Nonfiction Comics

We’re a few weeks removed from Comic-Con International, but there’s still a few things to talk about. Namely, the reaction to said Comic-Con. I won’t bore you with the wrap-ups you’ve probably read five times already on all the comic news sites. Instead, let’s take a look at some first-hand accounts of what went down at San Diego from behind the booth. Thanks to The Beat, here’s a few strips that give us some unique views from the floor.

The food of San Diego appeared to be a going theme this year, as both Jillian Tamaki, author of Indoor Voice, and Gabrielle Bell, creator of Lucky, were not impressed with their attempts at obtaining Mexican cuisine. From personal experience in San Diego, the Gaslamp District is mostly tourist country. You’re not going to find too many hole-in-the-wall places in the area around the Convention Center, which is traditionally where I’ve found the best Mexican food in every city I have visited. Other than the burrito woes, Jillian goes into her concerns coming into SDCC in her comic.

She was worried it wouldn’t be her crowd, that the noise and volume of attendees would become a major issue for her. Instead, both her and her dude Sam embraced the con with little adjustment necessary. Cosplay won them over, as did the ever-alluring joy of being stopped to have a picture taken of you. Best of all, they even partook in the pitcher full of dice! Okay, they did not buy a pitcher, but they did buy dice.

While Julian chose to go the one page summary route for her Comic-Con wrap-up, Gabrielle Bell’s wrap is still ongoing as of my typing this entry. Three parts have been posted, with Part One acting more as a prologue to Gabrielle’s experience at this particular Comic-Con. Unlike the last time she was there, this time her and her guest were given the royal treatment: comped accommodations at the Hard Rock, $50 per person for food, and passes to the con. Making it their mission to spend all $100 each night, they ate in style, and even got their party on a few times. The personality and humor is ever-present in these strips, and I hope they are eventually collected into either a mini- or full-sized comic at some point. Plus, it helps that the art is very expressive, even in its minimalism.

For a tweet-style we turn to Dylan Meconis, who actually sketched her full week at Comic-Con into one sketchbook. Nothing complicated here, just one panel strips with quick punchlines, probably sketched right after the thought arose or the even occurred. And yes, I do agree that Galactus hats are quite awesome. There are about 20 sketches on Dylan’s Flickr site, ranging from events at panels to being mistaken for your neighbor while behind the booth. They’re a quick read, so I’d recommend just chain-smoking them all when you get the chance.

Finally, we have Keith Knight of K Chronicles, who not only was invited to Comic-Con as a guest, but also ran a few panels and won an Inkpot Award while he was at it! And to complete the food pyramid, experienced the joy of San Diego lobster rolls, Boston-style, thanks to a reader of his. Even from the looks of how he drew this lobster roll, my mouth is now watering. Still, I wonder if he tried any burritos while he was at the con?