Wizard World Comic Con Sacramento 2014

Sorry for the delay in posts, but I was away last weekend and I'm still recovering; 5 1/2 hours up, and 5 1/2 hours back in less than 48 hours take their toll, believe me. But, what was I doing up there, you ask? I hope you do, anyway. Long story short, the folks at Wizard World reached out to see if I would like a table at Artists' Alley, completely gratis. "Okay," I thought, "but aren't those tables for, like, artists?" Now, I'm freelance writer by trade--screenplays, video game scripts, the odd RPG supplement--but what they were interested in was my most recent book: 300: Rise of an Empire: The Art of the Film (that's a lot of colons, I know). Hmmm… Free entry to a geek convention and a chance to get rid of some of the free copies of books publishers send you (and you've run out of relatives to gift them to)? Sign me up!

I figured if I drove and just stayed one night, there was a possibility I could sell enough merchandise to break even. So, I packed up those (as well as some other books I've written), and hit the road at holy-shit-is-it-early on Saturday morning. With only one stop for a bathroom break and gas (the second not strictly necessary, but the first was), I cruised into the Sacramento Convention Center in the shadow of the state capitol just after 8:30 am and was soon ensconced in my own little "booth" (a table and two chairs, but hey the table had my name on it!).

Here is my view across the way of Julie Benz's (Dexter's <SPOILER ALERT> murdered wife) and James Marsters' (Spike from Buffy) autograph signing kiosks, as yet unoccupied by said celebrities.

I was snug between a punk comic/record collective on one side (Silver Sprocket Bicycle Club--check 'em out!), and a pair of talented concept artists on the other. I spent the day smiling and saying hellos to passersby (uncharacteristic behaviors for me, I assure you) and fielding lots and lots of questions--mainly from confused folks asking about why I was there. Surprisingly, a number of younger fans (of the movies about which I have written books, not fans of mine) seemed to think I had written the graphic novels 300 or Watchmen; no, I do not resemble Frank Miller or Alan Moore, although some people have told me I remind them of Dan Aykroyd (which is perfect, because I had an uncle who sort of looked like Harold Ramis). I was perhaps even more surprised by the number of folks who wanted me to sign their books, but I suppose you never can tell what might be worth something someday. ;-)

I nearly fell asleep in my beer and burger that night, but was at it again bright and early the next morning. In the end, despite the identity confusion, I managed to sell all my books, and headed back down the 5 for the long trek home (after a slight detour to West Sacramento when I misread my Google maps).

   


Silk Spectre II and Dr. Manhattan dropped by to say, "Hi."
(That dude was freezing.)

My, that's a big axe you have… It is an axe, right?

It wouldn't be any sort of Comic Con without a sexy "Slave Leia" sighting.














Would I do it again? I didn't get as much time wandering the floor as I would've liked, but on the other hand I met a lot of cool people. Still, I probably wouldn't do it again until I have my own graphic novel or film to hawk--unless I could go as a pure spectator.

Anyway, I promise to get back to the games, sooner rather than later!