BotCon 2012 guests

[griffin]

As usual, FunPub don't promote guests (as a reason to actually go to the convention instead of just buying or picking up toys) until it is too late for people to be able to organise to go to the convention.

And it's not like they can't, as it seems that two Beast Wars guests are already hinting at their attendance via facebook - David Kaye & Gary Chalk (http://www.seibertron.com/transformers/news/david-kaye-and-garry-chalk-attending-botcon-2012/24055/) (Megatron and Optimus).

(yes, I know they are in other series... but BW is their most notable)

[Hursticon]

Aww man, I bet they're going to be involved with the script reading too! :eek:
That, or they're just attending for the sake of it which apparently David Kaye is known to do! :D

[griffin]

Now officially announced on the BotCon site (http://www.botcon.com/BotCon2012/guests12.cfm), and the pair are there to commemorate 10 years since Armada started.

[Hursticon]

Meh, Armada... :rolleyes:

Beast Wars is what's going to get screamed at them, especially for David Kaye if BW Megatron ends up winning the HoF. :D

[griffin]

Another guest has been announced - Dan Gilvezan (http://www.botcon.com/BotCon2012/BC12-guest3.cfm) (voice of Gen1 Bumblebee).
Strange though, as I recall reading somewhere (tfwiki I think) that he was never going to be a guest at a FunPub BotCon... I guess they patched things up.

Apparently there is one other guest to be announced for this year (pretty light on the guests this year if there is only one more).

[Hursticon]

What's the story there Griffin? - FunPub not make with his appearance fee or something? :confused:

[griffin]

I can't seem to find it now. There used to be something (I'm sure it was on tfwiki), because I was only just reading about it last year (due to him being at the non-BotCon event), but it musta been removed.
Ah well.
I'm not even sure why he'd be avoiding FunPub either, because he's never been a guest at a FunPub BotCon... unless he was meant to be at a previous BotCon of theirs (like in 2009 when it was last in LA), and the deal fell through.
I know a couple people who would know if that's true, so might ask them at BotCon.

[Hursticon]

I know a couple people who would know if that's true, so might ask them at BotCon.

Curious huh? - It'd be interesting to find out, indeed. ;)

[griffin]

Even if it were true, perhaps it is something that is best left unknown... as it serves no purpose to know about something this negative that has since been resolved and put behind the people involved.
If I went looking for answers, I'd be no better than a gossip-filled tabloid paper.

[griffin]

Another guest announced, from way out left-field... The voice actor for Gen1 Blaster - Buster Jones (http://www.botcon.com/BotCon2012/BC12-guest4.cfm).

I'd never heard of him outside of Transformers, and even in Transformers he wasn't a notable name with just the one character, late in the series. But apparently he had a fairly decent resume as a Voice Actor (http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0427665/), so it should (hopefully) be an interesting & entertaining panel at the convention.
Blaster was one of those uniquely memorable voices on Transformers, that didn't sound like it was filtered like Soundwave. I hope he can still do the voice, and is given some likes to re-read.

Finally, FunPub have given us someone new...

[griffin]

Apparently (http://www.seibertron.com/transformers/news/botcon-2012-special-guest-peter-cullen-announced/24491/) Peter Cullen (Voice of Optimus, Optimus and Optimus), is going to be at BotCon, but it wasn't on the BotCon website at the time of posting this. So maybe it was on their facebook page.

[KalEl]

im so going to botcon next year!

[Hursticon]

Oh man; if there is a script reading involving Kay, Chalk & Cullen (Plus the bloke who did G1 Blaster who's name escapes me... :o) then they had bloody-well better record it and get it out to people! :eek::D

[griffin]

(Plus the bloke who did G1 Blaster who's name escapes me... :o)

It's like, three posts above... :rolleyes: :p

[KalEl]

It's like, three posts above... :rolleyes: :p

Hehe, oh hursti :P

[Hursticon]

It's like, three posts above... :rolleyes: :p

*Applies palm to face rather heavily...

Yeah, should've looked for that one... :p:D
In recent news though, it would seem that TFW2005 (http://www.tfw2005.com/transformers-news/conventions-15/derrick-j-wyatt-to-attend-botcon-2012-174788/) have confirmed that TF:Animated extraordinaire - Derrick J. Wyatt, will also be attending Botcon 2012; taking part in a retrospective TF:A panel & some autograph signings. :cool:

[griffin]

A number of artists have been announced (http://www.botcon.com/BotCon2012/) as being available in the Dealer Room for this year, selling stuff, autographing things, and doing requests.
Matt Frank
Casey Coller
Robby Musso
Josh Perez
Livio Ramondelli
Dan Khanna
(plus a few amateur artists)

PLUS, Simon Furman will be there selling copies of:
*Transformers: War Within -- Age of Wrath #4 (unpublished)
*Transformers: War Within -- Age of Wrath #5 (unpublished), including a bonus FREE outline of issue #6
*Transformers Beast Wars #1 (Dreamwave/unpublished)
*Transformers #80 (Marvel US, 1991)

[griffin]

And for a peak at the unpublished Age Of Wrath issues, there are sample pages here (http://www.lilformers.com/blog/2012/04/19/dreamslaves-6-secrets-of-the-age-of-wrath/) from what would have been #4.

[griffin]

Damn, I just saw the routine for the Peter Cullen Autograph session (http://www.seibertron.com/transformers/news/botcon-2012-peter-cullen-autograph-guidelines/24594/)... and to say it is longwinded and over-complicated is an understatement.

He will only be signing 125 things, and those 125 people will be randomly drawn from pre-registered attendees and any walk-in guest who purchases an entry before 11am Saturday.

The list will be announced around midday, for the 1.30 autograph session.

But it doesn't end there...
If you are on the list, you have to get your ticket from the info booth during those 90 minutes (if you aren't already attending other things like panels).
You have to have your SINGLE item ready to sign the moment it is your turn, and be as quick as possible.
You can have your photo taken by someone while you are at the table, but won't be able to pose with Peter Cullen.
Sheesh... I wonder if they will have police guards and attack dogs there to drag off people who don't follow the rules.


As much as I'd love to get another chance at seeing Peter Cullen (I wouldn't have anything to sign though, as I don't care much for autographs), this is one occasion that I think it is "fairer" for those who are dedicated fans to be the ones spending hours queuing up for an autograph and get one, than have this lottery system, which will see a large portion of winners not even show up or not be too fussed about Peter Cullen (from the pre-registrants who are automatically in the draw).
If I end up getting drawn as a winner, I'd feel a bit guilty about it, because I'd either be too busy in a panel to use it, or would be preventing a die-hard Cullen fan from using it (because it isn't transferable).
It reminds me of the stuff-up of 2007, that saw earlybird pre-registrants get on the Hasbro tour, regardless of if they were interested (parents, dealers, relatives etc), leaving others behind who were more keen to go.
So somehow FunPub have managed to create a limited-access (feature) event that gets wasted on the wrong people - instead of going to the people who were drawn in to sign up for that featured event.

[griffin]

The updated schedule for BotCon this year (http://www.seibertron.com/transformers/news/full-botcon-2012-schedule-posted/24587/), for anyone interested.

And an announcement of a script reading (http://www.seibertron.com/transformers/news/botcon-2012-script-reading-bee-in-the-city-2/24586/) sequel to 2008's "Bee in the City" (an Animated story).