Con season has officially begun. At least for me it has. Typically my con season begins around April, with the first being East Coast Comic Con in New Jersey, really ramping up in September with shows like Baltimore Comic Con (my favorite!) SPX, and Flame Con. I decided to pass over East Coast this year, mostly due in part to the guest list being the same year to year. At first, I was sad because that meant I had to wait a couple months until my other shows later in the year, but then Fried Pie comics announced they would be hosting their annual con at my local 2nd and Charles.
Now I'm a frequent flier at my local 2nd and Charles, usually there once a week. Most of my collection has spawned from that store and I'm on a first name basis with most of the employees, so I immediately knew that I would be in attendance.
Then the guest list was announced.
Names like Vita Ayala , Andrew Maclean, Tyler Boss, Karl Kerschel all graced the guest list.
But let's be honest it was the appearance of Brenden Fletcher that made me lose my shit. If you guys know me you know I love Black Canary. I love that girl more than any character in comics. She's the woman I look up to, the hero that keeps me going, and Brenden's work on Black Canary only intensified that love. This was a series that for whatever reason bought me and my sister together and strengthened our bond. (She's a non comic reader by the way) That alongside the Black Canary music he created, which you can check out on Bandcamp, gave me something tangible for my favorite character. When I have a bad day I always know that I can throw on some Black Canary music and know that everything will be okay.
Brenden is by far one of the nicest and welcoming people I've met in comics. He recognized me right away from all the little chats on Twitter and spoiled me with the most amazing swag bag filled with goodies from Motor Crush, Isola. He was even a good sport in signing the thirty plus, most Black Canary related comics and posters I had bought for him to sign.
This was a big one off my comic bucket list.
Ya girl also got to read issue two of Isola, and I don't mean to brag but I was the first person to read the second issue outside of the Image publishing team so I'm feeling pretty great about that. That being said you're gonna wanna check out issue 2 when it drops on May 9th, and if you haven't checked out issue one make sure you do either digitally or when the reprints hit later next month. I also learned it's pronounced "Eaze-ola" not "Is-ola'".
P.S check out that Babs Tarr pose.
I also got the chance to meet Vita Ayala. I've been loving their work on The Wilds and even featured it on my list of Apocalyptic stories you should be reading, so it was such a treat to be able to meet them. I've been saying it on Twitter but Vita is gonna be one of those people that are really going to change the face of comics and I'm excited to see the stories they create in the future.
If you're not already reading the Wilds you really need to get on that. Issue two drops later this week and you're not going to want to miss it!
I'd had a chance to meet Matthew Rosenberg and Tyler Boss two years ago at Baltimore Comic Con. At the time we were only two issues into 4 Kids Walk Into a Bank so it was really great to be able to talk to both of them again especially now that the series has finished. 4 Kids is one of my favorite comics, and is unlike anything else on the shelves right now so you're definitely going to want to check it out.
Now in 4 Kids Walk Into A Bank there's a cameo for Duncan, a character in Matthew Rosenberg's We Can Never Go Home (another book you should be reading by the way) I loved seeing Tyler Boss' portrayel of the character and just knew I had to see Madison drawn by Tyler too. Tyler happily obliged and now I have a little Madison to cherish forever. I miss that girl so much and can't wait for the return of We Can Never Go Home volume 2.
I'm really glad that Fried Pie was such a success. It was so nice to go to a smaller show. It was intimate and friendly and gave you plenty of time to talk with the creators, who's work you love. Don't get me wrong I love my big long three day cons but it's the shows like this that really remind me why I love comics. Moments like these I wouldn't trade for the world.
If Fried Pie Comic Con is a testament to the rest of the con season ahead me I can't wait to see what else is in store.
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