[Groop]Ruben's Con report.

[Ruben Arellano]

Well folks, I must say the Comic Con International was more impressive
than my expectations.  What value for your money ($45 for early
registrees).  Even if you *just* went to watch movies for the four days
it would be well worth it.

Seeing The Groo Crew (TGC) was a treat as usual, and I got to meet Tom
Luth for the first time.  Mark did a great job moderating all those
panels (I saw about 5 or 6 of them), and kudos for handling all of Will
Elder's wise-cracking (non)answers to his questions!

And the Groopies, oh what a bunch.  I mean, for a lady to want to take a
picture of us just because we were such an interesting (read dessesbo)
crowd of fans, that speaks for itself.  Thanks to Gary for arranging to
get all the shirts done up (and for doing multiple styles based on our
preferences).

I saw Sergio at another panel in addition to the Groo panel -- the MAD
Today discussion.  He arrived fashionably late, and the crowd attempted
to ignore him as per Mark's suggestion when Sergio was already 5 minutes
late.  Sergio recounted some great stories about Antonio Prohias and
someone else who's name eludes me.

I didn't spend nearly as much money as I could have, but some key
purchases included: the original art for the Crackora Card, the Groo
ornament (not broken), an old Plop! and the Millenium Plop reprint, an
issue of Leave it to Binky, The Trillogy Tour II book from Stan, a
couple of awsome Hong Kong action flicks (Jackie Chan's Project A II and
Iron Monkey), Phil Yeh's great books The Winged Tiger no. 2 & 6 (#2 has
a Sergio sketch with a Groo in it!), and Bart Simpson's Tree House of
Horror (great stuff).

I didn't get to see the Eisner Awards - could someone please recount
highlights....

Oh, and the Masquerade was an excellent time!  A really fun array of
comics (howzabout that Ghost in the Shell!), but what's with that weirdo
giving the Jerry Springer-esque, sexy-dancing, pre-teen Supergirl
Animated an award? Yech.

Random thoughts/memories:
-sorry guys that I didn't meet up with you for dinner.  I had some
pre-arranged movie dates with my friend.
-great presentation from Greg Crail, and way to con TGC into a
personalized mug! (nudge nudge)
-Larry hauling his box of comics around!
-sexy models advertising something or other
-Lou Farrrrrigno being annoyed at pesky fans while living off his
Incredible Hulk fame (hey hey, Lou, can you throw that tv across the
hall, can you pick me up with one hand, hey, how much do you weigh, hey,
hey, hey)
-socially mal-adjusted overweight smelly middle-agers in tight thin
t-shirts (they're out there)
-really nice normal fans of the popular arts (they're also out there)
-everyone in between
-thanks for the tag Eric!
-I forgot to give the can of Cheesedip I brought all the way from Canada
to TGC at their panel - I left it at the Hostel! Did I Err?
-$100,000 cash at the Mile High Comics booth
-so many other things that you guys (also) aren't probably interested
in.....

Conventioneer,
Ruben.

Fast Sergio Fact of the Moment - while he has only done cover art for
two regular issues of MAD, Sergio leads the Usual Gang of Idiots for
most *ideas* used on MAD covers!