Part 5: San Diego Comic Con

Saturday Night

After the masquerade, Greg and I went from the convention center to the hotel where Dark Horse Comics staff were staying. We walked in just as Matt was walking up to the bar. Matt coordinated the contest I won and was my contact at the company. Dark Horse folks had taken over an outside lounge area. We ordered some drinks at the bar and then headed out to join the assembled crew.

It was great to have the opportunity to get to know Matt and the others. It turns out that we had more than comics in common. Greg and Matt are both bass players. We talked about instruments, playing and recording music, and the music we grew up on. I am hoping to hear some of Matt's music one day. After hearing him talk about his art, his music I am sure I would like it.

For a time, Scott Allie, Editor and writer, joined us. We talked about Arturo Perez Reverte. That was a great conversation about a writer that I really enjoy. I know that he has a fan base but I run into so few people that have discovered him on their own. I have loan out my books to several friends to get them started. Reverte's work is full of mystery, history, and action. Many of his earlier works involved art.

We talked into the night. At about 2 am it was time to get some sleep and prepare for the following day.

Sunday

This was the last day of the convention. Our flight out of San Diego was at 3 in the afternoon. When we were back in Minneapolis we had thought that Sunday morning would be our time for visiting the ocean. Once we were at the convention we realized that we had to spend as much time at the convention as possible. We could come back to the beach any time but this was our last day at the San Diego Comic Con as the guests of Dark Horse Comics. We need to make the most of it.

After a great breakfast at the Cafe on the Park with, our friend and San Diego resident, Jody. We headed back to the convention. Our goal was to make it to the 11:30 panel on Comic Book Covers.

We first stopped by the Dark Horse booth to say "thank you" and "so long."

We said our good byes to all the Dark Horse staffers that had been so great to us. We found Matt and took some time for a few pictures. Dark Horse really knows how to treat a guest. It was wonderful to win this trip and to meet such great people. I would buy Dark Horse Comics anyway but it feels even better knowing who is behind all those great books.

The 11:30 panel "Cover Story: The Art of the Cover" may have been the best panel I attended. As a museum educator I have attended and presented at many conferences. I had hoped that the panels at the Con would represent the same level of interest and scholarship. This one, led by Mark Evanier, did not disappoint. In fact, if you have a chance to witness or join a panel led by Mark take that opportunity. He knows what he is doing. Mark is a writer and a fan. He has history. I am sure he would be a great guy to have a cup of coffee or a beer with. (Mark, if you are ever in Minneapolis contact me.)

The panel was made up of legends and greats from comic books and illustrated magazines. The panel included Basil Gogos, George Perez, Neal Adams, Adam Hughes, Brian Bolland, and Mark Chiarello.

This group of guys sat and talked about the work that they do. They talked about what they liked and what they didn't. It was amazing to sit and listen to Neal Adams talk about his craft. He was full of praise for his co-panelists. They talked about what makes a great cover. What the role of a cover is- last line in marketing and first line of story. Should covers be more narrative - yes! Why covers aren't more narrative-marketing needs cover art before the story is even finished in most cases. I was impressed by the work that these gentlemen do and more impressed by them as businessmen, artist, and people by the time I left.

After that it was time to leave the convention, finish packing, and head out to the airport. It was a great experience for us both but we were ready to get some rest and get back home. I thought that this trip might get Comic Con out of my system, instead it has created a desire to return. I hope that I have the chance to attend another some year. If you like comics and haven't gone. You should check it out.