I can’t remember being this excited about prepping for a comic convention in a long time! Emerald City Comicon (in Seattle) kicks off at the end of the month (March 28-30) and there’s going to be a lot of stuff going on. Here’s a handy PDF to print out and bring with you. It will lead you to all the cool stuff.
First and foremost, I get to spend the weekend with a guy I consider to be my brother, Scott Kurtz. Any chance I get to hang out with him is a reason to be happy, and I’m going to be sharing a table with him and Tavis Maiden. Tavis’ recently launched Tenko King is destined to become your Next Favorite Thing. We’re going to be at Booth 1320.
Emerald City Comicon has gotten huge, so here’s what you wanna do: Once you walk into the main entrance, continue straight on. Take a moment to tip your cap to Dave Kellett at Booth 112 along the way and express your excitement over his upcoming webcomics documentary, Stripped. Then keep walking towards the Sky Bridge over Pike Street. Keep walking straight in until you hit Artist’s Alley and then hang a hard left turn. We’ll be there, waiting patiently for you, at Booth 1320. We’ll be right between What Pumpkin and the awesome folks from Periscope Studios (and directly behind the National Cartoonist Society).
Another reason I’m so excited is that I’ll have two brand new things for you to peruse. The first is the brand-new Tales from the Con comic book, collecting the series of weekly comics written by me and illustrated by the formidable Chris Giarrusso. This is a series that looks at comic conventions, comic culture and comics fans. And let’s face it, anything drawn by Chris is gonna be terrific.
You can pick up your copy at the Emerald City Comicon Merchandise Booth (over by the South Lobby).
Then bring it over so I can commend you on your good taste and sign it for you. Then take it to Chris in Artist’s Alley (Table HH-09) and get his sexy scrawl. Finally, if you can manage to flag down Emerald City’s head honcho Jim Demonakos, you’ll score the trifecta. This whole thing was his brainchild.
The other reason I’m excited is that I get to show off The Webcomics Handbook for the first time anywhere! I’m super-proud of this book, and I can’t wait to get it into as many hands as possible. Plus, I will have a small supply of the limited-edition hardcover versions of the book. Those won’t be available for sale anywhere other than personal appearances. You either have to be a Kickstarter supporter or you have to catch me in person to snag one of these.
Finally, I’m doing to panel discussions that should be lots of fun. They are:
Challenge of the Super Friends
Room: HALL B (608-609)
Time: 12:10PM – 1:00PM
Gregg Schigiel hosts as his comics pro friends Jay Faerber, Chris Giarusso, Maris Wicks, Joe Quinones and me play a series of superhero-centric games — “Alphabet Superheroes”, “Name that Story Arc”, & “Super Suit Celebrity” – and 1 lucky audience member wins prizes! Expect laughs, fun & superhero talk! ALL-AGES
and…
History of Webcomics
Room: HALL C (610)
Time: 4:20PM – 5:10PM
The art form of webcomics is now twenty years old, and has gone through many changes. Some creators have been around long enough to see them all. In this panel, we’ll discuss the different platforms and revenue streams we’ve explored during these decades. What’s worked and what hasn’t? Find out in this informative panel including Shaenon Garrity, Phil Foglio, Bill Holbrook and me.
Whew. That’s a lot to look forward to. Plus I’ll have Evil Inc graphic novels, some great original art, I’ll open up a commissions list… we’re going to do it all. Just me and you. Together.
