27 August 2017

Boise Public Library Comic Con

I am working every weekend between now and the end of September to make sure all of my work gets done before the government's fiscal year is over, but I took off a little early yesterday to attend the Boise Public Library's Comic Con. For a library convention, there was a surprisingly large amount of stuff to do and see there.


The local Star Wars cosplay groups were out in Force, with representatives from the 501st Legion's Timberline Garrison for the Imperial cosplayers and the Takodana Base on the Rebel side. One of the Stormtroopers let my 8 year-old hold his blaster rifle. Our 6 year-olds were too intimidated to be in the picture.

Some of the cosplayers had their own trading cards printed up, and I grabbed whichever ones I could. I think I wound up with four of them, but they got tucked away in my wife's purse and I haven't asked her for them yet.


There was a pretty big room set up with LEGO displays and a table with a lot of pieces for kids to build. One of the twins focused his energy on building the tallest tower possible. He also liked the Great Ball Contraption that was set up on one side of the room, basically a LEGO Rube Goldberg device that moves little plastic balls around a loop of different machines.


The other twin built a complicated aircraft, while our eldest spent most of his time looking at the builds on display and asking us to come and look at his most exciting finds.


There was a pretty impressive guest list in the Artist Alley, with local artists as well as artists from around the Northwest and beyond. We were able to obtain a few sketch commissions, with the first being this Nightcrawler sketch by a local artist named Joe Bradshaw.


Steve Lieber was probably the biggest name on the guest list as far as published comic book work is concerned. We got a head sketch of Rogue from him for a very reasonable price. My social anxiety ramps up when I am out with the whole family, so I found it difficult to approach and interact with the artists. Luckily my wife was able to do most of the talking while I hung back and derped around.


Finally, we commissioned two small sketches from artist Ron Chan. We asked for Power Girl and Leia, and these sketches are perfect. I really like the Power Girl sketch. For the Leia sketch we asked for any version except Leia as Jabba's slave, and he surprised us with General Leia. I hadn't even considered that version of the character, but once I saw it I was really happy to have it. I think this might be my first sketch of older Leia.

I wasn't sure what to expect from a local library comic convention, but this one was really a nice surprise. There was plenty of stuff to see and do, and I wish we'd had more time and money to spend on art. There was enough stuff to keep the kids occupied, and there were a lot of panels and exhibitions that we didn't even get to see, like a display by the local wrestling club, some craft activities, belly dancing, a cosplay contest, and discussions for people looking to break into the comics industry. It might be worth checking to see if your local library has a comic convention or similar event.

8 comments:

  1. I have never even heard of a library holding such an event before! It looks like it would have been fun to go to. And I really dig that Rogue sketch.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It was pretty fun. I think we're definitely going to make it a regular thing if they keep bringing it back. The Rogue sketch is cool. She's usually the character my wife requests when it's her turn.

      Delete
  2. Awesome sketches! I couldn't help but stare at Boba Fett (the one in front). Now I know what I'd look like if I ever decide to dress up as my favorite bounty hunter for Halloween.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I wanted to ask, "Aren't you a little short for a Mandalorian?" as a riff on Leia asking Luke if he wasn't a little short for a Stormtrooper, but I figured 1) that would be rude and 2) they've probably heard that joke at least once before.

      Delete
  3. Sounds like a good time! Thanks for sharing the sketches. Pretty cool!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It was a good time! We weren't sure if we were going to go or not, but we're glad we went. I was surprised at the number of sketches we were able to come away with.

      Delete
  4. Awesome! I didn't know full-on conventions held in libraries was a thing, but I guess it makes quite a bit of sense, now that I think about it. Some of the usual Free Comic Book Day events here were held at the library this year. Also love those sketches, especially Nightcrawler. I appreciate the bit of Kirby Krackle on it because drawing it can be very tough of on the hand/wrist.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Supposedly they are becoming a more common thing. I imagine Boise is just the right location for one. We've got a decent population, but not big enough for the big promoters to ever drop a convention on us. I hope the artists were overall able to generate enough work that they'll be interested in returning. The Nightcrawler did turn out very well.

      Delete