Comic Con 2001 Part 2

I'm glad you could all come back and join me for the second installment of my adventure at Comic-Con Int'l. Well after a good night sleep spending most of the evening looking for a good Chinese restaurant and a quick dip in the hot tub, it was off to the races in the morning of course!

My first stop was the early 10:30 panel for THE INVISIBLE MAN, since this was Saturday morning I wasn't surprised that they were running a little bit late. Sure enough I peeked around the corner and there they were coming in full force, I thought it a bit ironic that we were in the same room as last year in fact it was the same day and time too! The difference being that this time they weren't introducing the show and a whole legion of fans occupied the first 2 rows, it just goes to show you that Sci-Fi fans are loyal and support their shows like no other!

Traditionally Saturday is the biggest and busiest of all 4 days so you really have to coordinate right to cover all the panels, booth appearances and signings the day has to offer, here is my suggestion; pick up a schedule the day before and write down the times and locations of all the things you want to see, then budget it all into a schedule.

Ok back to our scheduled program I noticed that at 11:00 Traci Lords was going to be signing so I could only hang at the INVISIBLE MAN panel for a little while, its' important to get to the signings before the talent arrives so that you can get the photo ops when they are fresh and more likely to cooperate. I also had to keep in mind of the random signing they have at booth downstairs for example at 12:00 they had Cary Tagawa from PLANET OF THE APES signing at the Dark Horse booth at the same time Newline Cinema was presenting the LORD OF THE RINGS panel followed by Joss Whedon's BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER's panel all the while waiting for the cast of THE INVISIBLE MAN to come sauntering downstairs to sign autographs at the Sci-Fi booth.

The PLANET OF THE APES panel was scheduled for 1:30 to take place right after the Joss Whedon one, luckily I was able to get Cary Tagawa signing first at the Dark Horse booth. Another chance luck encounter was that writer Peter David was hanging around the booth chatting, great I can finally get my HULK novel signed and what's better was that George Perez was just a booth over at CrossGen Comics signing; talk about killing two birds with one stone!

I watched the time diligently and noticed that all the times were completely thrown off, for example Sam Raimi was scheduled to sign at the Marvel booth at 2:40 after his panel yet there he was signing at 2:00. I made good progress with San Diego's local fotog and chum Carla Van Waggoner tagging along as in years past and Lawrence Browning of 13th Street joining our mission; to get as many good celebs in a short amount of time.

After running around the floor like chickens with our heads cut off we had to run back upstairs to get Joss Whedon and his bandaged hands, it turns out that he had spilled lime juice and then went out in the sun, ouch! Fox publicist Michael Broidy brought a behind the scenes reel from PLANET OF THE APES and then introduced one of the stars Cary Hiroyuki Tagawa (Krull). Meanwhile the lines outside were already forming for the Sony presentation highlighted by the clips director Sam Raimi was bringing from his film, SPIDER-MAN. Before that though it was back outside to get STARGATE SG-1 star Michael Shanks, who is extremely rare because he is a Canadian actor that doesn't make it to California that often.

Back inside the large room Producers, Writers, directors Glen Morgan and James Wong was showing off their upcoming opus, THE ONE with Jet Li. Adjacent to this room was the panel on the newly restored director's edition of STAR TREK: THE MOTION PICTURE unlike the STAR WARS films there have been no changes that would effect the plot of the film. It has merely been tweaked here and there or rather "finished" to make the film look better when it makes its' release on DVD. The footage I saw was wonderful but wait Spidey is next door and back into the room I went where a bizarre looking fellow stood waiting by the side of the stage, it was actor Richard Cetrone dressed up like his character Big Daddy Mars from John Carpenter's upcoming GHOST OF MARS film. Standing next to Cetrone was one of the film's other stars Joanna Cassidy best known as a replicant in BLADE RUNNER. But where was John Carpenter? Apparently he was stuck in traffic on the 405, leaving the actors to vamp alone onstage. Let me tell you it was not a pretty sight, I mean the crowd was turning ugly because the only thing they cared about that day was SPIDER-MAN and when Carpenter finally did show up I even heard a fan yell, "Carpenter sucks." I think the final straw was when Carpenter asked if the crowd wanted to see the trailer again and they unanimously chanted "NO!!" with "Spider-man, Spider-man!!" screamed afterwards. Sam came up to the podium trying so desperately to get a laugh by playing with his tie in a schtick that was embarrassing to watch. He then introduced a small clip but with no sound!!! This got the crowd into a frenzy as the scene looked to involve the Green Goblin I thought there would be a riot but thankfully the audience kept its' composure as Sam showed Peter Parker's origin instead. The presentation was a success and left the crowd salivating for more. I could honestly say that SPIDER-MAN will be next Spring's biggest hit.

But what's this Steve Sansweet of Lucas Film, Inc. is next door with behind the scenes footage from STAR WARS: EPISODE 2 and although I missed most of it I take solace in knowing that I can see the encore of it tomorrow.

So then after a brief break it was time to take what little strength I could muster to head to the always entertaining Mark Altman panel this years' theme was "Writing for Science Fiction Television and Film" with his standard stable of prolific writers. Each writer had brought clips from their current shows and commented on them answering questions and offering their advice on how to work within the industry. It was a most informative panel and think a lot of future writers learned a lot of how the industry works.

And that was how the day shaped out, I packed up my gear called my wife Maya on my cellphone and she had a three course meal waiting for me from room service, we rounded off the night with a trip to the pool with our youngins Christina and Kyle and hit the hay for the final day!

Moderator Mark A. Altman (FREE ENTERPRISE and THE SPECIALS) along with his band of "merrymen" lead the "Writing in Television" panel comprised of left to right Kay Rendl, Robert Meyer Burnett, Jason Pritchett, Gabrielle Stanton backrow Steve Koizere, Javier Grillo Maxursch, Altman, Dan Vebber, Steve Melching and Harry Werksman.	Headling at the Inkworks booth was Andy Hallett the demon karaoke singer from the WB's ANGEL
Andy Hallett judges fans singing karaoke including this ensemble featuring Darth Vader	Stalking the crowd was Big Daddy Mars from the upcoming John Carpenter film THE GHOST OF MARS
Having to stall the audience while John Carpenter was fighting traffic actor Richard Cetrone came in full make-up as villain Big Daddy Mars	Our favorite comic book store proprietor Bill Liebowitz of GOLDEN APPLE COMICS on Melrose hangs out with "his people."
New cast member Brandy Ledford of THE INVISIBLE MAN shares her work experiences on the set	On the PLANET OF THE APES panel, Cary Hiroyuki Tagawa explains the vigors of ape school, 6hr make-up sessions and a hot costume playing the ex-ape general Krull.
Cary Hiroyuki Tagawa diligently signs PLANET OF THE APES memorabilia at the Dark Horse booth	Dan Vebber (FUTURAMA) follows the lifestyle of robot Bender and shares those tips on the "Writing for Sci-Fi Television and Film" panel
Meeting their fans at the SCI-FI booth was the cast of THE INVISIBLE MAN that coincidently films in San Diego, CA.	Eddie Jones of THE INVISIBLE MAN basks in the praise from the fans
Caught roaming the halls at Comic-Con was Elijah Wood star of long awaited adaptation of THE LORD OF THE RINGS.	Writing partners Gabrielle Stanton and Harry Werksman (THE INVISIBLE MAN) share their unique working style as husband and wife
Fan favorite and my own personal favorite artist George Perez handles penciling chores at the new CrossGen Comics	Glen Morgan & James Wong give a glimpse of their Jet Li action/Sci-Fi thriller THE ONE at the Sony presentation.
Fans of THE INVISIBLE MAN show off similar tattoos worn by the show's protagonist	Jason Pritchett received his fair share of ribbing for distributing the Sci-Fi fiasco BATTLEFIELD EARTH
Javier Grillo Maxursch (THE CHRONICLE) is happier producing content rather than purchasing it for networks	BABYLON 5's own Michael Girabaldi or rather ex-stockbroker JERRY DOYLE was in good spirits despite being mistaken for Bruce Willis
John Carpenter makes no apologies for his less than stellar films and stands up for his underrated ones like, INTO THE MOUTH OF MADNESS	Director John Carpenter gets cozy with his GHOST OF MARS villain Big Daddy Mars at the autograph area
BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER creator Joss Whedon promises the return of Buffy however she'll be forever changed by the event of her death	Joss Whedon signs copies of his first comic FRAY at the Dark Horse booth, the first issue sold out immediately!
I remember when I first saw Julia Nickson in RAMBO: FIRST BLOOD wow what a babe!	The ladies of Sci-Fi, Erin Gray (BUCK ROGERS), Julie Caitlin Brown (BABYLON 5) and Julia Nickson (BABYLON 5)
Julie Strain brings the Amazonian princess, Wonder Woman to life	Writer Kay Reindl (MILLENIUM) talks about the few woman writers in Sci-Fi television.
Castmembers Mark Rolston, Jeanette Goldstein and Rico Ross from the James Cameron's ALIENS make their first appearance at Comic-Con	Michael McCafferty of the show THE INVISIBLE MAN talks about his torture on set at the hands of castmate Paul Ben Victor
Michael Shanks of the Showtime cable show STARGATE SG-1 proudly displays his button
Richard Cetrone aka Big Daddy Mars gives his autograph for those daring enough to ask	Director Robert Meyer Burnett (FREE ENTERPRISE) gives aspiring filmmakers personal tips on making a film come to life
STAR TREK THE MOTION PICTURE's director Robert Wise along with his creative staff preview the newly restored scenes for the upcoming release of the DVD	Robert Wise rests easily now that his vision has finally made its' way onto his finished film
STAR TREK THE MOTION PICTURE's director Robert Wise along with his creative staff preview the newly restored scenes for the upcoming release of the DVD.	SPIDER-MAN director Sam Raimi brought along a clip of his upcoming film, unfortunately the sound was damaged causing major disappointment in the overcapacity auditorium. However he does assure fans that both his brother Ted Raimi and Bruce Campbell will have cameos.
Just prior to his SPIDER-MAN panel, director Sam Raimi stopped by the Marvel booth to sign autographs	Shannon Kenny, who plays The Keeper on The Invisible Man was brave enough to give the fans "The happy dance" much to the pleasure of her husband actor Nestor Carbonell (SUDDENLY SUSAN, THE TICK) who was sitting in the front row.
Writer Steve Kroizere (V.I.P) displayed the benefits of writing for Pamela Anderson as he laid ala natural in a scene where he goes for a penis enlargement	Steve Melching (THE BIG GUY AND RUSTY) spoke of the challenges of writing for Saturday Morning cartoons, keeping it safe and clean while still entertaining.
Producer Tom DeSanto kept a low profile while viewing what the studios had to offer, he has the luxury of not having THE X-MEN as this Summer's big movie. Right now he has BATTLESTAR GALACTICA on his plate, may the Lords of Kobol be on his side!	A convention highlight the arrival of Traci Lords to promote the comic adaptation of the Sci-Fi Channel's FIRST WAVE.
FIRSTWAVE star Traci Lords displays her wares.	Moderator Mark A. Altman put the television writer's feet to the fire
A hearty applause for his castmates, Vincent Ventresca anxiously awaits his call.	And there he is to thunderous applause the star of THE INVISIBLE MAN, Vincent Ventresca!!!!!!!
Warwick Davis an alumni of both George Lucas tales WILLOW and STAR WARS is engrossed in meeting his fans.	COMIC CON PART 3!!!

To Purchase Any Of These Pictures, Click Here! (photos will not have watermark when purchased)