(This is a personal report of my experience manning the CCAS table at the 2008 Tucson Comic Con, Nov 8, 2008) I packed my material Friday night and headed into Tucson the next morning. I arrived at the Four Winds Sheraton hotel around 8:45 AM and saw a familiar stream of causally clad people lugging in boxes of comics and other merchandise. The location of the Con was in the Convention Center building immediately behind the main hotel. I walked into the building and saw my friend James Babcock to my left. I had the table next to the main entrance and James was seated at the next table with his laptop computer out and working on some character designs. James helped me unload my car and we transported the boxes of Christian comics into the convention hall. I set up the table and also taped my freshly made large CCAS signs to the wall behind the table. There were several Tucson comic book stores, local comic book companies, and artists filling the forty tables which lining the walls and also a number of tables in the middle of the floor. The official Con opening was at 10 AM. This was a free admission event and with a very healthy stream of people flowing in and out of the hall for most of the day. This first annual Tucson Comic Con was a one day affair and there was a general aura of excitement and enthusaism among the exhibitors and attendees. My CCAS table had free items (Chick tracts, CCAS/Four Square Press color comic tracts, NASV New Testaments, etc) on the right side and for sale comics, graphic novels(Serenity, Z Graphic Novels, 2008 Guide to Christian Comics) and so on occupying the center and left parts of the table. I received good response to the CCAS table. Here are some short summaries of conversations. * One conventionally dressed middle aged lady (perhaps a church goer) came over to the table and I explained the concept of Christian comics and showed and discussed some of the items I had for sale. I could tell that that this was a difficult concept and that she was having a hard time wrapping her mind around it. * Another 30ish or so woman came up to the table and picked up a copy of Homeless Harry and stood in front of the table very intently reading it completely through. She seemed moved by it and picked up several of of the tracts. *An African American women came up to the table and mentioned that she worked at a homeless shelter. She also picked up Homeless Harry (asking for three copies) inquiring where she could get more. I also introduced her to the other Street Comix—The Lonely Lady, Vengeance is Mine and Paramen that she might be interested it. She thanked me very much for being there. This was a response I received a number of times during the day. * Yet another women approached the table and mentioned that see worked in a soap kitchen and eagerly snatched up a copy of Homeless Harry and wanted to find out where she could get more. * Another women showed a lot of interest in the table and I asked her what church she was attending. She mentioned a local Tucson congregation and was very interested in the material we had. Later in the day she bought her husband by and he spent time looking over our for sale items. I showed him Proverbs and Parables which excited him (though he wished it were in color). He ended up buying several items. He mentionred that coming to own table and buying these items made it worth coming to the convention. *Late in the day I noticed one of the Lonely Lady tracts torn up and placed on the Lonely Lady stack (Lonely Lady is a short story of a hooker who meets the Savior). I figure the message had gotten through and hit a sore spot. * Besides seeing many tracts and New Testaments taken it was encouraging to see a number of purchases of our Christian comics and graphic novels. * On a personal note Sequentially Tucson #3 made its debut at the Con. Sequentially Tucson is a comic published by IndieOnly Comics that showcases the talent of local comic artists. I contributed a six page comic strip to it featuring the Christian super hero the Golden Protector (co-starring Ben Avery's Scout). This comic had been in the offing for over a year and it made the convention even more special. The goals that I had for the convention were met. First, I wanted to have a clear presence for Christ at this local start up venue. Second, I wanted to introduce the idea and concept of Christian comics to this new convention and begin an ongoing education process which is for some a novel and even radical idea. This was a seed planting venture with our presence and the tract give aways. And lastly I wanted to see some Christian comics sold. These goals were accomplished and many prayers were most definitely answered. At the finish of the convention James Babcock and his mother Betty and I met at a local eatery for a debriefing of the day's events. James likewise had a great time hawking his freshly printed comic—Madame X Inc #1. 
Don Ensign manning the CCAS table.
James Babcock with Madame X poster overhead.
Shot of the Tucson Con from James Babcock table.
Don Ensign and Tucson Con organizer Mike Oliveras This was an excellent experience where I'm sure many seeds were planted.
Read more…
