362 Days Until Comic-Con 2010

The 40^th Anniversary of Comic-Con came to an end Sunday. I had many mixed feelings for one, I'm still giddy over experiencing one of the true geeky moments ever. At the Blackest Nigh Panel Saturday, a fan asked if we could all repeat what occurred before the screening of Green Lantern: First Flight Thursday. We all rose as Geoff Johns lead the fans in the Green Lantern oath. I'm still kicking myself for not taking a photo of fans with their fist in the air charging their rings.

I am so happy that the drawings for the Green Lantern figures were done (managed to leave the convention center with all colors, but only one of the blue, anyone want to help?), for at least a year, we won’t have to deal with the drunken power hungry Elite staff (so rude!), but sadly, the weekend is over and it’s time to return home.

I managed to attend one last panel Sunday, Women of Marvel. Writers and artists for Marvel, Marjorie Liu (Dark Wolverine), Christina Strain (World War Hulk), Colleen Coover (Marvel Adventures,) Sonia Oback (X-Force) and Emily Warren (Secret Invasion). I originally thought this would be a discussion on such icons like Sue Storm or Emma Frost. Instead it was a talk about how women can get into the comic business.

Liu, who is a New York Times bestselling author, was an established novelist and broke into the comic business that way. She said that she came to her first Con and handed out a card. After three years of talks, she made it.

Other panelist talked how aspiring writers need to “do comics of your own.” You don’t need to seek an artist like Jim Lee either, since telling a story by drawing stick figures works too. Another pro said that comics don’t “have to be super hero” focused anymore, “can be adventure or slice of life.”

Women of Marvel Panel (Photo taken by Chris Carrera)

Strain answered the question of why not many women are in the comic industry, “the reason there isn’t women in comics is because there aren’t women looking.” She said most girls are holding their boyfriend’s place in line at Cons instead of getting portfolios reviewed. However, female artist in Europe are trying to get into comics in America.

X-Men #500 cover colored by Strain (http://www.pinkkryptonite.com/DodsonUXM500.jpg)

Strain spoke of coloring one of the variant covers of X-Men #500 where the ladies take center stage, heard of an article in which the author called the piece sexist and objectifying women. What the other didn’t know is that three women worked on the cover. Strain said, “You don’t have to save me from the evils of Marvel.”

With the next Comic-Con set for July 22, 2010, it’s very sorrowful, but at least I have time to save up for the possible raise in ticket prices and the rumor that Comic-Con might move to Las Vegas to accommodate the increasing amount of multimedia fan base.