[James Rhodes]

Well to update how it went, the Comic Con itself was great. I didn't think I'd like it but it was quite fun and I spent WAYYyyy too much money. Because it was my b-day the wife was a great sport and let me spend with impunity.

Lou Ferrigno did sign a HULK comic for me. However, he was an @ss that refused to pose for a photo (of just him, not me and him) after I dropped $60 to sign the dang comic! If I had him to do all over I'd have saved my money and how I felt about him before meeting him. I did sneak some photos with my zoom from a distance so whatever.

Stan Lee's handlers were jerks. No pictures (seriously, NO PHOTOS), no handing Stan anything directly, no shaking Stan's hand. It was pretty unreal. It reminded me of Tony Stark in Iron Man and the whole "he doesn't like to be handed things" skit LOL. Lee himself seemed like a pleasant man and even thanked us as I picked up the comic he signed (Secret Wars-1st Symbiotic costume Spidey appearance). They did not have the grading thing there. The promoters/handlers were such rude mooks I'd never give them another penny to grade it. They said if I did get it graded (only thru them) it could take 5-6 months to return it, and would cost $40+$10 shipping. My career consists of many consulting year long contract gigs wrapped around the now and then permanent job for a few years here and there. So no way I could of done that. So in many ways you are right, my Lee auto is all but useless to anyone but me and the wife that witnessed it. A shame. Thankfully I never planned on selling it, and am glad I only got one thing signed by him.

On the positive side, I got to meet many artists and writers in the comic industry from my younger years and current ones I respect. As a professional mechanical design Illustrator myself I have a deep admiration for these "true artist" and loved talking to them and meeting them. I got comics signed by Chris Clairmont, Michael Goldin, Kurt Busiek, Randy Emberlin (he did an original sketch for me of one of the characters he helped create...Carnage!). They were all VERY nice and pleasant. I also bought some local artists artwork as well. My favorite piece that the wife loved is a painting of two cats, one in a Bane outfit and one in a Bats outfit called THE FUR RISES in their TDKR outfits. It's so corny it's cute!