February 28, 2006
The T word

   Just back from Megacon '06 and I have to say, it was the best convention experience I've had in years!

   When I went to Chicago's Wizardworld last year, for whatever reason, I wasn't billed as a guest (even though they knew I was coming), so I didn't get the full pro-meets-fan con experience ("If I'da known you were here, I'd have brought my books for you to sign"). By comparison, Megacon was exhilirating and reminded me why I like being part of the funnybook community. Lots of laughs and stories were shared. Before the weekend, I was concerned for Megacon's owner, Beth Widera, due to a simultaneous show in NYC possibly stealing some thunder. I needn't worried, as apparently both shows flourished. Beth is one of the kindest souls you'll ever meet, and she's very personally involved in making sure everybody is pleased with their arrangements, much like Sheldon Drum is at Charlotte's Heroes Con.

   I don't remember ever being so busy at a show before. From the moment I, Chuck Dixon and Sergio Cariello sat in the purple section of Artists Alley, we had a steady stream of visitors, fans and fellow pros. Usually Fridays have a low attendance, but we'd never seen such a large Friday crowd! It's very satisfying to get your face out in the public after living the hermitlike lifestyle of a freelancer. I signed stacks of books and brushed up on my convention sketching skills (occasionally tearing a sketch up to start over) and a surprising amount of inking commission jobs! Lots of attendees would just watch me work my brush in public, and fuss all over me, which is good for the ego, especially an inker's ego. Believe it or not, it wasn't until Sunday afternoon that I first heard the "T" word: Tracer, made famous (as famous as subculture terms get) in the movie Chasing Amy.

   Usually, I'd hear the term 'tracer' from the minute I sit down until the show closed Sunday, but not this time. The comments can vary from: "So you're a tracer, huh?" (with backing-away-to-dodge-a-blow movements) to "I don't know if you're familiar with the line from Chasing Amy...". I just smile and let them think that they're the first to bring it to my attention. Lots of times, I get a friendly backpedal where I'm informed that I'm really not just a tracer and inkers are artists in our own right yadda yadda... But that's the cross we inkers have to bear and I accept my station in life. The cool people I meet at cons far outnumber the oddballs (we pros can be oddballs as well).

   Among other accomplishments, I felt I'd put a lot of my Crossgen demons to rest, mending fences with fomer co-workers and genuinely taking pride in the books I helped produce with some of the most talented creators in comics. Rather than bellyache about the dark days of Crossgen, I'd comfort mourners with funny office stories that came to mind.

   Sal Buscema was doing head sketches for free all weekend, and lots of fans would gleefully display them. Buscema is a classy guy. He was staying at the same hotel that we stayed at, and although I'd see him by the elevators, I didn't want to bother him. I think he already sensed how much he was loved for all the years of entertainment he brought to us and he didn't need me geeking on him during his down time.

   As a pro, you get lots of free comics from up-and-coming creators, some of it crap, some not so crappy. Some of them are damn good, too. My vote for best newbie publication is Tails to Amaze by Half Moose Media. If you miss DC's Captain Carrot and the Amazing Zoo Crew as I do, you'll love this book. It's funny-animal superheroes by Marc Hammond (story & script) and Derrick Fish (story, art & lettering) with colors by Fish and Stephen J. Shepherd. It starts with True Blue, a blue costumed dog, sitting on a therapist's couch! True Blue (awesome name, that) has his session interrupted by the call to action downtown. From there, we meet Dark Nut (A mysterious brooding squirrel), Mad Dash, Canned Ham, Ramrod and other heroes. The menace? Big Lou Owww and his giant Tiki Bot! Although there are a few minor kinks (the otherwise-educated coloring occasionally confuses the eye), the entire package is very inspired You can sample an 8-page prelude on www.halfmoosemedia.com .

   Wallace Carter aka Wilson Fisk aka The Kingpin gave me a promotional video that he appeared in. Wallace was the hit of the show on Saturday, with his cane and a white suit jacket wrapped around his giant frame. His shoulders taper out just like John Romita's character design. The video, First Round, features Kingpin, Punisher, Wolverine and Jigsaw in an professionally-produced opening chapter. This labor of love is purely intended to display the various talents of those involved. After watching it, I'd say quite a few of them are Hollywood-bound. Check out www.coreysosner.com to see what I mean.

   Among the friends and fans I saw at Megacon, both familiar and not, I have to mention Team Wam (Walker, Andrew & Matt). They went from loiterers at my table to my bestest pals by the end of the weekend. I regret that the pictures I took with Team Wam didn't come out for some reason. Their images are on my digital camera, but they won't print for some reason. Maybe Team Wam have supernatural powers that preclude any physical records of them being shown. These guys typified the goodnaturedness I experienced all weekend from those who share the fun of comics, sci-fi, etc. More than ever, I'm grateful to be working in this field of dreams.

   For the "highlight reel" photos, including The Kingpin throttling me, check out the News section of this site.
 
 
All characters & their images are property of their respective copyright holders. All original content (c) Drew Geraci. Please request permission before reprinting or reposting elsewhere.