Among the endless sea of comic book and sci-fi fans was Actress, Comic Book Divas Model and Reporter Anjanette Clewis, who was interviewing guests and fans at the Dallas Comic Con; she was also being 
stalked by the squirrel from the upcoming Comic Book Divas and Legends Of Heroes And Villains comic book and a new comic book entitled, “SQUIRREL”.
“SQUIRREL” is a Alfred Hitchcock “The Birds” parody comic book being released in September at the Miss Misery’s Days Of Terror Convention and will make it’s Texas debut at the Dallas Fan Days in October. Anjanette stars as the anchor woman who is covering the squirrels invade a small town after one of their own is pepper sprayed by a school security guard. Anjanette talked about promoting the new CBD title at the convention,
“The fans are excited and eager for “SQUIRREL” to come out!
There has been a buzz for a while about “SQUIRREL” and a lot of promotion behind it to introduce it to the fans. I think it will go over great and I think fans will not be disappointed!”
Anjanette is a Texas horror film actor who will be seen in the soon to be released movie “Through Hell” She has worked with Comic Book Divas for a year. Her thoughts on CBD, “The best thing about being a Comic Book Diva is being a part of such an amazing creative team! I am proud to be a part of “SQUIRREL” and I just hope everyone loves it. Being featured in a comic book is both flattering but also challenging, I will have to really live up to the character.
“I wouldn’t want to let the fans down!”
One of the hot spots of the Dallas Con was The Big Freeze. It was a popular attraction at the con. You pay your 
money. Stand on the platform.
Discuss with the staff what movement you plan to make. Then as you do your thing. Cameras that line the circle platform take photos. Computers process the photos and soon there is an image of you in 360 motion. It is best described as something out of The Matrix movies.
All sorts of things were photographed and put in motion. Jedi’s with lightsabres. Grown men with Nerf. Girls in Catsuits. Kids….lots of kids! At one time you could glance and see Dr. Beverly Crusher from Star Trek, The Next Generation. Or it looked exactly like Dr. Crusher. With Patrick Stewart, as a guest at the Con, Enterprise
Captain Jean Luc Picard himself. Seeing Dr. Crusher was a welcome site. Actually she is a regular cosplayer at the cons known as CookieCup Cakes.
If you have attended the Dallas cons you have seen Cookie either as Supergirl, Fantastic Four’s own Sue Storm (Invisible Woman), Dark Phoenix and bravely as Jar Jar Binks. But her favorite is Dr. Crusher. “I love Star Trek, The Next Generation, it’s my favorite, and I love her character. She actually reminds me of my mom a little, so her nature is very comforting to me. I guess I relate to her the most out of all the women on that show.
There is something about a Starfleet uniform that makes me feel like a better person when I wear it. I once had 
access to a Tricorder replica and memorized some Starfleet medical jargon the first time I portrayed her, it really added to the character.”
CookieCup Cakes talks about a previous con, “I did have a surprise encounter with Brent Spiner while in my Star fleet uniform. It was actually the first time I had ever tried Cosplay and I was not planning on meeting him that day. I was waiting until the next day when I was out of uniform, because I was paranoid that he might think less of me.
“I still wanted to get a glance of him. So I peeked into the signature room he was supposed to be in. He wasn’t there! I turned and he was walking right toward me. I gasped and as he walked closer. I was racking my brain of what I could say to him. He was looking right at me. I didn’t want to just ignore him. So I said, “Oh No! I didn’t want you to see me today because I didn’t want you to think I was crazy!”
“He stopped right in front of me, and listened as I said “I was supposed to meet you tomorrow when I was wearing normal people clothes!” he smiled with a mischievous grin and said “You’re Crazy”. He was obviously just joking and we laughed and I said I would see him tomorrow. He kindly agreed and strolled back into the room.
“I don’t know why I was so worried before then, but that cured me of any embarrassment about cosplay.”
Her shyness soon left her after working with the much loved Costumed Crusaders at several of the cons. In the future we may see Number Six from Battlestar Galactica. “She was my favorite character of that series, I would love to get/make that famous red dress and just walk around calling everyone “Gaius” in that sweet unforgettable tone she used on Gaius Baltar who was her love interest.
“Of course I would not even be in the same ballpark as her, but it would sure be fun to try!” We look forward to your Number Six!”
In addition to costumed heroes, Cookie has also appeared as a Clown at area carnivals. She makes balloon animals but admits she is not very fast. So the next time you see her at a con, ask for a balloon animal Jar Jar!
Most fans of Star Trek, the Original Series know that often the ship was in danger and Chief Engineer Scott would have the answer. He would make his way to a quiet part of the ship. Enter an area alone and take a reading, make 
a discovery or do some act that would save the ship.
The area was called The Jefferies Tube…..a critical part of the Enterprise.
At the convention something similar was taking place. If you made your part to a part of the convention hall. Observe a friendly man in a tie decorated with the Starship Enterprise. See his book and learn about the creation of the original USS Enterprise.
Richard Jefferies is the brother of the late Matt Jefferies who was the set designer and later Art Director of the original Star Trek series. Matt became friends with Gene Rodenberry based upon their love of aviation and experiences in WW2. Richard takes you thru his brother’s career and the development of the Starship Enterprise.
His book, “Beyond the Clouds”, goes in-depth behind the scenes in the development of the original Star Trek series. Also discussed are his contributions to aviation art and other parts of Hollywood, including the original Dallas television series.
So the Jefferies Tube that Scotty crawls into to save the Enterprise. It was named after the Series art director Matt Jefferies.
In addition to the famous actors, there were many legendary artists at the con.
Neal Adams, known for both DC and Marvel artwork. He has worked on Batman, Green Lantern, Green Arrow, Superman and many other DC titles. Then moving to Marvel Comics he worked on the X-men and Avengers.
Another famous artist is George Perez, who started in the 1970’s with Marvel’s The Avengers and Fantastic Four. In the 1980’s he moved to DC to work on Justice League and The New Titans.
He was even part of the DC relaunch.
Other artists present were Jimmy Palmiotti, Len Wein and Arthur Suydam.
One of the more interesting artists in terms of background is Doug Sneyd.
He has worked for Playboy magazine since 1964. He has made the full color, full-page cartoons for Playboy for decades. Doug was there promoting his book The Art of Doug Sneyd and selling original art. But as an 
interesting bonus. He was sketching girls at his booth!
The line was non stop at his table with girls wanting a sketch. These were portraits, neck up and done in black and white. Doug does not attend these type of conventions much especially in the US. This was his first visit to Dallas Comic Con.
If you have never been to a convention, either scifi or comic, they are well attended. Lots of people. Crowds. Lots of different outfits. Vendors. Unknown transactions. And such activities are always monitored by The Empire!
Members of the 501st Vaders’ Own are present to keep the peace. Extremely accurate Star Wars Stormtroopers were present. The 501st is everywhere including many charity events, including Make-a-Wish, Wish on Wings, walks and runs, visits to children’s hospitals, birthday parties, parades, and many more.
For some it is a family activity. Sarah Brownlee, with husband Jeff and son Marc were in full Imperial Armour. Sarah as a storm trooper, Jeff as Commander Fox and Marc as a biker scout.
You would expect to see teenagers at a con in costume. You would expect to see couples that grew up with Star 
Wars in costumes. But the family suiting up in Imperial armour together!
Sarah talked about her son, “Marc loves dressing in costumes and posing for pictures, plus he likes to reach out to the scared little ones to set them at ease around us. He’s been going to conventions and other events with us for years, so he’s an old pro at it now.”
Sarah commented, “The DCC was great, because so many newcomers came out for Patrick Stewart. They had never seen a movie accurate Star Wars costume before, so their reactions were awesome. Jaws were hitting the floor, women literally squealed, and we were mobbed for pictures.”
“I have yet to meet an actor from Star Wars that is impressed with us, I think because they meet the 501st on a regular basis, and are used to it!”
So what happens when you are off duty from the Empire? Sarah is, “working on a Captain America USO Girl costume, and a Vault Dweller from the Fallout video games. I’m pretty excited about both of those, as I love group costumes and have several friends who already have or are building them as well.”
“Jeff has a Dr. Horrible costume, I think that falls under comic, though. He also has an Arthur Dent, from Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy. I think most of my costumes would fall under scifi, but I do have a masquerade ball costume, a pinup girl, an Angry Bird…and a Merlotte’s Waitress from True Blood.” So believable that this reporter tried to get her to take a drink order!
So it is the last few hours of the con. The last day. You have seen your television or movie hero. Gotten your pictures and autographs. Bought the perfect print, DVD, uniform part or action figure.
Filled your memory card or phone with photos of costumes and yourself with attractive Powergirls, Wonder Women and Batgirls. You are preparing to leave. As you are walking to the door there he is……Chewbacca.
Full fur and all seven feet of Chewie himself. Inside is Adam Samaz. Who is usually on the other side of the costume taking photos of the cosplayers which you can find on his site Samaze. But this day Adam was Chewbacca who is his favorite, “since it makes everyone so happy and I get to be a giant. Everyone wants a picture with Chewie and kids love it.
It’s only bad (hot and uncomfortable) in the mask/gloves where it’s latex.
Everybody loves it, even Peter Mayhew himself(who played Chewbacca in the Star Wars movies) was so happy. They all just want to hug big lovable Chewie.”
So as you leave the convention center. Get your hug from Chewie!
Look for Comic Book Divas at Fan Days 2012, where “SQUIRREL” will be making it’s Texas premiere, and be sure to meet Anjanette Clewis from “SQUIRREL”, and meet Taffeta Darling, Krystle Starr, and Jesse Thaxto who will all be part of the upcoming super hero mystery comic entitled “Donor”
Story and Photos by Bob Sanders; Check more of Bob Sanders photos at his Facebook Page HERE
Special Thanks to Anjanette Clewis, Krystle Starr, and Adam Samaz
