“We took a vote, Predator’s cooler. Right? F*ck yeah.” – The Predator. After a thrilling and marathon Thursday, it’s only natural that Friday would be a little more relaxed, a few extra gutters to go with the strikes, dude. Approaching the convention center felt immediately more crowded as expected but I was caught by surprise that Alec Baldwin seemed to have no queue at his 7 Bucks a Pop booth after a bustling scene the day before. Being a fan of the witty and formerly angry actor, author and podcaster, I took a flyer and picked up a The Shadow photo for signature. It was a very efficient if mechanical experience as I was ushered in, Baldwin didn’t seem too enthusiastic but dutifully signed and took a photo as the staff ushered me out as if there was a rush. After all my amazing run ins with artists and inspirations over the years, I’ll chalk it up to Baldwin enduring a rough few years and having seven kids to feed…
Ballroom 20, the con’s second largest venue, was hosting Primitive War, a Vietnam War set feature where the twist is they encounter dinosaurs! A little more lively was Bob Odenkirk who chatted his time on SNL, near casting as Michael Scott on The Office, U.S., Breaking Bad and of course, Nobody and the upcoming Nobody 2. For the sequel, writer Derek Kolstad pitched an Italian vacation scenery change but B.O. didn’t think Hutch deserved such an exotic adventure and it was off to middle America instead, evoking his own childhood memories as one of seven kids going on affordable journeys. The Bob mentioned how he and his own kids bonded over Jackie Chan’s Police Story and they showed a fight scene that was his attempt to emulate the master. Unable to do high kicks or flips, Bob always asks for his fight scenes to be clumsier and angrier. Odenkirk was trained by Daniel Bernhardt for both films and video messages from 87eleven’s David Leitch then co-stars Christopher Lloyd and Sharon Stone punched up the already entertaining panel.
DC Studios’ Peacemaker Season 2 preview will be a highlight on Saturday and fans have been enjoying Peacefest 2025, the glam rock bar experience in town for three days only. Attendees were greeted by a Peacemaker helmet mask keepsake, photo booth, merch (exclusive shirts were already sold out), Harcourt’s Knockout Bar and displays of Peacemaker helmets and a Megaforce style motorcycle with missiles on it. The 80’s and 90’s hair metal soundtrack blared, with video clips of John Cena in character (who will happily kill anyone for peace) to greet and pump up the crowd. The highlight was a 25 minute set from Way Cool The Band who kicked things off with the most memorable theme song in years, Wig Wam’s “Do You Wanna Taste It?” before launching into guitar and drum fueled hits from Guns N’ Roses, Def Leppard and Bon Jovi before an encore tribute to Ozzy Osbourne with “Crazy Train”. The punchy and good times themes of the era were a nice reminder of the anything is possible, train/fight/win-ness of the 80’s and early 90’s.
Big room Hall H packed them in for Predator: Badlands where the audience was shown the first 15 minutes of the upcoming film then Tron: Ares gave you a laser show and Nine Inch Nails soundtrack intro to the panel that included The Big Lebowski himself, Jeff Bridges. That evening it was over to the Thrilljoy Boardwalk Block Party, a new high end collectable company from former Funko CEO Brian Mariotti. Sadly the ticketed event was marred by a two hour check in followed by more lines to play simple board walk games, drink tickets that didn’t cover liquor, cold pizza and another line to redeem your night’s exclusives.
“Sometimes you the eat the bar and sometimes, he eats you.”
