Though WonderCon has been around for about 20 years, this would be the first year the Christian Comic Arts Society would have a table at this long standing con. The con would be open to the public Friday through Sunday, February 27th to March 1st, 2009. I arrived on that Thursday before to set up the table and then have some time to relax afterwards.Thursday would also mark the first cold I would have in over two years. I did not know how to look at this. Was it a sign from the Lord that the CCAS was on the right track or that maybe I should have stayed home and rest my aching body?I had people from my Monday night prayer group pray, as I left that Thursday at 5:00am my wife, Desiree prayed, and I met with Clint Johnson to give him some New Creation products and he prayed. And I know that there were many other people praying.I arrived in San Francisco at the Moscone Center at about 11:30am. Upon arriving at the convention center I had to wait in line with other exhibitors. I talked with another exhibitor in Small Press who was excited about having his first table at WonderCon.When I arrived at the front of the line, I felt the mantle of Dave Porta fall on me as one of the Freeman dock workers offered me a ride on his electric cart to the location of the Small Press area. It was then I saw that neither Small Press nor Artist’s Alley had been set up and I was told that it wouldn’t be set up until Friday morning. This meant that I would have to get up early Friday morning to set-up. The dock worker kindly drove me back to the loading area, where I would go to check into my hotel, The Mosser, two blocks away from the con.After I had checked in, I thought I’d walk back to the con to get my exhibitor’s badge. By God’s divine providence I went to the exhibitor’s floor to find that the Small Press tables were now set up. So I went back to the hotel and drove back to the docking area. And it was the same dock worker who drove me around, who also allowed me to drive my car to the Small Press area to unload the materials. The CCAS would be between two other Christian publishers, Red Machine Comic and Crown of Life Comics. At my request, the conventions organizers graciously allowed our tables to be next to each other and I was definitely looking forward to meeting my other brothers in the Lord.One of the things I noticed was that Small Press space was much larger than San Diego. The tables are 8 feet long, as oppose to 6 feet in San Diego and that makes a BIG difference. There is also space between each table, so that the exhibitors have very easy access to their display, as oppose to San Diego, where you might have to crawl over several exhibitors to get your table. I definitely liked this aspect of the WonderCon.After I set up, had dinner, I retired for the night at the hotel. Several floors of the Mosser hotel are set up dorm style, where the people on that floor share a shower and toilet. Though the rooms are very small with a bed, closet, and sink, they were very clean and comfortable for one person. I will definitely be staying there next year, Lord willing.On Friday morning Peter Gonzalez and Greg Lucero of Crown of Life Comics arrived to set up their table. Then Bryan Mero, Troy Gustafson and his son Michael arrived to set up the Red Machine Comics table. Special thanks must go out to the con organizers Justin Dutta, Rod Mojica, and Sam Wallace putting us all next to each other.All during the day people were picking up the various tracts, many of them produced by the Foursquare Mission Press. I lost count on how many attendees did not know that Christian comics or the CCAS even existed. There were others who remembered purchasing books from our table in San Diego and were excited that we were in the Northern California area. Ramiro Amezcua from the CCAS network site and wife visited the table.Unfortunately, manning the table alone did not afford me the opportunity to venture out on the convention floor once the public arrived. The Crown of Life and Red Machine Comics people were able to give me a break to go to the restroom. The traffic in the Small Press area was very steady throughout the entire three days.When talking to the con organizers, they had anticipated larger crowds and increased the floor space by 15%, however they were surprised by the large Friday crowds. This easily has to be the second largest comic book con on the West Coast.That Saturday was extremely busy. There were times that it seemed to rival some of the crowds at San Diego. In talking with con organizer Sam Wallace, they ran out of badges on Saturday and had to use badges from the Preview Night of the 2007 Comic Con International.During one of my bathroom breaks I was able to meet with artists Danny Bulanadi (Good & Evil and Proverbs & Parables) and David Williams. Of course there were the looks of distain, some comments like, “It’s Jesus the Superhero” and “Oh my God, it’s the Christian Comic Arts Society!” But for every one negative comment, there were at least 20 positive comments from “Thumbs Up” signs to “Thank you for being here” just to name a few. One young man commented, “You guys got some guts to put up the word “Christian” here.” And once again the theme of the day was “I didn’t there were so many Christian books” and “I didn’t know you guys existed!”I was able to meet CCAS network site member Paul Lopez and his friend Don Delahunt. Even Rorschach of the Watchman and a Jawa from Stars Wars stopped by the table and wanted more info on the CCAS.For me, the highlight had to be Sunday before the con was open to the public. A woman came by the table on Saturday and picked up the “Lonely Lady” tract. This same woman came by the table on Sunday morning and shared how she believed in God and Jesus Christ, but had problems with Christianity. She had problems following all the rules and she didn’t feel worthy. The Lord had me share with her about God’s grace, mercy, and forgiveness. And I had the extreme privilege to pray with the woman and how the Holy Spirit ministered to her. It is moments like these that let me know that the Lord’s hand is on the CCAS. The rest of the day went by quickly. “I thought I was the only one!” and “How long have you guys been around?” rang throughout the day. I met with a local pastor who has a ministry that is aimed specifically at the artistic community. He said he often draws upon subjects in Science Fiction and comic books to preach his sermons. One attendee didn’t know what to choose from such a large selection of Christian comic books.This was an exceptional convention for me. And though I was behind the table most of the time, it was where the Lord wanted me. Lord willing, the CCAS will be at WonderCon 2010 and maybe we’ll be able to have a panel. Thank you to all those who prayed. I especially felt the prayers of the saints as I made the six hour drive from San Francisco to Los Angeles. Continue to pray for the CCAS as the Lord opens doors for us to be at other conventions.
Glad to hear the con went well, Ralph, and that the cold was only a momentary distraction as you ministered to people at the con. God bless you for your faithfulness to Christ in this work!
Praise God! I didn't know the CCAS existed either, or I would have made sure to track you guys down when I was there. Thanks for sharing your experience and stay blessed!
Hey Ralph,
It was great meeting you at the con. I was able to meet and see some great stuff at the con kinda like a feeler for next year for me to have a table for the BAP(Born Again Production). I hope to be available for the next con so i could be of service to you guys in the future just keep me in your prayers as the months come so i can save enough money to attend, but lord willing the doors will be open for me to walk through them and impact the industry wilth my God given talent and be humble to serve with a heart of Christ. Next time Ralph just ask me to help and i would be more than able to be there for you. Christ told us to bare one anothers burdens in any way possible o.k. Thanks for being a light in the darkness at the con. Agape BAP out!!!
Comments
It was great meeting you at the con. I was able to meet and see some great stuff at the con kinda like a feeler for next year for me to have a table for the BAP(Born Again Production). I hope to be available for the next con so i could be of service to you guys in the future just keep me in your prayers as the months come so i can save enough money to attend, but lord willing the doors will be open for me to walk through them and impact the industry wilth my God given talent and be humble to serve with a heart of Christ. Next time Ralph just ask me to help and i would be more than able to be there for you. Christ told us to bare one anothers burdens in any way possible o.k. Thanks for being a light in the darkness at the con. Agape BAP out!!!