Subject: Re: SDCC redux
Date: Tue, 22 Jul 97 17:22:15 -0800
From: Brian Biggs <[b--a--n] at [sirius.com]>
To: <[c--m--x] at [world.std.com]>

Tom told it pretty much the way it seemed to me, but since we crossed 
paths only infrequently and since he didn't make it to the beach with us 
"younger" cartoonists, nor did he find himself under the tequila in 
Tijuana, I'll try try to supply you all with some of the more sordid 
details. Jessica, GlennGlenn, Matt, etc, fill in corrections and details 
where necessary.

Steve "Yikes" Weissman and i drove down on Tuesday. We had rooms for a 
week so we decided to make a real vacation of it. Ordered pizza, watched 
baseball, drank beer upon arrival. A seemingly innocent beginning.

Spent Wednesday trying to obtain our badges and supporting Michel (Vrana) 
as he screamed and yelled at the Man for putting us next to Verotika, far 
away from our logical spot next to D&Q and across from Fantagraphics. It 
worked. We were moved.

Snuck into the Expo party on Wednesday night. Noticed a definite good 
mood swinging around and about as people were discussing comics they 
liked rather than people in comics they didn't. Had a $4.00 Corona. Left 
$1.50 of it sitting on a table.

Aaah. Thursday. First con day. The new Black Eye books weren't in yet so 
we stapled catalogs. Seemed like a Friday. Quite busy.
Got talked into going to Tijuana Thursday night. First Mistake. Went with 
GlennGlenn, Josh Neufeld, and Kurt Gelhausen and we met Mack White, Matt 
Madden and Jessica Abel there. Danced the disco-thing with Jess (the girl 
moves - watch out!) and stood in terror as Kurt had tequila and beer 
sprayed down his throat forcefully by a kind waitron. When Kurt came out 
of it laughing, we all relaxed. Kurt was the man. Matt and I bought some 
tacos from a guy on the street with a cart. Mistake #2. Had six 
margaritas. Mistake #3.

Friday is a blur but the Fantagraphics party that night was ok. No loud 
music, some lame whipping/leather thing, and free beer. It was 
interesting to watch Michel and Gary Groth carry on an animated 
conversation for over and hour. I shared a cab ride to the hotel with Sam 
Henderson (who, by the way, has a wonderful editorial on selling out in 
his new "Magic Whistle" comic - check it out and review it, someone).
Oh yeah, before the FBI party we made our way through most of the 
Eisners. Frank Miller's speech was just plain weird. The highlight of our 
evening was Walt Holcombe's award for best new talent. And Len Wong 
barely beat Jason Lutes on the betting pool.

Things were hopping when i dragged myself into the convention hall on 
Saturday. All ears were open to listen for whatever parties were 
happening later. A few of us made it to Mary Fleener's party about the 
same time as the police. Mary worked out a deal and we all ate her food 
and drank her beer. She has an amazing bungalow in Encinitas. Imagine all 
you ever dreamed about living the good life in Southern Cal and that is 
Mary's pad. Tiki torches, dreamy flowers, and toy robots.

At the "younger cartoonists" beach party, the pinata thrashing was 
already taking place, and there were unnamed naked cartoonists in the 
surf. Jon Snyder had his usual mix of truck-driving music and early 80's 
new-wave on the box, and a fire was raging in the middle of it all. We 
somehow got through the evening with no medical emergencies (last year 
Joe Chiapetta ended up at the hospital when his arm exploded). There were 
easily twice as many attendees this year than last, including Vertigo 
artist Bill Koeb and editor Shelley (Sherry?) Roberg (who says she saw my 
tuchus as I left the water). With the "mainstream" appearing for the 
first time, a few of us got nervous, but out fears were relieved when 
they all stripped to their skivvies and took a dive.

Sunday, as always, was a bit frantic, and at the end of the day it seemed 
that both D&Q and Black Eye had done quite well. From my POV, I know that 
we sold out of Dear Julias 2, 3, and 4 and had unloaded a TON of Ed 
Brubaker's new _Low Life_ collection. All in all, Michel seemed rather 
happy.
We celebrated with our annual bash at Cafe Lulu (where Ivan Brunetti drew 
the funniest, most frightening cartoons I have ever seen in Sam 
Henderson's big book) and the new Jackie Chan movie (which after the 
first fifteen minutes wasn't all that great).

After breakfast on Monday, Megan Kelso, Jason Lutes, Michel Vrana, and 
Fred (from La Mouette Rieuse, who was sharing a booth with us) went back 
to the hotel and read comix all afternoon, until I left with Steve 
Weissman to head back up the central valley into beautiful (and COLD) San 
Francisco.

Had a great time. See you next year.

Brian

PS: pictures of said events will soon be up on my websight in the 
BlahBlah area. If you were there and took pictures, send me copies and 
I'll post them).

___________________
Brian Biggs
Picture Show
564 Market Street, suite 707
Sanfrancisco, Ca 94104
415 392 7452
fax 392 4155

www.sirius.com/~brain

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