Tuesday, June 26, 2012

HeroesCon

Last weekend was one of my favorite weekends of this year or any other.  In Charlotte, North Carolina is was the 30th Annual HeroesCon.  Unlike most Comic Conventions such as San Diego which has become more of an entertainment media con, HeroesCon is all about the comics. I learned during one of the panels that 60% of the space is dedicated to the artists and writers which from what I hear is rare in the convention world.

You can't help but be in awe and inspired by all these people out there showcasing their talents.  Wish I had a ton of money just so I could support all these people.  As you walk through what's known as Indie Island, all the tables are filled with such amazing artwork that you want to stop at them all but at the same time it's hurts to have to walk away from a table not buying anything.


Jenn was probably the big winner in the finding new book department.  Twice while waiting in line for someone else she found books that she was interested in.  One was an author Alethea Kontis who has written some kids books that Jenn fell in love with and is so excited to bring them into her classroom.  The two books we picked up were The Wonderland Alphabet and AlphaOops!: The Day Z went first.  Alethea was great and I'm sure her table will now be a yearly stop for us.





The other book we found is Cursed Pirate Girl by Jeremy Bastian.  His artwork is so incredibly detailed and really looking forward to the release of the hardcover trade of the first volume.  We spent a good ten minutes talking with him and just staring at his artwork. 






We found Jeremy's work while waiting in line for Chris Schweizer who writes draws the Crogan's Adventure series.  Every book follows a different member of the Crogan family throughout history.  We of course picked up the first book because it's about Pirates.  So glad to finally pick this up after hearing about it for a few years now.
 





Jenn was also able to visit with Danielle Corsetto who she meet at HeroesCon 2009 and started reading her webcomic Girls with Slingshots.  We were able to pick up four of her books so I can get caught up since I'm horrible with keeping up with webcomics.
 




As for me I got a TON of books signed by some of my favorite people in comics and picked up a bunch of Uncanny X-Men books to help fill in my run and few trades been wanting.  Few stand outs were Scott Synder who probably would have kept talking to us for another 5-10 minutes if it wasn't for his long line, George Perez who is one of the happiest people you can ever meet, Skottie Young who gave us a quick sketch while talking with us and never looked down to what he was drawing, Tommy Lee Edwards who had a funny reaction to one of the books I asked him to sign.  Ben McCool and Ben Templesmith who we brought beer too after seeing a sign McCool had about liking beer.  Really I could name about everyone we talked to.  That's the best thing about comic people, you hardly ever meet someone who disappoints and are very appreciative to you being there and enjoying there work. 




The true highlight of the weekend was getting to meet Stan Lee.  He truly made Jenn's day because we had been told not to shake his hand or touch him because after all Stan is 89 years old and if he stakes thousands of hands everyday he's bound to get sick.  Well when Jenn went for the picture, he took a look at her and threw his arm around her like they had known each other for years .  ALL DAY Jenn would randomly say "Stan put his arm around me".  Stan's panel that evening was almost magical, he had that audience in the palm of his hand from the moment the door opened for him to walk in.  It's not everyday you get to meet the person who has helped shape your life and is truly one of your heroes.

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