The Pre-Con show

Okay, so technically the con didn't start until Friday, but there is just no way I can write this report without mentioning Thursday's big event, EVIL DEAD The Musical.  

I first heard about the this bit of theatrical history a few year ago when it was originally being produced and shown (at the Just For Laughs festival I believe), and I remember thinking at the time "Wow, I have no idea how that'll work, but at least someone came up with a musical that I'd actually like to see for a change."  Of course being from Winnipeg I never thought that I'd have the chance to see it, but as fate would have it, the show managed to make its way back to Toronto just in time for comic con.

Now to be honest I'm far from being a fan of musicals.  In fact the only musical type performance I ever remember enjoying was the Buffy musical episode that came out a few years ago.  Still, I love the Evil Dead movies, so my hopes were running pretty high.  The thing is though, the show didn't exactly live up to my expectations.  What it did instead was kick my expectations square in the balls for being far too low, and then proceeded to be just about the most entertaining couple of hours I've ever had without needing to use a condom!

In other words, EVIL DEAD The Musical fucking rocks!

The writers took their cues from a trio of amazingly fun / funny and gory films, and instead of just doing a rehash set to a musical score, used them as the roadmap to create an entirely new experience.  I should also mention that whoever's idea it was splatter the first few rows with fake blood, deserves a goddamn medal (though I am kinda disappointed that I personally only caught a few drops, while the woman sitting in front of me was lucky enough to walk out of that theater looking like an extra from The Texas Chainsaw Massacre!).

And as for the actors...wow.  They did such an incredible job of filling every moment of the production with so much humour, fun, and energy, it leaves no doubt in your mind that this is more than just another gig for them.  Yes, I know they're actors, and selling their characters to the audience is what they do, but there is just no mistaking it when someone enjoys the hell out of there work, which is exactly what you see on stage from beginning to end.

Now I hate to play favourites, especially in this case when everyone involved was so fantastic, but I will say that I found my attention thoroughly captured by Rachel Fischer (who played Cheryl) every time she was on stage.  This woman is so expressive and kinetic it's damn near impossible not to notice her.  And no, I'm not just saying that because she's from Winnipeg (though that does go a long way towards explaining why she's so talented ;P).

Anyway, I guess what I'm saying here is if you're in Toronto or the greater Toronto area (which I've been told has managed to steadily expand so that it now encompasses part of the moon), and you're not planning on going to this show, you're depriving yourself of a very unique experience.  So please, do yourself a favour, and go!

PS: oh, and in case you were wondering, my favourite songs were "Ode to an Accidental Stabbing" and "Do the Necronomicon".

Three Days in Paradise 

The Con...

I've mentioned a few times now that Paradise was the first "major" con I've ever had a table at, and therefore had no idea what to expect.  Add in the fact that it's held in a city I've never been to before, nor had any idea where anything was or how to get there, and the whole experience was proving to be rather stressful on the days leading up to it.

Well now that it's all over, I feel it's my duty to pass on five tips that I learned from my trip that might help alleviate some of the anxiety others may feel and / or help them be better prepared the first time they head off to promote their work.

1) If you're feeling kinda lost, and you're not sure where the venue is that the con is being held at, don't be afraid to ask people you meet on the street for directions.  However, if you can avoid it, try not to ask them while you are standing right in front of the building you're looking for.  There is nothing more embarrassing than asking for directions, only to have the person look at you like you've just sprouted a third leg from your forehead and say "Okay, what you do is walk about ten feet forward towards this big honkin' building here...and then stop.  You can't miss it." 

Well, almost nothing...

2) If you don't know anyone at the con you're attending, and you want to make an impact on the people around you, do something to amuse your fellow artists.  I found exploding half a can of Jolt all over my lap shortly before the con starts is the perfect icebreaker.  Plus it gives you an opportunity to meet new people as you're forced to stop total strangers and beg them to grab you some paper towels (more on that later in the report).

Speaking of which...

3) Be sure to bring paper towels with you to the con...and a change of pants wouldn't hurt either.

Also...

4) Bring some food and drinks with you (and may I suggest the drinks be non-carbonated).  Saving money is important, especially if part of the reason you're at the con is to try and sell some merchandise and make a bit of extra cash.  So being forced to pay $7.00 for a sandwich or $2.75 for a bottle of Coke can get a bit taxing on the wallet after a while.  Seriously, at those prices I'd prefer it if the vending machine would just go ahead and pull a gun on you before you give them your money.  It would seem like a much more honest type of financial transaction that way.

And last but not least...

5) Make sure you have enough deodorant to use under both arms for the entire weekend.  All I can say is I'm glad the AC was cranked on Sunday, 'cause otherwise who knows how many lives would've been lost each time I had to lift my arm to do a con sketch that day.

The Artists...

For obvious reasons my favourite thing about going to cons has always been checking out the work being displayed in artist's alleys.  I don't think I've ever gone to one where I haven't had the experience of finding amazing work done by at least one person who I'd previously never known about before, and Paradise was no exception.  Granted this time out, because I had to stick close to my own table most of the time, I wasn't able to spend as much time wandering as I would've liked.  Still, I did manage to see some fantastic work, and meet some very talented people.

Such as...

Lady Yates of Earthsong

There is a very important reason I'm mentioning Miss Yates first, and it's not just that she's a brilliant artist (though she is that).  Nor is it because of all the endless praise I've heard from my friend Pete about her webcomic (much deserved praise I might add).  No, it's because she is an extremely kind woman who was nice enough to help out a complete stranger after he set off a carbonated sugar bomb on his lap.  Thank you so much!  I can only hope that one day I'll be able to return the favour!

Oh, btw, Earthsong: Volume One is currently up for sale at amazon for less then $11.00, which given the quality of her work, is a freakin' steal!  So please consider picking up a copy.

Jennie Breeden of The Devil's Panties

Jennie is someone I've been looking forward to meeting for a while now, so I was thrilled when I found out I'd finally get the chance in Toronto.  She is without a doubt the queen of cons (I mean that in regards to her attending various conventions of course, and not in the Ilsa the Wicked Warden prison con type of way).  On top of which she's also a very funny and engaging person, who in my mind deserves all the success she's received.   Also given the fact that she attends about 400 cons a year, I'm fairly certain I'll get a chance to cross paths with her again, and I'll certainly be looking forward to doing so.

Nigel Sade

Up until the con I've only ever had the chance to meet Nigel (aka: The Pirate) whenever he'd show up in the pages of Jennie's strip (he's much taller in person btw).  Nigel's a really cool guy to talk to, and has a ton of great stuff for sale.  In fact when I was flipping through his prints, and I stumbled upon this particular piece, it wasn't a matter of me thinking that I should buy it, but rather that I knew I had to buy it.  Also it should be noted that when you get Nigel and Jennie together in close proximity, you're going to be treated to some comedic chemistry usually reserved for vaudeville. 

Danielle Corsetto of Girls With Slingshots

By now y'all have no doubt heard me talk about both Lar and Hawk as being major artistic inspirations for me.  Well a few months ago I found a third name to add to that short list, and that name is Danielle Corsetto.  It's just one of those rare cases when someone's art strikes a cord and you seem to gain a lot deep artistic insight / inspiration from just from studying their work.  Speaking of her artwork, you should of course head on over to GWS, but more than that, if you ever have the chance be sure to check out her con sketches as well.  Or better yet commission one from her.  Trust me, it's well worth the money!

Plus given the fact that I respect her work so much, it was a relief to discover that she's a really wonderful person to meet in person.  Also she's got to be the only woman I've ever met who is more sarcastic than I am (which for those of you who know me well, know that's no small feat).

Sarah Davis of The Awakened

Sarah's table was right next to Lady Yates, and I'm glad it was too.  Because given how little time I had to spend wandering around, I'm not sure if I would have the chance to check it out otherwise.  Which would've been a damn shame, 'cause Sarah has one of the most unique art styles I've seen in a long time. On top of which she had a slew of prints and other merchandise up for sale that looked fan-freakin'-tastic.  I only wish I had more cash to spend.  Still, she was kind enough to give me a deal on one of her posters. Thanks Sarah!  

As well I was lucky enough to get the chance to chat with her a bit, and she is such a cool, down to earth woman (Btw, what is it with so many of the artists I met at the con being such great people to talk to?  I mean I thought we were supposed to be all dark and brooding, aloof malcontents?  Come on folks, this is going to ruin our image...).

Tara Tallan of Galaxion

One thing I should explain about how the artist's area was set up is that there were two sections of it, each separated in the middle by a "kids area".  Now while my table and those of everyone I've already mentioned above were located on the side that was pretty much full up and right next to a lot of the guest artists, the other area was damn near empty.  This in turn pretty much screwed over the artists in that much more barren zone as far as traffic flow was concerned.  Tara, unfortunately, was one of those artists who were stuck in that particular dead zone.  Which is really unfortunate, as that most likely meant a lot of people missed out on the chance to check out the beautiful work she does.

So if you weren't at the con, or were, but missed Tara's table, please go check out her webcomic.  She has a ton of pages up in her archives, and her work is really something to see.  Also her work is being sold in print, and as I was lucky enough to get my hands on a few issues, I can honestly say it's a great read.  In fact I had one person come up and ignore all the stuff on my table except for the issues of her comic that I had sitting out to read when things got slow (hmm...maybe in the future I should only stock my table with other peoples work).

TO BE CONTINUTED...