Detroit Fanfare was my first con…

…and I loved it.

Part of that was because it was very low-stress for me; Dennis and Larry made sure that my job was limited to relaxing, hanging out, checking out all of the awesome things available, and occasionally interviewing some of the media guests. I also had my very own panel about gender in comics. My first con and I got a panel.

This is what is so amazing about being part of a small, local business and a community that’s as open and accepting as the comics community. I’ve been welcomed with open arms all over, and even during my interviews with comic world veterans, the guests were excited that I was a new reader and had a fresh perspective.

I can easily say that Artist’s Alley was my favorite place to hang out. I got a LOT of things there from a LOT of artists and creators who, I think (in my very limited experience), are talented and promising. I interviewed a few of the artists there, so keep an eye out for those interviews as they go up on the site in the coming days/weeks.

The Bizarre Bazaar was my second-favorite place; it’s great to see people making their own crafts and art and selling it at seriously amazing and reasonable prices. I expected everything to cost a lot more, mostly because my experience with artists is limited to galleries and “professional” shows. But the people who come to Detroit Fanfare, while entirely professional, are obviously not doing this for the money; they’re doing it because they love it, and that shows in all of their work. I spoke with many people in the Bazaar and I’ll be doing a story about them, too. Keep an eye out!

Finally, we get to the main room. The dealer room, where most of the media guests were and where retailers were. I won’t lie: I was so overwhelmed that I avoided that room at all costs. I checked out everything I could and even got a signed Revival print from Tim Seeley and a signed copy of the Hack/Slash Mercy Sparx crossover by Josh Blaylock. But there was just so much going on everywhere around me and I didn’t even know where to start when it came to checking out all of the comics and trades available.

I had a ridiculous amount of fun over the course of the weekend, and I was completely exhausted and pretty sure my feet just wanted to fall off my body by the end of it all. It was entirely worth it. I can’t possibly thank the entire staff and Wonderworld Comics and the amazing con promoters (Gary and Tony and Dennis, you’re the best!) for giving me this experience and welcoming me into their community with open arms.

Also, I did dress up as Red Sonja for the costume party. But it was absolutely freezing and I was wearing chain mail, so I kept my cloak on for most of the time. But pictures were taken! And I’m sure they’ll be up soon enough.

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