Michael Dooley, over at PRINT Magazine’s Imprint, provides a fun and informative recap of this year’s Comic-Con International in San Diego. And, of course, here in Seattle we appreciate a shout out to our favorite son, David Lasky, part of the “Fictionalized Non-Fiction” panel moderated by Heidi MacDonald and also featuring Gilbert Hernandez and Mimi Pond.
Personally, I think it’s best to remain fluid and flexible in your views on Comic-Con. I think it becomes rather tedious, and outright ridiculous, to rip into the kids having fun in costume. To keep yourself honest, you need to remember that the ideal age to go to Comic-Con is right around thirteen. Sorry, but it’s true. Of course, as you get older, and older, there’s much more to appreciate. That’s also quite true. There’s plenty on offer for the most discerning attendee. If you go to this event just to take in fine examples of design, a mature and intelligent choice, well, you won’t be disappointed. I don’t think that comics always need to adhere to design standards but often they do and to great effect, like the work of Alex Toth. Ultimately, a framework will exist to one degree or another.
The best moment, by far, that Dooley shares with us is the case of comics legend, Lily Renée. She’s a bona fide Comics Hall of Famer. And here’s the story of her happening to be in town and wondering if she might be able to get into the con for free. Trina Robbins has written a biography of Lily Renée entitled, “Escape Artist: From Holocaust Survivor to Comic Book Pioneer.” That title says it all. So, Trina finds out that Lily would like to go and the rest is another example of the magic you’ll find taking place at Comic-Con. Of course, Lily got in for free. When Jackie Estrada got word of it, things were arranged and then Trina talked to Fantagraphic Books and they rolled out the red carpet for Lily to sign books.
For the whole recap, visit our friend, Michael Dooley, at PRINT, right here.
