Passing Time as Measured By a Regional Con
April 2017, I would receive an e-mail inviting me to be a guest at a comic convention. This was the first time that had ever happened to me. I wasn’t new per say, the original Backwood Folk and Eve of the Ozarks were already under my belt, and Tourist Unknown was well in progress. But I was still green. I hadn’t done many events save a few vendor tables at a cons that really weren’t much more than a few tables in a barn. Eve of the Ozarks had a small following thanks to the brief era of ComiXology Submit, and maybe that’s why the e-mail landed in my inbox, but I couldn’t be sure now. The invitation was to the third annual Spa-Con in Hot Springs, Arkansas. I’d excitedly say yes and roped in a comic buddy by the name of Kody Sandwich, we’d shared tables in some of those barn cons.
It was easy to be distracted while waiting, as on May 21, 2017 Twin Peaks The Return would begin airing. I dunno if you have looked around, but this was a bit of a big deal for me. There was zero presumption that I’d have any more exciting news than New Ep
isodes of Twin Peaks. I’m very much a moth to the fire called a “pop culture event” after all. So I was still buzzing from the premiere when a new e-mail from Spa-Con arrived with the identities of our celebrity guests. They would be Twin Peaks’ Sheryl Lee and Sherilyn Fenn. I dunno if you have looked around, but this was a bit of a big deal for me.
September 3, The Return came to a close as a massive success. It would feel like one of the few promises of the streaming era ever delivered. On September 22, I’d find myself nowhere near the Pacific Northwest, but I was in the Black Lodge. It was located in Hot Springs at Spa-Con. I even got a picture.
That first Spa-Con was something else. If it wasn’t the first time my career felt “real” it was certainly the first time those seeds were planted. They had the guests pretty immediately on a full stage with lights and announcers and the works. I can’t speak for the other guests, but the comic artists weren’t aware that was coming. We definitely didn’t reveal ourselves as extroverted animals that year. We’d get better. As an artist on the alley, I did well, met some lifelong readers I’d see annually. And of course, I had the frankly surreal experience of meeting Sheryl Lee backstage. I went home feeling like a champion.
They’d have me back year after year, and I’d accumulate a million anecdotes. Over time, other cons dropped from my schedule for more specialized markets and fairs, but Spa-Con remained a mainstay. It just had a different energy that was more my speed, maybe it was its shaggier nature. It had a lot of presence and identity compared to most anything else in the state Hot Springs is home to a lot of characters. Combine that with the beacon for even more characters that is a comic-con and it creates a unique ecosystem. I was a fair kid showing dairy goats for my entire youth. Maybe I’ll always be drawn to temporary little worlds like that.
After a four year run of frankly stunning event posters for the con by dear friend and Big-Bot, Chad Maupin, I was invited to take the reigns. Chad’s an illustrative force of nature here in Northwest Arkansas, He was also was behind the Deathray Expo in Fayetteville. Another regional event that I cherished as something special. And it was a hell of an honor to try to fit in his big shoes. (he’s a quarter bigfoot)
Chad’s years carried a kaiju theme, so it felt natural for the next poster artist to have a a theme of their own. In 2024 and 2025 I’d do two posters for Spa-Con with an eye towards something pulp sci-fi. A natural place to follow from Chad. They’d each end up with a central character cross the posters that I’d design. I’d later be tickled to learn that Spa-Con Control affectionately named her “Connie.”
It was one of those very pleasing full circle moments. Going from this as my first con to guest at to my first con to do the poster art for.
A lot of different groups would come and go through my time guesting, and I met a lot of wonderful folks through Spa-Con over the years. So many people I need to catch up with, and some I unfortunately will be unable to. There were some incredible evenings with other Arkansas artists getting into hijinks around Hot Springs. There was one night in the hotel lounge where I’m almost certain I laughed harder than I ever will again. A lot like the goat shows of my youth, it was those friends you’d have for three days a year. Maybe I should add more days like that to my calendar.
It’s entirely reasonable to suggest that I’m being overly sentimental to a regional con. It’s not even ending really, just changing hands to new ownership. One that may well keep it plugging along as a successful convention for the pop culture obsessed. I’ve seen the events they’ve thrown, I’m sure the celebrities will be famous and everything will run smoothly. But will it be different from any of their other Arkansas conventions? Will it feel like Hot Springs or will it feel like everything else? In either case, it does feel very end of an era. A pretty consequential era for me.
In 2019 a woman would swipe right on a photo of me in the Black Lodge in Hot Springs. She’d immediately message me asking “How did you end up on a Twin Peaks set?” In 2025 we’d get married. Maybe I’m allowed a little sentimentality.
- A special thanks to Bill Solleder for inviting me in the first place all those years ago. And to Alexis Hampo organizing. Also alllll the way back to my early years to Erin Baber who successfully herded the cats that were our comic group. And to everyone who makes sure these things happen. It was a hell of a show.
- I won’t list all the artists and friends I’ve met and made over the years, the list would be longer than everything I’ve written thus far. I greatly appreciate all the times we had. And if you are thinking “we should catch up” I probably think that too. Let’s catch up.