By John Jackson Miller on
5/31/2007 12:00 AM
This was the first Star Wars Celebration since I've been writing comics for the franchise, so there were a number of fun moments for me.
First off, I got to meet Legacy writer John Ostrander again for the first time in 20 years. We've communicated by e-mail a lot, but the only time I had ever met him before was at Memphis Fantasy Con back in 1987 at Mud Island, when he was working on Grimjack and DC's Legends — and I was still a teen-ager hustling fanzines with my friends. (I believe that con we were distributing something called "MT Magazine" -- which stood for "many things," naturally.) Our panel — with Jan Duursema and editors Randy Stradley and Jeremy Barlow — was a lot of fun, and, I am told, one of the better-attended Star Wars comics panels in some years. Thanks to everyone for coming out!
The second big experience was brand new for me — people dressing up as characters I'd had a hand in creating. I'd gone the first couple of days mainly seeing movie characters, so it was a real surprise to me Sunday when Jarael walked up...
This Jarael is actually Caroline, who came all the way from Puerto Rico with a copper-tubing shockstaff that
broke down into several pieces for traveling. Between that, the bodypaint, the wig, and the tattoos, she made everyone take notice. She really made my day!
That day also included another character — sort of! I didn't get this gentleman's name, but he dressed in what he called a Sith Lucien costume — it's Lucien's robe design, with black instead of tan coloring.
Of course, the Sith Lucien notion is what the lawyers would say is a fact not in evidence (at least not at the moment) — but, hey! It's an Infinities variant!
Finally, I kept hearing that there was a second Jarael at the convention — but I could never find her.
So there I am in the hotel lobby Monday afternoon about to leave for home when Michelle walks in, complete with the robe, staff, and tattoos! Better late than never. Thanks, guys!