Tucson Comic-Con 2013

Tucson Comic-Con was a great way to end this year's convention circuit. Tucson is such a welcoming town; I always love going back.This year I noticed two big changes to the place I call my hometown. One was that Tucson now has a real downtown. Shops, galleries, bars, and restaurants fill the once-desolate streets. Streetcar tracks wind their way through a vibrant city's beating heart. I am so glad Tucson has finally become the cool city it always aspired to be. The other change, unfortunately, was the traffic. Along with more to do in the city, there are more people out. With no real highway system to speak of, the city government has chosen to go the way of Denver: make the roads bigger. This does not solve the problem, of course. It only exacerbates. If I had free reign to redesign any city, I would pick Tucson.The convention itself was a magnificent success. Thanks to Mike and Teresita Oliveras, the show was bigger than ever. I had the great fortune to be seated next to this handsome guy.Henry Barajas has become ubiquitus in Tucson. He works for two newspapers, does stand-up, blogs, makes comics, and somehow has time to ride his bike all over town. It was an honor to have him beside me for two days as we greeted nearly every comic fan in the Old Pueblo.Not only was Tucson a fun con, but I did better sales than Seattle, a much bigger show. I attribute that mainly to location and content. I was stationed very near the entrance in Tucson, so I got to see the crowds before they thinned and became weary. And my comics are set in the southwest, so there is a recognition in Tucson that I just don't get elsewhere.It is that, and the great Mexican food, that keeps me returning to my homeland. For the next four months I will retire to the Batcave to work on new comics. I want to have plenty to show for next year's convention circuit. Stay tuned for new announcements, including the forthcoming publication of Falling Rock National Park issue 3!