SDCC 2009 Day 1 – An Interview With Jamaica Dyer

Hello True Believers[1],

Today kicked off the first day of San Diego Comic Con (SDCC) 2009, and oh what a joy it has been. While today was more of a travel day, it has been nothing but productive. Before my SDCC journal continues another day forth, I would like to admit that this is not only a forum for me to include you, the reader, in the newest and coolest information in the popular culture, but is also a place where I regale you with my adventures, and misadventures, at this year’s con.

To start if off, while I was on the road, I had ample time to interview up and coming independent comic book creator, as well as former Santa Cruz resident, Jamaica Dyer. Below is the following interview:

Austin (A): So, how’s the art and stuff?

Jamaica (J): It’s going all right. I just finished with Weird Fishes[2] and working in animation, so everything is art right now. It’s awesome.

A: Being as specific as possible, how many fans do you think you have?

J: 100+ fans on twitter, but half of them are spam bots. But I get 100-700 hits a day on my site.

A: Alan Moore or Warren Ellis?

J: I think I’ll say Warren Ellis because I think he’d kick my butt otherwise. But The Mindscape of Alan Moore is amazing.

A: Do you think poop & other bodily functions should be more accepted into the greater public discourse?

J: I think it should be accepted. ‘Poop’ is funny. We should get a government official saying it.

A: Have you pooped today? (this interview was conducted around 11:30am)

J: (laughs) I have not!

A: What are you looking forward to the most at the con?

J: Really excited about meeting the Mighty Boosh. That was a deal breaker.

A: If you could say one thing to all the readers at VitaminC4.com, what would you say?

J: (there is a long silence) To get all your readers to get a commission from me. I’ll be doing an art sale with ETSY[3].

A: What are your plans for the future?

J: I have a few things I’m working on now. I’m working on a children’s story that will probably be a comic. Also working on a college ‘coming-of-age’ story, and I’m also looking into doing an iPhone-based comic.

Following this interview, and a nine hour drive, came the grand check-in to the St. Jame Ramada hotel. But it gets better!

Jamaica and I continued with our opening day events that included getting our badges and a couple of margaritas at Fred’s Mexican Café. Yum.

The real excitement came when we went to preview night. This was the real blast because it is probably the most packed night on the floor, and also the most exhilarating. There are so many new sights and wonders to see and take in. The preview night itself was kicked-off with us walking directly to the Adult Swim booth, which to our surprise was extremely basic and consisted of a wall with a hole in it saying “free”. I placed my hand into this mystery hole and found my hand removing a free William Street messenger bag. Whoa! Also, still a tipsy (kids, don’t drink).

Following this wonderful surprise of a free durable khaki bag, I continued to walk to the floor collecting as many free things as I could. But, the big surprises I found on the floor were the over-abundance of New Moon and District 9 propaganda. While I think District 9 will be a wonderful film, I fully disregard fans of Twilight (really, why don’t you just watch True Blood – there are boobs and foul language!).

The rest of the evening consisted of acquainting myself with the floor so I could have a fuller idea of where I want to be later the week.

Once Jamaica and I left preview night we proceeded outside to find a number of scantily clad women passing out flyers for a True Blood party. Whoa. I am there in a heartbeat! After this discovery I continued to drink heavily. Which reminds me…. there are only three bars that carry Fernet in downtown San Diego. BOGUS! But it is my mission to find all three and report back to you, the loyal reader, as to the specific locations of Fernet-friendly bars in SD.

THINGS TO LOOK FORWARD TO:

• Pen Ward/Adventure Time Panel
• True Blood Party
• Battle Star Galactica/Caprica Panel
• Tim & Eric live performance
• The Mighty Boosh Party

….oh shit. Just keep reading. There is too much to list.

Love,
Austin <3man

Jamaica Dyer:
http://jamaicad.com/

[1] See Stan Lee famous introduction.
[2] http//www.slgcomic.com/
[3] http://www.etsy.com/