You might recall that E. J. Barnes did the dragon-headed cane and Vampire Bureau badge illustrations for this blog. Well, she also writes and draws comics, and as henchman / “art enabler” I sometimes accompany her to comic book conventions to provide support.
So we went up to Portland, Maine this weekend for MeCAF, the Maine Comics Art Festival. It’s a one-day show, mostly of small independent comics creators, with a reputation of being kid-friendly. (Keep the X-rated stuff under the table!) For E.J., that meant such items as her minicomic on astronomer Caroline Herschel (1750-1848) and her animated film Leatherwing Bat, based on an old Appalachian folk song, with her minicomic on astrologer and occultist John Dee (1527-1608/09) being the one “adult” comic on hand.
E. J. Barnes and me
(photo: Keith O’Brien)
Me? As you can see, I help tend the table when things get busy, or when E.J. has to take care of various necessities. And as you can also see, I advertise her art and my blog by wearing my The Dragon Lady of Stockbridge t-shirt.
Oh, and I indulged a hobby of mine while I was there. I like beer, and there are several breweries and brewpubs in downtown Portland. Indeed, the convention party the night before was held at the tasting room of Shipyard Brewery, while I had lunch on the day of the con at a brewpub farther up the street. These days I’m into barrel-aged beers, so I tried a barrel-aged IPA at lunch, and brought home a bottle of a barrel-aged imperial stout to try with friends.
It was a nice low-key way to spend a weekend. Although the forecast was for rain, the wet weather cleared out Saturday morning and didn’t return until late Sunday evening after we got home. So I had a splendid stroll through sunny downtown Portland to get my morning coffee and and my lunch on Sunday. It’s the one advantage to being the henchman: I get to leave the convention building and enjoy the nice weather if I want!
Sillyverse 
Looks like a good adventure.
It was. You get an interesting range of skills and subjects in the con, and the Old Port district of Portland was immediately adjacent.
“Me & Dr Dee”; shame Ms Barnes doesn’t ship to the UK, that looks a good read (though I’m not much of a comic-reader, residue of childhood when such frivolities were forbeodan)
Now, when can we get to wear the DLS t-shirt? Do you need to qualify as a henchman to get it?
We only made up two, Dana. The cost was prohibitive for selling them in small lots. That said, I’m sure the templates are available for use if you have a t-shirt printer nearby.