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That’s the self-titled\u00a0Corduroy Mafia<\/strong> at Heroes Con 2013<\/strong><\/a>. \u00a0From left to right we have Brian Jones<\/strong>, me,\u00a0Gene Gonzales<\/strong>,\u00a0John Nacinovich<\/strong>\u00a0and\u00a0Royce Thrower<\/strong>. How we gave ourselves the name Corduroy Mafia<\/strong> is a tale for another time. \u00a0Instead I present my HeroesCon 2013<\/strong> summary.<\/p>\n The Drive Up:<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n Doralya<\/strong> and I left Friday morning. \u00a0We planned to leave earlier, but a late start got us on the road at about 5am. \u00a0Traffic was terrible, two different wrecks slowed us down and it rained almost the entire way. \u00a0From now on, we plan to drive up the night before the con starts.<\/p>\n The hotel:<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n We usually stay at the Weston<\/strong>, but this year it was the Hampton Inn Charlotte – Uptown<\/strong><\/a>. \u00a0What a great hotel! \u00a0It’s super-clean with the friendliest staff I’ve ever seen. \u00a0Free shuttle service and free breakfast made the stay even better. I’d definitely stay here again!<\/p>\n Main Goal of the Show:<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n My main goal was to meet (for the first time) and get a sketch from\u00a0Rick Burchett<\/strong><\/a>. \u00a0I’m happy to report that\u00a0Rick<\/strong>\u00a0is as nice as he is talented — yeah, he’s really that friendly! \u00a0I hoped to get Rick<\/strong> to draw Jack Carter (Stallone<\/strong>) with Chris Mills\/Rick Burchett’s<\/strong> character, Grave Digger (Lee Marvin<\/strong>). \u00a0Rick<\/strong> said he could make that happen!<\/p>\n I then got Greg Rucka<\/strong><\/a> to autograph two of my Atticus Kodiac<\/strong> novels. \u00a0I’ve been a Rucka<\/strong> fan since before he started working in comics — and was pleased when he teamed with Rick Burchett<\/strong> on Lady Sabre<\/strong>. \u00a0Eric Newsome<\/strong> was at the table as well. \u00a0Eric<\/strong> assists with the Lady Sabre<\/strong> website and more. \u00a0Since I am a backer of their Lady Sabre<\/strong> Kickstarter, I knew the password to get an advance look at a Lady Sabre<\/strong> script! \u00a0Eric<\/strong> also reminded me that he had done a Stallone sketch for the SZ!<\/a>\u00a0\u00a0<\/strong>It was great talking to Rick<\/strong>, Greg<\/strong> and Eric<\/strong>.<\/p>\n Books signed: All books autographed — mission accomplished.<\/p>\n Sketches:<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n Panels<\/strong><\/span>:<\/p>\n It’s only been in the last several years that I’ve made a real effort to attend panels. \u00a0Without a doubt, they have made the con experience even more fun.<\/p>\n Drink and Draw<\/strong><\/span>:<\/p>\n Because of weather it was held in the lobby of the Hilton<\/strong>. \u00a0Jack the Radio<\/strong><\/a> provided live music — they’re good! \u00a0The place was packed, but the Hilton<\/strong> staff was very accommodating and brought out more seats. Patricia<\/strong>, Doralya<\/strong> and I enjoyed watching and messing with LittleJohn312<\/strong> as he attempted to win some art — and he did!<\/p>\n HeroesCon<\/strong> Auction<\/strong><\/span>:<\/p>\n As always the auction was a fun night. \u00a0LittleJohn312<\/strong> won a Wizard of Oz<\/strong><\/em> piece (as well as the companion piece that was in next day’s auction). \u00a0The move to have professional auctioneers is helpful, but Alison’s<\/strong> presence as the Mistress of Ceremonies<\/strong> was missed.<\/p>\n Kickstarter:<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n Some HeroesCon<\/strong> guests had Kickstarter<\/strong> projects that I had backed. \u00a0I made sure to swing by and congratulate each on their Kickstarter<\/strong> success:<\/p>\n Meals<\/strong><\/span>:<\/p>\n The biggest surprise is that we only ate at Fuel<\/strong> once. \u00a0It was good to keep that tradition alive, but not over do it. \u00a0The best meal we had was at Fujo Bistro<\/strong> — we will definitely hit that place again next year! \u00a0Bojangles <\/strong>and Einstein’s Bagels<\/strong> also got our business. \u00a0Sadly we did not make it to Mert’s<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n The Drive Hom<\/strong>e<\/strong><\/span>:<\/p>\n We left about 5:30 and arrived home at about 12:30am. \u00a0Traffic and rain were both light and we were exhausted, but in a good way.<\/p>\n In closing:<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n HeroesCon<\/strong> this year was huge with twice the floor space as previous years. \u00a0The wider aisles made movement easier. \u00a0There were also additional sections this year with chairs and tables for con guests to sit, eat and visit. \u00a0The bigger painting area was also a plus.<\/p>\n
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