ANYONE WHO CAN'T HANDLE AN EGREGIOUS AMOUNT OF NAME-DROPPING HAD BEST STOP READING NOW! WHAT OCCURS BELOW IS THE TALE OF MY FIRST-EVER TRIP TO THE SAN DIEGO COMIC-CON. ANY NAME-DROPPING IS NOT AN EXERCISE IN SWELLED HEAD-DOM, BUT PART OF AN AMAZING NARRATIVE, FILLED WITH THE NICEST AND MOST GENEROUS PEOPLE ANY INDUSTRY COULD EVER HOPE TO PRODUCE. I'VE DONE THE STORY UP AS A WEB-PAGE BECAUSE OF ITS LENGTH AND MY DESIRE TO INCLUDE SOME EXCELLENT VISUALS. ENJOY THE RIDE...

Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday Sunday


SIZE DOES COUNT
or "Wednesday, July 18, 2001"


Having pre-registered allowed me to avoid the god-awful crowds Thursday morning waiting to register, much less get in. Preview Night (where they opened the Hall on Wednesday night from 5:30pm to 8pm) at least allowed a few moments to absorb the sheer magnitude of what was happening.

A little background - Toronto comic conventions stink. They've stunk for the past 11+ years, with NO original art tables, VERY FEW guests (very few worth mentioning in the past eleven years) and VERY POOR organization. I had never been to a convention outside of Canada, and was terribly anxious to see how the "big boys play".

Toronto cons also lack any character in the books sold. By that I mean you'll rarely find those late '70s Marvel pocketbooks, any kind of fanzines, or comic-related magazines that give American cons the added colours.

It's just the sheer enormity of the room in the Convention that makes the task of trying to scan tables for books you may come back to buy nearly impossible. You only have 2 1/2 hours that first night and any dreams of covering everything quickly were soon shattered.

The highlight of the evening was finding the TWOMORROWS booth. I had waited along time to see my "name in lights". Sloop Jon B. Cooke and Tom "The Comic Savant" Stewart were there, and had no way of knowing what I looked like. I saw COMIC BOOK ARTIST #14 (The Tower Issue) on the table, opened it to Page 108, and there it was : my first-ever- professional published article on Ditko and Wally Wood. You don't forget your first. I pretended to Jon and Tom that I was someone else, and started saying "this Blake Bell guy is a GENIUS" and other humble expletives. They caught on soon enough and some beautiful friendships were born.

They invited me out to dinner at Buffalo Joe's, along with Patrick Jodoin of Quebecor World (another Canadian), and the lovely and talented Bret Warnock of TOP SHELF PRODUCTIONS, publisher of many Eisner award-nominated (and winning) books like "Hey Mister! It's Jesus" and "Box Office Poison". Jon went nuts, Tom doodled Golden Age D.C. figures on the tablecloth, Patrick and I lamented the state of the Montreal Canadiens, and Bret tried to avoid Jon going nuts!

I arrived back at the Hotel after midnight and finally got to met my esteemed roommate for the show, Robert Beerbohm - famed comic ship owner from the '60s-onward, and owner of the most amazing sketch book in history. Always generous, always funny, Bob and I hopefully started a friendship that will last alot longer than five days.

ITEMS FROM THIS DAY 

E-Man #4  ($.75 - VG : Modern)
Monster Hunters #2  ($1 - VG+ : Modern)
Savage Tales #6  ($10 - NM : Marvel)
Time For Love #13  ($3 - VG- : Charlton)
Our Fighting Forces #145  ($3 - VF- : DC)
Our Fighting Forces #147  ($3 - VF)
Our Fighting Forces #149  ($4 - VF)
Our Fighting Forces #150  ($3.6 - VF-NM)
Comic Book Artist #14
Prime-8: Creation #1  ($3.95)
Comic-Con International : San Diego 2001  (Free with admission)


BETWEEN THE PANELS
or "Thursday, July 19, 2001"


I bought but one comic this day. I spent 10am to 2:30pm hunting all the tables, quickly realizing you have to break it down into grids, just in hopes you'll vaguely remember books you may want to come back to buy, and so you don't miss entire sections of the show. Perhaps the only disappointing portion of the Convention was this morning, as it seemed there was VERY little 1950s Ditko Charlton material for sale in anything about VG- shape. And there was barely ANY pre-Code Ditko around. If I didn't respect the rarity of THE THING! or THIS MAGAZINE IS HAUNTED run, I do now. The one comic? A very nice copy of BLAZING COMBAT #4 - a Heath/Severin issue beyond compare!

When I warned you of name-dropping, it was because it couldn't be helped. Days like Thursday and Saturday symbolized what this Con meant to me, and that is "the people". I could have not bought one book at this five-day extravaganza, and I would have had a satisfying experience. The comics industry may be the last multi-million dollar-generating industry that has people who are the nicest and most generous you will ever meet. It is not restricted to professionals, as the fans are the same.

The Con answered the question "Who is Mike Catron?" I had know Mike's name from a yahoogroups list of mine and the G.C.D. list, but it was Robert who suggested to him that I help out taping some of the panels. I had NO idea Mike's connection to Fantagraphics or the Comics Journal. When he was trying to conscript me for taping the panels the next day, he mentioned he may be on the "One on One : Groth/Thompson" panel, and I thought it was just to moderate!

Upon arriving for the 2:30pm to 4pm JOHN ROMITA SR. spotlight, I met another delightful gent, who goes by the name of Marc Svensson. Both him and Mike would spend furious amount of time running form panel to panel, taping as many as they could, to preserve this important history. I was put to work right away.

There are few nicer gentlemen, and few more humble and self-effacing, than John Romita Sr.. He is as articulate as his artwork. But it was the 4pm to 5:30pm panel featuring a surprise birthday party for Gene Colan that no one will forget. They tried to trick Gene into believing he was on a panel for erasing techniques in comics and Mark Evanier had him tricked. The curtain came up, out came the cake, and other comics luminaries to sit on a panel about Gene Colan's work and influence.

I've had the pleasure of corresponding with Gene and his wife Adrienne before, but I was able to tell Gene specifically what a gentleman he was. Gene was no doubt overcome by the outpouring, especially from the brother who stood up and said "black people LOVE YOU, man!"

At the end of the panel, I approached gene colan yahoogroups list moderator KEVIN HALL and asked him to introduce me to Adrienne Colan. I was worried she may not remember the name, but as soon as she heard "Blake Bell", you could tell every piece of praise spoken about her was true. Her greeting was exceptionally warm and she truly did make you feel like you were the only one in the room.

Gene was still talking to people at the dais, but that didn't stop Adrienne from introducing me to one of my favourite artists. Gene is as warm and friendly as his wife. I would end up sitting beside Adrienne for the Marvel Bullpen panel on Saturday and spend time with them on numerous occasions at their table, and they were always generous with their attention and time.

As I said, it's the people. I spotted Batton Lash's booth and introduced myself. He and I had e-mailed a few times, as he was a fan of my DITKO LOOKED UP web-site, and is going to provide a piece on Ditko's influence. Batton is full of positive energy, and keeps you enraptured in a conversation with his upbeat mannerisms. His wife, Jackie Estrada (organizer of the Will Eisner awards), was just as personable and we had a great many moments to chat over the days. Her personality is more low-key and they make a great study in how contrasts can enhance a relationship. These two people were gems.

Beside them was the El Capitan booth, featuring the writer/artist David Lapham and his power-publishing wife, Maria. David may be the up-front figure, but it doesn't take long watching Maria to know she is the engine behind El Capitan. This is no "woman behind the man" lady. She is a positive force with which to be reckoned as a publisher. She has a very strong, assertive side (which you need as an indie publisher), but as genuinely warm and greeting. She had some kind words about one co-creator of Amazing Spider-Man, as she had the fortune of making Ditko's acquaintance through her husband's work at Valiant and Defiant, and their proximity to New York.

Things heated up Thursday night, as I made my way to Filipo's Pizza Grotto for the D.C. BIG FIVE WAR COMICS Dinner - its 7th annual occasion. It doesn't get much better than sitting RIGHT across a narrow table from Russ Heath. He is all he is advertised to be - quite the character, but also generous with his time. Once you get him interested in conversing with you, he delivers. Mick Rabin put on a fabulous show with a great dinner, great guests (Dan Spiegle, George Pratt, Ric Estrada, Tom Yeates, Bob Haney and Russ Heath) and a great auction.

Had they attended the convention, Dick Ayers and Sam Glanzman would have been there, but they still sent pieces for the auction. I went nuts and won an AMAZING piece by Dick Ayers, done just for this auction, of THE UNKNOWN SOLDIER. The detail, the blacks and the design are fabulous...and all for only $55! A steal! The real steal of the evening was Mick Rabin's win of a gorgeous Sam Glanzman painting of the U.S.S. Stevens. It was a HUGE old piece, framed, and Mick stole it for only $650! Russ Heath was so impressed, he told Mick after the auction it was worth four times that at least. You got your monies worth at this dinner, since you had great company, and a great PROGRAM. I never like to bother celebrities/creators for autographs, after seeing so many people just caring about the self-prestige and not about the person, but guys like Ric Estrada are so personable, I broke down and got him to sign the program. Russ Heath also signed my cover to Chris Pedrin's BIG FIVE INFORMATION GUIDE - an outstanding reference for anyone interested in the war genre. Russ and I were staying at the same hotel, and caught a ride back together. The only disappointment was not getting to spend any time talking to the fabulous Don Mangus. He would also be at the BIG FIVE panel on Saturday, but even there I was too busy taping and then running to another panel to speak to him. A shame, indeed.


THE EISNER AWARDS
or "Friday, July 20, 2001"


I believe the fourth sign of the Apocalypse is seeing Robert Beerbohm wearing a suit twice in one century (much less twice in one day). Robert had performed the daunting task of bringing Irwin Donenfeld to his first-ever convention. Irwin was Harry Donenfeld's son. Harry was one of the founding fathers of D.C. Comics and Irwin ran the show from about 1953 to 1968. Robert was to be on the panel with Irwin and Mark Evanier, and he was as nervous as an orange at a juicing factory.

I actually purchased some comics today, and finally made my way to the artists' alley. I never had a fetish for D.C. War books until recently, but quite clearly the short-story fiction in these are superior to most regular genres. I mean, these people LIVED this material, in most cases. Add in Severin, Heath, Kubert, Estrada, Glanzman, etc., and you can see why they call it the BIG five. Seven G.I. Combat/Our Army At War/Sea Devils were purchased on Friday, as well as a NM Vampirella #58 and VF Creatures On The Loose #10 to round out the Heath/Severin additions.

Two events lead to my two power-packed Ditko purchases of the day. One, as mentioned, there was little-to-no mid-50s Ditko. Even the '59-6 pre-superhero Marvel material rarely rose above the VG+ category. The second "event" was the spotting of a copy of THE THING! #15 all slabbed up in a CGC receptacle. It was rated a 9.4!

Now, I've said before that their grading is a tad inadequate, but I can live with the idea of slabbing books. If the market wants to pay stupid prices for comics surrounded in hard plastic, than who am I to argue?

I wish I could have bought the $2250 item, just to show you what a sham the CGC's grading system is. Someone will have to tell me how you can get a 9.4 rating when the back cover has a square of brown tanning marking 80% of the space? The THING! logo on the front is white, but the inside cover is clearly tanned since you can see the ad on the inside front cover. I had a Giant-Size X-Men #1, which received a grading of 9.2, which I was happy with. This THE THING! #15 had more dinks on the spine and it is an absolute LAUGH that a book with that kind of tanning on the front and back cover receives this kind of grade. What a sorry state this industry has been reduced to when it puts up with this kind of fraud. But then, who would wait six months and pay large premiums to have their books slabbed, if they weren't going to "get a good return"? HAVE to keep the customers happy, correct? I think you see what I mean. Find BLACK CAT COMICS at your next Con and take a look at the book. I can guarantee they'll still have this WONDERFUL 9.4 copy. What a joke.

While alledged corruption reigns in the sales end of the industry, the people continue to shine. I taped the "One on One : Groth/Thompson" panel because Mike Catron was too busy being on the panel. As I said before, I had no idea his place in fandom history, but this was a quick lesson. It was also a quick lesson on Groth's rather infamous past as "supplier" to the Comics Journal. Either way, the Panel ended and Mike introduced me to Gary and we spoke a little Ditko, "threatening" to see each other at the Eisner Awards party that night. People kept doing that to me all the time at the show. They'd say "I'll see you there?" and I'd have no idea of the protocol. Luckily, Mr. Catron and Mr. Beerbohm kept me on the right track.

Upon arriving for the Irwin Donenfeld panel, I found my room-mate, Mr. Beerbohm, drenched in sweat from nervous energy and from the suit he had worn all day. Meanwhile, Irwin was wearing shorts and a baseball cap and Mark Evanier was going casual, as well. Irwin provided some interesting commentary on D.C.'s '50s/'60s time, as well as some questionable lines like "after what Siegel and Shuster did to us" when referring to the Superman lawsuit, and "I never knew about any writer's strike" or union attempts. His editors must have kept him well protected.

Interesting how random chance plays a part in one's life. I attended the Eisner Awards that night, sitting by myself until I spotted Mike Catron in the next section, sitting by himself. I moved over to him, and he was just about to walk away before I stopped him. We sat together the rest of the night, but it was after the awards were over, and he started to mingle that the fun begin.

He asked me if I wanted my Eisner Awards program signed and I told him my theory about autographs and said no. He then proceeded to drag me kicking and screaming around the main room, and after-party space, getting everyone in the industry to sign the program. Half the time, I was talking to someone else, while he was continuing the "humiliation". I certainly was given a chance to talk to many great creators. Superman editor Julius Schwartz was amongst the first, but again what stands out is how accommodating are these professionals with their time. The Front Cover of the program, and its Back Cover are now quite an amazing little document in themselves. I can't even make out some of the signatures on them. E-mail me if you can name some of the less legible ones. What struck me was that the wives are all the creators were so special in their own way. Even worse, I discovered Jill Thompson was married. I didn't realize she was so young, and her personality is exactly like her characters; plenty of positive energy emitting from her at all times, and she took home two Eisners to boot. I was finally able to share with her my wonderment at her work on the first six issues of Black Orchid.

The after-party was more of the same. Whether it be meeting another quality Ditko inker (and excellent artist in his own right) Steve Leialoha, a nice long talk with Pete Sickman-Garner ("Hey, Mister" series fame), Bob Burden looking like an Avalon-era Bryan Ferry or folks from Jim Hanley's Universe (who discussed their fabulous support of Ditko's independent projects), the night was a stunning display of all the talent the industry still has in it.

The night concluded by walking home at 2:45am with Gary Groth, Mr. Fantagraphics, and Mike Catron. You don't forget evenings like that.

ITEMS RECEIVED ON THIS DAY 

G.I. Combat #137  ($4.50 - F+)
Our Army At War #208  ($6.50 - VF-)
Our Army At War #262  ($3.00 - F-VF)
Our Army At War #263  ($8.00 - VF-NM)
Our Army At War #279  ($7.00 - NM-)
Our Army At War #281  ($7.00 - NM)
Sea Devils #9  ($17 - F+)
Strange Adventures #207  ($8 - F-VF)
The Thing! #14  ($160 - VG-)
Black Magic #28  ($60 - VG-)
Witzend #8  ($4 - VG)
Vampirella #58  ($16 - NM)
Creatures On The Loose #10  ($8 - VF)
Tales To Astonish #63  ($17 - F-VF)
Thor #173  ($5 - VF)


A DRIVE IN SATURDAY
or "Saturday, July 21, 2001"


Saturday was another almost comic-free day. Panels dominated the day, starting with Mark Evanier's Golden Age panel, followed by the Twomorrows one, but it was the remainder which were special. The "Big 5 : War Comics" panel was a Big Hit, featuring everyone from the Big 5 dinner, all telling their tales of what made an effect War book. Amazingly, the Cuban-born Ric Estrada was the most eloquent speaker on the panel. One would be remiss in not pointing out the valuable contribution to the recording of comics history by Marc Svensson. Hopefully, a bunch of Ditko and Big 5 War Book fans will be getting together at my home in Toronto on the late August Saturday surrounding the "big" Toronto convention, and Marc promised to have some tapes I did on various panels, if only the War panel, for us to view.

It was onto an excellent panel on the Golden Age Of Fanzines. With Maggie Thompson, Jim Van Hise and D.C. head honcho, Paul Levitz, on board, it made for very interesting observing. They also covered the front of the table with old fanzine covers and even had a multiple door-prize giveaway! I won a copy of The Comic Reader #98 (which also spoke of Syd Shores' recent passing)! Paul Levitz spoke very well of the reasons for Ditko's life choices, complementing him by saying there are very few people in the industry able to stick to, and thoroughly think through, a personal philosophy with such integrity. Maggie Thompson also spoke of a letter she had written to Amazing Spider-Man during the Ditko years about how amazing it was to have Ditko drawing regular people in such rectangular poses juxtaposed against this gracefully flowing figure of Spider-Man. Ditko received her letter and sent her Spider-Man and Dr. Strange sketches she has never released before. I finally was able to meet Mr. Van Hise and speak for a minute or two before having to run to put some time in on the artists' alley.

Whether it was getting a firm commitment from colourist Steve Oliff on an exclusive piece for my DITKO LOOKED UP web-site on the influence Ditko had on him, or talking to Ron Randall about Paul Chadwick's amazing series THE WORLD BELOW, all were very accomodating with their time and energy. Charles Vess just plain autographed a copy of Books Of Ballads And Sagas #3, as I told him about the impact of his work in the mid '80s on me.

Marie Severin is such a doll, and personable beyond compare. She won entrance into the Hall Of Fame during the Eisner Awards' night, and on Sunday, I purchased a personalized, highly-detailed sketch of DR. DOOM. She deserves every accolade she receives; not the least of which was me telling her that while her caricature work may be great, I loved her "serious" pencilling on Dr. Strange and The Hulk in the late '60s.

She was there for a perfect closure to the day with the Marvel Bullpen panel. I was blessed to sit with Adrienne Colan in the front row, as Gene, Romita Sr., Marie and John Buscema cut up the rug with fabulous tales of yesteryear. Have I mentioned what a character is John Buscema? His blustery wit was hilarious on every panel of which he was a part - truly a revelation.

The night ended with a dinner at the Harbour House with all the TWOMORROWS big-wigs. Of course, a few days with John Morrow's wife, Pamela, and you know who is the real big-wig in the TWOMORROWS organization. Such a trouper, as she flew to (and survived) the Convention only two months away from giving birth! She was such a charming delight and John is a lucky man. The sad part about going home on Sunday was suspecting I may not see John, Jon, Tom, and Pam for another year.

Make no mistake, though, as TWOMORROWS and I are cooking up something HUGE for early 2002! All will be revealed in a couple of months, no doubt.


LEGGO MY SAN DIEGO
or "Sunday, July 22, 2001"


Sunday morning began with a frantic search for a Kinkos. Marvel Comics was holding a contest for artists to pencil a 8-Page THOR story, but they were also accepting one-page plot submissions for the same story. I had cooked up an idea before coming to San Diego, wrote it up in rough on Friday night, but hadn't typed it yet, and now had to hand it in on this Sunday or lose out.

Tom Breevort was at the TWOMORROWS booth on Friday and said to hand it to him at the Marvel Booth. I spent from 9am to 10:10am typing and formatting it, so as to get it all on one page. I did catch Tom at the booth and handed it in, after "signing my life away" with their standard waiver form. I suspect I read somewhere the contest "winner" will be announced September 1st, so maybe I'll be a Marvel writer by then. I don't know if it was a "Marvel"-type plot, but as a story, I think it definitely had merits (I've read far worse).

After a nice Jack Kirby panel with Buscema, Romita Sr., Eisner and Mike Royer from 12pm to 1:30pm, it was time to hit the dealers' floor to nail down some early Ditko and Atlas pre-code Everett/Heath material. That I did, as the list says below, but one of the rare finds had to be a copy of Bible Tales For Young Folk #2. It's an early '50s Atlas book featuring Bill Everett artwork. Never seen it before in my life, and probably won't again. Suspense #8 was found at the same table. Another winner to be sure, as it has pre-code horror by Heath and Everett!

The two Ditko highlights were finding a copy of Black Magic #28 (the issue right after 2nd-published book by Ditko) and THE THING! #15. Not in the greatest shape, but the staples still hold it all intact, and there were other copies floating around for over 2 1/2 times what I paid, and in not much better shape.

Sunday late afternoon's highlight was just saying goodbye to the Laphams, Lash/Estradas, Severins, etc. of the world. Just a stellar bunch of people. Unfortunately, I got back to the Colans' table a little too late, but was able to say goodbye to Mr. and Miss McGregor. I had great chats with THUNDER AGENTS owner, John Carbonaro, and especially with fellow Ditko-maniac and Kirby fanatic David Schwartz. He has sold more original artwork from his collection than I'll ever own, and a nicer guy could not be found. A true shame is that he and I, and Don Mangus, didn't get together for a long dinner to just chat away. Still, there is always next year.

Late in the day, I got to interview famed Golden Age Green Lantern artist, Marty Nodell. He must be in his mid-80s, but he has a marvelous speaking voice, and is very charismatic. His wife, Carrie, is a delight, and Marty and I discussed his years at Timely from 1948 to 1950; a place at which I didn't even know he worked until I saw a a Green Lantern/Captain America print hinting at the same. Keep your eyes on my Bill Everett/Alex Schomburg/Syd Shores web-site to read all about Marty discussing all three! He was also selling these nifty mouse pads (although the green doesn't register on this scan very well) featuring the Green Lantern for only $10, and he personalized it for me.

I spoke to Mark Evanier, who had some nice things to say about the DITKO LOOKED UP web-site, about doing some panels next year that will interest one and all on these lists. By 5pm, it was all over and I was shown how quickly they tear down the place, and pull up the carpets.

The five days at the Convention had to be the most satisfying comic-related experience in my life. Remember, you are talking about a guy who had never been to a convention outside of Canada in his life, so it wouldn't have been difficult to surpass any of the ones to which I've been. Still, this one was perfect from so many angles, and really reminds one how blessed this industry is from so many angles.

And just keep this in mind...next year is 40 years of the Amazing Spider-Man. See you at San Diego Comic Con 2002!

ITEMS RECEIVED ON THIS DAY 

Our Army At War #244  ($6.50 - VF)
Unknown Soldier #251  ($5 - NM-)
Unknown Soldier #252  ($5 - NM-)
Unknown Soldier #253  ($5 - VF-NM)
Weird War Tales #99  ($3 - VF-)
Fightin' Army #86  ($7 - F-VF)
Cracked #219  ($4 - F+ : Globe)
Hey, Mister : Afterschool Special  ($5 : Top Shelf)
Box Office Poison  ($25 : Top Shelf)
Battle Action #7  ($16 - VG+ : Atlas)
Bible Tales For Young Folk #2  ($30 - G-VG : Atlas)
Sgt. Fury #50  ($5 - F-VF)
Sgt. Fury #54  ($5 - F-VF)
Strange Tales Of The Unusual #5  ($37 - VG+)
Suspense #8  ($50 - VG+ : Atlas)
Tales To Astonish #14  ($75 - F)
Dr. Doom Marie Severin Sketch  ($35) * auto-ed by Marie
Marty Nodell Green Lantern Mouse Pad  ($10) * auto-ed by M. Modell


DITKO LOOKED UP