{"id":2672,"date":"2018-08-07T14:46:00","date_gmt":"2018-08-07T21:46:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.comic-con.org\/toucan\/?p=2672"},"modified":"2024-01-09T14:49:56","modified_gmt":"2024-01-09T22:49:56","slug":"maggies-world-063-plans","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.comic-con.org\/toucan\/maggies-world-063-plans\/","title":{"rendered":"Maggie\u2019s World 063: Plans"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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MAGGIE’S WORLD BY MAGGIE THOMPSON<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Maggie\u2019s World 063: Plans<\/h1>\n\n\n
Maggie Thompson<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n
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Here\u2019s a Thing About Life …<\/h6>\n\n\n\n

The Internet says that comic-strip writer Allen Saunders (1899-1986) wrote in 1957, \u201cLife is what happens while you are busy making other plans.\u201d As far as I know, the Internet has so far failed to identify whether he wrote it for Steve Roper<\/em>, Mary Worth<\/em>, or Kerry Drake<\/em>. But I digress.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Preparing for Comic-Con, you can plan and plan and plan (and note booth numbers and event schedules), but what often blows you away is what you don\u2019t<\/em> plan.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nevertheless, when it comes to Comic-Con, you should begin by building that framework.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Among magic moments at the Eisner Awards ceremony: First-time graphic-novel creator Emil Ferris won in several categories. Have you read her work? Photo \u00a9 2018 Maggie Thompson.\u00a0My Favorite Thing Is Monsters\u00a0<\/em>\u00a9 2018 Emil Ferris.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

In fact, what I found myself referring to at multiple points every day this year at Comic-Con was a one-page print-out I\u2019d made in advance. It included addresses (specific hotels and restaurants), confirmation numbers, reservation times, and more.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For example:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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  • Saturday, July 21, 79\/71 clouds 5:55\/7:54<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • 9:30 am-7 pm Exhibit Hall open<\/em><\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • 11:45-2:30 pm <\/strong>Mark Evanier\u2019s Quick Draw and Voice Artist panels in 6BCF<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • 4:30-5:30 pm<\/strong> Evanier with Wonder Woman\u2019s Joye Murchison Kelly in 5AB<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • 8:30 pm<\/strong> Joye and Jack Kelly [4 person reservation] to 1500 Ocean, Hotel del Coronado<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n

    (I identified the date, the predicted high and low temperature and weather, sunrise and sunset, hall hours, an address for the taxi I\u2019d be taking, and specific \u201cDon\u2019t Miss\u201d events.)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Later, I scrawled in amendments to the schedule with such notes as the name under which the dinner reservation had been made, the number of the Kellys\u2019 hotel room at the Hilton, and a cellphone number at which they could be reached.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    It was then a framework into which \u201cwhatever happens\u201d could fit. Because sometimes the most touching moments occur almost without warning. (The panel celebrating the life of Harlan Ellison wasn\u2019t on the original schedule, for example, but its sharing of memories stays with me.)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Whatever …<\/h6>\n\n\n\n

    Given that on-paper framework, daughter Valerie, grandson Devon, and I were able to relax and enjoy all the unplanned moments that also occurred.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Oh, by the way: Whereas I carried my schedule in my pocket for ready reference at all times, I also carried a folder that included a couple of pages of plastic pockets for business cards, a plastic protective envelope for Stuff that might get lost, etc<\/em>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    And\u2014not so by the way\u2014I kept a rough record of some of the fun by having my camera always at hand to remind myself of a few of the unexpected unplanned moments that I\u2019d enjoyed. (I hadn\u2019t realized until just now that Valerie had also taken photos with my phone\u2014bringing to my attention that photo diaries can now be A Thing.)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Unplanned Magic Moments …<\/h6>\n\n\n\n

    Emil Ferris:<\/em> Not to be missed at Comic-Con are the annual comics Eisner Awards, announced in ceremonies Friday night. On Free Comic Book Day this year, I\u2019d looked for copies of \u201cBest Graphic Album\u2014New\u201d nominees, so I\u2019d bought (but not yet read) Emil Ferris\u2019 My Favorite Thing Is Monsters<\/em>. Its win in that category and \u201cBest Coloring\u201d and for her as \u201cBest Writer\/Artist\u201d made me look forward to pulling it out for further examination. It was stunning (and inspiring) that this first graphic-novel project was so swiftly recognized. What awaits us in the future from people who aren\u2019t even known as professionals yet?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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    The Golden Age Wonder Woman writer remained uncredited for decades. At the con, she received in-person admiration from her fans. [Left to right: Joye Murchison Kelly, Jack Kelly, Anina Bennett, Liz Schiller]. Photo \u00a9 2018 Maggie Thompson. Comic-Con brings pros together with those who adore them. [Left to right: Valerie Thompson, Maggie Thompson, Fred Tatasciore, Devon Jaruk]. Photo \u00a9 2018 Bruce Guthrie.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

    Joye Murchison Kelly:<\/em> Speaking of people who aren\u2019t known as professionals, she was another notable honoree this year. The Bill Finger Award is given to creators whose works have contributed to the medium but whose names have not been widely credited. Joye Kelly wrote the adventures of Wonder Woman in the 1940s but wasn\u2019t acknowledged until recently. At the age of 94, she received standing ovations in each of her convention appearances, and it was my honor to treat her and her husband, Jack, to dinner their last night of the show. (Tip of the Thompson Topper to Steve Leialoha, who made the event a foursome and brought his knowledge to the memorable experience.)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Fred Tatasciore:<\/em> Three years ago, Valerie, Devon, and I were first introduced to the magnificent Fred Tatasciore, who has voiced many of the most menacing characters in today\u2019s animation: The Hulk, 8, Volstagg, Megatron \u2026 How anyone so amiable can be so convincing as a terror \u2026 Well, as he points out in appearances on the Internet\u2019s \u201cTalking Voices,\u201d it\u2019s acting. Every year, I\u2019m staggered by his caring and skill, and his kindness to fans continues to be an inspiration.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Those were only three of this year\u2019s many magic moments for me. Day after day brought delight after delight.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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    The show is simultaneously exhausting and exciting\u2014with a variety of rewards for all. At left, Paul Levitz explained the need for Hero Initiative, one of comics\u2019 charities. (It provides support for creators in need.) Photo \u00a9 2018 Maggie Thompson. Grandson Devon experimented in a software demo booth aimed at creators. Photo \u00a9 2018 Maggie Thompson<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
    Despite Plans<\/h6>\n\n\n\n

    As is the case every year, some hoped-for meet-ups just didn\u2019t happen. I never got to spend more than a passing moment (if that) this year with such favorites as Scott Shaw!, Jeff Vaughn, Gary Sassaman, Neil Gaiman, Brian Hibbs, Sergio Aragon\u00e9s, Larry Marder, Lea Hernandez, Beau Smith, Max Allan Collins, and more, more, more \u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    As also seems to be the case every year, I came across ideas I\u2019ll pursue in the months to come. (For example, a couple of software developers were exhibiting tools that could open the door for the next generation of animation and online creators. Could one writer-artist someday produce what it used to take a full studio to accomplish? What if all the workers in such studios each developed new projects that way? We\u2019ll see.)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    You may hear the occasional complaint, \u201cThey\u2019re calling it a pop culture event, but what about comics<\/em>?\u201d Then, you\u2019ll recall that the convention has been about pop culture since its very beginning, fewer than five years after the \u201cpop culture\u201d term itself was popularized. (Among the original official guests were Forry Ackerman, Ray Bradbury, and A.E. van Vogt.) We did wait in line for one non-comics event at which we were turned away, because the room was full. But, as Valerie commented, as we strolled away, \u201cHey, everyone is still smiling!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    And, yes, it was true.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Because, as seems to be the case every year, the over-all mood of Comic-Con is excited all-ages elation. When I went to that first multi-day comics convention in New York City in July 1966, only four women attended: Pat Lupoff, Lee Hoffman, Flo Steinberg, and me. And there were no little kids.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Now? All ages, all genders, all smiling.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    See you next year!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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    Maggie\u2019s World by Maggie Thompson appears the first Tuesday of every month here on <\/em>Toucan!<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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    Written by<\/p>\n\n\n

    Maggie Thompson<\/div>\n\n\n

    Published<\/p>\n\n\n