For the entire month of May I’ve been attempting to grow a mustache. Every year in Syracuse the local punk and hardcore kids challenge each other to grow obscene mustaches throughout the month. There is nothing more comical than seeing some of your favorite friends and bands moshing with their handle bars floating in the air.
This year I decided I was going to make a solid attempt to participate, despite living ten and a half hours away, and I have to say I was quite successful. Though no one really noticed until the last few days I have to say I’m quite proud of my ability to transition from looking like a prepubescent male to the lost henchman from Starsky And Hutch.
Sadly this mustache mayhem ends tonight as I have to drive back to Syracuse for a close friend’s wedding tomorrow after school lets out.
WARNING: THE FOLLOWING IMAGE MAY NOT BE SUITABLE FOR ANYONE UNABLE TO GROW HAIR ON THEIR UPPER LIP
For the last two weeks I’ve spent all of my “free time” in my classroom editing my latest documentary Ithacon. The film covers the Ithacon which is an annual comic book convention that is celebrating its thirty-fifth anniversary.
I interviewed five individuals at this year’s show and combined it with another interview and some footage that I had shot the previous year. I had the luxury of talking with Roger Stern (comic writer best known for his involvement in the Death Of Superman storyline), Steve Wacker (Senior Editor For Marvel comics), Ken Wheaton (Inker For Bongo Comics and illustrator of a Popeye one shot issue), Joe Orsak (illustrator of Salt City and The Yellow Rose Of Texas), and Mike Borkowski (Iron Man Children’s Book Illustrator and Storyboard Artist) who were all very accommodating and considerate of my filmic needs.
The final film clocks in at twenty-three minutes of comic book awesomness complete with a special secret ending that is guaranteed to make you giggle at least a little bit. If you enjoy the film and find yourself intrigued by Ithacon keep checking back and I’ll be sure to post details about the winter show as it is pieced together. Ithacon truly is one of upstate, NY’s best kept secrets. In the words of Ken Wheaton “Per square inch this is the most quality comic book show in the country.”
Ryan Zlomek (That's Me!) is an independent filmmaker, unconscious animator, amateur illustrator, creative writer and professional educator from Chittenango, NY.
Ryan Zlomek (That's Me!) is an independent filmmaker, unconscious animator, amateur illustrator, creative writer and professional educator from Chittenango, NY.
