Peyton List Big Texas ComicCon 2024

I got to the convention on Friday. Later than I wanted (Traffic/construction). I had some hopes of getting a lot of Cobra Kai signatures Friday. After seeing the crowds, I jumped in the line for Peyton List and hoped I could get that before the show closed for the night.

Peyton also spent a lot of time with the fans. As she chatted, she learned about them. She gave an extra autograph to a teacher as a gift for the class. She mentioned how she wasn’t the best-behaved kid and thought maybe this would be a carrot for the kids.  Another talked about using her signed photo as a family gift for Christmas. She shut that down and had the young man pick out a photo for each family member and signed for free.

No one asked. She just did it. There was just respect and sharing. When it was my turn, I handed over the photo. She signed. Then I mentioned I was listening and watching as I waited in line. A cautious smile crossed her face.  I mentioned the free signatures she gave. She quickly dismissed that. I told her no one was watching; it wasn’t something she needed to do. She dismissed that too.  I followed up, that was why it impressed me so much. The little things like that, can make an impact. I was happy to see it and I wanted to say thanks for being a good person. I know my opinion doesn’t mean anything to her but it needed to be said.

AH

Xolo Mariduena Big Texas ComicCon 2024

Outside of Ralph Macchio and William Zabka, I think XoloMariduenda had the largest line and the one with the most anxious energy in it. I heard a lot of comments about waiting 4 hours and being asked to come back later. Or they failed to get him on Friday so they needed to come back on Saturday.  The lines I saw on Friday made me get there early on Saturday and get into his queue first thing.

Very friendly. He spent time with everyone. He seemed most excited about the Blue Beetle merchandise he signed.

AH

Jacob Bertrand Big Texas ComicCon 2024

Jacob Betrand’s character has a lot of character swings in Cobra Kai. He mentioned he was happy about that. The show did that with several actors. Someone asked if he had a favorite style of karate or how good he was.  I wonder how often that question gets asked.   I remember Robert Conrad mentioning everyone wanting to knock the battery off his shoulder.  Yes, I know no one know who Robert Conrad is or the commercial I referenced. Look it up. Jacob side stepped the question and went a different direction. Good for him.

AH

Hannah Kepple Big Texas ComicCon 2024

The person in front of me was getting her photo signed by Hannah Kepple. Hannah paused, then laughed, and said 'brain fart'. She tossed the photo aside and asked for another one to start again. We all laughed. 

After she signed my photo, I asked about ‘brain farts’.  She laughed loudly.  I said it was funny and wondered if the actors practice signing before coming out. This way they know what the photos were like and the pens.  She said no, but it was a good idea.

I mentioned the time I was in Houston and in Chloe Bennett’s line. She was having a horrible time and repeatedly asking for a new photo.  She had about 20 of them littered on the floor. She finally figured out what the issue was with the pen and got in a rhythm. We both laughed. Then I wondered if I was going to jinx Hannah.  So I said thanks and left because I could get blamed.

AH

Gianni DeCenzo Big Texas ComicCon 2024

Standing in line for Gianni DeCenzo was entertaining. Way more energy than I have...but he is 40 years younger than me. His table selfie photos were very creative. Very improv.  He did a chorus line kick for one girl. For another he did a bodybuilder pose.  The girl in the photo with him had bicep’s I’d kill for.  The handler said he was like that all day.  A regular energizer bunny.  Good for him.

AH

Vanessa Rubio Big Texas ComicCon 2024

A big reason I went to the convention was the Cobra Kai cast. I haven’t watched the latest season but I have watched the rest and I always enjoyed the Karate Kid movies.

All of the cast was fan friendly and interactive. San Antonio seemed to be a great spot for this ‘reunion’. The fans were very excited about getting to see so many cast members in person. Even though the lines were long, I did see everyone I ‘needed’.  Some actors I have gotten in the past so there weren’t on my list.

Vanessa Rubio was fun. She and I chatted about the drive from Dallas and traffic. Then driving 85 mph (legally) and passing the Eon’s Mega-building. Her handler agreed, the only way to get around Austin was using the toll road. We all know, the Interstate can back up any time day or night around the State Capitol.

AH

Joe Pantoliano and Kelli Green Big Texas ComiCon 2024

Big Texas ComicCom had something of a Goonies reunion. The Wife and I saw this in college as a ‘date night’. We saw a lot of movies that way. We enjoyed it. It didn’t sink into our hearts like it did for people 5 to 10 years younger than us.  My point, I didn’t get photos signed from Goonies when I met Joe Pantoliano and Kelli Green.

Joe was quiet. He signed my Matrix photo. We chatted about the movie Running Scared because he had the multi-color hair. We both laughed as we both are missing a lot of hair now.

Kelli was sweet.  Lucas was another date movie with The Wife. We both really enjoyed that movie. It’s sad but good. I’m sure she signed Goonies photos and maps all day long; this might have been the one exception.

AH

Eduardo Franco Big Texas ComicCon 2024

I missed getting Eduardo Franco in Dallas a year or two ago. He appeared just after a season of Stranger Things dropped. He was top of mind for a lot of people. He had a very long line and it was mostly very young girls.

This year, the line was shorter.

He is very tall. Over 6 feet. I saw him walking through the crowd. The population in San Antonio is short so he towered over most people. And that hair is sooo long. Am I jealous?  Yeah. I wish I had a full head of hair. Not that long but a full head of hair.

He was quiet and friendly. He offered a quote and I was happy. We chatted a bit and then I was on my way.

AH

Emilio Rivera Big Texas ComicCon 2024

When I say Emilio Rivera, you think Z Nation, right? Right…? Am I the ONLY one?

Okay, maybe not.
Again, my dad would be happy I got to chat with Emilio. He was very friendly and was asking questions back to his fans. He seemed happy to be there. He did think it funny that dad would not have let me watch the show when I was growing up. Different times and world.

AH

JD Pardo Big Texas ComicCon 2024

Back story – my Dad would have never let my sister and me watch Sons of Anarchy or M. C. Mayans growing up. But he is watching all of those now that we are out of the house. Parents, go figure.

I still don’t watch those types of shows. However, dad was more excited about me getting J D Pardo’s signature than I was. Yes, I did tell JD that.  Personally, I remember him from Revolution; much younger of course.

And I had to tell him how my friend, Daisy wanted me to say 'hi' and not worry that she was married. She could lose her hubby in a flash. He was caught off guard by that. Probably because I’m an old guy and not cute and perky. Which reminded me, he had a few women in line that spent a lot of time checking their makeup and the lay of their blouses as they waited. One lady hugged him at least 6 times and had a very glazed look in her eyes as her friend led her away.

AH

Garrett Hedlund Big Texas ComicCon 2024

This was my second trip to Big Texas ComicCon in San Antonio. I went last year as a quick one-day adventure to get David Harbour’s signature. I thought the layout of the convention was good. They had plenty of places to sit. Parking was much tougher this year but I learned more so it will be easier next year.

I’m glad I planned on 2 days this year.

My want/need list was massive and I doubted I could get everyone in one day.  While I might have polished it all off on one day, my stress would have been sky high. With 2 days, I had some time to pause and give my feet and back a break.

Garrett Hedlund made my list because of Instagram. Their marketing paid off. I saw a couple of clips from Tulsa King and decided to watch. If you know me, about 99% of what I watch is Sci fi, Horror, and Fantasy.  This is not the norm for me. I really enjoyed Tulsa King. Now The Wife thinks she can get me to watch Yellowstone…but back to the con.

Garrett was there on Saturday. I couldn’t find something to print. I chose the only table photo he had from Tulsa.  He was friendly. He was chatting with everyone. It seemed mostly about Friday Night Lights. I told him why I started watching Tulsa. He smiled.

I asked about the movie Pan and SDCC. I mentioned I got one of the cast signing, which included him. I told Garrett I was trying to be 'cute' when I told Hugh Jackman that he had a good Texas accent.  Hugh was not amused. Garrett smiled again. 

Then I was on my way to the guest.

AH

Frank Grillo Big Texas ComicCon 2023

This was the last autograph I got at Big Texas ComicCon. I looked for a photo of
Frank Grillo online, but didn’t see one I wanted to print. I decided to check out his table to see what he had. 

Since he had a prepaid option for his signature, I figured I’d have to go to another table to buy the ticket. One of the handlers said I could pay cash at the table. Since he had a table photo I liked, I got in line. 

As I was waiting, Frank and a fan were talking smack to each other. Good natured but intense. Very Back East. No smiles until you turn your head away; playing for the audience.

It was all because she wore a Phila Eagles Sweat shirt. Some of the exchange:

Frank: Ugh. I should charge you double for burning my eyes with that shirt.

Fan: You’re lucky I even came to see your loser face.

Frank: Oh, let’s get this over before I go blind.

Fan: At least I don’t like the Giants.

Then all smiles and a handshake. She went on her way without another word.

I step up as Frank and another handler are smiling. They had fun.

As he signed my photo, I asked if there was a back story. I was asking if maybe they knew each other. He said the only back story was he roots for NY and she’s an Eagles fan.

So, I said, And the only the only team you hate worse are the Cowboys.  

I think everyone in 20 feet of me agreed. Everyone hates the Cowboys. I paused after I said that. I was in San Antonio. I thought they really liked the Cowboys. Maybe that’s changed over the years.

Frank agreed with a smile, the Cowboys were the worse.

I did not bring up my football allegiance.

We hook and I left.

My convention was done. I drove about 5 hours. Spent less than 2 hours at the show and now I’m heading home.

AH

Paola Lazaro – Do you like Pink?

After I got David Harbour, I checked out Paola Lazaro. She wasn’t at the table. There as a short line but I decided to walk through the convention. It’s a small show but it had some vary big names. I was surprised the number of vendors and attendees was small.

When I made my way back to Paola’s table, she still wasn’t there. I asked one of the handlers about an ETA. The handler said Paola was due ‘soon’.  I have heard that a lot over the years. It’s a place holder answer. Meaning I don’t know but I don’t want to say that. I was about to ask how long she had been saying ‘soon’, when Paola walked up. I guess the handler was right, it was ‘soon’.

Paula was all smiles.  Her character in Walking Dead, is one that seems to have touched a lot of people emotionally. A few people had some stories to tell. Paola was all ears.

The person in front of me mentioned that Paola’s fingernail polished matched the pink of the pen she was using.  She joked that she used it on her nails last night.  It looked good on her.

When it was my turned, I said the normal: Hi, welcome to San Antonio.

She picked up her pink paint pen and I asked: Do you really like pink?

That caused some panic and confusion. She quickly asked if I didn’t want the signature in pink.

Now it was my turn to smile and quickly add: No, pink is the PERFECT color for your photo. I love that idea.

I could see the relief. She mentioned it looked good with the dark background on a lot of her pictures.  I agreed.

I continued with: I work at the Mary Kay Corp office. Mary Kay is known for pink. She personally didn’t like pink. But she knew pink would look good in everyone’s bathroom. So that was logical choice.

That is a lot to digest in a few seconds. A non-sequitur from a strange man: pink and makeup.

Then I added, I was just wondering if you really like pink or it’s been forced on you and you learned to like it.  Then she smiled as it started to sink in…or she realized this encounter was soon to be over and once I got my autograph; she would never see me again.

She did like pink.  I walked way and she never saw me again…

AH

David Harbour Big Texas ComicCon 2023

I drove down to San Antonio for Big Texas ComiCon. This is a 5 hour drive each way. There was guest I really wanted but she cancelled. I found out about it the night before. Since there were still guests I wanted and I paid for David Harbour in advance, I made the trip.

Big Texas was in the Henry B Gonzalez Convention Center. I’ve been there a few times for other conventions. I got to the convention early. I expected to be in line all day and I wanted to be sure I was parking someplace fairly close.

Once they opened the convention, we filed in and I headed to David’s line. On the way, someone explained we needed to swap the prepaid autograph receipt for a ‘ticket’. This is occurring more and more. The logic of it eludes me. It just seems to be a waste of time and effort.

After I got my ticket, I got in David’s line. After a brief wait, it actually started moving.

David was behind curtains. However, I could hear him chat with the fans. He was doing a good job of asking questions beside just responding to people. And he followed up on some of the answers.  

The line actually moved quicker than expected. That is NOT a complaint.  

I asked for a quote: Nothing ever happens in Hawkins. I thought the photo I brought was perfect for that. David read the quote and nodded. I don’t think he remembered it but that’s okay. It’s for me, not him.

The negative is, he wrote the quote first. Then signed. He signed over the quote. I knew what he did. He was trying to keep the white ink in the dark background of the photo.  I didn’t realize how large his signature was. Again, that is not a complaint. I’m happy.

AH