Saturday, July 22
10:30 a.m.: Jorge Garcia and Daniel Dae Kim take a seat at the table during their panel. For the uninitiated, that’s Hurley and Jin from ABC’s “Lost.” They preview some excerpts from the “Lost” season two DVD box set, as well as discuss (but basically reveal nothing from) the popular show’s third season. The biggest reveal, however, was the release of the “Lost” figurines by McFarlane Toys. Charlie, Jack, Kate, Shannon, Locke and Hurley have all been immortalized as action figures, complete with props that go with their storylines (for example, Kate comes with an airplane). It’s too creepy for me: the likeness between the characters and the dolls, especially Hurley, is a little too close for comfort.
12:45 p.m.: Mike Mignola, most widely known for being the author/artist of the Hellboy series, is signing at his booth, so my friends and I quickly get in line. I’m mad that I didn’t bring any of my trade paperbacks, so I buy a print from the booth. Mignola quickly sketches Hellboy for me and signs it. It’s worth the wait.
4 p.m.: Saturday is the busiest day of the Con, but also the best because there are tons of people in costume. While sitting and resting, I run into several people dressed in character. Among my favorites was Batman, who was wearing a homemade costume. Due to the amount of black duct tape and vinyl, he was sweating profusely and drenching anyone who would pose with him. There were also two Klingons from “Star Trek,”one who bore an astounding resemblance to Burt Reynolds. The two performed a play called the “Klingon Way of Life.” However, they assured me that they are normal people during the day: dressing up as Klingons is just a weekend activity. In fact, one works for Toyota auto maintenance and the other is an accountant.
5:45 p.m.: Rumor had it that there was going to be a huge unveiling dealing with one of my favorite bands and my favorite comic book publisher, Dark Horse. I head over to the booth, only to find out that Gerard Way from My Chemical Romance is working with Gabriel Ba on a comic series called “The Umbrella Academy.”
I got in line with the rest of the people, mostly gothic-looking teens, with the hope that I could ask Way a couple questions about the new series. I was aware that he was an intern for comic goliath DC Comics before, so I’m sure the quality of the work will be good. He tells me that his biggest influences were Grant Morrison’s Run on “Doom Patrol” and films along the lines of “Amelie” and “City of Lost Children.” Way had designed all the characters and written the stories himself while killing time on tour and was excited to work with Dark Horse, which was one of his favorite publishers since the release of the “Alien” comic book series.
Sunday, July 23
12:30 p.m.: I dedicate the last day of the Con to getting all the free stuff I can carry. Before I know it, I’ve got shirts promoting “Hot Fuzz,” which is the new release from Edgar Wright, Simon Pegg and Nick Frost from “Shaun of the Dead,” “Battlestar Galactica,” and a company that gave me a shirt for naming a videogame with comic book heroes in it (“Marvel vs. Capcom,” anyone?). Comic-Con is great for getting new stuff, including Harry Potter key chains, a make-your-own “Snakes on a Plane” T-shirt kit and a Sci-Fi Channel superhero cape. I don’t really know what I’ll do with this junk, but it’s free so I’ll take it.
2 p.m.: As tradition dictates, I go to Nordstrom’s Café for lunch each day of Comic-Con. While walking there, what I can’t comprehend is that there is still an extremely long line wrapping around half of the convention center, even with just three hours remaining on the final day. Sunday is traditionally the slow day, so it is mind-boggling to me that there are so many people still in line just to buy memorabilia, most of which is gone already.
5 p.m.: Comic-Con 2006 is officially over, though to the frustrations of the frazzled announcer, no one seems to realize it. Personally, my favorite part about this year’s announcer is that she shuts off the lights promptly five minutes after closing, causing the Convention Hall to go pitch black and leaving only the light of the open exit doors as a guide. Maybe it’s just one of those things that are funny if you’re in attendance, and of course, I will be there again next year.