2010 San Diego Comic Con, Milo Manara and Haunted Hotels

I've finally pulled my thoughts together to write about this year SDCC. It was great!

But when has it never been so.

There was the usually variety of vendors but there were less items from Japan. A lot of it was DC comic action figures going for anywhere from $10 to $12 each. Bargains to be had if you were willing to walk the entire room. I did manage to pick up a nice "New Gods Mr Miracle" and a "Batman Selina Kyle" modeled after the animated series.

The studios weren't there in force as in past years. Aside from the Warner Bros tower, there wasn't any huge displays worth oohing over. Lots of monitors showing trailers and previews.

I attended a few of panels for the first time. On Thursday, I went to "Robotech: The First Quarter Century". Friday I attended "Spotlight on Chris Claremont". I originally went because Milo Manara was going to be a part of the panel though he ended up not being in it. It was still good. I especially loved watching and hearing Chris' wife coach him with answers from her seat in the audience. What's that song... "Happy Loving Couples Make It Look So Easy"...

The highlight for me was on Saturday when I finally got to meet and hear Milo Manara! I've been collecting his art books and comics for years. I think this was the first time in my life that I can say I was a fanboy at a convention. I sat right up front, watching him and listening to his interpreter. Took some pictures with him too!

Mentioning panels, I heard there was a stabbing with a pen at a panel over seats. Doesn't surprise me. As I mentioned, this was my first year attending panels and I have to say the seating is horrible in these rooms. When was the last time anyone actually looked at the size of the average person. Especially convention attendees. More often than not, one person needs a seat and a half to be comfortable but yet they are forcing people to sit one chair per person right next to each other and in some cases someone may not had bathed.

I actually took a picture with a girl who commented how clean I smelled and we laughed about it but she was serious. She said I wouldn't believe the body odors on some of the people who asked her to take a picture.

I seriously think the convention folks have to look and address the seating issue before these kind of attacks become the norm. And I know you can't make someone take a bath but still say it in the list of convention guide lines.

Another interesting development that is occurring not so much at the convention but in the neighborhood is at night. Women are coming out dressed in some incredibly sleazy outfits. I thought Halloween was crazy but what I saw on the streets in the gaslight area made Halloween seem tame. A cop even gave a girl a ticket for her lack of clothing. Personally, I love sexy, but there's a time and place for it, example, "The Adult Expo". This is comic con and there's children everywhere.

I didn't know this in advance, the hotel which I stayed in was haunted!

I stayed at the Horton Grand Hotel. I did noticed the look. It immediately reminded me of the hotel in The Shinning". The paintings and old photos on the wall add to a very strange look. At night though is when the place really comes to life. Quiet halls and areas where there's no lighting. You immediately get the feeling like you shouldn't go down into those areas.

There was one at the bottom of a stairs which stupid me decided to play a joke on someone and walked down into. Nothing happened but now that I know a little more about the place, it's not likely I'd ever do that again.

Over all, it's a great hotel, perfect for an event like this. And I plan on staying there again.

So now I've had my appetizer, I am ready for the main course...

DRAGON CON!