Alright....here is my report from WW Chicago.
Day 1 - Thursday
I flew into Chicago before 10, I managed to check into my hotel and then I headed to the DDP offices. I met Mike O', Tim Seeley, Josh Blaylock, Sam Wells, Sean Dove, Brian Crowley, Susan and the rest of the office crew. A group of us stepped out for lunch (Mike O', Tim, Josh, Sean) and I must say these guys are a great bunch to hang out with.
When we returned to the offices and Mike O' put me to work doing some stuff for AE #28, I also got to check out some upcoming covers. I was pretty impressed with Mike's references at his desk. On his desk he has the enire DDP GI Joe run and underneath his desk he has the entire Marvel run. Outside his cubicle Sam had all his GI Joe figures on display for reference.
At about 6 I headed to the convention center and hit all the stands I wanted to get exclusives from. (Mattel, Metzco) I wondered around a bit to see who all was there. I headed over to the DDP booth where I visited with Susan for a while and met Mike Bear. I also met Chris Kirby who wrote the Lost Squad. As the evening was wrapping up a gentleman came over to the booth and said hello to Susan, who introduced me to...Paul Jenkins....Yeah...that took me a little while. He shared a story with me about his time in the RAF Reserves as we headed out.
That night I went over to Mike O's place and visited with him and some of his art school friends.
Day 2 - Friday
I got to the con center, waited in line and once I got in, I hit some of the dollar bins at the different booths to get some Joe issues to people to sign. I got Michael Golden to sign a couple issues, Paul Jenkins to sign a copy of Frontline #17. While I was getting Paul's signature, he asked if I had a buisness card...of course I didn't...and mentioned that he was working on a video game with a miltiary theme and asked for my e-mail address in case he had any questions....I was blown away.
I worked in the DDP booth in the afternoon and went and visited with Chris Kirby at his booth and swapped some ideas for future Lost Squad stories. Chris is a great guy and is so humble. I look forward to keeping in contact with him.
That night I hung out with Susan and Tim at a hotel bar close by. I got chance to meet Talent Caldwell and some other small press guys. When I got back to my hotel I watch an original video short called "Razor Sharp" I picked it up for $10 bucks (along with free comic) and it was very good, I recommend it.
Day 3 - Saturday
I spent most of Saturday at the DDP booth. I got to have lunch with Jeff (Bohn) and Roger (a poster from another site) and had a blast talking GI Joe with them.
I also got a chance to meet Emily Stone (Artist Hack/Slash), David Michael Beck, Rob Rodi (SM: Tokyo), Valentine De Landro (SM: Brazil), Rob Atkins (Inker, Data Desk Artist)
I also bought some original art from Mike Bear, I got the first and alst pages of AE #25 and I also got an unused cover from Rob Atkins.
That night was a pretty crazy night and...the less said the better...
Sunday - Day 4
The show didn't start till 10 and it was pretty quiet...well...except for the Marvel booth next to us getting WAY too loud.
I helped take the booth down and then headed to the airport. Got home around midnight and have spent the day recovering.
I have several pictures that I will put up shortly.
All in all...I had a great time and want to go again next year.
Phil
