JMS Appearances 2023

[LateArrival]

JMS Signing and (to the right) his panel.

[LateArrival]

JMS Spotlight report. Sorry not to have posted this last night but the trip wiped me out.

As always, it was a lot of fun. JMS had meant to have his Sizzle Real but the Video Guy was no place to be found. So he opened with with explaining that he wasn't consulted on the title of the panel, "Explaining the Inexplicable" So he riffed by telling a few jokes and a 'prayer' that he not screw it up. Also an interesting theory about the nature of universes and meaning.

Video guy showed up with a laptop and hooked it up and the latest version of the reel played after some hilarity getting the lights off. This one plays to the tune of "Wake Me Up When It's All Over" It's similar to the one that's been posted before but had some fun teases of things to come.

WB wouldn't allow JMS to bring the trailer but he was allowed to bring a few images from The Road Home. JMS spoke of bringing in actors to play the roles of the actors who've passed on and said that before this started, he'd sent out an email asking the remaining cast if they were okay with his doing that. If even one had said no, JMS explained, he wouldn't have don it. They all signed on.

The first image he showed was of Franklin, much as we saw him in SiL, with grey hair. In the story, Sheridan is traveling back and forth in time and alternate times and when he see's Franklin, he's popped into his own future for a moment and Franklin knows something at that point that Sheridan doesn''t.

The next image is of Lennier, Delenn and Sheridan, probably about the time they left B5 for the new Alliance headquarters on Minbar. Let me just say that these are ALL really, really good. But the image of Delenn is just stunningly beauriful. JMS talked about the animators rally working to capture the essence of the characters and I think they've succeeded.

The final image was - Zathras! Looking an awful lot like one of the Zathri but the slide wasn't up long enough to figure out which one.

While waiting for the Video Guy to pull up the image files, JMS showed the first cover for his first Captain America issue coming in (iirc) September.

After the Video Guy restored the lights (ouch) and left, JMS talked about how for many years there was one person at WB who wouldn't allow anything to be done with the show but virtually the day afer that person was gone, the CW approached WB about doing the reboot/reimagining. Soon after, WB Animation contacted JMS about doing The Road Home. B5 is one of only a few franchises that hasn't gotten new attention recently so it's now quite attractive. In both cases, JMS was given a free hand to write what he wanted without interference. The result is that we'll be able to see things we'd heard about but never saw in the show with images being improved and more interesting. JMS said it's the most authentically B5 thing since the original show.

JMS talked about doing the commentary with Bruce Boxleitner (who hadn't seen the finished movie) not long ago and Bruce asked him seriously to say how JMS thought it was and JMS assured him that it was as if no time had passed at all. When the film started, Bruce kept getting caught up with it and forgot to talk!

Regarding the reimagining, JMS said that it took 3-4 months to get the rights back from the CW after the CW sale. The started taking it out to buyers and there was some interst but then the Writer's Strike happened so it's on hold for now. JMS has a good feeling that it will end up happening.

JMS talked about taking over the Captain America title for Marvel. One thing about that character is that there's nothing said about the period between when his mother died and his becoming a soldier/Captan Rogers. Apparently he wa living on the streets during those formative years. That was the period when the American Bund was active and that was besically the Nazi party in the US. There was a huge rally in Madison Square Garden, for instance. So we'll see that effect on Steve Rogers in a flashback story along with current events. This will be an ongoing series, not a mini.

At that point JMS started taking questions. I'll review that part of the tape later on. A couple of othere folks from here were there and if I've missed something or they'd like to chime it, I'd love for that to happen.

ETA: I did try to take some pics of the images but I'm not 100% sure that I should share them. I'll try to clarify with JMS today.

Chime Chime
Didn't he speak about his upcoming audio books as well? Could have sworn he was a little vague about how they were being released. Perhaps the distributor will release them independently while also licensing it to Audible? I know companies such as Recorded Books will sell audio titles directly while also licensing them through Audible. He also referenced the Rogers Pre-WWII situation as (paraphrasing) covering something well known but in a new way, and brought up how asking WHY Peter Parker was bitten by a spider led to the creation of the Spiderverse.

What he mentioned about the new opportunities animation offers reminded me of what the animators tried to with the animated Star Trek series. Perhaps we will see parts of the station that couldn't be shown due to budget constraints. Lower-G sections, rear of the station, Backup C&C, more of Minbar or Epsilon 3, etc.

[Jan]

Chime Chime
Didn't he speak about his upcoming audio books as well? Could have sworn he was a little vague about how they were being released. Perhaps the distributor will release them independently while also licensing it to Audible? I know companies such as Recorded Books will sell audio titles directly while also licensing them through Audible. He also referenced the Rogers Pre-WWII situation as (paraphrasing) covering something well known but in a new way, and brought up how asking WHY Peter Parker was bitten by a spider led to the creation of the Spiderverse.

As I recall, we saw what looked like 'covers' for the audio dramas as part of (after?) his sizzle reel but he only mentioned them in passing. His discussion of how he finds something new to write about for Peter/Spidey as well as Steve/Cap was interesting.

What he mentioned about the new opportunities animation offers reminded me of what the animators tried to with the animated Star Trek series. Perhaps we will see parts of the station that couldn't be shown due to budget constraints. Lower-G sections, rear of the station, Backup C&C, more of Minbar or Epsilon 3, etc.

Yes, I'd love it if they could explore weightlessness and perhaps truly alien aliens (as animated Trek did). I'm reminded of the David Gerrold B5 comic "Laser-Mirror-Starweb" the (iirc) started out as an outline for an episode but with all the scenes in low-G, it really wouldn't have been filmable on B5's budget. That sort of thing might be much more possible with the animated movie(s).

[Looney]

😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭 Finally had time to read and catch up. OMG I wish I had been there. 😭😭😭😭😭😜

[Jan]

Not sure whether this should be here or in the TRH thread but since it doesn't specifically mention the move, we'll put it here for now. Pat Tallman has announced that she'll be at SDCC and so wiill Bruce Boxleitner, Claudia Christian, and Tracy Scoggins.

Patricia Tallman

Hey Everyone!
It's official! I'll be at SDCC July 20-22nd.
AND I will have photos and books!
Pleasure Thresholds, my Babylon 5 Memoir was updated in 2020, and will be available for $30 PRE SALE price if you order online, no shipping fees required.
At my table at SDCC, it will go up to $40. If not pre-ordered.
Autographed and personalized, if you wish.
Plus you can get Bruce Boxleitner, Claudia Christian and maybe even JMS to sign it, for their autograph price.
Pre-orders can pick up their books at my table on Thursday and Friday from 2:30pm-7:00pm.
Any books not picked up by Saturday at 10:30am will be billed for shipping & handling plus $5.
ALSO I will be selling the Flipping The Bird photo, with Richard Biggs printed signature and my in-person autograph for $50 ($60 at SDCC) - limited supply, pre order for pick up.
There will be a group signing with Bruce Boxleitner, Claudia Christian, Tracy Scoggins and me in the Sails Pavilion on Saturday at 11am-12pm. Grab this photo first from me to get autographed!
Preorder your items here https://b5events.com/pat-tallman-convention-preorder/ (link in bio!)

<bolding mine> Looking forward to this!!

[Jan]

JMS says the con needs to be the one to reveal his schedule but gave this hint:

Unless things are very different this year, SDCC reveals the schedule two weeks out. So the Wed/Thur schedule will come out on July 6, Fri on July 7, Sat on July 8 and Sun on July 9,

[Looney]

You REALLY like to twist that knife don't you Jan. Next thing I know I am going to have to read the wonderful reports. 😣😣😣

[Jan]

You REALLY like to twist that knife don't you Jan. Next thing I know I am going to have to read the wonderful reports. 😣😣😣

I'm sure you know just exactly how sorry I am, Looney!!!

Claudia and Pat have both posted about the group signing on Saturday along with Bruce and Tracy. It's only for an hour and it's in the morning so I'll be very surprised if JMS joins them.

[Looney]

Uggggh I wonder if they will mention me. 🤩

BTW, I can tell anyone who is interested Claudia and Pat are a DELIGHT to meet in my experience. (Right Jan? I mean you know them. I've only met them at Cons a few times.) Not sure on Bruce because I've only had one strange direct encounter with him, but he seems delightful in his panels. I HAVE soooooooooooooo many questions for all of them, especially Bruce, but I'd have to have my own time with him to ask all of them. AND from what I know of Tracy she is also great. Brief encounter in Galveston when she signed an autograph, but she had a very warm and enjoyable panel in Galveston as well. You know Pat and Claudia are pals so it will be interesting to see how Tracy fits in.

WHY DOES MONEY EXIST?!!!!!!!! I would be there if money wasn't a thing!!!!!!! 😭😭😭😭😭😭😭

Jan, why didn't I send you something for all of them to sign? I mean I have Bruce, Claudia, and Pat several times, but you can never have too many. Tracy not so much. Only have her once and then a trading card auto.

And just because I am thinking of Galveston now, Dylan Neal was AWESOME there. I had a couple real conversations with him about the entertainment business and acting. If he just wasn't so damn handsome I'd think he was a real genuine person. 🤣

[Jan]

BTW, I can tell anyone who is interested Claudia and Pat are a DELIGHT to meet in my experience. (Right Jan? I mean you know them. I've only met them at Cons a few times.) Not sure on Bruce because I've only had one strange direct encounter with him, but he seems delightful in his panels. I HAVE soooooooooooooo many questions for all of them, especially Bruce, but I'd have to have my own time with him to ask all of them. AND from what I know of Tracy she is also great. Brief encounter in Galveston when she signed an autograph, but she had a very warm and enjoyable panel in Galveston as well. You know Pat and Claudia are pals so it will be interesting to see how Tracy fits in.

Minor correction - Pat recognizes me and knows my name but I can't say we really know each other! She's very sweet, though. Claudia I've had very few encounters with. Bruce is great fun and loves to talk and entertain the fans. Claudia, I've had very little contact with, I'm afraid. I've had a couple of good conversations with Tracy. She seems really nice (though I think she was having a bad day when I encountered her in Galveston).

WHY DOES MONEY EXIST?!!!!!!!! I would be there if money wasn't a thing!!!!!!! 😭😭😭😭😭😭😭

Heinlein said, "Budget the luxiries first." I'm reminded that the first time I actually introduced myself to JMS I had to pawn a ring for 5 days because a check I was counting on hadn't arrived. Never regretted it for a moment!

Jan, why didn't I send you something for all of them to sign? I mean I have Bruce, Claudia, and Pat several times, but you can never have too many. Tracy not so much. Only have her once and then a trading card auto.

While it seems Pat will be signing at a table a few times, so far there's only word of one group signing and we don't know what the rules are for that yet. Last time (for Lost Tales), they provided the mini-comic and that was all that was permitted. So while I might have been willing, there's every chance it would be a waste of postage.

And just because I am thinking of Galveston now, Dylan Neal was AWESOME there. I had a couple real conversations with him about the entertainment business and acting. If he just wasn't so damn handsome I'd think he was a real genuine person. 🤣

Agreed. He was great and Marshall Teague was fabulous, too. Very friendly and outgoing.

[Looney]

Yes I've met Marshall twice and both times he was an absolute pleasure to talk to. I SOOOOOOOOOOO hope there are future animated installments that cast Ta'Lon.

And don't listen to her folks. I've seen Pat ask for Jan's help by name in person. They are practically best friends.

Ugggggh I just wish my "Bruce Encounter" had gone better. I really have a LOT of things to discuss with him that are not all B5 related.

And I think all of the Guests had at least one bad day in Galveston, which was likely not as bad as the days the Guests had when the event was moved to Houston the following years.

[LateArrival]

Sort off off topic.

Noticed on the site claudiachristian.net that there are TWO listed appearances for The Road Home.

Claudia to appear at San Diego Comic Con, Saturday, July 22, 2023
Claudia will be appearing Saturday only at this years' annual San Diego Comic Con. She will be joined by other Babylon 5 cast and crew for a panel and viewing of Babylon 5: The Road Home followed by a 1-hour autograph session.

Claudia to appear at Dragon Con in Atlanta, Georgia, August 31 - September 4, 2023
Claudia is scheduled to appear at this years' annual Dragon Con in Atlanta, Georgia, August 31 - September 4, 2023.
Claudia will be promoting the upcoming Babylon 5: The Road Home animated feature with co-stars Bruce Boxleitner and Tracy Scoggins as well as her new comic book series, Dark Legacies.

? Although perhaps the Dragon Con one is "not official" yet. No idea if cast will be there for An Hour, or possibly longer. If CC is promoting something else, maybe she'll be there for more than a day?

[Jan]

Claudia to appear at San Diego Comic Con, Saturday, July 22, 2023
Claudia will be appearing Saturday only at this years' annual San Diego Comic Con. She will be joined by other Babylon 5 cast and crew for a panel and viewing of Babylon 5: The Road Home followed by a 1-hour autograph session.

Holy cats, if that's accurate (schedule for Saturday, July 22 will be released on July 8), that makes for a pretty early morning screening of the movie!! Which would seem to indicate that the screening will be at the convention center rather than off-site.

Claudia to appear at Dragon Con in Atlanta, Georgia, August 31 - September 4, 2023
Claudia is scheduled to appear at this years' annual Dragon Con in Atlanta, Georgia, August 31 - September 4, 2023.
Claudia will be promoting the upcoming Babylon 5: The Road Home animated feature with co-stars Bruce Boxleitner and Tracy Scoggins as well as her new comic book series, Dark Legacies.

? Although perhaps the Dragon Con one is "not official" yet. No idea if cast will be there for An Hour, or possibly longer. If CC is promoting something else, maybe she'll be there for more than a day?

Great to hear that the movie will be getting coverage at another major con.

[Jan]

And, we're off!! JMS confirmed that he'll be at the Marvel panel on Frid, 7/21 at 3 PM in room 6DC with a signing from 4:45 - 5:15 PM at their table (2329, I'm pretty sure)

[Jan]

Just announced!

And finally, on Saturday, July 22, join Babylon 5: The Road Home at 6:30pm in Room 6BCF. Celebrate the 30th anniversary of the original series and catch the world premiere of the animated film from series creator J. Michael Straczynski, along with returning original series actors Bruce Boxleitner, Claudia Christian, Tracy Scoggins and Patricia Tallman.

https://sdccblog.com/2023/07/warner-bros-discovery-home-entertainment-premiering-animated-films-at-san-diego-comic-con-2023/

ETA: And JMS says there'll be a Q&A as well!