WNC Comic Con 2022

 Hello Friends,

 

This past Saturday Fangirl and I went to WNC Comic Con in Fletcher, NC. This is our first year at this particular con. The Asheville Anime Regional Convention has yet to start up again, and I didn't want to go a third year without a con, so I suggested this one. There was a bit of a line to get in, but it was worth the wait cause this cute little R2 unit was roaming the floors making happy little chirping sounds:

 

There was also a Punisher themed van there:

 

Vendors

 

There were lots of great vendors with so many things I wanted to buy! One such stop was the Pop Up Wand Shop that had these gorgeous homemade wands, some had roses on the handle end. They were beautiful. Sadly I did not get a card or website information to be able to find them should I ever have extra cash to buy one of those rose wands. If I often find myself unable to purchase from vendors I take a card should I ever be able to purchase from them later on.

 

 Roxy Taylor from Auntie M's Novelties has beautiful homemade , sealed, shimmery bottles that are fandom themed. I was looking at this Ghostbuster one she had with Slimer green liquid inside. I wanted it so bad, oh if money were no object. 

I fear what would happen if we put these guys in a room together.

 

The Wishing Well had Legend of Zelda Ocarinas for sale. I've been wanting one since I saw them advertised in a Nintendo Power magazine. 

One of my favorite jewelry shops was Elder Nerd Designs she does chain mail jewelry and some look like dragon scales. She had some with the Supernatural anti-possession symbol. I also loved her Mermaid Lantern items.

Morgan's Comics Table. Sorry it's slightly blurry.

My peeps from Morgan's Comic were representing that day. They had a video game demo set up too on one end.

Artists and Authors

As with many conventions there were some great artists and authors. Dan Jaworsky had a style I liked with his imaginings of nerdy things, I also noticed the artist Adam Casey from Winston-Salem among the artists. I found Rick Lonon's I wanna say stempling art amazing, though I got the term wrong when I did complement him. Sorry! 

I talked writing and bookmarks with New York Times Best Selling Author F.T. Lukens. Her works seem interesting, I may have to look into them. She's also from right here in North Carolina.

Costumes

What's a con without costumes. Captain America and the Scarlet Witch lent their talents to the judging table:

The esteemed judges, again sorry for the blur.

 

I once more became the 11th Doctor.  I ened up kicking back with my fellow aliens:

I also kicked back with myself, hope we don't cause a paradox.

Lovely Geeky Items That Are Mine Now

So you've heard me lament about what I couldn't afford to get, bet your wondering what did you get? Well I had like twelve dollars so I had to spend wise and everything I bought fit in this tiny bag:

 

But good things come in small packages:

Save for gift items and a donation I made to the Klingon Assault Group this is my haul. Back left to right: a Castiel sticker, a Cyan Among Us sticker because that's the color I usually play in the game, a Link sticker, a Supernatural pin because I'm making up for lack of SPN stuff in my life.  I also always buy a pin from every con I've been to.  Front row is a glow in the dark cat and some dice I purchased from The Deck Box. I know what your thinking a lot of little stuff, what can I say it's the little things that make you happy. 

After Party

Not really that much of a party we just went to Cracker Barrel for a later lunch. I spent way too much time enjoying the moving lit glitter globes.  I partook of my usual meal grilled chicken tenders and two sides of mac and cheese, I'm picky with some restaurant sides. I only like them prepared a certain way, and most places make them the way I don't, Mac and Cheese is one of the few sides that people don't screw up much. 

 

It was a fun con, I loved meeting everybody. Fangirl is actually thinking of adding that to our yearly cons. So that's going to be fun and I was so excited to learn my county is getting it's own con! Sadly it's same day this year as the Pumpkin Festival, and if it keeps falling on the Pumpkin Festival we may switch to this geeky event. We'll see. 

 

I hope you guys have a good week, geek on, and God Bless.

*Thrifty Geek*

The Free Comic Book Day Haul Review

 Hey comic book friends, 

 

The 7th was Free Comic Book Day. I have already breezed through my selections. So today I'm going to review them. 

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Official Prelude To The Armageddon Game

In this comic we are introduced to a new leg of the comics with a throwback to the original TMNT comic that premiered the month before I was born. The comic artist decided to do the intro just like the first issue, they even include the original. This was a nice little comic, and learned a really great bit of Turtles history. Of course bit darker than say TV turtles, but I already knew that was the case with the comics turtles, which nothing wrong with that, but just a good heads up for those who aren't familiar with the comic turtles.

Doctor Who Comic 2022

In this comic we see the further adventures of the Fugitive Doctor in an early encounter with Earth. it is this encounter that changes her mind of how she views Earth. Which leads into the First Doctor touching down on Earth for what he believes is the first time. Uh it's all wibbly wobbly time wimey right? This was another great Doctor Who comic, I always enjoy them the free and the ones I buy.

Hollow 

This turned out to be my favorite comic out of the whole bunch. This is about Izzy Crane who moves to Sleepy Hollow and finds herself among the descendants of the legend's characters . She even gets the hots for Victoria Van Tassel, which upon learning Izzy's last name tries to avoid her, I mean it's bad enough she's a Van Tassel. There's also a really mysterious guys walking around other than the horseman that may be set to cause misfortune in the town. I'm going to be honest when this comic drops this September I may have to check it out. I love The Legend of Sleepy Hollow and this series looks like it'll be a great read.

Buffy the Vampire Slayer: The 25th Anniversary

This comic starts as a yearbook style thing. Characters from the comics are lined up yearbook style with superlatives and special sections that's suppose to be the throwback to 25 years I guess. We then get a preview to a new comic series coming out. I'm going to be honest little disappointed. I was looking for more of a look back than what we got. I'm not even sure which comics they pulled from for their pics, was it actually different comic series, or just one of them. I'm thinking it was from the different series with the characters, but I don't know. It just left me like "that was our look back"? It just felt underwhelming. 

Extra Helpings:

Wonder Woman: Tempest Tossed Wonder Woman Day Special Edition 

Now this wasn't part of FCBD offerings. This was a left over from another free comic event that Morgan's Comics had so they brought them out to offer for folks that may have missed the event. I being a Wonder Woman fan couldn't say no to a freebie. This gives us a look at a chapter from the graphic novel of the same name. It's a Wonder Woman origin story looks like. Always love a good origin story. Looks like a interesting graphic novel where Diana is accidentally swept away from her island. So I don't know if the novel itself is any good, let me know in the comments. 

That's all she reviewed. Yeah I usually don't go ham on getting comics on FCBD just from fandoms or ones that sound interesting and initially only four caught me interest, which is usually good since stores usually have a limit on what you get. I hope you enjoyed, much love this week. and God bless.

*Thrifty Geek*

Free Comic Book Day 2022

Hey My Fellow Comic Book Nerds,

Today is all about Free Comic Book Day.  It's that day special day of the year comic book store offer up free comic books from some best in the game. Comic companies make special comics to offer up that give fans a taste of their comics. It was started as a way to introduce new readers to the comic book genre. It's always held the first Saturday in May, with the exception of last year due to Covid and it was in August. Well this year was back at it's regularly scheduled time, and while I still masked up and was careful despite having all my shots, I found it less Covid Anxiety inducing than last year. 

Outfit:

So first things first I needed the right outfit, now I don't usually cosplay for FCBD, but I do like to geek it up. Take last year I heard there was going to be a Critical Role comic so I wore the shirt I have from the show in honor of it, and it made a great picture. So this year when with my hat Fangirl made me that's adorned in nerdy pins. I did a variation on my yellow newsprint nails, and actually did comic print ones, that heart ring in the pic was made by Fangirl as well. Wore some Legend of Zelda socks, my Docs that recently got a hand colored pink skull upgrade, my Mom decorated "My Geek is Showing" shirt, I wanted to do something with a plain red shirt, unfortunately my handwriting is crap. Then I finished off with some geeky jewelry first this necklace, made by you guessed it Fangirl, she gave this to me on what I call my "Bad Wolf" birthday and since Doctor Who was on my mind I see a blue box with stars two hearts and thought aw it's Doctor Who themed! Well until I found out she hadn't made it with those intentions years later, oh well it still reminds me of Who. Which congrats to Ncuti Gatwa on being named the new Doctor, look forward to Traveling through Space and Time with you! I also wore this beaded bracelet I received as a favor from the Marshmallow Rainbows Maid Cafe at AARC one year. If this con returns next year with the maids you should check them out.

The Places:

Comic Envy

Our first stop was Comic Envy in Asheville on Merrimon Avenue. Of the two comic book stores we frequent this is the one we've been going to the longest. We were greeted by this lovely lady who I'm almost certain is Jean Grey, let me know in the comment if I'm off:

X-Men have Comic Envy Covered

 

There were comics a plenty to choose from. I didn't have a huge list I wanted this year, but I managed to get all I want, and there was plenty to choose from.

One of the special guests was set up, sadly I didn't get a picture of him, and I'm not sure which one it was. I conversed with one of the workers their who was nice. I really had a great time.

 

Some of the great worker at Comic Envy

 Morgan's Comics

Our next stop was to Morgan's comics in West Asheville, where we can be found at least once a month. 

 

 We were greeted by a couple interesting this the storm troopers pictured above, and this two headed snake skeleton pictured below.

 

 

The ever trusty sandwich board that gives us the deets.

At the store was Morgan herself (pictured above). This is an awesome woman. She's runs this amazing store, she's the first female owned comic shop in Western North Carolina, and she's literally the store's hero she came in an saved it. I'm not kidding you can read about it in this Citizen Times article. She's always a pleasure to talk to.

Matt, Morgan's Husband, standing in the new Pokemon store.

The store was celebrating it's new section opening called the Pokemon Sanctuary, it's a little section in the back of their store dedicated to Pokemon.

 

It is a small but mighty store!

One of the people signing there was Hope Larson, who worked on some Batgirl comics.  

And can we talk about Morgan's personalized comic bags? They are so cute!

 

 The Rest of The Day:

Seems Morgan's was not the only spot having fun in West Asheville the Odditurium was also having this fun looking event.

We had a late Chinese Buffet Lunch, then hit up a couple Goodwills and then called it a day. Not a bad one at that.

The Haul:

I utilized my full comic allowance at each store, but only five were for me, the rest were for my comic loving sister who had to work that day. But all in all a good year.

 

  I hope you have a good day, read comics, and God bless.

*Thrifty Geek*

Sim Life of Thrifty Geek Episode One- New Town Few Simoleons

Hello Simmers,

Today we'll start a new thing I've been wanting to do for a while. I wanted to do a Thrifty Geek Sim series and now I'm starting it! I'm using Sims 3, due to the fact it's the only sims I have nearly all the stuff for. I do have Sims 4, but it's just base game and I can't do much with that. This was going to be a web series on Youtube, but the lag of this game, my computer, and just no set up for this makes it hard to do. I did record the footage, sadly no sound sound was had, didn't know it was cut off, and editing was a nightmare, and I just had no quiet time to do a voice over work. This forced me to have to take screen shots from the video. I would let you see it, but I can't get this to load anywhere. I edited on open shot video editor, if your curious. So from now on I just post photo stories here. Sound good?

Episode One- New Town Few Simoleons

First let's introduce our character:

 

Thrifty Geek Sim Style

Name: Thrifty Geek

Personality:

Adventurous- I chose this trait cause I want sim me to have a adventurous spirit. In real life I have an adventurous spirit, but it's on a non outrageous level. Like no sky diving or scuba diving. Sim me is basically fulfilling some of my wishes.

Bookworm- I love me some books. This is a trait I have in real life. Anyone who's been here before has seen my library posts. So yeah love me some books.

Cat Person- I am a cat person in real life, though I have some love for dogs too. But I just jive with cats. 

Frugal- I am Thrifty Geek. I love to thrift, and live in dollar stores and clearance. Kinda have to when your broke. So my sim shall share the trait.

Lucky- I don't know if I could call myself lucky in real life, but my sim will be. 

Sign:

Gemini- I am a Gemini in real life as well.

Favorites:

Food- Cookies- I love cookies, especially chocolate chip.

Music- Geek Rock- I'm actually a fan of a multitude of genres, including Geek, but I figured this would be the perfect music fave for the sims Thrifty Geek.

Color- Aqua- Blue is actually my favorite color in real life, but since they had two blues I went with Aqua since it's closest to my favorite blue which is Sky Blue.

Lets look at where we are living:

Town:

Sim me is gonna live in Sunset Valley. I thought it's be a good basic town, that has a beach. The only thing is some things like scuba diving areas aren't available in this town. That's one thing I don't like about Sims 3 is they didn't allow for everything to be experience in every town. Dive areas are only in the Archipelago and I don't know if there's a way to build a dive area in other towns. Let me know if there is.

House:

I'm living at 50 Water Lily Lane in the Shotgun Style home, though I intend to expand. Now I'm playing rags to riches style which means I won't be motherlodeing this. I'll be earning it old school. Furniture and items will only be got when I earn the money, get gifted them, through tickets at the festivals, or finding them.

So first things first gonna use my final funds to add to the house:

I kept the daisies, because they are one of my favorite flowers and added some rose bushes, which are my other favorite. 

 I added this willow tree, because I love willows, I think I also added these huckleberry bushes. We sometimes forage for huckleberries for some huckleberry pie. 

Then lastly this whimsical fantasy tree I always like:

I added a little on the inside:

Security system, for robbers

Bed, cause I need something to sleep on

MP3 player, I need tunes

Guitar, so I can achieve my real life dream of playing in sims, and I can earn some money

My High School Diploma, so the world can know I graduated from New Community School for the Gifted with Merit. I did graduate with honors in real life.

So one of our first visitors was the University mascot:

It's a stare down

I shall befriend the mascot and learn his mascot ways. He also delivered some things that will be valuable to me in the future: the university welcome pack. For you see my first goal of this series is to go to university. 

The power of an education!

 

So I'm apparently oblivious as a sim, cause took me a minute to see a dang mysterious portal had appeared in my yard:

 

 So we've bought a house, we've spruced it up. And now we're broke...

What are we gonna do?

Get ice cream apparently... *sighs* Well chocolate makes everything better, even being broke.

So now you had your sweets it's time for job hunting right?

 Nope we're going to go to the gym and watch sciencey things on the TV. *sighs* I'm actually without a TV in real life too, so I get how sim me feels. But enough television if we want a TV we need a job. And where is the perfect place for a bookworm to work:

The bookstore! To be surrounded by books all the time. Plus there's nearby dumpsters to dive for treasures, which my OCD will not allow in real life. 

I feel sorry for whoever was driving this cab after my dive. Bet they were glad when I got home.

The dives proved fruitful I got a dining table, some Copper, Lapis Lazuli, and a couch.

At least I have something to sit on now, where I can enjoy a bowl of cereal.

 

Listen to some tunes before bed. I do listen to music a lot.

We dream of books we are to encounter the next day at work.

 

A new day dawns:

Time to wake up, you got get ready for your first day of work.

 

 

We practice a bit to shake of the first day of work jitters. Love this shirt.

 

This is what sim me decides to wear to work?! Geez look at those legs. Definitely don't have those in real life, and dude can you watch the road and not me?

Although it did get the attention of this cutie.

So well end here. I'll post again at some point, you know I rarely keep schedules here.

I hope you enjoyed. Tomorrow is Free Comic Book Day! I'll try to post about it next week. Have a good week, sim on, and God Bless. 

*Thrifty Geek*