THE RETRIEVER September 21, 2004 15 Features Comic-Con: Indulging the kid and collector in all of us DARLA MERCADO Captain America, fans, who know him best as the voices of Fry, Retriever Weekly Staff Writer Spider-Man, and the Dr. Zoidberg, the senile yet eccentric Professor Fantastic Four, Mr. Farnsworth, and the sleazy Zapp Brannigan. Where is one likely to find fans of The Romita has amassed In addition to this colorful list of characters, Flash, Cowboy Bebop, and Voltron on a sunny an enormous fol- Mr. West’s resume also consists of voice roles Saturday? At the Baltimore Convention lowing of fans who for both Ren and Stimpy, the HoneyNut Center, of course. The Fifth Annual Baltimore can credit him for Cheerios Bee, the Red M&M, and the current Comic-Con, which was held from September creating scores of voices of Elmer Fudd and Bugs Bunny. 11-12, united fans of various genres in the childhood memo- In an interview with Travis Allen, Mr. world of comics with their idols in the indus- ries with his impres- West explained his early start in voice acting. try, as well as many retailers from across the sive artistic and sto- “Well, when I was a kid, I grew up listening to nation, selling everything from InuYasha col- rytelling abilities. the radio. I was always hearing and learning lectibles, to He-Man and She-Ra memorabilia Explaining the different voices. This one time I was jumping (anyone born between 1980 and 1987 knows magic behind his in my bed in rubber boots, imitating Elvis’s and loves He-Man and She-Ra!), to framed own creations, Mr. ‘Blue Suede Shoes,’ but I was about five, so it paintings of classic heroes such as those in The Romita explained sounded like this [sings a few lyrics in a Justice League. the job of the comic squeaky voice and then asks “Are you going to Comic-Con attendees were also able to sit book artist: “Fight eat those JuJuBes?”],” he said. in on interesting discussions held with Darla Mercado [Retriever Staff] the problem that Mr. West derived his characters’ voices esteemed members of the comic book industry Geeks now and forever: Artists, actors, and those who adore those like Tom this is a 2-D thing from every day voices he hears. For example, such as John Romita, Sr., the man behind the Brevoort and John Romita Sr. gathered in Balimore. – make it real... he came up with Dr. Zoidberg’s voice when he sketching and inking of favorites such as First you have to was recalling a time when he regularly attend- Spider-Man and Captain America for the last believe the charac- ed plays in a Jewish neighborhood in lower thirty years, and acclaimed Futurama voice Caniff in the classic comic, Terry and the ters, then you have to care about them,” he Manhattan. “Some of these actors were new actor Billy West. Pirate, inspired the young Mr. Romita to fol- said. His philosophy behind creating charac- arrivals to the country, so they had all these In an interview with Marvel Comics edi- low the comic book industry. ters people attach themselves to for decades is Yiddishisms and accents that would come up tor Tom Brevoort, Mr. Romita described his After battling his way uphill as a young exactly what perpetuates memorable heroes whenever they spoke their parts [says in a life and times courting the interests of influen- “ghost artist” working for Stan Lee, and then who stand the test of time. voice reminiscent of Dr. Zoidberg, “I stole the tial comic book companies such as DC climbing his way up the company ladder Moving on from paper to celluloid, Billy see COMIC-CON, page 18 Comics and Marvel. The artistry of Milton through the years by inking characters such as West held a discussion with ardent Futurama Flat Tuesdays: Unfinished and noisy, but music, drinks on tap PATRICK COYLE lining up early for the start of open-mic in the heard over the upstairs chatter. This was par- atmosphere,” he said of the cabaret. And Retriever Weekly Staff Writer lower galley. ticularly obvious when one theater student others were enjoying themselves as well; In some areas, Flat Tuesdays has a long way delivered a dramatic monologue which was after Alex broke a string midway through his Flat Tuesdays, UMBC’s Mardi-Gras to go. The walls, though painted brightly, difficult to hear. set, several guitarists waiting in the crowd themed lounge, opened last Thursday to great lacked the planned artwork of Louisiana. The Yet, as the evening progressed, a sense of offered their instruments so he could finish. success and large crowds, with a happy hour high tables and stools have more a coffee-house cohesion formed between the two levels. Edan All combined, the experience was special and open-mic that lasted most of the feel and less a pub feel, though this may be by Perrigo, whose band “The Thread” will play a enjoyable, being slightly more lively than evening. design. Also, the iron-work remains incom- full length set Saturday in the cabaret, brought standard coffee-house events but less crowd- Happy hour, held from 4:00 – 7:00 PM on plete, standing at an odd mixture of rich flower- the two rooms together with a solo rendition of ed than the bar scene. Flat Tuesdays and Thursday, featured any of the three draughts on patterned bars and standard steel-twists that sit Sublime’s “Date Rape” that brought the focus open-mic night below is a solid mixture of tap for $2.00. on unpainted and inaccessible balconies. of both Flat Tuesdays and open-mic night to fun and a safe destination for anyone unable “It was packed,” said Desiree, a bartender, The biggest problem, the only unforeseen the stage. Afterwards, the upstairs seemed to drive into the city but unwilling to stay “We went through two kegs.” aspect, was when noise from Flat Tuesdays willing participants in the events below, home on a Thursday or Saturday night. The crowd was a mixture of faculty and clashed with the performances. In the upstairs cheering, yelling requests, and even singing Flat Tuesdays will feature the band “The students, drawn as much by the prices as the cabaret, there are thick walls along the balcony along. Thread” this Saturday from 8:00 – 11:00 opportunity to relax after work in a laid-back that block the view of the stage. Only the The performers were coffee house regu- PM, 21-and-over upstairs and all ages in the lounge setting. Though alcohol is only permit- most dedicated patrons who lean uncomfort- lars and all provided excellent entertain- lower cabaret. Admission is free. ted upstairs and only 21-and-over patrons are ably far out can see below to the lower cabaret. ment. Alex MacRae, another guitarist, who allowed into the upper galley, the entire cabaret The performers kept a steady rotation, but for played several small acoustic sets, said he Patrick Coyle is a staff writer for The Retriever maintained a jovial atmosphere with students the first two hours, they often fought to be enjoyed playing there. “It’s a very bright Weekly. You may reach her at [email protected]..