Travis Clemmons: December 2012

One of the advantages of living within easy travel distance of the DuPage County Fairgrounds is that there's always something interesting happening there. On the 15th of December, that turned out to be Mighty Con: A comics and collectables trade show that is working hard to grow itself into a serious science fiction and fantasy convention.

Admission was only $5.00 and they were reducing it to $3.00 if you could show that you'd just come from the flea market that was taking place in the building next door. In a tight economy, it's good to see small events like this working together to help each other.

One of the things that sincerely impressed me about Mighty Con is how much effort the organizers have put into recruiting and promoting small companies as their vendors. There were a slew of small manufacturers and small press publishers, representing their wares.

Comic Books
Graphic Novels
Dolls
Games
Action Figures

I've included a link to the video to help you learn more about the artists and writers. If you want to learn more about Mighty Con ... Please check them out at www.mightycon.com.

Travis Clemmons

It was in December of 2002 that the science fiction community received some rather saddening news. A very promising TV Series titled Firefly had been cancelled by the Fox network.

Although the quirky little critter was stopped at 15 episodes, it quickly developed a fan base that refused to allow it to die out. DVD sales were impressive enough to help convince a rival studio to produce a 2 hour theatrical movie (Serenity) which did modestly well. Several short run comic books and graphic novels have been produced and all have sold very well. Firefly / Serenity fan fiction is abundant, both in written form and in independently produced video presentations.

In honor of this monster that would not die, I present the following tribute song.

SWEET SERENITY

(Performed to the tune of "Sweet Baby James")

There is a Space Cowboy ... He flies past the stars

His partners in crime are his only companions

He's argued with God and he's washed his hands of him

Yet still prays that somehow his fortunes will change

And as the sun rises ... He makes planet fall

Thinking about money ... Such wealth to be had

Puts his faith in a River to balance it all

Tells the good Doctor "there's naught can go bad"

Then hopes they don't all wind up dead

Now watch the pretty lady

Tear up the bar ... One, two, three

They've twisted her mind ... Now she's bound to unwind

And the problem falls squarely on me

Take her back to Serenity

Now, some years ago ... He did follow a flag

Then came the day when this Sergeant player General

And he rallied his troops and brought victory in battle

While those high above him ... Turned their backs and gave up the war

There's a part of his heart that still wants to stay angry

A place in his soul where it's too black to see

No room for a God or for love or for caring

Yet a voice deep inside screams it wants to be free

If somehow ... It only could be

Hello my Painted Lady

Why have you called back to me?

I've left you behind ... Yet you still haunt my mind

If you loved me ... You'd just let me be

But for you, I leave Serenity

Now the path of this River is winding and strange

So are the patterns of Agents and Lawmen

As a problem long dead, rears it's ugly head once again

And a Space Cowboy follows an Albatross off to war

There's a poem that he quotes as he rescues his Lady

A Shepherd he mourns as he makes plans for war

A vow to his friends as he starts misbehaving

And his chains fall to dust as he takes up this chore

Cause he knows now what he's fighting for

Welcome home, my Lovely Lady

Courtesan though you may be

Though I've left friends behind ... I have you on my mind

And your smile ... It looks so bright to me

And I have my Sweet Serenity

Travis Clemmons

Sunday, December 16, 2012

My Day At Mighty Con

Sunday, December 9, 2012

Sweet Serenity