M.I.C.E.

MICE took place on December 8th and 9th, and even though I wasn’t a vendor this time, I really wanted to attend. Matt came with me again, and we woke up extra early to drive through a snowstorm to get to Boston. We still made it with enough time for breakfast before heading into Boston University as soon as the doors opened. Since we were only planning to stay for Saturday, I went in with a clear objective: find the artists I met at SPX. It felt good to reconnect with them, see their new work, and do a few art trades where we exchanged our latest comics. We also sat in on a few panels and listened to creators talk about their books and the craft of comics in general. Those conversations were inspiring in a quiet, grounded way, the kind that makes you want to get back to your desk and draw.

We made our way through the show in a few hours and then had the rest of the day to wander around Boston. It was nice to experience a convention without the pressure of vending, to just observe and take everything in. The next morning we hit the road early and talked through what we learned at the event, taking notes on what we can improve for next year. Even though it was a quick trip, it felt worthwhile, and I left feeling connected, motivated, and glad we made the effort despite the weather.