Wednesday, October 14, 2009


Well, I’ve had a few days to digest my trip to Baltimore.  As I said in a previous post, I’m not much of a convention goer and I tend to find more than an hour or two of crowds and noise incredibly draining, both physically and psychically.   That said, the Baltimore Comic-Con was one of the best I’ve ever been to.  For one thing, it was a comic book convention.  No video game companies, no porn stars, no Hollywood studios.   Everyone there was either a creator or a reader of comic books.  In fact, the only celebrity I glimpsed the whole time was 30 Rock’s Scott Adsit—who was there as a fan, walking the floor, talking to people, gentle and unassuming:  a fellow geek.    That was the tone of the whole weekend:  gentle and unassuming.  All the folks who came to talk to me and have me sign their books were heartfelt and sincere—and their kind words left me profoundly moved.  Working away, alone in my office, it’s often hard to know if what I do really matters to anyone.  How nice to be reminded, by such nice people, that it does matter; that, in some small way, my words have opened minds and touched hearts.

Along with meeting the fans, I got to see old friends like Len Wein, Todd Dezago and Ross Richie, spend quality-time with my Savior 28 collaborator Mike Cavallaro (who was there with Dean Haspiel and the
ACT-I-VATE gang) and meet Steve Englehart—whose stellar work on titles like Doctor Strange, Captain America, Detective Comics and Justice League helped deepen and expand the super hero genre in the 70’s.  (I’m happy to report that Steve isn’t just a terrific writer, he’s an extremely nice guy.)   I even ran into one of the first editors I worked for, back when I was starting out at DC Comics:  Jack C. Harris.  We hadn't seen each other in...well, more years than I'd care to count.

So thanks to Marc Nathan, and everyone involved in putting the Baltimore Con together, for making this mildly neurotic, easily-overwhelmed writer feel very much at home. 

©copyright 2009  J.M. DeMatteis


  1. Glad you had a good time at the con. From what I've said, it sounds like it was a good show.

    I didn't know Ross was gonna be there. Now I'm doubly-bummed that I couldn't make it. Hope he's doing well.

  2. Ross is doing really well, Dave, and Boom! seems to be thriving.

    Seems to me if you're interested in comics and not all the other white noise, Baltimore really is the perfect place to indulge in the love of the medium. Maybe you'll make it next year!

  3. Had a great time at the con and was really happy to meet you! Hope to see you there again next year...

    As I mentioned to you & Steve, for years I've been extoling the virtues of Baltimore Comic Con for exactly those reasons: it's a solid show with great talent and not a media event. You can actually breathe and have a conversation and not get shoved out of the way by people standing in line to meet Gary Coleman.

    Though I wouldn't mind more porn stars. What have you got against porn stars? Everybody's gotta eat...

  4. It was a pleasure to meet you, too, BG. At least I THINK it was. Problem is, I'm not sure who you are! Please remind me!

    As for the porn stars...yep, they've got to eat, too. But it's always a little disconcerting, to say the least, having them parading around in various states of undress when you're at a "family friendly" con where parents are walking around with their wide-eyed ten year olds. (And, yes, I know you were kidding!)

  5. Blue shirt of Ditko Spiderman fighting the Sandman on it... Was chatting with you about NY Comic Con moving to October which may be why next year's Baltimore Con is in August... You must speak with hundreds of people at a Convention, I'm sure it's impossible keeping everyone straight...

    Totally agree with you re: porn stars @ cons. Have always been mystified as to where comics and inappropriately dressed women intersect... oh wait...

  6. Thanks for the reminder, BG. And thanks for letting me know that next year's Baltimore Con is in August. I hadn't heard that.

    Feel free to drop by for a cyber-visit any time. All the best -- JMD

  7. It was great to finally meet you! I was the guy with the promo posters / stuff . I found a few more and was wondering if I could mail them to you for your signature? Feel free to email me at !!

  8. I absolutely remember you...and that mind-blowing array of posters! (Although I'm sorry to say I don't recall your name.) I'd be happy to sign any more that you have. The best thing would be to send them to me c/o either DC or Marvel (and be sure to include return postage). They'll forward them to me, I'll sign 'em and then send them on back. Let me know if that works for you.

    Great talking to you in Baltimore. Looking forward to seeing what other rare posters you've come up with. All the best -- JMD