Frankenstein goosed Cavewoman in a drawing Budd Root was finishing up as Darth Vader and Star Fleet Admiral Billy Carswell made their way past the artists' table at Hickory Con 2008 Saturday.
The Hickory Convention Center was filled with vendors, costumed fans, artists and lots and lots of comics.
One of the artists present was Andy Smith of Charlotte, best known for his work on comics such as Silver Surfer, X-Men, Green Lantern and Aquaman. He chatted with his fans, signed their comics and held forth on his vocation.
"Drawing comics is a lot like moviemaking," Smith said. "I get the typed script and it's up to me to set the pace and draw the panels. If it doesn't move the story along, I don't show it."
He sat by fellow artist, Budd Root, also of Charlotte, best known for his character, Cavewoman. "Budd does what every artist aspires to — draw his own character," Smith said.
"Yeah, I draw monsters and babes all day long. It's a fun living," said Root with a big smile. "Cavewoman is very Rubenesque and that helps her survive in today's economy."
Root explained the bikini his heroine wears may look like leopard skin, but it really comes from a reptile of his own invention. "It's a rumposaurus-hide bikini."
As Root expounded on his influences, Darth Vader made his way among the tables. Mike Johnson of Taylorsville was the man behind the Vader mask and he bought and built his movie-quality costume himself.
Watching Johnson stride through the convention, it was obvious he'd taken great pains to emulate the movements and postures seen in the movie.
"At home I find myself grabbing my belt buckle as I walk around my house," he said.
Johnson was a big hit at the show among old and young alike. Some of the children were intimidated, but even they warmed up after a quick game of peek-a-boo with Lord Vader.
Star Fleet Admiral Billy Carswell of Valdese was on hand representing the Star Trek Independent Fleet — a nonprofit group of Star Trek fans devoted to helping local charities.
"Our prime directive is to help others who are less fortunate and to have fun doing it," Carswell said. His group raises money for hospice organizations, holds food drives and volunteers at soup kitchens.
The Hickory Con is billed as the largest one-day comic convention in the Carolinas. Time Tunnel Comics and Toys owner Eddie Price organized the event and looked like he was enjoying himself just as much as the rest of the attendees.
"The reason Comic book conventions are so fun is that you're surrounded by people who all have the same interests," explained Price as one of the Tie Fighter pilots accompanying Vader picked up two ninja swords and mugged for the cameras in a very convincing ninja pose.
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