www.ComicBookPage.com

Saturday was another long day. After doing a few things on the floor including spending some time in Artists Alley. While I was taking to an artist I've known for years, another fellow came up and showed that artist what he was working on. I can't go into the details of that project as that artist isn't ready to release information on it. What I can say is I was really impressed with what I saw and hope this guy is able to get the project to completion.

I went to the Who is Boom! Studios panel which had a surprisingly long line. Most of the people were actually in line for the Star Wars vs Serenity panel but I was able to get into the Boom panel just fine and the entire crowd, including those camping out for the following panel, seemed to really like the Boom presentation. I've been going to Comic-Con for around 30 years and I don't think I've ever seen a publisher panel as good as this one. Instead of just promoting a few upcoming projects this presentation pitched Boom! Studios the company. They covered the origin of Boom!, the evolution of Boom! and introduced a few creators who gave there story for why the we part of Boom! George Perez explained how being part of the "manfucaturing" of comics at EC had killed his passion for creating comics. He was flown to Boom for an interview but quickly realized he was interviewing for them, they were interviewing for him. While he might initially see mainly covers and things like that out of Perez at Boom, he clearly has firm plans for new creations at Boom! It was a great panel and really emphasized how much stock and value Boom! places in creators and making/keeping those creators happy at Boom!

After that, I went over to Smith Micro to check out the latest versions of Poser Pro and Manga Studio. The developers at Smith Micro have made some very cool enhancements to what was already impressive software. The comic book render mode for Poser really impressed me and is something I want to play around with. Manga Studio really lends itself to quickly and easily creating comic books. If you are thinking about creating comics, particularly digitally, these are programs you really should check out.

After briefly spending a few moments in the line for the wrong room, I walked right into the 3pm George Perez panel which was fun. George was as energetic as usual and I think him working at Boom! could be a great thing for all concerned.

After that, I spend some more time walking the floor and then headed out to dinner with from friends. We got luck and made it to our desired restaurant before they got taken over for some sort of private Comic-Con thing. After eating, all of us headed over to another friend's hotel room to kick back, chat and catch the fireworks behind the convention center. It was fun but it made for another late night.

I woke up exhausted today (Sunday) but still made it over to the convention center by 9:30am. unfortunately the limited edition toy I wanted had already sold out for the day again. I was expecting that so I wasn't surprised or upset. Given the success they had, I imagine a non-limited version of the toy will get made. If not, there is always eBay.

By 10am I was at the Mike Norton panel which was a ton of fun. Mike is an amazing artist and a great guy. John Siuntres moderated then panel and did an excellent job guiding Mike through a great discussion of Mike's career. John will most likely release the panel on the WordBalloon feed soon. I recommend listening to it. John Siuntres des a great job interviewing people and this was no exception.

After that was the DC Meet the Co-Publishers panel which was entertaining but mainly the usual general marketing stuff and really nothing remotely specific to the co-publishers. Most of the comic book "announcement" were things I already knew about. Frankly, it was a bit disappointing.

From there I headed over to the Tin Fish for lunch with a high school friend and his girlfriend. We'd bumped into each other on Preview Night but I didn't have time to talk with them then since I was heading to the Comic Book Resources Yacht party. Normally I both do dinner with them and walk at least part of the floor with them. This time lunch at the Tin Fish was pretty much it. It was great to catch up with them. I wound up skipping a panel I was interested in but was more than happy to do so. For what it is worth, the grilled shrimp at the Tin Fish is tasty.

Then back into the all floor to make some last minute stops at a number of booths to talk with some people I hadn't had a chance to connect with over the past few days. I was able to talk with some but not other and simply ran out of time before the hall closed. So I've got a few people I'll need to chat with over email instead of being able to chat with face-to-face this year.

After that it was the drive back to the hotel.

Somehow Comic-Con always seem to be both too long and not long enough. I had probably the best time at Comic-Con in years. Not having to worry about editing a bunch of podcasts and handle the monthly number crunching was certainly part of that. Hanging out with a fun and organized group of friends also really helped. A few things I wasn't able to get myself, my friends were able to help out with and vice versa. Comic-Con is very much a team sport.

Given how huge Comic-Con has become that is pretty much inevitable. Between being an avid reader of comic for decades who currently reads around 200 titles from an assortment of publishers, running a comic book related website for 13 years, podcasting about comics for over six years, writing for CBR and having a on of friends in San Diego from living out here for over 20 years makes my one week a year in San Diego for Comic-Con insanely busy.

Speaking of which, I need to wrap this up because I'm off to dinner with a friend I used to work with before I moved back to Texas...

My best con ever I would say. The changes to the show floor made a huge difference and I finally figured out a way from the Hyatt to the con in under 7 min which was great.

I didn't get to see the entire show floor or get any exclusives but saw a ton of great panels, had the best room I've ever had, hung out with friends who I only get to see here really, and had a jam packed weekend.

This year I didn't do preview night and that is probably why I didn't see the bulk of the floor. Those 3 hrs really make a difference. Though I didn't really miss it since there are so many booths that don't change that much from year to year.

I was hoping to try the new Xbox and ps4 but missed those. I probably won't buy one anyway until my kids are older.

Purchase highlights:

Con sketches from Adam Hughes and George Perez
Dan decarlo Betty and Veronica original art page from 1966
George Perez Teen Titans original art page from issue 27
A supergirl comic featured in Scott Shaws Oddball Comics panel
Various Eisner Nominated or Winning hardcovers
ASM 59 and 42.
A stack of great books bought in a really fun feeding frenzy from a booth in the last hour after they were marked 2 for 1

Panel Highlights:

Various Evanier panels including Kirby Tribute, Sergio and Mark, Quick Draw, That 70's, Cover Story
Adam Hughes spotlight

Out of Con Highlights:

Sitting at a table at Eisners with great group of friends and the after party.
5th Annual Drink and Swap which ran from 9:30 until 2 am and had about 20 people overall this year
Lots of great food around San Diego
CBLDF Party

I ditched out of walking dead escape in favor of panels.

Lowlights:

Not much to complain about this year. There was one day I tried to enter from the marina side and security wouldn't let me because of a Lego line they were trying to control. Getting out after the show closed the last day was tough because of the crush of people all trying to into the gaslamp.

That's it. Great show and very much looking forward to next year.