SDCC '09: Last Thoughts
True story, I was asked several times at SDCC-Saturday whether I was wearing a costume. What was I wearing? A yellow jacket, a green and white 50s sunddress, and pink argyle knee-socks with Chucks. Erm, no. That's how I usually dress.
There's plenty more of SDCC-related junk I'm wanting to post (including lovely, lovely artwork) but I'd very much like to record the memories I'll most treasure.
Far from the swag-seeking mobs at the exhibition hall, I was at the panels absorbing the energy and excitement of being a fan. There's nothing like it, being in a space with people who enjoy and love these characters and genre as you do. It made the frustrations of queuing almost bearable. This year I had the chance to speak to my favourite creators and have the most interesting, creative-inducing conversations. For one, I pulled out my battered issues of Hard Case Crime novels to show Darwyn Cooke, whose new graphic novel adaptation was what made me discover Donald E Westlake. Cooke then treated us in line to an amazing rec of Jim Thompson's Savage Night (like something David Lynch's grandfather would write) that completely had me rushing to Amazon to look it up.
After I expressed my thanks to Jimmy Palmiotti at the JSA Panel for the fantastic work he and Amanda Conner were doing every month on Power Girl, I had the chance to chat with him awhile. It made for a great change of pace when he asked what I was doing, and what I was writing! After I did my little sulking routine about not knowing what to write, he cheered me up immensely by pointing out that I was still young and had all the opportunities in the world to find out. Blogs, journo pieces, it's all up to me. And that really made my entire week at Comic-Con, hearing those words of encouragement. If I ever get the chance to be in the position to offer advice, I would always remember Jimmy's example.
I also met Steve Rude, who is an amazing artist and real outstanding guy. We spoke about life and work, about his career, and when he heard that I was thinking of journalism he introduced me to a friend who's a reviewer for Heavy Metal. Result! And I had one of the most beneficial pep talks about writing ever, from someone who's also toiling away at a day job and knowing the toll of traditional media. This is exactly what I love about SDCC, the ability to interact with people you admire and coming away with real pearls of wisdom. Everyone I met was unfailingly kind to this awkward, shy girl who asked questions and this kindness will be what I take most out of my SDCC experience.
*smacks forehead* I forgot to mention I met Mark Schultz, he of Xenozoic Tales! I squeed when I saw his table, and my words came tumbling out as I approached him, 'were you here last year?' When he said yes, he was in the same spot for a few years now, I grinned and told him I had dressed as Hannah Dundee last year. Happily, he had heard someone did and was happy to meet me! I had meant to dig up photos of me as Hannah to e-mail him for his website but unfortunately can't find any better ones than the two I have. But hey, there's always next year...
There's plenty more of SDCC-related junk I'm wanting to post (including lovely, lovely artwork) but I'd very much like to record the memories I'll most treasure.
Far from the swag-seeking mobs at the exhibition hall, I was at the panels absorbing the energy and excitement of being a fan. There's nothing like it, being in a space with people who enjoy and love these characters and genre as you do. It made the frustrations of queuing almost bearable. This year I had the chance to speak to my favourite creators and have the most interesting, creative-inducing conversations. For one, I pulled out my battered issues of Hard Case Crime novels to show Darwyn Cooke, whose new graphic novel adaptation was what made me discover Donald E Westlake. Cooke then treated us in line to an amazing rec of Jim Thompson's Savage Night (like something David Lynch's grandfather would write) that completely had me rushing to Amazon to look it up.
After I expressed my thanks to Jimmy Palmiotti at the JSA Panel for the fantastic work he and Amanda Conner were doing every month on Power Girl, I had the chance to chat with him awhile. It made for a great change of pace when he asked what I was doing, and what I was writing! After I did my little sulking routine about not knowing what to write, he cheered me up immensely by pointing out that I was still young and had all the opportunities in the world to find out. Blogs, journo pieces, it's all up to me. And that really made my entire week at Comic-Con, hearing those words of encouragement. If I ever get the chance to be in the position to offer advice, I would always remember Jimmy's example.
I also met Steve Rude, who is an amazing artist and real outstanding guy. We spoke about life and work, about his career, and when he heard that I was thinking of journalism he introduced me to a friend who's a reviewer for Heavy Metal. Result! And I had one of the most beneficial pep talks about writing ever, from someone who's also toiling away at a day job and knowing the toll of traditional media. This is exactly what I love about SDCC, the ability to interact with people you admire and coming away with real pearls of wisdom. Everyone I met was unfailingly kind to this awkward, shy girl who asked questions and this kindness will be what I take most out of my SDCC experience.
*smacks forehead* I forgot to mention I met Mark Schultz, he of Xenozoic Tales! I squeed when I saw his table, and my words came tumbling out as I approached him, 'were you here last year?' When he said yes, he was in the same spot for a few years now, I grinned and told him I had dressed as Hannah Dundee last year. Happily, he had heard someone did and was happy to meet me! I had meant to dig up photos of me as Hannah to e-mail him for his website but unfortunately can't find any better ones than the two I have. But hey, there's always next year...