Molly and Larry go to the Comic Con International, Part 2

The previous post recounted our trip to San Diego so that Molly could accept the Eisner Hall of Fame award on the behalf of her grandfather, Rea Irvin.

Here’s just a bit more about the Con.

We were put up at the Hilton Bayfront right next to the convention center.

Here are a couple of obligatory snaps of folks having fun in cosplay.  

A truly unlikely association here

I liked this one a lot

One of the "quieter" moments in the dealer’s room. 

We did visit the dealer’s hall briefly.  Here's me in my official cosplay outfit known as "Going to the Awards Ceremony". Nobody dressed like this in the dealer's room.

     The Con is a bit beyond comprehension.  I believe it was estimated that 135, 000 people attended this year. It felt like Mardi Gras + Super Bowl + Las Vegas.

Utterly lost

As a former attendee of the earlier incarnation as the San Diego Comic Con –back when it was held at the old El Cortez Hotel-- I found the scale of the con overwhelming (I first came down in the 1970’s when I worked with Rip Off Press. A lot of fond memories).

Unfortunately, we had to forego some interesting panel talks. I was pleased that we had a chance to have a couple of quiet, sit-down chats with old artists-friends like Bruce Simon and Steve Leialoha.  

We missed a lot of the 'Con experience' most folks were having but then again, our primary duty was the awards ceremonies.  

The Hall of Fame ceremony (see previous posting here) was held separately from the Eisner Industry awards held in the evening.

We attended both.

The 37th Annual Will Eisner Comic Industry Awards were held in the Indigo Ballroom at our hotel, Hilton Bayfront (lucky for us, a mercifully short walk).

The event reminded me of a typical “Oscars” event: Attendees more or less dressed up. Sitting around our dinner tables being entertained by Eisner presenters--cartoonists, writers, voice actors, and such engaged in snappy patter.

Here are a few snaps:

Looney Tunes voice actor Eric Nauza and Dark Knight producer Micheal Uslan

Caitlin McGurk, curator of the Billy Ireland Cartoon Library & Museum, Ohio State University, receiving an Eisner for her biographical work, Tell Me a Story Where the Bad Girl Wins: The Life and Art of Barbara Shermund.

Cartoonists Eddie Campbell and Bob (‘Flaming Carrot)’ Burden

Writer Don Glut accepting the Bill Finger Award Excellence in Comics Writing, or as he characterized "getting the Finger".  On stage is writer/ presenter Mark Evanier and Athena Finger (granddaughter of Bill Finger).

Renowned designer, Chip Kidd, receiving an Eisner for best publication design. In the background actor David Dastmalchian and (I believe) editor Rantz Hoseley

Cartoonist Bill Morrison with Jackie Estrada, administrator of the Eisner Awards and a major figure in the Con since the 1970’s.  Jackie announced her retirement at the end of the ceremony.

Taking home an Eisner