PROJECT COMIC CON 2: Saint Louis, September 18-19, 2010

Article from The Trades

Written by Jeff Ritter

My readers know that I’m a big fan of the Pittsburgh Comicon. It’s a very fan-friendly show, meaning that instead of simply being ushered through cattle lines for a 3 second autograph there is time to chat with your favorite comic artists and writers. There are plenty of up-and-coming talents there eager to show their stuff and compliment your sketchbook with an inexpensive illustration. I’ve made a lot of friends at every level of that show. The only drawback to the Pittsburgh Comicon is that it’s in Pittsburgh, and I’m in St. Louis. It’s 10 hours by car. There are some sneaky speed traps in Indianapolis. And doggone it, there’s no reason my hometown can’t get a convention going. Chicago does two every year, and like the Yankees and Red Sox rivalry, anything Chicago can do St. Louis can do too!

I was excited to learn of the second St. Louis comic convention, called Project Comic Con 2, coming the weekend of September 18-19 to the Maryland Heights suburb just a few minutes from Lambert International Airport. I somehow missed last year’s show, but I’m glad I’m not missing this one.

The guest list is impressive for a second-year show. Adam Kubert, famed for his runs on Wolverine and Superman, will be on hand Saturday only for autographs. He’ll be doing four sketches for charity and you’ll have an opportunity to get one with a winning raffle ticket and a $200 donation. Green Lantern and Flash fan favorite Ethan Van Sciver will be on hand all weekend, as will Supergirl super-artist Jamal Igle. Comics legend Howard Chaykin, the creator of the critically American Flagg! series who has had brilliant runs as a writer or artist on just about everything will be in attendance. Greg Horn, cover artist extraordinaire, and Kenneth Rocafort, the majorly talented artist of Madame Mirage, will be here. For some shows, that would be enough, but St. Louis has some catching up to do in the comic convention scene, and this show isn’t about to pump the brakes! Like the Ghost Rider? Creator Gary Friedrich and artist Javier Salteres are on the guest list. Still not enough? How about Dennis Calero (Doctor Solar, X-Men: Noir), Phil Hester and Ande Parks (Green Arrow, Irredeemable Ant-Man), Ryan Ottley (Invincible), Jason Howard (The Astonishing Wolf-Man), Rick Burchett (Action Comics), Patrick Gleeson (Green Lantern Corps), Jeremy Haun (Battle Hymn, The Outsiders), Robert Q. Atkins (G.I. Joe), Kevin Mellon (Suicide Sisters, Hack/Slash), Matt Kindt (Super Spy) and Brian Hurtt (Queen and Country, The 6th Gun)? There’s still others coming too, but that list alone rivals any artists’ alley at any comic con.

Writing fans aren’t left out either. Many shows are heavily geared for artists, but there are some top writers coming to Project Comic Con 2. Gail Simone is one of the consistently brilliant storytellers in the industry, famous for Agent X, The Secret Six, Welcome to Tranquility, Wonder Woman and Birds of Prey among others. The Unknown Soldier scribe Joshua Dysart will be here, as will Marvel’s go-to guy Fred Van Lente (he’s probably written everything once!) and Jai Nitz of El Diablo and Blue Beetle fame, and frequent Brian Hurtt collaborator Cullen Bunn (The Damned, The 6th Gun). Along with the aforementioned creators who pull double duty like Chaykin, Friedrich, Kindt and others, this is an extremely strong list of writing talents to meet.

Many other talented creators will be on hand as well, and of course no convention would be complete without the vendors. Event sponsors NewCastle Comics of Maryland Heights and Heroic Adventures and Hometown Comics, both in nearby Edwardsville, IL, will surely have a wide assortment of comics and graphic novels on hand. My own neighborhood shop, Comic Relief, will have a booth as well, and I’m sure there will be many others.

With so many comics to browse, artists and writers to meet, and special events such as charity auctions, panel discussions and artist portfolio reviews by Top Cow and Avatar Press to participate in Project Comic Con 2 looks to be well on its way to becoming a destination event on the annual convention schedule. Maybe my Pittsburgh friends can come out my way next year! I hope the legions of comic book fans in the greater St. Louis area (and Kansas City, and Memphis…and Chicago too, even you Cubs fans) come out and support this show. See you there!

Check out the PCC2 website for more info.