Before I Forget - SDCC 08

I have been very busy trying to catch up from this years SDCC. So before I forget I'd like to jot down a few thoughts about the con then get back to work.

Thursday was a blur. I caught an early flight out of Philly, it was pouring rain as we drove down and as I flew away. Evidentally a wicked storm had rolled thru and blew everything up so my flight was a little delayed then delayed a little more when I changed over in Altlanta. No biggie, I arrived in SD a few hours late, grabbed a shuttle to the hotel, jumped in the shower and made a beeline to the con. My initial reaction pulling up to the convention center was HOLY $HIT! The amount of people was staggering. It was certainly the most people i've seen there in the 10 years I've been attending. OK cool. I made it to my table, set up & got to work. I sold a few books, did a few sketches & had a pretty damn good time.

Lots of people came by to visit and to ask about Gene etc.

I was very happy to meet/see Mike Pascale, who helped me out a lot inbetween panels, Dom Milano, Glen Gold, Brent McDonald, the OTHER Dave Gutierrez (who I once had to write a check to because someone at twomorrows accidentally sent his check to me), Mark Mokken, Ryan Graph, Adam Richards, Ben & his wife from Seattle (sorry w/ missed each other fri night, I lost your number & you never came back), David "Surfer Kid Cosmic", Kasra Ghanbari, Ted McKeever & Maria (thank you so much), Jim from CBG, Bill from CGC, Steve Morger, Anthony Snyder, John from Big Easy, Ernie Chan, Dave McKean, Mike Grell, Matt Hull & some others (sorry if i've forgotten 'bout you but thanks for stopping by)

Unfortunately I missed connecting w/ some of you, Marc Sven, Cliff, Laurie B. See you next time, I hope!

more later?

Need coffee~

http://abstractreality.net/

SDCC 2008 Sans Gene Colan

Well, I must say, I missed being side-by-side w/ Gene this past weekend in SD but there were an awful amount of people who came by to ask about him, buy some of his merch, get an update and to send their well wishes to Gene. Thursday was busy, maybe busier than the rest of the con and each day was a crazy circus of people. It was an honor to hold up the Gene banner and meet all his fans who were concerned enough to stop by and ask. Thanks to all of you & sorry to those of you who I missed or was not able to connect with. Gene appreciates the well wishes immensely and, god willing, maybe next year we can ALL do it again.

A great BIG thanks to Sue Lord who took great care of me while visiting SD, as always.

http://abstractreality.net/

San Diego 2008

Yes, I made it thru Comic-Con and survived with the help of my good buddy Mike "Panel-Boy" Pascale. Will write some more in the next few days. I got home in the wee hours of tues morning and was so wired I was unable to sleep for quite a while. So it's back to bed for me after I grab some dinner. (Glen Gold & Howard Chaykin pictured above) photo courtesy of Dom Milano.

Scored a few things that you can see here: http://tinyurl.com/r2lw9

And launced my new website here: http://abstractreality.net/

Wolfman & Man-Wolf

Studly 70's Marvel Monster on the left & Hairy Man-Beast on the right or his better know alter-ego Mike Pascale. All around good buddy, friend & former neighbor. He just sent me an email (and this pic) that he's on his way to San Diego tomorrow & he wanted to remind me that he owes me a dinner (and some drinks) so he better bring his credit card!

I'l be set up in artist alley table AA-17

Merv Pumpkinhead 10/50

This is #10/50 of the limited ed. versions of my new book that comes along w/ a watercolor sketch. Adam Richards had contacted me almost immediately to order his book. He chose Merv Pumpkinhead and I'm to deliver it to him in San Diego next week. So I finished this up today & plan on starting to get my stuff together for the trip.

I'll be in artist alley at table #AA-17

See ya there~

Hothouse Painted Cover for IDW

I finished this acrylic painting last saturday after about 30 hours. I have not painted anything serious in quite a while & was very pleased with the finished product. The editor was also please and I scored some more work out of the deal. So as soon as i get back from the San Diego Convention I'll be jumping on to the cover and interior illos for "Billboards" written by Cliff Meth. I'll see Cliff in San Diego and I'll have the cover prelim on hand.

I'm going to be in artist alley table AA-17. See ya there!

New Pond & Hardscape

We lucked out and found a complete 35 gallon pond kit on sale & a full pallette of stone for only $100. So with the plants we were able to put the whole thing together for under $200. It's so relaxing sitting out there listening to the running water & drinking a few beers. If it wasn't 95 degrees it would be even better. Still, I've been wanting to do this for a while. Done & done!

BCT 7.10.08

Burlington County Times did an article on my new book (and life here) which came out yesterday. http://tinyurl.com/68a4j3

Bicycle Art Show 6.27.08

We had a good time up in Morristown, NJ at the art show my buddy Vinnie was showing at. Only problem was is was 100 degrees out that day & it felt like 200 degrees inside the space. Otherwise a fun trip. While everyone was inside drinking wine, eating cheese & sweating.........

...... I was out back drinking a beer! (& sweating)

R.I.P. Michael Turner

I did not know the man but I knew his work & of his battles over the last few years. 37 is way too young.

http://www.comicbookresources.com/?page=article&id=16988

"Hothouse" by Brian Aldiss - Cover Prelim

I'm working on this cover for the IDW release of the novel "Hothouse", part of their "New Classics of the Fantastic" SciFi series. Just a few tweaks to this prelim and off we go. This will be fully painted and pretty large, around 12x20".

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hothouse_(novel)

In the meantime I'm finishing up a few sketches I owe & will be attending my friends art show tonite.

http://martysreliable.com/page.cfm?PageID=573

Now I need some coffee!

David Boswell Sighting

Just got an email from David & thought i'd spread the news around.

"I've been away from the office for some time, both travelling and working at my secret Fortress of Turpitude on several new projects. One is a new web site where I am selling prints and posters of my work made on my new pigment printer [HP Photosmart Pro B9180]. Coincidentally, I am at this very moment finishing up the colorizing of your commission (see attachment); I'm still putting a few finishing touches on it."

davidboswell.ca

Book Signing Part 3

Another party is in the works, maybe in Aug. or Sept.

Real Life Superhero

You can be one too by helping comicbook legend Gene Colan here: Everyone's Wrong and I'm Right: Gene Colan Benefit Auction Begins

NEW GENE COLAN IRON MAN PRINTS

http://tinyurl.com/4a8blu

LOS ANGELES (June 11, 2008) – The Hero Marvel Gene Colan prints are now officially available via AtomicComics.com! Previously only available at Wizard World Philly, these limited edition pieces are hot off the presses for sale through The Hero Initiative via http://www.atomiccomics.com/. In addition, a limited amount of the unsigned prints will be available at Wizard World Chicago. Both prints are being sold to benefit Gene Colan, one of comics’ favorites for a staggering seven decades . Now, as Gene is suffering illness, some of the characters Gene worked on are coming to save the day.

GENE COLAN IRON MAN #1 PRINT This 11-by-17 recolored masterpiece features Gene "The Dean" Colan's art to Marvel Comics' classic Invincible Iron Man #1. Net proceeds benefit Gene Colan. Retail price is $25.

GENE COLAN IRON MAN #1 PRINT; SIGNED BY STAN LEE AND GENE COLAN!
ONLY 50 PIECES AVAILABLE! This 11-by-17 recolored masterpiece features Gene "The Dean" Colan's art to Marvel Comics' classic Invincible Iron Man #1, and is autographed by both Gene and Stan "The Man" Lee, the architect of the Marvel Universe! Net proceeds benefit Gene Colan. Retail price is $100.

Visit http://www.atomiccomicsstore.com/heroinitiative.html to purchase your print today and help The Hero Initiative raise money for one of the masters of the Silver and Golden Ages of comics.

The Hero Initiative is the first-ever federally chartered not-for-profit corporation dedicated strictly to helping comic book creators in need. Hero creates a financial safety net for yesterdays' creators who may need emergency medical aid, financial support for essentials of life, and an avenue back into paying work. It's a chance for all of us to give back something to the people who have given us so much enjoyment. For more information, call 310-909-7809 or visit

http://www.heroinitiative.org/.

For more information, please contact:
Janine Bielski The Hero Initiative310-909-7809

HeroInitiative@aol.com

http://tinyurl.com/4a8blu

Gene Colan Benefit Auctions

Info & auctions here http://tinyurl.com/6xvx9a & more auctions here http://tinyurl.com/5dzcco

Bid Now!

Book Signing Part 2

Family, Friends, Neighbors & Strangers

Well, it's been almost a week since the booksigning here in town and I must say that it went better than I could have ever imagined.
We did a lot of planning and advertising so even though I did'nt know exactly what to expect if 1/2 the people we invited came I was convinced it would be a pretty sick party.

It was an amazing few hours over at Shoppe 202, those guys are really the greatest! We sold a TON of books and went thru a bunch of wine and vodka martinis right there on the sidewalk. I think the mayor and chief of police were there. No problems, everyone was just hanging out drinking and having a nice time.

Most everyone we invited stopped by and some came back to the house afterwards where we partied until the wee hours. It was amazing!

A huge thanx to everyone who came & hung out. I've done a lot of crazy fun things over the years but this will really stand out for a long. long time. I'm glad people were there to witness the spectacle because I don't think I could have adequetly described it or if anyone would believe just how insane it was.

I'm awaiting more pictures to be sent to me so I'll post those as soon as I recieve them.