Mel V.'s Baltimore Comic Con Round Up

What Up CHU? Mel V. here with my Baltimore Comic Con Weekend review. Let me start off by saying “WHAT A WEEKEND!!!!” This is my 3rd trip to Baltimore Comic Con and I must say this was by far the best time I’ve had there (not saying the other times were bad, but this was epic). Each year Baltimore Comic Con has gotten better and better. As far as comic conventions, Baltimore  is the best in terms of comics, deals, venue, and crowd. It’s a convention where up and coming creators can go and pitch their books and art to a well receptive crowd, it’s a convention where as a buyer, you can find amazing deals from some great vendors, as well as getting your books graded by CGC in the same weekend. Amazing show so let’s get into the review.
So my Con started off at the CGC booth, now some of you may know that I was never really a fan of getting books graded, however the longer I’ve been back in the comic world, the more open I am to getting things graded. So this was my first time doing onsite grading and I had no clue what I was doing, and to be honest, was about 3 seconds from saying “screw this.” Thankfully, two very helpful people came to my aid. Mike from CGC was very  helpful and made sure my paperwork was on point. He was very attentive to the not just me, but the other people that needed pens, slips to fill out, or who just had general questions, big shout out to Mike. The other gentleman named Kevin worked for a local comic shop, he was nice enough to show me the collection he was submitting and I was in awe. I had never seen Amazing Spiderman #1 in person and there it was, and a great looking copy. He had some major key books that put the two books I was submitting to shame. He was a really good guy so thanks to him. We will get back to CGC in a bit.
Next I stopped by Stranger Comics to check on my guys Sebastian, Daryl and Josh. Niobe was one of the first books I wrote about for CHU and to see its growth makes me happy. Those guys are so passionate about their project and I want nothing but the best for them. I was told some MAJOR news and I’m sworn to secrecy, crosses fingers that the meetings go well for them. Also I saw a preview for the new series Niobe She is Death …Woah…the NYCC Exclusive cover looks insane.

Headed over to Boom Studios to chop it up with FILIP SABLIK President of Publishing and Marketing. He spoke about a book that I’m very Interested in called Judas. Judas picks up after the crucifixion of Jesus Christ, as Judas Iscariot wakes up in Hell and grapples with his role in “The Greatest Story Ever Told”—and how much of his part was preordained. He told me it’s a mix of Preacher and the Goddamned. SIGN ME UP. It will be released in December I cannot wait.
I wore my custom Weapon X #7 t-shirt I had made for this convention, it was well received by people including Greg Pak. Mr. Pak was super cool and I asked about Batch H. He assured me BIG things will be coming from that character as well as TAH.
Next, I went over to see Anthony at James Haick’s Booth,  I spent like 40 mins there . I tell ya James Haick is one of the coolest people on earth. We sat there speaking about comics, speculation, how he got the idea for Solar Flare. If he’s at any convention, stop by to say Hi to him. Very down to earth. WE MUST DRINK.  To be honest, when I first saw his booth,  I was thinking, “Why is James Selling photos of Negan and Batgirl?”. These were no photos, these were art prints!!! I was like no way this is drawn…the artist name is GREGORY KRIVAC (gregorykrivac.com), a friend of James’. The amount of detail in these prints were amazing. At first glance you cannot tell that these were art. He is an amazing artist and I hope he does interior pages one day. He is one artist whose work  I saw in Baltimore that I think will have a bright future in the comic world should they choose to venture further.


The second artist, I don’t think she does comic book art, but I hope one day she decides to do it because her sketches are a thing of pure beauty was Always April (Alwaysapril.com). Check out that Cat Beard sketch and that Balloon Beard. She is very creative with beards.


The third artist is a young man by the name of Fabian Lelay (https://rocketsandpens.deviantart.com/). I love his style of art, very grungy, with a kick arse look to it. I believe within a year he should be with one of the big three if he decides that’s where he wants to go. The future is bright for this up and coming artist, remember the name.

SHOW AWARDS
Vendor Booth- Carl’s Stormwatch Comic’s
There were so many good vendors at this con, like previous shows, the vendors are always willing to work with you. But there was one booth that stood out with a great selection of variants, as well as, classic and modern keys with already great prices (and still willing to work with ya. Carl at Stormwatch comics had the booth of the show for Baltimore Comic Con 2017..Booth was nice and clean and organized (not like the guy cutting his finger nails over classic books using wire cutters), he was very attentive to the customers and he knew what’s hot right away. I hope to see him again in one of the NY Cons soon

Book Of The Show – Dark Knights Metal #2 Del Otto Wonder Woman Variant.
Bulletproof Comics does it again, combining a great artist with a legendary DC character. Most definitely a cover of the year candidate. Not only does the book have a great cover, It’s the first appearance of The Batman Who Laughs. Limited to 950, they sold out quickly online and he only had a select few with him for the show and they sold out very quick. The black and white version can still be found on eBay, but it’s the all red cover people are looking for. This book is going to heat up FAST

COVENTION EXCLUSIVE OF THE SHOW – Dark Ark Aftershock Comics
– the reviews for this book have been great, and this came with not one but two convention exclusives, both were selling fast at the Aftershock booth as well as outside of the convention entrance.
So Back to CGC on my final day of the con…I was very nervous that I would not receive my books before my bus left back for New York. The CGC booth was very busy with people anxiously wanting their books, and while all reps were very helpful one lady named Brittney was very vigorous in finding my books. I had told her the day before that I had a bus to catch, she made sure that my books were on the floor in the boxes and even created me an account so I can track my books for the next time. I will submit at Baltimore again Shout out to Britney and the rest of the CGC staff for making my first time doing onsite grading a pleasurable experience.
This was one of the best weekends I have ever had. I met a ton of great people for the first time, everybody was super cool, and just great people … Bmore nightlife lol… let’s just say…GREAT
ALL IN ALL, I GIVE BALTIMORE CON 2017 a 10/10 Outstanding show…if you have never been to the con, make sure you make it next year.