Feb

6

At The Read Or Die Convention

Filed Under Philippine Comics | 10 Comments

Last February 3 and 4 I was at the Read or Die Convention (Rodcon 2007) pushing ELMER as usual, and selling a bunch of original art (I need money to publish Elmer #3 and my dad’s book!). My first encounter with Read or Die was sometime late 2006 when I was contacted by Kristin Mandigma who sent me a profile of the convention and what it was all about.

“Read Or Die” as I understand it, is the promotion of reading. It really doesn’t mean a literal death, but if you don’t read, you are never truly alive. And I really agree with that.

They got in touch with me with regards to vintage komiks material that they can exhibit, and I was very enthusiastic about sending them some prints of old covers of Tagalog Klasiks, Pilipino Komiks and Craf Komiks from the 50’s and 60’s. In exchange, I get to have a table, which was just great. It was another opportunity for me to spread the word on ELMER.

They didn’t have a comics category in their People’s Choice Awards, and that was what initially disappointed me about that event. I felt that a comics category would further push comics and further gain recognition for the form as something important and substantial. I offered my misgivings to the organizers and although I would still participate, I would do so hoping that there will be a comics category the following year.

What astonished me was they managed to quickly include a comics category this year, early enough so that people had ample time to vote for what they wanted. It resulted in recognition for not only the winner, Arnold Arre and After Eden, not only for all others nominated, but for Philippine comics in general. And I really consider that a great triumph.

Comics became such a significant part of the event that a comics forum was organized on the day of the convention itself where I got the chance to participate, including Carlo Vergara, Elbert Or and Jonas Diego.

An interesting thing happened on the second day. An older man, tall and thin, came to my table and introduced himself as Norman. He bought a couple of ELMERs, and asked for a sketch. He wanted me to sketch him. Now I may be able to draw comics, but I’m a bit weak when it comes to drawing likenesses. I initially declined because I wanted to prevent getting embarassed later on, but he really liked to have me sketch him. He sat down beside me, not giving me an opportunity to decline further and started to pose. I thought, oh my God, I really have to draw him now!

So there he sat while I tried my best to sketch him. We had a really nice long talk. He was a very friendly man, and seemed to know a lot about comics. He even seemed to know comics historian Orvy Jundis who came by the table to say hi. He even knew my father in law Rudy Florese. I should have guessed then, but I didn’t, concerned as I was to get his likeness just right.

Now in comes one of my friends and comics writer and artist Randy Valiente, and he starts talking to Norman. He called him “Mang Norman”. For some reason, Randy calling Norman, “Mang Norman”, started the bells ringing in my mind. Who was he? Oh no, this guy is someone famous, I just know it. I’ve been sitting here for 30 minutes talking to a famous man and I didn’t even know it. The suspense was killing me. I just had to stop drawing and ask him what his last name was.

He said it was Isaac. Norman B. Isaac.

Oh my GOD. Norman B. Isaac!! Editorial Cartoonist for the freaking Manila Bulletin Norman B. Isaac! I’ve been seeing his work in the newspapers all my life! I nearly short circuited right in my seat, slobbering saliva all over my pathetic attempt at Norman B. Isaac’s likeness. I was genuinely freaking out, making a total ass of myself in front of one of the Philippines’ most prominent cartoonists.

Nevertheless, I had a fun time relating the story to the other guys. It’s an encounter I won’t forget.

Check out Jonas Diego’s blog for more photos and an actual photo of Norman with the sketch I did.

Congrats to Kristin Mandigma and her crew for making this event possible. As far as I’m concerned, it’s a definite success, and I hope that this is something that we get to see on an annual basis.

Comments

10 Responses to “At The Read Or Die Convention”

  1. ComicBookNewsWire.com » Blog Archive » Comics Blogs: At The Read Or Die Convention on February 6th, 2007 2:18 am

    [...] Original post by Tom McLean and software by Elliott Back [...]

  2. Jonas on February 6th, 2007 8:58 am

    Ang sarap gamitin ng wordpress, grabe! :D

  3. Gerry Alanguilan on February 6th, 2007 9:32 am

    Walang mag-aaway dito. Di ko aapprove comments ng makukulit e. HA! HA!

  4. Jonas Diego on February 6th, 2007 3:22 pm

    Oo nga pala. May comment moderation option nga pala. He he he! :D

  5. Rene on February 6th, 2007 7:14 pm

    ang sosyal! may domain name na… wordpress pa! congrats!

  6. Jonathan on February 6th, 2007 8:28 pm

    Just finished reading Elmer #1 at #2 i bought at RoDCon. I love it! Now anticipating the next installments.

  7. Azrael on February 6th, 2007 11:08 pm

    hooooo! wordpress na hahahaha

    di ko alam na may comic talk pala nung sunday
    sayang!!!
    hheheheh

  8. Gerry Alanguilan on February 6th, 2007 11:18 pm

    Az… kahit ako noon ko lang nalaman na may forum. Actually pati yata sila noon lang nagdecide magkaroon kasi noon lang sila nagkaroon ng sponsor. Mabuti naman, at least may mga comic book people doon tulad nina Carlo, Jonas at Elbert to make the talk informative and interesting.

  9. Azrael on February 7th, 2007 11:12 pm

    im glad that many people joined and listened at the forum

  10. Ed on February 8th, 2007 9:47 pm

    Norman Isaac! Natatandaan ko yung signature nya at yung drawing! Wow!

    Go Wordpress! Kaya lang di ko pa naaupgrade yung sa kin. Hehehehe!

    Go go SAGO!

    -ed