major antagonist of Spider-Man

(Earth 96 Superman and Supergirl)

(Earth 96 Superman meets Superman of Earth 1)

(Photo: Ghost Rider!) 

WHO IS GHOST RIDER? - Marvel Comics' Ghost Rider is stunt motorcyclist Johnny Blaze, who, in order to save the life of his father, agreed to give his soul to "Satan" (later revealed to be an arch-demon named Mephisto). At night and when around evil, Blaze finds his flesh consumed by hellfire, causing his head to become a flaming skull. He rides a fiery motorcycle and wields blasts of hellfire from his body, usually from his skeletal hands.  

(Photo: Peacemaker with Superman of Earth 96)

WHO IS THE PEACEMAKER? - He's a character from Charlton Comics back in the 1940s who has had several incarnations. Most recently, he's a member of DC Comics Suicide Squad. He's a mercenary who doesn't mind killing to obtain peace. He's being portrayed by actor John Cena in an HBO Max upcoming TV Series)

PHOTO: The Wally West version of the Flash and Superman Earth 96) 

WHO IS WALLY WEST, NOW THE FLASH ? - Barry Allen is the Flash of Earth 1, but his nephew Wally got the same speed powers (from an identical freak accident with chemicals and a bolt of lightning) and donned the Flash costume, when Barry was lost in time. Wally's red hair is a sign of the character, and this guy got it perfectly.) 

(Photo: Grey and Rob at Comic-con!) 

Photo: Batman stopped to get a picture of the "World's Finest" together) 

(Photo; Carnage, Superman Earth 96, and Spiderman) 

(Photo: Grey trying to get a sketch from a comic book artist)

    (Photo: This Spiderman had all the right poses down!) 

(Superman of Earth 96 and Spiderman)

Fun at the Baltimore Comic-Con / Traffic Insanity

Ron as Nightwing & Rob as Green Lantern

Every year I attend the Baltimore Comic-con and dress up as a superhero. This year, I returned the
the comic-con as the Green Lantern and met up with my friend Ron, who was also clad as the superhero Nightwing!  In today's blog you'll learn about the challenge getting to the comic-con and the traffic chaos (because of dumb scheduling on the City's part), and I'll share some pictures of my friend Ron and I, read about 3 heroes and 1 villain in comics, and see pics of various costumes..  READ ON! 

THE TRAFFIC INSANITY - One of the biggest conventions of the year is the Comic book convention at the Baltimore Convention Center. So when the city decided to schedule a MARATHON that basically starts and ends around the Convention center... That's INSANITY. Many of the city blocks were barricaded off to accommodate the runners. What that meant was coming off the Baltimore-Washington Parkway, or Interstate 395 that goes into the city, redirected you in circles- and I would up getting stuck in the Federal Hill neighborhood for  45 minutes. SO, I would up driving back south of the city toward BWI airport, where I caught the Light Rail back into the city and convention center. It took about 2 hours to get to the Comic con instead of 45 minutes. Arrrgh!  - and try riding public transportation dressed like a superhero. 

THE COMIC-CON - As always, the convention center was packed with thousands of people and I didn't get to see the costume contest (but Ron was there and said it was over 3 hours long!). The vendors sold new and classic comics, tee shirts, art, and everything you could imagine. It was fun walking through the aisles.

Ron as Nightwing and The Earth-2 FLASH

WHO IS NIGHTWING? If you remember Batman and Robin, you know him. He's Dick Grayson, the former Robin who grew up and assumed the new identity of Nightwing. Nightwing is a superhero in comic books published by DC Comics. 

WHO IS THE FLASH OF EARTH-2? In DC Comics there are multiple Earths, and they all vibrate at a different dimensional frequency. Earth-1 has what we know as the current heroes of the Justice League. Earth-2 saw heroes develop during the 1940s and band together in the Justice Society. Jay Garrick, the Flash of Earth-2 was one of them. Jay Garrick is a DC Comics character. He is the first superhero known as the Flash.The character was created by writer Gardner Fox and artist Harry Lampert. He first appeared in Flash Comics #1 (1940). After a bizarre laboratory accident, he acquired the ability to move at superhuman speed, and chose to fight crime as a costumed vigilante, calling himself "the Flash". Jay Garrick has made numerous appearances in other media, including his live-action debut as a cameo in Smallville, played by Billy Mitchell, and recurring in the Arrowverse show The Flash, portrayed by John Wesley Shipp.

WHO IS GREEN LANTERN?

WonderWoman, Doc Ock, Green Lantern

Hal Jordan, also known as Green Lantern, is a DC Comics superhero. The character was created in 1959 by writer John Broome and artist Gil Kane, and first appeared in Showcase #22 (October 1959). Hal Jordan is a reinvention of the previous Green Lantern who appeared in 1940s comic books as the character Alan Scott.
Hal Jordan is a fighter pilot, a member and occasionally leader of an intergalactic police force called the Green Lantern Corps, as well as a founding member of the Justice League, DC's flagship superhero team, alongside well-known heroes such as Batman, Superman, and Wonder Woman. He fights evil across the universe with a ring that grants him a variety of superpowers, but is usually portrayed as one of the protectors of Sector 2814, which is the sector where Earth resides. His powers derive from his power ring and Green Lantern battery, which in the hands of someone capable of overcoming great fear allows the user to channel their will power into creating all manner of fantastic constructs.

Wonder Woman and Batman from Justice League movie

WHO IS DOC OCK (OCTOPUS)? Doctor Octopus (Otto Octavius) is a fictional character appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. A highly intelligent mad scientist, Doctor Octopus is typically portrayed as a stocky, myopic man who utilizes four powerful, mechanical appendages, and is a prominent enemy and ally of the superhero Spider-Man, respectively as Doctor Octopus and the Superior Spider-Man. His first brief appearance as the Superior Spider-Man was in Daredevil vol. 3 #21 (December 2012) and his first full appearance of the same character was in Avenging Spider-Man #15.1 (Dec. 2012).

A hunky superhero I didn't recognize

NEXT: An Up and Coming Fiction Writer with a Cool Book Concept

  

Baltimore Comic-con Part 3: Rob and Star Wars and 2 Famous Artists!

Green Lantern (Rob) w/Dominc Grover's GL drawing

In this final blog about my adventures at the Baltimore Comic-Con this year, you'll meet 2 very talented artists named Dan Govar and Dominic Glover and see my run in with Star Wars!

GREEN LANTERN STOPPED BY DOMINIC! - Famous graphic designer AND comic book artist Dominic Glover stopped me as I was walking down an aisle where his booth was located. He showed me a huge finished drawing/painting of the Green Lantern corps, and asked if I would pose for a picture with it for his website (since I was dressed as Hal Jordan, the Green Lantern). Of course I said "yes!" I also got a copy of the print, too.

Dominic Glover

  Dominic is a Freelance Illustrator & Graphic Designer in Denver, Colorado that specializes in logo design, brand identity & Illustration.

His Website: http://www.dominicglover.com/

Dan Govar and Green Lantern (Rob)

The next artist I met was Dan Govar. Dan is an amazing artist and a good friend to our friend
Thaddeus. In fact, Thaddeus urged me to meet Dan.
ABOUT DAN GOVAR -  Creator/Illustrator of comics, concept art, games, storyboards, and covers. Clients include Marvel, DC, Sony, Dynamite, Take 2, Namco/Bandai, and a slew of independents.

Awards:  Flash Forward people's Choice award for Chi-Chian animation for SyFy;  Zuda Competition 2009 Winner; People's Guide - best Tolkien Site on the web - ThereAndBackAgain.net;  Entertainment Weekly - top rating for Tolkien Websites - ThereAndBackAgain.net

Dan's Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/DanielGovar/
Dan's Twitter page: https://twitter.com/saulone

Star Wars crew at the Comic-con

MEETING THE STAR WARS CREW - People always come to the Comic-Con as Star Wars characters and since Green Lantern is basically a "Galactic Space Cop" - who patrols Sector 3814 of the Galaxy to keep everyone safe from evil, it was appropriate to get a picture with the Star Wars crew!

Green Lantern (Rob) joins the Star Wars cast

Baltimore Comic-Con Pt 4: The Suicide Squad

In this final blog about the Baltimore Comic-Con, we're highlighting a group of attendees who made great costumes from the current movie "Suicide Squad."  While dressed as Green Lantern, I (Rob) love getting pics with others in costume. This was a treat.   Suicide Squad is a 2016 American superhero film based on the DC Comics antihero team of the same name.

WHAT IS  \THE SUICIDE SQUAD-  In Suicide Squad, a secret government agency led by Amanda Waller recruits imprisoned supervillains to execute dangerous black ops missions and save the world from a powerful threat, in exchange for leaner sentences.

L to R: Green Lantern (Rob), Rick Flag, Katana, Enchantress, Harley Quinn, the Joker

WHO ARE THE SUICIDE SQUAD MEMBERS? - Ther  elite hitman Deadshot, former psychiatrist Harley Quinn, pyrokinetic ex-gangster El Diablo, opportunistic thief Captain Boomerang, genetic mutation Killer Croc, and specialized assassin Slipknot. They are placed under command of Colonel Rick Flag to be used as disposable assets in high-risk missions for the United States government. Each member has a nano bomb implanted in their neck, designed to detonate should any member rebel or try to escape. One of Waller's intended recruits is Flag's girlfriend Dr. June Moone, an archaeologist possessed by a witch-goddess known as the "Enchantress." The Joker was also in the the movie but not a member of the Squad. He's Harley Quinn's boyfriend!   Katana, pictured here in the group is also Not a member of the Squad - she's actually a japanese superhero who was brought in to help keep all the criminals in line. 

Baltimore Comic-Con Pt 2: A Creative Group of Heroes

This is part 2 of my (Rob) trip to Comic-Con over Labor Day weekend with our friends Stacey and Tom R. Stacey went as Batgirl and I went as the Green Lantern. Tom R. didn't dress up, and my Tom doesn't go. In this blog you'll meet a creative bunch of guys who didn't even mind going in drag as a hero!

LtoR: Green Lantern, Green Arrow, Old man, Aquaman Front), Robin, WonderWoman, Batgirl

GROUP #1:   Green Arrow, Old man, Aquaman, Robin, and Wonder Woman 
Although we didn't know who the guy was dressed as an old man with a white beard and hair, we did know the Green Arrow (check his TV show on the CW network), Aquaman, Robin and Wonder Woman were all on the 1970s/80s Super Friends Cartoon show  -and all appear in DC Comic books. 
We thought the guy that was brave enough to dress up as Wonder Woman deserved a special commendation. :) 


GROUP #2 - Superheroes seen on TV Shows on the CW Network!

L to R: GL, Supergirl, Superman, Green Arrow, Black Canary

SUPERGIRL is Superman's cousin from the Planet Krypton. She's younger that Superman. This series aired on CBS last season and introduced great supporting characters, including Jimmy Olsen, Cat Grant, Jonn Jonzz (the Martian Manhunter) and Win Schott (son of Superman's enemy the Toyman) and moved to the CW Network. This season it will also introduce Superman. 
Trailer: https://youtu.be/s3fzzslE4S8

ARROW (Green Arrow) - Green Arrow is a vigilante superhero who fights crime using archery, martial arts and technology. In his secret identity he is Oliver Queen, living in Star City as a wealthy playboy and billionaire industrialist turned outspoken socially-progressive politician.
Created by Mortimer Weisinger and designed by George Papp, he first appeared in More Fun Comics #73 in November 1941. Click for his full bio.
BLACK CANARY - (a character on the TV show Arrow)  -

Black Canary is a superhero vigilante who fights crime using martial arts and a sonic scream attack. She is one of the greatest fighters in the DC Universe, and also a strong tactical mind. Her costume is an attractive black outfit with fishnet stockings and blonde hair, and she is usually seen riding her motorcycle. There have been two Canaries to share the legacy. Dinah Drake was the original during World War II and the Golden Age of heroes. Her daughter Dinah Lance would take the position during the Silver Age when she grew old enough. Green Arrow fights alongside her most often as they are romantically involved. She has been a member of the Justice Society, the Justice League, Team Arrow and the Birds of Prey. Black Canary was created by Robert Kanigher and Carmine Infantino, first appearing in Flash Comics #86. (1947) Her more recognizable daughter was introduced by Roy Thomas in Justice League of America #220. (1983)

Trailer: https://youtu.be/vQMwiKQ2EI8

Baltimore Comic-Con Pt 1: Ghostbusters, Anime, The Flash

Ghostbusters with Stacey as Batgirl and Rob as Green Lantern

On Saturday, September 3, keeping with my (Rob) annual tradition, I went to Comic-Con in Baltimore. This year, my friends Stacey and Tom R. joined me for the fun, and Stacey dressed up as Batgirl, while I went (again) as the Green Lantern (Hal Jordan). This is part 1 of the photos, and I'll explain who the characters are that we posed with.

A creative anime character and rocket bunny

GHOST BUSTERS! - We met a quartet of ghostbusters with some impressive looking mechanical gear).

ANIME CHARACTER- We came across a young woman dressed as an anime character that none of us recognized. She had a cardboard rocket with a big bunny attached to it. If you know who it is, please let me know!  She actually came with a guy dressed as the FLASH, so of course, since the Flash is a superhero I love, I had to get a picture with him.

WHO IS THE FLASH? - If you haven't seen the BEST TV show ever currently on the CW network, get with it! The Flash is now going into season 3. He's been a comic book character since 1940. The first version of the Flash was a man named Jay Garrick who was also a member of the Justice Society of America. In the mid-50s, the character was revised as forensic scientist Barry Allen (1956–1985, 2008–present).

Rob as GL and the Flash!

 (The Flash is one of DC Comics' most popular characters and has been integral to the publisher's many reality-changing "crisis" storylines over the years. The original meeting of the Golden Age Flash Jay Garrick and Silver Age Flash Barry Allen in "Flash of Two Worlds" (1961) introduced the Multiverse storytelling concept to DC readers, which would become the basis for many DC stories in the years to come.)

Here's the trailer to Season 3 of the FLASH on the CW Network- Everything in Barry’s world has changed to become…Flashpoint. The Flash Season 3 premieres Tuesday, October 4th on The CW.
Trailer: https://youtu.be/Pz8JSgMERiQ
 

NEXT: A CREATIVE GROUP OF HEROES

Baltimore Comic-con Part 7: The Hunkiest Hero: Bloodshot and Robots

Aquaman, an unknown heroine, Bloodshot

This is the final blog of my adventures as Aquaman in the Baltimore Comic-con. In this blog you'll see the hunkiest superhero and meet some robots.

WHO IS BLOODSHOT?  - Well, it was the guy outside that painted his hot, muscular body all white. I would've helped if he wanted it! LOL.
Seriously, Bloodshot is superhero in Valiant Comics. He is a former soldier with powers of regeneration and meta-morphing made possible through nanites injected into his blood. After escaping from his masters at Project Rising Spirit, Bloodshot seeks to discover his true identity.
 

BLOODSHOT GETTING A MOVIE - Valiant Comics announced a five-picture deal with Sony Pictures to bring two of its series, Bloodshot and Harbinger, coming to the big screen starting in 2017. 

Robbie the Robot and friend

OH YEAH, THE ROBOTS... Actually it was ROBBIE THE ROBOT and another one I didn't recognize. Robby the Robot is a fictional character and science fiction icon who first appeared in the 1956 film Forbidden Planet.

I hope you enjoyed meeting some of the colorful characters from the Baltimore Comic-con as I did! - Rob      

Baltimore Comic-Con Part 6: Teen Titans, Batman Villains

Kid Flash, Wonder Girl, Aquaman, Robin

In Part 6 of my adventures at the Baltimore Comic-Con as Aquaman I got to meet the "Teen Titans" and more Batman villains. 

TEEN TITANS - these three siblings were dressed as teenage superheroes from the super group "The Teen Titans." There was kid Flash, who has super speed, Wonder Girl, who is Wonder Woman's protege and has her own super strength and super powers, and Robin the boy wonder, Batman's protege.' It was so cool to see this entire family of kids dressed up as these teenage heroes and I think their mom (who was there) made all of their costumes. Outstanding job! - "Kid Flash" actually moved his head at "super speed" and took a blurry picture.

BATMAN VILLAINS - A group of four walked the halls of the convention center as some of Batman's more colorful villains. There was Harley Quinn (whom I talked about in a previous blog, the Joker, the Riddler and Poison Ivy.
WHO IS POISON IVY? -
Poison Ivy (Dr. Pamela Lillian Isley, Ph.D.) is an adversary of Batman.Poison Ivy is depicted as one of the world's most notorious eco-terrorists. She is obsessed with plants, botany, and environmentalism. She uses toxins from plants and mind controlling pheromones for her criminal activities, which are usually aimed at protecting the natural environment.

NEXT: (Last Comic-con Blog): The Hunkiest Hero and Robots

Baltimore Comic-Con Part 5: Big Aquaman Fan, Prince Charming, Cinderella

Fan and Aquaman

In part 5 of the blog about my adventures as Aquaman at the Baltimore Comic-Con I ran into the biggest Aquaman fan at the convention and Prince Charming and Cinderella.

BIG AQUAMAN FAN - A guy stopped me as I was walking down one of the aisles of Comic-Con and he was wearing an Aquaman tee-shirt. He said that he was Aquaman's biggest fan. Then he even showed me an "Aquaman" belt that he was wearing. Of course, we took pictures together. It's always nice to appreciate your fans. :)

Add caption

PRINCE CHARMING AND CINDERELLA- This handsome couple was walking around when I spotted them. They truly did look like they stepped out of the pages of Cinderella. Their costumes were so well-done.

ORIGIN OF CINDERELLA - DID YOU KNOW?
The first written European version of the story was published in Napoli (Naples) by Giambattista Basile, in his Pentamerone (1634). The story itself was based in the Kingdom of Naples, at that time the most important political and cultural center of Southern Italy and among the most influential capitals in Europe, and written in the Neapolitan dialect. It was later retold, along with other Basile tales, by Charles Perrault in Histoires ou contes du temps passé (1697), and by the Brothers Grimm in their folk tale collection Grimms' Fairy Tales (1812).

NEXT: The Teen Titans and More Batman Villains

Baltimore Comic-Con Part 4: Hunky G.I. Joe & Capt. America & Dr. Who

G.I. Joe, Aquaman, Capt. America

In part 4 of the blog about my adventures as Aquaman at the Baltimore  Comic-Con I met a hunky G.I. Joe, handsome Capt. America & handsome Dr. Who. 

G.I. JOE - G.I. Joe is a line of action figures produced by the toy company Hasbro.  The initial product offering represented four of the branches of the U.S. armed forces with the Action Soldier (U.S. Army), Action Sailor (U.S. Navy), Action Pilot (USAF), Action Marine (USMC) and later on, the Action Nurse.


CAPTAIN AMERICA - Captain America is a fictional superhero appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. Created by cartoonists Joe Simon and Jack Kirby, the character first appeared in Captain America Comics #1 (1941) from Timely Comics, a predecessor of Marvel Comics. Captain America was designed as a patriotic supersoldier who often fought the Axis powers of World War II and was Timely Comics' most popular character during the wartime period. Captain America wears a costume that bears an American flag motif, and is armed with a nearly indestructible shield that he throws at foes. The character is usually depicted as the alter ego of Steve Rogers, a frail young man enhanced to the peak of human perfection by an experimental serum to aid the United States government's imminent efforts in World War II. Near the end of the war, he was trapped in ice and survived in suspended animation until he was revived in the present day.

Dr. Who and Aquaman

DOCTOR WHO - Doctor Who is a British science-fiction television program produced by the BBC from 1963 to the present day. The programme depicts the adventures of the Doctor, a Time Lord— a space and time-travelling humanoid alien. He explores the universe in his TARDIS, a sentient time-travelling space ship. Its exterior appears as a blue British police box, which was a common sight in Britain in 1963 when the series first aired. Accompanied by companions, the Doctor combats a variety of foes, while working to save civilisations and help people in need.

NEXT: A Big Aquaman Fan, Prince Charming and Sleeping Beauty

Baltimore Comic-Con Part 2: Female Bat-Family and Snow White

Aquaman and Snow White

I (Rob) made my annual journey to the Baltimore Comic-Con  as Aquaman and ran into a Bat-family of women and Snow White!

SNOW WHITE- As we were walking the Comic-con we ran into Snow White!   
DID YOU KNOW? "Snow White" is a German fairy tale known across much of Europe and is today one of the most famous fairy tales worldwide. The Brothers Grimm published it in 1812 in the first edition of their collection Grimms' Fairy Tales. 
The Grimms completed their final revision of the story in 1854. The fairy tale features such elements as the magic mirror, the poisoned apple, the glass coffin, and the characters of the evil queen/stepmother and the seven dwarfs. The seven dwarfs were first given individual names in the Broadway play Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs (1912) and then given different names in Walt Disney's 1937 film Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. 


THE BATFAMILY- There are a lot of characters associated with Batman, and one group of young girls decided that they would become many of them (even if the

Batgirl, Harley Quinn, Riddler, Joker, Nightwing

roles are really males). So, I ran into "Batgirl,"Harley Quinn," "The Riddler," The Joker," and Nightwing."
  All of those characters are well known with the exception of Harley Quinn and Nightwing. 
WHO IS  HARLEY QUINN - Former psychiatrist Harleen Quinzel who counseled the Joker, and she went made. She became a super-villain, carrying gag-themed weaponry, and murdering countless civilians—all just to put a smile on the Joker's face (with whom she fell in love).
WHO IS NIGHTWING? - Nightwing is the former Robin, Dick Grayson, all grown up and in a new costume and identity. 

NEXT: MEET GROOT, DEADPOOL AND MAGNETO

Baltimore Comic-Con Photos Part 1: Robin, Blackhawk, Aquaman, Tom

Aquaman and Robin

I (Rob) made my annual journey to the Baltimore Comic-Con and was joined by  our friend Tom R. while my Tom stayed at home with the dogs.  This year, since I have a beard and moustache, I decided to go as Aquaman, king of the seven seas. Sometimes Aquaman had a beard, sometimes he didn't. Regardless, it was so much fun walking around in costume, meeting other costumed heroes and villains, and getting pictures together. 
   I was the ONLY one at the Comic-con dressed as Aquaman!

MEETING ROBIN - Batman's protege, Robin the boy wonder has always been a favorite character of mine, and I met a little guy who was dressed as him, so we had to stop for a picture. 

Aquaman and Blackhawk

BLACKHAWK - This was the first time I've ever seen anyone dressed up as the 1940s comic book character Blackhawk and what an outstanding job this guy did on his costume.
WHO IS BLACKHAWK? - a fictional character and the title of a long-running comic book series published first by Quality Comics and later by DC Comics. Primarily created by Chuck Cuidera with input from both Bob Powell and Will Eisner,^[1] the Blackhawk characters first appeared in Military Comics #1 (August 1941).
Led by a mysterious man known as Blackhawk, the Blackhawks (or more formally, the Blackhawk Squadron) are a small team of World War II-era ace pilots of varied nationalities, each typically known under a single name, either their given name or their surname. Though the membership roster has undergone changes over the years, the team has been portrayed most consistently as having seven core members.

Rob and Tom R. enjoying Comic-con

In their most well-known incarnation, the Blackhawks operate from a hidden base known only as Blackhawk Island, fly Grumman XF5F Skyrocket planes, and shout their battle cry of "Hawk-a-a-a!" as they descend from the skies to fight tyranny and oppression. Clad in matching blue and black uniforms (with Blackhawk himself boasting a hawk insignia on his chest), early stories

pitted the team against the Axis powers, but they would also come to battle recurring foes such as King Condor and Killer Shark, as well as encounter an array of gorgeous and deadly femme fatales. They also frequently squared off against fantastical war machines ranging from amphibious "shark planes" and flying tanks, to the aptly-named War Wheel, a gigantic rolling behemoth adorned with spikes and machine guns.



NEXT: Bat-Family Women and Snow White