...Coraline! Ah, well. We feel very loved that rapunzel's revenge was nominated at all. And it reinforces two very important life rules to live by: 1. Never get involved in a land war in Asia, and 2. Never go up for an Eisner against Neil Gaiman.
Comic-con was huge and loud and crowed and hot and cool and crazy and fun too. I'm sorry I wasn't clear--I see from the comments that people were looking for me there! The truth is, I'm nobody at Comic-con. At bookseller conventions like BEA or librarian conventions like ALA I might be asked to do signings, talk on panels, be represented in a booth. But at Comic-con, I'm tiny potatoes. I was just there as a participant like everyone else, then attending the Eisner Awards Friday night.
At the Eisner gala, some of the tables were labeled "Nominees," but ours said "Eisner Staff." It was also the farthest one from the stage. We took it as an ill omen--we were not going to win. And we didn't, but then others from our table did win, so our paranoia was completely inaccurate. It was such an honor to be there with so many great writers and artists and comics folks. Amazing.
Ran into Jennifer Holm and Brandon Mull, and got to hang with Nathan and Mindy Hale. We didn't plan very well, so I didn't get to any writer panels. Got to see Holly Black and Tony DiTerrlizzi, but missed their talks. But got to a few others:
Batman: The Brave and the Bold - our favorite cartoon on TV now. Awesome! And they showed an episode that'll be on next season. It was so funny, so great. Imagine watching it in a room with thousands of fervent fans who laughed and cheered and at the end gave a spontaneous standing ovation. Awesome. The director, producer, and some of the voice talent were there.
Dollhouse - Joss Whedon is one of my favorite living writers, and he's so funny and witty live. Eliza Dushku joined him, and they showed an amazing and totally different unaired episode of Dollhouse.
Cartoon Voice Talent - This was so fun. Six professional voice actors told anecdotes and did voices for us. Gave me an appreciation of that industry. I was laughing so hard at some of the stories. I wish I could retell them all. Chuck McCann is my new hero. Their stories reminded me that what it takes to succeed in any creative profession is a lot of perseverance, constantly working to improve your talent, willingness to make a fool of yourself and just go for it, and basic kindness and civility to others. Do what you love, people! Follow your passion! And be nice about it.
Quick draw - Several professional artists drew for us, their papers showing on big video screens. The host asked them questions like, "Draw what would be torture for you" or "Draw what you would be doing instead of hiking the Appalachian trail." They were so fast, clever, and talented. Loved this. Sergio Aragones is another new hero.
One-liners overheard at Comic-con:
"So, if anyone asks, I'm dressed as Rainbow Bright."
"What if you gave Darth Vader a basket of kittens and a basket of puppies? He wouldn't know what to do!"
"Star Trek fans and Star Wars fans can get along."
At the Batman panel, they introduced some of the voice talent. They said, "And now, Batman himself!" A regular guy came out on stage and everyone cheered, but a six-year-old girl behind us began to shout, "That's not Batman! That's not Batman!" She was so the girl that would have declared that the Emperor had no clothes.
What a blast! And I so appreciate the line from "The Princess Bride." You're so fortunate to be able to hang with so many cool people, and so many cool people are so fortunate to hang with cool you!
Posted by: Kim Harris Thacker | July 27, 2009 at 09:07 PM
I think it's funny that Coraline has been around for years and years and only when the movie comes out does the book get nominated. Oh well. You rock, Shannon! :)
Posted by: Erin | July 27, 2009 at 10:01 PM
Good times! Thanks for sharing!
Posted by: Jena | July 27, 2009 at 11:08 PM
Couldn't agree with you more about Comic Con being huge and loud and crowded. I was there Sunday and I've never been so confused. It's a blast, but it's kind of like Disneyland on a busy day--fun for a while, but easily turns from the Happiest Place on Earth to the Crappiest Place on Earth when you get tired of the heat and the smell and the constant crowd. My feet are still recovering.
Anyway, I think Rapunzel should have won. I'm proud that you can be a good sport, but I can't. I think you were robbed. Robbed! :-)
Posted by: Shannon M. | July 28, 2009 at 12:12 AM
And never bet on a sicilian when death is on the line!
I'm sorry to hear about Rapunzel's Revenge but you are in some dang fine company, if I may say so. Goes to show how highly thought of you are!
Posted by: L.T. Elliot | July 28, 2009 at 03:43 AM
The Princess Bride! Quite possible the best movie of all time... anyhow, thanks for the play-by-play of comic con. Sounds like a blast!
Posted by: Liesolotte | July 28, 2009 at 06:42 AM
awesome sauce! That sounds like so much fun.
And as for not winning, psh. What shame is there in losing to Neil Gaiman, in all fairness?
Posted by: Miriam | July 28, 2009 at 07:33 AM
Awesome! It sounds like it was a blast.
Posted by: Ruby Diamond | July 28, 2009 at 07:52 AM
Well, I certainly hope you and Dean had FUN. While I was here, sweating away, busy NOT being at the ComiCon. I certainly hope a wonderful time was had by ALL. And yes, the ALL CAPS are meant to show the burningly SARCASTIC tone of voice I'd be utilizing if I were actually TALKING instead of TYPING!
Man.
Congratulations on the nomination. I think "Calamity Jack" is gonna take it, next time around.
Posted by: Marcus Aurelius | July 28, 2009 at 08:58 AM
I am proud to say that I carried around my Book of a Thousand Days, just in case I stumbled across you! This was third Comic-Con, and I have to admit every year they are so much fun and so crazy all at the same time.
Congratulations on your Eisner nomination - it's an honor in and of itself
Posted by: Julia Slaughter | July 28, 2009 at 09:55 AM
Oh, cool, you got to go to Comic Con! Sorry about the Eisner, but being nominated is really cool, and I really think your rules are good ones to live by. It's also really cool that you like Joss Whedon-everyone should! : )
Posted by: Erin | July 28, 2009 at 10:09 AM
Fun!!!!
Posted by: Emma H. | July 28, 2009 at 10:27 AM
And never go in against a Sicilian when death is on the line! Ha ha ha ha ha! Ha ha ha ha ha! (kills over and the Man in Black runs off with Buttercup). P.S. In case you're wondering, both cups were poisoned. Not like you didn't already know that. Sounds like you had lots of fun. :)
Posted by: Dr. Sallie N. Cheinsteen | July 28, 2009 at 10:44 AM
Cool--glad you had fun, Shannon! Tales of your exploits almost make up for my lack of fun-having. :D
Posted by: Christen | July 28, 2009 at 12:41 PM
Comic con (sigh). I pulled up a dying aspen in my back yard. Maybe I'll catch the fun next year.
Posted by: Shannon Morris | July 28, 2009 at 02:23 PM
I MUST go to Comic-Con! My mother was laughing when I told her how some people go there to meet really famous actors and actresses, and I added, "Who CARES that movie stars are there? I want to see the AUTHORS!" So I pretty much stared open-jawed at the computer screen when you mentioned that Jennifer Holm and Nathan Hale were there.
Congrats anyway about the nod! That's still amazing! The Hale trio still has another shot when Calamity Jack comes out, right? Maybe I'll be able to go to Comic-Con then! :D
Posted by: bookbutterfly | July 30, 2009 at 03:37 AM
wait is Nathan Hale's wifes named Mindy? thats so cool we have the same name!
Posted by: Mindy | July 30, 2009 at 10:57 AM
I love the one liners! I really must go if it reaches closer to home!
Posted by: Je Reve | August 02, 2009 at 09:59 AM
The placard on your table should have read "Nominees." The Eisner staff table was actually table 27, so the placard was misplaced. Sorry about that!
Jackie Estrada
Eisner Awards Administrator
Posted by: Jackie Estrada | August 03, 2009 at 02:20 PM