Between eight and ten thousand sequential art, science fiction and fantasy enthusiasts gathered within Seattle’s Washington State Convention Center to celebrate the comic book and pop culture this past weekend. The fans came, some in costumes, seeking personal sketches and autographs from the gathered artists. Artists and writers came to meet their fans and to network with publishers in order to advance existing careers or establish new ones. In contrast to San Diego’s massive event, which draws over 10 times the number gathered in Seattle, the Emerald City Comic Con (EC3) caters far more to the sequential art form that inspired the convention. The San Diego Comic Con (SDCC) has become a multimedia extravaganza drawing stars and directors from Hollywood to preview what they hope will the next blockbuster or the next television ratings hit. At SDCC booths for production companies like Fox and Warners Bros, share floor space with television studios, toy companies, and, yes, even comic publishers. Moreover, a single event hall In San Diego, where fans will spend an entire day watching trailers and movie clip previews, can accommodate nearly all those gathered in Seattle. SDCC is a massive cultural event where panelists are escorted in and

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