So I went to Botcon in June 2014, and I covered the opening days of my trip there in Part 1! So here’s Part 2, where I continue to geek out about Botcon. Botcon, you know, the biggest, greatest, most glorious Transformers convention ever. Best of all, it’s fan run and Hasbro endorsed! So it’s official, and it’s made for geeking out!
Again, if you’d like to see the details for Botcon 2014, check out this website – but if reading my post has you buzzed to go for Botcon 2015, then sign up here!
Day 3
So on Day 3, after I spent all my money buying toys, I decided it was time to stop shopping and headed over to the artists’ alley. This talented lady did Kittyformers, so I commissioned a Victory Saber piece from her.
I was quite buzzed to see the upcoming Age of Extinction toys. Thinking back, I think I had most of the Takara versions already, but Slog wasn’t out yet (and wouldn’t be for a long time). Anyway nothing beats seeing open toys on display in both modes la, haha.
The Dinobots. In G1 colours. Woot! It’s a bit blur because people kept knocking into me in their excitement to see the toys (what a lousy excuse), but I think the highlight of this box set was the papercraft foldable Ark playset. The glue on mine was not so well done so it’s unsticking already (sigh) but it’s still a great backdrop to take photos with. If you’re wondering where the 5th Dinobot is, he’s an Amazon exclusive – G1 Slog!
Oh, this wasn’t for sale at Botcon though – it was a preview. It was released at SDCC 2014 (and I hope to go for SDCC 2015, heh).
This is the other SDCC 2014 exclusive, and again it was previewed at Botcon. I, erm, have no words to say. It’s kind of strange, what with their hair extensions and all. I’d rather another Fortress Maximus, but I believe I’ll eat my words at some point.
There was a customs competition as well. Not too sure about the Pretender Starscream though, but I’m no customiser!
Now this one caught my eye. I don’t have quite enough pieces to construct this (plus I’m horribly OCD with my Kre-O/Lego parts, they all have to go back to their respective sets) so I’m always thrilled to see someone engineer the likeness of Transformers with construction blocks. And Omega Supreme vs Devastator? Props for those mortal enemies!
I like Unicron. Who doesn’t? I have too many Unicrons man. It’s an interesting movie homage. I’m not quite sure what they’re using for the figures, but I would play with them in a heartbeat (if I were allowed to touch them) (which I was not).
Day 4
The last day of Botcon came around! By then I had bought an Autobot ear stud (seriously, where would you buy one besides at Botcon?) and was toting it around with my blazer and such.
I checked out the convention exclusives – these aren’t the ones in the boxset, as you might have realised. They are additional bagged sets that you can buy at Botcon itself.
I like the Hunter/Rampage homage. Brimstone was a bit meh, but I understand why he’s there – he’s part of Cannonball’s crew in Transformers: Cybertron. At least according to TFWiki and box bios.
Haiyah. So tempted to shell out for a Chrome Dome. But I already have a 3rd party Chrome Dome. Must resist. Must… oh hello eBay.
The cosplayers were out in full force as well. I can’t imagine lugging all of this onto a plane and back again, but then again they probably didn’t have a 22 hour flight. Or did they? In any case, respect. I would be drowning in my own perspiration in those costumes.
I do not know who the boy is. I do know that is Ironhide though.
A true female Soundwave cosplayer with real Soundwave parts! If you don’t know, there’s this ridiculous person I’ve seen in Singapore who wears a hygiene mask, shades, a blue top, and totes a blue cylinder so she can call herself a Soundwave cosplayer. Yeah right. She should meet this one.
I think there’s too much awesome in this picture to have anything worthy to say.
Also, I actually won a lucky draw prize! Not a free trip to next year’s Botcon, but it’s fun to win something! I wonder if they’ve ever seen my surname before. Fortunately I have an English name.
And so my faithful custom Victory Saber bidded the greatest Transformers experience of my life goodbye.
And Metroplex heeded the goodbye of the last Singaporean (OK la I’m not the first or the last but I have no idea what else would be appropriate).
Spot the error. I only noticed this on the last day. Thank goodness. I would have clawed my eyes out for days if I had seen this first.
And so this is the artwork that the aforementioned talented lady did for me! Hello Kittysaurus and Victory Kitty!
Eateries
If you’re worried about food (since you know, you might have it in your mind that it’s all burgers and fries in the US), there was a healthy variety of food around Pasadena, all within walking distance too. OK maybe not healthy, but different enough for my palate.
And then you have a Korean franchise in an American city patronised by a Singaporean citizen. It’s a global village indeed.
Thoughts
Botcon was really expensive (for such a short trip), but well worth going for. You’d probably have to stay at the recommended accommodations (Airbnb won’t help here, the prices would be jacked up to close that of the hotel), and if you want to buy all the exclusives… that’s about 2,000 USD already.
Add a plane ticket there, your daily necessities, and whatever other shopping you want to do at Botcon (because you can find anything on your wishlist in the dealer’s room), and the cost will skyrocket.
But is it worth it? Yes.
If you’re a Transformers fan, yes, it’s worth the cost and time to go there. It’s not just about the toy shopping, but it’s about the kind of people you meet there – fans like yourself, people from different walks of life, all coming together for a common cause. I’d say the best aspect of my trip was all the people I got to meet (even new Singaporean friends!), and knowing that even halfway around the world, there are folk who like Transformers as much as I do.
Of course, don’t disparage those can’t make it to Botcon – there are other priorities in life, and I’m just fortunate to have had circumstances allow me to go Botcon. Not going for Botcon doesn’t mean you’re not a true Transformers fan or what not – in fact, it doesn’t mean anything at all. It’s a choice, your choice, so respect that, and respect the choices of others.
Cheers to Botcon! Remember to sign up for Botcon 2015 (actually, book your accommodation first) if you’re keen to see what the franchise will be like, moving on to the 30s!
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