It’s hard to believe, but it’s comic convention time again here in Fort Wayne. This is the third year I’ve covered our local con, and while it wasn’t the first post I wrote for the Visit Fort Wayne blog, it was close enough that I use it to mark my anniversary with the organization. For the last three years, the Summit City Comic Con has been the place to meet locally- and nationally-recognized comic creators and collect original artwork and prints. Last year I snagged a wicked cool commissioned Daredevil sketch and a hand-signed fantasy art print, both of which are now hanging on my wall at home. Along with providing great artwork, it gives comic and toy collectors an opportunity to track down back issues and collectibles (like Minimates, my toy addiction).

This year, a new, refocused convention will take its place – the Appleseed Comics & Arts Convention (Appleseed Comic Con for short). The con will be held Saturday, May 11, 2013, from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. at the Grand Wayne Convention Center.

One of the Appleseed Comic Con’s purposes is to spotlight the inclusivity of the comics community. Seriously, even if you don’t know a soul at the con, you can make friends very easily and very quickly. Heck, it’s a week after Iron Man 3 opens, so that’ll give us all something to talk about. There’s also a concerted effort to reach out to young fans. The comic book industry, much like the video game industry, has grown up with the kids of my generation. Comics today are more “adult” – and, sure, that does mean that there may be sex and violence and salty language. But it’s not just that. The themes comics today deal with are often more adult too. It’s not just about Spider-Man stopping the Vulture from robbing a jewelry store anymore¹. And that’s not to say there aren’t comics for kids, but most “mainstream” books really aren’t. When I go to the comic shop on Wednesdays, it’s mostly folks my age and older (I’m 36). The Appleseed Comic Con, like the industry as a whole, is trying to make sure that kids today get the same excitement from comics as we did when we were young.

So what’s new? What should you be looking for? Well, Marvel’s big “universe-changing” event, Age of Ultron, is currently just past its halfway point. What changes will we see when it’s finished? Only a few people know, as Marvel has kept details tightly under wraps. Hot on the heels of Age of Ultron is Infinity. Starting later this summer, it features Thanos, the villain teased at the end of 2012’s blockbuster movie Marvel’s The Avengers. DC’s “New 52” is approaching the start of its third year, and this summer will see Trinity War, a crossover running through Justice League, Justice League of America, and Justice League Dark. What are the best books I’m reading right now? Well, it’s a great time to be a fan, which means I’m reading a lot. I won’t list them all, but here’s a sample of the best of the best: Animal Man, Green Arrow, and Swamp Thing (DC); Avengers, New Avengers, Uncanny Avengers, and Hawkeye (Marvel); The Massive (Dark Horse); & East of West and Saga (Image).

2013 Appleseed print by Dave Wachter

Be sure to attend the Appleseed Comic Con. Tickets are $10 each. If you pre-order yours at www.appleseedcon.com, you’ll get a copy of the Dave Wachter-drawn convention poster and be entered for a chance to win an exclusive print. See you there!

¹ Don’t get me wrong – adult themes aren’t new to comics. A fine example of this is the classic Iron Man story “Demon in a Bottle,” published in 1979, which dealt with Tony Stark’s alcoholism.

So it’s hard to believe, but I’ve been blogging now for Visit Fort Wayne a little over a year. This is the first post I’ve written that’s allowed me to revisit an event about which I’ve written already: Summit City Comic Con. (Read my original post here.) The convention returns to Fort Wayne for its third year on May 12, 2012, at the Grand Wayne Convention Center in downtown Fort Wayne.

What’s happened in the world of comics since last year’s Summit City Comic Con? Well, Marvel’s Summer 2011 event, Fear Itself, has come and gone, and we now find ourselves knee deep in the “next big thing,” Avengers Vs. X-Men. The DC relaunch is in full swing, with most books on their ninth issues. While some of the original 52 series have been canceled, we recently saw the launch of several “Wave 2” titles, including one  I’m really excited about, Earth 2.

My view at last year's event

As usual, there will be all sorts of talented comic-type folks for you to meet. I’m psyched that Gabriel Hardman, who’s recently done some killer work on Secret Avengers, will be there. Check out www.summitcitycomiccon.com for a list of artists like Hardman whose commissioned sketches can be pre-ordered.

Want to read something but aren’t sure what? Here are some books to look out for at the show: Daredevil, all of Marvel’s “Ultimate” line (X-Men, Spider-Man, and Ultimates), Batman, Aquaman (yes, Aquaman!), Swamp Thing, and Animal Man. Now, these are all titles published by the “Big Two” – Marvel and DC. If you’re looking for something a little different, try some of my favorite indie titles like The Walking Dead, Mouse Guard, and Saga.

If you’re new to the world of comics or a longtime fan, Summit City Comic Con has something for you. Tickets are $10 in advance or on the day of the show, with admission for kids under 12 free with the purchase of an adult ticket. Visit them online for more information.

Join us in downtown Fort Wayne for Summit City Comic Con!

Back for it’s 3^rd year, Summit City Comic Con will take place on Saturday, May 12, from 10am to 6pm, at the Grand Wayne Center. Sponsored by 3 Rivers Federal Credit Union and Huntington University, this year’s event promises to be bigger and better than ever, with over 100 creators present.

According to the convention’s founder Zack Kruse, “Our primary goal is to promote comics as an art form and get people to turn out and experience the community and medium that we all love.”

A sketch by Gabriel Hardman

This year’s line up boast creators like Gabriel Hardman (Secret Avengers, Hulk, Planet of the Apes), Mike Norton (Spider-Man, Young Justice, Battlepug), Tom Scioli (Captain America: Hail Hydra, Godland, American Barbarian), and Katie Cook (Fraggle Rock, Star Wars), to name a few.

Admission to the event is $10.00 and tickets are available at the door. Children 12 and under will be admitted for free with a paid adult admission.

ACTIVITIES

• May 10: Comics Workshop for kids at the Allen County Public Library
• May 11: pre-show party at Dash-In
• May 12: Convention
• May 12: After party at Dash-In

DAY OF SHOW ACTIVITIES:

• Kids costume contest
• Panel discussions/spotlights
• Meet comic book creators, get/purchase individualized sketches and commissions from creators
• 501^st is present (Star Wars Stormtrooper charitable organization)
• Bingo card for raffle

For more information, visit www.summitcitycomiccon.com.

Comic book characters are getting harder and harder to escape these days. Just within the last couple years Hollywood has snatched up many beloved animated heroes, such as the Green Lantern, Thor and the Green Hornet, and adapted them into larger-than-life figures for the big screen. While all the special effects and cinematography make for an exhilarating movie-going experience, it cannot make up for the feel of holding the glossy pages of a comic book in your own hands.

Fortunately there is hope for comic-lovers. Summit City Comic Con is returning to the Grand Wayne Center for its second annual convention on June 18 from 10 a.m.-6 p.m.. The 2011 conference will feature over 130 comic book artist and writers with appearances by comic legions such as Denys Cowan, Mike Norton, Sean McKeever, Tim Seeley and Gary Friedrich.

This is a great event for people of all ages, and kids under 12 get in free with an adult!

Attendees will enjoy a wide variety of comics that fit into all different genres— from crime, horror and fantasy to love stories, comedies and sci-fi, there’s something out there for everyone.

Admission to the Summit City Comic Con is $10, and children under 12 will be admitted free with a paid adult. Tickets are available at the door or by pre-ordering at www.SummitCityComicCon.com.

So get suited up, and be sure not to miss out on this year’s Summit City Comic Con!

Both nationally recognized and local creators will be present at this year's Summit City Comic Con.

It’s a bird, it’s a plane, it’s…a terrible way to start a post about a comic convention. Sorry. The “Joker” in me couldn’t really resist it, though. But now that that’s out of the way, we can get serious. A comic convention is a lot of fun – it’s the awesomeness of Wednesday (new comic day, for the uninitiated) times ten. It’s a chance to meet the writers and artists who create your favorite books, find back issues to fill the holes in your collection, and engage with other people who share your love of all things “super.” When I heard that Fort Wayne, Indiana, was going to have its own convention, I was understandably excited. After the success of last year’s inaugural Summit City Comic Con, I’m happy to report it’s back for its second year.

What’s nice about this convention is, well, it’s local. That means you’ll get a chance to interact not only with nationally-known creators, but also with hometown creators, vendors, and fans. Fort Wayne has long had a thriving arts scene, including a significant number of comic artists and writers. It’s been relatively recently that comic books have become considered more than just “kids’ stuff” by people other than hardcore fans, but now the proverbial floodgates have opened, and comics and comic-related projects (movies, television, video games) are everywhere. For someone who’s been a fan as long as I have, this ubiquity is reaffirming.

Don't miss Comic Con: June 18th from 10am - 6pm at the Grand Wayne Convention Center.

While there is a lot to love out there right now for longtime fans, this is also a time comic book companies are reaching out to new fans. Several months ago Marvel Comics began its “Point 1” initiative to provide jumping-on points to its hottest titles, and starting this September, DC Comics is rebooting its entire universe. Image Comics is reprinting its successful title “The Walking Dead” weekly to allow fans to follow the story from the beginning. My point here  is this: For those of you who have only a passing interest in comics, or for those of you who are looking for the right time to start reading (or start reading again), now is the perfect time, and Summit City Comic Con is a great place to start. For those of you who, like me, are serious collectors, you’ll find a lot to like here, too.

Come by yourself, with your friends, or bring the whole family – Summit City Comic Con is an event everyone can enjoy. The con will be held at the Grand Wayne Center on Saturday, June 18,  from 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. The price of admission is $10 per person. Kids under 12 are admitted free with a paid adult ticket. Learn more at www.summitcitycomiccon.com!