Post by The Ultimate Nullifier on Oct 24, 2014 18:07:04 GMT -6
Oafcon, the Oklahoma Alliance of Fans convention, whose roots go back to 1967, is moving to a larger venue in Norman, Oklahoma, this year; as in previous years, the slate of local creators, including Jack Bender (Alley Oop) and Donnie Pitchford (Lum & Abner) is expected to be a big draw.
newsok.com/comics-convention-moves-to-norman/article/5359525
Comics convention moves to Norman
Local comics creators including the “Nadir’s Zenith” team are set for 2014 Oafcon, the annual Oklahoma Alliance of Fans gathering that this year will take place in Norman.
NORMAN — The comics and nostalgia convention Oafcon has moved to a larger facility for its 2014 edition this weekend. The show will be Saturday and Sunday at the Embassy Suites Norman, 2501 Conference Drive.
Photo -
Vintage comics on display at a previous Oafcon. Photo provided
<strong></strong>
Vintage comics on display at a previous Oafcon. Photo provided
“It was time to move the show,” organizer Bart Bush said. “And Norman has a great comic book base, so it will be good to be closer for the (University of Oklahoma) students to attend.”
The “oaf” in Oafcon stands for the Oklahoma Alliance of Fans, one of the earliest gatherings of comics fandom, dating from 1967. The first Oafcons took place in Oklahoma City and Tulsa from 1970-1982, hosting luminaries including actor George Takei (“Star Trek”), comic book artist John Byrne (“Uncanny X-Men”) and serial star Buster Crabbe (“Flash Gordon”).
Since its revival in 2007, Oafcon has provided both a community for the longtime fans and a space for local comic book creators.
“Always a big draw is our section for the Oklahoma comic creators,” Bush said. “OAF donates the space so regional comic book artists, writers and publishers have an area that is totally devoted to them sharing their work.”
Dealers from across the United States offer comics and nostalgia items including pulps, fanzines, radio show premiums and more, but Bush said the show’s emphasis remains on what originally brought the “oafs” together.
“Our total emphasis is on comics, their creators, fans and collectors,” Bush said.
Local creators (including this columnist) will join nationally syndicated cartoonists Jack Bender (“Alley Oop”) and Donnie Pitchford (“Lum & Abner”) at the show.
Comic creators Jackson Compton and Jerry Bennett will be promoting their sci-fi series “Nadir’s Zenith.” The comic is running a Kickstarter campaign to finance the fourth issue.
“Our series is set nearly a hundred years into the future, during the year 2112,” Compton said. “These are the galactic adventures of Space Marshal, Captain John Nadir. We pick up his adventure when he’s recalled back to Earth.”
The three issues of the series will be available at Oafcon; they also are on sale at local comic shops and online at comixology.com.
Bennett, who is also scheduled to work with former “Tailspin” animator and Oafcon guest Larry Latham on the popular Web comic “Lovecraft Is Missing,” said he’s excited for the local show.
“I am stoked for Oafcon because, one, I get to meet Larry Latham face-to-face and, two, I get to promote the Kickstarter,” Bennett said. “I’m stoked also about the hopes of doing the next issue of (Nadir’s Zenith), which will be #4.”
Elements of success
Other local creators slated for Oafcon include Ellis Goodson, Scott Sackett, Ben Soto, Scott McClung and many others. Peter Greenwood, Count Gregore and “Fiction Pulp” author John Wooley also are scheduled to attend.
“The success of Oafcon is that we host an easygoing, family-friendly show that only costs $5 to attend,” Bush said. “There are comics and collectibles to buy and lots of very talented folks to share their skills and knowledge for two days. Come join our celebration of comics.”
newsok.com/comics-convention-moves-to-norman/article/5359525
Comics convention moves to Norman
Local comics creators including the “Nadir’s Zenith” team are set for 2014 Oafcon, the annual Oklahoma Alliance of Fans gathering that this year will take place in Norman.
NORMAN — The comics and nostalgia convention Oafcon has moved to a larger facility for its 2014 edition this weekend. The show will be Saturday and Sunday at the Embassy Suites Norman, 2501 Conference Drive.
Photo -
Vintage comics on display at a previous Oafcon. Photo provided
<strong></strong>
Vintage comics on display at a previous Oafcon. Photo provided
“It was time to move the show,” organizer Bart Bush said. “And Norman has a great comic book base, so it will be good to be closer for the (University of Oklahoma) students to attend.”
The “oaf” in Oafcon stands for the Oklahoma Alliance of Fans, one of the earliest gatherings of comics fandom, dating from 1967. The first Oafcons took place in Oklahoma City and Tulsa from 1970-1982, hosting luminaries including actor George Takei (“Star Trek”), comic book artist John Byrne (“Uncanny X-Men”) and serial star Buster Crabbe (“Flash Gordon”).
Since its revival in 2007, Oafcon has provided both a community for the longtime fans and a space for local comic book creators.
“Always a big draw is our section for the Oklahoma comic creators,” Bush said. “OAF donates the space so regional comic book artists, writers and publishers have an area that is totally devoted to them sharing their work.”
Dealers from across the United States offer comics and nostalgia items including pulps, fanzines, radio show premiums and more, but Bush said the show’s emphasis remains on what originally brought the “oafs” together.
“Our total emphasis is on comics, their creators, fans and collectors,” Bush said.
Local creators (including this columnist) will join nationally syndicated cartoonists Jack Bender (“Alley Oop”) and Donnie Pitchford (“Lum & Abner”) at the show.
Comic creators Jackson Compton and Jerry Bennett will be promoting their sci-fi series “Nadir’s Zenith.” The comic is running a Kickstarter campaign to finance the fourth issue.
“Our series is set nearly a hundred years into the future, during the year 2112,” Compton said. “These are the galactic adventures of Space Marshal, Captain John Nadir. We pick up his adventure when he’s recalled back to Earth.”
The three issues of the series will be available at Oafcon; they also are on sale at local comic shops and online at comixology.com.
Bennett, who is also scheduled to work with former “Tailspin” animator and Oafcon guest Larry Latham on the popular Web comic “Lovecraft Is Missing,” said he’s excited for the local show.
“I am stoked for Oafcon because, one, I get to meet Larry Latham face-to-face and, two, I get to promote the Kickstarter,” Bennett said. “I’m stoked also about the hopes of doing the next issue of (Nadir’s Zenith), which will be #4.”
Elements of success
Other local creators slated for Oafcon include Ellis Goodson, Scott Sackett, Ben Soto, Scott McClung and many others. Peter Greenwood, Count Gregore and “Fiction Pulp” author John Wooley also are scheduled to attend.
“The success of Oafcon is that we host an easygoing, family-friendly show that only costs $5 to attend,” Bush said. “There are comics and collectibles to buy and lots of very talented folks to share their skills and knowledge for two days. Come join our celebration of comics.”