World’s Greatest Toys!

In my Unofficial Comic-Con Masquerade Ball, this woman took my no-prize for “Most Ambitious Costume.”

Aeon Flux would be a tough character to pull off… if you weren’t willing to walk around with your privates almost completely exposed. Luckily for Comic-Con attendees, she was willing to go the whole nine yards in conveying the character’s diminutive costume.

Truly a Teen Titan. For most of the Con, this girl ran around with friends who were dressed as Raven and (I think) Slade. However, her Starfire costume was clearly superior and the coolest of the bunch, so we took an opportunity to photograph her alone, as she stood in queue for the Comic-Con Masquerade Ball.

Some of my favorite Comic-Con attendees were those who embraced being the Coolest of the Uncool.

Imperial Elvis was one such cat. When asked if I could take his picture, the Stormtrooper/Deathpooper replied, “Sure, baby.”

Another bad-azz was Bobalicious Fett, the Bounty Huntin’ Pimp. When asked if I could take his picture, the bitch-slappin’ Domino replied with utter silence and a fist full of bling.

I think it’s clear that modern toy companies have gone too far with their myriad figure variations.

I’m pretty sure this is French Fries-Gobblin’ Robin (left)… or is it Hamburgler Robin? Anyway, I decided to juxtapose this awesome dude with two random, super-hot Comic-Con chicks (right).

Safe to say: Never the ‘tween shall meet.

As if you need further proof that Geek Grrls Rule, I present Scarlet Witch:

Actress-turned-comic book creator Rosario Dawson yuks it up with a couple CosPlay Comic-Con villains, Joker and Harley Quinn.

OK, OK, OK.

I admit this girl didn’t exactly have the best Batgirl costume I’ve ever seen.

Do I look like I care?*

*hint: I don’t look like I care.

This could be my favorite costume of the entire convention. On Saturday night, we walked the line of fans waiting in queue for the Comic-Con Masquerade Ball. We found this young girl who created and wore an incredible Captain America costume, and I was really taken by its faithfulness while being quite original and clever.

She had cuffed boots, but they had heels! She had the shield, but it was the old-school 40s-style badge shield!

Perhaps most impressive was her addition of iconic American patches, one on each arm.

Big props to this girl. I’m guessing she is maybe 15 years old, and a case-in-point example of my assertion that Geek-Grrls Rule!

Update: August 5, 2007 — It has been brought to my attention that this “girl” is actually a 19 year-old woman who regularly engages in CosPlay at comic book conventions. I apologize for my inaccurate guess.

As usual, Mego toys were few and far between on the exhibitor floor at San Diego Comic-Con. I did pick up a beautiful, unpunched ©1975a (1st Version) Mr. Fantastic from the Fantastic Four.

The best selection of Mego toys was found, not surprisingly, at Mark Huckabone’s Heroes West Coast Booth. Mark always brings an impressive array of figures and vehicles. Even if you’re not in the market to buy, Mark’s booth is a mandatory stop, year after year.

San Diego is a really beautiful town, featuring some phenomenal views. We stayed at the Harbor Sheraton, quite a ways from the hustle and bustle that surrounds the convention hall. Each night, we sat on the deck and enjoyed the moon light shimmering off the water. From our quiet hotel room, we could see downtown San Diego and watch the boats and battleships that dot the horizon.