DWEX

Yes, I know, it's not the new page, but I drew this at my table at DWEX and eventually decided it would be worth it to go ahead and throw this page in here.

DWEX was, well, to be perfectly honest, it was a mixed bag. I was actually unaware that we had opened to the public until someone pointed it out to me, as the doors opened to a total of three people. Things did eventually pick up, but I still don't think there was ever a point at which there were more readers in the room than artists. I know this con was put together on really short notice and it's amazing they managed to do as well as they did, but even still, there wasn't enough traffic to get me to come back next year unless they really make some effort to promote it better.

However, sales were not my main reason for attending DWEX. As I've probably mentioned before, I've never attended a convention before, so I deliberately chose this to be my first con since I knew it would be small, and therefore any screw-ups I might have made wouldn't be wrecking that big an opportunity. I was mostly there to get some experience under my belt representing my comic in a con setting, and DWEX did provide that. I also attended to meet other comic artists, and DWEX certainly delivered on that as well. I shared my table with Scott Smith of Slackerz, and it was so great to meet him. Awesome guy, and his work is excellent as well! I've probably plugged him enough that any of you that bother to read this blog have probably already seen his comic, but in case you haven't, go check it out. I had a great time chatting with him throughout the day, and hanging out with him after. I also got to meet a bunch of other artists, including Samantha Wikan, who was extremely sweet and pleasant, and KC Green, who was extremely friendly and did an awesome Wario sketch for me. I also got to briefly talk with Randal Milholland and Joel Watson, among others. There were several other artists I wanted to meet, especially Scott Kurtz, but didn't get a chance, because I was reluctant to wander too much from my table, being that it was my first con and I didn't want to waste any opportunities to practice my pitch. Not to mention that the only time I did get up from the table, a Cartridge reader stopped by the table to see me. It was a great feeling to meet a fan, though! All, in all, while DWEX let me down in some ways, I went in with realistic expectations and pretty much came out satisfied with what I got out of it. Next year I'll be hitting up some bigger cons, and hopefully I'll have a second print comic by then, so make sure you keep an eye out for me in 2010.