THE LORD OF THE RINGS. THE EMPIRE STRIKES BACK. THE HOUND OF THE BASKERVILLES. They’re all sequels that are better than the original. It happens that way sometimes. And today is day two of Mighty Con Dupage at the Dupage Fairgrounds on Manchester Road in Wheaton. Mighty Con Dupage: the Sequel. I’m calling it right now … it’ll be better than the original.

The past won’t stay buried.
Yesterday was great. We had cosplay for kids and adults, a gaming tournament, artwork done by professionals (some even drawn while you wait), toys, jewelry, collectibles, pop culture tchotchkes, comic books, and of course, books. Authors Patrick Loper (NOVO CETUS) and Dawn Napier (BLACK BELLS) will both be signing their works today, and so will I.
I’ll be personalizing copies of my novels, THE BLACKENING OF FLESH and LOSING TOUCH, and anthologies like GOTHIC BLUE BOOK V, THE GHOST IS THE MACHINE, SHRIEKS AND SHIVERS, and QUALIA NOUS. I’ve got a story in each, and I’m flattered as hell to be in each and every one of those books with authors like Stephanie Wytovich, Joe Hill, William F. Nolan, and Stephen King. Unless you’re my mom, there’s no way you have all of them.

Book it to Mighty Con Dupage!
Heartland Blood Centers will also be here again today, so come well fed and give some blood. I gave blood yesterday, and I’ll show you my bruise. We can be bruise buddies! Its not much of an offer, I know, but you’ll feel great afterward—it’s such a great cause, and they give you chips, cookies, and juice. Everybody’s five when that’s in the offing.
Admission is just $8. Doors open at 10:00 a.m. and don’t close until 5:00 p.m. If those bigger comic conventions scare you off with huge crowds and hefty price tags, and smaller shows fail to impress, Mighty Con Dupage is the “Goldilocks” of pop culture shows … it’s just right. Just keep and eye out for angry bears returning home. It’s might be cosplay. And it might not be.