Sharing My Story

Photos: Top: Daniel Bradford of Blacklist Studios
Top (Right) Game player
Second Row: Boba Fett and more Star Wars characters.
Third Row: Sand Person from Star Wars. Also
Mike Oliveras (Tucson Convention organizer),
Don Ensign and Brent Hofstra
Bottom Left: Don Ensign at the CCAS table.





















For the second year the CCAS had a table at the Tucson Comic Con on Saturday, November 7, 2009. The convention was held in a larger venue at the Hotel Arizona in downtown Tucson. Last year according to the Convention organizer there were between 300-400 and this year three were around 1500. There were many more vendors (and artist tables) than last year with at least 56 vendors participating in the dealer's room. We arrived shortly before the official opening time of 10 AM and stayed until around 6:30 PM. We had a table next to James Babcock who was presenting his Unbelievables. Have you ever wanted to become a custom made super hero? Well, James can do that for you.

I asked a friend (a non-comics man) from my local church to help me with the table this year. Brent Hofstra proved to be a very valuable co-worker on this outing. I spent time with him the day before showing him the tracts and other comics material we were making available at the table. Also since this was his first Comic Con I emphasized the unique aspects of Comic Cons and the various types of people who he would see there. Brent, who has ministry responsiblies, did very well adapting to the Con environment and saw the spiritual hunger of so many at the convention.

The convention had leggy girls on roller skates buzzing around the dealer's room telling visitors of upcoming community events. A tall young man dressed in black with a long lime colored tie walked the floor with wireless mic in hand. On the hour he would announce the winners of a door prize drawing with gifts provided by many of the vendors. A sizable crowd gathered around him whenever he announced the winners. A number of people came in costume. A local Arizona Star Wars group fielded Darth Vader, Empire Storm Troopers and there were a whole troop of Boba Fetts in various sizes and color schemes. Perhaps the best costume was that of a year and a half year old girl decked out in a Wonder Woman costume complete with mini cape.

Several vendors stood out. One was called Body & Blood. I talked with a man who was manning the table (not one of the creators) and he told me the premise behind the series. In an alternative reality after the Resurrection Jesus did not ascend into heaven but stayed on Earth to become the ultimate vampire. The visual images were disturbing (and disgusting). While I try to be as toleratant as possible I had to tell the man that this concept was blasphemous. He, not being on of the creative people, actually agreed with me.

Daniel Bradford of Blacklist Studios was there (I had previously meet him at the Phoenix Comic Con) and I had a chance to chat with him. He and Tom Hall, both Christians, have done various comics including King (an Elvis-look-alike zombie slayer). Bradford's work is highly professional and somewhat resembles Mike Mignola's work.

A lot of young people came up to the table. Some of the tween and teenage girls picked up one or more of the color tracks. We also had copies of Eric Jansen's Christ of Prophesy displayed prominently and many picked up copies of those. Some of the young girls would look at it and somewhat mocking smiles and giggles would come on their faces. Some would replace the comic while others took it. Perhaps for some gospel tracts are like forbidden fruit. We gave out many tracts including Homeless Harry, Vengeance is Mine, Lonely Lady, Betrayed, Paraman Vs. Terriflex and others.

One gentlemen came up to the table who sported a white tee shirt with the EC Comics logo emblazoned on it. He seems to be somewhat acquainted with Christian Comics and the conversation turned on a short discussion of Jack Chick. He apparently was a dealer as he needed to return to his table.

Another one was a group from the Arizona Paranormal Research Society that was filming the various vendors. I gave a mini interview (on camera) saying that we as Christians are supernaturalists. We may perceive unseen phenomena from as dfferent perspective than they do but we believe that the material world is not all there is.

As far as sales were concerned it seems as if Christians were by and large the people who who buy materials from the table. That probably makes sense within the niche market that makes up the comic Cons. Christian comics tend to be a niche within a niche. One lady came up and made a large purchase for gifts to family members. Another woman who was very concerned about her nephew (with behavior problems and whose faith was wavering) asked for material that might be of help to him. In all truth the material we have is of a a more general nature from entertainment with a message to tracks to various Bible adaptations. Her nephews needs probably are beyond the scope of what we were offering at the table.

After a full day Brent and I visited a local Buffet where we eat and talked about the happenings of the day. Overall a good experience and a great place for seed planting.