Comic paraphernalia galore, Pop Art, Graphic Novels, fan masks, Godzilla dolls, Ghostbusters Marsh-mallow man, Superhero’s, Manga, coupled with heated movie conversations and legendary Neil Adams were all aspects of what one would stumble across at Comic Fest 2014.
Comic Fest operated through Oct. 17-19 at the San Diego Town and Country Resort and Convention Center. The main man of Comic Fest was Mike Towry who, in 1969 as a teen-age comic book dealer founded what we know today as Comic-Con. In 2009 after celebration of the 40th Comic-Con he created a second convention in remembrance and style of earlier Comic-Cons with the birth of Comic Fest in 2012.
“Comic Fest is a smaller much more intimate and casual convention, focused on the comics and creators. Instead of the movie stars,” Towry said.
By the glistening pools artist painted live and sculpted heads of superheroes allowing onlookers to ask questions. The interaction between fans and creators of these imaginative works was genuine and passionate.
Typical geek comic fanatic crowd included screen-tee wearing fans young and old, grown men in Captain America suits, and aspiring creators alike. To spectate this group in the middle of a country club, where the elderly spend their free days in style, was a sufficiently comical scene.
The Dealers Room contained all the Comic paraphernalia for sale with chandeliers lighting vivid graphic posters and items, an Artist Gallery contained new artist with bold ideas nabbing new fans, a Twilight Café in theme of the show “The Twilight Zone” held conversations in a very trippy setting with guests such as Laura Sigel Larson, daughter of Jerry Siegel who was co-creator of “Superman.”
The panel that was for open discussion on monster “Kaijus” from the recent movie “Pacific Rim.” The panel of creative minds spoke about the details and differences of old Godzilla movies where actors wore dinosaur-looking suits that felt like dragging a drum behind you, opposed to computer animation that showed less emotion.
Plenty of jargon and unfamiliar terminology integrated, and sarcastic jokes like “Before Wikipedia!” were happily included in the debate.
Scoping some Ghostbuster action figures in a wheelchair with a youthful exuberance and a Spiderman beanie, Dusty Hansen, 30, told The Telescope why he liked coming to Comic-Fest.
“Whole lot smaller and cheaper than Comic-con, that’s for sure,” Hansen said.
Many who came to Comic Fest came for three reasons.
1.) They don’t want to wait until 2015 for another comic book convention;
2.) Tickets for Comic-Con are hard to get:
3.) Seek a more relaxed convention going experience focused on creative exchange.
Special guest Neal Adams “The crusader without a cape” was by far the most visited at Comic-Fest charging a hefty sum of $20 for signatures. Wizard Magazine stated, “He revived Batman, saved the X-men, challenged the system and changed comics forever.”
He sat down with The Telescope.
What piece of work are you most proud of?
Adams: Pointing at the book in front of him “Right here, Batman Odyssey. It’s a book. Not comic book. Not allot of people have the audacity to call something odyssey. I do.”
Anything new you are working on we should look out for?
Adams: “Superman and Jack Herby new Goddess, Rivals of Superman.”
I heard you are talking about creator rights today, what’s your stand on that?
Adams: “Artist aren’t willing to stand up for themselves. So I’m willing to do it for them. I don’t take any sh—from anyone.”
Can I quote you on that?
Adams: “Yah, and put that sh—part in there, it’s good stuff.”
How’s your experience at the event, why do you like coming?
Adams: “First time was 30 years ago when it all started at Comic-Con, just this place needs more space, bigger for more people, growth and a better set up.”
What was your purpose in becoming a comic writer? The goal and impact you wanted to have?
Adams: “To get paid. I trained myself to be a professional. I became professional at 18.”
After the interview, a group assembled as Adams showcased his book.
“In new York I would say, I’m going to F—your minds up. But we are in San Diego so I’ll just say I’m gonna mess you up a little,” he told the crowd.
Turning to a page in the book a gruesome photo of Batman shooting the guts out of his sensei with an automatic rifle is shown. “Batman can’t do that right? He doesn’t kill because his parents were killed with a gun.”
He then asks “Who am I?” points at his name on the book. “I’m Neal Adams, I can do that. Read the next eight pages now.”
The Comic Fest not only provided comics but live music from a two bands. One was called the Naked Picassos with five men in their 50s trying to sound like a mix of Pink Floyd and The Who.
Digital Lizard was a band created by Gabe Valentine, 25. “Where Daft Punk, meets White Stripes,” Valentine said. He used a computer to play digital music, and added guitar and high falsetto vocals creating a slightly rave party sound.
