Bryce Dallas Howard Rebel Scum 2026

Seeing Bruce Dallas Howard’s name on the list for Rebel Scum Con was a surprise. She has not done many conventions. And this little convention got her. Not FanExpo Dallas but Rebel Scum. Color me impressed.

When I finally got through my autograph ticket conversion obstacle course, I headed to her table. She was not there. I think she was doing photo ops. She was supposed to be back in 30 minutes. I can work with that. That is when I went to Dean-Charles’ table. When I was with Dean-Charles, Bryce was at the table. I slowly made my way over.  One person was talking to her. This person had her hand on Bryce’s arm and leaning close. I figured it was a friend or a professional encounter. I asked the handler if Bryce was back or just talking to this person. I was told she was back. Awesome. And yes, I looked back, and there were still gobs of people in line to get their autograph tickets…glass half full…I’m not waiting in a long line for Bryce.

The handler liked the photo I brought. Although there was a table photo I saw and I debated. The handler said something that was true. My photo was a little more unique. At least for this show. I stayed with my photo. Mine was a little plain but I did like it.

Bryce was very friendly. We chatted. She made fun of me when I asked if she been to Dallas before. It is her middle name. in my defense, being conceive in Dallas is not the same as visiting Dallas. We had a few laughs. I was enjoying that no one else was in line.

She signed and I left. I had expected a very long line for her. This was a wonderful boon for an aging autogrpah hound.

AH

Dean-Charles Chapman Rebel Scum Con 2026

Rebel Scum had some issues with ticketing. I spent 2 ½ hours in line to convert my paid bar codes into ‘tickets’ to present at the table.

The ONLY positive of this issue was there was still a hundred or more people in line behind me that were stuck. Which means, there were not in front of me to get autographs. Trying to be glass half full…

I walked up to Dean-Charles Chapman first. Just one other fan in front of me. They were having a good conversation. I listened and waited patiently. My patience was surprising because I just finished a 2 ½ hour penitence…but glass half full…

Dean-Charles was friendly. We chatted. He signed. Since this convention is in my home town, I offered a few suggestions for diner.

AH

Delores Imperial HR Rebel Scum Con 2026

As I walked into the convention center, I saw the one guest that caused me the most excitement. Delores. She is the Imperial HR specialist. You have seen her on Facebook or Instagram. I think her cosplay is creative and a breath of fresh air. She interacts with fans and gives out citations for failure to follow cooperate policies.

I enjoy her so much I actually presented her with a letter of appreciation. It was from the Rebels. The Rebels were overjoyed with her work. It seems she has decreased morale in the Imperium and that has increased morale among the Rebels. They were encouraging her to continue the good work.

When I walked up to her table, we exchanged a few words and then I handed her the letter. It’s tough to be put on the spot to try to read something ‘cold’ and react. She did a good job. I got a smirk from her which is what I would expect from Delores.

Then I handed over my photo and she signed. I was a very happy camper.

AH

Michael Stackpole Rebel Scum Con 2026

I’ll skip my issues with Rebel Scum Con as I want to focus on Michael A Stackpole. While I was in the insane line for Rebel Scum, I passed Michael’s table. He was signing for others. He was chatting and explaining things about his work.

My line slowly inched forward. I kept looking back. People brought every copy of their books for him to sign. He didn’t mind. When his line was nearly empty, I asked the person behind me if I could leave for a few minutes. She gave me her blessing. Then I went to Michael’s table. He was just finishing with a younger fan as I pulled my book out of the backpack.

The fan left and I stepped up. I told him I was trying to multi-task. I was stuck in the line that was never moving and figured I would at least see him.

The last thing he said to the previous fan concerned writing stories in other people’s universes. The public doesn’t know what is planned. The publisher is often planning the next 2 years out. Either with books ready to print or consigning work to other authors. Michael’s suggestion to the fan was to contact the publisher before investing time on writing something that won’t fit the time line. I never thought of that before.

After I handed over my book, he asked about my polo shirt. yes, I was wearing my obligatory UofA shirt. He asked if the ‘A’ was Arizona. I asked if he went there. He said no, he lives in the Pheonix area. So that got us chatting about AZ and monsoons and mountains.

He asked if he could personalize. I said, I would like something more old school: name, date, and convention. He normally doesn’t do that but I think he liked that idea.

When I got back in line, the line moved about 50 feet. Not far but much further than I expected. We made progress. I think I waited another 1 ½ hours to get my autograph tickets.

AH

Diedrich Bader Bell County ComicCon 2026

Yes, I did the long drive to Belton County with an autograph buddy to get one autograph. Silly and not very thrifty of me. I had wanted Diedrich Bader for a while. I have missed him several times. I made the trip. Carpe Diem and all that.

The show was crowded. It is a lot of local fans that don’t travel 2 or 3 hours for a show. They are excited a show came to them. While I think they are missing out, they seem very happy at Bell County ComicCon.

When we got there, Diedrich was not at his table. I was told he’d be back ‘in a few’.  That can be ten minutes to an hour but I got in line with the other people waiting. The wait was closer to the 10 minute mark.

He chatted as he signed. Friendly and willing to talk.

He smiled when he saw my photo. I blamed The Wife. She really likes the Miss Congeniality movies. After he signed, I mentioned I really liked the Drew Carey Show and we watched every week. He thanked me and I was done.

I waited a short time for the buddy to finished and then we headed back to Dallas.

AH

John Cena SpaceCon 2026

This was my 7^th and last autograph for this convention. I had many more autographs planned but 7 cancelled over the months before the convention. It happens.

It was 5PM on Saturday and I was ready to get this done and go back to the hotel. The Spurs basketball team was in the NBA finals and the game was starting just across the parking lot. I wanted to get out before the game started.

I got in line for John Cena. There were several groups to be called before us but I was the front of our line. The guy next to me was watching the Rangers baseball game on his phone and chatting with the people behind him.

The line monitors started walking through the group. Reminders to have the prepaid tickets out and the item to have signed. They mentioned John had a hard break but he could get through everyone if we didn’t chit chat and were ready with our items. Yes, I did start to worry. I wondered if I would be staying late or coming back on Sunday. I really didn’t want to come back. I wanted to relax on Sunday.

The line really did start to move. When I got behind the curtains hiding signing table and John, I handed over my ticket and photo. I mentioned I would like red for the paint pen. The handler said, the ‘red’ they had didn’t work well. John actually paused and turned to me and said I won’t like the results in ‘red’.  But I will like the results in ‘blue’. With a smile, I said: ‘Blue’ it is.

Then I was in front of John and he signed.  I told him thanks and it did look good in ‘blue’. Then he smiled and said: I told you.

I left and it wasn’t too long after 5 PM. I called The Wife and she was already waiting in the parking lot waiting for me. A short walk in the San Antonio heat and I was in the car heading to a restaurant for dinner. Then we walked the game from the hotel room.

AH

Jimmy Smits SpaceCon 2026

While I never watched LA Law, this is the show I think of when I see his name. But that doesn’t mean I wanted Jimmy Smits’ to sign an LA Law photo.

When I was prepping for this convention, I couldn’t find a photo I liked that wasn’t pixelated. I was relying on the options at the table. Even they didn’t have too many options. I chose what I thought was best. I do like this photo. The silver paint pen was great.

While Jimmy was ahead of schedule with the signing, he was taking a few seconds with everyone. I welcomed him to Texas and he asked where I was from.  I told him I came from North of Dallas. He mentioned a relative in Ft Worth. Then he asked if I grew up in Texas. I’m sure I don’t sound Texan. I mentioned Jersey. He told me he worked in Princeton for a while. I told him my Dad worked in Princeton for a while too. Then a few more comments about how pretty Jersey is. Yes, Jersey is pretty. Lots of history too.

As we parted, he told me to say ‘hi’ to my Dad.  How cool is that? My Dad got a shout out from Jimmy Smits!

AH

Famke Janssen SpaceCon 2026

It’s been a while since I’ve seen Famke Janssen’s name on a convention guest list.  So, it was time to take advantage of this opportunity.

A tradition at conventions, when the guest arrives, the waiting crowd cheers and claps.  Once we did that for Famke, Olivier Ritchers looked up. He paused in his signing and walked over to her. They are both from the Netherlands and the chatted for a few minutes. She is just shy of 6 feet but she looked short next to Olivier. But EVERYBODY looks short next to him.

I had printed a photo. It was similar to her table photo but mine was cropped to give more space for a signature. I handed over the photo and asked for white and suggested where to place her autograph.

She gave me a nice large graph in the prefect spot. Love it.

AH

Emily VanCamp SpaceCon 2026

After Olivier Ritchers, I got in Emily VanCamp’s line. When I handed over the photo, I asked for a darker blue. I told her I was trying to match the color of the jacket. I also told I didn’t want the color to ‘clash’. I‘m a guy. I’m not sure I used the word right or the context was right but I tried.

I thought she looked classy and elegant in the photo; I didn’t want the color choice to be distracting. She assured me it would look nice. I think it does.

Maybe I need to have my testosterone checked….?

AH

Olivier Richters SpaceCon 2026

Sometimes, I find a photo that really tickles me and I can’t wait to hand it over to the celebrity to see reaction.  Even though Alan Ritchson (Reacher) cancelled his con appearance, Olivier Ritchers still showed and I was excited.

Olivier is huge. I’m 6’ 3” and I’m dwarfed. He was all smiles and chatted with everyone. Someone was filming content and Olivier would pause and talk to the camera.

As I got to the front of the table, the handlers looked at my photo. Nothing but crickets behind their eyes. That’s okay. The photo ain’t for them.

Then it was my turn. We shook hands. I tried hard to give a strong handshake but I could tell, he never felt it. He didn’t squeeze back incase he hurt me. I was not offended.

He looked down at the photo and stepped back laughing. He looked over the tables photos to find it.  I mentioned I printed this one myself. He quickly said it was staged for a day that Alan was off set. It was something fun to do. He turned to the handlers and told them. He was happy to see this. I made him happy.

As he signed, I mentioned the video of him and his friend in black suits acting like body guards. Then he asked if he should do more. I, of course, said yes. He tuned to the camera and said the public wants more. They have to do more.

With my mission accomplished, I left for the next autograph.

AH