My Wizard World Texas Report

[Wrightson fan]

Well, let me start by saying that I don't have any pics to add as I forgot my camera. I was about 20 minutes from the house before I realized I had not packed it. My apologies for that over-sight.

 

I left the house at about 7:30 am on Saturday morning and made my way to IH 35 North. Everything was going smoothly until I was about 6 miles from the exit for the convention center when the highway closed for construction work. I loved how the warning billboards told you to seek an alternate route. That is alot of help when you are not from the area and you have Mapquested only a single route to the damned place. I looped back and headed to Fort Worth, hoping to see the aforementioned alternate route. No such luck. I saw a sign for a road that was running somewhat parallel to the major highway, so I decided to head that way. It was all neighborhood driving.....and not the best of neighborhoods either. It was a shot in the dark, but my odds were better doing it that way than stopping at the nearest convenience store and asking for directions. Plus, I wasn't armed and did not want to roll down my car window much less actually get out of the car. Luckily, after a few missed turns, I saw an interstate sign. I had by-passed the road work and was only a couple of miles from my original exit. Good Times!

 

Not so fast Scott. Once I got to the convention center exit, what should my wondering eyes see? More road construction. The freaking exit was closed. At this point I was about to crack a slab over someone's head. Luckily I once again wormed my way through some parking lots and side roads until I was able to get to the convention center. Took an extra hour to do all this but I was finally there.

Paid my 5 bucks to park and pulled into the farthest section of the parking lot.

Made sure I had my checkbook and credit card and headed for the door. I had purchased my ticket early, so I had the "honor" of having this large guy yell at me to get in the advance ticket line. I thought I purchased my ticket in advance to avoid waiting in lines such as this, but it paid off as I received a cool X-Men greatest stories hardcover and an X-Men variant book that was exclusive to the con. Too bad I don't collect moderns or I might appreciate it more.

 

The first "character" that I really noticed was this guy painted blue, from head to toe. He was Hank McCoy/Beast and had the lab coat thing going on. It was humorous. Made my way inside and just meandered around taking in the sights before making my way to any dealers. Saw Lou Ferrigno AGAIN. Does this guy have a regular job? Not saying it to be mean but he comes across to me as not the most humble guy in the world. Saw Noel Neill, who played Lois Lane in the 1950's TV version of Superman. She was incredibly old, but it was cool getting to see her and thanked her for coming out. Wasn't as cool as the time I met Elly May Clampett about 10 years ago, but was still nice. Various other sundry guests lined the side wall, but don't ask me who they were. There was one scantilly clad woman at the end of the row whose attire left almost nothing to the imagination. I am as red-blooded as any other guy, but I just don't see the correlation between porn stars and comic books. This young lady and the vendor selling bootleg pornos should not be allowed in an area where kids are going to be. Call me a prude, but there is a time and place.

 

Decided to head over to Bedrock and introduce myself to Richard. It was nice to finally meet face to face with Rich. Looked through some of his books and made some mental notes on what I might pick up later. Headed to another dealer who had a few pre-codes that caught my eye. He had a Tomb of Terror 15 with the great exploding face cover. It presented well and had a fair asking price. Then I saw the writing under the price that said the staples/cover had been re-attached. I dropped it like it was hot. Headed over to Matt Nelson's booth. Matt wasn't there, but got to talk to his guys Ben Samuels and Sam Buckley. Nice guys too. Ended up picking up a couple of high grade Rosa books from them and talked about having some books (GASP) PRESSED!!!!!! I told them I brought a few to have checked out in order to discern what made a good pressing candidate. I ended up leaving 2 out of the 3 books with them. I will let you know how the work turns out and if I will send any others in the future based on the results.

 

Next I walked over to Artists Alley and perused all of the various styles on display. I guess I am just getting old as the new art styles just don't do anything for me. However, I was very happy that I got to meet one of my favorite artists for the first time, Bill Sienkiewicz. I did something that I never do, I asked Bill for a sketch. He and Al Williamson are the only two artists I have ever asked for a sketch and I told Bill this. He seemed to appreciate me saying this to him and was very open about getting me a nice sketch. I wasn't sure what character/straytoaster I wanted him to do, so I asked him to do something that was horror related since that is what I like. I gave him 100 bucks and hopefully it will be a nice one when it arrives. In either case, it was cool getting to talk to Bill a couple of times. He seemed to be enjoying himself and told me that he liked coming to Texas (for the women).

 

Headed over to the CGC booth and introduced myself to Paul Litch and did something that I have been meaning to do for the past couple of years......I joined the Collector's Society!!! I had been putting it off and putting it off, and finally decided what better time to pull the trigger. Talked to Paul while I filled out my paperwork. Business seemed to be brisk at the CGC booth, which can't be said for our buddies at PGX. I saw Daniel but decided I didn't want to speak. Not sure if I want him knowing who I am. Once I finished at CGC I went back to Richard's booth and met Thomas (djpinkpanther67) and Roger (Weird Paper) Showed Roger my new book and he started laughing as he had just sold it to Richard 30 minutes before I bought it. Roger had some other books with him and ended up taking home a sweet Crippen "D" book at a very good price. It was nice meeting Roger as we have talked alot the past year. A great guy to talk pre-code with. Wish I could have bought the 8.5 Four Color 386 that he had with him. Sweet book Roger.

 

Met up with Thomas a little while later and sold him some nice BA FF's. He was happy with the books and I am glad they are going to a good home. Went back to Richard's area near closing and helped them get their stuff put away so that they could get to dinner on time. It was at this time that I met Doctor Watson. Let me just say that Doc is something else. I'm glad he made the trip down from Tennessee as he made me laugh more than once that evening at dinner. Sorry he picked up a speeding ticket in an area notorius as a speed trap. Jim, if this is any consolation, I saw at least 4 cars pulled over in that area on my way home. Obviously you were one of many that day my friend.

 

Met up with a few of the guys at the CGC booth and got readty to go to dinner. After much begging on Don's (Buffyfan) part, Jim, Kenny (krazy kenny1) and I relented and rode to Saviano's in his new Jaguar XKR. I told him that unless it was true burled walnut wood in the doors and dash that I wasn't riding in the car. Luckily it was. Whew! Almost had to walk to the restuarant. Sweet ride Don.....seriously. If you have any swampland you want to sell/lease, Don is your guy.

 

Dinner was very good and Don introduced me to one of the restuarant employees who was on the second season of Hell's Kitchen. He might not have made it far on the show, but they make a very good chicken parmigiana. We sat around and looked at Jeff and Lon's sketchbooks (Stronguy & lonchair) and Jeff's Marvel Value Stamp sketches. Let me say that they are way cool and it was a pleasure to get to see them. Nice stuff man. Lon, you need to post more man....come on.....15? Let's get together man. Hell; we live less than 20 minutes from each other. You need to come over and bring some of your stuff.

 

In closing, I really didn't expect to buy a single book, so the four I picked up were a nice surprise. The main reason I went to the con was to get to see you losers and to meet Bill Sin. I had a really good time and hope I can do it again next year. I want to thank Thomas for getting everything organized and to Don for taking care of the dining particulars. It was great meeting all of you and feel like I have made a few new friends. Peace brothers.

 

Scott

 

 

[langur88]

the vendor selling pornos should not be allowed in an area where kids are going to be.

 

[DrWatson]

Great report Scott. I was hoping to keep the speeding ticket under wraps. You know, what happens in Texas stays in Texas.

 

We could talk about Lamby.

 

It was great getting to spend time with you guys and Jeff's value stamp sketches were amazing. It was refreshing to see an original idea.

[MutantKeys]

"I received a cool X-Men greatest stories hardcover and an X-Men variant book that was exclusive to the con"

 

Whats this?

[Wrightson fan]

Great report Scott. I was hoping to keep the speeding ticket under wraps. You know, what happens in Texas stays in Texas.

 

We could talk about Lamby.

 

It was great getting to spend time with you guys and Jeff's value stamp sketches were amazing. It was refreshing to see an original idea.

 

 

Please....please no Lamby talk......you don't know what can of worms/pandora's box you would be opening.

 

Made it home in one piece I see.......how did you stay awake the 14 hours since you don't do caffeine??

[Wrightson fan]

"I received a cool X-Men greatest stories hardcover and an X-Men variant book that was exclusive to the con"

 

Whats this?

 

 

Nothing you would care about Danny....they aren't 9.8's and you can't flip them in a year.

 

 

 

 

Just Kidding!!!

[MutantKeys]

 

Nice report :thumbsup:

[DrWatson]

Great report Scott. I was hoping to keep the speeding ticket under wraps. You know, what happens in Texas stays in Texas.

 

We could talk about Lamby.

 

It was great getting to spend time with you guys and Jeff's value stamp sketches were amazing. It was refreshing to see an original idea.

 

 

Please....please no Lamby talk......you don't know what can of worms/pandora's box you would be opening.

 

Made it home in one piece I see.......how did you stay awake the 14 hours since you don't do caffeine??

Satellite Radio

[mica]

Great report.

[Jayman]

Great report Scott!

[The Troll King]

in his new Jaguar XKR

 

Hey, that's an XJR mister! (thumbs u

[Wrightson fan]

in his new Jaguar XKR

 

Hey, that's an XJR mister! (thumbs u

 

Damn.....that is right....the K is the coupe....but then again I only edited my post about 6 times after I posted it........thanks for the ride Don. Made my wife jealous when I showed her a pic of what it looks like on the Jaguar site. Suwheeeet!!!

 

S

[Sal]

in his new Jaguar XKR

 

Hey, that's an XJR mister! (thumbs u

 

Damn.....that is right....the K is the coupe....but then again I only edited my post about 6 times after I posted it........thanks for the ride Don. Made my wife jealous when I showed her a pic of what it looks like on the Jaguar site. Suwheeeet!!!

 

S

 

fifty thousand dollars would buy a lot of funnybooks. just saying.

 

 

nice report, Scott. thanks for taking the time to write it up for us (thumbs u

[lonchair-migration]

We sat around and looked at Jeff and Lon's sketchbooks (Stronguy & lonchair) and Jeff's Marvel Value Stamp sketches. Let me say that they are way cool and it was a pleasure to get to see them. Nice stuff man. Lon, you need to post more man....come on.....15? Let's get together man. Hell; we live less than 20 minutes from each other. You need to come over and bring some of your stuff.

 

I pm'ed my contact info to ya. I'm more than happy to meet up and talk funny books some time. Well with is post I should be up to 19.

 

Oh yea, Don's car is Pimp Daddy Nice. The leather was like sitting on butter.

[Wrightson fan]

in his new Jaguar XKR

 

Hey, that's an XJR mister! (thumbs u

 

Damn.....that is right....the K is the coupe....but then again I only edited my post about 6 times after I posted it........thanks for the ride Don. Made my wife jealous when I showed her a pic of what it looks like on the Jaguar site. Suwheeeet!!!

 

S

 

fifty thousand dollars would buy a lot of funnybooks. just saying.

 

 

nice report, Scott. thanks for taking the time to write it up for us (thumbs u

 

Thanks Marc.......but add about another 35K to your amount.

 

 

[The Troll King]

in his new Jaguar XKR

 

Hey, that's an XJR mister! (thumbs u

 

Damn.....that is right....the K is the coupe....but then again I only edited my post about 6 times after I posted it........thanks for the ride Don. Made my wife jealous when I showed her a pic of what it looks like on the Jaguar site. Suwheeeet!!!

 

S

 

fifty thousand dollars would buy a lot of funnybooks. just saying.

 

 

nice report, Scott. thanks for taking the time to write it up for us (thumbs u

 

Thanks Marc.......but add about another 35K to your amount.

 

 

[kidcolt]

Great report Scott, next time don't forget the camera BTW I look forward to seeing the sketch when it arrives, make sure to show it.

[nik]

Where are all the pics from this con

 

 

Great report Scott, BTW (thumbs u

[DrWatson]

There are some in the events forum.

[Wrightson fan]

Where are all the pics from this con

 

 

Great report Scott, BTW (thumbs u

 

Stronguy took a few pics at the Forum dinner.....if he hasn't already posted them I am sure he will soon. Thanks guys for the thumbs up on my report...glad I made it to the con before it closed Saturday.

 

S