It’s funny…it’s been nearly 24 hours since Nick and I pulled out of the parking lot for the Hard Rock Cafe, leaving the Katsucon staff party and made our way back here to Baltimore, yet it still feels like Katsucon 14 is yet a dream.

The highlights? They are many, and if you’ll endulge me, I’d like to list but a few…

• Meeting our fans. It was one year ago that we went “out of our bubble”, with Katsucon 13 serving as our first outside of Baltimore event, and if you had told me then we’d meet so many amazing people that truly enjoy our work, I’d say you were crazy. Well, I suppose we’re now all a bit insane, as being able to talk to all of you and hear such kind words of appreciation is downright surreal and makes all of the late nights, the blood, the sweat and the tears worth it. Thank you all so much.
  
  Besides, how many comics can boast fans like ZOMBelieve Hard Gay?
• The Anime Match Game was an absolute blast. With a fantastic audience, ribald panelists and some great contestants, it made our Saturday night. Thanks again to the Front Row Crew for putting it on (and having us as panelists), plus our fellow panelists Ananth from Applegeeks, Newton Ewell, Robert Aldrich, and lastly (but not leastly) Tiffany Grant for making for such a good time. By the by Ms. Grant, the offer still stands, babygirl.
• The 7th Annual Iron Artist competition took the game to newfound heights, and oddly enough had the DoS crew all over it.Thanks again to the amazing audience for letting us have a ball, props to my fellow commentators Rob Balder and Kara Dennison, a job well done to judges Chris “Kilika” Malone and Chris Hazelton, and enough cannot be said about the Iron Artist teams of our own Ghostfreehood and Steve Bennett (plus audience member Kim) who battled with the equally as talented Jami Noguchi and Dave Lister (along with their tag partner, the legendary Phil Foglio).

  For those of you who may be sitting on pins and needles, Nick and Steve took the win by ONE point, showing how tight the competition was this year. This also makes Nick 2 and 0 in Iron Artist Competition. Will he make it 3-0?

  I can’t finish talking about Iron Artist without giving props to the unsung hero of the competition, the man behind the curtain (who was also responsible for the amazing Portal theme of the contest), Fragile Gravity’s Chris Impink. Chris, you really outdid yourself, and I can’t thank you enough for allowing us to play in your sandbox.

• The Panels! Between the Graphic Novels as Webcomics panel that I was on with the amazingly talented Rob Balder, Barb Fischer (who’s lovely tones were also heard as Gladdos in the Portal videos for Iron Artist) and Mookie, plus the official Webcomics Panel featuring everyone and their brother that attended this weekend, these panels don’t just serve to help you, the fan and/or aspiring webcomicker, but even I learn a metric ton from them!
• The costumes! Sure, a ton are overdone and/or trite, but sometimes some just stand out…here’s two of our favs…
  
  This AMAZING Dethklok (who stayed in, and yelled at each other, character all weekend)
  
  And this crew of He-Man villains!
• Our fellow webcomics! Simply put, has there ever been a better mixture of talent ever present in the world of webcomics at one time?If you aren’t checking these people out, you should…here’s the laundry list:
  Applegeeks, Snafu, Erfworld, Dr. McNinja, Blue & Blond, Stacatto, Evil Inc., Onezumi.com, Comedity, Hookie Dookie Panic, Paradox Lost, The Angel of St. Thomas, Girl Genius, Fragile Gravity, and Dueling Analogs.

  A special shout out to our new friends behind Mail Order Ninja from Tokyopop, the writing master mind Josh Elder, plus the man behind the lead, artist James Peay.

• The great staff, who took care of us, especially those in the guest green room, keeping us hydrated and fed all weekend. You truly went beyond the call of duty, and we are humbled by your kindness.
• The Charity Auction was another highlight, with the art from Iron Artist going for a combined $450(!), plus this exclusive jam piece from Nick and Jami going for a tidy sum.
  
  All funds went towards the Race for the Cure, so thanks again for those fans for reaching deep and giving to a good cause.
• I can’t wrap up this post without taking time to thank the Stupid & Insane Defenders of Chaos themselves, the Katsu webcomics liaisons, Onezumi and Harknell. Oni, Harknell, you made this weekend amazing, and without you, we wouldn’t have been able to be a part of it all. Words alone do not describe the level of appreciation we have for you.

So….I guess the weekend was…ok.

All I can say is this…if you thought we brought our A-Game to Katsucon 14…

Come Katsucon 15…Crystal City, VA will never be the same.