After needlessly crossing the length of downtown -- at the brilliant suggestion of a friend of mine -- we showed up to our first press party of the evening at 9:30 p.m.  The company throwing the party shall remain nameless.  But suffice it to say, I hope their new video game will be better produced than the party they threw last night.  I counted nine people in the bar.  It still makes me hurt inside.

Our next invitation took us to the DC Universe Online party.  Sony has more cash than they know what to do with, so I expected it to crush the standard set by the previous party.  Shrimp spring rolls, cheese, an open bar, an ice luge with the SOE logo, and a DJ were all openly declaring "fatality" on the fight between the two parties.  I was late to this party too, but I arrived at the exact same time as Jim Lee, so I figure I can still add "fashionably" to my lateness.  Best of all, I am now the proud owner of one of the coolest giveaways ever -- a pen that projects the bat signal with the press of a button.  And judging by the number of Batmen (Batmans?) running around Comic-Con, I think the signal on the pen might actually work!

So, Sony can put on a good party, but will they make a good game?  Find out in the next issue.

Well folks, the annual video game pilgrimage that is E3 just wrapped up, and chances are - like every year - you were left out in the cold, shivering and mumbling curses at the attendees of this industry-only event.  Never fear, the gaming industry will have a nice warm fire for you at Comic-Con (Dear Fire Marshal, this is an expression, I have no knowledge of any arsonist plans by the gaming industry at Comic-Con).  Activision, Capcom, EA, Marvel, Midway, Sierra, Sony, THQ, Ubisoft... the list goes on.  They will all be vying for your attention at the Con.

Video game companies even have some plans for you that the lucky punks of E3 didn't get to experience.  You'll be the first ever to test out Sony's new MMO, DC Universe Online.  Firesky will be showing off their MMO, Stargate Worlds, based on the wildly popular TV show.  And, if you don't count the Japanese (our archrivals in the getting-games-first war), you'll be one of the first in the world to try out Street Fighter IV.

Now, to the panels.  Here are my top 10 picks.