In short, it was the press conference to officially announce this year's Montreal Comiccon, which is taking place at the Palais de Congres from Sept. 14-16.
Personally speaking, I grew up an avid reader of Mad magazine and Batman comics (especially those 100-page special issues with reprints of 1940s and 50s Batman stories ... all for 60 cents!) back in the 70s. I didn't continue my interest in them as I graduated from high school. However, when I attended last year's Montreal Comiccon, seeing all those booths with tons of books, comic books, magazines (and lots of old issues of Mad) for sale, not to mention seminars, panel discussions and autograph sessions with pop culture stars past and present (including Adam West and Burt Ward from the 1960s ABC "Batman" series -- along with their 1966 vintage Batmobile), needless to say my interest was immediately sparked again ... not to mention countless happy memories in front of the TV and the local newsstand suddenly resurfacing.
So when I found out the line-up of personalities appearing at this year's Comiccon, I knew this was another event I must attend and cover for my column. To make things more interesting for those members of the local media who were present at the press conference (and create a great deal of buzz), Comiccon organizers brought out a whole parade of sci-fi, comic book and fantasy characters ... C-3PO, Star Wars storm troopers, Poison Ivy, and even the Incredible Hulk, not to mention a couple of lovely ladies dressed in skin-tight latex Star Trek costumes. Even Kristen Hager, one of the stars of the TV series "Being Human" made an appearance at the press conference to promote her Comiccon appearance (pictured below).
Organizers also announced a very special event that will take place on the evening of Sept. 15. To commemorate the 25th anniversary of "Star Trek: The Next Generation", two generations of Star Trek captains -- William Shatner and Patrick Stewart -- will appear together to talk about their own memories onboard the deck of the Enterprise (I guess that explains the Star Trek lovelies; Trekkers ... get your Vulcan ears ready and set your phasers to stun).
Along with Hager, Montreal Commiccon will also feature appearances by these personalities: actor Malcolm McDowell (here's a person whom I would pay to meet and get his autograph ... I would like to discuss the days of how he practiced the old ultraviolence as my favorite droogie Alex in "A Clockwork Orange"); Star Trek: TNG alumni Brent Spiner and Wil Wheaton will also share their Trek memories; Adam Baldwin ("Full Metal Jacket"); Davis Blair (them man behind Dire Straits' iconic "Money For Nothing" video); "Hellboy" creator Mike Mignola; Quebec cartoonist Mike Rabagliati (author of the popular series of "Paul" books that are huge bestsellers in Quebec; my favorite is "Paul Gets A Summer Job"); Gunnar Hansen, who starred as Leatherface in the original "Texas Chainsaw Massacre"; and Lloyd Kaufman, the man behind the cult film studio Troma Entertainment (remember "The Toxic Avenger" and "Surf Nazis Must Die"?). And for those who like their pop culture on four wheels, Comiccon will have on display the Batmobile from the 1989 Batman movie, the car from "Starsky and Hutch" and the famous "Mystery Machine" van used by Scooby-Doo, Shaggy and company to help solve all those mysteries (I wonder if it will show the compartment where they stored all those Scooby Snacks?!?).
Based on the overwhelming success of last year's Montreal Comiccon (which prompted the move to the much larger Palais de Congres and the addition of one extra day), it is helpful advice to say that you should get your tickets now (and arrive at the Comiccon site early). That way, you will get your fill of childhood memories, favorite characters and make those additions to your respective collections. No doubt about it, Montreal Comiccon will promise three days of sheer, unadulterated fun (and this time, I will be expanding my 1960s Mad magazine collection).
For more information, go to www.montrealcomiccon,com.
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