KAPOW 2012

I attended my first Kapow Comic Con this weekend and had an absolute blast. I think Kapow is a little bigger than my usual cons (Bristol Expo & BICS) and certainly seemed a lot more crowded. But what a crowd! What a nice venue! I liked the way the small press booths and artists alley were set up along the balcony away from the hustle and bustle of the main convention floor. I had a great time meeting lots of small press guys and picked up looooads of small press comics. I also got a nice Harley Quinn sketch from the super talented Amano Jyaku (www.amnojyaku.net). I also picked up a couple of signed sketch books Huy Truong (www.huy-truong.deviantart.com/). One of the things I really enjoyed about this con was the sheer number of cosplayers in attendance. It was great to see so many people get really creative with costume making and design. And there were different levels of costume design on display too, from people with very professional looking custom made costumes to a guy in a papier mache Thing costume (bet he was baking under there!). I think it's great that so many people of varying body types can pull on a spandex outfit and walk around without feeling self conscious. Cosplayers - I salute you! My favourite cosplayer was this awesome Ms Marvel, who was at the con with this very lucky Captain America. She had a really good costume, a combination of store bought items and homemade stuff. But she ain't a lady to mess with. Her red sash was from her martial arts outfit (can't remember if it was Tae Kwon Doe or Jujitsu) so she can pack a Ms Marvel size punch! There was also an amazing Wonder Woman at the con, decked out in the classic Lynda Carter costume. She was very tall and really looked the part. Unfortunately I only caught a glimpse of her from afar so didn't get the chance to take a photo. There was also a lovely lady dressed up as the May Parker Spider Girl but alas there was no opportunity to take a snap. There was a rather nice female Scarlet Spider (I think that's the right name) there with what seemed to be a league of Spider-Men. There was a cool Scarlet Witch and AoA Rogue too. I wish I took more pictures!


A very lucky Cap

My only real complaint is with the Panels. I go to cons for two things - small press comics and panels (and after yesterday maybe three things - snapping lovely cosplayers!). The panels I attended were good but I was disappointed that I couldn't actually see Quesada, Miller et al as there was no stage set up for them to sit on. Unless you were sat in the first two rows all you got to see were the back of peoples heads. Not cool. I hope they sort it out as I am definitely going again next year, although hopefully I'll be there selling copies of Wonder Abbie. Now if i can just find someone to dress up as WA....           

WONDER ABBIE

Here we go with the star of the show! Abbie Thomas, the central character in Wonder Abbie, is a sexy stockroom worker by day - and a super sexy super heroine by night (or by day if it's, y'know, her day off or something). She loves indie/alternative music (Vampire Weekend, Fleet Foxes, Florence and the Machine), American genre shows (Smallville, True Blood, Vampire Diaries), impractically short skirts and colourful tights. What she doesn't love is being ogled by her creepy workmate, dealing with her moody boss, her annoying customers and her Rogues Gallery ( who seem to be more interested in copping a feel than world domination).
When she puts on her special (and mysterious) belt and bracelets she acquires super strength, invulnerability, x-ray vision and the power of flight. With these powers and her cunning disguise she dedicates herself to fighting crime!.....Actually that's not quite true. Being a busy gal, y'know, working, going to gigs and festivals, watching DVD box sets, keeping her boyf all sweet and keen, she doesn't really have time for crime fighting. But that does not stop trouble from finding her - and it's a trouble that seems to be a bit....grabby!

Wonder Abbie Vs The Maniac Mannequins #1 - coming soon!