By: John C. Mayberry
Okay, I think there’s no secret here on how much of a comic book nerd I am. If I were younger and had the actual energy to do so, I’d seriously move into a convention center, so I could be the very first in line for every comic con that passed through there. But since I’m pretty sure I’d be arrested for trespassing I’d have to settle for making the drive over to one, or just pick up an issue of Con & On from Ahoy Comics, given to us by the creative team of Paul Cornell and Marika Cresta on writing an illustration, with coloring by Paul Little and letters by Rob Steen.
Now I did things a little differently here, so I’m going to give you the rundown on the first three issues of the series instead of individually, so you guys can have a fuller scope of what it’s like to experience not only this piece of art, but also what it feels like to attend and actual comic con. From the viewpoint of someone who’s been to conventions (and had an awesome time at each one!) the creative team here perfectly depicts what comic cons are like, from the perspective of fans in attendance, especially those who are trying to break into the comic book industry, and professionals already within the industry involved in the event. And in following the story further, I found it very interesting to see it narrated by an outside party claiming to specialize in comics history, providing commentary on the characters, and experiences they still have yet to go through.
With that also, another aspect that’s sure to catch attention is that the story follows the same comic con event over a span of years, the first issue taking place in 1992 with issue three going up to 2008, giving readers the chance to see how the lives of the characters have moved forward over time. Together with the top-notch artwork of the story (which also in some parts also re-creates classic comic book scenes, you’ll know when you see it), the writing very much succeeds in the time jump concept, moving the story along nicely without causing any confusion, and making you care very much about the characters of the story. As you continue reading, you’ll want nothing more than to watch them succeed, or at least make it through, whatever it is that is happening to them or whatever it is they are going through.
If anything, I wish this series lasted longer than the five issues we have, but nonetheless Con & On was a very enjoyable read and one I’m sure all of you out there will immensely enjoy yourselves. For those who love comics, love conventions, and love comic conventions, there’s plenty of content that will make you smile, chuckle, maybe make you feel a shred of pity or compassion occasionally, this is one story that will surely deepen you love of comic cons, and the genre of comics in general. So get out there, pick this tile up, and I wish you all a happy reading!
