The Final Day of MoCCA Involves Batmanga, More Odd Puppet Fantasies and Neil Fitzpatrick Taking My Money
Yesterday was the second and final day of the 2008 [MoCCA (Museum of Comic and Cartoon Art) Art Festival] and, although it was an uneventful one, there were a few noteworthy events:
-I caught the last 20 to 30 minutes of [Alex Robinson]s conversation with [Mike Dawson](http://www.mikedawsoncomics.com/blog) about autobiographical comics and how they approached writing and drawing Too Cool To Be Forgotten and Freddie & Me (which was the indirect inspiration for the dirt-cheap and high-quality drawing I had [Chris Haley](http://www.letsbefriendsagain.com) draw for me of Freddie Mercury vs. [Darkseid](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Darkseid) the day before) respectively. Both cartoonists had a great time and didnt take themselves too seriously but thats about it.
-After that, [Chip Kidd] talked about his as-yet-unreleased book Bat-Manga: The Secret History of Batman in Japan. It looks like it will be worth buying because its a collection of photos of Batmnan-related toys, drawings and comics from Japan in the mid 60s. Kidd was nervous but in his element and some of his pics were terrific (I particularly love the Batman Tank and the miniature gas pump that kids could use to accessorize their Batmobiles) but there wasnt much for him to add to the images, which are all going to be in the book to be released this October. It was, however, a hoot to hear him read some of the comics in character. I will never read Lord Death Mans dialogue the same way again.
-[Patricia Burgess] was still there showing off her lovely sheep hand puppet. I shouldve given her a high five. At least I got one of the 10 limited watercolor prints she was selling. Im still thinking Id like her to make a Count Chocula puppet for me. Maybe Freddie Mercury and Darkseid puppets? Oh wow. Wouldnt it be neat to have all of Queen in puppet form and have them damn, I really need to snap out of it.
-My second favorite person at this years fest, [Neil Fitzpatrick], took some more of my money. This time I bought a larger framed drawing of [Calvin and Hobbe](http://www.gocomics.com/calvinandhobbes) and a smaller one of [Joe Camel](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joe_Camel) to match the Franken Berry drawing I bought yesterday.
-I glowered at [Jason] since I resent that he was the best [Fantagraphics](http://www.fantagraphics.com) had to offer. I came close to waiting in line just to sign a copy of [The Comics Journal #289](http://tcj.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=814&Itemid=48) for him, but then I remembered that I lied to you about having dignity the day before and so, for the sake of being a consistent liar, I held back.
-I got two terrific T-shirtsthat I cant really describe for the life of mefrom vendors whose names I dont remember and forgot to ask for a business card. To compensate for my ineptitude, I will model them upon request. [Cate Marvin], Im looking at yoooou
And so ends yet another year of frivolous purchases at the crossroads of NYC-based indie comics, not with a bangbut not with a whimper either.