Conventions, Conventions, Conventions!

I went to a few conventions recently. All of them in Toronto.

The first one was Fan Expo Toronto Comicon, I only went up and down on the Sunday but it was a 3 day event. I did audio record a few panels, 2 sketch duels and 1 spotlight on Larry F. Houston. I normally stick with just comic book (and often comic book history) related panels but there unfortunately weren’t any on that day.

That said I did enjoy the Larry F. Houston panel. If you’re around my age and enjoyed cartoons such as Spider-Man and His Amazing Friends, Pryde of the X-Men and the 1992 X-Men cartoon than this panel is for you as Larry was involved in all of it. Larry also gives us a heads up on what the X-Men 97 cartoon is about and why we should watch it. This got me to watch it. While I did watch the X-Men 92 show I can’t say I had the overly fond memories that people a bit younger than me have about the show.

The two sketch duels were interesting, one involved Mike Rooth vs. Hugh Rookwood (and vs. Jay Fosgitt) they spoke about drawing with various things and working digitally vs/and digitally. Jay told the story about writing a letter to Jim Henson as a young boy saying he wanted to be an artist and work for him, then eventually doing so and seeing that Jim kept that letter and his response.

The other duel was Casey Parsons vs. Chris Compana and the spoke about a variety of topics including when they started drawing, their art school experience, artist block and how they deal with it, what music they listen to while drawing, how doing art for a living can sometimes be a drudgery, working on trading cards, if they bargain with editor/writers when they get a page they really don’t want to draw, if they have a go to character they always draw when doodling or warming up, guilty pleasures they like to draw, their other creative outlets, characters they would love to revive with their own takes, what they are working on right now, a project they weren’t happy with but turned out to be a big success, their dream project, work of other artists they like, but can’t happily do themselves, if it’s harder starting a series mid-way through vs being there from the very beginning, their ‘I made it’ moment.

The 2nd convention I went to was the Artsy Fartsy Comic Con. This is a very small 1 day show with 20 creators selling books, art and doing sketches/commissions. I mainly chatted with various people there and took pictures of everybody. It was especially nice to see Ty Templeton and Ruby Smith. Both of whom (but Ty especially) have had health problems and haven’t been tabling at Toronto shows since before the pandemic I believe. Proof of Life! was shouted when people (including me) took pictures of Ty. It was also nice to chat with Mike and Erika Wallace Rooth.

The most recent ‘convention’ I attended was the Toronto Comics Arts Festival. Where I recorded a whole bunch of panels. It is one of my favourite shows to do each year. What was surprising this year was program director Miles Baker stepping down and that the Toronto Reference Library that hosts the event will be undergoing renovations for the next two years. They are going to need to find a new space for the show. Trying to find a space that will fit the convention and keeping it free to attend will be a challenge.

On happier news Drawn & Quarterly, who had taken a multi year hiatus from doing the show was back this year. Sadly there was a couple of sections of the event I did not get to visit as I spent most of my time recording panels as usual. I got most of the panels I wanted to do but there were a few I couldn’t do for a variety of reasons, among them were panels running late and not being able to get to the next panel on time. For some reason it just felt like people were running over, starting late or were rushing through their panels to make it fit within whatever time was left to do. I didn’t check to see if they had volunteers there giving panellists warnings about their time, but if they didn’t, they need to make sure they are there next year.

The Founders of San Diego Comic Con

Comic Con International LogoI’m writing this as kind of a public service. San Diego Comic Con (aka Comic Con International) is the largest and most well-known comic convention in North America, maybe even the World. I’ve been going to it since 2008 and It’s one of my favourite comic conventions.

Over the years I’ve attended panels about the origins of the convention and met many of the founders. The convention was originally called The Golden State Comic Con and began in 1970, making it one of if not the oldest currently ongoing comic book conventions today. There were 2 conventions that year, a 1 day mini-con on March 21 that was done to test the waters to see if enough people would come to a convention, then a 3 day convention on August 1-3rd.

One of the things that happens on occasion that bugs me is when other people who weren’t involved in starting the convention call themselves a founder of it. It’s historical inaccurate and feels like stolen valour when that happens.

I’ve reached out to many of the surviving known founders and asked them for a definitive list of names of people who were involved in founding the first comic con. Mike Towry, Barry Alfonso, Scott Shaw! and Will Lund have confirmed this list of names as those who founded comic con.

The agreed upon names of founders are:

Shel Dorf, Richard Alf, Ken Krueger, Bob Sourk, Mike Towry, Barry Alfonso, John Hull, Bud Jamison, Greg Bear, Dave Clark, Scott Shaw!, Roger Freedman, John Pound, Steve Shipman, Dan Stewart and Will Lund.

If you ever come across somebody claiming to be a founder of San Diego Comic Con and they are not one of the above names don’t believe them.

Soon joining to help out as self-described gophers was David, Pat and Steve McGlone.

You don’t have to take my word for it, founders Mike Towry & Barry Alfonso have written their own recollections on how Comic Con began and who was involved. They are both very good detailed course of events that describe how Shel Dorf pitched the idea of doing a convention in San Diego to Richard Alf and his friends. Shel had prior experience putting on conventions when he worked with Dr. Jerry Bails & others to do the Detroit Triple Fan Fair convention from 1965 to 1969. Shel also introduced the group to Jack Kirby, then the group expanded to include others to do the work of putting on the show. Shel advised the group what steps had to be done to put on the event, while the mostly group of teenagers did the work.

Noted historian R.C. Harvey also wrote the founding of Comic Con via his profile on Shel Dorf.

Below is the 1 page welcome sheet of the very first 1 day San Diego mini-con that listed some of the people that worked to put on the convention. It took place on March 21, 1970.

1st Golden State Comic Con Welcome Sheet.

Image courtesy of https://comicconmemories.com/2011/04/06/welcome-to-the-march-1970-san-diego-minicon/ and the from the Richard Alf archives.

The 2nd event took place on August 1-3rd, 1970. Below are pages from the program guide, again with a list of names that helped put on the event. The names Bill Hupp, Ron Cearns and Gary Pagel are added to the crew. Bud Jamison and Roger Freedman are not listed, but I’m told Roger Freedman was there and involved.
1970 Golden State Comic Con Program Book The above image is courtesy of Greg Koudoulian, who houses archives from Shel Dorf, Richard Alf and others.

Addendum:

Founder Will Lund’s wrote me his memories of his involvement on the beginnings of comic con and gave me permission to post them:

I returned to San Diego following a tour in Vietnam and was assigned to then-Navy base Miramar. I was contacted by Shel Dorf regarding a group of Co Dorfman or Richard Alf had seen a letter of commercial I had made in a Comic pr fanzine (I don’t recall) and contacted me through the address I had given. Anyway, I was invited to join their at a small gathering of comic book collectors. It was either at that meeting or later that plans were made to do a convention. I don’t recall who was in attendance at those earlier meeting but they included Shel Dorf, Richard Alf, Ken Krueger, Barry Alfonso, John Hull, Scott Shaw, Mike Towry, John Pound, David Clark, Roger Freedman, Steve McGlone, Patrick McGlone, Ron Cearns, Gary Pagel, and others whose names have escaped my memory.

Shel had worked on the Detroit Triple Fan Fair, while Ken Krueger and John Hull had previously worked on other conventions so we were not going into this venture blindly. Ken was the first chairman and operating funds were put up by Richard Alf from his mail order business. I was busy with my Navy duties then so I wasn’t around a lot in the beginning, but I was there.

Another young man who was there among the founding members and shouldn’t be forgotten was science fiction writer Greg Bear. He made his success as a writer after working on the convention and was involved in many ways in Fandom earlier. He helped with obtaining Ray Bradbury as our major SF writer guest as well as Ken Krueger. Comic Con wasn’t only known for Comic books but also for other interests.

The second year was held on the UCSD campus to save money and Richard Alf was the chairman. I believe it was because he was attending the university. Others had joined our group and helped us expand, including Jean Peacock, Pam May and Donna McGary. I was originally to be the chairman the third year but the Republicans were going to hold their convention in San Diego and all hotel space was booked and we were locked into our dates although we tried to change them. Fortunately the Republicans moved to Miami and I went back to the El Cortez with Ken Krueger and Shel Dorf and we signed a contract with them. Others were unhappy that it took too long to obtain a hotel so that was relieved of my chairmanship.

The following year others were going to run the convention and we ended up holding just our meetings. Eventually the ones who going to take over decided to disband and the small group took a vote and with around six months left we decided to put on the San Diego Comic Con. New memberships to the group included Richard Butner, Bill and Steve Shane’s, and Chuck Graham, among others. We held it at the Sheraton Hotel since the El Cortez wasn’t available. We needed an artist to really get memberships in so I called up Neal Adams and he agreed to attend. And the rest is history, so to speak.

And that’s the early history of Comic Con, Jamie, as much as I recall.

The Combined Best Comics & Graphic Novels of 2023!

Since October 2023 there have been many, many websites with “Best of 2023” lists concerning comic books, manga, webcomics and graphic novels. If you’ve looked at a few, you may have noticed some of the same books on different lists and seen some unique to only that list.

I went through 226 different URLs with “Best Of” Lists regarding comics and combined them into a spreadsheet. There are over 3,800 different listings of books from these websites. I should note that I’ve included books that were given honourable mentions. In short, if somebody thought it was a good book that you should check out, it’s on here.

This year the #1 book was Monica by Daniel Clowes, published by Fantagraphics.
Daniel Clowes and his book MonicaThe #2 book was Roaming by Mariko and Jillian Tamaki (Drawn & Quarterly). Squeaking into 3rd place was Shubeik Lubeik by Deena Mohamad (Pantheon). There is a 3 way tie for 4th place with Blood of the Virgin by Sammy Harkham (Pantheon), A Guest in the House by Emily Carroll (First Second) and The Talk by Darrin Bell (Henry Holt and Co.). 5th place was Why Don’t You Love Me? By P. B. Rainey (Drawn & Quarterly).

Below are all the books with 5 mentions or more.

Book Title Count Writer Artist Publisher
Monica 62 Daniel Clowes Daniel Clowes Fantagraphics
Roaming 51 Mariko Tamaki, Jillian Tamaki Jillian Tamaki Drawn & Quarterly
Shubeik Lubeik 37 Deena Mohamed Deena Mohamed Pantheon
Blood of the Virgin 35 Sammy Harkham Sammy Harkham Pantheon
A Guest in the House 35 Emily Carroll Emily Carroll First Second
The Talk 35 Darrin Bell Darrin Bell Henry Holt and Co.
Why Don’t You Love Me? 27 P.B. Rainey P.B. Rainey Drawn & Quarterly
W0rldtr33 24 James Tynion IV Fernando Blanco, Jordie Bellaire Image Comics
Birds of Prey 23 Kelly Thompson Leonardo Bastos Romero, Jordie Bellaire, Matt Herms DC Comics
Mexikid 23 Pedro Martín Pedro Martín Dial Books
Transformers 19 Daniel Warren Johnson Daniel Warren Johnson, Mike Spicer Image Comics
Family Style: Memories of an American From Vietnam 18 Thien Pham Thien Pham First Second
The Immortal Thor 17 Al Ewing Martin Coccolo, Matthew Wilson Marvel Comics
Batman/Superman: World’s Finest 17 Mark Waid Dan Mora, Tamra Bonvillain DC Comics
Three Rocks: The Story of Ernie Bushmiller, The Man Who Created Nancy 16 Bill Griffith Bill Griffith Harry N. Abrams
Impossible People: A Completely Average Recovery Story 16 Julia Wertz Julia Wertz Black Dog & Leventhal
Wonder Woman 15 Tom King Daniel Sampere, Tomeu Morey DC Comics
Local Man 15 Tim Seeley, Tony Fleecs Tim Seeley, Tony Fleecs Image Comics
Parachute Kids 15 Betty C. Tang Betty C. Tang Graphix
Time Under Tension 14 M.S. Harkness M.S. Harkness Fantagraphics
Girl Juice 14 Benji Nate Benji Nate Drawn & Quarterly
The Gull Yettin 14 Joe Kessler Joe Kessler New York Review Comics
Do a Powerbomb! 14 Daniel Warren Johnson Daniel Warren Johnson, Mike Spicer Image Comics
Things in the Basement 14 Ben Hatke Ben Hatke, Zack Giallongo First Second
20th Century Men 14 Deniz Camp Stipan Morian Image Comics
A First Time for Everything 14 Dan Santat Dan Santat First Second
Boys Weekend 13 Mattie Lubchansky Mattie Lubchansky Pantheon
River’s Edge 13 Kyoko Okazaki Kyoko Okazaki Kodansha Comics
Daredevil 13 Chip Zdarsky, Ann Nocenti Various Marvel Comics
Fantastic Four 13 Ryan North Iban Coello, Ivan Fiorelli Marvel Comics
Sunday 12 Olivier Schrauwen Olivier Schrauwen Colorama
Void Rivals 12 Robert Kirkman Lorenzo De Felici, Matheus Lopes Image Comics
This Country: Searching For Home in (Very) Rural America 12 Navied Mahdavian Navied Mahdavian Princeton Architectural Press
The Incredible Hulk 12 Phillip Kennedy Johnson Nic Klein, Matthew Wilson Marvel Comics
In Limbo 12 Deb JJ. Lee Deb JJ. Lee First Second
Wonder Woman Historia: The Amazons 12 Kelly Sue Deconnick Phil Jimenez, Gene Ha, Nicola Scott DC Comics
The Enfield Gang Massacre 11 Chris Condon Jacob Phillips, Pip Martin Image Comics
What Awaits Them 11 Liam Cobb Liam Cobb Breakdown Press
Nejishiki 11 Yoshiharu Tsuge Yoshiharu Tsuge Drawn & Quarterly
Social Fiction 11 Chantal Montellier Chantal Montellier New York Review Comics
Are You Willing To Die For The Cause? 11 Chris Oliveros Chris Oliveros Drawn & Quarterly
Night Fever 11 Ed Brubaker Sean Phillips, Jacob Phillips Image Comics
The Human Target 11 Tom King Various DC Comics
Akane-banashi 11 Yuki Suenaga Takamasa Moue VIZ Media
Bea Wolf 10 Zach Weinersmith Boulet First Second
Juliette: Or, the Ghosts Return in the Spring 10 Camille Jourdy Camille Jourdy Drawn & Quarterly
The Second Fake Death of Eddie Campbell 10 Eddie Campbell Eddie Campbell Top Shelf Productions
Hungry Ghost 10 Victoria Ying Victoria Ying First Second
The Princess and the Grilled Cheese Sandwich 10 Deya Muniz Deya Muniz Little, Brown Ink
PeePee PooPoo 10 Caroline Cash Caroline Cash Silver Sprocket
The Naked Tree 10 Keum Suk Gendry-Kim Keum Suk Gendry-Kim Drawn & Quarterly
Danger and Other Unknown Risks 10 Ryan North Erica Henderson Penguin Workshop
Rare Flavours 10 Ram V Filipe Andrade BOOM! Studios
Goodbye, Eri 10 Tatsuki Fujimoto Tatsuki Fujimoto VIZ Media
Monstrous: A Transracial Adoption Story 10 Sarah Myer Sarah Myer First Second
Damn Them All 10 Si Spurrier Charlie Adlard, Sofie Dodgson, Shayne Hannah Cui BOOM! Studios
Werewolf Jones & Sons® Deluxe Summer Fun Annual! 9 Josh Pettinger, Simon Hanselmann Josh Pettinger, Simon Hanselmann, Nate Garcia Fantagraphics
W the Whore 9 Katrin de Vries Anke Feuchtenberger New York Review Comics
I Am Stan 9 Tom Scioli Tom Scioli Ten Speed Graphic
Okinawa 9 Susumu Higa Susumu Higa Fantagraphics
Beneath the Trees Where Nobody Sees 9 Patrick Horvath Patrick Horvath IDW Publishing
Miles Davis and the Search for the Sound 9 Dave Chisholm Dave Chisholm Z2 Comics
Carmilla: The First Vampire 9 Amy Chu Soo Lee Dark Horse
Peacemaker Tries Hard! 9 Kyle Starks Steve Pugh, Jordie Bellaire DC Comics
Phantom Road 9 Jeff Lemire Gabriel Hernandez Walta Image Comics
I Must Be Dreaming 9 Roz Chast Roz Chast Bloomsbury Publishing
Mimosa 9 Archie Bongiovanni Archie Bongiovanni Harry N. Abrams
Sunshine 9 Jarrett J. Krosoczka Jarrett J. Krosoczka Graphix
Saga 9 Brian K. Vaughan Fiona Staples Image Comics
Ghost Book 9 Remy Lai Remy Lai Henry Holt and Co.
Love Everlasting 9 Tom King Elsa Charretier, Matt Hollingsworth Image Comics
Fielder 8 Kevin Huizenga Kevin Huizenga Self-Published
Unended 8 Josh Beyer Josh Beyer Uncivilized Books
Worm: A Cuban American Odyssey 8 Edel Rodríguez Edel Rodríguez Metropolitian
The Super Hero’s Journey 8 Patrick McDonnell Various Harry N. Abrams
Buzzing 8 Samuel Sattin Rye Hickman Little, Brown Ink
Worm and Caterpillar Are Friends 8 Kaz Windness Kaz Windness Simon Spotlight
The Ribbon Queen 8 Garth Ennis Jacen Burrows, Guillermo Ortego and Dan Brown AWA Studios
My Picture Diary 8 Fujiwara Maki Fujiwara Maki Drawn & Quarterly
Ultimate Invasion 8 Jonathan Hickman, Donny Cates Bryan Hitch, Andrew Currie, Alex Sinclair Marvel Comics
Kaya 8 Wes Craig Wes Craig Image Comics
Eerie Tales from the School of Screams 8 Graham Annable Graham Annable First Second
G.O.D.S. 7 Jonathan Hickman Valerio Schiti Marvel Comics
The Moth Keeper 7 K. O’Neill K. O’Neill Random House Graphic
Baby 7 Patrick Kyle Patrick Kyle Breakdown Press
The He-Man Effect: How American Toymakers Sold You Your Childhood 7 Brian “Box” Brown Brian “Box” Brown First Second
Somna 7 Becky Cloonan, Tula Lotay Becky Cloonan, Tula Lotay DSTLRY
Now Let Me Fly: A Portrait of Eugene Bullard 7 Ronald Wimberly Brahm Revel First Second
Saving Sunshine 7 Saadia Faruqi Shazleen Khan First Second
The Great Beyond 7 Léa Murawiec Léa Murawiec Drawn & Quarterly
Parasocial 7 Alex de Campi Erica Henderson Image Comics
Eden II 7 K. Wroten K. Wroten Fantagraphics
Green Lantern 7 Jeremy Adams, Peter J. Tomasi Xermanico, Scott Godlewski, Darko Lafuente, Romulo Fajardo, Tamra Bonvillain DC Comics
Artificial: A Love Story 7 Amy Kurzweil Amy Kurzweil Catapult
The Man in the McIntosh Suit 7 Rina Ayuyang Rina Ayuyang Drawn & Quarterly
Avengers Inc. 7 Al Ewing Leonard Kirk, Alex Sinclair Marvel Comics
Brooms 7 Jasmine Walls Teo DuVall Levine Querido
The Nice House on the Lake 7 James Tynion IV Alvaro Martino Bueno DC Comics
Doctor Strange: Fall Sunrise 7 Tradd Moore Tradd Moore, Heather Moore Marvel Comics
Nightwing 7 Tom Taylor Bruno Redondo, Geraldo Borges, Wade von Grawbadger, Adriano Lucas DC Comics
Gotham City: Year One 7 Tom King Phil Hester, Eric Gapstur, Jordie Bellaire DC Comics
Superman 7 Joshua Williamson Various DC Comics
Immortal X-Men 7 Kieron Gillen Lucas Werneck Marvel Comics
Moon Knight 7 Jed MacKay, Danny Lore Federico Sabbatini, Alessandro Cappuccio, Ray-Anthony Height Marvel Comics
School Trip 7 Jerry Craft Jerry Craft Quill Tree Books
Where the Body Was 6 Ed Brubaker Sean Phillips, Jacob Phillips Image Comics
Brooklyn’s Last Secret 6 Leslie Stein Leslie Stein Drawn & Quarterly
Four Eyes 6 Rex Ogle Dave Valeza, Ash Szymanik Graphix
She Loves to Cook, and She Loves to Eat 6 Sakaomi Yuzaki Sakaomi Yuzaki Yen Press
Minami’s Lover 6 Shungicu Uchida Shungicu Uchida Fantagraphics
I Wish I Was Stupid 6 Ebisu Yoshikazu Ebisu Yoshikazu Breakdown Press
The Great British Bump-Off 6 John Allison Max Sarin, Sammy Borras Dark Horse
Fire & Ice: Welcome to Smallville 6 Joanne Starer Natacha Bustos, Tamra Bonvillain DC Comics
Tegan and Sara: Junior High 6 Tegan Quin, Sara Quin Tillie Walden Macmillan
Prokaryote Season 6 Leo Fox Leo Fox Silver Sprocket
The Chromatic Fantasy 6 H.A. H.A. Silver Sprocket
Swan Songs 6 W. Maxwell Prince Various Image Comics
Danger Street 6 Tom King Jorge Fornés, Dave Stewart DC Comics
March Comes In Like a Lion 6 Chica Umino Chica Umino Denpa Books
X-Men Red 6 Al Ewing Stefano Caselli, Juann Cabal, Andres Genolet Marvel Comics
Superman vs. Meshi 6 Satoshi Miyagawa Kai Kitago DC Comics/Kodansha
Grace Needs Space! 6 Benjamin A. Wilgus Rii Abrego Random House Graphic
Pet Peeves 6 Nicole Goux Nicole Goux Avery Hill Publishing
The Hard Switch 6 Owen D. Pomery Owen D. Pomery Avery Hill Publishing
Hexagon Bridge 6 Richard Blake Richard Blake Image Comics
Batman: City of Madness 6 Christian Ward Christian Ward DC Comics
Where I’m Coming From 6 Barbara Brandon-Croft Barbara Brandon-Croft Drawn & Quarterly
Anaïs Nin: A Sea of Lies 6 Léonie Bischoff Léonie Bischoff Fantagraphics
Spa 6 Erik Svetoft Erik Svetoft Fantagraphics
Clementine Book Two 6 Tillie Walden Tillie Walden Image Comics
Sensational She-Hulk 6 Rainbow Rowell Andrés Genolet, Dee Cunliffe Marvel Comics
Scarlet Witch 6 Steve Orlando Various Marvel Comics
Poison Ivy 6 G. Willow Wilson Atagun Ilhan, Marcio Takara, Arif Prianto, Ivan Plascencia DC Comics
Chainsaw Man 6 Tatsuki Fujimoto Tatsuki Fujimoto VIZ Media
All Against All 6 Alex Paknadel Caspar Wijngaard Image Comics
Miracleman: The Silver Age 6 Neil Gaiman Mark Buckingham, Jordie Bellaire Marvel Comics
Batcat 6 Meggie Ramm Meggie Ramm Harry N. Abrams
Action Comics 6 Phillip Kennedy Johnson Various DC Comics
Two Tribes 6 Emily Bowen Cohen Emily Bowen Cohen Heartdrum
Barnstormers 6 Scott Snyder Tula Lotay Dark Horse
Dear Mini: A Graphic Memoir 5 Natalie Norris Natalie Norris Fantagraphics
The Penguin 5 Tom King Rafael de Latorre DC Comics
Lo and Behold 5 Wendy Mass Gabi Mendez Random House Graphic
Maple Terrace 5 Noah Van Sciver Noah Van Sciver Uncivilized Books
Proof That the Devil Loves You 5 Gilbert Hernandez Gilbert Hernandez Fantagraphics
The Buildings Are Barking: Diane Noomin in Memoriam 5 Bill Griffith Bill Griffith Fantagraphics
The Heavy Bright 5 Cathy Malkasian Cathy Malkasian Fantagraphics
Where Monsters Lie 5 Kyle Starks Piotr Kowalski, Vladimir Popov, Joshua Reed Dark Horse
Stories from Zoo 5 Anand Anand Bubbles Zine
Insomniacs After School 5 Makoto Ojiro Makoto Ojiro VIZ Media
Watership Down 5 Richard Adams, James Sturm Joe Sutphin Ten Speed Graphic
Choujin X 5 Sui Ishida Sui Ishida VIZ Media
The Night Eaters 5 Marjorie Liu Sana Takeda Harry N. Abrams
I Thought You Loved Me 5 MariNaomi MariNaomi Fieldmouse Press
The Ojja-Wojja 5 Magdalene Visaggio Jenn St-Onge Balzer + Bray
Universal Monsters: Dracula 5 James Tynion IV Martin Simmonds Image Comics
The Mysteries 5 Bill Watterson Bill Watterson, John Kascht Andrews McMeel Publishing
Ephemera: A Memoir 5 Briana Loewinsohn Briana Loewinsohn Fantagraphics
Blue Book Volume 1: 1961 5 James Tynion IV Michael Avon Oeming Dark Horse
Huda F Cares 5 Huda Fahmy Huda Fahmy Dial Books
Killadelphia 5 Rodney Barnes Jason Shawn Alexander, German Erramouspe, Lee Loughridge Image Comics
The Summer Hikaru Died 5 Mokumokuren Mokumokuren Yen Press
Last on His Feet: Jack Johnson and the Battle of the Century 5 Adrian Matejka Youssef Daoudi Liveright
Batman: Gargoyle of Gotham 5 Rafael Grampá Rafael Grampá, Steve Buccellato, Mat Lopes DC Comics
Detective Comics 5 Ram V, Simon Spurrier Rafael Albuquerque, Dani, Hayden Sherman, Dave Stewart, Nick Filardi DC Comics
It’s Jeff! 5 Kelly Thompson Gurihiru Marvel Comics
Asadora! 5 Naoki Urasawa Naoki Urasawa VIZ Media
Love and Rockets 5 Gilbert Hernandez, Jaime Hernandez Gilbert Hernandez, Jaime Hernandez Fantagraphics
Earthdivers 5 Stephen Graham Jones Davide Gianfelice and Joana LaFuente IDW Publishing
Eight Billion Genies 5 Charles Soule Ryan Browne Image Comics
Squire & Knight 5 Scott Chantler Scott Chantler First Second
Monstress 5 Marjorie Liu Sana Takeda Image Comics
Hoops 5 Matt Tavares Matt Tavares Candlewick
Shazam! 5 Mark Waid Dan Mora, Alejandro Sánchez DC Comics
Alison 5 Lizzy Stewart Lizzy Stewart Fantagraphics

The full spreadsheet with pivot tables for books, writers, artists, publishers and more is available here.

Regarding Publishers:

The biggest surprise this year was the 110 self-published books that made the list. That’s more than double the number of self-published books that appeared last year.

There was a tie for the publisher with the most number of books being picked.
DC squeaked into first place with 93 books picked.
Image came in 2nd with 92 books.
Marvel came in 3rd with 79 books.
Fantagraphics came in 4th with 58 books.
Dark Horse came in 5th with 53 books.

The most popular webcomic picked was Darlin’ and Her Other Names by Olivia Stephens and After School Lessons for Unripe Apples by Soonkki, Maengin, Yulpi tied at 3 picks each. Returning to the list for the 3rd time is Batman: Wayne Family Adventures by CRC Payne, StarBite, Maria Li and Lan Ma with 2 picks this year. Also getting 2 picks were Questionable Content by Jeph Jacques, Eleceed by Jeho Son & ZHENA Studio, To Be An Actor by Kimhaema, Gogwang & 2:00, Nap Comix by Rachael Smith and What We Mean By Yesterday by Benjamin Marra.

Caveats:

Where a reviewer/writer wrote ‘best of’ lists for multiple websites, I’ve cross referenced their lists and removed books that were named twice. I did not think it would be fair if those writers could tip the popularity scale by naming the same book(s) over and over again on multiple websites. Sadly, there was an increase of websites publishing lists with no credit to who (or whom) created the list. In those cases I marked them as n/a but the practice of not crediting writers is a shameful one. Although for libraries I understand fully if the Librarians picking the books want to remain anonymous due to the threatening, targeted climate in the United States.

If a writer wrote for multiple sites, but one of those sites picks was a group effort, I did not remove books that are listed twice.

I generally did not include lists that were a mixed of prose books and graphic novels unless there were a significant number of graphic novels on the list, or they had a list of GNs only and put a GN on a otherwise list of prose books. I did find there were more lists like that this year, which was one of the reasons it took me this long to finish this. Many YA prose books have Graphic Novel looking covers and I need to examine previews to determine if it’s comics or not. If this continues to be the trend I may need to just focus on GN/Comics only lists.

I did not use lists where the website was not in English and the books appeared to be translated versions.

With inkers and colourists I often, but not always included them within the Artist section. Where there were multiple (usually more than 5) involved in a book, or in the title’s run over the course of the year, various was used instead of listing them all. In some cases, I combined those involved even if they worked on the title for different issues. Where the translators were credited (without me having to really dig for it) are mentioned on column G of the data. The same goes for the editors of anthologies.

For simplicity sake, if a list named a specific comic book issue or specific volume of a graphic novel, I removed those specifics and just listed the series title, with rare exceptions. The same goes with issue #s. My apologies to the reviewers of those books.

Some reviewers included books that were published in 2022 or earlier. Normally the amount of times these books were mentioned isn’t significant. Often (but not always) the work was published again in a new collected edition and that is what the reviewer picked.

Most of the lists were general ‘best/favourite books’ of 2023, but I also included lists dedicated to young readers, manga, LGBTQ+, etc… What type list is noted on column B in the spreadsheet.

A small number of lists also had rankings and those are included in Column C.

This list of websites this list is compiled from:

Site URL
ALA https://www.ala.org/rt/gncrt/best-graphic-novels-children-reading-list-2023
ALA https://www.ala.org/rt/gncrt/best-graphic-novels-reading-list-2023
Amazon https://www.amazon.com/gp/browse.html?rw_useCurrentProtocol=1&node=3003015011&ref_=bhp_brws_boty17
Ash Ave Comics https://ashavecomics.com/staff-picks-best-of-2023/
Asian Movie Plus https://asianmoviepulse.com/2023/12/the-20-best-manga-and-manhwa-releases-of-2023/
Autostraddle https://www.autostraddle.com/65-of-the-best-queer-books-of-2023/
Bam Smack Pow https://bamsmackpow.com/posts/bam-smack-pow-comic-book-awards-the-best-marvel-dc-and-more-2023
Barnes & Noble https://www.barnesandnoble.com/b/books/barnes-nobles-best-books-of-2023/barnes-nobles-best-literary-graphic-novels-of-2023/_/N-29Z8q8Z2z3x
Barnes & Noble https://www.barnesandnoble.com/b/books/barnes-nobles-best-books-of-2023/barnes-nobles-best-teens-ya-books-of-2023/_/N-29Z8q8Z2z44
Barnes & Noble https://www.barnesandnoble.com/b/books/barnes-nobles-best-books-of-2023/barnes-nobles-best-childrens-books-of-2023/_/N-29Z8q8Z2z3m
Barnes & Noble https://www.barnesandnoble.com/h/best-books-of-2023
Big Comic Page https://bigcomicpage.com/2024/01/01/bestof23/
Book Riot https://bookriot.com/best-graphic-novels-by-speculative-fiction-authors/
Book Riot https://bookriot.com/best-comics-of-2023/
Book Riot https://bookriot.com/best-romance-manhwa/
Booklist https://www.booklistonline.com/Booklist-Editors-Choice-Graphic-Novels-2023/pid=9788643
Bookshop.org https://bookshop.org/lists/best-comics-graphic-novels-for-adults-2023
Bookweb.org https://www.bookweb.org/news/2023-indie-gift-guide-genre-lovers-preview-1629900
Borg https://borg.com/2023/12/14/the-best-books-of-2023/
Bram Stroker Awards https://www.thebramstokerawards.com/front-page/the-2023-bram-stoker-awards-final-ballot/
Broken Frontier https://www.brokenfrontier.com/tag/broken-frontier-awards-2023/
Broken Frontier https://www.brokenfrontier.com/10-small-press-comics-you-need-to-own-2023/
Brooklyn Public Library https://www.bklynlibrary.org/
CBC https://www.cbc.ca/books/the-best-canadian-comics-of-2023-1.7052418
CBR https://www.cbr.com/cbr-editor-picks-best-comics-2023/
CBR https://www.cbr.com/best-image-comics-2023/
CBR https://www.cbr.com/cbr-top-100-comics-of-2023/
CBR https://www.cbr.com/best-indie-comics-debut/
CBR https://www.cbr.com/incredibly-underrated-dc-comics-2023/#superman-lost-has-showed-readers-a-different-side-of-the-man-of-steel
CBSI https://comicbookinvest.com/2023/12/28/top-5-new-comics-of-2023/
Chicago Public Library https://www.chipublib.org/news/cpl-best-of-the-best-books-2023/
Comic Book Couples Counseling https://www.comicbookcouplescounseling.com/post/the-50-best-comics-of-2023
Comic Book Herald https://www.comicbookherald.com/best-comics-of-2023/
Comic Book Revolution https://www.comicbookrevolution.com/best-manga-of-2023/
Comic Book Revolution https://www.comicbookrevolution.com/best-comic-books-of-2023/
Comicbook.com https://comicbook.com/anime/news/2023-golden-issue-awards-best-manga/
Comicbook.com https://comicbook.com/comics/news/wonder-woman-historia-3-best-graphic-novel-2023-golden-issues/
ComicBook.com https://comicbook.com/comics/news/comicbook-com-golden-issue-award-best-limited-comic-series-teenage-mutant-ninja-turtles-usagi-yojimbo-wherewhen/
ComicBook.com https://comicbook.com/comics/news/the-2023-comicbook-com-golden-issue-award-for-best-ongoing-comic/
ComicBookNews.org https://comicbooknews.org/best-new-comic-book-series-from-2023/
Comicon https://comicon.com/2023/12/26/comicons-best-ogns-of-2023/
Comicon https://comicon.com/2023/12/26/comicons-best-comic-series-of-2023/
Comicon https://comicon.com/2023/12/26/comicons-best-single-issues-of-2023/
Comicon https://comicon.com/2023/12/28/comicons-best-digital-webcomics-of-2023/
Comicon https://comicon.com/2023/12/29/comicons-most-progressive-comics-of-2023/
Comics Beat https://www.comicsbeat.com/horror-beat-best-comics-2023/
Comics Beat https://www.comicsbeat.com/best-comics-of-2023/
Comics Beat https://www.comicsbeat.com/the-beats-33-best-manga-of-2023/
Comics Beat https://www.comicsbeat.com/the-beats-20-best-webtoons-of-2023/
Comics Beat https://www.comicsbeat.com/the-marvel-rundown-the-top-10-best-marvel-comics-of-2023/
Comics Beat https://www.comicsbeat.com/dc-round-up-the-10-best-dc-comics-of-2023/
Comics Grinder https://comicsgrinder.com/2023/12/22/best-comics-graphic-novels-2023/
ComicsXF https://www.comicsxf.com/2023/12/28/best-comics-of-2023/
Cybils Awards https://www.cybils.com/2024/01/cybils-2023-graphic-novel-finalists.html
Cybils Awards https://www.cybils.com/2024/01/cybils-2023-easy-reader-early-chapter-book-finalists.html
DC Blog https://www.dc.com/blog/2023/12/19/my-2023-top-three-kelly-knox
DC Blog https://www.dc.com/blog/2023/12/18/my-2023-top-three-joshua-lapin-bertone
DC Blog https://www.dc.com/blog/2023/12/22/my-2023-top-three-alex-jaffe
DC Blog https://www.dc.com/blog/2023/12/20/my-2023-top-three-jules-chin-greene
DC Blog https://www.dc.com/blog/2023/12/21/my-2023-top-three-donovan-morgan-grant
Denver Public Library https://www.denverlibrary.org/kids/list/2023-graphic-novels
Denver Public Library https://www.denverlibrary.org/adult/list/staff-picks/2023-staff-picks-books-adults
Denver Public Library https://www.denverlibrary.org/teen/list/staff-picks/2023-staff-picks-books-teens
Denver Public Library https://www.denverlibrary.org/kids/list/2023-beginning-readers
Derby Comics https://derbycomicsdc.com/blogs/my-favorite-comics-of-2023
Dexerto https://www.dexerto.com/comics/2023-best-comics-dc-marvel-daredevil-wonder-woman-nightwing-2414598/
Diverse Tech Geek https://www.diversetechgeek.com/favorite-graphic-novels-2023/
Diverse Tech Geek https://www.diversetechgeek.com/10-favorite-webcomics-2023-edition/
Doom Rocket https://doomrocket.com/best-comics-2023/
Drawn & Quarterly https://mtl.drawnandquarterly.com/posts/best-of-2023-melina
Drawn & Quarterly https://mtl.drawnandquarterly.com/posts/best-of-2023-bridget
Drawn & Quarterly https://mtl.drawnandquarterly.com/posts/best-of-2023-liz
Drawn & Quarterly https://mtl.drawnandquarterly.com/posts/best-of-2023-jules
Excelsior Awards https://www.excelsioraward.co.uk/white2024
Excelsior Awards https://www.excelsioraward.co.uk/blue2024
Excelsior Awards https://www.excelsioraward.co.uk/red2024
Excelsior Awards https://www.excelsioraward.co.uk/black2024
Forbes https://www.forbes.com/sites/robsalkowitz/2023/12/22/the-top-graphic-novels-of-2023/?sh=58e9a25f59fc
Game Rant https://gamerant.com/best-romance-manga-that-ended-in-2023-ranked/
Game Rant https://gamerant.com/best-isekai-manga-ended-2023/
Game Rant https://gamerant.com/best-horror-manga-ended-2023/
Game Rant https://gamerant.com/best-isekai-manga-started-2023/
Game Rant https://gamerant.com/best-new-comedy-manga-in-2023/
Game Rant https://gamerant.com/best-marvel-comics-storylines-of-2023-ranked/
Game Rant https://gamerant.com/best-new-romance-manga-2023/
Game Rant https://gamerant.com/best-new-horror-manga-2023/
Game Rant https://gamerant.com/best-dc-comic-storylines-2023/
Game Rant https://gamerant.com/best-shonen-manga-ending-2023/
Game Rant https://gamerant.com/best-slice-life-manga-ended-2023/
Game Rant https://gamerant.com/best-seinen-manga-ended-2023-ranked/
Games Radar https://www.gamesradar.com/best-comics-2023/
Geek Dad https://geekdad.com/2024/01/stack-overflow-our-favorite-books-of-2023/
Geek Vibe Nation https://geekvibesnation.com/gvn-talking-comics-unveils-the-best-of-2023-a-year-in-review-for-comic-enthusiasts/
GLAAD https://glaad.org/mediaawards/35/nominees/
Go Bookmart https://gobookmart.com/15-best-manga-to-read-in-2023/
Good OK Bad https://goodokbad.com/2023.html
Gosh Comics https://goshlondon.com/the-gosh-blog/gosh-comics-best-of-2023-adult/
Gosh Comics https://goshlondon.com/the-gosh-blog/gosh-comics-best-of-2023-kids/
Graphic Policy https://graphicpolicy.com/2024/01/01/pharoahmiles-best-of-2023/
Graphic Policy https://graphicpolicy.com/2024/01/01/bretts-favorite-comics-of-2023/
Hipinion https://forums.hipinion.com/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=175045
Hollywood Reporter https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/the-best-comic-books-graphic-novels-2023-1235768943/
Horn Book https://www.hbook.com/story/fanfare-2023-booklist
Horror News Network https://www.horrornewsnetwork.net/2023-horror-comic-awards-one-shot-of-the-year-is-stuff-of-nightmares-slay-ride/
Horror News Network https://www.horrornewsnetwork.net/horror-comic-awards-2003-best-ongoing-series-is-ghost-rider/
Horror News Network https://www.horrornewsnetwork.net/2023-horror-comic-awards-mini-series-of-the-year-is-where-monsters-lie/
IGN https://www.ign.com/articles/best-comic-book-series-graphic-novel-2023
Imagination Soup https://imaginationsoup.net/best-middle-grade-books-of-2023/
Imagination Soup https://imaginationsoup.net/best-nonfiction-books-of-2023/
Imagination Soup https://imaginationsoup.net/best-books-of-2023-picture-books/
Indianapolis Public Library https://indypl.bibliocommons.com/list/share/1652485239_indypl_recommends/2423682229_indypl_staff_picks_2023-_best_of_teen
Indianapolis Public Library https://indypl.bibliocommons.com/list/share/1652485239_indypl_recommends/2423682307_indypl_staff_picks_2023-_best_of_biographies_and_memoirs
Indianapolis Public Library https://indypl.bibliocommons.com/list/share/1652485239_indypl_recommends/2424444469_indypl_staff_picks_2023-_best_of_suspense,_mystery,_and_horror
Indianapolis Public Library https://indypl.bibliocommons.com/list/share/1652485239_indypl_recommends/2424452359_indypl_staff_picks_2023-_best_of_sci-fi_and_fantasy
Irish Examiner https://www.irishexaminer.com/lifestyle/artsandculture/arid-41295040.html
JAMA Network https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/fullarticle/2812742
Japan Geeks https://japan-geeks.com/best-manga-of-2023/
Joshua Edelglass https://joshuaedelglass.com/joshs-favorite-comic-book-series-of-2023/
Kirkus https://www.kirkusreviews.com/best-of/2023/nonfiction/books/
Kirkus https://www.kirkusreviews.com/book-lists/best-feel-good-reads-2023/#the-exceptions-mit
Kirkus https://www.kirkusreviews.com/best-of/2023/fiction/books/
Kirkus https://www.kirkusreviews.com/best-of/2023/young-adult/books/
Kirkus https://www.kirkusreviews.com/best-of/2023/middle-grade/books/
Kirkus https://www.kirkusreviews.com/best-of/2023/picture-books/books/
Kobo https://www.kobo.com/us/en/p/best-graphic-novels-2023
L.E. Phillips Library https://volumeone.org/articles/2024/01/03/333504-le-phillips-library-shares-2023-favorite-books-for-youths
LibbyLife https://www.libbylife.com/2024-02-09-announcing-the-finalists-for-the-first-annual-libby-book-awards-aka-the-libbys
Library Journal https://www.libraryjournal.com/story/best-graphic-novels-2023
Looper https://www.looper.com/1468531/2023-best-dc-comics/
Looper https://www.looper.com/1471836/2023-best-marvel-comics/
Los Angeles Public Library https://www.lapl.org/books-emedia/lapl-reads/book-lists/best-2023-childrens-books
Los Angeles Public Library https://www.lapl.org/books-emedia/lapl-reads/book-lists/best-2023-graphic-novels
Medium https://johncassillo.medium.com/the-best-comic-books-of-2023-bf9c309886de
Medium https://carriemcclain.medium.com/my-favorite-comics-of-2023-d075909e3877
Medium https://medium.com/@ursulaconnor90/best-8-graphic-novels-e1416af8e00d
Mercury News https://www.mercurynews.com/2023/12/07/7-must-read-nonfiction-graphic-novels/
MLMILLER Writes https://mlmillerwrites.com/2024/01/02/my-13-favorite-horror-comic-books-of-2023/
Monbian https://mombian.com/2023/12/04/60-of-2023s-best-lgbtq-middle-grade-fiction-books/
Monkeys Fighting Robots https://monkeysfightingrobots.co/top-5-comic-books-of-2023/
More to Come – PW https://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/podcasts/index.html?podcast=1283&channel=2
Multiversity Comics http://www.multiversitycomics.com/news-columns/2023-yir-cctabet/
Multiversity Comics http://www.multiversitycomics.com/news-columns/2023-yir-chris-egan/
Multiversity Comics http://www.multiversitycomics.com/news-columns/2023-yir-johnny-hall/
Multiversity Comics http://www.multiversitycomics.com/news-columns/2023-yir-brian/
Multiversity Comics http://www.multiversitycomics.com/news-columns/yir-2023-elias-rosner/
Multiversity Comics http://www.multiversitycomics.com/news-columns/2023-yir-quinn-tassin/
Multiversity Comics http://www.multiversitycomics.com/news-columns/2023-yir-ramon-pina/
Nerdist https://nerdist.com/article/nerdists-best-comics-of-2023-including-hulk-thor-green-lantern-carmilla-action-comics-dc-marvel/
Nerdy Book Club https://nerdybookclub.wordpress.com/2023/12/28/the-2023-nerdies-graphic-novels-announced-by-katherine-sokolowski/
Nerdy Book Club https://nerdybookclub.wordpress.com/2023/12/29/the-2023-nerdies-early-readers-and-chapter-books-announced-by-alyson-beecher/
New York Public Library https://www.nypl.org/books-more/recommendations/comics-2023/adults?facets_query=&f%5B0%5D=terms%3ABiography%20%26%20Memoir
New York Public Library https://www.nypl.org/books-more/recommendations/best-books/teens?f%5B0%5D=terms%3AGraphic%20Novels
New York Public Library https://www.nypl.org/books-more/recommendations/best-books/kids?f%5B0%5D=terms%3AGraphic%20Novels
New York Times https://www.nytimes.com/2023/12/08/books/review/the-best-childrens-books-of-2023.html
New York Times https://www.nytimes.com/2023/12/26/books/review/the-year-in-graphic-novels.html?unlocked_article_code=1.JE0.GlgC.kJa_Wotw3mYt&smid=url-share
No Flying No Tights https://noflyingnotights.com/blog/2024/01/06/staff-picks-top-comics-of-2023/
NPR https://apps.npr.org/best-books/#tags=comics+%26+graphic+novels&view=list&year=2023
Our Queerest Shelves https://ourqueerestshelves.substack.com/p/the-best-recent-queer-ya-comics
Panel Patter http://www.panelpatter.com/2023/12/panel-patter-returns-james-favorite.html?m=1
Polygon https://www.polygon.com/23810267/best-comics-2023-graphic-novels-books
Powells https://www.powells.com/post/best-books/best-books-of-2023-graphic-novels
Publisher’s Weekly https://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/industry-news/comics/article/93951-impossible-people-and-roaming-top-pw-2023-graphic-novel-critics-poll.html
Random Thoughts https://lars.ingebrigtsen.no/2023/12/21/the-best-comics-of-2023/
Read Brightly https://www.readbrightly.com/middle-grade-chapter-books-2023/
Reddit https://www.reddit.com/r/graphicnovels/comments/18vzhdm/this_guy_lists_100_favorite_comics_of_2023_list/
Reddit https://www.reddit.com/r/ImageComics/comments/19bhv6j/rimagecomics_best_of_2023/
Reddit https://www.reddit.com/r/graphicnovels/comments/18vc363/top_10_of_the_year_december2023_end_of_the_year/
Reddit https://www.reddit.com/r/graphicnovels/comments/1aqncij/rgraphicnovels_best_of_2023_vote_for_your/
Resetera https://www.resetera.com/threads/best-comic-books-of-2023.793680/
School Library Journal https://www.schoollibraryjournal.com/story/best-graphic-novels-2023-slj-best-books
School Library Journal https://teenlibrariantoolbox.com/2023/12/12/amandas-favorite-middle-grade-reads-of-2023/
School Library Journal https://teenlibrariantoolbox.com/2023/12/14/amandas-favorite-post-it-review-reads-of-2023/
School Library Journal https://heavymedal.slj.com/2023/11/20/graphic-novels-take-two-is-this-is-the-year/
School Library Journal https://afuse8production.slj.com/2023/12/21/31-days-31-lists-2023-graphic-novels-comics-for-kids/
School Library Journal https://afuse8production.slj.com/2023/12/19/31-days-31-lists-2023-older-funny-books-for-kids/
School Library Journal https://afuse8production.slj.com/2023/12/15/31-days-31-books-2023-wordless-picture-books/
School Library Journal https://www.schoollibraryjournal.com/story/slj-top-10-manga-2023
Screen Rant https://screenrant.com/best-ongoing-manhwa-of-2023/
Seattle Public Library https://www.spl.org/books-and-media/books-and-ebooks/staff-picks/seattle-staff-faves-2023-fiction?page=1
Seattle Public Library https://www.spl.org/books-and-media/books-and-ebooks/staff-picks/seattle-staff-faves-2023-nonfiction
Skokie Public Library https://skokielibrary.info/lists/3560/2023-staff-picks-for-grades-3-5-graphic-novels-and-nonfiction/
Skokie Public Library https://skokielibrary.info/lists/3562/2023-staff-picks-for-babies-prek/
Skokie Public Library https://skokielibrary.info/lists/3565/2023-staff-picks-grades-k-2-picture-books/
Skokie Public Library https://skokielibrary.info/lists/3561/2023-staff-picks-grades-k-2-readers-chapter-books-and-nonfiction/
Skokie Public Library https://skokielibrary.info/lists/3563/2023-staff-picks-grades-6-8/
Skokie Public Library https://skokielibrary.info/lists/3556/2023-staff-picks-graphic-novels/
Sktchd https://sktchd.com/column/the-sktchd-awrds-the-comics-of-2023/
Star Trek Daily News https://www.dailystartreknews.com/read/years-end-a-look-back-at-2023s-top-star-trek-comics
Substack https://spencerirwin.substack.com/p/top-comics-of-2023-part-1
Substack https://spencerirwin.substack.com/p/top-comics-of-2023-part-2
Superhero Hype https://www.superherohype.com/comics/561733-matt-morrisons-5-best-comic-series-of-2023
Texas Library Assocation https://txla.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/TMGNRL-2024-List-2023-Maverick-List.pdf
Texas Library Assocation https://txla.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/2024-Little-Maverick-Graphic-Novel-Reading-List_updated-12-2023.pdf
The Comic Pals https://twitter.com/TheComicsPals/status/1742226950234456180
The Comics Journal https://www.tcj.com/the-best-of-2023-as-decreed-by-our-contributors/
The Globe and Mail https://www.theglobeandmail.com/arts/books/article-globe-100-best-books-2023/
The Guardian https://www.theguardian.com/books/2023/dec/03/rachel-cookes-best-graphic-novels-of-2023-blankets-craig-thompson-monica-daniel-clowes-roaming-jillian-tamaki-mariko-tamaki-social-fiction-chantal-montellier-juliette-camille-jourdy
The Guardian https://www.theguardian.com/books/2023/dec/11/the-best-australian-childrens-books-of-2023-alice-pung-davina-bell-sean-avery-and-more
The Guardian https://www.theguardian.com/culture/2023/dec/04/best-graphic-novels-of-2023
The Guardian https://www.theguardian.com/books/2023/dec/07/five-of-the-best-young-adult-books-of-2023
The Guardian https://www.theguardian.com/books/2023/dec/07/best-childrens-books-of-2023
The Irish Times https://www.irishtimes.com/culture/books/review/2023/11/25/barely-a-page-that-doesnt-scintillate-the-best-graphic-novels-of-2023/
The Mary Sue https://www.themarysue.com/best-comics-and-graphic-novels-of-2023/
The New Yorker https://www.newyorker.com/best-books-2023
The Popverse https://www.thepopverse.com/popverse-best-comics-2023-list
The Shepherd https://shepherd.com/bboy/2023/graphic-novels?only-published
The Telegraph https://www.telegraph.co.uk/books/what-to-read/best-comics-graphic-novels-year-2023/
The Turnaround Blog https://theturnaroundblog.com/2023/12/21/turnaround-staff-picks-2023-graphic-novels/
Theron Reads Comics https://twitter.com/theronscomics
Toledo Library https://www.toledolibrary.org/blog/tlcpl-best-books-of-2023
Toronto Star https://www.thestar.com/entertainment/books/these-4-new-graphic-novels-deserve-to-be-read-deeply-powerful-messages-and-beautiful-art/article_2e0ce5cd-c50b-5706-862a-c4f83a06b064.html
Toronto Star https://www.thestar.com/entertainment/books/the-five-best-graphic-novels-of-2023/article_e6bb15b4-9ab3-11ee-816f-2f9687460892.html
Washington Post https://www.washingtonpost.com/books/2023/11/13/best-graphic-novels-clowes-bell-tamaki/
Waterstones https://www.waterstones.com/blog/the-best-books-of-2023-manga
Waterstones https://www.waterstones.com/blog/the-best-books-of-2023-childrens-fiction
Waterstones https://www.waterstones.com/blog/the-best-books-of-2023-biography
Waterstones https://www.waterstones.com/blog/the-best-books-of-2023-teenage-and-young-adult
Why So Blu? https://whysoblu.com/greggs-best-comics-of-2023/
Women Write About Comics https://womenwriteaboutcomics.com/2024/01/favorite-2023-comics-young-readers/
Yuricon https://okazu.yuricon.com/2023/12/31/okazu-top-yuri-series-of-2023/

 

 

 

 

Artsy Fartsy Comic Con 2023

Yesterday I went to Artsy Fartsy Comic Con in Toronto. It was a small, 1 day show featuring around 16 creators. It was put on by Anthony Ruttgaizer a comic creator who also puts on wrestling events. The show took place at the Tranzac Club on 292 Brunswick Ave, Toronto, ON. Anthony said he had a credit with the venue as he had a wrestling event that got cancelled at the start of Covid and decided to use it to do this event.

Anthony Ruttgaizer

Terry Gordon

Toronto is mainly known for having 2 conventions, TCAF and the Fan Expo shows. TCAF is focused on independent non-genre comics, children books and web comics. Fan Expo shows are more the typical comic convention focused on the more traditionally commercial side of comics. Artsy Fartsy thematically sits in between the two featuring creators that do a mix of self published/crowd funded work, doing stories in anthologies and more commercial work.

Jeff Estrella and Allison O'Toole

I took pictures of the creators involved and had conversations with some of them. I let some of them know that just around the corner was St. Trinity’s Church, which was the location of the very first TCAF 20 years ago and that I apparently was the only person there with a camera taking pictures. That was one of the main reasons why I wanted to be at that show, just to document it via pictures. I only did a tiny bit of shopping due to have a very large stack of unread books that I still need to get through.

The Tranzac Club is an interesting space with several small rooms with bars in them and different creative events going on in all of them. It had a nice mural on the side of the building. There was a small bit of public parking right there, plus a parking lot a block away. The location being just off Bloor street meant there was plenty of food nearby plus other useful stores. In the room the convention was there was a stage area that Anthony felt he could expand the show to if he needed to. Obviously he could also expand to those other rooms too.

Tranzac Events Sign

Mural part 1

Mural part 2

The show was pretty quiet during the 1st half of the day, but people began coming in the 2nd half. Anthony said he was happy with the results of the show. I overhead him (and others) say setting up for a comic book convention is a walk in the park compared to setting up a ring for a pro-wrestling event. I hope they continue to do the show as it has the potential to grow into a thing. Toronto does have a lot of creators who could benefit from it.

Crowd Shot

Crowd Shot

 

 

 

 

The Combined Best Comics & Graphic Novels of 2022!

Finally.

Over the last 5 months there have been many, many websites with “Best of 2022” lists concerning comic books, manga and graphic novels. If you’ve looked at a few, you may have noticed some of the same books on different lists and seen some unique to only that list.

I went through 213 different URLs with “Best Of” Lists regarding comics and combined them into a spreadsheet. There are almost 3,280 different listings of books from these websites. I should note that I’ve included books that were given honourable mentions. In short, if somebody thought it was a good book that you should check out, it’s on here.

This year the #1 book was Ducks: Two Years in the Oil Sands by Kate Beaton, published by Drawn & Quarterly. Ducks was picked more than double the amount of times than the #2 book. I’ve been doing these lists since 2015 and no #1 book had that big of a spread between it and the #2 book. This is the 2nd time Kate’s book was #1 on this list, with Step Aside, Pops: A Hark! A Vagrant Collection being tied for that spot in 2015. Congratulations to the very talented and intelligent Kate Beaton for making paying off your student loans pay you.

Ducks by Kate Beaton - Best GN of 2022

The #2 book was Fantastic Four: Full Cirlce by Alex Ross (Abrams ComicArts). It’s Lonely at the Centre of the Earth by Zoe Thorogood (Image Comics) and The Night Eaters, Book 1: She Eats the Night by Marjorie Liu and Sana Takeda (Abrams ComicArts) tied for the 3rd spot. The Nice House on the Lake by last years shout out James Tynion IV, Álvaro Martínez Bueno and Jordie Bellaire (DC Comics) are your top 5 recommended books of the year.

Below are all the books with 5 mentions or more.

Book Title Count Writer Artist Publisher
Ducks: Two Years in the Oil Sands 58 Kate Beaton Kate Beaton Drawn & Quarterly
Fantastic Four: Full Circle 28 Alex Ross Alex Ross and Josh Johnson Abrams ComicArts
It’s Lonely at the Centre of the Earth 26 Zoe Thorogood Zoe Thorogood Image Comics
The Night Eaters, Book 1: She Eats the Night 26 Marjorie Liu Sana Takeda Abrams ComicArts
The Nice House on the Lake 25 James Tynion IV Álvaro Martínez Bueno and Jordie Bellaire DC Comics
Squire 23 Nadia Shammas and Sara Alfageeh Sara Alfageeh Quill Tree Books
One Beautiful Spring Day 20 Jim Woodring Jim Woodring Fantagraphics
Do A Powerbomb! 19 Daniel Warren Johnson Daniel Warren Johnson and Mike Spicer Image Comics
Wash Day Diaries 18 Jamila Rowser Robyn Smith Chronicle Books
Little Monarchs 18 Jonathan Case Jonathan Case Margaret Ferguson Books
Monkey Meat 17 Juni Ba Juni Ba Image Comics
Batman/Superman: World’s Finest 17 Mark Waid Dan Mora, Travis Moore and Tamra Bonvillain DC Comics
Immortal X-Men 17 Kieron Gillen Lucas Werneck, Michele Bandini, David Curiel and Diijo Lima Marvel Comics
AXE: Judgment Day 17 Kieron Gillen Valerio Schiti and Marte Gracia Marvel Comics
Catwoman: Lonely City 17 Cliff Chiang Cliff Chiang DC Comics
Talk to My Back 17 Yamada Murasaki Yamada Murasaki Drawn & Quarterly
Saga 16 Brian K. Vaughan Fiona Staples Image Comics
Step By Bloody Step 16 Si Spurrier Matías Bergara and Mattheu Lopes Image Comics
Clementine 16 Tillie Walden Tillie Walden Image Comics
X-Men: Red 16 Al Ewing Various Marvel Comics
Keeping Two 16 Jordan Crane Jordan Crane Fantagraphics
Frizzy 15 Claribel A. Ortega Rose Bousamra First Second
Acting Class 15 Nick Drnaso Nick Drnaso Drawn & Quarterly
Chainsaw Man 15 Tatsuki Fujimoto Tatsuki Fujimoto VIZ Media
The Human Target 14 Tom King Greg Smallwood DC Comics
Swim Team 14 Johnnie Christmas Johnnie Christmas HarperAlley
Victory. Stand!: Raising My Fist for Justice 14 Tommie Smith and Derrick Barnes Dawud Anyabwile Norton Young Readers
Birds of Maine 14 Michael DeForge Michael DeForge Drawn & Quarterly
Time Zone J 14 Julie Doucet Julie Doucet Drawn & Quarterly
The Many Deaths of Laila Starr 14 Ram V Filipe Andrade BOOM! Studios
Eight Billion Genies 13 Charles Soule Ryan Browne Image Comics
Nightwing 13 Tom Taylor Various DC Comics
Public Domain 13 Chip Zdarsky Chip Zdarsky Image Comics
Miss Quinces 13 Kat Fajardo Kat Fajardo and Mariana Azzi Graphix
Enter the Blue 12 David Chisholm David Chisholm Z2 Comics
Flung Out of Space 12 Grace Ellis Hannah Templer Abrams ComicArts
Isla to Island 12 Alexis Castellanos Alexis Castellanos Atheneum Books for Young Readers
Men I Trust 11 Tommi Parrish Tommi Parrish Fantagraphics
That Texas Blood 11 Chris Condon Jacob Phillips Image Comics
The Flash 11 Jeremy Adams Various DC Comics
Shuna’s Journey 10 Hayao Miyazaki Hayao Miyazaki First Second
She-Hulk 10 Rainbow Rowell Rogê Antônio, Luca Maresca, Takeshi Miyazawa and Rico Renzi Marvel Comics
Thieves 10 Lucie Bryon Lucie Bryon Nobrow
The High Desert: Black. Punk. Nowhere—A Memoir 10 James Spooner James Spooner Harper
Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow 10 Tom King Bilquis Evely and Mattheus Lopes DC Comics
Lore Olympus 10 Rachel Smythe Rachel Smythe Random House Worlds
Who Will Make the Pancakes 10 Megan Kelso Megan Kelso Fantagraphics
Chivalry 10 Neil Gaiman Colleen Doran Dark Horse Books
Sir Ladybug 10 Corey R. Tabor Corey R. Tabor Balzer + Bray
Detention 9 Tim Hensley Tim Hensley Fantagraphics
Sabretooth 9 Victor LaValle Leonard Kirk and Rain Beredo Marvel Comics
Reckless: The Ghost in You 9 Ed Brubaker Sean Phillips and Jacob Phillips Image Comics
Poison Ivy 9 G. Willow Wilson Marcio Takara, Brian Level, Atagun Ilhan and Arif Prianto DC Comics
Welcome to St. Hell: My Trans Teen Misadventure 9 Lewis Hancox Lewis Hancox Graphix
Amazing Spider-Man 9 Zeb Wells Various Marvel Comics
Messy Roots: A Graphic Memoir of a Wuhanese-American 9 Laura Gao Laura Gao Balzer + Bray
Goodbye, Eri! 9 Tatsuki Fujimoto Tatsuki Fujimoto VIZ Media
Reckless: Follow Me Down 9 Ed Brubaker Sean Phillips and Jacob Phillips Image Comics
Look Back 9 Tatsuki Fujimoto Tatsuki Fujimoto VIZ Media
The First Cat in Space Ate Pizza 9 Mac Barnett Shawn Harris Katherine Tegen Books
A Righteous Thirst for Vengeance 9 Rick Remender André Lima Araújo and Chris O’Halloran Image Comics
Spy x Family 9 Tatsuya Endo Tatsuya Endo VIZ Media
Fine: A Comic About Gender 9 Rhea Ewing Rhea Ewing Liveright
The Good Asian 9 Pornsak Pichetshote Alexandre Tefenkgi and Lee Loughridge Image Comics
The Flamingo 9 Guojing Guojing Random House Studio
Always Never 9 Jordi Lafebre Jordi Lafebre and Clémence Sapin Dark Horse Books
Invisible 9 Christina Diaz Gonzalez Gabriela Epstein Graphix
Cat + Gamer 8 Wataru Nadatani Wataru Nadatani Dark Horse Books
The Tryout 8 Christina Soontornvat Joanna Cacao and Amanda Lafrenais Graphix
Crickets 8 Sammy Harkham Sammy Harkham Commonwealth Comic Book Company
Akane-Banashi 8 Yuki Suenaga Takamasa Moue VIZ Media
The Liminal Zone 8 Junji Ito Junji Ito VIZ Media
Mamo 8 Sas Milledge Sas Milledge BOOM! Studios
Detective Comics 8 Ram V Rafael Albuquerque, Ivan Reis, Danny Miki and Dave Stewart DC Comics
Moon Knight 8 Jed MacKay Allesandro Cappuccio, Federico Sabbatini and Rachelle Rosenberg Marvel Comics
Action Comics 8 Phillip Kennedy Johnson Riccardo Federici, Will Conrad, Dale Eaglesham, Mike Perkins, and David Lapham DC Comics
Once & Future 8 Kieron Gillen Dan Mora and Tamra Bonvillan BOOM! Studios
Days of Sand 8 Aimée de Jongh Aimée de Jongh SelfMadeHero
Galaxy: The Prettiest Star 8 Jadzia Axelrod Jess Taylor and Cris Peter DC Comics
Love and Rockets: The First Fifty: The Classic 40th Anniversary Collection 8 Gilbert, Jaime and Mario Hernandez Gilbert, Jaime and Mario Hernandez Fantagraphics
Kaiju No. 8 8 Naoya Matsumoto Naoya Matsumoto VIZ Media
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: The Last Ronin 8 Kevin Eastman, Peter Laird and Tom Waltz Esau Escorza, Isaac Escorza and Ben Bishop IDW Publishing
Wingbearer 8 Marjorie Liu Teny Issakhanian Quill Tree Books
Dark Crisis on Infinite Earths 7 Joshua Williamson Various DC Comics
Suzanne: The Jazz Age Goddess of Tennis 7 Tom Humberstone Tom Humberstone Avery Hill Publishing
As a Cartoonist 7 Noah Van Sciver Noah Van Sciver Fantagraphics
The Thing: The Next Best Thing 7 Walter Mosley Tom Reilly and Jordie Bellaire Marvel Comics
The Six Sidekicks of Trigger Keaton 7 Kyle Starks Chris Schweizer Image Comics
Joseph Smith and the Mormons 7 Noah Van Sciver Noah Van Sciver Abrams ComicArts
The Third Person 7 Emma Grove Emma Grove Drawn & Quarterly
Batman 7 Chip Zdarsky Jorge Jimenez and Tomeu Morey DC Comics
Wonder Woman Historia: The Amazons 7 Kelly Sue DeConnick Phil Jimenez, Gene Ha, Nicola Scott and Hi-Fi DC Comics
Twin Cities 7 Jose Pimienta Jose Pimienta Random House Graphic
The Aquanaut 7 Dan Santat Dan Santat Graphix
What Is Home, Mum? 7 Sabba Khan Sabba Khan Street Noise Books
Devil’s Reign 7 Chip Zdarsky Marco Checchetto and Marcio Menyz Marvel Comics
Smahtguy: The Life and Times of Barney Frank 7 Eric Orner Eric Orner Metropolitan Books
The Department of Truth 7 James Tynion IV Various Image Comics
Run on Your New Legs 6 Wataru Midori Wataru Midori Yen Press
Witches: The Complete Collection 6 Daisuke Igarashi and Jamal Joseph Jr. Daisuke Igarashi Seven Seas Entertainment
Ride On 6 Faith Erin Hicks Faith Erin Hicks First Second
Orochi 6 Kazuo Umezu and Molly Tanzer Kazuo Umezu VIZ Media
DC Pride 2022 6 Various Various DC Comics
Salamandre 6 I.N.J. Culbard I.N.J. Culbard Dark Horse Books
The Greatest Thing 6 Sarah Winifred Searle Sarah Winifred Searle First Second
Ultrasound 6 Conor Stechschulte Conor Stechschulte Fantagraphics
One-Punch Man 6 ONE Yusuke Murata VIZ Media
The Projector and Elephant 6 Martin Vaughn-James Martin Vaughn-James New York Review Comics
Chef’s Kiss 6 Jarrett Melendez Danica Brine and Hank Jones Oni-Lion Forge Publishing Group
Walk Me to the Corner 6 Anneli Furmark Anneli Furmark Drawn & Quarterly
Daredevil 6 Chip Zdarsky Marco Checchetto, Rafael de Latorre and Matthew Wilson Marvel Comics
The Keeper 6 Tananarive Due and Steven Barnes Marco Finnegan Abrams ComicArts
Jujutsu Kaisen 6 Gege Akutami Gege Akutami VIZ Media
Sakamoto Days 6 Yuto Suzuki Yuto Suzuki VIZ Media
Pinball: A Graphic History of the Silver Ball 6 Jon Chad Jon Chad First Second
It Won’t Always Be Like This: A Graphic Memoir 6 Malaka Gharib Malaka Gharib Ten Speed Press
The Real Riley Mayes 5 Rachel Elliott Rachel Elliott Balzer + Bray
Killing Stalking: Deluxe Edition 5 Koogi Koogi Seven Seas Entertainment
Freestyle: A Graphic Novel 5 Gale Galligan Gale Galligan and K Czap Graphix
Your Pal Fred 5 Michael Rex Michael Rex Viking Books for Young Readers
Forest Hills Bootleg Society 5 Dave Baker Nicole Goux Simon & Schuster
20th Century Men 5 Deniz Camp Stipan Morian Image Comics
The Joy of Quitting 5 Keiler Roberts Keiler Roberts Drawn & Quarterly
Crumbs 5 Danie Stirling Danie Stirling Clarion Books
Rogues’ Gallery 5 Hannah Rose May and Declan Shalvey Justin Mason and Triona Farrell Image Comics
A Frog in the Fall 5 Linnea Sterte Linnea Sterte Peow Studio
X-Terminators 5 Leah Williams Carlos Gomez and Bryan Valenza Marvel Comics
Schappi 5 Anna Haifisch Anna Haifisch Fantagraphics
Ghost Cage 5 Caleb Goellner and Nick Dragotta Nick Dragotta Image Comics
My Aunt Is a Monster 5 Reimena Yee Reimena Yee Random House Graphic
Radical: My Year with a Socialist Senator 5 Sofia Warren Sofia Warren IDW Publishing
Defenders Beyond 5 Al Ewing and Javier Rodriguez Javier Rodriguez Marvel Comics
Katie the Catsitter: Best Friends 4 Never 5 Colleen AF Venable Stephanie Yue and Branden Lamb Random House Graphic
Aquaman: Andromeda 5 Ram V Christian Ward DC Comics
Ice Cream Man 5 W. Maxwell Prince Martin Morazzo and Chris O’Halloran Image Comics
Growing Pangs 5 Kathryn Ormsbee Molly Brooks Random House Graphic
Mazebook 5 Jeff Lemire Jeff Lemire Dark Horse Books
Something is Killing the Children 5 James Tynion IV Werther Dell’Edera BOOM! Studios
What’s the Furthest Place from Here? 5 Matt Rosenberg Tyler Boss, Josh Hickson, Roberto Lopez Ortiz and Sweeney Boo Image Comics
The Well 5 Jake Wyatt Choo First Second
Red Scare: A Graphic Novel 5 Liam Francis Walsh Liam Francis Walsh Graphix
Huda F Are You? 5 Huda Fahmy Huda Fahmy Dial Books
Newburn 5 Chip Zdarsky and Nadia Shammas Jacob Phillips and Ziyed Yusuf Ayoub Image Comics
Heartstopper 5 Alice Oseman Alice Oseman Graphix
Tokyo Revengers 5 Ken Wakui Ken Wakui Seven Seas Entertainment
We Only Kill Each Other 5 Stephanie Phillips Peter Krause and Ellie Wright Dark Horse Books
Iron Man 5 Christopher Cantwell, Kurt Busiek, and Gerry Duggan Various Marvel Comics
My Hero Academia 5 Kohei Horikoshi Kohei Horikoshi VIZ Media

The full spreadsheet with pivot tables for books, writers, artists, publishers and more is available here.

Regarding Publishers:

This year Image Comics was the most popular publisher with 89 different titles.

Marvel was 2nd place (again) with 84 different titles.

DC drops from 1st to 3rd with 69 different titles.

VIZ Media moves from 5th to 4th with 56 different titles.

and Fantagraphics gets the 5th spot with 48 titles.

47 Self-Published books made the list too.

The 3 most popular web comics were (again!) Batman: Wayne Family Adventures by CRC Payne, StarBite, Maria Li and Lan Ma (4 picks), The Nib and I’m Fine I’m Fine Just Understand by ND Stevenson trying for 2nd place with 2 picks each.

Caveats:

Where a reviewer/writer wrote ‘best of’ lists for multiple websites, I’ve cross referenced their lists and removed books that were named twice. I did not think it would be fair if those writers could tip the popularity scale by naming the same book(s) over and over again on multiple websites. Sadly, there was an increase of websites publishing lists with no credit to who (or whom) created the list. In those cases I marked them as n/a but the practice of not crediting writers is a shameful one.

If a writer wrote for multiple sites, but one of those sites picks was a group effort, I did not remove books that are listed twice.

I generally did not include lists that were a mixed of prose books and graphic novels unless there were a significant number of graphic novels on the list, or they had a list of GNs only and put a GN on a otherwise list of prose books. I did find there were more lists like that this year, which was one of the reasons it took me this long to finish this. Many YA prose books have Graphic Novel looking covers and I need to examine previews to determine if it’s comics or not. If this continues to be the trend I may need to just focus on GN/Comics only lists.

I did not use lists where the website was not in English and the books appeared to be translated versions.

With inkers and colourists I often, but not always included them within the Artist section. Where there were multiple (usually more than 5) involved in a book, or in the title’s run over the course of the year, various was used instead of listing them all. In some cases I combined those involved even if they worked on the title for different issues. Where the translaters were credited (without me having to really dig for it) are mentioned on column G of the data. The same goes for the editors of anthologies.

For simplicity sake, if a list named a specific comic book issue or specific volume of a graphic novel, I removed those specifics and just listed the series title, with rare exceptions. The same goes with issue #s. My apologies to the reviewers of those books.

Some reviewers included books that were published in 2021 or earlier. Normally the amount of times these books were mentioned isn’t significant, but I am seeing more and more books pop up that were comics series last year and came up again this year as a collected edition. Most notable for this year is The Many Deaths of Laila Starr, which tied for #1 last year, got 14 picks this year.

Most of the lists were general ‘best/favourite books’ of 2022, but I also included lists dedicated to young readers, manga, LGBTQ+, etc… What type list is noted on column B in the spreadsheet.

A small number of lists also had rankings and those are included in Column C.

This list of websites this list is compiled from:

ABC Canberra https://www.abc.net.au/canberra/programs/drive/book-club-recommendations-2022/101775420
AIPT https://aiptcomics.com/2022/12/18/aipt-comics-podcast-episode-202-best-comics-of-2022/
AIPT https://aiptcomics.com/2022/12/20/aipts-best-comics-of-2022-part-1/
AIPT https://aiptcomics.com/2022/12/22/aipts-best-comics-of-2022-part-2/
ALA https://www.ala.org/rt/gncrt/best-graphic-novels-adults-reading-list-2022
ALA https://www.ala.org/rt/gncrt/best-graphic-novels-children-reading-list-2022
Amazon https://www.amazon.com/b/ref=s9_acss_bw_cg_BHPNOV20_2b1_w?node=17296348011&pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_s=merchandised-search-2&pf_rd_r=0KFGJ2FX17ZEWNA94KE3&pf_rd_t=101&pf_rd_p=be85bac0-da1d-4ea4-a991-8f056d7023e6&pf_rd_i=17296227011
Amazon https://www.amazon.com/b/ref=s9_acss_bw_cg_BHPNOV20_2c1_w?node=17296349011&pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_s=merchandised-search-2&pf_rd_r=0KFGJ2FX17ZEWNA94KE3&pf_rd_t=101&pf_rd_p=be85bac0-da1d-4ea4-a991-8f056d7023e6&pf_rd_i=17296227011
Anime Hunch https://animehunch.com/dandadan-tops-japans-nationwide-bookstore-employees-recommended-manga-2022-ranking/
Anime Soul King https://www.animesoulking.com/2023/01/15/the-best-manga-of-2022-recommendations/
Anlist https://anilist.co/article/Top-10-Romance-Manga-of-2022
Anlist https://anilist.co/article/Top-10-Action-Manga-of-2022
Asian Movie Pulse https://asianmoviepulse.com/2022/12/best-manga-releases-of-2022/
Autostraddle https://www.autostraddle.com/92-of-the-best-queer-books-of-2022/
Barnes and Noble https://www.barnesandnoble.com/b/books/barnes-nobles-best-books-of-2022/barnes-nobles-best-graphic-novels-of-2022/_/N-29Z8q8Z2x7q
Barnes and Noble https://www.barnesandnoble.com/b/books/barnes-nobles-best-books-of-2022/barnes-nobles-best-young-reader-books-of-2022/_/N-29Z8q8Z2x83
Barnes and Noble https://www.barnesandnoble.com/b/books/barnes-nobles-best-books-of-2022/barnes-nobles-best-manga-manhwa-of-2022/_/N-29Z8q8Z2x7v
Barnes and Noble https://www.barnesandnoble.com/b/books/barnes-nobles-best-books-of-2022/barnes-nobles-best-picture-books-of-2022/_/N-29Z8q8Z2x7x
Beneath The Tangles https://beneaththetangles.com/2022/12/27/best-manga-of-2022/
Big Comic Page https://bigcomicpage.com/2022/12/23/bcps-top-10-comics-of-2022/
Book Riot https://bookriot.com/best-comics-of-2022/
Book Riot https://bookriot.com/bestbooks2022/
Borg https://borg.com/2022/12/15/borgs-best-of-2022-the-best-books/
Brightly https://www.readbrightly.com/middle-grade-chapter-books-2022/
Broken Frontier https://www.brokenfrontier.com/broken-frontier-awards-2022-winners/
But Why Tho? https://butwhytho.net/2022/12/year-in-review-top-indie-comics-of-2022/
But Why Tho? https://butwhytho.net/2022/12/year-in-review-top-superhero-comics-of-2022/
But Why Tho? https://butwhytho.net/2022/12/best-top-manga-of-2022/
CBC https://www.cbc.ca/books/the-best-canadian-comics-of-2022-1.6681575
CBR https://www.cbr.com/best-comics-2022/
CBR https://www.cbr.com/cbrs-top-100-comics-of-2022-100-76/
CBR https://www.cbr.com/cbrs-top-100-comics-of-2022-75-51/
CBR https://www.cbr.com/cbrs-top-100-comics-of-2022-50-26/
CBR https://www.cbr.com/cbrs-top-100-comics-of-2022-25-11/
CBR https://www.cbr.com/cbrs-top-100-comics-of-2022-10-1/
CBR https://www.cbr.com/best-dc-comic-issues-2022/
CBR https://www.cbr.com/marvel-comics-greatest-2022/
CBR https://www.cbr.com/best-new-ongoing-manga-2022/
Chicago Public Library https://chipublib.bibliocommons.com/list/share/200121216_chipublib_teens/2203506479_best_teen_graphic_novels_and_manga_of_2022?_gl=1*1cpl9yo*_ga*NzQ5OTQ3MzIwLjE2NzQwMDQ4Njk.*_ga_G99DMMNG39*MTY3Njk0ODYxMy40LjEuMTY3Njk0ODY0MC4wLjAuMA..
Chicago Public Library https://chipublib.bibliocommons.com/list/share/200121216_chipublib_teens/2203497959_best_teen_nonfiction_of_2022?_gl=1*1cpl9yo*_ga*NzQ5OTQ3MzIwLjE2NzQwMDQ4Njk.*_ga_G99DMMNG39*MTY3Njk0ODYxMy40LjEuMTY3Njk0ODY0MC4wLjAuMA..
Chicago Public Library https://chipublib.bibliocommons.com/list/share/199702383_chipublib_adults/2207078629_best_books_of_2022?_gl=1%2A1kirrze%2A_ga%2ANzQ5OTQ3MzIwLjE2NzQwMDQ4Njk.%2A_ga_G99DMMNG39%2AMTY3Njk0ODYxMy40LjEuMTY3Njk0ODY0MC4wLjAuMA..&page=2
Chicago Public Library https://chipublib.bibliocommons.com/list/share/200049033_chipublib_kids/2205109719_best_fiction_for_younger_readers_of_2022?_gl=1*1kirrze*_ga*NzQ5OTQ3MzIwLjE2NzQwMDQ4Njk.*_ga_G99DMMNG39*MTY3Njk0ODYxMy40LjEuMTY3Njk0ODY0MC4wLjAuMA..
Chicago Public Library https://chipublib.bibliocommons.com/list/share/200049033_chipublib_kids/2205123673_best_informational_books_for_older_readers_of_2022?_gl=1*1kirrze*_ga*NzQ5OTQ3MzIwLjE2NzQwMDQ4Njk.*_ga_G99DMMNG39*MTY3Njk0ODYxMy40LjEuMTY3Njk0ODY0MC4wLjAuMA..
Comic Book Club https://comicbookclublive.com/2022/12/28/best-graphic-novels-of-2022/
Comic Book Herald https://www.comicbookherald.com/best-comics-of-2022/
Comic Book Revolution https://www.comicbookrevolution.com/the-10-best-manga-of-2022/
Comic Book Revolution https://www.comicbookrevolution.com/the-10-best-comic-book-series-of-2022/
Comic Book Revolution https://www.comicbookrevolution.com/the-10-best-comic-book-single-issues-of-2022/
Comic Book Revolution https://www.comicbookrevolution.com/the-5-best-comic-book-storylines-of-2022/
Comic Book Yeti https://www.comicbookyeti.com/post/al-s-top-10-webcomics-of-2022
Comic Frontline https://comicfrontline.com/2022/12/28/best-comic-books-of-2022-winners/
Comic Frontline https://comicfrontline.com/2022/12/20/best-comic-books-of-2022-writer-penciller-ongoing-series-publisher-single-issue/
Comic Frontline https://comicfrontline.com/2022/12/13/best-comic-books-of-2022-best-under-the-radar-series-mini-maxi-series-shocking-moment-new-series-new-creative-team/
Comic Frontline https://comicfrontline.com/2022/12/06/best-comic-books-of-2022-best-male-character-female-character-villain-indie-title-1/
Comic Frontline https://comicfrontline.com/2022/11/22/best-comic-books-of-2022-cover-artist-event-one-shot-cover/
ComicBook.com https://comicbook.com/comics/news/2022-comicbook-golden-issue-award-best-graphic-novel-ducks-kate-beaton/
ComicBook.com https://comicbook.com/comics/news/the-2022-comicbook-com-golden-issue-award-for-best-limited-comic-series/
ComicBook.com https://comicbook.com/comics/news/2022-golden-issue-award-best-ongoing-comic-amazing-spider-man/
ComicBook.com https://comicbook.com/anime/news/2022-golden-issue-award-best-manga-series/
Comicon https://www.comicon.com/2022/12/29/comicons-5-best-digital-webcomics-of-2022/
Comicon https://www.comicon.com/2022/12/27/comicons-5-best-single-issues-of-2022/
Comicon https://www.comicon.com/2022/12/27/comicons-5-best-comic-series-of-2022/
Comicon https://www.comicon.com/2022/12/27/comicons-5-best-ogns-of-2022/
Comics Beat https://www.comicsbeat.com/the-beats-30-best-comics-of-2022/
Comics Grinder https://comicsgrinder.com/2022/12/19/best-comics-and-graphic-novels-of-2022/
Comics Wrorth Reading https://comicsworthreading.com/2023/01/04/my-favorite-comics-and-manga-of-2022/
Comics XF https://www.comicsxf.com/2022/12/19/comicsxfs-best-comics-of-2022/
Cybils http://www.cybils.com/2023/01/cybils2022-graphic-novels.html
Cybils http://www.cybils.com/2023/01/cybils2022-easy-reader-early-chapter-books.html
Den of Geek https://www.denofgeek.com/comics/best-comics-2022/
Denver Library https://www.denverlibrary.org/all-ages/list/staff-picks/staff-favorites-2022-graphic-format-books
Diverse Tech Geek https://www.diversetechgeek.com/10-favorite-graphic-novels-2022/
Diverse Tech Geek https://www.diversetechgeek.com/10-favorite-webcomics-2022-edition/
Doom Rocket https://doomrocket.com/best-comics-2022/
EW https://ew.com/books/the-best-comic-books-of-2022/
Fiction Talk https://fictiontalk.com/2023/01/03/best-graphic-novels/
Film School Rejects https://filmschoolrejects.com/best-comic-books-2022/
Forbes https://www.forbes.com/sites/robsalkowitz/2022/12/16/the-best-graphic-novels-of-2022/?sh=4e103e1319b3
Game Rant https://gamerant.com/best-manga-2022/
Games Radar https://www.gamesradar.com/best-comics-2022/
Geek Girl Authority https://www.geekgirlauthority.com/best-webtoon-series-2022/
Geek Hard Show https://geekhardshow.com/2023/01/andrews-picks-ten-best-comics-of-2022/
Geek Network https://geek-network.com/geek-network-top-10-best-comics-of-2022/
Geek Vibes Nation https://geekvibesnation.com/the-gvn-talking-comics-best-of-2022/
Geekcast Radio https://www.geekcastradio.com/comics/top-100-comics-of-2022/
GLAAD https://www.glaad.org/mediaawards/34/nominees
Globe and Mail https://www.theglobeandmail.com/arts/books/article-top-5-graphic-novels-of-2022/
Go Book Mart https://gobookmart.com/web-stories/10-best-graphic-novels-of-2022/
Go BookMart https://gobookmart.com/top-10-manga-of-2022/
Good OK Bad http://goodokbad.com/index.php/about/2022comics
Good Reeds https://www.goodreads.com/choiceawards/best-graphic-novels-comics-2022
Gosh https://goshlondon.com/gosh-best-of/2022/
Graphic Policy https://graphicpolicy.com/2023/01/01/bretts-favorite-comics-of-2022-and-a-reflection-on-the-past-year/
Horn Book https://www.hbook.com/story/fanfare-2022-booklist
Horror News Network https://www.horrornewsnetwork.net/2022-horror-comic-award-winners/
IGN https://www.ign.com/articles/best-comic-book-series-graphic-novel-2022
Imagination Soup https://imaginationsoup.net/middle-grade-books-2022/
Imagination Soup https://imaginationsoup.net/best-picture-books-2022/
Imagination Soup https://imaginationsoup.net/the-best-chapter-books-of-2022/
Irish Times https://www.irishtimes.com/culture/books/review/2022/12/28/best-irish-comic-books-of-2022/
Japan Geeks https://japan-geeks.com/best-manga-of-2022/
Joshua Adelglass https://joshuaedelglass.com/joshs-favorite-graphic-novels-of-2022/
Kirkus https://www.kirkusreviews.com/book-lists/best-indie-childrens-books-of-2022/
Kirkus https://www.kirkusreviews.com/book-lists/best-ya-graphic-literature-2022
Kirkus https://www.kirkusreviews.com/book-lists/best-graphic-middle-grade-2022
Kirkus https://www.kirkusreviews.com/book-lists/best-beginning-readers-of-2022
Kirkus https://www.kirkusreviews.com/book-lists/candlewicks-best-books-2022
Kirkus https://www.kirkusreviews.com/book-lists/lerners-best-books-2022
Kirkus https://www.kirkusreviews.com/book-lists/best-picture-books-of-2022-for-animal-lovers
Kirkus https://www.kirkusreviews.com/book-lists/best-picture-books-of-2022-about-nature
Kirkus https://www.kirkusreviews.com/book-lists/best-science-and-medicine-books-2022
Kirkus https://www.kirkusreviews.com/book-lists/best-memoirs-2022
Kotaku https://kotaku.com/best-manga-2022-one-punch-man-hell-paradise-chainsaw-ma-1849920639
Laughing Place https://www.laughingplace.com/w/articles/2022/12/29/the-year-in-marvel-comics-the-best-of-2022/
Level Up Entertainment https://levelupentertainment.com/news/2020/12/16/2022-didnt-completely-suck-awards
Library Journal https://www.libraryjournal.com/story/Best-Graphic-Novels-of-2022
Lit Reactor https://litreactor.com/columns/the-must-read-horror-graphic-novels-of-2022
Literary Hub https://lithub.com/the-best-reviewed-graphic-literature-of-2022/
Locus Magazine https://locusmag.com/2023/02/2022-recommended-reading-list/
Looper https://www.looper.com/1098307/the-best-comics-of-2022-so-far/
Los Angeles Public Library https://www.lapl.org/books-emedia/lapl-reads/book-lists/best-2022-graphic-novels
Marvel https://www.marvel.com/articles/comics/2022-year-in-review-best-marvel-comic-issues
Matthew Price https://matthewlprice.com/2023/01/08/best-graphic-novels-of-2022/
Medium https://cryptoscatology.medium.com/the-cryptoscatology-top-ten-the-best-comic-books-of-2022-b0b7bfa20500
Medium https://medium.com/@TTCGroup/my-top-10-comic-books-of-2022-33e162f7b3ee
Medium https://medium.com/@atthehelm/comics-make-the-world-go-round-five-best-series-of-2022-5688d120c237
Medium https://medium.com/@lukewhenderson/the-10-best-graphic-novels-i-read-in-2022-1067339d4f11
Mercury News https://www.mercurynews.com/2022/12/08/best-graphic-novels-2022-free-comic-book-day-founder-gives-his-8-picks/
MLMILLERWRITES https://mlmillerwrites.com/2022/12/28/my-favorite-horror-comic-books-of-2022/
Monkeys Fighting Robots https://monkeysfightingrobots.co/justin-mundays-favorite-comics-of-2022/
Multiversity Comics http://www.multiversitycomics.com/news-columns/2022-yir-webcomic/
Multiversity Comics http://www.multiversitycomics.com/news-columns/2022-yir-digital-first-series/
Multiversity Comics http://www.multiversitycomics.com/news-columns/2022-yir-single-issue/
Multiversity Comics http://www.multiversitycomics.com/news-columns/2022-yir-one-shot/
Multiversity Comics http://www.multiversitycomics.com/news-columns/2022-yir-reprint/
Multiversity Comics http://www.multiversitycomics.com/news-columns/2022-yir-anthology/
Multiversity Comics http://www.multiversitycomics.com/news-columns/2022-yir-licensed/
Multiversity Comics http://www.multiversitycomics.com/news-columns/2022-yir-non-manga/
Multiversity Comics http://www.multiversitycomics.com/news-columns/2022-year-in-review-best-ongoing-series/
Multiversity Comics http://www.multiversitycomics.com/news-columns/2022-yir-mini/
Multiversity Comics http://www.multiversitycomics.com/news-columns/2022-yir-new-series/
Multiversity Comics http://www.multiversitycomics.com/news-columns/2022-yir-concluded-series/
Multiversity Comics http://www.multiversitycomics.com/news-columns/2022-yir-manga-series/
Multiversity Comics http://www.multiversitycomics.com/news-columns/2022-yir-ogn/
Multnomah County Library http://bestof.multcolib.org/2021/#tags=comics%2Fgraphic+novels&view=covers&year=2022
Nerdy Book Club https://nerdybookclub.wordpress.com/2022/12/29/the-2022-nerdies-graphic-novels-announced-by-katherine-sokolowski/
Nerdy Book Club https://nerdybookclub.wordpress.com/2022/12/28/the-2022-nerdies-early-readers-and-chapter-books-announced-by-alyson-beecher/
New York Public Library https://www.nypl.org/books-more/recommendations/comics-2022/adults
New York Public Library https://www.nypl.org/books-more/recommendations/best-books/teens?f%5B0%5D=terms%3AComics
New York Public Library https://www.nypl.org/books-more/recommendations/best-books/kids?f%5B0%5D=terms%3AGraphic%20Novels
New York Times https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2022/11/22/books/notable-books.html?action=click&pgtype=Article&state=default&module=styln-books-general&variant=show&region=BELOW_MAIN_CONTENT&block=storyline_flex_guide_recirc
New Yorker https://www.newyorker.com/best-books-2022
NPR https://apps.npr.org/best-books/#view=covers&year=2022
Panel Platter http://www.panelpatter.com/2022/12/james-favorite-comics-of-2022-romance.html
Panel Platter http://www.panelpatter.com/2022/12/james-favorite-comics-of-2022.html
Panel Platter http://www.panelpatter.com/2022/12/seans-favorite-comics-of-2022.html
Parents https://www.parents.com/best-childrens-books-2022-6950985
Paste Magazine https://www.pastemagazine.com/books/lists/best-comics-of-2022/
Polygon https://www.polygon.com/2022/12/6/23488554/best-comics-2022-graphic-novels
Pop Culture and Comics https://www.popcultureandcomics.com/post/pop-s-best-comics-graphic-novels-movies-and-tv-of-2022
Pop Culture Squad https://popculturesquad.com/2022/12/31/year-in-review-2022-the-best-new-comics-and-ogns-of-the-year/
Pop Matters https://www.popmatters.com/best-books-2022
Powells https://www.powells.com/staff-top-fives-2022
Powells https://www.powells.com/post/best-books/best-books-of-2022-nonfiction
Powells https://www.powells.com/post/best-books/best-books-of-2022-scifi-fantasy-horror-romance-graphic-novels
Powells https://www.powells.com/post/best-books/best-books-of-2022-kids-and-young-adult
Publishers Weekly https://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/industry-news/comics/article/91182-beaton-s-ducks-tops-pw-s-2022-graphic-novel-critics-poll.html
Random Thoughts https://lars.ingebrigtsen.no/2022/12/20/the-best-comics-of-2022/
Reddit r/comicbooks poll https://www.reddit.com/r/comicbooks/comments/1010igv/here_we_have_it_your_rcomicbooks_bestof_2022/
Reddit r/ImageComics https://www.reddit.com/r/ImageComics/comments/10o7mrm/rimagecomics_best_of_2022/
Reddit: culturefan https://www.reddit.com/r/graphicnovels/comments/100l8b8/this_guy_lists_50_favorite_comics_of_2023/j2jbs14/
Reddit: MakeWayForTomorrow https://www.reddit.com/r/graphicnovels/comments/100l8b8/this_guy_lists_50_favorite_comics_of_2023/j2i83hx/
School Library Journal https://www.schoollibraryjournal.com/story/best-graphic-novels-2022-slj-best-books
School Library Journal https://www.schoollibraryjournal.com/story/slj-top-10-manga-2022
Screen Rant https://screenrant.com/best-comic-books-2022-marvel-dc-graphic-novels/
Screen Rant https://screenrant.com/best-new-manga-2022-deamons-shadow-ruridragon/
Screen Rant https://screenrant.com/the-best-continuing-manga-of-2022/
Screen Rant https://screenrant.com/best-new-horror-comics-2022-creepshow-slumber-vineyard/
Seattle Public Library https://www.spl.org/books-and-media/books-and-ebooks/staff-picks/seattle-staff-faves-2022-nonfiction
Seattle Public Library https://www.spl.org/books-and-media/books-and-ebooks/staff-picks-for-teens/seattle-staff-faves-2022-teen-books
She Reads https://shereads.com/best-graphic-novels-coming-2022/
Skokie Public Library https://skokielibrary.info/lists/3047/2022-staff-picks-graphic-novels/
Skokie Public Library https://skokielibrary.info/lists/3032/staff-picks-2022-fiction-graphic-novels-readers-and-nonfiction-for-grades-k-3/
Skokie Public Library https://skokielibrary.info/lists/3027/staff-picks-2022-graphic-novels-and-nonfiction-for-grades-4-5/
Skokie Public Library https://skokielibrary.info/lists/3029/staff-picks-2022-books-for-babies-through-preschool/
Skokie Public Library https://skokielibrary.info/lists/3030/staff-picks-2022-picture-books-for-grades-k-3/
Skokie Public Library https://skokielibrary.info/lists/3028/staff-picks-2022-books-for-grades-6-8/
Stack Overflow https://geekdad.com/2023/01/stack-overflow-our-favorite-books-of-2022/
Telegraph https://www.telegraph.co.uk/books/what-to-read/best-graphic-novels-2022-reviewed/
Texas Public Library https://txla.org/news/2022-maverick-graphic-novel-reading-list-announced/
Texas Public Library https://txla.org/tools-resources/reading-lists/maverick/current-list/
The Comics Journal https://www.tcj.com/the-best-comics-of-2022/
The Guardian https://www.theguardian.com/books/2022/dec/03/the-best-comics-and-graphic-novels-of-2022
The Indianapolis Public Library https://indypl.bibliocommons.com/list/share/1652485239/2216635351
The Irish Times https://www.irishtimes.com/culture/books/review/2022/12/10/the-irish-times-best-graphic-novels-of-2022/
The Mary Sue https://www.themarysue.com/best-comics-and-graphic-novels-2022/
The Pop Verse https://www.thepopverse.com/best-comic-comics-graphic-novels-2022-popverse
The True Japan https://thetruejapan.com/the-best-new-manga/#:~:text=The%2010%20Best%20New%20Manga%20in%202022%201,%28Motoo%20Nakanishi%2C%202021%20%E2%80%93%20Present%29%20…%20More%20items
The Turnaround Blog https://theturnaroundblog.com/2023/01/13/our-favourite-comix-from-2022-graphic-novel-staff-picks/
Toledo Public Library https://www.toledolibrary.org/blog/tlcpl-best-books-of-2022
Toronto Star https://www.thestar.com/entertainment/books/2022/12/21/year-in-review-our-reviewers-pick-their-top-5-historical-fiction-graphic-novel-and-horror-books-of-2022.html
Walden Pond Books https://bookshop.org/lists/best-comics-graphic-novels-for-adults-2022
Washington Post https://www.washingtonpost.com/books/2022/11/17/best-graphic-novels/
Waterstones https://www.waterstones.com/blog/the-best-books-of-2022-manga
Waterstones https://www.waterstones.com/blog/the-best-books-of-2022-teenage-and-young-adult
Waterstones https://www.waterstones.com/blog/the-best-books-of-2022-baby-and-toddler
Waterstones https://www.waterstones.com/blog/the-best-books-of-2022-childrens-fiction
What Do We Do All Day https://www.whatdowedoallday.com/best-graphic-novels-2022/
Why So Blu? https://whysoblu.com/the-best-comics-of-2022/
Women Write About Comics https://womenwriteaboutcomics.com/2023/01/wwacs-favorite-big-press-comics-of-2022/
Women Write About Comics https://womenwriteaboutcomics.com/2023/01/favorite-small-press-books-of-2022/
Yuri Anime News https://www.yurianimenews.com/yurimanga/top-10-yuri-manga-of-the-year-2022
Yuricon https://okazu.yuricon.com/2022/12/31/okazu-top-yuri-of-2022/

Baltimore Comic-Con 2022

Baltimore Comic-ConSo, I went to Baltimore Comic Con, which is a first for me. A few weeks prior to the convention was a Funeral Home convention also being held at the Baltimore Convention Center. My day job is doing tech support for an IT company that makes specialty software for Funeral Homes. Several of my co-workers went to the convention and when they got back I asked them about Baltimore, good restaurants, etc.. and well, didn’t get encouraging answers.

I got told that the area is fine during the day but at night gangs come out on dirt bikes, wearing ski-masks and guns. I was told it’s best to not go out at night, but if you do, go in a vehicle or walk in groups. I was told a nearby Sandwich shop was held up at gunpoint at 8pm while they were there. I was told the Funeral Home convention (which moves to different cities) only got 1/3rd of the attendance it normally gets. I never got too much in the way of specific restaurant recommendations.

I decided to follow through and go despite these less than enthusiastic experiences. I originally was thinking of flying down, but the only nearby airport that went to Baltimore was in Toronto (everything else went to Washington) and between the drive to airport, getting there 3 hours ahead of time (like they recommend), flying and then getting from the airport to the Hotel was going to take me 7.5 hours – if the flight left on time. When I went to San Diego in July the flight was delayed 1 hour going down and 3 hours coming back. According to google maps driving down would take me 7.5 hours (+ stops for gas/food/bathroom breaks) so I decided to drive it instead. The cost of gas & hotel parking would be less than the flight and airport parking. The drive was fairly simple going south on I-81, then on I-83 and the hotel was only a handful blocks from where I-83 ended.

I made it to Baltimore in about 8.5 hours. I stayed in the Baltimore Marriott Inner Harbor at Camden Yards. I usually have good experiences in Marriott hotels, but my hotel room had a very stiff door which was difficult to get open. It also had the smallest, oldest TV I’ve ever seen in a hotel. The hallway light and a 2nd light in the bathroom would randomly come on hours after turning on the light. The mattress for the bed was softer than most I’ve slept on which was a good thing. The pillows were smaller than usual but that didn’t matter. I found the toilet to be lower to the ground then normal, which made my not very flexible body groan when using it. The A/C was a little noisy, but that didn’t bother me when I took out my hearing aids. There was also a light from one of the alarms that would flash every few seconds after the lights were turned out. In short, if you are saying at this hotel, don’t get room 816. I did let the hotel know about these issues.

Late Thursday afternoon, I went to Pickles Pub for dinner. While the food was good I was a bit surprised by the plastic cup for the drink. The next morning I went to Kerbie’s Grill for breakfast. The French Toast supposedly on Texas Toast bread, was more like thin sliced bread. It was served on a paper plate and with plastic cutlery. I went to the Jimmy Johns chain beside the convention for a sub for lunch. They told me they couldn’t do a little john sub, so I had to get the more expensive regular size and they also didn’t ask me anything about the sub and just handed it to me quickly. I found it had a ton of mayo on it and there wasn’t any napkins available anywhere. Everywhere I went for food outside of my hotel near the convention that has a 4.something rating on google maps had more of a 3.something dining experience. I don’t know if all of Baltimore is like this, but if so they must generate a LOT of garbage with all the single use items. The hotel restaurant (called The Yard) was good for food off the menu. The only issue I had was the breakfast buffet pancakes, which were horrid. They also had a place that served individual thin crust pizza’s that was decent.

The convention itself was pretty great. I got in and got my press pass with ease. When I arrived at 1pm (start time) I noticed a long lineup, but a volunteer told me with my press pass I didn’t need to wait or get a wrist band like the paid attendees. I went to one panel that got to a late start and ran a little long (From Skartaris to Danger Street). There was no panel in that room afterwards so it wasn’t affecting anything, except for my ability to get to the next panel on time. But that wasn’t a problem in this case as it was a Jim Starlin spotlight panel, which I had witnessed and recorded at San Diego back in July. The Danger Street panel was a great panel and I wish there were more like it as it was a deep dive into a particular short-lived series. There was a lot of inside stories about the various issues, what went on in them, the creative people doing them and more.

The rest of my experiences doing panels was pretty good except for the Frank Miller spotlight panel. I went to it but Frank was very late, showing up just as the panel was about to end. They had an art auction going on in the room afterwards and they moved it to later to give Frank his panel. If you’ve seen Frank lately, you’ll notice he has health and mobility issues. We are lucky that he shows up at conventions at all, so I’m not complaining. I unfortunately had to leave as there was another panel I wanted to attend that I would have missed if I stayed for Frank’s.

One of the reasons I wanted to go to Baltimore Comic-Con was to do some shopping for myself. I’ve been mainly going to TCAF and San Diego Comic Con for several years now. TCAF isn’t the type of show for back issue shopping as it’s focused on alt/indy/kids books. There has been a reduction of Gold/Silver/back issue dealers at San Diego and they generally charge higher prices because of the expense of doing the show. I’ve also gone to a number of relatively local shows that do have back issues (Toronto, Montreal and Ottawa) but it’s mostly the same dealers with the same stock. I was hoping for something better at Baltimore and it delivered. There were lots of dealers there, selling some of what I’m looking for at decent prices. If you want to buy back issues that don’t need to be in the high grade/price range then this is a good convention to attend.

I did have a bad experience with one dealer. He was selling some pretty beat up, low grade books and I saw some something I was interested in maybe buying, but the issue number wasn’t on the cover or written/stickered anywhere on the bag. So, I open it up to check the indica and the dealer jumps up at me telling me I’m not allowed to open books because it causes too much stress on the comics (there was no sign stating this). He then looked at the book, saw a small rip by one of the staples that was already there, said he didn’t know if it was there before I opened it up or not. I realized then there was no way I was going to buy anything from him as I don’t buy books I can’t inspect first (older books sometimes have missing pages and when they are in rough shape and other issues as well). I also had a sneaking suspicion he was about to try and guilt trip me of buying the book by suggesting I damaged it. As I left he goes from not knowing if the rip was there, too loudly “thanking”/accusing me of popping the staple out of the comic. I made a mental note to never go near his booth again.

I caught up with my friend Carla Speed McNeil who I hadn’t seen since before the pandemic. She was a judge for the Ringo’s which was being held during the convention. I got from her when and where the Ringo’s were being held with the intention of going there to see and maybe cover it. I tried getting a zTrip cab to go to the hotel it was at, but my phone listed me as having been picked up and delivered even though no cab had come. I tried booking it again, but no driver would accept the call as it was a short trip.

While waiting I overheard somebody wish somebody luck at winning the award tonight to two people who were walking away from my hotel. I asked if they were going to the Ringo’s and they were so I walked with them. Along the way the information about the safety level around Baltimore Convention Center was confirmed to me. I was told it was the kind of city where there are good and bad areas and the area around Baltimore Convention Center was a bad one. I was told it would be safer if a baseball game just ended and there were lots of people leaving the stadium (which is right beside the convention center), but that was not tonight.

When I got to the Ringo’s I noticed they were handing out badges to people and you needed one to get drinks (and later food). I went to the table and let them know they wouldn’t have a badge for me as I just showed up. I was told the next table over would make a badge for me. The guy at the next table asked me who I was and then refused, saying there wasn’t any open seating available, despite there being all the materials on the table to make a badge. I did explain I was press and was a judge for the Doug Wright Awards and previously the Eisner’s, but that didn’t matter. I wasn’t allowed to attend. I now know why there is very little coverage on the Ringo’s except for their press releases on who the judges, nominees and winners. It’s a very closed off, private shindig. Anyways, I was able to get a cab back to my hotel after talking to a human at the cab company.

Outside of that, I did really enjoy the show. With San Diego and TCAF they normally have a whole bunch of good panels going on, often at the same time and I need to pick and choose which ones I want to cover and I’m usually immediately going from 1 panel to the next. Baltimore had a more relaxed schedule with quality panels, which was much easier on me. There were only a couple of overlapping panels I would have liked to have been at, but had to miss. 6 panels over 3 days is an easy event for me. At San Diego I’ve done 6 panels in a day.

Click here for the 6 panels I recorded.

One thing I feel the need to highlight was how much the show provided for deaf/hard of hearing attendees. There were multiple ASL people working many of their panels doing sign language for those who might need it. That’s something I rarely see any other conventions do and it’s a nice way to include people that usually don’t get included. Those ASL volunteers need to be thanked as I know some of them didn’t know they would be called upon for their services until just prior to show. They went to show, not knowing if they would just be a regular attendee or volunteering for the show, but when they got the request, they stepped up and did it.

I also got to have nice conversations with Steven Grant and Paul Storrie, whom I haven’t seen in several years. I got to chat with Johanna Draper Carlson and meet her hubby KC for the first time, they gave me some background info on the convention. I wish I had taken more pictures and had more conversations with people as Baltimore Comic Con has the had best Artist Alley I’ve seen outside of NYCC. I’ve since heard the guests had a good time and the convention treats them well.

The Convention Center itself it pretty nice in that it has lots of room and seating on the 3rd floor (where the panels are) for when you want to get off your feet and way from the thick of it if you want. The isles for shopping weren’t super cramped either. They’ve got some space to handle larger crowds if they were to come. I was able to get some work done at the con itself instead of needing to do most of it at the hotel room at night. I didn’t go there but I understand there was a coin collecting convention at another part of the building too.

Baltimore Comic-Con itself was great, as was the convention center it was in. The volunteers/staff I dealt with were all fantastic too. The only shame is it’s a great show surrounded by not great experiences outside of the show, which they can’t really do anything about. It’s a convention that’s long been on my bucket list to attend one day. I’m glad to have gone but I’ve got other shows I’ve also been long wanting to attend that I’ll be doing before I consider going back.

My drive back to Canada was pretty straight forward as well, this time it went 9 hours as I stopped a 2nd time for gas (which is cheaper in the US than Canada) and to have a decent sit-down restaurant experience meal. The old Waze app worked well for getting me there and back. The ArriveCan app that we used to need to use to enter the country is no longer required so getting back into Canada is like it used to be pre-pandemic. I wore an N95 mask at the convention (not many people wore masks there) and thankfully didn’t catch Covid.

San Diego Comic Con 2022

I went to San Diego Comic Con and recorded 18 panels.
I also took 81 pictures of pro’s, cosplay, some building advertisements and a few other odds and ends.

I felt some anxiety regarding this convention. It wasn’t the Covid, although there was that too, it was just the travel to and from the convention. The airport I fly out of (Toronto Pearson) has been the news a lot lately regarding flights being cancelled, luggage going missing and all sorts of bad stuff.

It’s also been 3 years since I’ve done this convention. I normally pack and prepare a lot for the con. I decided to bring noise cancelling headset with me so I could better hear what’s playing on my laptop during the flight. That worked well. Because I was afraid of my luggage disappearing on me I figured out a way to pack 5 days worth of clothes and stuff into a carry on bag that I normally use for 3 day trips. Apparently my bag was still considered too big for carry on they still took it, but I know it made it on the same plane I was on and I didn’t have to pay extra for it.

I made it to the airport 3 hours early as suggested by Air Canada. They told all to go into this lounge area where I saw people sleeping on the floor (eek!). They called out flights and if you were on them you then go to go through security. People trying to go through security early and get to their gates were yanked and sent back by staff. I saw this happening at multiple points through the whole process. Still, there was a backlog due to there not being enough customs agents available to process everybody quickly enough to make their flights.

The most nerve-wracking part was for myself and others going to San Diego was standing in a long lineup, looking at our phones and knowing we are not going to meet our boarding time. At all. We were wondering out loud will the plane take off half empty or will they delay the flight and let us get on? Thankfully the answer was to delay the flight an hour. After getting through all the various security checkpoints I ran to my gate and got on the plane in time.

I’ll say the Airport employees were doing the absolute best they could under trying circumstances. They were even calling out boarding times and pulling out people out of lines and rushing them to the front to try and get them on their flight on time. It was the customs that real bottleneck that was holding things up.

I had opted for the Early Bird special and got a hotel room at Sheraton San Diego Hotel & Marina, which I’ve stayed at once before. This time they put me in their Bay Tower which is around the corner from the main hotel. It has a nicer view and I liked my room quite a bit.

What I didn’t like about the hotel was the cost of a bottle of Pop was absolutely insane at $5.60. The Convention, which is also insanely overpriced is $4.50 for the same bottle. I did the customary trip to Ralph’s and bought some drinks and snacks for the rest of the week.

I had met up some friends at the hotel and we went to the convention to get our Covid clearance. I did download and use the Clear App prior to going to San Diego. We had made our way through the Marriott Marquis San Diego Marina and got our Covid wristbands. It was weird wearing those wristbands for 5 days straight and I wasn’t sure if it would hold up, particularly when showering, but it did.

San Diego Covid Wristband

As I’m coming from Canada I don’t get my badge mailed to me, so I got in line up to get my badge. That went through okay but I think the process was a little better in previous years with signs and more staffing. On Preview night the con was a late in opening up (advertised 6:00pm, but it was 6:30pm when they actually opened), which annoyed the crowd quite a bit, which then annoyed the convention security and staff. In this case I do fall on the side of those that paid for tickets and were expecting the advertised opening time for 6:00pm to be correct. San Diego is an expensive convention to go to and lots of people save up all year to go to the show. I don’t think you can blame them when they expect the show to open at the time the con said it would open at.

When I got in the first thing I noticed about the exhibition floor was the red carpet was no longer there. This was hugely disappointing as I have flat feet and spending a long time on them is hard enough, having to do it on concrete is much harder. I could only be on them for an hour or so before the pain got to the point where I needed to sit down. I normally make a point to walk the entire floor and see all the booths but decided I wasn’t going to do that this year. I was glad to read (from Gary Sassaman) that the decision to not do the carpet was one the convention center made and not Comic con. They were going to spray down the convention center for Covid and that would be easier without the Carpet. Here’s hoping next year the carpet is back.

The vast majority of the con goers were wearing masks indoors as required. Of course with that many people, you’re going to have people who take off their masks or pull it down under their nose once inside. On occasion I did see convention staff tell people that masks were required to be inside. Outside the con was a different story, as a whole lot of people took off their masks once outdoors, in restaurants/bars and at their hotel. It’s not surprising to hear a lot of people got Covid after the con, despite Comic Con doing their best to prevent that.

I’ve been to a few conventions this year prior to the Comic Con and I felt safe at Comic Con. The Toronto Fan Expo in March required masks as per the government mandates that were still in effect. TCAF had no mask mandate (and couldn’t due to it being a public library) but they had signs asking people to wear masks, which most people did. I just went to Montreal Comic Con for 1 day 3 weeks ago and there was no masks mandate and few people wore them. I just heard a dealer there that was wearing a mask got yelled at by people for it. He took off his mask and did the show without it and caught Covid. I wore a fresh N95 masks from the airport, at San Diego and back again and did not catch Covid.

Stuff I learned at comic con.

– Scott Bakula has a horrible New Orleans accent (according to a New Orleans con goer on the shuttle bus).
– Jim Starlin admitted to ripping off Darkseid to create Thanos (according to people from the Kirby Museum).
– DC wouldn’t do a follow up to Batman: The Cult despite it being a top seller. They wanted Bernie Wrightson to do a new Swamp Thing with Len Wein and that didn’t happen. Starlin re-did the follow up story as Punisher: POV.
– Digital lettering has certain quirks which are difficult to work around.
– If the 2000 X-men movie flopped, the Bankruptcy judge that was running Marvel was going to take rights to the Marvel characters and individually auction them off to the highest bidder.
– Little kids would write to DC Comics love advice letter columns and detail their sexual abuse by family members or members of clergy. DC felt they could do nothing about it.
– Barbara Randall Kesel is pretty awesome.
– Willy Mendez was a much bigger part of the underground comics than previously known and that hasn’t been acknowledged until Kim Munson did research her career and wrote and article giving Willy her due.
– Jimmy Palmiotti always has interesting stories to tell about dealing with Hollywood people.
– Joe Shuster may not have drawn the underground erotic art that has been credited to him.
– When Marvel was stonewalling on returning Jack Kirby’s art in the 1980s, using the argument it was custom practice that publishers kept the art, Frank Miller was behind getting DC to publish an letter saying it was their view that art belong to the artist, undercutting Marvel’s argument. This was surprising as Bill Gaines, still alive and running MAD Magazine under DC, was still adamant about publishers owning the art.

DC Letter to the Comics Journal regarding Jack Kirby's art return, printed in TCJ 105

I did a little bit of shopping at the con, but not as much as years past. One of the sad things about San Diego is the Gold and Silver section is shrinking. Less and less dealers are coming to the con and those that do often don’t have what I’m looking for and also aren’t interested in discounting very much. I can’t say I blame them, San Diego is an expensive show and it’s just not a show where lots of back issue buyers show up.

Another issue I’m finding more and more is something a dealer friend told me about many years ago. Some dealers don’t acknowledge the grade ‘Good’. Books that are in Good grade get labelled Very Good and stickered with Very Good prices. Then Very Good books get labelled Fine and so forth. I bought a couple of books that were higher in grade and price than I wanted to pay, just to reward the dealer for accurately grading and pricing their books.

I took some pictures of cosplayers and recorded some videos, particularly of a cosplay knight sword fighting which looked fun for those doing it.

I also took a video of this moving Baby Yoda, which was neat. I wondered if it might have been Grant Imahara’s (from Mythbusters) as he created one to send around to hospitals for sick children before he died, but didn’t bother to ask.

Unique for me this year was attending the Eisner’s and getting to sit at a table. In the past when I attended the Eisner’s, publishers and nominated creators get to sit at tables and get a free dinner. Pro’s that didn’t fit in either category sad it chairs behind the tables. As I was an Eisner judge in 2020, but there was no in person ceremony so I never got to experience that. The same thing happened with the judges in 2021. The Eisner’s (specifically Jackie Estrada) was able to get us 20/21 judges a table to sit at and enjoy a dinner, which a nice thing to experience.

As normal with the con, it was also nice to see and catch up with old friends and make some new ones. As usual with the convention, there are people who expect to run into and don’t and those you unexpectedly end up spending a lot of time chatting with. This year I was on a panel, the 3rd time I was on a panel at San Diego. I’m having to get used to public speaking again. Way back when I was in college (1992-1995) I had to do presentations all the time and got pretty good at them by year 2, but I’ve done extremely little public speaking in the years since. My old, had to learn as this doesn’t come naturally to me, public speaking skills have atrophied quite a bit. Ah well, I’ll get better if I keep at it.

I did walk around artists alley towards the last half of Sunday. That’s always one area that Comic Con can improve. I never understood why they place it at the other end of the convention away from where all the comics books are sold. I know a lot of bigger name creators don’t bother with artist alley at San Diego because they don’t make very much money there. Most of the bigger names usually end up getting their own tables either in the self publisher area, the original art area or just sit with their publisher tables. I have no desire to return to NYCC but I have to admit their artist alley section is really good and you’ll see plenty of well known creators there making money.

Then there was the flight home. This was also a little nerve wracking at I’ve been hearing horror stories about US airports. I got to the airport 2 hours early as per Air Canada’s instructions (8am Pacific time). I have to say, San Diego was extremely quick and efficient in getting people through security. I got through everything within a half hour, the quickest in any airport ever. The flight coming in was delayed by 3 hours though. That gave me time to work on my convention pictures and panel recordings. Went I got back to Toronto it then took an hour and a half to get my luggage through, which really sucked. I was planning on going to a restaurant I normally hit that’s just outside of Toronto. It was sadly closed by the time I got there and had to settle for McDonalds 24hour drive through. I got home just before 2am (Eastern) in the morning.

In the end, I really enjoyed going to San Diego and don’t regret going at all. The event takes a lot out of you, that I’m writing this almost a week later tells you how long it takes me to recover from it. I am thinking about doing another convention later on this year but I haven’t decided which one yet.

Thoughts on TCAF 2022

Patrick Sparrow and HinkThe Toronto Comic Arts Festival happened last weekend (July 17th – 19th) and it was somewhat different than previous TCAF shows. For starters it was being run by different people, who had to deal with a lot of uncertainty when organizing this convention. They likely weren’t even sure if it was going to happen and had moved it from Mother’s Day weekend in May to Father’s Day weekend in June to increase the chances of the event happening. In Canada Covid cases kept flaring up every time the province lessened restrictions necessitating the need to re-enact those restrictions.

The event thankfully did happen, but in a toned-down fashion. A lot of the off-site locations the show had used in the past were not used for what is likely a variety of reasons. Usually on Thursday night something is happening at the Pilot (nearby popular restaurant/bar) that normally had events/panels there in the past. Not only was there nothing happening on Thursday, panels weren’t held there during the event either.

I think the biggest impact on the show was the loss of the Marriott Hotel around the corner. This was the most convenient place to stay and many panels and the Doug Wright Awards were held there. I wasn’t able to get a room there so I had to settle for one 3 blocks away, which wasn’t so bad. I soon found out I was pretty lucky. On Friday there was an Academic Symposium happening at what I assumed was that hotel. I had walked around the corner to visit it only to discover the hotel was gone. It had been changed to an apartment building. After checking my phone, I discovered the hotel they were holding the Symposium was about 8 blocks away.

Library and Educator Day normally occurred at the Library on Friday, but they did that virtually this year. The Word Balloon Academy programming happened at the library in its place. It was previously held at the now removed Marriott Hotel. I only went to a couple of Word Balloon panels in the past but was looking forward to doing more. The panels were really good and I’m sure some were useful for creators. I recorded a few of them as part of my coverage of the event. Sadly there was a fire alarm pulled, which caused an annoying alarm to run for several minutes while fire fighters walked through the place checking to confirm it was a false alarm.

One thing that was normal was the TCAF Kick Off Event on Friday Night. It seemed to oddly indicate this was the 20th anniversary of TCAF which is not correct. First TCAF was in 2003, which I know as I was there and took photos. This was the 19th year of TCAF, next year will be the 20th anniversary of TCAF. It will be curious to see if they move the event back to Mother’s Day weekend or not.

Throughout the panels I recorded there were a couple of re-occurring themes. One was creators that went through a Fine Art education and then choosing to do comics. This was an international theme with creators from Portugal, the Nordic countries and the United States all spoke about their experience with this. The other was publishers being more open than usual about using government grants to finance books and being open about discussing print runs for books.

One thing about Toronto that continues to surprise me is how much businesses change in the area around the library. There used to be a Tim Horton’s and a Starbucks that was very popular with creators wanting coffee, but both were gone this year. Lots of other nearby restaurants and other businesses did not survive the past couple of years.

This year TCAF had a whole bunch of free water in a beer like tall can. The water was called Liquid Death and appeared to be quite popular. At the start of the show, they were giving it just to the panellists and exhibitors but half way through Saturday they started giving it out to anybody that wanted it. At the end of the show I saw a lot of attendee’s walking out of the library with 12 packs boxes under their arms.

TCAF itself was little different with the main floor not having the same number of exhibitors. Some of those that were there had reduced the number of tables they used. This did make the main floor feel less crowded and improved getting around, which was a good thing. Which exhibitors and creators that showed up was different, a lot of the usual faces were not there this year. I’m not sure if they pulled out due to the Pink Cat controversy, they weren’t comfortable doing the show for Covid reasons or if the new management decided to bring in new creators.


As usual the show took up 3 floors and the basement level as there was room there for some longer lineups. I’ve heard from a couple of exhibitors that were put in areas with less foot traffic were still happy with higher than expected sales. The “sun room” area on the first floor was a lot more spaced out and not as jammed with people as normal. It was also considerably cooler than previous years with that place being very hot with the bright sun shinning in.

The Doug Wright Awards were unfortunately not able to hold their awards ceremony at the Hotel like usual. Having it in a nearby park was not the best. While the weather thankfully co-operated and we had sunny skies, the constant wind did make it a bit chilly and the constant subways running under the park were disruptive. The organizers promised they’ll have the awards inside next year. Perhaps they’ll have it at the Pilot. I should mention I was a judge for the Doug Wright Awards this year and that was a pleasurable experience. It was nice to see the creators at the ceremony getting their awards.

I heard from a few exhibitors that the show had about 70% the attendance that it normally does and sales reflected this as well. One thing that might have also affected this was the TCAF: Page and Panel Comic Store was having a going out of business closing sale and were discounting much of their books by 30%. It was surprising and sad to see the store was closing. With inflation being what it is these days, lots of people were buying from the store.

As usual I did have a good time at the show. I did not buy as many books as I normally do because of the judging of both the Eisner’s in 2020 and the Doug Wright Awards this year left me with a fairly large stack of unread books I need to get through. It was nice to see some familiar faces I hadn’t seen in several years and people seemed as friendly or friendlier because of that. I’m looking forward to going 20th anniversary show next year.

The panels I recorded can be found here. There are also links to the pictures I took as well.

 

Toronto Comicon March 20th, 2022

So I went to my first comic convention since going to the Guelph Comic Jam in 2019.

Toronto Comicon took place on March 18th to 20th at the Toronto Metro Convention Centre. I went with a friend who like me, was a little anxious about going to a comic convention when Covid is still active. We decided to just go up and down for 1 day and do it on Sunday, which is the normally the least crowded day of the convention. I bought some N95 masks for us and hoped for the best.

Late last year when the Covid numbers were down the convention did put on a show and the reviews coming out was the organizers did a good job of spacing everything out, which was nice to hear. This convention in particular is a bit notorious for packing people in like sardines, leading to regular log jams when trying to make your way through the isles. Sadly this was more of the same, but they did require masks to be warn inside and from what I saw 99.9% of people complied. It was a large crowd (much bigger than I was expecting) but I only saw a few people walking around without a mask or wearing it under their nose.

I was told by multiple people that Friday was crazy busy. It seems there was pent up demand for a convention and people came out in huge numbers to participate in this one. Saturday was either almost as busy as Friday and Sunday was less busy as expected. Most of the comic guests were Canadian, with only a small number of Americans coming over the border to attend. This is likely due to the requirement that people pay for, take and provide proof of a negative Covid test just prior to coming into the country. I do not believe there are any tests required to travel to the US. I know I wasn’t asked to provide/take one the two times I drove over the border and back late last year.

Regarding the show I did a little bit of shopping and some catching up with creators I haven’t seen or spoken to in a couple years or more. I took some photos of creators and cosplayers and I attended and recorded a panel put on by Amy Chu and Dan Parent called Let’s Talk Story: Writing for TV and Comics. They spoke to a room with a fairly large number of aspiring writers and spent most of the time answering questions from them. It was mostly about comics but with a bit of TV writing thrown in.

As usual with conventions of this type there is always an odd moment that only happens at a comic book convention. Mine was in the bathroom after the show ended. I saw a guy trying to get out of his Spider-Man suit but couldn’t reach the zipper in the back, so I helped him out. In all it was a good, light show for me to get back into the swing of doing comic conventions again. Thankfully driving to the show and parking nearby was probably the best experience I’ve had attending this show ever. If they have another later this year and it feels safe I will probably attend it for multiple days.

 

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