Convention Report – Atlanta Comic Con

Returning from Atlanta Comic Con this past weekend with an odd mix of disappointment and happiness.

Sporting new vertical signage thanks to Graphic Signs Atlanta!

First off, I just want to say what a joy it was to meet David Mack and Joseph Michael Linsner (again), and now Billy Tucci, who I had no idea would be in attendance!  I picked up a bag he dropped and gave it back to him without even knowing who he was.  For those who don’t know him, Tucci is the author and artist of a comic from the 90’s called Shi, a tale of a half-Japanese, half-American woman out for revenge against the Yakuza lord who killed her father and brother. (Funny how half of my inspirational artists/writers tell tales about women out for revenge)

It was great to yack with some of my favorite comic book creators about what drove them to create their stories and what point in their life they felt that they were ready to tell them.  It was very insightful and inspiring to know that most of them really didn’t know what they were going to write about till they were in their 20’s. Maybe I’m not so far behind after all?

Meeting them was a double edged sword. I found myself surprisingly in tears Saturday night for a reason I couldn’t identify till later.  Realizing how far you still have to go can be traumatic when you’ve not had a lot of sleep, have been on a crazed underpaid work schedule, and meet so many great folks who are ‘there’ already that it makes you feel so incredibly behind in your life.  Even the ‘there’ness is an illusion, I realize. These guys worked hard to realize their creative vision and they are STILL working hard to keep doing what they love!

And so, like many of the cons up until this point this year, I took a financial hit, but learned so much from the folks in attendance.  I can only hope future cons will be a better balance of profits AND advice!  Right now, there’s a definite imbalance between the two.

As for the convention itself, I won’t be going back next year, not as a vendor (unless I have the extra money lounging around).  It was meant to be a 3 day con, but was changed to a 2 day con without notice to the vendors, or at least I did not receive any.  The contact for the artist alley changed several times and I did not receive word back on many of the questions I asked that were forwarded around to the new contacts.  Setup was fairly easy, but I felt like the management could’ve done a better job of keeping us informed.  I found most of the info I needed eventually, but had to dig through a busy complicated FAQ to find it.

The audience also did not seem very interested in what I had to sell (the Angelic Visions book, prints, masks, etc).  I got the distinct feeling that many of them were young artists there to meet and greet with their favorite creators and movie stars and not necessarily to buy things from other not-so-famous artists, something I wish I’d thought of before deciding to drop $200 on a table fee.

A gift sketch from
Joseph M. Linsner

On the plus side, I received a wonderful sketch from Joe in appreciation for the mask I gifted him at DragonCon. It was a great feeling to know he’s mounted it in his room and finds inspiration from it on a daily basis.  Also wonderful was yacking to David about gender and author identity and to Billy about how he prefers writing to drawing (something I thought I’d never hear such a talented artist say! It shined new light on my own illustrator versus writer predicament).

All in all, this con didn’t lack for amazing people to meet, which is why if I come next year, it will most likely be as a con-goer instead of as an artist.

For the usual photostream of interesting costumes and such, check out my Atlanta Comic Con album on Facebook!

3 comments

  1. lightisthenewdark says:

    Angela,
    I am sorry I missed you at the con but I stayed in CA for an opening reception of a group art show I was in. Joe told me how nice it was to speak with you and your Mom at the show, as well as so many other fellow Artists.At least the quiet allowed for people to network and catch up. The mask was such a lovely gesture and as soon as we got back from DragonCon we both remarked on the fine craftsmanship and artistry. I’ve been peeking into your blog and enjoying your work ever since. Such a nice introduction. Hope to catch up with you again sometime when I am in GA.

    I was waiting to see the Dawn gift sketch.It’s a stunning one indeed.Thanks for sharing!

    K~

  2. Angela Sasser says:

    K,
    It seems answering blog comments has gotten away from me again this year! It really does fill me with joy to know that the mask has found a place it can inspire someone every day, especially someone I respect!

    I hope we’ll meet again sometime! I suspect you were the lovely lady who held the camera for me while I fiddled around looking for something at DragonCon?

    Hope you guys had a wonderful holiday!

    Ang

  3. Indigene says:

    Realizing a dream and working toward it is never too late or too old! You’re an amazing artist and a constant inspiration. It took me many start and stops to finally get in the game professionally at 42! So you’re a spring chicken as far as I’m concern. Keep doing what you’re amazing at, the money will come! 🙂 Happy New Year!

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