And “survived” is the right word, because it was CROWDED. But FUN. I somehow managed to forget my camera all five days, but I didn’t meet anyone famous (at least not up close and personal, though there were famous people on the panels I went to), nor did I see too many good cosplays where the costume was a) someone I recognised; or b) WIN. Though I think maybe I wanted a camera for the Slideshow Collectables booth, because they had some really good stuff this year, though little of it was available now and none of it was affordable reasonably priced.

I worked a full day Wednesday, which meant I didn’t make it down to the Convention Centre until 6:30, 7pm for Preview Night. Which is an excellent time to pick up your badge, by the way, because last year when I picked up my pass on Preview Night, I went down to San Diego about 4pm, and had to wait outside in the hot sun for at least an hour. This year, I went looking for that line and was told I could go right into registration. No line. Got my badge, went down to the Exhibit Hall, and went a-wandering. And apparently everyone attending Comic-Con this year was a four-day pass-holder, because Preview Night Exhibit Hall was pretty packed and I know a lot of people were in panels too (and I didn’t even think they held panels on the first night; there was one I’d’ve liked to see). I got down to Comic-Con around 11:30am on Thursday and Friday, went to a few panels, wandered through the Exhibit Hall a few times, left late both days, and, though I packed a lunch both days, was dang near starving by the time I got to eat dinner. Over 18000 steps Thursday (with a 20 minute workout in the morning), and over 13000 steps on Friday (sacrificed workout for a desperately needed extra 45 minutes of sleep). Saturday I set out late (10am?), did my best to stay out of the worst of the crowds on my way to the line for Ballroom 20, which hosted all three of the panels I wanted to see that day (which were pretty much the only reason I even braved Comic-Con on a Saturday), and the line for Ballroom 20 stretched out down the back stairs of the convention centre. I got in line at noon. I got into the room around 2:20pm. When the last panel was over, I did a very quick run through of the Exhibit Hall, then ran to catch the trolley before everyone in the Exhibit Hall got kicked out at seven. Made up for it by getting out of bed this morning at the first buzz of my alarm, going to the early Weight Watchers meeting (1.6 lbs lost this week! w00t!), and was at the convention centre by 10:30, at which point I went shopping. A little too successfully.

Panels attended Thursday: “Entertainment Weekly: Wonder Women: Female Power Icons in Pop Culture”, featuring Sigourney Weaver, Elizabeth Mitchell, Zoe Saldana, and Eliza Dushku, which was a great panel. “Evolution of Fantasy” (in the wake of Harry Potter, His Dark Materials, Percy Jackson, Twilight), which was interesting as all the panellists wrote largely adult fantasy, whereas all the series cited above are young adult series. “Del Ray: Terry Brooks”, which was great because it was mostly a direct Q & A with Mr Brooks. And it was doubly awesome because there is A NEW LANDOVER BOOK COMING THIS FALL! Panels attended Friday: “AMC: The Prisoner”, which was the cast and crew of the remake of The Prisoner talking about the series, and showing some clips. It looks awesome. “ Past Life Pilot Screening and Q & A” which was for a telly show coming mid-season based on The Reincarnationist by M. J. Rose. Only they’ve shifted the focus of the show from one man’s story as told in that book to the group that helps people work through their past life regressions. I think the pilot needs a little editing so we know more about the characters rather than the case, but all in all it looked pretty good. I tried to get into the Dollhouse panel, but even having got in line an hour and a half before the panel I didn’t get in. So I went to my second choice panel for DC Comics animation, which focused on Green Lantern: First Flight, which looked good, and Superman/Batman: Public Enemies, which looked really good. Panels attended Saturday: “V Pilot Screening and Q & A”, which I got in because having learned my lesson in not getting into the Dollhouse panel, I got in line way early for the Fringe and True Blood panels (back to back in the same room, WIN), and got into the screening for V. Which was awesome. The Fringe panel was fun, though most of the questions were directed to/answered by the writers rather than the actors, though John Noble said enough to make me awed by him rather than the “John Noble!Denethor EEK RUN AWAY!” that’s persisted since LOTR. The True Blood panel was likewise fun, though Alan Ball and Charlaine Harris also got the majority of the questions despite the fact that everyone else on the panel was the cast (including Alexander Whose-Last-Name-I’ll-Butcher-Despite-Being-Step-Swedish). Season Three unofficially-officially announced by Alan Ball (wOOt!!!). Panels attended Sunday: what panels? I was shopping!

Swag (by category):
Books: Unshelved Vol. 7: Reader’s Advisory (signed by artist); Nightwing: A Darker Shade of Justice (on sale); Star Wars Omnibus: X-Wing Rogue Squadron Vol. 3 (on sale); The Warded Man (free ARC); Magic Kingdom For Sale: Sold! (free); Kushiel’s Scion (free); Kitty and the Midnight Hour (free); Pride and Prejudice and Zombies (on sale).
Samplers: The Magicians (first chapter); Cirque du Freak: A Living Nightmare (first chapter); A Passion for the Paranormal (first chapters of six books); Daw Books sampler for six sci-fi/fantasy books; Ace/Roc Books sampler for seven sci-fi/fantasy books; Beautiful Creatures (first chapter); Prophecy of the Sisters (first chapter); Geektastic: Stories from the Nerd Herd (first chapter); Kingdom of Loathing: The Home Game* Version! (*read, the offline version); The Prisoner: Exclusive Sneak Peak; Green Lantern: Blackest Night (Issue Zero; I’m presuming a prologue to something).
Misc Swag: “Harry Dresden is My Hero” button; Edward (Twilight) button; Twilight playing cards; Gamer dogtag necklace; miniscule Princess Leia button; True Blood bag with a copy of Living Dead in Dallas, a journal, a T-shirt, and a card reminding me to buy True Blood the Blood Orange Soda from the HBO Store; copy of the front page of The New York News that was seen on William Bell’s desk in the Fringe season finale; a button from The Devil’s Panties featuring the main character running in a straight jacket and saying “I didn’t escape, they gave me a day pass”; magnet from The Devil’s Panties saying “Knitting keeps me from stabbing everyone”; “Republicans for Voldemort” bumper sticker; posters for Pride and Prejudice and Zombies and Sense and Sensibility and Sea Monsters.
Bought Swag Not Already Listed (read, the really cool stuff): Unshelved “Read Irresponsibly” book bag; miniature replica of Obi Wan Kenobi’s lightsaber; Limited Edition Little Damn Heroes Hand-Painted Resin “Kaylee” Maquette; Harley Quinn action figure; Tonner Dolls Harley Quinn; Tonner Dolls Professor Snape.


So that was Comic-Con 2009. Mustn’t forget to pre-register for Comic-Con 2010—as a banner poster for the film 2012 (the trailer for which essentially says, “Michael Bay, this is your notice. Step. Up. Your. Game.” ) pointed out, there might only be three left…