Pop Culture Hound

SDCC 2012 – One Man’s Preview Night (July 11, 2012)

It’s been six years since I started coming to SDCC and I still find Preview Night to be a strange experience. The convention hasn’t started in earnest, so you feel a certain freedom to just wander and explore, but there’s still so much to see and do. For me it’s the ideal opportunity to scope the lay of the land, make some new friends, and reconnect with some old ones … which is a pretty nice way to start the show when you think about it.

I get annoyed when people say SDCC is no longer about comics. It’s a cheap shot that’s usually made by people who aren’t there (for one reason or another). I missed the heyday when it first started, but then it wasn’t anywhere near this size back then. While the Hollywood component has continued to grow (thanks in no small part to its proximity), so has the convention centre and the number of exhibitors.

Renee Witterstaetter & Michael Golden show off his latest convention sketchbook

You could get lost in the aisles of major publishers, small press, fledgling creators and wannabes – it’s almost overwhelming. If you look at the sheer floorspace and the number of companies/creators being represented then you’d realise comics are everywhere – and they’re thriving! Sorry, Chicken Little, but despite all your predictions the sky is NOT falling …

So to say there aren’t really comics at SDCC or that it’s not a comics show would pretty much be talking out of your ass. Don’t worry, a lot of people do it (this is the Internet after all!) – but it’s cheap, unfair, and wildly inaccurate. It may never be what it once was, but would you want it to be? I love the variety here. I love the fact I can bring any of my friends along and they will find something to interest them. Most of all, I love the people.

Roger Langridge signs copies of Snarked at the Boom! Studios booth

Last night was my opportunity to catch up with folks like Jeffrey Kaufmann, Renee Witterstaetter, Michael Golden, Cara Nicole, Rich Henn, Roger Langridge, Doug Sneyd, Vince Hernanadez, Keith Davidsen, and all my fellow Bleeding Cool compatriots who were milling around the Avatar booth at the end of the night. Comics people are good people – this is what the show is about – and if you can remember that then you’ll have a great time, from Preview Night and beyond.

Playboy artist Doug Sneyd & his partner Heidi at the Big Wow Art booth

Launch Night At Malta Comic Con (November 25, 2011)

After a wonderful day of wine, food and song (scratch the song part), last night marked the official opening of this year’s Malta Comic Con at St James Cavalier in Valletta. All the guests were in attendance, including a few I hadn’t expected, as well as the organisers and some local artists.
 
Wicked Comics, the team behind the show, introduced themselves and explained a little bit about what would be happening over the next few days. They then gave us a tour of the facilities which were both expansive and impressive. St James Cavalier was originally a watchtower for the Knights of Malta located near the front gate of Valletta. It is now a centre for creativity and the arts with Malta Comic Con being one of its popular annual events.
 
With formalities out of the way, we all headed for a lovely meal in the shadow of St John’s Co-Cathedral. There’s such rich history everywhere you turn in Malta that sometimes it can be a little overwhelming. I opted for a delicious pizza with mortadella and pistachio nuts (amongst other things) plus some of the amazing local soft drink known as Kinnie. Over dinner we laughed, chatted, ate, drank and laughed some more. The atmosphere was warm, friendly and inclusive – just like the organisers themselves. You can see all the lovely folks behind Malta Comic Con right here on this page.
 
Above – Chris Le Galle & Mark Ellul.

Below (L to R) – Joseph Bugeja, Chris Muscat, Tamara Fenech, Samantha Abela, Fabio Agius & Mike Quinton.