This is the third consecutive year that R2AK dynamic duo Ian & Venus have crossed country line to invade the Emerald City Comic-Con in Seattle. Here is Part 2 of their excellent adventure rife with panels, prints & Copland’s hypnotizing eyes. (Catch up on what you missed in Part 1 here.)
Saturday: Day 2
After all of the solid ground work laid on Friday, day two of the heist is very simple. Start early and stay cool. Saturday is the busiest day of the con. This means you will have to get an early start to optimize your time spent on the con floor. If you were unable to get on a commission list on Friday, or need to endure an exceptionally long line, this early start will be your second chance. Most jokers (cosplay and layman alike) will only show up for the one day. People will quickly and steadily trickle in and by lunch time you will be doing the slow, annoying, unproductive herd shuffle with everyone else. When moving through the Saturday crowd becomes a futile attempt, grab some grub and regroup.
The afternoon is when the floor is at its busiest. It is also when the most interesting panels are being held. Pick a few to sit in on and enjoy learning more about your favourite comic creators, writers and artists all while luxuriating in your own, non-sweaty personal space. Towards the end of the day, the convention floor will be thinned out considerably and if you have any easy loose ends you can tie ‘em up now, before leaving for the day.
Best Panel: Tim Sale
VENUS: It’s always nice to see Tim Sale at a panel. During the convention, Tim endures hour after hour at his table drawing and signing for fans, which means minimal time for chit chat or fielding questions. (Although he will graciously accept any gifts fans may have for him.) At his Saturday spotlight panel Tim took the time to speak directly with his fans. A lot of people asked questions or made comments that I hadn’t thought of which made it all the more interesting! For those of you wondering, the Mariners super-fan does indeed have stuff on-deck and in the bullpen. Captain America: White will be completed (another two issues have recently been turned in), as well as creator-owned, noir-style projects are what we’ll be seeing from him in the future. He voiced a weariness of the superhero genre (save the World’s Greatest Detective) and a preference for ‘girls in the rain’ when asked about the commissions he likes doing best.
IAN: Yeah, Tim’s table is always a first-stop as soon as the convention doors open. Mostly because we love the guy and consider him a friend, but also because if you want your name on the very small fast-pass commission list, you pretty much have to commit crimes against humanity to get to his table first. Luckily Venus is the Katniss of ECCC, so it’s rarely a problem. Timely Hunger Games reference, you guys!
Anyway, see the rad-ass Catwoman: When in Rome pillow he’s holding in the picture above? Venus knitted that just for him! Check this out if you want to see the process!
Best Print Bought by Ian: Billy Fowler – Nightcrawler
IAN: A big part of my con experience is wandering around looking at everyone’s prints and buying the ones that really jump out. It doesn’t really matter whether the artist is a big name or not, only that the art rules. Of all the pieces I picked up last year, the hands-down winner was Nathan Fox’s Kitty Pryde…
This year that title was taken by Billy Fowler’s Nightcrawler. Man, I saw this print from across the convention floor and trampled at least four children and an old lady to buy it. In my defence, somebody probably would have trampled those children (and the old lady) anyway.
Behold! And then avert your eyes and die thou of jealousy!
Best Print Bought by Venus: Phil Noto – Daenerys Targaryen
VENUS: If you are not watching Game of Thrones you are not worthy. Daenerys Targaryen is the last of the Targaryen lineage and the Dragon’s Daughter. I can’t say anymore without it being a spoiler so justwatchthedamnshoworreadthebooksalready. Phil Noto also wins for Best Likenesses.
IAN: Phil Noto also wins for being a super nice guy. We wandered over to his table a couple of times over the course of the weekend and he maintained a real friendliness all three days despite being consistently swamped with people. Note to self, though. If you want one of his prints, be sure not to “think about it” and “come back later.” YOU WILL BE SORRY!
Best Shredder: This guy.
VENUS: AKA The Fattest Shredder AKA The Only Shredder at ECCC.
IAN: I just…I don’t…I mean what the…and why?
Most Authentic Cosplay: Power Girl
IAN: More proof that I married the right woman. I didn’t even see this Power Girl until Venus grabbed me and yelled “LOOK! LOOK!” and look I did. Ha ha by gosh did I ever.
VENUS: You mean, Most “Authentic” Cosplay. With quotation marks. As in “those are not real.”
IAN: They’re NOT?!
Nerdiest Moment: The Cat Farris Portal Print Incident
VENUS: It’s the girl from Portal, sitting on a companion cube, eating the cake, which was NOT a lie. OMG NERD SQUEEEE. P.S. There were 2 girls in Portal cosplay at ECCC this year, complete with portal gun.
IAN: Yeah, you went nuts when you saw this print! I didn’t even know the amazing Cat Farris was attending this year.
Best Lunch Date: Jason Copland
IAN: Of all the things that we might-or-might-not do during ECCC, going for lunch with Jason Copland is an absolute must. Good laughs, good burgers, and for an hour or so Venus and I get a break from the crowds (and our wallets get a break from being emptied). With new projects in the works for Image and [REDACTED BY TIPPER GORE] our pal Jason is going places in this industry and we couldn’t be more stoked to ride his coattails all the way to greatness.
VENUS: Going for burgers with Jason! Talking con and getting some inside gossip! Piercing blue eyes! French fries!
Stay tuned for our third and final instalment of the Emerald City Comic-Con coverage! And then A BITCHIN’ PHOTO, PRINT, AND COMMISSION GALLERY TO FOLLOW!
– The Explosivos
It is always a pleasure to hang with you guys! At ECCC or elsewhere!