Where's Bruce? Fall/Winter 2025 Edition
I may not be famous, popular or confident enough to table, but you still may track me down somewhere before the end of the year.
I started going to Comic Book/Pop Culture Conventions as a teenager (once I got my driver’s license) like ye olde Creation Convention in Los Angeles and small conventions throughout the South Bay where I’d be a Level One attendee. Basically the Con was a geeky mall. I did end up with some cool swag - like a Buckaroo Banzai headband which I handed down in College after using it as my blindfold while a fraternity pledge. I tend to use geeky easter eggs and swag as a way to gauge how much the folks around me are like me. Which is why I don’t wear sportsing related items… Sportsing people are scary when it comes to obscure geeky knowledge, plus they tend to be mean.
Recently I finished with Gen Con, my deep dive into gaming for the year. Now I finish off the rest of 2025 with one tradition and a new convention for me. I thought about this post when someone on the Fans of Gen Con Facebook page shared the Swell Entertainment review of San Diego Comic Con which wasn’t that glowing. Sadly having attended SDCC multiple times I have to concur with the review. Yes, it is a bucket list event for any Pop Culture geek, but in my humble opinion it is not the best convention out there for the comic book fan. That said, you can usually get into sessions dealing with comic books or see comic book creators because the “hipsters” in attendance are only there for movies and exclusive stuff they either show off to their friends or can resell. Watching the video made me reconsider any thoughts I had on going back. I recall when I last was there (over a decade ago) someone made a comment that Wednesday Night was the new Saturday. It looks like that hasn’t changed. The defining part of SDCC is crowds. The other defining part is exclusives. Have I been to the best convention for a comic book fan? I’ve been to some amazing ones that definitely are more focused on comics and not Pop Culture. One of which I will be attending in a few weeks- Cartoon Crossroads Columbus.
CXC, as it is known, is an amazing convention focused on the art form of comics. The main convention is not for the faint of heart. Last year had sessions on the future of editorial cartooning, and how to draw hands, so it is a bit more cerebral. The first two days are held at the Billy on the campus of Ohio State University. Let’s start off with the Billy- or the Billy Ireland Cartoon Library and Museum. Their collection is mind blowing and exhibits are simply amazing. I first stumbled upon it when I went to see a retrospective of Bill Watterson’s work. During CXC they have behind the scenes tours available. Last year I discovered they held a scholarly symposium concurrent with CXC. So like I said, not for the faint of heart. I know not only is my imposter syndrome running at full power, but this weekend keeps me humble when it comes to thinking I am a comic book geek… I have so much more to learn.
This is an annual pilgrimage, so you will see me and the monkey hanging around, looking at art (I’m interested in the exhibit on “Motion Lines: How Cartoonists Draw Movement”) and focused on the various speakers. This year they are adding a focus on Manga & Anime. This will make me feel even dumber than usual, but I look forward to increasing my knowledge beyond Kimba the White Lion, Speed Racer, Macross, and Totoro. The schedule has not been released yet, so all I know is I will be learning something and looking at the guest list it’ll be something… wonderful.
More for the faint of heart Saturday and Sunday are held at the Columbus Public Library and have other amazing sessions that are more geared to the public, signings, and an artist alley filled with many amazing artists you may never have heard of. When I first retired I ended up buying a small piece by Will Eisner while wandering. I’m still gobsmacked over that. As a teacher this was one of the conventions I would go to find new books for my classroom library that most kids would never had seen before, but would love. Not everything is All Ages (that would be A2CAF in Ann Arbor, Michigan) so caveat emptor. Not all comic creators understand “All Ages” so check out the book before buying. These are artists and to some full frontal male nudity is “all ages.” That said, every time I leave CXC I just marvel at the fantastic community in Columbus and wish the Indianapolis had something similar. Maybe we do, but I haven’t been invited into the club yet.
Sue and I tend to do breakfast at least one morning at the Hang Over Easy in Olde Towne before heading to the Central Library. It has some great decor - the pages of Golden Age comics blown up cover the wall. Like going to CXC, it is kind of a tradition now.
October
So that’s September next comes October and the second new addition to my convention list for 2025. The first was the Lake Como Comic Arts Festival. This time I heading to the Baltimore Comic Con. I have heard good things about it. How it is one of the last Comic Conventions in the U.S. that still likes comic book creators and doesn’t focus on celebrities. I’ve noticed that they are announcing some celebrities but three compared to the bazillions that usually headline these kind of events brings me a lot of hope. There are over 100 comic book writers and artists in attendance… wow. The last few times I attended New York “Comic Con” I would go through the artists I was missing at Baltimore by choosing to go there instead and just wince. This year, while I will miss a few people, I’m happy to test out new waters and see how this compares to others, especially HeroesCon that I attended in 2024. I will carry around a number of books to get signed and see about art/commissions available. I have a few folks on my list, but after Lake Como, I need to budget myself a bit better.
I’m not sure about details, but expect me, the Geeky Jacket of Many Patches, and Cecil to be wandering around. Once I have a better idea as to panels, sessions, or whatever I’ll post a note here or on BlueSky.
November
We’ve got a few things in the works for November, but the biggie brings me to New York… Not New York Comic Con (it’s actually happening before Baltimore this year), but back to THE PARADE. When I retired I had the chance to become a “Balloon Handler” for the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. I had a blast learning how to not hurt myself while guiding a balloon down the streets of Manhattan. Last year, due to stuff, I wasn’t able to attend. I was able to do a test flight in Newark one afternoon which was awesome. That said Sue and I are back! So look for us along the route on on the TV. We don’t know anything more than that. Once I have an idea of what balloon and where in the parade we will be I’ll let everyone know. You might not see the monkey, but just know, he will be there.
The biggest question I get asked, when someone finds out I’ve marched in the parade is “How did you get to do that?” In fine New York tradition my answer is “I know a guy.” Actually I know two people who are amazing and invited Sue and I to be a part of their team. No, I can’t get you an invitation, you have to know someone besides me. I am a lowly minion when it comes to it all, in a few years I might move up the ranks, but… right now- nope. Doing Macy’s does mean another year where I’ll miss out on Starbase Indy… while I support their mission it’s the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade it would be illogical to miss this opportunity.
December
December will keep us at home planning for 2026. Already we have a few things on the calendar- GeoWoodstock & MINI Takes The States (Whenever, Wherever, Whatever). Sometimes MTTS overlaps Gen Con, so we just have to wait until dates have been announced. No, the dates have not been announced, neither has the route. 🙄 I’d like to attend WorldCon in Los Angeles, but also return to Lake Como. Then there’s CXC, HeroesCon, and maybe, if I like it, Baltimore Comic Con. I’d also like to check out Rhinebeck (Sue’s version of Comic Con) just to relax and maybe draw a bit. Fortunately we have time to figure this all out. Notice I’m avoiding most of the big Pop Culture conventions… I like to be with “my people” and my tribe isn’t most of the folks in attendance at those.
Besides that when I’m in town I’ll be at geocaching events as much was I can and Comic Carnival: Mondays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays, unless I get fired for being gone too much like what happened with LEGO.
Wow!! Sounds like you're going to have a fun-filled jam-packed Autumn! Enjoy every minute. We miss your faces, but will see ya when we see ya (maybe on TV at the parade!)!!
Obviously Bruce and Sue will be busy this fall! Look forward to coments on each! And, yes, Bruce will be tracked!