New Orleans Comic Con 2014

Danny Fingeroth, one of the best moderators was our fearless leader for our comics event. Dr. Travis Langley, Batman historian and his cohort Eric Bailey, a seriously smart guy and second to none along with the marvelous Marv Wolfman and me, held forth in several panels talking about our favorite subject—comic book history.

Marv Wolfman, Nicky, Danny Fingeroth  NWN

I was somewhat nervous about my panels as they were a little out of my usual area but Danny and Travis are excellent moderators and kept things moving along. Travis is doing a great job of getting the word out about Bill Finger’s contributions to Batman.

And thanks to the fantastic Caitlin McGurk at The Billy Ireland Cartoon Library and Museum at Ohio State University, I could add to the fun with some very cool copies of the Major’s early comic books.

Marv, Travis, Nicky  NWN

I have a gap in my knowledge of comics since I focus on my grandfather’s period beginning with New Fun #1, 1934-1938. Spending time with these guys helps to fill that gap because I always learn a lot from being with them.

It was a special treat for me to spend time with Marv Wolfman with his many years of experience writing for Marvel and DC. There’s nothing like hearing authentic experiences of someone like Marv who also happens to be a gracious person.

Marv and Nicky  NWN

Danny left me in charge of his table and a couple of fans got some really great deals on his books—Sorry about that Danny!

I had the first books available of the Major’s Adventure Stories The Texas-Siberia Trail just published by John Locke of Off-Trail Publications and I even had some fans that came from Gulf Shores who knew I would be there. That was a first for me.

It was fun to see everyone on the floor with a lot of terrific costumes. My favorite cosplay of the event was a little boy about 4 years old in a Superman Tee shirt and red cape running around whooping it up. It wasn’t anywhere near the madness of SDCC or NYCC but it was Super Fun and of course, southerners are incredibly polite. There was also the usual go cup carrying on which you don’t see anywhere but in New Orleans.

Cosplay New Orleans Comic Con  NWN

I love New Orleans. It’s my city and I’ve been there all my life so it was especially fun to be there with pals from my “other” life. We got excellent recommendations from my New Orleans friends for places to eat and ended up Saturday evening at one of those–only in New Orleans–family restaurants called Tommy’s Cuisine. And yes, the food was delicious.

Jackson Square New Orleans  NWN

I also managed to sneak in coffee and beignets at the Café Du Monde, corny and touristy as it is. I swear there is no better café au lait anywhere. I got a good sugar rush from the beignets and that fueled me back to Perdido Sunday morning. Walking around Jackson Square hearing the bells ringing from Saint Louis Cathedral was the perfect end to a fun comic con in New Orleans.

Thanks Danny for having me be a part of this wonderful event. See you in Pensacola at Pensacon on Friday, February 21^st at 4:30. David Earle, Jeff Shanks and I will be talking about the Pulps to the Comics and yes, I have books!

Cafe du Monde New Orleans  NWN