Seven years ago a friend of mine convinced me to go to a little comic-book convention called Comic-Con.
Imagine my surprise when I arrived to find it was not only not “little” (with over 65,000 people in attendance that year), it was also not just about comic-books. It was an entertainment extravaganza with an array of unique opportunities to preview films, attend panels for TV shows and mingle with the talent of all these amazing works. (That year I was lucky enough to attend a panel with the cast of a new TV mini-series called “Battlestar Galactica” at which time no one could imagine would become a six hour mini-series then would run four seasons and become a world-wide phenomenon that would touch millions of lives around the globe.)
Thus, after my first intoxicating ‘con experience, I was thoroughly addicted — and I have gone back faithfully every year since. This year was no different — it was amazing, breath-taking, exhilarating and beyond my wildest expectations!
Wednesday is the infamous Preview Night. It is the day that savvy Comic-Con attendees use to ensure they get their registration badges and grab all the goodies they can get their hands on in the massive Exhibit Hall. For, as anyone who has gone to Comic-Con knows, you will likely not have another chance to freely scope out and buy all the memorabilia and other such fun items because of the back-to-back panels over the next 4 days. So Preview Night is an essential.
It can also tip you off to exclusive autograph signings which are sponsored at each vendor booth. Last year it was how I found out that two of my favorite sci-fi icons, John Barrowman and Gareth David-Lloyd, would be signing autographs. So imagine my utter elation upon finding out that not only would John Barrowman be back this year to do an autograph signing, he had brought Naroko Mori with him. To this “Torchwood”-addict, it was beyond pure heaven!
Feeling already like I was floating on a cloud, it was a lovely way to finish off Day 1 at the ‘con by joining some of my fellow TV bloggers for a meet-and-greet at the Hard Rock Hotel. Their bemused expressions were hilarious as my friends and I introduced ourselves. Clearly, they had not gotten the RSVP we had submitted and we felt like party-crashers. But still feeling elated over our first day of fun at Comic-Con, we were undaunted and happily introduced ourselves and chatted with everyone. (Big shout-outs to Chicago’s Red Eye, the TVaholic, PopCultureZoo, MyTakeOnTV, GMMR, and the Watcher. It was a pleasure to meet all of you!)
Thursday (Day 2) was perhaps our easiest day as our first panel was not until the afternoon. So we took the extra time to venture back into the Exhibit Hall and pick-up a few more goodies that had been haunting us from the night before. (This is the Comic-Con curse: wishing you had bought something that you will likely never see again. So if you see something you like, buy before it is gone!) This proved to be an excellent decision as we promptly ran into our “TSCC” friends at one of the “Doctor Who” booths and finding out that we were “Burn Notice” fans, they gave us an autograph ticket for none other than the illustrious and infamous Bruce Campbell! (Apparently, they had been handed one as they were randomly walking by the Fox booth and had held onto it in case they ran into someone who watched the show. Lucky for us, they found us!)
After zipping over to get in line for Bruce’s autograph, Diana opted to stick it out for his autograph while I went in search of seats in our 1st panel in Ballroom 20 for the “Entertainment Weekly Wonder Women: Sci-Fi Power Icons” panel which was to feature Sigourney Weaver, Elizabeth Mitchell, Zoe Saldana and Eliza Dushku. That panel was then quickly followed in rapid succession with highly entertaining panels for “Burn Notice,” “Psych,” “Dexter” and the “Mad Science: The Science Behind Science Fiction” panel with Jane Espenson and Jamie Paglia (creators of “Warehouse 13″ and “Eureka,” respectively). Having taken enough notes to make my fingers feel like falling off, it was time for a well-deserved break and a hearty meal.
Friday (Day 3) was even more jam-packed and we had arrived extra early to ensure admittance to Ballroom 20. With panels like “Stargate Universe,” “Caprica,” “The Big Bang Theory,” “24,” “Bones,” and “Dollhouse” scheduled in it, the line was already over 1,000 people deep by the time we arrived at 7:30 a.m. But unwilling to miss anything as momentous as this, we stuck it out and we rewarded with 4th row seats. The day flew by as I had to literally run from the “Stargate Universe” panel to the press room, then dash downstairs into the Exhibit Hall to meet John Barrowman and Naroko Mori for autographs, run right back upstairs for the “Eureka” panel followed by its press interviews, and then find a way to get back into Ballroom 20 which was standing room only since Joss Whedon’s panel had just about tilted the building with the crush of his fanatical fans. Friday thus passed within a blink of an eye. But I must say highlights were getting the opportunity to talk with the writers and actors of both “Stargate Universe” and “Eureka.” All were gracious, enthusiastic and warmly receptive. David Blue and Joe Morton stood out as the most articulate and enthusiastic about their work. For nothing is more fun than talking with someone who is not only excited about their job, but they are borderline obsessed with it. David Blue is a fan-turned-cast member on “Stargate Universe” and his obvious glee at being a part of the show was infectious. Additionally, Joe Morton from “Eureka” is a charmer who loves learning all about the science the show depicts. One has to admire such dedicated actors!
Saturday (Day 4) was another chaotic and blink-and-you-will-miss-it kind of day. It started off with arriving at 7:00 a.m. to get into Ballroom 20 for the “Chuck” panel, which proved to be a fabulous show-stopping event. Opening with a riotous musical act by Jeffster, the fans were brought to their feet by the outrageous, comedic performance. Having started off on such a high note, the panel was just as lively and hilarious making it the “you-had-to-have-been-there” kind of event. Following on the heels of that history-in-the-making panel, being able to sit in the press room and talk to each of the cast members put me over the moon! Special shout out goes to Adam Baldwin who was so tickled with a question I posed about whether his character Casey would be programming Chuck with a safe-word, responded, “I love that! Where’s a producer? I’m going to tell him to write that in right now!” (There is no higher compliment than THAT!!!)
Fortunately, the day had just begun. I then hurried off for the “Warehouse 13″ panel and press interviews, quickly followed by the panels for “Human Target” and “Vampire Diaries.” (Another shout-out goes to the cast of “Warehouse 13″ who were the most open and fearless actors I have ever met, willing to talk about anything. It is a rare treat to be able to talk to talent on such an unguarded level.) As Day 4 had passed in a rush of adrenalin, that night we took the time to enjoy the company of good friends and I wrote up as much as possible about everything, for the next day was to be the last and it was important to savor it all.
Sunday (Day 5) was bittersweet. It was the biggest day for me with bookend panels for “Doctor Who” and “Torchwood,” both with the principal stars themselves. It was the first convention ever for David Tennant — and he had chosen Comic-Con to make his grand entrance into the fan world. Additionally, it was John Barrowman’s 2nd Comic-Con appearance and the fans were anxious to show that with “Torchwood’s” 4th season hanging in the balance, we were still enthusiastic for the little show that was skyrocketing up the British television charts. I think my eardrums are still ringing from the happy screams of adoring fans for these panels!
And last, but not least, Sunday also included amazing opportunities to talk with the cast of “Smallville” and “Supernatural” during press round-table interviews. I found this to be particularly delightful as I am such a big fan of both shows and the writers seemed tickled by the insightful questions I posed. (Reporters are always at a disadvantage because most of the time, they do not actually watch the shows they are covering.) Feeling in my element for the first time ever, it was the chance of a lifetime and I am still reeling from it.
How does one reacclimate to “real life” after getting to play at Comic-Con for five blissful days? I posit that one does not. I know I am still in the euphoric state of denial that it has come and gone. It was an extraordinary adventure and one that will be remembered!
