CCR Ontario: The Cure for the Common Con

2017 was the inaugural year for Comic Con Revolution in Ontario and it was an impressive first showing. A full lineup of panels, a great mix of exhibitors and artists sharing their works, amazing cosplay and of course comics. You can’t have a real comic con without tons of comics. CCR wasn’t just full of what you’d want in a comic con but it was highly organized and presentable, something not too common. We’ve seen other first-year-conventions; they looked like it was their first year. CCR had their stuff together. What’s more impressive? CCR put it all together in only three months. (Slow clapping) Now that's impressive. With year one out of the way, a whole 12 months to prepare, and more than double the size and dates, we can’t wait to see what’s up their sleeves on when the doors open on May 19th.

We had the chance to ask the co-founders, Drew Seldin and Mike Scigliano, more about how they pulled off their first year and what they have planned for CCR Ontario in 2018 and beyond.

Convention.Life: As co-founders, Drew and Mike, tell us what Comic Con Revolution is. For those that missed out on the inaugural year in Ontario, how it is different from other pop culture conventions?

CCR: Comic Con Revolution is the culmination of years of experience working in the industry. We have been a part of so many different shows and always said if we were in charge we would have done this or we would have done that and now we are. Our shows primary focus is comics and the artists and creators who make them. Comic Con Revolution is 90% comics and 10% pop-culture. That is what makes our shows a unique experience for attendees as well as guests. People are there to meet creators and artists.  

Convention.Life: How did you know Ontario was the right place and that CCR would do so well in it’s first year there? And you accomplished this in just three months, how?

CCR: To be honest, you can never know something can do what we did in year one of Comic Con Revolution Ontario. We took the time to find an untapped area like the Inland Empire, we reached out the industry’s best and brightest and planned down to the smallest details. We looked at message boards and took into account the complaints we saw and called upon our years of experience to make processes that can ruin an attendees experience and fixed them. People have lots of options when looking at shows to attend and if you can’t set your show apart with guests and back it up with great family friendly day then customers won’t comeback. As for how? Well, hard work, sleepless nights, blood pressure medication and a love for doing what we do.

Image by Comic Con Revolution Ontario

Convention.Life: This year CCR Ontario is more than doubling its footprint from one exhibit hall to both halls plus the Mayoral Ballroom. What’s one new thing each of you are especially excited to share or at least tease?

CCR: Yes, we doubled the size of the show in year two but that had a lot to do with the reception we received from the Inland Empire in year one. Exhibitors were excited and the community as a whole embraced what we were doing and supported a first year 1-day show like I have never witnessed. When you have that kind of support in place it goes a long way. When we closed the show in 2017 we had pre-sold so many booths that we knew we had to grow the show. It became an easy decision and the team at the convention center was tremendous in helping us grow the show as quickly as we did. We have so much to talk about for Comic Con Revolution 2018 I don’t even know where to start.

Images by Comic Con Revolution Ontario

Convention.Life: CCR talks about it being a family friendly event, what can the parents tell their young comic book fans to look forward to?

CCR: In this day and age it's important to create events for families to be able to attend together. We offer free children tickets for kids 12 and under and discounted teen tickets. It makes it affordable for a family of four or six to attend our show. Parents won’t have to worry about seeing inappropriate booths on our show floors. We avoid selling to companies that don’t have family friendly products and avoid celebrities that are outside the family friendly vibe.  

Convention.Life: From the legendary Chris Claremont to hot new legends in the making like Dustin Nguyen, they're just the tip of the iceberg of talent CCR is bringing in 2018. How did you get such a star lineup in just your second year?

CCR: We have been in this industry for a long time and have met a lot of people over the years. These artists and creators know that if they come to a show of ours we will make every effort to run a professional show that provides an incredible experience for everyone that attends. Fans have plenty of choices on which shows to attend and if we don’t provide them guests like Chris Claremont or Kevin Conroy then they can spend their hard earned dollars elsewhere. In the end the show needs to be about comic fans and our goal is to make them happy.

Dustin Nguyen (Descender, DC Secret Hero Society, Batman L'il Gotham, Batman, Wildcats),  Jace Norman (Nickelodeon’s Henry Danger), Cooper Barnes (Nickelodeon’s Henry Danger), Kevin Conroy (Voice Actor: Batman), Loren Lester (Voice Actor: Nightwing/Robin), Diane Pershing (Voice Actor: Poison Ivy), Andrea Romano (Batman:TAS, Tiny Toon Adventures, Animaniacs, Teen Titans)
Images by Comic Con Revolution Ontario

Convention.Life: The panel schedule last year was stacked for the one day. There were so many informative and entertaining programs to choose from. Now that CCR is two days long and has more than double the space, does that mean that much more programming and workshops?

CCR: Of course it does! We have over 100 panels this year. We run the spectrum from panels for the comic collector, want-to-be artist, cosplayer, movie fan, you name it and we have it! Panels are such an important part of building a show like ours. We have a building jam packed with exhibitors, dealers, artists, celebrities etc. but some guests don’t come in for that and the panels they attend make the day a unique experience for them. In the end we want all our attendees to have that unique experience at Comic Con Revolution.

Image by Comic Con Revolution Ontario

Convention.Life: CCR is currently in Ontario and West Palm Beach, are there any plans to expand into any other markets?

CCR: As the saying goes we could tell you but then we would have to kill you ☺. I am teasing and yes we have plans to expand, we will be announcing our 2019 West Palm Beach dates shortly and a new city as well. We are adding a third part of the country that we know loves comics.  Stay tuned.  

Convention.Life: What’s your elevator speech for those who just need that slight push to get them to go to CCR if they won’t listen to us?

CCR: If you are looking for a great affordable day of fun with the entire family, Comic Con Revolution has something for everyone. You will see incredible artists at work, amazing cosplayers and tons of pop culture items that will bring a smile to your face.

Learn more about CCR Ontario at comicconrevolution.com/ontario, get your tickets here, and plan your program schedule here.

Images by Comic Con Revolution Ontario

GraphicLab Tees: Nailing that Shi(r)t

Look, we’re proud of our pop-culture passions. Not just those of us at Convention.Life. I’m talking about US: you, Convention.Lifers, and the rest of the pop culture convention-goers. We’re unapologetic and love what we love about this world. Nothing represents who we are better than a shirt that nails it. Nails that one obscure reference. Nails that look that needs you to take another look. Nails it so tastefully you can wear it almost anywhere but dang does it make a statement. Nails that statement so well when one of our own sees us wearing that shirt, they give you that, "Oh, snap, I get that shirt and it's dope" look. Then you give them that, "Yup, we cool" look right back at them. We've all had that moment and we love it.

Meet Rob and…Rob from GraphicLab Tees. They nail it. They nail it when it comes to shirt designs and, just as important, a comfortable fit. It’s that soft somewhat fitted fit, that makes you feel confident but relaxed. You know that fit.

Photo by GraphicLab Tees, instagram.com/graphiclabtees

But they don’t do it on their own. They know it takes a village of artists and they acknowledge it. Their shirts are a combination of their own designs and creations by other artists through online submissions. If the design nails it, they’ll make it and sell it, give the artist their cut and most importantly their credit. All designs have credits attributed to the artists in social postings to the signs on their convention booth. Think of Rob (x2) as curators. Wait, I got that wrong. Their tagline is, “The Cure for the Common Tee.”

Designs and photo ©GraphicLab Tees

Booth goals. GraphicLab Tees in all their glory at WonderCon (photo by GraphicLab Tees, instagram.com/graphiclabtees)

I'm going on six shirts and three hats, below are my two favorites from the Robs. These are just a small sampling of what they offer. They’re always surprising us with new pieces at every convention. As for the Zombie’s design, it’s no longer available and I don’t think it will be coming back. That one is my, “I got this early in their career before they were cool” shirt. I mean, they’re still cool but I’m just saying, I knew them when...

For more info on GraphicLab Tees:
Website: graphiclabtees.com
Instagram: @graphiclabtees
Facebook: facebook.com/GraphicLab
Twitter: @graphiclabtees

WonderCon Anaheim 2018 Cosplayer Spotlight

Convention.Life's visit to 2018 WonderCon Anaheim brought us back in touch with some amazing cosplayers we haven't run into for a while, as well as some cosplayers we had the great pleasure of meeting for the first time.  Here are a few:

@AlinaMasquerade as Rainbow Brite; @WindStriker007 as Ruby Rod from "The Fifth Element"; @VertVixen as Garrison from "Battle Chasers"; @natty.lou.creations as a stylized Dalek from "Dr. Who"

Hailing from Arizona, Alina Masquerade rocked an inspired Rainbow Brite costume, throwing us all the way back to our favorite Saturday morning cartoons. She was also spotted in the classic Jessica Rabbit cosplay from Disney's "Who Framed Roger Rabbit" as well as the Sorceress from the "Dragon's Crown" RPG video game.  This was our first time meeting her, but I'm sure it won't be the last.

Facebook: Alina Masquerade
Twitter: @AlinaMasquerade
Instagram: @AlinaMasquerade
YouTube: Alina Masquerade
For business inquires:
Alina
PO Box 41792
Phoenix, AZ 85080
Email:   alinamasquerade@gmail.com

LeQuan Bennett was arguably the hit of WonderCon this year, with crowds regularly gathering in the aisles to take photos with Ruby Rod, from the film "The Fifth Element".  You can dress up like Ruby rod, and you can carry a cane like Ruby Rod, but LeQuan truly embodied the spirit of Ruby Rod.  Chris Tucker would be proud.  We were so happy to meet him.  We hope to see him again sometime in the future.  We are excited to see what comes next from this dynamic personality, coming out of Anchorage, Alaska.

Twitter: @WindStriker007
YouTube: WindStriker007
Instagram:   @WindStriker007
Facebook:   LeQuan Bennett

We had the pleasure of running into one of our favorite cosplayers VertVixen this year at WonderCon at the MatterHackers booth, bringing to life artist Joe Madureira's Garrison character from the popular comic book / video game "Battle Chasers".  The last time we ran into VertVixen was 2013 WonderCon, when she stole the show as one of the most realistic Wonder Woman cosplays we have ever seen.

Facebook: Vertvixen
Twitter: @VertVixen
Instagram:   @VertVixen
YouTube:   VertVixen Studios
Email:   vertvixencontact@gmail.com

Renetta Lloyd (aka Natty Lou Creations) comes to us from from Vista, California, and has designed and produced costumes for a number of theaters in the San Diego area.  The unique vision of her creations is only rivaled by her skill to actually bring the designs to life.  She was such a pleasure to meet in her inspired Dalek cosplay from the "Dr. Who" series.  WonderCon was her cosplay debut, but she handled herself like a veteran.  We cannot wait to see what comes next from this talented designer.

Website:   http://www.nattyloucreations.com
Facebook:   Natty Lou Creations
Instagram:   @Natty.Lou.Creations
Email:   nattyloucreations@gmail.com

2018 WonderCon Anaheim, Anaheim Convention Center, Anaheim, California

Check out some of our favorite shots from this year's WonderCon! Click on our galleries here,  or we'll send Rainbow Brite to get you... Which I'm sure you'd be absolutely fine with, I suppose.

Rainbow Brite cosplay by @AlinaMasquerade.  Photo by Joel Feria.

2018 LONG BEACH COMIC EXPO, LONG BEACH CONVENTION CENTER, LONG BEACH, CALIFORNIA

Some of our favorite shots from our quick day at the 2018 Long Beach Comic Expo. Click here to see what we've been up to.

LBCE Spotlight: Chris Ayers - Keeping the Doctor at Bay with a Drawing a Day

This is Chris Ayers, yup, he looks like a nice guy with some exceptional character design skills. This is what we thought as we approached his booth at the Long Beach Comic Expo. Nope, I'm not going to tell you he has some underlying mysterious mad scientist skill or that he's saving the world. But his story and the reason for what he does has fully affected my point-of-view of myself as a professional artist, a parent, and as someone trying to fulfill a passion project.

Chris is a classic success story of pursuing your dreams. In 2000 he left Minnesota at the age of 24, with just a packed car and a passion to make it in LA. Montage forward, 2005, he's made it. He's worked on Men in Black ll, Fantastic Four, Penguins of Madagascar amongst others. But then he was diagnosed with leukemia, cancer of the blood. He spent the next year experiencing all the scary, painful, and hardships you would expect.

In 2006, on the one-year anniversary of his diagnosis, Chris decided to start a sketchbook as part of his personal healing process. He set the goal to draw an animal a day, a subject matter he loved drawing, to give him a focused opportunity to appreciate the gift of each healthy day.

Chris' drawing at the first anniversary of his diagnosis.

Amazing designs on American Apparel?! Comfort and style guaranteed.

The good news, Chris has been in remission since and is going strong with his goal of an animal drawing a day. He's a family man with a 5-year-old and has taken this experience on the road to share his story with students, and other cancer patients/survivors. He's created The Daily Zoo book series which you can find here, documenting his drawings, each having a tie-in to what he was feeling that day. A portion of proceeds supports cancer-related charities and research. I'm proud, and inspired, to have drawing #559 as a new favorite shirt.

If you want more information on Chris and his works, see the following links:
Website: ChrisAyersDesign.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Chris-Ayers-The-Daily-Zoo/34718362718

100,000 Strong, And Growing - 2017 Stan Lee's L.A. Comic Con

Year seven and this once small expo has officially broken the 100,000 attendee mark, making it the biggest pop culture convention in L.A.’s history.

When we left Stan Lee’s Los Angeles Comic Con I said to myself, “Wow, LACC has come to play!” Convention.Life-ers have been going to this event since it was an “Expo”. My, how it’s grown. The first couple of years, it contained the standards of a comic/pop culture convention: an exhibit hall with vendors and artists showing their wares, separate rooms with panels from how-tos to meeting the casts-ofs. One of the more curious distinctions for this convention was the integration of the Hot Topic Main Stage within the Exhibit Hall. The first couple of years the stage felt more like a show to walk by and check out in passing, the Exhibit Hall’s vendors were the draw. The guests and topics on stage were fun and informative but the fact that I can’t remember them, tells a lot.

Left: Fully radio controlled Wall-E from (The Wall-E Robot Project), Right: Spot-on Snake Plissken cosplay by Byrne Owens

This time, as we entered the convention we had decided on a plan: find some innovative vendors from the Exhibit Hall to cover, catch a few panels and share fun stories we heard from celebrities, add to our Instagram stories, and of course, cosplay pics! That plan blew up quickly, and not in a bad way, the second we decide to “check out” the Hot Topic Main Stage. We were sucked in.

Together Joel and I found a nice spot close to the front of the stage to get pics and take down notes for the upcoming panel. The usual move from panel-goers is to take in the panel and then move on, as that happens, the people in the back move up to get closer for the next panel. That’s the rotation. Most of the panels in these conventions don’t cater to everyone so people move in and out.

While we were waiting for the Stretch Armstrong & Flex Fighters panel to start we REALLY looked at the upcoming schedule then realized the onslaught of awesomeness coming and knew we were going to be in for a long day in that one spot. I’m not complaining because it was a treat of a long day. Following Stretch Armstrong was the Power Puff Girls original voice reunion, then came the Sabrina the Teenage Witch Reunion, we then got sucked into the funny but personal stories of Katee Sackhoff, then up next we watched Drew Carry’s 2017 Comedy Legend induction.

Original voice cast of Power Puff Girls reunion:  Tara Strong, E.G. Daily, Cathy Cavadini, and Tom Kane

We noticed this year, the crowd just grew as the panels went on, the rotation barely existed. Each panel was only 30mins, just enough to be insightful and fun, then the hype level rose again as we waited for the next panel. It was just celebrity-appearance-high after celebrity-appearance-high. At this point, we broke; we didn’t prepare to be in this one place all day. We reluctantly left our spot to get some food then quickly came back. Well, Joel did. I decided to cover some of the Exhibit Hall, but as far as I got away from the stage I can hear the crowd roaring. It was electric.

Hanging with Manuela Arbelaez, Rachel Reynolds, and George Grey at The Price is Right wheel.

Joel was there getting pics of Scott Bakula, as a huge fan of Quantum Leap, he had to. The super talented people who made up the Cosplay National Championship immediately followed that panel. I barely made it through The Price is Right wheel line on the other side of the convention floor when I ran back to see what all the hubbub was about. I reached the Main Stage just in time to catch the ridiculous line up of musicians on the along side the Black Eyed Peas, my face was melting. My creative heart was crying as Will.I.Am expressed his passion for the making of Masters of the Sun, an amazingly innovative book with so many ways to entertain from the illustrations, to the star-studded voice-overs within the fully animated VR experiences, to the music. It has over one and a half hours of recorded content, all in one book, that’s just crazy.

After we thought we couldn’t have any more celebrity power as the Black Eyed Peas left the stage, I looked around and see the floor around of the stage is completely full. No one has left to rotate out. It’s standing room only, and it’s a sea of people waiting because… “FINALLY, the Rock has come back to Comic Con!” Joel and I have been fans of Dwayne Johnson since he was wrestler. This was work and fun for us. Joel and I were separated at this point but I know we could hear each other “sqweee” across the crowd. Johnson played his best card, interacting with the crowd. He is such a likable and humbled person, it didn’t feel like a pitch for us to watch Jumanji as much as it was supposed to be. He was asking the crowd for questions, and then came the one question he didn’t confirm or deny, “Will you run for president?” Johnson gave a long pause as the crowd chanted, “Rocky, rocky, rocky.” His response with a strong smirk was, “I think the ‘People’s President’ has a really nice ring to it. I’ll just say that.”

Dwyane "The Rock" Johnson, “I think the ‘People’s President’ has a really nice ring to it. I’ll just say that.” (Photo by Joel Feria)

Mic drop, our night was over. There was more from Johnson but that was it for me. Wow, what a crazy fun convention and that was just Saturday. Look out SDCC, NYCC, ECCC, C2E2, and others receiving votes, LACC is making its move and is only getting bigger and better.

LBCC 2017: Exhibitor Highlights

Long Beach Comic Con embodies the lifestyle of its namesake. Laid back, open and inviting, while giving you plenty to do without the feeling of haste. We enjoyed our time strolling up and down every aisle, stopping to really get to know more about what caught our eye. Below are some of many exhibitors we got to know:

PinkOwlet: Dana Duncan

By day Dana teaches Design and Illustration at Art Center in Pasadena, where her students refer to her as the digital dominatrix—she whips pixels into shape on a daily basis. Her well branded booth caught our eye and we were rewarded with visual eye-candy from patterns put on dresses to pins to fun greeting cards.
http://www.pinkowlet.com
https://www.instagram.com/pink.owlet/
https://twitter.com/d2designishere
 

Gears & Roebuck - Rust Junk Emporium

Shannon Hoage started as a Prop Master's apprentice when she was 14. Her love for props and painting came together in what she likes to call wearable Steampunk. Most of her products use already existing toys, or masks, that are then repainted to have a worn metallic feel. Watching anyone who came by the booth, you saw a similar reaction when they realized how light the items were since they are not actual metals. Very comfortable indeed.
https://www.facebook.com/GearsAndRoebuck/

Tee No Evil

The brothers behind Tee No Evil - Zany Zombie Shirts, got the Kickstarter backing to make their dreams come true. These high quality shirts are hand inspected by them to ensure each one meets their standards. They want to make sure the quality matches the art, and the art is great.
https://www.teenoevil.com/
https://www.instagram.com/TeeNoEvil/
https://twitter.com/teenoevil
https://www.facebook.com/TeeNoEvil/

Will Terry

Will Terry has been an illustrator for over 25 years with over 30 children's books and clients ranging from Time magazine, Pizza Hut, and MasterCard. He's now taking those skills to the masses for consumption in the form of prints while still finding time to run an online school.
http://willterry.com
https://www.svslearn.com/

What's next? Not a LONG wait.

If you feel like you missed out on the fun, you did. But you don't have to wait a year. The team that brought you LBCC has Long Beach Comic Expo, February 17-18 2018. Tickets just went on sale today, click here to get yours and we'll see you then.

2017 LONG BEACH COMIC-CON, LONG BEACH CONVENTION CENTER, LONG BEACH, CALIFORNIA

Check out some of our favorite shots from this year's Long Beach Comic-Con! Click on our galleries above!

Long Beach Comic Con 2017

We will be covering Long Beach Comic Con 2017! LBCC is upping their game again, making it more than just another comic convention. There's a good chance I'll be spending most of my time covering the panels in "The Garage," see full program schedule here. But I'll have to choose my panels wisely to make sure I get to experience all the other exciting festivities:

- SpaceExpo fills a chunk of the show floor and an entire dedicated panel track with experts in their respected scientific fields talking about our biggest and most current findings alongside displays from actual space exploration and interactive experiments your kids (or big kids) will be talking about for weeks!

- Burger Con provides a fantastic option for Saturday night fun as music tastemakers Burger Records roll out a lineup of incredible bands to keep you rocking into the night. This year's lineup includes DJ DON BOLLES, NOBUNNY, DWARVES, THE ZEROS AND WHITE FANG. Note that this event has a nominal, separate fee for entry. Further Info HERE!

- GeekFest Film Festival will provide two solid days of indie movie bliss, often with the film makers themselves on hand to discuss the ins and outs of their creations. See the full schedule of films here.

- South Bay Gaming Community's “Fighter's Ring” where gamers can challenge their friends and rivals at: Super Smash Bros.Wii U, Street Fighter V, Injustice 2 and more. For those looking for an eSports experience, sign up for tournaments throughout the day and compete for special prizes against the best!

- The LBCC Fashion Show will feature ladies and gentlemen modeling the latest trends from top-level chic and geeky designers who are on the verge of breaking into the fashion world.

- LBCC's Cosplay Contest will give the West Coast's most inventive and artistic costuming wizards the chance to show off their fantastic talents and compete for prizes in categories including Best in Show, Best Fabrication, Best Construction, Best Couple/Group, Best SciFi, Best Anime, Best Villain, Best Hero and Best Kid! Register now. Spaces are going fast!

- Star Cars! Relive your favorite high speed chases and escapes from certain doom as you take pictures alongside instantly recognizable, film inspired vehicles including the Blues Bros Bluesmobile, the Back to the Future Delorean, Jurassic Park Jeeps, the Jokermobile, Bumblebee from Transformers, Speed Racer's Mach 5, KITT from Knight Rider, the Eclipse from The Fast and the Furious and many more!

- Comic Creator Conference on September 1st is an event designed to connect professional comic creatives with other high-level industry professionals to empower them with exclusive and personal insight, as well as providing access to decision makers, peers, publishers, and other leaders within the industry. Learn how to make smart business decisions on the path to taking your creations into film, television, and interactive entertainment. Note that this event has a nominal, separate fee for entry and is open to industry professionals ONLY. Further info HERE!

Tickets are on sale NOW at LongBeachComicCon.com. Check in for details on limited VIP packages and photo ops with your favorite guests. Kids 10 and under get in FREE! If we don't see you there, follow us on Instagram to enjoy LBCC with us.

A Month After SDCC: Adventures in Trying to Making It (Happen)

By trade I’m an Art Director in advertising. I’m responsible for coming up with new creative ideas and concepts to present to clients to choose from. This means only one of those ideas lives, while the others go away into oblivion. When I was an illustrator, there was a saying, “You have a million bad drawings in you, hurry up and get them out.” I regularly go through critiques with my creative teammates, agency partners, and clients. Over the years, I have grown thick skin when it comes to feedback, it’s part of the process, and most of it helps make the idea stronger. Critiques and feedback, they’re expected.

That’s creative in the world of commerce. It is hired work with a goal to make someone take action. I love it and it’s a creative challenge that will never get old. But it’s rare for me to find time to make art for myself. Art to share, without any tangible goal other than the hope it will move someone. I’ve always wanted to write my own story but haven’t found a concept strong enough to keep my attention. And by story I mean a comic book. And when I say comic book I don’t mean superhero in tights, I’m talking about stories like Walking Dead or Preacher or Secret Service (Kingsman).

Over the last year, I had one concept that wouldn’t let me go. I knew I had something I could really spend time with. I gave myself a Stuart Smalley pep talk and started writing.

Over the last few months I put my idea down on paper. I then pushed it through my close friend/comic book editor, Justin Giampaoli, and completed my first issue. After writing the first draft, it took me a month to share it with him. A whole month, why was I so afraid to share it? This was my first story; do I have a million bad story ideas I need to get out? I was dumb to wait because Justin liked it, enough to give me notes to tighten it up. He encouraged me to pursue it!

A few weeks before San Diego Comic-Con I gave myself two goals: finish the first issue and complete my pitch document. It’s Comic-Con and at Comic-Con you bring comfortable shoes, deodorant, snacks, water, a phone charger, and your pitch doc. It’s on the list.

Comic-Con was closing in as I tried to find time to work on the above goal and I did it. I got it done. Justin gave me the thumbs up on the progress. As we talked, he mentioned a new up-and-coming publisher making a name for themselves in the industry, Vault Comics. They were having a two-hour open pitch during Comic-Con for new story ideas. And I thought, “This might be my opportunity!” My next gut reaction wasn’t as excited. I thought of the producers of Vault as the judges on America’s Got Talent, being bombarded with bad idea after bad idea, from people with wild and not-thoroughly-thought-out concepts. I didn’t want them looking at me through that lens. I shared my concerns with Justin, he said when I’m ready he can send it in via e-mail. That way it’s coming from someone they know, it had been vetted. Phew! I felt better.

Flash forward, it’s the first day of Comic-Con. A buddy and I just attended a few panels on storytelling and how to break into comics. The overwhelming takeaways; make something (don’t just talk about it) and get it out there (don’t just sit on it). It was a different vibe this year; the panels were less about what inspired a creator or how hard it is to get noticed. It was a strong, “It’s a great time for creators, take advantage, and feed the masses who are looking for new and fresh stories.”

It was around 3:30 in the afternoon when we ran into the Vault Comics booth. We decided to check out their books. As we approached the table we noticed the pitches were happening right there at the open booth! I looked over to see three guys behind a table being pitched to. On the left was the taller and slender of the three, Oliver Ridge (Producer, Blue Moon). In the middle was Adrian Wassel (Editor, Vault Comics) and to the right of him was Damian Wassel (Publisher, Vault Comics). All three of them were dressed professionally casual, very approachable, very sharp looking guys. The two Wassel brothers had full but very kept beards, I noticed that kind of thing because I’m almost 40 and I can’t do that with my face. I hesitated and thought of pitching my story, but decided I was going to stick to my original path and have Justin send it to them when I was ready.

About 30 minutes later the idea of pitching was eating at me. I felt my script taunting me from my backpack, “Why did you struggle to make me for this event if you’re not going to take your shot?” The Art Director in me was calling myself names for not doing what I do, pitch. Then I remembered something I always give out as advice, “What’s the worst that can happen if you try? You’ll be exactly where you’re at now and nothing will change.” I agreed with me. If it didn’t work out, nothing in my life changes for the worst. If I went for it, I got experience, exposure, the chance to not only pitch my story but show how passionate I am. Those benefits outweighed sending it in an e-mail. At least there, at the open pitches, they’re waiting for it and were looking for a great idea.

I headed back to the Vault booth and jumped in line. My buddy was great at keeping my confidence up, I know he saw the sweat beading around my forehead. After 15 minutes it was my turn. I took a few steps forward and pulled out copies my packet, pitch document with the first script. I started by telling them I didn’t know why I was nervous but I was, I’m in advertising and this kind of encounter is regular. Oliver and Adrian offered friendly smiles and assured me there was no reason to be nervous. Damian quickly clapped his hands once in an ok-you-got-this kind of way, pointed at me, smiled and said, “Pitch us like it’s advertising.” And with that friendly confidence boost, I did.

I won’t go into the details but their approachable candor put me at ease and my pitch went better than I expected. I felt like we were just talking and I was leading them into a world I created. Their body language was forward leaning with engaged nods and followed by specific questions to further understand my story concept. Then it was done. I pitched my idea. I didn’t die.

I may have fumbled a few things here and there but I didn’t crash, at least not in my eyes. The panel was every bit as cool and professional as they looked. It was only Thursday with three and half more days of Comic-Con to go but my convention was already made.

Another takeaway from the Comic-Con panels I attended; once you get the first idea done and out, you’ll be less afraid. And they were right. I was wrong. I am not exactly where I was before the pitch. I now have more confidence in myself to write and to share my stories.

Well, just yesterday I received an e-mail from Adrian saying that my story didn’t get picked for publication at Vault Comics. It made sense, they were specifically looking for heavy Science Fiction or Fantasy based ideas. My story was a stretch to fit into Sci-Fi, it's mostly geo-political with mild hints at futuristic tech. Back to the world creative and the world of rejection. Adrian assured me that it wasn’t a reflection of my concept or my pitch but more that my story is not the right fit for their position in the market. He did encourage me to pitch any future story concepts that fit in those two genres. It was a kind personal note that took effort from someone with a very busy schedule, and for that I am grateful.  

What’s next for me and my story? Justin and I are moving forward to get this book made, he’s really excited about it. I also have a second story I’m feeling pumped about; it may be harder to share because it’s so personal. But it’s so important to me I have to write it.

Me and Justin at last year's SDCC enjoying each others' company.

I try to find comfort in the new normal of vulnerability as I push out more of my writing, like this article. This is more of a cathartic exercise to hopefully inspire anyone hesitant to start something new in their lives. If you’re thinking it’s too late for you to try something different check out this list of 20 People Who Became Highly Successful After Age 40. The first one was purely coincidence but Samuel Jackson at 43 gives me hope.

AMC's "Fear the Walking Dead", 2017 SDCC, The Interview, Friday, July 21, 2017

Convention.Life was fortunate enough to score some face-to-face time with the cast and creators of AMC's hit show "Fear the Walking Dead" at this year's San Diego Comic-Con.  We were joined by actors Kim Dickens, Colman Domingo, Mercedes Mason, Michael Greyeyes, Alycia Debnam-Carey, Frank Dillane, Dayton Callie, Sam Underwood and Daniel Sharman, as well as series writer and producer, Dave Erickson.  We took a few minutes to catch up with our survivors, as they head into the second half of season 3 of the apocalypse.

"Fear the Walking Dead" Mercedes Mason, Colman Domingo, Kim Dickens and Dave Erickson.  Photo by Joel Feria

SPOILERS AHEAD! 

Season 3 finds our survivors separated.  

The Clark Family (Madison, Nick and Alicia) have cautiously taken refuge in a community of doomsday preppers run by a tough-as-nails rancher named Jeremiah Otto.  Jeremiah's two sons, Troy and Jake, have differing ideologies when leadership of the ranch is thrust upon them, with Jake being the level-headed peacemaker in direct conflict with Troy's hot-headed sociopath.  The ranch is built on Native American land, and is under siege by the tribal owners, demanding its return.  Ofelia has returned, but on what terms?  To make matters worse, The Clark Family's moral compass, Travis, is gone, and is probably not coming back. 

Strand is wandering, looking for friends in the apocalypse.  He finds out very quickly that friendships of the old world don't necessarily translate into the same friendships in this new apocalypse.  In the end, he drives around in a Jaguar and celebrates the end of the world on his yacht, so things may be looking up for him.

Finally, a ghost from the past makes his return to the land of the living dead.  Daniel Salazar is looking for his daughter, and he is prepared to kill a few people to find her.

"Fear the Walking Dead" Alycia Debnam-Carey. Photo by Joel Feria

"Fear the Walking Dead" Kim Dickens. Photo by Joel Feria

CONVENTION.LIFE:  From season 1 to season 3, how has your character evolved to adapt to the apocalypse?

KIM DICKENS:  For Madison, she's definitely become more of a merciless character.  In the beginning, she was probably a merciless high school counselor, but she was really beholden to her morality, her compassion and her heart.  By season 3, she realizes the currency is more brutality when required.  Her main goal throughout has been to survive and protect her family.  And now, it's at a higher cost.  I think Madison has been quick to realize that.

CONVENTION.LIFE:  One of the themes of "Fear the Walking Dead" is that they can't seem to stay, or find a home or place to rebuild.  Is there hope that this crew can rebuild somewhere?

COLMAN DOMINGO:  I think there's always hope.  I think that's the nature of all these characters, that you're constantly going to this new place to build and rebuild.  And you see them fall apart, like great civilizations crumbling down.  That's just the nature, the humanity that we're exploring in the show.  That we're always hopeful, and seeking this place we can build on.

KIM DICKENS:  The nature of the human spirit is resilience.  That's a human instinct to survive.

MICHAEL GREYEYES:  The narrative also plays with the tension created when people are homeless.  It asks, "What do you do when you don't have a home?"  It presses on the nerves of the audience, and I think it immerses us in that kind of tension.

MERCEDES MASON:  I think it's more exciting for the fans, too.  I remember, in "The Walking Dead", when they're stuck in one location for too long, I'm like, "C'mon, c'mon!  Let's move on!"  I love getting to see all of the different places.

"Fear the Walking Dead" Dayton Callie. Photo by Joel Feria

"Fear the Walking Dead" Sam Underwood. Photo by Joel Feria

CONVENTION LIFE:  At this point in the show, we all know that no one is safe from being unexpectedly killed off for the sake of progression of the story and characters.  If the producers of the show came to you and said, "We are going to kill of your character tomorrow, but you get to decide how your character dies", how would you choose to go?

DAYTON CALLIE:  I don't have a choice, do I?

(LAUGHTER, AS WE REALIZE THAT DAYTON'S CHARACTER HAS JUST BEEN KILLED OFF IN THE MID-SEASON FINALE)

SAM UNDERWOOD to DAYTON CALLIE: How WOULD you have wanted to die?

DAYTON CALLIE:  Heart attack... with Alycia.

(LAUGHTER)

SAM UNDERWOOD:  I love that this show is such a female-driven, female-empowering show...

(LAUGHTER)

SAM UNDERWOOD:  There was a lake that I took Alicia to in episode 5, and one of the things that wasn't left in the episode was that was the lake where I was taught to swim.  I had this line with Alicia about how you start learning to swim, and you drown a couple of times, but you keep going.  So, I think poetically, if Jake was to die, it would kind of be cool if he walked into the lake, and just kept walking into the lake.  That would be cool.

ALIYCIA DEBNAM-CAREY:  I would think being a zombie is too much hard work, to be honest.  That's all I've decided.  Doing the whole makeup, the eyes, everything.  I don't want to have to do that.  It seems really hard.  So, I'd have Madison shoot me in the head or something.  That would be crazy.

"Fear the Walking Dead" Mercedes Mason.  Photo by Joel Feria

CONVENTION.LIFE:  What is one key thing to know about your character in the second half of the season?

ALYCIA DEBNAM-CAREY:  We get to see (Alicia) stake out her path.  I am really looking forward to her character's journey.

DANIEL SHARMAN:  Finding out who Troy is.  Finding out what it is he really wants out of life.  

SAM UNDERWOOD:  Assuming Jake wants to lead or be a leader is not necessarily true, but we'll see how that plays out.

DAYTON CALLIE:  I don't know this, but I think the camp is gonna' go to Hell without me.  I don't know this, but I think so!

FRANK DILLANE:  I have a 9mm, now.  With notches on it.  I'm gonna' use it.

CONVENTION.LIFE:  Looking forward to it.  Stay alive.  I'll find you.

- CONVENTION.LIFE

"Fear the Walking Dead" returns on September 10, 2017, and can be seen on Sunday nights on AMC.  Check your local cable provider for time and channel.

2017 COMIC-CON INTERNATIONAL SAN DIEGO, SAN DIEGO CONVENTION CENTER, SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA

Check out our coverage of this year's Comic-Con international San Diego in our gallery!  Or this guy will show up at your house.  Yes, the guy behind the Joker.

The Law Before Preview Night

Most fans start San Diego Comic-Con on Thursday. The hardcore SDCC-goers get in a little early with Preview Night the Wednesday before. The super-nerds (two thumbs pointing at this guy, then they point to the side at Joel, who’s pointing at himself) kicked off SDCC week on Tuesday. We attended The Lindley Lecture of Law & Comics: The Business of Comics, at the San Diego Public Library, hosted by San Diego Law Library.

The panel was made up of Ryan Benjamin (20 year comic book illustrator and creator, one of the original artists behind the start of Image Comics/Homage Studios), Rob Salkowitz (author of Comic-Con and The Business of Pop Culture), and Stu Rees (Specializes in newspaper cartoon syndication contracts).

This experienced panel covered a wide range of legal questions and scenarios for new creatives trying to get into the comic industry. One thing they all agreed on was the rise of the digital age and how it has changed the landscape for comic creatives, writers and illustrators, to their benefit.

Unlike the music industry where digital pretty much destroyed the stores, digital only helps the creatives more while leaving room for physical comics and stores to thrive. A new pattern out there is getting your work (Web comic, or as an artist, on Instgram or DeviantArt) out into the digital world. Over time your work builds a following, the work gets noticed, and then you’re approached to either join a creative staff or get your story published. You have work, you have an Internet connection, then you have a chance to get your work noticed.

I’m an Art Director by trade and love what I do in advertising but now I’m just tapping into my writing side and have been slowly creating stories I plan on sharing later down the line. Panels like this help me make smarter decisions about how to put my work out there. It’s one thing to be a great artist, it’s rare combination to be a great artist and business person.

With the first panel for SDCC week in the books, it’s time to hit the ground running at Preview Night tomorrow. Hope my fellow nerds warmed up and stretched it out, ‘cause I’m coming in hot for some panel-learnin’ and toy (ahem, collectible) buying!

.Life Behind the Scenes, Mike Tyson

"Expect nothing, and you have everything to gain."

One of the biggest lessons I have learned from covering conventions is that while you can try, to the best of your ability, to prepare for everything coming your way, the reality is that you can only take what the day gives you.  The Con gods are fickle like that.  At the end of each day, you walk away with your victories, and move on to the next opportunity.  It's not a game of win-some, lose-some, because it's never good to dwell on the things that didn't pan out. Spilled milk and what not.  Instead, it's a game of enjoying the victories you rack up during the limited time you're given, and being satisfied.

Mike Tyson taught me this.  Well, not directly.  Mostly by example.  But with some words.  And a little bit of Fear-Of-God sprinkled in.

When someone tells you that you have the opportunity to meet boxing legend Mike Tyson, you drop everything and make the time in your schedule.  It's not every day that you get to meet "Iron Mike", "Kid Dynamite", "The Baddest Man on the Planet", the youngest man to ever win a heavyweight boxing title, and the only heavyweight to simultaneously hold the WBA, WBC and IBF titles and successfully unify them.  

Sports icon.  OG video game final boss.  Convict.  Ex-con.  Movie star.  Broadway darling.  Author.  Entrepreneur.  Seeker of Redemption.

When someone hands you that opportunity, you just go. No-brainer.  You just go.

That day in 2014, Mike Tyson was attending San Diego Comic-Con International in San Diego, California.  He was promoting his new cartoon, "Mike Tyson Mysteries", in which Mike, the ghost of John Douglas the 9th Marquess of Queensberry, Mike's adopted 18-year-old Asian daughter, and a talking, alcoholic, sexually deprived pigeon go around, solving mysteries. Imagine Scooby Doo, but filtered through the wacky minds of Adult Swim.  At 3 seasons, it's still running strong.

So, I stroll into the press room, and carve out my little piece of the universe in the line of photographers and videographers.  Mike walks into the small room, and everyone grabs their gear, like it's 1988 again, and we're in the locker room after Mike's 91-second, first-round knockout of Michael Spinks for the title.  I'm here to cover a cartoon, but I'm all jittery and more anxious than I should be.  Mike's wearing a tight, white t-shirt and a WB Comic-Con attendee backpack.  "Supernatural", I believe. He's lean, and arguably in the best shape he's been in since his fighting days.  The face tattoo takes on a life of it's own when you're up close.

Mike only stops for a handful of photos and moves right along to the interviewers.  Did I get my shot?  Absolutely not.  Did I miss my opportunity.  Unfortunately.  Was I done trying?  No friggin' way.

At this point, you may be thinking, "What about all that talk a few minutes ago about 'walk away with your victories, and move on to the next opportunity' or 'it's never good to dwell on the things that didn't pan out'?"  C'mon.  This is MIKE TYSON. I'm not walking away from this.  If this is the day I get punched in the face by Mike Tyson, then I am going to get a photograph of him doing it.  The lesson is coming.

So, there I am.  I'm just waiting around.  Maybe he'll get done with the interviews early, and will come back for photos.  Maybe I can snap a few photos of him during his video interviews.  Maybe he will see me lingering, and he'll take pity on me.  

I decide to be proactive about the situation and make small talk with one of Mike's handlers.  I ask his handler very politely that if Mike has a few moments, could he spare them for a few more photos.  His handler kindly says that Mike's time is limited, but he'll ask.  15-20 minutes roll by, and Mike is finishing up his video interviews.  Most, if not all, of the photographers have left.  His handler turns to me and says, "Since you've been so patient and have been so nice about it, we can do a couple more photos. Just hang back here."  Score.

"Expect nothing, and you have everything to gain." 

Mike strolls over to me and he is happy.  This isn't the stone-faced killer I expected, stalking his way down to the ring with the towel draped over his head.  I shake his hand, and he smiles.  "Nice to meet you, Champ".  To which, he responds in kind.  I tell him I'm a big fan of his boxing career, as well as his Broadway show, which brings an even bigger smile to his face. He is funny, introspective, inspirational and verbose.

I pick up my camera.  I want to make these photos count.  I want to impress my editor with shots that no one else is getting.  I want something iconic that I can be proud of.  I don't want to waste this opportunity with mike Tyson.

This is about the time I almost royally screw things up, and throw my victory out the window.

I politely ask him to simply flex for me.  I immediately get stopped by his handler, and told that Mike doesn't do that anymore.  Mike's face has turned from smile to annoyance, and I know he's on the verge of leaving if I can't salvage this.  He's looks nervous now.  Uncomfortable.  I swear, there is a flash of light, a glow, that briefly envelops his entire body, and I freak out, knowing that a series of Razor Uppercuts might be coming, and my game will be over.  I am Little Mac, and I don't have the secret code to make this moment happen again.

I don't understand why it's such a big deal, but he's knocked people out for a living, and I've been in two fights my entire life, so I relent.  I apologize and say, "Sorry, champ.  It's just that you're in amazing shape.  Like, fighting shape."  The steam goes out in the room, and he lets me grab a couple of shots of his choice that I'm more than happy with.  The smile comes back to his face, and his handler is no longer kicking himself for extending me some courtesy.  Mike and I exchange a few more words about boxing and Broadway, and I wish him the best on his cartoon.  I just met Mike Tyson.  I just inadvertently pissed off Mike Tyson.  And I'm still alive.  Buster Douglas.  Lucky, lucky Buster Douglas.

I didn't let the opportunity pass me by, but I knew that I needed to take my small victory and walk away.  You take what the Con gods give you, and move on to the next opportunity.  I didn't get the photo I planned on getting, but I got my photos nonetheless, and was satisfied.

"Expect nothing, and you have everything to gain." 

In hindsight, I think the lesson also applies to my subject, Mike Tyson.  He has seen countless opportunities in his life, and has squandered some of them.  He's had some victories.  He's had some defeats, both professionally and personally.  He planned for greatness, but has taken what the gods have given him, and made the best of it.  He came up from nothing, and had everything in the world to gain.

One of the best moments I've ever had at a convention.

.Life Behind the Scenes, Olivia Munn

"Deer in the headlights".  At the time of the above photo, I wasn't completely sure if that phrase applied to me or to Olivia Munn.

With the release of the major motion picture blockbuster "Wonder Woman" by Warner Brothers this weekend, I felt that this photo was somewhat apropos, given that she has always held a public admiration for the comic book icon. 

2009 was the first year that I had the opportunity to shoot for Fox 5 News San Diego at Comic-Con international San Diego, and I was nervous.  I hadn't gotten my sea legs yet as a working photographer, and I was surrounded by professionals who had been at this for years.  These pros knew who to look for, where to look for them, and how to get them to stop for a photo - all the while, with poise and professionalism, choking down any fanboy excitement that we all knew was just simmering below the surface.  I, on the other hand, was still secretly following people down the exhibit floor aisles, deciding whether or not I was going to summon up the courage to ask them to stop.  Sometimes I did. Sometimes, I missed out.

One of the first celebrities I ever had the opportunity to shoot at Comic-Con was Olivia Munn.  At the time, she was riding high off the success of her television show, "Attack of the Show" on the G4 network.  She was the cute girl-next-door that grew up and became a sex symbol for the new nerd generation. Nerd girls wanted to be her, and nerd boys wanted to be with her.  One moment, she could be broadcasting in a Chun Li or Princess Leia cosplay.  The next moment, she could be dancing seductively with a dead octopus stuffed down her shirt, or trying to figure out exactly how many sausages she could fit into her mouth.  Complete package. Smart, funny, beautiful and down-to-earth.  Belle of the Nerd Ball, as it were.

And this was BEFORE she would go on to write a best-selling book entitled, "Suck It, Wonder Woman! The Misadventures of a Hollywood Geek". This was BEFORE she would date Green Bay Packers superstar quarterback Aaron Rodgers.  And this was definitely BEFORE she would move on to Hollywood, with memorable roles in "Magic Mike", "Iron Man 2" and "X-Men: Apocalypse" as fan-favorite mutant ninja assassin / psychic Psylocke.

Knowing this, I decided that this was going to be a defining moment for me behind the camera.  It was time to decide whether or not I was going to do my job, or let the opportunity fall by the wayside. 

I choked down my inner fanboy, took a few steps ahead of her, flashed my press badge (to help avert the notion that I was just a "creepy guy with a camera"), and politely asked if I could take a few photos.  I took 5 or 6 photos, the last of which, my favorite, is the one you see above.  She was friendly and generous with her time, which luckily, in the end, made the experience of my first celebrity photo easy for me.

Unfortunately... for Ms. Munn, our encounter lasted a little longer than it should have, as she was then mobbed by a thousand people wanting selfies (or whatever people called them in 2009).  Yeesh.  Seriously.  My bad.

 I like to think that her expression in the photo is one of awkward understanding, knowing that I was new to this element, and she was trying to help me "fake it until I make it."  I was a deer in the proverbial headlights, and she was going to slowly pump the brakes, and gently nudge me off the road.

In reality, her expression was probably more indicative of the fact that I just stopped Comic-Con's most sought-after deer in the middle of the road, asked her to wave, and invited a thousand cars, with a thousand headlights, to run her over... one at a time... for the next ten minutes.

A learning experience for me on multiple fronts: 1) If you don't step up, the opportunity won't happen. 2) Act like you belong there, and most people will unknowingly believe it.  3) Be ready with your camera, because moments are fleeting. 4) Be quick but efficient with your photos, mostly because nobody really wants to wipe deer blood off of their windshield.

Well done, CCR17. See you in 2018.

When you read a company’s About page, or their Mission Statement, it’s usually something they spent months on to help position themselves in a market. They find their space to own, to show how they're different from the rest. Then when it finally comes down to execution, some companies worry too much about what the competition is doing. They resort to copying the competition because, "Well, if it works for them." Then all that time and effort to set them apart is lost and they are just another one.

Comic Con Revolution (CCR) states in their Info page, "Comic Con Revolution was founded on very simple principles. We are excited to celebrate comics and the creative arts. At the absolute core of what we do are the creators themselves. The people who create the comics, games, toys, film, movies and more that we all love. Without their tireless dedication to creating the fantastic worlds we all get lost in events like Comic Con Revolution would not be possible.” After experiencing CCR's first showing, they did just that and lived up to their brand promise. The physical center of attention, and floor, was Artist Alley. It felt like most of the exhibitors were presenting something new of their own creation (a few highlighted here), and the panels where filled with creators sharing tips on how to get to where they're at. From learning more about writing to pro tips on how to shoot cosplay photography to how to start a podcast, CCR kept their focus on the creator, even more, how to be a creator.

Walking around I felt the excitement from the exhibitors to the attendees, it was as if we were all thinking the same thing, "Wow, this is really nice. Like, it's really well organized, this is legit. Are we in on something cool?!" Many of us gave each other that look, there may have been some unspoken high-fives. Speaking with some of the exhibitors who've worked with Atomic Crush Events (ACE), they were not surprised. Because ACE was putting this event together, they said it was a no-brainer to participate. What's amazing is the team put this together in about three months. I'm excited to see what they can do with a full 12 months to prepare and even more room to play in 2018.

With an official count of 5449 attendees, excluding exhibitors and staff, CCR was no doubt a hit. The Inland Empire has a Comic Con of their own and it's something to be proud of. With even better news, CCR has announced, "Comic Con Revolution will grow in 2018 taking over both exhibit halls as well as the Mayoral Ballroom." and staying true to make the show about the creators, "The event will add additional features including a Professional Creator's Summit on Friday, May 18th, play host to the Girl Scouts of Greater Los Angeles as they complete their Comic Book Artist badge while growing the exhibitor and guest lists."

It wasn't all work for the Convention.Life team. I got to meet my favorite color artist Dean White! (Yup, I follow colorists. A great artist is a great artist) If you like Rick Remender's Uncanny X-Force or the earlier issues of Black Science, you've seen his amazing painterly approach to color. The best part was when we discovered we went to the same small art school in Sherman Oaks, CA at the same time. 

I caught The Strength of Independent Comics, an insightful panel, with Ray-Anthony Height, Ron Marz, Karl Altstaetter, Joshua Hale Fialkov, and Hope Larson. Moderated by Beth Scorzato.

I couldn't leave a comic convention empty-handed. Only a monster would do that. I met Derek Fridolfs and picked up the second volume of his and Dustin Nguyen's Secret Hero Society for my son, we had such a great time reading the first one together. Derek was kind enough to sign and sketch it for my boy. If you aren't POP! hunting in any way at a convention, you're not living. I found myself a very rare Chuck D for my collection. And I had to remember this inaugural event with a souvenir pint glass. With that, I raise this cold beverage to you for making it to the end of this post. If you want more on this event, be sure to check out the gallery of cosplayers here and be sure to follow us on Instagram.

Comic Con Revolution 2017: Locally Sourced Talents

The inaugural Comic Con Revolution in Ontario, California had no shortage of commercially packaged collectibles and mass-printed comic books, both are staples and are important to have in the makings of a comic convention. What makes each convention unique is the showcase of local artists. Even more fun than discovering these talented creatives is purchasing their wonderfully crafted pieces. Because we all love to hear our friends ask, "Wow, where did you get that?!"

 

CrochetGiftsbyCielo

"I crochet all things cute!" is the first thing you read on Cielo Pinawin's Etsy store. That pretty much nails it. Each of these creations are handmade by Cielo on her own time when she's not on the job as a respiratory therapist. Yup, I asked her exactly what you're thinking. How long do these take? If it's a brand new idea, from concept to final takes about a week. If it's repeat design, it takes about one day.

Cielo started crocheting 10 years ago and used her talent to make gifts for friends. After hearing "you should sell these" enough times, she did just that. It's been two years of selling and the demand grows, along with the amount of inventory she brings to each show. Check out the links below to learn more or even buy a few. She takes custom orders.
Etsy: CrochetGiftsbyCielo
CrochetGiftsbyCielo@gmail.com
Facebook.com/CrochetGiftsbyCielo
Instagram.com/CrochetGiftsbyCielo
 

 

Fiendish Thingies

When I first stepped into Owen Klaas' booth I felt like I left the convention and entered a gallery. I almost shushed myself for talking too loud. Looking at all these amazing paintings that float between dimensional and strong graphic composition, I was inspired by a wide range of emotion. I couldn't help but get drawn in. While soaking in the framed artwork, Owen was off to the corner seated and kept to himself. He was not overly pushy and definitely not shy. It looked like he was used to people connecting to his work, and he didn't want to interrupt.

Owen is married with three kids. He had been sculpting for 15 years while painting for six, when he decided to go full-time with his passion to paint. He explained that each one of his acrylic pieces are inspired by life experiences happening at the time of painting, they aren't overt but they all have a deep personal connection with him. Visit the links below and find your connection with his works.
fiendishthingies.com
isaeli@verizon.net
Etsy: Fiendish Thingies
Facebook.com/fiendishthingies
Instagram.com/FiendishThingies

GoCarved

Have you ever thought of quitting your job to go full-time selling phone cases? Well, somehow Ted Pinhirun not only figured out how to do it but how to make it fun and unique at the same time. His niche, in the world of cell phone protection, is using a precision laser to create intricate designs on wooden cell phone cases. The laser designs can be directly etched on to a wood case or laser cut out of a black finished wooden case then revealing the grain underneath supporting the design.

In the early stages of learning the craft, he had to translate his pixel based Photoshop skills to a linear vector based approach in Illustrator. Judging by his Roaring Lion King case, he's mastered vector art. But Ted's skills doesn't end at just cell phone covers. He also laser etches coasters, jewelry, and trivets/Hot Plate Mats. If your phone can use new clothes in a wooden form, see the links below.
Etsy: GoCarved
Instagram.com/gocarved/

Parting message

The next convention you attend, avoid the long lines and use that time to chat up a local artist, maybe purchase one of their works. They're equivalent to that farm-to-table concept that's all the rage, they're locally sourced artisanal…creatives trying to share their world with you.

COMIC CON REVOLUTION, ONTARIO CONVENTION CENTER, ONTARIO, CALIFORNIA

Check out some of our coverage of the inaugural Comic Con Revolution in the "Photos" section. And then, "Get my hatchet."

Viva la Comic Con Revolution!

The Comic Con Revolution is having its inaugural opening this Saturday and we're looking forward to seeing what Ontario has put together. With a robust list of guests and a packed day of programming, this first year is looking like they're living up to their promise to celebrate comics and the creative arts with the creators at the core. A ribbon cutting by Ontario Mayor Paul Leon will kick things off and they'll cap off the event with the 1st annual Cosplay Revolution Costume Contest, with a $500 prize on the line!

Here's what we plan on attending:
Bringing Comics to Screen with Matt Hawkins, Doug Jung
Hosted by John Nguyen & Mike Villareal

The Strength of Independent Comics with Hope Larson, Ray-Anthony Height, Joshua Hale Fialkov, Ron Marz, Karl Altstaetter
Hosted by Albert Ching

Pro Tips for Digital Art and Illustration by Patrick Scullin

This is a small taste of what we'll be doing outside of the normal comic/toy hunting and cosplay high-fiving. You can get your tickets here to join in on the fun. If we don't see you there, follow us on Instagram to enjoy the Comic Con Revolution with us.