DAY ONE: V FOR VICTORY

It got off to a late start. For whatever reason, once again, they were late in opening the floor and the natives were restless. Making matters worse was the uninformed security staff. While waiting for the doors to open, I was told at “A” door that press could enter the building down at “D” and wait inside. So I went to “B” and tried and got right in. Then I heard another security guy telling someone else that the only blue badges that could be in the place were Professionals. Yeesh. So I made myself scarce and waited it out.

Today was a day to work the floor. I made the rounds to see folks I know, or that I’d wanted to meet in person. Sean O’Reilly at Arcana. Scott Christian Sava. The Awesome April Flores. Stephen Buell of Lost In The Dark.

I finally hit a panel at 1:30pm, and that’s where things went wonky.

Let me first say: I meant to write a feature article about the Viz Media panel. Big company. Important publisher. They represent a high standard for manga. And their panel was excellent. Marketing whiz Wendy Shimamura and her crew of editors have a great slate of books and anime on the way. And then the Q&A began.

One of the reasons I avoid superhero panels is to sidestep that particular brand of fan. You know the one: the jackass whiner who pisses and moans about everything. But who knew manga fans could be just as bad? They were godawful… the first three people to hit the microphone were complete complainer assholes. I felt sorry for the folks at the front- they were there, totally professional, did fine work in presenting their slides, and… boom! Shitheadland relocated to room 2. So I walked out, not wanting to see more of that scene.

Later in the day, I sat in on the Villard Books panel. Villard is a division of Random House, and they’ve brought in books like the FLIGHT anthology, Josh Fialkov’s ELK’S RUN, and POSTCARDS. The afore mentioned Ms. Flores moderated, and the panel included folks like Kazu Kibuishi, Fialkov, Jason Rodriguez, and Dallas Middaugh. It was well run, professionally executed, and the audience questions were good. It took some of the bad taste out of my mouth from earlier.

After that, friends Brandon Jerwa and Jessica Blackshear arrived. Jess, as I’ll formally announce soon, is joining the main site as an advice columnist, which I’m really excited about. We joined Dan Jolley and many other friends for dinner before heading over to the Hyatt, and finally called it an earlier night thanks to exhaustion.

Tomorrow: it really kicks in.

/Mason