Motor City Comic Con 2011 Report

Another year, another trip to Motor City Comic Con. This time around, in addition to the con, sketches and celebs, I have tales of racism and cops. More on those later!

Also, for this trip, Danny and I spent two days at the con, and stayed over in Novi, Michigan. Although I did think that this would be a two day show, for me, with everything that's been going on in the past month or two, I didn't feel that the con was worth two days.

There were a lot of great guests, many that I haven't seen before. I just didn't know how much everything would cost. The cost of the hotel, extra admission, and frankly, the extra spending that would occur, while at the con for another day... and that's not including any potential sketches or commissions.

Danny, however, still thought it was a two day con, and agreed to cover the hotel room cost. Ugh... fine!

So, on to the con. Left Friday morning. Around 5:30-6am. Reached Sarnia border around 8-9am. Got through the border guard, with no troubles... then when we were let go, slowly leaving the gate, as two border guard were making their way across us, coming from somewhere, going somewhere. Point is, they were crossing in front of us. So, being human, we let the border guard cross. One of them for some reason, gets pissed, and stops us, just after being let go from the gate. Starts to drill us with questions.

Really? After one lets us go. We slow down, so you can cross... and you get pissed? Did you want us to run you over? Would that make you happy?

Anyways, we arrive in Novi, MI, before 11am. Decide to check out the Toys R Us there, before heading to the con. I ended up picking up a Lyoto "The Dragon" Machida Round 5 UFC Ultimate Collector figure, since it was on sale (and because I wanted one).

Got to the con, around 11:30am. Again, the lines were stupid. They need a better system, to deal with those that pre-purchased online, and didn't receive any passes. The "Will-Call" line was just insanely slow. Took about 20-30 minutes, just to get through that line, before getting onto the convention floor.

Once in, got onto Aaron Lopresti's commission list. I was 7th on the list. I was a disappointed with his new sketch policies, with him taking a harder stance on which characters he won't draw (Zatanna being one of them), at least I found out a few weeks back.

Then went to get some books signed by Tim Sale. Although I would have really liked to have gotten one of his "Fast Pass" sketches, I just couldn't afford it, this time around. I'm quite disappointed with that, because he still had the fast passes available. Oh well. The timing was bad.

Katie Cook was another person that I wanted to see... again. Got my first sketch from her, three years ago. I was debating on whether I'd put down for a full figure commission, or head sketch. Timing wise, I went with the head sketch, but I did pick up a few of her cute mini-paintings, as well. The one of the cat, is for a co-worker of mine. She is also a guest for this year's Fan Expo Canada.

The rest of Friday at the con, was spent getting books signed, and helping out with getting sketches for Carlos (of Shockwave Comics).

Pretty much all of the books I brought to get signed (about 40-50 books), were signed by mid-afternoon... except the books for Jason Pearson, who I believe, did not show up for the convention at all. Still, it was nice to get books signed by Shane Davis, James Robinson, Eric Basaldua, Billy Tucci, Ale Garza, Talent Caldwell, Andrew Robinson, Eric Canete, Josh Medors, John Livesay, and Tony Harris.

After seeing Howard Chaykin sketching, I was itching to get one from him. Not sure of the price, I still went for it, to find out it was pretty reasonably priced.

Oh, the stories that man tells, are very hilarious... and offensive at times, but all in good nature... or I'm just desensitized to these things.

For me, I was just chilling around, and walking around the con, until it ended. Dinner was at Library Sports Pub & Grill, along with Peter (of All New Comics), Yoram, and Rob. Great place, with some great food.

After dinner, Danny and I headed to the hotel to check in (Baronette Renaissance). Nice hotel, not too far from the convention. Once checked in, we headed over to Target, to look at what toys they had, and for me to grab some snacks and some (non-alcoholic) drinks.

Once settled in at the hotel, and after catching the series finale of Smallville, we headed down to the Toasted Oak Grill & Market (restaurant/bar attached to the hotel), for a drink. While there, we noticed some sauces they had for sale (Old Fashion Apple Butter, Bleu cheese dijon mustard, cherry barbeque sauce, and others). Figured we'd pick them up, before heading home.

Saturday, started off with some breakfast at Burger King, before heading to the con. I didn't have much planned for that day, other than picking up the Aaron Lopresti commission, the sketches for Carlos, and to see Torrie Wilson and Mickie James (former WWE Divas). All of those did not happen right away, so there was just a whole bunch of walking around.

Eventually, I found my way over to Dan Parent. He had some very nice original art pages, at a really inexpensive price. I saw that splash page of Veronica and Betty, from Veronica #204, and had to buy it.

Later on, Art Baltazar had arrived (who was only appearing on Saturday), so I got in his line. I didn't really have any plans on getting a sketch, so I didn't think of who to get. While in line, I was thinking of getting a Catwoman sketch. Further along in the line, noticing people getting multiple character sketches, I decided to go with the Gotham City Sirens trio of, Catwoman, Harley Quinn, and Poison Ivy.

This wasn't my first choice of character to get sketched. When Aaron Lopresti was originally announced as a guest, I planned on getting a Zatanna piece done by him. When I emailed him a few weeks back, he explained his new sketch policy, so I altered the request. I wasn't sure if I would get one or not, but ultimately, when I got to his table, I got on his sketch list.

I do like how the commission turned out, but obviously, I would have preferred to have a Zatanna piece by him.

Danny and I, both went to see Torrie Wilson and Mickie James. The items Danny and I got signed by Torrie Wilson, were sent to CGC, for the Signature Series program. I'll post it, whenever I get it back.

Torrie Wilson & Me


Me & Mickie James (TNA Knockouts Champion)


Me & Mickie James (TNA Knockouts Champion)

So, as I stated at the beginning, I have tales of racism and cops!

During the Saturday of the show, while I was bored and walking around, I stopped by some booth, rummaging through their back issues. Out of nowhere, this kid, that was with his father, just starts saying, "Ching Chong. Ching Chong." This continues for a little bit, with his father just ignoring everything, or not really caring that his son is saying stuff that's somewhat offensive.

Personally, I'm not easily offended by racism. I actually enjoy it, in a comedic fashion (ie Russell Peters and Chris Rock comedy), and will joke around amongst friends. However, I flat out hate racism, when it's used in a derogatory way.

Now, I don't know if this kid was just ignorant to what he was saying, whether it's something that he was brought up with, and taught by his family. Or, whether if this kid knew what he was saying, and was just trying to insult me. That didn't matter at that point. I wanted to punch that kid... then punch his father, then punch that kid again. I didn't want to start up some anything, so I just ignored it. Eventually, they walked away, and so did I.

Danny and I left the con, to head over to Toys R Us, for Danny to pick up some items. We then headed back to Toasted Oak Grill & Market, to grab the three sauces hat I mentioned earlier. While there, the chef that I had a brief conversation with the night before, asked if I tried their "Bacon Caramel." I had not, so he gave me a sample.

DELICIOUS!

I also bought a jar of that, which cost me $13. Expensive, for the size, but it's so worth it, in my opinion.

We headed back to the con, so Danny could pick up his last sketch of the con, then headed over to Bagger Dave's for dinner, before heading home.


Train Wreck Burger at Bagger Dave's

That was a good burger.

After that, we headed home. Got to the border, just before 8pm, and the line for the gates, stretched to the other side of the bridge. We crossed the border, a little after 8:30pm.

While driving back, it was raining pretty much the entire way. While on Hwy. 402, I was driving around 120km/h, when the speed limit was 100km/h. I was doing so, for a good chunk of the drive, until I noticed some flashing lights behind me.

AWW, SHIT!

I moved over to the right lane, in hopes that the cop would pass. They moved behind me. Scared, since I haven't been pulled over before, I started moving on to the shoulder, and the cop follows too. I didn't even get to a full stop, when the cop decides to just drive around me, and speed off.

Relieved, that I didn't get a ticket, I still thought that cop was a dick for doing that... but I guess it worked out for me.

Got home just after 12am.

And that's my Motor City trip for this year.