Category Archives: Midwest Comic Book Association

Submissions open for $500 comic art prize!

Arts in Harmony, the largest international juried arts show in Minnesota, is once again calling for submissions, and once again there is a huge cash prize (courtesy of the Midwest Comic Book Association)!

There is a separate comics art category, so no, your entry won’t be duking it out with oil paintings or marble sculptures. To be honest, there weren’t a ton of entries in last year’s show, which was too bad, but if the trend continues then your odds of winning are that much better — so submit something! Check out this list of last year’s winners, including our very own Brittch.

Full details can be found on these handy pdfs:

Info about “Arts in Harmony”
Info about the comic art category specifically

Thanks to Britt Aamodt for the heads-up!

SPRINGCON is THIS WEEKEND in the TWIN CITIES! (May 15th and 16th)

The Midwest Comic Book Association’s Springcon event is this weekend, and you won’t want to miss it. They decided to do Fallcon in the Spring this year… it will be all weekend long at the Minnesota State Fairgrounds. Our friends at the MCBA know how to put on one hell of a fun and friendly convention… you won’t want to miss it.

READ MORE ABOUT THE EVENT HERE.

Here is a promotional chicklet I made you can put on your site, social network, or whatever it is you kids do with these things these days to help promote good things…

We could use some additional Conspiracy volunteers to hang out at our space over the weekend. If you can help out please email me at:

Hope to see you there!

FALLCON IS THIS WEEKEND!!! Volunteer to represent the Conspiracy at Fallcon!

Fallcon is this weekend!

Click the above image to go to the Fallcon website.

We have some volunteers for Fallcon this year, but we could definitely use some more. We’re planning to have a “Conspiracy lounge” again this year. Ideally, we would like a minimum of two people to be in the lounge at all times during the convention. It is a pretty casual and fun affair, and a good opportunity to get to know some of your fellow cartoonists better. We also need some comfy couches and chairs, if you can bring them. If you can volunteer or provide weekend furnishings for the lounge, please contact me at:

Thanks much!

The MCBA Has a New Website!

Our good friends at the Midwest Comic Book Association have a new website, so you’ll want to reset your links to them and update your bookmarks. For those of you not familiar with the MCBA, they are the organization that puts on our two big local, annual comic conventions in the Twin Cities, Fallcon and Microcon. Both conventions are renowned for their hospitality… the MCBA offers free table space to creators (until they run out). Additionally, they were a big sponsor of our BIG FUNNY project this year… indeed, it would not have been possible without them.

Can you believe the 21st Fallcon is in less than a month? I can’t wait!

Here’s a chicklet of the image of Kevin Cannon’s poster for Fallcon for your website, blog or social networking site…

FALLCON 21

Fallcon is also on Facebook here.

See you there!

MICROCON This Sunday!!! (April 26th) Have a Blast and Help Len Wein!

MICROCON is this Sunday! Our good friends at the Midwest Comic Book Association always put on a great show, and are wonderful hosts to creators… as is true every year, you won’t want to miss it! Read more about MICROCON here.

Here is a banner you can put on your website or social networking page to help promote the event… and remember to tell your friends!

MCBA MICROCON COMIC BOOK PARTY
SUNDAY APRIL 26, 2009 – 10AM TO 4PM

THE PROGRESS CENTER – ON THE MINNESOTA STATE FAIRGROUNDS!

1621 Randall Avenue – Saint Paul, Minnesota 55108

One of the oldest and by far, coolest buildings on the Minnesota State Fairgrounds!

Directions: Enter the Fairgrounds via the Snelling entrance (Eastside) go straight for two blocks and make a right (North) and proceed to the Progress Center.

Parking: Free Parking abounds! Just make sure to pay attention to the street signs!
Handicapped parking is available!

Hello Everyone,

The 2009 MicroCon Comic Book Party is this Sunday!

The staff and the volunteers of the Midwest Comic Book Association are happy to announce all systems are go for this weekends MCBA Comic Book Party! Things are looking great and you’ll be happy to know that there have been some very cool last minute Guest Creator additions (like Mike Grell – www.mikegrell.com), a few dealer changes and the number of prizes and surprises continues to grow!

While at MicroCon, please make sure that you get entered into this years MicroCon Prize Drawings! We’ve had some terrific prize donations!It’s free and you need not be present to win. Also, keep in mind that the first 500 attendess get a free MCBA Grab bag!

You, your family & friends are invited to join us, our family & friends at the MicroCon Comic Book Party! It’s going to be a blast!

Finally, we’ve update some of the information listed below. We hope you get a chance to look it over!

Thanks for your time and we look forward to seeing you this weekend!

The MCBA Comic Book Geek Squad – The “Original” Geek Squad!

PS. We received a last minute appeal to come to the aid of a comic book industry legend. (Please see immediately below). Let’s step up and show him what we can do!

A PLEA FOR HELP – AN INDUSTRY LEGEND NEEDS US!
WeinAs many of you already know, the home of comics creator Len Wein (Swamp Thing, X-Men, etc.) was destroyed in a fire on April 6th, 2009. He, his wife Chris, and his son Michael were unharmed, but their beloved dog Sheba and Len’s extensive comics collection both perished.

There is now an effort to restore Len’s comics collection, particularly the books he worked on. If you’ve ever gotten pleasure From reading his books, or if you simply have some of these titles in your collection, please consider donating them to this cause. Insurance covers many things, but the comics weren’t under that umbrella.

Here’s how you can help:
* Please check the .pdf document listed below.
* Search your comics collection for items you can contribute.
* E-mail comix4len@povonline.com with the items you intend to donate
(so they can update the list).
* Bring them to the MCBA Spring Show, and hand them to either Christopher Jones or Melissa Kaercher. They will both have table space at the show.
* We will take it from there!

Other things you want to know:
Mark Evanier (POVOnline) is coordinating the effort. Please check this page on his site for updates: http://www.povonline.com/weinproject.htm

The .pdf document of comics can be found on that page, but this is the direct link. It will be updated frequently: http://www.povonline.com/Len%20Wein%20checklist.pdf

If you have questions, you can contact any of the following people:
Melissa Kaercher chebutykin at visi.com Christopher Jones christopherjonesart at gmail.com
Mark Evanier comix4len at povonline.com

We thank you for your help! Melissa Kaercher & Christopher Jones

MICROCON 2009 Coming Up Fast (April 26th)

MICROCON is coming up very soon. Our good friends at the Midwest Comic Book Association always put on a great show, and are wonderful hosts to creators… as is true every year, you won’t want to miss it! Read more about MICROCON here.

Here is a banner you can put on your website or social networking page to help promote the event… and remember to tell your friends!

Hello Everyone,

It’s hard to believe that the 2009 MicroCon Comic Book Party is just a few weeks away!

During our never ending Winter, the staff and volunteers of the Midwest Comic Book Association, an all volunteer, not-for-profit, group have been happily working away and getting ready for the launch of the super spectacular MicroCon 2009!

Look for some changes in this years event! Every year MicroCon grows and evolves and this year is no exception! The Guest Creator list is bigger, the Dealer list is more diverse, the layout of MicroCon is different (so make sure you get a chance to look around the whole place!), and we’ve added some unusual goings on!

And while change and growth is good, somethings at MicroCon are staying the same! As always, look for friendly staff, easy Guest Creator access, hundreds of prizes & grab bags, a terrific 55,000 square foot marketplace, a world of surprises and much more!

What we’re really trying to say is that we’re inviting you and your family/friends join us at the MicroCon Comic Book Party! The only thing cooler than doing something fun, is sharing the fun with someone else or with your community and we love being part of that community!

MicroCon is a Comic Book Party where everyone is welcome and there’s something for everyone!

Finally, as promised, here’s some new information about the “One Day Wonder!” and a couple of other related factoids laced with comic book shenanigans!

Thanks for your time and we look forward to seeing you soon!

The MCBA Comic Book Geek Squad – The “Original” Geek Squad!

MCBA MICROCON COMIC BOOK PARTY
SUNDAY APRIL 26, 2009 – 10AM TO 4PM

THE PROGRESS CENTER – ON THE MINNESOTA STATE FAIRGROUNDS!

1621 Randall Avenue – Saint Paul, Minnesota 55108

One of the oldest and by far, coolest buildings on the Minnesota State Fairgrounds!

Directions: Enter the Fairgrounds via the Snelling entrance (Eastside) go straight for two blocks and make a right (North) and proceed to the Progress Center.

Parking: Free Parking abounds! Just make sure to pay attention to the street signs!
Handicapped parking is available!