Thursday
We left Thursday night, and after a few "on the road problems," arrived at the Expomart about 9:00 PM. I wandered the floor as dealer set-ups were going on, trying to find someone who knew where I needed to park the motorhome. Finally found the right person, paid for the use of the electric hook-up, and went out to park and settle in. We found where the hook-ups were, only they were standard electric outlets (like in your house) and one that was not a 220 outlet...so that meant we would have to use extension cords for our stuff. So basically we would need to use the battery power for the water pump and interior lights, and fill the fridge with ice to keep everything cool.
So I went to test the battery (which was charged over winter, but I didn't check since they said they had electric hook-ups!) and it was dead....and I didn't have a charger.
Then as I was plugging in our extension cords, I heard a hissing sound, and smelled something. I found a pin-hole leak in our liquid propane tank, so problem #5 was now upon us.
So being extremely pissed and already wondering what the rest of the weekend would be like, we went across to K-Mart and bought some more extension cords, a lamp, a battery charger, and some patch-putty and tiger hair (fiberglass repair).
I proceeded to try and patch the tank, and I think I got it, but Krystal didn't want to chance it. So we decided to use the George Foreman grill we brought for all our cooking. We also have an electric heater, so staying warm wasn't a problem. Luckily she also brought along her hot-pot so we could heat water to fill the tub and bathe.
So, after a very trying start, we washed up and went to the bar!
Ran into some pros I knew, and then finally Big Al and friends showed up, and we had a great time getting caught up on it all.
Friday
Got up at 7, washed up, hooked up the battery charger, and proceeded to the con.
Found Al at his booth, and he was gracious enough to let me burden him with all my stuff all weekend. (Thanks again Al...It was really appreciated!!!). Found Russ as well, and again got caught up in all the action.
Roamed the floor getting the lay of the land with Al, and I told him Mike Oeming was going to be arm-wrestling people for original Powers art. Mike was there, and Al proceeded to lose (As soon as I get the pictures developed, I'll post them!). Oeming is one cool dude, and had the technique down. (I heard he went 9 for 11) Basically it was pretty uneventful...just shmoozing and getting stuff signed, but I did make a point to warn Bendis I would be making his con a living hell as much as possible!
JoeyDaQ was seen wandering, and then was at his booth for a bit to sign. Got to talk to him for a while, but he had plans for most of the con "after hours," but we would hook up a few times here and there, and it was great getting to finally talk to the man in person again! Joe wanted to know about my plan for Bendis, but I told him I was waiting for Saturday when the place would be more active.
We then went to see the band Masters of None perform. Not bad music, but really loud. About 2 songs in, some guy in a suit comes in and starts talking to the band. He walks out, and the singer says "What a dick. Fuck him!" and starts playing again. Turns out it was the head of the hotel and they want them to stop, as it's disturbing the hotel and the businesses above the expo floor (It was 1:00 in the afternoon and business hours). After numerous tries to stop them, and the band just ignoring him and turning it up, Renee George (the co-promoter) had to get up on stage and stop them. A heated discussion ensued, and the band was not very happy!
We then went to the Quick Sketch and got to watch Don Simpson, Steve Lieber, Jeff Amano, Alex Robinson, and a late arriving Michael Turner do sketches to be raffled off. A lot of joking and horsing around, with Lieber drawing some fantastic stuff, and Alex Robinson doing a great stubbly bearded Sponge Bob Squarepants, holding a martini glass and smoking a cigarette. In the middle of it all, Simpson's phone rings and it's his wife wanting directions, since the turnpike was closed for a toxic spill/accident. He asks the crowd if they know, and then says to his wife he is in the middle of a panel, and shouldn't be doing that right now. It was pretty funny. Then Turner showed up, did a Fathom sketch, and then said he wanted to do a Spider-Man one, but couldn't remember how the outfit was drawn. The crowd was laughing, and Turner said he never drew Spideyso Simpson (who just finished a Spidey) gave Mike his sketch to use as reference.
Sorry to say, we didn't get any that day.
Cleaned up at the Friday night Casino Night party. And even though I didn't have a booth, I still had my own horse in the races, which I bet heavily...AND WON!!!! WOOOO HOOO!!!!!
When we cashed out for the prizes, we won 5 Pokemon and Dragonball Z posters, a Pirate Jack figure from James & the Giant Peach, and a box of Hunchback of Notre Dame cards (all for the kids, of course!) We were a bit disappointed that there wasn't as much stuff to win...but the Casino Night had the most people I can remember.
Then I went to the bar with Russ, and we waited for Al to arrive (I'll let Al fill in all the details as to the "event" that happened for him!), and I proceeded to stay there until last call. We had Jimmy Palmiotti and a few others hanging with us, and all in all it was a pretty fun night.
Saturday
Woke at 7 again, did the normal stuff, and went to the con
I had made a t-shirt to pimp my site and the JoeQuesada.com contests, and this one had the picture I have of Bendis with hair, which he hates! It said "Can you name this comic creator?" with the pic, then on the back was the answer and the rest of the spiel. Well, when I walked in, Bendis was standing talking to Oeming and another guy. I went over and just leaned on him, not saying anything. He looked at me, then down at my shirt, and just shook his head and said "You fucking cock-sucker!" We went at it for a bit, all in good fun, and Oeming told me to make him one like that, so he could wear it to all the cons he attends with Brian. The shirt was a hit all that day, as many people commented on it, fans and pros alike. JoeyDaQ loved it! Later that day, as my buddy was getting stuff signed, I was standing out of the line, but Brian could see me. He just smiled wickedly, and when there was a pause, I looked at Bill Lange (from the CBLDF who was also with me) and said "Y''know, I thought Nebraska was his best album!" to which Bendis proceeded to lay into me. When my friend was finished getting his sigs, Brian told him to do him a favor and take me away from him. Needless to say, Brian told me that a lot of people had asked him about my shirttho' I hate to think what he told them in reply!
We saw Okkla the Mok play, but they had to cut their set short because of a broken guitar string, and no back-up guitar. Still they are a great band, and I loved the Aquaman vs. Dr. Doom stage show!
All in all another fun daygot lotsa stuff signed, got a terrific Cherry Poptart sketch from Joseph Michael Linsner, and had a great time hanging with Al and Russ, and getting to meet Dave Bovey, and a few others from various boards, as well as many small press guys!
At the Quick Sketch, Amanda Conner drew a great piece, with Batgirl (with her panties at her ankles) getting spanked over Batman's knee! Funny stuff!!! We got a Scott Mills piece of Mr. Fantastic, and a Jill Thompson Sandman (really cool!).
Saturday night starts off with Krystal not wanting to go to the charity auction, since she has her heart (and money) set on a beautiful Ed "Pendragon" Lancaster Lord of the Rings painting at his booth. So I go, and meet Al and Dennis (of ORCA) there. A new Jar Jar Binks toy is auctioned off for destruction (continuing the two year tradition!) and Al wins the chance to break off an arm. The head went for around $35-40, with the remaining parts all getting about the same. (Sunday, Michael Turner had a leg and torso sitting in front of him while he signed. He said they did bring him luck at the poker game that night, too!) Then the real action started. I went out at ten for what the Pitt-Con website said was to be the 4th annual Mardi Gras party. The program book said it was CBLDF members only, but anyone could get in with a $5 donation. So like always, we dressed up for a Mardi Gras Party (me with my flamed short and flamed stove pipe hat, Krys with her green wig, glow glasses, and beads). We get there, and there's to be no entertainment, no partyingjust people dressed nicely, sitting around talking, a cash bar, a table of snacks, and a raffle. WOO HOOwhat funNOT! So Krystal went back to the camper, and the rest of us proceeded to the bar. Talked to Louis Small for a bit, JoeyDaq (who was going to go to the "party" but I told him to just stay at the bar!), members of Ookla the Mok and a few other notables, when all of a sudden a pissed off Russ comes rambling in. If any of you remember my postings of Al's Saturday night ranting from last year, just go back and reread it in the archives, but instead of Al put in Russ, and instead of penthouse party, use CBLDF or Charles Brownstein. I'll let Russ fill in all the details if he chooses. Suffice to sayhe was pissed. Also, I had some woman who was constantly fondling and stroking my hat, saying she never saw one that big, and other lewd things, and even took it off of me when she collapsed it ( I said to her she made it limp!) and proceeded to form the top into a "taco shape" (If you know what I mean!) to "get it stiff again!" Weird stuff, let me tell you!
What was funny was that Charles guy from the CBLDF kept dropping by the bar to try and talk most of the pros there to come to the party. Most stayed at the bar! He was back and forth a few times, and complaining that nobody was at their "party."
We drank for awhile, then one of guys from Ookla said about the party in the penthouse, and that it was open to all con guests tonite. So we all proceeded up, with the guys saying they would vouch for me (since this was our first year in eight not having a booth). Well, they never asked me for anything, and I was even talking to Renee George for a bit, so I guess being a fixture for so long paid off! We hit all the different rooms, watched some poker (HIGH stakes!) and listened to Buzz tell what happened with the underage drunk Friday night he "escorted" out. Also talked with Louis Small's bevy of beauties (That guy ALWAYS has 2-3 lovely ladies with him at all times!).
Al showed up later, and told me Krys was looking for me, so I got her and we hung out for a bit in the penthouse, drinking the free drinks and eating the free food. We then went back to the bar and played pool with some friends we knew, and actually called it a night early (about 1:30). While at the bar, it was cool because they had Saturday Night Live on, and DC's Bob Shreck, Joey DaQ and his editors, and other comic people, when the skit with Hugh Jackman as Superman came on the big screen. Too bad there was no sound, but it cool that these guys were still laughing at just the image of Wolverine as Superman!
Sunday
Slept in until 9, and woke to feeling tired and hung-over for the first time all weekend. Also I was losing voice. But only one day to go!
Interviewed Ookla the Mok first thing. Those guys are a trip!
Then I stood in line for Jim Balent for about 2 hours. He does the most detailed sketches, hence the long wiait. While in line, I harass Bendis a few times when he walks by, and get Jim's wife (and artist) Holly Golightly to do a Cherry sketch for me as well. Krystal swaps off in line with me every so often as I get a few other things signed, and chat with some folk.
Later at the Quick Sketch, Amanda is having more fun. She draws a Batmobile parked under a full moon, with Batgirl's bra hanging over the side and her legs in the air, and Robins cape off the other side, and his ass sticking up. That girl is twisted!!!! Linsner was there and only did one sketch, which was beautiful. Well, Charles Brownstein (you rememeber him...? Russ's friend!) decided to instead of raffle off the sketch like all the others, they would auction it off instead. One guy even yelled out really fast $250. This change really pissed off Krystal, who started railing on this guy, who kept saying "But it's a non-profit charity!" Krystal explained that everyone here bought tickets to win art, and many even went and bought more after Linsner finished, just to try and win that one, and he couldn't change the rules in the middle of the game. Others where on Krystal's side, and pissed as well, so he relented and drew a ticket for it.
Personal aside: The CBLDF (and mostly this Charles guy) really dropped the ball this whole con, because he ruined what is usually some great fun and money making for the CBLDF at Pitt-Con. I support the CBLDF, but this was a mess, and I feel bad saying this, but they need to rethink some of the things he's done here.
Basically an uneventful day, until around3 when the whole Expomart/Hotel loses power. But we were already heading out, so we may have missed any chaos that ensued. And a pretty uneventful trip home (Whew!).
Summary
I have to say it was a great weekend, spent talking comics, hanging with great friends, and just enjoying getting away from it all for a bit.
Again Al, many thanks for stashing my stuff all weekend! I owe you BIG time!!! And thanks again to Russ for helping out, and for nabbing those great Origin posters! Dave, it was pleasure meeting you in person! Hope I get the chance again, to hang out with you a bit more in the future!
A great show, even if I didn't do any interviews directly (but I did set some up, so don't worry, all is well!!!!). I got to hit some panels, chat with some old friends and pros, and meet many new ones, and just let loose for a few days.
It's a shame that some of the talent they wanted to get couldn't make it, because of Wizard scheduling their show two weeks later. Many west coast pros only wanted to make one cross-country trip, and they were committed to Wizard since they have the clout. And it really sucked seeing Wizard's Mike Cotton walking around so smugly and not being able to just duct tape the goonie little bastard to a tree and beat the shit out of him with ho-nailed baseball bats! Wizard has moved into the stratosphere of my hate list now, and I didn't think they could get higher than #1 on it!
So another Pitt-Con is in the books, and I'm left sorting a long box of signed books, a ton pf promo posters and other free swag, and whatever else we picked up over the weekend. But it was another great convention, that we thoroughly enjoyed, and we hope we can make it to next year (since we are planning to move over the summer).
It started out a bit rough, but we recovered, made due, and had a great time!!!
PS...
A few more short stories from the con:
Julie Schwartz told me this great story how he was stopped at an airport metal detector, and had to empty his pockets. The security officer noticed his leather wallet that has the Superman emblem embossed on it, and asked about why he carries one like that. He explained he was an editor on Superman, and helped shape many of the comic characters for comics in the golden and silver age. The security guard was impressed, and said "Are you Stan Lee?!?" Julie said he told that story to Stan once, and Stan pulled out his wallet, and it was the same as Julies, only with the Spidey emblem instead...but he never got confused for Julie Schwartz. But I had Julie sign the issue of Astro City that takes place at a convention, where Brent Anderson drew in Mark Waid, Devin Grayson, Julie, Stan Lee, Mark Evanier, and Gil Kane. Julie was impressed with it, having never seen it before, and showed it to Irwin Hasen, who was seated next to him. Julie said "Look, it's Gil Kane!" and Hasen turned away in disgust saying "So what. He's gone now." Hmmmm....
I was getting my copy of Protectors #5 signed by Mike Deodato, and he was showing it to the guy and two girls with him, saying it was his first pro inking job. The girl looked at it and said "Boy they must have been really impressed, since they drilled a hole through the book!" (The book had the gimmick of a "bullet hole" thru it since one of the characters is shot.)
Dave Dorman was extremely impressed with a book I brought him. It's an old black and white from Malibu/Adventure Comics called Ape Nation (a Planet of the Apes/Alien Nation crossover). The #1 issue has a Dorman cover, but you would never know to look at it. He said "Boy, I didn't think anyone had these anymore!" The same was said by Jim Balent for the issues of Dark Horse Presents #'s 71-73 that had a B&W Balent story in them.
I picked up three different issues (Jeannie's Wish Book, I Dream of Jeannie Preview, and I Dream of Jeannie #1). They are written by Franco Aureliani ( a great guy I met a few years back, and have stayed in touch with since) with art by Art Baltazar in two, and the #1 having the late Dan DeCarlo, George Broderick (another great guy!) and Sid Paisny.
The cool thing is, the #1 has a Joe Jusko cover of Barbara Eden as Jeannie. I talked to Joe about it, and he said he is a real Jeannie geek (his words!) and he had to get Eden to approve it. She loved the piece, and he was excited to get a letter from her about it. I saw the original art for it, and man...was it gorgeous!!! A bit more vibrant than the cover of the book, which still looks great!
