I’m keeping pretty busy these days! This weekend I’ll make a brief appearance at the New York Comic Con. I’ll be signing copies of my book Drawing Comics Labs at the Quayside Publishing booth (# 2006) from 11:30-12:30 on Saturday. Stop by and say hi!

Locust Moon offered it’s second annual comics festival on Saturday. I hadn’t heard much about this show, but a half table was pretty cheap ($50) and it’s a short trip from New York (a 2-hour bus ride, about $30 round trip). So I took the gamble, not expecting to make much money (which is how it turned out).

I was curious about the city, which I never properly visited. It turns out Philly has beauty and character in spades. Next time I’ll stay longer. I guess the trick is to think of these conventions not as money-making endeavors, but as vacations with a lot of busy work during the day. That busy work isn’t necessarily profitable, but it does leave you with a pile of cash at the end of the day, and that’s pretty convenient.

The festival was held in the Rotunda, a beautiful (if somewhat haunting and decrepit) old church. I loved it! Unfortunately, it wasn’t air conditioned and the weather was downright balmy (in October, no less!) I saw a lot of sweaty customers and cartoonists. But everyone was friendly. Maybe Philadelphians are nice than New Yorkers.

The amazing Sam Johns was my table helper. I never had a table helper before. Does this mean I’ve made it? I paid her in comics and SEPTA tokens. I may not be doing this right. Thanks, Sam!

That’s me. On my left is my table neighbor, Vishavjit Singh and his wife of Sihktoons.

My view of the ceiling.

The scaffolding was a bit of an eyesore.

Oh, hey, that’s Jim Steranko.

Nice pipes.

My obligatory photo of Box Brown.

Farel Dalrymple. I think he’s Philadelphia’s native son. They sure do love him here!

Will Lauren.

Michael Kupperman.

Pat Aulisio.

Locust Moon Comics, the shop that put on the show. Pretty sharp!

My haul.