Megacon 2010

Here's my report for Megacon, the state's largest comic book and sci-fi convention, and a mecca for geeks (don't laugh; you may be working for a geek someday, if you aren't already). Events like Megacon, Tampa Bay Comic-Con and Dragoncon are like creative refueling stations for artists, where they can meet and chat with other artists, see their work and broaden their horizons, not to mention rejuvenate their creative impulses. Plus there are the costumes and celebrities! Well let's get to the pictures, shall we?

The 501st Legion squad dinner at Bogard's (the owner gave us the whole top floor) is always a fun event, and is usually attended by a couple of actors from the Star Wars films. Peter Mayhew (Chewbacca) and Jeremy Bulloch (Boba Fett) are good friends of and to the Legion and we are honored to have them as guests. Here, Jeremy Bulloch is presented with a cake that looks like Boba Fett's spaceship.






Jeremy Bulloch cutts the Boba Fett spaceship cake, then eats a mini-cake of Han Solo in carbonite.


There was also a Darth Maul cake (below).





Also attending was a man named Steve Sansweet, who is George Lucas' right-hand man as far as fan relations, and content management (making sure Lucas' intellectual property is not used incorrectly). Mr. Sansweet travels the country interacting with fans and attending events, and has been a great benefactor to the 501st Legion. He is also a genuinely nice, down to earth person as well.

I went to Megacon on Sunday, so it was less crowded than on Saturday. I chatted with Peter Mayhew about his artistic children, and also met Nichelle Nichols, who played Uhura in the original Star Trek series - a very classy lady! I was also able to talk to several vendors and artists there and picked up a lot of information about earning a living on the comic-con circuit. I've decided that my goal is to have a table to begin selling my artwork and photographs next year at Megacon.

The Pictures

The link to the Orlando Sentinel gallery from Megacon is HERE. Lots of great pics!














Above: A pretty cool (and accurate looking) Luke Skywalker landspeeder, and the Flintstones car (I'll leave it to you to figure out which is which)

















This series is the awesome Lego dioramas, made by several individuals.

Here are some pictures (below) courtesy of Pirate Girl and Lady Ghost, two 501st Legion members who were there on Saturday:















RIGHT: The 501st group picture with family and honored guests; LEFT: Peter Mayhew and Jeremy Bulloch in the back behind Boba Fetts, biker scouts and clone troopers




Left: A pair of beautiful Nav'vi from Avatar


Right: Billy Dee Williams after signing a member's TIE fighter helmet






























I've never gotten into Speed Racer, but this is very cool: a recreation of the Mach 3 race car. The front rotating blades would even start to turn on and off for display purposes. Very cool ride!



Below: And finally, what con would be complete without droids...??