There was so much to see and do during Stan Lee’s Comikaze Expo 2015, this year that it’s taken quite a bit longer than I would like to admit to do my wrap up or impressions of the show. The weeks since Comikaze have been filled with ConCrud, tendonitis flare and emotional turmoil that comes with the holidays which all added up to a delay in getting through all the photos from the show.
Now as time has finally permitted the completion of the photo editing with the added reflection on the moments they capture I can’t help but smile at the moments that added up to a great show. Even with the challenge of being split across two halls the Comikaze team did a fantastic just of addressing any issues that came up quickly. Having witnessed Regina Carpinelli rushing about to ensure everything ran smoothly I can assure you we were all in very capable hands and I hope she was able to take a well deserved rest once the dust settled.
But enough of that, you want to know about the moments. So without further ado let me tell you about them.
For me the best find of the show was running into Rafael Navarro before I could even pick up my badge. Why was this the best find of the show? It saved me having to figure out where he was located on the show floor so I could commission what has become the 3rd in a series that I’ve had him do so I would be able to gift them to a friend. This time though Rafael decided I would have to wait to see what he came up with and I wasn’t permitted to peek at it as a work in progress. Let me tell you it was worth it. Though my friend and her family have seen photos of it, I still have to package it up and ship it which I am a bit leery of doing until after the holiday shipping insanity is over. Would hate for it to get lost or damaged so she will get the last 2 sketches after the holidays.
Once the badge was picked up, the press room located, it was time to join the masses for the wait for the doors to open. Though there was a little confusion with the mass of people that they were trying to direct and the fact the main part of the show was not in the hall everybody was used to. It was well managed and once the doors opened we funneled in and started to spread out to explore, score exclusives, find friends and more. After a quick stop to say hi to the Top Cow crew it was time for the initial exploration to see what could be seen.
This exploration quickly led to what became one of my favorite stops as I would wander the floor, Sev’s Wood Crafts. Not only were the items varied, pens, bottle stoppers, wine stands, and so much more. But Sev was warm, friendly and willing to answer tons of questions. There are a few of his items that I am sure I will be returning to his site to order. Was definitely a fun booth to stop back at and keep discovering items I had not noticed on prior visits.
Hot Topic and Stan Lee’s Collectibles booths both definitely had something going on that I may have missed out on. How else can one explain the long line of people patiently waiting their turn. While I did manage to at least check out and be tempted by a few of the collectibles, there were so many things to see and do that I didn’t want to miss them by standing in line waiting my turn. One of these days though that will just have to change as there were a few I saw that would look great being added to my collection.
Another fun find was Dragonmarsh with their teas, incenses, fandom themed “santa” hats and best of all oils. This was a sensory break from the rest of the show as I explored the scents of the various oils before settling on one that just needed to be purchased then and there. Hoping to hear form them should they ever acquire the Dragons Blood oil that I am always on the look out for which sadly was not in their inventory at the show.
What became the most surprising, unexpectedly repeated occurrence throughout the weekend, moments of the show were conversations with authors and editors not only about a writing contest they think I should consider, but simply the honest open encouragement regarding my aspirations. To receive this type of encouragement from writers/editors that I had not met before, for them to provide this simply based on the conversations we were having and never having read my work, was unexpected and heartwarming. They left me with much to consider.
Beyond the art, the comics, the various items we can purchase at a Comic Con, this is one of the things I love most. Creative people that have been there. That have been the unknown dreamer. The writer nobody may have read. The artist whose work may have only been seen by a handful. The ones with the dream and no idea yet how they would achieve it. They know the self doubt most creative people experience about what in reality can be such a personal thing to share. They know this so well that they in turn share encouragement with those they recognize those dreams within. Those that are not yet sure what that next step should be or that anybody would even wish to see, read or hear what it is they are creating. The encouragement, advice and even just friendly understanding ear to discuss it all with, that is what makes Comikaze and other comic cons more than just a market to by comics and comic related art and items. It is what brings it full circle to grow the next writers, artists and even fans. After all, without the artists and writers what would we be fans of?
But enough of my blathering on about why I loved Stan Lee’s Comikaze Expo 2015, and to think I have only been touching on moments from the first day so far. Let’s take that visual journey by seeing what my camera captured on Friday of Comikaze.
