Fan Expo Canada 2009 has come to an end. This weekend was an absolute blast! It was great seeing all the familiar faces throughout the weekend (Pros, Fans & People I know).
As for me, I went into this convention significantly unprepared, unlike previous conventions. Sketches would be thought out, and listed for me to go artist to artist. Books all ready to get signed.
This year, my list was only partially filled, and many of those I just put in Zatanna (of course). I eventually started to fill in the blanks, while I was sitting in line on Friday morning/afternoon, before the convention preview time. I also cut down the amount of books I was bringing to the con, down to 32 books. Quite a few of those books, were for multiple signatures. Before, I filled up a long box and then some, to get signed. I would sometimes have 32 items for a single person to sign. I guess I'm moving into the mentality where not everything needs to be signed. Danny had a helluva lot more books, than I did.
As for the convention weekend itself, it started for me on Thursday, when I went down to help out All New Comics set up. Unfortunately (or maybe "Fortunately") for me, I arrived a little after everything was brought to the booth. I left my house a little later than I wanted to, then I hit a little bit of traffic. So I missed the heavy lifting and moving (still sorry I arrived late).
After what little bit of set up I was there for, we decided to take a walk around the convention floor, to check out the set up. The Tron Light Cycle was already there on display, which was quite cool, as many have probably noticed. Just seeing everything around, had me all excited for the con. Dinner at Jack Astor's after the set up (Thanks Peter!), then I went home, to try to finish whatever I had left to get ready for the con... which as I said, I was still working on it in line.
I actually ended up finishing the new releases post on the Joe Shuster Awards website, so that I could scheduled it to post Monday morning. If I didn't do it then, I don't know when it would have been up. Once that was done, I went to bed.
Friday August 28th, 2009
Day One! Up bright and early on Friday. Enough time to get some coffee and food. I ended up skipping the food, and bought some on the way to the con. Left the house around 10am, arrived down at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre around 11am. Got in and waited to get our tickets. Much like last year, the line to get the Premium Pass was longer than the Advanced Ticket line. Buying tickets on the spot was still the longest line.
Then it was downstairs to the VIP Entrance line. I believe around 1pm, badges were being hole-punched and hands being stamped, to speed up the process of entering. The doors opened on time, and the mayhem beings. :)
The plan was plant ourselves in the Joe Quesada line at the Marvel booth, and alternate with getting on some sketch lists. After planting my stuff, I headed over to Terry Dodson's table, in hopes of getting onto his sketch list. Eventually, I went back to get my stuff, so that Danny could head elsewhere. Then he planted his stuff with me, because Terry Dodson had not arrived.
Thanks to Gus for watching my stuff, while I went around to get books signed and try to get my name down on some sketches.
Ended up getting quite a bit of books signed during the preview time, in addition to getting on the sketch list of Marcus To and Laurie B! (Breitkreuz).
I also went over to see the always awesome, Darwyn Cooke. I wish there was more time to chat for a bit, but the people behind me were looking to interview him for a bit, and everytime I walked by him throughout the weekend, there was someone there to see him. I'm not the type to interrupt, without feeling some guilt, so this was actually the last time I spoke with him, this weekend.
Later on, still during the preview time, I decided to go and grab a bunch of the freebies at the DC booth. All of the comics DC had up for grabs, are great starting points for potential new readers. I'll most likely bring a bunch of these books in to work, and give them to some co-workers, in hopes of getting them into comics.
The Black Lantern rings didn't make it to the table of the DC booth until Saturday, I believe. I was looking for those on Friday, but got none. However, in between the DC and Marvel booth, was the WB/HMV booth. This is where many were able to get the light up Green Lantern right, which is a promotional item for the Green Lantern: First Flight movie. This was too cool, so I had to have it. On Saturday, later on in the day, that booth was also giving out Watchmen condoms. Makes your junk look as blue as Dr. Manhattan.
Terry Dodson did arrive a little after 4pm, when the convention floor was opened to everyone else. I did manage to get on his list, and at a spot that had a chance of getting done, but also had me thinking that it probably would not get done. To spare the suspense, I found out on Sunday, that Terry Dodson was not going to be able to get to mine.
After getting onto the list, then I headed over to Joe Quesada's line at the Marvel booth. As I stated a couple of weeks back, this was purely to get books signed (2 single issue comics, and 8 hardcovers... heavy mofos).
While in line, I noticed the Eagleshams walking by, heading to their table. As soon as we were done the Quesada line, I dropped my stuff over with Danny at Marko Djurdjevic's line, and headed to over to get on Dale Eaglesham's sketch list.
Once done, I went to the car to drop stuff off, and then came back to the Autograph Area, to line up for Chris Bachalo. The rest of the day was pretty much getting autographs, so I didn't have to bring a bunch of books back the rest of the weekend.
Me & Chris Bachalo (Photo taken by Tiz)
After Bachalo's line, I went to Mike Deodato. Danny dropped by, and held my spot, while I went to get books signed for both of us (mainly at the Aspen booth). This was where I also picked up the Marcus To sketch.
Once out of the Mike Deodato line, we just went around to get some more books signed, and checking out the Tron Light Cycle, before taking off.
Tron Light CycleOh, and this was a pretty awesome Emma Frost costume! Frank Quitely's design of Emma Frost. Great costume, Brandy!
"Emma Frost" & MeHome time, to clean up everything from Friday, and to pack for Saturday, since we were staying at the Hyatt the next night.
This was when I realized that I only had like 7 books left to get signed for the rest of the weekend.
Saturday August 29th, 2009The plan for Saturday was to see Mike Choi and Christina Strain, in hopes of getting sketches. Also, to get the remaining books signed.
Upon entering the convention Saturday morning, Danny and I went to see Mike and Christina. Danny was first for Mike, since he received a number from Mike the previous day, so that Mike would continue on from where he left off from his line. I was first for Christina, who was finishing off a few pieces from the previous day, and which I picked up during the afternoon. I was also hoping to be next for Mike, since the remaining people from Friday had yet to show, but eventually they arrived, and then found out that Mike would be giving out lettered tickets for Saturday, around noon, to follow the same ticket system, from the previous day. So, back at noon, I would be.
Until then, I was just finding stuff to do. Eventually, David Finch showed up, and I jumped in line, in hopes of a quick signing. Unfortunately for me, it didn't work out like I had hoped. For those that don't know, David Finch sketches on the spot, so those behind had to wait. I ended up being in line for about an hour.
By then, it was noon, and I hauled ass back to Mike Choi's table. I was in line to get a lettered ticket, and was second for one, based on the people there with and without tickets. Thinking my chances would be good, then a couple of Emo-Girls decided to sneak in while Mike was giving out the tickets. Stupid Emo people... don't they have to go cut themselves or something... I'm just kidding. They are people too, sort of...
I wasn't going to let that ruin my day, and figured I'd check back on Sunday, and just continued on with my day. I noticed that Adrian Alphona was at the show. I didn't see him on Friday, so I went over to see him. I really miss seeing his artwork, and definitely miss him and Brian K. Vaughan on Runaways. Not to take anything away from Kathryn Immonen and Sara Pichelli, as they haven't been given much of a chance with the character. I just loved Vaughan and Alphona's run on the title.
Announced during Fan Expo Canada, Kathryn Immonen and Sara Pichelli will be teaming up again for the new mini-series,
X-Men: Pixie Strikes Back.
This is also where Danny handed me the Spider-Man Loves Mary Jane print of Adrian Alphona's variant cover, that Danny picked up from Christina Strain. This was probably the worst time I had struggled with how crowded it was in the convention floor. Just people all over, and the print being bigger than the hard board I had in my bag, I just had to hold it, and was constantly moving, to make sure the print stayed in the same condition. Oh well, he paid for some of my beers.
I did spend quite a bit of time at the Aspen booth, to get sketches from a few members of Aspen Comics. From left to right, the thumbnails to the left, Wonder Woman by Joe Benitez, Zatanna by Micah Gunnell, Zatanna by Alex Konat. I've gotten sketches from Joe and Micah before, but Alex Konat is one of Aspen's newest members, and a great artist.
He previously worked on DC Comics'
Gotham Gazette: Batman Alive? and
Gotham Gazette: Batman Dead?. Alex will be working on Aspen's newest series, Mindfield.
During one of my walks around, I noticed that
Jeff Lemire's had now been filled with copies of The Nobody and the Collected Essex County. Since Danny had been saying he was going to pick up the Collected Essex County, I did not purchase it for myself. I did get my copy of The Nobody signed by Jeff Lemire. Be sure to check out Sweet Tooth #1 this Wednesday, as that is Jeff Lemire's new book, being released by Vertigo... for $1! I'll be sure to get my copy.
Also, later on in the afternoon, I picked up the sketch from Laurie B. I wanted to get one the year before, but I didn't spend too much time in the artist alley, and never actually found her table last year.
I did get to check out a sketch duel again this year. This year, I took in the Marko Djurdjevic/Olivier Coipel sketch duel. The theme was Thor, and both pieces came out great. As an added bonus, Marko Djurdjevic actually did a head sketch of Dr. Doom before the sketch duel started, and a head sketch of Hulk, after he was finished his Thor piece, and was waiting for the special guest to arrive. The special guest being, J. Michael Straczynski. So, in total, there were four pieces being given away at this sketch duel. I didn't win any. I was 14 numbers away from the first piece (Marko Djurdjevic's Thor), and 16 away from the second piece (Olivier Coipel's Thor). Completely different set of tickets for the other two pieces. Oh well, it was quite enjoyable to watch.
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This is something that I was quite shocked, and still very touched to receive. Throughout the morning/afternoon, Peter Fisico (of
All New Comics) kept telling me to come by his booth later in the day, cause he had a surprise for me. Believe me when I say this, I was not expecting anything like this. Thank You, Peter! This piece is absolutely beautiful.
What a way to cap off the day at the convention! Definitely one of the high points of the weekend.
Once the convention was over, Danny and I headed over to the Hyatt, to check into the hotel. As Danny
stated, with had a little dealing with one of the snobby employees at the Hyatt. The room was okay, but that hotel looked a lot better as the Holiday Inn on King.
Dinner at Hooters was quite overpriced, so I don't think I'll be eating there again. However, the drinking did begin there. Then it was back to the hotel to shower, and drink some more.
After watching a little bit of Rocky III (I love the Rocky movies, though I haven't seen Rocky V yet), I was off to the Loose Moose, to join Shane, Brian, Milo, Kathryn, and Frank, for UFC 102. I don't normally watch UFC (though, I watched it back when it was starting off), and avoid work with a passion on UFC nights, but I was totally up for watching tonight, if it meant chilling with some friends, and drinking with them. Good times!
Watching UFC at the Loose MooseOnce UFC was over, we headed out, and went our separate ways. Danny and I were heading back to the hotel (me, somewhat stumbling), when we saw some more familiar faces. Ended up at the Chesterfest/Marvel Party, where some more drinking occurred, though we only stayed for a little bit, before heading back to the hotel.
While walking by Roy Thompson Hall, Danny was giving me some pointers as to where I should be to try and get pictures of and possibly an autograph, during the Toronto International Film Festival (happening in less than two weeks). Milo, I'm going need your help with which movies will have certain actors/actresses. I'll send you a list later on this week.
Saturday proved to be a great day all-round, and this definitely has me planning on getting a hotel room again next year.
Sunday August 30th, 2009Kind of messed up setting the alarms. Had my cell phone alarm go off an hour before the alarm clock in the room. Oh well, it allowed us to get everything packed up a little bit earlier, so we could get breakfast, before going to the con. Aside from a dry throat, I was feeling pretty good after all the drinking from the previous night.
Morning after a night of drinking. No Hangover!I went in to the con with the same plan as the previous day, try to get a Mike Choi sketch. Also, to get the remaining two books I had to get signed by J. Michael Straczynski.
Got to the con at about 10am, and was in line. What was quite weird was that while in line for the VIP entrance, the guy behind me decided to lay down and nap. I find this weird, because he decided to put his head like about a foot away from my ass.
I went to Mike Choi's table once the doors opened, and was the last person to potentially get a sketch. Unfortunately for me, there just wasn't any time to get to mine, before Mike had to leave to catch his flight. Oh well, it's all good. There's always next time.
After seeing Mike at the beginning, I was just roaming around, when I hear my name being called. Danny was with Marvin Law, getting a sketch from him.
Marvin was always sketching for someone everytime I walked by during the weekend. People love them free sketches! But now it was time for mine. And Marvin knocked this one out of the park.
Marvin had some incredible Thor pages done up to show some editors. These were insanely sweet. Also, got to see his preview pages of his upcoming webcomic, SLAM!
After being told by Terry Dodson that he would not be able to get to my commission request, and seeing such a short line for him at the signing area (and doing quick sketches), I decided to hop into the line, got a quick sketch by him. Quite happy to get something from him.
The rest of the day was spent waiting around for a couple more pieces to be finished. I was going around taking pictures of the celebrities, but opted not to get anything signed by Bruce Campbell or Linda Hamilton. I was also in line for J. Michael Staczynski, but left, because he didn't show until about 40 minutes after the signing was supposed to start. I did eventually come back, because Danny was still in line, and he ended up leaving to go do other things. Got my two books signed, and all the books I brought to get signed, got signed! I am happy when this happens. :)
After the signing, I picked up the Zatanna by Dale Eaglesham. This was one of the main ones I wanted to get, and was one of the first sketches I jotted down on my sketch list, when preparing several months ago. It's just a beautiful piece, to add to the ever growing Zatanna collection of mine.
To add to the Zatanna collection, this Paul Rivoche piece was something that I had asked by in April, at the Toronto ComiCON Fan Appreciation Event. Unfortunately, due to timing, he wasn't able to get to my piece at that show, or at TCAF. However, he was able to get to it at this show, and I am quite happy with this one. Look, even Mister X makes a cameo in this!
As the day was winding down, I noticed the chaos around the Chaotic booth. They were giving away the rest of the cans of their drink that they had been giving free samples of. I joined in on the mob getting the freebies, took about 8-10 cans, and stuffed them in my backpack. Yeah, that wasn't a pleasant feeling, making my bag heavy again. I ended up throwing away about four cans, and was about to dump the rest, but ended up keeping it. Such a crappy drink. They claim it's not an energy drink, which in my opinion, they are correct. No energy boost whatsoever from this. It's just crappy pop. I find better quality from the no name brands in stores (I miss Loeb Cola).
By now, I was pretty much done all that I could do, so I made my way over to the
All New Comics booth, and ended up getting a great deal on a brand new copy of the Amazing Spider-Man vol. 1 Omnibus. US cover price is $99.99, CDN cover price is $160.00. I bought this thing for $50CDN. It was marked down as I was going through the hardcovers box, and I saw the price just as the Omnibus was placed down on the table. Right away, "I'll take it!" That deal was too good to pass up.
And with that, the convention came to an end for me. I went upstairs to meet with Danny, and then we went home.
The convention all-round was fantastic. There was definitely a noticeable increase in attendance, but as I mentioned earlier, it didn't bother me, until I was given the Adrian Alphona/Christina Strain print, while in line for Adrian Alphona. I had an absolute blast at the show, even though I wasn't able to get the Terry Dodson commission, or Mike Choi sketch.
I spent a little more than I did last year, even though I brought in the same amount, but then I gotta factor in food and booze this year, so who knows. I might have actually spent the same amount at the con as last year.
The memories from this con will stick with me... especially the drunken ones. It was just too fun to forget.
Big Thanks to the Hobbystar team for putting on a great Fan Expo Canada! Thanks to Aman, James, Tiz, Kevin, Ty, and everyone else involved! Congratulations on the 15th Anniversary! Looking forward to the 16th Anniversary!
Leonard Nimoy (L), Thomas Dekker (R)
Bruce Campbell
Amazing Spider-Man #607 - Once again, it was a decision mainly based on the cover. But after reading the previous issue, which I did enjoy, having a story to this cover made it all better. This continues the Black Cat story (which I believe this is the final part to that story).
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