Comicon is back in Phoenix. After a year of not being around ‘my people’ there is this sea of souls powered by the idea of wonder and essence of cool. Not all of them, of course. If there was a drinking game that forced a drink for every Deadpool or Harley Quinn costume I saw I would’ve been drunk by 12:06. On the other hand, it felt incredible to be in a space where so many people cared about many of the same things I do.
There was a panel on military fiction that spanned the ages between B. Cornwell’s wars and the wars yet to come. The writers spoke true about the idea of war and what draws us to it both as writers and fans. I think it is much like what Joe Hill says about fire. I’m paraphrasing here, but he says we are drawn to the destructive beauty of fire but turn away from people experiencing personal pain. It is like that in war reading as well, though not always. I was surprised, even in this day and age, to see to female writers on that particular panel.
I was not surprised to see people I knew at the con, but I was somewhat surprised at how few. I encountered six souls known to be and I was only tangentially (and at one point legally) related to two. There will be more of that and more of the fine writing and panels and beautiful art and cosplay and energy and passion and all of the things that I wait to enjoy year after year in places and gatherings like comicon con and the grandpa of them all, Gencon.
I want to go back to gencon. I want to sit on a panel and speak and share and be merry and be a part of that wonderful community of writers, thinkers, artists, and fans. Tomorrow, I just want to go back to comicon and be happy amongst the flock.
Some Thoughts:
- Had a chance to glimpse game 1 of the finals. I believe I watched just long enough for the Cavs to suck.