San Diego Comic-con, Wrap-up

Things I missed because I didn't have 4 days passes: Tim Burton's "Alice in Wonderland" and Johnny "Fucking" Depp, Amanda Palmer's NINJA session, all the Mythbuster sightings including their panel, the Kevin Smith panel. More chances to see Neil Gaiman, Amanda Palmer, and Felicia Day. More time to explore the Exhibit Hall.

Things I missed completely out of ignorance: Greg Dean

Things I missed because we didn't get a hotel room: All parties to meet and greet, a live showing of Repo! with a shadow cast, hanging with GeekgirlDiva, talking webcomics with Scott Kurtz, meeting Grant Imahara at Hard Rock, getting tickets to get into autograph sessions, etc.

Lessons learned: Really even with a transit system that stays open later and opening up several parking locations in the area, you can not beat getting a hotel room close to the con. The transit system just doesn't run late enough for my liking and the money you'll spend on parking as well the headache that comes from trying to find parking makes you want to kill yourself. If you can, find someway to get a fucking hotel room. OR, have none geeky friends who owe you big favors to chaueffer you around for the weekend, i.e. dropping you off and picking you up at insane hours.

Also, I had a major contact malfunction. I'm going to be considering LASIK soon.

And to be completely contradictory, I'm considering attending APE without getting hotel room. But in my defense, APE is fairly local and doesn't sound like it has crazy parties going on. It sounds like more of a meet and greet for all alternative press. So basically I'm going to learn more about webcomics, as well as stalk more webcomic artists.

San Diego Comic-con, Saturday

Today was our last day to enjoy Comic-con. I really only had two panels to catch and the rest of the day was planned to wander the Exhibit Hall and get photo ops with people I'd missed the day before.

As per usual we were running late, but got there in enough time to catch everything. Also, H4773r was kind enough to drop us off again so we could enjoy the con. This time he parked on

Harbor and Sigsbee St. This was a good 6+ blocks away from the convention center and had free parking BUT I wouldn't recommend leaving any valuables in your car and leaving there late at night. It just didn't seem like the safest area.

My goal was to start at one end of the Exhibit Hall and work my way through all the alleys. That worked until I hit the main areas that had Marvel, DC, G4, WB, etc. The madness down those walkways was incredible. There was barely any room to move at all. Then I realized I

wouldn't even make it half-way through the hall before the panel started so I just gave up and started wandering.

I did find Frank Beddor and bought H4773r "Princess Alyss of Wonderland."

Shortly after getting something to eat and paying outrageous con prices we headed to our webcomic panel with Scott Kurtz, Brad Guigar, Dave Kellet, and Kris Straub. The panel was pretty informative and Scott Kurtz and Dave Kellet are pretty fucking funny. All the guys have collaborated to write "How to Make Webcomics" (which I bought). They also promoted their

sites webcomics.com and Webcomics Weekly (podcast). In addition they pretty much just talked about the biz: how you do everything yourself (from merchandising to advertising) and that it's the best way to retain all your rights; the importance of making something people want to read; that if you have 1000 true fans you can

maintain your business; and the most importance advice I learned from Kurtz "Solving the problem of where you're at." Meaning, let's say you have your comic online and have a few followers you might be concerned next with going to a con and setting up in artist alley. You should be solving that problem, not worrying about starting merchandise selling.

Right after the webcomic panel it was time for the Emo Boy panel. This upcoming movie will be

directed by Kyle Newman (also directed Fanboys) and will star Jaime King (from "Spirit" and "Sin City") and Lucas Cruikshank (of Fred fame). Newman also discussed other upcoming Vanguard films: Chupacabras, Alien Band, Space Chimps 2, and Oz Wars. Also we had the chance to meet and talk with Jaime King after the panel. She was incredibly nice, sweet and down to earth. By far a great actress to meet in person if you ever get the chance.

After Emo Boy I went back down the Exhibit Hall and got my photos with peeps.

GeekgirlDiva

MC Frontalot

Jennie Breeden

Scott Kurtz

We were in a rush during dinner time because H4773r and I were going to catch Aftercon. So we ate literally at the first place that was decently priced and had a vegetarian option, Jolt N Joes. By vegetarian option I mean veggie burger, but whatever.

We parted ways with Pievuhg and took a ridiculously long walk back to the car. We made it to

the Aftercon venue, the Casbah, after 7:00pm but it didn't and we found free parking nearby. The show didn't start til rather late, 9:30-ish. The guys from Cyanide and Happiness were there premiering two new shorts, as well as Saturday Morning Breakfast Cereal show off new clips in-between sets. YT Cracker was the first one up, followed by MC Frontalot, and the MC Lars. There was a special guest appearance by Zealous1. I really enjoyed the show. The guys are so enthusiastic and have tons of energy and in general, put on a great show. The initmate setting is perfect. I love how MC Lars has his music videos playing along while he raps. The night ended, for us, with MC Lars playing "Hot Topic is Not Punk Rock." We missed Doomtree, but it was late and I was so tired. Only complaints, one, MC Lars encouraging the crowd to mosh and having the one douchebag try to be hard core. He almost got his ass beat by another concert goer who didn't want to play with him. Also, I guess there was someone "famous" there. I couldn't figure out who she was for the life of me, but she had a papparazzo following her, taking pictures, with an obnoxious flash. I could've taken her but H4773r doesn't like to encourage my violence and I hate lawsuits.

There were a number of things happening after Aftercon, such as the experiment webcomic meetup with Scott Kurtz, drinks with Geekgirldiva, Repo! with shadow cast and special guests, and Mythbusters at Hard Rock. Unfortunately, we didn't go to any of these BECAUSE I could no longer afford parking for another day and I was still so fucking tired.

(NOTE: Next year we WILL get a hotel room by the convention center and have more Red Bull onhand.)

San Diego Comic-con, Friday

As this was my first time, Comic-Con was quite overwhelming even with Pievuhg's help (she's con veteran). I had quite a few things I wanted to catch on Friday: Coraline panel, 9 panel, and catch whoever I could for autographs and photo-ops.

So we arrived a bit late to Comic-Con. Again, we weren't crashing at a hotel/motel anywhere near the con. We actually stayed with a friend of Pievuhg's, who lives on the only moutain in San Diego.

The Coraline panel I wanted to see didn't start til 10:30am, by the time we arrived at and picked up my badge (I had a mix up because of the single day passes) it was 10:00am. The line looked deceptively short-why? Because it turns out they had let people in early. By the time the room was full I was still waiting outside with three people in front of me. I used the time to put on my makeup and decided I wasn't going to leave until the panel was over, in the vain hope I would be able to get in to catch at least some of Neil Gaiman. Pievuhg waited with me until H4773r showed up (H4773r was kind enough to drop off me and Pievuhg while he looked for parking.) Once H4773r got there, he and Pievuhg took off. Pievuhg went to scope out the Exhibit hall and H4773r went to hold a place in line for us at Hall H. After much waiting I was actually able to get in and catch the last 10 minutes of Coraline, so just the Q&A portion of the panel. I was able to find out what kinds of media influences the director Henry Selick, such as the Kings of Leon. Also it was asked what project Neil was most looking forward to next-The Graveyard Book. And then Mr. Selick told Mr. Gaiman how fans would come up to him asking if Sandman would ever come to the big screen. It was determined that while there are no plans in the making, both Mr. Selick and Mr. Gaiman would love to see it happen. I met Pievuhg in the Exhibit hall and she walked me over to the Hall H line to meet with H4773r. I arrived to see my panel, "9", three hours early. I was glad I did. The line was gi-normus! The kids in front of us were veterans and gave us the low-down on how the line works and what to expect. I had been hoping to catch CBDL's Amanda Palmer session but the kids told me if I left the line I probably wouldn't be able to get back in. I figured I'd stalk Ms. Palmer later.

I had a small discussion about the "unfairness" of waiting in line. I think it's fair that once the

panel is over the hall/room empties out completely. If you want to see the next panel in that room, you have to get back in line. The kids explained how this was actually tried at previous SDCC's and how near chaos/riots broke out. One of the kids countered that her mom was

physically disabled and it would be difficult for her to leave a room like Hall H and then go back in line to see the next panel. And for the people like Topless Robot, who blog about all things in

Hall H, it's also unfair because they actually want to see everything in that room. First off, Comic-con is all about picking and choosing what panels/events you're going to see. And more often than not, you will miss things. Secondly, I believe people who actually want to sit through

all panels in one room actually only makes a small percent. Most people will sit through a panel they have no interest in just to gaurantee they have a seat for the panel they actually want. Thus, taking a spot for some poor bloke waiting outside who wanted to see the previous panel. Example, I really wanted to see the panel for "9". H4773r and I got in to see the Disney panel, before "9". I didn't mind catching the Disney panel, but if given the choice I would've skipped

Disney and only watched "9". But, like everyone else, once I got in the hall I wasn't leaving until my panel was over. As the kids explained it there probably really isn't a "good" way to satisfy

everyone.

Moving on, I really enjoyed the Disney panel from what I caught of it. We got to see some footage of Disney's "Beauty and the Beast" in 3D, which is set for release Valetine's Day 2010. Pixar is working to finish a new straight to ABC Family cartoon called "Prep & Landing." It's going to premiere this holiday season and looks absolutely

hilarious and cute. We saw extended footage of Disney's new "The Princess and the Frog." I'm already in love with these new Disney characters, and excited it's following more a musical format. I have no doubts this cartoon will make it to Broadway. And lastly, Miyazaki took the stage and we were able to see some of "Ponyo."

Some of the room cleared out of the Disney panel and we were able to get a bit closer for the "9"

panel. Seriously, I just about peed my pants when Tim Burton came onstage. And then Elijah

Wood entered and he is just so fucking adorable. I really wanted to put him in my pocket and take him home. Also Jennifer Connelly was there, surprisingly Crispin Glover was absent. But essentially we got to see the trailer twice, and extended scene and learn a bit of how the whole thing came together. The worst part about it, the Q&A. Let's just say awkard geeks are terribly, terribly awkward. Even I cringed. (yeah i know it's super blurry, but trust me when i say tim burton, elijah wood, and jennifer connelly are in it.)

After the panel I had planned on wandering the Exhibit hall but learned Ms. Palmer would be making an appearance at the Comic Relief booth. I quickly rushed through the Exhibit hall with H4773r to get in line. Strangely, I actually ran into AFP while on my way to the Comic Relief booth. I mananged to get out a hi, and then waited a few moments while she and her manager went over some things. I then realized if I was famous and going to be doing a meet and greet

soon I wouldn't want to be bothered while working. So I said as much, along the lines of "You know what, you look busy and I'm going to the meet and greet anyway. So I'll see you there." Hopefully she appreciated it. When I got to the booth, they actually had "Who Killed Amanda Palmer" books for sale. Since I hadn't purchased one yet I bought one there. Luckily I did. It turns out only people who bought the book could actually meet AFP. She was in an open enough space that a number of passerbys stopped to take her picture. But I was so excited I actually got to meet her and get an autograph and photo. Hopefully next time I'll have a cool gift to give.

Having recieved my first dose of celebrity, I needed more. So H473r and I headed to the webcomic booth area. I got to meet Jennie Breeden, Scott Kurtz, and MC Frontalot. I already had the Devil's Panties Vol. 1 for Jennie to sign, but bought Devil's Panties Vol. 2 and tipped for alcohol money. Jennie is by far one of the best people to meet in person. Despite the comic portrayals she isn't awkward and very personable/down-to-earth and friendly to talk to. As much as I like pvponline. I didn't make any connection with Scott. I purchased his new Binwin poster and let him know that I really like the new Ding comics, but he just wasn't as talkative/didn't seem to care. MC Frontalot is a cool guy to meet in person, but I let H4773r do all the fan boy talking to him.

While at MC Frontalot's booth he decided to put on a impromtu rap session. It was a nice

preview to Saturday night's show.

We ended the night by having dinner at the Olive Garden. Yeah, all way down to San Diego and we stop at OG. Don't judge.

San Diego Comic-con, Prelude

It's the night before Comic-con and I'm quite excited and nervous. I wasn't able to score tickets for Thursday or Sunday, but have made plenty of other plans to keep me occupied. I have been running around like crazy for the past few days making sure I get everything I need ready for Comic-con. I am a list queen and checking off items appropriately. I decided at the last minute that I would cosplay as the C0n FaIry. I finally splurged on my tactical vest and everything else fairy-like I already owned.

I've spent some time reading a bunch of other blogs on what to expect because I'm a Comic-con n00b. I've made my tentative schedule of which panels I'd like to catch on Friday and Saturday. I'm really hoping to see the Coraline panel, CBLDF's "Who Killed Amanda Palmer," and Focus Feature: 9 on Friday, and Webcomic bootcamp, Kevin Smith and Mythbusters on Saturday. A couple of these overlap and with big showings in Hall H and I don't know how I'll manage to juggle everything. H4773r has told me he'll follow me wherever I go, so at least I'll have a buddy with the whole time.

I'm hoping to catch a few of the events held after con hours, but I'm very short on funds. I was hoping to catch a showing of Repo! and that same night a concert by Amanda Palmer. Luckily Ms. Palmer is going to do another NINJA party, which I'm hoping to go to instead. Also H4773r bought tickets for us to see After Con, my first live Nerdcore event.

I should attempt sleep here soon but will probably just crash on the ride down instead.

Here are some blog posts I've been using for research:

Comic-con

Shouting into the Wind

Unofficial SD Comic-con blog

Alltop

I'm also following quite a few people on Twitter for this event as well:

Entertainment Earth

Comiccon09

sdcomicon

Comic_Con

SD_Comic_Con

ToplessRobot

Agent_M

pvponline

geekgirldiva

amber_benson

jenniebreeden

feliciaday

DarkHorseComics

TychoBrae

ThatKevinSmith

amandapalmer

wilw

donttrythis

neilhimself

warrenellis

jimlee00

cwgabriel

(Yes, my cell phone will be going off constantly this weekend.)