A display at the Weta booth
The 60's Batmobile (the best!)
A giant Lego Batman
I can't believe that a week has gone by since we left for San Diego, but it has. Last Wednesday morning I left for my first visit to sunny California with Matt Busch and his "personal assistant," Tracy, Alex Buechel and Darin Palmer. Northwest was kind enough not to cancel our flight there, but not on the way back. Bums. At least they got us there safely and that's all that matters. On the plane I sat next to another illustrator by the name of Brian Rood which was kind of nice to get an insiders view of the con amongst other things illustrative.
We had a few hours to kill before our room was ready, so we spent the time walking around downtown San Diego where we kept running into illustrators that Matt knew including Adam Hughes. There was this cool seven floor outdoor Escher-esque shopping and food center where we spent some time and had lunch. Fish and chips, mmmmm.
That evening we were able to pre register for our badges, which was great, because it would have taken forever on any of the next days. To say that it was jam packed would have been an understatement. From what I've heard this preview night was one of the biggest turnouts ever and I believe it. Human grid lock at certain areas. We weren't very systematic in our walking around and we probably should have been. I think we missed a lot. But anyways, we tried to get a little of what the con had to offer that night starting out in the vendors area working through the small press booths and into the bigger companies displays.
We then hung out for a bit among the illustrators where Matt had a booth. I felt that we were the remoras to his shark, ha, ha. Seriously though, it's just great to have been able to be a part of his little world, he knows so many cool people and you can't help but feel good about yourself when in his company. I was always laughing about something...
That night we got together with some friends of Matt's at our hotel for a little get together complete with barbeque ribs from the place where they filmed the sleazy bar scene in Top Gun. I'm not sure on one of the gals, but the other is a producer for NBC and they both have a million stories that were great to listen to. They know everyone. Cheri made the best margaritas that I've ever had. It was a fun night and I hope that they realized how much we all appreciated their hospitality.
More Comic Con adventures coming soon!
2 comments:
Sounds as if you had a great time, Bruce! Love the Weta booth display! Are they real?!
Those sort of events it seems very difficult not to feel as if you're in the middle of some chaotic universe and "systematic walking around" is nearly impossible. What really matters though is the networking and the getting your name out there in the comic industry and hopefully bringing home some new leads and/or ideas.
Sounds like heaven to spend a week with fellow artists and illustrators! I do remember those days...
I'm looking forward to hearing more, Bruce!
Cheers!
Ana
Hey Ana, yeah, we had a lot of fun. I would definitely do it again next year. The Weta booth is just a hologram...no, no, just kidding. It'd resin or vinyl or some such thing. The guy's face looked creepy as all heck, too.
I sure hope that this trip will lead to something. I don't really know how these things work, but I have yet to hear anything.
It was great to spend time with my fellow art folk, but I did feel a bit awkward at times. I just didn't have the right words...
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