So went down to Supanova on Saturday. The line was out the front door, up the street, around the corner, down the road behind the full length of the showground, around two more corners, and up the next road. I keep saying every year I'll buy tickets from Ticketek but I'm ABSOLUTELY doing that next year. To Daniel's credit though, he came out and walked the line speaking to people, and then opened another entrance for people to come in through, so the line got moving pretty quickly. We got there at 11 and it opened at 10, so the line was pretty massive. Place was packed as usual, and despite the recession, seemed to be doing a good trade. Shame we weren't able to get a booth for New Ground this year, but I caught up with Daniel briefly and said "hi". Hopefully next time things will be better and Jeremy can get a booth, otherwise I might ask some of the local dudes if they want to go in on a booth and do something myself. Had a few more ideas for art, and feeling motivated again after seeing stuff on Artists Alley.Micky wanted to go see Hayden Panatierre. She'd been waiting since last year when there were hints she was coming. She saved up her money from cleaning the neighbours car, and queued up, paying extra for the photo with her (unsigned too! - $50 for a photo, with another $40 for signature. Micky reckoned the usual signed photos were pre-signed too; Also Security were stopping people from taking pictures of her). She was gutted when she came back. Hayden wouldn't speak to her. She got shoved in and told to "Stand here". Took her picture, and pushed out the door. She said next time, she will just spend her money at the shops on geeky things. I felt bad that she was so disappointed. Then I was surprised to see the article in the Courier Mail on Sunday (http://tinyurl.com/da7gdm), complaining about Hayden's prima donna behaviour. Celebs need to remember that this is a PR exercise for them, and be friendly and gracious. These people have spent time and money to come here and see them because they admire their work - if you can't be gracious and pleasant then don't bother coming. Obviously it's just about the money or opportunity to travel. I said to her, at least she had an experience with this person, even if it's not what she was hoping for - I'm not sure it made a difference though.
The video games were a hit with Beeb though (the new Ghostbusters game looks amazing!), the wrestling, and free Laserstrike game was also good stuff. A little annoyed with Atari demonstrating the Afro Samurai game. Apparently it's okay for an eight-year-old to stand there and watch the game for 30 minutes, but when it's time to have a turn he can't play it because it's rated 15 years and over. Hmmm but it's okay to watch the violence? Just can't cause the violence?? WTF?!
Saw a few artists on Artists Alley pushing their own anthology books. Jon Sommariva's stuff looked great. Had a good look at the Cintiq and tablets on the Wacom booth - nice conversation with the Wacom lady about the tablets. Didn't find Todd McFarlane - where the hell was he? Went to see Jhonen Vasquez - crushing disappointment! The queue to meet him and have something signed went across the con, out the door, and around the corner of the building!! WTF?! Went to join the queue, but they closed the line when I got there and so I was rejected! Really annoyed because he was the only celeb I specifically wanted to see. Don't worry Jhonen! I don't blame you though. Obviously the organisers underestimated his popularity as he wasn't placed somewhere that catered very well with the queue. Perhaps they can get him back again. I had to placate myself with his Fillerbunny 3 book instead (and I have enjoyed the sick and disturbing artwork again and again).
Not really many deals going on merchandise - pretty much all the same kind of prices you get if you walk into the comic shop right now. So didn't really pickup anything much - got a cool mini movie poster of AVP2 from Japan which was quite striking - it's gone up on my studio wall.
Left about 5 o'clock because the parking says closed at 5:15 sharply! Bit stupid, considering the con doesn't close till 6?!
So in summary, had a great day, couple of niggles, but still enjoyed the mass gathering of geekiness. Saw some fabulous costumes, and everyone was very friendly and polite.
