Toronto Weekend- Sunday, August 24, 2008

After a real Canadian breakfast (at Tim Horton's) we went separate ways. Julie dropped Scott off at Fan Expo at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre, right next to the CN Tower. Then, the three girls headed out to the Toronto Zoo.

Scott's Day:

I got tickets in advance and got to the Convention Centre early mainly because I wanted to get the autograph of Alex Ross. If there is anything like a rock star level celebrity among comic book artists today it is him. I've loved his work for a long while. He's so popular, though, that you had to get a special ticket in order to stand in line for another special ticket to even get to meet him. I bought the "Deluxe" ticket rather than the regular admission price to get that chance. I got there at 8:30 AM to stand in line, even though the doors wouldn't open until 11:00. I stood for another half hour inside, but finally scored a ticket for his 2:00 signing.

I was near the Hollywood celebrities, and bought a picture of Brent Spiner (Data from Star Trek- The Next Generation) and waited in line to get his autograph. I didn't realize until I had waited for almost a half an hour and was nearly the next person in line that he was charging for his signature. I don't begrudge him the amount he was asking-- after all, it's a free market, and the other non-comics celebrities seemed to be doing the same thing. But, I do wish I had known before I waited so long. Anyway, I ponied up and paid him. I wasn't sure what Sean Astin might be asking (He played Sam in the Lord of the Rings), so I didn't wait in his line, even though I bought his picture to be signed.

I took a moment for lunch, and then went to wait for "A Conversation with Dan DiDio." Last year, I spent too much time waiting in lines, and didn't take time to attend panels. I made time for that this year, and chose a fun, laid-back one. Dan DiDio is the Executive Editor of DC Comics, but he wasn't plugging his company at this panel. He just wanted to lead a discussion about why people liked comics- What their first comic book was and how they got it; What they look for when they buy comics today; What the strangest comic story they remember is. It was a nice, reflective break in the day.

Dan DiDio's panel let out at 2:00, and I went to where Alex Ross was signing. The line was already gigantic, even though only people who had gotten tickets previously were allowed in it. Also, it was very slow moving, apparently because Mr. Ross was being very friendly and chatting with everybody. Julie was supposed to pick me up at 5:00, but after 3 hours in line, I hadn't had my chance yet. The guys in line behind me were kind enough to hold my spot as I ran out to tell her what the situation was. It was another half hour before I got my favorite books signed. The people from Fan Expo were helping him move the crowd along a little faster, but they were still kind enough to take a picture of me with him. The day was over then, and I made my way outside to look for Julie and the girls.

Julie, Anna, and Emma's Day:

We went to the zoo. We touched some stingrays. Emma said they were soft and Anna said they felt like rubber. We walked through the kangaroo pen. One kangaroo came close and scared us. The hippo had a shiney bum. Anna took lots of pictures. It was fun.

We got rained on. Anna went to the waterpark. We were at the zoo for five hours.