Comic Con Kicks Off

So Empire is at Comic-Con, for the second year running. Not much to report from Day One, to be honest. Mainly because I got here about five hours ago, after flying first to the East Coast of America, then heading over to the West Coast. (By design, not by accident, in case you're wondering) Still, pretty cool intro to the Con... an exclusive 10pm screening of Sky Captain and the World of Tomorrow. The first screening, to be more precise, of the finished film. Anywhere. Producer Jon Avnet and director/brainbox/genesis dude Kerry Conran were on hand to introduce the film (Conran: "I've no idea how this happened") to a rapturous response from the "select audience" of geeks, journos, and industry pros. And, though we're not allowed to review the movie at the moment, I can say that that reception continued throughout the movie. However Joe Public reacts to Sky Captain, with its heavily stylised CG-enhanced visuals and 1930s pulp storyline feel, it's certainly a hit with its target audience. "I made this film for you," said Conran, and he was right. Then it was home to bed, save for a brief chat with Edgar Wright and Simon Pegg, exultant after the first 'Con screening of Shaun of the Dead went down a storm. Unfortunately, I was stuck in Customs at the time, recoiling at the dread sound of a snapped rubber glove, but fear not, dear readers: there's another screening tomorrow! With Dawn of the Dead's Ken Foree in attendance! And Empire, too! Full report to follow... For tomorrow is when Comic-Con (now in its 35th year, fact fans) really kicks off. We've got presentations from Batman Begins, Constantine, The Incredibles, the Hellboy DVD, Blade III, and much much more to cover. Check back tomorrow (yes, it's Saturday but no rest for the wicked) for interviews and news from the Cannes of comics.