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Column:
Variant Coverage
"Five Alarm: The Baltimore Comic-Con 2006"
By Adam White
Published: 2006-09-19
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Now you know the real reason for the Baltimore Con fire alarm: Variant Coverage in the House.
On a more serious note, the Baltimore Con (my first time there) was absolutely awesome this year, every bit on par with
the excellent HeroesCon in Charlotte this year. The number
of top creators and indy hopefuls was comparable, and the atmosphere of both was friendly and fun, just as advertised. So
who had the misfortune of lining up in my sights this time? Read on, true believer.
Saturday began with a trek to the convention center, the purchase of some Con Exclusives, and a whole lot of waiting in
line for it to open. I read the new Lone Ranger #1 from Dynamite while waiting (which was excellent, by the way), and
also re-read Blaze of Glory by John Ostrander and Leonardo Manco (also excellent) before entering. We were let in a
tad late (unsurprisingly), and I made straight for the Marvel booth where Dan Slott was
Anonymous Slott |
supposed to be in attendance. Slott hadn't arrived yet, so I wandered aimlessly a bit and scored an autograph or two while
doing so, most notably from Eric Powell, creator of the magnificent The Goon
(read it if you haven’t). I then noticed activity at the Marvel booth and made my way back to find Dan Slott was
there, and the Con could truly begin (I’m a BIG Dan Slott fan, if you haven’t figured that out yet). Slott
signed a stack of books for me, including entries from most of the series he’s written as well as the entire run of The Thing. Slott entertained myself and other
attendees with his dead-on Ben Grimm impersonation, then had us all laughing while relating the story from the unpublished
Thing #9. Slott is a great guy, and as funny in person as he is in his writing. It was great meeting him, and
you should definitely do the same if he attends a convention you frequent.
After finally deciding that I should probably check out some other stuff at the Con as well, I pulled myself away
from the ongoing Slott hilarity and surprised ComicCritique’s own Matt Rawson (Cottage Three) at his table with
the webcomic bunch. Matt did not know I was attending, and so it was a nice surprise considering we are not only related but
longtime friends. I bestowed upon him some Con goodies I had made to hand out, then proceeded to check in on David Petersen of Mouse
Guard
David Petersen |
fame (and whom I also recently interviewed). Shortly thereafter is when we were all
graced with the soothing presence of the fire alarm, which I’m sure you have read
about in boring detail by now. So, considering we entered a little late anyway, it sucked that not even an hour in the Con
had passed and we were herded back outside. The line wasn’t exactly orderly or fast moving, but we all got outside
fairly quickly.
I was then prepared to absolutely blast the whole Con (right here in Variant Coverage) for such an affront, but as
luck would have it (for them and me) I ended up standing outside next to Dan Slott, Kurt Busiek, and Tom Brevoort.
Slott generously aimed his converation toward myself and another attendee and spent the whole time discussing upcoming events
in She-Hulk (which is one of the best books on the
market). I want to take this opportunity to thank Mr. Slott again for humoring a couple of fans for about an hour outside,
turning what would have been an unbearable cluster**** into a highlight of the convention. Lots of great stuff coming up in
She-Hulk, so keep an eye out for it as well as Slott’s “Mystery Project.”
After I got back inside for Take 2, things went a little more smoothly. I made the rounds, talking to any and every
creator I came into contact with, just getting my name out there and letting everyone know how much I enjoy their work. I
then made sure to stop by Mike Avon Oeming’s table so I could get the rest of
my issues of Ares signed, along with several of his other
books. Oeming has become an outstanding writer, and I informed him of such and now recommend to you to go buy up all his
work because it starts good and then just keeps getting better.
Also on hand was Jimmy Palmiotti, who signed a stack of books rivalling those I
had brought for Slott and Oeming. Palmiotti (along with writing partner Justin Gray) has produced some of the most fun books
on the stands right now, including Heroes for Hire, Jonah Hex, and many others. Palmiotti graciously signed my books and seemed
like a really cool guy, yet he was off soon to do the first of several panels. Only after I got home two days later did I
find out he and Gray were going DC exclusive, which, while deservedly nice for the two of them, was crappy for me because
I’ve been loving their Marvel work immensely. So congrats to Palmiotti and Gray — you earned it, guys.
I headed back to the Marvel booth when Olivier Coipel arrived because I had some Legion books for him to sign.
Coipel’s line move a little slowly, as most people were signing up for and discussing sketches; since I was one broke-@$$
attendee, buying expensive sketches wasn’t an option for me. However, the real coup was when I found Dennis Calero (X-Factor) at the Marvel booth as well. I spoke with
Calero all throughout the line, marveling at his prints and discussing the awesomeness that is X-Factor. Sadly, I
don’t think many of the others in line realized who Calero was, but that is their loss; I got maximum time that way,
and Calero even generously provided me with a sketch (for which I cannot thank him enough — but more on sketches in my
next column). I finally got Coipel to sign my books, and he seemed like a very nice guy, but he was swamped with people
throwing money at him for sketches so I didn’t get to chat. Calero was the main event as far as I’m concerned,
and I got a bunch of my X-Factors signed as well.
Dennis Calero |
Olivier Coipel |
Next was a duo of Legends: Jim Starlin and Howard Chaykin. I got my books signed, but they were already engaged
in conversations and I was simply too polite to interrupt. I also was lucky enough to meet John Ostrander and Tim Truman, both of whom I’ve been a big fan of
for quite some time. After speaking with them, I went to the Image booth where I found Andrew Robinson, who proceeded to sign my copies of Dusty Star and Negative Burn. I also purchased an outstanding signed/numbered Dusty
Star Print as I spoke with Desperado’s Joe Pruett and April Doster.
Jim Starlin |
Howard Chaykin |
Andrew Robinson |
Next came the line for John Cassaday, or, the Line of Lost Souls. I thought this might be the only time Cassaday was
signing there so I went ahead (against my better judgment) and waited. The line “moved” at a glacial pace, so
slowly that my watch actually stopped. Turns out Cassaday was doing sketches
John Cassaday |
on books for everyone, which was nice, but the ******bags in the line were taking advantage of him and having him sign and
sketch 75 copies of the same book (all of which were solely for themselves, I’m sure). I could see certain people at
Cassaday’s table that would be in the same place from thirty to forty-five minutes at a time, forsaking their fellow
fans and securing their places in hell. I finally got my books signed at the 2 hour, 40 minute mark, and at that
point had to ask for a sketch (and got one that’s very cool) which I honestly felt was my due after waiting in such an
excruciating line. Cassaday seemed like a cool guy though, but I’m sure he was just as sick of the line as we were by
that point. My only thought on this now (that’s printable) is, let’s limit the books to get signed, people.
Have some decency, not only towards the creator but to the people behind you in line. Your life may eventually depend on
it...
The only good news to come of the Cassaday line itself was that Todd Dezago was
signing at a nearby booth so I was able to speak with him. I had read about his and Craig Rousseau’s
Perhapanauts but had foolishly never picked it up; after speaking with Dezago and picking up one of the hilarious
prints he had with him I knew I needed to correct that error (consequently, I currently have an order for every
Perhapanauts-related comic on the way, straight from Dezago and Rousseau themselves). Great guy, awesome work, and
tell him I sent you when you check out the book.
After cooling off for a few minutes and regaining my composure I set off to do anything other than stand in a line. I
lucked into speaking with Mark Wheatley, whom I spoke
with briefly before he introduced me to Robert Tinnell because we both originate from
the same state. From there I spoke with Tinnell at length about his various projects and was joined in the conversations by
Neil Vokes and Mike
Hawthorne, all of whom are very personable individuals. I spoke with all three of these gentlemen for much of the
remainder of my time Saturday, and left with several of their books (check out my upcoming reviews for more on those).
I spent Saturday night at the Discomfort Inn, resting my sore feet and shoulders (you try lugging around 50 pounds of
books all day) and doing some reading. I loved everything I read that night, although I had trouble sleeping afterwards;
whether that was due to the eerie stories or the accommodations I’m not entirely sure. Probably both.
* * *
I awoke Sunday with a renewed sense of wanting to get out of that room, packed up, and headed back to the
Bill Willingham |
convention
center. We entered more quickly this time and were spared the early fire drill,
and I went right into accomplishing the rest of what I wanted to do. I made straight for Bill Willingham’s table, as his lines had been too long on Saturday. Getting
there early meant I got my books signed, although I did sadly miss out on David Lloyd and Bill Sienkiewicz due to lines both days (after the Cassaday Line Debacle, I was
done with lines). Willingham was great, very friendly and entertaining, much like his books.
John Gallagher |
Next up was John Gallagher and Buzzboy, his series geared towards actually
making kids interested in comics again. Gallagher is a really nice guy, and I urge you to check out his work and that of his
partners in Kids Love Comics! I will also be featuring Buzzboy in an
upcoming edition of Small Fries, so stay tuned (I can only type so fast, people).
I also happened across Blade, star of comic books (Tomb of Dracula), film, and television. He was a lot less severe
in real life, even taking time to pose for me to take a picture. Given his reputation, I expected Blade would as soon
decapitate me as smile, but it just goes to show that you should never judge a celebrity based solely on rumors.
I then stopped by the Tinnell/Vokes/Hawthorne/Oeming booth again, just to share my thoughts on the great books they had
set me up with the day before. Tinnell was absent at that point, but I
Neil Vokes |
spoke for quite a while with Vokes and Hawthorne, who was busy doing a seriously nice sketch of Nightwing for a lucky fan.
Vokes treated me not only to a sketch (again, more on that next column) but to a discussion on genre — Westerns and Horror
specifically — and we waxed philosophic on the lack of respect for those genres amongst the comics and film communities. I let Vokes know that I enjoyed how he and his creative
companions had done those genres right where so many others had failed (and I mean that, too — these guys know their stuff).
Really nice guys all around, and I highly recommend getting acquainted with their work.
Last, but certainly not least, I stopped by to chat with Billy Tucci, whom I had
spoken with on Saturday but wanted to stop back by before I left. Tucci is a class act all the way, moving about and
interacting with fans like they were good friends. Upon discovering my place of residence,
Tucci & Me |
Tucci inquired if I was familiar with Beau Smith, which of course I am (Stan may
be “The Man,” but Beau is “The Man’s Man”). As it happens, I actually saw Beau Smith a few times in a
comic shop I frequented when I was going to school in his area, but I never did bother him for an autograph or anything
(again with the politeness — but we were on his time). Anyway, Tucci decided to bust his chops and gave him a
call right there; he hassled Smith about why he had to be so rough and make his fans scared, and that I didn’t approach
him out of fear he would beat on me. Only hearing one end of the conversation, I took it Smith had no idea what Tucci was
talking about, but that was the whole fun of it. Who else at Baltimore can say they got to be part of busting Beau
Smith’s chops? Of course, if Smith stumbles across this column I may be in for harder times ahead...
* * *
Although I had a great time at HeroesCon this summer, I have to say I feel like I accomplished more at Baltimore.
Granted, that’s more due to me personally than anything related to the shows, but I really had a good time there and
met a multitude of amazing creators. I want to thank everyone I met at the show for making it a wonderful experience and I
sincerely hope I can make it in 2007.
See you at SPX!
—CCdC—
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