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Supanova Sunday
Have been to the Supanova Expo and come back, with head buzzing. Lots of T-shirts, paraphernalia from various comic universes and tv shows, jewellery, even a few books, weirdly costumed persons and wrestlers. The crowding in the pavilion was very intense, more so than any regular convention I've been to and even LAX. Still, nobody seemed to be in a hurry or pushed or anything. When somebody wanted to take a photo of some group of characters (?) everyone just stopped moving until that was done. Anybody wanting some actor's autograph had to be REALLY patient, judging by the length of those lines.
I got to chat with Adrian Bedford at his guest stall and saw Bevan Guinness briefly. I know other writers were there but was unable to pick them out of the crush. Adrian's book Time Machines Repaired While U-Wait was, in fact, the only thing I bought there, as all the T-shirts seemed to be $30 and I didn't like them THAT much. I look forward to reading the book, time travel is a fun subject. You know, when one thinks about it, just about every book featuring a time machine features one that has malfunctioned in some way. Did you think about that before writing the book, Adrian? Even the Doctor's TARDIS often ends up elsewhere than intended.
I watched a bit of a wrestling match - okay, Chris, I guess you could say they're popular culture - but it was more like a martial arts class. The two combatants were quite skinny for wrestlers; I'd expect somebody more like Jesse [The Body] Ventura. So I moved on.
The most tempting T-shirt for me was "Ask me about MY zombie plan!" and featuring an automatic pistol of some variety. I also liked the "And Buffy staked Edward. The End." But again, not $30 each worth of like. The atmosphere was very hyped, however, and I think a lot of those merchandisers were doing very well. I'm just cynical.
I think I was there for about two hours until the crowds and noise got too much and I headed home, stopping off for a burger before getting back to take care of various jobs here at home.
I got to chat with Adrian Bedford at his guest stall and saw Bevan Guinness briefly. I know other writers were there but was unable to pick them out of the crush. Adrian's book Time Machines Repaired While U-Wait was, in fact, the only thing I bought there, as all the T-shirts seemed to be $30 and I didn't like them THAT much. I look forward to reading the book, time travel is a fun subject. You know, when one thinks about it, just about every book featuring a time machine features one that has malfunctioned in some way. Did you think about that before writing the book, Adrian? Even the Doctor's TARDIS often ends up elsewhere than intended.
I watched a bit of a wrestling match - okay, Chris, I guess you could say they're popular culture - but it was more like a martial arts class. The two combatants were quite skinny for wrestlers; I'd expect somebody more like Jesse [The Body] Ventura. So I moved on.
The most tempting T-shirt for me was "Ask me about MY zombie plan!" and featuring an automatic pistol of some variety. I also liked the "And Buffy staked Edward. The End." But again, not $30 each worth of like. The atmosphere was very hyped, however, and I think a lot of those merchandisers were doing very well. I'm just cynical.
I think I was there for about two hours until the crowds and noise got too much and I headed home, stopping off for a burger before getting back to take care of various jobs here at home.
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But there was some wonderful costuming going on. As I was on ym way into the Showgrounds, I saw some young ladies dressed as Arthur Dent and Ford Prefect and got into a conversation with them. Apparently they had a number of costumes on them; they planned to get into new ones later in the day. One Year 12 girl I saw last year at Armageddon con had prepared a magnificent costume based on the heroine of Pirates Of The Caribbean - she'd spent about six months on it! I advised her to check out the Costumers' Guild.
I do go to the Armageddon conventions each year, with a friend, and yes, it does get noisy. Last year was something of a disappointment; they used to have speakers in small rooms upstairs, but this time everything was happening in the hall and Sylvester McCoy and Sophie Aldred had to compete with the noise of the wrestling going on somewhere else! They did very well considering, but still, it spoiled the session and I was embarrassed on behalf of Aussie conventions.
Next year you might like to attend in company; if you hate the noise you can go off somewhere an have a cuppa and lunch. It's still loud, but in company you can have a good grumble. ;-)
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Re comics, all I know about are Elfquest, X Men (to a minor degree) and Sandman.
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But I have a first edition of the first colour volume...
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We must have just missed each other ...
They were using both halls of Robinson (well, the northern one is really Silver Jubilee...) and it helped a lot. Apparently last year they only used the lower hall and it was too packed. It wasnt so crowded - around the entrance was a bit full, but here was plenty of empty space between 10:30 and midday-ish - there were a large groups of people arriving by train every half an hour or so though and it was pretty crowded outside when I left. (I have been to more crowded events there ...)
They had to move the Tom Felton meet as about half the people at the expo wanted to see him - the line went across the top of the upper floor twice, down the zigzag, and then folded back on itself multiple times on the lower floor until it was level with the first stalls. They were letting them into the eastern half of the upper floor in batches of ten until the chairs were full. The volunteers were keeping everyone under control - extremely well. Everyone was being very civilised.
Most of the other signing stations had three races (not all full) - at 12-ish they were moderately full and were moving fairly steadily. There were some authors and graphic artists on the lower floor doing really well. Kevin J Anderson was signing at Dymocks when I arrived. I got the impression not too many people knew who he was ....:) Dymocks were doing a good deal for job lots of all the books they had - unfortunately I cant say I was all that interested in them, even at $7-$10 each.
I also didnt see any Tshirts that grabbed me. There was some wonderful jewellery being sold by two japanese girls - all their own work and very beautiful. Oddly enough the gaming areas were not as populated as you might expect. I too saw the beginning of the WWF bout - feather weight wrestlers dont really do it for me, even dressed up ... From what I saw through the doors, the seminars you had to pay for werent all that well patronised. But I wasnt there long, so it could have just been timing ...
There were several stalls demonstrating/selling graphics software - it is all getting extremely sophisticated and produces fantastic results.
Some of the costumes were amazing. A very good Kaylee balldress, the ghost-busters, innumerable stormtroopers a young woman dressed as the girl from Black Swan (clearly not a dancer :) ), the furry with a fox tail, lots of Wonderwomen, a sad-looking Pokemon, several attempts at different folk from Serenity, and several I know Im supposed to know but cant put a name to. :(
And some very dazed looking parents with small fans in tow :D Some parents were clearly going beyond the call of duty to be there.
There was coffee and food (better than standard rolls and sandwiches muffins etc - there may have been other stuff as I didnt check - usually they have burgers and other quickly prepared stuff as well) at both ends of the pavilion as for all conventions/fairs held there - you always have to queue but they move fairly quickly and timing your visit helps a lot. The coffee is passable for kiosk stuff. It is always a little more expensive than you would pay elsewhere, but not so youd notice too much. There are tables and chairs at both ends and they had the outside area open at the southern end.