So, as usual Comic Con brings some exciting tidbits of info.

I cannot wait for Star Trek XI DVD. That preview got me way too excited. :D

Like the teaser poster but really want to see a trailer for Dead of Night (based on Dylan Dog comics).

Paul Gross has been at Comic Con for The Witches of Eastwick TV series (which I would love to say excites me, but I'm not sold at the moment). Gross fans - is his shirt really that bad?! I don't think it is (maybe I should be worried about my own fashion sense ;)

Also, General? Would you care to step outside? These Mattel figures of Superman and General Zod - I WANT THEM.

ETA: You've probably seen this by now but fangirls will be happy with Tennant/Barrowman especially:



Am more interested in what this 'special announcement at another panel.... *is curious*

( July 19th 2009 )

^ My London Film & Comic Con swag. I also bought Superman II trading cards. Which means I now own the sets for Superman Returns, Superman II, and Superman III. :)

Wasn't sure if we would make it but thankfully missy_manic felt well enough after hospital visit to go to London Film and Comic Con. I really hope that she does not have a repeat experience of what happened last time for her own sake and me as paranoid/caring friend spent today making sure she was ok hopefully without being too obvious about (will be if she reads this LOL). Was nice to bump into you justtracy :)

( Red Dwarf - Starbug Smart Car )

( Davros )

( Christopher Reeve autographs )

^ Pretty pricey. That said autographs without a memory don't have much appeal to me. I got to be in the same room as the guy before he passed away, that's a priceless memory :D

Today is also one of the last days before my cousin Juliet leaves for New Zealand - possibly for the long run. Whilst we usually only meet for family occasions I still wish her all the best and hope to see her soon. And i hope my mum was able to give her my card today. I will call and find out tomorrow.

• 16:32 back from Collectormania it was busy, hot inside at stalls, freezing on balcony where the signings were otherwise would've stayed longer x #

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Yeah so they made the best they could out of the new MK Dons venue but this is England and its not always warm so it meant that the balcony that was open to the air where the football pitch was *COLD* This is such a shame because normally I like to chill out and watch the cosplayers and general goings on but it was so cold I just had to keep moving along all the time. I felt a bit sorry for the VIPs - I hope they were warm/comfortable enough signing autographs all day! I noticed Marc McClure took to wearing a wooly hat to keep warm (kinda cute actually) - who can blame him. Leonard Nimoy must be one tough cookie to tough that out. I was kinda hoping I'd get a glance just to gawp stare in awe and watch the fans get their autographs but all the VIPs were in kind of mini tents so you couldn't see them unless you were up close in the queue. To be fair this might actually make it better for those that are paying to go up and get autographs.

The one part of the building that was completely indoors is where they set up all the stalls. Warmer so better (but when it got really busy it was HOT! (especially when your wearing a jumper cos the balcony areas were cold thanks to crappy British weather) Why hire a bigger capacity venue if your gonna cram all the stalls in an area that wasn't that much bigger to the original MK Centre venue?! That's my biggest gripe. It got really busy at lunchtime and it was a struggle to get to some of the stalls for sheer crowds. Kinda a victim of its own success. I think the event organisers utilised the space they had well but next year if the weather is cold they need to do think of an alternative somehow.

I was annoyed with myself for forgetting to bring my Superman DVD box tin for Marc McClure to sign so in the end I chose not to go to his stall. I did however get a kick out of the fact that the first thing I saw on arrival was a Star Wars stall that had a Falcon mural where you could take a photo of yourself "on the ship." I did a double take as I walked past because who was the geek getting his own photo taken in front of it - yep McClure! I don't know why but I got a kick out of that :)

Best costumes I saw included a Batman and Joker walking around, Rosarch, and The Doctor and Marty McFly :)

I bought some Star Trek stuff and one Doctor Who photo. Nothing major - I really wanted a red shirt Star Fleet academy tshirt but they'd sold out of all sizes except XXL. Instead I opted for a Spock Live Long & Prosper shirt.

( June 7th 2009 )

^ far left, and far right some French Superman movie posters I'd not seen before on sale at a stall @ Collectormania 15 - shall post about that later - need food and train back to London.

Have failed greatly at photo a day at least 1 day a week lately - I keep forgetting and subsequently take a photo of something random in the flat that doesn't really reflect the day at hand. Will try harder. I Woke up this morning with a whopper of a headache, like an awful hangover except I've not drank a thing. It went away after a caffeine fix with coffee but then came back again even worse. Took an aspirin and 3 hours later I feel better. This is good because I want to drink the wine I bought whilst watching trashy Eurovision tonight. Am hoping there will be some hilarious literal-translations on the subtitles that make no sense whatsoever. :P

Something I failed to mention - earlier this week I went to see Star Trek again with missy_manic (2 for 1 Wednesday cinema ticket too tempting) and the movie is still really rather awesome. There is a pattern developing in my love of fictional characters - I can't resist an alien who has lost his home planet - Superman, The Doctor, Spock.... yep definitely a pattern going on there. ;) Trek Who <-- cracked me up. (Especially the last bit).

Also I found out yesterday Mark 'Jimmy Olsen' McClure is going to be @ Collectormania 15. I should go and get his autograph to go with my Margot Kidder one on my Superman DVD Tin right? (Philip Glenister and Leonard Nimoy are also there but I don't think I could cope with queue's for that. Surely Nimoy's will be *insane* )

So Saturday I went to the London Film & Comic Con alongside missy_manic, and my good friend Lorraine. All of us in search of different fandom related things between us it was comics including Superman and Batman, Supernatural, Doctor Who, and anything relating to Pegg/Frost/Hynes/Wright or The Mighty Boosh or in missy_manic's case Russell Brand, and Matt Berry (whose stuff I've only just been introduced to by missy_manic but am loving. Makes us wonder if there should be a 'Comedy Con' :P We'd go! Loads of comics we love :) I have to apologise for not getting back to buckbeakbabie re what day I was going, it was a last minute decision and I know you were probably at Heroes talk and I had no idea what time I was gonna get there. If you went - hope it was good!

Anyway, main goal for me for the day was to get to meet Margot Kidder and thank god the queue's were bareable. Nothing like the stress of waiting and waiting and waiting for Brandon Routh last year at Collectormania. I joined the queue shortly after lunchtime still debating whether to get a photo signed or my DVD box signed that I bought along with me. My worry was that if I got the box signed the autograph might smudge. Though a kind guy in front of me told me it shouldn't be a problem if the right kind of pen was used, and that spraying it immediately with hairspray would ensure the ink sticked! Useful if not a slightly odd tip! Turns out I'd need not have worried at all. More on that in a mo. As we neared the front I was trying to remember what questions people has asked me to say and what i wanted to say myself but I found myself being distracted by the goings on in front of me and watching other fans chat to Margot. Someone asked about Smallville but couldn't work out what the question had been. The guy in front of me asked her what she thought of Kate Bosworth in Superman Returns and I heard her say she had no problems, thought she did the character well. And then missy_manic was asked to take a photo for someone else with Margot. And this is where it got fun. Margot was well and truely making sure this guy got a decent photo and did several poses and takes. It was nice that there was time for her to do so. And it amused me that she was directing my friend with the camera.

And then it was my turn! First thing I noticed is that she was organising her own photos, pens and money! Most guests have a staff member from the event helping but it looked like Margot was in charge of her own desk - I got the feeling this was out of choice, she seemed very much a pro and knew exactly what she was doing. I went with getting the box signed. I showed it to Margot and she immediately started chatting away about what to do to make sure her autograph doesn't smear! "Let it dry out before you put the box back in your bag, you don't want it to smear." She checked the spelling of my name "Is that D-A-W-N?" and my stupid nerdy brain couldn't help but think "Is that Krypton with C-R-I?" (cglass81 this is your fault! :P ) As she was signing, this was really my only chance to talk whilst she wasn't giving out advice! Nerves got the better of me and I couldn't remember the questions - sorry guys. In the end I just ended up thanking her for coming all the way to London and she replied that it was nice to return after all these years. I asked if she was staying long because the bfi are showing Superman: The Movie on Monday. She said she'd be gone by then but I was pleased she said someone else had told her the same thing. I said I was going to the screening and was really excited (I am) because I've never seen it on a big screen before to which she said, "Oh good, good. It's a great movie." I then asked if I could have a photo which she was more than happy to pose for. She'd done a thumbs up for the last guy so I suggest we do the same. And we did. missy_manic as ever took the photo and its an awesome one. Mega pleased with it. I thanked her again, and let the next person queuing have their time. Lovely experience.

Afterwards we browsed all the stalls. I saw Paul Freeman was also a guest doing signings and would've loved to have got an autograph if I could actually find a photo of him in Hot Fuzz as Reverend Shooter but no such luck :( I did however buy Superman III Topps trading cards to add to my collection and a Mighty Boosh key ring. Photos are under the cut to save your f-list loading times.

( Superman and Batman )

( The Doctor! Minus his celery. )

( Little and large )

( Margot's desk )

( Is that DAWN with a D-A-W-N? )

I've eaten far too many twiglets *will refrain from the Spaced quote* ;) and cake, and drank too much wine thanks to a mini Eurovision Song Contest Party at the flat. Congrats to Russia for winning!

Earlier in the day I was at London Expo. It was heaving. I missed the X-Files movie previews :( But I did get to watch the trailer for Incredible Hulk which the more I see, the more I like. So pleased Edward Norton is in it, not to mention written it. Can't wait for it :D I got a postcard in return for filling in a questionnaire about the trailer for Universal. But as I was browsing a comics stall, the guy serving was so excited about the postcard that I let him have it. He said it was his favourite comic as a kid so I felt obliged to let him have it.

Whilst there I also bought two comics:

Manga Shakespeare: Hamlet. This I will read in preparation for seeing David Tennant in the RSC production of the play.
Tales From The Flat Vol 1 - from Modern Monstrosity. I haven't read it yet but it's been described as similar to Spaced so look forward to it :)

Also bought a Lois & Clark badge, and Doctor Who badge to add to my badge collection on my rucksack ;) Talking of Doctor Who the mid-series trailer was awesome. :)

Today was fun. Went to Collectormania in Milton Keynes. There I briefly met hils and we wandered around the stalls together. Saw some great tshirts but didn't buy any. I did however buy, 'True Brit - Superman' graphic novel, sounds funny and hils recommended it also :) I also bought a Hot Fuzz keyring and Ashes to Ashes coaster for missy_manic and a Spaced one for myself. I didn't hang around too long as I was out for the day with my mum, and we went round the shops. Didn't see anything worth buying though :(

hils- so cool to meet you, even if I couldn't stay too long. Enjoy the rest of your time there, meeting more people from your f-list :)

TV talk below, cut for minor spoiler.

( Doctor Who, Heroes )

Apologies this is late but fearcat HAPPY BIRTHDAY! Hope you had a good day!

And happy birthday to the guy in my icon!

Also, hils and explodedpen I will only be at Collectormania on the Saturday - so if you are going Sunday only we will miss each other :(

Anyone downloaded the Coldplay single from their website? Tis good :) Looking forward to the album release.

Collider have a great interview with Brandon Routh talking about his latest projects which you should go and watch now. It's here.

I like the trailer for Miss Nobody which you can watch here. I think some of Brandon's greatest moments in Superman Returns was his comic moments as Clark Kent so I look forward to seeing him in this comedy film. Interesting also that he says in the Collider interview that his character in Life is Hot in Cracktown is the light relief in the film. The comic book movie Dylan Dog sounds interesting - has anyone read this Italian comic book? I might see if I can find an English translation.

And er, it goes without saying, hurry up Man of Steel SR sequel! I want to see what magic Singer and Routh can work up together for a second time. I hope someone somewhere is writing a good script.

Talking of Brandon, next bank holiday weekend will mark a year since I got to say hello (for a second time) to Routh at Collectormania. Fab memories :D I will go again next weekend to Collectormania just to look around the stalls. hils which day will you be there? I have yet to decide, and is anyone else on my f-list going to Collectormania 13?

As I write this I realise how bl**dy lucky am I that of all the millions of conventions Brandon Routh could have chose to attend he chose to attend Collectormania at Milton Keynes. It's about 45 minutes for where I grew up - from where I discovered Superman through home video and even bought some of them from the very shopping centre at which the event is held. If you'd told me back then, when buying my VHS copy of Superman II or what have you from my saved pocket money, that one day I'd get to meet a future 'Superman' himself at this very place I'd never have belived you. But yesterday, that's exactly what happened for me and hundreds of other fans. :) Full write up is under the cut (with pics) after the montage below for those who just want the images!



( Collectormania 11 - 'I spent the day [waiting] with Superman' )

thankyou Brandon :)