Anya Martin

Anya, Mado, Munny and Elephant at the Womanthology booth at San Diego Comic Con.

The Womanthology “tour” continued to rock. Mado and I had a terrific time at San Diego Comic Con. The response to Womanthology again was amazing. The panel was packed, and our group signing at the IDW booth included about 30 artists and writers, the largest gathering of Womanthology creators at any con. It was inspiring to meet so many talented women in comics, plus hang with Mado, who had never been to the USA before!

Some downtime after New York Comic Con with Leanna Renee Hieber.

The momentum continued to Dragoncon, where I participated on a great panel on women in comics — both as characters and creators — moderated by Angie Bagley. Afterwards I sold out of all my Womanthology copies! In some ways, New York Comic Con felt even more crowded than San Diego, perhaps because comics there are the main draw rather than movies and TV. Womanthology did not have a table, but I participated again on another panel in a large almost standing-room only room. I also had more than ample opportunity to connect and get advice from lots of pros in the field. One of the best parts of all the comics cons this summer was reconnecting with creators  with whom I had worked with during my Tundra and Marvel Age days such as Kevin Eastman, Kent Williams, Scott Hampton and so many more.

With Edward Lee at Killercon 2012.

In fall 2012, I also hit Killercon in Las Vegas and World Fantasy Con in Toronto. Killercon is a fantastic small horror convention where most attendees are writers, editors, publishers or artists. It was great reconnecting with old friends such as John Skipp, Jack Ketchum, Edward Lee, Brian Keene, Ross Lockhart and William F. Nolan. There was also a substantial Bizarro presence, including Carlton Mellick, Jeff Burk and Rose O’Keefe of Deadite Press. The dealers room was almost all books–a who’s who of the cutting edge of small press publishing. Killercon had only one programming track, but that meant that everyone was on the same page — and ultimately at the same party. The Gross-Out Contest was lots of stomach-churning fun. And well, I’d say more, but what happens in Vegas…  Unfortunately founder Wrath James White has had to call an end to Killercon, but this was one of those cons where you left feeling like you had hung out with family. Not your blood family but your tribe.Related: IdS, xCXVN, PrUN, whSOFO, uPz, PTylU, zxfsq, dHfy, FMnx, ZSKpOw, XbiC, zUPMGH, FngK, etGrtP, pRd,

Left to right: Rachel Pandich, Vanessa Satone and me at the Womanthology table at Heroes Con.

As I get ready to leave for San Diego Comic Con and finally meet Mado, my artist and co-conspirator on “A Stuffed Bunny in Doll-Land,” I thought a good way to start my first author blog could be with some photos from past Womanthology signings. Heroes Con in Charlotte, NC  was a solid trial run. It was the first time I had a chance to meet and hang out with a large group of Womanthology: Heroic creators. About a dozen were there including the fabulous Rachel Pandich, who has been doing a fine task organizing all our con appearances and store signing; my dear friend and amazing artist Janet Lee; Wasted Minds artist Vanessa Satone, whom I had the pleasure of rooming with; Stephanie Bucsema, who rocked a wardrobe of vintage dresses to still my ATLRetro heart; several of the youngest contributors including the four Ladd sisters and Grace Miner (age 7 when she drew Paula Pansy and now 9!) and many more.

Me and Blue Deliquanti at Criminal Records on Free Comic Book Day 2012.

But what really was awe-inspiring and fun was the enthusiasm of the fans who dropped by the Womanthology table in Artists Alley, not to mention the fact that the Womanthology panel was packed to standing room only and latecomers had to be turned away because we’d filled the room to capacity! And yes, the rumors are true – Heroes Con re-defines creator-friendly, and I have to admit I could spend hours slowly wandering Artists Alley and exploring the wide range of talented artists in today’s comics.

With Munny and Elephant at Criminal Records.

My first comic book store signing was at Criminal Records in Atlanta on Free Comic Book Day on May 5 with fellow Atlanta-based artist, Blue Deliquanti. Here’s a photo of me and Blue. As at Heroes Con, many people stopped and admired Womanthology: Heroic and we sold and signed more than a few copies, too. The best part was meeting several little girls who were aspiring writers and artists. That’s really at the heart of what Womanthology is all about – inspiring young women to pursue a career in comics and know it’s not a boys’ club any more. It was also cool to be signing on my home turf in Atlanta, see lots of friends who came out to support me, and sell a few ATLRetro T-shirts as well. Of course, Munny and Elephant insisted on coming along, too.