My first table at an indie-convention. I felt hopeful that I would do better here than San Diego or Wondercon, because those are both fairly mainstream conventions. I hoped people would appreciate my black and white aesthetic, and my non-superhero stories. I had three issues completed, and a handful of Ojos as well. However, I wasn’t sure if the more artsy, considerably less mainstream APE-goers would appreciate my more mainstream sensibilities in art and production.
I thought this con would be the big test, to see if I could fit in here or not, with what I viewed as the “cool people,” who liked “cool stuff that’s too cool to be mainstream.”
The floor of APE is vast, but in addition to the floor, there were two aisles, separated from the floor by a staircase. These aisles were completely isolated from the action of the floor below, and I seriously doubt if many people even realized they were allowed to go up there, where all these other artists were. Of course, naturally, I was up in this area. It was one of my worst conventions ever, sales wise. I was surprised how little I sold. I would be staring down my aisle and seeing maybe two people in foot traffic. And then I’d look over the balcony behind me, and see down at the floor, that the aisles were swarming with comics buyers. I had thought my sales would increase each time I had more at the table to sell, but this con was the first to prove my theory wrong.
I like to blame it on this unfindable location where I was placed. Or I like to blame it on the aesthetic of my books, compared to the aesthetics of an “indie” con. Or I like to think maybe my work is so sophisticated and complex that it scares people off. I like to blame it on anything besides myself and my work.
While I was sitting around, I saw Mario Hernandez visiting with other booths nearby (he’s local to this convention), and when he saw me, he said, “Oh, there you are. I’ve been looking for you.” I had emailed him to pop by and say hello, after having a nice visit with him at Wondercon. He was signing at Fantagraphics with his brothers, and wanted to see if I could give him a few copies of my book to put out at his booth, since all three of them had giant monster pin-ups in it. I was flattered. He came back later and said he sold one to another artist. This kind act was the reason I gave him a special thanks in issue four of Tabloia. After his signing, he came and sat with me at my booth and visited. I couldn’t believe it, having Mario sitting behind my table with me. It was really fun. Every now and then, some people would poke around at my stuff, and I’d actually find myself not even bothering to try and sell or promote my work, because I was enjoying hanging out with Mario, better than actually trying to make my table costs back.
I took some time away from my booth to find Daniel Clowes again this year. He didn’t seem to remember my monster stuff that I’d shown him a year before, but I reminded him he had told me that maybe this year his schedule would be a little better. He said, actually it’s worse, because he just had a baby. So I guess there’s always next year. Mario Hernandez later told me Daniel works really slow, and I’m sure that doesn’t help.
I knew Seth would be at the convention, but didn’t know when I’d have a chance to go over and try to meet him. I was seated near the panel discussion area, and glanced up, realizing that a Seth panel was coming up. There was someone that was getting attention from people, standing outside the door. He wore a very sleek, gray, three piece suit. He also had some kind of retro, stylish hat (it makes me wish I knew my wardrobes better), a walking cane, and white gloves. I had a feeling this could be Seth, and went up to him to try and read the name on his badge. Of course it was face down, so I finally asked if he was Seth and introduced myself. He removed a glove to shake my hand. He was the image of posture and manners. I showed him my book, and he showed interest, and voiced an appreciation of the giant monster stories, which surprised me. Who knew how far the Kirby-fandom spreads! He said he was very busy, but to feel free to contact him. He passed me a business card, which read, “A pleasure to make your acquaintance” and his email. Interesting fellow.
Elizabeth, my wife, came down Saturday, but couldn’t make it Sunday. She got a ride home with a friend. It was good to have her there that first day, because it gave me the chance to poke around a little. I was out of luck for this on Sunday. I wound up just sitting behind my table, with no one coming by, since I was tucked up away in a weird corner that no one realized was even there. Finally, after just sitting there for so long watching nothing, I pulled out some blank sheets of paper, and started jotting down brainstorms, general situational plots, or even dialogue and scripts for Doris Danger stories. I plotted out about four stories, and was busting myself up behind my table. The few people that walked by my table must have thought I was a lunatic. But even though sales were poor, it felt really productive getting all that Doris Danger work done.