Rocky Mountain Con 2014 - Scotty's Recap

Rocky Mountain Con has come again and this year with a vengeance.  With a portion of the proceeds going to AuroraRise, this is one of the cons I will attend every year. Finding out what the people wanted in the last Denver con of the season, RMC was able to bring in great comic artists, authors and of course, some of the best cosplayers’ around. 

Now I will admit that cosplay is not my thing, but watching as Ivy Doomkitty made her entrance was nothing less than amazing.  With almost everyone stopping in mid conversation to watch as she made her way to her booth was something that I do not think I will forget for a very long time. Even though she had a large line forming since the moment she arrived, it was apparent she was happy to see and engage with her fans.

Although I do not know the work of many of the cosplay community, I did watch their panel as it was featured on the main stage of the event center. I loved watching as each of the special guests were willing to talk about what got them to their current role in the community, as well as taking time to talk to the younger cos-players’ about not letting anyone keep them from doing what they love.  It does not matter what you are doing, as long as you are doing something that you love…in cosplay at least.  And AZ Powergirl had a message for the younger woman as well, to keep their eyes open and do not do anything that makes you feel the least bit uncomfortable.  A great panel with spectators both young and old taking notes from some of the people that have made it possible for them to move forward with their dreams.

On to the groups that I have a soft spot in my heart for, the artists.  I am not going to lie, I have been waiting for Shelby Robertson to come back to Denver since last year’s RMC, for one reason, his Joker artwork.  One thing that I have loved about his art from the first time I have been witness to it is how gritty it is and his Joker’s have become the foundation of my collection, although I had to buy his new Guardians of the Galaxy prints.  Another artist I was happy to see was Aldana Zanetta, a woman that has been able to capture my eye with what she is able to create.  Last year I purchased ‘The Tree House’ from her as it was just dark enough to catch my eye and this year, hot off the press she has created another piece of work I was not able to walk away from, ‘The God of the Forbidden Forest.’  This was just finished a couple of weeks back, so I am very honored to have one of the first prints. Make sure to check her out since she has many fantastic years ahead of her, only being sixteen years old.  And a special call out to one of my favorite local artists Joe Oliver, as he was able to capture my eye a couple of weeks back of Mile High Horror Film Festival, he was able to capture the girls eyes with an Iron Man print that made them do nothing less to smile for the rest of the day.

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I also love talking to the writers that show up to the event, even though I am not as deep into comics as I should be, there is a way to get me into it, show me passion.  Todd Jones is one of my favorite local comic book writers as he endlessly puts his efforts into creating great stories and being a large part of Wicked Awesome Tales, which has a new issue pooping up every time I see him.  I also had the honor of talking with Ron Fortier who was the writer behind Terminator: The Burning Earth and Daughter of Dracula.  Now, talking to Ron I found out a very interesting thing besides him being very passionate about his work, but wanting to help provide a road map for the younger generation of writers and artists that will be coming up.  With publishing the original script of Daughter of Dracula to show how the words translated into the comic, a comic book was also created with his friends Gary Kato and Rob Davis to show how to take the written word and translate it into the finished product that so many people have come to love.  A great read for kids that love comics, as well as the older generation as sometimes pictures speak louder than words.

When the doors are closed to main hall to allow the guests and exhibitors to get away for the night, the auction opens up to everyone that has not found that perfect piece just yet.  With several artists being reached out to over the past several months, Sketch Covers were on the auction block along with some other miscellaneous pieces that could fetch a good price.  With all of the proceeds from the auction going to the AuroraRise Foundation, there was no point in not putting up a bid or two.  Walking away with a couple Harley Quinn covers by Brandon Miera and my favorite Robert Elrod, a brooding Batman from Blake Henriksen, a George Perez Superman and the envy of the table, Rocket and Groot by Chad Heinrich. It was fun, even though I was not able to raise the paddle for every one of my bids as I am a team player.

This is one of my favorite cons of the year for several reasons, but one of them is it seems to be a gathering of friends at the end of the con season.  As this is the last comic related convention for the remainder of the year in Denver, it is nice to see everyone that you have been exchanging glances with for the past nine months, just one more time.  A good time with great people working to make sure the convention goes off without a hitch and to help raise funds for the AuroraRise foundation.  Thank you Rocky Mountain Con for giving us another memorable year.