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Bakersfield Comic-Con's Steve Wyatt
Topics: Steve Wyatt, Bakersfield Comic Con, Bakotopia, Bakotopia.com, Scott Shaw, Phil Ortiz, Tone Rodriguez, Ryan Sook, Tony Dezuniga, Nate Watson, Mike Hampton, Alex Nino, Derek Ridolfs, Stephanie Lesniak
Posted by matt Mon Oct 13, 2008 18:47:53 PDT
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0 responses 0 comments Location: 1300 Camino Del Rio Ct., Bakersfield, CA 93308

Steve Wyatt of Bakersfield Comic-Con
With friends like his, there’s a million reasons why Bakersfield should have a comic scene - COMING TO BAKO ON OCT. 26!

Above: Steve Wyatt in his element

By Matt Muñoz, Bakotopia Editor

Bakersfield Comic-Con creator Steve Wyatt lives and breathes all things comics.

Living in Bakersfield for the past three years, his name is probably more well-known around the country than in Kern County. As a friend to some of the most well-known and wildly popular artists of our generation, he’s finally decided to make some calls. It was time to bring ‘em to Bako.

And that’s just what he’s going to do on Sunday, Oct. 26, from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the ballroom inside Bakersfield Doubletree Hotel for the Bakersfield Comic-Con. Organizers plan to make the event an annual one.

Love The Simpsons, Futurama, Scream Queen, Hot Zombie Chicks, Hawk Man, among others? Here’s your chance to help kick our local comic scene into high gear, with the artists responsible for bringing them to life!

And bring some extra dough - there will be plenty of things to buy, or maybe even trade.

Most of you know of the San Diego Comic-Con, but did you know there are smaller, equally successful conventions? They also happen to be the brainchild of Wyatt, who started selling comics at 10, and by 1979, promoted his first comic book show: Super-Con in Hayward, Calif..

A busy man on a tight travel schedule, Wyatt, 44, pulled the brakes, and spent sometime with Bakotopia before the big show:

Q. How long have you been a fan of comics?
A. Well, I started collecting comics when I was 7, I bought a big box of comics from my cousin for $5 (that was a lot back then).

I was fortunate to learn about collecting by fourth grade. The “Bay Area Comic Club” was held in my elementary school. Some of the industry’s biggest names were members, so I learned early about condition, and all the aspects of collecting. My love for comics was born then.

Q. Who are your favorite characters? Do you still follow your old favorites from childhood?
A. My “Holy Grail” comic book is Avengers #57. When I first saw that issue as a kid, I fell in love with the cover. I have about 10 copies of it now, I’ve even have had artists “re-create” the cover in their style. The original art was done by an artist named John Buscema, (unfortunately he passed away four  years ago), and to this day, he is my favorite comic book artist. ... The cover to Avengers #57 has “Vision” on it, (his first appearance), and he is one of my favorite characters. Also: Thor, Silver Surfer, Sub Mariner and Captain America round up some of my favorite Super Heroes.

Q. How involved are you in the national comic scene?
A. Well, I travel all around the country going to all the bigger comic book shows.

I promote one of the 10 largest comic book shows in the country; I am a member of CAPS /Cartoon Art Professionals; I have worked for almost 35 years in the industry; and have sold (and found) the biggest “Bronze Age” pedigree collection in our industry.

I guess I have made a good name for myself. I am most proud of the fact that I am known in a positive light ...


Above: Actress Adrienne Barbeau, from the 1982 movie "Swamp Thing", and Steve Wyatt.

Q. What does your wife think of comics? Is she a fan, too?
A. My wife, Julie is a Godsend! We have been together for 25 years, we have two great kids, and she is my back bone. She supports everything I do, she loves the people we meet, the places we go, everything about what I do. We don’t do this for money, that has never been our “bottom line.” Our goal in life is “happiness.” We love what we do.

Q. What made you decided to organize a Bakersfield Comic-Con?
A. I have spent three and a half years in this town, and it is seriously deprived of comic books. There is no real “full service” comic book in own. So, I LOVE comics, and I also feel more kids should be reading comics.


Above, L to R: Steve Wyatt, actor Peter Falk, and Julie Wyatt

Q. You have quite the list of famous artist friends. How do you usually meet them and stay in touch?
A. Well, if you ask my wife, she will tell you ... I love to talk. I am the true definition of what you would call a “people person.” And I am genuine. I don’t ask anything as a friend and I give freely as a friend, and that is what a friend is.


Above, L to R: L to R: Steve Wyatt, Go-Go Jane Wiedlen, and Steve's bud.

Q. What can old comic book fans and new fans expect at this year's Bakersfield Comic-Con?
A. Well, since this is the first show to come to town of this level, I wanted to bring in a variety of comic book guests. For the old fans we are bringing in Alex Nino, Tony DeZuniga and Scott Shaw. All three have been working in the industry for over 30 years, doing almost every type of comic books you can imagine - humor, horror, romance, superhero, fantasy and science fiction.

... And for the newer fans, we have a few younger guests. Tone Rodriguez, Phil Ortiz, Nate Watson, Mike Hampton.

Q. What do you think of Hollywood comic book character snatching?
A. I love what Hollywood is doing, I am a fan. I hope people will start picking up the printed work and enjoy the roots of the movie.

The First Annual Bakersfield Comic-Con
• Sunday, Oct. 26, 2008
• The Doubletree Hotel, 1300 Camino Del Rio Court
• 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
• $5 adults / $3 for kids 8 to 16 / kids under 8 free
• www.super-con.com/bako

Artists appearing:
SCOTT SHAW - Simpsons comics writer/artist, world famous cartoonist/animator
RYAN SOOK - X-Factor, Hawkman, Spectre/DC/Marvel cover artist
PHIL ORTIZ - Simpsons comic book artist, animator
TONE RODRIGUEZ - Futurama, Snake Pliskin artist
TONY DeZUNIGA - Jonah Hex
ALEX NINO - Classic ’70s fantasy artist
NATE WATSON - Grimm Fairy Tales, Isis, Scream Queen
MIKE HAMPTON - FAM Books, Captain A-hole, Gunja Rabbit, Hot Zombie Chicks
DEREK FRIDOLFS - Detective comics, Spider-Man, Teen Titans
STEPHANIE LESNIAK - Blazin’ Brandy, Cartoon Network animator

Story also printed in Bakotopia magazine, issue 39, 10-16-08

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