Podcast: Play in new window | Download | Embed

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Email | TuneIn | Deezer | RSS | More

• Please note the blog and podcast are different! This week’s podcast is a wrap-up session with Oscar Agramonte, where we discuss all things SDCC and our experiences on the panel and at the con. Tune in!

I just got back from the whirlwind that is San Diego Comic-Con.

I was hoping to meet some of my favorite comic book writers and artists. I looked forward to geeking out, but I also had my own panel to worry about. The entire experience was overwhelming.

I jumped off the plane on Wednesday ready to hit the ground running. Well, not literally. Those who know me, know that I hate running.

Wednesday was preview night! The one night where it was supposedly ‘less busy’ at SDCC. I have to say, it wasn’t that bad! I was able to make it to the exhibit floor a little after it opened, and was able to freely roam the floors.

My top priority on opening night was to see the awesome creators who previously were featured on my podcast: Stan Sakai and Scott Shaw. I was psyched to get artwork signed from both of them!

• 

• 

Usagi Yojimbo is one of my favorite comic books, and it was awesome to get an exclusive print from Stan himself. Watching him draw an outline of Usagi on the print was surreal, and I totally had a fan moment. Stan is one of the kindest individuals I have met, and I am truly honored to know him.

The next couple of days at the con got more crowded, as the Hall H fans started lining up hours or the night before the big panels. The arrival of the rest of the Wah Lum crew made the event all the more enjoyable.

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

I am grateful to my Wah Lum family that came out to support the event, as well as participate! Naturally, I decided to produce a full kung fu show at our panel, so I recruited them to perform in cosplay. It was so much fun!

The panel was really well received, and I am pleased with the turnout. There was an almost full audience despite the fact we were tucked away into the film festival room, and it was a little tough to find.

I appreciate all the attendees who came out and cheered us on. We got a lot of great feedback, even someone stating this has been their favorite panel ever. Wow!

Why did I decide to host a panel? The photo below says it all. This cosplayer has a killer costume and sword. However, if it was a real sword, he would’ve cut his arm off! Well, maybe not off, but this isn’t the way to hold your sword!

The cool thing is this was the line TO our panel, so I am pretty sure he left knowing what to do from now on. It was great to be able to share our martial arts experience with the attendees, and I hope they received some value from attending our panel.

It was great meeting fans after the show who told us how much they loved our panel! I autographed these cool Kung Fu Mulan prints for them and got a chance to talk to the audience members about their characters. I’ve been so honored that people have been asking about these prints, so I am happy to say that I will have them available HERE – for anyone interested!

Even though I had a great time, it was an exhausting 5 days. If I was not trying to catch a panel or meet people, I was interviewing. Coordinating 12 people to eat during SDCC was a challenge, but we made it work!

A very surreal moment for me was meeting one of my favorite writers, Greg Rucka. Greg wrote Lazarus, Stumptown, The Old Guard, Queen and Country, and an incredible arc of Wonder Woman. (and much more) I was so psyched to meet him in person and he has also agreed to a future interview! So stay tuned for that!

Would I go back to SDCC? Absolutely! Perhaps I won’t take on the daunting task of hosting a panel and coordinating a kung fu show from all parts of the country again… but who knows?

I’d love to hear your feedback if you were at the panel, are interested in the panel, or want to learn more! If you missed it… you are in luck. You can see the entire panel HERE!

https://youtu.be/lDgiXCFzsXY

As always, please help support this podcast by SHARING and RATING it.  If you would like to support with a donation, you can become a patron of the show by visiting my website or Patreon.com so I can keep sharing these awesome interviews with you.

For comments or suggestions reach out on social media @sifumimichan.

Now On with the show.

Discussed in this episode:
San Diego Comic Convention
San Diego Comic-Con Events
Comic Conventions
Cosplay
Stan Sakai’s Official Website
CChat 101: Stan Sakai creator of Usagi Yojimbo
Scott Shaw’s Official Website
CChat 112: Scott Shaw, cartoonist and founding member of San Diego Comic Con
Wah Lum Kung Fu Demo Team
Jae Lee
Greg Rucka
Marissa Mayer
Comic-Con Hall-H

CULTURE CHAT CREDITS
Host: Mimi Chan
Intro Music: Mike Relm
Editor: Mimi Chan and Chance Tieng

Comment Rules: Be Cool. Critical is fine, but if you’re rude, we’ll delete your stuff. Please do not put your URL in the comment text and please use your PERSONAL name or initials and not your business name, as the latter comes off like spam. Have fun and thanks for adding to the conversation!

Disclaimer: I am not a writer. I do not claim to be.  Apologies for grammatical mistakes, long drawn out run-on sentences, and anything else that drives you crazy. I promise it was not my intention.  Be lenient, please!