Well, I've been waiting for someone else to post a much more awesome re-cap of the signing Gerard did Tuesday at Things From Another World in Portland... But no one has, so I'll post my crappy, second-hand retelling of the event...
I go to school in Eugene, and happen to have most of my classes this term on Tuesday, so unfortunately, I could not attend. So, I did what any college student would do: I sent my mom xD
My mom, being the awesome person that she is, went, taking all my Umbrella Academy comics with her, as well as buying the special edition with the cover Gerard drew when she got to the store.
After an hour of standing in line with screaming fan girls and such, mom finally got to Gerard, which took much longer than it should have since people were rude and decided it was ok to cut (for shame).
Gerard was sitting in the back of the store, hunched over a table, with sunglasses on. And, for all the people who give him a hard time about wearing sunglasses indoors.... think about this. The lady in front of my mom walked up to him, shoved a camera about a foot in front of his face, and took a picture, with the flash on. He'd be blind by now if it weren't for those Ray-Bans.
Anyways, he shook her hand and asked her name, and my mom mentioned she was there on behalf of me, who had class, to which he replied "It's good she stayed in class." Here's the rest of the not-verbatim conversation that sorta went like this:
Mom: Yeah, she's an art major at the University. She wants to intern this summer at Dark Horse.
Gerard: That's really great!
Mom: How do you stand the screaming?
Gerard: You know, I don't know.
Mom: Well, thanks a lot, and enjoy your stay in Portland.
Gerard: Thanks! I really like it here.
Eh... so yea, that's what my mom told me went down. Some people in line were pretty chill, one woman got her iPod signed, a ton others were trying to hurry so they could stand in line for the show later that night at the Crystal Ballroom (did anyone go, btw???). They ended up closing up about a half hour early since no one was there actually, which I kinda *headesk* at that thought, thinking I could have had an actual conversation about art, or comic books, or cake with him. I think mom had a rather exciting time, although you would never hear her admit it.