Comic-Con

So I’m headed to Comic-Con this year. Most of the time I’ll be at the UDON booth, 4529 (graphic to the right) but I’m taking a full day off this year (Friday) for more meetings, and to see people I feel like I’ve missed over the past few years.

I find that, nearly despite myself, I’m excited to go.

It’s kind of strange, the last few years Comic-Con has become ‘just another con’ in my schedule in a lot of ways, although obviously the largest and the biggest undertaking on my calendar. I mean, I’ve pretty much figured out how to “do” Comic-Con with a maximum of comfortability and accomplishment, and most of the obnoxious shit about the show (getting tickets, getting hotels, shipping, organizing) is all working out just fine now, almost on autopilot. The best part is still getting to see friends I don’t get to see very often, even though that’s often relegated to a quick drink, a late dinner, or a hug/high-five on the con floor. Bumping into people at parties. It’s nice, it’s okay, it doesn’t really stress me out that much anymore, but it’s not special.

But this year… I’ve had occasion to hear from a bunch of people for whom Comic-Con is not just special, but the most special, the pinaccle of their comics experience. Usually I find that kind of energy off-putting, because it comes with a lot of other baggage. Like the dude who was super angry that Comic-Con was coming up with ways (wristbands) for people not to need to camp out wearing diapers for 4 days to get into Hall H, because he was ‘hardcore’. Like I said: off-putting energy.

For whatever reason though, I’m kinda feeling it this year, getting a little excited, and enjoying the positive energy that people are putting out. People excited to exhibit for the first time, sign at their pub’s booth, (flatteringly) people that wanna meet me. Hell, people that are just excited to go. It’s nice.

So yeah, I’m totally looking forward to going to Comic-Con. I’ve been working about 80 hours a week for the past two weeks, I’m here at work typing on a Saturday trying to get ready, but yeah, I’m excited.

Hopefully I’ll see ya there!

– Chris

P.S.: I’m on the following two panels too, come say hi.