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Home , Chris Weston, Comic Festival, Dredd, Fanzine, Glenn Fabry, Godiva (comics)

Fanzine Lounge in Action!

The Drink Tank 171 Cover photo from Jean Martin of Mette, The people are was partying, there was Brian, Kevein Roche, Karen Tully, dude the best part of any con dancing, there was flirt- whose name I’ve forgotten, Jason Scha- and here there was no ing (and a LOT of flirt- chat Karisu and probably a couple of shortage of great folks. ing this year), there was others letting loose in the Lounge some- And most of the people costuming, there was time after 2:30 am on Sunday of Bay- I wanted to come by the zining, there was sing- Con. Fanzine Lounge came ing, there were action by the Fanzine Lounge. shooting sports (Jason If’n you’re lookin’ for a full report Jon deCles, one of the Schachat is very good on BayCon, the next SF/SF will have founders of the SCA with a blow gun) and it. It’ll basially say this, when boiled and a long-time fixture there were so many dif- down to syrup: it was a great time. around , spent ferent things going on in Yeah, there were minor problems, a a few hours around, there. I was very happy few things thrown at us that might not including a wonderful with the way it turned have been optimal, but it was a great hour and a half with out. There were quiet time. Far better than last year and eas- me, RJ and Milt Ste- times, there were loud ily my favourite one since 2005 when I vens where we talked times, there were peri- was Toastmaster. the old days and just had a good time. ods of boredom, but there was always The big deal with BayCon 2008 I’d met him briefly once before but this something happening, whether or not was the new facility, the Hyatt Santa was the first time I talked to him (and it was entertaining being beside the Clara. The good was really good: big- that Kevin Roche gave me the rundown point. The lounge was a giant success. ger space, attached Convention Centre on how the effect Jon had upon his And one other problem was which opened things up to a huge new life). Tim Powers stopped by, though Chris Knight couldn’t make it to run Dealers Room, really good food with a I wasn’t around. It was OK because Trailer Park. That was a rough point reasonably priced but well-appointed we chatted a bunch a few other times. as he’s done it all but one year in the buffet and a beaturiful lobby. The There was Jean Martin, David Moyce, last ten (which is the one time I’ve done downside was the size of the big event Espana, and so many other SF regu- it in the past). They asked me to do it room was only 208 or so, meaning that lars. We had people popping by when and I recruited Jason Schachat and 1/10th of the con could fit in there we were a quiet-ish Lounge during the Derek McCaw of FanboyPlanet.com. for the Masq, and people were turned day, and folks flooding in when we The folks pulled off a bunch of trailers away. That’s a rough one. The sleep- were something resembling a party in from Apple.com and we did little intros. ing rooms were nice, but smaller than the evening. There were game trailers and many would have liked, and the party OK, it was a party room, more or some short films and movie trailers. floor was congested. We were spoiled less, and it was a blast. I thought the idea of combining all of by the DoubleTree. The party patio was Kevin Roche and Leigh Ann both those together in one program was a an amazing valve that allowed for some noted that the Fanzine Lounge was, really good idea. The audience only of the party pressure to be relieved. in many ways, a convention in and of half-agreed. They wanted movie trail- itself. There was programming, there ers and nothing but, which was weird. gree. A couple of them were great have to worry about either of you going hits and one or two were too long too far. That’s always an issue: know- or didn’t seem to have a point. On ing when to say when. We’ve both got the other hand, I thought that the that down, though. entire thing went really well. Derek And so, BayCon was a good time and Jason and I got some laughs and I’m glad I got to see so many of and maybe even taught a thing ro my friends and make a couple of more. two to the audience. I’d be happy to Next year, I wanna run the Lounge, I do it again want to do something like The Match There were some small prob- Game (Perhaps Hollywood Squares?) lems, like at any con, but mostly and if they need me, Trailer Park. the fun was what folks walked away Other than those, I don’t think I’ll do with. I was happy to see my buddy as much. Of course, I won’t stay up as Christian McGuire (and not only late either. I say that now, but when because he gave me a $500 check the time comes, it’ll 4am and I’ll still be for TAFF!). He’s a good guy and we buzzed wandering down to get another chatted a good deal. He’s one of bucket-full of to keep the party roll- those fixtures of fandom and even ing just a few more minutes. though I beat him like a baby seal This issure features a couple of in the TAFF race, the guy’s still article debuts: Dwain Kaiser, one of entertaining and will even still talk those fans who remembers when it was to me! Ed Green, who has grace- The Olden Days, with a little piece he fully appeared in these pages a few wrote in the Lounge, and there’s Steve times, was there and sadly I only Stiles with his debut Art and LoC, as had a few minutes to chat with him. well as Mr. McGuire with a drunken There was also Tadao. The man is a rambling and so very much more. And legend and I’m glad to be able to see away we go, onward! him as often as I have been over the last six months or so. That picture over there is one of my faves from the con. They’re just so darn cute! And of course, Linda, pa- Poi spinning photo by RJ Johnson tience of a Saint, was there and while we didn’t get to spend as There were a few folks who called out much time together as I’d have liked, we for game trailers, and a few that were snuggled up a few times and on Sun- really funny and the crowd liked. The day we partied hard. It’s nice to have Short Films were troubling to a de- a girlfriend you can party with and not You, on the other, have a damn fine seems like whenever I’ve scheduled Letter Graded Mail claim to being well-more-than-worthy time at the drawing board (which is also sent to garcia@computerhistory,org of a win. falling apart), something always comes up to hinder that. There’s art that I‘ve by my gentle readers promised John Purcell and Earl Kemp for over a month now, and despite my Let’s begin with an honor: art best efforts I’ve been blocked. The illo and words from one of the , I’m sending you now is a good example Rotsler Award winner and all-around of that: I’m reworking a panel of mine fanzinista...Steve Stiles! from HYPER Comics to learn Photoshop. Dear Chris, No sooner had I started on it, shortly First of all, I never had the honor after Corflu Silver, than my basement of killing Hitler: It was the Human Torch and family room flooded. It smells who did it, actually. The flaming android like two dozen wet dogs in our entire incinerated the murderous madman in house. Maybe dead dogs. I’m going to be his bunker as the Russians closed in on working on cleaning up this mess for at Berlin in the final days of WW II. With least the next two weeks. his dying, lying, breath the fried Fuhrer You had kindly offered to draw instructed his Nutzi henchmen to tell the something for an issue a year or so world that he had died by his own hand. ago, and I just never got my ass into Strange but true: Look it up. gear to eMail you back with details. Come off it, I know the whole Now, as to your Cons, that Mea Culpa. Flooded basements might Invaders thing was just a cover for certainly puts the finger on my problem be the worst. I’ve never experienced your swatch of destruction! as for the most part the Hugo Voting because 1) I live in Cali and we don’t It sure is nice to get annually audience are convention fans rather have basements and 2) Floods are the nominated for the Hugo, after, what, than fanzine fans, and, due to no time least of our problems. some 30+ years of inexplicable and little money, my con going and So…. If quantity of art trumps invisibility, but I have to work not to get art show participation has dwindled quality, then I’m surely screwed. worked up by such concerns as likely radically in the last few years. I hope quantity trumps quality...then odds, campaigning, winning strategy, I know how that goes. I’ve got a shot someday! and whatnot; I have to remind myself You imply that there’s no Stiles --Steve that this is my hobby to enjoy, not for art in your fanzine because you dropped http://www.stevestiles.com/ some material prize, that I must keep the ball by turning down an offer from in touch with my usual Buddha nature, me (what was it, some of my computer Thanks Much Steve! It’s good to and to avoid sour grapes at all costs even abstracts?). No, the problem is my have ya in the pages of my Little if I have to forgo the deeply satisfying fun frustrating lack of time. I have a job with Thing! You know, I just realised of sneering at the (sneer) competition. lots of overtime and a long commute. that Earl and Purcell’s are In my case it’s easy to avoid sour I have a love of taking my time with both underLoCed by me...I must fix grapes by simply realising that I’m the process of making art. I also have that nowish! the least deserving one on the ballot. a house that’s old and falling apart – it And Speaking of John Purcell...here’s A Good Thing. Whether or not BArea You’ll be punished for that John Purcell!!! fandom unites is something I would one...perhaps in the afterlife. I’ll You know, young feller, it has not worry about nor campaign for. put her on my ballot. Of course, I been quite a while since I have written When needed, people of like mind will think I did so this year... a Lloyd Penney-style loc to you, so here work together. It certainly sounds like I have been reading Frank is a wonderful chance to revisit this that’s what happened for CostumeCon Wu’s LiveJournal entries about his time-worn loccing method. 26, and that is what makes any con a support for Senator Obama, so those Gotta love Lloyd-style: the LoC that success. “Six Alternative Endings” are quite was made for today’s fast-paced It’s the seriously unlike minds that amusing. I enjoy fun stuff like this. pubbing! make it difficult, but I have to say, Keep them coming! DT #169: Well, it certainly looks there’s been a lot of come together Frank and Brianna are in my like you and the rest of the attendees of late that I didn’t expect. thoughts at the moment with Bri at CostumeCon 26 had a wonderful DT #170: Ah. More CostumeCon going in for Surgery today. I always time. I am glad that your emceeing gig 26 reportage. Again, I’m glad everyone worry about those things. went well. Your hope of a united BArea had a great time. Gee, I sound like And I think I’ll leave off there for fandom is a good one to hang onto. a broken record, don’t I? You and I today. Thanks for the zines, youngster, Whether or not it happens really does both failed to attend Corflu Silver for and have a merry one. depend on everybody in the region. The equally good reasons, and neither one problem is simply the growth factor. of us suffered for the lack. As for next Thanks Much John! I’ll get that Minneapolis Fandom grew so rapidly year’s edition in Seattle, we shall see LoC off to you soon! into such a large community that the what transpires. No promises made at All the best, split-factor was inevitable. This is going this point except that I will join as an John Purcell to happen when the numbers of a attending member no matter what. group get so large. Look at LASFS, And I’ve still got the definitive for that matter, or any other large fan CostumeCon Report for Claims community. It is something that simply Department to Finish (I’m on page goes with the territory, sad to say. 13 and it’s only Saturday night!). Well, it’s a dream. A boy can dream, I’ll go to Seattle, largely because can’t he? I love the Seattle gang, but also One of the good things about because I gotta pimp for TAFF and I such a situation, though, is that love Seattle! everybody basically is on the same To Johanna Mead - who may page when it comes down to running a be eligible for the Best New Fan FAAn major regional convention. Things go award next year - all I can say is the fairly smoothly when it’s time for that obvious pun: Absinthe makes the heart con to happen, and that’s definitely grow fonder. We ran into these lovely young ladies a few times on Sunday Night. As you’ll notice, everyone except for the Commodore (the lass with the Blue Hair who some might remember from the review of the 2007 BayCon...and the 2006) has a ship in their hair. I very much appreciate that one in the of the young lady in the lower left of the photos. It’s a shipwreck. When they walked by the Fanzine Lounge and paused to have pictures taken in the large hallway waiting area. I spent some time staring at the headdresses, only to be chided for ogling. It’s a fair cop, because it took me a while to work my way up to their heads!

Photo from RJ Johnson, a solid photographer and all-around good guy 12 Slices of Bacon and a Little charismatic Mesmer of our lives. A flow and drawn out from the center. Thing by Christian McGuire written man who has brought back some life Chaz, is a goofy bastard. A BIG in the Drink Lounge at BayCon to fandom. The bits lost with age and DAMN HERO! Ok, he has big ass Late on Friday Night. the loss of “OTHER THINGS BETTER faults, but there’s a hope and sincerity MENTIONED ELSEWHERE”. at the core. Must be what Lynn sees. Hark, What yonder Leigh Ann Four “little things” sweet Sees chocolates. Rocky and Leo and Espana and Jason, and I nothings. Pear, mixed with ginger ale. Mountain Chocolate Company. lost among the muns. Ah yes, Espana Ah, the sweet escape I’ve not allowed Godiva Chocolates. Ghiradelli orders 12 slices of bacon, crisp, and myself for a 15 month period. I drink chocolate. Fresh asparagus. Steamed. dry. Is it for Tadao. A bacchanalia of not to excess, but to excel. I drink Vegetables that taste good. Only in greasy pig product? Not likely. An for the freedom to be open and feel. Santa Clara. Only at Baycon. There’s action of drink and outré conversation Be me. To write. To be with friends. no better place in the world than a only to be found in the proximity of Tadao is my friend. Cathy is my friend. convention. A place for people to Kevin and Andy. Yes. Indeed. The I want to be a friend with Espana. I gather and socialize wih like minded last evil genius party. Crap, is this the want to be a friend and more with… people who hold a weird element close Errol Flynn or Hunter S. Thompson … to their heart. of Baycon or a lisergistic epigram of Patrick, a new brilliance? Shaqiel O’Neal. Maybe. He has all the elements. The Close. End. 30. No more. Or will bit Only the time. The Baycon time. next jesus guy. be an dialog with myself. Do I That’s the rub. Up to help, not sure Cathy. I remain confused. Dear. ever think without walking or talking of my role. A trusted lieutenant or Emotionally intimate. A confused but or speaking out? NO. Only in writing. lackey. How is Tycho a chair? A man happy pixie. of the hotel hour? Write. Why not Heck. Again I think of fun and write? Why be scared good company and companionship and of freedom? How can I peeps. Leigh Ann. Espana. Tadao. transfer this to sober? Elected to hang out and be with others. Where is the tool? Every Tadao is and Cathy is. I love to write. day. Every day. The Snow angels. Leigh Ann, a snow words must flow. The angel on the carpet. How ironic, I can, keys must be pressed. or not be a special snowflake. Yes light Every moment out, out. and refreshing. There’s no difference. Get it all out. Ghod, the Where our host? Mighty Chris freedom. Not sustainable Garcia. Escaped to the arms of the with alcohol or other. Fabulous Linda. To sleep? Perchance How can I bring this out to dream of lilacs and special issues from here? How can I be of fanzines. Christ Garcia. The sober and open? Let it Miss Lovette at the Klingon Slave Auction The SF/SF Crew in the Bar The Photos of Miss Jean Martin from BayCon 2008

Arabella, Leigh Ann and Jungleboy Kevin and Johanna at the Jason on Fanboy Etiquette Last League of Evil Geniuses Party there is an obvious cross over. distance away’ which was rather The Bristol comic So I went to Bristol, feeling vague as we got off at Bristol Temple groggy and worse for wear, I had Meads station. A train station with arranged on the drive home to Croydon some 15 platforms and so much Expo 2008 to met Liam again on Sunday morning railway infrastructure surrounding its and with both of us in the rail business outskirts, much of it is no longer in by James Bacon we got a special deal on the train use. We walked out the front door of fare. The train sped down to Bristol at the beautiful station and I saw a heavy There was the usual James and 125mph, not bad for a thirty year old set dude with long hair and a Tank Girl Stef May birthday party on Saturday machine. It was comfortable and we T-shirt, I asked him where the expo in Uxbridge. These are always quite had a table. was on and he pointed to a doorway good and Stef has a river at the end The online directions, from about forty feet away. of his garden, which we always get the train station, were just ‘a short This was a large hall, I think at into at some stage. This year we had some stage it was a part of the railway inflatable armchairs and the yellow buildings and after some investigation dragon, but a lack of rain meant that it turned out that indeed the building these were grounding a lot. It was a we were in was part of the original good evening and I decided to head 1840 train station in Bristol. The Main home with the wife and dogs at about 1840 station building now being the 2am or thereabouts. I usually stay over Commonwealth and Empire museum as it normally continues into day 2, and the train platforms and shed but the wife needed to study and I was being an exhibition hall, with the wrecked, having been at college that loading bay an extension of the 1840 morning. station. Originally there were two Annually the Bristol Comic terminus stations in Bristol. In 1871 a Expo is the largest comic event in the new station in mock Tudor style that UK. There is also the Birmingham really was an amalgamation of the two International , Thought existing adjacent stations was built. Bubble another comic festival in Leeds, This also realigned the train lines, so Hi-Ex in Inverness in and that through routes could exist, since many comic marts and fairs, but the the stations were at angles to one Bristol Expo is the largest purely comic another, this is a serious curve. Thus event. It’s not like San Diego at all, the original station was defunct by London Film and Comic Con is like a the time this massive fifteen platform small san Diego, except they only have behemoth was completed in 1878. a handful of comic stuff and the big Inside the hall was filled with lines Manga events are Manga, although of tables, going up and down. There were some 94 exhibitors, and I expect selection of underground but highly art and it’s as valid as any other that there were a good 250 tables, professional production comics. media. as there were also a good number of Persepolis would sit well here, but the For me now there are more professionals with a single table. It was detail to these comics. It would be fair comics available than ever before. This £6 in and there was no shortage of to say the selection was heavily of the is odd given how much is available free comics and posters and postcards literature genres known as general online for free, but when you see the immediately upon entry. fiction, autobiographical and whimsey. Tozzer guys producing Peckerwood I was methodical about my The production values were incredible. 24, it shows that the market has approach. I wanted to walk the whole Really nice stuff and of course very considerable stomach for such hall, up and down and then back personal. This is where comics as interesting and very gems. again. We had about five hours and a media rather than genre is really I continued on. I got down to what I the convention was an all weekender, happening. People are finding they can consider a comic fanzine table. The so although I wanted to go to some adequately tell their tale by sequential lads from Futurequake. I am a big of the panels, I knew I would meet fan of this little publishing house. more people, chat, find new comics, They produce A5 and A4 comics. I buy ones I was after, acquire some caught up and bought the releases the artwork and of course imbibe the full guys had for the expo. They produce atmosphere in the main hall. two fanzines dedicated to the world Immediately some serious comic of 2000AD. Zarjaz, which they get books shops were present. Incognito permission to produce original stories Comics from Essex who always have using copyrighted characters for an impressive stand were next to David and Dog Breadth, the Llyod who was signing and sketching. fanzine, which at issue 14 went from I highly recommend his two latest an A4 mostly text, interviews, fan offerings Kickback which is a brilliant fic and articles zine to some articles piece of psychological crime noir and interviews and excellent comics, again The Territory, with . I allowed by the big publisher. These chatted with David who is a guest of guys are pretty cool and I enjoyed honour at LX next year. As you can chatting with them. Mike Carroll, a imagine for Vendetta was a popular friend from Dublin, has had a couple item to be signed, but I was impressed of stories in their pages and you must that he sold out of Kickback. support the local parish. Onwards I went. The dealers Onwards I went and an were an eclectic mix. Regular comic was selling some quality artwork. I shops, mixed with specialist seller, looked on as he did some sketches. homemade productions and fanzines. I saw a page from , the I saw one table which was an amazing written World War II story first part of his and Ian Edgington’s has got to be irreverent enough for me. Scarlet Traces trilogy. It’s an adaption Also in an effort to out-Coxon John, of War of the Worlds and its only one of the covers features a bloodied beautiful, but the pair have gone on hand clutching a staple gun, and to create a sequel set ten years after where there are wounds, there are the Martian invasion, with Victorian staples. Britain having capitalised on the I continued on, Tokyo Pop had a huge defeated Martian technology. Great stand of Manga and I again found SF. I also picked up the Paul Cornell many artists pushing their own recent written Xtinct that originally appeared publications. I was pleased that Self in the Judge Megazine also with Made Hero had a stall. These guys Disraeli artwork. Fan Favourite Cornell have been publishing the Manga was wandering about somewhere, Shakespeare series and I have to admit and I intended to get back to him I am really enjoying it. Richard III is and get it signed, He is a super multi my favourite so far drawn by Patrick talented bloke, very easy going and Warren who I think is still in college. tremendously pleasant. He was a I chatted with the Emma who was the GOH at the Taff con I ran Plota Pi the publisher. I wondered what they would dangercon. do next and she mentioned some This week his new comic Captain interesting plans, such as Henry VIII, Britain and MI: 13 which will feature I did ask about Henry V. They have a selection of British superheroes just done Julius Caaesar so I will get begins. There will be an initial tie in that one, and no doubt it will be an with Marvel’s current big project, Secret interesting take as they have helicopter Invasion and then it continues with its gunships on the cover. about the man from SHIELD but I own story arcs. I bought their new Nevermore collection was unsure if the price was dollars or Onwards I went. More of Edgar Allan Poe’s stories, by a pounds that was pencilled on. If it was homemade comics were purchased. selection of writer and artists, and pounds it was too much, despite trying First Zombies ate my Chilean, which it’s really very impressive and also an to get the chaps attention, he was busy is a must really and of course there adaption of The Trial by Franz Kafka. I chatting, and I failed and intended to was much talk about Zombiecon suggested they might do A Day in the come back later. which I am running in September with Life of Ivan Denisovitch by Alexander D’Israeli was the first pro I got Stef. Then it was Sgt Mike Battle, the Solzhenitsyn or even better 1984. to actually buy from. He was relaxed, greatest American . I just I picked up a load of free promo having won the the night thought that any comic that has the material, put my comics safely away previously for favourite Last Admin Hero, Von Burger and a and continued on. artist (inker). I at last picked up the fight scene between Battle and Osama More and more comics. Shops with fantastic reputations and most beforehand at a comic book signing as with some creators working away part of the free comic book day event as part of the stall. I greeted Liam at They Walk Among us in Richmond, Sharpe of Mamtor publishers. His London. These guys are hot. wife Chris and sister Kerry were hard I came across a number of at work selling this small publishing tables then that were selling artwork. house’s really nice range of comics. I love comic artwork a lot, but am I especially liked Matt Coyles Worry oddly picky about what I buy. It’s not Doll. This comic won him the Rue so much about the characters as the Morgue best comic artist award. (you creators. I won’t buy any old Punisher can preview the first fifteen pages here: page, but you know a one http://www.mamtor.com/books/ will grab my attention. So I browsed worrydoll.html ) Liam is a great sort through and unfortunately nothing and he was busy as hell. really caught my eye. One stall was I met then, who selling some classic pieces, from the was at the Mamtor table, but he had 60’s and 70’s and at a great price, too long a list to do any more sketches, but again the military stories I would and he only had UK artwork with him. have been interested in just were not The DC work he has done with Garth represented. Ennis is amazing and I was hoping he Then it was the artist alley, I might have a page or two along, but no suppose. Well there was a long row luck. of comic artists, working, selling, and I saw Lee Carter was at the 2000 sketching away. I first went to Gary AD stand and I decided I should get a Erskine who is currently working on sketch from this very cool chap. His cash machine back in the train station, . He is an inker and artist and work is really quite shape and it turns picked up some 2000AD graphic was selling quite a lot of Barry Kitson out he is a conceptual designer during Novels as well. artwork that he had inked. I loved his the day for bizarre creations, the New talent in the form of Kieron inks on Johanns Tiger. So I asked for guys who did Project Gotham racing Gillen and drawn by Jamie McKelvie a sketch. There is a small charge, £5, and and comics are a hobby more were on hand. These guys are super which I am more than happy to pay. A than anything else. I was surprised stars in the making. Phonogram was decent sketch is worth a lot more. He as I viewed a selection of prints, two fantastic and McKelvie’s Sunurban is using an interesting technique at the of which he just gave to me, which I Glamour published by moment to cut down repetition of work, thought was very cool. He has just is just spot on. McKelvie also drew by using tracing paper and turning it started a new series in 2000 AD called a piece for X-Men: Divided We Stand over to ink in pencils. I asked for a Dan Dead Eyes, so I picked that up and writen by Matt Fraction. I spoke to Dare which is a fav right now, being after getting a few more bob out of the them, and thanked McKelvie for a piece published by Virgin comics and written of artwork he gave my wife the week by Irish comic genius Garth Ennis. The picture was perfect, I was very impressed. He had some artwork for sale, and I was looking for a recent story that was written by and appeared in 2000 AD. He sold me a rough and finished page, which was cool and also he was giving away posters, selling a print and had comics also to give away. I continued on. There were more comics for sale and I was impressed to see an Akira cell for sale for a huge amount of money. I have a really nice Kenada Cell that I bought in San Diego, and I wouldn’t sell it for the world, but there was a lesser character and I was agog for a moment. Classic, current, crucial and cutting edge artists were working away. I continued on and saw . He had been working all day and was tired, but the stall holder where Bisley was signing asked if I could be the last sketch, which was major cool. I spoke with the great man, and he was impressed that I was Irish and we talked about and comics and he was really quite a pleasant fella. He is a huge man, he looks like he should be a wrestler and when I commented that he was very decent, he dispelled it. I got a nice sketch of Slainé, the comic written by . It’s a Celtic fantasy based on old Irish Mythologies although unique in its own right. Bisley is doing a zombie comic with (who did Lobo with him) and . It’s called The Dead and follows an English Station crew and some soldiers after an apocalyptical event in the UK, where well Zombies happen. It looks really good and starts in August. I spent a lot of time browsing comics, new old, second hand and packed up. I love packs of comics, it’s a very cheap read, much cheaper usually than Graphic Novels and not all stories, arcs or forgotten series have been repackaged. I bought a few titles and a number of good value packs and the odd , especially things that stood out for me. I then met of Jack Staff fame and got a sketch from him, and bought a couple of specials that I am missing. Jack Staff is definitely a very quintessentially British comic and a great read with it. It’s not all I stopped just to get some cola; it fan and we both bumped into Stacey about Jack Staff, the eponymous hero, was nice to have a cool drink. I hadn’t Whittle, who was full of praise of the and there are an interesting selection noticed how warm it was, but it was a actual programme in the Ramada hotel, of characters who share Castletown. I super day outside and it was warm but which she reckoned was very good. especially like Ben Kulmer who works not like San Diego where you would Liam was contemplating going to see for Q, investigating the weird and need aircon, but warm enough. I took a a talk, but he was already late for its unexplained, rather like the metal time to look about and I was impressed beginning and I had checked out train gauntlet hand with special powers that by a crowd of some 30 young people times and reckoned that the 5pm would he has. It’s a great comic and although sitting in an empty corner, chilling out. be for us, and we would meet at 4.45 at I have never read his hard boiled noir Some were the front door. police series Kane, I know a few fans Al Davison, a fantastic comic artist is I knew there were a few tables who love it a lot and I must get around one of those multi skilled and styled I wanted to get back to so I decided to it at some stage. artists, and he was doing a roaring trade to tack back. A few stalls near the far of drawing people in a manga style. He side were now shutting shop and as I is spot on and somehow seems just retraced my steps I noted a few people what to do to get the character likeness were leaving. Then I heard my name but without the exaggeration of the and I met John Reppion and Leah or the detail of a comic artist Moore. Leah has gone blonde and John and captures the clean lines of manga in now has a very musketeer styled beard faithful representation. I was impressed so I hadn’t really recognised them, but as were the people in his queue. The both were suited to these new looks. gang in the corner were nicely noisy, I chatted about Zombiecon – both and at one stage broke out into song are Zombie fans – nay creators in the – Heads, Shoulders Knees and toes, genre that is Zombie, their Raise the Knees and Toes – it was fun. A few had Dead comic with art by Hugo Petrus some manga costumes on and had made is very popular and also well written. a real effort and some of the girls might I especially liked the Arthur Suydam have had costumes on or maybe not. covers from the series, the zombie I got wandering again and met Liam. baby parody of Nevermind being an I had bought some more comics and image that just appeals. We chatted just bumped into him. He had met SF and discussed the Accent comic conrunner Chris Bell, who once had an anthologies, which each year have a involvement with writing comics, but different theme, this year is Robots, but when I went to see her at the Bryan last year was Zombies. A great selection Talbot table, she wasn’t there and of comic art and writing at great value. Bryan was very busy indeed. He also Finally as I had failed to call saw Ken Shinn at one stage another back at a number of table I intended to, I met some Irish lads,Bob Byrne and Alan Nolan. Alan draws Sancho, a very interesting character and has recently produced the first graphic novel collection of the comics. Bob Byrne another creator was selling Mr Amperduke. This is a superb comic, with over 2000 panels this 150 page comic has no words or dialogue at all, just allowing the pictures to tell the story. Mr Amperduke has a large Lego model set in his basement, it’s huge and best of all it’s inhabited. The inhabitants, due to an illness suffered by Mr Amperduke, are left alone, but a nasty little boy who likes to see insects suffers, puts a nasty creature, a Nechradon, into this world of plastic bricks. It’s great. Byrne has also had much success with his Bob Byrne’s Twisted Tales, which are hilariously grim and appear in the pages of 2000AD. You can download some of his work on his website www.clamnuts.com and it mentioned that he was giving an original panel of artwork to everyone who buys the comic, which is pretty cool. And then it was time to go home. There were a load of announcements and a number of interesting discussions, but I had limited time, like always I was pushing my luck that weekend getting as much done as I did and to be honest chatted to many more people than I would have if I was watching talking heads. I think I shall have to mark the Birmingham International Comic Show in the diary as they have Michael Golden as guest of honour. Now Golden has done a lot of work, but for me one of my favourite comics is the first dozen or so issues ofThe ’Nam written by Doug Murray a vet himself. It’s a great comic that lost direction and went arseways real fast, but by then both Murray and Golden were off the title. Anyhow something to really look forward to. I met Liam and we effed it on the train, after speaking to the Train Manager and we were speeding home and made good time. I ended up with a huge stack of comics and graphic novels and other free cool stuff. ATom during the second day of PacifCon informed me, in his best teacher to student voice, that I had been drunk and disorderly the night before, phoor behavor for a young seventeen old fan attending his first convention. Not that I wanted to correct my elders but I had to let him know that I hadn’t been drunk that I was working on a con oneshot with and Nate Bucklin... Looking at me with a totally serious look on his face he spoke words of wisdom that I have never forgotten during my nearly fifty years in fandom: “Dwain, that’s worse than being drunk.” Who am I to argue with that worthy artist and TAFF winner.... so with those words in my mind it’s off I go, no longer writing these words of wisdom, but looking for a bheer or two (or three).

Dwain Kaiser tour stopover in central Birmingham. It might Of course: I’m ever the professional: have been a bad line, Critical Wave #31, a full year later (five issues but I was convinced she in real time: Martin and I were somewhat said “Katherine Kurtz”. shackled to the whims of our readers’ Fantastic, I responded; I wallets). If we ever get our act together, it read and enjoyed several may even end up on eFanzines before the end of her “Deryni” novels of the current millennium. during the late 1970s (just before I pretty much Do you seriously expect to get away with gave up on the whole submitting this as your latest column? “epic fantasy” sub-genre). Where am I? A time and place were arranged, and basic Chris, is that you? bibliographical details double-checked (note: In The Drink Tank. pre-Google) whilst I researched the interview. That would be telling. A couple of weeks later, I turned up What do you want? at the city-centre Holiday Inn, which I’d last [to be continued] visited fourteen years earlier, back when Information. it hosted Novacon 8. Carole smiled as she opened the hotel suite door and introduced me You won’t get it. to… Katherine Kerr, author of the “Deverry” series, launched in 1986 and by then up to its By hook or by crook, we will. sixth instalment, A Time of Omens.

Okay, okay, no need to get so shouty… Did Ms Kerr realise you’d been lured to her room under false pretences? What’s the most uncomfortable journalistic situation you’ve ever found Don’t believe so. I asked a few yourself in? questions swiftly cribbed from HarperCollins’ publicity hand-out, then dropped into generic In the spring of 1992, I took a interrogation; Katherine was very open and telephone call from Carole Jones at chatty; Carole seemed delighted with the Steve Green and Martin Tudor, HarperCollins: she was eager to get one interview; I escaped with my integrity more strolling near the former’s then- of her US fantasy authors interviewed by than usually intact. home in Birmingham in 1984, three Critical Wave (the semi-prozine then edited years before they collaborated on Critical Wave. [Photo: Ann Green] by myself and Martin Tudor) during a signing Did this façade ever see print? O

5 THings about Baycon could, but it would be a lot range Soda Pirate by Greg Vineland the etiquette panel, harder to make quietly in which was a blast. On by a hotel bathroom, wouldn’t Monday, I had a packed Leigh Ann Hildebrand it? room for the personal ad panel. To the credit 1. And now, the recipe for the official 2. You might think that a of all the geeks of unofficial (or is that the unofficial Fanzine Lounge as social Baycon, not a single official?) cocktail of Chris Garcia’s space wouldn’t work as person asked if they Swingin’ Fanzine Lounge: the Little well for actually creating could touch my breasts. Thing. In a hotel goblet, highball, or fanzine content. NO, really, that’s a good go-cup, add one generous scoop ice You’d be wrong. Here’s thing. I promise. (about 1/2 the glass full.) Pour in two the thing: the overall fingers of Absolut Pears vodka. Fill to energy level can reach a 4. My review of the top with Reed’s Ginger Beer. Stir or fever pitch at times (I’m hotel: There. Are. No. mix by other means. (Look, people, I looking at you, Sunday Closets. We had to can’t connect these dots for you. You’ll night’s crazed Eurovision have a separate rolling have to . Just agitate the dancers), but that energy wardrobe sent up to drink into a state of mixedness.) Serve. is at least partially accommodate all of my gowns and um, things. (Every day at For a stronger drink, use a shorter converted into matter -- in the form of a con involves at least three changes glass, or pour three fingers of vodka. writing and art. That’s not just fanzine in an hour material, either. I think of clothing: daytime, evening, and late night. That’s not including hall Variations: that probably some of that writing and costumes or Regency dance togs. And Hot Little Thing -- substitute Reed’s art will end up in the pages of other then there’s all the shawls and wraps Extra Ginger Beer, for a spicier taste. fanzines, or even here in Garcia’s and pairs of gloves and accessories. little thing. Even when things aren’t People, I tell you, con-going is very Little Pink Thing -- add a splash of created in the lounge, there are a lot accessory-intensive.) The bathtubs Reed’s Cherry Ginger Beer. of promises for material made there. are also much smaller than those of Some of those promises are even kept. the previous two hotels. I have to tell Hot Little Pink Thing -- A Hot Little you, I consider the bathtub quality to Thing with a splash of Cherry Ginger. 3. I swear, I did things at Baycon be much more important to my overall outside of the Fanzine Lounge. This con experience than the existence of a Another Thing Altogether: Substitute year we practically had an entire sushi bar. (My bet is on Westercon 61 vanilla vodka for Absolut Pears. programming track devoted to social/ dating skills for geeks, with topics to win Best Con: Hotel Tub Division, 2008.) In the absence of an actual Could the Little Thing benefit like “Fanboy Etiquette”, “Geek of closet, it would be nice if there were from shaking, or a garnish, or perhap My Dreams”, and “Single SF Fan drawers instead of fake drawer fronts. a classier approach? Why yes, yes it Seeks Same...” I got to participate with the charming Mr. Schachat on Oh, and the hallways are smaller. But all of that aside, I enjoyed the public spaces of the hotel, particularly the lobby. I’d love to see more furniture in the main lobby space next year - - an extra conversational set or two, perhaps outside the bar railing. I love a bar with comfy chairs, and the chairs in the new Baycon hotel’s lobby bar are much more comfortable than the ones in the Doubletree’s lobby bar. Now, if we could only get more meat food in the restaurant, we’d be set.

5. With apologies to Donne, the Baycon lounge experience in poetic form:

Th’lounge is all states, and all princes, too, Nothing else is. Princes do but play us; compar’d to this, All honour’s mimic, all wealth alchemy. Thou, sun, art half as happy ‘s we, In that the world’s contracted thus; Thine age asks ease, and since thy duties be To warm the world, that’s done in warming us. Shine here to us, and thou art everywhere; This lounge thy centre is, these walls, thy sphere. Klingons up top, Jean Laser and Espana posing all America’s Next Top Model next to them, Tadao, Tim Powers and Jean on the bottom next to Johanna with a Yeah, it’s kind of like that. whip! Photos from Jean Martin. As I was getting ready to go their money. That seems to me to be a to the hotel for BayCon, the news pretty good thing for a writer to have broke that Robert Asprin had said about his work. Bob Asprin will be passed away. It was a shock, and I missed. instantly remembered that he was Curt Phillips supposed to be a Special Guest at (Photo; Robert Asprin at Stellercon in Marcon with Kevin Standlee as the Greensboro, NC. About 1980) Fan Guest of Honour. I also knew that Kevin had been looking for- Here’s a note on Mr. Asprin ward to seeing him and that he had from Jay Crasner been the President of the Mythad- ventures in his younger, I just heard about Robert Asprin more vulnerable years. That has to dying. Shit. There was a funny man suck. who knew how to write a story that Curt Phillips, a fine fan who wouls stand up to the comedy and sadly doesn’t show up in these he could play with everything around pages as much as I’d like him to, the words, twist them into turrets sent this fine little piece originally and shoot down on you with some for the Fanzine in an Hour at Bay- sort of comedy rifle. I loved the Myth Con, but lack of eMail meant it had Adventures stuff. I remember reading to wait for this edition. them for the first time when I was in I met Bob Asprin at Stellercon in high school and going ‘Wow, this is the http://www.mythadventures.net/> North Carolina back in the 1980’s. It man right here!’ and then passing it on reports- was a great time to meet him because to M, to SaBean, to Mike, to everybody. On May 22, 2008, Bob passed the first Myth Adventures book had Another one gone. away quietly in his home in New just appeared and Bob was on top of Orleans, LA. He had been in good the world. He was clearly a man who I’ve read very little Robert spirits and working on several new loved the SF world and with his new Asprin in my days. I don’t know projects, and was set to be the Guest book opening new roads for him, I why, maybe it’s because I’m always of Honor at a major science fiction imagine that the joy I saw in his face leary of authors who often use convention that very weekend [Marcon]. reflected the wonderous new things middle initials (You wouldn’t believe He is survived by his mother, his sister, going on in his heart and mind. That how long it took me to get into his daughter and his son, and his was a great weekend for Bob Asprin. Robert J. Sawyer). I’ve read a couple cat, Princess, not to mention countless Everyone should have a weekend of things, and I remember he did a friends and fans and numerous like that one. His books were reliable series of columns about writing for legendary fictional characters. reading and fun, and never gave the one of the mags that I thought were reader anything less than full value for really good.