Fri Feb 23, 2007 — by Elayne Riggs

NYCC -- Early sightings

Photos from comfortable trade show

Annnnd we're off!

A librarian friend of mine used to sigh that his job would be perfect "if it weren't for the patrons."  One is tempted to say the same about a convention that's only in the trade show stages -- right now it's very comfortable and easy to move around and seems pretty organized. But it also has the air of anticipatory set-up to it.  The comics industry works better when it's inclusionary, and as nice as it is to meet and greet pros there's just more excitement in the air when the fans add to the mix.  But let's start with some photos, if the Javits Center wi-fi connection holds out:

This is what you see from the entrance.

But the far better view of the exhibition hall comes from upstairs in Artists Alley.

Here's another angle.

And back down on the floor.

A lovely mural at the DC booth, one of the first things you see upon entering.

And of course they have lots of preview copies out.

Great to see Archie at a con -- I don't think they've been represented for awhile.

A rack of yaoi (that can't possibly be the correct collective noun).  Lots of manga and anime here!

The best photos always seem to be taken in Artists Alley.  I don't know if this is one of them, but it's me and Heidi.  As I hinted above, I don't think of us as competitors at all, just two folks trying to talk up comics, each in our own way.  Besides, we've been buds for years, and I was really happy to finally get a shot of us both together.

Bob Almond setting up at his booth.

Rob Walton has a new Ragmop collection out!  What a pleasant surprise!  Lots and lots of new writing and art in it.  Ragmop was one of my favorites when it was first serialized, but I sometimes had a problem following its twists and turns, and from what I understand things are a lot tighter now, with a definitive ending and everything!  Needless to say this was my first purchase of the con.  Next to Rob is Andrew Pepoy, who is slated to join the ComicMix family soon with -- well, that would be telling.  Stay tuned!

Rags Morales, whom we met for the first time last night when DC Comics editorial threw a pre-convention dinner for its freelancers (great organizing job, Jann!).  Rags was at our table along with Gail Simone and her beau Scott, Dan DiDio, Harvey Richards and some chicken heads.  Don't ask.  We will secure incriminating photos later in the week.

Andy Lanning, all the way from England!

Jamal Igle sketching in The World's Smallest Sketchbook.

Okay, second smallest.  Here's the smallest (from the same creator), next to a nickel for size comparison purposes.

Off to attend my first panel of the day (on, what else, comics blogging). More later!

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