Amber Benson Signing at Midtown Comics Grandcentral

Having been a fan of Buffy the Vampire Slayer fan, since I saw it premiere on TV, and being that the lovely Amber Benson was one of my favorites on that show, I was excited to know that she would be signing at Midtown Comics Grandcentral on March 2, 2011.

Amber, as fellow Buffy fans know, played Tara, Willow's (Allyson Hannigan) girlfriend in seasons 5 and 6. Her character, a witch, was one of my favorites in the entire series. Benson was great in her role and that she was easy on the eyes was a bonus. Aside, from being a great actress, she is also an author with a series of urban fantasy books revolving around the character of Calliope Reaper-Jones released by Ace books. The latest one, and the one she is promoting and was signing, is How to be Death has Calliope taking the reigns of the family business after the death of her dad the grim reaper via the hands of one of her sisters and the Devil in an earlier installment from the series.

I got to the store at about 5:15PM or so, but the line didn't start till 6:00. It was cold outside but thankfully not raining. I had a cup of coffee and listened to some music on my i-pod (Pat Benatar, W.A.S.P., etc) until it was time to get in.

I was really excited to meet her. Like I said I was a long time fan, and she had always been top of my list from the cast to meet. Best of all this wasn't a convention so I wasn't going to pay some high price for her autograph (not that she isn't worth, she is, in fact very much so).

Unlike, other store signings I been to, this one allowed you to talk to her, get pictures with her, and get other stuff signed.

She was so sweet in person and looked very cute. She loved talking to her fans and did so, for a while, to each of us. She was all smiles and down-to-earth, as I talked to her about the fact that she was one of my favorite characters on the show and the weird NY winter weather. She signed both her book and my copy of the 5th season of Buffy (which, by the way, is my favorite season of the show). She then thanked me for waiting out in the call. In all, I would say this was one of the most pleasant in-store signings I ever been to. And, yes I did start reading her book, which is thus far pretty entertaining.

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Dr. Satan Lives!!!

All pictures were taken and designed by Alan Camuto.

Dr. Satan has been a long time staple in the Chiller Theatre Expo. For the last couple of years he has been haunting the eastcoast biggest and best horror convention.

Inspired by the character of the same name from Rob Zombie's cult favorite House of 1000 Coprses, long time horror fan and metalhead, Pat Keenan, decided to dress up as him at Chiller. When, he saw how successful it was, he decided to stick with it.

It has become part of Chiller tradition to see him haunt the hallways of the convention. Where ever he goes he always draws a lot of attention. Believe me, I've hung and followed the guy around. Everyone wants to get a picture with him. Even celebrities want pics him. Beautiful female celebs, at that, some of whom will charge others for pics with. They will go up to him ask him to take a picture with them! He is, thus, a celeb, in his own right. At the right you will see a great example of this, as the lovely Tara (formerly Victoria of WWE) of TNA got a picture with him.

Whats most awesome about him, is not just how good the costume and mask are, but how he stays in character. He remains quite and menacing, throughout. He won't even say a word for a pretty girl! That's pretty impressive and shows some great dedication to the role and character.

I, myself, am quite the fan of seeing Dr. Satan roam around Chiller. And, I don't just say this as the guy's friend. Even, if I didn't know the man behind the mask I would still be a fan. After all, I really love Zombie's movie and the character, and he more than does him justice. He IS Dr. Satan!

DR. SATAN! DR. SATAN! DR. SATAN! DR. SATAN! DR. SATAN!

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Chiller Theatre Halloween 2009

This Halloween 2009, Alan, Pat, and I went to the Chiller Theatre Convention. We were unsure about how a Chiller on Halloween would be. But, guess what? This was one of the best Chillers, I been to in a long time. It fucking owned!

The first celeb I met was the very cute Danielle Harris of Halloween 4, Halloween 5, and Rob Zombie's Halloween I and II. I actually met her years ago at a Fango show. But, alas back then I had a regular camera and the film got all fucked up. So, I saw this as a chance to get a new pic with her and get more signatures on my Halloween DVD . Danielle is such a cutie! I love her!

I then met Traci Brooks. I been a long time fan of the TNA beauty, but when I saw her person, I was like, wow! I mean she is even hotter in person ! Turns out she is a big fan of horror movies and Rob Zombie, too. That only makes her more awesome in my eyes! She signed a pic for me.

Next up was Josie Lee. Now, I met her last year, but I like buying and getting DVDs signed by her, so I figured I would meet her again. She is always so sweet, personable, and friendly that combing that with her exquisite beauty always makes it a true pleasure to see her. Her costume was a character from one of my fav comic books of back in the day, Danger Girl, by the way.

The one person I was most excited to meet was the lovely Tia Carrere. I been a fan for a long, long time. And, being that she was one of the biggest stars at this Chiller, I thought for sure she would charge a lot. But, guess what? She only charged 20 bucks for a pic and picture with her! This pic is from one of the first video games to feature stars in it. Tia was very cool in person and is still very beautiful.

Alan went up to Elvira, who still looks great, by the way.

Aside, from the stuff I got signed I bought: Onechanbara, 42nd St. Forever Vol. 2: The Duece, and The Butcher (the new Korean film) which at 20 bucks came with Shutter (the original), R-Point, and Princess on DVD and poster of The Butcher, itself! This makes it THE deal of the day!

Later, it was time for the party. For the first time, ever, I decided to wear a mask. I was Rey Mysterio! I was pleasantly surprised to see what a great reaction it got from everyone. But, more on that later. Alan was a luchador, too. While, Pat was Hannibal Lector and, of course, Dr. Satan!

There were more costumes than I seen in a long time! But, the best one was Chewbaca, and not just cause I am a massive Star Wars fan. Nope, I mean look at how fucking cool it looked!

There were other cool costumes like: Gene Simmons , alien/ zombie/ space dude , Bill Compton (which I flipped out over, being such a HUGE fan of True Blood and all) , my friend Victor as zombie Michael Jackson , the new Michael Myers , the Energizer Bunny , and this cat babe , who has to be one of the most beautiful women I seen all day.

As I said before, I got great reaction from people as in regards to my Rey Mysetrio mask. Even, the wrestling girls (Tara, Traci Brooks, and Dawn Marie, who joined them later at the party) loved it. Although, they told me I was too tall to be Rey! But, I got some great pics with Tara: All of the girls were so sweet and cool, that I just became ever bigger fans of theirs! One of the things that I thought was coolest was that even a little kid wanted a pic with me! I promise you that Rey will return to Chiller! By the way, I ran into the beautiful Josie Lee at the party, too!

All the bands that played were great. I really enjoyed The Undead. They kicked total ass, and I got to tell them that they did, later that night.

Well, we drank, partied, and had a great fucking time. This was just such an AMAZING Chiller. A great way to spend Halloween. But, I leave you now, with the last pic of the night, me and the hottie cop chick . Arrest me, please! I been very bad!

Till the next Chiller!!!!!!!!!

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Now playing: Disturbed - Awaken
via FoxyTunes

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