Mike and I made it back from the Cincinnat Comic Expo last night. It was a brand new show, so I had no idea what to expect. It was also a one day only show, which I’ve never done outside of something like Free Comic Book Day. But I think that everyone was surprised by the turnout–from the guests like me, to the attendees, to the folks who put on the show. The hall was packed and business was booming. I met a lot of you who came out to see me which is always a treat.
We had a bunch of new stuff with us. Here are some of the new prints:
…and more charms, magnets, books and other Dreamer goodies:
I love the group of creators from Ohio and nearby who I see over and over again at these shows. One such friend is fellow IDWer, Thom Zahler.
Last year in Baltimore we patted each other on the back when people who weren’t us went home with our Harvey Awards. Things were much more upbeat as both Love and Capes and The Dreamer did great at this show and we kept each other laughing.
I couldn’t have asked for a better spot at the show. I was right up front between Thom and these guys–the Ringtail Cafe team! They have a new book they’ve launched Confectionaries and the first 250 attendees received free Confectionaries bags. I love mine!
Of course the fine folks from Comic Related were there. You might remember Bill Love from when he interviewed me last summer at the Graphic Novel release party. Well, it was Bill’s Birthday! So of course there was cake:
And he was nice enough to share:
There was much joking that every time I’m at a convention with these guys, I wind up with cake. Considering that I’ve never brought cake with me to a convention, I think the fault lies on their end.
Also from that same group of friends is Bob Hickey of Blue Line Pro. He brought his book with art from his characters Blood & Roses and had me sign the page with my drawing!
This piece is ancient. It was the first time I was hired to do a piece of comic book art. I thought I had hit the jackpot. I was in art school at the time and Bob paid me in cash in advance and I felt like I had won the lottery!
I was drawing all day, doing commissions and had to turn several people away. I guess that was the only downside to doing a one day show!
Here is Mike sporting the teeshirt we won from Angry Penguin by making it into the TGT Webcomics finals!
Escape! Destroy!
I was on a Digital Comics panel with Thom Zahler, Michael Uslan and his son David of Graphic.ly. The Dreamer is coming soon to Graphic.ly, so look forward for more news on that soon. The comic will be released cross platform there, complete with extra content and an artist commentary!
We spent Saturday night at a hotel in downtown Cincinnati. And it just happened to be Oktoberfest weekend! We have an Oktoberfest here in Columbus but nothing could have prepared me for this one. Over 500,000 people were there, it was a fantastic good time. From our hotel room on the 26th floor, we could still hear the German music down below. And everywhere I went, I ran into this guy:
Sam Adams does make a great bevy, but more than that he is one of my favorite founding fathers. So we hung out for awhile and caught up.
And this is wholly unrelated to history or comics or conventions but what is up with the crazy Oktoberfest hats?! I loved them!
Sunday afternoon Mike and I had brunch with the show’s owners Andrew and Matt, Thom Zahler and comics legend Russ Heath!
So the inaugural Cincinnati Comics Expo was a success. I know I’ll be back next year.
If anyone knows how or why the chicken-hat thing caught on with Oktoberfest, I’d love to know! :)
I’m so jealous of everyone that can go to the conventions! Are you going to ever come to one out west? It looks like so much fun!
It looks like it was a good time. I always love reading about good times. Not really sure what the significance of the chicken hat and Octoberfest is, but it does seem that the hat makes it’s appearance during that time.
With a beard, Mike looks like a founding father. XD
Glad to hear it was a good show. Also, if Mike keeps that facial hair for MOCC I may not shave my head so we match…kind of. :P
@Trevor: I can’t even imagine you with hair. It’s like… it wouldn’t be you anymore, lol!
@Ginny: No plans anytime soon. :(
Please tell me that you came home with a chicken hat!!!!
I wonder if the chicken hats have something to do with the chicken dance? The chicken dance was pretty common in Pennsylvania where I grew up, but folks here in Texas don’t usually know it. I don’t know if other parts of the country see the chicken dance much.
I’m excited to hear about The Dreamer on graphic.ly! I went ahead and installed it on my Mac and iPhone.
Hah, those hats are win! Even being a native Cincinnatian, I’ve never been to Oktoberfest. *is a sinner* But this definitely makes me wanna go.
It was awesome to see you guys and buy more Dreamer merchandise :D My little Alan charm is on my phone now! Hope to see you at Mid-Ohio Con!
@Teena: Nope. But I’m sure those photos are good enough for you to make a pattern!!
@CC Rogers: The chicken dance is the only explanation that I’ve heard so far. I guess a few years back at this particular Oktoberfest they had the world’s largest chicken dance! Now if that’s the case, I wonder if it’s an American Oktoberfest tradition or a real German one! I’m putting my money on the first. ;)
@Gina: It’s always good to see you! Yup, I’ll be at Mid Ohio Con again this year.
The chicken hats are for the chicken dance. Every year at Oktoberfest Cincinnati gets xx-thousand people to do a giant chicken dance all at once. It’s usually led by a celebrity guest. Granted, it has absolutely nothing to do with the Munich Oktoberfest. It’s definitely a Cincinnati thing. I’ve been in Cincinnati my whole life and I’ve only seen those chicken hats becoming popular in the last few years. Cute, aren’t they?
Lora, when were you walking around Oktoberfest? I was shooting a wedding downtown that day, so if you noticed a giant crowd of drunken people giving a standing ovation to a very embarrassed-looking bride and groom, I was the photographer leading the way. (This happened like three times….)
And all the groomsmen in the wedding party totally bought chicken hats.
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You can definitely see your skills in the paintings you write. The arena hopes for even more passionate writers like you who aren’t afraid to say how they believe. At all times go after your heart.