Ok, I know what you're thinking, "Krash... you've lost it! You're from Ohio, why do you keep blogging about events in Michigan?"

True (in more ways then i care to admit sometimes) but there's a very good reason the rebels of Midwest Base and I made a return trip up to Detroit this past weekend... Motor City Comic Con is perhaps one of the best comic book conventions in the country (outside of San Diego and DragonCon, of course)

For one thing, the place it's held at is HUGE... plus the list of artists and media guests is pretty impressive (I was sad to hear Erin Grey and Gil Gerard from "Buck Rogers" weren't coming) ...along with a ton of comic and toy vendors for us all to buy cool stuff with. But even all that didn't impress me as much as what I've come to refer to as "That's no booth... it's a space station!"

For years, I've been hearing about the major operation our friends at Great Lakes Garrison (with help from Rebel Legion) put together for Motor City... OMG, you have to see it. Not only was there the standard 501st and RL information tables, but you also had temporary tattoo station, NERF dart target range and a new Death Star Trench version... R2 Builders... and their own registration table and dressing areas. These guys come up with some of the most interactive ways to promote their garrison... which is why some of my best ideas in Ohio were "borrowed" from these guys.

The other reason this year's Motor City was worth attending was the last minute addition of Billy Dee Williams (Mr. "Colt 45" himself) to the guest list. Now, I'd met him back at Celebration II, but for some of my guys... this was their first chance to have a formal "meet and greet" with one of the "Fab 5" from the original trilogy. Since Mr. Williams is already an honorary member of Rebel Legion, our Base PR officer (Dee) and I came up with a plan to present Lando Calrissian with an Honorary Member of Midwest Base plaque... sort of a way of welcoming him to our region of the RL.

Midwest Base MCCC Photos

After the convention, and a costume contest that will live (only cause Lisa couldn't find the ones responsible) in infamy... it was time for stop at Denny's for some dinner then head over to the 501st Mixer party! Where else can ya see Sue Storm, Qui-Gon Jinn as a Star Trek "red shirt"... Marion Ravenwood (with monkey AND "the F-ing frying pan") as well as Rebel Pilot Jack Sparrow (thank you Alex for that one)

But we couldn't party all night, cause we had to be up bright and early for another event back home in OHIO...

To be continued