The Indestructible Man
- Richard Brindisi
The comicbook industry is in dire need of revitalization. Our man
Rich is here to tell you why and what could be done about it.
True Conventions
Comic Book and Fantasy Conventions are still some of the most entertaining
and enjoyable events for the genre fan. Whether you are a casual reader of comics and fantasy literature or a sci-fi
and horror movie enthusiast, you're bound to find something of interest at one of the many quality fan-based cons.
As the executive producer of the recent "New York Comic and Fantasy Creators Convention 2000", I had
the pleasure to meet some of the actors who portrayed my favorite comic book personalities. As a child if I were
asked, "What do you want to be when you grow up?", my answer would have easily been "Batman"!
This in part would have been because of Adam West and the "Batman" television show of the sixties. In
addition to the other perks of producing a convention, a dream of mine came true when I met Adam along with Yvonne
Craig and the other celebrities attending.
"True fantasy conventions are forums for
writers, artists, creators, celebrities and fans"
Attending as a fan since my early years and exhibiting at many conventions, I have become accustomed to the following.
You are either elated by the presence of a well-known artist or celebrity, or let down because of it. Many of you
fans out there will find a kinship with me. Although it's not an easy job to sit at these conventions signing and
chatting with hordes of fans, no one is putting a gun to these celebrities to make them attend. I have seen convention
guests sitting there in front of their fans looking like they're on a death row. I have witnessed these guests
barking at and verbally driving away some of their fans who worship them as gods. Should you be a celebrity reading
this column and you emulate this attitude when appear at a convention, then please do us all a favor. Stay home!
If these same celebrities had a movie or a tv gig, then I'm sure they would be on their best behavior with their
happy face on.
This brings me to the true convention heroes, and they are numerous. I'll only focus on a few because of my recent
first hand experience. Adam West is the Cary Grant of convention guests. Upon his arrival at the New York Con.
I escorted him towards his booth space. Adam asked which line of people were waiting for him. I pointed it. He
paused a moment and then strolled to the back of the line. He casually shook hands and greeted all the fans on
line while making his way towards his table. Some of the fans had been waiting some time for him. I believe Adam's
personal greeting made it all worth it for them. Alongside Adam was tv's Batgirl Yvonne Craig, and her sister Meridel.
Yvonne is still beaming with class and charisma over thirty years after Batman. Yvonne is the definition of what
it means to be a lady. The convention hosted a party on it's opening night at the famous sci-fi theme restaurant,
"Mars 2112." I had the pleasure of attending the party with Yvonne Craig on my arm. I felt like I was
entering the Academy Awards as we were surrounded by the horde of other guests, exhibitors, artists and fans who
clamored around us to get a glimpse or say a kind word to her. Living up to the term "celebrity", Yvonne
mingled with all on hand like she was one of them. Guess what? She is! If you want to be a public figure who deals
first hand with your fans then you had better have the heart for it. Yvonne does. Another great lady is June Lockhart,
and a gentleman with the right stuff is Mark Goddard, both from the classic television show "Lost In Space".
While most convention celebrities are trying to avoid making a presentation to their fans at these types of events,
June and Mark embraced it. Not only did they answer questions from the crowd but they performed two skits together
for their fans' enjoyment. June was celebrating her 75th birthday and we surprised her with a cake. After being
presented with it she made sure everyone near got a piece, no matter how small. Frank Gorshin, tv's "The Riddler"
and Doug Bradley, Pinhead from the Clive Barker "Hellraiser movies also were on hand and proved that there
are still celebrities who want to give back to the fans.
The media celebrities weren't the only convention guests that wanted to give something back to the fans. Top Marvel
Comics' artist John Romita Jr. was on hand drawing sketches and signing comics. While he was charging a nominal
fee of twenty-five cents per autograph, all proceeds went to The Eblen Foundation For Children's Pharmacy. They
are an organization that provides free medication free to sick and needy children. John flew in all the way from
Los Angeles to attend the show and didn't make one penny for himself. I do not mean to disrespect other artists
who attend these shows and make money. Some of them live on the revenue they make at conventions, and it is understandable.
Let me add my heartfelt gratitude to them and all who appeared making the show the success it was.
Some conventions use the term loosely and are more like flea markets than special events. I urge you - the fan
- to choose carefully. There are many people out there who think that fantasy events are only meeting grounds for
a bunch of Geeks without a real life. Although there may be some small truth to that remark let me tell you what
I think. True fantasy conventions are forums for writers, artists, creators, celebrities and fans. It's the one
place where we all can interact together under one roof. Sometimes this interaction brings about new projects,
or can breath new life into ideas that would have fallen by the way side. Sometimes, it gives people the opportunity
to live up to being who the people that came there see and celebrate in the first place - a hero. In one of the
best movies made about conventions and what it means to be a hero, "Galaxy Quest," Tim Allen reminds
his fans, "Never Give Up! Never Surrender!"
Other Indestructible
Man Columns:
You Can't Beat Superman
True Conventions
X-Men!
State of the Industry
