I just want to post my congratulations to John Rocco Roberto, Jim Cirronella and everyone else responsible for this year's G-CON. As I posted quite sometime ago (when I first started posting to a.m.m), what these guys have done for G-Fandom by bringing over people like Satsuma, Nakajima, Kenji Sahara and others is nothing short of historical and down right amazing. As fans of Godzilla, I think we have a VERY exciting year coming up, not the least of which is the prospect of (at least) three more G-CONs with more exciting guests! You all have a lot to be proud of.

From: Rob Dagg Date: 01/19/1998 Newsgroups: alt.movies.monster

The G-CONs have probably been the greatest event to hit this fandom in a long time. I've been to almost every G-CON and I've always enjoyed myself. Not to mention all the other hundreds of fans with smiles on their faces and enjoying each other's company. It's not about the toys/movies so much (although it certainly doesn't hurt!) but the fans meeting each other after years of corresponding on the phone or in the mail. Meeting great Japanese actors like Kenji Sahara, Masanari Nihei, Dore Kraus, Ken Satsuma and Haruo Nakajima has only made the experience that much more rewarding. It's sitting around with the fans talking about that hard-to-find item; that first time you saw a Godzilla movie, or just sitting around a television enjoying each other's company while watching Ultraman, Godzilla, etc. Or seeing the fans making great costumes for the G-CONs; all the hard work and effort put into something they truly love. Seeing little kids running around with Ultraman figures and saying "Showwaaattt!" with a smile on their face. Or kids coloring pictures of Godzilla. It's fun. Take care, all.

Hello. I just heard from John in Japan and he wanted me to post the following: He says he is having a great time there and that when he gets back he will be making a blockbuster announcement regarding G-CON '98. He will have full details regarding this announcement in KAIJU-FAN #7, which should be out by the beginning of November. Take care, everyone, and thanks for your time.

Christopher

Memorial Day weekend will be May 23-24 next year, with Memorial Day observed on the 25th. G-CON will be held on May 23-24 to coincide with the release of the Tri-Star GODZILLA film (opening on the 20th). On the evening before the convention, there will be a screening of the new film at a Chicago area theater for all advance ticket holders to the convention. In attendence at G-CON '98 will be Kenpachiro Satsuma, Haruo Nakajima and Yoshio Tsuchiya (schedule permitting).

You can find out more about G-CON by calling 718-253-8649.

- Red (from the Two-Z-Bar)

From: TwoZbar Date: 03/06/1998 Newsgroups: alt.movies.monster

Stay tuned for info about the alt.movies.monster get-together/dinner at the convention and G-CON name badges for newsgroup attendees from Mark "UNGCC" Suggs.

G-CON '98: CHICAGO May 23-24, 1998 Radisson Hotel, Arlington Heights, IL. For room reservations, call (847) 364-7600 and ask for the G-CON rate.

Guests: HARUO NAKAJIMA and KENPACHIRO SATSUMA "The Men Who Were Godzilla" and YOSHIO TSUCHIYA, star of "MONSTER  ZERO", "GODZILLA RAIDS AGAIN", "THE HUMAN VAPOR", "DESTROY ALL MONSTERS", "MATANGO", "GODZILLA VS KING GHIDORAH" & more! (schedule permitting)

Admission: $30.00/weekend (advanced*), $15.00/day (at the door) * Advance registration includes Friday night screening of Tri-Star's new GODZILLA film! For more information: (718) 253-8649

- Red (from the Two-Z-Bar)

What a strange day here in Chicago. While traipsing about, I happened upon a sci-fi store. On impulse, I moseyed on in. Big store, brimming over with copious amounts of fanboy stuff. All the Star Trek, Star Wars, Star Trek spinoff, vampire, Lovecraft, and miscellaneous stuff my poor eyes could stand, but absolutely NO Godzilla stuff. Odd, that. Most of my G-related activities involve searching for movies, searching for toys, and hob-nobbin' online... more or less private stuff... I had no idea Godzilla fandom was so ... well, comparatively, obscure. Obviously, a great many people are quite involved with it and apparently, G-CON is quite the event (though 1998's G-CON will be my first, and what luck: it's in my home town), and of course, Yaohan has insane quantities of Gojira and Gamera stuff. But darn it, I couldn't find anything kaiju-related nestled amongst the vast fanstuff dedicated to tripe like Voyager. No point to this posting, I'm afraid. Just sort of musing. Kaiju fandom is a harsh mistress.

Club Daikajiu, Creature Feature Productions, Radio Tokyo, Shoowat! Productions, Expressions In Animation and Japanimation

Take care and we hope to see you at the show!

John Rocco Roberto

Okay. Let's add fuel to the fire!

Only at G-CON can you do all this and more! Only at the original, the official, the registered G-CON '98! Oh yeah: Don't forget that American Tri-Star film Friday night for all advance registrants.

From: Rob Dagg Date: 01/31/1998 Newsgroups: alt.movies.monster

So is the GODZILLA BLOOD! GODZILLA BLOOD! GODZILLA BLOOD! See you there!

Rob Dagg

P.S. There may be some "new blood" unveiled at G-CON 98' stay tuned!

From: Jay Johnson Date: 01/31/1998 Newsgroups: alt.movies.monster

Ahhh yes, Rob old man, the Blood will flow. You might wanna rename your Gamera blood concoction tho -- I think John Woodard might have beaten you to the stuff -- he wants to compare his Gamera Blood to my Godzilla Blood, just to see which is most toxic. I am, of course, most eager to sample (oops--I mean SERVE) some up to youse Mafiosos.

From: Rob Dagg Date: 02/01/1998 Newsgroups: alt.movies.monster

Doh! Foiled again! Well, like they say, "great minds think alike". John, get that Gamera blood ready! It's gonna be a "bloody" good time at G-CON, my good mates! (Terrible pun intended)

Rob Dagg

From: TwoZbar Date: 02/08/1998 Newsgroups: alt.movies.monster

As you know, Mr. Nakajima is an older gentleman and it requires a lot of effort to travel halfway around the world to appear at a fan convention. While he enjoys coming to the conventions and meeting the fans very much, this will probably be the last year that he will attend G-CON.

- Jim C.

Hello, everyone.

There has been a lot of discussion and we have received several phone calls from fans wondering if there will be a G-CON '98 in New York this year. Unfortunately, the answer is no. The release of this years' Tri-Star film makes our Chicago convention the best possible time to celebrate Godzilla. It was for this reason that we decided that we would hold only one large convention this year. Also, as this will be the last American appearance of Godzilla suitmation actors Haruo Nakajima and Ken Satsuma, we thought it was important to do our best in one fantastic show. And with Chicago being centrally located and the Radisson being easy to deal with, we decided to return to our "home base." We hope this clears up any confusion, and we're sorry if this inconveniences anyone.

Remember, if you want information on G-CON, or just want to find out the latest in KAIJU-FAN, go to the Daikaiju Enterprises web page at: http://www.kaijufan.com/ . We've just updated it with new articles and photographs so check it out!

Thanks, and we hope to see you in May!

What's in a name? A lot! Especially if you're confused over the whole G-CON/G-FEST confusion. But it is all very simple if you take the time to understand a few simple facts.
 

Now here's the facts on the conventions:

No real information available at the current time. It will once again be held at the Wyndham Hotel in Itasca, IL and is being promoted in the pages of G-FAN as "Those Fabulous Dinosaurs of the Movies!" Both J.D. Lees and Neil Cox will once again be organizing the convention so we should expect to see personalities like model building expert Stan Hyde and authors Stuart Galbraith and Edward Godziszewski.

The guest list keeps growing! In addition to both Kenpachiro Satsuma and Haruo Nakajima, the men who "are" Godzilla, Yoshio Tsuchiya (the Controller of Plant X) has confirmed that he is very excited about his first American convention appearance! But we haven't stopped there. Several of your favorite KAIJU-FAN and G-FAN personalities will be on hand to fill out the days' events with panel discussions and Question & Answer sessions on everything Japanese Sci/Fi. Personalities will include Robert Biondi, Brian Culver, Keith Sewell, Rob Dagg, Lenell "Ultra" Bridges, Steve Ryfle, Marc Cerasini, Bob Eggleton and many more!

Once again, G-CON is proud to present the Daikaiju Prop Room, featuring authentic Japanese film props used in the filming of the Godzilla and Gamera series as well as a display of vintage Godzilla toys and collectibles. These are the real things, as seen in your favorite kaiju productions. Actual props used in the making of Godzilla, Gamera and Ultraman!

G-CON has currently worked out a deal with Suncoast Motion Pictures to do a special autograph session with "The Men Who Are Godzilla" at their Randlhurst Mall store on Wednesday, May 20th, 1998 from 5:00pm until 6:30pm, at which time it will be off to the Woodfield Mall theater for a 7:00pm promotion of the Tri-Star film. While both Tri-Star and Centropolis have decided to snub the real Godzillas, both Haruo Nakajima and Ken Satsuma are pleased to lend a promotional hand so the fun starts early this year!

Currently, the dealer's room promises to be the best and largest of any previous G-CONs (or G-FESTs), as dealers old and new sign on to promote their wares. Of special interest will be the presence of Douraku Posters, direct from Tokyo! Currently, the dealer room will feature: Applause, Inc., Club Daikaiju, Creature Feature Productions, Douraku (DIRECT FROM JAPAN!!!), Expressions In Animation, Pix Poster Cellar, Outer Limits, Radio Tokyo and Shoo-wat! Productions.

For additional information, you can contact Daikaiju Enterprises and Productions at (718) 253-8649 Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays 7pm - 10pm EST, Sundays 1pm-5pm EST, or contact them through their web site at: http://www.kaijufan.com/ .

But don't just take our word for it. Here's what you can expect at G-CON:

It appears that G-CON '98 is shaping up to be THE kaiju event of 1998 and may even rival G-CON '96 as the best kaiju show ever. And don't forget to check out our cool contest to win a Satsuma/Nakajima autographed Marmit Godzilla figure!

That's all for now!

We are proud to announce that America's number 1 Japanese sci-fi convention keeps getting better and better! Currently, 15 kaiju dealers have signed on, making this year's Dealer Room the largest of any previous conventions. In addition to the largest kaiju importers like Creature Feature Productions, Outer Limits and Club Daikaiju, Mushashi Enterprises and Suncoast Motion Picture Company have added their names to the ever-increasing list. Also, KAIJU-FAN Magazine and Radio Tokyo are proud to announce that the Saturday evening band for our Costume Contest will be THE SOUTHERN ROCK ALL-STARS!! Featuring David Hlubek - lead and slide guitars, vocals (co-founder of Molly Hatchet); Jay Johnson - guitar and vocals (lead guitar for The Rossington Band); Jackson Spires - Drummer (co-founder of Blackfoot); Greg T. Walker - bass and vocals (co-founder of Blackfoot and former bassist for Lynyrd Skynyrd)

So, not only does G-CON bring you special personalities from Japan (like the Men Who Played Godzilla!), but we bring you Rock legends too!!!

G-CON '98: not just your average G-FEST!

From: RADIOTOKYO Date: 04/22/1998 Newsgroups: alt.movies.monster

My take on all this CON stuff is this: Have fun no matter which CON or CONs you support. HAVE FUN. That's what it really means. I've been a staunch supporter of JRR for years and will continue to be. It's time for all of us to get back to the fun of it. I personally am sick of the CON Wars. Let it be and to each his own. Each side in these CON wars is going to go out of their way to promote themselves as being the cat's meow. That's just a fact! Who can blame them ?? That will never stop. This also is a fact: most people do not care one way or the other about which CON is the best, which publisher is right, who's good, who's bad. They just wanna have fun, and they won't let sour grapes from either side screw it up for them. I'm for that. Anybody who wants to miss out on the big picture because they don't agree with a particular person's attitude is only hurting themselves. I WILL be at the Chicago show to meet Mssrs Tsuchiya, Nakajima & Satsuma. I'm gonna have some serious fun!

From:TwoZbar Date: 04/23/1998 Newsgroups: alt.movies.monster

From: John Rocco Roberto Date: 05/05/1998 Newsgroups: alt.movies.monster

Pet Post wrote:

> You're still torqued over JD ignoring you, your guests and your CON. SO WHAT? If you want to be a first class organization, then take the high road and ignore all the other people whose sole purpose is to rub the cat's hair the wrong way.

> Jim in Seattle

In closing, I'll take a page out of J.D.'s book (to paraphrase): "If you want information on the REAL convention," check out our web page @ http://www.kaijufan.com/conven/gc.html .

From: Alan Winterrowd Date: 05/11/1998 Newsgroups: alt.movies.monster

Looking forward to seeing everyone at G-CON!
 

On Saturday and Sunday, May 23 & 24 - "TRADING CARD CHOUSEN - The Challenge of Collecting Kaiju Trading Cards". This seminar will be followed by a trading card trading session. So, bring in your want lists, bring in your doubles, and Trade, Trade, Trade!

From: TwoZbar Date: 04/17/1998 Newsgroups: alt.movies.monster

Ha ha! Appropriate title! And who better to take on the "challenge" than kaiju card expert Randy Giesey? (I have it on good authority that John Colonna and Larry Wauchop -- no slouches when it comes to card collecting, either -- will be helping out). Bring your doubles, everyone, and let the trading "go-go of one million" begin!

- Jim C.

From: Tom Roberto Date: 04/25/1998 Newsgroups: alt.movies.monster

Hello, everyone;

As of this post, several reports have been circulating about the possibility that Tri-Star will not have their GODZILLA film ready for the May 20th release date because there are 150 special effects shots left to be done. Several people have asked how this will effect the convention if this turns out to be so.

The answer is, NOT AT ALL!

Personally, I think this is just a ploy by Devlin to remove GODZILLA from the Cannes Film Festival so no one finds out what Godzilla is going to look like. Of course, all of us on this news group already know!

Here is the schedule for Friday night:

6:00pm - Advanced Weekend Ticket Registration - Weekend ticket holders will be able to register for the convention, receive their weekend passes (no waiting on line Saturday morning), and their special Godzilla collector's pin! [Tickets can be purchased until May 20th, 1998, at which time we must present the theater with a seating plan. To order tickets, check out our web site at the address listed below.]

6:30pm - The G-CON (Free!) Pre-convention Party - Convention goers (weekend ticket holders and non-ticket holders alike) can meet and mingle with our very special guests from Japan. At around 7:30pm (8:30pm if we see a 10:00pm showing), we will board our own very special bus (The Magical Godzilla Tour?) which will take us to the theater.

9:00pm (10:00pm?) - Tri-Star's GODZILLA - Depending on the time of the showing, all weekend ticket holders will enjoy (or dislike) Tri-Star's GODZILLA on the big screen. Sure, you could go to Madison Square Garden and sit with a bunch of Toho suits (probably writing down everyone who utters the name Godzilla as a copyright infringement), or you could see it with The Men Who Played Godzilla!

11:00pm (12:00pm?) - Magical Godzilla Tour - We will embark onto the bus for a return trip to the hotel, where every good girl and boy can settle down in their nice warm beds and dream of the kaiju heaven that awaits them the next morning (except me, who never sleeps during these conventions). And they say Christmas comes but once a year!

Of course, if the film is not released we already have plans to fill the evening with interesting entertainment. I may even sing. Not! But let us cross that bridge when and if we come to it!

See you in May!

From: Zooxsk8r Date: 05/23/1998 Newsgroups: alt.movies.monster

Can you imagine the BOO-FEST when they watch this...! And the morning after....whew...makes me glad I didn't go.

From: John Rocco Roberto Date: 05/28/1998 Newsgroups: alt.movies.monster

Too bad, because the attendees respected the non-convention goers viewing the screening and did not boo, shout or do anything to disrespect the film. The same went for the convention where the focus was more on the Japanese films we love than the short comings of the Tri-Star production. No one disrespected the film or people who enjoyed the film all weekend. I'm sorry to say that the film did not do the same for the fans. It's not that it was not a Godzilla movie. My wife and I both knew that the minute we read the script but it was just a bad movie all around. I will be providing my own personal review of GODZILLA in the upcoming issue of KAIJU-NEWS (believe it or not, I want to go see it again before writing about it) and complete coverage of the opening weekend and G-CON '98 in the next issue of KAIJU-FAN.

From: Dr. Derek Robb, Kaiju Hakase Date: 05/29/1998 Newsgroups: alt.movies.monster

John Rocco Roberto exploded:

> No one disrespected the film or people who enjoyed the film all weekend.

Well. There was a designated discussion session about G '98, preceeding Ken Satsuma's appearance for the Q&A. A good bit of savvy on the part of the CON organizers, imho. A designated and discreet period for people to vent. Then everyone moved on.

From: John Rocco Roberto Date: 05/10/1998 Newsgroups: alt.movies.monster

Well, G-FAN #32 has come out and there is a lot of information about J.D.'s convention in it. Of course the average reader may be a bit confused over several claims made about the convention promising "to be the greatest in its five year history..."

So, once again, being the magnanimous person that I am and believing that it is important to present BOTH sides of an issue and promoting my own convention, here's the breakdown on the conventions! Let's start with G-FAN's show:

July 31st - August 2nd, 1998 Wyndham Hotel, Northwest Chicago, IL

GUESTS: William Stout, renowned dinosaur artist; Mike Fredericks, editor of The Prehistoric Times; J.D. Lees, editor of G-Fan; Gene Rizzardi, chief of the miniature model crew for GODZILLA and TITANIC; Ed Godziszewski, editor of Japanese Giants; Steve Ryfle, author of Godzilla: The Unauthorized Biography (Mr. Ryfle will also be appearing at G-CON); Bob Eggleton, Hugo award-winning Godzilla expert (Mr. Eggleton will also be appearing at G-CON); Stuart Galbrath, author of Japanese Fantasy, Science Fiction and Horror Films; Randy Giesey, creator of Godzilla Rules (Mr. Giesey will also be appearing at G-CON) and several others, including Stan Hyde, Sean Linkenback, Pat McGrath, Chris Scalf, and many, many more!

PREMIUMS: All advance registrants will receive: a Destroy All Monsters poster, courtesy of ADV Films - Commemorative pin - Program book and certificate

CONTESTS: Art Contest, Model Contest, Costume Contest, Amateur Video Contest, Kaiju Call Contest, Trivia Contest and Coloring Contest

In addition to the information above, G-Fan's convention is touting "The Biggest Dealers Room Ever!", "The Most Extensive Dino/Kaiju Model Display In Convention History!", "The Most Stellar Line-up of Presenters Yet!" and "The Greatest Gathering Of Godzilla/Dino Fanatics On Earth!!!!"

The convention rate is $29.00 advance, $9.95 for the Saturday G-Lunch, $9.95 for the Sunday Dino-Lunch and $15.00 for the awards Banquet, making a grand total of $63.90. For information, contact J.D. directly at: (204) 326-9515.

And now for G-CON:

May 23rd and 24th, 1998 Radisson Hotel, Arlington Heights, IL (Home of G-CONs '95, '96 & '97!)

SPECIAL EVENT: Godzilla Takes Chicago!

MEET!: The Men Who Played Godzilla and The Controller From Planet X LIVE!!! at Suncoast Motion Pictures & The Randlhurst Mall Theater, Randlhurst Mall Wednesday May 20th, 1998 5:00pm - 8:30pm

Plus! Talk to Haruo Nakajima and Kenpachiro Satsuma Live on the Sci/Fi Channel's web site http://www.scifi.com Thursday, May 21st, 1998 8:00pm - 9:00pm!

Also! The first International convention hook-up as EURO G-CON and G-CON '98 connect Live! via the Internet!

GUESTS (G-CON is the ONLY convention to feature FIVE very special guests from Japan): Haruo Nakajima, veteran Toho actor who played Godzilla from 1954 until 1972; Kenpachiro Satsuma, veteran Toho actor who played Godzilla from 1984 until 1996; Yoshio Tsuchiya, veteran Toho actor who played The Controller from Planet X, The Human Vapor, and Mr. Shindo from Tri-Star Pictures newly released "Godzilla vs King Ghidora"; Minoru Yoshida, Toho creature designer and creator of Super Godzilla (for NES), Destroyah, Battra, SpaceGodzilla and the new Mothra and many more; Yoshihiko Shibata, Toho Studio expert and renowned Japanese kaiju expert. Plus the greatest fan and professional kaiju personalities in America! Guy Mariner Tucker, author of Age of the Gods: The History of the Japanese Fantasy Film; Steve Ryfle, author of Godzilla: The Unauthorized Biography; Marc Cerasini, Random House writer and author of Godzilla at World's End; Bob Eggleton, Hugo award-winning Godzilla expert; Robert Biondi, G-FAN co-creator and author of the Godzilla In America series; Brian Culver, co-author of Toho In America and Godzilla on Video expert; Keith Sewell, kaiju historian and author of The Daimajin Files; Randy Giesey, Godzilla trading card expert.

PREMIUMS: All advance registrants will receive: Complimentary tickets to a Special Friday Night Screening of GODZILLA! and a Special Tri-Star Godzilla commemorative pin.

CONTESTS: Art Contest, Model Contest, Costume Party, Amateur Video Contest, Kaiju Call Contest, Trivia Contest and Kids Coloring Contest.

In addition to the information above, G-CON will feature The Southern Rock All Stars providing the music during our costume party, continuous sci/fi video festival courtesy of Shoowat! Productions, The Daikaiju Story Corner and___________________________________________________________

The convention rate is $30.00 advanced or $15.00 per day at the door. A TRUE bargain!

In closing, I'll once again take a page out if J.D.'s book (to paraphrase), "If you want information on the REAL convention," check out our web page @  http://www.kaijufan.com/ or call us at (718) 253-8649.

G-CON '98, not G-FEST, but why would we want to be!

Some G-CON news bits:

* G-CON has arranged for Godzilla suitmation actors HARUO NAKAJIMA and KENPACHIRO SATSUMA to be interviewed from Japan by Access Hollywood, an entertainment news program on ABC. (I believe that this particular segment will run on Monday, May 18, but I'll post more info as soon as I find out.)

* A special gift to the fans attending G-CON '98 has been provided by none other than legendary composer AKIRA IFUKUBE. Details will be revealed during the convention's opening ceremonies and will be posted to the G-CON '98 ONLINE! website at  http://www.inteleco.com/gproject/gcon98/index.html on May 23.

* Contrary to unsubstantiated rumor, veteran Toho sci-fi film actor YOSHIO TSUCHIYA will be appearing at G-CON '98. As of May 12, it has been confirmed by G-CON's contacts in Japan that Mr. Tsuchiya is looking forward to his visit to the US.

From: TwoZbar Date: 05/171998 Newsgroups: alt.movies.monster

EBelcher wrote:

> >I wondered if Monsters Are Attacking Tokyo! has appeared in bookstores yet. I think it may come out next week along with the books on the US movie. Does anyone here know anything more? Thanks!

"Monsters Are Attacking Tokyo!" is out now and it will be available for sale at G-CON in Chicago next week. Although I haven't had the chance to thoroughly review my copy yet, the book is nicely laid out and concentrates on the people behind the scenes, which, IMO, is the approach that should be taken when attempting a book on the subject of Japanese sci-fi cinema (something that the "Official Godzilla Compendium" sadly lacks). I'm looking forward to reading it this week.

From: G-Master Prime Date: 05/26/1998 Newsgroups: alt.movies.monster

After what I have seen in this newsgroup, the next G-CON will become a full blown fight between Original Godzilla fans and Tri-Star GODZILLA fans. And in my opinion, I love the old Godzilla and the new Godzilla is not Godzilla.

From: Denstrick Date: 05/26/1998 Newsgroups: alt.movies.monster

Ridiculous. Have you ever been to G-CON? Everyone is there to have a good time. Fans have differences of opinions vis-a-vis the movies, but I've yet to see anybody come to blows.

Excepting, of course, competing video dealers . . .

Dennis

G-CON is a registered trademark of Daikaiju Enterprises and Productions. KAIJU-FAN and EURO G-CON are trademarks of Daikaiju Publishing. All rights reserved.