My first day at Comic Con is over and I am almost beyond
capacity with sensory overload.
Today was packed with people and plans. Getting used to the
crowds is one thing but knowing when to line up for certain events takes some
work. Once I arrived I patrolled the exhibit hall and learned how things were
laid out. Between the Comic Con official program and banners signifying what is
where, the exhibit hall is a pretty easy place to navigate. I like that. When
walking the grounds though, you not only have to watch out for stepping on
peoples’ heels, but learn how to walk next to people wearing wings, top hats,
full-on robot gear and who knows what else is protruding from some characters.
It’s not the normal mall crowd I’m used to, but it is definitely more
entertaining.
Time was flying by though and I needed to choose some panels
to watch. A lot of the ones I wanted to see were around the same time but in
different areas. It’s also hard to know when you should show up to the scheduled
room to actually get a seat as they fill up fast.
But the time came to make compromises as well as sacrifices
and I wanted to see scenes from the new “Beavis and Butthead” show. Yes, be
forewarned, they are coming back. I showed up two hours early for this event and
was actually exposed to some really interesting panels while I waited. Time was
not wasted.
I learned how composers and producers come up with and create
the music for movies and television shows like Nickelodeon’s “Avatar,” Showtime’s
“Dexter” and several others.
Next, Jason Isaacs, Harry Potter’s Lucius Malfoy, won me over with his real personality, very
unlike the pureblood wizard, promoting the new NBC drama he stars in, “Awake.”
Finally “Beavis and Butthead” brought back childhood memories
and at the same time made fun of new MTV show “Jersey Shore” as their new format
critique more than just music videos. Mediated by MTV’s “Jackass” Johnny Knoxville
and the only panelist, creator Mike Judge, shared laughs with the audience and
gave fans more than they could ask for.
I stayed after the panel for the FX panel for their dark
comedy, “Wilfred.” Here they explored the psychological side of the show as
creator, Jason Gann and actor Elijah Wood answered questions about the show and
their characters.
It doesn’t take more than a day to realize the ups and downs
of getting through Comic Con, but I am not disappointed in the slightest. I was
emotionally and intellectually fulfilled by the opportunities to see the
artists behind all the work that is loved so much and the never-before-seen
sneak peeks. But more than anything I have learned to believe that Comic Con
really is here for the fans.
I have seen celebrities interviewed several times by
professional journalists but there usually isn’t a big difference between the
questions or the answers between each interview. There is something to promote
and they won’t be diverted from most likely from their publicists’ answer book.
But at Comic Con, it is easy to see the gratitude on the panelists’ faces as
they try hard to reach deep inside to answer their fan’s questions comprehensively.
Among the panels I went to, the people on the panels were amused, impressed and
sometimes speechless at the unprepared questions from the audience.
I’d like to say I worked hard today but I enjoyed myself too
much to believe that. My feet might say otherwise though.