Can I just say…I love that Kris and his kind wife pulled over to get this shot. You guys are rad.
(Also: Unrelated, but who names a lake “Thin Bear”? For that matter, who names a town “Nipomo”???)
For the uninitiated, San Diego is the largest comics and pop culture convention in the English-speaking world: Five days of Klingons, Trons, Yodas, Iron Mans and Storm Troopers walking around a massive hall, holding onto their children’s hands…who are similarly dressed. There is literally every type of nerdery represented: Everything from Dr. Who to Voltron, from Dragonball Z to Thunderbirds. Seriously. If a nerd likes it, it’s at Comic-Con.
So I’m always in seventh-heaven.
I spent the greatest portion of my time, there, with my Halfpixel friends, “Webcomics Weekly” co-hosts and “How To Make Webcomics” co-authors, Scott, Brad, and Kris. We exhibited together, gave panel talks together, and even sang with Star Trek captains together. But more on all that later. Let’s start with the near-and-dear.
1.) Meetin’ Sheldonistas:
Moreso than any previous San Diego….the Sheldonistas came out in droves this year. It was awesome. I had so many great conversations with American, Canadian, English, and even two Australian Sheldonistas. And the high fives and free convention sketches were flowin’. I counted, on Sunday, how many sketcthes in Sheldon books I had done, and it was well over 300. That’s not even including the sketches I did in copies of “How To Make Webcomics” or in people’s own sketchbooks. So all-in-all, it probably came out to around 400 personalized sketches. Which could possibly explain why my right hand feels like an elephant sat on it.
As has been true in past conventions, I had a few Sheldon readers bring me “the best cookie in the world”, the UK’s “Hobnobs”. Which, I’m sorry to report, I devoured within minutes of being given. (To be fair: I shared a few cookies from the first package with Brad and Kris…but after that, I hid future packages from them, and just woofed ’em down myself. A proud moment. Proud moment.)
2.) Meetin’ Other Cartoonists:
One of the joys of Comic-Con, for me, is getting to meet up with other cartoonists whose work I like and respect. Cartoonists like Mer, Wes, Malk, Jerry, and Bill ‘n “Gene”. But it was pretty awesome gettin’ to know a new gent this year: Smilin’ Chris Hastings of Dr. McNinja. Chris is an all-around funny dude.
3.) Sheldon Stuff:
Sheldon Stuff: The new Sheldon theme-book, “Pugs: God’s Little Weirdos,” made it’s con premiere in San Diego, and got a huge response. The book itself arrived *one day* before the convention began — and the advance copies looked awesome. I’m really happy with how the book came out — you’re gonna dig yours. (Speaking of which: Don’t forget the Pug Book-Launch Party on Aug. 10th in LA, 7-10 at The Crescent in Beverly Hills).
The “Manatee” t-shirts sold out of sizes faster than I ever would’ve guessed — which pretty much assures we’ll bring ’em into the Sheldon Store this summer.
The “Artist Decision Tree” poster got a similarly big response at the show. The poster won’t be making its way to the store — only because shipping posters is, in many ways, too much trouble for a small shop like ours. But because I got so many (ahem) energetic e-mails requesting that we bring them into the store, we may do it for a limited time. Say, a week or so, to give folks a limited time to snag one.
4.) Panels:
This year, the Halfpixel guys and I were invited to talk on two panels, and both exceeded any expectations we had for them. The first panel talk had people waiting in line for *two hours* to get in…and even then, I’m told many dozens didn’t make it in. Thankfully, we had a second panel later in the afternoon in a bigger room, and folks who got turned away from the first made it into this one. The show also let us carry the panel’s Q&A long by an additional 30 minutes or so, which was fun.
5.) Television Scouts and the Odd Power of Saying “No Thanks”:
This is a funny story, but it’ll take me a few paragraphs to tell it. You know the old saying “People want what they can’t have”? I’ve found that to be very true when it comes to TV development people.
Case in point: At Wizard World LA a few months back, and again at San Diego Comic-Con, the exact same Paramount development scout came up to my booth and started flipping through the Sheldon books. And both times, the interaction worked out the same way: After a few minutes of semi-interested reading and subsequent introductions, he would say “Give me the pitch for your property.” And I would say, “I’d rather not.”
He’d then say, “No, I mean, as if you were pitching this for television.” And I’d respond, “I know exactly what you meant. I have no desire to see this on TV.”
And that’s where it began to get weird: Because I think he thought I was playin’ some sort of mind game with him, and got all strangely interested in Sheldon — as though I were already in development talks with Warner Bros or somethin’. What age group did it appeal to? What style of animation did I see it in, etc., etc.? And I just kept saying “Look: For me, comics are the goal in and of itself. I don’t want to option this for TV or film.” Which is true: I don’t. Never really have. I know that TV and film are the dominant, mass-audience mediums of our age — and that every other comics creator under the sun seems to want to get their work there — but I produce comics because I love comics. In and of themselves. With no ulterior goals or multi-media ambitions.
To me, comics are one of the last, singularly-created artforms that allow an artist to speak to millions — uninterrupted by outside hands. Having seen my wife’s TV and film work up close, I know that the average project involves 50-200 people tweaking and editing and reformatting and lengthening and snipping and changing it…and it’s not the path I want.
I just want to make comics.
But back to the Paramount guy. The more I would tell him that I didn’t want it on TV, the more he would pepper me with questions. And despite it all, despite repeatedly expressing that to the guy, he nevertheless took a few of the free Sheldon flyers and said “I’ll bring these back to the Nickelodeon development people and see what they think.” And all I could do was chuckle as he walked off.
So that’s my lesson for those aspiring to a life in television: If you *do* want to get something on TV, just say you really don’t want that. Because clearly that dude couldn’t countenance that someone *wouldn’t* want their stuff on TV.
6.) Singin’ with Star Trek:
On Saturday night, about 30 cartoonists got together at a tiny hotel bar in downtown San Diego to share a beer and talk shop. To better set the scene for you, you have to know this: Cartoonists, by and large, are amazingly huge nerds. If we were popular in High School, we wouldn’t have spent so much time drawing and watching Star Trek. We’re geeks.
So imagine our surprise when the collected mass of cartoonists turned to notice that, in this same tiny hotel bar were sitting…. Commander Riker and Captain Sisko. And lo, by the end of the night, we were regaled by two former Star Trek actors takin’ turns at the bar’s piano, singing show tunes and slowwwwwwed-down jazz. An amazing night, by any measure.
7.) Battle of the Interns:
All weekend long, we had the pleasure of Kris’ summer intern, Magnolia, who was helpful in all things, and quick with the wit. On Saturday, the Sheldon intern Stephanie also drove down for the show, and the two of them got to meet, which was pretty cool. I was excited for Steph to come to the show, as this was her first San Diego Comic-Con — and that, in and of itself, is always a big deal.
I’m happy to say that Steph really had a blast at the show…and I’ll see if we can’t get her to write up her thoughts on it when she’s next in the studio. It’d be fun to get her perspective on it for folks around the world who have never been.
In summary: Huge, HUGE thanks to everyone who came out to the show, said “hi”, passed along a kind word, and shared how much Sheldon means to you. You don’t know how much I hold onto those moments the rest of the year when I’m sittin’ at my drawing desk. They literally are the moments that power me through the year. So thank you for making San Diego such a fantastic weekend!
– Home from San Diego, with many a high-five distributed and received in turn. High tales to tell, in a write-up that I’m about halfway done with. In the meantime, a huge thanks to everyone who came out to the ‘con and said “hi”. It really was the best San Diego Comic-Con I’ve ever attended.
– The LA earthquake, today, reminded me that I need to get one of those li’l 3-day emergency kits put together. I always figure the National Guard will be distributing food/water within three days, so a 3-day kit will do, yes? Also: Need to get my house foundation bolted. Ah, to-do lists I’ve been putting off for years! How lovely of you to come rushing back to my mind during the earthquake itself!
– I’ll write more about it in the next few days, but here’s the first heads-up for people living in SoCal: We’ll be having the big, open-invite book launch party for “Pugs: God’s Little Weirdos” on the night of Sunday Aug. 10th at the Crescent Hotel in Beverly Hills! All are welcome — so mark your calendar and come on out to join in the awesomeness!
– Also! Scott filmed a fun little capstone to our San Diego trip, which — if you jump to the 2:30-minute mark — includes tidbits from one of our panel talks, and a scene from my favorite SoCal burger joint, “In ‘n Out”.
San Diego Wrap Up from Scott Kurtz on Vimeo.
Many a Sheldonista has come up to claim their Limited Edition, 2008 Commemorative High Five. One Sheldonista asked if it came with a Stamp of Authenticity, and I said “Yes, if by Authenticity you mean Self-Evident Awesomeness.”
I’ve also been giving out free sketches like a mad fiend. The best sketch requests (in terms of randomness) have been the A-bomb character from the long-ago ‘Crotchley Labs’ strip, the Texan with the 40-gallon hat, and Flaco in the Siberian hinterlands. I love it: Please make sure you get a free sketch if you’re here. It’s the least I can do to thank you for readin’ Sheldon.
The manatee shirts went like wildfire: we only have L and XL sizes left. Which means we’ll probably bow to popular demand and bring them into the store later this summer.
More news later, but in the meantime: Thanks to everyone who’s come by and said “hi”!
And, lest the mob turn on me for this vicious error, let’s all remember the lyrics:
“Maybe its not to late
To learn how to love
And forget how to hate”
Grab the full-size, 8.5×11″ file *HERE*, print it, and bring it with you to the show!
Also! If you have a specific original comic strip you were hoping to pick up on the cheap in SD, e-mail me before 8AM PST on July 23, and I’ll bring it with me. Thanks!
Tomorrow! Saturday! From 2-4 PM, at the very fancy Brand Art Library in Glendale, I’ll be giving a long ol’ talk to the Society of Illustrators about Webcomics and the future of cartooning.
The society has very kindly answered my request to open the talk to the public, so you’re welcome to come! Admission is $10 for non-Society of Illustrators members, or $5 for students. Please *do* come, if you’re within driving distance… as it would be fun to have some Sheldonistas in the house.
Brand Library Studios
1601 West Mountain Street
Glendale, California 91201-1200
Here’s how it came out:
That’s me in that picture, by the way (not), lookin’ pretty ripped (not), from all the workin’ out I do (not) like 4 times a day (not).
Anyway! You can snag your San Diego Comic-Con Exclusive T-shirt next week, at booth #2107!
And who knows: If they get a good reaction at San Diego, we might bring ’em in the Sheldon Store. We’ll see what folks think of ’em.
I’ll be giving two panel talks on Friday, with four cartoonists who are surprisingly good at public speaking (…this is not, generally, the rule among my species. Most are timid forest creatures).
Come check out the talks, if’n you get the chance!
3:00-4:00 An Introduction to Webcomics: The single largest explosion of new comics talent in history is happening online. Did you know that there are over 18,000 webcomics? Some of them have millions of readers. Most of these comics are free. Is this news to you? Then come and find out what you’ve been missing from Phil Foglio (moderator and writer/artist Girl Genius), Brad Guigar (Evil, Inc.), Dave Kellett (Sheldon), Scott Kurtz (PVP), and Kris Straub (Starslip Crisis). Room 3
6:00-7:00 How To Make Webcomics: Live!: The four authors of Image Comics’ breakout book How to Make Webcomics present a live version of their popular weekly podcast. Scott Kurtz (PvP), Dave Kellett (Sheldon), Kris Straub (Starslip Crisis), and Brad Guigar(Evil Inc) discuss some of the core issues in webcomics: making money and building communities. Room 8
Important note for everyone going to San Diego: You may think to look for me in the “Webcomics” area, but this year I’m gonna be in the Indie Press area, at the Halfpixel booth, #2107.
(Halfpixel, as you may remember, is the umbrella name of I and my “How To Make Webcomics” co-authors.)
E-mail that booth number to yourself, write it down, put it in your phone…whatever helps you to remember. Because if you’re like me, you’re going to enter that massive convention hall and forget your middle name.
So! Once again: booth number 2107.
2107. 2107. 2107.
I’ll be exhibiting all five days at the Halfpixel booth, which is number #2107.
🙂
