Lee Benaka had time this weekend to head to the Baltimore Con and sent this report.
Good afternoon! I just got back from Baltimore, where my son and I ended up having a great time despite an inauspicious beginning where the Convention Center was evacuated within 10 minutes of us arriving. That was OK, because it was about lunchtime anyway. After some sushi, we made it back in, and I was delighted to see the swirl of activity at the booth where Ron Wilson and Keith Pollard were sitting. Jeff Jaworski was working up a sweat handling art sales and keeping the commission lists straight. Keith had what looked like his entire family with him, and I hope they were having a good time. I got to say hi to Ron, and he seemed like a very nice gentleman. It was a treat to see John Romita Jr. give Ron a hug. They obviously had not seen each other in a while. I imagine it was somewhat like old home week for Keith and Ron. I left a sketchbook with Jeff in hopes of getting a Thing head sketch when things calmed down a bit for Ron.
My son and I managed to get some great sketches from some very kind artists, including John Snyder (who always draws very sharp “minimalist” superhero sketches and is very pleasant to chat with); Norman Lee (who was super-nice to my boy, even giving him a free Marvel Adventures comic); Neil Vokes (who drew a fantastic Mr. Fantastic); Mike Hawthorn (always great to see and a real talent); Andy Runton (who had some great Owly t-shirts and plushes for sale); and an artist I had never met before (last name Neeley, I think, another really nice fellow) who drew Smurfette for my daughter.
I didn’t get to chat enough with folks at the show, but it was nice to at least say hi quickly to Philip Churchill, Will Gabri-El, Jim Warden, and Michael Lovitz. I wish I had made time to say howdy to Chuck Costas and Mike Burkey, who I saw talking to other folks, but there was just too much to do and take in. So hi, guys! I hope everyone else is having or had a great time in Baltimore.