Countdown to Comic-Con: Stephan Pastis's First Impression

Today, with San Diego Comic-Con exactly one month away, Comic Riffs -- which will trek West to cover the four-day event -- officially begins its Countdown to Comic-Con.

I first discovered the 'Con in the '80s, when both of us were still-green teenagers. It was a much humbler event that had not yet "gone Sundance" -- that is, Hollywood was not yet deploying squadrons southward to try to build major buzz among more than 100,000 comics and sci-fi geeks. But the first impression was still indelible, as tricked-out characters in costume (aw, look -- a four-foot Thor!) mingled with collectors eager to get Stan Lee's autograph or a prized issue of Conan.

Stephan Pastis: Memories of porn-star superheroes dance in his Comic-Con head.

Because you never forget your first Comic-Con, this Riffster will ask a range of creators what they most remember about their virgin 'Con. Today, "Pearls Before Swine" creator Stephan Pastis -- who'll be a guest at this year's Comic-Con -- shares his first memory, from about five years ago.

Says Pastis: "It was the first time I'd ever seen Darth Vader watching a porn-star-version of Snow White flirt with Captain America."

Pastis, I should point out, plans to be at the 'Con all four days this year. Some impressions just keep you coming back.

If you've got your own Comic-Con memories, your recollections are invited.

THE RELATED READ:

THE 'RIFFS INTERVIEW: Stephan Pastis on the rising star of Larry the Croc.