Glendale Heights, IL and Orland
Park, IL
April 22, 2006
Story & Photos by Chris Spice (Darth Spice)
PULLING
DOUBLE DUTY It’s
getting to be such a beautiful time in the Midwest, spring has
sprung and getting around, a Dewback can only be hindered by
construction. I set course to Glendale Heights, IL for a comic-shop
called Quintessential Comics. The model for the character Quinlan
Vos was scheduled to appear to sign in support of the release of
Star Wars: Clone Wars Volume 8: The Last Siege, the Final Truth
trade paperback that hit a few weeks back. A few members of the
Midwest Garrison were on hand, however there were a couple events
and Troopers were deployed on either sides of the state. I was
greeted by Dark Anakin, Mara Jade and one of the most ferocious TIE
Pilots the Midwest Garrison has to offer, as well as our ageless
ally Jim from Federation Toys. I was pretty impressed with the Star
Wars supply that the store had to offer and the collector in me
couldn’t pass up looking through the pegs a bit. You never know when
you’ll find a good deal, and while I do have all of the modern age
figures, it never hurts to improve the condition of the few you have
that you know may not be quite up to par. After taking a look at the
International Darth Maul statue, as well as being tempted by the
Kotobukiya Snowtrooper, I decided this wasn’t the day to improve my
Star Wars collection.
I
had a great time visiting with Doug again, and I really do hope we
can get a Quinlan Vos figure someday. After picking up a copy of the
paperback which compiles much of the back-story of this character,
glancing through I’m mystified they couldn’t insert this character
into Revenge of the Sith. I also was able to secure the Trooper of
the Month prize for Larry Carroll who was voted that honor in the
month of March for 2006. I can truly say that poster is one
signature away from being an amazing piece to an already great Star
Wars collection. Amy Allen will hopefully be at another event
someday and the trifecta will be complete. While I packed my battle
gear and planned on dressing and staying the entire time of the
signing, I had decided to pull double duty and head out for the
other event that was going on that afternoon.
After
saying my share of goodbyes and getting my route to Orland Park I
made way to assist Lord Vader in hunting down a couple of Jedi who
escaped the order at a young lad named Jacob’s 9th birthday party. I
snapped a few photos of recon, and while we did aim our best we just
couldn’t get a bead on the Rebels. All kidding aside, it felt great
to give back and help make the party a little more entertaining as
they played pin the fur on the Wampa and “Hot Thermal Detonata”. I’d
like to thank Jim from Federation Toys for and Doug Wangler for all
the help with the Trooper of the Month prize for March. While there
was a little bit of distance added to my mission today, the rewards
greatly outweighed the disgusting price of fueling S.R.R.V.
(Short-Range Recon Vehicle). United We Find!
PHOTO GALLERY Click on the links below
to see the three different photo galleries.
It’s
getting to be such a beautiful time in the Midwest, spring has
sprung and getting around, a Dewback can only be hindered by
construction. I set course to Glendale Heights, IL for a comic-shop
called Quintessential Comics. The model for the character Quinlan
Vos was scheduled to appear to sign in support of the release of
Star Wars: Clone Wars Volume 8: The Last Siege, the Final Truth
trade paperback that hit a few weeks back. A few members of the
Midwest Garrison were on hand, however there were a couple events
and Troopers were deployed on either sides of the state. I was
greeted by Dark Anakin, Mara Jade and one of the most ferocious TIE
Pilots the Midwest Garrison has to offer, as well as our ageless
ally Jim from Federation Toys. I was pretty impressed with the Star
Wars supply that the store had to offer and the collector in me
couldn’t pass up looking through the pegs a bit. You never know when
you’ll find a good deal, and while I do have all of the modern age
figures, it never hurts to improve the condition of the few you have
that you know may not be quite up to par. After taking a look at the
International Darth Maul statue, as well as being tempted by the
Kotobukiya Snowtrooper, I decided this wasn’t the day to improve my
Star Wars collection. 
I
had a great time visiting with Doug again, and I really do hope we
can get a Quinlan Vos figure someday. After picking up a copy of the
paperback which compiles much of the back-story of this character,
glancing through I’m mystified they couldn’t insert this character
into Revenge of the Sith. I also was able to secure the Trooper of
the Month prize for Larry Carroll who was voted that honor in the
month of March for 2006. I can truly say that poster is one
signature away from being an amazing piece to an already great Star
Wars collection. Amy Allen will hopefully be at another event
someday and the trifecta will be complete. While I packed my battle
gear and planned on dressing and staying the entire time of the
signing, I had decided to pull double duty and head out for the
other event that was going on that afternoon.
After
saying my share of goodbyes and getting my route to Orland Park I
made way to assist Lord Vader in hunting down a couple of Jedi who
escaped the order at a young lad named Jacob’s 9th birthday party. I
snapped a few photos of recon, and while we did aim our best we just
couldn’t get a bead on the Rebels. All kidding aside, it felt great
to give back and help make the party a little more entertaining as
they played pin the fur on the Wampa and “Hot Thermal Detonata”. I’d
like to thank Jim from Federation Toys for and Doug Wangler for all
the help with the Trooper of the Month prize for March. While there
was a little bit of distance added to my mission today, the rewards
greatly outweighed the disgusting price of fueling S.R.R.V.
(Short-Range Recon Vehicle). United We Find!