Greg Rucka, Portland-based comics writer and creator is excited about the fact that the Rose City Comic Con — which is happening this weekend — gives Portland the comics-focused convention it has long deserved. In an interview with The Oregonian a few days ago, he gave his perspective on the Rose City Comic Con, which runs Sept. 21 and 22 at the Oregon Convention Center. Rucka is one of the guests.
“This town is lousy with comics folks,” says Rucka. “But this town has also been lousy about comic book shows.” It made no sense, he says, for a city with the depth and breadth of comic creative talent and activity that Portland boasts to not have a home-grown, high-caliber, broad interest comic con.
Rucka says he was “delighted” with Rose City Comic Con founder Ron Brister and his crew last year, at the first Rose City con. “I’m optimistic this year, and I think you’re going to see a nice group.” Rucka would like to see it grow into a prominent show on the con circuit.
“There’s no reason it couldn’t,” he says. “It’s a good venue, and the community supports it, and it’s regional. The Pacific Northwest is huge in the comics industry. You’re not going to find a higher concentration of comics professionals anywhere in the United States, outside of New York.”
Rucka who is an Eisner Award winner and who has authored multiple titles from Superman to Wonder Woman, and who has created his own series (“Queen and Country,” “Whiteout”) — suggests the Rose City con could carve out its own important place among comic cons.
“If Portland can truly have a true comics show, that doesn’t become a media show but retains its focus on comics, I think it’s going to serve the city well. If this becomes a big show, it’s going to bring in a lot of money for the city.”
