Our last day at the con was fun, and saw both Nate and me snagging some bargains, but the crowds remained heavy — used to be Sunday was a light day at the San Diego Comic Con (I mean, Comic Con International), but no more. For the first time in all the years I’ve attended, I never made it around the entire room. The middle section, with the Hollywood stuff, was really clogged.

I ran into some interesting people, like the genius animator Bill Plympton (pictured here). I stopped by a table to say hi to actor Thomas Jane, who judged the con film festival with me two years ago, and he didn’t remember me at all — I said hi, anyway. As always, I tracked down Maggie Thompson of the Comic Buyer’s Guide, and had a short but lovely conversation with one of my favorite people in comics fandom. Also talked to the con’s head honcho, old friend Jackie Estrada, and we discussed the possibility of a return of Seduction of the Innocent, not at the humongous San Diego affair, but possibly a WonderCon. Bob Chapman of Graffitti Design fixed me up with some great t-shirts, and I had a promising meeting with the Titan folks about future projects.

There are rumors that the con may leave San Diego, but I hope that never happens — it’s a lovely city and the kind where you can get away from the con and really enjoy yourself. We will be back in Iowa before you know it, where heavy rain is threatening the upcoming XL’S/Crusin’ concert for Great River Days…but word has it the show will go on. Stay tuned.

M.A.C.