Comic-Con 2007: It's a Wrap

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Here are a few of our personal highlights, low points and some of the projects we saw at Comic-Con that we look forward to catching in the future.

How much is that Wookie in the window?

The press coverage of Comic-Con focuses on the Hollywood stories and costumed fans, but for most fans its the ultimate bazaar of the bizarre and the name of the game is shopping. Here are some of curious items I spotted today walking the merchant floor:

Life-sized bust of Arnold Schwarzenegger as T-800, $550. Here's a conversation piece. It shows our right honorable governor but with half the flesh on his face blown off, revealing his cyborg skull and a glowing red eye. It's from a movie, I'm told. Well, that's a relief.

Chewbacca backpack, $40. A hot item this year. The kind-faced furry friend may not be the best for schooldays, though. The hair clogs the zipper, and on a hot afternoons its like wearing a huge back toupee.

ThunderCats sword, $49.95. A spiffy replica of the bejeweled weapon of Lion-O, the leader of the brave feline beasties. I didn't know of this; it's from my colleague Jevon, who is pretty damn geeky apparently. 

FOR THE RECORD:  Jevon's geek cred took a hit.  Lion-O is the ThunderCat leader, not Lionel as earlier posted.

Robin action figure, $200. The 1979 doll (sorry, that's what it is) from Mego is still in the box. I noticed it said "Les Extraordinaires" on that box. Simple reason: "It's from Canada," the dealer told me. "But I can't guarantee that it wasn't sold in Detroit." Well, forget it then.

Photo: Spencer Weiner / LAT

-- Geoff Boucher

Big boys have big toys ... and action figures

Comic-Con visitor Brooks Klein dresses as a biker scout from "Return of the Jedi," with a toy-sized version of himself, while touring the halls of San Diego Convention Center. "Bikerscout" and his mini twin travel the world, attending events and participating in general mayhem. You can see their adventures at bikerscout.net.

Photo: Spencer Weiner/ Los Angeles Times

-- Jevon Phillips

...midnite Squishee

Well, we can see what Shaky Bacon was doing on Saturday night (brain freeze!), but what about Comic-Con denizens?

They were busy with the Masquerade -- either performing in it or watching it unfold on a big screen in another room.

Or they were dancing the night away in the converted autograph area. Scorpion and Sub-Zero from Mortal Kombat were particularly good, but the Jedi needed some work.

Or they were singing at the top of their lungs along with Tara's "I'm Under Your Spell," one of the many songs presented in "Buffy the Vampire Slayer's" musical episode, "Once More, With Feeling."

Comic-book creator Warren Ellis also drew a crowd.  "The Authority" writer is known as one of the most critically acclaimed and outspoken individuals in comics.

 

Check out the endoskeleton on that Terminator

At the Hasbro booth you’ll find its new generation of Transformers toys. All the characters are there but at different levels of complexity, from tiny gadgets to “deluxe” toys. (The centerpiece there would be the foot-tall Ultimate Bumblebee). Also worth mentioning are Softimus Prime and Slumblebee: plushie toys that are, of course, still transformable.

Shaky Bacon mulls new life as 'Frankenbacon'

He was frying in his own fat when he spotted that conical hairdo with its white-lightning streaks.

Maybe the striped highlights were reminiscent of the grill marks that come from using a high-end nonstick pan. Or maybe it was the sheer medical swabs useful for absorbing grease drippings.

It's impossible to say what makes two toys fall in love or the whys and wherefores of a couple of tchotchkes letting loose their foolish hearts.

What we do know is that Shaky Bacon found his new love in artist Spencer Davis' booth.

We only dread the scenario when the Boris Karloff figurine finds out.

Earlier: Shaky Bacon sizzles with Knight Seeker; Shaky Bacon and the death ray; Shaky Bacon peers into the crystal ball and Introducing Shaky Bacon.

-- Sheigh Crabtree

Shaky Bacon sizzles with Knight Seeker

Shaky Bacon steps out of the hot pan and into the cool hands of Knight Seeker.

Eric M. Cooper, the sci-fi novel writer/superhero in the Knight Seeker costume pictured here, had only one minor qualm about his new sidekick.

"I don't think Knight Seeker does pork," Cooper said.

-- Sheigh Crabtree

Shaky Bacon and the death ray

A menacing martian girl threatens to serve up Shaky Bacon extra crispy!

Earlier: Shaky Bacon peers into the crystal ball and Introducing Shaky Bacon.

-- Sheigh Crabtree

Shaky Bacon peers into the crystal ball

It's crowded here at Comic-Con.

The three-day passes have sold out and so have the Friday passes. All that's left are one day passes for today (half over) and Sunday.

Some people are already looking a little greasy around the edges. Namely, our favorite cut of meat. He was just cooling his heels when a pack of "Stardust" fans squeezed onto his bench, pushing Shaky Bacon to the edge.

Then he realized that one of the gypsy/fairy/good witch ladies seated next to him was carrying a crystal ball.

When Shaky Bacon peered into it, he saw a few salty rashers, a good smoking and big Irish breakfast in his future. He refused to tell us what the ball said about his deepest desires, wishes and dreams. But we promise to grill him more ... much more.

--Sheigh Crabtree

Introducing: Shaky Bacon

We'd like to introduce you to Shaky Bacon. He's a friend of Mr. Toast and Joe the Egg.

Shaky Bacon is safely buckled up in a cab.

He's his way to the San Diego Convention Center for the opening day of Comic-Con.