The Motor City Comic Con 2010

[the armourer]

You ROCK, Dave. Very cool.

[Karol]

AWESOME! What a great way to finally meet Vernon!

[Justice]

That is awesome! Wicked cool, and it sounds like something he might say. From what I have read and heard he is a down to earth guy. I hope I can meet him someday in the future.

The stack actually froze to his hand huh? The things you learn.

[Gasoline]

Shit hot Dave.
The machine looks great and is going to get some major attention.

[mack tanker]

Way To Go HUMVEE!

[HUMVEE Driver]

I found a quick shot of the Machine on youtube, at 2:44:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=APvYtGKMaqw

Saturday went fine, except that more and more people were climbing on the Machine whenever I wasn't there to stop them. I asked the management for some barriers to put up, but no one ever showed. I spent a little time talking with Virginia and Vernon about movie making, 'cons, and just life in general. It was very cool.

I wore the Bad Cop outfit that Karol made for me. I only got one decent picture though:



Later on, a company (Stylin' Online) came and interviewed me about my Machine. It should be up on youtube soon.


Sunday was even more fun, except for the jerks jumping all over my truck. I mean, is there a big sign saying "This is here for your amusement, do whatever you like" on it? I came back once to find a (I am not kidding) 400 pound lard ass wedged in the driver's seat. He needed help to get out, and of course he cut his leg as he tried to get down. So I had to clean off some fat asshole's blood. After that I "borrowed" some rope and strung it around to keep people off.

That afternoon, Stylin Online did an interview with Virginia and Vernon... on my Machine! Seeing my work being used as a setting for something like that felt like a lifetime achievement to me. The video for it hasn't been uploaded yet, but when it is I'll post the link. Here are a few pics:











As things were winding down, I said my goodbyes to Virginia and Vernon. Virginia told me that I should have been charging for pictures of people on my Machine, if only just to recover the cost of getting it there. She even suggested that next time we set up a time for people to get a picture with her and Vernon on the Machine. I might take her up on it!

Vernon gave me a big Wez-like hug as I said goodbye. The man is a class act.


Lastly, a model wanted to get some pics with some of my costume stuff. Here are a few of her poses:







Then I got to start up the Machine and drive it out. The sound of the exhaust inside that building was awesome! I had to make a wide turn to get out, and there were some chairs in the way. I just drove through them. I think Wez would have approved...

Once outside, I got to open up the throttle as I had been itching to do all this time. I roared around the parking lot, and almost demolished a Grand Am that wanted to get too close for a picture. Then I loaded up the Machine and brought it back to it's home. The next time I'll have it out will be for a car cruise in about a month. Until then, I'll see you on the road!

HUMVEE Driver

[Johnprime]

Looks like you had a nice time at the con. As far as protecting the signatures, I'd look into various kinds of sealer. Of course, you should make a prototype, using the same material that the machine is made from, then write something on it and put the sealer on it to make sure it doesn't cause the signatures to run. One thing that might work, is using some kind of clear coat spray paint first, then after that has dried and protected the sigs, put the sealer over top of it.

Course, I'm not amazed that you'd have people climbing on it, most people are clueless and don't have any regard for other people's property. Not all people of course, but a whole lot more people than you'd expect. I agree with Virginia though, you should charge for photos, just make sure if you allow people on the machine that you get some kind of no-injury waver signed first so some a-clown doesn't try and sue you!

Good luck with the sig sealing!

[MFP 2020]

After Vernon and Virginia signed the gas tank on my demon bike (with silver Sharpie, I believe), I sprayed it with several light coats of Krylon clear lacquer.

Later, when I was swapping out the tank, I spilled gas on it and the gas made the lacquer and part of Virginia's writing run. Heartache. It's not too terrible, but I'll have them sign the new tank if I ever get the chance.

Also, Dave, the pics are great. Looks like you had an awesome time!

[Max Replica]

When I was at the recent Anaheim Comic Con there were a lot of movie cars there. They were free to take photos in front of, but you had to pay the owner of the car if you wanted to sit behind the wheel for a photo. Seems fair to me. Those people had to get their cars there and sit with them for a few days, they should make a few bucks. (I think it was about $10 a photo session but it may have varied by car and they may have charged less for little kids).

I am actually surprised that people were climbing on it. It's sort of a known thing that if there is a car like that on display indoors you're not really supposed to touch it. I can't picture anyone doing that at the Con I was just at, whether there was someone guarding the car or not. Well maybe one or two idiots but not many. Then again, maybe there is just something open and inviting about the Humungus Machine.

Hope we get to see the video interview online at some point.

[HUMVEE Driver]

I guess they are taking their sweet time with posting the interviews. I'll keep checking.

Thanks for the sealing advice, I'm going to try it out soon.

I don't mind people sitting on the Machine for pictures... as long as I am there to tell them it's ok and warn them not to trip/watch the sharp edges/don't flip any swtiches/etc. Especially kids; I love seeing their faces light up when I tell them to climb up for a pic. But just jumping up on an unattended vehicle is just unfathomable to me.

HUMVEE Driver