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Home , Bill Schelly, Bjo Trimble, Brinke Stevens, Carol Kalish, Chester Gould, Comics and Comix

50 Years of Comic-Con EXCERPTED FROM THE 2019 SOUVENIR BOOK Comic-Con celebrated its 50th consecutive summer event in in 2019. For this special occasion, we commissioned author , known for his books on and creators, to do a definititive article on the history of the event. As usual, Bill did an incredible job, interviewing over 40 past and pres- ent Comic-Con luminaries. Sadly, it turned out to be one of the last major articles Bill wrote; he passed away in September 2019. We present Bill’s article in its entirety as it appeared in this year’s Souvenir Book.

COMIC-CON 50 www.comic-con.org 1 THE COMIC-CON OF DESTINY

Award-winning author and comic fandom expert BILL SCHELLY (: The Man Who Created MAD and Revolutionized Humor) explores the fifty-year history of Comic-Con from its humble beginnings in 1970 in a San Diego hotel basement through its rise to become the world’s premier comics and pop culture event.

COMIC-CON 50 Art by COMIC-CON 50 2 2019 Souvenir Book www.comic-con.org 3 Kirby biographer explained, aspects of such events. Still, it was Dorf other professional guest was comics artist “The main reason was daughter Lisa’s asth- who remained the . later , who had done a great deal of ma and her need to live in a drier climate described how Dorf helped them set a date work for (Gold ) and [than state]. But Jack had another for the event, meet with local press to an- was drawing stories for Creepy and at reason. Kirby had hopes that being close nounce the con, and come up with a name. this time. He demonstrated his art tech- to might bring him entry to the Concerned that some people might not niques in a chalk talk. The event’s schedule movie business. Film seemed like the next know where San Diego was, they decided listed Bob Sourk as chairman, Richard Alf as logical outlet for his creativity.” Moving from to call it the Golden State Comic-Con. Dorf co-chairman, and as advisor and New York to was a pattern that took them to a meeting with the local visi- founder. Krueger handled registration. seemed built into the way the North Ameri- tor’s bureau, where they caught a break. The Mini-Con courted more than just can continent was settled. Both the movie Dorf: “I went to the visitor’s convention bu- and fans, monster and television industries had started in the reau, and I met a guy who was really help- fans, and fans; the flier stated east, then moved west. would ful. He suggested that we plan two conven- the event would also cater to fans of pulp remain the country’s financial capital, but tions. The first would be a one-day thing, magazines, old time radio, movie serials California was destined to become its en- with a three-day con to be held later on. (including showing a Gordon serial), tertainment hub. This fellow said that if we promised a ho- and Big Little Books. Appealing to such di- The first visit of Dorf and the young fans tel that we would give them the three-day verse interests worked well. In the end, the to the Kirby home occurred on November convention, they’d give us the space for the attendance figure went over 100 (some say 9, 1969. While the visitors munched on one-day minicon for nothing. A very clever to 145), making it a small success in its own hamburgers, they discussed their ideas for arrangement!” right (for its time), and it raised money to LEFT: Shel Dorf. RIGHT: At the first visit to on Nov. 9, 1969, in Irvine, CA (left to right, back row): Dan Stewart, Bob Sourk, Richard Alf, and Shel Dorf; Barry Alfonso (in front), Jack “King” Kirby (center), and Wayne Kincaid. a convention. One turned to Kirby and help pay for the three-day convention com- said something along the lines of, “Jack, “Lifelong friendships are ing four months later. The schedule for the we’re at the point now where we’re trying to formed at these conven- gathering advised, “Lifelong friendships A t the dawn of the 1960s, apprecia- several comics professionals in attendance famous dictum “Go West, young man!” and decide whether this should be just strictly a are formed at these conventions. Be sure tion for comic books, science fiction, and (notably Spider-Man co-creator Steve moved to San Diego in mid-1969, he real- comic convention, or if we should include tions. Be sure you take you take time to exchange addresses and literature was not to be found in Ditko), but the truth is that the first fully- ized there was no comics convention in the fans of science fiction, the fans of films, time to exchange ad- phone numbers. The years to come will see mainstream American culture. In those blown comic conventions didn’t occur until the Golden State (or anywhere on the West and so on. What would your idea about this us grow and San Diego will take its rightful days, comic books were considered trash; the following year. (Editor’s note: The comic Coast of the ). What he did be?” The veteran artist essentially endorsed dresses and phone num- place in the world of fandom.” when young people continued to read conventions owe a nod to science fiction and find, however, was a substantial number of Shel Dorf’s policy of inclusion: “I’d say do it bers. The years to come San Diego’s Golden State Comic-Con was them into their teenage years, they courted fantasy gatherings, which were around since fans living in the area who were interested all!” he is said to have replied. “Do comics held August 1–3, 1970, in the same base- ridicule from family and friends. Often they 1939 with the first World Science Fiction Con- in forming a comics club. Actually, they and do anything that’s been relevant to it. will see us grow and San ment location in the U.S. Grant as the Mini- kept it a secret. For the vast majority of vention [] in ; many found him, when a plucky, 12-year-old fan I know that comic fans have also been in- Diego will take its right- Con. Krueger served as chairman. Jack Kirby those teenage (and older) fans, collecting people who attended these events were also named Barry Alfonso saw Dorf’s “old com- terested in the movie media, they’ve been ful place in the world of appeared as guest of honor, an important comics was a solitary, lonely hobby. comics fans.) ics for sale” ad in a local newspaper and told interested in the pulp media, and all that show of support. The advertisement in the As a result, when the grassroots move- was a hotbed of fan activity. It him there was another local fan who was has some value to them. I don’t think they fandom.” popular Rocket’s Blast Comicollector ment we know as comic fandom arose in was the home of , founder of the advertising “comics bought and sold” in the want to concentrate on comics alone. If you (#70, Spring 1970) touted him as a “Guest the 1960s, one of fans’ dearest wishes was to fanzine Alter Ego (in 1961), and an aspiring pages of . Thus, Shel Dorf can widen the scope of the convention to —SHEL DORF Speaker and Panelist . . . Yes, Jack Kirby get together with others of like mind. Great named Shel Dorf. Both were 32 was introduced to Richard Alf, who, by his include all these, I think you’ll have a larger in Comic-Con’s 1970 Mini-Con will be appearing in person at the Comic- correspondences coursed through the U.S. years old in 1965 when they formed a com- own description, became Dorf’s “right-hand crowd and a more interesting crowd. And I Program Booklet Con!” A flier created by Scott Shaw!, which Mail, but writing letters offered only a bit of mittee to launch an ambitious convention man,” rounding up a group of teenage fans think you’ll have a great time.” featured images of Mickey Mouse, Mister the feeling that could be generated when in the Motor City. Lacking professional who included , Bob Sourk, and Dorf’s vision and experience putting on San Diego’s Golden State Comic Mini- Natural, , and Snoopy (among fans came together in one place. Those comics writers and artists as an attraction, Dan Stewart. the Triple Fan Fair and his desire to launch Con took place on March 21, 1970. Fans others), announced the admission price of who envisioned such gatherings knew that Dorf supplied the answer: Their conven- From the start, Dorf hoped to put on a such an endeavor made him the logical paid $2 to gather in a basement room in $3.50 for three days. Dorf, who would con- socializing with other fans “in the flesh,” ex- tion would not only be for comics fans but comic convention as he had in Detroit, and leader. Soon, the small group grew, as they the U.S. Grant Hotel, where they would be tinue his role as founder and advisor for amining collectibles in person (rather than would also cater to fans of science fiction broached the subject to the group. They were joined by some fans who were al- able to meet a couple of special guests and years to come, was also able to line up sci- in a catalog), seeing original art up close, and “” cinema. Dorf’s idea to call listened as he told of the founding of the ready buddies at Crawford High School in examine the wares of several local deal- ence fiction writer as a guest, and perhaps getting an autograph from or it the was heartily Detroit Triple Fan Fair, which sounded in- San Diego: Scott Shaw!, John Pound, Greg ers. One of the special guests was Forrest convincing him to waive his usual speaking meeting someone who wrote or drew the accepted by the con committee. The July teresting, but they wondered whether Dorf Bear, Roger Freedman, and Dave Clark J Ackerman (the editor of Famous Monsters fee because it was for an educational event. objects of their fascination would enhance event proved as successful as the equally was “for real.” These doubts were dispelled (nicknamed the Woodchucks, after the of Filmland magazine, who never used a Other guests of note were A. E. van Vogt and their enjoyment of the hobby. Plus, by its ambitious 1965 New York convention, during their second meeting when Dorf group in the comics by Carl period after his middle initial). Dorf always Forry Ackerman. The Con Program Booklet very existence, a comics convention would which was held just a few days later. Thus telephoned Jack Kirby, and gave each of Barks). They, in turn, created a bridge to Ken gave Ackerman credit for making the day featured a color cover by Kirby (and interior be a powerful message of affirmation. began annual, multiday gatherings in those them a chance to speak to the comic book Krueger, a 43-year-old veteran science fic- a success: “He had a lot of firsts to his ca- preview art for his upcoming Fourth World In 1964, the first sizable gatherings of two cities, and soon others (, St. Louis) writer-artist who had co-created much of tion fan who owned a bookstore in nearby reer, and I asked him ‘would you attend the characters at DC), as well as an art portfolio fans occurred in Detroit and New York City. threw similar celebrations of their own. the Marvel Universe. Dorf followed this by Ocean Beach. first Comic-Con in San Diego as our special with sketches by John Romita, , The New York gathering has been tradition- taking a group of them to visit Kirby in the Krueger, a former resident of Buffalo, guest?’ He accepted, and paid for it out of , , Russ Man- ally called the first comic convention, hav- artist’s home in Irvine, California. New York, had attended the first World Sci- his own pocket, too. It was Forry Ackerman’s ning, and numerous comic strip artists, in- ing the advantage of being located in the The Birth of Comic-Con Why had the Kirby family moved from ence Fiction Convention in 1939 and had fame that actually put us on the map and cluding , , and publishing capital of America, and having When Shel Dorf followed Horace Greeley’s New York to the West Coast in 1969? Jack expertise that helped in terms of various started the San Diego Comic-Con off.” The .

COMIC-CON 50 Article © 2019 Bill Schelly COMIC-CON 50 4 2019 Souvenir Book www.comic-con.org 5 Comic-Con Year Two Now that West Coast fans had experienced the thrill that others had known at earlier cons in the East Coast, Midwest, and , another such gathering the following sum- mer was a foregone conclusion. In 1971, it was held in nearby , on the campus of Muir College at the University of Califor- nia, where Con chairman Richard Alf was a student. Guests stayed in dorm rooms on the campus; the dealers’ room was in the cafeteria. Guest of honor The first logo, designed by Shel Dorf. had to cancel, but Jack Kirby was there, as was Ray Bradbury (who came most subse- quent years), (creator The first Golden State Comic-Con was of Captain Future and writer of Superman a rousing success. Each special guest was comics) and Leigh Brackett (who would given his moment to shine: Kirby and Brad- eventually co-write The Empire Strikes Back). bury on Saturday, and Bob Stevens, Earl Richard Alf: “In 1971, as chairman I Kemp, and A. E. van Vogt on Sunday. The worked with Shel and others to expand the cacophony in the dealers’ room was evi- Comic-Con committee base by networking Photo: dence of the excitement and enthusiasm with other outside of our original of the fans as they streamed through the mandate, such as the Society for Creative door. Dorf insisted that the dealers’ room be Anachronism and the Mythopoeia Soci- The El Cortez Years closed during the speeches, panel discus- ety [fans of J.R.R. Tolkien and C. S. Lewis], 1972 was the first year the Con—renamed sions, auctions, film shows, and a - among others. (We found a lot of talent and San Diego’s West Coast Comic Conven- ist chalk talk. According to Mike Towry, who strength through diversity.)” tion—was located at the venerable El was selling comics at the Con, this caused The Program Book provided a teaser by Cortez Hotel. Built in 1927, the landmark grumbling by both dealers and fans and Jack Kirby for the upcoming Superman’s Pal hotel sat atop a hill at the northeast end of was eliminated the following year. An esti- #144 (December 1971, on sale downtown San Diego. A swimming pool mated 300 people attended. Five of them in October), featuring a group of characters was installed in 1952. In 1957, the world’s would return for all subsequent Comic- named the San Diego Five String Mob. They first outside glass elevator was added to the Cons through 2018: Jackie Estrada, Mark were based on (and looked like) members structure’s exterior. Although past its prime Evanier, Gene Henderson, , of the original Con committee: William by the 1970s, the hotel had excellent facili- and Terry Stroud. Lund, Scott Shaw!, Roger Freedman, Mike ties for the dealers’ room. Major programs Gene Henderson later wrote: “My in- Towry, and John Pound, along with a sixth were held in the International Room on the troduction to Comic-Con came on August member named Barri-Boy, based on Barry second floor of convention facilities across 1, 1970, when I read about the Con in my Alfonso. introduced them: “The the street. friend John McGeehan’s House of Info fan- little tykes! They’re playing my song!–‘The The 1972 Con was held on August 18– . At the U.S. Grant, I was introduced to Eve of Destruction!’” 21. and head- Shel Dorf and others, and I asked, ‘Can you All was not peaceful on the Muir cam- lined as special guests. Attendance was use any help?’ They could, and I did for the pus during the Con. Towry recalled, “There about 900. Not many of them, however, next 49 years. The following year I asked were some hijinks going on from some of were women. “One of the things about the my wife, Mary, if she would like to go with the younger attendees, noise and running early days of the San Diego Con,” artist Bill me. To my horror, she said ‘Yes.’ (She hated around, and a little bit of mayhem. We got a Stout recalled, “was the small number of comic books but loved people, especially letter from the dean or the head person we women in attendance. Fandom was largely the attendees). At first, we didn’t join the were dealing with, saying they wished us an all-male phenomenon at the time.” The committee outright due to the distance well on our future endeavors as long as we number of female creators, fans, and volun- from our home in Orange County, but this never darkened their door again. They had teers grew in the 1970s. Some of the best changed when the registrar fell ill. Mary some summer seminars and people had known were Wendy All, Jackie Estrada, June and I stepped in to help.” The couple would come in for some educational programs. Foray (the voice of Rocky the Flying Squir- serve in numerous capacities in the ensuing We found out later that someone who was rel), Mary Henderson, Wendy Pini, Maggie years, Mary as banquet organizer and guest attending a psychology conference on Thompson, , , coordinator, and Gene as security coordina- the campus during the con sent a letter to , and Charlene Brinkman (Brinke tor and archivist, as well as member of the UCSD saying that, ‘As a psychologist, I am Stevens). “I never paid any attention to the A poster promoting the first Comic-Con in 1970. board of directors. familiar with aberrant behavior, but I’ve male-female imbalance,” Thompson later never seen anything like those people!’” said. “There were women there, and after

COMIC-CON 50 Art and characters TM & © 2019 respective copyright holders COMIC-CON 50 6 2019 Souvenir Book www.comic-con.org 7 all, the main thing was that we were fans, to increase profits. This was the year when the Con toward the end of the decade. In- first and foremost.” the con mounted a smaller “Part 2” conven- ternational (such as Filipino art- At least one of the dealers was offering tion (also at the El Cortez) in November, a ists Alex Niño, , , more than vintage collectibles such as old three-day follow-up to the summer event. and Alfred Alcala) appeared at the show, the comics, pulps, and Big Little Books: Bud Richard Butner, who had been volunteer- Robert A. Heinlein Blood Drive was begun, Plant. “I was at the first Comic-Con in 1970, ing in various capacities for the past two and a panel featured the unlikely combina- sharing one eight-foot table with three fel- years, became Con chairman. The following tion of , George Clay- low collectors from San Jose. I think it was year, he became executive VP of the show, a ton Johnson, and Timothy Leary occurred. pretty much all old comics, Gold and Silver position he held through 1982. One of the (Convention guest liaison Wendy All enjoyed Age, stacks of them. But by 1972, my prima- strengths of the Con proved to be its ability a memorable dinner with the charismatic ry focus quickly became the new material, to constantly find new people, like Butner, Leary at the Spaghetti Factory; see sidebar at from like and Squa Tront, to carry the ball and bring new energy and right.) to posters to just about anything comics- vision when others decided it was time to 1978 was the year of the underground related. Frazetta posters became a huge take a step back. comix artists. Harvey Kurtzman, a guest of part of the business, along with portfolios, The “Part 2” Comic-Con held (as an ex- honor, was considered by many to be the which were also a growing trend. My favor- periment) in November 1975 might have godfather of the underground movement. ite thing was introducing other collectors to seemed minor to some, compared to the His presence attracted a large contingent cool new books and comics I handled. It was much larger summer event, but it meant of underground cartoonists, among them WENDY ALL always a kind of an ‘unveiling’ to unpack the the world to a young artist named Jim Val- Dave Sheridan and (The ART SHOW & GUEST RELATIONS newly published items and put them out at entino: “My first was the 1975 Part 2 con- Fabulous Furry Freak Brothers), S. Clay Wil- I was nineteen and I had a date with The the Con. Comics shops were still few and far vention. I just missed that summer’s show son (Zap, The Checkered Demon), and Spain Devil. His name had been on the evening news throughout the 1960s. He was Dr. between, so San Diego was where so many and was determined not to miss another, Rodriguez (Zap, ). The female Timothy Leary, a former college professor fans first saw the new specialty and comics- so I made sure that I attended this one. The contingent of undergrounders was well and psychedelic guru speaking at student related items.” highlight for me was meeting the man who represented by (The Further Fat- protests, marching to his unique beat. Pool- Due to a late start on the part of the plan- would become my mentor, , tening Adventures of Pudge, Girl Blimp), Trina side at the El Cortez at Comic-Con 1976, I ning committee, the El Cortez was not avail- and my artistic idol, Jack Kirby. In fact, the Robbins (It Ain’t Me Babe, Wimmen’s Comix), was drawn to a group of people sitting un- der one of the fringed umbrellas. The group able in 1973, so the (again) renamed San Di- whole experience was so transcendent to Shary Flenniken (“Trots and Bonnie”), and discussed dinner plans. I wasn’t sure who he ego Comic-Con took place at the Sheraton me that when I got home, I packed what (Wimmen’s Comix). Clearly, was at first, but then I saw those electric blue Inn-Airport on Harbor Island August 15–19, few things I had and moved to San Diego, there was a place at Comic-Con for the of- eyes and white hair. When we locked eyes I 1973 (the longest Con thus far, at five days). intent on joining the convention com- ten subversive comix produced by these couldn’t look away. It was like staring into William Lund was chairman and Steve mittee.” Valentino would help with the Art free-spirited writer-artists. the dangerous cool blue yonder. At the appointed dinner coordinates, a Schanes was co-chair. The Souvenir Book Show and the Souvenir Book in the coming The Con not only celebrated comic and beat up compact car came rumbling down Shel Dorf (left) and Richard Butner (right) welcome legendary voice actor , sported a cover by , that year’s years, while working to establish himself fantasy art, it influenced the actual devel- the alley behind the El Cortez Hotel. I lifted guest of honor. Other special guests were the voice of countless cartoon characters, to Comic-Con in 1976. as a comics writer and artist (). opment of comic art. In 1978, Wendy and the door latch. He said, “The others are still Carmine Infantino, , and Star In 1992, he became a co-founder of Image Richard Pini had just started with a smoking by the pool, so it’s just the two of Trek writer D. C. Fontana. It was the first Con a cover by Milton Caniff, who gave a pre- be detected when the Comics. debut story in Fantasy Quarterly. However, us. Is that okay with you?” We pulled into the parking lot of The motion picture The Golden Voyage of Sinbad with more than 1,000 in attendance. sentation at the Con. (Caniff was of course At the seventh San Diego Comic-Con, the Pinis had difficulties with the publisher. Old Spaghetti Factory. I studied him from With its return to the El Cortez in 1974, the creator of the comic strips Terry and the had its world premiere at the 1974 gath- the year of the United States Bicenten- Wendy had a second chapter completed, behind the menu. “Terrific energy at Comic- the convention had a home which would Pirates and Steve Canyon; Shel Dorf was the ering. That same year, , the silver nial, ’s Charles Lippincott offered a but no other publisher was interested. Con,” he said. “What does it do for you?” remain stable almost to the end of the on the latter strip.) New traditions screen’s first Superman, was a special guest. preview of , whose premiere was She approached her friend Something about the intensity of his face decade. This was one of the most fondly unfolded. It was the year of the first Comic- fandom had reached fever pitch more than a year away. The first art for the who had a table at the convention, where when he looked at me made me feel like I was the only person in the room. by this time; the Con featured appearances remembered periods in the Con’s history, Con Masquerade, which was hosted by June movie, a limited-edition poster by How- he was promoting his new club for fans of I took a big forkful of food to ruminate. “I a halcyon time when enthusiasts from out- Foray. Charlene Brinkman (who would later by , , and fan ard Chaykin, was distributed. Chaykin and Japanese and comic art. Patten: feel like I’m doing something important get- side the region became familiar faces, and be known as after marry- club ring leader Bjo Trimble. And Academy Roy Thomas discussed the upcoming Star “They were thinking about trying to pub- ting ice water for Ray Bradbury or setting up professionals (such as ) came ing ) won first place for her Award winner (It’s a Wonder- Wars comic book from Marvel. No one had lish [Elfquest] themselves, but this was a big easels for Jack Kirby to draw Chuck Norris to mingle, oftentimes looking for items costume, much to the delight ful Life) was there. Clearly, the movie and any idea the film would become a cultural risk and they were understandably nervous as a .” Few people had drawn that out of me. It felt like this middle-aged guy television capital was providing a source of they wanted for their own collections. As of Forry Ackerman, Vampi’s co-creator phenomenon; this panel is credited with about taking such a gamble. Wendy had a eating pasta across the table saw into my Mike Pasqua, a fan who would begin at- (with Trina Robbins), who posed with the guests who would, in turn, attract more at- stirring interest for the film in fandom. It photocopy of the art for their second issue head like a laser beam. tending and volunteering during this pe- future scream queen for photographs. This tendees. Nearly 2,500 showed up that year. was the first to use Comic-Con in a binder. She asked if I would mind dis- “You don’t realize now how fortunate riod, said, “I think the reason fans have such year introduced the Inkpot Awards, special In 1975, the San Diego Comic-Con in- to promote itself. Other “firsts” at the 1976 playing it at my table and letting her and you are to be your age. Anything you want warm memories of the El Cortez Cons was awards given by the convention itself which corporated as a nonprofit educational Con: the Art Auction by the pool was insti- Richard know about the fans’ reaction to in the world can be yours, all you have to do is reach out your hands and take it.” Later, organization. It would be, forever more, a accessibility. The pros mingled in with the were handed out at the banquet (where a gated by Jack Katz, Sergio Aragonés did his it. I was happy to help out and pleased to when he signed a copy of his book What fans, and you could go up to Jack Kirby or meal at the time cost $7.50). Among the benevolent event “by the fans, for the fans.” firstSouvenir Book cover, and Don and Mag- report at the end of the Con that the fans’ Does WoMan Want? for me, he wrote “Any- Harvey Kurtzman and say hello. There were 18 original Inkpot recipients were , This would have many positive implications gie Thompson—founders of comic fandom reaction had been very positive. It was thing you want is yours.” I walked away hug- no barriers.” Roy Thomas, Charles Schulz, Russ Manning, in the coming years. Extra monies earned and now columnists for The Buyer’s Guide to shortly after the 1978 Comic-Con that the ging the book to my chest. I was bathed in Held July 31–August 5, the 1974 Comic- Jack Kirby, Ray Bradbury, Bjo Trimble, and would be plowed back into the conven- Comic Fandom—were special guests and Pinis began WaRP Graphics, with Elfquest #2 sapphire light, my heels were rocket engines propelling me toward my destiny. I [felt like tion. The focus of the staff would be on Con was the only six-day show in its history, Con chairman William Lund. Inkpot recipients. as their first issue. I’m sure that the enthusi- I] held one of the secrets of life in my arms. before or since. The Program Book sported Portents of Comic-Con’s destiny could making the Con better, not finding ways Many other developments occurred at astic fannish reaction at the Comic-Con was

COMIC-CON 50 COMIC-CON 50 8 2019 Souvenir Book www.comic-con.org 9 an important factor in their decision. The socializing and swimming—sometimes, in the Sunday night of Comic-Con, Richard San Diego Comic-Con has had an influence the later hours, in the buff. Of the El Cortez and his family left the proceeds from the on the development of comic art for years, years, Barry Alfonso later spoke for many convention there and went to dinner. and this was one example in which I was when he said, “Those were the years When they came back, they discovered personally involved.” of the Con for me. That’s where the Con was, that someone had broken into the house Continual increases in the number of at- and always will be, in my heart and mind.” and stolen the cash. The culprit was never tendees meant that every year was a “first apprehended. To raise funds to mount the year” for a lot of people, including some 1980 convention, David Scroggy and Jackie “Walking through the doors who would be important to the future of Estrada solicited donations of artwork from the Con. One of these in the latter El Cortez of Comic-Con was a moving , Frank , and a variety years was Fae Desmond, who came with experience. I discovered a of other creators, and conducted a sale her husband, Rod Gates, a confirmed com- welcoming group of people through Comics Buyer’s Guide. Through the ics fan. “I was mostly a science fiction and generosity of these professionals and oth- who were more interested in fantasy fan,” she said. “I never read a lot of ers, the Con continued in 1980, more or less comics, because being dyslexic I couldn’t what my passions were, what as usual. sort out the word balloons. I wasn’t excited my interests were, and what The adage “you can’t go home again” to go to Comic-Con at first, but after attend- I enjoyed. They embraced me was proved when the Con returned one last ing I found it to be one of the best conven- time to the El Cortez in 1981. When in a way that made it seem as tions I had ever attended, so I went back the Cerullo’s plans for an evangelism center col- next day and my husband did not.” In her if these people were known to lapsed, he was interested in booking con- first year, she volunteered to create a child me for a long time. Almost like ventions again, with the proviso that there care room, and in the coming years was in- family.” would be no liquor served on the premises. volved in everything from films (including Unfortunately, he was not a hotelier, and his the creation of the first independent film —DAVID GLANZER staff was unprepared for even a moderate festival), registration, the PR department, Chief Communications and level of service. The complaints and dissat- and running the Exhibit Hall. isfaction among con-goers built up until, on Strategy Officer, Comic-Con David Glanzer, a fantasy film enthusi- the last night of the Con, it had to find some ast (especially for Star Trek and Star Wars) sort of release. Two well-known profession- was another newbie from this period who als delivered numerous cases of beer to the would become part of the Con committee. The CPAC Years pool area, and an unbridled party ensued. “I was always a nerdy, overweight geek,” After the 1978 fan gathering, the El Cortez The next morning, when the manager ac- he said. “I still am. But walking through the was sold to Morris Cerullo, an evangelist costed Mike Pasqua (programs coordinator) doors of Comic-Con was a moving experi- and faith healer, who planned to convert in the lobby and asked if he’d seen that the ence. I discovered a welcoming group of the hotel into his headquarters and school pool was full of empty beer cans, Pasqua people who were more interested in what of evangelism. Therefore, Comic-Con was reportedly snapped, “Yes, I have, and you’d my passions were, what my interests were, forced to find a new venue. The Con moved better get someone out there to clean it and what I enjoyed. No one cared that I was to San Diego’s Convention and Performing up!” The Con never returned to the El Cor- somewhat of an outcast. They embraced Arts Center (CPAC) on Second Avenue at C tez, and Cerullo put the hotel back on the me in a way that made it seem as if these Street in the downtown area. Since it had market. people were known to me for a long time. no overnight facilities, attendees stayed at The Con returned to CPAC in 1982, Almost like family.” Glanzer began as a vol- nearby hotels such as the U.S. Grant. The where it stayed for the rest of the decade. unteer, writing press releases, and ended advantage of the CPAC was its size. Atten- That was the year the con established the up on the staff of the convention. Today he dance in 1978 had reached 5,000-plus. No Russ Manning Promising Newcomer Award. is Chief Communications and Strategy Of- one knew how big the convention could (Manning, the much-admired and ficer of the operation. “I love the fact that become, but it was clear that the influx of Star Wars artist, passed away in late 1981.) there are some people I see only once a Star Wars and fans were making its Its first recipient was Dave Stevens, whose year but we pick up right where we left off. already Big Tent even bigger. comic book character The had And I really enjoy seeing kids and families.” In 1979, the 10th Comic-Con, the deal- debuted earlier that year. (Dave was a “local Dave Clark recalled, “I have a special ers’ room grew to include 260 tables. At the boy made good” who had been a volunteer fondness for all of the early El Cortez Ho- banquet, Jack Kirby received a special Hall at Comic-Con in the mid-1970s, including tel conventions. In the evening after the of Fame award, and there was an enormous running the amateur art show.) In 1983, the main events were all shut down, a group of turnout for Craig Miller’s preview of Star Con added a dedicated games area and in- guests and hardcore fans would gather by Wars: The Empire Strikes Back, which would troduced the first Souvenir Book theme for the poolside for drinks, stories, songs, and be released in June 1980. the event (“The Sixties”). high-spirited fun going on into the wee This was also the year when a financial The annual New York Comic Art Conven- hours.” Just about everyone who remem- engulfed the Con, caused by the rob- tion put on by had been strug- bers the El Cortez days comments on activi- bery of $12,000 from the home of Con ex- gling since the late 1970s. , then A 1987 poster promoting Comic-Con and its comic art focus. ties in and around the pool, a central hub of ecutive vice president Richard Butner. On vice president of DC Comics, said: “In New

COMIC-CON 50 Art and characters TM & © 2019 respective copyright holders COMIC-CON 50 10 2019 Souvenir Book www.comic-con.org 11 lowed in the coming years, although nearly the tables a few years ago so that we could all of the services onsite continued to be accommodate as many professionals as provided by a dedicated staff of volunteers. possible.” (Editor’s Note: Comic-Con’s Artists’ Other events in 1985: Rick Geary’s Tou- Alley is a juried area and table space is given can was adopted as the official Comic-Con free to artists who are accepted each year.) Es- logo. He explained, “I was asked to do a logo trada also initiated Pro Registration, and the of some kind, and I came up with the Tou- position Pro Liaison was created. can. Actually it wasn’t meant to be specifi- ’s two-hour talk, billed as cally a toucan, just a funny bird with a big “A Brimstone and Hellfire Afternoon with beak.” It was also the first year when the Harlan Ellison,” was a highlight in 1987. Jack Kirby Awards, administered by Fanta- Some 1,000 fans showed up to hear Ellison graphics Books and managed by Dave Ol- share stories and anecdotes, rant about brich, were handed out at the convention. his various obsessions, and generally en- Nominations were made by tertain them. This same year, fans threw a editors and warehouse employees, and the surprise 70th birthday party for Jack Kirby. final ballots were printed in issues ofAmaz - It reflected their regard for Kirby for his ing Heroes (published by Fantagraphics). contributions to comics, and their love for Only comic book professionals could vote. Jack and Roz Kirby as a couple. Mark Evanier (by , Steve Bissette organized the event, which was held in the Photo: Jackie Estrada and ) won Best Single Issue Hotel San Diego. Scott Shaw! wrote that the Photo: Gary Sassaman (Swamp Thing Annual #2) and Best Continu- party “may well be the Comic-Con’s finest Marvel Comics was one of the signature exhibitors at Comic Book Expo, Comic-Con’s industry ing series. Alan Moore () made moment ever. As one friend observed, it The new San Diego Convention Center became home to Comic-Con in 1991. trade show, started in 1984. (center), Marvel’s direct sales manager, suggested the his only appearance at Comic-Con that was like party-crashing .” Such were Eventually a second structure would be added, opening in 2001, which Comic-Con quickly filled. event, which ran until 2001, when it was folded into the larger Comic-Con. year. All ran smoothly with the Kirby Awards typical contrasts at the Con: the excoriating until a dispute arose in 1987 after Olbrich wit of Ellison, on the one hand, and a warm In 1989, overall Comic-Con attendance (although Con/Fusion, another small event York in the late 1960s and early 1970s, the and get them excited about things. It was left Fantagraphics and attempted to take tribute to Jack and Roz Kirby, the much- leaped to 11,000, and to 13,000 the follow- from many of the same people, was held big hotels that the con was being held in a way to communicate directly with the the Awards with him. Upon hearing about loved creator and his stalwart wife, on the ing year. Much of the growth was coming there in February 1991). at that point would give you the ballroom retailers who were by then this, Kirby asked that his name be taken off other. from sectors such as games, anime and The 1991 San Diego Comic-Con brought spaces free if you rented enough room approaching being the largest part of our the awards. Then Olbrich obtained Will Eis- With attendance hitting a whopping manga, and fans of comics- and fantasy- the event into the sparkling new, state-of- nights at the convention, but at some business, and certainly the part we were ner’s permission to name new awards after 8,000 fans in 1988, the Con expanded into related movies and television shows. Tim the-art Convention Center, which has been point toward the end of the decade, that concentrating the most on because we him, with Olbrich managing them. They CPAC’s Golden Hall, where most of the pub- Burton’s , released on June 23, 1989, its home ever since. At first, the Con used changed. You couldn’t get the prime hotel had the most hope of it growing. And the were given out for the first time in 1988 lishers’ booths were located. The musical became a bigger hit than anticipated and just Halls A and B and some programming space without paying for it, which made the other one is, just philosophically, anywhere (for work in 1987). When other difficulties group Seduction of the Innocent made its made comic book characters “cool again” rooms, a small percentage of the overall economics not work. Phil shifted to holding where hundreds of your customers are go- ensued, Olbrich asked the Con to take over at the dance held after the to America’s youth. A panel with the cast of space available. This, however, represented the New York convention in Philadelphia, ing to be, you ought to show up.” Suggested the awards. In 1990, asked Jackie Inkpot Awards. The band’s lineup consisted Buffy the Vampire Slayer created a sensation, a substantial expansion, allowing for such which really derailed the momentum a lot. by Carol Kalish, Marvel Comics’ direct sales Estrada to become the administrator of the of , Allan Collins, Miguel Fer- and served as a template for other produc- new features as the Small Press area, the Phil passed in 1984, and that finished it all manager, the Expo was held in a room in the Eisner Awards, a position she has held to rer, John “Chris” Christensen, and Steve ers and studios to use the Con to for word Independent Publishers Pavilion, more off.” The New York show breathed its last basement of the U.S. Grant Hotel, where the the present day. Leialoha. One of the themes of the Con that of mouth for their upcoming TV shows and programming rooms, a separate autograph in the summer of 1983, which meant that Con itself had been born. This trade show Estrada, who had attended the Con ev- year was celebrating Superman’s 50th anni- feature films. Such appearances by cast area, more room for the Art Show, and so the San Diego Comic-Con became the na- for the entire industry (retailers, publishers, ery year since its beginning, had been a versary, with a Souvenir Book cover painted members, and film previews of coming at- on. The Con took place on July 4–7, with tion’s premier convention in 1984 (although distributors, gaming card companies, and major at San Diego State Uni- by Wayne Boring, the venerable artist of the tractions, proved to be a major draw for an Independence Day party held on the there were numerous other such gather- printers) was directed by David Scroggy for versity and began working as a volunteer Man of Steel in comic books and strips. Comic-Con, one that would lead to amaz- Convention Center’s back patio, affording a ings around the country by this time). Cre- most of its first 10 years, after the demise of in 1976 when she was put in charge of Since its debut at the Con in 1974, Martin ing growth in the years to come. But first, front-row view of the city’s spectacular fire- ation Con tried to fill the gap, but by that . (In the mid-to-late 1970s, he print publicity and the information booth. Jaquish had watched the Masquerade grow the Con needed a bigger venue. works display. time, many East Coast fans were making had worked as co-director of programming In 1977 and 1978, she began editing the from a modest size to a larger, loud and There’s no doubt that Comic-Con the journey to the “Comic-Con of destiny” in for the Con with Davey Estrada.) Souvenir Book, a task she would do a total lively event. In 1985, when it was directed couldn’t have become what it is today southern California. 1984 was a year of transition. Richard of eight times over the next two decades. In by Donlan (then Robin Doig) and was The New San Diego without the new Convention Center. At- That same year, Comic-Con introduced a Butner, who had been a linchpin of the 1986, she conceived a new feature to Com- being held in Golden Hall at the CPAC, he Convention Center tendance in 1991 hit 15,000, and each year new facet of the show by establishing the convention for many years, stepped down. ic-Con: Artists’ Alley. Noticing artists trying began helping out backstage, and by 1988, after that saw enormous increases in the Comic Book Expo, a trade show that would Founder Shel Dorf served his last year as to draw and interact with their fans while when the event moved to the Civic Theater Fortuitously, construction had recently number of fans who attended: 22,000 in precede the regular Con. With the rise of president. In 1985 John Rogers became sitting in the snack bar and other places, nearby, he became its technical director. been completed on an enormous new 1992, 31,000 in 1994, 36,000 in 1996, and, the Direct Market for comics in the early president, and Fae Desmond became Comic- she suggested dedicating an area where Jaquish’s theatrical background helped at convention facility in San Diego, located by 1999—the 30th anniversary of Comic- 1980s came a new distribution system with Con’s first paid employee when she was hired artists could sit at tables for a small fee. She a time when the Masquerade had grown on Port of San Diego land (on West Harbor Con—attendance reached 45,000. These comics being sold in comic book specialty to be the part-time manager. (Over oversaw it for three years; Clydene Nee has and become ungainly. Given the time con- Drive). It was designed by Canadian archi- years are sometimes called the Con’s “boom stores across the nation. Paul Levitz: “I think time, she became a full-time employee, and handled Artists’ Alley ever since. Current di- straints, he was forced to be more particular tect Arthur Erickson. As soon as was fea- years,” although even more explosive there were basically two dimensions of the eventually, the executive director, responsi- rector of exhibits Justin Dutta recently stat- about the quality of the entries who would sible, the Con committee negotiated with growth awaited in the new millennium. Expo. One, we wanted to tell our customers ble for the day-to-day operations of the cor- ed, “Artists’ Alley started very small. Now we be allowed on stage to participate in the the city to move into the new facility. 1990 When Comic-Con relocated to the new what was cool about what we were doing poration.) Other full-time staff positions fol- have 216 spots. We enlarged and divided competition. was the last year the con was held at CPAC Convention Center, the Comic Book Expo

COMIC-CON 50 COMIC-CON 50 12 2019 Souvenir Book www.comic-con.org 13 moved from its offsite location to the Exhib- of the megabooths produced an increase in San Diego frequented by conventioneers, it Hall. Going from an intimate gathering of the amount of press interest and coverage the City upgraded the area. Improved ame- retailers and publishers to occupy the foot- for Comic-Con. nities brought new restaurants, refurbished print of the new much larger space allowed In the new Exhibit Hall, the Bud Plant and new hotels, and other attractive fea- publishers’ booths to expand. In 1993, DC Comic Art booth would grow to its largest tures, which reflected the positive Comics took advantage of this space avail- size. Plant: “I became the biggest exhibitor at of the Con on the city itself. ability to create the first “megabooth” at San Diego, before the movie studios moved Another name change occurred in 1995: Comic-Con. The process was overseen by in. It was fun for my booth to be a meeting the Con became known as Comic-Con In- Bob Wayne, then director of retail sales for place for both fans and pros.” Eventually ternational: San Diego, and introduced a DC Comics: “The idea came up concurrent it would grow to ten booths, five on each new logo designed by and with the success of the ‘Death of Superman’ side of an aisle. “People came by, saw the Josh Beatman. At this point, the event be- storyline in comics publishing. It was what new stuff, and caught up with their friends. came notable for presenting “worlds within we needed to do to make a stronger state- It was like walking into a comic book store, worlds.” Some fans came to enjoy just one ment about ourselves and our history and but with no comics—just everything else. part of the Con. Gamers could go and do the importance of the company, and the The show was a fun way to actually meet just gaming. Fans of manga and anime importance of the company to the conven- so many of the people I was already dealing could spend four days attending panels, tion.” The booth, which came to be known with, customers and publishers and artists. meeting special guests, searching for col- as “Wayne’s World” (despite resulting from It was a high point of the year, four days of lectibles, and interacting with fellow fans the work of many, including an outside de- frenzied but fun talking, sharing, discovery, who shared their particular area of enthu- signer), had an entrance made out of a giant excitement, wheeling and dealing.” Among siasm. Old-time comics fans could hunt for metal archway which was to echo elements his favorite memories was having signings comic books of the past, see panels made of the DC bullet logo of the day. “I think we at his booth with and Jack up of professionals from the Golden and Like Comic-Con, the Masquerade—and dragons—have evolved over the years. At left, Masquerade MC (Rowan and Martin’s Laugh- were the first people to have custom light- Kirby, “who were both so, so gracious with Silver Age of comics, and examine original In) in 1981; on the right, “Crouching Prince, Hidden Dragon,” the winner of the Best Presentation Award at Comic-Con’s Masquerade in 2018. ing, which was designed to attract and their time,” he said. “Hogarth stayed for al- comic book art for sale or on display. Oth- pull you into the booth. We spent a lot of most two hours past the time he was going ers were interested in the new “hot” comic time thinking about it. It had an open plan to be done.” book titles. 1992 and 1993 was the era Novick, , and many others. For among conventions because it adheres to a 6. Then, when the center was expanded, it so that people could walk in from any side With the growing success of Comic-Con, when creators broke from Marvel to cre- years, the Golden Age panel, usually hosted mission rather than a business imperative. moved to Ballroom 20, where it could be at- into the booth.” In subsequent years, DC’s the contiguous downtown area began ate . This set off an explosion by Mark Evanier, was one of the highlights That means that its job is to create educa- tended by an audience of 4,000-plus (addi- competitors (and other exhibitors) came changing. Formerly, the Gaslamp District of comics, many of them creator-owned, of the convention. The old-time pros were tion that encourages appreciation of com- tional viewing rooms, where the Masquer- up with their own megabooths. (The Expo had fallen into decline, offering little to at- which brought new publishers into the area astonished by the reception they received, ics and the popular arts as important facets ade is broadcast on big screens, take the lasted until 2001, when many aspects of it tract tourists’ and convention goers’ dollars. (Dark Horse, Malibu, et al.). just as the fans were thrilled to be hearing of the broader culture.” Toward that end, attendance up to over 5,000). It has become were merged into the Con itself.) The dawn But when the Gaslamp became the part of As an alternative to the proliferation of such vaunted creators addressing them comic art scholars found a home at Comic- an impressive well-orchestrated event, with corporate comic book companies, APE (Al- in person. Some of the venerable pros oc- Con starting in 1992, with the introduction substantial prizes (monetary and other- ternative Press Expo) was launched in 1994 cupied tables in Artists’ Alley where they of the Comics Art Conference. Founded by wise) given by a litany of sponsors, such as by Dan Vado of , who chatted with fans, sold sketches and gave , a graduate of State Hollywood’s Art Director’s Guild, the Cos- said he started it because he felt there was autographs. (In later years, the Golden Age University, and , Commu- tume Designer’s Guild, and the Motion Pic- a need for a convention where alternative panel became the Golden and Silver Age nication Department chair at Henderson ture Costumers, as well as various publish- comics wouldn’t be lost in of panel, until attrition thinned the ranks of State University, the CAC became an official ing companies such as DC Comics, and even flashy displays by the mainstream publish- surviving industry pioneers, and the panel part of Comic-Con in 1997. Being part of the the Will Eisner Studios. Winners also receive ers. Beginning as a one-day event in San was retired.) Con facilitated the participation of profes- a special custom-made medallion. Jaquish: Jose, APE was taken over by Comic-Con the As the Con grew, so did the amount of sionals in the panel discussions, workshops, “The contestants are floating on air when following year. In 1998, it expanded to two programming. Charles Brownstein, who be- and other presentations, which occur all they come off the stage. We make them feel days and moved to in 2000. gan running the Beanworld booth for Larry four days of the convention, essentially like a star for the night.” Nevertheless, plenty of small press publish- Marder in 1996, became the programming a mini-convention within the larger Con. ers and creators continued to maintain a director two years later. “In 1998, I became The CAC continues to this day, with Travis Comic-Con in the presence at Comic-Con, after participating the Con’s first full-time programming direc- Langley and Kathleen McClancy coordinat- New Millennium in APE the prior February. (It would later tor at the under-ripe age of 20,” he recalled. ing alongside Duncan and Coogan and the move to the fall. In 2015, APE was handed “It was an amazing learning experience Comic-Con programming staff, and is also a With the coming of Y2K, film became an back to Vado.) [that] grew out of my editorial experience part of WonderCon each year. even more important part of Comic-Con The Con celebrated the contributions of of doing Feature magazine [which he self- The Comic-Con Masquerade had been than it had been before. Gary Sassaman, a creators of the past in a series of panels fea- published] but exploded to a much broader taking place offsite in the 1990s. Martin comics self-publisher who was doing free- When Comic-Con changed its name scale. Back then the big hall was Room 6. I Jaquish, who has continued as director of lance work for the Con, was hired to suc- and introduced a new logo in 1995, turing professionals from the Golden Age got to work with the programming volun- the event to the present day, stated that ceed Charles Brownstein as the director of the mascot of the old logo, the Toucan, of comics. Many of the guests on those pan- teer team and steer the content of the Con. those were difficult years and was pleased programming, when Brownstein became looked skeptical about retirement, but els were found by David Siegel, who con- We supervised something like 200 pro- when, in 1999, Comic-Con was using executive director of the Comic Book Legal this dashing bird would gain a second vinced the convention to invite them: in- grams during the Con, a drop in the bucket enough of the new Convention Center to Defense Fund. Sassaman: “I don’t think I re- life in the 2010s as the namesake of dustry legends such as (original compared to what the current program- warrant moving the Masquerade there. alized what I was getting myself into when Comic-Con’s website blog. editor of ), , , , Irv ming team manages. Comic-Con is unique For its first three years, it was in Ballroom I took the programming job. I’m a life-long

COMIC-CON 50 COMIC-CON 50 14 2019 Souvenir Book www.comic-con.org 15 comics fan, having grown up in the Marvel Events Guide, featuring the complete sched- Age of Comics. But my background was as ule of the event, is edited by Jackie Estrada.) a graphic designer, so this was all very dif- The configuration of the various updates ferent for me. Over my eight years in charge changed, but the centerpiece of the pub- of programming, our Hollywood program- lications was always the annual Souvenir ming grew.” The much anticipated live ac- Book. Sassaman: “All of these publications tion X-Men was released July 14, 2000, and were basically promotional vehicles for our was the talk of the Con. Finally a major com- events, but the Souvenir Book also featured ic book property other than Superman and articles that fit into our yearly programming Batman seemed about to break through, themes. I’m particularly proud of the mix of featuring a cast of A-list actors. It was a mile- topics and authors each year. I think we’re stone toward wider acceptance of comic the only convention in the world that does book movies by the public—films that, in a book like the Souvenir Book and gives it many cases, would be promoted at CCI. Also free to its attendees. Other conventions in 2000, the Comic-Con International Inde- do Program Books—schedules and maps pendent Film Festival (CCI-IFF) began as of the event, and so on—and we continue “Film Fest Friday,” welcoming genre-related to do that, too, with our Events Guide and JANET TAIT films. In previous years, Comic-Con includ- Quick Guide publications.” The Con prints FILMS, PROGRAMMING, PR, PUBLICATIONS ed film festivals, but the CCI-IFF focused on over 130,000 copies each year of the Souve- fan-created genre films and added a juried nir Book and views it as an important part of Comic-Con is the best place I have prize component. The Festival has contin- its mission statement, to create awareness found to spur my creativity and get ued each year, celebrating its 20th anniver- of and appreciation for comics and related me to think about my own creative sary in 2019. popular artforms. works (I am a writer) differently. I love to go to random panels on topics not When major movie and television stars Programming has continued to fill vari- in my field like video game design, or began appearing at the Con in increasing ous niches. Robin Donlan, once vice presi- action figures, or costuming. I always numbers, attendance figures for the annual dent/administrator of events and now have a great time and see some part convention skyrocketed. In 2001, the San president of Comic-Con, particularly loves of my own work a little differently Diego Convention Center was expanded, the Con’s many “How To” panels. The pan- from viewing someone else’s cre- making its first impact on CCI in 2002. Two els show some kind of skill in action, such ative work through their own lens. I years later, the Con began utilizing Hall as live art demos (drawing), Film School remember sitting in a panel for one H (which seats close to 6,000 people) on (which the Con has done for 15 years now), of ’s shows. I think it the ground floor of the facility. TheBat - writing workshops, even Comic Book Law might have been for . Some- man Begins panel (along with the Keanu School with Michael Lovitz. Donlan: “I love one asked him what inspired him to Reeves–starring Constantine, based on the them because they actually contribute to create The Simpsons. He said, “Comic- Con.” Comic-Con is an amazing festi- Vertigo series Hellblazer) was the first such the future of comic art or whatever field is val of creation and creativity like none presentation in the enormous hall in 2004. involved, by giving people the knowledge other in the world. TV shows began to appear with regularity at to enhance and grow their talents.” But far and away the best mo- the event, starting with the new series Lost At the same time the Con committee ments at Comic-Con are the ones I in Ballroom 20, before it debuted on ABC. was dealing with the enormous size of the spent with my husband, John Rogers, That year, attendance reached 95,000. It event, they had also taken on the job of co- Comic-Con President. John passed would reach its 135,000+ maximum capac- ordinating WonderCon, a major show held away from brain cancer in November ity in 2015. Further expansion was possible in the Bay Area in March or April each year. 2018. We met while working on the only by holding various events in satellite Conceived by retailer John Barrett (a found- convention in 1978 and had been locations, often at the nearby Manchester er of the retail chain) and together since 1986. Some of my fa- Grand Hyatt, Marriott Marquis & Marina, other Bay Area comic fans (including writer vorite memories with him are running 16mm projectors late in the night in (and later) Hilton Bayfront hotels, and a and publisher Mike Friedrich and retailer the basement of the Hotel San Diego, separate track of education– and library- Joe Field) in 1987 as the “Wonderful World post-con parties with all our friends at focused programs at the new San Diego of Comics Convention,” it was brought into the Holiday Inn at the Bay, and sneak- Central Library, which opened in 2013. the Comic-Con fold in 2002, when the re- ing away from our jobs for an hour to In 2008, Sassaman became director of maining two partners (Friedrich and Field) watch a panel for our favorite movie print and publications, and Eddie Ibrahim sold the show. The event made its home in or TV show. The convention had al- took over the director of programming the Moscone Center in San Francisco until ways been one of the main centers position. At that time, Sassaman’s job in- 2011. When that venue was being remod- of our life together as both the place cluded a quarterly Update magazine, which eled the following year, WonderCon moved we first met and one of the things we was sent out in winter, spring, and fall; the to Anaheim, where it has stayed (except for both loved. Comic-Con Souvenir Book, the WonderCon one year in ). It’s ironic that even

Photo: John Rogers Program Book, and the APE (Alternative though WonderCon Anaheim draws close Comic-Con co-produced this exclusive print with Mondo, featuring the 10th anniversary of the Press Expo) Program Book. (Comic-Con’s to 70,000 attendees, it’s called a “smaller Marvel Cinematic Universe by artist Matt Taylor. It was the first poster the Con did since the 1980s.

COMIC-CON 50 Art TM & © 2018 MARVEL COMIC-CON 50 16 2019 Souvenir Book www.comic-con.org 17 characters strictly for the Masquerade; now lar arts through exhibits, programs, and can start a conversation with the guy at the they became an additional feature on the events drawn from across the Comic-Con table whose stock you are looking through floor of the Exhibit Hall each day, strolling universe.” With the help of the City of San or the person who’s picking up something in the aisles and posing for photographs for Diego, Comic-Con has plans to convert the and asks a . It’s a party! Comic-Con fans. It grew partly because of technology, 68,000 sq. ft. 1935 Federal Building into an is still a party. Actually, it’s a party that’s made according to Martin Jaquish. “In the ’60s or exciting visitor attraction that aims to cap- up of countless parties. And they’re not all ’70s, if you wanted to be a superhero or vil- ture the magic of Comic-Con all year round. your party. If you don’t like the party over lain, you had spandex, and that was about (See the feature article beginning on page 174 here, guess what? Move ten feet away, and it. Once more types of fabrics became for more information about the upcoming here’s another party going on.” available, and sewing machines got better, Comic-Con Museum.) Despite its size and scope, the Con is pro- and SF TV shows and movies proliferated, duced by a relatively small number of people. you had people who were more able to “Comic-Con is unique In 2009, Dan Vado commented, “It would be make costumes that were comfortable and among conventions easy to look at Comic-Con and assume that looked good.” Continuing its policy of wel- because it adheres to a hundreds and hundreds of people are work- coming and making all feel safe, Comic-Con ing at this thing year-round, but really it’s just has worked to integrate the cosplayers into mission rather than a a handful of very dedicated, very hardwork- its show and ensure they are treated with business imperative. ing people who stick to a vision and a prin- respect, like all other attendees. That means that its job is ciple and really go out of their way to make Indeed, Comic-Con has developed the this thing what it is. So it’s the people, that’s reputation of providing a safe, welcoming to create education that what I think about most. If it weren’t for the environment for everyone, regardless of encourages appreciation of Fae Desmonds and the David Glanzers of gender, sexual preference, religion, etc. The comics and the popular the world (and yes, I am leaving people out, establishment of the “Gays in Comics” panel sorry), Comic-Con would just be another pop in 1988 sent a positive signal in that direc- arts as important facets culture car show with nothing that made it tion. Peggy Burns of Drawn & Quarterly of the broader culture.” special.” said, “I respect how the convention is acces- Fae Desmond: “Our concern is always on sible to people with mobility issues. It may —CHARLES how much we can offer our attendees, how be the only comics festival in the world who BROWNSTEIN well we meet our mission. We always try to can claim this right.” David Glanzer said, “I be better every year—not bigger. Growing The cast of Marvel’s movie at Comic-Con in 2010, two years before the movie premiered; (left to right): director Joss Whedon, Chris always like to say Comic-Con is where you Executive Director, CBLDF to be the biggest was never a consideration Hemsworth, Clark Gregg, Scarlett Johansson, Jeremy Renner, Chris Evans, Samuel L. Jackson, Robert Downey Jr., and Mark Ruffalo. can be yourself, or whoever you want to be, Some have criticized Comic-Con for los- for us, just doing a better event, being the and there is no judgment, just support.” ing its focus on comic books themselves. best at what we do. Our future is going to show,” since Comic-Con has become so screen) next to Sergio, such as Scott Shaw! his stature as a Grand Old Man of comics, In 2011, one of the Con’s themes was But, as Bob Chapman (owner, Graphitti involve meeting our mission 365 days a year. large. (who became a regular), , and no death had quite the same impact on “The 50th Anniversary of Comic Fandom,” Designs) put it: “Look around you at all the The new Comic-Con Museum will be a huge A popular feature of the Con was actually . “Quick Draw” remains a popular fandom since the passing of Jack Kirby in which was highlighted by a fandom re- movies, TV shows, videogames, and toys part of that.” born at WonderCon in 2002, before perma- annual highlight. (But it has a close rival in 1994. Even though he’s gone, his presence union party for old-time fans. Sadly, Shel out there today. Even if they do not repre- nently shifting to the big San Diego show. the form of Scott Shaw!’s “Oddball Comics” seems to hover over the stage during the Dorf had passed away by this time (in 2009), sent a current comic property, you can see In November 2018, fandom was rocked by It originated from the kernel of an idea by presentations.) annual Will Eisner Comics Industry Award but some 150 fans were there for the infor- how comics influenced their very existence. the news that longtime Comic-Con president Sassaman, who found the ideal person to In 2005, the Award for Excel- ceremony held on Friday night. mal party, including veterans of the 1970 The comics industry is a petri dish for many John Rogers had passed away. In his message make it happen: Mark Evanier. The original lence in Comic Book Writing was estab- In 2006, Marvel Studios held their first Con such as Richard Alf, Ken Krueger, Scott creative ideas, and Comic-Con is the mani- in the 2018 Souvenir Book, he wrote: “On the program description read: “Quick . . . Draw! lished. Each year, the awards committee panel in Hall H. They returned in 2007 with Shaw!, Mark Evanier, and Jackie Estrada. festation of the positive, creative influence first day I served as a volunteer with Comic- It’s cartoon improv! This literal adaptation (chaired by Mark Evanier) chooses two de- the casts and directors of The and Iron comics has had on pop culture.” Paul Levitz: Con, way back in 1978, I’m not sure I thought of Whose Line Is It Anyway (with drawn lines serving professionals, one living and one Man movies. The success of in “San Diego still has as much comics-related I would still be involved so many years later. replacing one-liners) showcases the quick deceased. Evanier says the purpose of the particular began a series of highly popular Comic-Con Today programming as any convention has ever As the years have progressed, so much has draw artistry of Sergio Aragonés, John award is “to recognize writers for a body films from Marvel Studios. In 2010, the cast Each year brings speculation on whether had. There’s a ton of panels, a ton of events, changed. But one thing has not changed in Romita Jr., and others as host Mark Evanier of work that has not received its rightful of the Avengers movie appeared on the Hall Comic-Con will leave San Diego for a ven- a ton of working professionals there. Yeah, all these years: the dedication, the commit- comes up with improvised situations for reward and/or recognition. That was what H stage two years ahead of the film’s de- ue in another city that can accommodate there’s a lot of noise from the film and TV ment, and the love for comics and all things them to draw.” Aragonés learned to draw intended as his way of re- but (on May 4, 2012). Comic-Con became more people. The Con has a huge impact stuff, but people enjoy it and some discover popular art by the people who put on this fast in high school, when he had to create membering his friend, Bill Finger. Bill is still a household name due to the celebrity on the local economy, estimated at over the characters that way. I fell in love with event. From our list of guests, to our list of newspaper murals quickly: “Everybody who kind of the industry poster boy for writers factor that propelled the convention into $140 million in 2016. Currently, the conven- Superman partially because of the George exhibitors, to the thousands of professionals needed something to be said to the class not receiving proper reward or recognition.” headlines and feature stories in mainstream tion has committed to staying in San Diego Reeves Adventures of Superman TV show. from every corner of entertainment who at- would tell it to me and I would do a cartoon (Bill Finger never received credit during his media, including magazines such as Enter- through 2021. Why shouldn’t somebody fall in love off the tend our event, all prove that what we have about it. Within half an hour I’d finish it up lifetime for co-creating Batman.) The Finger tainment Weekly and the UK’s Empire, which A major new initiative in recent years Batman: The Animated Series or off the Ar- all had a part in creating continues to work. and put it on the wall. I had to do them fast Awards are underwritten by DC Comics (the devote almost entire issues to Comic-Con has been the Comic-Con Museum, de- rowverse on the CW? Whatever connects We are devoted to making sure the next half- so that I wouldn’t miss class.” Over the suc- major sponsor) along with Heritage Auc- coverage. scribed officially as “a year-round attraction them to the characters, God bless.” century is as exciting, educational, and, yes, ceeding years, Evanier has invited many dif- tions and . Sometime in the 2000s, the word “” located in San Diego’s historic Balboa Park. Maggie Thompson: “The Con is still inti- as fun as our distinguished past.” ferent artists to appear onstage (utilizing an Earlier that year, on January 3, 2005, Will fell into common parlance. No longer were The Comic-Con Museum will encourage an mate, even with 130,000 people now, as op- What is Comic-Con? How do you quanti- overhead projector showing the art on a big Eisner passed away at the age of 87. Given people dressing up as their favorite fantasy appreciation of comics and related popu- posed to intimate with a smaller group. You fy an event that has made possible millions

COMIC-CON 50 COMIC-CON 50 18 2019 Souvenir Book www.comic-con.org 19 Comic-Con in the 2010s is a veritable city onto itself, with over 130,000 people coming and going over the 4.5 days of the event. SPECIAL THANKS TO THE FOLLOWING FOR THEIR HELP: of encounters between the fans, friends, Mini-Con schedule, back in March of 1970: and the people who create the objects of “Lifelong friendships are formed at these Ted Adams, Barry Alfonso, Wendy All, their fascination? conventions.” He could have added, “And , Charles Brownstein, Bob Wayne talks about the Con’s contri- lifelong memories, as well!” Peggy Burns, Bob Chapman, bution to the hobby itself: “The growth of Dave Clark, Fae Desmond, Comic-Con for the past 50 years is one of Robin Donlan, Justin Dutta, the key steps to the legitimacy of the comic Jackie Estrada, Mark Evanier, art medium and for the hobby. The conven- tion itself is a good micro-barometer of that, Maija Gates, Rick Geary, David Glanzer, in that, when it started, comics were more Gene Henderson, Eddie Ibrahim, or less obscure to most people. Whereas at Martin Jaquish, , this point, people who have probably never Paul Levitz, , read a comic have now heard of the conven- Scott McCloud, Clydene Nee, tion, because it’s something that touches Mike Pasqua, Bud Plant, , their life in some way, with all the entertain- ment media coverage of the event. I don’t John Rogers, Mike Royer, think anyone would have foreseen that Gary Sassaman, David Scroggy, level of public awareness when the conven- Scott Shaw!, Barry Short, Jeff Smith, tion started.” Bill Schelly is a comics and fandom histori- Mark Stadler, William Stout, On a personal level, what matters is the an best known for his books The Golden Age Janet Tait, Maggie Thompson, impact of Comic-Con, and the experiences of Comic Fandom (1995) and Harvey Kurtz- Mike Towry, Dan Vado, it has fostered, on the hearts and minds man, The Man Who Created MAD (2015). of those who have attended. As founder , Bob Wayne, Shel Dorf simply put it on the cover of the Phil Yeh, and Mark Yturralde.

COMIC-CON 50 20 2019 Souvenir Book