Recap: East Coast Comicon 2015

On April 11 and 12, 2015 Curls Studio exhibited at their first East Coast Comicon in the Kids Love Comics section. It was great to meet new faces and hang out with other fun creators.

East Coast Comicon has grown out of the success of Asbury Park Comicon. This year ECC was held at the Meadowlands Exposition Center -- very close to New York City. It did feel like a traditional comic convention compared to the original shows at the bowling alley and when we sold comics above the Atlantic Ocean at the Asbury Park Convention Hall. I know that building was built in the 1920s and in need of renovations, so the show moved. I still miss the charm of the original shows, but I understand the growth -- it makes me feel good that we got to witness Cliff's vision for the show. I also got to eat nachos -- my Kryptonite.

In addition to exhibiting, I hosted a workshop on Saturday called "Create Your Own Superhero Symbol." This was my first time running this seminar and I will probably do it again for Awesome Con DC and Baltimore Comic-Con. I posted print outs of established logos such as Batman, Superman, Green Lantern, cutie marks from My Little Pony, and more. I took the opportunity to ask the children to create a list of three things they like and consider shapes, colors, and meaning to create a visual icon to represent themselves. A lot of the children wanted to go at it and create. They seemed very excited to make something for themselves and a lot of parents joined in the fun.

You can check more photos out at the Curls Studio Facebook page "East Coast Comicon" Album -- give us a "Like" while you're at it: https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10153181682312381.1073741855.50763422380&type=1

Curls Studio will be at East Coast Comicon 2015

Curls Studio will be at East Coast Comicon this coming weekend with the talented creators in the Kids Love Comics section at Table 245. See the map above to locate us.

East Coast Comicon has grown out of the success of Asbury Park Comicon, an event we have been at in the past. We look forward to our first East Coast Comicon!

The event is being held at the Meadowlands Exposition Center (355 Plaza Drive Secaucus, NJ 07094). Hope to see you there from 10AM to 6PM both days.

In addition to exhibiting, I will be hosting a workshop at 2PM on Saturday called "Create Your Own Superhero Symbol with Carolyn Belefski" -- Every hero needs a logo! Many superheroes have personal branding on their outfits and My Little Pony characters even have cutie marks! Join artist and designer Carolyn Belefski and learn how to incorporate graphic design elements to create an icon and establish your own powerful visual identity.

Recap: Asbury Park Comic Con 3

This past Saturday, March 30, 2013, Curls Studio exhibited for the third time at Asbury Park Comic Con. This show tripled in size, attendance, and hype as the organizers took it to a higher level. For one thing, the two previous events were held at Asbury Lanes, a bowling alley, just a short walk from the boardwalk. This time around they held the con at the legendary Asbury Park Convention center, directly on the ocean and boardwalk. It was a nice day despite some wind and everyone was very happy and cheerful. It was a good crowd.

There were two levels of exhibitors: one was the main hall and the other was upstairs which was similar to an "Artist's Alley" with the artists lined up along the parameter of the venue on the second floor. This is where Curls Studio was set-up. One thing the organizers could have done in advance was tell us we would be located here as the venue did not have an elevator and the exhibitors had to walk up the stadium stairs with their table displays and merchandise. I wish they provided a map in the program guide so I could be able to find some artists I missed. Yes, it was a big enough show to miss people's tables. I have noticed with each Asbury Park Comic Con that the promoters have upped the ante and increased the quality of the show each time with steady growth - already looking forward to the next show.

Another addition this year was the addition of panel discussions. The panels were located at Wonder Bar, just a simple walk across the street from the convention center. I broke away from the table to attend the first 20 minutes of the Al Jaffee discussion. This dude is 92 years old and can kick it better than people my own age. He is an amazing storyteller in addition to doing some amazing work for MAD magazine. I was glad to be able to see him.

The view from our table was amazing. I didn't ever dream or think of ever exhibiting comics directly over the Atlantic Ocean! It was also sweet to table in-between Jim Coon and Dave Bullock. We were also able to distribute Magic Bullet #6 to many people - already receiving many compliments about the publication and it was great to be able to expand up north in distribution.

After the show we had a nice Mexican dinner with Rafer Roberts, Jacob Warrenfeltz, and the FUBAR comics crew then headed back home to get ready for Easter the following morning.

You can check out more photos of Asbury Comic Con 3 on the Curls Studio Facebook page. Give us a "Like" while you are there!

Thanks to everyone who stopped by the Curls Studio table. We hope to see you again soon!

Asbury Park Comic Con is this Saturday

Curls Studio has had such a great time at the past two Asbury Park Comic Con events, that we decided to exhibit for the third edition. This time around the event is taking place at the much larger Convention Hall, directly on the boardwalk on the Jersey shore. The organizers have also added a cosplay contest and panel discussions to the festivities. Each event gets bigger and better!

There are some really great guests including Bob Camp (co-creator of The Ren & Stimpy Show), Al Jaffee (MAD magazine), Dean Haspiel (HBO's Bored to Death), Stephanie Buscema (My Little Pony cover artist), Michael Uslan (executive producer of many Batman films), Brian O'Halloran (Dante Hicks from Kevin Smith's Clerks films), Evan Dorkin (Beasts of Burden), the guys from AMC's Comic Book Men, and many more!

Tickets are available online thru March 29 for $12, but if you pay at the door they will be $15. Also I just found out that parking fees do not go in effect until April, so hooray for free parking in the entire town of Asbury Park!

We hope to see you this Saturday, March 29, 2013 from 10AM to 6PM.

Recap: Asbury Park Comic Con 2

On September 29, 2012, Curls Studio journeyed north to Asbury Park, New Jersey for the lovely second edition of Asbury Park Comic Con. The first show was this past May (read that recap here), and with a bit over two months left in the year, it is safe to say that Asbury is the show that is fresh with attitude we enjoy. The attendees are eager to try new material, which is always a plus. Many of them were attending their first comic show.

If you haven't been to this event yet, you must make plans to attend the next one. First of all, it's in a kitschy throwback bowling alley, Asbury Lanes. I love the environment. The organizers may be expanding to the Asbury Park Convention Hall directly on the boardwalk for future shows. Hopefully this will allow for more exhibitors and more breathing room, but at the same time I will miss the bowling alley for old times sake. The convention hall space looks like it will be a lot of fun in it's own right.

I like to visit the town of Asbury Park because I see something new every time and artistic character is incorporated into the landscape. We also enjoyed hanging out with our pals Lauren Jaslow, Dre Grigoropol, Rafer Roberts, Reilly Brown, Dean Haspiel, Dave Ryan, and everyone else we met at the show. Big ups to Cliff Galbraith who runs the show. We really appreciate the fact that shows like this exist with people starting something fun for all.

The following day, we ate at Frank's Deli Restaurant for breakfast, walked around Asbury for a couple hours, then drove to Red Bank to visit Jay and Silent Bob's Secret Stash, the comic book shop owned by filmmaker Kevin Smith. There is a lot of movie memorabilia inside from Clerks, Zack & Miri Make a Porno, and more. There is original art on the wall and we spotted some inks by Jimmy Palmiotti. The joint is vibrant and best described as well-decorated pop culture clutter. We saw the area where they record podcasts and AMC's Comic Book Men show. Toast even came with us and got to meet Buddy Christ from Dogma. Kevin Smith is a big influence to Joe and I and it was a worthwhile trip to make since we were in the area and have been wanting to visit for awhile. Take a listen to Kevin Smith and Jason Mewes talking about Curls Studio here.

You can check out more photos of Asbury Park Comic Con 2 on the Curls Studio Facebook page. Give us a "Like" and let's be friends.

Asbury Park Comic Con 2 is Tomorrow

Curls Studio had such a great time at the first Asbury Park Comic Con back in May (read the recap here) that we'll be back for seconds! Join us tomorrow for a one day mini-convention held in the intimate setting of the Asbury Lanes, a small bowling alley and rock club at the Jersey Shore one block from the historic Asbury Park boardwalk.

Asbury Park Comic Con will feature a wide variety of comic book and pop culture purveyors as well as many comic book creators, artists and illustrators from the New York and Philadelphia metropolitan areas. Comic fans will have a rare opportunity to meet the artists, who will be available to sign books that will be sold at each artist’s table. Commissioned sketches are also available from many of the artists for a fee.

Carolyn Belefski and Joe Carabeo will be representing Curls Studio with a table at Asbury Park Comic Con. We hope to see you there. Check out the website to see more of the fabulous guests who will be in appearing.

Saturday, September 29, 2012 

11AM to 6PM
 


Asbury Lanes
209 4th Avenue
Asbury Park, NJ 07712



Advance admission is $6 plus .90 service charge. Visit www.asburyparkcomicon.com to reserve tickets to ensure entry in the event of high turnout. $1 of each ticket goes to Heroes Initiative, for comic creators in need.

Recap: Asbury Park Comic Con - May 12, 2012

On Saturday, May 12, 2012 Curls Studio journeyed to the land of Bam Bam Bigelow to exhibit at the first-ever Asbury Park Comic Con in New Jersey at Asbury Lanes, a bowling alley by day and rock club by night near the boardwalk. Since this was a new show, I wasn't sure what to expect: the venue seemed cool, but my main concern as an exhibitor was the audience and hopes that people would show up. My expectations were mid-level with an exploring mind to check this show out, but this show soared above my estimate! We had a great time, ate tater tots, met new people, enjoyed awesome music, took photos in a cool retro photo booth, and did very well in regards of making table and more.

Many of the people we met had NEVER been to a comic convention before and were open about different types of books in the comic medium. Customers were looking for all-ages books and Kid Roxy and Black Magic Tales did very well! I got a few comments from guys about how they enjoy my art style and that even if the content isn't 'up their alley' they respected the art. I take this as a compliment because my work is adorable and I understand if manly-men might not want to read it, but it's great that they told me they enjoy the art. I would also instruct them to check out The Legettes!

There was also a little girl who came by the table four times for different purchases. She is our top repeat customer. It was so nice to see her with a little purse picking out a Curls patch, a button, and the first issue of Kid Roxy. I also drew her a sketch of Roxy Monroe from Black Magic Tales in her notebook. I think it's awesome that kids read comics and can tell this segment of the comics industry will burst open soon. Many parents we talked to were enthusiastic to seek books and read with their children.

I think the show's success also had to do with the location being close in proximity to New York, Philadelphia, and Washington, DC. This helped get a diverse amount of talent to appear at the show, including Evan Dorkin, who I got to sign my copy of the Beasts of Burden hardcover. Everyone at the show was happy to be there and we enjoyed meeting a new crowd.

A treasure we got to discover after the show as we walked the boardwalk was Joe pointing out where the dance scene in the film "The Wrestler" between Mickey Rourke and Evan Rachel Wood took place. At first I didn't believe him because it was such a random find, but the closer we got to the scene I realized Joe was correct. Another jewel to his film knowledge was presented! It is so great to stumble upon amazing landmarks like that. It reminded me of the time in 2009 at Pittsburgh Comicon where we saw the "Bean N Gone" in Monroeville, PA from Kevin Smith's "Zack and Miri Make a Porno."

Thanks to Cliff for organizing Asbury Park Comic Con! We hope to be back again. If you missed the show and want to pick up Curls Studio products online, check out the Curls Studio Etsy Shop.

Be sure to check out more photos on the Curls Studio Facebook Page. "Like" us while you're at it.

Asbury Park Comic Con - May 12, 2012

The first annual Asbury Park Comic Con will kick-off on Saturday, May 12, 2012. The one day mini-convention will be held in the intimate setting of the Asbury Lanes, a small bowling alley and rock club at the Jersey Shore one block from the historic Asbury Park boardwalk.

Asbury Park Comic Con will feature a wide variety of comic book and pop culture purveyors as well as many comic book creators, artists and illustrators from the New York and Philadelphia metropolitan areas. Comic fans will have a rare opportunity to meet the artists, who will be available to sign books that will be sold at each artist’s table. Commissioned sketches are also available from many of the artists for a fee.

Carolyn Belefski and Joe Carabeo will be representing Curls Studio with a table at Asbury Park Comic Con. We hope to see you there. Check out the website to see more of the fabulous guests who will be in appearing.

Saturday, May 12, 2012 

10AM to 6PM
 


Asbury Lanes

209 4th Avenue
Asbury Park, NJ 07712



Admission is $4 plus a .90 service charge. Visit www.asburyparkcomicon.com to reserve tickets to ensure entry in the event of high turnout.