SDCC 2009

[muteddragon]

What was going on during the long pause between the question being asked and his answer? It was longer than when he was moving ppl along at the end. (Might be my net's fault, but it's too finicky for me to try loading that podcast again.) Well, if he told you to ask him that question, then he probably wanted others to hear the answer -- unless, as you said, he was drunk.

[Cassandra Lawrence]

He said he was trying to think of something funny to say.

No he was not drunk (well, if he was he is very good at acting sober) XD

[Heather Farris]

Okay, I've never been to ComicCon, but I may go next year, especially since it sounds so awesome. But I digress.

Since I'm totally ignorant about ComicCon, what does cosplay mean?

[Gary Lima]

I am a regular poster on the Jinxwolrd comic forums. I posted a report of my impressions of the events surrounding this panel.

http://www.606studios.com/bendisboard/s ... p?t=180107

It was recommended to me that I offer them here as well.

Last year I went to the Fables panel. I think that the room capacity was about 300 and it was not even filled. This year they decided to move it into a third of ballroom 6 and had a large line-up of the books contributors. The panel was also held on Saturday where last year’s fell on Thursday.

It sounds all well and good, but things did not go as smoothly as anyone would have hoped. The schedulers stuck the thing between panels for Boondock Saints II and The Venture Brothers. So a lot of Venture Brothers guys had decided to sit in on the Fables festivities to ensure their seats for their own gig.

The problems were compounded when the convention staff mismanaged the line. Apparently and inexperienced individual was tasked with forming the line in the backside hallway and wrapped it back and forth before crossing the second doorway creating the third column to the line which was not wanted. When the subsequent person took over, he formed a new line where it was wanted without making any attempt to accommodate the mismanaged portion of the line which was comprised of people who had arrived an hour before the panel to get in. Soon, these people were told that they were not in line and that they needed to leave.

I can’t say how this shock out exactly because I was forced to take my kids to this panel and left one to hold our place while I took the other to use the bathroom and to get them some snacks. When I returned however it did not appear that many had left and the few people I had talked to were still there.

At any rate, Bill Willingham somehow became aware of this fiasco and actually came out and personally apologized to this portion of the line. It was pretty clear that he had hoped to be able to address a much larger segment of his fans and it did not look like it was going to work at nearly as well as he had hoped he was clearly disappointed.

I stuck it out and was able to get into the room having missed only the first few minutes of the presentation. Although, my children and I had to each sit separate. I will commend the interior staff of this panel for working diligently to accommodate as many people as possible. Unfortunately this was not the case with a certain other room I had had some experience with earlier in the show.

Having missed the first few minutes, it later became clear that Mr. Willingham had expressed his disappointment with the situation to the assembly prior. While I do not know exactly what he said it was enough to earn the ire of some attendees to the point where they took it upon themselves to become hecklers.

One rather boisterous gentleman seated one spot away from took it upon himself to express some rather rude opinions include one used of a word which some would consider a mild obscenity. I never find it appropriate to be disrespectful to creators even when the “fan” has been angered directly by the work of said creator.

This was a very unfortunate situation and one that I might even dare to call ugly. I would really hope that event organizers would try to go the extra mile in the future to try to avoid the scheduling situations that will lead to panels filled with large numbers of disinterested individuals.

Again though, for Mr. Willingham to come out and apologize for something that he was clearly not responsible for really went above and beyond his charge. It was a classy move which showed how much his readers actually mean to him and it is the sort of thing that make one proud to be associated with this genre even as only an enthusiast.

And, if any of this information can get back to him, I would like him to know that it is my personal opinion that all of the people who were mishandled by line management and stuck it out were in fact able to gain access to the room for most of the panel.

[Gary Lima]

Okay, I've never been to ComicCon, but I may go next year, especially since it sounds so awesome. But I digress.

Since I'm totally ignorant about ComicCon, what does cosplay mean?

Short for costume play.

People like to dress up. And there are folks who really get into this. There are some truly impressive designs as well.

[Philip Roworth]

Okay, I've never been to ComicCon, but I may go next year, especially since it sounds so awesome. But I digress.

Since I'm totally ignorant about ComicCon, what does cosplay mean?

if you're going, i'd recommend getting your tickets as soon as you can because if you put it off, it may well sell out

cosplaying is going dressed up as a character, so choose a fables character you like and that suits you and start working on your costume for next year

[Heather Farris]

Does a Page sister count? Because I totally have Priscilla's glasses (and her hair, kind of).

[C. Kistler]

Thanks for the additional info, Taxman (though fyi, we use our first and last names here, but someone may have PM'd you about that, Charles and Cindy are terrific about it), but it was fascinating to go over to your blog and read people's input. Thank you for your thoughts. The one thing I truly appreciate about this forum is that we aren't afraid to say what we think, we just try and do it with civility and thoughtfulness (most of the time) and not make things personal. (We also don't talk much politics on the site unless it specifically pertains to Fables... or it goes in the Errata category). Though I guess when we're on the "Bill Willingham Forum" it probably is personal for him. I for one am glad to hear your perspective. Thank you.

Re: Cosplay, check out wikipedia. I first heard about it when I lived in Japan, and you'd hear how in Tokyo at Harajuku all these kids would dress up as characters from Final Fantasy. If you're ever in Japan, I recommend checking it out.

[Tara Hatchett]

Thanks, Eddy! Haha, I can paint you one if you like? :) However, the signatures you'll have to get yourself! (I got it signed last year by Mr Willinham, Mr Buckingham, Mr Leialoha, & Mr Klein~) [Photos = here - http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c216/ ... /pctie.jpg and here - http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c216/ ... pctie2.jpg ]

& thanks Camila! I'll add that to my collection. Pfft~ Esp. since I didn't hand off my camera to anyone who took pics outside, I think.

Does a Page sister count? Because I totally have Priscilla's glasses (and her hair, kind of).

It totally does! I think it'd be great to get the three Page sisters. My friend dressed as Cinderella at panel this year & I are already plotting to do Cindy & Aladdin from her (soon-to-be-new?) comic :) & cosplay isn't quite as popular at SDCC as it is at anime-specific conventions, or even I think SDCC's little brother WonderCon, but there's SO MANY PEOPLE everywhere, just demographically it's won over. Also, with the distance of everything/crowds, not being in costume all day is kind of awesome. However, that's the great thing about Fables cosplay too - most of it's streetwear, but recognizable in the right context (i.e., with other costumers/cosplayers, in-panel...)

Wow, the extra information = crazy! I came pretty late, so I heard Mr Willingham was pretty upset, but that he personally apologized is fantastic & really kind. I really hope that next year, knowing all these issues, the SDCC staff will hopefully change things around a bit? Maybe schedule the panels a bit closer to each other that are similar. As in, a comic panel in between a movie and a TV show panel = awkward. (Not that I don't actually love both Boondock Saints & The Venture Bros., but it won't be the same for everyone?).

[Philip Roworth]

Hang on a minute!!!

I just noticed you are in Sacramento. I am too!!! Is your whole group in Sac too, or did you just meet up from all over for the con?

[Paul Nicholson]

I've only skim read the thread, but think others may have had the frustration I did.

I'd missed last years Comic-Con due to a new family addition, but was ready for this years. Having attended two years back I thought twenty minutes or so early would put me near the front of the line again. But as others mentioned the phenomenon of "queue a panel or two early to get into the one I want" was in force.

It would seem keeping comic panels with comic panels makes more sense. A larger room, but maybe not filled with the people who wanted to see the panel.

Queue mismanagement and chaos was in force when I tried to find the line. Finding the back of the line we found two in parallel and the volunteers not knowing if it was the room line or something else. A few minutes passed and someone clarified. After the line started to move, a lot (not just a couple) of people (as the line crossed each other) put up a V with there fingers, which I wondered if it was Vertigo or something initially? Then it was clarified it meant Venture Bros, the next panel. A few minutes later a few people in front asked what was Fables anyway? and no-one here is in-line for it (I, with my friends piped up at this point, then had a very nice chat with the question poser about Dr Who and Torchwood for a long while).

We gave up on the line around forty minutes into the panel and after a forlorn Snow White in full costume was walking by, we had moved halfway up the line, which had wrapped around the room on three sides.

Huge disappointment, as this was one of the four things on my wishlist - I did get into Dr Who and Kirkman panels though! Now I wonder if all the Venture Bros. fans are selling the one page story on eBay.....

But huge plus, got sketches from Bill, Mark and Andrew in my Fables sketchbook - all where extremely gracious and pleasant - thanks to you guys!

[Kelley Mansell]

Tara!!! Oh my gosh, I totally recognize you from cosplay.com! (The moment I saw that group pic I went "WOAH! It's ellome!)
I just want to say that you are an fantastic cosplayer and make a excellent Prince Charming! Nice to have you on the boards! Welcome!

[Camila Tessler]

Huge disappointment, as this was one of the four things on my wishlist - I did get into Dr Who and Kirkman panels though! Now I wonder if all the Venture Bros. fans are selling the one page story on eBay.....

I hope not. Bill specifically asked them not to take the one page story: it wouldn't be really fair, would it?

[Michael Painter]

Hey Phillip,
I also well am living on a semi-permanent basis in Sacramento. I live in Rocklin. BTW, you're costume was awesome, and I'm glad you and the rest of the Fables fans were able to get into the room.

[Gary Lima]

Huge disappointment, as this was one of the four things on my wishlist - I did get into Dr Who and Kirkman panels though! Now I wonder if all the Venture Bros. fans are selling the one page story on eBay.....

I hope not. Bill specifically asked them not to take the one page story: it wouldn't be really fair, would it?

I saw some people returning to seats from the door with them. But maybe they liked both properties, or maybe the presentation was of enough interest to them that they decided to check the thing out.

[Tara Hatchett]

Hang on a minute!!!

I just noticed you are in Sacramento. I am too!!! Is your whole group in Sac too, or did you just meet up from all over for the con?

Haha, I just updated my profile (well, 'round about when I posted last). That's crazy! Usually NO ONE EVER is from this town :D Sadly, Bonnie is from LA & Camila hails from Arizona (that's our usual trio), so I'm the only one Sacramento-side. We should hang out sometime, man! Comics-friends in the area is fantastic, most of my people are Bay Area or beyond :<

Hey Phillip,
I also well am living on a semi-permanent basis in Sacramento. I live in Rocklin. BTW, you're costume was awesome, and I'm glad you and the rest of the Fables fans were able to get into the room.

And I'm FLOORED by two people from Sacramento here. I'm so used to Sacramento being the bastion of no people XD Um. Good to meet you both (sort of!). We should meet up some time :) Where do you two pick up your comics generally?

Tara!!! Oh my gosh, I totally recognize you from cosplay.com! (The moment I saw that group pic I went "WOAH! It's ellome!)
I just want to say that you are an fantastic cosplayer and make a excellent Prince Charming! Nice to have you on the boards! Welcome!

Oh golly, from c.com! Well hello there! (Group pic, eh? I must have missed it earlier in the thread. I've gotta go back!). Gosh, thanks! I love him so much, so yeah, gotta bring out the costuming love. :P I finally registered here after catching up (Last SDCC I was still a few trades behind, and though I've been getting singles for a few months, I forgot to register :F). Good to see you crossing over from c.com! Do you have some Fables-costuming love going on? & if not, when? >D

I saw some people returning to seats from the door with them. But maybe they liked both properties, or maybe the presentation was of enough interest to them that they decided to check the thing out.

There was the girl who came up to the microphone to give props to both VB and Fables fans. So I'm going to hope for the sake of all that's good that they were fans of both :) Surely there are enough crossovers, both being great series!

[Kelley Mansell]

Oh golly, from c.com! Well hello there! (Group pic, eh? I must have missed it earlier in the thread. I've gotta go back!). Gosh, thanks! I love him so much, so yeah, gotta bring out the costuming love. :P I finally registered here after catching up (Last SDCC I was still a few trades behind, and though I've been getting singles for a few months, I forgot to register :F). Good to see you crossing over from c.com! Do you have some Fables-costuming love going on? & if not, when? >D

I hope to eventually make it to SDCC, there's a big chance I'll finally go next year. When I go, I'll probably be going as Rose Red. :) I love costumes.

[Heather Farris]

Boo. Come as a cow who escaped from the Farm!

[Kelley Mansell]

Hm... that would be cool to make a Babe costume.. or the angry sunflower kid. >:)
I'd just imagine getting trampled by crowds, overheating, and running into things that I don't mean to.. haha

[mrs.dawnsmith]

Hang on a minute!!!

I just noticed you are in Sacramento. I am too!!! Is your whole group in Sac too, or did you just meet up from all over for the con?

Haha, I just updated my profile (well, 'round about when I posted last). That's crazy! Usually NO ONE EVER is from this town :D Sadly, Bonnie is from LA & Camila hails from Arizona (that's our usual trio), so I'm the only one Sacramento-side. We should hang out sometime, man! Comics-friends in the area is fantastic, most of my people are Bay Area or beyond :<

Is anyone else here from San Diego?