Can't tell you how sorry I was to hear about the passing of Bruce Adler, a great song-and-dance man, Tony nominee and occasional cartoon voice. I only met Mr. Adler once...backstage at the Broadway production of Crazy For You, for which he originated the role of Bela Zangler. And as he was being called away for some purpose, that meeting didn't last much longer than the time it took for me to tell him what a fan I was of his work, especially his CD/records, A Night in the Yiddish Music Hall, Parts One and Two. He was very, very good and I wish I could give you a link that would let you see or hear him at his best.
What I can offer you is this link to a page at the agency that represented him. There's a good obit posted there and at the moment, the page plays one of Bruce Adler's recordings — unfortunately, not one of his Yiddish Theater ones. [Warning: Music starts instantly.] Also, I'm embedding a clip of him on Rosie O'Donnell's show performing a number from a revival of the show, Anything Goes. Bruce is the fellow on the left, the lady is (of course) Chita Rivera and the gent on the right is George Dvorsky.
As Carolyn and I left San Diego earlier today, they were just taking down the big Comic-Con International banners on the convention center. The insides were vacated last night, reportedly by 11 PM. I still find it amazing how fast something so big just goes away in a couple of eye-blinks.
Since I have to get back to assignments — and maybe even to sleep — further postings will have to wait. You'll probably be hearing about it all week here.
In years past, a favorite place to dine while the Comic-Con International was in progress was a "dive" called the Kansas City Barbecue Company. You didn't go there for the decor. You went for the great ribs and chicken, and maybe for the friendly atmosphere and servers.
The use of the past tense in the above paragraph is because, as reported here, the place had a fire that closed them down, just in time for this year's con. But I am pleased to post the above photograph which promises that they will soon be back in biz. And even as I was taking it, a construction crew was working on the building to make that happen.
My favorite moment at the Quick Draw! game was when I asked the three cartoonists to each do a sketch called "Someone in the audience who deserves a standing ovation." I knew the answer I'd get when I asked it: Al Jaffee. One of the many joys of the weekend was hanging around with the guy who invented "Snappy Answers to Stupid Questions" and the Mad Fold-In, and seeing how mobbed he was by fans and admirers. He was a little stunned when he got that standing ovation — a couple thousand people on their feet and cheering — but if he thought he didn't merit it, he was the only one.
The rumor was again circulating that since the con has obviously gotten too big for the San Diego Convention Center and surrounding hotels, it will soon be relocated to Las Vegas. As far as I can determine, absolutely no one currently involved in the operation of the con believes this or wants this.
Mike Peters hugged me more in one weekend than my Aunt Dot did in her entire life.
There was a guy staggering around the room in one of those costumes where you can tell that an awful lot of time and money went into the effort but you have no idea who or what he was supposed to be. Actually, there were a couple of those but the one I'm thinking of had seriously impaired vision. I think the eyeholes were in his navel or something...and he kept bumping into people. Maybe that was the point of it.
We did something called "That 70s Panel" with eight comic folks, myself included, who began writing and/or drawing funnybooks in that era. It went well for what it was, and also as a preview of a Golden Age Panel in the not-as-distant-as-I-wish future.
Every con since I had my Gastric Bypass Surgery, a few folks come up to me and inquire about it, and I answer questions and tell them what I tell everyone, which is that it worked great for me but that their mileage may vary. One fellow who inquired this year easily weighed over 400 pounds...but he said he was asking because his sister was considering it.
I only got down to Artists' Alley once during the con. I really like that part of the floor and always forget that there's a route that doesn't involve plowing through the videogame/toy section. If they had a little tram that took you down to that part of the convention hall, I'd be there whenever I wasn't hosting panels.
Hard to believe, considering what a good time I had, that I have so little to write about this year's Comic-Con International. What with panels, meetings and books to sign, I barely had five minutes in which to be bored. I'd have liked a few more moments when I didn't have to be somewhere so I could have prowled the hall in search of all those friends I never ran into. I know some of you were there and I'm sorry our paths didn't cross. I did enjoy meeting any number of e-mail correspondents...even a guy who sends me political tirades about how we must immediately drop nuclear bombs on any nation where the "wrong" religions fllourish. In person, he didn't seem too insane. I was expecting Jack Nicholson in The Shining crossed with Mothra.
Yeah, there were a lot of people there, including some not dressed as The Joker. I've decided that going to the Comic-Con International and moaning about crowds is like going to a strip joint and complaining that there are fake breasts on the premises. On the other hand, could we institute a rule that no exhibitor may distribute carry-around bags that are more than twice the width of the person who'll be carrying them around?
I also don't think you should be allowed to set up in the autograph area unless you have proof that somewhere, at some time, somebody has actually asked you for an autograph.
A few of my friends seemed bothered by the many costumed folks in the place...as if this is something new at fan conventions. The only thing that bothers me is that they are drastically (though understandably) over-represented in the news coverage. When I call my mother from the con to check on her, I always have to reassure her that I'm not at that moment dressed as Catwoman. Which is usually true.
Occasionally, you start a panel even though one or more guests has yet to arrive for it. Today, as I was about to begin one of those, an absent guest called my cellphone to tell me that he was driving around outside the convention center...and since he was unable to find a place to park, he was going home.
One dining tip which may be good for next year: I always complain about the food at these things because...well, because it's usually three notches below atrocious. But out in the back on the top level, there was a little outdoor setup where hot dogs and hamburgers were being barbecued and sold for about double what you'd pay in a real restaurant. They were pretty decent if you knew the secret, which was to ask for one that hadn't been cooked for some previous convention.
Almost lastly: A kid who was maybe eleven years old came up and asked me if I'd ever written The Hulk in some comic or cartoon. I told him no, I hadn't. He reacted as if I'd told him I'd never tasted chocolate or smelled a flower or listened to jazz. His eyes went wide in amazement, he stammered a bit then asked in a loud, mystified voice, "Is there some good reason why not?"
Can't believe it all went so fast. At the first San Diego Con I attended, which was the first one ever, time moved much more slowly. There was less to see and hear at the con but the hours lasted a full sixty minutes back then, so there was time enough to do most of what you wanted. Some people have suggested adding another day or even two to the convention. I don't think they need that. I think they need to get rid of these hours that only last about eleven minutes each, and get back to the era when an hour was an hour. Good night.
July 29, 2008
