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The Rant Shack
(Wherein We Rant)
Mike Says:
(07/22/04)
FANDOM MONTH KEEPS FLYING!!
This time around, we're paying tribute to the GREATEST TV show, like, EVER...a little show called Firefly. For those of you who missed it (and that was a lot of you, thanks to Fox...), Firefly was a show created by Buffy creator Joss Whedon, and was, quite literally, a western in space. 13 episodes of this funny, action-packed, dramatic, compelling and deeply original show were made before the geniuses at Fox--the ones who had decided to air all the episodes out of order, in a bad time slot, and without any decent marketing at all--pulled the plug and cancelled the show.
But the show found new life on DVD when sales, even just in pre-orders before the product was even on the shelves, when through the roof. This sparked some interest, and, along with Joss's undying dedication to bringing the show back in one form or another, led to a deal with Universal Pictures to make a big-screen continuation of the series, one called "Serenity" (that's the name of the ship they fly around in). This film is due out April 22, 2005, and fans of the show around the world are rejoicing.
So this week, we do Fandom Month up for the Firefly fans, those dedicated space cowboys who never let their show die. And for those of you not hip to Firefly yet, there's still a few months left before the movie comes out to catch up on all the episodes of the series. You can get all 13 episodes from Amazon by just clicking the art below:
Keep flying, you browncoats! I'm thinking we'll rise again this April!
LIVE FROM THE SAN DIEGO COMIC-CON!!! (PART 1)
Tuesday, July 20th (Day One)
We're here!
It's Tuesday of Comic-Con week. It's about 8pm, and Tim and I are kicking it up in our room at the (hotel to be named later). What a LONG day. First off, starting Sunday night, I got hit with my occasional bout of insomnia. I got 3 hours of sleep Sunday night, and went to work Monday to get my desk all ready for me being gone for a week. Ended up staying like an hour after work finishing up, and then rushed home, because our buddy Russ had come into town to make the journey with us, and was waiting at my place on the patio. Russ lives in San Diego, and decided this was the perfect chance to deliver the car he'd bought for his girlfriend to her in Berkeley, then hop a train to Sac, and head back to SD in the car with us. Our pal A.T. picked him up at the station, they hit BevMo ("Beverages & More", for you poor saps that don't have one near you...), and they were on my patio having drinks and waiting for me. I got home, Tim (and our pal Ken) came over for some last-minute hanging out and Nice Guy stuff, and then Russ and I were left to crash. Insomnia again...so I really didn't. I got 1 whole hour of sleep. Tim showed up at 6am, we packed up Tim's car, and it was off to San Diego.
We made great time, getting to San Diego in 7 hours (shaving an hour off the time it took Tim and I to move me back to Sac, but then we had a UHaul and a van that time...). Tired, beat and hungry, we grabbed some chow and ate at Russ's, then Tim and I were off to take care of some business and try to get downtown to our hotel before the traffic kicked in. We headed to Kinko's in Poway and picked up our Nice Guy table banner that our buddy Aaron had designed for us, and that our pal Sean, manager of that Kinko's, did up for us (and cut us a great price! Thanks, Sean!). Then we grabbed some set-up supplies and headed downtown. Got to our hotel...and found we'd gotten a GREAT bayview room. I'm looking out right now at the sunset over the ocean. The ocean--and a cruise liner, and the famous Star of India--are literally across the street from us. As our (count 'em!) two aircraft carriers in the distance. Man, I've MISSED San Diego! Perfect weather, great scenery area...just great to be back. We wanted to hook up with our buddy Joel, but we were both just too beat tonight. So we went downstairs to our restaurant, got some dinner and drinks, and hung out on the outdoor patio and went over last-minute details, marveled at the fact that we finally made it to this goal, and enjoyed our Irish waitress (oh, my Kryptonite!) way too much. Now we're back up here to catch some MUCH needed sleep...if my body will let me.
Tim checking out our ocean view
So tomorrow's the big day. Registration. We'll be heading over in the A.M. to register, get our badges, and set our table up. Then we're headed down to the Gaslamp (I've missed the Gaslamp!!!) to meet up with Joel for lunch and maybe a movie if we have time. And then, we're back to the Convention Center for Preview Night...between 5:30 and 8:30, pre-registered con-goers get to come in early and check out all the booths and tables before everyone else, so our pimping starts one night early. We'll be meeting some people, hopefully, and selling some books and getting a feel for what's in store. The Comic-Con International adventure begins!
Wednesday, July 21st (Day Two)
Okay, actually writing this on Thursday morning. Ran outta time to write this yesterday!
So Wedneday was registration day. We got up nice and early and decided we'd get our registerin' and setup out of the way early. We packed up our stuff (at least we thought we did...we'd find out later that we left some things in Tim's car) and decided we'd walk to the convention center, just to see how far it was and if it was reasonable to do daily. See, parking near the convention center this week? NOT happening. And since we're already paying $18 per day to park at our own hotel, we really didn't feel like paying more for parking somewhere else. So we walked, and it was doable...but just really hot. Unusually hot for San Diego Wednesday, even at 9am when we were walking over, with the sun high and really beating down on us. But survived and got there.
As it turned out, a lot of exhibitors had taken advantage of the Tuesday registration, or weren't looking to get up as early as us, so there was really no line to deal with. Toot sweet, we had a exhibitor badges! This is fun stuff, because you get to go into the convention any time you want while all the other poor sucks are waiting in big lines outside. Heh heh. So with those to let us in to the main hall, we strolled in and passed up the frenzied construction going on all around the MASSIVE blocks-long hall. Companies and dealers were all setting up their stuff. There were big displays getting set up, video screens being mounted, and forklifts tooling around everywhere moving product--and what a variety of product, from comics to swords to DVDs to tee shirts to collectibles, whatever you can imagine.
We found our table (just where the map said it would be) and found a nicer set up than we'd thought. We thought the Small Press area would just be a line of folding tables put together, but they really did it up nice, with coverings on the tables, uniform black skirts all around giving the whole SP area its own unified, unique look...and a nice printed sign behind our table that said "Fool Court Press". Yahoo! We unpacked our stuff and got set up, hanging up our banner and putting out the goodies. After getting done with that, we figured it was time for food, and we'd come back later...as Preview Night didn't start until 5:30. So we called our buddy Joel at his hotel and had him meet us at Dick's Last Resort, one of my favorite old San Diego hangouts. Lunch was had, and then we met up with our pal Russ as well, and the four of us went and caught a movie--"Dodgeball" (laughed my ass off). After that Tim walked back to the hotel where we realized we'd left our flyers. Joel and Russ and I headed back to the center, where they got their non-exhibitor badges, and therefore couldn't come in yet.
Our table and banner on set-up night, pre-Con
Tim and I got in early to finish setup, and got a chance to meet some of our fellow small press creators that will be our neighbors. The folks who make "Bag of Chips" comics (online comic with a good biz in merchandise) turned out to be awfully cool, as did our next door neighbor Check Whelon, creator of "Pewfall". It was a good chance to enjoy a little quiet time before the masses arrived and checked chat and network a little. The best part was finding out that someone actually knew who we were...had seen our links I used to put up on ComixPedia.com. All that posting I do every update actually WORKS?
Preview night began. This is a relatively recent concept at the convention. People who pre-register get to come in the night before the Con actually starts and get first crack at everything (product and free giveaways). Actually, the lead-up to them opening the doors was pretty funny. There was a woman on the P.A. system "politely" reminding people how much time was left, and that they needed to hurry up and get their stuff set up and move their product out of the aisles. With each update, she'd get more and more sarcastic and passive-agressive about it. We ended up opening about 20 minutes late, but here came the attendees...some literally running. These early-birds tend to know all about the free giveaways of limited edition items ahead of time...and they WANT them!
It was okay, but we didn't get a lot of traffic. Preview night really isn't about Small Press, it's more about the other stuff I just mentioned, and about seeing as much of the place as you can so you'll know the lay of the land for the next day. Talked to some people, gave away some stuff, but only sold a couple of books. It was only a 3 hours stint anyway. It was good practice for the big stuff. We got to start getting used to the important things that every table runner needs to know, like not taking it personal when people walk by, glance at your stuff, and keep going. I'm sure that'll happen a LOT.
But good times were had. We got to meet up with our #1 San Diego fan, Brian Stafford (the guy who Tim did the Christmas art for last year). I'd met him once before, but Tim never had. He also requested a Nice Guy sketch from Tim, which Tim did for him in Batman style. We got to autograph a book for him as well. And our buddy Tony showed up, who I haven't seen since I moved back to Sac, so that was cool.
After the work was done we hooked up with Joel and our pal Jeff (not THAT Jeff...) for dinner at Kansas City BBQ, another of our usual SD haunts. Then Tim and I headed back to our hotel, had a drink downstairs to reflect and celebrate our first day behind the table, and called it a night.
Thursday, July 22nd (Day Three, and the first official day of Comic-Con International)
Okay, now we're up to date. And the hall just opened (we got here early enough to where I could sit here and type the previous day's journal). People are starting to walk around, so I should probably be focusing on them and not writing this, huh? Just a few quick thoughts.
So far we've been really amused today by the horny camera guy. We're right near a booth for "eAdultComics.com", where they have three booth girls (booth hookers is what we actually call them, but I thought I'd be kind), all dressed in very short skirts and halter tops. This one fat balding guy started taking pictures of them...which they're required to pose for. And he just...kept...taking them. We kept looking back every few minutes to see if he was still there, and he was. They finally managed to get rid of him, but I'm sure he'll be back. I might have to take a picture of Tim with the eAdult girls, just for fun...
Party foul! The new guys showed up, the guys sitting on the other side of our neighbor Chuck, and one of them--while Chuck was elsewhere--knocked Chuck's coffee off his table and all over the floor behind his table. Fortunately, that guy was able to round up a maintenance person right away, who came over and mopped it up. He asked where Chuck was, and if Chuck was a large man. I told him not to worry...Chuck's British, so he could probably take him...(a joke, Chuck! It's just the monarchy envy talking...). He did his apologies when Chuck got back, and just now got back with a replacement cup of coffee for Chuck. Only fair, I guess.
Okay, had to cut this short at the Con because of having no outlet and my battery power being low. Over at my pal Russ's now, and we just ordered pizza, and the boys are popping beers. Our pal Aaron, who designed our way bitchin' NG banner, just arrived in town, hence the reason for the drinking session and relaxation. Sure...for THOSE guys. For me, it's time to get this update done and uploaded to YOU!
M\Mike and Tim at the table, Preview Night
The day was a mixed bag. We started off pretty slow, and were starting to get nervous. But we tried to relax and remind ourselves that it's only the first day, and it's Thursday (the big hauls begin on Friday), and people want to go see the big attractions first. That turned out to be true. The morning was pretty darned slow...as it was for all the other small press folks, too.
So lots of Tim and I sitting around, trying to woo people over, and rapping with our small press compatriots. We found more people who'd heard of us online! I love that! We spent a lot of the morning trying to come up with marketing ideas, and decided, based on the Con demographic and the fact that boob-pandering booths and comics were getting all the action, we'd do well to have some art laying on the table with Becki in a bikini. Hey! We're not cheapening ourselves! This is the real world, baby! We decided it could be handled tastefully with a Nice Guy summertime poolside swimsuit shot of the whole gang. So Tim got to work on that. After a long morning of sitting around, and girl-watching (we're single! We're allowed!), we took a break and headed upstairs for some lunch. Part of the tradition of the Con, by the way, is to eat the highly overpriced Con food up on the Mezzanine. At least once.
Then we got back and things started to improve. We started getting people dropping by! Not all of them bought a book (though some did, thank goodness), but we talked to a lot of people, handed out a LOT of temporary tattoos, and gave out a lot of cards with the web address. And know what happened, AGAIN shocking us with this comic? Lots of female fans. We got more women than men dropping in (not that we were complaining). Very cool. Met some good folks, and made a connection with a possible new printer in Vegas we may use for NG #2.
We had some good quality time with our boys, too. Russ and Tony showed up, and did a lot of work trying to sell the book for us. Tony went so far as to buy copies from us and give them to attractive girls that he felt needed them. He also walked the aisle and handed out our tattoos and cards to people. Joel and Jeff did some time at our table as well. Good times. We also got a couple more stops from Brian (who conveniently used our table as a meeting place to meet up with friends of his. We're a hot spot, baby!), and we also got to meet up with Dave Iseri (creators of "OMGWTF"), whom we met at the A-1 thing. And we also ran into Billy Martinez, also from the A-1 gig, and also Brian Peets himself, owner of A-1. We had to stop by the A-1 booth and say his to Brian and his family. And give him one of the bitchin' Nice Guy fridge magnets that Joel designed and made for us! We were only able to get a limited number, so we're hoarding them and only giving them to special people at the moment (people we owe).
The Con itself...crazy, insane. People everywhere, many walking in costumes ranging from Stormtroopers to vampires to catholic school girls. Total freakfest...it's a blast! And it's SO HUGE. I haven't gotten too much of a chance to cruise around, but I did have to go all the way to the end to see...you can land a jumbo jet in there! There's a full-size X-Wing fighter there from Lucas. I so have to get my picture with that. There's comic pros, celebrities, and every possible configuration of human being you can imagine--every age from kid to elderly, every size, every possible clothing variation and social group (nerds to goths to norms to retro). Packs of high school girls...middle-aged guys dressed like Dr. McCoy...kids with their parents...scary looking tattooed people who just dig on comics. People from all over the world. I heard so many languages. There's really no experience like this on Earth.
Okay, got to end this and update...got to get this online for you all!
More updated next time, which looks like it's going to be back on schedule...on August first. Stay tuned!
DISTURBING INTERNET IMAGE OF THE WEEK
I don't care WHAT your kid's I.Q. is...do NOT let them go to college too young...
THE
CON ROLLS ON!!!
The rest of the Con news next time, along with all the photos. See you then with all the goods, August 1. Wish us luck!
Michael
The
Nice Guy
“Pilot”
Now on Sale!
ITEM!
New strip added in the Comics! section: "Kneeeel Before Zod"
ITEM!
New update in The Rant Shack...with the news on the A-1 Comics Van Fundraiser...and the shocking Tim Watts finger news...
ITEM!
Update to the Photos page with A-1 Comics shots! Sorry, no shots of Tim's finger...
ITEM!
Always find out the latest NG News in the What's Cookin' Section
ITEM!
Look for new material on the 1st and 15th of every month!
And now available for purchase! "Serenity", the film continuation of Firefly! Order yours now!
Want to see more? How about watching the first 9 minutes of the film for free? Click below!
