April 23--Israel Idonije will be one of the few comic creators at this weekend's Chicago Comic and Entertainment Expo who is as massive as the larger-than-life superheroes he created. In fact, other than Kevin Nash and Jason Momoa, there probably won't be too many people as physically imposing as Idonije at the convention at McCormick Place. The former Bear is a muscular 6-foot-6, making him nearly a foot taller than fellow C2E2 guest Sean Astin.
Idonije is sure to stand out at C2E2, while at the same time fitting right in.
This will be the fifth year that Idonije -- a comic book fan since he was a teenager -- attends the comic convention. He is appearing Saturday to promote his Athlitacomics, which includes "The Protectors," the athletes-turned-superheroes comic book series he launched with writer Ron Marz and artist Bart Sears. Athlitacomics has so far released a "Protectors" prequel and the first issue (Idonije's former teammates Matt Forte, Charles Tillman and Ndamukong Suh made cameos in the latter issue).
"It's a new era of superheroes on Earth," Idonije, 34, said about the upcoming issues over the phone Wednesday. "They're athletes based out of Chicago who were destined to do more than just entertain and be the best at their sports. The story is about how they got their gifts and made their decision to join the (good vs. evil) fight."
Athlitacomics has teamed up with Madefire to release future "Protectors" issues as motion books, via the Madefire app.
"It's a hybrid between a standard comic experience where you just read and turn the pages and an animated experience where the scenes in the comics have motion to them," Idonije said. "They will be available within the next few weeks. You'll have each episode released weekly."
Also in the works: Comics about real sports legends. Athlitacomics has a license agreement with the NFL Players Association, allowing it to use a player's likeness.
"They will each have their own 25-30 page comic story," Idonije said. "They'll tell us their story, Ron Marz will write it and then it will be a comic of their life. We're meeting with a Bears legend Wednesday to talk about it. I'm pretty excited about it. We did my story and it turned out amazing."
Sorry, Joakim: Supermodel and Bulls fan Erin Heatherton revealed during an interview with Sports Illustrated that her favorite Bulls player growing up was Michael Jordan. No surprise there. But what about the current Bulls team? "My favorite player on the Bulls right now is Jimmy Butler and I think he knows," Heatherton, a Skokie native, told Sports Illustrated. "I told him on Instagram." Heatherton went on to give out a few "honorable mentions" to two other Bulls players during the interview. "I also really love Pau Gasol, obviously," Heatherton said. "I also love, duh, Derrick Rose."
Heads up: Bears legend Brian Urlacher is scheduled to sign copies of his book, "The Middle School Rules of Brian Urlacher," Wednesday at Barnes Noble in Westfield Old Orchard mall in Skokie. ... Members of the '85 Bears, including Otis Wilson and Steve McMichael, are expected to attend the grand opening of the Pacman-themed Level 257 in Woodfield Mall in Schaumburg Thursday.
By the numbers: $1.7 million. The price the Blackhawks' Niklas Hjalmarsson sold his four-bedroom, 4,000-square-foot River West townhouse last week. He paid $1.32 million for it in 2010.
On the record: "My wife's birthday is coming up and thinking about having a huge Quidditch match for her. Do you guys think that would be rad?" -- Bears Martellus Bennett, via Twitter
Words of wisdom: People never forget a terrible ceremonial first pitch. Ask 50 Cent. SportsCenter will be showing the "In Da Club" rapper's first pitch from last May for at least the next 10 or 15 years. Topps even turned it into a baseball card. So what's the key to avoiding embarrassment? Cubs manager Joe Maddon believes he has the answer. "My advice to all the guys and the ladies who ever throw out the first pitch is if you're going to make the bad throw, throw over the catcher's head," Maddon said Wednesday on ESPN's "Pardon The Interruption." "It always looks better if you air mail it. It shows your arm strength. It shows machismo."
Sightings: The Cubs' Kris Bryant dined Friday at RPM Italian after making his MLB debut and Saturday at RPM Steak. ... Rose, Butler and Bulls teammate Nikola Mirotic dined, separately, Saturday at RPM Steak. Rose had dinner April 15 at the Pump Room in Public Chicago Hotel. Butler hung out April 11 at Bull Bear. ... Cubs hitting consultant Manny Ramirez hit RPM Steak April 16 and Friday and Lyfe Kitchen April 15 and 16. ... Bears coach John Fox was spotted April 11 at Three Dots and a Dash. The Blackhawks' Corey Crawford hung out Sunday at Three Dots and a Dash. ... The Cubs' Zac Rosscup dined Saturday at Harry Caray's 7th Inning Stretch at Water Tower Place. ... NFL Hall of Famer Richard Dent attended Virgin Hotel's grand opening party April 16.
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