It’s that time of year again: Comic Con International, better known as the San Diego Comic-Con. This year they solved the problem of conflicting advice over which long line to get into by not allowing anyone official near the long line; thus, there was no advice. You just got in and took your chances. As a beneficial side effect, after waiting forever to actually get into the building, it took no time at all to pick up my badge holder: pre-registration badge holder pickup, badge pickup, and on-site registration were all the same line outside. The percentages were with me.
No sign of Angry Young Glenn, which, given San Diego’s low crime rate after the Republicans have left, is a good omen. It means there should be Angry Young Hats on every head that counts tomorrow.
The souvenir book has returned to a semblance of its former glory, as Dan Vado takes over the production chores. Carol Lay won the opening spot this year with a concise diatribe against comics in films and comics fans.
The souvenir guide is chock full of web sites and e-mail addresses.- Del Rey Books, home of R.A. Salvatore and Terry Brooks
- Quebecor printing comics, magazines, posters
- Template, a Robert Luedke production. The e-mail address may not work, as the entire ad seems to be reprinted on a zip-a-tone background.
- Molly Kiely, who has “the biggest crush” on Carrie Fisher
- Rick Schmitz
- The Hueby Website! and Peter Gullerud
- Wolff & Byrd, Counselors of the Macabre (and Batton Lash)
- One Share of Stock, Inc.
- Too Much Coffee Man, by Shannon Wheeler
- DS Comics, home of the Cow Crusaders
- The Norm, (Michael Jantze)
- CIA, “The Key to Success is Creative People”, (That’s Creative Interests Agency, not the other one)
- Diamond Comics
Only three people misspelled their net-info this year: CIA forgot to convert their comma to a period in their ancient Compuserve address; perhaps it was a tribute to Bram Stoker. And DS Comics misspelled their URL with an additional and poorly placed slash. The third, “One Share of Stock”, didn’t actually misspell theirs, but it didn’t help to ink out the ending. But you get them all correct here because, well, I’m just a nice guy.
I expect this to be the last year I actually go to the trouble to type them out. Perhaps next year we’ll get the souvenir book on DVD anyway, saving me the trouble. You can receive a Tintin catalogue (“Finally!”) from 1-888-4Tintin, or just stop in at 418 Sutter Street in San Francisco. “Discover why Europe is so passionate about Herge’s hero”. Probably the breasts and the lightsabers.
This is the twentieth anniversary of Star Wars, in case you’ve been living in a cave. The highlight in the souvenir book is Molly Kiely’s rendition of Chewbacca in curlers. This is the 50th anniversary of Horror Comics, dating presumably from 1947 and Eerie. Highlight: Barb Rausch’s paper Elvira doll and dress. Runner-up for the horror section was the last decrepit share of Marvel Stock rising from the grave. The artist for that spine-tingling poster goes unmentioned.
The Comic-Con also salutes Independent Cinema, yes capitalized. And the hundredth anniversary of Bram Stoker’s Dracula, inspiring Donna Barr to combine all four spotlights in her art piece, bringing Bram Stoker, George Lucas, and Spike Lee together. Life can be so touching.
This year’s souvenir book and events guide both encourage fandom with autograph space in the back. Tomorrow’s autograph highlights include Bill Willingham (Villains & Vigilantes) at 1:00 and Jessica Abel (Artbabe), 2:00. Jessica will, in fact, be chained to the signing line every day, and won’t be getting out of the convention until sometime after three on Sunday. Here’s your chance, drooling fanboys. Is it a coincidence that the film selection this year includes “Let’s Scare Jessica to Death”?
The Convention Center layout is looking more and more like a penis every year. The Small Press section is of course at the head.
While they give you numerous pages for autographs, if you want to make notes on “possible purchases, booth events, etc.”, you’ve got about a 2 x 3 inch area hidden away on page 56. Is that a comment on the industry today or what?
Friends of Lulu this year conflicts with Friends of Tubby as Scott Shaw!’s Oddball Comics moves into prime-time. Sunday’s Question of the Day has to be, will Scott clean up his act now that he’s no longer limited to the midnight crowd?
Registration for the 1998 convention, August 13-16, is $35 “only at the 1997 Comic-Con”.
And that’s the end of today. Tomorrow continues the horror theme with “Comic Book Law 101”, “On-Line Comics”, and the J Street Inn.
