Crossovers and Conventions

I got lucky and sold a few of these books, then reinvested them into two Humble Bundles that were too good to pass-up. I don't get a lot of responses here, but I wanted to ask:

What is the crossover between the comics and tabletop roleplaying game hobbies' fandoms these days?

I know, growing up in the 1980s and '90s, we had a blast at conventions, that were more generalized in nature. There was a movie room showing genre favorites 24/7, as well as something like Star Trek or Mystery Science Theater 3000 going on the TV in the entropy suite. There were also dealers of VHS anime, which was one of the few places you could find classics like Akira and Vampire Hunter D. 

There were Tournament Games (elite caps because they rewarded players prizes), and plenty of open rooms for pick-up games. The last really great con I attended was held the same year Magic: The Gathering was released, but they did not have any scheduled games for it that year. The guests were writers and artists (lots of artists) of the pop-culture we were eagerly devouring, and they usually shared one or two tables.

Now, I know there are ComiCons and specific gaming conventions, but is there still a crossover in the creatives being presented? Is there a comic book dealer presence at GenCon, for example?

I would really like to attend a convention again, and I don't know which one it would be. So, I'm opening-up the floor to hear what others have to say (technically, the floor is always open)!

© The Weirding, 2025

First Annual Perry County Writers' Conference Appearance

I will be speaking at the First Annual Perry County Writers' Conference this Saturday, April 28, from 10am to 4pm, Central.

Come see me, and all the other attendees, and chat about comics, screenwriting, storytelling and sequential art, and whatever else!  Other guests include Clay Harris, Sue Franks, Sally Brannen, Julietta Martinelli, Don Singleton, Rob Snyder, and many others.

You can find more information on the First Annual Perry County Writers' Conference in Linden, TN (April 28, 2018) on their official Facebook page.

The Perry County Writers' Conference is sponsored by the Perry County, Tennessee Cultural Arts Commission.

© The Weirding, 2018

DragonCon Co-Founder Jailed; Call of Cthulhu Designer Dead

Edward Eliot Kramer, co-founder of DragonCon, is back in jail on charges related to an earlier arrest for child molestation. Kramer was reportedly discovered sharing a hotel room with a 14-year-old boy without a chaperone -- a violation of his bond. Kramer was arrested and reportedly jailed without bond. He claimed the boy was an actor in some unnamed film project on which Kramer says he was working. He is expected to face charges of child molestation.

Lynn Willis, co-creator and overseer of Chaosium's immensely popular Call of Cthulhu tabletop RPG line has died. His eulogy, posted on Chaosium's website, features an impressive and lengthy list of credits. He came into the company in 1978, the third employee of the venerable gaming publisher, and worked there to his death. He had been fighting illness and advanced age for years.

© C Harris Lynn, 2013

UPDATE:  These two incidents were, obvious to anyone with a lukewarm IQ, unrelated.  This post was made in January, 2013 -- not 2012. - 2018

At-Home Con - The Wrap-Up

I said I would tell you more about At-Home Con and so I shall:

The guys got here early Friday night and we started drinking. I think we played something that night, but I don't recall what it was. At some point, we tried playing Dark Conspiracy, but I was simply too messed-up to make heads or tails of it. Add that to not having run a game in nearly 10 years and suffice it to say, it did not go well.

At some point, we made characters for D&D 3.x and played that for a few hours before we got back to drinking. I mean, we drank while we played but not seriously - more as a thing to do while we played. The game was a lot of fun, but not knowing a system and wanting to do things is pretty tough. I kept having to ask questions as to what, exactly, my character was allowed to do - that is, can he Bend Bars/Lift Gates or is that now a Feat, for example. It was still a great game though, all things considered.

We played D&D again, but we were all out of it by that point. We drank the entire weekend away but had the best time doing it!

I went to a gaming convention back in 2003. I had a pretty good time even though I didn't know anyone and it was a small affair. Most of the people I grew-up gaming with have since lost interest and the scene had really changed a lot even then. Now I wouldn't know anything about it. I'm about to learn Savage Worlds, which should bring me up to speed a little bit, but other than that, I simply don't know much about the modern tabletop RPG scene.

At-Home Con was a great way to enjoy gaming with good, old-fashioned partying - the way cons used to be (when they were more gaming/comic book conventions and not separated) - and we had a blast. I don't know that we'll ever get the chance to do it again, but I certainly hope we do. Either way, nothing will beat the memories of the first At-Home Con!

© C Harris Lynn, 2011

At-Home Con, Post 4

I know I'm running this into the ground, but I'm so excited about it that I just can't stop jabbering about it!

I finalized the details of At-Home Con 2011 last night (tonight as I'm typing this). I now have the entire menu, gaming schedule, and rules list. The rules list is really more along the lines of "Don't let the cat out" than anything else, but it makes for a nice addition to the whole thing. I finished the programs, printed and folded them, and added them to the registration bags.

The registration goodies bags are pretty fair, if I say so myself. The only thing they're short of is a bunch of advertisements. Don't get me wrong, I'll take sponsors! I just don't have any at the moment (well, I had some Yowie! stickers and those went in there). Each bag is slightly different and contains no fewer than six comic books (mostly Marvel, but also an issue of Eclipse's great Kamui), a gaming book from Otherworld Creations, a deck of Over the Edge playing cards, a pack of Jim Lee's W.I.L.D.kaps, and a mystery novel chosen at random. There's also a pen and pencil.

Yes: We have registration bags, programs, and badges. It's the first theme party I've ever thrown, but since we're just going to get drunk and game all weekend, the only thing different is the theme...

© C Harris Lynn, 2011

At-Home Con, Post 3

I told you I'd be talking about At-Home Con until it was done. I'll be talking about it after it's over, as well! But eventually, I'll move-on to talking about other things; it's just the most exciting thing in my world right now and the main thing I'm working on (aside from a handful of interviews with some greats in nerd entertainment).

The first thing I did was finalize the menu, and I even got some of the shopping for it done, though it will be the day of the Con when I do the majority of it. It will be a lot of cooking, but only as much as one might normally do with regular company. I'm making three large meals and stocking-up on snacks. I'll have Ro-Tel dip, but most of the other snack foods will be purchased stuff - mini-candybars, popcorn, and the like.

I have since moved-on to the games themselves. The first is an adventure for Dark Conspiracy that used to be online (in a poor form). I found all of the original notes, which were most cleverly contained in a single notebook (something I should do more often). It's a very good adventure actually, and one I may still publish one of these days. It's on my To-Do List anyway. But this is a session game: four hours is all we need to finish it completely and there is only the most general denouement for the end.

Of course, if we enjoy ourselves that much, we may keep playing well into the night, but I chose Dark Conspiracy as the opener because the adventure is so strong. Also because it is perfect for a nighttime game, and none of the attendees are familiar with it. I'm hoping this makes a good opener and gets everyone in the mood for a weekend full of gaming.

After that, I'm getting back to the AD&D game we were playing online until we couldn't get our scheduling to work-out due to everyone going back to school and all. This is a campaign situation and I mean to continue approaching it as such. I have the beginnings of an adventure already worked-out, but not all of the details I need for it. My plan is to finalize this specific adventure but leave plenty of room for further game advancement.

Although the attendees have suggested we continue playing throughout the night, I don't know how that will go. Switching from a sci-fi/fantasy game with a Post-Apocalyptic setting to a straight fantasy game filled with dungeons and dragons is a bit of a stretch, too. My schedule has it set for Saturday afternoon - first game of the Big Gaming day.

After that, we have a bit of a toss-up, as I can't quite make up my mind as to which I want to play. ChiLL is the forerunner (and I have more great news on that front soon), but this could be the only chance I have to play Cyberpunk for the immediate time-being, so I'm wrestling with the whole thing. I also have an entire basement full of tabletop RPG, wargames, boardgames, and more, so we may just grab something with clear rules and a board and kick back with some movies and drinks. I'm not sure yet.

More to come as things develop, but there is a hell of a lot of cleaning left to be done, despite the dents I made the past week.

© C Harris Lynn, 2011

At-Home Con, Post 2

I already posted about "At-Home Con 2011," but the closer it gets, the more I have to do and the more it's on my mind, so here is yet another post on how I'm planning this weekend gaming marathon. The idea to run a convention-themed weekend party was none too original, as the planning and preparation for both are so similar and the major theme is gaming (and drinking) all weekend.

I have everything we need right here, including the space, tables, and requisite comics and games. Like I said before, my basement really is setup like an alley on one side, with rows of comics and shelves of games creating an aisle on one side. Beyond that is a picnic table covered in assorted odds and ends that can easily be cleaned-off for a night of gaming, however there are only going to be a handful of people here, so I decided to do everything upstairs. I could also fill the tub with ice and drinks downstairs, while I can't upstairs (due to a leaky faucet), but that's not really a problem.

I'm honestly even considering making badges, if I can find a template for them somewhere (which I'm pretty sure I can). But I have my hands full just cleaning and organizing the place for company - after all, this isn't a commercial space that's kept clean and clear by a regular crew throughout the year. If only...

I am printing-out character sheets for Dark Conspiracy, and they already have their AD&D characters created. They'll just have to transfer them to character sheets I have on-hand here at the house once they arrive if they haven't already done so. We are also going to playtest the Simple And Free Engine, which used to be on the site and was removed simply because I had no time to further develop it and no way to playtest it. That may be all the gaming we'll have time for, depending on the length of the sessions (which I expect to be greater than four hours).

I am also putting together a movie and TV series list, just like a con suite would have. I'll have food and snacks in serving dishes around the living room, as well as on the bar - again, just like your average con suite. I may even put together attendee packages with free comics, programs, and such.

I know this is silly, but like I said before, I really miss the conventions we went to as kids. They were a lot of fun, free from all the fanfare of celebrities and movie premieres and things - just a bunch of hardcore gaming nerds and comics freaks getting together to do what we love doing. Blue mead that would knock you on your ass from the SCA cats; NOT smoking weed in con-members' suites; prowling through Dealers' Alley just to kill some time and window shop; comparing collections with people you only see once a year; reveling in friends' new purchases and showing-off your own... NOT smoking weed, I said.

So we may not need any steenking badges, but we may get some anyway.

© C Harris Lynn, 2011

At-Home Con 2011

I love cons. Well, let me back-up here:

I grew-up on conventions; I used to love cons. But I haven't been to a comic book/gaming convention in going on 10 years and that one was a bit of a bust. So I used to love cons; at this point, I'm more in love with the idea of a con than with cons themselves.

However, I desperately wanted to attend at least one convention in 2011. I know the season is just gearing-up, but conventions have waned so much the last 20 years that I think the season may actually be winding down, and I haven't been to a single one. So I decided to throw my own.

It isn't so much a convention as just a get-together of old friends with whom I used to attend conventions, but I plan on running it like one (you know, kinda - in the spirit of one, at least). They should be coming up Friday evening, when we'll all get settled-in, catch-up and reminisce, have a few drinks, eat, and watch movies before crashing-out. Along the way, we'll probably make characters for a game of Dark Conspiracy I plan on running either Saturday night or Sunday morning/afternoon (whichever comes first - con rules), but we aren't likely to start gaming that night.

You never can tell, though.

I definitely plan on napping the entire time - no full sets of sleep (con rules) - and I'll be sleeping on the couch. It's in the living room, so it's kind of like the lounge. I'll leave the TV playing sci-fi and fantasy flicks all night just to stay in the right frame of mind.

If we don't start drinking and gaming Friday night, Saturday's the day. I plan on Kahlua in the coffee and straight into the bag from there. By late afternoon, I should be knee-walking drunk. I expect someone to zip a Crown Royal bag into their pants and dance a jig at some point. I'm not saying who, just that I expect it. I also expect not to remember doing it.

I already have the basement setup like an alley just because that's the way I stacked things when I first moved, so I may try to sell my friends some comic books and old games. They'll wait until Sunday to low-ball me. I'll be disappointed but hungover and won't want to have to restack everything, so I'll likely give them away.

Monday will come too soon and I know I won't be able to see my friends again IRL for some time, so it will be bittersweet, but I'll be glad to return to normalcy. I also have plans that can't be missed, so it'll be right back to the grind - not even a single day to really relish the fun we had and gel the memories before it's right back into the fray of everyday living.

Hopefully we'll make plans to do it again in a few months, or even the next year - just to be sure - and hopefully the funding will be there for when the time rolls around and everyone will be free and eager to repeat the adventure. Either way, At-Home Con 2011 is happening and I couldn't be more excited about it!

© C Harris Lynn, 2011

Thought Bubble

Like Image Comics, UK's Thought Bubble festival celebrates sequential art in all its forms and genres. Now the leading creator-owned publisher is joining forces with the non-profit Thought Bubble organization to celebrate the fifth year of the festival with THOUGHT BUBBLE ANTHOLOGY, a collection whose proceeds will go to the charity Banardos.

THOUGHT BUBBLE ANTHOLOGY features short stories written by Andy Diggle, Stuart Gordon, and Antony Johnston, gorgeous art by Charlie Adlard, Duncan Fegredo, and D'Israeli, and a cover by Becky Cloonan, and will also include the six winners of the Northern Sequential Arts Competition.

"Thought Bubble is delighted to be working with one of our favourite publishers, Image Comics, for our first ever anthology," said Lisa Wood, Thought Bubble Festival Director. "We are stunned at the support we have received from everyone who has contributed to the comic and hope it is the first of many more to come!"

The Thought Bubble Festival takes place across Leeds from the 14^th-20^th of November with a massive Comic Con held at the city's largest convention halls on the 19^th and 20^th. It is now the UK's largest festival celebrating comic art in all its wondrous forms.

THOUGHT BUBBLE ANTHOLOGY #1 (SEP110389), an oversized, 24-page full color anthology comic book, will be on sale for $2.99 in stores November 9^th and is available to order now in the September issue of Previews.

© C Harris Lynn, 2011

Fan Expo 2011 - Image

© C Harris Lynn, 2011

Samurai's Blood #1 - HeroesCon Variant EXCLUSIVE

© C Harris Lynn, 2011

Uncanny X-Men #524 - WonderCon Variant

Marvel is proud to announce that to commemorate their first appearance as an exhibitor at WonderCon, they will be producing an exclusive Uncanny X-Men #534 WonderCon variant! Featuring some of the most popular X-Men, this beautiful cover by Giuseppe Camuncoli, created specifically for this San Francisco-based convention, will only be available for sale at the Marvel Booth (#801) while supplies last!

Marvel will be arriving in full force at WonderCon in San Francisco, April 1-3, with a big booth (#801), wide array of panels, can’t-miss announcements, giveaways and more! This is the first time that the House of Ideas is exhibiting at the convention and we’re breaking out the big news and big guests!

© C Harris Lynn, 2011

Eddie Munster's Dating a Cheerleader

Forty-five years after 10-year-old Donna McCall sent a letter to Butch Patrick, then star of the TV classic, The Munsters, the two are living together in West Chester, PA. McCall told reporters she read something online that reminded her of her schoolgirl crush, so she looked-up the star's e-mail address and they began chatting. The two then agreed to meet at Pennsylvania's horror convention, DraculaCon. Earlier this year, Patrick gave up his homes in Los Angeles and Florida to move-in with McCall, a former Philadelphia Eagles' cheerleader.

© C Harris Lynn, 2010

Kids Read Comics

I have always maintained that my interest in comic books and tabletop roleplaying games are what lead to my interest in reading and the arts. And history, math, science, et.al.! It certainly wasn't public school! I have always supported the notion that kids should be urged to read comics as early as possible, and that it is a hobby with nothing but good to offer - an interest in reading, visual arts, superheroic ideals to which no one can truly adhere but should strive to do so, anyway.

Kids Read Comics is a free event in Dearborn, Michigan the 13^th-15^th of this month, and is designed specifically to get kids not only interested in reading comics, but in drawing, writing, and creating them too! It hosts a bevy of talent and tons of great events. Kids Read Comics is also a great way to spend some family time.

Follow the link provided above or the banner in the sideboard to learn more!

© C Harris Lynn, 2010

Image Comics Booth #4558 - Book Expo America

New York, NY - 25 May 2010 - Image Comics will be exhibiting with Diamond Distribution during Book Expo America, May 26-27, 2010, at the Javits Center in New York. Image will exhibit with Diamond at booth #4558, where Image will be giving away a variety of single issues and trades.

In addition to giveaways, Image is hosting signings by SPAWN creator, Todd McFarlane, as well as Ron Marz (ARTIFACTS, WITCHBLADE), and Ben McCool (CHOKER).

IMAGE COMICS BEA SIGNING SCHEDULE
Wednesday, May 26

11:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. RON MARZ, signing copies of ARTIFACTS #0
2:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. TODD McFARLANE, signing copies of HAUNT TP #1

Thursday, May 27
11:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. BEN McCOOL, signing copies of CHOKER #1

Don't miss Image Comics at BEA, exhibiting with Diamond Distribution, booth #4558, for a variety of free books, signings, and more!

© C Harris Lynn, 2010

Marvel Booth #4564 - Book Expo America

Book Expo America is coming to the Jacob Javits Center and Marvel Entertainment will be there! Booth #4564 is the place to be as Marvel is bringing some of its top talent along to showcase both the Marvelous Land of Oz and Sense & Sensibility literary adaptations!

Critically acclaimed and New York Times Best Selling author, Eric Shanower, will be present on Wednesday, the 26^th, from 11am-12pm to sign for his newest hit series, The Marvelous Land of Oz . Nancy Butler, author of Marvel’s Sense & Sensibility, will also be on-hand Wednesday from 2-3pm to sign copies of the very first issue of the highly anticipated comic! Following Wednesday’s events, Eric Shanower will also be signing at Books of Wonder for their Great Books for Young Readers Event on Thursday from 6-8pm.

Please be sure to join Marvel at booth #4564 at Book Expo America for what is sure to be a memorable signing event with two of the industry’s most talented creators!

© C Harris Lynn, 2010

Todd McFarlane Appears at Book Expo America

Berkeley, CA - 14 May 2010 - Image Comics is proud to announce that SPAWN creator and Image Partner, TODD MCFARLANE, will appear at Book Expo America (BEA) on Wednesday, May 26, 2010, at the Javits Center in New York City.

Image Comics will be exhibiting with Diamond Book Distributors, booth #4558. McFarlane will be at the booth for an exclusive signing from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. on Wednesday. Complimentary copies of the first HAUNT trade will be available during the signing. Image will also distribute copies of various Image Firsts titles throughout BEA.

"As the comic book culture continues to outgrow its historic roots of the comic book store, a big movement has been made toward book stores," says McFarlane. "Book stores have now become fertile ground for people like myself, and I need to make sure I get out there, put my best foot forward, in terms of making presentations to the stores and letting retailers know what's coming out. Now, there're arguably just as many consumers coming to bookstores for comic product as comic book stores. They're an extremely important part of our business."

From budding baseball player to comic book artist extraordinaire to family man, Spawn creator Todd McFarlane has a wealth of experience in the world of entertainment. McFarlane's road trip to creative autonomy began when he accepted an assignment penciling for Marvel/Epic Comics in March 1984. From there, he worked his way to the top of the talent roster before leaving Marvel to help found Image Comics with six other artists. It was then that Todd introduced his own character, Spawn. In 1994, Todd founded McFarlane Toys. Over the years, the company has become one of the largest, most renowned toy manufacturers in the world.

Don't miss Todd McFarlane during his one-day-only appearance at BEA on Wednesday, May 26, 2010.

© C Harris Lynn, 2010

Todd McFarlane to Attend Baltimore Comic Con

Berkeley, CA - 10 May 2010 - Image Comics Founder and Partner, Todd McFarlane, is set to appear at Baltimore Comic-Con 2010 on Saturday, August 28, 2010. The creator of the groundbreaking comic book, SPAWN, will take part in signings and other events during the show.

"I'm thrilled to be able to participate in this year's Baltimore Comic Con," says McFarlane. "It's good to know events still exist where comics are the main focus, instead of being swallowed up by competing entertainment such as movies and video games. I appreciate all the support Baltimore Comic Con has provided Image with in the past, and I am looking forward to attending and meeting with fans."

Marc Nathan, organizer of the Baltimore Comic-Con, adds, "The Baltimore Comic-Con could not be more thrilled about hosting Todd McFarlane at this year's convention. Image Comics continues to be at the top of all our publishing partners. We all know how popular Todd is and look forward to a great time!"

From budding baseball player to comic book artist extraordinaire to family man, Spawn creator, Todd McFarlane, has a wealth of experience in the world of entertainment. McFarlane's road trip to creative autonomy began when he accepted an assignment penciling for Marvel/Epic Comics in March 1984. From there, he worked his way to the top of the talent roster before leaving Marvel to help found Image Comics with six other artists. It was then that Todd introduced his own character, Spawn. In 1994, Todd founded McFarlane Toys. Over the years, the company has become one of the largest, most renowned toy manufacturers in the world.

Don't miss SPAWN creator, Todd McFarlane, at this year's 11^th annual Baltimore Comic-Con. He will appear one day only, on Saturday, August 28^th, 2010.

© C Harris Lynn, 2010

WotC to Sponsor Gen Con

INDIANAPOLIS (May 6, 2010) - Gen Con is pleased to announce that Wizards of the Coast will be a title sponsor of the largest hobby gaming convention in North America and has grown its participation to include the TCG Hall sponsorship. Wizards will be debuting new products, showcasing classics, and hosting popular tournaments for show goers

"Wizards of the Coast is, once again, very proud to be a Co-sponsor, and TCG Hall sponsor, of Gen Con," said Greg Leeds, President of Wizards of the Coast. "Wizards is dedicated to creating great gaming experiences, and GenCon is the perfect place to connect with the gaming community."

Expecting the largest crowd ever for Magic: The Gathering events in Gen Con history, this year Wizards will be celebrating the Summer of Multiplayer. Five multiplayer events will be held each day at Gen Con, including Grand Melee, Two-Headed Giant, Planechase, and Archenemy. Additionally, Championships for Block, Legacy, and Vintage formats will occur, as well as events for electronic prizes, uncut sheets of Magic, complete sets, and more. Events will be available around the clock, starting from 9 a.m. on Thursday and going non-stop until Sunday afternoon.

Wizards will also be hosting Dungeons & Dragons gameplay with the second season of D&D Encounters and the release of the nostalgic Dark Sun Campaign Setting. A Dark Sun Arena Circuit will be held in the Sagamore Ballroom, as well as Living Forgotten Realms Campaigns, a D&D Open Championship, D&D Convention Delve, and others. A full schedule of seminars and special guests are also planned.

"Wizards of the Coast is bringing so much to Gen Con! We are very excited to have them as our Co-sponsor and TCG Hall sponsor. Our fans come from around the world to attend and Wizards of the Coast is an integral part of the Indy experience for many. We are looking forward to this being the best con yet," said Adrian Swartout, CEO of Gen Con.

Gen Con's 43^rd year is gearing up to be a great one. To date, pre-registration for badges and event ticket sales are higher than 2009. At Gen Con, attendees do all things gaming - from browsing the aisles of the packed exhibit hall to playing in many of the 7,000 gaming events happening 24 hours a day over the four days. Gaming activities range from interactive game play to video/computer gaming, and from classic board games to big money, hobby-related tournaments. There is something for everyone who likes gaming at Gen Con.

Gen Con Indy will be open to the public Thursday, August 5, through Sunday, August 8 at the Indiana Convention Center. Thursday through Saturday the exhibit hall is open 10 am to 6 pm and Sunday from 10 am to 4 pm. 24 hour gaming takes place at the convention center and at area hotels.

© C Harris Lynn, 2010

No C2E2 Schedules

I got 'em, but I'm not posting them this year, and I won't be posting them anymore, as far as I know at this time. The reason is simple: No one comes to check them out until the next year or two! Honestly!

I still get hits on the 2007-08 Comic-Con schedules every year around Comic-Con time, and - I mean, what am I to do? I hate it if they're misinformed, especially because that might give them reason to think The Rundown doesn't know WTF is going on, or is just trying to "cash-in" on the convention's popularity, or whatever they might think; it just doesn't look good on me.

So, while I appreciate the schedules from everyone, I just wanted to clear that up.

Now, C2E2 is in Chicago, and I could feasibly make that (one day) - it's about an eight-hour drive, and I know this because I've done it before - so in such an event, I prolly will post the schedules and stuff. I don't know - I might be too busy doing con-related things to get to them - I can't say.

For now though, they're out, that's that, and that's why. All the companies have them posted on their respective sites.

I do, as always, wish the convention organizers and attendees the very best! If anyone would like to fill us in on the goings-on while they are there, we'd love to hear it.

© C Harris Lynn, 2010