Akron ComiCon is always one of my favorite events of any given year. This year it was even more so since it was my first comics convention as myself. I believe I’ve been a guest of this event for the past nine years, but this one was a milestone in my life and transition.
Welcome to Akron ComiCon, Jenny Blake Isabella. Hope you survive the experience.
I didn’t have any concerns in that regard. The fans, vendors, guests, volunteers and promoters of the convention are some of the best they are at what they do. Which is make everyone at the convention feel welcome and part of the family.
The convention was Saturday and Sunday, November 8-9 at Emidio’s Expo Center in Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio. I drove in Friday afternoon to set up my tables. I was bringing mostly hardcovers and trades as well as copies of the DC Pride 2025 comic book and the exclusive-to-me Misty Knight reprint from Marvel Comics.
It was an emotional moment for me when I saw the new Jenny Blake Isabella banner the convention had created for me. I felt seen. I felt accepted. I felt loved.
As I usually do, I was traveling in boy mode. As safe as comics conventions can be, the world outside them isn’t always safe for gay and trans folks. But I was rocking my new hair style and the auburn color that is now my natural hair. I’ll be donating most of my wigs to a “trans closet” in the near future.
As I was setting up, I chatted with several people I knew from previous Akron conventions. One woman asked respectful questions about my transition and why cross dressing wasn’t enough for me. I explained that I’m not a cross dresser. I’m Jenny. Even when I’m in boy mode, I’m Jenny. I enjoy and feel comfortable in feminine clothing, but they do not define me.
Sidebar, I am almost always willing to answer questions as long as they are respectful and not too personal. A girl’s got to have some secrets, don’t you know.
One old friend had trouble calling me “Jenny” instead of “Tony.” It wasn’t malicious. He’d just been used to calling me by my old name for decades. I don’t take offense at such things. Heck, I still misgender myself on occasion. But I do appreciate the fans and friends who get it right from the get-go.
I’m an honorary member of the USS Lagrange Star Trek group. Though my transitioning certainly came as a surprise to them, they were every bit as accepting as you would expect Star Trek fans to be. Infinite Diversity in Infinite Combinations.
After that, I headed to the Marriott Courtyard Akron-Stow. I had a very comfortable room with a thermostat that kept me toasty warm. Since starting on HRT last April, I’m get cold much easier than I used to.
I went to the hotel’s Bistro for a good meal: a bacon and cheese quesadilla with french fries and a margarita. I watched some TV and slept soundly.
Saturday was a busy and happy day with a few bumps in the road. The dress I wore received many compliments, but it wasn’t very warm. I was freezing my ass off. Though I received hugs aplenty,
I was cold most of the time and lost my voice by the end of the day.
One thing that amused me was how many friends told me they would have my back if anyone harassed me. I wasn’t worried. As I said above, the Akron ComiCon folks are some of the best in the land. But it was nice so many friends expressed their support in that manner. My heroes.
Sales were brisk. As usual, I was assisted at my booth by Denine the Wondrous. I was asked more questions about my transition and even more about comics.
There was one older woman, two years younger than me, who I love dearly. She’s very conservative. She told me up front that, while I could to whatever I wanted, she’d continue to call me Tony. No malice. It’s just how she knew me. However, by the last hours of the show on Sunday, she was calling me Jenny. I like to think my truth is obvious.
My next door neighbor was actress Tara Buckman, who you’ve seen in countless movies and TV shows. The Cannonball Run. The first three Silent Night, Deadly Night movies. Kojak. Quincy, M.D. The Hardy Boys/Nancy Drew Mysteries. Buck Rogers.
Tara was a boon companion. She is beautiful, friendly and truly interested in people. I overheard her having great conversations with fans and fellow guests. She had questions about transgender matters, which I answered as best I could. We bonded and hope to see each other at future conventions.
I had little voice left when it came time to do “Mid-Afternoon with Jenny Blake.” Akron ComiCon’s first-ever talk show. It had a monologue, an interview with my guest Ted Sikora, “The Isabella Questionella,” which allowed Ted to be fully known, and then the usual Q&A session. My ragged voice notwithstanding, I thought it came off well.
Since I know you’re wondering, here are the fifteen questions, with apologies to Stephen Colbert, that I asked Ted:
1) What’s the best sandwich?
2) What was the first comic book you bought?
3) What’s the scariest animal?
4) Ditko or Kirby?
5) Since becoming a comics creator, have you ever asked another creator for their autograph?
6) What do you think Comic Book Heaven will be like?
7) What do you think Comic Book Hell will be like?
8) Favorite comics-inspired movie?
9) Favorite smell?
10) Least favorite smell?
11) Color or black-and-white?
12) Not counting proper names, what’s the most used word in your comics?
13) You get one comic book to read for the rest of your life; what is it?
14) What comic-book character am I thinking of?
15) Describe the rest of your life in five words.
When I’m invited to other conventions, I will offer them my talk show. I think it’s a fun feature.
Dinner at the hotel was leftover pizza and quesadilla. Plus lots of sleep. I wanted to be at my best, or at least better, for Sunday at the convention.
I was much improved on Sunday. I dressed more warmly. It was a slower day so I had time to wander around the show floor and have good conversations with dear friends.
My son Ed, who was elected councilman-at-large in our home town of Medina, came to show. He also bonded with Tara and received congratulations from many people.
I was drafted to appear on a panel with the great artist Steve Geiger by his wonderful wife Krissy. Dandy Don Simpson was also there for part of the panel. It was a nice finish to one of the most enjoyable conventions ever.
Ed loaded the SUV for my drive home. It was an uneventful drive, as they all should be. I arrived home happy, hungry and tired in pretty much that order. And firm in my conviction that I’ll be a guest at however many events the ComiCon guys ask me to be a guest at. Because they put on great shows and, if you have the chance, you should also go to as many of them as you can.
What’s next for me? I’m still unloading and unpacking from the convention. My immediate goal after that is to clear the garage so we can park both Barb’s car and my SUV in it. Barb’s car is already there.
I have things I want to write and will be keeping you informed on those in future blogs. I’m clearing all my boxes of books and other things from my daughter’s Kelly’s old room so we can turn it back into a functioning bedroom. Maybe we’ll rent it out as a B&B&B (Bed and Breakfast and Books). But not really.
I hope to bring this blog to you more frequently because I have so much to write about. But, first and foremost, I want to thank the many many comics fans and professionals who have embraced my transition to my authentic self. I have a long path ahead of me, but it’s wonderful to know I’m not walking it alone.
Stay safe, love one another harder than you’ve even loved before and have hope for better days. We all bring to much to the world for us to be minimized.
I’ll back soon with more stuff.
© 2025 Tony Isabella
