Comic Fest, running October 19 through 21, is a new convention organized by several of the original promoters behind the early San Diego Comic-Cons: Mike Towry, Barry Alfonso, and Bob Sourk.

“This year is the 40th anniversary of the first Comic-Con we had at the El Cortez Hotel, which I was chairman of back in 1972 at the ripe old age of 17,” says Towry. “We think it’ll be fun to have a relatively smallish Con at which we consciously try to foster the vibe of those early fan gatherings.”

Staged at the Town and Country Resort and Convention Center on Hotel Circle, classic Twilight Zone writer George Clayton Johnson is hosting music events at Café Frankenstein, a recreation of the Laguna Beach beatnik lounge he co-founded in the late 1950s.

Says Towry, “Comic Fest is intended as a recreation of that 1972 El Cortez Con, for those who miss the early, intimate Con experience or who never got to enjoy it.”

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PHOTO REPORT, DAY TWO:

Photos courtesy of Jamie Ralph Gardner (http://www.facebook.com/jamie.gardner.3348?fref=ts) and Michael D. Hamersky (http://www.facebook.com/pages/San-Diego-Comic-Fest/139148722856535)

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George Clayton Johnson -- wearing his trademark wicker hat, long hair, and beard -- entertains at Café Frankenstein. The Frankenstein monster poster in the background was designed by one of Clayton’s original Café partners, artist Burt Shonberg. The late surrealist’s artwork graced album covers by bands like Spirit, the Zarkons, the Curtis Brothers, and Arthur Lee and Love, and Comic Fest will be screening a preview of a new documentary being made about him.

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Joe Pesci IS the Joker. "You think I'm FUNNY?! Do I look like a JOKE to you???"

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Wherever there's comics, you'll find steampunks, especially in San Diego, home of the annual Gaslight Gathering convention.

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When steamy Harry met punky Sally.

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Outdoor murals being painted.

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"I just washed my hair and can't do a THING with it..."

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Mitt Romney IS the Frankenstein Monster!"

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When dads go all Trekkie on you.

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Political essayist Paul Krassner, who once worked with comic legend Wally Wood and spent time working on the early incarnation of Mad Magazine.

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Okay, everybody sing-a-long: "Trojan Maaaan, TROjan Maaaaannn..."

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This was the end of the Conspiracy to Mail Obscene Material panel, featuring SDSU law professor Tom Gitchoff, Greenleaf Books publisher Earl Kemp, Paul Krassner, and Terry Kemp (son of Earl) behind the table.

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Tom Luth (Groo the Wanderer, Rock 'N' Roll Comics) with Phil and Linda Yeh (Uncle Jam magazine).

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Comic artist Stan Sakai (Usagi Yojimbo).

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Famous former neighbor Scott Shaw! (The Flintstones, Captain Carrot and the Zoo Crew).

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El Cortez Days panel, featuring recollections of the old 1970s San Diego Comic-Cons.

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Comic creator Don F. Glut (Star Wars comics, He-Man and the Masters of the Universe).

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Archie Comics artist George Gladir.

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Comic-Con Memories panel.

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Panel spotlight on silver age artist Murphy Anderson (the Flash, the Atom, Batman, Superman, etc) .

PHOTO REPORT, DAY ONE:

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George Clayton Johnson entertains at Café Frankenstein.

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Damian and Marion Bowles bash out some beats for beatniks.

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86 year-old artist Murphy Anderson (revered for his 1960s work on the Flash, the Atom, Batman, and Superman) signs a copy of the old DC Universe 'zine for a fan.

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Anderson and his wife at Café Frankenstein.

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Café entrance.

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"I came to shoot my gun and sell marital aids...and I'm all outta bullets..."

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"The skull? Oh, that was my date. Before I ATE her."

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How about a little cheesecake with that cheesecake?

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Carrie on Fisher, on a t-shirt, and on an autographed poster.

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"Abra Kadabra, Kalamazoo, take us back to 1972..."

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The future's so bright for creator Michael Aushenker, he's gotta wear shades...

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Locally bred sci-fi author Greg Bear brought some reading material.

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Monkees Scrapbook co-author Duane Dimock hosting the Zen and the Art of Cereal Boxes panel.

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Famous former neighbor Scott Shaw! presenting his Oddball Comics slideshow, spotlighting the weirdest comics ever made, a presentation that has been a mainstay at the OTHER San Diego comic convention for over two decades.

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SRO Oddball crowd.

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Local teen singer/songwriter and author James Morris shows off his book Skybound.

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Panel on the History of Comic Book Coloring.

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Comic creator Tone Rodriguez in Artist Alley.

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Local award winning colorist and creator Jeromy Cox, creator of the comic series Zombie Love.

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Jay Potts with his World of Hurt web comic.

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Classic movie posters on display.

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Even the cherubs at the Cafe are beatniks.

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"Maybe she's not into guys with hairy chests?"

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Attendee representing for the Black head shop in OB!

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"Hey lady, you in the mood for a little head?"

Photos courtesy of Jamie Ralph Gardner (http://www.facebook.com/jamie.gardner.3348?fref=ts) and Michael D. Hamersky (http://www.facebook.com/pages/San-Diego-Comic-Fest/139148722856535)

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For more information, see http://www.sdcomicfest.org/

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