Doc Con 13 set for Nov. 12-14

Saturday at week ago was a “Doc Day” here in the Phoenix area. That’s a day when members of the Arizona Fans of Bronze get together to plan the next Arizona Doc Con (as well as talk pulps, books and movies).

We met at Phil Matthews’ home. He’s been ill recently and was unable to attend November’s Doc Con. So it was great to spend a few hours visiting with him.

It turned out to be a very productive meeting. We set the dates, location and theme for Doc Con 13, and talked about sharing the organizing responsibilities, rather than laying it all on the shoulders of the host.

Doc Con 13 will be Friday-Sunday, Nov. 12-14, at Glendale, Ariz. Friday evening will be the annual old-time radio re-enactment, held this year at Courtney Rogers’ house. Saturday will be the day-long gathering, hosted by uber-Doc Savage collector Jay Ryan. The con ends Sunday morning with a breakfast at a local restaurant.

Yours truly will be the event co-ordinator for Doc Con 13. I’ll be putting together the Doc Con’s Saturday schedule, so if you’re interested in making a presentation, please let me know.

This year’s theme is two-fold. We’ll be celebrating the 70th anniversary of the debut of Street & Smith’s Doc Savage Comics and the 75th anniversary of the introduction of Chemistry the ape into the novels. (Well, “celebrating” may not describe that last one very well.)

You can keep up with developments through the Doc Con group at Yahoo.

Mark your calendar. It’s a great time for Doc (and pulp) fans. Hope to see you there!

– William