What I Did on My Summer Vacation: Comic Con ‘08 (Inside: Supernatural, Fringe, Joss Whedon Encounter)

Vicarious Living Makes My Skin Glow

Let’s be clear, first off. Little ol’ me? I didn’t actually attend the San Diego Comic Con ‘08. But I have been able to experience the con in my own way (which I know can’t measure up to actually being there, but still). This got me thinking about how I hear people say that we’re less interactive as a society in this age, how we’re isolated, and so forth. But maybe those cheesy ads for companies with the message of how the Internet brings us together to communicate is actually more relevant than I’d realized.

For those of us who didn’t get to attend Comic Con, and let’s be honest – not every fan (or super fan) could go, we’re still able to find ways to appreciate it. From pictures that are flooding message boards and websites, items for sale on eBay, YouTube vidoes of panels, or even official panels – the Con has expanded past California.

As soon as NBC.com released official videos for The Office and Heroes I was e-mailed a link and I posted them for you guys as I watched. I watched the Supernatural panel on YouTube – and it’s hilarious so I advise you do the same if you’re even a semi-fan of the show. Oh, a certain spoiler I said here turned out to be a prank pulled by Eric Kripke! He got us good. Sabotage! (Anyone wanting info on Jared Padalecki’s upcoming film Friday the 13th can check out what Empress Eve wrote at GeeksofDoom.com. Very cool site, btw.)

I highly encourage you to check out what the amazing Cynthia at SFUniverse.com has written so far about the SPN (Supernatural) Con interviews she had. The Jared Padalecki and Jensen Ackles interviews are up to view so far. Stick around the site to read lots of other cool stuff. I keep thinking I’m not a fan of Sci-Fi, but then one of my friends will be like, “Hey, stop me when I name a Sci-Fi show you don’t like. Heroes. Firefly. Dollhouse. That Muppets in Space book.” … Okay, so I like them all. Is it time to start calling myself a Sci-Fi fan?

Dollhouse isn’t out yet, but I’m really pretty sure I’ll love it. At least I’m hoping I will. I have doubts that are trying to tug at me, but I’m not going to even consider them until I’ve at least seen one episode to start garnering some real opinions that I can back up with more than just news, possible spoilers, and a few previews that I’ve seen on YouTube. But, if you do want to indulge your doubts (and start bracing) Brian on SFUniverse.com has written a fair assessment of facts surrounding the show. For Con info about Dollhouse, Justine at Tahmohpenikett has you very well covered.

Meeting Joss Whedon: The Man, The Myth, The Musical-Lovin’ Genius

Anyway, another aspect of the Con is hearing the the stories you get from people who were there. My friend, Myk, attended Comic Con and he had a very fun story for me when he got back. He was in the Watchmen panel, and as he was leaving he got a nifty surprise. Most people were too busy about rushing out to apparently spot Nathan Fillion or Joss Whedon walking out with them. To be fair, they were doing an inconspicuous act.

Here is his account in his own words:

We were leaving Hall H and it was so crowded we could barely move. I turned around and Joss was there. He has a carpal tunnel splint thing-ama-jig on his arm, and I went, “Hi Mr. Whedon.” He looked at me like ‘Awww,” and smiled and said, “Call me Joss.” I told him, “I hope your arm gets better.” Then he said, “It would make my arm all sorts of better if you had a lot of people go to my panel.” I laughed and told him to have a great Con, and he wished me the same.

Myk has a weird thing about addressing people very formally, he did it with John Barrowman from Dr. Who and Torchwood , as well. He met him at the Con and he called him Mr. Barrowman. In turn, Barrowman laughed and said, “Jesus Christ, I’m not that old handsome, call me John.”

Everyone Loves Joshua Jackson, Including Me

Myk said he saw Joshua Jackson there (among many other cool people). Jackson was there to promote Fringe. I recently was discussing this new Fox show with my friend Margo. I had a very philosophical approach.

Exclusive look at our top secret conversation:

Jessica: tell me you’re gonna watch Josh on the new show this fall: FRINGE! we can be fangirls about it

Margo: I will most definitely be watching Fringe!!!

Jessica: let’s make a pact now to not say who Josh’s is (and his gf? other fans? psh). we SHARE him. but if you end up knocked out and put in a closet somewhere, i had nothing to do with it… kidding. TRUCE. hot man + talent + good show + jj squared (J.J Abrams and Joshua Jackson) = peace and good times for all.

Margo: I worry about you…

Jessica: thank goodness. ’cause somebody should be doing that.

Original Photos by James Dimmock

Popularity: 7% [?]