Comic-Con preview night

A couple years ago Comic-Con started having "preview night," where four-day members could check out the booths and shop a night early. I can't remember what it was like not having it and I can't imagine setting up a booth for a 10:00 a.m. opening. You'd have to start before dawn or do it the day before.


I didn't arrive until 1:00 in the afternoon, and Eric, Michelle, and Jenny (not pictured above) already had the tables arranged and boxes around. Later on, Diana and Rosanna showed up. There was no way we could set up in time for the doors opening at 6:00 but we did the best we could. We have to get in early tomorrow to shape it up.


I think it's cool that people dressed up even for three hours of browsing. Of course, the hardest core dressers are the cosplay kids. Both of these girls (above and below) attended Anime Expo, and they have different outfits for every day of Comic-Con. I asked them to say hi when they come back to the booth in case I don't recognize them.


Check out Sally from Nightmare Before Christmas. I like homemade costumes the best.


Below, artist Matt Furie (right, remember him from the group show at GR2 with Albert Reyes?) and his pal. Shoot, can't remember his name.


And Mark Todd. He and his wife Esther Pearl Watson are at the Alvin Buenaventura booth, right by us. He told me that they didn't bring their daughter to San Diego, which makes me feel better about leaving Eloise at home with Wendy. I saw Jordan Crane at the booth, too. It's funny how we all live in L.A., but see practically only each other at the Con. (Also, Fantagraphics (Gary Panter, Los Bros Herndandez, Jason, etc.) and Top Shelf (Jeffrey Brown) in the background.)


Afterwards, we went to Convoy Street (the Pan-Asian neighborhood) for Vietnamese food. It was that or the 24-hour Super Sergio or Alberto's. Maybe I'll get some Mexican food tomorrow night!


Below, Jenny and Michelle ponder waking up early to do it all over again but four times as long.