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Roger Ash

by Roger Ash

This past weekend, I went to the Baltimore Comic-Con. I’ve been going to for the past six years or so however for the past three years I’ve been on staff. I’m in fee of programming which essentially implies I’m in fee of organizing the panels as well as whatever that goes together with that. prior to this, I understood that putting on a comic convention was a great deal of work, however I had no idea. We’ve already started planning for next year’s show! The thing is, as a guest at the show you shouldn’t notice this. You’re there to have fun as well as if you do, it makes all the work behind the scenes worthwhile.

My airplane shown up in Baltimore early Friday afternoon as well as I made my method over to the convention center to make sure that whatever was in location – the panel spaces were set up as well as the A/V devices was prepared to go. Friday is likewise the day for catching up with people, both personnel members as well as guests, numerous of whom I hadn’t seen because the last Baltimore Comic-Con. There were smiles as well as hugs all around. Convention organizer Marc Nathan has put together a fantastic show as well as I’m incredibly pleased to be a part of it.

After things closed up for the day at the convention center, I walked with my roommate Matt Fox to the James Joyce Irish Pub for a fantastic beef & Guinness stew. Then, it was back to the hotel for much more socializing as I joined in a group of people including old buddies Todd Dezago as well as Craig Rousseau (Perhapanauts), Thom Zahler (Love & Capes), as well as Paul Storrie (Gotham Girls), who I just satisfied that night as well as was fantastic fun to talk with. I turned in a bit earlier than I would have liked, however I was exhausted after a long day as well as understood I needed all the energy I might muster for Saturday as well as Sunday.

Saturday at the convention was fantastic. I have never seen the show as packed as it was Saturday. Granted, having Stan Lee as guest of honor was sure to bring in people, however it wasn’t just him – the whole space was packed. There were tons of people in the dealership area, there was a long line of people (including great deals of kids!) to see Jeff Smith (Bone), as well as the creators who’ve talked about the show on Facebook or on their blogs have all commented on exactly how great the show was for them.

Terry Moore

I did a bit of walking around as the show opened as well as talked with Terry Moore (Strangers In Paradise) as well as likewise chosen up a beautiful sketch of Francine that I had commissioned. I likewise stated hi to Timothy Truman (GrimJack) who introduced me to his son, Ben. together they are doing a western/horror comic called Hawken which will be coming extremely soon from IDW. They had photocopies of the very first problem with them. If you’re a Timothy Truman fan, you are gonna like this book! It looks absolutely fantastic. however now it was time to head upstairs to get the panels started.

The legion of Super-Heroes panel. delegated right: Mike Grell, Keith Giffen, Jack C. Harris, moderator Bob Greenberger, mark Waid, Barry Kitson, as well as Chris Roberson.

I try to plan something for all kind of fans as well as judging from the people in the panel rooms, fans seemed to like what they saw; whether it was a producing your own comic panel from comfort like & Adam Withers; to developer spotlights like Charles Vess (Sandman), Jeff Smith, as well as Stan Sakai (Usagi Yojimbo); to preferred characters such as the legion of Super-Heroes (you can discover a extremely good look at the panel here); to your preferred publishers such as BOOM!, Marvel, as well as DC (go right here for a look at the DC panel). The marvel as well as DC panels packed the spaces with stand space only crowds.

Kevin Maguire, JM DeMatteis, moderator Bob Greenberger, as well as Keith Giffen.

One panel that was a no brainer for me to program was a spotlight on creators Keith Giffen, JM DeMatteis, as well as Kevin Maguire who are finest understood for their work on Justice League, in addition to Defenders and, much more recently, metal Men. Bob Greenberger, whose For Your consideration column can be checked out on the Westfield blog, moderated the panel which was vibrant as well as a great deal of fun. What floored me was that they stated this was the very first time all three of them had done a panel together. I had no clue. However, I believe both they as well as the people in the space were pleased it lastly happened.

Saturday was likewise the day of the costume contest which has ended up being extremely popular. because being introduced three years ago, it has grown exponentially each year. This year we needed three spaces for all the contestants as well as the people viewing the fun – as well as it was packed! as well as the costumes were fantastic.

Saturday evening was the Harvey awards as well as it was great. This was, I think, the very best Harvey ceremony I’ve seen. There was a fun energy in the space as well as people were truly enjoying themselves. You can discover a listing of winners right here , however I’d like to make a couple special mentions about the evening. Mike Gold getting the Hero effort Dick Giordano Humanitarian of the Year was extremely moving as was mark Wheatley’s introduction of Mike. as well as Stan Lee getting the Hero effort lifetime accomplishment award was so much fun as well as well deserved. He was introduced by mark Waid, as well as when he was brought on stage, Stan provided an acceptance speech that was energetic, funny, as well as over the top – just what you would expect from him. Stan is 88 as well as when he is on, he is ageless. It truly talks to exactly how essential it is to do what you love.

Zatanna made it to Baltimore!

Sunday, while not as packed as Saturday, was still truly darn busy. Panels went well with some good publisher panels, a couple digital comics panels, as well as a spotlight on Ron Frenz (Spider-Girl). The Frank Cho online drawing presentation was fantastic. however the huge panel of the day was a spotlight on our guest of Honor, Stan Lee. The panel was fantastic fun as well as a fan preferred with the space packed. as well as if you missed Stan this year, don’t concern – he’ll be back next year. thanks to all (with special props to Tim as well as Kevin) for making the panels a success.

Quick draw McGraw #4

As with any type of convention, money was spent. great deals of it. I came away with numerous good artist sketchbooks as well as a extremely awesome Hawken t-shirt. as well as if you checked out my column last week, I did go comic hunting. It took me till Sunday, however I discovered two problems of quick draw McGraw from Dell that I was searching for as well as a Huckleberry Hound comic that I wasn’t.

Throughout the weekend, the word I heard the most was “fun.” I heard from fans that they were having fun. I heard different creators state exactly how much fun they were having. as well as it was a fun convention. I had a fantastic time. thanks Marc for making me a part of this team. I’m likewise exhausted. however I ought to be rested up by next September.