Posted in: Comics | Tagged: 2012, avatar, comic con, jesse james, san diego, sdcc, william christensen

San Diego Comic Con Gets Jesse Jamesed

Published Mon, 23 Jul 2012 17:00:30 -0500

I charged the floor at San Diego Con for the first time as a 12 year old boy in 1982. I had a clear head and no idea what to do or who was who. That was the greatest con I ever went to.

Every year since, they have become a massive attempt at pre-planning chaos and mayhem. This year it seemed I had already started planning 6 months out. As a store owner you have your buys, meet and greets, private parties and the search for the undiscovered. As a manager for a convention (Phoenix Comicon), I'm searching for new talent and, of course, saying hello to those that have been our guests over the past years. As a writer/blogger for Bleeding Cool, you're running around trying to talk to as many people as you can for future interviews or scoops. However, the most important part of the con is being a fanboy and staying that way as much as you can.

This is a very hard thing for me to do at SDCC. During this whole con, everybody I talked to would start their sentence "off the record" or "this is just between me and you". I would calmly raise my hands and say, "I'm not one of those today; I'm just a fanboy!" The conversation quickly turned into what I love: Hardcore Comic Con Fun. So anybody expecting scoops or between me and you revelations, Rich and the BC team had you covered. This is coming to you from the eyes of a fanboy with thirty years of SDCC floor-rocking experience.

As many years have rolled by, each year has changes and most of the time for the good. However, there are some things that changed that I just don't like. Last year the SDCC bags had adjustable straps so you could wear it as a back pack; this year you couldn't. Having something swinging by your side is very difficult in crowds when you need every inch of separation you can get. I found this a very challenging task, bobbing and weaving through the masses. Plus the weight of the bag from all the SWAG you're getting starts to weigh you down on one portion of your body. This results in you favoring that side and getting tired much faster. Also, please get someone to sell Pepsi products in the hall. Now, these are my only complaints.

As many of you know or will find out about me: I don't do panels. In fact, in my years, I have only have done two programming items and they were in 1982 and 2011. In 1982, I thought it was a raffle party (only to find out it was a panel about the Three Stooges) and, in 2011, it was "Own Your Comic Book Store". So there weren't any issues with me standing in line for anything. If I wanted an autograph or a picture with someone I just walked up, waved and, most of the time, was able to forgo the line. Yes, I know: I'm the guy you want to punch out for cutting in line while you're waiting. Believe it or not, when I do wait in line, I get yelled at. However, looking from afar, some lines were just massive. This is never going to change and, if you have the patience to do it, I salute you!

If you need to find me, it's pretty simple. I don't leave rows 1400 through 2600 or I'm in Artist Alley. Couldn't tell you who or what was in the other rows and really don't care. I'm here for comics and more comics. I have watched the con grow from just comics into this massive mass media event. I'm not going to be the guy, though, that complains and says, "oh, this was awesome when it was just comics and it isn't a comic con anymore!" The SDCC needs that to be there. I choose not to go to that area and just stay in my comfort zone. It's still a comic con and it will always be if you keep yourself in that area of the hall.

As I've done since the dawn of comic con time, I make my traditional stop by Neal Adams booth, pick a book off his table, get him to sign it and our yearly picture. This year he had the most I have ever seen on his table, so it took me awhile to decide what to get. I finally decide on a Superman Vs Muhammad Ali hardcover. Though I see him at other cons, this is where I interact with him. I talked to him for a little bit (really about nothing in particular) and then moved on to the rest of the con.

My second stop is to Stan Sakai. This, by far, is one of my highlights of the con. I talked to his wife for a little and then go bug Mr. Sakai for about 5 minutes. I got my yearly sketchbook from him and then we posed for a group picture. Though, to most it might seem pretty lame for a highlight, for me, it's a tradition and its part of my comic book/SDCC ritual. I'm hoping I can sit down one day and do a interview with him for BC, but, today, I'm just a fanboy.

Now my third "must stop" is the Chew team of Rob Guillory and John Layman. Yes, I talk about these guys all the time. But you know they are just my favorite team out there. Now this year was different: Mr. Layman sold out of his Con exclusive before I could get there! Not even one for me hidden in his bag. So, being a fanboy, I was not feeling the love that I deserve. However, John being John, he eased my pain and hopefully one will appear in my possession in the next month or so. The there's Rob, who is Mr. Humble and really makes you happy that he has made a name for himself. I get my group pictures and the race begins.

Diamond Distributors is my home away from home. It's my first business stop. However, I'm still in fanboy mode and struggle to buy as a store owner and not the fanboy I am at the moment. I had my preorders picked up a day earlier, so I didn't have to deal with that this year. There is a different mood, though, in the D.D. war room. Everybody and I mean everybody is all smiles and they seem to be almost ear to ear. Not that they don't smile normally, just bigger smiles today. I'm greeted by almost everybody there. I'm now hesitant, because I think they are trying to sell me something big and expensive. However, it just turns out that they are having a rocking show and, after going to the Diamond meeting, I found out why. The comic business is going strong, with double digit increases since last convention. No matter what you hear about D.D., they do a great job on getting the stores filled. Yes, there are errors, but they do their best to fix them. I have an awesome rep and, without Tim Kartman watching my back, I probably would be selling soap in China, instead of looking at a store filled with cool comics and toys.

Aspen is my next stop. Yes, that's right: Aspen. My main man Mike Debalfo is now positioned with his goodies there. He has a new company and new comic to pimp out. He is surrounded by some great creators as well. He also is all smiles and, in a little boy fashion, going to school for the first time somewhat giddy. He greets each customer like they are his best friend and Mary is there to make sure they walk away knowing that M.D. is always there for them. I get to talk to Benitez and Steigerwald for a bit and, of course, hang a little with my friend, Tony "Iron Man" Parker. I talk to Frank and his team for about 15 minutes about Ghosts and Variant Pens. Yes, endless life changing moments with Aspen this year. They are a company on the move; look out for them.

I make all the rest of the stops as well. I hit Boom, IDW, Image, and D.C. I was very impressed with D.C. this year. In the past I really didn't feel the welcome mat was out for the fan. This year you felt welcomed into their home. Their creators were everywhere and very easy to get too. They gave out a lot of goodies and I mean great swag not the previous extras from other shows and it wasn't on a just a little table that someone handed you one each like this other company did. Dan DiDio was also present on the floor. just hanging and talking to anybody that would approach him. There was so much space on the floor it just was a fun time for me. For those of you who know me, I haven't been kind when it comes to D.C. over the years. However, guess what? They just gained back a fanboy!

Okay Marvel, I have been by your side since January 25th 1982, so I'm not some new fan that has no history or a strong tradition with your brand. Let me say this one more time: please get some more space. What good is a awesome display of Iron Man suits or stars on your stage if you can't see or even get near it? I was so disappointed with the layout. No matter where you stood, there was a security guy telling you to move. When an event was going on, you were so far out that you were hanging out in the Alex Ross booth or couldn't see anybody on the stage. Really…a two foot table for SWAG on two sides? I love you guys, but please take this as constructive criticism. Get more space and make your fans feel part of the Marvel experience. More SWAG is a must for a brand that should own this show.

I hit my two major tour stops at Zenescope and Avatar. I don't know why, but I feel I'm kid at a candy store with these two publishers and it's all you can eat or stuff some in your pockets. They really treat me like a king and they really make the show easy for me. I got a lot of goodies and really just enjoyed my time with the teams and the head honchos (Joe Brusha of Zenescope and William Christensen of Avatar). This is also a fanboy alert area for me awesome product everywhere for a fanboy to max out their credit cards.

This year, I got the chance to support the Hero Initiative and donated time to staff the booth. Guess what? I got to do it with my favorite creator of all time (besides Kirby): Brian Pulido. It was a great experience for me and I really look forward to volunteering at the rest of the cons as well. Thanks everybody who came by and said "Hi" and for those that picked up some cool books or just donated to a great cause. I, also, want to thank Jim McLaughlin for allowing me to be part of the team.

Artist Alley, as usual, is my den…my comic book war room. This is where the creators hunker down in six foot areas with no big signs falling from the ceiling, big machines or cosplay chicks trying to wave you over. This is where they do what they do best: CREATE. Now, I'm sure if they had the chance to sit in the 1700 through 2700 areas with a publisher, most would say yes. However, I still feel this is where an artist shines. I mean, c'mon, Joe Weems, Marat Mychaels, Norm Rapmund and Todd Nauck sitting next to each other? Ah WINNING! That's worth the price of admission right there. David Peterson and Stuart Sayger were rocking it out as well. Though I didn't have time to stop by David Finch and Francis Manapul's tables; they were really having a blast each time I walked by. Brian Buccellato, I couldn't find you, but this is my proof I was looking for you, my friend. I also missed hanging with Whilce Portacio and our yearly group photo. Then it happens.

So, I came across a table that stops me in my tracks. There is a very nice charming lady just doodling on a sketch card and just looks like she is enjoying her day. I'm hesitant because I'm having a fanboy seizure moment. I look at my wife for guidance, but this is her first con. She doesn't collect comics, so she just stares back. I look for the sign and, YES, its Wendy Pini in front of me. I'm a big Elfquest junky. No let's make that a HUGE Elfquest junky. I get nerdy in my head. I hear myself say, in Star Wars fashion, "I'm going in!" Those who have talked to me know I can go on forever. In this case, I clammed up and literally couldn't remember any characters names. She jumps in and starts talking to me about the con and naming off the characters to put me at ease. I buy a Cutter sketch card that she signs to me and a pinup. I asked to take a picture with Wendy just as Richard Pini shows up to the table. I talked a little with him as well about the con and some Elfquest lore. We took the picture and now I really don't care what happens for the rest of the con: I had my lasting moment.

But isn't that what the con is about? That one moment that just out shines the rest. If I asked you to define your SDCC history, wouldn't each show be about that moment? I have always said the first time I walked in the doors in 1982 will always be that defining moment in time. I'm here. I've made it. No matter how bad or good the show is, I'm in the hall. I'm amazed when you look at how many people go to the con, but the number is higher on people that would want to go, but either couldn't get a ticket or just don't have a budget for it. So if you went as a retailer, writer, rep from another con or just as a fanboy, just remember we are the few that get to go. Is it really about complaining about lines, or missing autographs or the cost of food? Maybe it's the fact that you get to have the experience of going. I find myself walking by door "C" so I might see a twelve year old boy walking in the door for the first time, not knowing what to do or who to see, because that is his defining moment.

I want to send a special thank you to everybody who showed support and best wishes for my store being nominated for an Eisner Spirit award this year. Though we didn't make the finals, just being in the final nineteen was an honor for our first year of eligibility. I also want to congratulate Akira Comics, Madrid, Spain Jesus Escobar and The Dragon, Guelph On, Canada Jennifer Haines on a well deserved award. Also, thank you to the person who picked the weirdest cosplay ever at the con. Though I think it was cool you cosplayed me, there are plenty of people much more important you could have done. Also, don't forget the handkerchief if you do me again. Thanks to Rich Johnston of Bleeding Cool, who actually got a rare picture of me not wearing a hat in a picture (mainly because he took it and wore it). Finally to my wife who came with me for the first time and had to endure and witness four days of me nerding out and being the ultimate fanboys at all times!