Connecticut ComiCONN 2014
August 15th -17th at Webster Bank Arena in Bridgeport, CT
I really fell in love with
ComiCONN this year. The great single day event bursting with potential that my husband and I have enjoyed attending the last 2 years (at the Trumbull Marriott) has become an truly excellent show in its 5th year - with a much need move to a larger venue at Webster Arena and a surprisingly wise expansion to 3 days. And while it grew enough to give attendees, exhibitors, and guests a bit more physical breathing room - it in no way lost sight of it core - a real love of comics and the opportunity for fans to meet and thank some of the most influential artists and creators in the business. It's no easy feat to expand something, add a full slate of panels, triple the guest talent, and still have an event seem somewhat relaxed and intimate - but Mitch Hallock and his team at
ComiCONN managed pulled it off wonderfully. Excelsior!
And now the photos...
S.H.I.E.L.D. Surplus is quite common after the event of the Winter Soldier.
Nolan Batman Trilogy Tumbler Replica
'V' Costuming Group
A few faves from the terrific Cosplay this year.
Old School Green Arrow - New School Arrow
Teeny Foxx and Echo Endless as FF Medusa and She-Hulk
Just a small part of the always bustling Comic Artist and Writer guest rows.
Sure there were a few long lines (mostly on Saturday - and honestly nothing compared to lines at NYCC) but fans waited happily to meet some serious icons of comic creation.
The Art Haul - my favorite part! So many great artists - so hard to stay within budget.
Still regretting things not obtained.
Captain America Sketch by the
Jerry Ordway (Our first commission sketch!)
A great dynamic Cap print by Frank McLaughlin
Quintessential Iron Man art by Bob Layton
Cap, The Bat, and The Cat prints by Billy Tucci
Three prints by
Neal Adams
That iconic GL/GA cover print is signed by both Adams and Denny O'Neil.
I always make a point to try something new and/or indie produced!
This time Casey Caracciolo's cool animated style Rocket & Groot print led me to also grab
his original fantasy novel
The Shadow of the Gauntlet. More info at
Scargen.com
I love
ModHero and never pass up the chance to grab some of the glossy prints Josh brings to shows -
they really make his vibrant minimalist style sing. You can always find
ModHero Stuff @Society6 though - still great quality prints - just not as...Shiny!
The nicely curated presence of Celebrity Guests is another great thing about ComiCONN.
Guests are well chosen and compliment, rather than overshadow, the Comic guests. All 3 guests we made a point of meeting were super gracious - willing to spend time chatting with every fan and taking photos. And it was easy to note throughout the weekend that other attendees got the same kind of experience with the rest of the guest line-up which included Ray Park,
Brian O'Halloran, and several of the guys from
Comic Book Men.
Greatest American Hero William Katt and
BTVS's Nicholas Brendon
The Marvel Cinematic Universe's Agent Jasper Sitwell -
Maximiliano Hernandez
Such a nice guy - super great with the kids and families that filled his line - hard to believe he was HYDRA all along! :)
The always exciting Panel Pics!
Which are actually kind of important - because we rarely do panels at the big NYCC show (unless we now someone on the panel that guests us in) it generally means wasting a good portion of the day waiting in a line. And these were teriffic panels - especially if you love comic book history and enjoy hearing great stories from the guys who lived it.
José Luis García-López, Frank McLaughlin,
Paul Kupperberg, Denny O'Neil, and Bob Layton
shared thrilling tales of cheap publishers and creative freedom at The Charleton Comics Panel.
Charlton Comics was based in Derby, CT - and an incredible array of comics top talent worked there over the years. Recognizing and drawing on Connecticut's close ties to the Comic Business is one of the things that helps really make
ComiCONN so special.
Arlen Schumer's entertaining and super enlightening Art and Comic Book Art History Panel.
Essentially the live version of his book
The Silver Age of Comic Book Art.
The revised edition is coming this fall in time for
New York Comic Com.
Absolutely getting a copy! All the details at
ArlenSchumer.com
The Writing for Comics Panel - inspiring advice, and of course more humorous
comic biz stories, from industry giants Denny O'Neil and
Danny Fingeroth.
See you at ComiCONN 2015!
