Saturday Night Fever
Comic-Con is a squirrely beast.
Today was projected to be the biggest day of the show. The ticket sales for today sold out weeks ago. And, following the brilliant clear logic of Comic-Con, it was the slowest day so far.
There are lots of reasons why this could be. Maybe Comic-Con panicked and clamped down on Saturday, and as such there were actually less tickets sold. Or maybe since today was Big Media Day with the superstars, everyone camped upstairs in the panel rooms. Either way, the traffic at the show seemed to be down.
The panel things points out what I miss most about Comic-Con. Back in the Day, a scant ten years ago or so, I was the scout for my friends back in Ohio. I came to Con, saw the couple of Super Big Media Events and then came home and relayed everything to my friends around the campfire. Much the same way Threepio recapped the first two and a half Star Wars movies to the Ewoks.
Now, ten minutes after a panel ends, the interweb is afire with the news. A lot of the stories hit the web with video and pictures. Heck, with crowds the way they are, it’s actually easier to read it on the ‘net rather than actually attend the panel.
Still, I solid solidly and had a lot of people come over and rave about the book. One person in particular raved about the dialogue, and I enjoyed that, since I work so hard on it. I talked with a couple more companies. And I ran into Jenni Villarreal and some of the Hands-in-the-Air podcast group. So the show portion wasn’t too bad.
The after-show was pretty good, though, even if it ended earlier than any Comic-Con Saturday Night in recent memory. I went to the Animation Writer’s Caucus, which is always a treat. There are a fair number of writers who have come to know me, and one of these days that will pay off nicely.
I have to shout out to Geoffrey Thorne who, at a Comic-Con a couple years back, got me to start writing Star Trek short stories again. And now I have a co-writers credit on a Star Trek story, Hmmmm… connection maybe?
So, things continue to trend upward. Don’t expect an update tomorrow, though. I’ll be leaving the show at close and heading to an LA writers’ party and then to my new temporary base of operations, our swanky Sunset Boulevard hotel. Chances are it’ll be a late ‘un, and I actually have to do a cover for a paper tomorrow, so I can’t imagine I’ll log any computer time until sometime late on Monday.
The Light at the Middle of the Tunnel
My last two posts have been kind of depressing, I know. I’m sure you’re wondering, as I often am, why I keep doing this koo-koo-crazy-comic thing.
It’s because of days like today.
The show was nowhere near as bad. I sat behind my booth most of the day, scooting out only to buy a Blue Sun hoodie and the coolest of the 300 movie posters. But when I was behind the booth, I sold fairly well.
What was especially good was having people who’d bought issue one last year come up and buy issues two through five. Or having people compliment you on Long Distance or Raider and ask when I’m going to do more. Today was the day where I got the feedback that convinced me I’m not completely crazy, and instead just the legally-required amount of crazy, to do this job.
The night got better as I had a screenwriter whose work I’ve enjoyed say, upon seeing my card, “Oh, hey, you’re the Love and Capes guy!” There were a few people, too, that I wanted to see the book who said they wanted to see the book.
And I met Johnny Johnny from Tiki Bar. No Lala, unfortunately, but still a win.
I met up with some friends who I only see at Comic-Con and related events, and that’s always a treat. I had dinner with Chris Golden, and our friend Wendy, and some new friends, too. I met up with the diabolically talented Eugene, who seriously just got off the plane from Dublin to come here. And, like I said, that aforementioned screenwriter and a few other people whose names I won’t drop just to be proper.
So, that’s my day, and a much better one it was. Tomorrow is the big day, the one that’s been sold out forever. I suspect that everyone on the planet will be inside the convention center, probably using Time Lord technology to fit them into such a small area. So, I’ll probably see you at the show.
Maybe I Can Cast a Patronus
Ah, Day Two. Or, actually, day one.
Comic-Con is starting to remind me of Azkaban Prison in the Harry Potter novels. A place patroled by the ghostly Dementors who seem to drain the life out of people, making them feel “as if they’d never know happiness or joy again.”
Now, the obvious question is “Why do I subject myself to this if it’s so bad?” Because it’s the place to be if you want to be in comics. It’s a work thing.
Up until about eight o’clock tonight, that’s how I felt. Then I did the second phase of any good Comic-Con. I hit the bars.
Now, it’s not as relaxing as you might think. Basically, you’re going to see who you can see, and make contacts. It’s mercenary as much as anything else. Not that I don’t like a good Long Island Iced Tea after a show, believe me I do. But you also want to make sure that you continue to make contacts out of the confines of of Comic-Con.
So I made some good contacts tonight. Who I can’t say. It’s way to early for that. But good things may come from my Thursday night.
On top of that, I met Colin Ferguson from the Sci-Fi Channel show “Eureka.” He’s not a business contact per se, but he’s a hell of a nice guy. He and I spoke for quite a while, and he’s just a good guy. I also met some other people, writers and producers, of the show. It’s nice to meet someone like that and have him be so easy to talk to and fun. And, he and I agreed on a Eureka plot point, so it’s always good to have that in common.
I didn’t want to overstay my welcome, so I headed out and checked the other bars. I ran into a couple people I knew, but mostly everyone said how tiring the show was and how they intended to go to bed early. I figured that many people couldn’t be wrong, so I decided to head back to the hotel and write the blog.
I don’t want to leave you with the impression the show is horrible. It’s not. It’s just... well, it’s The Show. And I did meet some great contacts at the show, too. Plus a bunch of Love and Capes fans. It’s great to hear such response of a project. And, I’m finding that my participation in Free Comic Book Day did get some new readers.
It’s just that the show makes it feel like an imposition for me to leave the booth. I should want to go over to Booth X to see Editor Y, not feel like Eeyore. “Oh, bother. I have to go talk to an editior now.”
Don’t worry, things will work out, They always do. But for now, I’m off to sack out.
Now It's Just The Pre-Show
I don’t want to overstate this, but this con may be the death of me. I mean it may actually be listed as Cause of Death on my death certificate. “Death by Comic-Con.”
And tonight was just the preview night.
Things started off decently enough. Out booth looked to be double-sized yesterday, which was what I alluded to before, but that was just a mistake that was rectified today. So I’ve got the 10x10 table space I’d paid for. I can’t complain about getting what I signed up for, but it was a little disappointing.
Preview Night was supposed to begin at 5:30, so it started promptly at 6:00. Our friend the Annoying Lady is back as the voice of the show, too. I suppose it helps clear people out when the show ends. Her insipid not-even-remotely-funny-as-she-thinks-she-is comments over the loudspeaker probably do more to drive lagging spectators out of the show than anything security itself could do.
The rumored attendance for the preview night, and let me stress again PREVIEW night, was 50,000. That was a Saturday attendance number not long ago. The three hour preview night was 50,000 people. I do not, in any way, want to think about the crowds of people on Saturday. Fortunately, I’ve 
It’s just exhausting. I’m Friday Tired already and, well, it’s Wednesday.
Now, it’s not all bad. I’ve sold more books in those three hours today than I have at some other shows in total, including San Diego. If I keep going at the rate I’m going, well, it’s going to be a darn good weekend.
Assuming I survive it, of course.
San Diego Pre-Pre Show
I’m off on my annual California pilgrimage. I’ve bored you in past posts about how much I hate flying out of the Cleveland Municipal Bus Station, and this time was no exception. The San Diego trip is such a pain, too, because I have to bring so much stuff for my booth. And I always overpack to boot.
The flight itself was pretty painless, though. I talked to the girl sitting next to me, Nora. She was from Albania, and going to LA to meet some friends. English was clearly her second language, but we chatted a little bit regardless. She told me that in Russia, when a plane lands, everyone on board applauds. I wanted to tell her that in America, we just expect the plane to land without incident, but I’m afraid the joke would have been halted at the language barrier.
Plus, she thought I was only 25, which was nice. People in Europe age hard, I guess.
Paul Merolle of Toon Tumblers is sharing booth space with me. Our location is primo, to quote those irritating Tonya Roberts commercials. We’re right next to the Hall C entrance, which is the main entrance to the con. There’s even some coolness I can’t get into until after the show.
Not for nothing, but have you ever gone to a restaurant and had them forget to charge you for part of the order? I don’t know what made me think of that, but maybe I’ll remember why after the show is over.
All my product has shown up, too, so stop by Booth 2000 and see not only the first four issues of Love and Capes, as well as the brand-spanking-new Love and Capes #5, in stores this very Wednesday. There will be Love and Capes t-shirts, glasses, and free bookmarks and buttons.
Come on by and live the fun!
Harry Potter was really Keyser Soze? Did Not See That Coming.
Just kidding.
I finished it this afternoon.
After what I wrote before, don’t worry, I won’t spoil anything. In fact, I’ve carefully thought everything out so that I won’t accidentally reveal anything. I know if a fan of the Potter books is reading this that the littlest thing means something and something I’d think is clever would be blantant to them.
Anyway, I loved it. I couldn’t put it down. It’s rare that any story, let alone the final chapter of a series, is so satisfying. I’d put it up there with the endings of Deep Space Nine and Farscape. in terms of, well, satisfyingness. Heck, it was better than the ending of DS9, because that one always bothered me that they couldn’t use any footage of Jadzia Dax at the end. Stupid union rules.
I also appreciate that JK Rowling avoided the problem I’ve often had with another author whose work I enjoyed, Tom Clancy. Clancy would write these eight hundred page tomes every two or three years, but he’d never recap anything to jog your memory about some nuance you might have forgotten. JK, on the other hand, finds very invetive ways to remind you of what you may have forgotten.
And, I know I’m wired weird. Heck, I choke up at Doctor Who a surprising amount. But there were some big emotional moments that hit me more than I thought they would, especially just from the written word. Very powerful.
Okay, that’s it. Two thumbs up. Four stars. Clap clap. It was a good series with a great ending, and I’m very glad someone introduced me to Harry Potter.
No Spoilers Here
No, I haven’t read it yet. I just felt like venting about spoilers in general.
I got an e-mail from my friend Mike saying that some news outlets were revealing some plot points from Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. I know JK Rowling is upset about the early review in the New York Times. As Mike wrote, "Apparently the security measure of shipping them in a box that says do not open until 12:00am Saturday has somehow been circumvented.”
I learned to avoid news stories about things I cared about back in 1986 when Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home came out, and David S, Glaser of the News-Herald wrote a review that read “Not to reveal to much, but Kirk gets a new Enterprise and demoted to Captain.” Sheesh! I had a feeling Kirk and the crew wouldn’t let the Earth be destroyed, but what happened to him after having stolen the Enterprise in the previous movie was the only question.
And lest you think I’m spoiling anything, I do think that there’s a statute of limitations. I give it about six months before you can talk freely, and if it’s on that line, you’d better ask. So spoiling Citizen Kane, The Sixth Sense, Diggstown (What? You haven’t seen Diggstown, go rent it now!) are all fair game. But anything from this summer definitely deserves the Cones of Silence.
I can forgive people who spoil accidentally, with a conversation you don’t realize is being listened to or when you think someone has seen the property in question. Intentional spoiling, though, is just mean.
There’s so much entertainment in entertainment that’s limited already. When I watch Burn Notice, I’m pretty sure Michael won’t die. He’s got a 22-episode contract. It’s a fair assumption that Superman won’t die (again) and if he does, he’ll be back.
That doesn’t mean that I want Captain America Dies splashed across the news when it happens. It may not be permanent, but it’s still a surprise.
There are so few genuine surprises in entertainment, and it’s such a cool moment when you’re in the moment and go “Oh, wow, I didn’t see that coming.” When you’re a writer or a big fan of storytelling such moments are even more appreciated because, to paraphrase Cuba Gooding in Jerry Maguire “You’ve been to the puppet show and you’ve seen the strings.” You can see things coming.
And why would you want to deny people those moments of surprise and joy? Again, it’s mean. I hold news media particularly responsible. Any group that frequently uses teases (Such as “Find out at eleven how water can kill you!”) should appreciate leaving a couple surprises in life.
I won’t be getting the new Harry Potter until early tomorrow, since I had this weekend confused with when I had to leave for San Diego, although I did have the book rerouted to my house. I’m not going to stay up all night and read it either. It’s the last one, and I’d like to savor it a little bit. But when I come back from California, for sure, I’ll be done and ready to discuss it with you.
In private, under the cones of silence, and in hushed tones. I wouldn’t want to spoil it for anyone.
Freaky Friday Buzzboy!
Zappity-zap! Don't Talk Back!
Speaking of Chicago, I've mentioned once or twice before a secret project that is now being used in the Chicagoland area. I'll be getting some images of it soon and I will be able to talk about it a little more. Of course, no project can live to this kind of build-up (except, of course, Love and Capes #5, the greatest printed comic in this or any other millenium) but I think it's pretty cool, and it's for a pretty high-profile company, and both the client and I are very happy with it.
Way to Go, Garko!
You can tell when a page is going to come together. It's when you can't resist working on it, and when you keep telling yourself "oh, one more panel and I'll quit for the night" until the whole thing is done.