That’s kind of what it felt like. A scam I’d been suckered into because surely the Wizard convention held last weekend wasn’t truly a ComiCon. I’m surprised Wizard already announced the dates for next years show. Unless there are drastic changes made to the conventions make up I won’t be attending, as an exhibitor or as a guest.

If there were 10 000 fans over the course of the weekend that would be a miracle. It’s hard to draw people to a show when your high profile guests consist of wrestlers and b-list sci-fi actors. The Direct Energy Centre looked empty most of the time with booth’s and aisles widely spaced apart as if organizers expected 30 000 to pass through and they needed the room to move about. The Ex isn’t the most convenient venue to access, and with $34 day passes at the door, way too expensive for a first time show, most local fans decided to take a pass.

The con had few comic dealers and the only publisher whose books I routinely see on comic store racks was Avatar. Personally, that was a highlight as I was able to get my Gravel collection signed by Mike Wolfer, but unless you’re a fan of violent horror or sci-fi most comic fans probably wouldn’t know who they are. If you were looking for guests from the Big Two you were largely out of luck. The few in attendance were mostly local boys who regularly attend the T.O. convention scene. You couldn’t even compare that with the Fan Appreciation or Fan Expo conventions. Now those are shows where you get full value for your dollar.

But it wasn’t all bad. My table mates Lezley Davidson, Shane Heron and Joel Buxton were great. There were lots of laughs amongst us all weekend. Lezley was a snack machine. Crackers, cheese and pickles anyone?! Between the two of them, as well as Adam Gorham, I came home with some amazing pieces of artwork which I’ll try to post on the site over the next little while. Thanks guys! We were also fortunate enough to be seated beside the Kill Shakespeare table. In my opinion this is going to be the book of the year, I’m calling Eisner nominations for this one. It’s a twelve issue arc drawn by Andy B. and written by the savvy duo of Anthony Del Col and Conor McCreery. People in the biz will stand up and take notice of this one. Having gotten a sneak read of #1 I’m glad I’ve ordered the series through my LCS. Andy was also good enough to take some time, look over my Zuda pitch and provide some encouraging words of advice. Most of it was on the art side which as a self publisher was helpful since acting as an editor is a role I often have to perform. I was hoping for more on the writing side but oh well, the experience was definitely helpful. Ramon Perez was at their table, fending off Lezley’s roaming eyes and lusting hands. Ramon gave a read of The Book of Methuselah #2. He liked the pacing of the stories and inquired if I was planning to write a sequel to Mile High Dead. What do you say my loyal following, dare I return to Aries plight upon the 747 plane?

Cameron Stewart popped by to see his old studio mates and he was cool enough at the end of a long, boring Friday to shift over to my table and sign his arc on Batman and Robin. When I asked about his issue of The Return of Bruce Wayne he asked if I’d seen his early designs. After saying I wasn’t sure he drew forth his iphone and pulled up his blog which has some of the sketches he’s been playing around with. Pretty solid all round I’d say. Finally, I had the pleasure of meeting J. Bone, who was lurking about the convention floor all weekend and occupied Ramon’s seat on Sunday. J. was a genuine nice guy, as well as being the artist of DC’s Superfriends. Between myself, Lezley and J. discussion ranged from Jack Kirby, to Carl Sagan and reincarnation, deep stuff for a con.

Lastly, the only thing I purchased of note was Ray Fawkes latest graphic novel, Possessions. It’s a really witty kid’s book about a little demonic girl whose bark is louder then her bite, trapped in a curios house by a ghost collector. I’m really looking forward to being able to share that with my daughter when she’s a little older.

So that was that. The after party on Saturday was alright, the pre-party at my brother’s pad on Joe Shuster Way was better. It was one of those nights where your car gets tagged and towed out to Keele and St. Clair and when you find out in the morning you don’t really care cause your still buzzing from the night before.

Next up is the Fan Appreciation show. I haven’t heard if I’ll have a table their but regardless I’ll be heading done. That will be a refreshing change.