furtech: (Fireworks)
furtech ([personal profile] furtech) wrote2006-07-24 08:23 pm

SDCC 2006

I love the San Diego ComiCon (but refuse to call it by its new name): it's a giant nerd-shopping mall! Yes, it's gotten too huge; yes, a lot of the little-guys have been squeezed out; yes, corporate wins over all...but still, it's THE COMICON!

arrive

Once again I took the Surfliner/Amtrak down and the trip was blissfully uneventful. Even the obnoxious, loud and loutish group of frat boys who decided to have a party on the train didn't spoil the trip. I arrived late Friday afternoon and met up with Martes, who had done pre-reconnaissance for me. She found a number of werewolf comics (though no toys this year) and we went off to gather them. Saw [livejournal.com profile] cooner and set up a dinner date. Tried to see [livejournal.com profile] missmonstermel but she was off wandering the con in-costume. She's got bigger ones than me to creature-costume at SDCC! Between the heat and the crowds-- Wow! Even Galactus had trouble getting through the crowds!

I stayed at the Marriot Gaslamp Quarter Hotel: I thought this was a new construction, but [livejournal.com profile] cooner said it was the old Clarion re-modeled. I argued against that idea, only to discover on closer inspection that he was right! The Marriot Corp had done such a complete remodel I didn't recognize it! Now it's a really nice place to stay! Plus it has a view of Petco Park, home of the San Diego Padres . I almost called up Terrie Smith to see if she wanted to catch a game during the weekend, but the Pads were (ironically) up in San Francisco playing the Giants that weekend.

The con has transitioned from a large comic book dealer's room to a huge media fest. The studios spend a LOT of money on booths and displays here-- the Samual Jackson/Snakes on a Plane panel was the hit of the con (and Samual Jackson seemed to have a really good time). There was a lot of free loot this year-- really nice things like an LED fan, a maglight and Cartoon Networks' 5X7 sketchbook with the CN logo on the cover. I was amused a group of the shortest Predator-aliens that I've ever seen at the Sideshow (fancy maquettes) booth.

snakesvoltpred

And of course there were all the things I wanted to buy, but couldn't (either because of price or unavailability). Minotaurs were the species of choice this year-- all kinds of models, toys and art from independent sources to Narnia to Worlds of Warcraft, as well as a WoW collectible card game. There was a cute Lassie maquette at the Sideshow booth (not out yet); that and a Rin-Tin-Tin would make great bookends! There was a neat sculpture of Naruto w/Kyuubi demon as well (pic for [livejournal.com profile] tsukinobara).

toys

[identity profile] mistahbojangles.livejournal.com 2006-07-25 03:28 am (UTC)(link)
Awww! Cute Lassie / Cody dog! Is this just cashing in on memorabilia or is there a new use of the Lassie character?

I miss comicon... so much fun!

[identity profile] furtech.livejournal.com 2006-07-25 08:22 am (UTC)(link)
New-use of Lassie! Not out yet (I think it's from Sideshow). Missed you guys too! There was a definite lack of people to hang out with.

[identity profile] waynekaa.livejournal.com 2006-07-25 04:07 am (UTC)(link)
do i smell a minotaur in your future?

[identity profile] furtech.livejournal.com 2006-07-25 08:23 am (UTC)(link)
Been planning/designing a minotaur for a while now...was hoping to make a pair of them for the next Blizzcon (World of Warcraft), but that seems to have been a one-shot convention. Next time there's need of a minotaur-- I'm THERE!

[identity profile] waynekaa.livejournal.com 2006-07-25 04:47 pm (UTC)(link)
well actually.......

[identity profile] skorzy.livejournal.com 2006-07-25 04:10 am (UTC)(link)
Here's to hoping "Snakes on a Plane" isn't as big a schlock fizzle like "Eight Legged Freaks".

[identity profile] martes.livejournal.com 2006-07-25 04:52 am (UTC)(link)
I actually went to the panel and saw the 10 minute clip. Don't expect accurate snake behavior, but if you want to see a lot of people screaming and getting bitten by snakes, then the movie's for you.

[identity profile] nduli.livejournal.com 2006-07-25 12:23 pm (UTC)(link)
I have that giant collectors edition Voltron(gift from a very generous friend)and it's f'ing awesome!

[identity profile] furtech.livejournal.com 2006-07-25 04:24 pm (UTC)(link)
Is that the Trendmaster's version or the Toynami version? I'm trying to figure out what the difference between the two is.

[identity profile] nduli.livejournal.com 2006-07-25 04:32 pm (UTC)(link)
The one I have is the Toynami version which came out about a year or two ago. I'm not sure what the differences are other than size(mine stands about 1' 1/2') and the packaging, the one I have comes is a package shaped like a large book and the figures are packed into little drawers that slide out. It's also super articulated, they have necks so the heads swivel like they do in the cartoon, the legs are fully jointed with a fairly full range of movement. They really look great and are extremely durable.

I had one of the 90's Trendmasters('tis gone)and it was a lot like the old Matchbox set. Nice but not completely on-model, about a foot tall maybe a bit less, limited articulation. A good set but the Toynami one looks like it stepped out of the cartoon.

[identity profile] furtech.livejournal.com 2006-07-25 07:51 pm (UTC)(link)
Ooooh...you got the *good* one! I've seen the Toynami version and it's mighty nice...I goggle at the one in the display case at Anime Jungle every time I go there.

[identity profile] c-eagle.livejournal.com 2006-07-25 12:56 pm (UTC)(link)
hehheh! everyone likes that repeating circle architectural view from the escalator :D !

[identity profile] furtech.livejournal.com 2006-07-25 04:28 pm (UTC)(link)
Yeah-- it makes any tourist's snapcam shot look like art! I think the San Diego Convention Center is one of the most beautiful I've ever been in. The only two things they dropped the ball on was not taking more advantage of being right on the ocean and, of course, -parking-! Good seeing you there! If I'd known you were going, I would have tried to drag you off to grab food earlier.

[identity profile] c-eagle.livejournal.com 2006-07-26 01:36 am (UTC)(link)
*nodsabout the problem running out of space too*
I'd hate to see 'em move also..
and honestly, seriously.. they have options.
The Convention center can still build out some, up some, or even go DOWN some.. it wouldn't be that difficult.. I wish they'd get started so it'll be ready next year :D

[identity profile] spunkywulf.livejournal.com 2006-07-25 01:13 pm (UTC)(link)
I gotta get out there one of these years! I still have the lovely special edition Guile figure you scored me from last year, collector's item he is! *cuddles* Thank you again for sharing the wealth. Will you be at MFF?

[identity profile] furtech.livejournal.com 2006-07-25 04:30 pm (UTC)(link)
Maybe on MFF: with Conifur gone, there's no conflict. I'm talking to Steve to see if he wants to go.

I saw something I -almost- got for you this year, but it'll be in the next con report...

[identity profile] dustmeat.livejournal.com 2006-07-25 05:47 pm (UTC)(link)
Was anyone dressed as a Warcraft Troll?

[identity profile] furtech.livejournal.com 2006-07-25 07:53 pm (UTC)(link)
I'm not sure: there were a few troll-ish costumes, but they could have been from any number of things (Narnia, D&D, Warhammer, WoW, EQ). Nothing worth taking a pic of, though.

[identity profile] tsukinobara.livejournal.com 2006-07-25 11:23 pm (UTC)(link)
Aww...yay Kyuubi! Thanks.

[identity profile] awelkin.livejournal.com 2006-07-26 12:05 am (UTC)(link)
We too have stayed at the Gaslamp, and really liked it.

Catherine