Paige Turco Greater Austin ComicCon 2025

The whole reason of going to Greater Austin ComicCon was to see Paige Turco. She was scheduled for last year but there were software issues with the airlines that canceled thousands of flights. One of those flights was hers.  She generously agreed to come back this year. Which was very exciting for me.

I drove down with 2 fellow collectors. It made the trip easier. Long drives get to be a grind. It was nice to chat with someone as the miles passed in the rear-view mirror.

When we found Paige’s table, she was away.  I asked the handler when she was coming back. He pointed to Kevin Clash’s table and said she was chatting with him. We didn’t need to wait long before she wandered back. We were greeted with a wonderful smile.

We chatted for a while. She was so glad to be invited back this year. She mentioned some issues with the flight this year too and had a passing fear of missing again.  It ended up with only a delay and then she was in Austin.

I mentioned I had 3 items to get signed. All from The 100. Her face brightened as I pulled out the first mini poster. She looked over the other signatures. I explained to her and my buddies about the WB group signing. I was very happy to get a chance to add her to the poster.

I mentioned I would like to match the color of the other signatures. A black and grey sharpie would work.

She signed the first. She signed next to her ‘daughter’. Fitting. The second mini poster my buddy suggested signing top and center. I agreed it was a good place. Both mini posters looked great.

I handed over the 8x10. She suggested a bronze color. I gently frowned and countered with blue.  They didn’t have a blue so I pulled out my blue deco. I suggested she could ‘test’ the bronze on my top loader and we could look at the results with the photo underneath the coloring.  I was correct. That color would have been hidden.

The blue pops nicely.

I stepped away and let my photo dry. Paige chatted with my buddies. She was just as charming with them. I’m so glad she made it this year after unable to appear last year.

AH

Robbie Rist Greater Austin ComicCon 2025

Another Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle alumni that I was not getting for TMNT.

I saw the name and when I tracked it down, I was interested. Robbie Rist was Cousin Oliver in Brady Bunch. How cool is that?

If you look at what I got signed, you know it’s not from Brady Bunch. Robbie had a photo of our favorite Cousin but I liked this photo better.

We chatted about both Brady Bunch and Galactica. When he signed, he said he usually adds this the little factoid: he was replaced by another actor. The name is Patrick Stuart. But it sounds like Patrick Stewart of Star Trek fame.

It made me look it up. I bet you will too.

AH

Kaylee Hottle Greater Austin ComicCon 2025

This was on my ‘maybe’ list. While I haven’t watched all of the Kong movies, I do plan to and I don’t want FOMO when I see Kaylee Hottle on screen and realize I missed my chance.

Kaylee is young and petite.  When we arrived, there was a few people in front of me. Those fans had movie posters to get signed. The posters were larger than Kaylee.

Since Kaylee is deaf, she had people to interpret for her. When I stepped up, the handler told me the wrong price. It was less than the listed price. The handler quickly corrected herself. I quickly quipped, ‘It’s not a discount because I’m cute?’

 Then I noticed the interpreter signing that. My eyes darted to Haylee to see the reaction. Maybe she was confused but I didn’t see a response.  I added, ‘Sorry, that was obnoxious.’  Then that was signed. Now, I’m chuckling. Still no response from Haylee. Oh well. At least I entertain myself.

And no, I did not try to tell my joke to Haylee. After my lack of success with Alaqua Cox, I decided it was better to not try.

AH

Bob Gunton Greater Austin ComicCon 2024

Best laid plans of mice and men often go awry.

You might prefer the Scottish that Bobby Burns used: The best laid schemes o’ Mice an’ Men Gang aft agley

Or if you prefer the original Klingon: Qu' nab of tarq 'ej men, pij jah qih

Well, I can’t really say ‘best plain plans’. I had a plan. Not a lot of planning. Mostly it was: wake up, add the address to google maps and drive.

I went to Greater Austin ComicCon to get 3 signatures. Just a 3 hour drive. However, because of the airline software issue, I got one autograph. The other two actors had flight delays and were not there when I was there.  It happens. I’m very happy with the one I got, I just wanted three. The most disappointing part, I didn’t know until after I got there. 

The first and only autograph I got was Bob Gunton. You know him when you see him. He has been in a million shows and movies. I was excited to finally see him at a convention.

I found a great photo from Shawshank Redemption and printed it. I even had a quote. I walked up and he signed. One of the handlers suggested a different quote and we both liked it better.

Then as I was about to start chatting (no one else was in line), a few kids walked up and saw photos from Ghostbusters Afterlife on his table and started peppering hm with questions. That also happens.

So, I didn’t tell him how much I enjoyed Royal Pains or 24.

After the nice buzz of getting this signature, I walked around looking for my other two ‘wants.’ Maybe 15 minutes later I found a place to sit and checked their website.  No updates about the missing actors. Another buddy saw me walking and texted me the bad news. The convention updated their Instagram feed.

I sat and digested that a while and decided to drive home.

AH