Comicdom Con 2009: Moments #3

Having posted Day 2 of the Comicdom Con at the relevant blog, it’s time I finish up the subject here as well, with another set of photos of familiar visitors from our bustling, Greek J-community. I know you are all waiting for the pictures from Akai Panda’s mega-cool Cosplay Party, but cut ol’ Speedy some slack: it’s only Monday and this is going to be a big one indeed! A first round of kudos to Camus, Glastenen and Namida, here as well, since the bulletin probably got lost pretty soon.

At any rate, back to our people attending Comicdom Con. Ikimashou!

Arriving at the Con, Day 2: first encounter, L(llie) at the Comicdom Press booth!

On the ground floor, around the comic shop booths and various editions booths, I also met a flustered Accela ("Eeetooo...")...

...the smiling and ever-bubbly Usagi-chan. (Speedy: "Usa-chaaan!" Usagi: "Nyaaa")...

...as well as a long-lost face, Sad Carnival Freak (here with ero-KOM, wearing Alan Moore's Seal of Approval).

Terro-Zauk was also there for nearly all of the second day, as was Kami.

At some point I also spotted and greeted Namida, who left a (paw-) mark behind (well done!).

Nerethil, Marilou and company also came by, en masse and were convinced to indulge my photographic addiction (except for Pakis, grrrr)...

...in the funniest possible way! (*dies laughing and coughing blood*)

In time, I also came upon Phantom Duck and Vegetasmate (oi, doll, eyes open!)...

(There we go, flash those teeth at me.)

Although, initially, Vegetas mate comissioned a sketch from Asaph-chan, pretty soon...

...she joined her, creating some artwork of her own. See, it was scenes like these that made the Con feel really homey.

I think that is about it. If you go over to Comicdom.gr, you will probably see some more familiar faces here and there, as well as notice the complete absence of die-hard Spider-man fan, Ed Elric, who had proclaimed he would be at the Con 12 hours straight (not that I blame him, given where he was, mind you, but I just needed to jab him a bit – hehehe). He DID make an effort and finally came to the after-party though. As for me, the only thing I regret is missing Shiverspine’s big gig at TEXAS Club, although I am sure they did perfectly marvelous. All you have to wait for now, is the report on Akai Panda’s party (I will try and not take too long – boy scout’s honor!).

Till then, keep strong,

Speedgrapher

Comicdom Con 2009: Moments #2

As we are gearing towards Akai Panda’s party, the day after tomorrow, I must get a few things posted before I stuff my camera full of cosplay again. You would think that ol’ Speedy was the only one, from our bustling community of Japanese culture afficionados, to attend Comicdom Con 2009. Well, nay! Over the two days I spent at the convention, many familiar, warm faces showed up, some even coming back from the northwest of Europe!  Just the first day, look what the bear dragged in:

First off, there was the whole group of Nikmer, Xander, Fle-chan, Raziel & Velvet Vortex, Niovi aaaaand... NickUnknown back from Scotland for the Easter Holiday!

Asaph-chan and Mai-chan: so different and yet more similar than you'd think (they are both a million laughs, to begin with...).

My very own self with Asaph (one of the very few pictures of me that I like - way to go Mai-rin!).

"Thanh has left the building, ladies!"

Fle-chan and the long tortured Zauk (yes, that hair is YET another accident - no he did not suddenly turn Skinhead).

Sokail and the "oh-so-mysterious" shinobi. Or is it a cowled anarchist inside the Greek-AMERICAN Association?!! Aaaaa!

At the end of Day 1 of the Con, Asaph had a triple identity as Kira, Comicdom member AND artist! MPD anyone?

There will be a third post, with more guest appearances on Day 2 and even more wackiness than allowed by most international laws! Wait for it!

Cheerio,

Speedgrapher

Comicdom Con 2009: Moments #1

Hello again everyone! I know I have been quiet over the past week but Science Theater and a convention will do that to you… In fact, I am working on some things lost in the backlogs but I have not done enough to warrant a post. As I said when I first posted the announcement for Comicdom Con, it is not strictly related to Japanese culture, but tied as it is the world of comic books, therefore also manga and anime, it is hardly irrelevant.

This convention was, I believe, by far the best of the four we’ve done to date (although I reserve a place for the first one – first things always seem more magical somehow), with a multitude of high moments (and some low). I believe the most memorable are those when you share instants of fun with people you are fond of, regardless of tiredness, problems showing along the way that tend to foul the mood and so on and so forth. The picture you see below is the product of one such moment, or rather a series thereof.

During my breaks from photo or presentation duties at the convention, I spent quite a bit of time with Asaph-chan (a.k.a. Eru or Eri) who, as anyone who has met her can attest (and if they don’t, they should!), is an incredibly fun person. I may say I am tired, but she had been busting her @$$ at her day job all week before the convention and she had to go to work Monday morning, starting the grueling days of extended working hours for the Easter vacation. Expectedly, her mood had been spiraling slowly donwards and yet she was still drawing things for anyone who cared to ask her (nicely). So at some point, while we are slowly rotting away on the steps at the Comicdom Press stand, the time had come for me to go take pictures of the convention’s penultimate event. Before I left, I asked her if she could draw me something, provided she had the time and energy.

Asaph: “Yeah man, no problem. What would you like?”

Speedgrapher: “Remember that Japanese commercial sketch you had done, with me as the furry telemarketer? Well, try and do a sort of sequel to that.”

Asaph: “Yeah but, I mean, do you have anything specific in mind?

Speedgrapher: “Last time you made me laugh to death all on you own. Just fire away and don’t restrain yourself on my account!”

Asaph: “OK…”

When I got back to our stand, this is what she had come up with (I suggest you click on the link above first, so that you can get the full scope of the joke)…

Personally, I find it hilarious and in case you are wondering, yes, Asaph-chan is one of those fun people I am fond of.

Arigatou,

Speedgrapher