Posted in: Comics | Tagged: NYCC, paul pope

Inquiring To Young Heroes And Heroines

Published Tue, 22 Oct 2013 14:00:51 -0500

Alex Rose writes for Bleeding Cool from NYCC;

Past majority of the crowd where few cosplayers go, me and my pal waited on line for the Young Heroes and Heroines panel. We were the first on line and played hang man for an hour as we waited and others were filing up behind us.

Finally it was time to go in. We took our front row seats, got out our cameras and notes, and watched as the authors readied themselves. As a young writer, I was pretty excited! The people on stage included Eugene Myers, author of Fair Quantum/Quantum Coin; Brandon Mull, author of the Beyonders series and his newest book Spirit Animals; Claire Legrand, author of The Cavendish Home for Boys and Girls and her newest book Year of Shadows; Django Wexler, author of Thousand Names and soon to be finished The Forbidden Library; Sherry Thomas, author of The Burning Sky; and Paul Pope, author of several adult novels and his newest book Battling Boy.

The panel's topic was on the young 'chosen ones' in stories and what can be learned by them. Some better known heroes were brought up, such as Frodo from The Lord of the Rings, who as Sherry put "had greatness thrust onto him," instead of having some unique power or being part of a prophesy, which could be better related to a real life situation. Harry Potter, pointed out to be slightly unique in the way that he was 'the chose one twice' by first receiving his invitation to Hogwarts for being a wizard, and again by finding out he was part of a prophesy.

Other interesting (and some comical) points were brought up such as 'Why are the kids saving the world when the adults seem better equipped to take on the task?', 'Who made them the chosen one?', 'What happens if the chosen one finds their mentor untrustworthy?', 'What if they don't want to be/trust they are/believe they are the chosen one?', and 'What is it like from another character's perspective?'. I would definitely think of those next time I write.

After the panel and a bathroom break, we immediately went to find the signing table to get free copies of Spirit Animals, and got lost (the Javits Center is big and confusing). Unfortunately, we did not make it in time to get Spirit Animals, but they began giving out samples of books, book marks, tattoos, and pins.

Now the part that really topped it for me. Having book marks of Claire Legrand's books, I of course went over to her so she could sign them. She was very friendly and sweet as I explained that I was working for press, and she even let me tell her a bit about the chosen one in my story and showed great interest! And with that was a great wrap up for my time at NYCC.

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