I know it's been awhile since my last blog, but work's been very busy lately, which leads to long nights (but bigger paychecks). Aside from my day job, I've been preparing for my return to exhibiting at large conventions, which will start again at this year's Comikaze Expo next weekend (yes, Halloween Weekend, just like last year), from Friday October 30, through Sunday November 1st at the Los Angeles Convention Center right in the heart of Downtown LA. Thanks in large part to my new job, I'm finally able to afford promoting and selling my comics and artwork at larger venues once again. There is one difference to this show compared to many other that I've done in the past five years though; For this event, I will be sharing my table with a popular production company called Stauros Entertainment, with whom I've written and illustrated a comic book based on their live-action YouTube series called "Blooob," about an alien that comes to earth to learn about human behavior that can be adapted to the extra-terrestrial's race. His "teachers?" two teenagers and a pool guy who find his crashed spaceship in their pool. In addition to this project, the producer, actors, and relatives of the actors will be present at the table. One of the actors, Justin Galluccio, will have "Blooob" himself (in puppet form) at our table. But that's not all, as on the Carter Comics side of things, I'll have my three separate comic titles (Damn Tourists issues 1-3, The Figure-Of-Speech Mongoose issues 1-4, and my Cosmic Force volume one trade paperback). Another change to my usual convention formats, is that I will only be present for just two days of this three-day comic extravaganza, due to Friday being a workday for me. My fine friends at Stauros Entertainment Tyrone Tann, Justin Galluccio, his mother Joann, and "Blooob" co-star Zane Huett will be holding down the fort on day one of the show until I make my first appearance Saturday morning. Preparing for this show under these new conditions has been a little nerve-wracking at first (due to Carter Comics being a one-man show for so long), but I welcome the new challenge and experience.
A few words about the show as well: Comikaze Expo, better known as "Stan Lee's Comikaze Expo," has been L.A.'s largest and most popular comic conventions since it started back in 2011. Hosted by both comic legend Stan Lee and the "Mistress of the Dark" herself Elvira, both of these talented and dynamic personalities spread their presence around the convention floor in the form of themed-activities such as museums, as well as just walking the floor and greeting fans. While a large part of the show is pop-culture media oriented, Comikaze has over the years made quite an effort to make sure that comics share just as big a piece of the convention pie. This year's revealed show floor layout details proves that in spades, expanding the event from the convention center's south hall and lobby, to its west hall across the street. The South Hall will host both celebrity and cosplay activities, while the West Hall will feature comics and comic-related material. A Stan Lee Museum, Artist Alley, and Small Press tables (we'll be at Small Press Table N05 here by the way), will be the attractions to this part of the floor. Anchoring the independent creator areas will be comic industry heavyweights Grant Morrison, Todd MacFarlane, and Jim Lee! With such an expansion to help keep a balance between pop culture media and comics, this is a show not to be missed. Carter Comics and Stauros Entertainment both look forward to seeing you there!