Thanks for the warm welcomings you three. You're good people.
Indeed it was at Megacon Mr. Hubbell. Still going there tomorrow infact. Can't miss all those awesome last day of the con deals the vendors have.
Where to begin? Oh yes! (Be warned I tend to ramble and go too far elaborateing on my simplest of stories at times.)
I went to Megacon this time with one goal in mind and that was to get my hands of some drawings done by my favourite artists. The most prominant of which was Stan. In previous years I just bought toys, figures and trades with little knowledge of whos who in the comic industry. But I have become quite the rampant comic reader this past year.
I entered the con hall exspecting to see him straight off. I had these grand images of this enormous dark horse display of tables, big cardboard cut-outs of Usagi and tons upon tons of swag. I went up and down the many rows several times. I searched high and low for Mr. Sakai's table for close to a half hour. That is until I started to suspect perhaps he was not there that day. So not to waste a good con visit, the crowds on friday being very fair that day, I decided to snap some shots of the interesting costumes and and displays they had about the floor. Being a huge Futurama fan I managed to manevuer towards this great Bender statue! When out of the corner of my eye I spot him. The friendliest, most casual and warm faced japanese man I'd ever seen. This had to be him!
I walked up to this simple art table. Laid there were several small books of his own sketches, some usagi pins, issues of Usagi #100, a pile of original pieces and some pens. No great banner, no cardboard cut-outs, no extravagancies what so ever. But think not I felt disappointed by any means. But rather refreshed... His humble and freindly personality was show enough to inspire his fans to flock towards him.
After a brief fit of glee and saying how much of an honour it was to meet him he shook my hand. I managed to stumble and sputter enough coherent words to ask him for a sketch. I thought I was more stable of a person and that I was able to stand and speak clearly in front of anyone but that proved to be untrue. I'm not embaressed, I just find it funny I fanboyed out like that. I stood in amazement as he scrawled out a few pen marks into this beautiful scene of Usagi uptop a grassy wind swept hill. He even drew a neat background. And I got this cool pin, which I didn't scan till just now.
I was ready to leave satiated and not wanting to take up any more of his time till someone walked up. It was Bob Bolling! Stan's face lit up and he asked for a picture with him. I stood by the wayside when Stan said "He can take the picture." At first I thought he was talking about the guy behind me but when he went into his bag he gave me the camera! Suffice to say I walked off smiling from the whole exspirence.
I later caught Stan walking around the con like anybody else there getting drawings and saying hello to people he admired in the industry. I managed to get this shot of him with Andy Runton. (Also one of my favourite artists.)
Today after reading a helpful bit of info on the forum. I attended a panel disccussion on the second floor with Stan Sakai and Billy Tucci. Again the atomosphere was quite casual. Before Billy arrived or so it seemed at the time. Stan asked two burly guys to help him with a desk onstage. He had them flip it on its side and used it as an easel for most of the presentation!
Here he is explaining the origin of the title cartoonist. Which was very enlightening.
And heres a pic of Stan being cool.
I had an awesome time listening to him explain all this stuff. The progression of comic pages, where he gets his facts for stories and weird factoids. Like how Usagi was never translated to Japanese and stuff about Usagi's decendants I never would've imagined. His favourtie samurai movie!
Well anyway, that about sums up the good parts. Thanks again you guys.
