San Diego Comic-Con 2012

Meant to file this report right after Comic-Con in July and life got in the way. Better late than never.

I spent most of the past two months getting ready for San Diego Comic-Con. Jayson Comics #2 has just been published and is available as a print-on-demand comic at IndyPlanet, along with a variant-cover edition of Jayson Comics #1. Both contain key chapters from my upcoming graphic novel "Jayson Gets a Job!", which I intend to have out in time for New York Comic-Con in October.

Northwest Press is now offering digital editions of all my print titles ("Jayson" books as well as my Ralf König translations) on iTunes, along with an exclusive "History of Jayson" which we just finished working on. It's about 50 pages long, lavishly illustrated, and based on a series of blog posts I wrote a few years ago.

I also completed the script for my issue-length "Kevin Keller Meets Sabrina" story and submitted it to Archie Comics in time for them to read it before seeing them at the Con.

Wednesday night at Comic-Con is Preview Night, open only to professionals and a lucky few early purchasers of 4-day passes. As such, it is a bit quieter and a better opportunity for networking. After setting up my table at the Prism Comics booth, I made a beeline for the Archie Comics booth. I've had a good relationship with Archie President Mike Pellerito for a few years now, but I have never been able to break through with Editor-in-Chief Victor Gorelick. Turns out it was a smart move to send both of them my "Kevin Keller Meets Sabrina" story in advance; Victor read it and liked it so much that it finally put me on his radar. While he says the "Kevin" book is plotted out two years in advance and he doesn't see an opportunity to use the script, he said that Archie needs to find an opportunity for me to write something for them!

I was able to capitalize on this turn of events during my speech at the 25th annual all-star Gays In Comics panel on Saturday night. I talked about creating "Jayson" because I loved Archie Comics but never saw myself represented in them, and how Kevin Keller has changed all that. I was able to conclude by stating that on the eve of Jayson's 30th anniversary, I find myself in talks to write for Archie. It brought down the house.

During the Con I was also interviewed for a documentary about LGBT comics creators called "Secret Identities"; I'll let you know if the film ever comes out. I did an interview about Jayson with Jeff4Justice that landed on YouTube. And I attended the launch party for an anthology from Fantagraphics called "No Straight Lines: 40 Years of Queer Cartooning," to which I contributed one of my early Jayson stories.

Since Comic-Con I have been working feverishly to finish my new graphic novel "Jayson Gets a Job!" in time for New York Comic-Con in October. The book finally went to press this week and will debut at New York Comic-Con (Oct. 11-14) and San Francisco's Alternative Press Expo (Oct. 13-14) at the Prism Comics booth. If you can't get to either of these events, the book is also now available for pre-order on Amazon.com.

Screwed By Comikaze

Back in February, the CEO of Comikaze, a Los Angeles-based comic book convention I had never heard of, offered me a free table and publicity on their website in exchange for appearing at their show in September. I accepted the offer and dutifully submitted the requested photo, bio, and completed  form.

A month later, I met the CEO, Regina Carpinelli, at WonderCon. At my age, pretty much everyone I meet reminds me of someone I've already met, and Regina reminded me of any number of smooth talkers who turn out to be full of baloney.

Months pass, Comikaze is rebranded as "Stan Lee's Comikaze," and I hear nothing back from Regina or anyone associated with the convention. My photo and bio do not appear on their website and I am not listed a guest, special or otherwise. My emails and phone calls to Regina and to "Teddy," the director of sales, go unreturned.

My friend Dylan Edwards ("Transposes"), who managed to secure a table in Artists' Alley but only received the promised show package a few days before the show and only after making repeated requests, suggested I contact "Corey," the director of operations. After several days Corey Silverstein responded as follows:

"At this point Artists' Alley is completely full and we cannot offer you a table... However we would happy to offer you a complimentary pass so that you can enjoy the show."

So instead of the promised free table and publicity, I have the opportunity to... attend the show! Fuck you very much, Comikaze. I think I'll pass.

See you all in New York, where they know how to run a convention.