I realize that comic books have nothing to do with gadgets. But I’m a fan of cartoon art so, of course, I had to find a way to head down to San Diego this weekend for the annual Comic Con International.

Besides, Costa Mesa’s Planetwide Games gave me a great OC reason to attend the show. The company, which recently launched “RYL: Path of the Emperor” game, introduced a new software product that turns video game footage into a comic book. How cool is that? See my story from Friday.

So I drove down to the San Diego Convention Center on Friday for a looksee. There were Imperial Stormtroopers, a handful of Klingons and a plethora of attendees dressed up as anime characters. But the show isn’t as nerdy as one might think.

Video game exhibitors took up as much space (possibly more?) as collectible comic book sellers. Upcoming movies (including The Chronicles of Narnia and Corpse Bride with Johnny Depp) were promoted and there was a rumor that Jessica Alba, currently in “The Fantastic Four” was going to make an appearance.

Even Irvine’s Blizzard Entertainment was there promoting its massively popular World of Warcraft (Blizzard’s booth was tiny! George Wang, its PR guy, told me that they didn’t realize how big games are at Comic Con so it had just a tiny little booth along the wall. Nevertheless, there was a crowd of people waiting to play the game).

But my favorite stuff was the comic art.

That’s when I bumped into Brandon Ragnar Johnson, an artist based in Costa Mesa. He currently has two children’s books out – “Izzy’s Very Important Job” and “Got Your Nose” – but he also has done a slew of 50s/60s-inspired graphics (A wee bit like another famous OC guy by the name of Shag, who himself is aping that era.) He wasn’t taking credit card though and I didn’t have enough cash to buy some of his prints. Hopefully, he’ll be selling them soon at his site, littlecartoons.com

Nearby, I discovered the work of Scott Tolleson from Fullerton. His collection expresses the artistic side that his day job as a Disney animator won’t permit. More pin-up than Peter Pan.

Comic Con is a gathering of artists from all over (plus the comic books aren’t so bad). The nicest part is the area for independent art. These self-published artists sit at small tables right next to one another. They’re a friendly group and in most cases, are willing to offer an autograph and a quick sketch. comic books are cheap, usually $1 to $5, but if you’re stocking up, BRING CASH. The artists don’t take credit card, though some are now taking PayPal.

Going independent is a great way to start collecting and appreciating comic art. Some of my favorites:

Poketo - Collaboration of artists co-founded by Ted Vadakan and Angie Myung. Mostly sell cool t-shirts, but they also make a mean wallet out of recycled magazines and thread.

Little India
Comic-art book about
India’s culture by
Sanjay Patel,
also a Pixar animator

Gris Grimly – Very Tim Burton-esque (who Grimly cites as one of nearly 3 dozen influences on his art). Grimly, based in Los Angeles, has illustrated a few children’s books (Wicked Nursery Rhymes and Grimericks) and is making his film debut with Cannibal Corpse Riot. (That’s Grimly on the right)

John Loter
Another artist who has worked
for Disney and one of the few
who was taking credit cards at Comic Con.

Tara McPherson – A Portland, Oregon-based
artist with a knack for designing eye-popping
concert posters. I bought her Shonen Knife poster.

Caveman Robot

A comic book about a robot
who happens to be a caveman.
I actually didn’t see the comic book
but anyone who dresses up like a life-size caveman
robot is worth a look. Or a picture.

There’s still time to go. Just head down to the San Diego Convention Center. For details, go to the Comic Con web site, at www.comic-con.org And let me know what your favorites are from the show. (Pictured on left, the Alien Hominid gang from San Diego, a self-published video game. On the right, I’m not sure. Drunk lego people?)