I didn't take pictures because I am not one to add to the already huge archive of 'look at this crazy nerd in a jango fett/Dragonball Z costume' photos. There was a man who was the same height as Peter Mayhew in a Chewbacca costume-I almost was tempted to get a shot of that. The ceiling was like something out of Tron-as described by Jeff Parker-worthy of a look but aside from a few little deviations it was pretty par for the Comics convention course. The odd pretty girl dressed like Xena, a zombie or just sporting her favorite spring corset was common. At one point I was standing at a table getting a portfolio review and a woman came up with an elaborate backpck and started browsing the books there. The guy next to me said what I was thinking; "At first I was trying to figure out what she was 'supposed to be' and I realized she is carrying her baby in that thing." People and their crazy costumes... and their normal baby gear. It is also amazing how there is a typical comics professional body type: potato shaped with a bit of an unkempt beard. Most of my heroes adhere pretty closely to that archetype.
(ADULT CONTENT NEXT PARAGRAPH)
Jeff Parker was kind enough to let me have a bit of floor space in his hotel room which, due to its' size and proximity to the neighboring rooms gave us an obligatory set of front row seats for the carnal shenanigans going on next door. It was the loudest most pornographic sounding sexcapades I've ever heard in my life. At first we debated whether it was real, a movie or some sort of art piece but once we heard the distinctly audible unmistakable slap of a hand against buttocks the contest between real and fake was decided. We also determined that there had to be three of them because it never stopped and you could hear 3 unique voices. The other clue was the woman in the skin-tight tiger striped dress getting out of a cab as we were checking in. Jeff said the neighbors must have been on some sort of Sex-vacation. Just to be clear: we were trying to talk about Alex Toth and we couldn't help but hear these people-we are not weirdo pervs-they are. It was like they were doing it for our benefit. I wanted to sleep and think about comics which is hard to do when it sounds like the AVN awards are being broadcast into your room via megaphone.
(ADULT CONTENT OVER AND OUT)
I met Eric Canete and that was rad. He interrogated me about why I want to draw with a brush like all other comics people and after failing to give him an answer he would accept he told me to draw they way I feel comfortable and let that style speak for its' self. He also thanked me for my interest in the blog and smiled when he told me he wouldn't put it back up. He is one of my favorite artists and a cool guy for taking the time. His buddy Ivan Brandon was the one who introduced us and that guy is cool too. He has a super sweet viking project he did with an unknown artist and I have got to get a copy.
I also talked with David Mack, Adam Hughes and Tony Harris all of which were highlights for me. I made contact with a few editors and have started drawing test pages with the help of Paul Tobin and the rest of the studio as advisers. Paul gave me a Script that I'm working on as a preamble to my other Marvel Scripts that I'll be getting via email from a man I met at the convention. This man is C.B. Cebulski he is Marvel's Talent scout. David Hahn introduced me and it went well-he said he liked my stuff and gave me all his contact info so that I could test out on pages for Marvel editors. Paul gave me an Avengers script that I've started penciling:
The hard part is taking Paul's lush description and fitting in all the elements while keeping the dialogue sequential through careful positioning of the characters. Colleen Coover, Ron Randall, and Steve have all been very helpful with tips and tricks.
Tell anyone you know who is interested in becoming a professional comics artist to start following this blog because I will be sharing my experiences as I get closer to that goal. I wish I had been able to read about this process earlier in my life because there is a lot that you find out once your in it that would be nice to know before you go wandering in to the deep end of the pool. For instance here are a few things the periscope people have taught me:
1. reduce your huge portfolio to a few small pieces and keep them in a booklet about the size of a magazine-people will hate you if you drop a big black plastic art school portfolio onto their table full of loose pinups and your latest complete opus. Any pro has limited time and has probably been dealing with some weird con people all day so just be patient and listen to what they offer you.
2. Make small packets or mini comics that you can leave behind if they ask for one-these are called 'take aways'
3. Steve Lieber told me to get out there and "put my art in front of anyone who writes or publishes a comic book." He went on to say that anyone who has a huge stack of books at their but isn't drawing anything is probably a writer.
4. Have a clear idea of what you want from someone before you kneel down next to their table. If it is a crit tell them that. If it is just to show them what you do introduce yourself in that way. If you state your business they will be more likely to give you the kind of feed back you're looking for.
There is much more but I'll leave some of that for a future post
My pick of the post is that of Periscope Studio members Susan Tardif and Rich Ellis: THE RAVEN"S GAMBIT! a miniseries comic about fantasy adventures engaged in all manner of mischief and danger-some as a result of their own inept actions.RPG themed adventuring at its' best!
It has a familiar ring to anyone who has read our own White Pony strip or ever done role-playing (D & D and the like). It is well drawn, written and toned. Susan is a great colorist in addition to being a fine illustrator and Rich is an up and coming penciler/inker with a sharp sense of humor. Good people with a good comic. Who could ask for more?
And Yes, I wore plaid. I packed it before I read Nathans post. Happy now?
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