Welcome to the world of Carter Comics new fans!
For my existing subscribers, thank you for taking residence in my world since March of this year. As I wind down my convention/artwalk/comic shop circuit for 2018, it's been another exciting and unpredictable tour for Carter Comics, but more on that when the year is actually ending. I have four shows left (which I will mention later) on the calendar, but first, I shall give you my thoughts on this past weekend shows, and my first LA Metro community meeting. I'll go in chronological order starting with....
The LA Metro Noho to Pasadena and North San Fernando Valley BRT project community meeting:
Yes, it's a mouthful, but Los Angeles Metro wanted to ensure that it could 'kill two birds with one stone' and mention both transit projects, as they both will run in the San Fernando Valley , and both will connect with each other. The confirmed part of this plan is to create two 18 miles of BRT, or "bus rapid transit," which is anything from a dedicated busway like the Valley's existing Orange Line, to painted bus-only lanes on Wilshire blvd, to just Metro Rapid bus service. For the Noho to Pasadena route (the one I care about the most since it's my route to work in Glendale), there are two alignments being looked at: A street-running route from Noho through Downtown Burbank, Downtown Glendale, Eagle Rock, and Pasadena. The second route runs on the 134 Freeway and just serves Noho, the Burbank Media District, North Glendale, and Pasadena. This route is currently being used by the 501 express bus. I prefer a street-running route that looks as close as possible to the Orange Line BRT ( dedicated busway / street-median running bus lanes, station stops placed at least a mile apart, off-fare payment, and traffic signal priority), anything less will not make a difference in travel time or ridership, and I'll just go back to using the 501 express bus.
Reseda Rising Artwalk and Night Market: I have been a vendor at this show since it's inception back in June 2016, and have also exhibited at their smaller summer artwalks "Third Thursdays in Canoga Park back in the summer of 2013. This year's outdoor block party of a show was exciting as always, with vendors now taking over Sherman Way (a major surface street in the valley town of Reseda), a growth move from vendors being placed on the sidewalk for the first two years. Much like Open Arts and Music Festival Glendale, Reseda Rising Artwalk and Night Market successfully draws a local crowd that is genuinely excited to see all kind of hand made items, be they crafts, clothing fine art, or comic book art. People were spending alot too (at least for me, as I made slightly more sales that last year, though I didn't sell out of any books like last year). I also got to gets some friends in on the artwalk: My artist buddy Christie Shinn carpooled with me to table here for the first time and she loved it, along with my other buddy Andy Cogan who stopped by to show his support by helping me watch my table. Overall, I would definitely return to year four of this artwalk.
Santa Clarita Comic and Toy Expo: I have also been tabling at this show since it's beginnings back in March 2017. The Husband and wife team of Razmik and Lisa Simonian (who also own Kimzar Kollectables comic shop) host this small but still-growing local convention in the College of the Canyons gym facility twice a year: Spring and Fall. Toys and old comics are the main draw, with local creators a close second. I did the best showing crowd and saleswise since exhibiting there for the first time last March. It was not a large increase in sales, but enough of an upward swing to make me look forward to their next show. More importantly though, the mix of families and college students with the show's DJ and MC, make for an energetic experience. That's the main reason I do this show, regardless of how many people stop at my table, or how many items I sell.
Just Imagine: A Cosmic Force Prequel: This is the second title I finished this year after Cosmic Force issue 6 this past May. While this 12 page backstory into the early life of CF member Sandra "Imagine" Winters was originally supposed to be completed in a month's time, a challenging story to capsize and other life obligations got in the way to delay my due date. On the plus side, the extra time helped to produce a better quality book, one that will be for sale at my last show of the year at City of Commerce Public Library. Speaking of which, I shall end this long but informative email blast with both a reminder of my remaining two convention / art show appearances.
Final show appearances for 2018:
Monterey Park Artwalk and Geranium Festival
Saturday October 13th
5 PM to 10 PM
Barnes Park
Admission is FREE!!
Comic Invasion
Saturday October 20th
City of Commerce Public Library
10 AM to 3 PM
Admission is also FREE!!
Have a great week!
Regards,
Allen Carter
Carter Comics