Con Comments

The 2009 Comic-Con International in San Diego will take place July 23-26. They've just announced some more Guests of Honor, one of whom is me. This will be the fortieth of these conventions in San Diego and the fortieth one I've attended.

Can't wait 'til then? The Wondercon, operated by the same folks, is in San Francisco February 27 thru March 1…and I'm a Guest of Honor at that, too. Wondercon is nowhere near as huge as Comic-Con International — which some folks take as a plus and others take as a minus. Either way, it's always a great convention.

Getting back to the Comic-Con for a moment: Some of you may have heard that Shel Dorf is ailing. Shel's the guy who basically started the annual comic convention in San Diego. It's grown and gone through several name changes to become the Comic-Con International we know today…but it started with Shel rallying local fans to organize the event. (I'm trying to pick my words carefully here. There's been a tendency to forget Shel's massive contribution and founding efforts…and when he does get mentioned, the pendulum swings too far in that direction and everyone else gets overlooked. A big history project is in the works that should nail it all down solid.)

I met Shel in 1969 when he told me and others of this annual event he wanted to launch. For many years, he was so much the front man and organizer that some people referred to the gathering as "The Dorfcon." The monster he birthed has gotten very large and very commercial but all of that commerce was founded on a basic love for the comic art form and the people who create in that form…and no one ever loved comics more than Shel Dorf.

Shel has been hospitalized for several months and I'm told he would welcome notes or cards from friends…or even from strangers who appreciate his contribution to the field. Tom Spurgeon posted the address here and if you could find the time to send something, I'm sure it would be appreciated. Thanks.