Dear Sun readers,
After three years of traveling to San Diego to cover the international Comic Con, a Sun tradition, I’ve decided it’s time to hang up my geek girl cape/reporter hat and let someone else carry on the tradition. But have no fear; Staff Writer Jeremy Thomas said he’s willing to accept the mission.
To mark this bittersweet event, I’ve chronicled my last trip in a handful of vignettes and photos. And to all the celebrities and nerds, costumes and action figures, hot dogs and trolley rides, I say, thanks for the memories.
Live long and prosper,
Amy
The man, the myth, the legend
It’s the first day of The Con. I’m sitting in the expansive, overly air-conditioned Ballroom 20, crammed in shoulder-to-shoulder with a bunch of other giddy geeks.
Suddenly, the lights go down. The crowd erupts into a spastic roar. A montage of USA Network’s Burn Notice: The Fall of Sam Axe flickers to life up on the jumbo screens. The cheering escalates several decibels, and I’m pretty sure my chair is vibrating.
The screen goes black and a booming voice comes over the loudspeakers: “And now, ladies and gentleman, the man, the myth, the legend … Bruce Campbell!”
On to the stage swaggers Mr. Ash Williams himself, star of the horror/sci-fi/camp Evil Dead series. To my left, a die-hard fan shakes a bloody toy chainsaw in the air.
Today, Campbell has traded in his iconic chainsaw and ripped T-shirt for a much more dapper ensemble, including a white blazer, bright pink button-up, and teal green slacks. He even has a matching pink handkerchief.
(When asked about his outfit later backstage by a fellow reporter, Campbell says, “I figured I’d better go big or go home.”)
Based on his appearance, the actor seems to be channeling his most recent character. For the last five years, Campbell has been playing Sam Axe—a former Navy Seal and current Miami playboy—on the TV show Burn Notice.
Burn Notice creator Matt Nix tells the audience he’s been a fan of Campbell’s ever since he was a 17-year-old watching the Evil Dead movies with his friends.
“I said, ‘Someday I want to put a chainsaw in that man’s hand. And I’m here to say that dreams really do come true,” Nix recalls.
During the Q&A session, one fan asks Nix and Campbell to compare Ash and Axe.
“I was going to say they’re both blowhards with nice hair,” Nix quips.
Campbell sees it a little differently: “Every role has to be some version of yourself. Ash is me on my worst, stupidest day. Sam Axe is me now.”
There you have it, ladies and gentleman, the real Bruce Campbell: A Hawaiian-shirt-sporting, beer-guzzling badass with a serious tan.
I wonder if they make pink chainsaws?
Playing dress-up
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While covering the Con, I’ve learned that one’s wardrobe is essential. It’s also an indication of your evolving geek status.
In 2008, former Sun Sports Editor Sarah E. Thien made fun of me for wearing a sissy dress. The next year, actor Zachary Levi of Chuck fame complimented my Hot Fuzz T-shirt at a press junket. This year, I finally broke down and decided to go to The Con in costume.
I didn’t really have a specific character in mind, but rather raided my collection of Halloween costumes. To my crushed velvet Gothic dress I added an electric purple wig, black lipstick, and a silver and black choker. I also tried to rock some vampire fangs, but I couldn’t get the stupid things to stick to my teeth.
If you’re ever at The Con and want to see some amazing costumes, I highly recommend attending the masquerade on Saturday night. There isn’t any actual dancing at the event, but it is one heck of a fashion show. All of the costumes are designed and made by the contestants, and range from period piece to manga to Civil War-era Iron Man.
He really is ruggedly handsome
OK, it’s confession time. I have a major fangirl crush on Nathan Fillion. Ironically, it was my husband who introduced me, metaphorically, to the Firefly actor. We’re also big fans of his current show on ABC, the murder-mystery hit Castle.
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Set in New York City, the show focuses on millionaire mystery writer Richard Castle (Fillion), who starts shadowing lead NYPD Det. Kate Beckett as research for his next novel. At first, Beckett can’t stand Castle, calling him a playboy and “a 12-year-old on a sugar rush.” But over the years, the writer and the cop form a strong bond that enables them to catch the city’s most dangerous killers.
**Spoiler alert if you’re not caught up to this season**
The last we left the Castle universe, Det. Kate Beckett (Stana Katic) took a bullet to the chest while delivering Cpt. Roy Montgomery’s (Ruben Santiago-Hudson) eulogy. As Beckett lay bleeding in the cemetery grass, a devastated Castle uttered the words: “Stay with me, Kate. … I love you, Kate.”
That’s right, he said the “L” word.
The cast was pretty tight-lipped at The Con about what the future holds for the crime-stopping duo.
During the panel, a cheeky Fillion deadpaned to the crowd, “She’s dead. Didn’t you know?” Many fans started booing.
Later, at the press junket, he was equally dubious.
“How can I say this without getting in trouble?” he stated with a boyish grin. “Let’s just say words were said, bullets were fired, and there are going to be repercussions.”
Let’s hope they’re good ones. What can I say? I’m a romantic.
Repercussions
When I finally get home after six-plus hours of traffic, I’m tired but satisfied. I’m standing in the kitchen telling my husband all about my crazy adventures when I pause, smile dreamily, and say, “Nathan Fillion is pretty.”
To which my husband replies, “I don’t need to hear this. Keep those thoughts to yourself.”
Managing Editor Amy Asman is going to miss The Con, but not the Southern California traffic. Share your Comic Con memories with her at aasman@santamariasun.com.
This article appears in Jul 28 – Aug 4, 2011.