My brief visit to Gem City Con

After having such a good time at SPACE last month, I decided that I'm going to try and make it to as many comic shows as possible this year. Honestly, what that really boils down to is additional 2 or 3 shows, but, hey, that's better than nothing.

I had a rare Sunday afternoon to myself yesterday. My girlfriend had to work and the kids went to a birthday party with their grandparents. So rather than sitting home and goofing off/cleaning the house, I drove to Dayton for Gem City Con. (And I at least did something productive yesterday morning -- laying grass seed/fertilizer and watering the lawn.)

 For some reason, this is the only picture I took at the show.

First up, I met Steve Englehart. Steve wrote quite a few Green Lantern comics and one (just one) issue of Daredevil. Since GL and DD are two of my favorite superheroes, I wanted to speak with Steve. I felt kind of bad when, after signing my comics, he asked if I'd like to buy his book, but I didn't really have the money (or much interest in his book). I know how it feels to have people not buy your book, but I also own a few comics written by Steve, so I didn't feel too bad.

I also met Bob McLeod, who illustrated one of the first comics I ever owned, Action Comics #659. He actually had an original page from that issue, but I didn't have $75. I've almost purchased original pages from that issue twice, but have passed both time. Maybe one day. Bob seemed really busy with sketches and all, so I didn't get to talk with him much.

I did, however, run into a few folks I know. Dan W. Taylor, Mike Maydak, Kel Crum, Max Ink, Eric Adams and Bob Corby were all in attendance. I handed out quite a few comics to these folks and to some other people I met for the first time. I also brought along some posters I recently had printed, which will be on sale tomorrow.

Unfortunately I missed out on speaking with Dave Aikins, who illustrated some Dora the Explorer and Backyardigans books that my kids like, and Joe Jusko, who illustrated some awesome Marvel trading cards I had as a kid and who also follows my other blog, Rejeted by Covered (I think that's really cool, BTW). I wish I had spoken with him, but I was pressed for time.

On the shopping side, I picked up a Conan treasury comic (leaving me with just 27 treasury comics left for a full collection of Marvel and DC treasuries), a Daredevil comic I needed (leaving me only 3 issues away from a full set that I've been collecting for the past 15 years) and a carded GI JOE Shockwave figure, which I purchased off a guy who knows Shannon Smith. The guy had a bunch of other figures I wanted to buy, but unfortunately (or, perhaps, fortunately) I only brought $45.

Overall, I had fun in the hour or so I was there. I would have like to have had more time to look at comics and talk to artists, but I had to leave (it was about an hour and a half drive, after all). I doubt if I'll ever exhibit at Gem City Con, but I'll try to attend every year.