First Geeks
Just because they were geeks doesn’t mean our intrepid Con creators were any less impacted by the “drugs, sex, and rock-and-roll” of the 1960s. We delve deep into the intimate experiences of these colorful characters of the Comic-Con and how their passion for pop culture was affected by the volatile era’s seismic cultural, political, and technological shifts. Includes a special visit from Mr. “Turn on, Tune in, Drop out” himself, Dr. Timothy Leary, along with the birth of Star Trek fandom.
Narrated by Brinke Stevens
Created and Directed by Mathew Klickstein
Executive Produced by Rob Schulte
Written and Produced by Mathew Klickstein, Rob Schulte, and Christopher Tyler
Edited by Rob Shulte, and Christopher Tyler
Mixed by James Bilodeau
Original Music Composed by Max DeVincenzo and Produced by Fox Tracks Music
With help from Brannan Goetschius and Michael Fische
All interviews conducted by Mathew Klickstein.
Principal interviewees/contributors :
Al Jean, Anthony Russo, Barry Alfonso, Barry Short, Bill Lund, Bill Mumy , Bill Schanes, Bjo Trimble, Bob Arendt, Brinke Stevens, Bruce Campbell, Caseen Gaines, Chuck Graham , Clayton Moore, Dave Clark, Dave Scroggy, Erin Hanna, Gene Henderson, Greg Bear, Gregory Benford, Gus Krueger, Felicia Day, Frank Miller, Ho Che Anderson, Igor Goldkind , Jackie Estrada, Jeanne Graham , Jim Cornelius, Jim Means, Jim Valentino, Joe Russo, John Pound, John Trimble, Kevin Eastman, Linda Yeh, Lloyd Kaufman, Kevin Smith , Len Wein , Maggie Thompson, Mark Evanier, Mike Towry, Mo Alzmann, Neil Gaiman , Paul M. Sammon, Phil Yeh, Richard Alf , Richard Butner, Rick Geary, Roger Freedman, Scott Aukerman, Scott Shaw!, Sergio Aragonés , Stan Sakai, Tim Seeley, Trina Robbins, Wendy All.
We are grateful to the family of Mary and Gene Henderson . This production is dedicated in part to their memory, as well as the memory of the many Con contributors no longer with us but whose legacy will continue to live on for time immemorial.
Archival material and additional research provided by:
Mike Towry and his “Comic-Convention Memories” website.
Alan Light’s 1975 Comic-Con recordings
Jackie Estrada and Comic-Con’s 40th Anniversary Souvenir Book
Pamela Jackson and San Diego State University’s Comic-Con
Maureen Cavanaugh at San Diego’s KPBS
Erin Hanna and her book Only at Comic Con
Bjo Trimble and “The Star Trek Concordance”
Fantagraphics’ “We Told You So: Comics As Art”
The Confessions of Robert Crumb
Played
