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After a good nights rest, I decided to get up early for the final day. I got a sausage McMuffin and talked to Robert a bit. The line was forming for the voice actor autographs already. I tooled around the dealer room half hoping something would jump out at me. But I decided to get into the (now growing) autograph line. I managed to draw a picture of Tarantulas before I left home so I was able to give Alec a picture as well as have one signed. I brought up my Japanese BW Tarantulas and Cheetor to have signed. By fortune, I had found another Beast Machine BlackArachnia at my local Fred Meyers so I had that signed as well. No camera so I just got the autographs. I shook each actor's hand and thanked them for their contribution to the Transformers.

Fumihiko was having his little clearance sale and the other dealers were also feeding the shark frenzy for closeout prices. Last year, many dumped but prices this year held on to their high marks for quite a while. Eventually, some markdowns did occur but only by small margins. I attended the Vince DiCola and BotCon presentations so I didn't get to see the final "Dealer Blowouts".
But that's OK. I nabbed the Japanese Micromaster Rocket Base (Countdown + Rescue Patroll) for $100. I was suprised that it was still MISB! Other vendors were selling the American version, either opened or boxed but were still around $80. So I guess I did OK.

I think I would have bought the Luiki brothers accessory pack had the Cheetor swords been made for the Supreme version. Also, the Key to Vector Sigma was a nice touch. But I didn't need the stands and the $40 was still a bit steep to me.

Before the convention, I had already filled my Beast Machine and Car Robot want lists. And the older toys were just too pricey. Also, the Brave knockoffs (or Korean releases) were just to massive to take home. Sure, I could have used some Brave Police guys. But, ah well...

I spent more time at the Art Display today. Sebas and Robert Yee were there. Again, I took some time to admire the Rodimus Primal multimedia display.

-- Vince DiCola --
I really enjoyed the Vince DiCola panel. I got in a bit late from my autograph signing but the music was excellent! He played some of his own takes of Transformer music. He also played an audio of a song he wrote and Stan Bush sings. I'm really jazzed to get the BotCon double CD ('Til All Are One') now. Also, we encouraged him to put his new music on CD for us (for future BotCons or something). One music score written for TF: the Movie didn't make it to the big screen but he played it for us and we were impressed - it was an action score.
People encouraged by hoping he could do music for the next Transformer series.
Finally, the guy really has talent and class!
I'd have to put in another free plug for the BotCon 2000 Video. Vince is just amazing!

-- BOTCON sponsors --
3H, IMO did a fine job this time. They admitted they dropped the ball on some things but they expressed their hard work and disappointments for things that did and did not go well. For instance, a big win in the end was the theater they were able to get for the Movie showing. A kinda miss was not getting Frank Welker here for at least the Exclusive Dinner. Marty wasn't able to come. The exclusives were a big hit. The merchandise (like the comic and badge hangy-thing) met with a few hang ups.

They did not have news for next year. They alluded to a possible G1 mold as an exclusive and that they are trying constantly to get G1 voice actors -- they're just so busy and expensive.

The BotCon panel went past 3pm and the Dealer room was closed. So I missed any close-out sales but I got some good information from the 3H guys.

Sebas, John, and I spent the rest of the day talking about art projects.

That's about it for this BotCon!

©1999 Mark Wong
Didn't bring a camera, needed material from other people.