Ah, Translation Software…

Quick follow-up to an earlier thread: Dan Goldman checks in to let us know that the audio from March’s SXSW panel on mobile webcomics is finally online here.

Settling in here in Barcelona today. Enjoyed chatting with Mark Waid on the flight over, and seeing/meeting other pros at our pre-show meals, including Mike Mignola, Jeffrey Brown, Todd Nauck, C.B. Cebulski, and one of my earliest important influences as a comics fan, Mr. Jim Starlin.

Also took in the Museum (getting inspired by certain sculptures regarding a certain graphic novel) and saw some cool graffiti. Dinner in 15 minutes, then sleep and more of the city tomorrow, though I suspect I’ll mostly be looking at name badges and screens.

I’m flying out of LAX this morning to Barcelona’s 27th Annual Comic Convention.

If you plan to attend, here’s a rough schedule:

FRIDAY

Signing at the FICOMIC booth, 4:30-5:45 pm.

Conference for Teachers, Conference Hall, 6:30-7:45 pm.

SATURDAY

Signing at the FICOMIC booth, 12:30-1:45 pm.

Lecture, Conference Hall, 5:45-7:15 pm.

Signing at the Astiberri booth, 7:30-9:00 pm.

SUNDAY

Signing at the Astiberri booth, 12:30-2:00 pm.

Signing at the Astiberri booth, 6:00-7:30 pm.

Check at both the Astiberri and FICOMIC booths for updates in case there are changes.

As usual, updates to the blog may be spotty while I’m abroad, but things should be back to normal by Tuesday morning (he says optimistically).

Sondheim nerds can now commence to asking “Where Ya Goin’?” I’ll respond appropriately.

Audio of the TCAF panels here. I sound really crazy.

Also:
“Note: Scott occasionally uses foul language, but very politely.”

(Politely or not, you might want to skip this one, Mom!)

Ivy just posted a gargantuan LJ entry about our Toronto/TCAF experience, so if you’d like a spouse-eye’s view of our whirlwind weekend, be sure to check it out.

Ivy and I just saw Star Trek. Good cast and fun character moments, big sloppy self-indulgent fanfic plot, typical action film directing (ADHD camera work). Whatever. We had fun.

And since I missed my chance Sunday, belated Mother’s Day wishes to my own Mom and to Ivy. Wouldn’t exist and/or wouldn’t want to without you.

Talked to…

…Ryan North about Music.
…Kate Beaton about Books.
…Bryan Lee O’Malley about Exhaustion.
…Seth about Gene Wilder’s Willy Wonka.
…Derek Kirk Kim about Eternal Smile.
…Paul Pope about International Styles.
…Carla Speed McNeil about Hats.
…Faith Erin Hicks about Hair.
…Alec Longstreth about Beards.
…Chris Butcher about OMG we barely saw you!
…Mark Siegel about Mad Men.
…Mark Askwith about Everything Else.

Met…

…Emmanuel Guibert.
…Joey Comeau and Emily Horne.
…Jillian Tamaki (narrowly missed Mariko).
…Nate Powell.
…Miss Lasko Gross.
…Josh Cotter.

Failed…

…to meet the great Yoshihiro Tatsumi.
…to spend more than a minute with many other friends.

Learned that…

…Joey Comeau can be frighteningly loud.
…Rich Stevens should be on every panel.
…Chester Brown carries gigantic bags on his bike.

And much more, but that’s off the top of my head. Thanks to everyone at TCAF for a great weekend!

From the top of the CN Tower (click for big version).

I noticed how from high up and far away, crossing perspective lines resolve to almost parallel, giving an eerie Sims-like quality to the surroundings in photos when zoomed in and cropped. I especially like the people:

I mean, geez. Where are the little floating diamonds, Dude? And yet… as real as you and me.

Life imitates art, example #387,941,229 for your consideration.

…to everyone who disagreed with yesterday’s post (or with each other) for doing so with such energy, good-humor, wit and intelligence. It’s fun to rant once in a while, but it’s also healthy to have that rant thouroughly tested from every direction. You guys are the best.

Off to Toronto now with the whole family. More news after the weekend.

Only one day until the whole family flies to Toronto with me for TCAF! You can find me wandering around a lot, but also at:

Saturday, 10:15am-11:15am: Concept Comics: Abstract Comics Ideas. Bill Kartalopoulos will investigate the challenges and opportunities of communicating abstract ideas in the comics form with artists Tom Kaczynski, Scott McCloud, Dash Shaw and Jason Shiga. Learning Centre 1.

Saturday, 2:00pm-3:30pm: Scott McCloud: FAQ. The author of Understanding Comics, Making Comics, and ZOT! will be talking and taking questions from the audience! Have you ever had a question for Scott McCloud? Well here’s your chance to ask Scott! TD Gallery.

Sunday, 1:00pm-2:30pm: Newspapers, Comic Books, and The Internet. Featuring R. Stevens, Scott McCloud, Stuart Immonen, Brendan Buford, and John Martz. Moderated by Steven Murray. Learning Centre 1

[Photo: Edgar Wright’s snapshot of Mr. O’Malley on the set of the Toronto-based Scott Pilgrim film w/Michael Cera, filming right now.]

Catching the plane home from NYC tomorrow, but Heidi MacDonald has a great write-up at The Beat on a lot of the stuff that went on in the last few days, much of which I was able to catch despite only finding out about it at the last minute. So, um… basically, I’m letting The Beat do my work for me today.

Above, a picture of Shaun Tan and me at Books of Wonder on Sunday from the write-up.