Day 3 By Juan Muro
Last night, we had a traditional Denver Comic Con dinner. Since I’m driving back and forth (in order to say goodnight to my babies and wife), and hour and a half, I didn’t end up getting home until about midnight. After settling into the night, and finally getting sleep, the morning came WAY to early!
Have been driving my co-host Gabe to the show, and today was no different. A couple of coups of coffee, and we were on our way. This last day is ALWAYS awesome, and bittersweet. Awesome because it’s the end of what, so far, has been an amazing comic con for us, but we are ready to be done. We’re exhausted, and food/sleep deprived. Bittersweet……….because it’s the end. It’s the end of something that we’ve been talking about, for at least half a year. It’s the end of our first year, as Press, at Denver Comic Con.
Walking into the building, we get to the booth, and have some time to reflect, before we have our first interview. We actually record AT our booth, with fellow co-host Jon. It’s the first time all weekend that we’ve all been able to record together. He owns Hall of Justice Comics & Collectibles in Parker and has a booth, and we have been running around doing interviews all weekend. But, its good to get the band together for this short time.
Our first interview is with Z, of Serenity Forge video games. We specifically talk about “The King’s Bird.” It is an absolutely stunning video game. It’s a mix of aerial moves, and parkour, which looks hard on the outside, but we were promised it was not a difficult game to grasp! More importantly than the video game, Z tell us about his life. Z almost died when he was younger, and has turned that into a “second chance.” A second chance to ensure that he is living a fulfilling life, and to ensure that he takes that time to help others. His interview is truly inspiring!

 
 
 
 
 
After this, Gabe tries his hand at a video game, next to Z, called “Tormentor X Punisher.” It is a crazy fast, shooting game. You’re essentially trapped in the room, with beings trying to get to you, and kill you. Reminded me of the main guys from Double Dragon, but instead of moving just back and forth, the player has the ability to travers the whole room. Picking up different weapons, Gabe came in second place, before it was time to move on.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Our second interview for the day, made Gabe fangirl for a LONG time. We interviewed Scott Sigler. Scott is an author of what his website calls, “hardcore thrillers.” Gabe, his wife, and many of our friends, have read MANY of his books, and have been stunned by how great they are. Me of course, never having read anything, was excited to hear what he had to say. Much to my surprise, Scott is also a tenured podcaster. He has been podcasting for over 10 years!! MANY of his books have been podcasts, before they were turned into printed books. This automatically makes him cooler in my book!! He tells us about the book he is giving away at his signing today, and touches on many of the books in his world continuity. I walk away thinking that “Infected” might be the best place for me to start reading. He recommended “The Rookie” as the book for people who haven’t ever read his work, to start with. I think Scott could have spoken with us for hours, it’s a shame we only were able to speak with him for about 20 minutes.
After the interview, we actually attended his book signing, and picked up the book “Alive,” and got his awesome signature. Can’t wait to start diving into his “world” with Alive, and then others. I’m legitimately excited for a book, which hasn’t happened in a while.

 
 
 
 
 
 
Our last interview of the day, comes from Jason Salas, who wrote the “Sugar Skull Ghost Thief.” This book sounds like an awesome “mystery” kind of story. Folklore, and the paranormal, bring “Perk,” the main protagonist, many new adventures and life experiences. He has to try and help a lady and her family, from haunting’s that threaten to destroy them. Jason was super passionate about this book, making it difficult to take a picture haha. Definitely a lot of excitement at this years Denver Comic Con, for actual books, instead of JUST comic books. It’s a great change from years past, and I think it has to do with the authors being moved onto the same space as the rest of the con. Great move!

 
 
 
 
 
 
After the last interview of the day, we move onto the last panel that Gabe is moderating. The panelists are Jim Mahfood, David Mack, Kyle Higgins, Jennifer Swartwood, and Brian Haberlin. Going into this panel, I figured that it would be much like the last 3 that we have done, mostly dominated by Gabe asking questions. These panelists were absolutely amazing!! They were the most engaging group of people that we have spoken to this whole comic con. The “creator owned comics” definitely had the right people on board. Holy cow did these guys have a TON of information to help with your journey, and many stories about their own journies. I promise, you will not be disappointed when you hear this audio. What an opportunity to host this panel!!

 
 
 
 
 
 
Throughout the day, I did also get to do some “ME” stuff. Gabe and I went to do a photo op with The Hulk!! It went pretty quick, but like most celebrities I’ve done photo ops with, he was such a nice guy. We flexed, and looked small, next to a person not flexing and looking huge!

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
I also got to pick up to “Carnage” sketches. I pretty much have control over the basement in my home, and have turned it into a sanctuary for all things nerd. One one wall I have been collecting nothing but Carnage sketches, a big favorite villain of mine. My first sketch comes from local artist, Saro Hang. I absolutely love Saro’s art, and he created a beautiful piece. I’m proud to hang it up, when it’s time. The second, comes from friend of the show, Ben Templesmith. We had him on the show about a year and a half ago, and I have wanted him to do a sketch for me, since that time. He looked surprised when I asked him to do Carnage, and I would later find out that he’d NEVER done a Carnage drawing before. This, and lack of internet, made the sketch so much better! I love when I can have an artist do something for me, that they wouldn’t normally do, it always turns out amazing!!

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Second to last, though I didn’t get a picture of all of us, I wanted to thank Dayna Himot. She had us on her show not to long ago, to promote our time at Denver Comic Con. She is an awesome listener, and an even more awesome person. In the short amount of time that I have known her, she has been nothing but helpful to us, with her wealth of knowledge, and excitement. Her team is absolutely amazing, and they have a great leader. Dayna is already more successful than us, but she will be even more successful in the future, I guarantee it!

 
 
 
 
 
 
Lastly, I wanted to thank our team. We absolutely love to podcast, and would not change our show for anything. I could not have asked for two better people to help steer this podcast ship! Jon was busy running the booth for his comic book shop, but the times that he was on the show, were/are always amazing! He brings the laughter, and the pervy, but the show isn’t the same without him. I’ve known him for many years, and have always known him to be a talented, and giving individual. If you missed him at Denver Comic Con, you definitely need to visit his shop in Parker, Colorado. Gabe ran around with me ALL weekend. I’m demanding, and the organized one, and I know sometimes that is tiresome. But he is really the heart of the show. He’s the spiritual center. Without him, the show really has no voice. Watching him interview person after person, making them all different and unique, was something else. Watching him in his element was a beautiful thing. Both of these gentleman are amazing, and I can’t wait to see where our show goes on from here! Denver Comic Con…………..it’s been good…………I’m glad it’s over……………but I can’t wait until next year. “Groovy”