Six Days to Comic-Con 2009

Chris Carrera holds the variant issue of DC's biggest summer event, The Blackest Night #1
(Photo by Sylvia Quintanilla)

By Sylvia Quintanilla
For the Sun-News

LAS CRUCES ‹ For 40 years, comic fans, writers and artists have gathered in
San Diego, Calif., for the most anticipated comic convention, Comic-Con
International. The sea of costumed fans and incognito celebrities can be
found at the July four day event.

According to The Comic-Con Magazine, the convention "started in 1970 by an
enthusiastic band of comic, science fiction, and movie fans." The first Con
had just 300 people in attendance; in 2007 125,000 people were in
attendance. The yearly summer convention "has grown to become the country's
largest comics and popular arts event."

"I expect to experience the genuine feel of the comic book industry with
fans and publishers alike," said Chris Carrera, 21, a senior at New Mexico
State University.

The 40th Anniversary of Comic-Con will be the first time Carrera will be
attending. The exclusive collectibles and comics have had Carrera saving his
money for July.

"I'll be going as a Jedi for a couple of days," said Leah Traina, 19, a
sophomore at NMSU. Traina and her friend wanted to go to their first
Comic-Con last year, but "weren't able to pull it together." Traina and her
friend will also be dressing up as a few Marvel Comics favorites, the Wasp
and Scarlet Witch.

Traina, who read her first comic at 8 years old when her dad gave her his
"old of Calvin and Hobbes books," didn't really start getting into them
until four years later. Traina's favorite hero is X-Men's Gambit.

"I've been reading comics since I was three, but before I could read, I was
always entranced by the detailed works," said Carrera.

Carrera's favorite hero is Batman: "I've always had an appreciation for the
character's development and felt sorrow when the mantle of the cowl was
passed on to his protégé Nightwing."

Comic-Cons feature panel discussions from writers from DC Comics, Marvel
Comics and many more publishers. Movies of the sci-fi genre as well as comic
related are always a big draw at the Con. This year, the cast of the
Twilight Saga: New Moon will return to San Diego to discussion their highly
anticipated release.

Films have always been at the Con, according to www.ew.com, in 1976
attendees were shown "slides from a movie called 'Star Wars,' a year before
the film's release."

"I think comic books have had a great impact in bringing some Las Crucens
together," said Carrera. "The New Mexico State University Comic Book League
meets every week to discuss current events in the comic book universes."
Both Carrera and Traina are members of the League.

Las Crucen Alvin Diaz, 29, owner of The Cave Comics and Games, said fashion
and entertainment have affected Las Cruces; comic movies have midnight
releases at the Allen Theatres. Diaz said, "I see more people nowadays
wearing T-shirts and/or sporting tattoos of their favorite comic
characters."

Diaz, who has been to Comic-Con twice, said the event is important since it
helps comics. "It helps comics by bringing them into the mainstream," he
said. "Helps against the stigma that comics are just for the immature."

"Comic books are used as a world compass," said David Gibbs, 40, owner of
Dave's Comics and Games in Las Cruces. He said people have told him they are
better people thanks to the Green Lantern and Batman for their "code and
honor."

Comic-Con International will be July 23-26 at the San Diego Convention
Center.