From August 17th to 24th, 1998, the first International Comic-book Convention [officially named "Viñetas desde o Atlántico", vignettes from the Atlantic] was held in A Corunha [Galiza, NW Spain].

Writer Marv Wolfman with comic creator Cels Piñol

Writer Pat Mills

Guest artists included Mike Baron, Oscar Jiménez, Regis Loisel, Pat Mills, Carlos Pacheco, Miguelanxo Prado, Marv Wolfman, Adam Hughes, Jean-Claude Meziéres, Fernando De Felipe, and José Omar Ladronn among many others.

It was great to have such a wide range of incredibly, heterogeneous talented writers and artists gathered for this fine event, considering this is a really small (and beautiful according to Hughes) town, with only 370,000 inhabitants.

On behalf of the local comic-book readers, I want to publicly thank the authors for their kindness. I know all of them were extremely attentive with regard to interviews, sketches, signing sessions and such. I for one, personally met Baron, Hughes (what a nice guy), De Felipe, Mills and Ladronn and I assure you it was great having them.

Cult artist Adam Hughes knows first hand that comic freaks are naughty people ;-)

Left: Adam (a great Love & Rockets fan) did this Hopey sketch for Funcomic, the local association of comic readers (whose members took the pictures included in this page).

Below: Click on thumbnail to download a spectacular cover for Wizard magazine by Mr Hughes.

Our Mexican friend and admired artist José Omar Ladronn

The Convention --fully supported by the city council with a $160,000 budget-- was an outstanding success, both in terms of audience and money for shops and publishers. The (open & free) area downtown where the festival was celebrated was filled with fans and people of all ages visiting the publishers' and specialty stores' stands.

There were public conferences in which the guest artists talked about their works and lives (members of the audience could ask questions), as well as many expositions (a huge area of more than 3,000 square meters exposing original art of ALL styles and genres!) and all sorts of comic-related acts --even in night clubs!-- that turned the event into a celebration not just for kids and comic-freaks, but for whole families, foreign tourists, and basicly, everyone. The atmosphere was festival and relaxed... We had such a great time throughout the Convention's days and nights!

Spanish pencillers Carlos Pacheco, Óscar Jiménez and inker Eduardo Alpuente

(Right) Click on thumbnail to download an amazing sketch of X-Men's Healer that talented Carlos Pacheco did in A Corunha (Special thanks to Sonia & Josep).