[Groop]San Diego Con

[Gary Grossmann]

Hi Folks!

Well, today I received the latest update from Comic Con-International.
Actually, I received 5 copies.  (They really need to purge their mailing
list.)  And I must say I am a little confused.  Hmm.  OK, I guess I should
say I'm a little more confused than usual.

On page 28 they list the anniversaries being celebrated and they list the
90th anniversary of Tarzan, the 60th anniversary of Archie and Crime Comics,
the 50th anniversary of MAD Magazine and War Comics, the 40th Anniversary of
Spider-Man, Hulk, and Thor, the 25th anniversary of Star Wars, the 20th
anniversary of Love and Rockets, and the 10th Anniversary of Spawn, Savage
Dragon and Image Comics.

I immediately knew something was missing.  So I looked again and it still
wasn't there.  Then I checked my other 4 copies and it wasn't in any of them
either!  No mention of the 20th anniversary of Groo!!!!   None.  Zero. Zip.
Zilch. Nada!!  They make a big deal out of minor pop culture icons like
Tarzan, Spider-Man, and Star Wars, and ignore Groo?  What's with that?  (ok,
ok, those guys, sure, but Spawn?)  I demand an investigation!!!  Who's in
charge?  Hey, Mister Never-missed-a-con-moderator-of-a-zillion-panels, how
come you and your fellow
Humanitarian-award-winning-most-beloved-man-in-comics Groo-meister are being
given the Rodney Dangerfield treatment when it comes to noting
anniversaries?!?

And another thing...

I checked out the Eisner Award nominations and there was no Mark or Sergio
to be seen.  Then I remembered  there really wasn't a Groo in 2001 (D&T #1
came out in Dec.) or a Space Circus/Fanboy type series either.  But then I
saw that Stan Sakai received an always deserved nomination as Best Letterer
and "Death & Taxes" was included in the credits.  I don't know what the
cutoff dates are but does that mean the judges didn't think Death & Taxes
was worthy of a Best Humor Publication nomination?  (Notice they can't bring
themselves to say "Best Humor Comic")

And another thing...

Why isn't Tom Luth ever given his proper due for his fabulous color jobs by
receiving a nomination?

And finally...

I notice that Sergio is on this years list for Hall of Fame nominees.  It's
about time, but there are some amazing names on the list that even I
recognize and fall into the "How come he's not already in?" category.
Sergio usually announces the new inductees or at least he has the last few
years.  I wonder who will do it this year?

OK, enough rants and silly questions.  Take care all -Gary G.