Just got back from Comic-Con International (my first visit in 20 years) and I'm exhausted, overstimulated, and overwhelmed. It was like being dropped onto the surface of an alien world. The good news? Everyone on the planet is very much like you, filled with the same strange passions for all things fantastic, magical, and larger than life. (Especially in the case of the guy doing the Galactus cosplay.)
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| With Heath Corson at my Spotlight Panel, Inkpot in hand |
To recycle an old 60's phrase: It was a trip. But spending time with my daughter, Katie, and son in law, Ben—who were the best assistants I could ever ask for—meeting up with old and new friends, and getting to interact with the amazing, heartfelt people who read my work made the lunacy worthwhile. |
| With my amazing daughter, Katie. |
One lovely moment came at the top of my spotlight panel (hosted by my buddy Heath Corson) when SDCC's Tommy Goldbach presented me with the Inkpot Award "for achievement in comic arts." It's going on a shelf in my office, right next to my Eisner. All three of my panels were great fun and the two signings brought me face to face with a wonderful group of heartfelt, appreciative fans. Some of these encounters with the people who read and appreciate my work were deeply moving. As I've often said, I spend a good part of my time alone in a room, playing with my imaginary friends, so stepping out of that bubble and getting to meet and talk with people who have been impacted by the stories I write leaves me profoundly grateful and, sometimes, just plain stunned. (In the very best way possible.)
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| With Patton Oswalt and the Minor Threats crew |
Thanks, Comic-Con. Thanks, Katie and Ben. Thanks most of all to those aforementioned fans. I repeat: It was a trip. A great one.
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| The crew from the "Evolution of the Superhero" panel |
nice.
ReplyDeleteIt was.
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