Age of Bronze: July 2021

Thursday, July 29, 2021

First Personal Appearance in the Age of Covid

Rose City Comic Con will take place September 10-12, 2021, at the Oregon Convention Center in Portland, Oregon. Last year, the 2020 convention was cancelled due to Covid-19. I rolled over my appearance to this year.

At this point, nearing the end of July 2021, I have trepidation about attending. The Delta variant is surging in North America. I'm vaxxed, of course. But a vax doesn't prevent contraction of the disease, just lessens the probability and, if contracted, the severity. So I'm not anxious to get into an enclosed area with thousands of people breathing all around me.

Current convention policy is to require masks. But unless that requirement will be enforced by members of the security staff, I expect that'll be kind of a joke. Besides, masks don't prevent the spread of Covid, they minimize it. If Rose City Comic Con turns into a Spreader Event, I don't want to be there.

So I'm just letting everyone out there know my concerns. I'm planning on attending. But if the spread of Covid in North America doesn't undergo a sharp reduction within a reasonable period prior to Rose City Comic Con, I'll likely cancel my appearance there.

Monday, July 12, 2021

Return to Oz

OzCon takes place this coming weekend and I'll be on the program.

The 57th OzCon International goes virtual over the internet again this year, due to the Age of Covid. And that means it's FREE to attend on Zoom.

But you have to sign up to get the Zoom link. Here's where to sign up: http://www.ozconinternational.com.

First, Skottie Young and I discuss our work on Marvel Comics's popular Oz graphic novel series from 2008-2013. 7 pm, Friday, July 16.

Second, I'll be on a panel about the Oz books of Ruth Plumly Thompson, the successor to Oz creator L. Frank Baum. Thompson's work is a different flavor than Baum's. I expect some controversy on this panel. 1:30 pm, Saturday, July 17.

Third, The Tik-Tok Man of Oz was L. Frank Baum's 1913 stage show, the show he expected to be his crowning theatrical achievement. Why wasn't it? Come listen to my presentation and watch a few clips from the 2014 revival I produced. 8 pm, Saturday, July 17.

Lots of other stuff happening, too. Here's a link to the complete schedule: http://www.ozconinternational.com/schedule.html. See you there!

All times are Pacific Daylight Time.