Mel V.'s Baltimore Comic Con 2016 Wrap Up

What up CHU? Mel V here with my Baltimore Comic Con review. Sadly this will not be as extensive as last you because, due to a small emergency, I had to leave early.  I promise to make up for it next year.
So this was my second consecutive year going to Baltimore Comic Con and even though I didn’t stay all days, I had just as much fun as I did last year and that’s saying a lot because I had a blast last year. Let me start off by saying, once again, the Baltimore Comic Con is one of the premier cons on the east coast, don’t let anyone tell you different. The Mix of great vendors and passionate comic fans make this great. It was also good to see a lot of families getting into the comic con experience, I  don’t know about you guys, but I’m starting to see a lot more younger kids attending the events which is a good thing for the industry.
This was also the first time attending the Diamond Retailer Summit Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner. Big thanks to Diamond for all that they did for retailers over the weekend. I learned a ton about the inner workings of the relationships between the Retailer/Diamond. And also creators and Diamond. One of the creators whose pitch I was really impressed with was E.X.O The Legend of Wale Williams by Roye Okupe.  His beautiful animated trailer for his project had the whole breakfast cheering, as well as, intrigued for this book. But don’t take my word for it check out the free comic on his site. I’m expecting huge things from this and wishing the best of success for Mr. Okupe.
Devils Due and Eric Powell had some FANTASTIC and entertaining presentations. Arguably the best of the summit.
Speaking of Devils Due, I absolutely cannot wait for Lord of Gore: In the miniseries, a screenwriter is hired to write the latest installment of a horror film franchise called Lord of Gore, and discovers that one of the original film’s iconic death scenes wasn’t staged — but actually happened. Shocked by what he discovers, he begins to look into the situation further when he’s targeted by the real life serial killer that the film franchise is based on. This book is going to be insane
Also Check out Dirk Manning’s Horror Anthology Nightmare World, one of the better anthology books I’ve read this year
The Legends Jim Lee and Scott Snyder made and appearance really cool people. Mr. Lee was nice enough to sign a Batman DC Essentials action figure for me. I just had to ask Mr. Lee if we would see the Watchmen in the Rebirth books his response was a smirk and a wink and a “Who are the Watchmen?”

Image had a great presentation has well. The Charles Soule book Cursed Words is a riot. I think it will do well, especially if you’re a fan of Koala Bears, you will just have to wait and see what I mean. Also, Motor Crush by Brenden Fletcher, Babs Tarr, and Cameron Stewart could be a late 2016 sleeper hit. I read the first couple pages of Issue 1 and it’s a fast paced adrenaline filled knock you on ya butt, half an issue (they handed out signed convention teasers to retailers.) Can’t wait to read the full version coming in December.
Shout out to the fellows from Stranger Comics. They have an absolute hit on their hands coming with Vampire Hunter D, and the follow up to the Untamed, Untamed II, they had a fantastic variant for with the cover by Jae Lee. Absolutely stunning.
My Indy book of the show, was a book that was on my Future Hits from the Kick post a couple months back called Tuskegee Heirs by Greg Burnham and Marcus Williams. I had a great conversation with these gentlemen and I told them prepare for life changing things, that’s how great their project looks. Don’t take my word for it, you can check them out here
As I said there were some great booths there and great deals, the foil Batman’s and Harley’s from Graphitti Designs flew off the shelves, but it’s hard to find a good one because of that darn foil.
A booth called Comicsforless was simply amazing, their prices, inventory, and quality of books were top notch, if you see them at any con be sure to stop by.
Bulletproof Comics hand their beautiful Harley Quinn #1 Pink variant set for sale. Man, I’m glad I picked one up. That pink Harley is well on its way to becoming a legendary book.

It was also good to see my good friends from Black Mask there. It was even better when I asked Matt Pizzolo if he had any copies of Black left, and low and behold, an exclusive Baltimore Variant limited to 99 copies was mine. I’ve been talking about that book Black for a while and when I read it I was not disappointed…this book is going to be HUGE when it comes out and if it does well like I expect it too, this Baltimore variant will be the crowing jewel.
Also ran into one of the Valiant reps and asked as a joke if Rebel Wilson would be playing Faith, he said “Stay Tuned at NYCC”. Take it with a grain of salt, but if she is, I’m doing cart wheels.
All in all, Baltimore, as a city and as a Con, were great to me this past weekend. I met a ton of great people and tons of great artists and creators. The only downside was that I didn’t stay for the whole thing, but I will be back next year, and the year after, and after. Keep up the great work Baltimore Comic Con!
 
In closing I would like to do my roll call shout out
1st off Tony Hammock – if it weren’t for you and the great opportunity you gave me to write for your site none of this would be possible
Minty Man Cave – I had a blast my brother see ya in NYCC and thanks for everything
RJs Comic sand Cards – Dude you saved my live by letting me catch those zzz’s in peace. You are a great gentleman and a scholar, it was a pleasure to meet ya
My Cousin Eric – Thanks once again for holding it down…sell those books man.
The Ale house CBSI crew, I learned so much just by sitting, talking, and listening to you fellas. It was an honor to just sit and talk comics and DRINK.
Until next time Mel V saying peace.