Kings have signed proclamations onto parchment changing history… authors have signed letters to lovers and moved the world… and Adam West, Batman from the 1960s television series, will sign anything for $30 at Comic Con and may change one fan’s life. The autograph is perhaps the oldest collectible in history. And some strokes of the pen are the most highly sought after at the San Diego Comic Con.
The autograph area might seem hidden away at the Convention Center’s second floor where you’ll discover a sea of nostalgic, sometimes weathered faces – Margot Kidder from Superman, Kevin Sorbo from TVs Hercules, Gil Gerard from TVs Buck Rogers in the 25th Century, and many more. Producer David X. Cohen and the voice actors from Futurama were the biggest draw and in a more spacious corner were… two women who were on TVs Amazing Race as well as being Hot Topic models, though their names escape me.
They were all here to promote, spend time with fans and sell their signatures on anything for anywhere between $15 (Amazing Race duo) to the highest going price of $60 (Leonard Nimoy). Many seeking a signature on either an 8X10 glossy or a prized possession such as an old Laser-Disc, also came hoping to share a real moment with one of their heroes from pop culture. Michael Papajohn is a face you may recognize as the killer of Uncle Ben from Sam Raimi’s series of Spider-Man movies. He has also appeared in memorable bit parts too numerous to list here. Michael was one of the more generous folks signing who took the time to talk to fans. “Being here, you really get to understand fandom… connecting with other fans, they’re like family.”
After making this heartfelt statement, Michael looked at a young boy in line and asked, “Are you here to get an autograph and get your picture taken?” The boy nodded and Michael immediately changed into over-the-top thug mode grabbing the kid by the shirt and putting a gun in his face. The kid stood horrified as Michael smiled for the camera.
Be careful what you ask for at Comic Con, you might get a gun in your face.
Words by Chris Gore, photos by Dustin Downing
I don’t care what anyone says, Adam West is the classiest Bruce Wayne/Batman of all time. If the Frank Miller Dark Knight movie is ever made, he must have a cameo.