Recently, at Wizard World Philadelphia, I met Matt Smith and Karen Gillan, who played the 11th Doctor and Amy Pond, respectively, on Doctor Who. They had photo ops for sale so I was able to get my photo taken with each of them. I’ve regaled Leonard and our listeners with the full tale in our already classic third Episode “Why Is This Monkey Crying”. Matt and Karen were not the first actors I’ve meet from Doctor Who and hopefully they will not be the last. I’ve met three other people who have had prominent roles on Doctor Who over the years and here are the stories. The first person I ever met from Doctor Who was Colin Baker who was the 6th Doctor. It was at the New York Comic Con in 2009, I think. He was appearing with a Doctor Who retailer that had a table on the show floor instead of being in the autograph area where most actors are. I had a pass that allowed me on the floor before the doors opened up to the general public (since I’m a big shot) so I got to spend some time alone with him. I told him I was a huge Doctor Who fan and he replied “Well, that’s lucky because recently I have become a huge Doctor” gesturing to his body implying he had packed on a few pounds. We talked mostly about the show and how America doesn’t give big enough portions of vegetables in restaurants. Also, he introduced me to the Doctor Who audio dramas on CD that he does for Big Finish now. I bought the first one in the series which also feature the 5th and 7th Doctors. I had him sign it and also sign my Trial...

While I was at Special Edition NYC (see my report here), my friends and I decided to leave the con and get some lunch and then wander over to the Avengers S.T.A.T.I.O.N. (Scientific Training and Tactical Intelligence Operative Network)  Exhibit on 44th Street. I had heard about it from Leonard and the con was giving out fliers which doubled as coupons for $5 off admission. When we got there we found that they also had the $5 coupons as soon as you come in (I definitely recommend grabbing one of these coupons as an adult admission is $27.00 & a child is $19.50. So depending on how many tickets you are purchasing that could end up being a huge savings). After we got our tickets, we were led downstairs to wait in line. While waiting, you are asked to sign up to be an agent of S.H.I.E.LD. by supplying your name and email address in one of the many machines along the queue. When finished, you receive a card with your name on it which works with many of the interactive exhibits. Also, this was when the staff briefs the new agents about everything available in the exhibit and intel about the Avengers, which really added to the experience. As you’re led in, an Agent stops you, checks your ID and tells you to stand in front of a green screen for the “last civilian picture you will ever take.” Also, you have to do your best superhero pose because the Avengers team will be put in behind you. Then, you are led to a waiting area and yelled at a little – after all you are raw recruits. And by yelled at I mean they give you the rules. The most important of...

I went to the first New York Special Edition Con. Run by Reed Pop, who do the huge New York Comic Con in October which is basically the east coast San Diego Comic Con. You know MEDIA GUESTS! ANIMIE! VIDEO GAMES! MOVIE NEWS! CON EXCLUSIVES! and some comic stuff. Well, Reed Pop decided to take a page out of the Baltimore Comic Con’s play book and have a con with *gasp* just comic retailers, comic creators, and some publishers. For what it’s worth, here is my take on it. I purchased my ticket months ago when it was announced for $35. It was for Saturday only. Which I didn’t even blink at because The NYCC Saturday pass is $50 and the Wizard World Saturday pass is $55. So all in all, I think it’s not a bad price. My only knock is that a Sunday pass is also $35 and I think it would be better for them if each one day pass was $35 and they had a two day pass option which would give you a discount like other cons for say maybe $50. With ticket in hand and then hanging from my neck on the lanyard they provided, I made my way to the waiting line. It wasn’t a huge waiting line, it was about what I expected and people were happily chatting waiting to be let in to the show floor. As 10 o’clock drew closer, the crowd started a countdown and the staff started letting people in right on time. They handled the crowd quite well and I had no problems. As I walked down the hall to the show floor, I heard the theme to Tim Burton’s Batman blasting. As I got closer, I saw there was a...