Minnesota Comic Book Con

This weekend is the annual Minnesota “FallCon” comic book convention at the State Fairgrounds. The last few years I’ve managed to get there once or twice. This year I’ll be at a table with a stack of MAD’s to sign, a bunch of original art for sale and I’ll be doing caricatures as well. Last year we combined the con with our chapter meeting for the North Central Chapter of the National Cartoonists Society, and had a North Central table plus did a panel discussion on cartooning with myself, Micheal Jantze (THE NORM comic strip), Cedric Honstadt (OPPOSITE FORCES, and 3-2-1 PENGUINS ) and Jerry Van Amerongen (BALLARD STREET comic panel strip).

Cedric, myself, Micheal and Jerry at last year’s FallCon panel

This is a small show compared to many of the cons that happen around the country, but it’s also one of the old fashioned kind of conventions… where the comic book dealers, creators and fans are the focus and not Hollywood or licensed tie ins. There is also a very good presence of independent press and self published creators, which is great. It’s always fun to see what other people are creating and help support their efforts by picking up some “ashcan” comics or other small press books that catch your eye. I try to buy at least three or so every year.There is a pretty big contingency of comic book creators here in the Twin Cities, so there is a big group of artists and creators alway there at the show. My good friends Doug Manhke and Tom Nguyen, both big names for DC Comics, will be there to hang out with. I also see well known, veteren inker Joe Rubenstein will be appearing there. It will be good to see him. The guest list is long.

So, if you are in the Twin Cities this weekend, come on by the FallCon and say hello. It’s a good show and definitely worth the stop.