Crazy 4 Comic Con

I’m back from WonderCon 2023 and I’m happy to report it was a FANtastic show. Not only was it an energizing time at the Hero Within booth, but we had an amazing discussion at the How I Built This Panel. Joined by industry professionals Joshua Ovenshire (aka: Jovenshire), Megan Ruiz and David Baron, we all shared about how we got into the industry, making critical pivots and how to overcome criticism. Then we fielded some questions from young creators in our audience. Listen below and you can check out their individual interviews on Apple Podcast.

It’s WonderCon week and I can’t be more excited! To get you in the mood, my special guest on the pod this week is illustrator and animator Megan Ruiz. This is only her second WonderCon and she shares about her first time experience. We continue with an interesting perspective about her decision to go to art school and the disillusionment of working in the animation industry. Megan also goes into detail about starting out as an independent artist and the joys of publishing her first art book! We conclude with her WonderCon tips about shopping artist alley. Listen in the link below or on Apple Podcasts.

I’m excited to continue my Road to WonderCon series with special guest David Baron. David and I have known each other for years and he’s a familiar face at comic cons all over the nation. In this interview, David shares about attending his very first San Diego Comic-Con in the 90’s and also recounts his very first WonderCon. We then go into depth about his early days as a young artist at Wildstorm, working on Batman and adventures in self publishing with his comic Stained. David then shares some great Do’s and Don’t about shopping in Artist Alley. This is a great way to prepare for WonderCon as well as get an inside perspective of life as a professional artist. Listen in the link below or on Apple Podcasts.

Our con season begins with the return of WonderCon in Anaheim! This is one of my favorite shows of the year since it has all the quality that you would expect from Comic-Con International but with more manageable crowds. Hero Within will be returning (Booth 918) along with my panel on Friday called “How I Built This”. I’ll be posting a series of WonderCon podcasts where we not only chat about this show but San Diego Comic-Con. I begin our ‘Road to WonderCon’ Series with our first guest, Joshua Ovenshire, AKA: Jovenshire. In this episode, Joshua shares about his early memories of Comic-Con, breaking into YouTube in the early years, adventures at FailArmy and challenges of being a content creator. Stay tuned for the next couple of weeks as I follow up with great WonderCon interviews right here or on Apple Podcasts!

After months of waiting, James Gunn finally shares his plan for the reinvigorated “DC Universe”. Shared on his social media on Jan 31st, Gunn revealed the film and tv roadmap for the next few years. My DC BFF, Trevor Kaihoi and I, recorded this reaction podcast about what we thought about all the new pieces of this plan. Including the entire Gunn announcement in this podcast, we react to the good, the bad and the ugly. Then we conclude with our personal predictions on what we think will fly and what will fall from this ambitious plan. Check out this podcast and let us know what you thought of Gunn’s announcement and what you are most looking forward to.

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Comic-Con 2022 is officially in the books! After 3 looooong years, we finally return to the greatest show on Earth- but did it live up to the expectations? The same group of con veterans that joined me for the 100th Episode Comic-Con Prep Special, returned together to do an official review of the show. We cover the Gaslamp, showroom floor, panels, offsite events and of course, Hall H. It was a VERY interesting show and very different than the last show in 2019. I am joined by amazing nerds Jeff, Becky Stephanie and Karma. Comment on what you thought of Comic-Con 2022 and make sure to subscribe on Apple Podcasts.

On Saturday of Comic-Con, I had the privilege to host the “This Panel Will Give You Emotional Damage” Panel in room 5AB. To a full capacity crowd, several Youtube stars- each with millions of followers, shared their journey as a content creator. They dispel myths about social media, when they made the big leap as a full time creator and they even make a huge surprise announcement! It was standing room only and it was one of the most fun panels I’ve ever hosted. Joining me is Steven He, Jeenie Weenie, Ian Boggs and Alan Chiken Chow. Make sure to like and subscribe on Apple Podcasts and thanks for listening!

The infamous Hall H line. There is nothing like it in the world. For some, it is the most exhilarating pop culture experience and for others, it’s the most disappointing way to spend Comic-Con. With DC, Star Trek and Marvel panels, Hall H is a high stakes game where winner takes all and losers go home empty handed. Late Friday night of Comic-Con, Trevor and I walk the line of Hall H to explore the psychology of the over night campers. From Group A to D and beyond, we learn how long fans got into line and what fans are looking forward to most for Saturday’s programming. In a few days, I’ll be posting the official 2022 Year In Review episode so stay tuned! Don’t forget to rate and subscribe on Apple Podcasts.

In just 24 hours, Preview Night of Comic-Con opens after 3 years and you know what that means? Shopping! Whether you are hunting for the latest PopVinyl, an original artist piece, the biggest Sideshow statue or a Hero Within Exclusive, at San Diego Comic-Con there is something everyone. On the eve of the show, I wanted to focus this last episode of how to shop at Comic-Con from a customer AND a vendor point of view. In this podcast, we offer some tips for first time customers on how to tackle the floor. Then, we offer some do’s and don’ts from an exhibitor point of view. We also read some Tweets from you offering your best advice. I am joined by my amazing colleagues from Hero Within since we have vast experience being both customers and vendors at Comic-Con. We can’t wait to see you at the show- happy hunting everyone!

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Time flies when you’re having fun! In 2009, I posted my first San Diego Comic-Con podcast with my group of friends. Since that time, I’ve been so grateful to attend many conventions all over the nation as a fan, press, moderator, professional and exhibitor. I’ve captured many of those experiences here on my podcasts and it has been an audio diary of my adventures. However, my favorites have always been the annual preps and recaps of San Diego Comic-Con. For this 100th episode, I am joined by a few amazing SDCC veterans and we share our favorite memories over the years- along with some hilarious stories. Then we conclude with some con tips for first timers. I am joined by amazing nerds Jeff, Becky Stephanie and Karma. Thank you again for listening and for your awesome support after all these years. I couldn’t have done it without you. I can’t wait to see you next week! Here’s to the next 100 episodes!

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