Three Outstanding Days at Connecticut ComiCONN 2014!

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

Jaycee Cosplay

 Guest Cosplay artist ECHO Endless as Wonder Woman

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!

Kitty Pryde (Shadowcat) and Colossus - Mutant May!

 Reilly Brown

 Denis Medri

 ModHero

Hiroki8

Green Arrow by ModHero - Love This!

 Fantastic take on a fave Hero by a fave Artist!

Rogan Josh - ModHero / Prints and such @Society6

The Joker by ModHero/Rogan Josh...Is...Just...Perfect.

ModHero / Rogan Josh / Prints

I've adored Josh's work for along time...he just gets better and better.
This Joker piece is brilliant!

NYCC 2013 - Art Acquisitions from Artist Alley and Beyond

Artist Alley at NYCC...is well...just the best. Wall to wall talent and a chance to meet(and buy art from)
the awesome comic artists, and fantastic illustrators who's work I follow virtually throughout the year.
It also seemed like even more great artists and creative vendors were spread
throughout the entire Con floor this year which was really great to see!

So, here's what came home...

I picked 'The 80's X-Men' as what I've decided to call my Traditional Annual Cliff Chiang print.
And my husband Jody, and I also always make sure we get a piece of
Captain America art - this year it's was a great new piece by Jimmy Cheung.

Cliff Chiang

Jimmy Cheung

I loved Chrissie Zullo's Death Print the moment she shared it on FB - so it was a must have.
And while I was a little fangirly gushy when I got a sketchbook from Adam Hughes - Jody was much cooler
when he got his iconic Green Lantern/Green Arrow print from Neal Adams.

Neal Adams

The biggest highlight had to be meeting Des Taylor...who's work we both adore. His fabulous blend of 40's Retro animation style and pin-up glamor with a modern twist is so unique and original. And as an lover of all things from the Pulp Deco Era his work really resonates with me. He was as warm, wonderful, and as cool as his art, and we had the best time chatting with him. I wasn't easy narrowing it down to the three prints we got...and was a fantastic surprise when Des threw in a bonus Supergirl sketch!

Be sure to follow Des Taylor on Facebook for his newest art
and check out his groovy motion comic 'The Trouble With Katie Rogers' on Madefire.

It was also awesome meeting another of my favorite artists Josh - aka ModHero. I have some of his work via Society6 (his stuff looks FAB on their pillows BTW) but the glossy prints he brought to NYCC really showcased his vibrant color work - had to to have the Hawkman & Hawkgirl prints.

This year's new and unexpected find - Star Wars/WWII  mash-ups prints by  
Billy Ludwig (Impale Design @ Thirteenth Floor) over in The Block. I always dig these type of
alt history photos when they make the rounds online - at last I have some for the living room wall!