Observations From A Comic-Con

It’s only now that I’m up for writing about my time during the San Diego Comic-Con. It’s definitely not what it was when I first started attending and promoting my work. It couldn’t be, as I first attended the con as a guest of DC Comics back in 1990 and the convention hall itself only consisted of sections A, B and C. It would be years before ground was broken to construct what exists today.

I had arrived and set up my table on Tuesday prior to Preview Night, which made everything a lot more manageable as I didn’t have to rush in Wednesday trying to find parking and getting my books and portfolios into the building just before the crowds were let in. The next 4 days after Preview Night were a blur of meeting people, promoting my book, and checking out various points and people of interest throughout the hall.

After the convention, I took my family out to dinner in Little Italy where we enjoyed a great meal at Mimmo’s. It was a bit pricey, but you get what you pay for. Both the food and service were excellent.

Once I was back at the hotel where I was staying, I was able to reflect on what transpired over the past several days. The best part were the familiar faces that showed up once again to check in to see what I was up to. It’s absolutely amazing to discover the people who travel a great distance just to see you so they could tell you how much your work means to them. It definitely makes one humble.

It was also encouraging to see people embrace my latest efforts such as the KEN PENDERS’ KNUCKLES OMNIBUS VOLUME ONE and THE LARA_SU CHRONICLES: BEGINNINGS, to say nothing of my FALLEN SCOURGE and both of my SHADOW prints. I also sold out of the SONIC SELECT books I brought, but it’s clear I’m foregoing bringing any back issues with me to any further shows. I’m content to sell those strictly through my online web store or through EBay.

People definitely were asking about SCOTT SHAW!’S SONIC DAYS, and with news the tariffs may not affect that project at all, I made a unilateral decision to move forward with the publication of the book while at the convention. Ethan has been busy recoloring everything and is close to finishing up, while Scott has been thrilled with everything he’s seen so far. I’m a little bit anxious about this project myself as it’ll mark the first time my role on a book is solely as a publisher / production artist. I make no claims to having contributed any writing, penciling, inking, lettering or coloring where the stories and art are concerned with this book.

While reaction to the books have been great, please forgive me for sounding like a commercial frequently. Because I only sell the books through my website initially, I have to make sure enough sales are generated to at least pay for printing and shipping. It isn’t until the books are in my hand that I can begin selling on Ebay as well. Then I still need to keep generating sales so I can pay creators their royalties and others involved in the production of the books as well as other expenses. Running a website like I have isn’t free, and there are numerous other business costs involved.

Planning for the long-term is beginning to take shape. As I prepare getting SCOTT SHAW!’S SONIC DAYS ready for the printer, I’m adding new material to the LARA-SU APP in getting that ready for release. I’m also in the early stages of planning the Mobian Adventure Line’s following releases, THE SHADOW FILES and HER MAJESTY SALLY for release by the time the San Diego Comic-Con arrives in 2026.

As for further convention appearances, the Los Angeles Comic-Con taking place this September from the 26th thru the 28th is the next on my docket. Beyond that, everything is up in the air, but I hope to do more on that front.

So while I get back to my drawing board, I ask that if you’ve been thinking of getting either BEGINNINGS or the KNUCKLES OMNIBUS, I ask you do it sooner rather than later as it makes all things possible where Floating Island Productions and the Mobian Adventure line are concerned. What I’ve found out during Comic-Con is that I’m doing good by my fellow creators where many other publishers aren’t, and that’s only made possible because of everyone’s support. The creators appreciate it and so do I. Thank you.