Science-fiction and fandom historian Earl Terry Kemp had some very nice things to say about Ken Krueger in the online fanzine eI51 (August 2010). In his article “The Anthem Series, Part VII”, he examines some of Ken’s early publishing efforts along with commenting on Ken’s contributions to science fiction and fandom in a more general […]
Comic-Con International
By Mike Towry Next year (2012) will see the 40th anniversary of the first El Cortez Comic-Con, which was held August 18-21, 1972. I was Chairman of the con that year, at the ripe old age of seventeen, and it’s always held a special place in my heart. I’m not alone, however, in looking back […]
Comic-Con has just posted details for the Ken Krueger panel at http://www.comic-con.org/cci/cci10_prog_fri.php. The panel will be held on Friday, July 23, 2010. Hope to see you there (wearing your Ken Krueger Fan Club t-shirt, if you’ve got one). Here are the details:
With Comic-Con #41 coming up next month, I thought you might like to read Ken Krueger’s Chairman’s message from the program book for Comic-Con #1 (August 1970). Since Ken just gave first names, here is a list of the full names of the committee members he was thanking: Shel Dorf, Richard Alf, John Pound, Scott Shaw!, Barry Alfonso, Bob Sourk, Greg Bear, Dave Clark, Ron Cearns, Bill Lund, Gary Pagel, David McGlone, Pat McGlone, Steve McGlone, John Hull, Mike Towry, Steve Shipman, Dan Stewart, Bill Rupp, and Glen Walker.
I’ve recently scanned over two-hundred of Shel Dorf’s original negatives from the 1974 Comic-Con, which was the second El Cortez convention. Here is one of those photos, which is of Ken in the dealers room.
When Ken Krueger became chairman of San Diego’s Comic-Con in 1970, he already had decades of experience in science-fiction fandom, of which he was a well-respected member. This can be seen from the following excerpts from the first issue of Hyperopia, the “official fanzine of the BUFFALO FANTASY LEAGUE,” which was edited by Robert J. Fritz. The month of publication – July – is given but not the year. However, internal evidence indicates this is from 1952. A few obvious typos were corrected and the name of one person was changed to her initials, “G. C.” So, now, read on and get ready to take up the chant: “We Want Ken, We Want Ken!”
Joe Fillinger, Ken’s longtime friend from his early days in the Buffalo, New York area, was kind enough to forward a copy of a tribute to Ken that will be published in the program book for the upcoming EerieCon 12, which will be held April 23 – 25, 2010 in Niagara Falls, New York. Herewith is that tribute.
On March 21, 1970, San Diego’s Golden State Comic-Minicon was held in the basement of the U.S. Grant Hotel in downtown San Diego. This small, one-day convention was held to raise funds and fan-recognition for the initial three-day convention, San Diego’s Golden State Comic-Con, to be held in August of that year. Richard Alf, who was Minicon Co-Chairman (Bob Sourk was Chairman) recently found a set of photographs from that small event. One of these is reproduced above.
While scanning some of Shel Dorf’s black-and-white negatives of the 1973 San Diego Comic-Con, I came across this picture of Ken on a panel with Scott Shaw!, John Pound, and two as-yet-unidentified people. (Does anyone recognize them or recall what the panel was about?)
I (Mike Towry) have been scanning some of Shel Dorf’s old film negatives and came across two great pictures of Ken with the 1973 Comic-Con crew. In one, Ken is wearing a “Ken Krueger Fan Club” t-shirt. I’ve identified some of those pictured, but not all. Does anyone recognize the rest of them or where these pictures were taken?
Ken Krueger caricature by Milton Caniff