Cornerstone 2010 Overview

Cornerstone is now completed: Wow, that was the first outdoor show I've done in years. Forgot how much that can take out of you with the heat, dust and humidity! I think this was the closest thing I've ever been a part of that's akin to being at Woodstock (but without the alcohol or drugs, of course). And the creator certainly did his part as the whole week was mid-80's and blue skies!

Overall the crowds were consistent, (except for last day: Saturday...when many it seems were already starting home for the 4th, including the vendors). I Had a decent amount of sales of the Unknown God graphic novel and T-shirts, (as well as the other books in the Eye Witness series), but more importantly exposed a huge number of people to Christian based graphic novels for the first time in their lives (you know, the old "I never knew anyone made comics/GN's like this"...kind of thing). It tells me, that as a genre of literature "we" (the editorial we) are not doing a good enough job in educating people that our products exist, for if "we" were, more Christian youth (teen to twenty-somethings) would be aware of them. Now before you think I'm sitting in judgement of others, I certainly am not exempting myself from these comments, for I've been out there with Eye Witness since 2004, yet most in this gathering had never heard of the series before. But they sure have now after the weekend!

I really think the a group of Christian creators/publishers needs to consider doing a group booth at one of these types of events next year. I understand that places like comic conventions are our mission fields, but with a lot of our properties those who are already Christian can also enjoy them, purchase them and share them with their non-believing friends (which is a comment I heard a lot with people buying Eye Witness over the weekend). And with the amount of business I did over the weekend, I'm can say pretty authoritatively that a couple tables put together with all manner of comics, tracts and graphic novels would have went over real big at this show! So if anybody has an interest in joining forces, I'm all in.

I want to thank Scott Shuford for stopping by my booth a couple times over the weekend, while he was enjoying the music and making the rounds drumming up business!

A final point I want to share, is how refreshing this event was for me! Doing comic conventions can sometimes be a bit of a downer, as many people there will steer clear of your table when they see Christian or spiritual imagery...as if we're going to yell out, "repent, you sinner," at them like some street corner prophet. But the people here, (of all ages), were just so friendly. Even if they were not particularly interested in what I had to offer at my table they always had a smile on their face and were at least willing to engage in polite conversation. In fact, I got to hear some wonderful and diverse testimonials over the weekend.

Living in Dallas (in the heart of the Bible Belt) it's sometimes kind of hard to realize the true diverse nature of Christians out there in this country. And this show was a testament to the fact that it does not matter how you look outwardly, how you dress, what kind of hair-do you sport, (if you have hair), whether you have piercings-tats or other body art....the inner love of Jesus overcomes and binds us all!

As I drove away from the campsite on Saturday night for the final time, I experienced both joy (that I felt a bit closer to God through this experience) and a sorrow (that I had to leave this event and the people involved behind and go back to the real world).

But now I'm even more excited to my time at SonShine and Creation Northwest Festivals in July, 'cause I'll have my daughter with me, so I'll be able to mill about a bit more and see some of the bands and hear some of the speakers (which I was unable to do at Cornerstone).

I recommend this experience to you my brothers and sisters out there and even those who may not believe but just want to hear four days of some great music of all styles!

R.J. Luedke
www.headpress.info