Baltimore Comic Con

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Since I first started this blog, all I have been focused on is video games. While I will always put them first and foremost I have enlisted the help of my best friend Phil to help contribute with more content. Phil and I are both HUGE comic book fans and this past weekend, Phil went to Baltimore Comic Con (He lives in DC) and he wrote up a nice piece about his experience at the event. In my never ending attempt of creating content, I thought his first article for BCC would be a great way to branch off in other directions. Next month I will be at New York Comic Con so I will 100% be reporting on that and what better way to start new content than with my best friend coming on board to help me out. In the future, Phil and I will be creating a lot more content together and we will be streaming and gaming (This piece that he wrote is not indicating any major shifts by me to different content sources. I assure you there will still be plenty of video games, this is just another passion that I share with Phil that we would like to report on). So, with all that said, welcome Phil and enjoy his write up on Baltimore Comic Con!


BALTIMORE COMIC CON

While Baltimore is one of the our least favorite places on Dan & my list of anywhere on the Earth, I ventured north of DC to check out the Baltimore Comic-Con this past Saturday and am very glad I did.

The convention was was in a great location in Baltimore (yes, that's a thing) and lines were quick to get in during the morning rush. As you enter the convention floor, you're engulfed by the sheer volume of back issues and slabs to delve through. I made a beeline to the Artist's Alley, since I knew it would be pretty empty as it was on the opposite side of the floor from the doors.

That was a great call, as Mike Mignola's (Hellboy) table had only a 5 person line for signatures. After that, I stopped by the Comic Book Legal Defense Fund booth and was able to get The Massive and have it signed by Brian Wood (DMZ, Northlanders). Dan and I had seen him at MoCCA Fest about 5 years ago, so it was great to see how much more popular he's gotten since then.

After that, I began wandering around the convention. I had shown up to the con because a friend had suggested it, but hadn't poured over the list of guests. I was impressed by the amount of talent there, especially writers/artists I regularly read. Pretty soon my bag (which originally had three TPBs to be signed), was about to burst with signed trades, variant covers, and hardcovers. Needless to say, I had to hit up the ATM.


Highlight: Valiant Comics, Road to Unity panel.

This was informative, full of humor, and even had a luge suit. It was really the whole package. Unity will be Valiant's super-team (think Avengers). It will fit in the continuity while adding to it. The basic concept, how do you go after X-O Manowar? Build a group that includes Toyo Harada, Ninjak, Livewire, and the Eternal Warrior. The big selling point for shop owners: Issue #1 of the comic is 100% returnable and is a great intro for anyone into the Valiant Universe.

Best Booth: (Tie) Th3rd World Studios & Valiant Comics

Th3rd World had someone dressed as Harlequin from The Stuff of Legend, games to play, carpets, big signs, and cocktail displays with their books. There was a ton of interaction and if you wanted to buy a book, they'd get it signed quick!

Valiant seemed like the belle of the ball, with their towering booth, constant signings, Unity panel, and a huge display of merchandise. The kicker: CEO Dinesh Samdasani was there to sell you books, answer questions, and show you brand new, unpublished pages on his iPad.

Creators I Met:

Jim Zub (Skullkickers): I actually hadn't read any of his comics before the con, but I had read through his blog on creating comics. Its excellent advice for anyone looking to break into the industry. I'm glad I picked up Skullkickers and am looking forward to seeing his work for Valiant.

Rob Venditti (Green Lantern, X-O Manowar): His run on X-O Manowar is going strong and is matched well with the Cary Nord art. Look for some more great barbarian filled stories from him.

Bryan J.L. Glass III (Mice Templar): His Mice Templar is filled with mythology and cultures of a heavy back story. While you may think that fantasy mice tales are silly, this is full of dark twists and a rich history. Plus, his wife is super nice to you while you're waiting to get things signed. Look for his new superhero comic, Furious, coming out from Dark Horse early next year.

David Peterson (Mouse Guard): Speaking of fantasy mice tales and rich back story, Mouse Guard is utterly amazing. The art, lettering, and story are impressive and even more so when you realize that its just David Peterson doing it all. I'll gladly wait for each issue. His stuff is a great intro point for non-comic readers that may have liked Redwall.

Mike Carey (The Unwritten, Hellblazer, Lucifer): A very nice, soft-spoken Brit, Mike was presenting his new comic from Boom!, Suicide Risk. Its a new take on superheroes from the writer that's doing a great job on The Unwritten. If you like Harry Potter  or are a huge literature nerd, check out The Unwritten.

Stan Saki (Usagi Yojimbo): Somehow I got to his booth with no one there. This guy is legendary. His characters and lettering are mind blowing. Read his stuff if you want to see comics done right. And yes, that is the samurai rabbit from Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.

Books to Read:

Eternal Warrior: Issue 1 (Valiant): Gilad Anni-Padda is back and tearing his way through history as the Fist and Steel of the Earth.

Kill Shakespeare: Volume 3 (IDW): What if all of Shakespeare's characters lived in a shared world? Hint: They'd all try to kill each other.

Mouse Guard: The Black Axe (Archaia): David Peterson never stops impressing with his art or story.

Skullkickers (Image): I think you can figure out the general theme based on the name. Great art and hilarity ensue.

The Stuff of Legend: Volume 3 (Th3rd World Studios): The art and dark story are captivating.

X-O Manowar: Read all of it. The Cary Nord (Conan) pencils are superb and Rob Venditti does a great job showing us what would happen if a Visigoth got the galaxy's more powerful suit of armor.

Regrets:

I should have taken more pictures. There was some very good cosplay and some great creators there. Not to mention the awesome booths.

Dan goes to New York Comic Con next month! Very Jealous.


Thanks for reading and until next time:

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