Welcome to the first in a series of recollections from Fantha Tracks contributor Paul Naylor. In this memoir, Paul recounts the trials and tribulations of collecting autographs of our favourite heroes and villains.
Prologue
I first saw Star Wars in the early part of 1978. Yes, 1977 was its release, but what many have forgotten in the mists of time is that much of the UK did not get the space opera until the new year. Like many of that generation, I was hooked straight away – hence me being part of Fantha Tracks today.
Back in the late 70’s the merchandising machine for Star Wars was nothing like it is today. We had the Topps Trading Cards. Waxy blue crudely printed wrappers with an unmistakable smelling and tasting strip of gum, combined with wonderful prints and reverse artwork from what was yet to be known as A New Hope.
Marvel released the story as a weekly comic strip – erm, Star Wars Weekly – which at the time was one of the best ways of replaying the adventure in your mind. No such joys as a Betamax or VHS copy to be had for years.
Like most kids of that era, I enjoyed recreating scenes with Palitoy and Kenner figures. The sands of Tatooine were replaced by a busy patterned lounge carpet, whilst an old garage playset for my Corgi and Matchbox cars doubled as the Millennium Falcon.
Decades later I became a father myself. My daughter and son inevitably have taken an interest in the saga, with Matthew being a big fan of Galactic Heroes figures in his younger years.
We wanted a shared experience. Something more meaningful than simply collecting plastic replicas of our favourite characters. The solution? Collecting autographs. I highly recommend this. It is such a wonderful bonding experience, creating fabulous memories and unforgettable links to screen icons, both major and minor.
Episode 1: The Ewok Strikes Back
February 20, 2010, MCM Midlands Comic Con, Telford International Centre
The first time I ventured to a comic con was in my home county of Shropshire. Telford is a 20 minute drive from my home and my son was aged 6. We didn’t really know what to expect, but as we approached the International Centre, Telford’s convention centre, we would soon witness all manner of colourful cosplay characters – some familiar, others not so.
The main reason for going along was to see costumed characters from Star Wars and to buy Galactic Heroes. Little did I know at the time it would be the stuttering, stumbling start of a galaxy of autographs.
As we browsed the various stalls we happened upon Wicket the Ewok actor Warwick Davis. What happened next was somewhat embarrassing and it sounds naive now, but trust me when I say it was an honest mistake.
Along with Matthew’s best mate Oliver, and his dad, we approached Warwick said hello and stared at the pictures set out in front of him. The two young boys each picked up a 10×8 inch photo of Wicket from Return of the Jedi and we innocently walked away thinking they were freebies.
As we re-joined the crowd a voice came from behind us: “Excuse me. Excuse me.”
It was Warwick Davis. He had leapt from his chair behind the trestle table and chased us down for the ‘stolen’ photos – which me and the other dad were now carrying.
Having apologised for the mix up, we walked back to the table with Warwick who by now realised it was an honest mistake, made by inexperienced con visitors.
Without asking he signed a couple of postcards for the boys and gave them to each for no charge. What a top bloke I thought.
That single act of kindness would eventually lead to a sizeable collection.
Roll on to February 18, 2012, and Warwick was back at MCM Midlands Comic Con.
It had been two years since that first autograph. At least now we were more familiar with the protocol, and probably because of his previous kindness, my son Matthew and I went over to see him for a chat and proper autograph.
I am sure anyone who has met Warwick will testify, he is one of the loveliest people to speak to. He was fabulous with Matthew – who was then, and still is, quite shy – but his classic Wicket autograph with the distinctive “Yub Yub” added by Warwick while signing remains one of Matthew’s favourites.