Hey Y’all,

I cannot believe that con is in the books. I have some minor things to do, but overall, sadly, it’s done. I was talking to someone about this show, and this year felt like Christmas. You spend a lot of hours and work to make it perfect. It comes, and before you know it, the magic is gone for another year. I won’t lie, even during it, I felt nostalgic for this one. This was one of the best and is going to be hard to top.

This year, a bunch of people from communities I am a part of took a chance and came to the con. It was amazing to meet so many people who were just as a name on a screen. To get strong hugs and laughs with someone you joke with late nights is a big thing. On top of that, got to see a lot of people I hadn’t seen in years. That is kind of the insane thing about this con. Back in 2009, I didn’t really know anyone. Now? I am playing matchmaker with friends like “you would like this person’s art!” “Hey, this was the artist you were looking for.” I also feel like I never have enough time. With so many people to hang out with and chat with. I hated that a lot of people didn’t get to say goodbye to them. I feel like three versions of me would still be upset we didn’t have enough time for everything, haha.

Fun moments from the con. I set up in the wrong spot. I misread the table number and had my table already to go. Luckily, a pal pointed this out and got reset up before the other person came. The other crazy thing, I am just putting the finishing touches to the table when a young lady comes up and goes “NOOOOOO! You were the Barda guy!” She was so excited to be sitting next to me, to ask a question, and chat. I felt bad, maybe next year? I will say both my neighbors were amazing. I always worry, but never had a bad one at this con or Indie Island! To my Right was the person I bought the fish comic from last year. They are pushing the meaning of comics and hope we are lucky to get more! Meant to pick some up. To my left was a first time at Heroes, but long at making comics. A lot of fun conversations and some amazing art.

Let’s tackle the Art Auction. I try to do something every year I am physically there. After my first year, I have been doing it for over a decade. If I’m a guest or fan. I have had a lot of bust and a few bangers. For whatever reason, this year I got this question. “What’s your cut of the X-Men piece?” Simple answer, nodda. Okay, so why pour your cash into buying the material and countless hours to make it each year? Heroes does things no one else does.

Heroes’ tickets cost people $35 on Friday, Saturday, and $30 on Sunday. A weekend pass for all three days is $75. On top of that, everyone under 16 gets in free. Most shows? More than $100 a day. That is huge. We will never know how many guests went from a terrible weekend to an amazing one because of that. Especially a smaller creator, such as me? That could be a few sales, especially the kind who took a chance on my work. Then let’s look at the guest list. Comic book artists, writers… just comics. Four lists and all just celebrating comics. I want shows for pop culture, but it feels like this is the last comic book show. The other thing to remember, this is a small team. Most of it is volunteers. Countless hours, steps, sweat, and more have been put into this. A lot of pain for a million times more joy. I never have to worry about thing at this show. Heroes always take care of us, from the biggest name in the industry to a first-time fan getting to come to this show. We are all treated the best. On a personal note, when the industry felt like it didn’t want anything to do with me. When editors stop replying, and nothing I did was good enough… Not Heroes. Never Heroes Aren’t Hard to Find, or this con. I am ugly crying typing this. This is something that words fail me. I do feel like I have become family, and I hate that it is such a short moment. I roll my eyes when people ask if I get a cut. Why? I am trying to repay a debt, but I fear I will always be in the red with. That debt is pure joy and kindness. I do this since I want Heroes to be Heroes. I want this show to celebrate its 250th anniversary one day. You want to find my happy place? Not hard to find.

Back to this year, I was excited that my piece went to someone I knew and who would enjoy it. Last year, a Whatnot re-seller got it, which is fine since it’s there to help Heroes, but rather have a fan. I actually knew both parties were chasing it. It is still wild how many people are excited for my art and hoping to grab it. I won’t lie, I felt like I made so many mistakes. That said, I was happy to see how excited others were for it. Next year, TITS AND ASS! HAHA. Okay, I say this jokingly, but truthfully… I always doubt I can do a single figure. I am tired of this fear, so going to try. Also… sex sells haha.

Last thing, let me tell ya about my Saturday night. After enjoying the auction and some liquids. A group of us where going to the bar. I thought, “Oh cool, I’ll go to the Weston Bar for like thirty minutes. Then back to the Airbnb to finish a piece.” A lot of lies there, haha. The group started going off campus. I thought, “Okay…forty minutes.” Caught up to another group of friends. Ended up chatting with them with one guy from the first group staying behind. We continue to the bar known as “The Local”. We got there first, and I haven’t seen a place like this since College. To call it a dive would imply some class, ha. It is a cheap club, but that’s why you go. My pal covered my cover since I didn’t have cash. While we are waiting for his change, our friends come up behind us. How did they end up behind us? I’ll never know.

It is like six males and one woman, the wife of our friend. She lit up like a Christmas tree. She was so excited to take these Nerds to a spot like this, haha. I get patted down and my pocket knife. They took it and buried it in the sand. For the record, I’m a big guy. I felt small next to all of them. I didn’t have a backpack, but most did. Seeing dudes open these up, and what do they find? A ton of comics, haha. We all get in, go to the back. Thankfully, they open the doors to the outside. I hung out for about an hour. A pal of ours was staying way out of the city. A couple of us saw this moment as a time to exit. I won’t go into full details, but I was told after we left. A young woman was literally thrown out by the bouncers, friends closed the place by three, then some scenes missing kicked out of the hotel room at four. The insane thing was my craziest night, but not theirs.

This was one for the books and is going to be hard to beat. I can’t thank the staff, the fans, and other artists enough. So many laughs, amazing people, and hopefully something to come from this. If you are on the fence, I cannot recommend it enough. As a professional, as a fan, and just a lover of art. This is a weekend for you! Thank you again,n Heroes and until… the 14th?! I lost a week already haha.

-Greathouse