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WONDERCON
It is finally time to pronounce my experience at Wondercon to the world. I usually like to get these things out a little quicker than two weeks but what can I say I am a lazy sack of yak urine.
I actually drove up to the show. About 400 and some odd miles for me.

Rainbow. Sweet.
I stayed with my good friend Kyle, a very funny guy and good artist in his own right. He is in Pleasanton so we BARTed our way into town.

This was my first time actually at Wondercon so I was not sure what to expect.

That's not true I totally expected the see the King stormtrooper
Other people had told me that it was a nice little intimate show but not so small as to be flea-markety (that's a word). And it was rather nice. Nothing like the monstrosity that San Diego is. But this comfortable-enough-to-be-able-to-get-around-ness backfired. There were not that many smallish publishers there that I could pitch stuff to or leave samples with. A bunch of retailers of course. I think DC was there and then a lot of self-publishing guys. Guys both looking for more work for themselves and unable to give me any work. But not too many independent publishers that I could hit up. So I did what I could and then spent time with friends that, unfortunately I only see at shows.

Look out! There is a big guy with a gun behind us!

My buddy Kyle with legend Neal Adams.
My positive observation of the show was that a bunch of the exhibitors were actual comic book sellers and not comic inspired sellers. If you have been to any big comic convention in the last five to eight years you should have noticed that much of the floor space is taken up by booths promoting/ selling videos, videogames, toys, statues, upcoming movies, etc. All somewhat comic related and or inspired but not actual comics. Look at the floor map of San Diego for example. It is laid out somewhat like a giant race track. A huge ellipse. All of the spaces inside the ellipse were movie companies, video games, toys, etc., etc. And yet all the spaces on the periphery were people who actually make or sell comics. Clearly in the minority.
Don't get me wrong. I actually think that movies based on comic books done right can be a great shot in the arm for the comic book industry. The key words being done right. I am not begrudging Marvel or DC or any other company the right to license their stuff out to whoever. But try not to do the "quick fix" job. The X-Men movies, the Spider-Man movies. I truly believe these create some spillover of readership and this is what the industry as well as the medium needs desperately. But Daredevil, Punisher, Constantine? Yeah right. Not only am I convinced that no one ran from the theatre after viewing Cat Woman to find the nearest comic shop but it might actually turn people away from the idea of comics as a serious story genre.
Back to the report: I hooked up with my good pal Parker again

Jeff Parker, Kyle Webbenhurst and Zailo
but I wasn't staying in town so unfortunately I couldn't hangout with him after hours.
Chatted in brief with Joe Fields.

Joe has the best attitude amongst retailers I have come across in a long time. Don't believe me, try Free Comic Day. He saw a problem in his chosen industry and tried to fix it. Instead of just grousing about it. If you have the opportunity to peruse his regular column in "Comic/ Gaming Retailers Monthly" you will agree that he just has a sunshiny outlook on life in general not just comic books. Not me. I am not afraid to complain about stuff.

Didn't stay for Sunday and headed back home in the rain.

posted by zailo @ 10:23 PM

Monday, March 07, 2005