Baltimore Comic-Con 2008

[oh_caroline]

It didn't look like anybody had made a thread for this, so I hope it's okay --

Is anybody planning to be at the Baltimore Comic-Con on September 27 & 28?

It looks like a cool lineup:

http://www.comicon.com/baltimore/

. . .and, the possibility of running into Marlo Stanfield notwithstanding, Baltimore is a cool town.

I know that Throughthebrush and I will be there. Anybody else?

[paper]

Damn. That's a great lineup.

Maybe...

[optimus187prime]

Very tempting.

[oh_caroline]

Damn. That's a great lineup.

Maybe...

*encourages*

A great lineup, and crabcakes, Natty Bo, and Utz Potato Chips.

Well, okay, Natty Bo is actually a pretty nasty beer, but the other things are good. Unless you're allergic to seafood. I'm not selling this very well, am I?

Some of my Bawlmer friends saw Lester Freamon from 'The Wire' riding around on his bike. How's that?

[conorkilpatrick]

http://quovadimus.blogspot.com/omar2.jpg

[paper]

I used to go to the inner harbor each year with my parents so my dad could attend the annual tow truck convention (yes, they have conventions). It's been a few years. My dad actually asked me about this con the other day. He had fun at WWPhilly.

Maybe...

[kahunablair]

Damn. That's a great lineup.

Maybe...

Let's carpool!!

[optimus187prime]

I go to the Inner Harbor a few times a year usually in the summer, used to go to Otakon but my intrest in anime has dwindled. Cheese Cake Factory and California Pizza Kitchen FTW!!! (dont have those in DE)

[paper]

Let's carpool!!


Your car is gonna look so good cruising right past me, probably through a large puddle.

[oh_caroline]

I used to go to the inner harbor each year with my parents so my dad could attend the annual tow truck convention (yes, they have conventions).



I hope this will one day be the first sentence of your autobiographical novel.

I'd read it! :D

[oh_caroline]

http://quovadimus.blogspot.com/omar2.jpg

http://i529.photobucket.com/albums/dd333/oh_caroline/freamon.jpg

[paper]

I hope this will one day be the first sentence of your autobiographical novel.

I'd read it! :D

Just to clarify, my father is not a tow truck. He has never been a tow truck. He has operated them though, since before I was born. He knows what all the knobs do. He is a tow truck whisperer.

I am convinced that my choice not to procure a driver's license stems, primarily, from viewing the videos he'd bring home after particularly grizzly accidents. The township police often filmed the aftermath of drunk driving accidents for presentations at high schools.

"What's under that tarp?" I'd ask my father, who stood next to the TV, remote in hand.

"That's the driver."

"What's under the other tarp?" I'd say, pointing to the opposite side of the screen.

Squinting, he'd reply, "That's his head or his wife I think." I watched my father enter the frame, stepping over the first tarp and entering the vehicle to put it in neutral. Something twitched from under the second tarp. It always did.

[kahunablair]

Your car is gonna look so good cruising right past me, probably through a large puddle.

Yup !

[optimus187prime]

ewww....

[oh_caroline]

Just to clarify, my father is not a tow truck. He has never been a tow truck. He has operated them though, since before I was born. He knows what all the knobs do. He is a tow truck whisperer.

I am convinced that my choice not to procure a driver's license stems, primarily, from viewing the videos he'd bring home after particularly grizzly accidents. The township police often filmed the aftermath of drunk driving accidents for presentations at high schools.

"What's under that tarp?" I'd ask my father, who stood next to the TV, remote in hand.

"That's the driver."

"What's under the other tarp?" I'd say, pointing to the opposite side of the screen.

Squinting, he'd reply, "That's his head or his wife I think." I watched my father enter the frame, stepping over the first tarp and entering the vehicle to put it in neutral. Something twitched from under the second tarp. It always did.

*slow clap*

I was going to say that I was impressed by your improvisation skills, but then I realized you've clearly been slaving over that manuscript for years.

[paper]

I don't have a file going or anything. :D

Man, I really want to go to this now. Gotta represent the iF.

Maybe...

[oh_caroline]

I don't have a file going or anything. :D



Of course not. It's in your dresser drawer.

I'll totally treat you to the indigenous Baltimore food product of your choice, if you make it. Crab-flavored Utz chips! With Old Bay!

[paper]

I writhe at the mention of Old Bay. Bleeechhhh!!! What a way to ruin a perfectly good french fry, says I.

But for some shrimp and a lemon wedge...


Maybe....

[oh_caroline]

I writhe at the mention of Old Bay. Bleeechhhh!!!

But for some shrimp...


Maybe....


Tease.

[paper]

Tease.

My spirit animal is an anglerfish.

......

Mike Mignola will be there.

I've thought about it, and I think I'm going to go, and when I see him I'll pop the question. I'm going to ask him if he wants to be best friends.

Maybe...

[humphrey-lee]

I was gonna hit this one up, but given my plans to drop 2K on a new Flat Panel in the next month and Mid-Ohio being the weekend after I'm passing. The lineup is amazing yeah, but Mid-Ohio is a yearly tradition going on six years now with my crew and I, and I need some 1080p clarity in my life. :(

[paper]

Upgrading from:

Maybe...

to:

Probably...

[optimus187prime]

Im seriously considering making a one day trip. Guess I just have to get a day off of work though.

[mrmister]

I'll be there both days with some friends. We are driving down from Philly. Maybe I'll see some of you guys/girls there. Anybody get info on Harvey Banquet tickets, I emailed the address listed on the Con's site and haven't heard anything back.

[paper]

Just ordered my tickets. I'll be there both days.

RE: mrmister - Looks like Philly is gonna represent!

[mrmister]

Heard that. We should have about 4 to 6 guys coming down. If any Baltimore natives post here point me to some good bars, not trying to drink at the hotel.

[oh_caroline]

Heard that. We should have about 4 to 6 guys coming down. If any Baltimore natives post here point me to some good bars, not trying to drink at the hotel.


Assuming your hotel's in the Harbor, you can always hop a cab to Fell's Point (Thames & Broadway, where the old 'station house'/studio they used on 'Homicide' is). That's a good place to get in trouble. It's been a few years, but I have good memories of Kooper's and The Horse You Came in On.

I'm not a native, though, so better-informed opinions trump mine.

Seafood advice is welcome as well; I'm not sure what's in season at the end of September.

ETA: I now look askance at the recovering alcoholic on my userpic. I'm not sure he approves of me.

[fanboydan]

As a Baltimore-area resident (I'm in the burbs), I can do nothing by speak highly of past Baltimore cons. Every year, this show has gotten better and better. This is the best line up since the con started nine or so years ago. You are almost guaranteed to have a great time.

Unless there's a sniper on the loose.
Or a hurricane and flooding.
Or a terrorist attack.
Or a fire alarm.
(all things that had some affect on the con in the past, but the last few years have been problem free)

As far as drinking establishments, there are a few sports bars right near the convention center that'll get the job done. Fells Point is actually very nice as well - almost like a hipper antique/boutique kind of area. There's also a group of clubs/restaurants across the street from Inner Harbor called Power Plant Live that'll have that city/dance club/night life kind of thing going. I've seen a couple concerts at a venue there but never did much the club thing. My wife, on the other hand, had one hell of a Happy Hour there once that she doesn't remember. These are very touristy, safe areas (for Baltimore, anyway).

For the more adventurous (in more ways than one), there's The Block. About four or five city blocks away from the convention center is East Baltimore Street. On one block of this street are, well, adult entertainment facilities.

Like, a lot of them.

I've only been to one of those clubs once, and it wasn't an awful place. Hell, it was a strip club and everything you expect from a strip club. If you enjoy naked wimmens pretending to like you just to get a dollar from you, you'll have a good time. Just be careful - it should go without saying The Block is not the ritzier part of town.

Hope that helps. Please ask if there are any other Baltimore questions, and I'll do my best to answer them.

[viperseatlotus]

i think i might be a "possibly..." to this.

[kahunablair]

I will not confirm nor deny that I will be at this Con.

[conorkilpatrick]

Please ask if there are any other Baltimore questions, and I'll do my best to answer them.

Yes, where can I get some red tops?

[six-gun]

Yes, where can I get some red tops?

that must get old

[optimus187prime]

If I were to go for one day is it the consensus of the group that Saturday is the one to pick?

[conorkilpatrick]

that must get old

http://a6.vox.com/6a00cd97849482f9cc00d09e717e56be2b-500pi

"Oh, indeed."

[six-gun]

http://a6.vox.com/6a00cd97849482f9cc00d09e717e56be2b-500pi

"Oh, indeed."

touche Kilpatrick

[fanboydan]

@Conor - Wire references are lost on me. I know, I know - what the hell is wrong with me, right?

@Optimus - Depends on what you are looking for. Like most shows (I'm guessing), dealers slash prices lower on Sunday and the crowd isn't as large. However, there have been a few occasions where creators have no-showed Sunday and the programming is usually not the most interesting. Since there hasn't been any programming announced, can't say for sure it will hold true for this year.

[optimus187prime]

@Optimus - Depends on what you are looking for. Like most shows (I'm guessing), dealers slash prices lower on Sunday and the crowd isn't as large. However, there have been a few occasions where creators have no-showed Sunday and the programming is usually not the most interesting. Since there hasn't been any programming announced, can't say for sure it will hold true for this year.

I guess I want both, I want to get some signatures and buy some action figures, maybe some muggs too. Sat is looking like my day if I do go.

[optimus187prime]

So are we going to do a meet up. If I go I will be alone :( so running into some familiar personalities would be nice.

[oh_caroline]

So are we going to do a meet up. If I go I will be alone :( so running into some familiar personalities would be nice.

I'm all for it (I think I already promised to buy Paper some shrimp). We should try to arrange something closer to the time of the con.

[mrmister]

We should try to arrange something closer to the time of the con.

I'll be coming down with friends of mine, but I'd still think it be cool to meet up with some of you for a little bit even if only to say hello.

[fanboydan]

I'm down, but maybe in more of a MrMister kind of way - just a pleasant hello. It'll all depend on A) Saturday or Sunday, and B) if I win my battle of wills against the Mrs. to stay downtown for as long as I like.

[paper]

The goal is to be memorable enough to be mentioned in the column the following tuesday.

[kahunablair]

Would, oh I don't know... kicking you in the "Little Pol" count as being memorable?

[paper]

It would probably be a paragraph, yes.

[kahunablair]

Fantastic!

[mrmister]

Once they start to announce the panels maybe everybody can settle on one to all go to introduce ourselves and such

[oh_caroline]

Once they start to announce the panels maybe everybody can settle on one to all go to introduce ourselves and such

Yeah, that's what I was going to say. It's hard to schedule anything before we know what we're scheduling around. (This con does HAVE programming, right?)

I'll probably have a bit of a posse there as well. . .

Question: Does anybody know the policy on bringing kids (for this con in particular, or in general?) My brother might want to bring his 2-year-old, but we don't know if he'd have to buy a fullprice ticket.

[paper]

I just noticed Guy Davis is going to be there. This con is going to be AWESOME.

[timmywood-]

I do want to go to this but having just spent three and a half weeks in New York and living in Texas, I doubt it will happen.

[fanboydan]

Oh, I feel so important. Yay me and shit.

@MrMister/OhCaroline - yes, there is programming. Usually two tracks throughout both days - usual Marvel/DC panels, plus some unique ones thrown in. If I'm not mistaken, the programming is usually not announced until the week of the con.

@OhCaroline - I'm pretty sure there would be at least a discount, if not free, for kids, especially someone that young. It's a very kid-friendly con - programming for getting kids to read, kid-friendly booths and the like. I know in past years they've had free admission for kids under a certain age dressed in costume.

@Paper - Guy Davis is awesome. I've noticed over the years that there are always more additions as the con gets closer, so keep an eye out. Then again, there are also some cancellations, but those won't get announced until the day of the con. Usually not a lot, but there have been a few folks who, for whatever reason, just can't make it.

[oh_caroline]

Oh, I feel so important. Yay me and shit.

@MrMister/OhCaroline - yes, there is programming. Usually two tracks throughout both days - usual Marvel/DC panels, plus some unique ones thrown in. If I'm not mistaken, the programming is usually not announced until the week of the con.

@OhCaroline - I'm pretty sure there would be at least a discount, if not free, for kids, especially someone that young. It's a very kid-friendly con - programming for getting kids to read, kid-friendly booths and the like. I know in past years they've had free admission for kids under a certain age dressed in costume.


Thanks for the info! I'm going to advocate hard for my nephew to come, possibly in costume.

[paper]

I'm coming in costume as one of the following. Please help me decide.


Roger Sterling, Mad Men
Snoopy
Johann Krauss, BPRD
Wall-E
Dave Accampo
Wildcat
Thanos
a cougar
Barbara Gordon pre Killing Joke
Barbara Gordon post Killing Joke
Elektra
Starbuck
Dr. House
Samuel L. Jackson in Lakeview Terrace
The Phantom (Billy Zane)
The Escapist
a pony/cougar hybrid

[oh_caroline]

I'm coming in costume as one of the following. Please help me decide.


Roger Sterling, Mad Men
Snoopy
Johann Krauss, BPRD
Wall-E
Dave Accampo
Wildcat
Thanos
a cougar
Barbara Gordon pre Killing Joke
Barbara Gordon post Killing Joke
Elektra
Starbuck
Dr. House
Samuel L. Jackson in Lakeview Terrace
The Phantom (Billy Zane)
The Escapist
a pony/cougar hybrid


This list makes me laugh, but you know, the Escapist is very do-able (and I now suspect you concocted the rest of the list to make it seem like the only sensible alternative.)

[optimus187prime]

My vote goes for Barbara Gordon post Killing Joke. Not it, on wheeling you around though.

[steve-m-]

Yes, where can I get some red tops?

Conor, I was going to give you a hard time for busting on Baltimore again, but I was up there a week ago for the Sox-Orioles game and remembered that I am not a big fan of Baltimore. Having said that, the BCC is really good for a small con and you should come down, pick some crabs, and see a very cool con with a great line-up without all the crazy!

[fanboydan]

I'm coming in costume as one of the following. Please help me decide.


a cougar



Cougar as in middle-aged woman who preys on younger men?

[cam-]

You should go as a Pony/Dog, like in Final Crisis. With a papier mache Wonder Woman on your back.

[paper]

Cougar as in middle-aged woman who preys on younger men?

As in a mountain lion, puma, or florida panther. The coolest animal.

[oh_caroline]

A puma is the coolest animal. Or at least it has the coolest name. Puma. That's a great word.

My brother made the mistake of asking me if there was a costume he could wear to the con that incorporate a Baby Bjorn. I am now trying to convince him to duplicate this:

http://i529.photobucket.com/albums/dd333/oh_caroline/Cable001Zone-Meganpg001a.jpg

This would also allow me to come "in costume" as Irene Merryweather (avatar), which means I follow Cable around and look concerned.

How can this not be awesome?

[throughthebrush]

I figured I'd poke my head in here and say hi, to reassure people that I do, in fact, exist, and I'm not actually Caroline's imaginary or invisible friend. (Well, I might be capable of invisibility, but the mutant powers haven't kicked in yet as far as I can tell.) I'm greatly looking forward to Baltimore, where I will hopefully fail to experience A.) an overheated car radiator B.) a fire, or C.) a sprained knee, each of which has occurred in one of my previous three trips to the great state of Maryland.

If a meetup happens, I'd love to say hi. I promise my curse isn't contagious.

[kahunablair]

Johann Krauss, BPRD

Will this involve you putting a plastic bag over your head? If so, it get's my vote.

Dave Accampo

Will this involve you having to rip your heart out? If so, it gets my vote.

Barbara Gordon post Killing Joke

When you say "Post" Killing Joke, how post are we talking about? Is this Wheelchair Barbara Gordon or is this Polaroid naked on the floor Barbara Gordon?

a pony/cougar hybrid

A Pongar? Sweet!

[optimus187prime]

I figured I'd poke my head in here and say hi, to reassure people that I do, in fact, exist, and I'm not actually Caroline's imaginary or invisible friend. (Well, I might be capable of invisibility, but the mutant powers haven't kicked in yet as far as I can tell.) I'm greatly looking forward to Baltimore, where I will hopefully fail to experience A.) an overheated car radiator B.) a fire, or C.) a sprained knee, each of which has occurred in one of my previous three trips to the great state of Maryland.

If a meetup happens, I'd love to say hi. I promise my curse isn't contagious.

Welcome, you should make contingency plans for A-C just in case.

[throughthebrush]

Welcome, you should make contingency plans for A-C just in case.

Bottles of water and antifreeze, a fire extinguisher, a first aid kid, and a pair of crutches are already in my suitcase.

I was a Girl Scout for 13 years. I know how to be prepared.

[optimus187prime]

Bottles of water and antifreeze, a fire extinguisher, a first aid kid, and a pair of crutches are already in my suitcase.

I was a Girl Scout for 13 years. I know how to be prepared.

Wow good job.


PS. Bring cookies please:p

[oh_caroline]

Wow good job.


PS. Bring cookies please:p

Oh, so now the girls in the ifanbase are expected to *bake* for you.

I see how it is.

(lotsa :D:D:D)

ETA: I seriously just realized that was a Girl Scout reference. It's been a long day.

[paper]

I just ordered some 8x10 glossies of this image.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3080/2383204039_027f051543.jpg

The shipment should arrive in time to pre-autograph all of them. I'll bring a sharpy with me to write out a personal message if you'd like.

If you have a complicated name, please be prepared to get a custom nickname like "Kurt" or "Lady Spiderwood."

[optimus187prime]

Can you sign mine:

Something you use to wipe waste from your bottom?

paper XOXO

:D

[optimus187prime]

Okay I am now definitely in, I have gotten the day off. I will be there Saturday 9/27 only, 3 days after my birthday :D

[fanboydan]

but here's an e-mail sent out from the con organizer - it was a very popular area of the show last year.

NEWS RELEASE: Kid-Friendly Creators Return to Baltimore Comic-Con

Kids Love Comics Organization Sets Up Comic Book Diner, Featuring s Comics Creative Stars

Baltimore, Maryland - September 6, 2008 - Baltimore Comic-Con is known as a family friendly comic book convention, but that gets turned up to a whole new level September 27 and 28, as the creators of such kid-friendly comics as Tiny Titans, Amelia Rules, Scooby-Doo, Buzzboy, and others join together in a special Kids Comics Pavillion with the ever-friendly diner theme, courtesy of Kids Love Comics and the Baltimore Comic-Con. Kids and families will be welcome to a truly interactive experience, as comics artists and writers will be on hand at the booth and at special programming to talk about how they create comics, and help kids to create their own comics characters. Coloring sheets, crayons, and pencils will be at select drawing stations at the Comic Book Diner, encouraging creativity and fun throughout the weekend. Also on hand will be Disney artist Ted Tucker, creating caricatures for kids of all ages, and a temporary tattoo station will be set up by his bride, artist Marie Tucker.

Joining already announced kids' comics creators Andy Runton (Owly) and Jeff Kinney (Diary Tiny Titansof a Wimpy Kid), creators at the Comic Book Diner include Jimmy Gownley (Amelia Rules), Art Baltazar and Franco (Tiny Titans, Patrick the Wolfboy), Frank Camuso (Knights of The Dinner Table, Max Hamm), Steve Conley (Astounding Space Thrills), Scott Sava (Dreamland Chronicles), John Gallagher (Buzzboy, NASCAR Heroes) and Rich Faber (Buzzboy, Roboy Red), Scott Cohn (Krypto, Justice League Unlimited), Mark McKenna (Banana Tail), Dean Trippe (Butterfly), Jamie Cosley (Tony Pony), and Jason Horn (Ninjasaur)-- and many others!

"Marc Nathan and the fine folks at the Baltimore Comic-Con always put on a great, family-friendly show-- we're just so thankful that they have been so supportive in setting up this fun experience as part of the show," said John Gallagher, KLC member and creator of Buzzboy. "And, oh yeah, we get to sell comics, too!"

The comic book diner will be offering up creator sketch trading cards to convention-goers, featuring charcter pics on one side and a blank area for free quick sketches by KLC creators. Also offered up at the show will be free mini-comics for NASCAR Heroes from NASCAR Comics and Starbridge Media, making its Baltimore Comic-Con premiere. NASCAR Heroes is the all-ages adventure story of a super-powered race car team. Other premieres will be announced soon, and everyone is encouraged to check out the Baltimore Comic-Con and Kids Love Comics websites.

Hope you who are thinking of coming are still able to make it.

[oh_caroline]

but here's an e-mail sent out from the con organizer - it was a very popular area of the show last year.

[i]NEWS RELEASE: Kid-Friendly Creators Return to Baltimore Comic-Con

Kids Love Comics Organization Sets Up Comic Book Diner, Featuring s Comics Creative Stars

Thanks, Dan! I've got tickets already, and I passed this info on to my brother, who is thinking about bringing his kids.

[visualassasinus]

I dont know if anyone on here would be interested but I am expecting to have a Halo 3 master chief costume by then and am considering renting it out for a day if someone wants to where it to the convention. Pictures of it can be found here

<http://www.halloweencostumes4u.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=hal&Product_Code=rub909904>


If anyone is interested in this, please email me at visualassasinus@yahoo.com

[fanboydan]

For those not on the e-mail list, here's the latest update for the Baltimore Con:


We regret to announce a few cancellations: David Finch (whose wife is having a baby), Gene Colan (back problems), John Romita Sr. (conflict), and Mike Grell (conflict) are unable to attend this year.

But don't despair! The Baltimore Comic-Con is proud to welcome Mike McKone (Fantastic Four, Green Lantern), C.B.Cebulski (X-Men: Divided We Stand, Avengers Fairy Tales), Dan Slott (Amazing Spider-Man, Avengers: The Initiative), Tom Brevoort (Marvel Comics editor), Walt Simonson (Thor, Fantastic Four), Bernard Chang (Wonder Woman, The Rules of The Game), Sean Chen (Iron Man, Salvation Run), Mike Hawthorne (Salem, American Splendor), Paul Storrie (Worlds of Dungeons & Dragons, Star Trek: Aliens), Nelson Blake II (G.I. Joe, The Ride), Jamal Igle (Superman's Reign, Supergirl), Greg LaRocque (Power Man and Iron Fist, Marvel Team-Up), Afua Richardson (Pilot Season: Genius), Richard Starkings (Elephantmen), Andy MacDonald (NYC Mech), and Allison Sohn (Star Wars trading card artist).

Harvey Tickets Available Now!
We are pleased to announce that Brian Michael Bendis will be joining us as our keynote speaker. This year's gift bag, which the first 200 attendees will receive, includes The MAD Archives vol. 1 from DC Comics, Diary of a Wimpy Kid from Amulet Books, an imprint of Harry N. Abrams, Inc., Beowulf Trade Paperback, based on the screenplay by Neil Gaiman and Roger Avary from IDW, Creator Chronicles Preview DVD Featuring Michael Golden from Woodcrest Productions and Eva Ink, Stephen King's Dark Tower : The Gunslinger Born, courtesy of Cards, Comics and Collectibles & The Baltimore Comic-Con, a Toon Tumbler drinking glass from Popfun merchandising, and an exclusive Harvey Awards keychain from LaserMach.

Personally, I like the addition of Slott, and Breevort and Cebulski were a lot of fun at the panels I saw them at. Colan is unfortunate - I was really hoping to meet him - but I hope the guy feels better.

The panel schedule should be announced sometime next week (if history holds true), so if a meet-up is still in the works, we can all hash it out then.

Haven't personally attended the Harvey's. The gift bag, IMO, is a little weak this year (last year there was an EC reprint edition). It's only available to those attending the whole Awards dinner and ceremony and buy additional tickets. If you're attending the con both days, you get into the ceremony, but don't get the bag.

[optimus187prime]

Well my plans have fell apart, and I now will not be attending :(

My friend I was going with couldnt get the day off and I have to save money anyway for a trip to FL. Hope everyone has a great time, looks like I should just be happy I am going to see Steve Dillon on Wednesday.

[fanboydan]

Sorry to hear, optimus. It seems Dillon is doing a bunch of signings pre-con. He's set to do a signing at a shop about an hour or so west of Baltimore Thursday. Good for him - probably doesn't get to the US that much.

Anyway, more updates to anyone interested. From the e-mail list:

The details on the exclusives this year are as follows:

* Aspen - Michael Turner variant cover for Fathom #2.
* Marvel
o Frank Cho Secret Invasion #6 variant cover Dan here - not big on spending a lot for these things, but this one does look very tempting
o Mike Wieringo HERO Initiative: Marvel Apes cover Again, another maybe for me, just because it's Ringo.
o John Romita, Jr. U.S. Exclusive Amazing Spider-Man #568 variant cover
* PopFun - Exclusive Batman Toon Tumbler This looks amazing
* Top Cow - David Finch Dragon Prince #1 Baltimore Comic-Con variant cover
* 3 Finger Prints - The 3 Geeks: Can Anyone Stop the Slab Madness?! variant cover

Jim Lee's also set to throw out the first pitch at Friday's O's game:

Jim Lee, the Baltimore Orioles, and Baltimore Comic-Con Team-Up
Baltimore, Maryland - September 19, 2008 - Comic book super star, Jim Lee, will help kick off the 9th annual Baltimore Comic-Con at Oriole Park at Camden Yards Friday, September 26th. Jim will throw out the first pitch before the Orioles meet the Toronto Blue Jays and then sign autograghs for fans at the ballpark to help awareness for the weekend convention next door.

Special price for comicon attendees and such - more info at the Baltimore Comicon site.

Hope someone's still interested in coming - really shaping up to be a heck of a weekend.

[oh_caroline]

I'm definitely still going -- haven't seen anything in the way of a schedule yet, but will pretty much be around for the whole thing. Hoping to go to the Harvey Award ceremonies on Saturday night; not the dinner/reception thing, but at least the ceremony, which is apparently covered by the two-day pass. Anybody done this and know if we have to queue up early or anything like that?

If nothing else formulates as far as a plan, I'll be wearing my ifanboy T-shirt on Saturday.

[conorkilpatrick]

Um... it's likely that you might see an iFanboy or two on Saturday...

[oh_caroline]

Um... it's likely that you might see an iFanboy or two on Saturday...

You try to get out and con season pulls you back in. . .

[paper]

If you don't recognize them, they'll be with me. ;)

[oh_caroline]

If you don't recognize them, they'll be with me. ;)

Will you be wearing a hat?

[fanboydan]

The update you've been waiting for --

Baltimore, Maryland - September 24, 2008 - The Baltimore Comic-Con is proud to announce programming for panels at the 2008 show! Panels will occur both Saturday and Sunday upstairs from the main convention floor.


Once again, we have a panel for all tastes. A highlight this year includes the first public face-to-face discussion between Brian Michael Bendis and Robert Kirkman since each voiced dissenting opinions about work-for-hire and the future of comics. Guests who want to learn more about the graphic crafts can join Jose Villarubia and Bernie Wrightson, or see the Web Comics panel. Also, attendees will receive publishing updates from Dark Horse, DC, Kingdom Comics, Marvel, Image, Top Cow, and Visionary Comics Studio, and an exclusive art seminar by Jim Lee for eight hand-selected fans.


Without further ado...the panels!

Saturday, September 27, 2008
11am-12:30pm
DC Nation
Oa room (upstairs, room 307)
Join DC editor Dan Didio as he and special guests, discusses the current DC Universe, as well as hints to the future of the DC Universe.

11:30am-12:30pm
Web Comics
Tarnax IV room (upstairs, room 302-303)
Funny, timely, exciting, biting -- all words that can describe the Web Comic, the most widely-available of the comic art form. Join Scott Kurtz, Danielle Corsetto, Scott Sava, and others as they discuss the ins, outs, ups, downs, and overall variety of this forum.

12:35pm-1:35pm
Marvel Q&A: A Cup of B
Oa room (upstairs, room 307)
Tom Brevoort and Brian Michael Bendis answers questions about the Marvel Universe. You should join them. He loves you.

12:35pm-1:35pm
Silent Devil/Ahmet Zappa
Tarnax IV room (upstairs, room 302-303)
Kingdom Comics, a new division of the Disney film studio, showcases their upcoming projects as they bring back some of Disney Studios classic characters!

1:40pm-2:40pm
Top Cow
Oa room (upstairs, room 307)
Join Filip Sablik as he talks Dragon Prince (did you get your Baltimore Comic Con exclusive yet?) Witchblade, Darkness, and all things Top Cow. Moo.

1:40pm-2:40pm
DC Comics presents -- The Return of Sgt. Rock! With Billy Tucci
Tarnax IV room (upstairs, room 302-303)
DC Comics is proud to present the return of Easy Company with the six issue miniseries, "Sgt. Rock - The Lost Battalion." Join Sgt. Rock writer/artist and Shi creator Billy Tucci and special guest WW2 veterans Grant Hirabayashi, Joe Kelly Kuwayama, and Terry Shima for an intimate story and art preview of salute to the American soldier. Billy and Terry's discussion and photos will also show the incredible lengths the creator has gone to uphold Rock's honorable legacy by interviewing actual veterans, partaking in a massive World War II re-enactment, and visiting the beaches of Normandy!

2:45pm-3:45pm
Kirkman vs. Bendis: The Future of Comics
Oa room (upstairs, room 307)
What began as an open letter on the future of comics has turned into one of the hottest topics to hit the industry in decades. Now, the two main opposing forces in the discussion get together as Robert Kirkman and Brian Michael Bendis come face to face in a no-holds-barred debate! Don't miss out on what promises to be the most talked about panel of the year!

2:45pm-3:45pm
Dark Horse
Tarnax IV room (upstairs, room 302-303)
Join Dark Horse Director of Publicity Jeremy Atkins and Senior Managing Editor Scott Allie for a first hand look at the future of comics. You will be given insight into the next chapter of the breakout hit series, The Umbrella Academy, as well as a look at what the future holds for all of your other favorite series and characters. With exciting announcements and inside info, you won't want to be anywhere else.

3:50pm-5pm
DC Comics Presents: Men of Steel
Oa room (upstairs, room 307)
What is the future of the Superman Family? Join Geoff Johns, James Robinson, Sterling Gates, Jamal Igle, and Superman editor Matt Idelson as they give you a peek at what the next year holds for the Man of Steel and his family.

3:50pm-5pm
Comic Book Restoration and CGC
Tarnax IV room (upstairs, room 302-303)
Should restoration be considered for a comic? What does restoration do to the value of a comic? How will CGC grade a restored comic? These questions and more will be answered by Matt Nelson (Classics Incorporated) and Richard Evans (Bedrock City) as they give you insight into the do's and don'ts of comic book restoration.

Sunday, September 28, 2008
11am-12pm
Jim Lee Art Seminar
The Batcave (upstairs, room 301)
Eight lucky fans will be hand-picked by Jim Lee to attend his one hour art seminar! A contest will determine the lucky participants. During the day Saturday, you will turn in a piece of original art at a designated area. Then, on Sunday at 10:30am, Jim will choose eight artists from the entrants who will follow him to the seminar room for this unique experience.

11am-12pm
Visionary
Earth 53 (upstairs, room 307)
VCS just announced the new Headlocked: The Tryout 3-Issue series, with covers by Ron Wilson, John Hebert and Jerry "The King" Lawler in his first comic work. They also just launched their digital publishing arm on Wowio and have even more news in the wings! Check out this panel with a bunch of VCS professionals to find out what this up-and-coming studio has planned into 2009! This will also include a focus on Visionary's new submissions, and discussion of how to break into comics...the Visionary way.

11:30am-12:30pm
Boom!
The Savage Land (upstairs, room 302-303)
Join Boom! Studios Editor-In-Chief, Mark Waid, as he discusses the INCREDIBLE new projects coming soon from Boom!

12pm-1pm
Image Comics Show
Earth 53 (upstairs, room 307)
The Image Comics Show hits Baltimore as Robert Kirkman (WALKING DEAD, INVINCIBLE), Erik Larsen (SAVAGE DRAGON, IMAGE UNITED), Jimmy Palmiotti (Back to Brooklyn, The Pro), Richard Starkings (ELEPHANTMEN), and more give an exclusive glimpse into the future of Image Comics, featuring the public debut of all-new IMAGE UNITED art, along with many other announcements, surprises, and giveaways!

12:35pm-1:35pm
Spotlight on Wrightson (Villarrubia)
The Savage Land (upstairs, room 302-303)
Jose Villarrubia presents a Spotlight on his good friend, Living Legend, and Baltimore Comic-Con Guest of Honor, Bernie Wrightson!

1pm-2pm
Marvel: Your Universe
Earth 53 (upstairs, room 307)
Will you Embrace Change? Join the Marvel crew and accept your new Skrullian Overlords as you find out all you want to know about Secret Invasion and the rest of the Marvel Universe.

1:40pm-2:40pm
Chaykin/Hughes
The Savage Land (upstairs, room 302-303)
Howard Chaykin and Adam Hughes. Need we say more?

2pm-3pm
For the Love of Comics
Earth 53 (upstairs, room 307)
Dan Didio talks comics! Join Dan in this unique forum to discuss what he likes about comics in general.

2:45pm-4pm
Turner - In Memoriam
The Savage Land (upstairs, room 302-303)
Join Frank Mastromauro as he hosts a tribute to Michael Turner, a truly singular talent and an all around great guy.

Panel topics, descriptions, and creator participants are subject to change.

I sure as shit know where I'll be Saturday at 2:45!!

Hopefully some of you iFanboys can make it down. Baltimore is not as bad a place as it's made out to be, I promise.

EDIT: Got distracted at work - sorry about the edit.

I'm up for meeting whenever, but I think after the Bendis/Kirkman panel would probably be the best choice since I'm assuming it's something a lot of us would be at. Thoughts?

[oh_caroline]

The update you've been waiting for --

I'm up for meeting whenever, but I think after the Bendis/Kirkman panel would probably be the best choice since I'm assuming it's something a lot of us would be at. Thoughts?

Might be a zoo, but I'm definitely planning to be there. Will be in an ifanboy shirt, as mentioned before :)

Thanks for making these posts, Dan, it's really helpful!

I think my brother and his kids are going to end up not coming. Something about an election coming up and my brother deciding to use all his spare time to come to Virginia and help some candidate or another?

Priorities.

[fanboydan]

Thanks for making these posts, Dan, it's really helpful!

Just being a good little helper bee :)

One thing that hasn't been mentioned is parking. There are three good garages right near the convention center and a few lots and such around the area.

Garage #1
If you are coming off of 95 (either North or South), you'll want to take the 395 exit. Once on 395, follow it to Conway Street exit - second exit, two right lanes exit to the right. At the second light after exiting (Charles Street), turn left. Right on the right hand side will be a garage. Once parked, exit the garage on the Charles Street side, turn right. Walk about a block and the Convention Center will be on the left. This should put you where the con is being held.

Garage #2
Follow the same directions, but when you turn at Charles Street, make it a u-turn. About half way down the block will be another garage. Once you park, exit either exit and head toward Charles Street (turn left if coming out the Conway Street exit where you entered, or right if coming out the back entrance facing the Convention Center).

Garage #3 (my preference because it's further away from stadiums and tourist areas)
Follow same directions, but continue down Charles Street to Lombard. On Lombard, turn left (it's one way, so you can only go straight or left). You'll drive past the Convention Center where I think the con will be. About a block or block-and-a-half, you'll come to a garage on the right. Exit the garage the same way you went in (trust me on this, or else you'll get lost). Straight ahead of you will be the Convention Center.

You shouldn't have trouble finding a spot between these three garages. Parking at these places usually runs about $3-$4 an hour with the usual max of about $20 for a full 8 hours. Sometimes you can get a flat rate on weekends depending on what's going on. The Orioles have a night game Saturday, so parking availability should be good during the day; Sunday is an afternoon game, so it may be a bit hinky (then again, they're playing the Blue Jays, so it may be good all weekend long). Ravens are out of town and playing Monday, so there won't be that sports bar crowd, either. Weather's supposed to be cool but a little wet, so there may not be a huge tourist crowd at Inner Harbor.

If you go to the Convention Center site, you can get a map of all parking garages in the city. You'll want to focus on the Inner Harbor area since that's where the center is.

Link:
http://www.bccenter.org/index.php?target=60

There are also directions if you're taking the train. I'd suggest a cab if you can get one from the station - city buses aren't the best.

Hope that helps. If there are any other questions or comments or any other way I can be of help, let me know and I'll try my best.

[oh_caroline]

Thanks! We're staying with a friend in the 'burbs, so I think we're getting train directions from her. But I'll keep these with me in case we decide to drive in one day.

[fanboydan]

Thanks! We're staying with a friend in the 'burbs, so I think we're getting train directions from her. But I'll keep these with me in case we decide to drive in one day.

MTA station at Camden Yard is directly across the street from Convention Center.

Forgot to mention, the Geppi museum is across the street from Convention Center if anyone's interested in that. Haven't visited yet, but may do so next week.

[mrmister]

I've been so busy with work I haven't been on the forum in a while, but I will still be coming down to the con. Can't wait. I will certainly be at the Bendis/Kirkman panel as well as the Cup of B, DC Nation, and Your Universe panels. If I see anybody in an Ifanboy shirt I will say hello to them. Staying at the Days Inn right at the Inner Harbor and I just found out parking isn't included so it is an extra 18 bucks a night which sucks.

[paper]

Less than 24 hours, biz-natches!

[hidefjohn]

Just saw on twitter that Mike Norton is going to be there.

[paper]

Everybody is going to be there. It's CRAZY.

[oh_caroline]

Just saw on twitter that Mike Norton is going to be there.


I know! He wasn't even on the list I saw. I ran out at lunch and bought a copy of one of his Runaways issues. (Which I have at home. I could just as easily have run home and gotten one I already own. Brain no work-y good. Oh well).

I really just want to talk to him and find out why he wants to beat up Tom Katers.

[optimus187prime]

Take lots of pictures for me guys. Im sad I cant go, but I hope everyone has a wonderful time.

[paper]

Take lots of pictures for me guys. Im sad I cant go, but I hope everyone has a wonderful time.

I'm going to buy toys and i'm going to remove them from their boxes just for you.

[gobo]

Post some unboxing videos set to porn music.

[fanboydan]

Hope everyone gets here safely - you in particular throughthebrush ;) - and hopefully I'll stumble upon some of you tomorrow. It'll be nice to say hello.

Just compiled my to-be-signed comics and it's huge. Sure, it's fanboy-ie, but come on - Steve Dillon, Bendis, Wrightson, Cooke - how could I not?? Not quite a box pile, but definitely a fill-up-the-backpack-and-make-a-trip-to-the-car pile.

My favorite weekend of the year!

[paper]

I'll have to dig up my copy of "Tease: The Beat of Burlesque."

[oh_caroline]

Hope everyone gets here safely - you in particular throughthebrush ;) - and hopefully I'll stumble upon some of you tomorrow. It'll be nice to say hello.

Just compiled my to-be-signed comics and it's huge. Sure, it's fanboy-ie, but come on - Steve Dillon, Bendis, Wrightson, Cooke - how could I not?? Not quite a box pile, but definitely a fill-up-the-backpack-and-make-a-trip-to-the-car pile.



Hopefully, Throughthebrush's Maryland curse will be limited to bringing this rainstorm with her. (I don't think she'll be online before she gets on the road, but I'll pass on the good wishes).

I also end up bringing a ton of stuff to have signed to cons; not that I even keep track of it when I get back, but it's an excuse to talk about something I liked with the person who made it. And, at least in theory, I'm getting over my self-consciousness about doing this.

[optimus187prime]

I'm going to buy toys and i'm going to remove them from their boxes just for you.

Post some unboxing videos set to porn music.

Nooooo, I would feel like Conor did after reading the rape scene in Battle Royale.

[hidefjohn]

thanks optimus. you reminded me that i need to bring my camera.

[hidefjohn]

i filled a short box with stuff to get signed and I've got a couple of oversized hardcovers too that wont fit. Ill def be making multiple trips to my truck throughout the weekend

[oh_caroline]

As I said on Twitter, I still don't believe I don't own anything by Jim Lee. (Other than a few hand-me-down issues of AS:B&R that I'm afraid to open).

[paper]

Be on the lookout for the man on the right.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3195/2443018531_bb157c136e.jpg

[deadspace]

2:45pm-3:45pm
Kirkman vs. Bendis: The Future of Comics
Oa room (upstairs, room 307)
What began as an open letter on the future of comics has turned into one of the hottest topics to hit the industry in decades. Now, the two main opposing forces in the discussion get together as Robert Kirkman and Brian Michael Bendis come face to face in a no-holds-barred debate! Don't miss out on what promises to be the most talked about panel of the year!

This is gonna be videoed and then put on t'internet, right?

[optimus187prime]

This is gonna be videoed and then put on t'internet, right?

We can only hope.

[mrmister]

Anybody that is trying to hang out after the Harvey Awards let me know! I'll be the guy with Simpsons tattoos all over his legs.

[fanboydan]

Be on the lookout for the man on the right.

What happened to the costume?!?!

[paper]

Ron told me to dress normal. He kept going on about getting some sort of threesome together and me cramping his style if I'm to dress as a Torchwood character. Just going over the lines he texted me.

"Have you met my friend Ron? He's a great lover of mini-busts."

'Lover' was in all caps, I guess for emphasis.

[fanboydan]

Don't be obligated - skip over if this looks too daunting.

This show is why I love comics.
It's why I put up with a shitty work environment where every day the paranoia of arriving to a pink slip is palpable (but that's pretty much everybody these days).
It's why I go to my shop on Wednesday, spend enough money to feed a small South American nation, then sit in traffic for an hour when I live 15 minutes from the shop, completely feeling guilty that I could have skipped the traffic if I had only listened to Sally Struthers.
It's why I sit on my living room floor shoving comics into bags at great risk of paper cuts and hair removal via scotch tape for an hour while watching some show on the Discovery Channel.
It's why I put up with my wife saying every week, in her oh-so-suttle way, "What the Hell are you buying every week?" while she has handbags that haven't seen the light of day since 1995.
It's why I have a Playstation2 - purchased in April - with about a 1/4 inch of dust on it.
It's why I have DVDs I purchase months ago that haven't been watched.
It's why I have a 5-foot-high to-read pile (about 8 now after the con). If I stopped buying comics today, I would have enough reading material - at one trade/story arc a day - to last me until 2010 (it's true, I figured it out). That doesn't include the to-reread pile, which is immense.
It's why I lugged 30 pounds of comics on my back and about another 50 in a giant yellow bag all day today.
It's why I stood behind a gentleman who literally smelled like a Jiffy Lube just to get a signature from Steve Dillon. (Loved the t-shirt, Ron.)
It's why I waited in line for 90 minutes to get a few books signed by Bendis. The payoff was the Howard Stern conversation I had with him - I could have given a shit about his John Hancock at that point.
It's why I got f'd on parking - $27 is a lot, and I sincerely apologize to anyone who listened to me earlier and got suckered into this garage.
It's why I put up with the mini-monsoon that hit B'more Saturday. WTF, Mother Nature?
It's why I stood in line for 10 minutes waiting on a simple signature to hear a discussion between a certain creator and another fan about - wait for it - regional theater. EVEN THOUGH SAID CREATOR AND FAN HAPPENED TO LIVE IN COMPLETELY DIFFERENT REGIONS OF THE COUNTRY. (He did apologize and thank me for my patience when I got up there, though, so no hard feelings.)
It's why I woke up with a happy thought in my head Sunday instead of the usual 'another day' doldrums.
It's why I take a vacation after the con every year. My dogs be barking, my back be screaming, and my liver be begging.

But to see the (completely outrageous) crowd, and to overhear conversations, and to see some guy drop $1,200 on an original piece of art, and to see the appreciation on a lot of creators' faces at the simplest 'thank you' or 'like your stuff' comment, and to see an Artists' Alley resident take his time and energy to sign and sketch in a trade even though I was going to buy it anyway. To hear that conversation about a very particular issue of an obscure comic that maybe this guy and the creators' parents read when it came out 20 years ago. This, and I'm sure other cons, is what comics and fandom should be about. It's not whether Johns contridicts a single panel created 40 years ago, or that Yu doesn't draw Skrulls exactly like Kirby, or that Secret Invasion is going on and on and on. It's about completely immersing yourself in something you love for 48 hours - forgetting about the world outside, about work, the spouse, traffic, - all your problems ignored for two days so you can indulge in yourself. It's about showing appreciation to someone's work - how f'n happy would most of us be if just once in a great while someone came up to you at work and said, 'Thanks. Good job'? This was a weekend dedicated to that, and I'm a firm believer in karma - someday, someone somewhere in my company is going to say, "Thanks. Good job." It's been seven years, but someday...

Anyway, I've pissed three times since I started this and have lost my train of thought several times, so I'm done. It was nice meeting the iFanboys who showed up, watching them work, and hanging out for a brief while. It was nice talking to all the posters I managed to meet (and in certain cases, surprised and somewhat stalked - sorry about that, ladies). Hopefully Baltimore didn't scare any of you too much, you arrived home safely, found something good at the con, and continue enjoying comics enough to come back next year.

Thank you, I'm going to pass out now.

[paper]

Great write-up, Dan. It was nice to meet you at the convention, and it certainly sounds like the frustrations were well worth it.

Thanks to everybody who stopped by and said hey on Saturday. I wasn't feeling too well on Sunday, so I opted not to go to the convention and browse the trades that day.

Baltimore was my third convention this year, so I may have been a little burnt out on the experience. It's an odd show, rather small in scale, easily half the size of Wizard World Philly, but twice as packed. There were a lot of creators there, but they put all the higher profile artists in the center, all clustered together. That made the lines a bit maddening, and left some of the lesser known artists on the perimeter struggling for attention.

I did get to meet Darwyn Cooke and get his Retroactive book autographed with a quick sketch. I also found a bunch of new Mighty Muggs and several trades, some of which I'll end up reviewing for the site.

But for the bulk of my time at the con, I was hanging out with Ron and Conor up on the third floor. Without saying too much, we filmed some interviews and sat in on a panel. We do talk online most days, but I don't get to see them very often, so that was fun. Conventions are an odd experience for me because my comic discussion is limited almost exclusively to the internet, and for it to bubble out into such a chaotic physical form is kind of overwhelming. The faceless voices becomes this big, crazy hydra.

And that'll be it until next con season.

[hank41]

the list of disadvantages of living in Chicago just keep growing.

add B-Con to the list

[oh_caroline]

Anyway, I've pissed three times since I started this and have lost my train of thought several times, so I'm done. It was nice meeting the iFanboys who showed up, watching them work, and hanging out for a brief while. It was nice talking to all the posters I managed to meet (and in certain cases, surprised and somewhat stalked - sorry about that, ladies).

I can't speak for any other ladies you might have approached :rolleyes:, but I was really glad you came up and introduced yourself.

Sorry you didn't feel well on Sunday, Paper. I wished we had gotten to talk more, but Saturday really was a zoo; the crowds calmed down quite a bit on Sunday, and it ended up being a really pleasant atmosphere. I made a point to be a better conversationalist on Sunday, and -- other than the guy in the Bendis line who spent the whole hour-plus wait bragging about how much his CGC slabbed comics were worth while baby Jesus cried in my brain -- it was a really cool experience.

So glad I got to meet you guys -- and Ron and Conor, too!

[mrmister]

Nice to meet some of you guys. Hanging out at the Marriott Bar with all the creators after the Harveys was the best thing ever.

[throughthebrush]

Dan - It was really nice to meet you! Definitely no need to apologize; sometimes a little stalking goes a long way. ;)


Amazingly enough, my Maryland bad luck actually did manage to strike again - I had to stay an extra night because the brakes on my car froze up and needed to be replaced. But the con was great, and it was fantastic getting the chance to meet people, even if I just had a two-second introduction to Ron, Conor, and Paul. Glad everyone else seemed to have a good time, too.

[deadspace]

I read the article about the Kirkman vs Bendis panel on newsarama and it seems like it was a complete non-event. Oh well.

[conorkilpatrick]

I read the article about the Kirkman vs Bendis panel on newsarama and it seems like it was a complete non-event. Oh well.

If by "non-event" you mean "extremely interesting discussion," then yes it was.

[deadspace]

Maybe newsarama left out the interesting bit.

[oh_caroline]

If by "non-event" you mean "extremely interesting discussion," then yes it was.

I agree. I wasn't expecting that much candor on both sides, and I thought they both had some really good points.

[conorkilpatrick]

I agree. I wasn't expecting that much candor on both sides, and I thought they both had some really good points.

It was the most honest I've ever seen two big time creators be in public.

[deadspace]

I think this pretty much spells out why I think it was pointless: Bendis said, "Grant Morrison made this point and I've said it too: Who among us is unaware of the creator-owned market?"

And Bendis was also right about the graphs not including trade sales. Warren Ellis could have produced his own graph showing how his mainstream work on Marvel made the sales of Transmetropolitan increase significantly. This increase in sales of his creator owned work is one of the reasons he still goes back to do the big superhero books.

[oh_caroline]

If by "pointless," you mean "neither of them said anything in this forum that has never been said by anyone else before" then it's hard to argue. Or if you mean that "nothing was finally once and for all resolved" -- that didn't happen either. I don't think anybody expected either of these things to happen.

What was impressive to me was that these guys were willing to get up in front of a room full of people, lay out their arguments, and give the other a chance to answer. Sure, they were talking past each other sometimes, but much less so than in the various online debates on the subject. Bendis commented that comic book history might look a lot different if the members of the original Image revolution and their Big Two counterparts had sat down for a similar discussion in a public forum.

DeadSpace, you may find Kirkman's arguments easy to dismiss, but there were obviously people in the room, fans and pros alike, who felt very differently.

[deadspace]

Of course there are people who agree with Kirkman. Doesn't mean I can't think his points (if you can even call them that) are ridiculous, or as Bendis called them - "dopey". I just happen to be of the same opinion as people like Bendis and Morrison.

[oh_caroline]

Of course there are people who agree with Kirkman. Doesn't mean I can't think his points (if you can even call them that) are ridiculous, or as Bendis called them - "dopey". I just happen to be of the same opinion as people like Bendis and Morrison.

I find the Bendis arguments more convincing, myself, but that's not the same as considering the conversation pointless.

[mrmister]

What you guys are forgetting is that Kirkman bear-hugged Bendis and made his arms and legs dangle. At the end of the day nothing besides that matters. Also, earlier today on my day off I blogged about my own experience over the weekend. Link is in my sig for anyone who might care to look.

[oh_caroline]

What you guys are forgetting is that Kirkman bear-hugged Bendis and made his arms and legs dangle. At the end of the day nothing besides that matters. Also, earlier today on my day off I blogged about my own experience over the weekend. Link is in my sig for anyone who might care to look.

Yes, the bear hug should not be forgotten!

And I enjoyed reading your post. I know just where you were during the Harveys. . . Throughthebrush and I were sitting by the door, and we were trying to figure out how Kirkman ended up at a table with all the Marvel people. That must have been interesting! (but I think it implies it couldn't have been THAT adversarial, unless they were forced to sit in those seats)

Unfortunately, we had to duck out before any of the big awards, because we needed to catch a train to the suburbs. I bet hanging out in the bar after was fun!

[deadspace]

I find the Bendis arguments more convincing, myself, but that's not the same as considering the conversation pointless.

"Who among us is unaware of the creator-owned market?"

If creators already know about the creator-owned option then what's the point in telling them? And to advise a creator to drop their paycheck on a gamble that their first creator-owned title is going to sell well? That's just stupid. Even Warren Ellis' Avatar titles don't sell what The Walking Dead sells - they probably sell half as many - and he's easily one of the biggest names out there. The Walking Dead is in a small minority and I don't understand why Kirkman is denying that. I just feel that Bendis is spending his time countering silly arguments... like graphs that only show half the picture.

[gobo]

But he's saying you can sell FAR less than half what Walking Dead does and make a living off of it.

And by doing so have much more security in your old age because you hold all the rights to that material as opposed to burning out and getting squat once Marvel or DC let you go.

He's not letting people know creator-owned exists, he's letter people know it's a financially viable alternative, especially if you've made a name for yourself at the big two first.

[deadspace]

But he's saying you can sell FAR less than half what Walking Dead does and make a living off of it.


when/where did he say that?

[gobo]

He's talked about the Luna Brothers and I think Faerber as two examples of people not selling anywhere near what Walking Dead does (because really what does, even big 2 books don't most of the time) and they're both making a comfortable living off of fewer books because there isn't all the overhead of working at Marvel/DC.

[deadspace]

Kirkman said in his word balloon interview that you 'only' need to sell 20k or 30k copies (can't remember which) to make the equivalent of what you'd be making on the Marvel and DC comics that sell many more. If you were a big writer and you left and went to Image or somewhere else, even if your first effort consistently sold what the Luna Brothers sell with The Sword (10k), you could be halving your income. Doesn't sound too appealing to me.

[gobo]

Halving now but he believes it has more long term potential gain.

Not going to touch his ideas that his plans will also help better the comic industry as a whole which is a whole other discussion.

[oh_caroline]

Halving now but he believes it has more long term potential gain.

Not going to touch his ideas that his plans will also help better the comic industry as a whole which is a whole other discussion.

I think the conversation focused fairly narrowly on the issue of creators supporting themselves, because that was the part of Kirkman's statement that Bendis reacted to the most strongly. Bendis is a guy who, I think, genuinely wants to encourage and support other creators, and he's worried about people making bad choices -- and burning their bridges -- because of Kirkman's success creating false expectations.

One could flip that, though, and say that Bendis is more conservative because of his own experiences. Taken a certain way, Kirkman's thesis invalidates Bendis' career path, and he's (understandably) on the defensive about that.

In any case, it's a more complex argument, on both sides, than it might seem at first. And the value of the panel, to me, was getting that out in the open.