It's Andy Fish!

…Comic Convention Season is in full swing.

When someone finds out I’m a comic book artist they instantly assume two things; first that I love the Marvel Cinematic Universe. To the point that I’ve had people APOLOGIZE to me that they don’t care for it. I think that’s very kind they would think I care— I don’t like superhero movies either— I especially don’t like TEAM superhero movies because there are too many characters to keep track of amidst all that CGI. The movies are too long. I like Spider-Man but I haven’t seen a Spider-Man movie since 2004’s SPIDER-MAN 2 with Toby McGuire (?) and even though I think the kid playing him now seems like a good pick I’ve not seen any of them.

The last Batman movie I truly liked and will watch more than once is BATMAN THE MOVIE (1966) with Adam West— I think it’s both fun and colorful— and unlike the modern rubber suited Batmen I can actually understand what he’s saying.

I laughed to the point of being asked to leave watching BATMAN VS SUPERMAN and I wanted to walk out of THE BATMAN but I was with a large group so I couldn’t.

The second assumption is that I go to Comic Conventions because they are fun— I even get occasionally asked if we dress up in costumes (we don’t). Now don’t get me wrong, comic conventions CAN be fun— I would highly recommend South Carolina Comic Con, Rhode Island Comic Con and Terrificon in CT to anyone thinking of going. All are really good shows. San Diego Comic Con is the grand daddy of all comic cons and if you like being in a convention center with 240,000 people (no exaggeration) then give it a shot; tickets sell out way in advance— the only reason I can go is they are gracious enough to send me free passes.

Comic Cons— especially the big ones — are about networking. San Diego, New York Comic Con and Heroes Con in North Carolina— possibly C2E2 in Chicago— are all places that pro’s go as well as editors so you can arrange some off hour meetings and try to connect to projects.

Sometimes it pays off— and sometimes its a bust, but it’s the #1 way to get work. I’ve arranged some meetings at Heroes Con and if nothing comes of it then I’ll have to suck it up and make plans to get to New York Comic Con.

For anyone thinking of attending as a fan— it’s a good time— and there are several things you can do there;

• Meet Celebrities – with the exception of HEROES CON which is ALL COMICS most of the big shows have the biggest actors and actresses from genre movies and TV Shows. I’ve met or seen Johnny Depp, The Hemsworth guy who played THOR, the actors from such shows as SUPERNATURAL and DOCTOR WHO (sorry I don’t watch either so I’m not sure who they are), actors from BREAKING BAD and THE WALKING DEAD, Brie Larson, Alec Baldwin and people like that which doesn’t include the folks that I’m actually interested in meeting like Sam Jones (Flash Gordon in 1980), Lee Majors (Six Million Dollar Man) and William Shatner.
• Meet Comic Artists and Writers- if you’re into comics you can interact with the folks who make them.
• DISCOVER COMICS you might like- if you’re NOT into comics but you’ve thought about taking the plunge head on over to Artists Alley and you can discover that comics are not all superheroes, there are slice of life comics, dramatic comics, comics that cover historial issues like a person’s personal journey battling cancer, or the trials and tribulations of making it through a horrible court case. Comics, like books, are not just about one thing, there are comics in every genre imaginable.
• People Watch – A lot of people like to see the cosplayers, some of the costumes are pretty impressive.
• Collect Vintage Comics – you can still find bargains and own a piece of history at the same time. I like finding an old 1940s comic book with some kids name on it and imagine him or her reading it at night with the radio on and Dad and Big Brother off fighting WWII. Amazing time.

So give it a shot if one comes around and you’re curious, I think you’ll like it.