The Official Comic Con Thread

[Phaedrus45]

Every once in a while, I look for a place or a thread where we can talk about the various comic cons that are available for fans to go to; but, aside from some special ones for San Diego or Emerald City that might pop up every now and then, I couldn't find one. SO...this thread is for anything Comic Con related.

I'll start things off by talking about a couple Cons that are coming around my area in the next couple months, and the guests or events that might be featured. Also, I think it's a great place for those of us who attend to let others know things that they found to make the Con-experience much more enjoyable for them. Finally, I know I've had some questions in the past; and this is a great place to ask.

Anything goes! Talk about your favorite writer or artist that you met! Advise those of us who are looking to get comics signed which books are ones that you consider a MUST to get signed. Let us know those artists or writers that really turned you off; or those that put limits or charge fees to get signatures. For those of you who get drawing done, let us know what the regular fee you've had to pay is. And, if you've been in the line for the Media Guests, what do they normally charge. (Stan Lee signature this past year cost me $40.00, if I remember correctly.) How do you prepare for comic con? Do you go with anyone, or do you have to go it alone?

That's just some stuff that I'd be interested to hear about. Hope others will like this thread as much as I will.

 

[Phaedrus45]

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[Phaedrus45]

Ok, so I've only been to four comic cons in my life: The three past ones for Emerald City Comic Con, and last year's Portland Comic Book Show. From my experiences, I have found the best way to get signatures for your comics is shown in the example above.

This actually takes quite a bit of time for me to do. I go out and buy at least 600 of those small post-its. Then, I look up in the Comic Book Database for a particular artist or writer who'll be attending the upcoming show. Here is the link for that great source:

http://www.comicbookdb.com/

Just do a search for any artist/writer, and every book they've ever worked on comes up. It's not perfect; but, damn near close. (I wish there was a way to look up their earliest work to the latest without having to go through every entry.) Even if the writer/artist only did a one-page pin-up, it will show up in the database.

After I go through every writer/artist coming to the event and pick out which titles I want them to sign, I transfer that to my NOTEBOOK section of the computer...making a list alphabetically of all the guests and my books...and, then, I look at the map of where they are assigned to sit. (This is best for the large comic cons; but, not needed as much with the smaller ones.) Then, on my small post-it, I put the last name and location of where they are seated. Believe me, even though this takes a LOT of time to do, it will save you a vast amount of time getting all your titles signed.

At large Cons, you will have numerous people who work on one title that you might want to sign your issue. This issue in particular, The Order #1, has had two people sign: Kurt Busiek and Matt Haley. For this reason, I especially want post-its; because, I need to know after getting the first person to sign, who I have left and where they are sitting. (Biggest drawback is that getting these numerous signatures are the thing that takes up the most time for me. There is a lot of shuffling around of comics, getting them in the right spot; then, hoping that the person you need to sign first is around at that time to do it.)

One of my biggest suggestions is keeping those post-its on your comics after you got the signature. First time, I took some off and regret it now. I get so many signatures, I cannot remember which books I've had signed and which I don't. Case in point, at a one-day comic con coming up in less than 2 weeks, Matt Haley is attending. I had this listed down as one to get signed; but, I easily saw that I already had it done. Now I can move on to a different comic...or just pick up issue #3 in this series. (He didn't do a book #2, as what the Database says.) Also, some signatures are a bit hard to find on a book. Some artist's pens blend in easily with the cover art...and, you might not notice it was already signed.

 

[Phaedrus45]

So...going off on a side subject, where do you prefer your comics to be signed? I always love the cover; but, all these new glossy ones make for some serious smudging. I've had artists purposefully sign inside a comic..which makes for keeping on your Post-Its even more important.

One thing I hate is when the artist or writer insists on signing it to the individual. I think they believe we're just going to try and make money with their signature on ebay. For me, these books will not be sold by me; but are an inheritance for my kids. If they choose to sell these comics, then so be it. Faerber did this to me with Dynamo 5 #1 and another title. Now, there are cases where I tell the writer/artist that's ok, like if it's a comic my daughter enjoys reading. She'll come with me from time to time to a convention, helping me out...and, I let her know who some of the people are. (Busiek was REALLY nice to my daughter, and we even met his kids at the last Con.) My daughter has the first issue of Beasts Of Burden signed to her in my collection.

 

[Phaedrus45]

OK, promotion time!

Those of you in the Seattle area, or who don't mind a bit of a drive...September 25th is the FIRST EVER Jet City Comic Con.

Seattle's Emerald City Comic Con has been hugely successful; so, it only stands to reason that we have another Con that gives the fans what they want. This is much, much, much smaller than Emerald City; but, that just makes things more intimate, like the Portland Comic Book Show. You don't have to worry about the crowds and long lines to meet your favorite guest. Also, you don't have to worry about a comic you are buying to be drastically reduced in price on Sunday; since, this show is only one day!


I'm just now preparing to go to this Con, and my next post will be the artists and writers I'm excited to see...and the comics I will be wanting most to get signed.

 

[TheCorpulent1]

I've only been to one convention: Orlando's MegaCon back in '05 (I remember because "Sins Past" had just happened, which elicited a disappointed shrug from Mark Waid when I asked what he thought about it ). I hung around Mike Oeming's booth a lot and got him to draw me an impromptu Loki sketch. I totally geeked the hell out in front of George Perez and called him one of the most influential artists in the industry. I spent like $400 on statues, trades, and other stuff.

It was actually fairly easy to see most of the comic folks for me, but that was probably because they had a couple cast members from TV shows as well. They seem to garner the most attention. Only exceptions were Adam Hughes, who was busy working on commissions like every waking second of every day of the con, and Ethan Van Sciver, since Green Lantern: Rebirth was coming out at the time. Luckily, I've never really wanted to talk to Hughes and I don't even like Van Sciver's art.

Worst part about the con was the fact that I got sick from it. I guess I picked up a bug or something 'cause I ended up with a sore throat and a bit of a fever. Still totally worth it, though. Second-worst part was the smell. People tend to get ripe in those numbers, crowded into a room--even a huge one--for like 8 consecutive hours. I myself started feeling clammy and gross about halfway through each day.

I haven't been to any cons since because, as cool as the experience of going to a con was, I don't really want to just wander around alone at a con again. I'd prefer to go with someone else who's interested in comics, but I don't actually know anyone like that in real life.

 

[Phaedrus45]

While nothing beats the big Comic Cons, like Emerald City or San Diego, I highly recommend finding these smaller ones. First, they're much cheaper, and second, much more intimate. Usually you can get about 15-30 decent writers and artists that will not have any huge lines to worry about. (Last year with the Portland show, I didn't have to wait for more than one person ahead of me when I met such big names at Marvel, like Jeff Parker and David Mack.)

Jet City is only in it's first year; but, they already have a decent turnout of guests. (Well, not with Media..but, I never go for the Media guests.)

Here is who I'm excited about meeting:

Matthew Clark - I've met him a couple times already; but, there are still plenty of DC comics that I have for him to sign still. He had a good run with Outsiders and Adventures Of Superman; and, currently he's doing Doom Patrol. The only Marvel book that I know of that he did was an Inhumans miniseries from quite a few years back; and, I already have issue #1 signed. I'll probably dig up issue #2 - 6 this time and have a full set of that comic signed by him.

Peter Bagge - I've never met him, and wasn't aware of who he was until I did a bit of research. He's been around for a while, and was heavily influenced by Robert Crumb. Marvel fans might remember a one-shot he did, called Spider-Man: The Megalomanical Spider-Man. I'll get that signed, along with a few comics he contributed to, like last year's Strange Tales and the recent Deadpool #1000, where he did a great story called "A Day In The Life." He also did Bart Simson's Treehouse Of Terror #2, which I have in my collection.

I love the older artists and writers who aren't as well known...until you do a bit of research and realize that you can now recognize their work.

Dave Johnson - This is probably the guy I'm most excited about meeting. Sure, there are bigger names; but, Dave has been around for a long time, and does a LOT of cover art for various comics. He's most known for 100 Bullets...but, that's a book I've never read or collected much of. I'm more excited about getting Superman: Red Son signed, along with a Spider-Man: Tangled Web, Rawhide Kid #1 from 2003, PunisherMax #1, The Mighty #1, and Deadpool #1000. Plus, the list goes on and on. He's done quite a bit of work for Marvel lately, including covers for Gorilla-Man and Hit-Monkey.

Since I have never seen him at a show before, I'll probably stack up on a lot of issues. I always wonder if the writers and artists get peeved if you bring them too many...and how many that is? (I'm not like those people who bring 100 titles, many of them duplicate copies they are obviously selling right away. For someone like Dave, though, I can see me having about 15 easily on hand. Hard to believe at my first con I just brought one or two comics for each person I wanted to sign.)

Jay Faerber - I'm both excited...and hesitant. I've had him only sign comics for me once before...and, I think I only brought about three. He signed them personally to me; and, as I explained above, I prefer to just get the artist's signature. Still...looking over his history, I have a ton of books for him to sign, including Dynamo 5's newest mini. I also see that he worked on the Captain Universe series of books that came out about five years ago.

I really love to get issues signed that the writer or artist hasn't seen in ages. Many times I'll have the first comic they ever did; and, certain people will flip through the book, amazed at how different their styles are now. For Jay, I have What If? #114.


Some writers and artists I'm now having trouble getting comics available for them to sign. I've seen them three times already. Those include Brian Churilla, Brandon Jerwa, and Joshua Ortega. Luckily, I've bought books just knowing I'd see them again...and, Churilla is currently working on Marvel's mini, Avengers and the Infinity Gauntlet.

I'll finish this post by promoting one other guest at this event that I'm most excited about meeting for the first time: Chris Samnee! He's currently working on one of my favorite books, Thor: The Mighty Avenger; and, he finished doing The Mighty for DC this year, too. (That was a hugely underrated title.) He's currently doing quite a bit of stuff for Marvel, including contributing to such titles as I Am An Avenger, Age Of Heroes, and Daredevil's 500th issue. Also, he worked on Siege: Embedded.


My one worry about these small events is that some big names always seem to drop out at the last minute. I'm really hoping Bagge, Samnee, and Johnson definitely show.


There are other huge names coming; but, I've met them a few times before, and have to make sure I don't already have certain comics signed by them. Steve Lieber, Greg Rucka, and Michael Oeming are the three biggest names, easily. I have to be careful with Oeming's signings. He's the one guy whose ink always smudges!

 

[Phaedrus45]

One HUGE lesson I've learned from previous Cons...and, it's kind of voiced by Corp in his post a bit...bring some medicine with you to these events, especially some Aleve, Tylenol, or whatever works for you. For me, Cons can be a bit stressful; and, it wears down on your body after a while. You're shoving past people, getting annoyed at certain types of people, and you can easily pick up a bug, as Corp did. Be prepared! I get migraines, and two years ago I was feeling as sick as a dog. (Luckily, I finally found a shop that sold some Aleve; but, it sure slowed me down quite a bit.) I even bring a water bottle with me; cause, your throat will get plenty dry.

If you can, bring a friend or someone willing to help you out. After a while, it even gets to be a drag carrying all this stuff around, and if you have a friend or family member to assist you, it's very nice. (Plus, after getting signatures, I then do shopping at the places that have AT LEAST 50% sales going on all their comics. You don't want to be lugging stuff around during that, having to make sure nobody is messing with your stuff.) For me, I bring a family member or two. My daughter is always free at these events (the age limit is usually ten, and I have a good couple years to keep getting her in for free); and, while at times she gets a bit bored, I just promise some nice things later to get her happy. (Plus, when in Seattle, we love to eat at The Cheesecake Factory. FANTASTIC FOOD, and close to the Convention Center.)

I'd be interested to find out what other people like to bring along. I now try to remember a camera; but, I never walk away with the amount of pictures I wish I would have taken.

 

[Phaedrus45]

One thing I never make time to do is the discussion boards at the Cons. Getting signatures takes up all my time, and whatever is left is finding cheap comics. I'm gonna try and see some this upcoming year, beginning with one just announced today for Jet City.

BLACKSTAR WARRIOR

What if Lando Calrissian were the hero of Star Wars? That's the premise of Blackstar Warrior, a parody trailer celebrating the 30th anniversary of The Empire Strikes Back. Starring Leonard Roberts of HEROES fame, and entirely produced for less than $4,000, this labour of love gleefully pretends that a 'secret' Star Wars-style film was shot in 1977 and made for urban audiences.
Directed by Superman comic artist Matt Haley, written by noted film historian and critic David Walker, and created almost entirely with local talent in Portland, Oregon.

 

[Ahura Mazda]

I wento SDCC last year and plan to return next year but in all honesty, their connection to comic books are quite loose.

 

[WOLVERINE25TH]

I'll be at NYCC all three days. Sometimes at a table, other times walking around autograph ****ing. Big Apple Con is the week before, but even if I wasn't on vacation I wouldn't go to that crap show.

 

[Keyser Soze]

I've travelled from Glasgow, Scotland to the San Diego Comic-Con these past two years. This year was a bit more special, as I brought a few black-and-white rough copies of The Standard, the comic I've been working on, to hand out to various creators and editors in hopes of feedback and generating interest in the book. Here is the report on my efforts I sent as an email to my artist and editor when I got home:

WEDNESDAY
Preview Night. I thought this would be the best day to get as much of my trawling the floor and pimping the book done as possible. My first stop was at the Image booth, where I found Jim Valentino sitting down for a signing. At the time I went over, no one else was in line to get an autograph or anything, so I figured this quiet moment would be the best time to approach him. I went up, shook my hand and introduced myself, and asked him if I could give him a comic I'd written to look at. I told him that I had still to prepare a full submission package (and could possibly be coloring the book), but I was interested in submitting to Image, and that after reading After the Cape, I thought his Shadowline imprint could be a great fit for the title - as The Standard was both similar enough to that book to interest that book's readers and different enough to be its own thing. I asked if he could take a look at it and maybe get back to me when he could, maybe offer any advice and tell me if he thought it was worth proceeding with a submission. He said he would. I then said that, though I knew it was a big ask and it was alright if he was too busy, would he able to meet up with me at any point later in the convention to discuss the book. He said that he was awfully busy during Comic Con weekend and it wouldn't be possible, and I said that was fine. He passed the book over to Kristie Simon, who was sitting next to him, and she opened it and started reading it as I was leaving. So I shook Jim's hand and made sure to shake hers too as I took my leave.

My next stop (after struggling for a while to find it) was Avatar Press. I found William E. Christensen talking to a couple of distributors. Once he was done talking to them, I introduced myself and we shook hands. I then gave him a copy of The Standard and said I was interested in submitting it to a few places, including Avatar, and was interested in hearing his thoughts on the book before I prepared a full submission, to see if it was worthwhile proceeding. He put it in his bag and said he'd take it back to the office with him, and take a look at it after Comic Con. I said that would be great, thanked him, shook his hand, and moved on.

After that, I went to the Arcana Studios booth. I found Sean O'Reilly, introduced myself and gave my spiel on The Standard. He said that I should give the book to his submissions editor, and walked me over to the other side of the booth and introduced me to the submissions editor, whose name I forget. I passed the book to him, shook both their hands and left.

After that I went to Ape Entertainment, and since I couldn't find pictures of the three co-founders of the company I asked one of the people working on the booth if any of them were around. They said no, but to come back tomorrow and they might be there.

I then went to IDW and spoke to Chris Ryall. I offered him a copy of The Standard, but he said he probably wouldn't get to read it and it might be left behind, so I'd be better talking to one of the other editors tomorrow. So I shook his hand and just made my way onto the convention floor to do some shopping, done with my Standard pimping for the day.

THURSDAY
I went back to the Ape booth and, rather than listing off the names of these three editors, I asked someone to tell me who deals with submissions. They pointed me in the direction of a David Hutcheson. So I went over, introduced myself and gave my little spiel on the comic again. He said he'd take a look and get back to me, so I shook his hand and moved on.

Then it was back to IDW. I asked one of the people at the booth who to talk to about submissions, and she went off and talked to someone. The guy never talked to me in person, but passed on the message to the girl that they weren't accepting any submissions at this time. So I just said thanks anyway and left. IDW was the only really negative experience I had with any of the publishers, but I didn't really let it get me down.

I went to the "Breaking into Comics the Marvel Way" panel, and I noticed Matt Fraction out front beforehand talking to the moderator. I went over to him, said hello and shook his hand, and told him I loved his work on Iron Man and Casanova. I asked him if I could give him a copy of my comic and get his feedback on it, he said sure. So I gave him The Standard. He asked if I had contact info on there for him to be able to get in touch with me, so I showed him the back cover. I thanked him and shook his hand again, and as I walked back to my seat I saw him putting the comic in his backpack.

Later that day was the Geoff Johns Spotlight panel. After it was done, Geoff Johns - as he did last year - made sure to sign something for everyone who came up to him afterwards. Guy's a class act. Anyway, I got him to sign a book, and also gave him a copy of The Standard and asked him if he could give me feedback on it when he has a chance. He said sure and I walked off, thinking he'd be too overwhelmed with the crowds to spend any further time with me. But then he called me back, and I went over. He asked if I was John, I said yes. He extended his hand to me rather than vice versa, so I shook his hand, and as I did he said, "Thanks for giving me this, I WILL read this and get back to you." So I made sure to thank him again. Afterwards, when I was meeting up with my friends outside the panel, I spotted Johns out in the hallway, still signing for fans, and noticed he had my comic tucked under his arm. So at least he didn't just throw it away once I was gone.

FRIDAY
Friday was a bit quieter on the Standard front. The only person I gave the comic to was Grant Morrison. After the Batman panel I passed it to him and asked if he could take a look at it and give me some feedback. He skimmed through it while I was standing there, and said, "Well the art's great anyway." He then said the book was interesting, so he'd take a look at it later. I said thank you before heading off.

SATURDAY
No comics given out on this day, I'm afraid. I spent the whole day camped out in Hall H, and seeing that I was dressed as Green Lantern, it might not have been a good idea to introduce myself to comic creators on that day anyway.

SUNDAY
I thought it was going to be a quiet day, but a few late additions made it a success. While my friend was off buying some comics from the Archaia booth, I wondered over to the Image booth, my attention grabbed my two volumes of Phonogram on the table. I had heard of this book, as it's by Kieron Gillen - whose work on Thor I've really enjoyed. Anyway, I'm looking at the book, and I hear an English accent saying, "Are you familiar with the work?" I look up, and it's Gillen behind the booth. I end up talking with him for a few minutes about his work on Thor, about following J. Michael Straczynski and how that, as much as I like Fraction, I found myself wanting Gillen's run to last longer as I've really been enjoying it. I bought both volumes of Phonogram, then gave him a copy of my book, asking if he'd read it when he got the chance and give me feedback. He said "Certainly", and I shook his hand and said it was nice to meet him.

Finally, it was 5pm and they announced the hall was closing. I walked over to the Image booth - they were just about to close up. I bought a few volumes of Invincible, seeing they were doing a "Buy 2 Get 1 Free" offer on the books. While I'm paying, I hear a voice behind me saying, "Are we just closing up, yeah?" The guy at the booth said he was just serving me then they were done. I turn around, and it's Robert Kirkman. So I shake his hand, give him the book, and ask if he could give me some feedback if he has time. He asked if I had contact info, and I showed him the back cover. He popped the comic in his "I HEART ZOMBIES" tote bag, and I shook his hand again and left Comic Con.

Thus far, only Jim Valentino has got back to me about the book. But I don't hold it against any of the others for not replying - they're all insanely busy. I just hope that it's that they never got round to reading the book, rather than they read the book and it was so awful they couldn't say anything nice about it!

 

[Ahura Mazda]

Good luck Keyser, I hope it gets published. The story was quite interesting.

 

[Drz]

Are Marvel's December Solicitations once again delayed because of a Con?

 

[Kevin]

I'm going to this. Full of excitement.

 

[Phaedrus45]

Wow, Keyser. I really enjoyed that perspective of a Comic Con from someone trying to solicit their material. I always see people doing that, but never thought about how much effort you guys put into it. What did Jim say about your comic, and did you find his advice helpful to you?

 

[Phaedrus45]

Just got back from Jet City Comic Con. It was a nice show, mainly because it was so small and there were no lines to have to deal with...except Francis Manapul! (I was at the show for about 5 1/2 hours...and, 3 1/2 of those hours were spent in the Manapul line. Uggg. He just took each guest as they came up, and even though the line wasn't long, each person that wanted a sketch took 30 minutes of his time. That was at 80 bucks a pop!)

Still, Manapul was worth the wait, and is definitely the hot artist to get right now. I just do signatures, though; unless the person adds a little sketch for free from something I buy from them. I'm glad I decided to go a bit overboard. That line would not have been worth just a few comics. (I think I had 19.)

The best thing about Manapul was the guy stationed next to him: Joshua Ortega. He is the NICEST guy you'll ever meet at a Con; and, he had his whole family with him. (Wife, two daughters, and his mother.) Joshua talked up Francis all day, and since they both worked together on Necromancer, they agreed to take a picture together for me. (Joshua's mother was right there with her camera, too; and, she got a picture of each one I wanted from Joshua.)

Best, BEST of all is that my daughter played with Joshua's two daughters the entire time I was in that long line. They shared their sandwich with my daughter, and she was really treated like a life long friend. (But, that's not surprising. Joshua is like that, and remembered meeting me and my daughter before. Heck, he even shared a stick of his gum with me!) Since I've met Joshua twice before, I was afraid I wouldn't have anything for him to sign; but, luckily, I had the Necromancer books and some other stuff from years ago.

My daughter had a great time! She wanted pictures with the few people that dressed up...and, these gals were some of her favorites. Can you tell who my daughter is in this photo???

 

[Phaedrus45]

I'll do a couple more posts as I have time. Man, does my back ache right now, though.

I'm only in one photo...and, I HATE my photo being taken. I much prefer getting picks of my daughter, as she's a lot more photogenic. BUT, I do have one from this visit, when I met Chris Samnee, current writer of Thor: The Mighty Avenger. (Bad picture of me and the comic! I have a goofy smile, bad hair, and the comic is too shiny to make out that it's the first issue of his Thor series.)

Anyway, isn't my daughter a whole lot cuter???

(I don't expect that picture of me to last up too long there. GOD, I hate myself in pictures!!!

I just wish I was more talkative when I meet these writers and artists. I never know what to say, and no matter how much I can type in these threads, you can't get a peep out of me in real life. So, wish I could give more information about what tidbits these guys would tell others...but, I just don't have that.

I do have one story that I'll relate to you guys right now. I met Jim Woodring (and, from the picture below, he hates his picture being taken as much as I do), and one of the comics he signed was an Aliens story that he had written. He goes to say that years after writing it, he came upon a book written by an author, and the story is the exact one he wrote for Dark Horse Comics. It even was exact verbatum of the dialogue he wrote for the comic...and, in small writing somewhere in the book, it gave a small acknowledgement to his original story. NOPE, he didn't get paid a single penny for this guy stealing his story and putting his name in big letters on the cover of the book.

Anyway, Jim was a real nice guy, and used the nicest pen to sign his name on the cover. (It was gold ink, and really shows up nicely!)

 

[Phaedrus45]

Jay Faerber was awesome! He asked if I wanted just a signature or signed to myself. I explained I just wanted a signature, because these books are my kid's inheritance...and, my daughter just told me a couple minutes before that she'd just sell the whole lot! (Blasted kid!)

I let him know how much his current Dynamo 5 series rocks, and how Dread and I brag it up a whole lot on the Bought/Thought thread. (He recognized Dread's name right away, and asked who I was. He said, "oh yeah...I didn't know you were local." Not sure if he really recognized my name; but, it was cool that Dread got a reaction from him.)

I always try to get the really old issues that these artists and writers worked on...and, most times you get a cool reaction from it. For Jay, it was his first comic he ever wrote: What If? #114. (Not sure if it's first comic, or just first for Marvel and DC.) I thought that was cool, especially as it's the final issue of that series.


There were only two disappointments to Jet City. 1) Rucka was a no-show...but, thankfully Jet City said the day before on their website; so, I didn't drag about 15-20 extra comics with me to that. (Someone I spoke to later told me that they heard Rucka wanted to cut down on the conventions...so, if I get another chance to meet him, I better make sure I do.) 2) Matt Haley who was at the convention never was at his spot. I asked the artist who was positioned next to him, and he said, "Oh, he's here, but never reallly 'here.' He just wanders around the convention talking to people." That was disappointing, especially as I wouldn't recognize him to get a chance to have my comics signed by him ever. I also find that a bit rude, especially since I did take my time, research what he's done, and dig out some comics for him to sign.

 

[Tron Bonne]

Ah, you're daughter's really cure, Phea. She looks really out of place, standing besides...whatever the hell she's standing besides in that first picture (I don't recognize any of those characters) and the storm troopers in the second with her Miley Cryus shirt. But, she looks like she is having a fun.

 

[JewishHobbit]

Heh... Phaed and I have the same Iron Man shirt The kids at school love it!

And it's funny looking when you tuck it in

 

[Phaedrus45]

As I gear up for the Emerald City Comic Con, March 4-6th, I noticed this week that they were accepting applications to be a volunteer, or as they call it, a Minion. For those who are interested, their email back to me said:

"Being benevolent Overlords, we will be offering a free weekend pass to
Minions who are under the whip for the minimum of one 6-hour shift*. We
will also make sure you have time off during the show so long as you
preform your preordained duties to our grueling and exacting standards.


*Minions who can only work Thursday and no other day will need to work a
full day to receive a weekend pass."

I'm planning on going all three days; so, I volunteered for Thursday. Kind of nice to get a free weekend pass, I thought.


Right now, I'm making my list of comics that I'll be bringing to the show to get signed. I'm only up to the H's; but, I already see a ton of people I'm dying to meet...many for the first time. People that stick out are Sergio Aragones, Ryan Benjamin (currently doing Batman Beyond), Jim Cheung (currently doing Avengers: Children's Crusade), Terry Dodson (tons of books, like Harley Quinn #1 and a big run on Generation X), Steve Epting (tons of stuff, including Brubaker's Captain America #1), and Ron Garney (lots of stuff with Kurt Busiek). Of course, we get the usual criminals, like Brubaker, Bendis and Busiek; but, I've had about 40+ signatures from them over the years; so, they will mainly be newer material. I really, really can't wait to finally meet Dan Slott! I think he'll have the most books to sign by me, since he hardly gets out this way.

I've noticed not a big showing by DC this year. Last year, quite a few of them came out this way; but, Marvel is really the big supporter year after year. Helps that so many live in the area, I guess.

 

[venom892]

I've been to three cons in my area.Florida Supercon 09 and 10 as well as Animation con(Same guys as Supercon).Next month I'll be going to Miami Comic Con sponsored by wizard.Also trying really hard to go to Orlando Mega Con in march as Stan Lee will be there!

 

[BlackSymbiote]

I've been to the San Diego Con the last few years. Last year I sat outside Hall H at 7 am to make absolutely sure I was there for the Marvel panel just for the Captain America part.

But this year will probably be the last time I go (should Comic Con get their tickets on sale before the prices of airfare and hotel skyrocket). The sheer amount of people just take away all the fun.

Still, last year we made Harrison Ford cry with a huge standing ovation. That was pretty awesome.

 

[venom892]

Alright since I'm bored at work I'm gonna go ahead and recount some of my Con stories.

At Animation Con I meant almost the entire cast of Futurama.Billy West,Phil Lamarr,Maurice Lamarche,John Dimaggio and the series co-creator David X.Cohen.Rob Paulsen(Ralph on the 80's TMNT and Pinky from Pinky and the Brain.) was also there.I chatted it up with all of them and they were all very nice.I spoke the most to Rob Paulsen and Phil Lamarr.Lamarr signed my MGS4 Special edition and Billy west signed a Bugs bunny plush(He played the character in Space Jam as well as commercials.)I took pictures with all of them and really I gotta say voice actors are really fun people to be around.Also as always bought a lot stuff.I love the deals at Comic Cons.I mean you just can't really beat one dollar comics and half off Graphic novels.