Badr Milligan: 0:00

In this episode of the short box.

David Harper: 0:02

And I told her I wanted to become a full-time comics Which is not exactly not most people understand, but she was the most wonderful and encouraging person about it. And sketch does not exist without you Amber. So thank you for everything. I just want to say Comics are the absolute best. It me a passion. It gave me a community. all of you wonderful people. It gave me a career. It even gave me Stilt-Man. And now they've given me an Eisner Award, and I could not

Badr Milligan: 0:50

The Short box podcast is recorded live from Jacksonville, Yoo! Short Box Nation. Hello again. Welcome back and thanks for pressing play today. If you're brand new, welcome to the show. I'm your host, Badr Milligan, and this is the Short Box Podcast, the comic book talk show where we bridge the between the panels of your favorite comics with the people who put their blood, sweat, and tears into making them. Or in today's case, uh we're talking of someone who has put his heart and soul into covering comics, talking comics, uh spotlighting the creators. Uh he's done all the hard work in comic journalism, and he recently got awarded his first Eisner. This is episode 507, and today I'm joined by the Ira of comic podcasting, as well as the uh being an Eisner comic journalist. I'm talking about David Harper. Okay, he's been on the show before. He is a fellow comic podcaster. He hosts the amazing comic podcast off-panel. He's also the man behind the award-winning comic book SKTCHD. He's on the podcast today. He's there, we're gonna talk about uh San Diego We'll share our personal favorite experiences from we'll talk about uh him winning his first Eisner, okay, which is a huge deal. I got to be there, by the way. That was history. All right, I got to watch history in the making. We'll also highlight some of the big industry news that came out of the event, comic news and announcements. We'll get to that as well. But before we get started on that, I want to give recognition to our amazing sponsors who helped make show possible. Big shout out to our presenting sponsor, CoverPrice.com, the ultimate comic book price guide and collection tool for comic collectors, right? You can get access to cover price for one dollar for one month using the special promo code in this episode notes. I'm not just a champion of the website, but I'm I use it myself. Check it out for yourself, get it for a dollar for Link in the show notes. And you know, I can't talk about sponsors and not talk my local comic shop who supports your boy. All right, I'm talking about Gotham City Limit It is the best comic shop in Northeast, Florida. If you live in Jacksonville, uh go check it out for right? See what I'm talking about. Go to Gotham City Limit on Southside Boulevard. Tell them Botter sent you. Ben's gonna hook you up. I promise it'll be a good time. And if you don't live in Jackson, you still want to take a part in this, all right? If you want to shop at Gotham City Limit, good news, got a really good website, GothamCityLimit.com. They got shop exclusives, they got comics for got all the good stuff, right? Check them out. And uh I can't thank sponsors and supporters without the loyal supporters over on the short box Patreon, all right? You guys help me keep this thing going. Uh, you guys motivate me, you guys support what I do, and I love you for it, right? I don't take it for granted. Thank you. Now, without further ado, short box nation, let's bring on our guest of honor today. He recently changed his middle name, so let me try it correctly. Let's welcome David Eisner Award winner harper to the David, what's up? Oh, you're blushing.

David Harper: 4:00

Are you blushing? It was a lot of paperwork to get your middle name It's a lot more than you might expect. I do want to note, I really love the fact that you have a uh you use your San Diego Comic Con name card in front you. It's very smart of you. I have no idea where mine are. There's somewhere.

Badr Milligan: 4:15

How many do you have of these like with these little cards?

David Harper: 4:17

Oh, those three. I don't do that many panels. I I've told you, I've mentioned that in the text thread. I am not joking. I'm not a panel guy. And so I think people are always just like, should we this weirdo who doesn't like panels? Two panels.

Badr Milligan: 4:29

I wish people would invite me to be on a panel. I I'll admit, um, I get really uh nervous and anxious in my head when I have to host one because I'm so just about my prep and you know not looking stupid in front of like hundreds of people. Um, so I maybe I should take a note from your a page your uh book and tell people I I only do panels. All right, I'm just a panelist.

David Harper: 4:53

But um I've been a panelist three times and I've one panel. That's it for me. And I can tell you what, being a panelist, way easier being a moderator. Come on, way easier.

Badr Milligan: 5:03

When I tell you I could I could just show up to a five minutes before and probably talk my ass off. But uh if you need me to host it, I need at least like you know, 36 hours of lead time so I can like just But um, yeah, I needed to keep, I almost didn't even one of these. Um, I don't know if you know this, or the listeners don't know this, but um, I had a chance to host the uh Horse Three Worlds Three Moon panel, um which they on the Three Worlds Three Moons newsletter yesterday your video. Oh night. I was wondering where all the views came. I actually had that video as unlisted. I checked this morning, I'm like, oh shit. I think it's on the nation. Uh but yeah, I had to keep mine. I almost didn't leave this behind, and then I was like, ah, maybe I should keep this as a thing. And then I see Chris Hacker, our boy Chris Hacker from Bar, later that weekend, and he's like, Did you keep name tag? I'm like, Yeah, actually I did. Did you get it signed by everyone? I'm like, no, I didn't. And he showed me his, and it was like, you know, Jeff had signed his and a bunch of other creators. So it's just my little thing.

David Harper: 6:04

Mine were all like comics journalists, so I would just getting like Tiffany Pap to sign it, and I don't want her to sign anything. I love you, Tiffany, but I'm not gonna do that.

Badr Milligan: 6:11

Oh, can I say I saw on Blue Sky someone? Uh, I want to get the name right. Let me give them credit. Are you talking about Gail Gallagher? You're talking about Gail Gallagher, are you? Good, David. You're good. Gail Gallaghan shared some illustrations and sketches she did of attending your panel, and I thought that was one of the coolest things I've ever seen. I didn't know I needed like a whole book. I kind of want a whole book of like the different they've attended in illustrated form. I thought that was she drew you, she drew Tiffany Babs, she drew like everyone on your panel having a It was pretty fucking cool.

David Harper: 6:44

I was uh I'm a very big fan of Gail. They're just tremendous at what they do, and I've for a long time. And to be like to have myself drawn by Gail was like a list item I didn't really know actually existed, also a really good job of bringing me to life. I felt very properly seen in that. And also I realized that basically nothing I said during that entire panel really worked as a good sound bite, what are you gonna do?

Badr Milligan: 7:11

Ooh, actually, you know, this is a good question for How many times have you been illustrated or drawn by

David Harper: 7:16

Um, I was in Chew, Rob Gilly and John Layman's book. They drew me into the book. I was in Morning Glories by Nick Spencer and Joe Uh, I was drawn into an old webcomic called Em Emmy Town. Cool. And then Javier Rodriguez did a print of me, which count, I think.

Badr Milligan: 7:37

And then I guess five times. Okay. I I've only actually got one uh that I was really proud of, and I can't remember the artist. He used to draw the Beavis and Butthead uh comics. Rick Parker. That's right. Okay. Oh, yeah. Rick Parker. Many years ago, I think it was maybe my first Heroes or maybe my second one, but it was the first time I hosted any kind of panel at that level. Um, I hosted a panel between him and another gentleman. I don't remember his name. But ahead of the panel, Rick Parker drew like a just like a little headshot of me. It had like a cool red background. He even colored it in. He'd shared it on his Facebook like a couple days before our panel, uh, based on like my Facebook profile. He was like, hey, you're just gonna be the moderator my panel on Friday. And I still use that as like my AVI and profile pick for a few different things. So that's my big claim to fame.

David Harper: 8:30

But if the other person wanted you to remember them, should have drawn you, clearly. Yeah, mystery man. I will say, uh, my my name did appear in a comic before, but it didn't look like me. Oddly enough, uh, the pseudonym, the Batman Who Laughs, it used in the comic The Batman Who Laughs by Scott Snyder Jock was David Harper. Wow. Played a, I think like a guard in Arkham Asylum. And for some reason, Scott Snyder was like, I'm gonna David Harper this person. I'm like, all right, I showed up, which is really weird.

Badr Milligan: 9:05

Yeah, mark me on panel. All right, I want to see the the first appearance and the last appearance of me in a comic form. That's what I want. That'd be great. David, we are recording this episode uh the Friday San Diego Comic Con. I know that your travel back home was a little like mine, but we're here now. I feel like I've finally had a chance to recover. How are you feeling?

David Harper: 9:25

Uh I am doing well, except for the fact that every day has been really busy, and I just need like four days to do nothing.

Badr Milligan: 9:32

I'm I'm right there with you. My wife uh asked me on Monday of all days, like Monday when I was literally a walking zombie. I feel like I was still delirious on Monday, like, and didn't even take the day off, so I still had to go into work. It was like a terrible decision on my behalf not have a buffer day. But she asked me on Monday evening, hey, we're throwing up uh, she's going to a pool party tomorrow, Saturday. She's like, you know, would you want to go? And I'm like, I don't want to even breathe or have my eye. I'm fighting to have my eyelids open. No. But now like I've got a change, like a change of like I'm like, hell yeah, pool party on Saturday sounds great. But I have a lot of work to do too. Um, David, do you have a ritual when it comes to like convention stuff? Do you have uh aside from sleep and catching up on rest and all of that? What is the first thing that you do to like get back the swing of things and the flow of things? Do you have like a post-con ritual or thing you do?

David Harper: 10:29

I don't think so. It's funny. It's like uh it's kind of like when people are like, uh, you know, you get in the right mindset for podcasting or something like that, and then you you get back to your stuff. I think I'm just always me. And so there's zero transition in and out of those two So I just get back and I hope I don't get sick, basically. I don't really have a ritual. Do you have a ritual?

Badr Milligan: 10:50

I do actually. Aside from praying on the flight home that I don't get, I get so paranoid of just like flying. Yeah, yeah. And I mean, when I tell you uh a sneeze on a plane that sounds like a bomb going off in my head. I'm like so hyper-focused on people sneezing, planes. And you know, I'm like, please don't let me get sick. I can't get sick. I got work, I got you know what I'm saying? But my my ritual after every convention is the next I will do of a significant amount of stretching. I will do like a little yoga practice, like uh 30 of stretching. You know, like I think some people underestimate the toll of being at a convention, especially this one the of San Diego Comic-Con where you're on your feet nine, 10 hours a day. I mean, especially, you know, people like us are also like the post-event stuff. It's like just the physical toll of walking around, a backpack and any kind of weight on your back for hours a day, the um audio and and sensory overload, you know, the the you know, just like your social battery worn. Like there is such a huge physical, mental, and I think even sometimes emotional toll on us that I don't I try to like put some time aside to like kind of like don't know, just stretch the kinks out, like make you know, uh I give my body a chance to like recover in that way. So that's usually my go-to. That is much smarter than my doing nothing.

David Harper: 12:17

Um, I would I might have to adopt that. I yeah, I mean it it's it's funny, like so much of it is out outside your control, but it cons are the of the vacation you need a vacation from when you get because especially for us, like when we're working them, but even if you're just attending them, they're just so especially something like San Diego, which is really

Badr Milligan: 12:38

Yeah, and you know, I I've I've been thinking about like this recap and you know, like my feelings towards my time going to a San Diego Comic Con. And I I gotta admit, I think I was woefully unprepared. I mean, you know, everyone was telling me, hey, this intense. This is the one, you know, like wear good shoes, you make you're gonna be tired, you're gonna be walking a lot. And I tried my best to like, you know, get ahead of it. I don't think physically, I think I handled it But I think from a logistical, from a scheduling from like, you know, just trying to be everywhere at like I was definitely, I feel, I felt like on just how all-encompassing it is and just the know, like I said, the toll it takes. I have so many like takeaways and like, okay, I can do better next year. I can actually look at the fucking map next year. I think that was my big thing too, was I was spending so I was wasting so much time being turned around because I was going down the wrong way, or you know, I didn't where anything was, so I was taking the extra long way.

David Harper: 13:40

Yeah, I mean, it's uh a kind of a no-win situation. I actually I did an article on Sketch today that was 10 big takeaways from from the con and stuff. And the final one was basically like for a very version of what it was, it was I had a bad plan for it. And yes, but here's the here's the truth though. There's no right plan. One way or another, you're going to have to sacrifice especially somebody like you who was there for like 60 or whatever. There's just no way you can do everything you want to do in that amount of time. And it's funny because like I think the easiest comp for San Diego Comic Con is New York Comic-Con. I think New York is way easier. I think New York flows a lot better. I think San Diego, you're just in it and you just gotta with it. You don't really have a control. It's like being out at sea. You're just gonna go where you go.

Badr Milligan: 14:30

That's a good yeah, that's a good way to put it. I I wasn't trying, I couldn't help but compare to New because I felt like in in my you know anecdotal that was the closest experience I've gotten to going to something that large. On the convention floor, it felt very similar to New Comic-Con. Even like some of the vendors and booths I saw. I was like, oh, Alex Ross is here, okay, uh, Paramount is here. Um, I think some of the manga vendors and publishers not there that I've seen in New York, but on the floor, long story short, it was like, okay, there's of people here. It's, you know, you are it feels like you were moving as one organism and you're bumping into people, and you know, like you just kind of get lost in C. And I definitely had a couple of moments where I was like having an existential, like kind of like Like, I am but one person among thousands right now, know, like just an insane amount of people. I think where San Diego really shined for me was the it spilled outside and everything, like, you know, how Diego embraced it, you know, outside of the convention center. So the gas lamp is still part of the convention. Yeah, it's it yes, exactly. And you know, leaving the convention and seeing the activations and go like, you know, bars, you know, like, you know, uh, they've got special Comic Con themed drinks, and these servers and the waiters are, you the staff are also dressing up in like their best shirt or whatever it may be. Um, I think that's where to me it really shined was a whole downtown, a whole city, whatever, like really it and empower, I guess, like the event and the people Like just really welcoming. I never felt like I was intruding on the locals or they didn't want me there. It's like, okay, they realize that this is a great, you know, uh this brings in plenty of revenue, you know, it's it's a great move for the city, it's just a great look for the city. And I think that's what I appreciated. Where versus New York, it's like you leave the Javit oh yeah, you're just in New York, which is already like, all right, bet I'm in like one of the best cities in the world. Yeah, that rules. Yeah, but it's like I think the con stops and ends at the entrance of the Javit Center.

David Harper: 16:36

I I think I agree. I'm one of the weird people who I think I might like New York Comic-Con more than I like San Diego. And I think part of the reason why I like it is there is that separation, so because then it's a little bit less you can shut down, you can you can it can feel a little overwhelming. Like you can still go to parties and stuff, and you can go out and get dinner with people and everything. But once you get out of there, it's like you're you can escape uh convention mode to some degree. And I I think that they I I I would say that they're much equal in my mind. There's pluses and minuses on both, but it is it's how I think a lot of people very definitively say they San Diego more. And I get it because uh people don't like the Javit I don't mind the Javit Center, I think it's fine. Also, it's artist alley is way better than San much better.

Badr Milligan: 17:22

Yeah. When I found the artist alley in San Diego, I this must be half of it, and the other half is upstairs down. Like the I guess I'm so used to Java Center having the floors, you know. Hey, here's the panel room, here's the main con and artist alley is in the in the dungeon. So I was looking for that, and it's like, no, actually, this is all of the artist alley. And it's like, oh, it's even more cramped in here than New York. Um, so I'll give New York that for sure. I I don't know. I I think I still like New York more because I've got experience and I've made some really good memories there that I can't quite like detach. And I haven't uh so yeah, I'll give New York by the but man, I felt really blessed in going to San And I want to give a quick shout out to Heidi McDonald, okay, for you know, the editor and head honcha over at beat, comicsbeat.com, as well as Publishers Weekly for me get out there. I wouldn't have even able to, I would not have even been able to get in the door or have a badge had she not in and helped out. So huge shout out to Heidi and the entire team at The and Publishers Weekly for helping your boy out. Um, I've been telling everyone that San Diego Comic-Con is both the most fun as well as the most exhausting Comic Con experience I've ever had. And I would do it again in a heartbeat. Like if it was like a month from now, I think I would be like, fuck it, let's do it. Yeah. What's one thing you wish you knew going in? Oof. All right, we let me look at my list of things I would do differently. I a better understanding of of the scale, you and a better plan. I think you know, like I said, uh just a better plan grouping things together. I but it's also something that I don't know. I just had to be there to like really see, okay, this is I I I I want to know how big the San Diego uh uh center is, you know, from like point A to point B, I feel like that's a strong mile, at least. I feel like so. The scale of it is something I don't think I would have been able to anticipate, but now I I feel kind of in it. Um on a lighter note, I wish I would have brought like a jacket, because holy shit, San Diego gets kind of chilly during the night. I'm like, holy crap.

David Harper: 19:30

I it's funny. Uh that was one thing when when Heidi McDonald came on off panel right before Comic-Con. I was like, what's one tip you have for new uh first Since she said bring like a hoodie or a sweatshirt or a coat because it's a lot colder at night than you Wasn't a big deal for me because I'm from Alaska and I bring jackets everywhere I go because I love But it it's true. It does get colder. It's way colder at night than you'd expect.

Badr Milligan: 19:56

I think I was so focused on on I was so focused on talking about the heat. So I was like, okay, I'm gonna pack really light. I only I've literally packed light in the sense of the I wear. I brought shorts, short sleeves, you know, button-ups, short sleeve button-ups and things like that. And I only brought like one uh a carry-on and then my a backpack. I would have brought something a little bigger. So I could have, you know, one, brought way more back, and then two, been able to pack something a I don't I think one jacket would have got me fine. And it would have been nice to have something a little dressy, like dress up. Sure. I realize San Diego Comic-Con is a place that you can of, you don't have to go, you know, suit and tie, but you can dress a little nicer because there's so many so many after events that, you know, if you want to bring an extra jacket or a nice, you know, Oxford or long you could. So I I probably would have changed uh approached my attire a little differently.

David Harper: 20:50

Yeah, you gotta you gotta kind of flex for every especially because you went to the Eisner Awards in the party, there's all these people dapper and everything, you gotta look good.

Badr Milligan: 20:57

Props to you for once again showing up to the Eisners in the most vibrant, colorful, members only. It looked like it was velvet, all right? Members jacket. Hot pink members jacket. Dave, where the hell did you get that? The internet. My wife found it, Amber. Um David, you know what I like about you? I'm sorry. You're not afraid to wear color. Your pants were like, I think one day you had like it not like hot pink, but they were like a salmon colored of pants. You had the hot pink, like members only jacket. You're not afraid to wear color, and I appreciate that.

David Harper: 21:32

I think that says I love color. You know, the problem is is like the world does not color. I used to have these uh bright orange uh Adidas Ultra that were my favorite shoes I ever had, and they were it looked like I was constantly pressing turbo in a video game, and it's like all about those. They finally fell apart. But I now I try to find shoes and they're all like gray brown. I'm like, come on, man, let me let me just make it some shoes.

Badr Milligan: 21:56

Yeah, you should have said Adidas and the Ultra Boost, were a lifesaver for me. I won't. Mind the whole entire weekend. So comfortable. They proved themselves. Yeah. Yeah, but I appreciate it. Yeah. You know what? I guess speaking on the Eisners, um, and you mentioned some of the articles you've you've written post San Diego Comic Con. I ended up reading the article you put up earlier this which addressed the um the the leak that the Eisners had uh the Thursday before the award show, which is for those that don't know, the award Eisner Awards take place on Friday, on Thursday morning. There was a leak where the winners of the categories and whatnot were leaked online on accident, um, which of resulted in a kind of, I'd say, an interesting at the convention uh when talking to creators who were nominated or going to the Eisners. I think it was like everyone was trying to, I don't uh they were like shy about it, but not really. I I guess David, I want to know, with you having won first Eisner, did that kind of take the steam out of at all? Because you you were actually contacted and and you know, someone reached out to you congratulating you the day So I I yeah, I'm curious like how that impacted your moment, if any.

David Harper: 23:10

Well, first off, to some degree, I as I've told you, I um kind of happy it happened because I found out that my initial reaction would not be crying, it would be just shutting down for five consecutive minutes to the point we continued to joke that uh Amber would have had to like weekend at Bernie's me up on stage to like try to make it happen, or go up and accept by herself. But thank you, everyone. Yeah, yeah. She's like, thank you, thank you. And she's just doing this weird, not me voice whatsoever. But they're like, Man, Amber hugs David really hard. She really loves this guy, yeah. But the the thing was is like initially it was weird I got this email saying that I had, you know, me for winning. And I thought they meant for nom being nominated. Turned out they didn't because the the list had leaked and everything. And it kind of robbed me of my excitement. I didn't really feel excited. I felt kind of confused because I was I wasn't it was true, and I found out pretty quickly that it from the San Diego Comic-Con site. So I was like, I guess this did happen. But it's just it was just a weird way to learn, and I kind of it immediately turned into like work for me, where I was like, I need to call around and find out what try to like journalism on. Yeah, you know, just try to like do what I can to figure out what happened. And so I was I was worried that I was not gonna be but then when that it actually happened, I was incredibly excited. Um, to the point where even though I had, you know, very clearly, seemingly known that I had won for whatever 30 hours, my heart rate was like I could look at my Fitbit it was just going up, up, up, up. And I was like, am I what am I nervous about? Am I nervous about finding out that I won? Am I nervous about having to go up on stage and speak? I don't really know. But once I went up on stage, it was like the clutch gene hit. I just shut down and I was like, I'm just gonna go up there and do my thing. And it worked out really great. And yeah, I don't know. I it was confusion, which eventually led to excitement, led to just like jubilation. I I cannot tell you how happy I was during that window, and then also like basically for the rest of the night, because it was just a hell of a thing.

Badr Milligan: 25:21

David, I gotta say, I mean, I said it earlier, it felt I was watching history. I was extremely happy for you. I mean, you know, our our crew, big shout outs to Brad and Lisa Gullickson of the Comic Book Couples Counseling as well as Chris Hacker, Oblivion Bar. We were all rooting for you, extremely happy. But also, I have never met so many people who shared that happiness, but also it felt like everyone was like, finally, you know, like that was the kind of prevailing attitude and and thoughts behind it was like finally, got his just due. Um, you know, this bastion of comics journalism finally got, you know, the credit he deserved. We all knew it in our hearts for many years, but it was cool. I don't know. It was cool. I'm I'm I'm sure it was a really great feeling to be officially in that way, you know, to go along with all accolades you've you've gotten through life.

David Harper: 26:10

It was really surprising to find out how many like, how many does this does this make for you? I'm like, what? Like, why do I win all these Eisner awards?

Badr Milligan: 26:18

I was gonna ask where you decided to put said Eisner but I'm realizing uh it is right over your left shoulder on your bookcase.

David Harper: 26:25

Oh, yeah.

Badr Milligan: 26:26

How long did it take for you to find a spot for it?

David Harper: 26:28

Uh I thought about it for a few days. And honestly, like that was the right shelf. It was kind of the right place. Also, it's gonna show up during the podcast, which I'm not gonna lie, is a nice little thing. Uh it's not not related to why I put it there, but it's kind of like, as you can see, I have stuff showcased on these like different and I those those are the that I I have some stuff over here, but my favorite is is like showcased in the shelves there. It's all Pacer stuff and Eisner Ward in a video game.

Badr Milligan: 26:57

David, when when we were planning this episode and and I gave you like my initial idea, like, oh, let's talk just our experiences and things like that. Um, you said something in your response back to You said, I'm a little weird, I'm paraphrasing, but like, hey, I'm a little weird when it comes to con. I approach cons a little different than other people. Um, let's go this route. I'm curious what you meant by that. Like, how would you say that your approach to cons is from you know the general con goer?

David Harper: 27:22

Uh, I mean, how do I sound like I'm not totally weird? I don't get excited about anything that they're selling all, really. Like I got the chainkata ash can mostly just Daniel Warren Johnson. Um, that was, I think, maybe the only thing I bought the entire time. And I don't really I don't I don't get excited about Panels are not my thing. And so it's like those are like basically the two biggest things people go there to do, it's the panels and buy right? I really just kind of go to the cons to talk to people, a sense as to what's going on, observe things, and then hang out with people before and after and everything. And so I basically like I've here's this is this is an truth. I went to one Comic Con when I was 12 years old in Orlando Mega Con back in the day. It was my first con. I might have gone to an Emerald City Comic Con when I was like 18 or something like that, maybe a little bit older than that. I've never been to a con in my adult life where I wasn't working. So I think that my brain cannot turn off the work of it. I just look at cons as work and like not in a like I'm like uh volunteer there or even like somebody like where she's like grinding through and has to do but I'm kind of constantly just walking a line working this for eventual coverage, but also I'm here basically be at summer camp with a bunch of people I really like. And so yeah, I I just I don't look at it as like an event outside of like, man, it'd sure be cool to have a with like we had breakfast with Terry Dodson. And so, like, we had breakfast with Terry Dodson, and that was a great experience, but I'm gonna remember way more than like getting the chain cotta Ash can. Again, no slander to Daniel Orange Johnson is a cool but yeah. Um, but yeah, that that so maybe that's more like what people do than I realize, but I just don't really do of the things that people do there.

Badr Milligan: 29:29

I knew that you were different when I think it was or it might have been Friday, but I think it was Saturday when I found you well when we met up, and I noticed that you know I had a I had like a medium-sized backpack. Oh you I know what you're talking about. The world's smallest sling bag on your back. And I was like, uh where's the rest of you? You don't got a bag, a tote bag or something? You're like, no, this is all I need. And I was like, David is different. He is not, he's not gonna have to worry about the issue I'm gonna have to worry about on on Saturday night I've got a pack to like, you know, for the flight which is how am I going to fit all this shit that I David's David travels slim. You travel light. Um, I I think you do a one thing that I I took note from you is I could be better about having a better to meet up with people, just to meet up, not even hey, let me get an interview and all that. Just to check in on people. I think you're really good at like um the people And management is such a weird word, but like just you just managing your relationships. Yeah, face timing. Yeah, face getting like quality quality face time. It's a little bit I did get to like roam the con with Um, you know, you were really good at like stopping by Baker's table and chatting it up, talking about the the LeBron James Philly news, you know. Like, I don't know. There's a lot I think I can learn in terms of like the side without making it feel like you know, this sense of like I gotta like grind and work and tire myself out. I think I think you've you got a good approach to very minimalist approach to it.

David Harper: 31:02

Matt Rosenberg once wrote in his newsletter that going my podcast is like hanging out with an old friend. And I think that's why people like talking to me because I'm not trying to pump them for information or anything. And I think that that I'm it's true. I just want to like talk to people. It's like I've been talking to Dave Baker and Nicole Goo for forever. Yeah. And I can talk to them about anything. And so um, I don't know. They're like a home base for me. I always go back and chat with them. Um, you would have been utterly disgusted for the rest Saturday and then Sunday, though, because not only did not have a big bag, I had no bag. I was bagless.

Badr Milligan: 31:33

When I tell you, I had to do like I had to do the elbow on my my carry-on to try to fit like this I just needed to have. And that's something I'm gonna try to get better at is down on the hyper, on the con being just a consumer and just buying a bunch of things at conventions that will just go in a box. Um I disagree.

David Harper: 31:54

Buy what you want to buy. Let your do your thing, man. If that's how you do it, that's how you do it.

Badr Milligan: 32:00

I gotta get better at it, David. I literally have a short box from I think I every time go to a convention, I end up having like a dedicated Like, hey, this is my New York Comic-Con 2025 box. And I just need to get better at actually going through it and appreciating instead of just buying stuff to Um, but I think it's hard at San Diego, man. It is that was one note I had that felt sometimes a that took me out of it sometimes was just the amount of I it feels like a weird complaint, but like the amount hyper just consumerism, the blind bags, the just the weirdest exclus I guess weird to me, but just you know, exclusives and you know, like how much time can spend just being in line to get like this thing than you know, uh embracing, you know, meeting an or I don't know. I I think that was sometimes took me out of it where like my adult brain is like, huh, this feels kind of you know. It feels kind of weird being around this much, like being in a casino, but at the same time, I'm in it, so I'm one to speak.

David Harper: 33:02

The funny thing is, I actually wrote about this a little bit and it was like a topic of the conversation that came up with me and a lot of people there. I've never seen crazier lines. Uh, apparently there was actually some pushing and in in uh a notable publisher's line, I'll put it like But then on top of that, the I like here's a good I was hanging out with a couple creators at one of their tables, and this guy who won the autograph had a bag full of PSA stuff from PSA. Do you know what PSA is? Yeah. And so I asked him, I was like, what's in the bag? Just because I'm a curious person and I wanted to know. And he looked at it for a little bit and like it became clear that he did not know exactly what he had bought. You know what I'm saying? And like I looked it up later. Each of these uh like it was they were all like kind of comic-shaped boxes. And I looked it up later, each of those were $129, and had like eight to ten of them. I'm like, dude, if you're gonna buy that, know what getting. And to some degree, though, to in his defense, some of were blind boxes, so he literally didn't know what he was going to get. But there was a level of that consumerism where it's like it's not just buying stuff, which is fine. If you know, it's like you go to express your fan and do your thing. But there's so many people there that are just like, I this so I can sell it and make a little bit more money. And like it is fascinating because it feels like it of crowds out the people who just like, I just want K-pop demon hunters, Ramyon scene figures from Mattel I love K-pop demon hunters, and that's not even So I don't know, but yeah, again, everyone enjoys the con their own way. Sometimes it's a profit-based endeavor.

Badr Milligan: 34:41

Sure.

David Harper: 34:42

It certainly wasn't for me, Botter.

Badr Milligan: 34:44

I walked by I walked by a uh, I think I walked by the the DC booth at some point, and the crowd that was, and you know, like to see people swarm over free stuff uh is always like kind of interesting too. But I walked by the DC booth at some point, and the way that the line manager, I don't know what you want him, like the the guys working the the booths, um, was into the crowd. I thought I was like in a I thought I was at like at a downtown here. Like this dude was like, look, we're all adults, no need to shove and push single file line. Don't make me cut this line down. I will shut this line down. You know, like and that was not the only time I heard So, like to just, you know, that's the type of energy at these uh at San Diego Comic-Con. And I think that caught me off guard was like, okay, is a mass, depending on what the thing is, there will be like a sense of mass hysteria. There's energy, there's crowds, and people are get their shit, and you better be out of the way if slowing them down.

David Harper: 35:46

I mean, we were both at New York last year, right? And so I'm not crazy for saying it didn't feel like that, right?

Badr Milligan: 35:53

No, I I David, I like stopped and took a note because I was so thrown off at how this guy was like genuinely kind of like screaming at other adults like, hey, you guys are like a fight was going to break out or something. I I I think this was a different, different vibe overall.

David Harper: 36:10

It was it was super weird. But at the same time, again, I loved it. It's just Sandy Go's got some quirks to it.

Badr Milligan: 36:15

Yeah, yeah. It's like yo, you just gotta be there. I think, yeah, you just gotta be there. You gotta experience it for yourself. It's it's a different beast, but I'm here for it. All right, David, how about we get into finally get into the first segment? Um Hey. The whole thing is one big segment. What do you expect from the two podcasters? But specifically the segment here, uh, and which is our top three personal favorite moments from San I think we've kind of addressed a couple of them, but I've got uh uh some that I particularly want to um talk about. But I would like to uh kick it off with you first. Um we I asked for us to both compile a top three list favorite moments, and then we'll also talk about our um comic news and announcements that came out at the But let's start with our personal favorite moments if you want to kick it off.

David Harper: 36:57

So I don't this isn't really a moment, it's a series of But one of my goals for this con was last time I went, like I'm sure you experienced this to some degree, is when you see people quite often, you're just like, I saw them as I'm going to and from a place, and you just say hello and then you move on. You don't really get a lot of quality time with people you aim for it. And for this con, I very specifically aim to have time with people. And so, like on Wednesday, like my favorite part non-me winning an award, which I'm just gonna put that to the side. Obviously, that would be on the list. But my my favorite part of the entire con, which didn't well, the con hadn't started yet, was like we spent like three hours with Scotty Young at the Marriott Marquee hanging out and talking. Uh, Amber and I, and like Amber had just a tremendously time, and Dave Baker, uh Dave Baker and uh Nicole Goo up towards the end and we chatted with them and Scotty at the same time. We did a podcast, uh, my file corrupted and died, and so I do not have that uh the actual product of that. I did record a four favorites interview with him on so I've not checked that. Hopefully that actually did things right. But I mean, I just love being able to get some quality with him and like being able to get meals with people, actually to sit able to sit down. I mean, being able to sit down and have a meal with you Chris, uh, Chris Hacker. I mean, that's the thing is like I've been texting with guys a lot and I've showed up on your I've been on your and everything, but we've never actually gotten to sit and like have a meal together. And like I very much value meals with people, like that's that's how I like to engage with people. Also, I get to eat at the same time, which I love. And like being able to do that, and sadly, Brad and Lisa were unable to join us, that was like a real highlight. I just love being able to spend like an hour or more with people and like actually engage like people as like talk to me about Batman, so and so.

Badr Milligan: 38:50

You know what I'm saying? For sure. It can definitely be hard to find that that extended opportunity to like really break bread and just like talk like two, like just normal people, like besides the comics, it's like, hey, how are you with life? Like, what are you up to? Um, I think I had uh quite a few like kind of micro like, hey, what's up? Okay, cool, keep it moving, which I think is just the of a convention that size, and with people's schedules. Um, there was a few people that like that's all they did the whole Saturday was run between panels, and that is the time you could get with them. Um, I'm actually glad you brought this up because this was one of my top three. Um, and I've got I got none of these in a particular but I have meeting internet friends for the first time IRL and then and industry peers, you know, people have, you know, uh talked to via email or you know, uh with on Instagram, and we, you know, comment and post send each other, you know, funny things. Um it really felt that everyone that is anyone in is there. So to your point, this is such a great opportunity to set up some time to whether you know grab dinner or or just like you know, a conversation that's a little than like what an email um will allow you. I had the chance to like see Chris Robinson again, who he's the best. Yeah, he's so awesome. He was actually the first, aside from Eli Schwab, big out to Eli Schwab at Cosmetic Lion Production. Aside from friends like Eli and and you, I think Chris was the first person I saw on the first day at the We were like walking by each other and it was like, oh, he's like, hey, what's up, dude? So, you know, like getting to see him, getting to see Lance from Comic Book Keepers. Uh, got a chance to like chop it up with Greg Hopkins at Boom, a fellow Florida Duval boy who's doing great at Boom Studios. Um, getting to meet like way more of the IDW staff, you know, like uh Kim and I got to meet uh um, oh my God, I'm drawing a blank on the name of the editor right now, Williams. Jake Williams. Williams is awesome, guys. Yeah, it's like, you know, like I don't know. Uh even like Marcus from Not So Funny Books, who I've following recently and seeing his content all the time but to like get to meet him and chop it up, I don't It I think that was truly the best part was getting to FaceTime with people, getting to meet these folks I've uh for a long time in real life and build some sort of You know, yeah, that that was definitely a top moment.

David Harper: 41:11

What else you got, David? Didn't Chris Robinson discover your podcast when you came on for the fantasy draft? I don't know. I got I thought you had told me like that he'd emailed and he was like, Oh, I really like your podcast. I like what you had to say. I might be giving that up. I'm I'm I'm not trying to self-congratulate myself, but be like, I burnt a listener for you, Bonner. Uh you owe me.

Badr Milligan: 41:33

That's right. Don't forget every time Chris Robinson talked to you. Yeah, yeah, yeah. His name is Chris David, hooked me up with him, Yeah.

David Harper: 41:42

So uh this is a funny personal one because it could be a highlight from the con, but I mean, I put it under a because it was like a lifesaver. The Ignition Pavilion that ignition pressed it.

Badr Milligan: 41:51

That was my honorable mention. Hell yeah.

David Harper: 41:53

That was out of control. Like it was first off, it's a great consumer-facing place. Like you, it was uh outside the con. It was in this wine and culinary center that was across train tracks. And you can go in and you can meet creators, they have a mini comic-con going on with like Stephanie Williams and Teeny Howard and like Christian Ward and all these other people. And then they also have like their books on display. They have John J. Pearson that's doing like live painting in there. They have Revenge of doing a talk show in there. It's a super, and there's a bar in there.

Badr Milligan: 42:22

Can I ask you really quick on the topic of Revenge of, I was not, I was unfamiliar with their game prior to San Diego Comic Con. Now I see their clips all the time. They're good. That's a damn good show. I like the vibe of it. I like the host. Uh, thank you for putting me on.

David Harper: 42:37

Yeah, the the comp they have a comic shop in Los That's where they were born from. Um that's cool. Yeah. Uh but yeah, they do really high-end stuff. They're they're Hollywood guys, so they they have uh higher production value than we're the production is like insane.

Badr Milligan: 42:52

Yeah, that's the damn good show.

David Harper: 42:53

But I mean, they so they had it all, but also, you know, not not to toot our own horn on the behind-the-scenes but I took Bodder into the sacred green room for them where there's like a barista and there's like a hot lunch buffet, and there's like snacks and all this different stuff. And like it was great. I met I met with people, like I had multiple meetings Like when Bodder came over, I was like meeting with Philip Sab, like the publisher of Ignition Press and the head of urban comics in France, Francois, Erquet. I mean, then like we went upstairs and we just hung out chatted with Rob Gillary and John Jennings for a And it was that that place ruled, and also it was like a place you could sit down that was air conditioned, have drink, like just calm down for a bit.

Badr Milligan: 43:33

Kudos to them for knowing exactly what I needed in moment. Yeah, yeah, a bathroom, fucking caffeine, and uh food. And uh when you uh walked me up and were gracious to get me in the the the behind the scenes, the green area. This was the music that was playing in my head when you opened the door and the AC hit my face, and I saw a preparing coffee. I was like, I have I have made it. We are in the promise. Land.

David Harper: 44:00

Why do you think I was in the text thread being like you guys gotta come over to this place?

Badr Milligan: 44:05

Um, no, that was yeah, big shout out to Condition I had a lovely, lovely chat with Rob Gilroy. We just chopped it up. Um, and and you're right, like the fact that just the they took over that whole area, uh, you know, it's it still keeping the emphasis on the creators, allowing to be set up at the same time. I don't know. Yeah, it was by far my favorite activation of the whole weekend. And I love that it was like far enough away from the where you kind of had to do a little bit of a walk, but it was enough to like, I don't know. I like the walk. I was like, yo, there's fucking palm trees out here, sun is shining on me. Yeah, like you know, it's a five-minute walk, too. It's really not that bad. It's like the Hulu activation was on the side, you they had Bob's burger at Simpsons' little activation and and and and booths or whatnot. Um, yeah, I was really impressed. I think Ignition Press is it they were already on my but this definitely put them like hot. I'm like, okay, I gotta pay attention to like what got going on. They're obviously treating their creators right, treating the fans that show up to the um to the to see them right. So yeah, big shout out to them. Um, which I I think I can actually piggyback off this good. Because next up on my list is more of like a general It kind of ties back to one of our earlier points, but uh on my list, I've got the overall presentation, and star power of San Diego Comic-Con was one of my things, just in terms of like the the branding for San Comic Con, I think is superb. I mean, all of the different signage, the the quality of the booths, some of the activations, adult swim activation that was on the base side was They were like doing uh, they were doing like giveaways, they were doing like games, like they had a huge crowd there, like, you know, chanting like their you know, you know, I don't know. It was like really impressive to see. The ignition press is a great example of like just the quality that goes into the booths. Um, you know, and inside of the convention, you know, having this colossal set of. Their booth was great. Their booth was awesome. I mean, they had merch for sale, they had a section uh um they had signings, regular signings going on. They had like a little shop. I mean, IDW's booth was, you know what I'm saying? Like, it was cool to see all of these publishers really bring their A game. You could tell, like, hey, they've spent months talking about this, planning it, you know, investing in in signage and structures and things like that. The production is A1, as well as the star power, too. You mentioned um having a you know a nice Scotty Young. Um, I was fortunate enough to have the most random of Isad Ribbish. Me and Eli were grabbing like coffee Friday morning you know, ready to go hit the con floor. And he's there also in line. And he's like, Oh, I guess Eli knew him. Um, and he was like, Hey, come and sit down with my wife. Like, have coffee with us while you wait, you know, you guys are getting ready. Had a pleasant conversation, never talked once know, secret wars or comics. It was just like, hey, you know, he's telling his about coming to previous years. It was just like a nice overall, and then also just through the convention floor. You never like know who you'll run into. At some point, I went to the IDW uh press room and I was waiting outside of it until it was my turn to do my And uh Sung Kang, I think that's how you say his name. He just walked by. He was like walking by with his entourage, you know, and they were like talking about like the new, I think there to promote his new movie, Drifter. But and and then Doug Jones was, you know, at the Eisner Awards and just the amount of celebrities and stars that show up there that you never know who you'll run into see. Um, I don't know. I think it really adds to the weight of the convention making it feel like a big deal. You know, the the booths are at their best, and I it's always cool to see comics feel larger than life and that they're respected and seen as a big deal in Like we know it. I mean, we cherish it and and honor it that way, but I it's it's something about seeing it all come together the production quality of booths and things, as stars being around. You know what I'm saying? I I think it adds to the overall ambiance.

David Harper: 48:11

Uh, I actually, one of my random highlights was seeing Esad Rivic eating a popsicle outside. I've never seen a person that looked happier in my life. He was the most cheerful looking person as he popsicle in the 82-degree humid DCL weather. But um here's the crazy thing, though, is like it was less heavy on the kind of star power and the activations than the only other time, which was two years ago. So if you go on a big year, you're gonna be like, oh my this is gonna be like that, but on like 11, because it it really can bring some like yeah crazy stuff. I mean, you would know you snuck into the Marvel party, so you had that going on, hanging out with Robert Downey Jr.

Badr Milligan: 48:56

Woo man, that was not true at all. I wish I could have got they wouldn't even let me get the entrance of where the party was. That security guard was on his job. He was like, hey, you too close. He was like dialon from the Dave Traffel's getting too man. Yeah. Um, so yeah, but but once again, I think it just goes to show like even when you're when you leave the con floor, the convention is not quite over yet. You'll never know like what bar is throwing a party. And I love like the secrecy of some of these things too. You know, it's like if you know, you know. If you can get in, you can get in. There's so many options too. Um, so all right, Dave, what else you got on your

David Harper: 49:33

My list of my last one was stupid, but I just love it. Um, so we went, this is a transitional humble brag. I apologize. We had dinner at Chipsidarski on Thursday. And so what when we went there, we went to this Italian called Manzo Fresh Pasta, which is like far enough out the convention. It's only like a 12-minute walk or something like people to Khan do not go to it, which is delightful. So you go there and it's just like you're just chilling, and it just feels like you're having a normal meal on a day. Except for uh one of so this fits my superheroes doing things theme sketchbook. But um, I love seeing cosplayers like in very normal like doing yeah. And at this restaurant, I went in to go use the and when I was coming out, I noticed there was a table of like only people dressed normally, but one person was as Mario from Super Mario Brothers. And it was like the funniest looking thing I've ever in my entire life. Everyone else is just like having this serious Then there's a man just looking like he's dressed as anyways. That I from a personal standpoint, that early delighted me. And I was like, I have to write that down because I think it was so funny. Um, that should not be one of my highlights, but I'm gonna do it anyways because I love it.

Badr Milligan: 50:44

No, I I had a similar story. I walked by this uh bar that had like the windows open. Uh uh, you know, just like a it looked like a good vibe in that bar. And this table had this dude dressed as the Heath Joker. Oh, yeah. And he's looking at the menu as the server is waiting on him to like, you know, give her her order. And he goes, So tell me about the sea bass. And I, you know what I'm saying? It's like this is such a weird juxtaposition, and like can't believe, you know what I'm saying? Like, the server is just like, yo, this is completely this time of the year.

David Harper: 51:12

What do you do if you're the server and the joker is Do you want to see a magic trick?

Badr Milligan: 51:16

Not really. You go grab your mortal enemy from the back that's giving you shit your entire shift. And you have to do that. Do your pencil stuff. You can do your pencil stuff with him. Okay, my uh my last uh uh personal favorite before I get into honorable mentions, um, is completely embarrassing myself in front of Jim Lee at the Eisners. You shook his hand, right? I did. I did, and and I think it goes back to my point about just the star power that's there. Any everyone that is anyone in comics is probably a San Diego Comic-Con. And when the Eisners ended, I really appreciated how got up from their tables and just kind of mingled. It's like even the the people they from press that were in the back of the room were allowed to like come up mingle. At least I walked up there. I you know, jumped in.

David Harper: 52:02

You did the pro move. You went to go to the photography area, which I think was smart because that's where like everybody was.

Badr Milligan: 52:08

I'm a little sneaky sneaky, but um I hung out up front. Everyone's getting together for a really cool uh group by the way. I I think you've posted it or or it's on the website on the sketch website, but uh everyone's getting for a group photo, and I'm like, man, this is so cool like Scott Snyder is here, Nick Dragada is here, you like Chip Kid is here, they're all here just hanging and excited and about you know, the award show and you this and that. And as I'm watching you guys get together for the group photo, I've noticed someone walk up beside me, and they also are just kind of taking it in, just watching the I look to my right, sure enough, it's fucking Jim Lee. And before I could even think of something cool or to say, I just react and I go, Jim Lee, I just want you to know that your artwork has meant so much to me in childhood. Thank you for everything you do. And I shook his hand, he was like, Yeah, thanks. And then he went to go talk to Scott Snyder, and I was fuck, it could have been so cooler, it could have been but you know what? That came from the heart. You formally that's probably more than I would do. Yeah. And I gotta say, and I guess on the topic of the Eisners, um, with this being my first Eisners, honestly, that was probably uh it's not on I used the Jim Lee as a way to some comedy in it, but the Eisners truly was probably favorite moment. Getting to see you up there, win your award. Oh, but then also to attend. You know, I feel like the Eisners is something that we all know about, you know, it's been called the the Grammys of the comics, or whatever, the Emmys of the comic whatever, you know, uh uh award show you want to compare it to. We've seen blurbs about it, you know, the amount of I've used, hey, I've got Eisner Award winning XYZ, but something else to actually experience it and to see level of care, the level of prestige. Um, you know, I mentioned Doug Jones was there. Fucking Thomas Jane introduced you and and helped you your or gave you your award. It was Thomas Jane and who else?

David Harper: 54:02

Thomas Jane and uh Francis Copra, who played Weevil and Veronica Maras. I do want to note I did get make a joke semi at Thomas expense, which made me very happy. I gotta say, David, I your speech was fucking fire.

Badr Milligan: 54:15

And the fact that you didn't stumble and you delivered it, and you know you you had that really good uh uh joke Thomas Jane cracking jokes about you. Wait, what did you say? I I'm catching strays.

David Harper: 54:25

He said he was made it when they were introducing the as like journalism, that's still a thing, or something that. And so when I went up and my first thing I said was catching strays from the punishment.

Badr Milligan: 54:36

Come on, Mike dry, baby. I think I had said bars at some point.

David Harper: 54:39

Can I wait, wait, wait, can I ask you a quick really quick? Come on. Somebody, when I was giving the speech, yelled out uh, I was like, There's too many people to think, you know, don't have enough time. Somebody's like, do it anyways. That wasn't one of you guys wanted.

Badr Milligan: 54:54

I wish. I don't think I had screwed that out.

David Harper: 54:56

I was very curious as to who shouted that out.

Badr Milligan: 54:58

I was trying to get this air horn app on my phone to go louder because I kept pressing the button, but it was so loud in that place, I don't think anyone heard it. But um, yeah, man, it was truly remarkable to get to the Eisner Awards in person and be like, okay, this isn't just some sort of small thing. It is a legit, prestigious thing. Everyone is here, everyone is excited. And even though they the the winner list got leaked the day before, I I mean, you tell me you've probably been to a few, you've definitely been to more Eisner I have. I felt like that's it, it was I thought it was handled well. And the even inclusion of people just addressing making jokes about it, you know, some of the presenters like referencing it and making like a joke about it, it lighthearted, I thought it was so tasteful, and if only enhanced, you know, the the experience.

David Harper: 55:49

I think that it was way better than the one I went to in 2024. I don't know if it's because of the leak, but it did feel a little bit more casual. And also like I thought it was. It didn't feel so stuffy. I think that it helped it like not feel so stuffy. I think everyone was worried for worst-case scenario as what was gonna happen. Like, is nobody gonna show up because they found out they didn't win or whatever? You know, is it gonna reflect poorly upon uh Laura Jones, the administrator? If anything, I think she came out looking great and she to because it was a really good show. Yeah, and I loved how they came out and supported her, but then on top of it, it just felt like a little bit more And like I people have noted that like the speeches might have been better because they people really knew they gonna win, so they're like, uh I guess I gotta prepare for this. Yeah, yeah. Um, but yeah, I I think that it felt a lot better this Uh at the same time, is that slightly colored by the fact that I won this time versus lost last time? Who can say?

Badr Milligan: 56:44

Oh, talk your shit, David. You deserve dude, you deserve it. And like I said, we we were I I I know I damn sure it like screaming when when you won. And I think uh it was just loud in there when you won. But yeah, attending my first Eisners was definitely, I uh a highlight of the day. And getting to also Phil Lamar has been hosting the for years, as well as uh who is Thomas Lent. Thomas Lent, man, those two right there, I mean, like even hung out after the Eisners. They were in like the crowd, just chatting with people. And it's like, damn, man, comics is it man, I don't know. It was just something about being around, you know, it's like you're only here if you really are into comics or this thing. You know, there's categories and and people up here, I knew that was new to me. So just to be around others that appreciated it that I think it's an experience that I think everyone at least attend once, even though it was a long night. It was a long night.

David Harper: 57:38

It was, it was. I will say, I thought that the uh the funniest one that was like all like the combinations of people that they had up on stage for like the presenters or whatever. I love that David Dasmalchian and what is his name? Bruce Bruce Dickinson, the Iron Maiden guy? Yeah, Bruce Dickinson. The the combination of those two was really perfect. Uh there was some like fascinating combinations. I I just I really enjoyed it this time, but again, I it is hard for me to separate from the result of it. But um it was and also I gotta say, the after party uh was March on 2026, but it was like I don't know, it's it's was in such a good mood. It was just such a good time.

Badr Milligan: 58:20

Everyone was jovial. I'm like, oh this the right word for this is jovial. Everyone's like in a fantastic mood, and you know, the are I mean, the only thing missing was open bar, but I only imagine how jovial would have turned into crazy there been an open bar, but no, I think that's to you.

David Harper: 58:34

I believe it was the opposite of an open bar.

Badr Milligan: 58:36

No, hell no. It was an expensive ass cash bar. Wow. San Diego or California is still California, and showed it. Okay, I got um one and a half honorable mention. Uh I went to Now or Never Comics on Saturday. I took a break from the convention, went back to the like had a chance to drop my bags, and I was like, yo, gonna go to Now or Never Comics. I've been chatting with uh Zach Norris, one of the is like a manager, co-founder? I don't know.

David Harper: 59:05

I don't actually know his title. I called him the wolf of have you ever seen Pulp Fiction?

Badr Milligan: 59:09

Yeah, yeah.

David Harper: 59:09

You remember Harvey Kaitel's character that just shows and just gets rid of the body and solves all the problems for them?

Badr Milligan: 59:14

Yeah, actually, that's a really great person.

David Harper: 59:16

I compared Zach to the Wolf. He he's the wolf of Now or Never Comics.

Badr Milligan: 59:19

Yeah. So I had a chance to go to Now or Never Comics and pick up from Zach the latest volume of Cream Cash. I'm sorry, Comics Rule Everything Around Me, a zine comics and hip hop. Volume two is off the spinner racks and into the record bins. Um, yeah, I a perfect example of someone that I've only communicated with via uh, you know, DMs and Instagram. I finally got to meet him. He was so humble, so nice, so welcoming, gave me a tour of the comic shop, which by the way, one of the nicest shops I've ever been to. Exposed brick at a comic shop. I'm like, uh, come on, this is a nice comic shop. Yeah. Two stories. They got it like organized right. I love the way that they categorize and and uh organize their back issues. Uh, I also picked up like their San Diego Comic-Con for Godzilla versus San Diego, done by Justone McGee. Um, yeah, now or never comics. I it's I think that might be a new staple. Should I go well as I continue to go back to San Diego It was a lot of fun.

David Harper: 1:00:21

Um everyone that goes to Comic-Con should go there. It is a great shop. The crew is amazing. You also went when they were setting up for the corpse right?

Badr Milligan: 1:00:28

Yes, which which, you know, he he didn't have he was also like, I also got to like just watch the shop run at, you know, uh in a very busy moment. Zach was like, that dude was like a traffic track uh is it called? Aircraft controller. Yeah. I don't know what the fuck it was called.

David Harper: 1:00:42

Zach and Aaron the owner and Harley Salbaka from uh Onion, watching the three of them work on Saturday was amazing. It was so cool because I'm like, these are three people who are tremendously good at their jobs.

Badr Milligan: 1:00:56

For sure. I don't think I've ever seen a comic shop run that as you know, all this uh hectic planning is going on. So yeah, now or never comics, high on my honorable And then uh the other thing I had is San Diego weather and overall vibe. It's like I know people were complaining about the I totally get it. It was definitely hot, but your boy was coming from Florida, where it has been a legit 100 plus degree, like almost every day. So for me, that was like a break. Yeah, you know, I I think it was like mid 80s, maybe. I don't know, maybe went up to 90s. Normally 80 to 82, right now. That I David, do you know how many times I just walked just the I'm like, this is one of the I can't name Comic-Con where I can just walk outside, have the sun hit my face. There's palm trees, there's a nice breeze from the water, and there's like nerd stuff going on outside, I'm not like melting. I wasn't melting at any point. It was hot, but not unbearable. I think just the natural San Diego weather and was part of a really cool experience.

David Harper: 1:01:59

It was 50 degrees and raining when I left from Anchorage, so I was like slight change of pace. But I will say that that is a huge plus of relative to York, is like it's nice to be in a place that's just sunny and nice. It's like you when you're especially with all the Can you imagine if it was like pouring rain?

Badr Milligan: 1:02:16

Oh my god, terrible terrible. No, agreed, agreed. So for sure. All right, you got any uh honorable mentions?

David Harper: 1:02:23

Honestly, like every person I talked to during the entire con was like a personal, like uh like you said, everyone is kind of there. And so being able to see anyone and everyone is just uh a real treat. And you get to see people from all these different and um, I don't know, it's quite the experience.

Badr Milligan: 1:02:41

All right, let's move into our our our last segment here, which is our favorite San Diego Comic-Con uh comic news and announcements that took place uh the past weekend. Um, I do want to say something about this where we dive in. I found it really interesting that I was catching up news after the fact, even though I was there. I had a couple friends hit me up like, dude, are for this Green Lantern panel? Did you see it? And I'm like, I didn't even know it was going on. Where's that at? You know, dude, did you see they just announced, you XYZ? And I'm like, actually, I I don't know because trying to find where room 42B is, and I'm over here by You know what I'm saying? It's like how much, how quickly the news picks up, uh, much stuff is going on simultaneously. Um, and I think it goes to back to your point about you know, you won't be able to do everything. You're going to miss a lot. And I I think I think you got to keep that in mind, or you're gonna feel like FOMO all the time. Um, did you feel that at all? Oh, yeah.

David Harper: 1:03:41

No, I mean I think that the every con to some degree, you're there, you do not get the feeling of everything happening there because like there's no way for you what's happening, what they're announcing in 20, I don't know what it 45 different ballrooms that are in that And so, like, here's a good example. It's like I really love a lot of the shows that they on Apple TV. They apparently had a two-hour Apple TV panel at Hall H I didn't even know about. And I looked through all the panels and I would have gone to that. I probably I probably couldn't have gone to it because my schedule was really full. But at the same time, like that was a thing I just didn't know about. So it's funny how I think at every con it feels like but San Diego is especially so. You don't find out what happened at the con until you the con.

Badr Milligan: 1:04:28

Yeah. One more thing on on this topic. I did feel that the energy at at the convention and just overall, like uh gaslight uh gas lamp district.

David Harper: 1:04:39

Gas light district would be way.

Badr Milligan: 1:04:41

Gas light district.

David Harper: 1:04:42

Just only gaslighting happening. Did you get gas lit at San Diego Comic-Con this year?

Badr Milligan: 1:04:50

Gas lit, big time. Um, I felt like the energy shifted for the better after the Marvel panel on Saturday. I don't know what it was. It was like it was in the air. There was a certain electricity in the air after the panel. I could tell everyone was talking. Matter of fact, I was at Now or Never Comics when the uh panel was taking place at Hall H. And uh uh I don't know who was working the catch, was working the catch register was talking to someone in line and they go, Oh my god, they just announced Ryan as Ghost Rider. And the way that the shop reacted, everyone in the shop was like, oh, whoa, okay. And then, you know, the conversations that took, oh, I them in you know, I love them in Drive. Uh, you know what I'm saying? Like just the way that we were all conversing about I felt that carry over when I went back to the I met up with Chris. We actually went to a bar right across the street, and it turns out that like it must have been like a Marvel hangout because Hickman was there, fucking Philip Johnson, they were all there and they were obviously to the Marvel party. And the energy in that, I could tell like they were something. And that, you know, was obvious in other places. Did you feel that?

David Harper: 1:06:00

Oh, I I felt that this time and I felt that last time in 2024 they announced Robert Downey Jr. is Doom. And I remember we were I we were leaving having dinner with some uh you know, or just we were having dinner, and as walked out, there was this couple and they were talking it, and we just started talking about Doom being or Robert Downey Jr. playing Doom. And like you could just feel like a palpable excitement based on that. And I think it's just because there was like a massive power that they brought. And like the big news is always gonna carry through. If Marvel had a bad con, I think he would have felt that too. But I will say, so we're gonna do three uh highlights the con from the announcements and stuff. My one I don't normally pick this sort of thing, Johnson as Black Panther and Ryan Gosling as which I do want to note, Heidi McDonald in your face, Gosling wearing a hot pink jacket. Oh, what's that? Who's more fashionable, Heidi McDonald or Ryan Maybe I should listen about my jacket was cool anyways, Ryan Gosling. Maybe goose. Yeah. Um, I thought that the, I mean, I love David Johnson. He was amazing in Alien Romulus, he's incredible in uh long walk. Him playing the the new Black Panther is gonna be even if I have no idea how the timeline works with him from a child to full-grown David Johnson in between But um, so that'll be cool. And the and Ryan Gosling, I mean, like at a certain it's kind of confusing as to like who you can even get to be in those movies anymore. But they nailed it on both of those. So I'm pretty excited about that.

Badr Milligan: 1:07:31

Agreed. I look, Ryan Gosling could do no wrong in my book. That dude has done some of my favorite movies. Um and he's great in everything, in every type of roles. Man, come on. I mean, just getting off of um Project Hill Mary was Uh, I was there for that stretch of movies he had with Uh Fear? Was it God Hand? Fear of God? Only God forgives. Only God forgives. Only God forgives. Thank you. That was amazing. Oh, Place Beyond the Pines. I mean, like I mean, he was on the stretch. My boy has has put out some bangers. So I'm I'm sold. David, I would have never expected you to have an MCU on your list. I would. But that was pretty good. I had to throw it in. Someone had to. One of us had to. One of us had to. I like it. Okay. Um, mine, uh, my I'll start off with this one. Um, I'm just gonna say Stephanie Williams. I feel like she had a killer like Comic Con. She was the winner. I feel like if anyone, if I could crown one winner, Stephanie Williams. Um, you know, she gets they announced that she's the new Vixen series at the DC next level panel, um, is, I guess, a series that she has been pitching for a that she's been very like passionate about trying to get off the floor, get her own series. So it was cool to like see her win in that regard. What else? I think they announced she's writing a new Uh, she's got that football-themed horror series at Any Given Smile. Um, I think she's also writing like a comic for Archie called uh The Legend of Black Caesar. Like the amount of announcements that were that was out of like that involved Stephanie Williams in some And then also we can't overlook the fact that she by being the first black woman to be nominated for an for best writer, which I think has only happened the Eisner's history. Previously, was Dwayne, the you know, RAP Dwayne So you know what I'm saying? Like, not only did she make history at the San Diego but her star power, I felt like we were, I don't know, I felt like we were watching her star power like rise to next level.

David Harper: 1:09:26

She also had like one of the biggest cheers for the Like when she was announced during the Best Writer I feel like she got one of the biggest ones in the night. And like, yeah, I kind of feel like she was omnipresent like she had that really prestige spot in the artist but then on top of it, she was a big part of ignition press or ign the ignition paved.

Badr Milligan: 1:09:42

Yeah, that's right. She was all over the place.

David Harper: 1:09:44

Yeah, I mean, it's it's really actually pretty amazing how um I don't know. It kind of felt like she was on the tip of everyone's in a very positive way. Agreed. Uh, you know what?

Badr Milligan: 1:09:55

She's someone that that that you want to root for. She she's got range, she's hella talented. She has got I sat in on a panel with her. Uh, shout out to Jaslyn Stone, who I think had the panel at Comic Con.

David Harper: 1:10:08

Oh, you went to the superpower one?

Badr Milligan: 1:10:10

Dude, that one was so good. I I I told her, I told Jaslyn, I was like, hey, this by far the best comic panel I've ever been to. I might steal some of this. Like Matt Fraction was on it. Stephanie Williams was there, Dennis Camp. Um, I'm forgetting the two other people. It was just a great overall panel. But Stephanie Williams was like showing off like stat. You know, she's also like, she's got nerd stats. She knows like first appearances. She can quote, like, you know, she can hang with the the nerdiest of the nerdists. And I love that she's personable. Like I said, she's super talented, and she's also very about, you know, having more diversity and variety of and stories in comics. And then she's always like, you know, big up in like you know, support for indie comic podcasts, indie, you comic journalists. I I think she represents a lot of the best comics. And I, you know, she's just someone that you're like, yeah, keep going. Like, keep going. All right, Dave, what about you? What else was your favorite announcement?

David Harper: 1:11:06

This is uh, I've already read this comic, so it's I don't want to say it's pointless, but it's like there's no secret here. But um, there was a Scott Pilgrim comic that was as part of a video game release where you could get it you got like a deluxe edition or something like that. And it was by Brian Lee O'Malley and Nathan Fairbairn. And I was like, do I really want to buy a video game just so I can get the comic that's attached to it? I'm like, I guess.

Badr Milligan: 1:11:30

Give me two of them.

David Harper: 1:11:31

But Oni Press announced that they're releasing it uh they're gonna release the single issue. And I have to say, I forgot what it is. It's like Scott Pilgrim EX or something like that. There's a little bit more to it, but I'm very excited that because then I can buy it for an ordinary amount of money instead of a video game amount of money.

Badr Milligan: 1:11:51

Can I tell you how excited I was that I could buy uh Versus at the comic shop? And it was like uh uh a unique uh they gave it like a and cover and all I thought that was really cool. I'm excited. I'm okay with the opportunity to buy more video games my local comic shop, but no, you're right. Video games are expensive as fuck.

David Harper: 1:12:12

Yeah. Well, and I I just want the comic. I just want the comic.

Badr Milligan: 1:12:15

I feel you, I feel you. Okay, uh, my second favorite announcement comes from They announced uh at during San Diego Comic-Con that the Trees Where Nobody Sees is getting a third third uh series, third and final. Yep, we're getting another six issues. It's called Beneath the Trees Where Nobody Sees, the and the Fall. Yeah, the Summer and the Fall. Okay, The Summer and the Fall, it'll debut February 2027. Um, much like volume two, right of spring. This one is also going to do a time jump. Um, so volume one was in 1984, volume two is in early 90s, and now I think we're jumping forward to 2004. And uh our favorite serial killing bear, Samantha is going to be 60 years old in this series. And I'm I'm excited for it, man. I had a chance to interview Patrick Horvath at the Big shout outs to uh Kim and the entire IDW team. Had I known this, I would have actually brought up some questions about it. We talked about the Halloween special coming out in But speaking about someone that you that you want to for, Patrick Horvath, right? Like someone that brought such a unique and comic book idea and the way that it's just, you know, blown all expectations. I I read someone, actually, I've got a note here that two series so far have sold more than 400,000 copies. And you know, when we're talking about a brand new title from like uh, you know, IDW's not an indie but you know what I'm saying? Like this is insane.

David Harper: 1:13:46

So it doesn't start Spider-Man. That's a really big deal for a book like that. And and also it's like yeah, it probably sold a lot in too. If we're if we're talking about like removing or the of the single issues, I also love the fact that we got six uh six issue series. So a serial killer book that adds up to six, six, six, god, the sign of the devil. It probably has nothing to do with they just want issue series, but Patrick's awesome. I'm very happy for him.

Badr Milligan: 1:14:10

Uh he did say something during the interview that like, you know, if it could, if it keeps going, he's got ideas for days, and like uh it's cool to see that he's really passionate about it, that he doesn't feel burnt about it, and just the overall fan reception. So I'm rooting for him and I'm looking forward to this series.

David Harper: 1:14:25

The beautiful thing about the the way that's set up, is is because the time jump, he can just go back and it with like stories in between there. He can just build more into it as much as he wants, which is really like that's that's awesome. Um, my third pick is I'm gonna go with the DC, uh, a DC things. Honestly, like DC had the vast majority of the really announcements, if I'm being totally honest, uh on the front, at least. And I'm gonna go with the fact that they announced two by writer artists in uh Michael Walsh is doing a Jonah book and James Heron is doing the demon. James Heron doing the demon has been like the worst kept secret in comics. It's been basically like effectively out for like a year or something like that. But like Michael Walsh on Jonah Hex was a real surprise. Michael is very good at what he does. He's done really, really awesome stuff when he just and draws that are like horror-tinged like back stories Jonah uh hex can't be. I think both of those books are gonna be awesome. Also, James Heron is like one of the best artists in This so to see him do something like that, even though I generally think that the the demon is a pretty annoying he speaks in goddamn rhymes. Come on now. Uh it does get tiring. Yeah, it gets a little tiring. But if if anybody can make it work, it's James Heron. And he, worst case scenario, that book is gonna look So I like specifically the fact that DC is embracing just really good people who are really good at making comics and just being like, you need time to write and draw this You've got it.

Badr Milligan: 1:15:56

Do it. Yeah, DC had some great announcements. Um, I'm not crazy saying that. Uh, which I will go to piggyback off that for my last spotlight, which is the announcement of uh Batman of Two Worlds. Oh, yeah. We're finally getting to kind of see Absolute Batman with the main continuity Batman. Uh it is gonna be a crossover. Uh, it's gonna release on Batman Day. Come on now. Like they got their fingers on the post. Good, good marketing, good uh campaign right there. You know what's really problematic?

David Harper: 1:16:25

Can I just say one thing right?$2.99. Oh, whoa, I didn't know that. I think they said that they were charging $299. Let me make sure I'm not lying about that, but I'm pretty sure that that they said that.

Badr Milligan: 1:16:34

And then while you're at it, I I've got the I know Scott Snyder's gonna be involved in it. I can't who's doing who's the other uh writer? Uh Matt Fraction. Matt Fraction, okay, cool.

David Harper: 1:16:42

And then Artist's uh Nick Darrington for the Snyder for absolute side and Javi Fernandez. And and what on Javi Fernandez on the Batman, yeah, the one. Yeah.

Badr Milligan: 1:16:52

So and from what I understand, is that it's going to be both Batmans are solving a crime in their respective that kind of crosses over. Um, so I don't think they're going to necessarily like up or fight or it be like a versus issue. But regardless, I think, you know, I bring this up. Obviously, this sounds like a cool idea. The 299 is even more enticing. That's awesome. But I bring it up because getting to see the hype of Batman in person at Cineocomicon, not that I was it before, but there is no doubting the sheer popularity and force of nature that is absolute Batman. Like uh I recently saw a um a press release that put by coverprice.com where they were talking about the and how much they're already going for or have sold on aftermarket. And there was like another absolute Batman number one. I forget what was the variant, but it was like a variant. It's already going for 500 bucks. And you're like probably the one from Comic-Con.

David Harper: 1:17:53

They had a number one exclusive from J. Scott Campbell there. And I was like, oh, that's gonna be worth a lot of

Badr Milligan: 1:17:58

Yeah, it's just like it just and I was so happy to see Dragata and Scott Snyder win what was it, uh, best series. Best continuing series. Um, but what really I think drove home the point, aside from seeing, you know, just the overall hype of for comics and you know, uh the awards, is I was hanging out at the DC booth, and Pauldini is like walking out of a with some one of the DC booth attendees. And they bring up, get to talking about absolute. I was like a fly on the wall. I'm just like they're right next to me. I'm kind of like listening in. Did you bring your digital audio recorder just to be speaking to the mic, Paul Dini? Can I have this on the record, Paul Dini? Um, but even he was talking about like how impressive like singing the praises of absolute Batman. And he even like drew a comparison to Batman, the animated series, and how like, hey, this is cool that they're a different approach and it's like hitting it off. I don't know. It was just the final kind of nail in the coffin I needed to be like, yo, absolute Batman is it's a moment, to stay. It's like they've made history with this.

David Harper: 1:19:02

I want to give one shout out in regards to that. Um, Felix Comic Card's team did a really good job managing the crazy lines at that booth the whole time. There's a world where that would have resulted in fist perhaps uh generating a headline on bleeding cool about the fist fights. Who but that would never happen? Why would that happen, Father?

Badr Milligan: 1:19:20

It did happen.

David Harper: 1:19:21

Um, but it didn't actually happen because their team good at managing that. And like Nick Dragata, Daniel Warren Johnson, the rest of their incredible stable of artists had massive lines whole time. And like, first off, you could barely even notice it, because I know that firsthand because I accidentally cut line twice, but just to say hi to Felix and Daniel and to Nick. And the other thing, too, is it's just like they just it so smooth on everyone. And like, that's tough to do. It is a con that can get out of control fast, as your buddy in the DC line that was shouting at everyone knows all about. And like you just never noticed that at Felix. And like that is a really impressive thing to do. So good job by the team over there.

Badr Milligan: 1:20:03

For sure. Shout out to them. And uh, that is everything I had for my uh list of announcements and whatnot. Um, David, I I think I would like to end it really quick with one last question, which is what would you do at San Diego Comic Con that you think might help for their next journey or maybe a first timer?

David Harper: 1:20:20

Um okay. Well, this is a very personalized one because it was my But like the first time I went in 2024, Amber, my wife I, we went to LA first, and we like had a few days we went to like Disneyland, went to a Dodgers game chilled. And then we took the Pacific Surfliner down the Amtrak which is really nice. And so we go in and we're already kind of acclimated and we're rested and all this stuff like that. This time we flew down on a red on a red eye. So like our flight was at 11:59 p.m. And then we flew overnight. We land in San Diego at 9:30. We probably got like three or four really bad hours of on the way. And I just tried to grind through it. But like if you're gonna go, it's more expensive to do this way, but you gotta give yourself time to get and to be rested because it is a marathon, not a You need to make sure that like you are in position to be functional the whole time because it's like we on Tuesday, and my Tuesday was packed, my Wednesday was and God only knows Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and are gonna be packed. And so give yourself time to rest because if you don't, body's gonna choose for you, as Botter knows. Because I was gonna come meet up with you guys when I out you got into the Marvel party, but I I laid in bed I instantly fell asleep.

Badr Milligan: 1:21:41

Dude, like retweet, preach, I a hundred percent. Amen. All of that. I got in basically Friday, like 2, 3 a.m. and had to be up like eight to get hit the con. And you're right. I it wasn't, and I think that's why I was literally a zombie on Monday by the time I got home. It was, you're right. I my big takeaway was get there earlier, try to get a night's sleep to like you know, carry me over. Um, yeah, it's it's no joke for sure. If you can, you know, prioritize some rest at some point and get that, you got to. Um, I I'll say my two big ones that I so I mentioned uh bring nicer clothes or at least a jacket. Um pack some bags and boards, people. Oh my god. Bags and boards. Are you taking shots at me right now, Butter? No, I'm taking shots at myself too. I bet the amount of bigger. Butter gave me one of his bags and boards. Dude, yeah, and they were like a scarce commodity. I mean, I I was not able to find that vendor that Chris was like, hey, they got bags and boards. Um, but if you can pack a couple of bags and boards, know, you're out there spending money on maybe books, or you know, you're you're out there spending on these comics and don't go into it expecting to have the comic set bagged and boarded or to get bags and from these people vendors. Um, I had a few instances where I was nervous the time that man, it's in my backpack, it's probably gonna get dinged and damaged. Um, so next time I go, I'm going to bring a couple of bags and boards just in case, just to protect the shit I spend my money on. So uh if you can do that, I think it goes a long way.

David Harper: 1:23:14

Let me tell you, my chain cottage ash can, uh, the dream of a 9.8 is long dead. That thing is like, I see your your uh uh was it Fantastic 450 back there? Yeah, yeah. Is it 50 or is it 48? 49, 49. 49, 49. It's probably 4.5, maybe. It's probably a similar grade right now. My chain cottage ash can has seen better days.

Badr Milligan: 1:23:35

Yeah, luckily, I um I I had stuffed a couple of things. Man, that that program book they gave uh they gave is kind of thick, so I was like putting comics in the of it and then wrapping that in plastic bags and that in between like the hard surface in my backpack. So I got lucky on a couple of books, but I didn't have enough bags and boards to protect everything I was a little dicey. So pack some extra bags and boards. Um, I think uh time, managing your time, uh, very You know, uh, we all got a finite amount of time. Be realistic. Yes. I think actually study the map, group things where um, you know, uh uh and make a better, I think for me, a better list of of where I'm gonna be at. Just like manage my time economy and and not wasting so much time, like fuck, I'm over here and this thing is on the opposite side. I think being able to group similar things that are in areas will go a long way. And just save you like from having to walk, you know, of steps. I don't know about you, but uh I think every day, which just Friday and Saturday, easily 20,000. I think Saturday was like 26,000, like insane. So I think being a little smarter about where I'm gonna be at, how I'm gonna get there, and how much time I'm spend. Um, just time management.

David Harper: 1:24:53

I have two really quick shouts out because you brought up that I wanted to mention. That program that San Diego Comic Con, uh like first off, I just want to say San Diego Comic-Con overall did a much better job with aesthetics this year, which I really That program had uh it was a cover by Richard Blake from Hexagon Bridge, which was amazing. So good job hiring that, even though he was not at the con, which I found was thought was kind of funny. And then I found out this morning that the program at the Eisner Awards, which was really nice. I don't know if you did you get to see it. You got one?

Badr Milligan: 1:25:21

Uh yeah, I got one right here.

David Harper: 1:25:23

Designed by Courtney Minard, uh, from I think God, of production at Tiny Onion. And uh co-designed by her and by Dylan Todd, who's a that works with Tiny Onion quite often. It was so much better looking than previous ones. It looked great. They killed it. So the aesthetic game was way up this year. I really appreciate that about it.

Badr Milligan: 1:25:44

Yeah. And that was part of why I mentioned like production just overall, like just the production and presentation of everything there was awesome. And then last but not least, is more of a personal uh goal challenge, whatever it may be. I think next time I go, I would like to actually attend something in Hall H. It definitely wouldn't be the Marvel panel. I don't like being in the lines, all right. I I have been in lines for many a thing, sneakers, uh drops, all of that. But I you know what I'm saying? Like to me, it's just wild to me that people would spend more than like literally 24 plus hours in a line. Like that is the entire experience. I'm sure it's probably worth it for the right one, think I would much prefer to attend something like the Lantern panel or you know, the Apple TV panel. I I would like to attend something in Hall H at some in my life. Absolutely.

David Harper: 1:26:33

It's way easier to get into for some of them than you'd When Alien Romulus had a panel in 2024, I just walked in. There was like no line.

Badr Milligan: 1:26:39

It was super easy. Okay, good enough. So that is everything. And um, I think that being said, David, this has been a hell of a show, man. Yeah, it was a blast.

David Harper: 1:26:48

I like talking comics with you. I like, I just like chatting with you, to be totally

Badr Milligan: 1:26:51

So that works really easy. I gotta get you on the pod more. Uh, because yeah, you're right. It is a lot of fun just to uh chop it up. Um uh I guess any shameless plug before we wrap up. I'm going to have links to the two uh write-ups you recently did about one about the Eisner leaks and and that impacted you and how you got over it. Um, which by the way, the photo you included in that that's a hell of a photo of Shadows Amber. Of me being complete. Of you being in like complete shot. Yeah, I was like, Yeah, I'm glad she took that.

David Harper: 1:27:18

Well, she was also worrying that she was gonna have to an ambulance for me, which is quite the combination of that she was doing.

Badr Milligan: 1:27:23

Yeah, so I'm gonna have links to that, and then I'm have links to your your recent one where you shared uh your journal and your writings uh from CNOCMCO. Is there any other shameless plugs? Where can people find you? Give you a follow, all of that.

David Harper: 1:27:34

You should subscribe to my now Eisner Award winning comic book site sketched. Uh it's a now, you know, esteemed in this sort of way. Yeah, there we go. Um and then you should uh listen, you know, check out my weekly comics interview podcast sketched. You can find it on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, everywhere have audio podcasts and also YouTube. Uh my next episode will be an episode that was At San Diego Comic Con that has Joshua Williams and Pseudoconic. It was supposed to have Scotty Young, but I messed that as noted earlier. And then I have Christian Ward and some other folks up. It'll be a good stretch for the podcast. And uh I I mentioned this on another show I did earlier. If you happen to be in the Bay Area on August 30th, I will be a featured guest at Cape and Calicon, and I will be a live podcast, uh live episode of off-panel where we draft dumb things we love about comics with Dave Baker, Goo, Evan Narsis, and Ethan Manhoff. So it will be a blast.

Badr Milligan: 1:28:33

Let's talk about a lineup. That's gonna be fun. Hell yeah. All right, ladies and gents, uh, this is the Short Box We just finished talking to the Iser Award-winning Harper about uh San Diego Comic-Con. All right, we talked about our personal favorite we talked about our favorite comic news and we shared some tips for first timers. All right, we uh this was a very Comic-Con-centric What do you expect? All right, I had a blast, David had a blast, and if never been, I hope this uh motivates you to maybe make pilgrimage, all right, and experience Comic-Con for I think it is uh life-changing is one hell of a use for it, but it's pretty damn close. I'm gonna have links to uh David's uh website, social all of that stuff in the show notes. Do yourself a favor, check it out. It's worthwhile. Make sure you give him a follow while you're at it and an eye out for all the amazing uh things he's got going on, all right? David, this has been great. Let's not make this the last time. Of course. And uh keep doing your thing. Thank you. Hey yo, run it back. Journalism catching straights from the Plumisher?

David Harper: 1:29:41

God. Uh, there are way too many people for me to thank, but I do want to say okay, uh my good guy, my guy, Tyler Boss, told me to do my entire podcast outro. So if you guys got five to ten minutes, I'll go through Um I want to start with my fellow nominees and my peers are putting in the work, including my podcasting files the back. Thanks for coming, guys. Um the people who've talked to me for sketching off who I can see many of you in the crowd, and I really everyone doing that. And uh my site subscribers, I could not do what I you. My cap's Koopa on Kai. You make my job harder by love so much. But there are two main thank yous I have. Um, first, I want to thank my parents, particularly my who once heard me absolutely weep because Wolverine admantium pulled out of his body in XD number 25. And it haunted me. And she heard that and said, or thought, this seems like a habit I should encourage. She always has, even when I, especially when I needed of that. So I would not be on the stage without them. Uh and I wanted to thank my wife, Amber, most of all.

Badr Milligan: 1:30:53

Uh Woo!

David Harper: 1:30:59

As the great Kelly Steve comic said today, uh, she is just as much as I am. Uh, I was laid off from my job about a year ago. And when I came to her and said, I want to go full-time my comic work, she said, sounds great. How can I help? And I told her I wanted to become a full-time comics which is not exactly a job most people understand, but she was the most wonderful and encouraging person about it. And sketch does not exist without any manner. So thank you for everything. But uh, I just want to say comics of the episode. They gave me a passion, they gave me a community, you wonderful people, they gave me a career, they even me a stilt name. And now they've given me an eyes reward, and I could not be more honored. So thank you, everyone. Thank you everyone.