Back from Wizard World

Posted By: Peter DavidPosted On:

The first Wizard World convention I’ve attended in years, and I have to say I was impressed by the overall organization. They had tons of volunteers and organizational folks with headsets that actually, y’know, worked. The only downside was that the con was somewhat underattended, mainly (I think) due to Nascar being the same weekend. But even an underattended Wizard con still has respectable crowds. In terms of signings, they only had me scheduled for a couple hours each day, but I wanted to be as accessible to fans as possible. So they managed to find me some table space in Artists Alley…which was fortunate, because I was signing pretty steadily both Friday and Saturday. I hate to think what it would have been like if we’d tried to fit all those fans into the scheduled signings.

Tons of people told me how much they’re enjoying “The Other,” which is very gratifying. I’m always fascinated by the variations in fan expectations. Some people come up to me with three books to sign and say tentatively, “Is this too many?” Others don’t hesitate to bring me my entire run on “Hulk.”

I was very impressed by Sean Astin. I chanced to see him during his signing, and there was this little boy who wanted to meet him, but didn’t want to go near him without mommy…and then was wrapped around mommy’s leg, not even wanting to look at him. And Astin took the time to gain the kid’s confidence and had him doing a thumb war. About as unaffected as a Hollywood star can be.

They had me doing a thing on Saturday called “Wizard School.” The concept is that it’s a teaching programming track, and naturally it’s supposed to be about writing. I chose to hew to the name of the concept, and strode into the class in my Tim the Enchanter outfit. I did a straight-up lecture about story structure for fifty minutes, and then took questions for another forty. I insisted that any question be prefaced with “Oh Mighty Peter,” which they actually did. I very much suspect there will be pictures of it in an upcoming issue.

This weekend, off to United Fan con in Springfield.

PAD

40 comments on “Back from Wizard World”

  1. “Tons of people told me how much they’re enjoying “The Other,” which is very gratifying. I’m always fascinated by the variations in fan expectations.”

    Do you think the people who aren’t enjoying it were as enthusiastic to come up and tell you so?

  2. Mosdef:

    >>”Tons of people told me how much they’re enjoying “The Other,” which is very gratifying. I’m always fascinated by the variations in fan expectations.”

    >Do you think the people who aren’t enjoying it were as enthusiastic to come up and tell you so?

    Are you kiddin?!?!? Have you actually observed the social graces and lack of editing skills of many at these events?

    Fred

  5. Nice to meet you there Peter, you were very funny, nice one about the pilots. Hope Wizard wises up and invites you next year along with some of the other great writers in comics.

  6. I insisted that any question be prefaced with “Oh Mighty Peter,” which they actually did.

    Must … resist … straight line …

    TWL

  7. Out of curiousity, what is your preferred upper limit of books to sign? One? Five? As many as the guy can carry without using a longbox?

  8. I’m jealous that I missed PAD discussing story structure. Is there any piece in which he’s discussed same available online? Or is there something in my copy of “But I Digress” that I’ve forgotten?

  11. “I’m jealous that I missed PAD discussing story structure. Is there any piece in which he’s discussed same available online? Or is there something in my copy of “But I Digress” that I’ve forgotten?”

    I believe that OH Mighty Peter has a book coming out on writing comics…or writing in general. Maybe he will elaborate here when he gets time.

    “Was there a buzz about FA? Or was that trampled beneath the wheels of ‘The Other’?”

    I know there was a deal to have a limited number of Fallen Angel #1 (early first issue) at this convention to be sold through Comicbook Legal Defense Fund (CLDF). Hopefully they were a big hit and will help spread the hype for this relaunch through IDW!

  12. I snapped off 2 shots of him in full Tim outfit…

    http://imageserver4.textamerica.com/user.images.x/48/IMG_342648/_1107/TZ20110707444990.jpg

    http://imageserver4.textamerica.com/user.images.x/48/IMG_342648/_1107/TZ201107074503464.jpg

    Peter was kind enough to sign a ton of books for me, but I was polite enough to spread it out over the 3 days so I didn’t hammer him all at once. Great guy, you are Peter. Don’t forget, send me an email to my work address and I’ll set you up.

  13. Why on earth would NASCAR interfere with a comic book sales convention? (Although I’ve never been to WizardCon, I know the magazine that runs it, and it’s mostly about the sales, not the art and craft, of comics.)

    It’s not like I’ve ever seen brown piles on a convention floor where comic book fans have spit their used Red Man, or older fans with their jaws missing due to chewing-tobacco mouth cancer. And I haven’t seen all that many catgirls or guys dressed like Inuyasha in the stands of the Pepsi 400. In other words, there can’t be that much crossover.

  14. NASCAR is huge across the nation. I found it surprising to be true, yet it is. Also surprising is that most of the goofballs driving so slowly or cluelessly on the roads appear to have NASCAR stickers in their windows…. who knew.

    NASCAR is big nationwide, but huge in Texas. Guess everything is bigger in Texas, but it could very well cause enough local traffic to deter some and also take a crossover fanbase out of play.

    Fred

  15. Twas a fun time… especially since I was bored out of my… squash-like thing.
    I read few, very few comics, and the only reason I went was to talk and to listen to PAD.
    His Raiders of the Lost Ark rant was my favorite.
    Cheers,

    Travis

  16. NASCAR is big. God only knows why. Personally, I never saw the appeal of watching a bunch of hillbillies drive around in a circle.

    I wonder just how much crossover there is between genre fans and NASCAR followers.

  17. Den, it actually does seem cultural based on the fanbase in the immediate environment. I don’t think that one (comic fandom) precludes the other (NASCAR), despite that there doesn’t seem to be a natural connection between the two on the surface.

  18. No, one doesn’t necessarily preclude the other. I just would like to see what percentage of comics fans are also NASCAR fans.

    I honestly have no idea.

  19. First, I’d have to think that saying there’s no crossover between Nascar and comics fans is based on zero market research. Anyone care to back up their opinion with fact?

    Second, the hotel was inaccessible to public transportation. Which meant that any comic fan who was depending on mom or dad to drive them was SOL if the family was going to Nascar.

    PAD

  20. First, I’d have to think that saying there’s no crossover between Nascar and comics fans is based on zero market research.

    No kidding.

    From the market research I do know that’s been done, NASCAR fans tend to be middle to upper middle class and fairly sophisticated in their entertainment choices.

    Hm. Wonder why people would think there’s no overlap here….

  21. “I read few, very few comics, and the only reason I went was to talk and to listen to PAD.
    His Raiders of the Lost Ark rant was my favorite.”

    I’m just so curious. What did he say?

  22. Put it simply:
    Great movie. Terrible Script.

    Everytime Indy got his hands on something, he lost it.
    And in the end, did he save the day? No. God saved the day.
    What happens if you take Indy out of the picture?
    They get the medallion.
    They get the Ark.
    They take it to the island on the Sub.
    The get killed by God.

    Pretty darn funny, especially when PAD said it.

    -Travis

  23. Also out of the Con came news of PAD doing a 5 issue Wonder Man mini. I’m very much looking forward to that!

    Anything you can tell us about it this early on, Peter?

    -Brian

  24. Oh, the Raiders rant takes me back — I seem to recall PAD posting something on the subject something like 15 years ago. (That was the same discussion where he said that he thought the second Indy movie was the best one so far as Indy’s character was concerned — which while an interesting argument doesn’t make me like the film any better.)

    And thanks for the link to the Tim the Enchanter pictures. My … word. Why is he reminding me of a Buffy villain in those shots? 🙂

    TWL

  25. Out of curiousity, what is your preferred upper limit of books to sign?

    I don’t know the answer to this, but I would suggest that if you bring a bunch for PAD to sign, you check to make sure they’re all actually stuff written by him.

    I watched a fellow at San Diego Comic-Con plop a stack of Hulk issues in front of PAD for him to sign, and the last one was actually not one of PAD’s.

    Those of us standing around did get a kick out of watching PAD go through said issue, commenting on the writing and storyline and such. 🙂

  26. I don’t know the answer to this, but I would suggest that if you bring a bunch for PAD to sign, you check to make sure they’re all actually stuff written by him.

    Yeah … you sure don’t want to bring that issue of the Trek comic written by that Robert Bruce Banner guy. What a hack.

    (Seriously, good advice for all the obvious reasons.)

    TWL

  27. “Tons of people told me how much they’re enjoying “The Other,” which is very gratifying. I’m always fascinated by the variations in fan expectations.”

    Do you think the people who aren’t enjoying it were as enthusiastic to come up and tell you so?

    Well, I know that I, for one, didn’t point out that I’m one of the ones waiting ’til #5 to pick up the book, during either brief conversation with PAD.

    Although I’d like to thank him for the kind thought of offering up space behind his table for our tuckered out three-year-old to crash out for a bit. With PAD heading off to a signing, it wasn’t workable, and once we got some food in the kiddo’s stomach, he had a second wind. But, the thought was definitely appreciated.

  28. Hey Peter!

    I just wanted to say thanks for coming down to Texas and also for being so cool with my kids.

    So many creators there were so great with the fans but it never ceases to amaze me how cool they are with the kids.

    You, Jim Mahfood, Dave Crosland, Andy Lee, Tony Moore, Franchesco and Scott Hinze are a few that really stood out.

    You had a really cute discussion with my daughter Jasmine about being a Big Sister. Angie was the one that wouldn’t give a high five.

    I wrote up a little report about Day 1 at Wizard World on my blog ( http://www.blurty.com/~fcarrera3 ). I also posted a few pics at http://fcarrera3.buzznet.com. Please feel free to swing by and check it out.

    Again, thanks, man. I really appreciated your time.
    -Frank

  30. Peter,

    Any word on extras of the CBLDF exclusive Fallen Angel items that premiered at the show?

    Can’t wait for the new book!

  31. I think one of the other things that hurt.. two weeks before this convention there was another one. The Dallas Comic Con was in Plano. Jonathon Frakes was there with his wife (Imazadi came up in conversation, but I can’t recall exactly what he said). Carrie Fisher was there, and Peter Mayhews was there (who got his citizenship just a couple of days later). Folks probably had to choose between shows. I made both. 🙂

    The writing seminar was booked. I had to stand outside and listen in because it was too packed.

  32. I usually bring up to four books for a pro to sign.

    A nice round number, especially if you’re carrying around a number of other books for other pros to sign.

  35. Hello!

    I saw you at Wizard Con and sat in on your Wizard School session and it was fantastic. You’re a pretty funny guy and you had a lot of good information to discuss with us as well as some good pointers. Since I didn’t do so there, I wanted to say thanks.

  37. i had the great fortune of meeting Mr. David twice. First time was in the aforementioned Mr. Astin line. He isn;t kidding. I watched Sean Astin hold a baby for better part of a half hour while he gave a girl advice on becoming a set designer. he gave every fan his undivided attention.
    As for Peter David, I started talking to him about the stack of his work I had forgotten to bring with me on Saturday, so he said I should bring it Sunday and come by and see him. I did, and he signed everything and was a great guy to talk to. I had to stop myself from lapsing into fan-boy mode.
    I was one of the volunteers fior the show, and I can say that me and all the ones who have been there for more than one show work hard to make it as good as possible for everyone.

  38. I think this might be a good place to tell you, PAD, how much I enjoyed “The Other” as well. I got the first three issues recently and found it to be a very gripping, moving story so far. And I loved the “surprisingly good” line 🙂

    Therefore I decided to get the rest of “The Other” and already contacted my comic dealer.

    The only problem I had is the dreadful artwork of the second part. It took me some effort to look past that when reading the comic. I will stay with “Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man”, also after “The Other” and will continue to get the trades of JMS Spider-Man comics, too – but, no, I won`t touch the third Spider-Man series again afterwards.

    If “The Other” will continue like this, it might very well even become one of my favourite Marvel stories ever.

  39. 1 I’ve always been a fan of your convention visits Mr. David.
    You can be gruff, but you’re always interesting.
    But I’ve got to jump on the Sean Astin bandwagon. I took my son, who is functioning autistic, to meet him. and despite his handlers trying to rush him he gave everyone his undivided attention. and talked with my son no matter what other subject, video games, Ninja Turtles, he would throw at him.
    The mans a prince.

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