I have had naught but praise for the people who run the Comic-Con International in San Diego. The more I attend that con…the more panels I host and the more I get involved with the inner working of the organization…the more impressed I am. It's clearly one of those endeavors which people do so well that it appears easy when it is anything but.
He has since retired from active involvement but for a long time, my pal Gary Sassaman was one those folks doing the impossible each year. He was at various times, Director of Programming, Director of Print and Publications and Director of Print and Digital Media but he did way more than those titles suggest. And as Director of Programming, Gary got me more deeply involved in hosting panels and he also provided the germ cell of the idea that grew into the annual Quick Draw! game.
Two things you should know about Gary. He's been blogging about his convention-going experiences and about his favorite comics over at his blog. Click on that link and go read anything that catches your eye. You will go back for more.
Second thing: He's the guest this Tuesday on the podcast of the San Diego-Comic Con Unofficial Blog. I did it a few weeks ago. He's up this Tuesday and if you're interested in the inner workings of that convention, I'm sure you'll enjoy the show. It starts at 6:30 PM Pacific Time. Go to the SDCC Unofficial Blog to watch it live or watch it later.
And while I have your attention…
Earlier today via e-mail, Gary and I were trying to figure out which conventions had the first ever Quick Draw! and the first Cartoon Voices panel. You'd think I'd know such a thing but there are a lot of things I should know and don't. Anyway, he came across material that showed that the first Quick Draw! was done at WonderCon in 2002.
I told him I thought the first Cartoon Voices panel was at Comic-Con in 2000. Gary had a copy of the program guide for that year and he looked it up. It said the Cartoon Voices panel was in Room 8 and it featured Gregg Berger, Laura Summer, Tom Kenny, Lucille Bliss, Bill Farmer and "a few surprises." Well, that was not the first Cartoon Voices panel. It was the second or third, I believe.
Does anyone reading this have access to a program guide for 1999 or 1998? We need the program guide that lists the schedule, not the souvenir book full of articles and artwork. If so, could you look for the Cartoon Voices panel hosted by me? And if you find it, write me and tell me what you find? Thanks.