ISABEL, SHMISABEL - BALTIMORE COMIC-CON IS A GO

[MattBrady]

Clear and sunny – despite Hurricane Isabel moving through the area, that’s the forecast for this weekend in Baltimore for the Baltimore Comic-Con. Organizer Marc Nathan told Newsarama that, despite some creative stories in the news, Baltimore weathered the storm just fine

As Nathan reported, and those living in the Southeast know, the media is seriously sensationalizing the impact of the hurricane. While it did cause damage and was quite serious in portions of the East Coast, some news reports are almost at hysterical levels, with breathless field reporters recounting a fallen tree or mulch blowing out of a flower bed, as everyone tries to get their own angle on the story – at least enough of an angle to justify the flashy graphic they cooked up.

“There are parts of downtown Baltimore’s Inner Harbor that have water in the streets,” Nathan told Newsarama. “It’s hard to call it a flood, since it’s about at curb level. But that’s what they’re sensationalizing. They had video on the news of a rescue worker in a boat ‘rescuing’ a person from two feet of water. Right now on the news, I’m seeing a police office move a branch that is smaller than a baseball bat.”

As Nathan spoke with Newsarama, he reported that the convention center’s contractors were assembling the booths and floor for the two-day show. One slight problem that he’s still trying to work through however is the airport.

“Again, thanks to the news saying that the Baltimore airport was closed, some of our guests started to make other plans, or cancel, but the airport was never closed,” Nathan said. “Someone got the idea that it might be, and that got turned into it could be, and it would be, and finally, it was. But the fact is, planes were, have been, and are in the air. Judd Winick was told that the airport was closed, and as of now has missed his flight, so he’s only one of a very small group of creators that may miss the show.

“Also, George Perez figured that it was going to be rough travel and called to tell us he was probably going to have to cancel, but we looked things up, called him back, and told him his plane was on time. He hustled to the airport, so he’ll be here. Geoff Johns is already here, Matt Wagner is already here. Marty Nodell is here as well.”

Additionally, as the high waters recede, Nathan anticipates zero problems with road and rail travel. “The Gaijin guys are in their van and on the road right now, Todd DeZago is driving, and bringing Howard Porter and Ron Garney with him, so I’m confident they’ll all be here,” Nathan said. “Mark Waid’s flying in on a red-eye Saturday morning, so he’ll be here as well. Probably little sleepy, but here.

“There are power outages for the surrounding counties, but we’ve got juice, and the weather is starting to clear out. My suggestion for folks coming in is to bring sunglasses, because I think it’s going to be pretty sunny over the weekend.”

[AvenGerbils Assemble]

Gah! It's Flash Flood 2003! It's the worst disaster since that bunch of nuns got stranded on a broken escalator!

I blame Jemas and NuMarvel.

[Sean Walsh]

Originally posted by AvenGerbils Assemble
I blame Jemas and NuMarvel.

As well you should!

In fact, I'm pretty sure I saw both those words in those BIBLE CODE books from a few years ago - it all makes sense now.

Sean

[Wieringo]

I hope Marc Nathan sees this-- because I've tried several times and in different ways to contact him with no luck.

I 'm not going to be making the show this year. Although power here just came back-- I've got storm damage to my house and lots of branches and limbs to saw up and clean up from my property.

I regret not being able to make the show-- it looks like it would have been fun.

Mike Wieringo

[Kevin T. Brown]

Mike,

I'm sorry to hear you got any damage, but glad to hear that you're all right for the most part. Hopefully whatever damage you've received is minimal.

[Dan Feeser]

Originally posted by MattBrady
“There are parts of downtown Baltimore’s Inner Harbor that have water in the streets,” Nathan told Newsarama. “It’s hard to call it a flood, since it’s about at curb level. But that’s what they’re sensationalizing. They had video on the news of a rescue worker in a boat ‘rescuing’ a person from two feet of water. Right now on the news, I’m seeing a police office move a branch that is smaller than a baseball bat.”

I just walked down to the harbor and while some of the water has gone down, the inner harbor area is completely underwater still with high tide yet to come in today. Additionally, the roads that are covered in water are two of the major roads in the downtown area, which are both closed. On the good side of things, getting into town (and the convention center) from I-95 is still easy and there is still plenty of parking available around the convention center. Hopefully, most of the water will drain off today and tonight, but I'd hardly call this "curb level."

[burmart]

Just took a drive around town. Yeah, the harbor area is flooded real good (see picture above) but really, getting around other areas of town was really really easy. Come out to the comic-fest, don't be frightened off. There are plenty of places to drink and have fun after the con that aren't in the harbor or fells point. Head down to federal hill to drink, or take a trek up charles street to Mick O'Sheas.

[George Stasky]

The harbor area should be fine by tomorrow evening.

[Charles Brownstein]

Be sure to come to the More Fund Auction on Saturday. Here's what we're auctioning off:

1. Gene Ha, original inked art, Top Ten #8, page 1
2. Frank Cho, original cover art, “Summer Days,” More Fund Comics #1
3. George Perez, original cover art depicting Incredible Hulk, More Fund Comics #1
4. Steve Conley, original art, title pages, More Fund Comics #1
5. Mark Schultz, sketch art, More Fund Comics #1
6. Stan Sakai, original art, Usagi Yojimbo
7. John Gallagher, original art, Buzzboy
8. Rich Faber, original art, Roboy Red
9. Alan Moore, signed script reproduction, Big Numbers #3
10. Mark Millar, signed script, Superman: Red Son #3
11. Dave Devries & Tom Taggart, signed poster #97/500, Four Color Images Gallery, 1996
12. Batton Lash, signed print, Wolff & Byrd Counselors of the Macabre, Night Flight, 1995
13. Frank Miller, signed DK2 wall poster
14. George Walker, signed artist’s proof woodcut, from Neil Gaiman’s Snow, Glass Apples
15. Judd Winick, signed test print for CBLDF T-shirt
16. Mark A. Nelson & Ray Murtaugh, signed print, “Feud #20/25, Quantum, 1993
17. Jeph Loeb, Al Gough, Miles Millar, signed script, “Smallville: Red” Loeb’s first episode of the series signed by Loeb and the series creators
18. Frank Miller, Sin City signed promo poster
19. Marvelmania catalog #2
20. Teri S. Wood, Wandering Star signed color print #25/50
21. Harry Roland Sketchbook, signed #12/500
22. Jaime Hernandez, Penny Century sketch
23. Garth Ennis, signed script, Thor: Vikings #2
24. Brian Azzarello, signed 100 Bullets promo poster
25. Matt Wagner, Grendel print, artist’s proof, signed
26. Frank Miller, Daredevil: Love and War, signed first edition
27. Carla Speed McNeil, badge proof sheet, SPX 2002
28. Mark Wheatley, Frankenstein Mobster print, signed #4/500
29. Mark Wheatley, Monster Men print, signed #1/500
30. Chris Pitzer, Project: Telstar promo print, #22/25
31. Andy Lee, original scroll painting
32. George Perez, Crimson Plague signed print
33. Frank Miller, Sin City vinyl print, signed
34. Bisley, Eastman, Talbot, signe d print, Melting Pot
35. Neil Gaiman, Craig Thompson, signed “Last Angel Tour” poster
36. Amanda Conner & Jimmy Palmiotti, Gatecrasher print, signed #81/250
37. Frank Miller, 1996 Comic Book Expo print, signed
38. Garth Ennis, Punisher #29, signed script
39. Mark Waid, signed script, Fantastic Four #71 (FF#500)
40. Jon Bean Hastings, Thing drawing
41. Neil Gaiman, Gene Wolff, Gahan Wilson, Randy Broecker, Earl Grier, “A Walking Tour of the Shambles” signed first edition
42. Terry Moore & Jim Mahfood, Jam sketch: Fat Batman Catching Francine
43. Jack Kirby Bible portfolio, signed by Roz Kirby

[highpvt]

Well, Marc and those of us on the Baltimore Comic Con staff are down here at the Convention Center and the city is as busy as always! The water, or now lack of water, is no problem what so ever!

Most all vendors have already set up and a large majority of guests have arrived.

The show will open up at 10:00 as scheduled!

HOPE TO SEE YOU ALL THERE!!!!!!!!!!

[pogoman]

Do you have a list of the artists that won't be attending (besides the ones mentioned above?) thank you.

[fantomex]

i still cant believe people were surfing in the lake this afternoon during the storm.

[burmart]

Just went down to the harbor. IT IS FILLED WITH GARBAGE! If you're coming from out of town, don't judge my city based on that. Judge it based on it's open air drug markets and the second most muders in the US.

[ERIC WOLFE HANSON]

I had been looking forward to this show all year, but I won't be able to make it. Richmond got hit a lot harder than they had been saying...in fact, for the last week they've been telling people on the coast to come to Richmond to wait out the storm. The house full of family we had all found this very funny, I'm sure.

I'll be picking glass and shingle chunks out of my furniture all weekend (but, hey, we still have power).

Sorry to Marc & the good folks at the show, as well as anyone who was looking for me there.

Have fun people,

[Reber]

I flew in from Atlanta last night and checked out the con area. It's fine. The more touristy parts of inner harbor are in somewhat bad shape but should be fine later today.

[ClownPool]

Originally posted by ERIC WOLFE HANSON
I had been looking forward to this show all year, but I won't be able to make it. Richmond got hit a lot harder than they had been saying...in fact, for the last week they've been telling people on the coast to come to Richmond to wait out the storm. The house full of family we had all found this very funny, I'm sure.

I'll be picking glass and shingle chunks out of my furniture all weekend (but, hey, we still have power).

Sorry to Marc & the good folks at the show, as well as anyone who was looking for me there.

Have fun people,

We drove through Richmond Virginia on our way home to North Carolina. We got on South I-85 and noticed we were out of gas, so we pulled over to get some, but all the gas stations were closed cuz there was no power. So we drove to the next exit, same problem. we drove for like 30 minutes on Empty, every gas station closed cuz of the power outage. Other people were having the same problem, and several ran out of gas on the side of the road. We made it to South Hill, who had just go their power back on, and we got filled up. Other then the power outage, Virginia was pretty nice. You got better roads then here for sure.

[ERIC WOLFE HANSON]

Yeah, having driven all over the east coast and beyond myself, I'd have to agree the roads in VA are pretty good. At least the highways & interstate roads. The city streets around my house have more potholes than road, though.