The Day I Met Joss Whedon (NY Comic Con Day 3)

Posted by Jen on Sunday, February 8th, 2009 @ 7:29 pm

Today was the Dollhouse Sneak Peek with Joss Whedon and Tahmoh Penikett (Helo!). When we got to the con, a line was already forming, and we waited for quite awhile. An hour and a half?

And then the doors opened, and we were ushered into the IGN theater where we had to wait about 45 more minutes until the panel/screening began. When Joss finally entered, the crowd gave him a standing ovation because that man has a devoted and loving fanbase. We got a sneak peek into the opening sequence of Dollhouse, and it looks really good. I can’t wait till it starts on Friday. Joss and Tahmoh together are hysterical. They both have an awesome sense of humor and were constantly cracking jokes about each other, Buffy, BSG and Nathan Fillion. Joss talked about writing, and he said so many things that I never want to forget because he’s so right. The man is a genius. I loved every minute of the panel.

I didn’t get an autograph ticket for his signing because there was a very limited amount, and I didn’t want to stand out in the cold at 7am to try and get one. So, I’d completely accepted that I wasn’t going to meet him.

There was an Amber Benson singing going on for her upcoming novel, Death’s Daughter, but by the time I figured out where it was (the Dollhouse panel ran long), the signing was over. So, then we wandered around for awhile before deciding to stop by the Comic Legal Defense Fund booth. They work to protect comic book creators with the first amendment.

There I saw the fourth trade of Astonishing X-Men, written by Joss Whedon and art by John Cassaday. It was signed by John Cassaday, and while I have the first three trades, I don’t have the fourth, so I bought it. And about, oh, 72 seconds after that, Joss Whedon walked by me.

And I had no idea how to move.

He was just strolling through the big conference hall and chatting with someone. I wanted to say hi, but I didn’t want to bother him. No one noticed him at all, and I didn’t want to bring attention to the fact he was walking around. I didn’t want to start a big mob around him. Plus, what would I even say? I had no idea.

But Joel, who was with me, told me I should say something and literally shoved me toward him. So, then I reached out a hand and tapped Joss Whedon on the shoulder. He turned around and smiled, and he really looked like he wasn’t annoyed that I’d stopped him. Which sent a flood of relief through me.

“I just wanted to tell you I’m a huge fan.”

“Well, then you should.” *smiling and a chuckle*

Joel piped in. “She just bought your Astonishing X-Men trade over at the Comic Legal Defense Fund booth.”

“Yep. Comic Legal Defense Fund.” I nodded and wondered if I could figure out something else to say.

Joel fixed that by continuing. “It was signed by John Cassaday but not by you.”

“Oh, it wasn’t? Well, what can we do about that?”

I felt my heart leap. “Ohmygosh, you’d do that? Really?”

He smiled and nodded while I fumbled around in my bag for the comic. I stood and watched him sign it and tried to think of something clever to say. I didn’t have any luck. Then, he handed it back to me.

“Thank you. I’m such a huge fan of Buffy and Dr. Horrible and your other stuff.” STUFF? *mental head kick*

And then I sort of stumbled away shaking my head. I’m smooth. I wish I’d had the presence of mind to say something intelligent about what I like about his work or even just to ask for a picture with him. But I’m not complaining! I don’t know if it makes much sense, but it really meant a lot to me. Meeting a writer who has had such a profound impact on me. I not only love his work, but it has influenced my own. Inspired me to keep trying to make my writing better and better. Maybe that sounds cheesy, but there it is.