Yesterday afternoon Tina and I attended the special book signing at the Mysterious Galaxy bookstore in San Diego...  

The book being signed was the special 'Comic-Con: 40 Years Of Artists, Writers, Fans & Friends' that was a Special Edition published for the SDCC by Chronicle Books of San Francisco! 

Gary Sassaman, (Director of Print and Publications), and Jackie Estrada, (Eisner Awards Administrator), were the co-authors of this book.  They were joined by several members of the current Comic Con International (CCI) staff, as well as by friends and fans of the CCI / SDCCI!

The setting of this event was of a more intimate nature and Tina and I had great fun with one-on-one conversations with several people that we couldn't have at the Comic-Con event itself with 125,000 other people in attendance there!

Those included conversations with:

Clydene Nee, (pictured above), who has been the longtime CCI Artists' Alley Coordinator @ Comic Con International: San Diego.  Having spent more hours than usual at this year's Artists Alley, I found talking with her gave more insight on what goes on for qualifying for the 200 tables that there are more than 500 applications for each year!

Martin Jaquish, (not pictured this blog post), is the Masquerade Event Coordinator.  Great talking with him, have not had that opportunity before, although I have attended the Masquerade for years, either in the main program hall, or the run-over hall, or even under the sails!

Eddie Ibrahim, (not pictured this blog post), is the Director of Programming.  Although our conversation was brief, I was glad to give my input on what we saw happened this past year, and what could be improved in both Tina's and my opinions. 

Batton Lash, (also pictured above), well... what I can say about him that I already haven't in previous blog posts?!  Well... let me say that Tina and I had the longest conversation of all while at this event with him, and thoroughly enjoyed every minute of it!  Both Tina and he are East Coasters so they had a great time talking!  For those of you that are not familar with his work, check out his web site at:  http://www.exhibitapress.com/

Jackie Estrada, (see pics above), was very busy, (as usual), at these type of events, and I appreciated having a few minutes conversation with her!  She always does a fine job!

Gary Sassaman, (see pic above), is to be congratulated for his fine work on this book... go buy it now... why don't ya?!

Richard Alf, (also pictured above), helped start the SDCC back in 1969.  It was around that time period that I sold the duplicates from my collection to Richard who was already set up as a comic books dealer even at the young age of 17 years old!   It wasn't until the 1972 Con that I first set up as comic books dealer myself, at the 3rd SDCC, which was held at the El Cortez Hotel.  It was great talking with Richard again so soon.  I had re-met him at the 2009 SDCC recently and forwarded my blog post about 1970's dealers to him to read.

Mike Towry looked familar to me, so I introduced myself to him. Turns out I had seen him at the 2009 Comic Con on a program as being one of the founders of the Con.  He and I must have passed each other during the earliest cons, but we both looked different back then.  Heck, I even had long hair then!  He had left the area in the mid 1970's but started attending the Comic Con again in the early 1990's with his children!

Other Facebook Friends that I had a brief hello with prior to the even starting were Mary Sturhann, and Robin Donlan (both pictured above).

Others that I talked with briefly were Chris Sturhann - who I didn't get to say what a Great Job he does with the On Site Newsletter at the Con!, Ramona (sp.?), (1st year with CCI),  and Jan Tonnesen (husband of Linda).

Those that were also there that I didn't get to meet or talk with were: John Rogers, (President of CCI), Janet Tait, Ned Cato Jr - who was conducting a podcast from this location, and a few other individuals! 

For those that I missed naming... sorry about that!  Between taking photos, taking notes, and listening during the program, I wasn't able to see you all or get all of your names!  Feel free to contact me, as I took 45 photos during this event, which I can't use all of them in this this one blog post!  But I have them for future posts addendums! 

For More Info on this event held at Mysterious Galaxy bookstore, please see the following event page: http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=62971681858 

For more info on other future events that Mysterious Galaxy bookstore is hosting please see their main Facebook Fan Page at: http://www.facebook.com/MysteriousGalaxy

For more info on Comic Con International: San Diego, please see:  http://www.comic-con.org/  And be sure to buy your MEMBERSHIP early for 2010!  You don't want to miss out on this Comic Con.  These folks put on the Biggest and Best Con in my opinion!

Our Thanks to the Mysterious Galaxy bookstore owners for hosting this great event!  When You are in the San Diego area, check this great store out for their vast selection of books, AND for their knowledgeable sales staff!  They haven't been around 16 Years without building a large fan base who know a great bookstore when they see one!  Tina says this is one of the Top 10 Bookstores she has been in nationwide!