C4 2013 and Creating Bridges

 

(Left to Right: Ren McKenzie & Son, Mark Waid, Dustin Carson, Christopher Kouse, Victor Dandridge Jr., Matthew Smith P.H.D.)

    Let's talk C4,... and I am not talking about the explosive, but it's just as dynamite (yes, I know how cheesy that was). This past weekend Wittenberg University hosted the fifth annual Champion City Comic Con. I can honestly say that this convention, by far, has been one of the greatest convention I have ever attended. Not that I haven't attended many conventions, or to put others down, but this was the first time I felt like I was amongst family. Being able to attend a con where you know half of the talent really makes the time fly, and sadly, the convention is only run for one day. Local artists Victor Dandridge Jr., Bill Gladman, Dustin Carson, retailers Pete Bell from "Bell, Book" and Comic, Jessie Noble, Frank Raynor and Mark Waid were all in attendance this year and helped pull off a fantastic show. Let's not forget the host's, "Main Street Comics and Games" who wove this all together; most notably Scott Riley. Costume contests, Fanboy Feud, which I was selected as a participant for, and an auction to raise money for "The Hero Initiative," were just a few of the panels at the event. Awesomely enough, they managed to raise $800.

(Fanboy Feud: The Waid's vs. The Dandridge's)

     As a striving artist in the comic book scene, you will quickly learn that the secret to success is about who you know. Whether its an artist who is willing to illustrate a story you wrote, or a friend who can help promote your work, the comic book convention has always been an open door to making new friends. In the previous years, either at C4 or Gem City Comic Con, I had an opportunity to touch bases with a lot of the local talent, it was only by going to these shows that I was able to take a risk at purchasing some of their work. An even better feeling, is seeing them again the following year to talk with them about their stories; and what artist doesn't like a fan-base. Sharing ideas and encouraging one another is the heart of the local comic book community. I would like say that this is true throughout all of the comic book community but it may be too bold of a statement to make. Over the years, many conventions have switched from being about comic books, to more of a costume contest and a meet and greet. Not that those things are bad, but it's just become too expensive.
     Comic books are an art, and somewhere along the line they have been perverted into becoming cash cows; if it's the movies or the cartoons, I really can't say, because I enjoy those too. What I do know is that being able to hang out with good friends, talking with them about what you have a passion for, and being able to pick up some great literature to hold you over for a while is something I really enjoy. At the "Comic Book League" meetings we have at Wright State University each week, I try to make it my goal, as President, to keep our group up to date on local conventions in town. I don't do this to try and make myself look good, or to make someone else get rich; I do it because I know that with the proper motivation and encouragement, each of our members has a talent that is just waiting to be tapped into. But I digress.

 (Dustin Carson, author of "No Gods"; Christopher Kouse)

(Victor Dandridge Jr.; Vantage Inhouse Productions; Christopher Kouse)

     This past Thursday night, before the con, I was given a great opportunity. Wright State University was hosting an event entitled "X-Men: Overcoming Adversity," and I was asked to give a brief 3-5 minute opening of who the X-Men were. Sounds simple enough right? Ha! In all honesty, I was terrified. Not because my knowledge was flawed, but more so because I am not the best of public speakers. However, I knew I had to do this; this was my foot in the door to promote the "Comic Book League," to make new friends, and top of that, I didn't want to look like an idiot in front of, one of my favorite writers, Mark Waid. I also had two fellow promoters of comics in the classroom on the panel, Christy Blanch and "The Doctor" himself, Matt Smith P.H.D. who probably know more about the X-Men that I ever will. Needless to say, the response I got from everyone about my speech was so encouraging. Before the event I had never met Craig This, the director of the event, but somehow I managed to hit on every topic that he had prepared for the panelists to discuss that night. The pieces fell together and I felt renewed about what I was doing as a writer, and who I wanted to become. I can only hope that once I have more free time to work on my own stories that the people I make as friends now, that are in the comic industry, will be there for me when I decide to make that plunge.

(X-Men: Overcoming Adversity panel)

(The first 17 min of the panel discussion, including my speech)

     One final thought; I am sorry my updates have been far and few between lately. I have recently been swamped with work and school. However, I have been reading some pretty awesome stuff lately and look forward to reviewing it all in the coming months. On a positive note, one of my pieces of writing entitled, Jekyll Hyde Banner Hulk was recently published by my school's literary journal, the Nexus. You can read it on this blog or by going clicking HERE. Should you like to follow my work and support me, the best way is to join my facebook group by clicking the icon below. Also, I am always looking for feedback and questions. Thanks.