Maybe I'm the only one but since I got back into reading comics, especially quite a few based in the Marvel world, I can't get enough of this guys work. In a nutshell, Chris G's comic strips parody the story lines of some of Marvel's most prolific characters and their unique attributes.
Since last Saturday I've been accumulating some blog entries, which I've been carrying around in my pocket just in case the mood struck. Well I guess the mood has struck ...
Everytime I read Neil Gaiman's blog I become inspired to write something to my site. Most of the time this does not turn into actual content as I'm busy at work and by the time I leave, the inspiration is somewhat diminished ... But here goes one while I'm still inspired:
One of the things that I put on my list of "things to do this year" was to go to the Chicago Comic-Con, offically know as Wizard World Chicago.
I really couldn't see spending a full day there so I jumped out of work early on Friday, figuring that that would give me a good four hours to look around and take in the whole experience. The time allocation was a little short-sighted on my part but seeing that I had no interest in purchasing action figures and other toys, collectible comics, posters, trading card games or the myriad of other wares that are offered at such events, it didn't hurt me too much either.
You're probably asking, if I wasn't taking in the crème de la crème of geek fare being offered up, how did I spend my four hours? Well I did have one goal when I hit the convention floor and that was to find some new stories to sink my reading teeth into. Afterall, since I got back on the comic train last fall, all I've been reading were comics published by Marvel, DC, and a small, very small, smattering of Image.
Don't get me wrong, I'm reading some great stuff right now from these publishers but I was hoping to find stuff that maybe wasn't so mainstream. Something that was new, innovative and dare I say original.
And although I'm not completely sure that I found that (I haven't read what I've purchased), I did cast my net in the only area at the con that I felt could deliver this, Artist Alley.
For the uninitiated, artist alley is where new (and established) artists and writers pitch their services and stories. The majority of these folks are looking to make entry into the world of comics by getting their work into as many hands as possible and also hoping to be discovered by someone who can make a difference in their fledgling careers.
I think what struck me first was how friendly and conversive everyone was. As soon as I stepped my way in front of a booth, I was greeted with either a friendly salutation or the question of how I was enjoying the "Con". The artists were happy to field my questions and very enthusiastic to discuss and show their work.
Another realization I came to was just how many talented people there are attempting to break into the field; although, very few will ever make it. It's just too competitive and the size of the market doesn't help either.
But back to the con and some of the things that garnered my attention.
I met the folks who created the fanfilm Trooper Clerks. The fanfilm is "a parody mixing the characters from Kevin Smith's Clerks universe wth the settings and characters in ... [the] Star Wars universe. I love the concept; although, I felt my Star Wars geek cred take a major hit when I mentioned that I'd never heard of their project.
Wil Wheaton was pimping Doktor Sleepless while he was at Comic-Con (San Diego) so I made sure to grab a copy. So far Wheaton's 0-1, at least as it relates to Warren Ellis. Transmetropolitan just didn't make the grade.
Some guys sold me on a copy of a comic called Feuch!, which was described to me as if Dr. Doom was forced to work at Wal-Mart. Uhm... If you haven't realized it yet, I'm keeping a very open mind in hopes of finding something new.
I met Chris Dreier and Jacob Paplham who co-wrote the graphic novel Unit Primes. These guys were really cool and you could tell they were very passionate about their book. This was the only book that I purchased by coming back later to their table after initally checking out their story.
Another story that looked pretty cool was Dolce's and Leister's The Sire. While standing outside of their table, one of their pitchmen strolled up to me and asked me if I was familiar with the comic. The pitch was good and I decided to take a chance. Now one of the benefits of these conventions is that when you purchase the creator('s') work they offer to sign it. Since I don't consider myself to be a serious collector, I'm rather ambigous about getting this done.
When asked I joked around and told the guys, "sure." I followed this up by what I believe was perceived to be a classless move by one of the creators by having the pitchman also sign it. The creator didn't say anything but his expression made me realize that this move was a major faux pas. Oops!
Other folks (items) of note include Sterling Clark, creator of The Renegade!, Nate Lovett, and Scott Reed and Shane White of The Overman. The Overman is definitely one of the comics that I'm looking forward to coming out this winter.
Well that pretty much wraps up my experience. I had such a good time that I'm looking forward to going back next year and stay tuned as I offer up my opinion on some of the things I discovered at this years con in a future post.
Just a reminder that this coming Saturday is Free Comic Book Day... What is Free Comic Book Day? It's an industry wide attempt to hook introduce readers to the comic specialty market and their local comic book store.
If you get an opportunity to experience the event, you should definately check it out; however, I'll leave you with this word of caution. The first taste is always free so be careful or the next thing you'll know is that you're having to make weekly Wednesday visits down to your local dealer.
Sometimes I can't help but crack a smile when I look back on my life and think how little I've transformed from being a teenage geek, who closeted his love of things like science fiction, role playing games, robots, etc..., in order to meet with my peers perception of cool, to an adult who now wears the geek title as a badge of honor. Case in point - comic books.
Over the past few weeks my local paper has been including a Marvel Spider-Man comic in its Sunday edition. Not really sure why but it would seem to be an attempt by Marvel to turn a whole new set of readers onto comic books or lure back some of those who can't even remember when the last time was they picked up a comic book much less read one. I fit nicely into this later category.
What was surprising to me was how much I thoroughly enjoyed reading each abbreviated issue and the anticipation I felt waiting for next weeks issue to arrive. I had had my first taste, or at least rediscovered it, and now I was starting to crave the rush it provided.
On Wednesday I Googled for a local comic store near my home. I located one but with my current schedule I wouldn't have a chance to drop by until Saturday at the earliest.
On Thursday things were starting to get worse and I decided to enlist the help of others to satisfy my need. I approached a co-worker and asked if he knew of a comic book store in the area. I tried to make it look like I was asking because I needed to pickup a gift for someone who was into such things. He responded in a similar, "I'm not in to such things fashion", by mentioning that he'd been to such a place with his uncle once or twice.
It took awhile but I eventually got the directions. The place was only a few minutes from work so my lunchtime would provide the perfect opportunity to feed my guilty pleasure.
I pulled into the parking spot of what looked to be an old multi-store retail complex with dingy white, clapboard siding, brick accents and a minimum number of windows. The building was two stories giving the appearance of retail shops below and residences above.
I looked around cautiously before stepping out of my truck. Did I really want to do this? After all I might be seen.
I entered the store, greeted the clerk and quickly averted my eyes from the only other customer, a thirty-something year old male, high-probability virgin, who probably still lived with his parents. Or at least that's what I thought, thus reinforcing the established comic book reader stereotype.
Making my way over to the first rack, I began looking for some of the familiar titles of my childhood like Spider-Man, Captain America, Thor, Green Lantern, and the like. Nothing. Lining the rack were comics I'd never heard of like Teen Titans, Blue Beetle, Scarlet Traces, Blade of the Immortal, etc...
I was beginning to think that time, at least as it relates to the comic book world, had passed me by. I was no longer in Kansas. But then out of the corner of my eye I caught a glimpse of the all too familiar red and black masked web face sitting in the next rack.
"Ah ha!" There he was but wait. This particular title was called Ultimate Spider-Man. "What happened to The Amazing Spider-Man?", I wondered.
I picked it up and slowly flipped through the pages. "Things sure have changed", I thought. Gone are the days of the brightly, sixteen color, proportional panel pages that graced the comics of yore to be replaced by more vibrant and somewhat darker, disproportional panel art. The stories appear to be more sinister and have been updated to reflect the current culture. And Mary Jane - let's just say she's been updated as well.
When all I was said and done I selected four different titles; Ultimate Spider-Man #95, Spider-Man Special: Black and Blue And Read All Over #1, Green Lantern Corps #1, and Ultimate Fantastic Four Annual #2.
I handed my selections over to the proprietor. "Find what you need?", he asked.
"Sure", I responded hesitantly knowing that I was completely out of my element.
He bagged and passed me back my purchases and I made for the door with the sound of him thanking me for my business trailing off behind me.