Last Hurrah

I remember being excited to show people what it was really like to be at the Con. Although SDCC has been happening for years, no year is the same and I wanted share this unique experience. I knew this would be my last Con (for at least a decade) so I was set on getting some hefty content. This was before everyone became an influencer like Andy Warhol said (in lesser words). Despite the prophetical warnings I still wanted to get some bts.

Without further ado…

Here. We. Go.

The scene: even a Wednesday had room to explore and plenty to do. The offsites were just starting to take over downtown and outside the convention. Cartoon Network set up an arcade for Regular Show with plenty of fun games. There were also random things like directions to offsites spray painted on the side walk for interactive adventures.

The vibes: immaculate. Marketing was immersive. You were in another world at every turn. Check out some examples below. The Walking Dead used to create amazing displays inside the convention and this one was the best to date. It was staged as the prison compound where the meme famous “Cooorrraaaal” took place.

These folks were downtown warning of a new simian flu for Planet of the Apes. The helpful “doctors” provided you with a mask and a hand sanitizer. In retrospect though, this is so creepy.

These guys also promoted making an armored car for the zombie apocalypse sponsored by a car company. Everyone wanted a piece of the zombie fandom this year. One thing is clear, it was the year of the zombie.

Cosplay

Cosplay has always been impressive at the Con. This year was no exception. Here are a handful of highlights for this year. As you can see The Walking Dead was present in a major way at The Con. Honestly, props to anyone who has braved the Con in cosplay because the trek is rough and the days get HOT. Kudos guys.

Character Reveals

The show floor was mostly walkable in these days. The only exceptions were a major giveaway or celebrity sightings. The first celeb sighting (of the blog) happened in the middle of the floor at the Marvel booth. Tom Hiddleston a.k.a. Loki hit the show floor in style for a signing after his epic Hall H appearance. It’s important to note that something like this is less likely now because it would shut down the whole area, sigh.

Timing

I know, pulling out the Marvel card right away is a bold move. Not to diminish my prior work, but this trip was my magnum opus (of conventions.) I’m not entirely sure why I saw so much this year, but timing was in my favor.

Haaaaave you met the cast?

This year, the events were stacked, so I had to be everywhere at once. Panels would be a waste of time. I narrowed down my priorities because it was also the last year some shows would be in attendance.

Case in point: the cast of How I Met Your Mother walked the floor on their way to a signing. It was awesome to get to see them up close before one of their last appearances as a cast. I get people had strong feelings about the finale, but this was a special moment nonetheless.

The Redux

In 2012, I missed the Regular Show signing, but this year I was at the right place and time. I remember looking down the aisle and there was the bird man himself, J.G. Quintel. He was super kind. No crowds, just a regular attendee. This was my first of many selfies. He went about his way unbothered as I would imagine an animated blue jay would.

This was followed by one final meeting with Doc Hammer and Jackson Publick of The Venture Bros. We took a smoke break. Ok just them, but it was on brand for one final pic.

The Walking Dead irl

I couldn’t miss one of the biggest shows hitting the show floor for a signing. Before Negan came onto the scene, there was the prison compound. Many people didn’t know that such a beloved character would be so brutally killed. In hindsight I’m glad I made the effort to make it out. In 2012, I got a VERY blurry Norman Reedus pic, so I needed a redo.

The booth was near the entrance celebs used to make their way onto the floor. The sea of people was parted as eager folks looked on. The video shows the cast was excited to see us as we were them. As for content, this year fared slightly better pictures, but the video was amazing. This was a major moment, but this isn’t the end of this encounter. More on this later.

New to the Game

Between all the fandoms and paparazzi moments, I was very busy running around getting selfies. Fair warning, this was before the Kardashians solidified Instagram face and figured out you should raise your arm. I was new to the game for sure. Nonetheless I had so much fun!

There is nowhere else you’d be able to walk around (as a regular person) and spot so many favorite celebrities. Kevin Smith was walking around the Hilton and I asked him for a selfie. Jay and Silent Bob were foundational to my college movie going experience, so this was major.

My favorite “girl show” rewatch was still airing at the time as well. At first I got to see Joseph Morgan aka Klaus from afar. I was so excited and had to tell my sister who put me on to the game. As luck would have it though, the original vampire himself was standing around the Hilton. I asked for a selfie and he kindly obliged. He was probably one of the nicest encounters ever.

Selfies with Taran Killam and Bobby Moynihan also happened in quick succession at the Hilton. I get the landscape of sketch comedy has greatly changed in recent years, but these guys were included among the funniest cast. Again, super nice guys. As for me, my saga of awkward selfies continues, but in the presence of funny guys kinda makes it apropos.

Game of Thrones IRL!!!

The crowning jewel of my trip. Game of Thrones had just aired season 3 where, not only was no one safe, but they killed nearly an entire royal line. Yes friends, the tragically glorious “red wedding” had aired. This was my last chance to see the Starks fallen kingdom, rip.

The first two encounters were so random. Sometimes it pays off to be ultra observant. That was certainly the case for this year. I believe I lingered around the WB booth to see if I could get into some interesting situations. Well, it worked. John Bradley aka Samwell was walking around unnoticed. I could not believe it. Completely regular dude and agreed to a selfie. After I got the selfie no one else even noticed him. He also almost camouflages in the video that follows. You can see how he was able to go unnoticed. Super cool guy!

A more noticeable cast member? Khal Drogo aka Jason Mamoa was in attendance. Why? I think he was supporting another cast member at the Hilton, at least that’s as far as I could remember. He had been killed off in the first season so that could be my only guess. Suffice to say everyone noticed him and this was the best pic I got before he skedaddled. Unexpected and super awesome.

King of the North 👑

In true Comic-Con spirit, the crowd dispersed as the tragically fated Rob Stark made his way through the crowd. In the background you can hear people yell “king of the north.” The nerds did not disappoint.

House Stark 🐺

Finally, the cast. This took some maneuvering and would no longer be tolerated in present Cons, but I lingered. I know, but I had to see them one last time. I was pretty dang close as other fans had similar ideas. I got a few close shots but this was the winner. Here it is: the entire cast that was in attendance in all their splendor including ole George.

Anony-musts

I know this may seem like it was the best it could ever get, but it’s not. Hang on to your butts cause this next story is the most insane celebrity spotting of my entire life.

So early in my comic con years I realized I was able to spot celebrities like no one else. After a certain cast had made their way back into the aforementioned doors, I decided to linger. A short while later the doors opened and two guys walked out. The crowd seemed intrigued for a second and just as quickly lost interest. I, however, did not.

These guys came out in masks and I almost instantly knew who they were. The one in the panda mask tilted his head slightly, possibly curious to see if he wouldn’t draw a crowd. He didn’t. The other followed close behind and both headed in my direction.

I had only one chance. Only one other person was brave and sure enough to ask for a picture before me. Neither of us revealed who they were.

I remember going up to them one at a time saying like “I know who you are. I won’t say anything. Do you mind if I take a quick picture?” They both agreed. I may have told the one in the Guy Fawkes mask “omg I love you,” but that memory is fuzzy. I was massively fangirling. From the look on my face I probably said it.

Who were these two? None other than Norman Reedus and Steven Yeun of The Walking Dead!!!! I gotta pull out the receipts because I know no one would ever believe me.

I’ve taken so much pride in my ability to recognize and spot celebrities, but this was my finest work. Their faces were covered and I still recognized them AND got a selfie.

My only regret? These had to be the worst selfies I’ve ever taken in my life. Granted I was living an unbelievable moment so it’s understandable how I lost complete control of my face. It was glorious.

The end, for now.

I ended this Con like I had any other, with the comic books and cartoon cells waiting for the final call. I took some videos of the walkabilty on a Sunday and the final goodbye to the con. Sundays were always bittersweet.

Dedicated to Mrs. Perry-Hill

This series is dedicated to my 6th grade teacher and former boss who became like a mom. She vicariously lived through my Comic-Con stories as I eagerly recounted everything when we got back to the koa. Without her and the boys I would have never experienced the Con the way I had. I couldn’t let those stories collect dust in my hard drive.

Here’s to you Mrs. Perry-Hill 🤍