Wizard World Philadelphia 2008

[paper]

WWPhilly hits the last weekend of May. Ordering my tickets as soon as I hear back from Team Polaris.

Here's the guest list (http://www.wizardworld.com/guests-pa.html).

Anybody else going?

[jon_samuelson]

Consider this question in the context of my having never been to a con before. What exactly goes on there? Is the point mostly to meet the creators, get autographs, and things like that? Or do they have good deals on comics, TPB's, etc. as well?

Seeing as it's only a 3 hour drive, I'd be tempted to go, but the whole standing in line to get sketches or autographs wouldn't really do anything for me.

[fred]

I'd really love to go but this month doesn't work for me. Can you try to get them to move it to the end of next month?

[kahunablair]

I'm planning on attending.

Sadly the past has taught me to only say that and not commit to actually going. Stupid NYCC!

[paper]

Consider this question in the context of my having never been to a con before. What exactly goes on there? Is the point mostly to meet the creators, get autographs, and things like that? Or do they have good deals on comics, TPB's, etc. as well?

Seeing as it's only a 3 hour drive, I'd be tempted to go, but the whole standing in line to get sketches or autographs wouldn't really do anything for me.

They have good deals on trades, yeah. Last year they had a lot of booksellers. And the deals get better on Sunday because nobody wants to haul everything back to home base.

[jaflanagan]

I'm planning on attending.

Sadly the past has taught me to only say that and not commit to actually going. Stupid NYCC!

That, and he's not a real person.

[chelsea21]

I'm going. Garth Ennis is going to be there, right? I went to NYCC and managed to not get any autographs or sketches and when I got home I dropped my new york comiccon glass. :o So maybe my second con will go better.

[paper]

Ennis will be there, but he's listed as Sunday only. So if you're only going one day, that's the day to go.

[kahunablair]

That, and he's not a real person.

That too.

[dave-accampo]

Consider this question in the context of my having never been to a con before. What exactly goes on there?

Two words: Furry Orgies.


At least, if you listen to some of the creators' con stories...

[dave-accampo]

But on a serious note: May, really? Why oh why do all these things have to stack up in summer?

I would consider going, but I just don't see that happening this month.

If there's any kind of event on the East Coast around, say, September, consider me THERE.

iFanCon, anyone? :D

[paper]

WWPhilly is a decent starter convention if you're afraid of being overwhelmed. It has big names like Maleev and Ennis, but it's all mostly comics. Not a whole lot of Hollywood stuff. Not much cosplay either.

[casually-drowned]

Apparently I scheduled my trip to Philly 10 days too late. I didn't realize how close to Wizard World my arrival was, and I guess it is too late now that I have already purchased my airline ticket. There is always next year.

[kahunablair]

Ah, come on! Just come 10 days earlier. There is so much to see in Philly....
Like the competing CheeseSteak places... and the Rocky statue... and the Liberty Bell... and Camden?

[paper]

Hate to break it to you guys. The Liberty Bell doesn't exist.

And Camden does.

[fred]

I've been by Philly, but never to Philly. I was hoping to go.

[kahunablair]

Hate to break it to you guys. The Liberty Bell doesn't exist.
Second worst field trip ever!
I was grabbed by a beggar that wanted to tell me about the Constitution signing.

And Camden does.
The worst field trip ever!
I was shot.

[paper]

This convention is so ridiculously easy to get to. It's at the convention center attached to a major stop on the regional rail. Theoretically, you could arrive at 30th street station, take a five minute train ride to Market East and not even see Philadelphia. Not that we have anything to hide. Except for the murder and everything.

[casually-drowned]

Ah, come on! Just come 10 days earlier. There is so much to see in Philly....
Like the competing CheeseSteak places... and the Rocky statue... and the Liberty Bell... and Camden?

Sorry, but the ticket was not refundable. :(

The Rocky statue, however, is on the list. I am only going to be there for 4 days so I have to be sure to plan things out accordingly. That means no sending me off on wild goose chases for things that may or may not have started the First Continental Congress...

[paper]

i am here to answer any and all Philadelphia tourism questions.

I think it's relevant, considering some foreigners like Blair are journeying to my bullet riddled city for the convention. And maybe you want to know what else there is to do here.

[casually-drowned]

i am here to answer any and all Philadelphia tourism questions.

I think it's relevant, considering some foreigners like Blair are journeying to my bullet riddled city for the convention. And maybe you want to know what else there is to do here.

Top five things to do (besides Wizard World)? From your perspective, not from the generic Philly trip perspective.

[paper]

Top five things to do (besides Wizard World)? From your perspective, not from the generic Philly trip perspective.

The Rosenbach Museum (http://www.rosenbach.org/home/home.html) - museum of books. For book nerds only. Though there is a Maurice Sendak Where the Wild Things Are sort of exhibit going on now....(haven't been to it yet)

The Mutter Museum (http://www.collphyphil.org/mutter.asp) - Medical oddities. I talked about this on FT last season. So cool.

My friend works for Philly Weekly. They recently put out a list of the 50 best bars in Philly (http://www.philadelphiaweekly.com/articles/16566/cover-story). I'm not a bar guy, but I'm gonna trust the best alt weekly in the city.

If you're into theatre, our best is at the Arden (http://www.ardentheatre.org/). I think they're doing Our Town during the time you'll be here. Which sounds cool because they're doing half of it in the theater and the other in a church across the street.

As for comics, you want to go to Brave New Worlds (Olde City is the new downtown location. Not to be confused with Brave New Worlds in Willowgrove, which is where I shop, but it's not in the city). Fat Jack's is also pretty decent.

I like the zoo (http://www2.philadelphiazoo.org/). You can go up in a hot air balloon. (ooh, we got a second red panda! I'll have to make another visit and take some pictures. National Geographic, here I come!)

Are you going to be here on the first friday of the month? If so, that's a good night to explore. Galleries are free and you'll see a bunch of street vendors and such.

That's my broad overview. If pressed I could probably come up with more.

[casually-drowned]

Thanks Pol! I am adding books, oddities, comics, and the zoo to my list.

I am staying with high school friends in the suburbs (so far out it might technically be Cleveland), and I arrive on Wednesday June 11th. That means I miss the first Friday action, but I am sure some of the Wizard Worlders out there can attend.

The only provision is that I have to get to DC before Father's Day that weekend, but it is not that far so I can just rent a car at the last minute and drive.

[paper]

So, today is the day.

I will be going after sketches and commissions today. Tops on the list are Maleev, Castillo, Conner, and JG Jones if he's even doing them.

If I do get Maleev, what should I ask for?

[esophagus]

A self-portrait.

[optimus187prime]

I will be there only on Sunday. Its good that Ennis will be there that day.

[paper]

Okay, back from day one. A really good haul today.

They had a series of booths with trades and hardcovers for 50% off. Some were worn, but all definitely readable. I picked up:


52 volume 3
Batman: Face the Face
Doctor 13: Architecture & Mortality
DC Universe: The Stories of Alan Moore
The Invincible Iron Man: Extremis
Ocean
Seven Soldiers of Victory volume 1
Young Avengers volume 1
Young Avengers volume 2

Then I found an Iron Man to add to my budding Mighty Muggs collection. I looove these things. "Made from 100% recycled Awesome"

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2257/2536559107_3a188e51b1.jpg

Some insanely vibrant pulp magazine cover prints. More about those on my blog (http://fuzzytypewriter.wordpress.com/2008/05/30/popcorn-posters/).

http://i299.photobucket.com/albums/mm283/fuzzytype/pulp1.jpg

And here's the first of two sketches, Green Arrow by Rags Morales.

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2145/2536559161_3ef33a5528.jpg

Tommy Castillo is going to do the second one, a Batgirl sketch, tomorrow. Tommy did that badass Scarecrow sketch (http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1041/558099688_76117b7249_o.jpg) I got at WWPhilly last year. He's awesome.

And still two more days!

[optimus187prime]

Very Nice, I love those mighty mugs hopefully I can get some good deals (as long as paper doesnt buy it all) on some stuff Sunday. I doubt I will get any sketches but I am going for some sigs.

[luthor]

Nice haul, Paper.

[paper]

There's some great stuff in those 50% off boxes. Some Kirby omnibi, Arkham Asylum, DMZ, Fables, Walking Dead, tons of Essentials. And there are three of those 50% off booths around the convention. Some of the gems might be gone by Sunday, but I'm sure there will be plenty of good books to pick through, and probably at a better discount.

[paper]

Very Nice, I love those mighty mugs hopefully I can get some good deals (as long as paper doesnt buy it all) on some stuff Sunday. I doubt I will get any sketches but I am going for some sigs.

What signatures are you going after?

[optimus187prime]

What signatures are you going after?

First and foremost ENNIS !!! (I said that kind like SPARTA!!!)
Dillon
Oeming
Van Scriver
Max Brooks

I know I probably will not get them all but I will try. (Now I am singing the Pokemon theme, gotta catch em all, gotta catch em all.)

Man I am in a weird mood today!

[casually-drowned]

I love those pulp mag covers, and it sounds like you are having fun at WWP. :)

[paper]

ooooooh.

Man, I think someone's having a gooood damn weekend at the Philly con.

Went with my dad today (he likes looking at the toys and movies). I told him to be on the lookout for any Hellboy stuff. We split up for a bit to explore. When we meet up at the "gaming tables" toward the end of the day, he shows up with this:

http://i299.photobucket.com/albums/mm283/fuzzytype/cmdstore_2004_412420100.jpg

This is the 18 inch version. Instead of a trench coat he has a brown leather short sleeve jacket. And a jetpack!

Dads are awesome. We had a good time today. When I find stuff that falls into our mutual interests, I really try to jump on it. Honestly, that's my favorite part of this convention.

[dave-accampo]

Fantastic! Yeah, color me officially jealous. With the pulp prints, the movie posters, Hellboy...

Damn, I should have figured out a way to get to Philly...

Guess I'll have to console myself with Comicon in July.

[kwok_talk]

Fun times Paper! I like hearing your con experiences. And yeah, that's pretty sweet that this is something you and your dad can enjoy together

[paper]

I think I'm just trying to suck the most I can out of this convention because it's the last one of the year for me.

Today's the last day and I'm going to attempt to film some stuff, but we'll see what sticks.

Other goals for today:


Find and document Blair in the wild. Is he a remote hologram?
Find the remaining two Seven Soldiers trades (I found 1 and 3).
Pick up my Batgirl sketch
Destroy Blair once and for all.


If anybody spots me today (black backpack, dark green shirt, yellow flight of the conchords T) say hey. Should be there from 1:00 to 3:30.

[kahunablair]

Philly was a nice little show. I think I got spoiled by going to the carshows there. The entire building is used, and plus each car company puts down special carpets!

Picked up:
TommySaurus Rex by Doug TanNapel
Sin City: A Dame to Kill (thanks to the iFanboys)
Batman: Dark Victory
A few comics, that I can't remember at the moment
A snazzy cardboard Skrull mask
Bought a few of those Pulp covers that Pol got. Mine are actually more Sci-Fi influenced. I'll take pictures of them later on and post 'em.

They had a foam Right Hand of Doom ala the Hulk hands that I wanted to swing back around and get up but it was sold.


Find and document Blair in the wild. Is he a remote hologram?
...
Destroy Blair once and for all.

I escape your notice, sir! I am the Bigfoot of the Rev3 forums!

In all honesty I didn't check this thread before I hit up the con. I was there from 11:30 to about 2:30. Sorry I missed you, man.

[dave-accampo]

I think I'm just trying to suck the most I can out of this convention because it's the last one of the year for me.

I'm still trying to figure out how to get you out to San Diego for SDCC.

I have a white board in my office filled with complex equations and sentence fragments like "Earth-31 Paul already lives in San Diego" and "The orchid station is the key!"

[paper]

Blair hates me.

I did meet optimus187 though. Some people at conventions don't hide in the T-shirt tower, Blair.

I refuse to name all the trades I got this weekend. I'm ashamed of my lack of fiscal responsibility. It's bad when the vendors recognize you.

I managed to find Seven Soldiers of Victory volume 4. All I'm missing is #2.

Finally got that Batgirl sketch. It's amazing. I'll scan it and post it this evening.

[kahunablair]

Blair hates me.


Yup. .

[paper]

Here's that Batgirl sketch from Tommy Castillo. Worth the wait.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3086/2544732749_f3da41e133.jpg

[kahunablair]

Pretty snazzy, man.

It almost makes me wish I was a Sketch kind of guy.

[paper]

Yeah, I'm probably going to limit it to one or two sketches per con, and no repeats.

My new thing is apparently the 50% off trades. I went bananas.

[kahunablair]

I know what you mean. I think I spent most of my time going through those things.
I even found myself snubbing the other booth's "meager" discounts.
"30% off Trades?? What are you cheap? Grow a pair, sir!"

[paper]

And it's not like the 50% booths had shitty books either. Sure, some of them are creased or show some ware, but they had really good stuff. Fell, Arkham Asylum. I even found that Star Wars Legacy book, Iron West, American Virgin, and Nightly News.

[kahunablair]

I was getting mad at myself for already owning most of those awesome books.
I did find a few Sin City trades, and after the video show this week figured they were good little gems to pick up.
I gave serious thought to picking up a second copy of Fell, but decided to get a JLA book instead.


Wish I saw Iron West though...

[paper]

Oh, I also found a book called Rocketo (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rocketo). I was going to show it to you if you actually surfaced. Looks like something you'd be into.

http://i299.photobucket.com/albums/mm283/fuzzytype/1ferok3_th.jpg

[kahunablair]

I actually had that book in my cart on InStock Trades for a while. I didn't end up getting it for some silly reason.

Now, I'm kicking myself even more that I missed it for half off.

[optimus187prime]

Well I am finally back after a wild vaca weekend. I had an excellent time at the Con, I didnt drop my house payment but I picked up a few things. I bought a limited edition #'d print of Cap from Mark Wolfe, a Mouse Guard print from David Peterson, and a Batman sketch poster from Tommy Castillo. I also picked up the Marvel Select Zombie Spider man and Cap.

As paper mentioned I ran into him while he was trying to get some footage. He is taller than he looks in his headshot :p It was nice to see that you people exist outside of the interwebs.

What made me the most happy was bum rushing Garth Ennis at the end of the 4 mile long line and convincing him to sign a few books for me. Although Steve Dillon escaped. I also sat in on the Ennis Q&A and it sounds like he has quite a few interesting books on the horizon.

As a side note I also went zoo crazy over the next few days and visited the Brandywine Zoo and the National Zoo, both were good times. Also the Natural History Museum was kinda a letdown I just remembered it being bigger and more interesting. So all in all I had a wonderful couple of days, with the lovely GF by my side.

[paper]

Haha, I'm only 6 feet tall!

Glad you had a good time this weekend too.