Adventures in ConLand

no, not with ex- or current convicts.
That is another blog-entry entirely...

We had Finncon/Animecon here in my hometown of Turku few weekends ago. Scifinerds united with mangateens from Friday to Sunday.
Tremendous fun for me at least.

I even "got" to be a part of the program: first (yes, very first program of the event on Friday) I interviewed my partner in cosmic criminality, the talented graphic artist Sari Sariola who did graphic design for the event.

I am still a bit miffed for the committee organizing the event who wanted her to tone down the Androidess's figure because it had curves.
I sort of got it for the Animecon, I mean who would want to corrupt young minds set on panties and kaiju-creatures with wandering tentacles?

But Finncon? Us (mainly middle-aged SF/F - fans) we might be shocked to the core if we saw picture of a hot android.

That's just my view but hey go see for yourself her work at http://sarisariola.blogspot.com/2011/07/case-finnconanimecon-2011-part-2.html you will not regret it.

We had a blast on the interview (well I did anyways) but then I had to run to the other side of university area to manga vs western comic-panel discussion.
Guess who stood for western side all by his lonesome?
Yeah.
I fitted amongst the mangagirls like a loud un-tamed boar with a sledgehammer fits to a nice Victorian tea party.
Some thought I was funny, though.
then again most people tend to do that as with my eye-patch and biker wear and tattoos I do send certain not-so-subliminal messages.

But again: I liked it.
After that we had missed almost all other workshops and comic art related program. Which sucked.

Thankfully the guest of honor was Richard Morgan.
If the name is unfamiliar go and read his books, Altered carbon is a good start.

Do it.

NOW.

He gave a speech about his stint as comic writer, Black widow to Marvel comics, and used as an example as how horrid superhero stuff can be a scene from a comic where the Thing comes to a bar and starts a fight with Hulk for apparently no reason.

The scotsman (aye, Morgan is a scot) told this in quite amusing fashion and I recognized the story.
I had bought it as a trade cheaply secondhand.

So, come Saturday, after his guest of Honor speech there was a signing by mr. Richard Morgan.
Me and my beloved Sari(with whom, since we are...umm..what's opposite of quiet and reserved?, he had become quite accustomed ) first offered Altered carbon for signing.

And after that we pulled out the aforementioned HULK/THING: Hard Knocks TPB.
He smiled, laughed and signed it.

Got to love the guy.

The reason I like to go to con's is the way you meet people like Richard Morgan and get to hear their ideas.
And on con's there are also all the guys and gals who are brethren nerds.
Who love science fiction, fantasy, horror and comics.

it is a breeding ground for ideas if one is willing to listen and talk, to fuel up one's imagination and ideas.
For me it was such a fertile sounding board that I can't thank enough people making it possible. Especially my significant other whose Androidess is so far the most kick-ass icon of these con's ever.

The Phoenix was groovy but if she ever gives another chance to use the Androidess any way (I know it sounds so good and so wrong at the same time, doesn't it?) I'll gladly take it.

and last, but not least Tero Ykspetäjä took a photo I am really happy.
Me with my tattoo and guys of 501st legion Nordic garrison.
(I am the one on left, no, still not the one with the kimono. I'm the one with truly wickedly cool t-shirt.)
EDIT Yes I still **** up these images, just double click it to view it properly


For the Empire!

one story down, new one up

Wrote a draft of a post-apocalypse scifi story for Finncon 2011.
Not satisfied with the ending, too cheesy and corny but heck: I do despair, the hope part always kinda sucks.
And found this

That is genius.

That has to have a story of it's own too.
After all :if you dont stop toddlers in time they will destroy the world!

Babe-a-rama

Being sick means I can't sleep properly and while I would love to write the stories I have decided to use this post to shamelessly put out some pieces of inspiration to me.

at this point you people should not be surprised.

Not really.

I know terribly sexist of me and for some probably degrading to women or some such. You notice me caring about that kind of un-necessary PC trite then congratulations you have just met my changeling.

I love my women as women: curves required but one thing is mandatory. Brains. I know, I know. On the above pic it's not brains you see at first, but I'd like to think so. Otherwise it is just a glorius waste up there.

In women at their best there is both, the inner beauty and strenght and the outer looks. And what wondrous creatures they are. I have no problem delving into mindscape of martian warlords or street tough guys but to write about females... it's scary, challenging and more alien then xenomorphs.

And I find it a bit peculiar why there are so few female heroines out there. I mean women and girls can relate to them better then at the male scarred warveteran down on his luck and for the guys(and more than some girls) it has added bonus of catching their attention better. Once they snap out the drooling phase, that is.

So there are already a couple of irons in fire on my account, since no one else seems to be doing it, i am very lucky to have an partner, both in our artistic disorganized crime and in life, that does things like this: I know that the androidwoman is a fictious character, but see the strenght? The resolve? Beauty and composure and all the immensity and complexity that she possesses? I for one am in love, or the very least swept off my feet in infatuation with the maturity and sensuality the character has.

It's funny to think though. I have been lucky to work with both my dark gothy queen Sari Sariola(who still has a script or two, or three(or more..) to work on) and afore mentioned Julia Riitijoki and dumbfoundingly talented Katja Louhio. All are good, if not great, artists in their own right, but they can breathe life into female characters in subtle ways so simply that it is unfathomable for most male artists. I like my women as smart, strong and sexy on their own terms and rights in real life. And these talented women can make it happen in comics pages too. I don't know if world needs that, but that's what I want.

And that's what I am going to do and if dark gods of comics are on my good side these art goddessess shall come to my rescue and will plow down any and all resistance in their way.

Seize the day back for heroines in comics.

And on an endnote: those of you who stumbled or googled here because of the name and expected too see sexy pics of Rama, one of best female comic artists northern europe has to offer in her own right(no Rama, it really is true )you better check Ms Mandus Oblivion High to see that, then boy are you in trouble because I happen to know her.

She can kick your ass so watch out.

Shoutout

As it is comicrelated too: go see preview art of Finncon Animecon 2011. see more of android beauty at sarisariola.blogspot.com you wont regret it.