SHADIS Hits the Convention Trail

The SHADIS staff has been busy the last two months with the launching of our new promotional campaign.

We will continue to be hitting the convention trail throughout 1994 with our Game Demo Teams and promotional giveaways.

GENCON REPORT

As promised, the SHADIS staff made their first major convention appearance with a bang. Over 8,000 issues were given away to enthusiastic gamers at GENCON in Milwaukee WI, August 1993.

Toward the end of the con I was amazed to see copies of SHADIS virtually everywhere I went. Many thanks to everyone who made our coming out party a big success.

The biggest thrill of all was the outpouring of support from the game companies who welcomed the appearance of an independent gaming magazine. Special mention goes to Kevin Seimbeida and the rest of the Palladium staff for assistance in handing out magazines when the SHADIS booth was blocked by hordes of Star Trek fans who turned out for the appearance of George Takei.

Highlights of the con for the staff was getting game-celebrities autographs on the SHADIS booth sign. (O.K. - we pretty much looked like tourists on Hollywood Blvd.) Other then B.A. Felton's stupid stunt, the convention was a blast and we have vowed to return next year.

GATEWAY REPORT

After the rigors of GENCON, the SHADIS staff headed almost immediately to Los Angeles for Gateway 93 where another 1,500 issues of SHADIS were given away. We enjoyed GATEWAY because we were finally able to relax and leave the confines of our booth and venture out among the gamers.

Highlights for the staff was a hilarious session of Lost Souls ran by TSR's own Lester Smith. Our apologies to Lester for turning a well prepared adventure into an episode of the Three Stooges.

Another highlight was the cute redhead selling buttons at one of the booths - but that's another story.

Perhaps the biggest news at GATEWAY was Magic-Fever caused by WOTC's new card game. (See our feature review for more details.) I don't think I've ever seen a game generate so much response so quickly. The most often heard comment of the con was "Why didn't I think of that?."

ANDCON REPORT

To demonstrate our support for the PBM industry, we sent Patrick Rodgers, our PBM editor to ANDCON in Ohio to give away even more issues of SHADIS.

Patrick wrote up a wonderful report, complete with pictures but space constraints forced us to cut it. (Sorry, Patrick.)

Patrick had a wonderful time playing White Wolf's Vampire in which he was reportedly turned into a Ken Doll. We would have gotten more details - but we were afraid to ask.

Across the Country in 30 Days

For those of you interested, our editor Jolly was dragged screaming from South Carolina to join his partners in Sunny California between issues. Jolly left home for GENCON and from there drove directly to California to move into the new Shadis office. Apparently Jolly and his traveling partner John Zinser had some harrowing adventures in Arizona, but we've yet to pry out any details. We know it has something to do with a tattooed man and a crazed hitchhiker. More details as they come in.

JOE GENERO FOUND!!

Can it be?? Joe Genero found alive and well?? Yes, it's true! The artist responsible for the Joe Genero comic strip was located at GENCON. A bewildered Jason A. Holmgren was tracked down at GENCON and forced into agreeing to provide more Joe Genero strips. Jason was a little surprised that he had a loyal following among SHADIS readers and that a massive search had been underway for him over the last 18 months.

After Jason was tackled to the ground and explained the situation he commented, "What a relief! I thought this had something to with Benny the Shark and that chorus girl."

Look for the further adventures of Joe here in SHADIS.

Now at last, you can take down those wanted posters and cut the yellow ribbons off the old oak tree. (sniff).

A 'BRIGHT FUTURE' FOR RUNAWAY GRAPHICS!

Runaway Graphics has been purchased by Brass Ring Publications. The creative staff of Runaway, responsible for such comics as "BRIGHT FUTURE" has stayed on with the company and has already promised to continue the comic series for SHADIS.

AND IN THIS CORNER...

Whit Publications has acquired the gaming rights for the World Wrestling Federation. Pre-sales are reportedly brisk and a full line of supporting products, including miniatures are in the works.

SHADIS STAFF CONDEMNS PRANK

Well, B.A. Felton did it again. Invited to GENCON to help man the SHADIS booth, B.A. managed to slip away from his escorts and pull another childish stunt which nearly resulted in the banishment of SHADIS from all future conventions. It appears B.A. donned himself in some fish-net stockings and red lingerie and climbed the TSR castle. While frantic security guards tried to talk him down from his lofty perch, B.A. managed to sing four verses of "When I think about You" complete with hand gestures. SHADIS apologizes for his outrageous prank and we promise to keep B.A. under proper wraps in the future.