On March 30th, 2013, Depth Of Field went to WonderCon in Anaheim, California to present the latest in our “Hip-Hop & Comics: Cultures Combining” panel discussions. We assembled a selection of notables from the world of comics and music: Toni Isabella, Dan The Automator, Chali 2na, Kenny Keil, James Reitano, and Kutmasta Kurt (pictured above with myself at the podium, r-l).
It was my first time attending WonderCon, and I had nothing but favorable impressions. The Anaheim Convention Center is spacious and welcoming; the staff were charming and super-helpful; the attendees were plentiful and enthusiastic.
Most of the panelists arrived by mid-afternoon, and we spent some time outside on a patio doing interviews with press, talking over plans for the panel, and watching the sun sink slowly over the palm trees. And then, just before five, we headed inside to begin the program.
The next hour was something of a blur – we got onstage, began talking, and things just flew by. Toni Isabella and Dan The Automator discussed new projects and the visual aspects of Dan’s music, Kenny Keil spoke about his various Hip-Hop-themed comics, James Reitano and Kutmasta Kurt went back and forth about shopping for comics and records when they were growing up in the 80s, and Chali 2na regaled the crowd with his declarations of love for visual culture, his announcements of new projects (a series of solo releases combining illustration and music, and work with the newly re-united Jurassic 5), and his enthusiastic appreciation of the other panelists’ work.
We’d like to thank our film crew Michael Kohlbrenner and Charlie Burroughs, our photographer Jen Himel, the phenomenally organized and competent WonderCon staff and volunteers, the amazing panelists, and everyone who joined us in the audience. It was a wonderful time, and we’re already looking forward to next year!