Cartoon Art

Comic Con parking is a nightmarish ordeal of such horrendous proportions that it deserves its own description, but there are too many other aspects of the World's Largest Cartoon Fandango to use that much space here. Note the irony in the use of "too much space?"
I live fifteen miles away yet still gave serious consideration to walking to the convention center from my front porch. Not only would it be cheaper, I likely would arrive sooner than looking for a parking spot. Before I could begin my journey, I charged fifteen dollars each to three cars that parked in front of my house. They were loaded with costumed, portfolio carrying, Comic Con attenders who couldn't find a closer place to park. With that profit in hand, I figured I could bribe one of the pimply faced parking lot attendants to let me in and park wherever I wanted. While that worked, I was still one zip code away from the main entrance.

I chuckled at the unwashed cartoon fans waiting in a quarter mile long registration line that coiled around the convention center like a hungry snake relishing its prey. As a professional cartoonist, I of course assumed that my grand arrival would be celebrated with a long red carpet, blaring trumpets glistening in dazzling camera flashes amidst deafening applause. Instead of autograph book carrying women swooning into my arms, the crowd jostled me from one side of the sidewalk to the other, while I feverishly searched for what was called the Pros Entrance. I was surprised that the door resembled the same one that fans poured through. There were no ribbon wrapped champagne glasses or black tie attendants with silver trays of hors de houvres. In desperation, I asked a bored looking security worker in a stained red shirt. He, with drooping eyes, unceremoniously pointed toward a line that eventually lead inside to the Pro Registration area. At that point, I began to suspect that I wasn't the only cartoon legend attending the convention. This was quickly confirmed by everyone in line holding the same bar coded paperwork I had. Hope springing eternal, I assumed that a polished marble ball room and gala party were just a few steps away. Yeah, right!!! A high schooler quickly scanned my barcodes. Before I could ask for the key to my executive suite, the makings of my entrance passes were plopped onto the counter. Reality set in that I was to assemble on my own badges. She mumbled, "We're out of goody bags, so grab the registration info from the carboard boxes over there. NEXT!" With scheduling and souvenier booklets as well as other papers overflowing from my hands... I mixed into the crowd.

It's my impression that many more red golf shirt clad security were present than in past years. Then it dawned on me, "Well, of course! Bin Lauden himself probably designated the Cartoon Convention as THE perfect terrorist target." With that thought, I no longer minded the hairy eyeball stares at each of us and our badges as we moved about. I was relieved to realize that if security couldn't save us, the many super hero costumed attendees could; Their impressive laser weapons were more than enough to salve anyone's fears.

As the first completely sold out convention, I knew there would be more crowds this year... and there were, especially in the main area where the big name companies jousted for the title of best exhibition. But every year, every time I venture into the BIG EXHIBITS, I go away feeling like a pressed ham sandwich that was stepped on. I wonder what I'm doing there literally six inches or less from all of the others!!! Over the years I've decided that best parts of the convention actually are far away from that tidle wave of people squeezing between each other like tangled worms in a bait can! Sure, you'll want to risk life and limb to see what's there, everyone does including me.... but think about spending more time visiting the many more exhibitors who are unknown. Talk with them and experience the huge amount of creativity and meet possibly tomorrow's cartoon world stars. Attend lectures and workshops... not just the fan crazed ones with famous artists and long lines. The best and often less crowded exhibits offer what helps us to become better cartoonists.