OTFCC 2003 - Scific1258

First of all, let me say that this was well worth the wait. Let's see, I'll begin with Friday.

I live in Chicago, so it took me only a short drive to arrive.

Friday night: My girlfriend and I checked into the hotel. After that, I picked up some parts for Ironhide and Ratchet from one of the parts dealers. I bought 2 front-end lasers, and 2 missiles(1 for each) for $10 total. I held off on more parts because I was saving my cash for Saturday. We did not sign up for the Friday Night Dinner beforehand, but we did not really care about it all that much.

Saturday: Here's the really good stuff.

First, we only had to wait two minutes to get our programs since we pre-registered. Once the dealer room opened, the long line we were in quickly dissipated. Once inside, I scored quite a few bargains. From the same person I bought Ironhide and Ratchet parts from, I bought both of them from him, with Ratchet being the rare red-cross, for $40.I considered this deal too good to pass up. At another table, I snagged another red-cross Ratchet, no accessories, for $10. Another sweet deal. I found Season 1 Waspinator. Of course I could not resist owning the Universe's Chewtoy. I found a loose Season 2 BW Megatron, which I later got signed by David Kaye. More on this shortly. The last couple of figures I picked up are two replacement G1 Preds: Razorclaw and Tantrum. Both of my previous ones need minor repairs. I got both of these two for under $30 total.

However, the Tantrum I bought has Razorclaw's black connector piece stuck inside it. Anyone know how to safely get this sucker out?

I was walking along the sidelines, near the Hasbro tables showing the upcoming repaints, and I saw Simon Furman autographing his comics. I ran out of the room with my girlfriend to get our extra film, and ran back in. I told him he answered my letter in a G2 comic during that run, and signed both the cover and the letters page next to my letter. I'm thinking, "This is unbearably cool (Terri McGuinnes)!". He also signed my entire run of G2 comics, since I had them on me, and the Preview and #1 editions of the War Within. He also answered some of my questions concerning his script for BW: Nemesis Part 2. He had no idea what was planned for Beast Machines, and left the series as open-ended as possible. And for those wondering about the sexual-innuendo regarding Black Arachnia cutting off Rattrap's tail, and thus making Silverbolt say "Oh!"? That WAS intentional, and a definate joke on a real life incident most of us should remember. Upon hearing it was intentional, both Simon and I had a private chuckle over that, both of us with wide grins on our faces. My girlfriend got a picture of the two of us. I must say, going to meet Simon Furman was the main reason I went. I've been such a fan of his work that I've wanted to meet him for a long time.

Simon, if you are reading this, thank you again for answering, and signing, my letter during the G2 run! I agree, that picture of Megatron at the end of G2 #7 IS one of the best images Derek Yaniger's ever done.

My girlfriend and I attended the Gary Chalk, David Kaye and Gregg Berger autograph signing at 1:00. I have it all on audio-tape; email me if any of you want to hear specific details from the tape. One thing I won't forget any time soon was how surprised Gary Chalk was when he heard his voice on the Air Attack Optimus Primal figure. I played the sounds for his beast mode, and he said, "That's me!" I got the feeling that he was planning to speak with Hasbro about this figure after the convention. He was likely un-informed about this toy.

I got a picture with Gregg Berger, and someone took a picture of me and my girlfriend with Gary, David, and Gregg. If you are that person, and you're reading this, thank you again!

My girlfriend only stayed until Saturday night because we got all we went there for by the end of the Dreamwave panel.

I got the Dreamwave panel discussion on audio-tape as well, but it did not pick up some of the people's questions sitting in the front rows of the room. I was sitting in the middle sections. If anyone wants to hear specific answers from the panel, let me know; it comes out very clear on my tape recorder.

For those of you who were there, I was the one at the very end to ask about if we'll ever see a Beast Wars comic.

Overall, I had an awesome time! Given that the 10th anniversary convention is again in the city of my upbringing, I might venture out there again next summer. But that's a year from now.