MEGACON - FRIDAY IN ARTIST ALLEY
By Todd H. Latoski & David T. Allen
Every year, MegaCon showcases the works of up and coming writers, pencillers, inkers, painters, colorists, and other creators, from small press companies to the self-published. This year, with MegaCon expanding its floor size and offering more artist alley tables, ComicRelated took the opportunity to talk with some of these creators about their work and what it is that inspires them to create.
First up was Rebekah Isaacs, penciller extraordinaire who was not only showcasing her work, but also offering sketches to fans. Isaacs recently moved from New York to Brevard County, Florida, and this is her first year exhibiting at MegaCon. She admitted she came to the convention while a student in college, but she is enjoying being on the other side of the table. Isaacs previously worked on the comic, Magus, which is a modern fantasy about what would happen if everyone in our world woke up and everyone was able to use magic. The idea is that magic was around tens of thousands of years ago, and it was sealed away because it was deemed too dangerous for humans to use. The book follows a group of characters who are out to discover where the magic came from, why the seal broke, and how to avoid the inevitable repercussions that would come from every person using their power. Magus is written by Jon Price, who happens to be Isaacs' fiance, and he was also at the show. The series is planned as a 22-issue series, and the five issues currently printed comprise the first art of the over-all story. Isaacs was also offering issues from her Angel & Faith series published through Dark Horse Comics. Isaacs said she was asked to test for the book by one of the editors, who was familiar with her work through a writer, Brian Wood. She did a lot of test work for the series, and eventually she auditioned for the part. After many months of going through the process, she eventually got the job as artist for the series. She has drawn nine issues so far of the series. Angel & Faith is a 25-issue series, so she is not even half way through it. Which, Isaac laughed, makes her very happy, since in this industry, an opportunity to be given a project of this length is a blessing. After the series ends, Isaac hopes she will be asked to stay on and work on other Buffy books, as she loves the series. Isaac said she was surprised at how big MegaCon is, and she is thrilled at how friendly every one is.
A few aisles over, Luke Brubaker was meeting fans, doing sketches, and offering fans his own creation, Isaac Knight, a comic for which he is both writer and artist. Brubaker is currently an art student and does comic books as a hobby. Comics are his passion. Isaac Knight is a western told in the style of the classic "knight in shining armor saving the damsel in distress" stories. The lead character is a gun shop owner who goes up against a kung-fu master, nicknamed ';The Dragon,' and it's a fun story. Brubaker said the one issue he currently has completed works as a one-shot, but he does have several more issues planned out. He added that each issue, however, would work independently. This is Brubaker's second year at MegaCon, and he said he is amazed at the changes to the convention. "There are a lot more people selling things," he said, "but there are also a lot more people buying things. That's a good thing."
Also in artist alley was Derrick Fish, writer and artist of The Wellkeeper, a self-published fantasy/adventure series about young Zoe, who inherits a power passed down from mother to daughter that connects her to the life-energy of the planet, enabling her to communicate with and control the forces of nature. Unfortunately, no one told her she was getting this power, so she is now being pursued by dark forces that conspire to destroy her. Currently, there are six issues published, and Fish indicated there will be twelve issues total in the series. Fish has all six issues available to fans, as well as a trade paperback of the first four issues, which includes an exclusive 0-issue, a ten-page story that came out before the series. Fan reaction to the book has been great, Fish said. People who have bought the first issue have been coming back for more. The book is available at MegaCon, and can also be found at the website, www.thewellkeeper.com. Fish is excited about the book and thinks fans of fantasy/adventure stories will enjoy it. For original art fans, Fish has all of the original art from all six issues available for sale. Previously, Fish had worked for about 10 years on a webcomic called Dandy & Company, and he has a number of other ideas ready for when The Wellkeeper is finished. This year is Fish's tenth year at MegaCon, and he is loving the new set up, with the larger floor and two halls. "MegaCon is my favorite show," Fish added, "and this year is no different."
These three creators were only a drop in the bucket for the many creators represented in artist alley, and as the weekend progresses, ComicRelated will be there to talk with more of them about their work!
Todd H. Latoski/Writer
Todd was born and raised in Louisville, Kentucky, but moved to Florida back in the late 1980s. Todd grew up reading comics and have always been a fanboy. Working in the legal field by day and writing his heart out at night (with three published comic stories to date, and one more in the works),Todd has been doing MegaCon coverage for several years and looks forward to doing so for many years go come.
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