Wondercon 2009 from a Cynic
Wondercon 2006 was meh. I attended DC Comics panels with Jon Cadle and was universally let down by lines. There were features there that of no fault of their own bored me, and I found the Exhibition hall stifling...just the worst kind of slog to get to and from even the bathroom. I didn't even see the artist signing alley. So I was reluctant, at best. I was drawn out mainly by the idea of grabbing internships, maybe seeing some old fandom friends.
I went Saturday, had my badge already so got to the Dealer room directly. I found the Comic Book Legal Defense Fund. The rep was meh on my desire to intern; CBLDF is based in New Yawk City, with a three man office. If they need Lawyers or interns, they hire them locally. Come back when you are Juris Doc kid! Okay. I bought a Frank Miller CBLDF shirt from a few years ago before he went insane.
I did a secret mission. :) I will post on this in the future. Then, I wandered around. I found CineArts, the LA direct Asian Cult Dealer. Rad, I had lost their number. I saw a booth where a guy was selling Garage signs for 12 and some American Kitsche magnets. I got a Jon Wayne Vietnam "Mans gotta do what a man's gotta do." large tin garage hangup and some 1950's magnets (mostly Ford related, I'm feeling nostalgic for the 'Buy American' era.)
Stonewife texts me, and tells me she found the "Hero Initiative", which is the charity for retiring comic writers and artists. It is more likely that I can intern for them in LA during summers-good to know.
Stone began to have a crowd problem...I know the Moscone center better so I cut through the bathroom line (Look Ma, three sets of bathrooms, amazing!) and grab her. We go to the Anime room to catch Dojin Book, which she tells me is hilarious. I'm not sure what to compare it to...it's like Child's Toy on speed...uncomfortable youth situation gooo!!!
I leave early for the CBLDF Auction; Matt Wagner (Grendel, Mage the Hero), Wendy Pini (Elfquest, Elric Animated Movie Project I will Love Her For Forever), A Gaiman collaborator I didn't recognize, a DC artist I didn't recognize (he did the Superman Red Son Art?) and Jim Lee all do art on a Mac Projector to show their techniques, and then auction off the pieces. To make a long story short, I get both offered Grendel Pieces for a song, the Death-High Price of Living Watercolor (NICE!) was too rich for my blood at $300, the Red Son Batman bust was lowballed at $220, the Pini Piece was giving a companion and went for $800, the Jim Lee Wolverines and skintight Batgirl (both made to pander) went for $700 and $900. Jim Lee is the most relaxed person I have ever seen. The other panelists were IMHO people not used to exposing their artistic techniques to public viewing. Jim Lee was just--whatever, add some white out, flick some white out, some blood, bottlecap to make photo flare rings on Wolvie's claws, and bam!
I figured as long as I was in for a penny I'd sign up as a CBLDF member later, so I went back on the floor. I also picked up a Walter Simonson and Mike Mignolia specialty comics for the CBDLF.
Oh, I forgot! I saw a booth for the Bay Area Anime Society hrrm! before the anime room. Some BAAS regulars were in attendance. I joked with one that he looked 42, he said he was 53. LOLS! They were selling Furry implements, hats, tails, ears, and a winter cap which had ears attached. They had an assortment, all for BAAS' benefit. BAAS had a period of inactivity a few yeara ago, and stopped taking membership fees. I don't know how they are offsetting the costs of their yearly meetings or appearances at Conventions. I got hooked up with Wolfie gear. Around the con, I saw many people wearing their gear--I hope they were doing brisk business. I shocked the shit out of Stonewife--priceless.
So back to the CBLDF hijinx...some Brit lady working there recognized me from Baycon. WTF? I don't remember speaking to anyone really...I don't remember being uncordial either....but I don't remember her. I'm good with faces, so this really bugged me. She had a Welsh Gryphon on her neck...I won't forget her again. All the CBLDF guys looked like they were rather be somewhere else. I would argue they need true believers behind their selling lines, but ah well. Actually, there was a lady who collaborated with Neil Gaiman on his 'The Graveyard' book and some Tshirts, that was pretty cool.
I met with Stonewife and we went to a light dinner at the mall. I was sad to see the fresh baked sweets store closed. I got some Edamame on the side-DAMN they gave a lot! More on that later. Dinner was pleasant, I boxed up the Edamame and we went back. We ran into SSJMato and Hydrogen_Crane, I gave them my dinner spares, and I wish them well of them. I was sweating like crazy, and D talked me down about having early stage diabetes or something. Just normal sweat...price of being overweight.
I was directed by the fine gentlemen to a booth selling leather goods. I found his bracers meh, I got a pouch. My NERO costume grows!
By now, despite my best effort :) I am loaded with crap. I retire to the Anime room, see S.A.I.R.A.H., looks pretty good...a young-girls-feelings style Gundam series. Seemed a bit rushed. Caught 3/4s of a Balsa the Bodyguard ep, I hate the pace of it. I always hate Balsa's pace. Who cares if Champloo is innacurate, at least it MOVED! We saw another, Renso Heicken or something, about some Alchemists making giant robots. It was kind of sad. It combined the best elements of that series about the kid with the yeah you're bored and so am I. I did enjoy one series, about a guy who gets summoned as a familiar for a sorceress in another dimension. He is something of a dissapointment and the toy of the magic wielding nobles there until he picks up a sword and finds out that he is the protagonist of Fushugi Yuugi. This series was made to conquer the US; it combines the best of Harry Potter's academies, Pokemon's familiar fetish, young-girl's feelings series and even a bit of action so men can watch and not feel lost. I salute the creators of this series--they have an absolute hit on their hands if this ever sees US Television.
I have been sleeping poorly, so I was pickled at 9pm. I met an artist in the hallway, his work had clean lines and little detail. I thought he was an amateur, but dude had a BOOTH! I gave him a poster I didn't want (Ed Brubaker's direct to Video 'Fallen Angel' or something. I had a signed copy someone dropped. ) He was happy. I felt good, Stonewife felt entertained. I guess this one was better because my access to things I wanted to see was better. So looking back on it, I may have dropped the ball on my fun in 2006 on my own. Maybe you can't blame circumstance for a feeling of dissatisfaction when you haven't given your best.
Home, James.