Back from the San Diego Comic Con and what an experience!!! WOW! There were a few highlights and particular experiences from it so let me classify them by topic;
*Note: Yes, I took pictures but I was stupid enough not to bring the digicam memory sticks, so I had to buy several Kodak cams at the hotel's store. ...*sigh*.... I'll post them later.
FROM PUERTO RICO TO SAN DIEGO
Man, what a long trip!! 8 HOURS!! Thank God I was traveling with my wife, otherwise it would've been pretty boring. Those who know me are aware that I don't like planes very much. And this was a pretty shaky flight for my stomach's delight.
The first stop was at Atlanta Georgia. As a Muppet fan, it was a magnificient surprise to find an original Muppet in exhibit at the airport. It was very old, back from the days where Jim Henson used to to ads with them, and this one was from a series of a Campbell soups advertising campaign.
Later we took the flight to San Diego. That's when the plane shook like a naked showgirl in Alaska! The captain said that there was a lot of smog that day and it was hard for the plane to get trough it.
So after a lot of praying and vomiting like a sick dog, we made it to sunny San Diego.
THE CON
I arrived very late on thursday, so I apologize to those who were looking for me that day. I made it to the Con like at 6:00 pm. We were kind of lost so we couldn't find the Alias booth until almost 6:30 pm. I met Mike, Brett, Everett and all da' broddah's from Alias. Cool dudes!
For the next 2 days I signed books at their booth from 12 pm to 2 pm and from 4 to 7 pm. Man! I didn't know so many people read my crap! I mean...come on!! Half naked girls and spanglish jokes? This should be illegal somewhere! It was my first experience in a Con outside Puerto Rico so it was awesome seeing people from all over the world asking questions about Yenny! It was a memorable experience!
I met a few people who has seen me online for almost 8 years! (Including the WB and DC Comics people for whom I've work all this years and never seen before)
Here's the people I met and who also been reading my silly stuff for years:
Frank Cho; whose first words for me was "cul**" y "tita". I of course, was kind enough to tell him the correct way to pronounce that last word. He told my wife; "Do you know what your husband is drawing, for heaven sakes!!??" He has always been a cool guy.
Maurice La Marche; This big guy is responsible for The Brain's voice. (from "Pinky and the Brain animated series") He performed The Brain at our booth saying: "I'll take over the world with Yenny!!" A very kind and talented friend!
Earl Kress; a friend for years. This remarkable man whose also a Looney Tunes comics writers, has also been a writer for shows like 'Animaniacs', 'Pinky and the Brain', 'Tiny Toons', and even work at the Disney classic, the Fox and the Hound!!! Here's his webpage:
www.mynameisearlkress.com Greg Hardin; I've known this talented guy for ages and he's a character designer for the great series Veggietales! After so many years we finally saw our faces! HA! My wife says he's my kid's hero!
Dean Yeagle; He has been an illustrator and animator for Disney and other major companies trough the yeras. His character Mandy is the "positive" version of Yenny, (She's white).
Sean and Jennifer Moore; Talented writers whom I've worked with. They write a lot of children's books including Looney Tunes and Clifford the Big Red Dog.
Jesse Leon Macc; Talented writer responsible of many Cartoon Network series!
Scott Shaw!: The man, the legend! Sorry I missed the panel, Scott, but I heard Sergio Aragones won the showdown! LOL!
I met a lot of comic makers, producers, and people whose name I can't remember now but they were all very kind and great!
Around those who I couldn't met but they send their hello's from their booths were Scott Kurtz, (who btw won the Eisner, Congrats, man!!), Paul Dini, Kyle Carroza, (WHERE WERE YOU, MAN???) and others.
FUNNY MOMENTS
I was surprised to find Lou Ferigno signing authographs at the front door. That particular day, I was in a hurry and couldn't take money out of the ATM, so my whole capital was $ 20. My wife said, "Hey, it's the Hulk" and started to film him with the cam. I noticed that he raised an eyebrow to us and continued signing. When I had a chance I went to him and said, "Hey, Lou! Can we take a picture with you?". But I didn't noticed a lil'sign that said; "Pictures and videos with Lou Ferigno, $20". He of coursed said in a deep voice...reeeaaally really mad.."WOULDN'T YOU RATHER PAY $20 BUCKS FOR IT??" And.....well....it was either that or lunch....so..
......I heard he turned out green and slammed the wall afterwards.
More funny moments happened with dressed up fans who stopped at the booth to 'perform" their characters. Like....klingons....yeah...
Brandon Routh, (The new Superman), appeared without notice and his fans attacked him..... literally.
We also had a breakfast with the DC people on Sunday. We had a great time. I finally met my lovely editor Joan Hilty!
AT THE END...
The last day we visited the San Diego Zoo, which smelled like King Kong's crap. It was a nice experience.....altough...it smelled like "Safari Park and Monoloro" togheter! (Sorry...puertorican joke!)
We went back to Puerto Rico at 10pm and arrived at 2pm. Because of the time zone, night at the plane lsted only 2 and a half hours. I saw the sun coming up at 10,000 feet on the air! I'm still sleepy....
Well, and that's it. I'm definitely going back next year! Hello to those who i met there!! Ke Dios me los Kuide!
Dave, the Red Bull and San Diego iced tea drinking dawg!
