On the Way to Fanaticon!

We're on the way for a weekend in Asheville and fun comic times at Fanaticon!

Unlike Athens, Asheville is an old favorite for both of us.  Downtown Asheville is full of great places to eat, shop and hang out.  This will be our first visit to Fanaticon, but as this is only the second year of this free convention that's not entirely surprising. 

There's a lot to look forward to both from the city and the con.  I'm excited to see friends, like J. Chris Campbell, who did the "Comics are Super" art on the post today and will have Itty-Bitty Neatobots Coloring Books on hand which I now have to obtain! It has a seriously cute cover and I can't wait to see what's inside.  He'll be joined by another one of my Wappie favorites, Duane Ballenger, as well as Ashley Holt, Robert Vendetti, Gregory Dickens, and Mark Roper. 

On the Charlotte end of things, Heroes Aren't Hard to Find will have a booth of comic offerings and we'll be spending some of our con day there.  Sketch Charlotte members, Eraklis "Herc" Petmezas Tom Davidson, and Henry Eudy are also making the trek up the mountain.  They'll be bringing with them copies of the Sketch Charlotte anthology for those not lucky enough to pick up a copy yet. 

I'm also looking forward to hopefully meeting Gail Simone, writer of comics like Wonder Woman and Secret Six.  Even if I don't get to meet her, I plan to check out the panel she's participating in at 11am on Saturday, "Identity in Comics".  Dollar Bin regulars (at least on the forums), Bradd Parton and Old Towne Comix's John Aston will also be appearing.  There are a number of artists that I'm unfamiliar with at Fanaticon and I hope to return home with some great new comics. 

We'll also be hitting several of my favorite local restaurants like Sugar Beet Cafe for breakfast before the con.  While not in Asheville proper, this diner will be on the way into Asheville.  Their breakfast is super yummy and a stack of their pancakes is enough to fuel a fun day at a con.  There will also be a stop at one or both of the chocolate shops, The Chocolate Fetish and The French Broad Chocolate Lounge.  Both places are excellent as far as the chocolates, but The French Broad Chocolate Lounge has the added benefit of a super nice seating area, with an upstairs and downstairs.  If everyone's plans come together, we'll also be visiting a new place, Rosetta's Kitchen with some of the Charlotte crew.  I love the wide variety of vegetarian restaurants in Asheville!

Look for my Fanaticon Report here on Wednesday!

On the Way to FLUKE

Seth and I are hitting the road today for FLUKE via Greenville, South Carolina where we're meeting up with the Dollar Bin crew to head to Athens, Georgia.  I'm super excited to check out all the mini comic goodness that will be packed into the 40 Watt Club.  I'm also curious about the Inch High Button Guy that is one of the sponsors of FLUKE, but doesn't have a website.  Is his title self-explanatory? I hope so, because I adore little buttons! Speaking of buttons, the $2 admission price for FLUKE gets you the FLUKE Anthology and a shiny button! Could this get any better?

I'm also looking forward to checking out the college town of Athens and all the yummy vegetarian-friendly restaurants that appear to be nearby the 40 Watt Club.  I'm particularly interested in The Grit, a full fledged vegetarian restaurant within walking distance with a conveniently located coffee shop, Red Eye, next door. 

I will also be found hanging out with the awesome Henry Eudy, who will have some fantastic Sketch Charlotte Anthologies for sale.  I'm already planning to pick up some Mermin books by Joey Weiser, a Wide Awake 666 from Wide Awake Press and the latest Rashy Rabbit by Josh Latta.  Who knows whatever cute animals and hilarious mini comics will catch my eye while there? I'm not sure how sketch/commission friendly FLUKE will be, but I hope to come home with at least one new addition to my Pinky and the Brain sketchbook.   

Check back on Wednesday for our FLUKE wrap-up report complete with pictures, opinions and awesomeness! For day of the event updates, you can check my twitter, @bestgirkfriend.