King Con II: Marathon Boogaloo

The 2nd annual King Con comic/animation convention was held over the weekend at the Brooklyn Lyceum. They expanded to 4 days this year holding panels/events on Thursday and Friday evening. The actual show itself at the Lyceum was on Saturday and Sunday. 

I got there around 12:30 on Sunday. As I exited the subway, the NYC Marathon was going on and it was passing right by. Problem being, I had to cross the street to get to the Lyceum. I wasn't sure what to do until I noticed people waiting for pockets of slow runners and then zig-zagging between them to cross. It felt like a game of Frogger. Though I think a cartoonist that I met at the show, Bree Rubin, describes it perfectly in her webcomic: Sex, Drugs and June Cleaver. 

After making it through the masses safely, I entered the show. The Lyceum is small but mighty! About 7 rows of tables one way surrounded by a square of tables on the ends. You can walk the whole floor in 10 minutes if you are just sort of browsing through. I did the quick walk through and saw a few friends at their tables like Jamie Tanner, Fred Chao and GB Tran. Ran into buddies Mike Dawson and Heidi MacDonald on the floor as well and chatted for a few. 

The Fred Chao/Jamie Tanner Experience at their table. 

Second go around, I stopped at many tables to check out some work. As always, I know how awkward it can be for the person at the table. Do I want to buy their work? Am I interested? How do they sell me? And on my part, if I'm not interested, I have to do the polite smile and move along. I didn't have a press pass (not sure if they were even doing them) so no one knew that I was the host of COMIC NEWS INSIDER (CNI). Often, the press pass changes how I'm approached. (More on that later). 

I chatted with/bought their wares and interviewed all of the above pictured. In order, Adebe Lovelace (City of Walls), Bree Rubin (Sex, Drugs and June Cleaver)/Ami Bogin (The Glass Urchin), Jonathan Baylis (So Buttons), and Jeffrey Burandt & Paul Ciaravino (Americans UK). I always get a kick out of the surprised reactions from cartoonists when, after chatting with them, I decide to purchase their books. I know they get so many browser types who they chat with and never get a sale. I eventually introduce myself as the host of CNI which seemed to perk them up a bit. "Ooh, free advertising!" Hey, I might not change their lives by mentioning their books on the show, but I'll send traffic their way and maybe shift some product. On that note....back to the press thing.

As most of you know, I have been doing the podcast since '05. We are considered media but I've never considered myself a journalist. Still, I report on things. I'm friends with real journalists and respect what they do. With the advent of new media, popular podcasts and bloggers can certainly help an indie cartoonist out. Sure, we've had tons of big names in comic books, TV/Film, animation, etc. But it's the little guy that we actually help out on occasion by having them on the show or talking about their work. On occasion, some people don't realize this. And that's unfortunate. I'm not the vengeful type. If I don't like someone's work, I'll tend to not even mention it. Why be negative when someone's put their heart and soul into a work that maybe I'm the only one that didn't like it? 

At King Con, and I wont mention names, I chatted with someone for a minute who was borderline rude. I showed interest in the work and they mentioned that I should flip through the book. So, I did. On my own terms, I was checking it out. This person kept making snarky remarks. "Oh you're flipping through it so fast. How are you getting anything out of it?" At one point, they tell me to "read the first page" and go from there. I open to the first page and start reading the foreword. "You're not gonna get anything from reading that. I meant the first page of the actual comic". Wow. Thanks for being kind of a dick about it. Again, they mentioned something else and was basically telling me how I should flip through it. I kind of snapped back, "Wow, in all my years of reporting, I never knew I needed someone to tell me how to check someone's work out." They perked up a bit realizing I might be some journalist or reporter type. As I walked away, I think they tried to do some damage control. "Did you like it? If so, go ahead and just take a copy. It's the last day, etc." I felt bad and introduced myself and thanked them. And then moved along.

Now, maybe I misinterpreted. Maybe this person was having a bad day or was just over people flipping through the book without purchasing or just plain didn't like my demeanor. Still, whether I had this podcast or not, you shouldn't act like that with someone who visits your table. I go to many conventions each year and have a table at 2 of them (Heroes Con and NYCC) so I know when the crazies come by that need to be dismissed. I know it's frustrating sitting there selling your wares but others do it happily. No, I wont reveal the person or their book. If I end up talking about the book on the show in the near future, I wont give any reference to this story. I'm not out to get them. 

Sorry, kids. Didn't mean to have a mini-rant there but felt the need to get that out there. The ones that I did buy stuff from and chatted with were quite lovely. Even before I interviewed them. Bree and Ami were nice and informative and invited me to their drink/draw meetup they are part of each month. I read Ami's collection of her webcomic on the train after leaving the show and loved it! Adebe just seemed like a cool guy to hang with when I was chatting with him. I've met Jonathan at several shows and it's always fun catching up. Jeffrey and Paul's enthusiasm at their booth is what got me chatting with them. Not enthusiastic in that annoying way at all. Just proud of their work and clearly having fun being there. 

That was evident with almost everyone exhibiting. It's a small show but everyone is supportive of each other. Unfortunately, I didn't have time to go to any panels. There were some kids workshops happening near the front entrance that I listened in on for a few minutes. The kids seemed to be really into it and that was great! We need to make more nerds! I hope to hit some of the panels next time as they looked really interesting. I was gutted that I missed a few of them. 

Kudos to the organizers for putting together a great show. I've no doubt it will grow each year and hopefully keep the charm. I'll be talking about the show in Tuesday night's recording of CNI Episode 303. It'll be available late Tuesday night for download via iTunes or the website. All of the interviews mentioned above will be in that show. Some great stuff to look out for! 

Even though I was only at the show for under 2 hours, I had a blast and look forward to next year. Make sure you get yourself out there as well.