Mid-Ohio Con Report: Ooh, Ice Cream!

Remember when I used to write actual con reports? Yeah, those were good times.

I've been doing an insane amount of shows this year with the corresponding travel attached to it. It's been totally worth it, but it also means that when I get home that I find "write clever report" tends to fall to "sleep in my own bed." But Mid-Ohio-Con, or Wizard World: Mid-Ohio as it's now called, is my home show. It deserves a little more.

I was worried when Wizard bought the show, the same way I was when the Henrys bought it before that. It's very much letting someone else drive your car. Mid-Ohio is the site and cause of some of my favorite memories ever. I'm protective, and have more than a casual interest in seeing it continue.

I have to say, from what I saw, I was pretty happy with the new show. The show was packed tight with people and artists. I think the turnout of professionals and attendees surprised a lot of people. I'm sure bringing some big name guests like James Marsters and Adam West and Burt Ward helped a lot, but that's one of the things Wizard brings to the table. I had great traffic for the whole show and I sold a lot of books to a lot of people. That's what I ask from a show, and Mid-Ohio delivered that big time.

There were also a couple of little things that were pretty sweet. Battelle Hall had been redone and was pretty slick. The multicolored light ceiling was just a cool touch. And Wizard actually played music during the show. Not enough to overpower, just the right amount to fill the space. I think more shows should do that.

It was great to see the previous owners there, too. They threw a VIP party on Saturday night that's a class event and a lovely touch. I'd love to see them remain a presence and continue the event. It's a very nice time, and a little unique among shows.

Of course, the best part of the show are my friends. I think all of "my" Mid-Ohio regulars were there which made me very happy. Mariann, Lisa, Carl, Sarah, Jeanette and more, it was great to see you all.

And, because I wasn't working the show so much as a panel host and unofficial member of the con crew, I got to spend a little more time with my fellow creators. Tony Isabella and I shared space, side by side, and that was a treat. I spent a lot of time with Lora Innes, Alan Evans, Adam Withers and Comfort Love and Trevor Mueller, whom normally I only get to see when there's a table between us. We spent a lot more time together and had some great discussions both professional and personal, and I appreciate the heck out of it.

Although we did put a table at Jeni's Ice Cream between us. THat was pretty awesome, too.

I have to say, too, that I could not do this show (or many others) without my friends. I have the most incredible support network imaginable. When I forgot to bring copies of the second Love and Capes trade, my friend Dee offered to bring them down from Cleveland when she came down on Sunday. So I called my Dad who went to my house and pulled books for her and made the hand-off. When I thought I misplaced my keys, one of my first calls was to Bob Ingersoll to help me out of that mess. (The keys were in my computer bag, but that's another story.) Tony's son Eddie even pitched in with a favor for me.

No Mid-Ohio would be complete without the Dean to my Sammy, Paul Storrie. He's an essential part of the my Mid-Ohio. Sadly, our Bobby, Beau Smith couldn't make it this year. He better come next year, though, or there will hell to pay, and solitary Winchester tears shed.

I've babbled too much, so let me try to cap it here: Wizard Mid-Ohio isn't the same show it used to be, but that was such a special lightning-in-a-bottle time that nothing could ever recapture it. The new show went great for me and I think for a lot of other people. It's like getting together for Thanksgiving dinner at somebody else's house. The gang's still there, but the furniture is all different. It's still a wonderful time.

As long as they'll have me, I'll keep coming back.