If you've listened to me rant at all over the last few years, you'll know that I pretty much can't stand Wizard and what I perceive to be their overall hubris towards fans and the industry. To state it in the most simple terms, I still get the feeling that they believe THEY are believe they are bigger than the industry they cover. Maybe you agree with me, maybe you don't, but it's how I feel. So, it probably doesn't take too much for you to guess I'd be cynical as this convention approached. You'd be absolutely correct, I was very cynical, especially after it became obvious that many of the top publishers weren't attending. No Marvel, No DC, No Darkhorse, No Image. I don't even think I saw Devil's Due (based out of Chicago) or IDW either. So for an aspiring creator who likes to meet mainstream creators, this was a huge disappointment to me.
Here's the kicker of the whole thing; despite some aspects that still bothered me about their show, I had a blast at this convention! I was really shocked. Once the initial disappointment wore off about the absent publishers, I was forced to make a choice. I could either bitch and moan through the convention for the entire weekend, or I could make the best of it. What I did was simple and cathartic, I shed my aspiring writing persona and put on my fanboy face.
As I mentioned last post, I dug into the vendors looking for deals, looking at what was there, and just finding gems and treasures I've long admired and wanted to read. In the process, I was able to fill in some of the gaps in runs that I was missing. It made me appreciate the medium and the products for their incredible storytelling capabilities. I looked and felt every bit of my 40 years, but I acted like a young man again, discovering the sheer joy of comic books.
I also picked up 4 of the next 5 trades I needed for Ultimate Spiderman (9, 10, 12, 13) for a total of $15!! At $3.75 each, that was a HUGE steal. Overall, it was a great convention and despite next year's emergence of the C2E2 show in April, if Wizard holds another convention in Chicago, I will be there!
Lastly, what is a convention without taking pictures of guests and geeks!! For some reason I saw more people dressed in DC outfits than Marvel, which I thought was odd. It was cool to see though. Anyways here they are, along with my attempts at witty commentary.
The entrance of the convention center. I think the water fountain is why we get charged a $5 "Convenience Fee" on our tickets.
The view of the floor from the doors. Notice the lack of publisher booths?
Green Lanterns! I can't believe there all girls. If my wife didn't have me wearing my "Gold Lantern Ring" my will power wouldn't have been enough to resist! (Sorry, I know that was lame)
One of my favorite costumes this year! Marvel Mini-Mate Zombies!!
Margot Kidder. In person she doesn't look that much older than Noel Neill anymore.
Lori Petty. I didn't see much activity at her booth all weekend.
Lamest costume of the Convention. Lady Galactus? I guess I know what to do with that old office waste basket and my purple shirt.
Kevin Nash. He looked much older, but still looked like he could kill me with just his hair.
These guys are there every year. They're also out of shape every year. At some point, I am hoping they "get it."
Harley Quinn. This would have worked better if she smiled more.
More Female Green Lanterns! Thankfully my Gold Ring was at full strength!
???? Yeah, it was a Gillete Razor Fusion Booth. I saw people shaving there on the convention floor. This is sooo stupid. I would have rather seen an "Axe" booth, there's much more need for one.
Buck Rodgers Gil Gerard.
Ferverts!
I think this is actually one of my old Prom pictures. You can decide which one is me.
Emma Caulfield from Buffy. She seemed very nice. I wish I was nicer to her.
Edward James Olamos. I don't care how much BSG the man does, I still see him wearing a paper hat and teaching math!
A Zombie. Not sure what he was hawking, but he acted stupid and I laughed.
Duffman!! The simplicity of the costume is awesome!!
Dr. Strange and Scarlet Witch.
I Don't Know, I Don't Care. It was Weird.
I haven't a clue, but it set off alerts from my Gold Lantern Ring, so I figured I should document it.
Donna D'Errico from Baywatch. She looked much nicer and non-plastic than I expected.
Demolition Ax & Smash!!
An Absolutely Gorgeous Black Canary that makes me feel old and creepy when I look at her!
The Black Bastard. That's really his name, I have his comic. It's about as funny for as long as this sentence.
Further Proof that Ben Reilly is lame.
A Jumping Banana. Why not? Throw in a badly kept beard and I'll take your picture dude!
An older Justice League. It's funny that Robin is taller than Hal Jordan.
