Apologies for the strip delay but I’ve been absolutely swamped getting ready for the San Diego Comic-Con (or Comic-Con International: San Diego, as it’s officially labeled) which begins tomorrow!!! (panic, panic.) Now, I’ve been doing comic conventions for almost two years – some big, some small – but nothing compared to the absolute insanity that is SDCC. Much to the dismay of some, this convention has grown immense, and is now a home for not only comics, but the promotion of current and upcoming television shows, movies, videogames and other media. This year alone, some of the presentations I’m most excited about include peeks at The Hobbit, Iron Man 3, Wreck-it Ralph, Elysium and Pacific Rim, among others. On the television side, I’ll be keeping my eye out for Game of Thrones, The Walking Dead, Doctor Who, Fringe and maybe Arrow. Videogames include all of the big developers for most of your XBOX, Playstation and Nintendo needs. And, of course, the comics contingent includes all of the Big Guns (Marvel, DC, Image and Dark Horse,) medium guns, small guns and this year, well, me!
I can’t tell you what a thrill it is for me to be packing up the BOTbooth, a bunch of prints, BOTtons and books*, driving down to San Diego and meeting a bunch of rabid, screaming fans – hopefully, some of which read JEFbot. Comic-Con was The Ultimate when I was a kid. The biggest, showiest, noisiest festival for all comic fans, film geeks and gamer nerds throughout the world. As I got older it became something I aspired to, but it was always one of those far off aspirations. The kind that are so far off, they’re almost beyond perception. I mean, I’d have to create something first. It would have to be somewhat successful. It would have to have a fan base. Where to even begin? And then JEFbot happened. I didn’t start this comic strip to go to conventions; it was actually kind of a fluke. But all of a sudden, there it was: I had a successful comic with awesome fans that would possibly show up if I started doing conventions.
So, here we are. I’m proud to say I’ll be at the comic convention of my dreams, which marks a personal milestone for me, in the Small Press Pavilion right between the Big Guns and Webcomics sections at Booth O-04. The tickets to the convention have already sold out, months ago, but if you happen to be one of the lucky few (and by few, I mean tens of thousands) who were able to get a ticket, come by the BOTbooth and say “hey!” and give me a high-five (or vice-versa). As always, I’ll be there with free BOTtons (while supplies last) to give away to JEFbot readers as a thank you for helping me get this far. Wish me luck!
* re: books. I won’t actually know if I have any books until I get to the convention, as they’re being shipped directly to the Convention Center from the printer. Being at Comic-Con without books would be… disappointing to say the least, so my fingers are tightly crossed.
Prudent Info:
COMIC CON INT’L: SAN DIEGO
San Diego Convention Center
San Diego, California
July 11 – 15, 2012 (Wednesday thru Sunday)
BOOTH #O-04
First? Does it count?
Anyway Good luck. Wish I could come to have a look.
Oh, well one day…
technically, this counts as a blog post and not a numbered strip, Maryz, so no Shades. but, you woulda gotten ’em had this been a strip!
and: yes! one day i’ll either do a convention near you or you’ll have to come over and check out a U.S. convention. 🙂
Another BOTTON!!!!
-grabby hands-
One of these days I will make it out there and get one in person
also bring your 3DS and see how many pings you get 😛
it’s crazy how many pings i get at these conventions. i need a few more puzzle pieces, so this will be the perfect opportunity!
Roommate had every piece but one before the released the new puzzle. and then her DS died so she had to send it in and they erased all her pieces o.o
If you come to chicago I will totally drive the three hours to get there.
C2E2’s been on my radar, so it’s good to know you’ll come out in support, DJ! plus, it’d be fun to FINALLY meet you in person. 🙂
as for the 3DS – i had SO many pings at SDCC, i was able to complete the 2nd little RPG quest (i think i have nearly all the hats now) and complete ALL my puzzles! pretty cool.
yep! i’ve already set aside a SDCC BOTton for you, DJ. hope to be doing a convention near you, soon! 😀
Really wish I could go there one day.. Trying to get about 30 more comics on my site before I start promoting it, I think I’m at 40 at the moment but I really want to give people something to read, and also so that they can enjoy our archive.. I love getting into comics when they’ve been up for a year, so that I can enjoy a lot more of their work..
I found your comic early on.. Kind of, I was one of these people that came to your site through girls with slingshots. I’ve enjoyed it to tho day!
Also remember a while ago I said I run alot? Well I still do that but now I started the program called Insanity, it is not for the weak of heart… I’m only on day three and my legs hurt as much as when I ran half a marathon.
you’ll get there, Satoshieyes! just keep plugging away. and imho, i think you should start promoting your strip NOW! 40 comics is more than enough for readers to consume. plus, you’ll start getting feedback and word-of-mouth promotion, which is invaluable at this stage. i understand you want people to get a big taste of what you have to offer, but i’d say you already have something delicious to serve!
WOW! you’ve been around since my Girls With Slingshots guest strip!? that was… wow. a long time ago. i’m happy you’re still reading!
and: “Insanity”??? yikes. i have to pump myself up just to get myself on a brisk walk to the local Starbucks in the morning. congrats!
Have fun at the con, and don’t forget to grab some swag for your Botpeeps.
i will, 52pickup! well, i’ll start with some panic and stress the first day while setting up for preview night, but after that, it’ll be fun! as long as my books come in…
and if i get a chance to leave the BOTbooth for a bit, i’ll be grabbin’ swag, but it doesn’t look likely just yet.
Have fun, sweetie! Wish I could be there to see the madness that is SDCC…maybe next year!
thanks, T! fun will be had after the initial panic. not sure if i’ll be at next year’s SDCC but i’m hoping!
Wow! Glad you made it to SDCC! I would seriously want to go there one day. Hope you have fun!
thanks, ShadowShuffler! definitely had all kinds of fun. 😀
Have fun at the con too bad I can’t be there. Oh well there’s always next year
hope you make it to the con next year, Jiro Maeda! hope i make it there, too – there’s a process to it, so just cuz i made it there this year doesn’t mean i’ll make it again next year. 😛
Awwww, our little Bot is all grown up and going to SDCC! Congrats on that. Reading your post, I could feel some of the excitement overtaking me even though I won’t be there. You must be totally giddy. (I would be!) I hope you have at least a bit of time to wander around and experience some of the coolness, as well as a major dose of it stopping by your booth.
I will keep my fingers and toes crossed that your books are there and that you sell out of EVERYTHING! Have a blast for us. :o)
awww… thanks, Shanna! :”)
yes! i was totally giddy yet a bit panicked going into the con – it wasn’t until i had gotten checked in and my booth all set up that i was actually able to sit back and enjoy it. and even then, it wasn’t until probably friday that i was actually able to really appreciate where i was at!
i didn’t get a chance to walk around much, as i was manning the BOTbooth solo, but i did manage to steal away when Chris Sanders – one of my favorite animators – was giving away posters for his next project! was supercool.
while my books never arrived (grumble grumble) i did manage to sell a ton of shirts and prints, many of which sold out! so, the con was definitely profitable but would’ve been SO much more awesome had i had the books. grrr…
Hey, hope your books get there! Sounds exciting and should be fun. Good luck!
LOVE the name
sadly, the books never arrived, #1JF, but it was still exciting and fun to be there! will give an update when the books FINALLY arrive.
OMGOMGOMG! Who’s a big BOT? You are that’s who! So incredibly proud. And this is what I mean when I say you need minions. You need someone to watch the booth so you can go grab swag and see stuff and you know, eat. I hope you brought some refreshments and snacks for yourself.
I look forward to hearing alllll about it sometime next week when you’ve rested up and can speak coherently.
heheh. thanks, Pixie. *blush* and, YES – i totally need minions so i don’t spend all my energy loading and unloading the BOTmobile and getting the BOTbooth constructed and deconstructed by myself! either that, or i’m going to have to figure out a more efficient way to build the booth, along with a better way to transport the booth/merch. for my next con i’m definitely going to either split a booth or bring along a friend.
and yeah, still zonked from the con. hopefully my typing’s coherent enough. yesterday, i don’t think i could even form a coherent sentence!
Comic-Con, E3, two things I would love to visit but never have the money to try.
SDCC IS a big investment of time and money, Z; i’m surprised most attendees even have enough money left over to buy any merch once they’ve bought a pass! i’m sure you’ll get there soon, though. 🙂
Did you go see The Walking Dead panel?? (:
sadly, i couldn’t get away from the BOTbooth, Nat, but my friend told me it was amazing! sounds like next season is gonna be WAY better than season 2.
Glad I finally got to meet you in person, Jeff. Shame about the book, but I’ll be sure to purchase one from the Botshop once they’re available.
it was great meeting you, too, Saeed! glad we got a chance to talk.
and, yes – i’m still frustrated at not having the book there, but at least the rest of the con went well!
awwww how sad that all you guys(net comics) are called small press.. ur big press to ME (*u*)
Hey bot, When do you think we will see a return of our wonderful blue haired arcade girl? She’s been hunting down those saucers for awhile now 😀
Hey jeff. Ive been a BIG fan of the comic for a VERY long time. Since the beginning. Im leaving my Home town tomorrow for a whole new adventure. Having NO idea when i will be back home. Ive lived in melbourne FL My entire life, and im leaving behind the best people ive ever known. Do you think that maybe i could get a shout out on my Tumblr? Id really appreciate the support in the up coming. With much love from a bot fan.
~ Valentine Fury AKA Jamie Passini