(2019)

(Colors by Stephen Pazenski!)

G-Fest 2019 was my 10th year in a row going to the convention, and Matt Frank, who was usually the go-to guy for doing G-Fest's promo art, suggested to the head of the show that I take a crack at it! Not only was this done as that year's promo art - which was plastered EVERYWHERE, and all kinds of surreal to me - it was also put on the shirts for that year!

I was so excited. I wasn't exactly sure on what kinda design they wanted, so I practiced with an idea of "Supercharged Gfantis" (Gfantis is the mascot for the con). The Trendmasters Godzilla toys turned 25 that year, and the year before was the con's 25th anniversary; we may have had a big celebration, but the festivities should keep going strong, as I put it. Plus, I remember seeing a Gfantis custom made from a Shogun Warrior Godzilla - so here he is, made from a Trendmasters figure.

What they ultimately wanted was something based on GODZILLA'S REVENGE, as that film turned 50 that year. And seeing as I like that movie, I had loads of fun with the piece.

Now. Apologies for the mood whiplash, but I have to turn a little sour.

I know that throughout my posts, I was singing the praises of how much fun I'd have at G-Fest. Like I said, 2019 was my tenth year in a row, and I had a great time. But that was also the last year I attended, and I say this:

Good riddance.

That year, we were told we had to have a 33% limitation on the amount of Godzilla (or Toho) fan art, because a Toho rep was going to be there. Well, not only was this rule not enforced, this rep wasn't even from Toho. I mean, we all did okay, but in retrospect, this was a major red flag for things to come.

I was ready to go for 2020, especially since it was moving to a bigger venue. But then we all know what happened in 2020. The event was cancelled. Our table fees were rolled over, then it was set to return for 2021. But when I say this event was cancelled, lemme be specific - the event was cancelled not out of the goodness of the showrunners' hearts and concerns for fellow fans, they cancelled because the state pulled the plug on all events. The head of the show was posting false information about COVID-19 on the G-Fest Twitter account. Several people - including the folks who made up Artist Alley - were vocal about how stupid and dangerous this was. People were getting blocked for this. Eventually, the AA group on Facebook was told to not associate with G-Fest. Then 2021, the con was set to go again...but they decided to call it off. And they did not change their stances on the misinformation.

Then 2022.

Artists were hit with the most ridiculous rules we've ever seen. We were not allowed to sell prints of Godzilla...at this Godzilla convention. Ultraman, Gamera, other fan art? Have at it. Godzilla? Only if you have a license to do so. Toho - the company that owns the Godzilla IP - does not sell these. Otherwise, there'd be a lot more licensed fan art floating about.

I could have adhered to the rules and such...but here's what killed it for me. The guy who was put in charge of the vendors (both artists and dealers were put under the same umbrella) was not exactly the most helpful person when it came to getting answers. One artist decided to go to the head of the convention about some art they were wanting to sell. They got an immediate response. That's when it turned out the two heads were not seeing eye to eye, and this artist was ultimately told they were getting a refund.

Not to be a snob, but I expect a level of professionalism when it comes to stuff like this, and this was well below my standards. I asked for my refund. The vendor head says he'll send the request to the con head. Two weeks - TWO. WEEKS. - nothing. I go to the con head, and within 20 minutes, I have my refund.

Oh, and wanna know something? Much like the 33% rule in 2019, they didn't enforce the "no Godzilla prints" rule. But bootlegs and VHS bootlegs of content I hesitate to even call porn? THAT WAS OKAY, even after being called out.

*deep breath*

I was debating whether I should even share this art or not. But here's the thing, I will not deny the fact I did this art (and who the colorist is), and I will not deny that I had an amazing ten years of meeting fantastic people at this convention. History is not always about the good. Celebrate the good, learn from the bad, embrace the experiences in life. But this is the last I will actively promote G-Fest. Especially after that article in G-Fan Magazine defending blackface.

On that note, All Monsters Attack is this May, which I and many of the G-Fest regulars will be at. You'd be awesome if you could make it out there.