Mid-Ohio Con Report: Ooh, Ice Cream!

Remember when I used to write actual con reports? Yeah, those were good times.

I've been doing an insane amount of shows this year with the corresponding travel attached to it. It's been totally worth it, but it also means that when I get home that I find "write clever report" tends to fall to "sleep in my own bed." But Mid-Ohio-Con, or Wizard World: Mid-Ohio as it's now called, is my home show. It deserves a little more.

I was worried when Wizard bought the show, the same way I was when the Henrys bought it before that. It's very much letting someone else drive your car. Mid-Ohio is the site and cause of some of my favorite memories ever. I'm protective, and have more than a casual interest in seeing it continue.

I have to say, from what I saw, I was pretty happy with the new show. The show was packed tight with people and artists. I think the turnout of professionals and attendees surprised a lot of people. I'm sure bringing some big name guests like James Marsters and Adam West and Burt Ward helped a lot, but that's one of the things Wizard brings to the table. I had great traffic for the whole show and I sold a lot of books to a lot of people. That's what I ask from a show, and Mid-Ohio delivered that big time.

There were also a couple of little things that were pretty sweet. Battelle Hall had been redone and was pretty slick. The multicolored light ceiling was just a cool touch. And Wizard actually played music during the show. Not enough to overpower, just the right amount to fill the space. I think more shows should do that.

It was great to see the previous owners there, too. They threw a VIP party on Saturday night that's a class event and a lovely touch. I'd love to see them remain a presence and continue the event. It's a very nice time, and a little unique among shows.

Of course, the best part of the show are my friends. I think all of "my" Mid-Ohio regulars were there which made me very happy. Mariann, Lisa, Carl, Sarah, Jeanette and more, it was great to see you all.

And, because I wasn't working the show so much as a panel host and unofficial member of the con crew, I got to spend a little more time with my fellow creators. Tony Isabella and I shared space, side by side, and that was a treat. I spent a lot of time with Lora Innes, Alan Evans, Adam Withers and Comfort Love and Trevor Mueller, whom normally I only get to see when there's a table between us. We spent a lot more time together and had some great discussions both professional and personal, and I appreciate the heck out of it.

Although we did put a table at Jeni's Ice Cream between us. THat was pretty awesome, too.

I have to say, too, that I could not do this show (or many others) without my friends. I have the most incredible support network imaginable. When I forgot to bring copies of the second Love and Capes trade, my friend Dee offered to bring them down from Cleveland when she came down on Sunday. So I called my Dad who went to my house and pulled books for her and made the hand-off. When I thought I misplaced my keys, one of my first calls was to Bob Ingersoll to help me out of that mess. (The keys were in my computer bag, but that's another story.) Tony's son Eddie even pitched in with a favor for me.

No Mid-Ohio would be complete without the Dean to my Sammy, Paul Storrie. He's an essential part of the my Mid-Ohio. Sadly, our Bobby, Beau Smith couldn't make it this year. He better come next year, though, or there will hell to pay, and solitary Winchester tears shed.

I've babbled too much, so let me try to cap it here: Wizard Mid-Ohio isn't the same show it used to be, but that was such a special lightning-in-a-bottle time that nothing could ever recapture it. The new show went great for me and I think for a lot of other people. It's like getting together for Thanksgiving dinner at somebody else's house. The gang's still there, but the furniture is all different. It's still a wonderful time.

As long as they'll have me, I'll keep coming back.

Always Time for One More (Con)

Mid-Ohio-Con is wrapped up, and I'm heading home. But does that mean that I'm done with conventions? Heck no! I've still got one more show this year. I'll be at the Long Beach Comic Con in California, booth 1907, doing the whole con thing.

That also means (say it with me now) a new con exclusive print! This one was a touch different, since I put some fans into the crowd scene. That went pretty well, and maybe I'll do it again next year at another show. This print also showcases the Aquarium of the Pacific as the local landmark I highlghted.

Okay, full disclosure, I might be wandering Comikaze the next weekend, too, but I won't be set up. Comic conventions, I just can't quit you.

Mid-Ohio-Con time

Today, I head down to Mid-Ohio-Con, or Wizard World Mid-Ohio, as I think it's called now. I'll be there both days at Booth 1326, selling books and sketches and, of course, the Columbus con exclusive print. Best of all, though, I get to spend time with the friends I've made at my home show. It's a new era for the show, and I hope it's the start of a great one!

Where I'll Be at NYCC

I'll be set up with the awesomely awesome Comic Book Diner. Booth 2933.

I'll be selling books and trades of Love and Capes (including the recently released Love and Capes: Wake Up Where You Are) and doing sketches and commissions. And I'll have the exclusive New York Love and Capes print. Plus, if you'd like to be on the Long Beach print, I can take your money and snap your picture right there at the show.

Convention Print for O-H…I-O!

I'm getting ready to head to New York next weekend, but the weekend afterward, Wizard World Mid-Ohio (formerly Mid-Ohio-Con) is definitely on my radar. You might be asking yourself "Is he going to do a print for his home show?"

Well, of course I am.

Doing something Ohio State related was a no-brainer, and they're certainly well known for the Script Ohio. How could I not do it?

As with the rest, I'll have 25 of these prints available, all signed and numbered. And there's still time to actually appear on the Long Beach print, too!

Start Spreadin' the News

Now that I've been home for a week, it's time to start planning my next trip. I'll be in New York City for the New York Comic-Con. I'll be set up with the Comic Book Diner guys, so look for me there.

And, as you may have guessed, a new show means a print. Here's the New York Love and Capes print.

Still yet to come this year, Columbus, where I'll put something special together for the Buckeye fans, and Long Beach, where I might do something that everyone across the country might be interested in. Hopefully, I'll let you know about that later this week.

Bride of Sketchapalooza

The last wave of my commission madness. Now's a great time to remind you, too, that I've got three shows this October: New York Comic Con (where I'll be set up with the Comic Book Diner guys), Mid-Ohio-Con, and Long Beach Comic Con. I'll be doing commissions at all of those, but if you want to get on the sketch list early, especially if you want something color and/or reference-heavy, pre-ordering is always a good thing. Send me an e-mail at tz (squiggly-at) thomz.com to get on the list early!

Son of Sketchapalooza

Here's the second of three waves of commission sketches from my recent travels. The Cyclops one was done on one of those Marvel sketch covers. I don't do many of those, and they're always a challenge because the surface of those covers can be a little challenging.

Sketchapalooza

I'm getting back in the swing of things after six trips in six weeks. In those trips and conventions, I did a ton of commissions. Over the next couple of days, I'm going to share the bulk of them with you. The black and white ones were snapped with my iPhone, and the color ones were art that I scanned and colored. Click to embiggen, as always!

Detroit Comic City

Cincinnati was a blast! Such a good time, and such great people, too. I spent some time with José Delbo, and met Stan Goldberg, who did the alternate cover for Love and Capes #5. He presented me with the original art for that cover, which left me speechless.

But, I can't be confined by the borders of the state of Ohio for long. This weekend I'll be at Detroit Fanfare where, hopefully, Mr. Bruce Campbell and I will become good friends. And a new con means another new con print, so feast your eyes on the Detroit print below.

I've got three more shows this year (New York, Mid-Ohio and Long Beach) and then a few more (Emerald City, MegaCon, Wonder Con, C2E2, and Houston) before I hit Charlotte and complete the cycle I started last year.