The Comic Expo Strikes Back

If there is one thing, one event, that could perfectly describe me, it would be the Comic Expo. Why? Well, for one, I love comics. Namely Batman, because I have loved it since I was a little kid. Fun fact: Batman was my first word! Secondly, I love video games, and there is a lot of Zelda and Halo paraphernalia just waiting for a crazed fan like me. Thirdly, Star Wars. Enough said.

Today I spent the day at the annual Calgary Comic and Entertainment Expo with my mom (and fellow nerd), and my mind was blown. Walking into giant room full of pretty much everything I love is extremely overwhelming. I can't just go up to a booth, spot the first thing I like, and buy it. Oh no. I would be very poor if I did that. I'm very strategic about it. First, I have to look around and get a general idea of what all the vendors have, look for the best deals, decide if I can get this certain item at a local store anytime or if it's a one time thing. THEN I go crazy. There have been certain things that I have found that, at that particular time, I've felt I couldn't live without. Any die hard fan of anything would know what that's like.

For example; at last years convention, my friend and I casually grazed by a vendor selling replicas of swords and other sharp objects. She then just had to point out to me that they were selling the Master Sword. Now, at this point I have already spent about $150. This pushed that to $300. Because I don't buy things off the Internet, I knew this was a chance I had to take. And I'm glad I did it.

This year was not as spontaneous. However, my favorite purchase was a fantastic one. There is a book that I have had my eye on for a couple of years now, and whenever I would find it I either didn't have enough money or decided I could wait. It's called Force in the Flesh by Shane Turgeon, creator of www.tattoosandtoys.com. In this case, I met the author and he offered to sign the book for me AND throw in the set of Star Wars tattoo flash he was selling for free if I bought the book! WHAT!? But he also was selling an amazing t-shirt with a storm trooper helmet done in traditional tattoo style. I had to have it all. He was a very nice guy and certainly made my day.

Another amazing spectacle about the Comic Expo is all the guests. This year had a crazy line-up: Leonard Nimoy, Brent Spiner, Billy Dee Williams, Malcolm McDowell, Tony Todd, and more. Although I would have loved to meet any of these guests, I ran out of money, but I did get pictures from afar! One cool thing that happened was when my mom and I were just walking along, when I noticed a short guy holding a microphone with the Space channel logo on it. It was Teddy from Innerspace, a sort of after-show debate program where two guys talk about shows they air on on the network channel. I pointed at him, trying to silently exclaim his presence to my mom, when he saw me and said, "Hey!", and casually walked over to talk to us. He just asked us how the show was going, what we were doing there, and we talked about how my mom and I were wondering why he wasn't on Innerspace last night. It was pretty cool.

Then we left, because we figured that since I spent all my money, and we saw all the guests, and met a television show host; we have had a nerd overload. It gets better every year, and I am already in high anticipation for the next annual Comic Expo. Pictures to come tomorrow! Live long and prosper.