MondoCon 2017: More Than Posters, by Chase Beck

by · October 12, 2017

MondoCon Austin happens next month in Austin, TX (Nov. 4th and 5th). Tickets for the convention are currently still available. From my previous posts at Battleship Pretension, you might think you know all about MondoCon, a yearly mostly-film poster convention deep in the heart of Texas. But, here’s the thing,

It is way more than posters

“I’m not a poster collector,” you say. Congratulations, I only too fondly recall the days before every corner of my house was used as storage space. While I envy your self-control and fortitude, MondoCon is no more solely about posters than Comic-Con is solely about comics.

Pre/Post Convention Events

Mondo Gallery has gotten into the habit of offering some pretty amazing events surrounding the convention. Last year they held a gallery opening before the convention. Two years ago it was a live performance of scores from Lucio Fulci films (including Zombi 2 and The Beyond) by Fabio Frizzi and his band. Performed inside of a red-light splashed Methodist church, it was a strangely moving experience that I’m glad I took the time to attend. Last year they held a gallery show opening the night before MondoCon. They had an even better gallery show planned for this year on Universal Monsters. Unfortunately, the shows been pushed back. However, I wouldn’t be surprised if they came up with something else to fill the void.

Screenings

Just last year, they brought back the Mondo Mystery Movie (MMM) from a nearly three year hiatus. The Mondo Mystery Movie, if you are unaware, started as a series of film events where the film is not announced beforehand. These events take place in a single theater screening room, limiting the number of people who can attend. However, everybody who goes gets an exclusive poster, usually by a well-known poster artist. There have been twelve MMM events so far, nine occurred in 2011, and then 2012 and 2013 both had one event each. Then, for what seemed like ages, there were no Mondo Mystery movie events. However, when convention event tickets went on sale last year, Mondo announced plans for a new MMM screening.

Hopefully, they plan to continue holding MMM events. Perhaps they will even have multiple events on consecutive days of the convention, much like those MMM shows held in Los Angeles. I attended last years and it was great fun speculating with people all day on what the MMM could be and finally, sitting down in the theater as the opening credits roll still trying to figure it out. For 2017 it turned out to be The Witch. The poster, by Tyler Stout, prominently featuring a black goat, also turned out to be fantastic.

Regardless of whether or not the MMM returns, there will be screenings. This year they’ve already announced that they will be showing Ex Machina and Labyrinth. Now, I do not know about you but that sound fun to me. With Mondo’s promotion and upcoming release of their new John Carpenter’s The Thing board game, I am expecting a (surprise?) screening of that film.

Panels

The last three years of MondoCon has been full of impressive panels on future prints, soundtrack releases, the art of poster design, filmmaking and many more. Some of these panels have included screening of documentaries like Shock! The Story of 2000AD and Toy Masters a film about the unlikely and enthralling route of Mattel’s Masters of the Universe franchise.

Tchotchkes

After paying for tickets to the show and maybe a few screenings you might find your wallet a little lighter. Not to worry, most artists hand out free stickers and cards displaying their works at their booths. While these might not be large enough to grace your wall, you will undoubtedly have the best accessorized refrigerator, laptop, or car bumper of all your friends.

Austin

Just in case you want to spend some extra time in the city or you have a friend or spouse who is not crazy about conventions, there is plenty to do in downtown Austin. This year, MondoCon has even relocated closer to the heart of the city. That’s closer to the heart of some great places to eat, drink, shop and hang out. MondoCon puts you in the middle of Texas’ state capital in all of its wonderful Tex-Mex and barbecue glory.